Market Moment Podcast

With small-cap stocks quietly putting up historic numbers and massive structural changes being proposed for how Americans save for the future, the investing landscape is shifting right before our eyes. But how do these massive macroeconomic trends affect the money in your portfolio? In this episode, Matt, John, and Isaac take a data-driven look at the major trends shaping your portfolio. They brea...

With the stock market hovering around all-time highs at the halfway point of the year, it’s easy to let short-term market noise, geopolitical tensions, or Fed anxiety dictate your strategy. But what truly drives long-term stock returns? In this episode, Matt, Lee, and John take a data-driven step back to look at what the market actually cares about: corporate earnings. They break down the lockstep...

Have you noticed a layoff trend among the tech giants and mega corporations? Meta laid off 8,000 employees (nearly 10% of its workforce, reported in May, 2026), Oracle with 21,000 over the course of a year (the firm's latest annual report shows), and of course, WalMart has conducted periodic workforce reductions. This has raised the question, what do individuals in their 50s or 60s do if they find...

When what has been described as a “historic IPO” like SpaceX hits the market, the sheer volume of institutional and retail demand can influence short-term market dynamics. But as more everyday investors rely heavily on ETFs and mutual funds instead of individual stock transactions, how does that shift impact long-term market volatility? In this episode of The Market Moment, the guys break down the...

In Episode 302 of The Market Moment, Matt, Eli, and Isaac tackle the biggest financial news of the week: the highly anticipated SpaceX IPO. (And yes, it's also Annuity Awareness Month!) . We discuss the motivations behind this massive public offering and debate whether it's truly about raising capital or just creating a liquidity event for early investors. With almost every major bank backing the...

When you watch financial news or look at your 401(k) statement, everything is compared to the S&P 500. But is the S&P 500 actually a fair way to judge your personal investment performance? In this episode of The Market Moment, the guys look beyond the S&P 500 to discuss how to choose the right investment benchmarks for your personal goals. They break down why comparing a diversified po...

Are bonds becoming more attractive again? Or is the exploding U.S. national debt a ticking time bomb for investors? Welcome to the 300th episode of The Market Moment! In this milestone episode, Matt, John, and Lee dive deep into the massive shifts happening in the fixed income and Treasury markets. After a brutal couple of years for fixed income, long‑duration Treasury yields recently climbed over...

Moving to a new job and unsure what to do with your 401(k)? Or maybe you have several from previous jobs? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt, Lee, and John dive deep into the pros and cons of 401(k) rollovers. They break down hidden fees, the power of investment flexibility, and advanced tax strategies like Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) and the Rule of 55. Plus, the team answers a rece...

Potential Social Security cuts are making headlines again—but should headlines alone drive retirement planning conversations? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt, Isaac, and John discuss common questions surrounding the future of Social Security and the current state of global markets. With projections suggesting possible benefit reductions by 2033, the team explores how people often think...

Are all-time highs making you nervous about your retirement date? Are you asking the question, “Should I delay my retirement because of everything going on in our economy?”  In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt and John dive into the common fear of Sequence of Returns Risk and whether recent market volatility should push back your 2026 retirement plans. While it’s human nature to worry that...

From navigating the new mandatory Roth catch-up rules to analyzing a market sitting at its second-highest valuation in 155 years, let’s break down what you need to know to stay ahead of the "noise"...  In this episode, Matt, John, and Lee break down recent tax law changes affecting retirement contributions and discuss the current state of the stock market as it sits near all-time highs. They dive...

Is the US economy headed for a 1970s-style stagflation? In this episode of the Market Moment, Lee Mackey, John Martfeld, and Isaac Johnson dive into the massive headlines rocking the financial world this week—from leadership changes at the world’s largest tech giant to the shifting political landscape.   In this episode, we discuss: ➡️The End of an Era at Apple: We break down Tim Cook’s decision t...

"If you can’t handle losing 30% to 50% of your stock’s value, then investing might not be for you." In this episode of Market Moment, Matt, John, and Isaac confront the psychological reality of that famous Peter Lynch quote. With the current volatility surrounding the conflict in Iran and the subsequent market pullback, they discuss the difference between "agreeing" with volatility in a bull marke...

Tax season is here—and in this episode of Market Moment, Matt, Lee, and John break down key tax deadlines, last-minute strategies, and planning opportunities before April 15. If you’re wondering what you can still do to potentially reduce your tax burden, this episode covers the essentials. We discuss: 📌 Final IRA and HSA contribution deadlines for the prior tax year 📌 What you can and can’t sti...

From the rapid rise of artificial intelligence to escalating geopolitical tensions, today’s market environment is being shaped by forces investors can’t afford to ignore. In this episode of Market Moment, Lee Mackey and John Martfield are joined by global market strategist Stephanie Aliaga of J.P. Morgan to break down the biggest forces shaping today’s economy and financial markets. From the rapid...

In this episode of Market Moment, Matt, Lee and John tackle one of the most common financial planning questions: How do you balance short-term goals with long-term investing? From saving for a home to planning for retirement, the conversation explores how to prioritize competing financial goals, manage risk, and structure your money using a “bucket” approach. The team also discusses why many inves...

In this episode of Market Moment, Matt and John break down the key differences between mutual funds, ETFs (exchange-traded funds), and direct indexing—three of the most common investment vehicles used today.   If you’ve ever wondered: -Are ETFs always better than mutual funds? -What makes direct indexing more tax efficient? -How do investment structures impact your returns?   This episode simplifi...

What happens when oil prices spike, software stocks drop sharply, and market uncertainty rises all at the same time? In this episode of Market Moment, Matt and Lee discuss the latest developments in the markets and the economy. From volatility in software stocks to rising oil prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the current environment highlights the importance of diversification and long-...

The stock market started down today and many investors may be tempted to panic, but conflicts are nothing new to history nor the seasoned investor.  In this episode of The Market Moment podcast, John and Matt unpack the recent Iranian, United States and Israeli conflict but not from a political perspective but from an investor’s mindset: How will this impact the markets and both the global and US...

Is NVIDIA’s earnings report about to move the entire market? And are we overhyping AI all over again? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt and John dive deep into the biggest story driving markets right now: AI spending, Big Tech dominance, and NVIDIA earnings. With sky-high expectations, massive data center growth, and the Mag 7 under pressure to deliver perfection, the question isn’t just...

How do short-term market swings impact long-term retirement plans—and should you actually do anything when volatility spikes? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt and Eli break down what recent market volatility really means for investors, especially those in or nearing retirement. While the headlines may focus on pullbacks in big tech and daily market swings, the bigger question is whether...

How should investors react when markets get volatile—and headlines get loud? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt, John, and Lee break down what volatility really means, why it isn’t always a bad thing, and how long-term investors can stay disciplined when fear and greed start creeping in. The conversation covers why volatility is a normal part of investing, how emotional decision-making oft...

How do you build an investment portfolio you can actually stick with—when markets get volatile and when they’re ripping higher? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt, John, and Isaac break down what it really means to build a diversified portfolio that fits your true risk tolerance, not just the one you think you have during a bull market. From fear and greed to rebalancing discipline, the co...

Can you transition into retirement without walking away from purpose, income, or flexibility? In this episode of The Market Moment, Matt, Eli, and John explore the growing trend of phased retirement—and why it may be a smarter alternative to retiring “cold turkey.” Fresh off snowmageddon and fueled by very little sleep, the team dives into real-world retirement planning conversations they’re havin...

Market volatility, geopolitical headlines, and nonstop news can make investing feel overwhelming — even when long-term fundamentals haven’t changed. In this week’s Market Moment, Matt and Lee unpack a sharp market sell-off driven by global headlines, investor sentiment, and geopolitical uncertainty. They discuss why markets reacted so strongly, what was really behind the “sell America” trade, and...