Retirement Optimism Podcast

Alternative investments like private equity, crypto, and gold are capturing attention again — especially as access widens and prices rise. But broader availability doesn’t automatically translate into better opportunities for the everyday investor. Private equity access sounds exciting, yet institutional money will almost certainly get premium deals while Main Street investors are left picking thr...

Are we in an AI bubble? Everywhere you look, billions are being poured into artificial intelligence, and the comparisons to the dot-com era are hard to ignore. In this episode, David Hicks breaks down what “bubble talk” really means — why not all bubbles are bad, why timing them almost never works, and how smart diversification keeps long-term investors grounded no matter what’s trending in the he...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks explores one of Morgan Housel’s “little rules about big things”: focus on risks that cause permanent damage, not temporary harm. Drawing on client stories and the Oakmont Retirement Design process, David shows how most threats to retirement success don’t come from headlines or market swings—they come from our own reactions. From panic selling to...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks explores how generosity and smart planning can go hand in hand. Writing a check is the simplest way to give—but often not the most efficient. David walks through three strategies that can help you maximize both your charitable impact and your tax benefits: Donating appreciated investments instead of cash to avoid capital gains taxes and give more...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks unpacks the current state of the real estate market—nationally and here in New Mexico—and how it fits into your retirement planning strategy. With interest rates still elevated, home prices holding steady, and buyers and sellers stuck in a stalemate, the market feels uncertain. But uncertainty doesn’t mean paralysis. David breaks down what’s driv...

How can the market be hitting all-time highs while uncertainty feels higher than ever? In this episode, David unpacks one of the biggest misconceptions in investing today: that uncertainty equals risk. Drawing on lessons from history, recent headlines, and voices like Howard Marks and Nassim Taleb, he explains why the real danger isn’t what happens—but how we react to it. You’ll learn why long-ter...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks breaks down the newly signed legislation unofficially dubbed “The Big Beautiful Bill.” With major updates to tax brackets, deductions, estate planning exemptions, and more, this law has big implications for income planning, Roth conversions, Social Security taxation, and long-term legacy strategies. David walks through the key provisions that mat...

This week, David shares reflections from the final days leading up to the 29029 TRAIL event in Park City—a three-day endurance challenge covering 26.2 miles each day and nearly 17,000 feet of elevation gain. With his training behind him and the taper period in full effect, David unpacks why preparation—not perfection—is what truly determines success, both on the trail and in retirement. He draws p...

This week’s episode is a little different—but no less important. Instead of focusing on markets or strategy, David invites listeners to step back and ask some deeper, more personal questions. Have you ever reached a milestone and thought, “Now what?” Whether you’re newly retired, mid-career, or just starting out, there comes a time when we all wonder if the life we’ve built truly reflects what mat...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks addresses a question many investors have been asking: “Is diversification still worth it?” After years of U.S. stock market dominance, it’s easy to feel like international stocks and other underperforming asset classes don’t belong in your portfolio. But that thinking misses the point. David breaks down why diversification is still a critical par...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David revisits the theme of compounding—how it works, why it’s so powerful, and why it’s so often misunderstood. Drawing parallels between his training for the 29029 Trail event and the long climb of investing, David shares a timely reflection on Warren Buffett’s 60-year performance and the staggering impact of small, consistent returns over time. You’ll hea...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David breaks down the all-too-familiar pattern of market crises and recoveries. From Y2K to the 2020 pandemic, and now trade tensions in 2024, the headlines may change—but the rhythm stays the same. David shares how these cycles follow a predictable path: a shock, a sell-off, and a recovery. You’ll hear why the phrase “this time is different” rarely holds up...

In this episode of the Retirement Optimism podcast, David shares how training for his first 29029 TRAIL event — three marathon-distance mountain climbs in three days — is helping him reflect on the power of discipline, structure, and long-term planning. As spring meetings wrap up and uncertainty swirls around tariffs, markets, and global headlines, the message is clear: stay grounded. Stick to the...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks reflects on Warren Buffett’s recent announcement to step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and highlights four timeless behavioral principles that guided Buffett through 83 years of investing. Rather than focusing on stock selection, David unpacks the mindset Buffett modeled—emphasizing long-term equity ownership, ignoring market forecasts, embra...

Can money really buy happiness? In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks unpacks the surprising research behind how we spend—and how it impacts our well-being. From donating to meaningful causes to investing in experiences and personal growth, you'll hear practical insights and real-life examples that reveal where money actually delivers the most joy. This week’s Retirement Optimism mem...

In this episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks reflects on Warren Buffett’s recent remarks at the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting—reminding us that volatility is part of the investing process, not a disruption of it. We connect these insights with current trade policy uncertainty, political maneuvering, and why headlines often distort reality. Drawing from Buffett, Howard Marks,...

In this episode of the Retirement Optimism Podcast, David Hicks tackles the rising anxiety around the future of Social Security. With headlines swirling and misinformation spreading fast, David cuts through the noise to clarify what’s really going on—directly from the Social Security Administration itself. From staffing changes and service delays to the reality of the trust fund depletion timeline...

In this episode of the Retirement Optimism Podcast, David explores one simple but powerful question: What do you think your future self would be most grateful you did today? It’s easy to get caught up in headlines, market noise, and emotional reactions—especially when things feel uncertain. But real retirement success isn’t about timing the market or predicting the next big trend. It’s about your...

Markets have been volatile, headlines are loud, and once again, it feels like the world is on edge. In this first episode of Retirement Optimism, David Hicks cuts through the noise and offers timely perspective on why market pullbacks are more normal than they feel — and why your plan was built for moments just like this. From tariff tensions to tech sector dips, David breaks down what’s really go...