The Higher Standard

In this mind-expanding episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take a detour from their usual financial deep dives to expose the sinister underbelly of human decision-making. Turns out, the economy isn’t broken—our brains are. From Robert Shiller’s Narrative Economics to Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, the duo unpacks how financial markets, political ideologies, and your everyday...

Strap in, folks! This episode of The Higher Standard dives into the mind-bending world of quantum computing, where traditional computers look like toddlers trying to do calculus compared to these futuristic behemoths. Chris and Saied break down how these machines are poised to change finance, security, and possibly the way your toaster thinks about bread. They also take a moment to...

The Jeff Goldbum of podcasting, Chris Naghibi, and the Louie Anderson of podcasting, Saied Omar, are back, and this time they're tackling the economy with unfocused and unstructured charm. Starting with a light-hearted critique of Chris' newfound love for wearing green—a strategy he swears is to win favor at home but admits has been a complete flop. From there, the duo launches into the harsh real...

In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied embark on a laugh-out-loud journey into the brave new world of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and why you might want to rethink your TikTok algorithm. From discussing how AI is turning banks into crystal ball-wielding financial wizards to debating whether robots will steal your job (spoiler: they’re coming for the lawyers first),...

In this episode of  The Higher Standard , Chris and Saied tackle the growing emotional toll of money management and the chaos of California’s insurance market. Against the backdrop of the devastating Los Angeles fires, they unpack how insurers are fleeing high-risk areas, leaving homeowners with overpriced, bare-bones policies like the California Fair Plan. With homes underinsured and rebuild...

🎧 What happens when a whole generation hits pause on adulthood? Chris and Saied are here to unpack the Wall Street Journal’s claim that millennials and Gen Z are stuck in “arrested development.” Spoiler: it’s not TikTok’s fault—try student loans, absurd housing costs, and a financial system that makes  The Hunger Games  look like a utopia. ➡️ From child-free lifestyles to 38-year-old fi...

Happy New Year! In this special year-end episode, Chris and Saied dive deep into the wild ride that was 2024, recapping the economy quarter by quarter with their signature mix of insight and banter. From the "pensive" start of the year where the Fed played cat-and-mouse with rate cuts to the real estate market's affordability crisis and the Magnificent Seven’s domination of Wall Street, this episo...

In this episode, Chris and Saied break down the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut, and let’s just say, it’s got everyone—from Wall Street to your wallet—feeling some kind of way. With a 25 basis point cut to the Fed Funds rate, inflation still refusing to play nice, and the bond market throwing a full-on tantrum, it’s clear: the Fed’s decisions are anything but boring. Oh, and don’t miss Chris’s h...

You know what they say – the first $100,000 is the hardest, and it feels like scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops. In this episode of *The Higher Standard*, Chris and Saied unpack why breaking that six-figure milestone is such a struggle and how even Charlie Munger (RIP) called it a "b*tch." But once you hit that $100K, things start compounding faster than your excuses for skipping leg day. It’s l...

Buckle up, folks—it's a wild week for the economy, and  The Higher Standard  crew is here to navigate the chaos so you don’t have to. Chris and Saied tackle the avalanche of data from the ISM, JOLTS, and the much - anticipated Jobs Report. (Haroon is still out on paternity leave.) Will these numbers flex harder than a bodybuilder at the beach, or are cracks starting to show? And don’t wo...

The American Dream is increasingly being questioned as financial challenges mount for many Americans. With 84% of the population believing it's a bad time to buy a home, the podcast dives into the shocking statistics surrounding homeownership costs, credit card debt, and the soaring rejection rates for loans. ➡️ Hosts Saied and Chris share their candid thoughts on the current economic landscape, i...

🎙️ In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take listeners on a rollercoaster ride through the land of leadership, stress, and... Whole Foods hot bars? 🍳 Yes, it’s that kind of episode. Starting with some playful banter about overpriced turmeric shots and parental leave policies (because Haroon is off becoming a “baby-making legend”), the hosts quickly shift gears to tackle the hig...

In this episode, hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon tackle the behemoth that is U.S. government spending. With deficits skyrocketing 287% year-over-year and the national debt now exceeding $33 trillion, the hosts break down how this level of fiscal mismanagement impacts everything from mortgage rates to Social Security. They also delve into Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy's bold new roles in the Departm...

The average age of U.S. homebuyers has soared to 56, proving that owning a home now requires both age and a level of patience previously reserved for waiting in line at the DMV. Saied, Chris, and Haroon hilariously dissect this trend, blaming skyrocketing home prices, nosebleed mortgage rates, and a painfully thin housing inventory for forcing younger buyers to stay on the sidelines—or back in the...

As the U.S. approaches Election Day on November 5th, the trio dives deep into the intersection of politics and economics, exploring how election outcomes could impact the market and your wallet. With rising anxiety reflected in the VIX index, your hosts discuss the historical volatility seen during previous elections, particularly in 2008 and 2020, and how this year’s political climate feels diffe...

In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take the stage as a dynamic duo, flying solo without their third musketeer, Haroon, who’s off on PTO (probably in a pickleball tournament or hiding from the Fed). With no one to keep them in check, the two dive headfirst into a whirlwind of financial insights, market predictions, and why the MAG 7 tech giants are carrying the S&P 500 on t...

Consumers might have to wait two to three years for their perceptions of inflation to normalize, as highlighted by Fed’s Daly, leaving many still wincing at higher prices. Meanwhile, falling home prices are causing significant distress, particularly in ten states where mortgage balances now exceed property values. ➡️ Episode 252 of The Higher Standard podcast dives into the alarming drop in US mor...

The hosts take a hilarious trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the good old days of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). They crack up over their embarrassingly bad usernames—ones that should probably never see the light of day again. You know that cringe-worthy online persona you thought was behind you? Turns out, it never really leaves! They dive into how their AIM alter-egos might still be hauntin...

The 250th episode of The Higher Standard podcast marks a significant milestone packed with our unique style of humor and engaging discussions on financial literacy. Hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon navigate the complexities of budgeting and personal finance with an entertaining twist. They delve into the nitty-gritty of establishing a payday routine, breaking it down into digestible segments for the...

Chris takes the helm for episode 249 of The Higher Standard podcast, delivering an insightful solo deep dive into the economic landscape. The episode kicks off by addressing the Federal Reserve's unexpected 50 basis point rate cut and its implications for the U.S. economy, drawing parallels to previous cuts in 2001 and 2007 that preceded recessions. ➡️ With a focus on the housing market, Chris unp...

Episode 248 of The Higher Standard is here and Saied, Chris and Haroon break down the key takeaways from the Fed's decision to cut a full 50bps for its first rate cut of the cycle. The last two times this happened historically was in 2001 and 2007. After each of those was a notable recessionary economy. ➡️ Real estate agents are also dropping like flies already, falling to the lowest number of rep...

In episode 247 of The Higher Standard, Saied, Chris and Haroon dive deep into a lighthearted discussion about the unexpected appearance of cockroaches in their studio. As they transition into the financial content, the team tackles a listener question on how to find the best real estate agent. And of course they had to cover the guaranteed rate cut happening this week when the FOMC announces their...

In this episode of The Higher Standard, your charming hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive deep into the habits that might be holding you back from financial freedom, inspired by Humphrey Yang’s insightful YouTube video “The Middle Class Habits Keeping You in the Rat Race.” The trio dissects the habits that seem harmless but might be chaining you to mediocrity, and they share their own witty takes...

In episode 245 of The Higher Standard podcast, Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive into the latest market-moving headlines. They start with a bombshell from Jerome Powell, who finally hints that the Fed might cut interest rates. But before you get too excited, they break down why rate cuts tied to a looming recession might spell trouble for your stock portfolio. The hosts then shift gears to the housing...

In this episode of The Higher Standard podcast, Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive into the timeless lessons of Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," reflecting on the book’s enduring insights into wealth-building strategies. While they acknowledge the value of its principles, the hosts candidly express their mixed feelings about Kiyosaki’s modern-day social media persona, suggesting that his transfo...