The Real Investment Show (Full Show)

In this episode, we explore how today’s investors are adapting to volatility, inflation, and complexity across markets. Lance Roberts & Jon Penn explore Structured Notes: These complex instruments promise tailored returns, but they come with tax pitfalls and credit risks investors must understand before buying. We’ll break down how structured notes work—and why they may belong inside an IRA rather...

Are today’s investors psychologically conditioned to buy every market dip—no matter the risk? Lance Roberts explores the “Investor Dilemma” through the lens of Pavlov’s classical conditioning, revealing how years of Fed interventions, liquidity injections, and momentum rallies have trained investors to respond to volatility like Pavlov’s dogs to a bell...and three Gold Myths you don't want to mith...

Most investors have filled out a risk tolerance questionnaire—but does it really measure how you’ll behave when markets crash? Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty break down why traditional risk tolerance tools fail to predict investor behavior, how emotions override risk profiles, and why time horizons, liquidity needs, and cash flow matter far more than a few survey questions. 0:19 - Halloween Prel...

Why has Bitcoin captured the attention of investors and innovators alike? Lance Roberts & Vinay Gupta break down what makes Bitcoin unique — from its blockchain backbone to its role as currency, commodity, and speculative asset. We’ll explore how to think about Bitcoin in a diversified portfolio, what risks investors need to understand, and why blockchain may reshape how business is done in the fu...

Taking profits sounds easy—until you try it with a smaller account. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn answer listeners' question about managing portfolios spread across myriad stocks, with allocations similar to the S&P 500. When positions are small, trimming into strength or reinvesting during market highs can feel nearly impossible. 0:19 - Profit Taking, Earnings, & FOMC Meeting Previews 4:48 - Mark...

We’re living through one of the most dangerous eras in history — not because of war or politics alone, but because of the extraordinary convergence of economic, financial, and geopolitical risks. In this episode, we break down: How record global debt, AI-driven speculation, and geopolitical instability are colliding. Why the current market optimism masks systemic fragility. What investors can lear...

Your greatest retirement risk isn’t the market; it’s living longer than you expect. Richard Rosso shares the Art of Retirement Income—how to enjoy your savings early in retirement while protecting your future lifestyle. 💡 Topics covered: • Why the 4% rule doesn’t match how most retirees really spend • How to front-load income for early enjoyment without running out of money • The role of inflatio...

Gold’s rally has investors shouting “dollar debasement!” — but is the narrative real, or just a speculative illusion? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down the popular debasement argument and expose the facts behind the gold surge. From money supply trends to Fed policy and global confidence in the U.S. dollar, we separate the data from the hype. 0:19 - Stresses Emerging in Lower End of Econ...

Cash value life insurance often sparks debate — is it a smart financial tool or an expensive way to mix insurance with investing? Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn break down how cash value life insurance actually works and where it may (or may not) fit into your overall financial picture. 0:18 - Preview - Life Insurance & BYOB, Earnings Season Continues 6:00 - Markets Confirm Bullish Trend 10:55 - Pr...

Invest like a bull. Think like a bear. Lance Roberts dives into the mindset of successful investors: staying bullish on opportunity, but thinking like a bear when it comes to risk. Learn how to stay optimistic without losing discipline, why emotional control outperforms market hype, and how blending bullish conviction with bearish caution can help you thrive through any cycle. * How to stay invest...

Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and this is your chance to review, compare, and adjust your coverage for 2026. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty review six crucial steps to help you make smarter Medicare choices — from evaluating plan changes and comparing drug coverage to avoiding common enrollment mistakes. Whether you’re already on Medicare Advantage or r...

What makes capitalism the most successful wealth-building system in history? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explore how economic freedom, private ownership, and innovation incentives have lifted billions out of poverty and created unmatched prosperity. Why do societies that embrace free markets and entrepreneurship tend to enjoy higher standards of living, longer lifespans, and greater personal...

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell just hinted that the Fed may soon pause its balance-sheet runoff — a potential shift that could reshape market liquidity and investor sentiment. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff break down: * Why the Fed may pause QT — and what it signals about financial conditions. * How ending balance-sheet runoff affects liquidity, yields, and asset prices. * What history tells...

Are annuities the safe retirement solution they’re sold as — or a financial trap in disguise? Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn unpack the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of annuities. 10:03 - Kitchen Sets & Intramural Flag Football 14:52 - Annuities - Good, Bad, & Ugly 18:08 - What is an Annuity? 20:16 - Different Flavors of Annuities 22:07 - The Ugly Truth About Early Surrender Fees 27:29 - Why Mi...

Are markets completely disconnected from economic reality? In this exclusive conversation, Lance Roberts of RIA Advisors sits down with Daniel LaCalle, Chief Economist at Tressis and author of Freedom or Equality, to examine the illusion of wealth, sovereign-debt bubbles, and why the next global crisis may already be forming beneath the surface. 🔍 Topics discussed: 0:18 - Intro - Is There a Disco...

How do you make every dollar work harder for you? Richard Rosso breaks down the Hierarchy of Smart Savings Strategies — a smart, structured approach to prioritize where to save and invest for maximum growth and minimum taxes. This simple yet powerful framework helps you build wealth efficiently, protect against taxes, and optimize your financial future. 0:19 - Foundational Basis & Economic Conundr...

A recession usually means falling inflation and lower bond yields — good news for bond investors. But what if this time is different? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down how the next recession could flip the bond trade from bullish to bearish — and why government policy and fiscal stimulus may once again distort the relationship between inflation, yields, and bond prices. 0:19 - US Dollar...

Join Lance Roberts for a live open Q&A on markets, money, and investing. We’ll cover what’s on your mind—from market melt-ups and Fed policy to portfolio positioning and economic risks. No scripts, no fluff—just real talk and real answers about what’s moving markets and shaping investor behavior. 0:19 - Markets are Absorbing Money 4:14 - Profit Taking in Bitcoin 9:15 - YouTube Poll - The #1 Thing...

In your 30s, 40s, or 50s, life gets busy—and money decisions get complicated. Many professionals fall into the same midlife financial traps that quietly erode their future wealth. Lance Roberts & Jon Penn unpack seven common midlife money mistakes that can derail your long-term goals—from lifestyle creep and poor diversification to credit card debt and get-rich-quick schemes. Learn how to stay foc...

Investors often believe that when markets “recover,” their portfolios do too — but that’s a dangerous illusion. In this episode, Lance Roberts breaks down why percentage losses and gains are not symmetrical, and how a 50% loss requires a 100% gain just to break even. We’ll discuss why bear market math destroys long-term returns, how emotional investors get trapped in the “illusion of recovery,” an...

Protecting your family starts with the right financial basics. In this video, we break down the must-have estate planning tools, insurance coverage, and financial safeguards every household needs. From wills and trusts to life insurance, disability coverage, and guardianship designations, we’ll cover how to ensure your loved ones are secure no matter what happens. We’ll also dive into digital asse...

The government shutdown has silenced the Bureau of Labor Statistics, leaving investors without the monthly jobs report. But does Wall Street really need the BLS to keep moving? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explore what happens when government labor data goes missing, how traders adapt, and what alternative indicators might offer clues about the state of the economy. Lance and Mike also examine...

The U.S. government shutdown has officially started. What does this mean for the economy, markets, and your investments? Lance Roberts covers the immediate fallout from the shutdown on federal spending, workers, and services ; how markets have historically reacted during shutdowns—and what to expect this time; the risk to GDP, delayed economic data releases, and consumer confidence. This shutdown...

Why do we invest? The answer goes far beyond just making money. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn, Two Dads on Money, break down the most important reasons people put their money to work in the markets. Lance and Jon also show why investing is not just for Wall Street professionals—it’s for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your long-term strategy, this episode will give you a cle...

Lance Roberts examines one of the most reliable technical analysis tools investors use to measure market risk: the Relative Strength Index (RSI). The RSI helps identify when markets are overbought, oversold, or diverging from price action. While RSI is not a perfect “buy or sell” signal, it is a powerful guardrail for risk management. History shows that overbought conditions can persist much longe...