The Stock Trading Reality Podcast

I was recently asked, "Hey Clay! What would be one bit of advice you'd give a younger version of yourself?" What a great question! In this episode, we dive into one of the simplest — yet most powerful — financial principles that hides in plain sight - or does it? While it sounds obvious, many people struggle with this principle, and the consequences can add unnecessary stress, debt, and financial...

We hear it all the time: context is king. This is certainly true and is an important part of the discussion or decision making process. When we focus it into trading, context is extremely important! With that said, I recently read an article from a psychology professional who makes a super interesting point. Is it anything revolutionary? I don't think so. But it is one of those dynamics that sort...

$53,400 gone in a matter of minutes. It sounds a bit far-fetched doesn't it? Unfortunately, it's not and is the reality of the situation for a very courageous member of my private trading community. This past week a screen shot showed up in our private chatroom showing their results and it left us all shocked and saddened. How could this happen? What was he trading? Does he plan to keep on trading...

There is a new study making its way around from MIT in regards to what ChatGPT is doing to people's brains. In my opinion, none of it is shocking; however, it also made me think about all of us as traders. I'm open to the idea that maybe I am overthinking this and it's not necessarily true, but I'm pretty confident I'm at least in the general area of truth. Finding consistency and success in tradi...

Personally, if someone showed me what I'm about to show you, I would not believe them. I would immediately say, "No way! What's the catch???". As much as it would disappoint me for you not to consider what I talk about in this week's episode of the podcast, I'd truly understand. If you are looking for a way to create some crazy return on investments ("ROI's") in your monetary world, then you need...

It's certainly not a new topic to the ClayTrader world, but it's a topic that I'm not sure can ever be talked about too often. Good ole' demo trading is one of the more complicated dynamics in all of trading. I think this is because there are so many different angles and considerations that need to be made in regards to its actual value. As the years continue to pass me by and I hear more and more...

Are there any more dreaded words in the minds of some traders than "market makers"?!?! Who knows, perhaps you now have goose bumps or the hair on your arms is standing straight up! If you are one of these people who believe it is very important to pay attention to "market makers" and their games, let's take a step back and do some thinking. While I can understand your concern and focus on market m...

Anxiety and "Tilt". Perhaps those two words cause goosebumps and/or for the hair to raise up on the back of your neck! I'm with you! In the world of trading these are two very common and powerful pitfalls that we must learn how to navigate. I recently had a couple of traders ask me how I fight against each of those. This is a very thoughtful question and comes from a place of someone being self aw...

I recently came across an article on CNBC that sparked a topic that doesn't get talked about enough. Perhaps you are well aware of day trader geography, but oftentimes it's one of those concepts that hides in plain sight. The best way to find success as a day trader (or really any kind of trader/investor for that matter) is to ensure your expectations are aligned as closely as possible with realit...

"Today" (the day I recorded this episode) I was reminded of how I need to do a better job of deploying my critical thinking skills around the economic calendar. Thankfully the trade I was in turned out really well, but wow, the opposite could have just as easily been true. I know I've talked about the economic calendar before on the podcast; however, the lesson I was reminded of "today" is certain...

My YouTube live streams continue to deliver these podcast episode ideas! This past week I had a few interactions that, once again, reminded me of how some people could better themselves as a trader by doing one simple thing. To be fair, I suppose it is not the simplest thing to do, but again, to be fair, it's also not in the realm of reasonableness to say this thing is impossible to do. I admit I...

The Trump Tweet. We're all aware as traders by now how a single press of a button can send the markets into full blow roller coaster mode. We're also aware of how a press conference about a certain topic can contain an off the cuff remark that, once again, sends the market into full blown roller coaster mode. I've been asked enough now the same general question where it makes sense to address it v...

More and more people are asking about AI and what I think the effects it will have on the markets. It's not a crazy question at all. Is AI something that is going to wreck the markets and destroy everything we know as traders? Are we going to be eaten alive by its vast intelligence and ability to think way quicker than we are? The core of the question is this: will there be any room for human trad...

There is nothing worse we can do to ourselves as traders and investors than deceive ourselves. Deception can be a tricky thing. Self deception can be an even trickier thing. I wouldn't say I was shocked by the discovery, but the livestream on YouTube continues to deliver valuable lessons and reminders for us in the trading world. There is quite a bit of self deception occurring and I'm doing my be...

Not a whole lot of money but want the opportunity to grow it fast? Looking for something that moves extremely quickly? Did you stumble upon someone explaining just how much money can be made with these small cap and low float stocks? Listen. I get it. I really do. Like most of us, when we first get started on our trading journey we don't have a whole lot of capital to work with. Because of this, t...

Do you have the entire context when it comes to risk management? This is a critical skill within the world of trading and one that must be mastered if you want any true chance at success. Perhaps you're now asking, "How do we determine the entire context for risk?" Well, in all actuality, it revolves around a single question. Once you answer this question, the numbers will drive themselves from th...

Hmmmm… is this type of trading fake? That's what I was recently told and perhaps you've heard someone make the same claim. This interaction happened on a live stream which was ideal as I could interact with this person in real time. Did this person bring hardcore evidence to the table to support their claim? Were they able to present a case that did indeed expose this trading strategy as fake? I t...

Do you find yourself struggling in an area of your trading? You aren't alone! The world of trading is a constant struggle. Oftentimes, it's the struggle against all those crazy voices in our head that want us to do really stupid things. Other times, it can be more of a unique struggle that won't be the same for everyone. In this episode of the podcast, I wanted to take the time to share with you a...

Unless you went outside, dug a hole, and shoved your head into it.. You know things have gotten pretty wild around the world from an economic standpoint. If you're anything like me and others know you're "in the markets", you know things are getting dramatic when people start texting you with "you ok?"... "what is going on?".. Etc. We're in a unique time and I want to point out what I believe to b...

One of the more challenging parts of being a trader is figuring out the difference between good goals and bad goals. Unfortunately, this is not always a black-and-white situation where a goal is blatantly bad (or good). If you wonder why day trading failure rates are so high, in my opinion, I would say "goal setting" is one of those core reasons. I realize this sounds a bit backwards. Most of us g...

As I've now been live streaming for almost two months now, I've gathered many more real time interactions to my "experience database". Over the years I've interacted with plenty of people through customer service emails, YouTube comments, and people joining my communities. There's something a bit more unique about the live stream as I can, in a sense, have a real time conversation with them. Throu...

I truly hope after listening to this episode you are a bit angry at me because you feel as though I've wasted your time. I hope you are thinking the whole time, "Come on Clay! Really? You really needed to clarify this for me?!?!". If this is indeed the case, I am so relieved and will have a bit more peace in my rest. Because, as you're about to see, what you may find super obvious is… unfortunatel...

It's taken me a while to gather my thoughts on this issue and organize them in a coherent manner. To be fair, maybe they are still all over the place and none of what I am going to talk about will make sense; however, I'm pretty sure it will! In the spirit of respecting your time, if you are a swing trader or an investor, PAM'SS PLANT is not for you. I suppose if you are one of those people who ju...

I want to be a full time day trader! I've heard this said time and time again over the years. It's a super ambitious goal and one that I can't fault people for having. In the spirit of being brutally upfront: it's a TERRIBLE goal. Please! Before you go kicking me to the curb as some kind of hater or a person trying to send out negative vibes, hear me out! It won't take long, but if you give me a c...

This is more a public service announcement than anything else, but I want you to all be aware that I have begun live streaming during the lunchtime portion of the day. This is free and open to everyone and anyone. You don't need to be a premium member and you don't even need to be a subscriber to my YouTube channel (but if you're not… come on!!!). What's the live stream all about? What can you exp...