Teflon Markets

It sounds unthinkable—America defaulting on its debt. Yet here we are, seriously debating what was once considered absurd. This week, Tom and Dylan unpack the politics, precedent, and potential fallout of a U.S. default. With Trump’s past brushes with bankruptcy in focus, they ask: is this just financial brinkmanship, or something deeper?

This week, Tom and Dylan unpack the concept of soft power—how goodwill, credibility, and trust shape influence. They reflect on the original vision behind tasty: offer free, fact-based research to build trust and earn loyalty—an approach that mirrors how nations gain global standing. From students choosing to study in America to consumers buying U.S. goods, soft power has long been a quiet force behind leadership on the world stage. But are we losing our edge? Tom and Dylan explore where the U.S. might be getting it wrong—and what’s at stake when influence starts to fade.

This week, Tom and Dylan unpack the surprising twist in the Nippon Steel–U.S. Steel merger. The U.S. government has secured a powerful new “G” share, giving it unprecedented control over key domestic operations. What does this mean for the future of American industry—and for an administration once seen as pro-business and anti-regulation? Tune in as they explore the fine print, the political fallout, and what it signals about the evolving role of government in corporate America.

When a business or country is run by someone surrounded by sycophants, you lose the adults in the room. Without dissenting voices, it's hard to properly think through issues. Ultimately, it leads to protests in the streets, like we're seeing in LA and Chicago. On this week's episode, Tom and Dylan want to know, where did the adults go? 

It wasn't long, but it was intense. The bromance seems to be over between Trump and Musk. The question is, what will the fallout be? Who keeps the house and is Stephen Miller's wife leaving with Elon? Tune into this week's episode as Tom and Dylan discuss the end of the Elon/Trump era.

The last decade has seen a political bifurcation of the United States. We've endured a pandemic. Despite all that, equity markets seem unfazed. The question becomes, what, if anything, can bring down the stock market? Tune into this week's episode as Tom and Dylan discuss the strength in U.S. equity markets and if they're impervious to all threats.

The corruption has hit a new high. Or low. Investments in construction projects. Meme coins. Airplanes. The White House may need a new color because the innocence has been sacrificed in the name of personal reward by its occupant. Tune into this week's episode as Tom and Dylan discuss the dissent of U.S. ideals into personal deals.  

The crypto space is still in its early stages, as users and investors try to understand its purpose and long-term potential. That process isn’t helped when the President of the United States launches a meme coin with no intrinsic value—except for the potential financial gain of himself and his family. Recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times reveals who benefited from the meme coin launches by President Trump and the First Lady. On this week’s episode, Tom and Dylan examine what these developments mean for the credibility of financial markets.  

Earlier this week, reports emerged that Amazon planned to display tariff costs directly to consumers. But after backlash from the White House, the company swiftly reversed course. Meanwhile, a new Executive Branch club—backed in part by Don Jr.—made headlines. For $500,000, members gain access to exclusive events with wealthy elites and figures from the Trump Administration. We’re witnessing an administration that consistently blurs the lines of propriety, and many are left wondering: when will the pushback come—and from where? All this and more on this week’s episode.

Alphabet and Meta are facing regulatory consequences for becoming monopolies. It's not something we see happen often in the U.S. and it begs the question, is breaking a company up because it became too big a good thing or bad? On this week's episode of Truth or Skepticism, Dylan and Tom discuss, plus Dylan shares a story about the time he pissed off Bill Gates.