256: Financial Market Review: Moving Fast and Breaking Things

The stock market produced another year of strong results in 2025, despite a whirlwind of policy changes that made our heads spin. But what is the outlook for the market and economy in 2026? Join us this week as we break down our views for what’s to expect for investors.

Black players make up 70% of the NFL, but Black coaches went 0-10 in securing head coaching jobs this off-season.  Despite missing out on those 10 jobs, there are currently a record ten Fortune 500 companies with Black CEOs.  In honor of Black History Month, we are shining light on some inspiring stories of Black leadership in Corporate America. 

Less than 1% of venture-capital-backed startups will achieve a valuation in excess of $1 billion. Despite Black-led technology startups receiving less than half of 1 one percent of all venture-funding, there are SEVERAL black-led Unicorns. On this first episode of Black History Month, we highlight a few successful companies that you may not realize were founded by Black people, and dispel the notion that Black businesses need “support” – what they really need is for us to buy their stuff.

It’s tax time and Americans are slated to receive a 25% increase in their tax refunds this year. But at what cost? Our government has also cut a number of social safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid, and important departments like the Environmental Protection Agency and National Science Foundation.This week we will break down all of the ways you can maximize your tax refund in light of the many tax cuts in place for 2025, including the return of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction.

Studies show that the earlier you introduce a young adult to investing, the wealthier they become. This week, we break down the basic building blocks of investments — Money, Opportunity and Time. We also give kids, parents and rich aunties alike the tools for getting started with an investment account.

The year 2026 is kicking with both feet. In just a few short weeks, the US has captured the President of Venezuela, has threatened to defund sanctuary cities and is making plans towards “acquiring” Greenland. With so much change happening so quickly, what moves should you be making in your portfolio and financial life?

In physics, a single domino can knock over another domino that is 50% larger. If lined up properly, your single initial action could eventually knock over a piece the size of the Eiffel Tower. Instead of coming up with a laundry list of goals for 2026, what if you focused on one big thing that would have a monumental impact on your financial life? We will offer a few examples and stories as inspiration, but ultimately, your choice of domino is completely up to you.

As we wrap up another year, we start the show highlighting some of our major moments from 2025. But more importantly, we play a game to figure out whose Black Card will be revoked for Christmas – Andrea’s or Allan’s? Join us as we cut up with our special guest Baron Hilliard of Momentum Advisors.

Mortgage rates are finally becoming affordable again and there a range of options for existing homeowners and potential buyers. This week, we are joined by mortgage expert Makeda Fryson of Greenway Mortgage, who leads us through strategies for every borrower.

We recently met with a client family who was surprised to learn that they had become millionaires. Their ascension was not based on some singular great investment, but a series of tiny habits like avoiding credit spending, maxing out their 401ks every year, and not taking loans or withdrawals. The book Atomic Habits™ is about getting 1% better each day and creating small habits that lead to great results. This week’s show breaks down some key learnings from the book and applies them to building wealth.