On the surface, the economy looks stable. The stock market is holding up, inflation appears under control, and official messaging says things are fine.

But when you talk directly with small business owners, especially in restaurants and hospitality, a very different reality emerges.

In this episode, I share real conversations with restaurant owners and operators and explain why this sector is already experiencing recession-like conditions, even if the headlines are not acknowledging it yet.

We discuss

Why most restaurants are barely breaking even or losing money
How rising labor, insurance, utilities, rent, and food costs destroyed margins
Why consumer spending is slowing even as prices remain high
How post-pandemic demand turned into a spending hangover
Why businesses can no longer raise prices without losing customers
What this reveals about small businesses beyond restaurants
Why this matters for housing, real estate, interest rates, and the broader economy
Why staying in neutral is risky and how rate cuts could change the outlook

Restaurant margins were always thin, and the combination of higher costs and softer demand has pushed many small businesses to the edge. This is not just a restaurant issue. It is a small business issue with broader economic consequences.

If you want to understand what is happening beneath the surface of the economy and why official narratives often miss early warning signs, this is an important conversation to hear.

2026 is starting with a bang.

Trump just announced a series of major housing, mortgage, and economic proposals, and some of them could have real implications for interest rates, affordability, and the housing market.

In this episode, I break down what was announced, what actually matters, and which ideas could realistically move mortgage rates versus what may remain political talk.

In this episode, we cover
A proposal to buy 200 billion dollars in mortgage backed securities and how that could push rates lower
A potential 10 percent cap on credit card interest rates and what it says about consumer stress
Efforts to limit large institutional investors from buying single family homes
New ADU financing ideas allowing up to four units and how this could impact housing supply
A new Federal Reserve Chair and why leadership changes matter for rate policy
Discussion around 50 year mortgages and transferable loans and whether they are realistic

Some of these proposals could be game changing. Others may face significant hurdles. Understanding the difference is critical for homebuyers, homeowners, investors, and industry professionals navigating the 2026 housing market.

If you want clarity on how these announcements could affect mortgage rates, housing affordability, and real estate decisions, this episode breaks it down in plain English.

Why Motivation Isn’t Enough in 2026

It’s a new year, and like most people, you probably started 2026 with big goals. Get in shape. Wake up earlier. Build better habits. Focus on your life, your health, and your future.

In this episode, I share why waking up early completely changed my life, how I built the discipline to stay consistent, and why it has almost nothing to do with mornings and everything to do with the night before.

This is not a hype or motivation episode. It is a real conversation about habits, discipline, mindset, and why most people fall off after a few weeks while others stay consistent for years.

In this episode, I talk about
Why most New Year motivation fades fast
Why waking up early is about structure, not willpower
How the night before determines your morning
Simple habits that make waking up early easier
Why discipline beats motivation every time
How to reset quickly after travel or setbacks
Learning to say no to protect your goals
Why consistency matters more than intensity

I also share how getting up early gave me something most people never get, uninterrupted time to think, plan, work, and take care of my mind and body before the rest of the world wakes up.

This routine may not be for everyone. You do not need to wake up at 3AM. But waking up earlier, creating alone time, and building discipline can change how you show up in every area of your life.

If you are serious about making 2026 different, this episode will help you rethink habits, discipline, and what it really takes to stay consistent.