In this episode of The Ascent, Sam McGee, CEO of Crestmont Private Wealth, discusses the importance of long-term investing and maintaining perspective during market volatility. Drawing on historical examples like tariffs, bear and bull markets, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 downturn, Sam explains why staying invested and managing emotions is crucial for financial success. The episode also covers behavioral finance, the value of diversification, and practical advice for weathering market corrections. For more resources or to get a copy of the referenced deck, contact info@crestmontpw.com.

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Sam McGee and Crestmont Private Wealth
00:31 – Reference to the investment deck and how to get a copy
00:59 – Investing as a long-term game vs. speculation
01:49 – Risks of investing and the importance of perspective
02:16 – The impact of news headlines and market volatility
02:45 – Example: 2002 steel tariffs and market resilience
04:22 – 2018 US-China tariffs and market response
05:05 – Lessons from market history: bull and bear markets since 1950
06:47 – The value of staying invested through recessions and downturns
07:23 – The 2008 financial crisis: panic vs. patience
07:55 – The COVID-19 crash and V-shaped recovery
09:12 – Emotional decisions and the cost of panic selling
10:06 – Diversification and building a robust financial plan
10:32 – Market corrections: why they’re loud, and recoveries are quiet
11:21 – The importance of being prepared for the unexpected
12:31 – Recap: behavioral finance, history, and staying the course
13:03 – Final thoughts, how to contact Crestmont Private Wealth, and closing remarks

• Original Air Date: August 16, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

  Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

  Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this back-to-school update, Sam McGee covers the current state of the U.S. economy and financial markets as of August 2025. He discusses the relationship between the economy and markets, recent trends in unemployment, inflation, real estate, and interest rates, and provides insights into what may be ahead for investors. The episode also touches on the Federal Reserve’s actions, market volatility, and the importance of diversification in financial planning. If you’re looking to catch up on economic news and market trends as the school year begins, this episode is for you!

00:00 – Introduction & Disclaimer

00:34 – Back to School: Timing and Parental Routines

01:02 – Economy vs. Financial Markets: Key Differences

01:29 – What is the Economy? (Lagging Indicator)

02:03 – Financial Markets as Leading Indicators

02:28 – Market Volatility and Irrationality in 2025

03:00 – S&P 500 Performance: Downturn and Rebound

03:28 – State of the Economy: Key Bullet Points

03:49 – U.S. Unemployment Data (July 2025)

04:09 – Comparing Unemployment: 2020 vs. 2025

04:36 – Government Stimulus and Unemployment Trends

05:07 – Current Unemployment Rate and Historical Context

05:28 – U.S. Consumer Price Index & Inflation Trends

05:50 – Fed Rate Hikes and Impact on Inflation

06:30 – CPI Drop and Current Inflation Rate

06:51 – Real Estate Market Overview

07:13 – Case Shiller Home Price Index Trends

07:25 – Home Prices, Interest Rates, and Inventory

07:44 – Effects of High Prices and Low Inventory

08:17 – Seller Behavior and Market Adjustments

08:37 – Mortgage Rates and Buyer/Seller Dynamics

08:51 – U.S. Company Earnings and Economic Resilience

09:27 – Fed Rate Cut Expectations and Inflation

09:55 – Inflation Uptick and Fed’s Dilemma

10:53 – The Fed’s Balancing Act: Inflation vs. Economy

11:12 – Rate Cut Predictions and Market Expectations

11:34 – Financial Markets: Year-to-Date Performance

12:01 – S&P 500 and ETF Performance

12:36 – Growth vs. Value: Russell 1000 Indices

13:03 – Market Resilience Amid Geopolitical Risks

13:29 – Recap: Economic and Market Update

13:54 – Crestmont Private Wealth’s Approach & Contact Info

14:22 – Outro and Closing Remarks

• Original Air Date: August 9, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

  Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

  Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of "The Ascent," host Sam McGee is joined by Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball to discuss the recent flooding in Hill Country, Texas, and the heroic response of local first responders. The conversation covers the timeline of the emergency, inter-agency cooperation, personal stories of resilience and community support, and upcoming community events like the Firefighter Games and the "Tug the Truck" fundraiser. The episode highlights the dedication of firefighters, the importance of mental health support, and the strength of the local community in times of crisis.

Timeline & Chapters

• 0:00 – Introduction
  • Host disclaimer, show intro, and guest introductions.
• 0:35 – Co-host Sam McGee checks in from Colorado
  • Reflections on remote work and recent events.
• 1:00 – Acknowledgment of Flooding in Hill Country
  • Expressing thoughts for those affected.
• 1:17 – Focus of the Episode: First Responders
  • Setting the stage for the discussion on emergency response.
• 1:42 – Introducing Assistant Fire Chief Walter Ball
  • Chief Ball joins the show, shares his background.
• 2:24 – July 4th Flood Response: Timeline
  • Chief Ball recounts the days leading up to and during the flood.
  • Early morning weather monitoring and mutual aid activation.
• 4:11 – Emergency Operations Center & Swift Water Rescue
  • Details on the EOC, boat teams, and rescue missions.
• 5:24 – Scope of the Response
  • 20 river miles covered, multiple agencies involved.
• 6:14 – Inter-agency Coordination
  • Collaboration between fire, EMS, police, and emergency management.
• 7:09 – Positive Stories from the Field
  • Community support: notes left on responders’ vehicles.
  • Mental health support offered to first responders.
• 10:47 – Firefighter Games & Community Events
  • Chief Ball discusses the Texas Firefighter Games and the possibility of hosting them locally.
  • Upcoming "Tug the Truck" and police car push event.
• 13:00 – Community Resilience & Appreciation
  • Reflections on the community’s response and gratitude for first responders.
• 15:00 – Closing Remarks
  • Information on Crestmont Private Wealth and how to get involved in community events.

• Original Air Date: August 2, 2025 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

  Contact: www.crestmontpw.com

  Alec Walker in Houston: 831-280-5288

  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.