The Money Alchemist Podcast cover art

The Money Alchemist Podcast

The Money Alchemist Podcast

By: Ben Jones & Brent Gargano
Listen for free

About this listen

Join two dudes, Ben and Brent, to discuss current market events and savvy financial strategies to build wealth consistently over time.

Now in video -> https://www.youtube.com/@TheMoneyAlchPod

__

About your Hosts

Ben Jones, CFP®

Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group

www.nwmgadvisors.com 

Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karastick.com 

Follow him on X @thekaratstick

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

 

Brent Gargano, CFP®

Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning 

www.infinitewealthplanning.com

linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

 

Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/moneyalchemistpod/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@themoneyalchemistpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-93mdovEr0vu

https://www.youtube.com/@TheMoneyAlchPod/videos

The Money Alchemist 2026 Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • Geopolitics and Portfolios: Inflation, Oil Prices, and What It Means for Markets

    Geopolitics and Portfolios: Inflation, Oil Prices, and What It Means for Markets
    Mar 21 2026
    In Episode 52 of The Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent walk through the latest market developments, including inflation trends, labor data, and shifts in private credit. They also discuss the market implications of recent geopolitical events, including Operation Epic Fury, and how these dynamics are influencing oil, global trade, and investor sentiment. The episode closes with a practical tip of the week and a broader perspective on how these moving pieces connect back to portfolios. About your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com  Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com  Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/   Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning  www.infinitewealthplanning.com linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573   Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com Agenda: What’s happening in 10 minutes Inflation returning - Jan PPI moves up (Core at 3.6%), oil up +50% YTDEmployment data not hot but resilient - March 6 BLS report Wage inflation moves higher from 3.7 to 3.8%Unemployment up from 4.3 to 4.4%Labor participation dipped to 62% - lowest since 12/2021Job cuts hit nearly all sectors, healthcare hardest hit due to Kaiser Permanente strike Private Credit exodus - duration mismatch in evergreen funds apparent, banks enter space in 2022-2023 increasing competition, lowering spreads and covenant quality - older loans, especially to software co.s affected by AI. Retail requesting redemptions in mass. Solvency issue at the fund level, not the issuer level - middle market showing financial strength Consumer spending up 3.2% YoYBroadening trade widensTransition to Operation Epic Fury BlackRock (HLEND), Blue Owl (OBDC II) & Blackstone BCRED have all frozen redemptions Topic du jour - Operation Epic Fury market implications Over 5,000 targets struck - more than Desert Storm & Operation Iraqi Freedom - rumor is traffic cameras provided critical intel Interim acting Supreme Leader in limbo (Mjtaba Khamenei or Alireza Arafi). Tehran continues to reject unconditional demands 7 service members KIA. March 10 reported to be most intense day of strikes yetPolitically, Trump Admin frame “short-term” campaign message to garner public support - initially 2-weeks, now 4Control of global oil shipments is a major objective, albeit not publicly highlighted - Oil must trade primarily in dollars to maintain dollar hegemony - Iran/Venezuelan oil trade fell largely outside of U.S. dollar systemCrude Oil futures (April 26 contract) on NY Mercantile peaked around $95 before pulling back to sub $90. USD largely unchanged YTD but strengthening since launch of operation - speculate continued strengthStrait of Hormuz effectively ‘closed’ in game of chicken. Threats are the primary leverage. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy using small boats & drones for hit and run - estimated 5 ships have been hit. Tip of the week If planning an expensive vacation (i.e. resort package), upgrade to an Executive Membership at Costco & book through Costco Travel using the Citi Rewards card. This will net you back 5%. New cardholders can sometimes take advantage of one-time promos and stack benefits Sources: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/one-big-reason-ships-and-insurers-are-unwilling-to-risk-strait-of-hormuz.html https://www.worldometers.info/oil/us-oil/ https://www.macrotrends.net/1369/crude-oil-price-history-chart https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/average-hourly-earnings-yoy https://www.bls.gov/ppi/home.htm Disclosure: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly. To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@themoneyaltchemistshow.com.
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • What’s Next for U.S. Tariff Policy: The Supreme Court Decision Reshaping Trade

    What’s Next for U.S. Tariff Policy: The Supreme Court Decision Reshaping Trade
    Mar 7 2026
    Money Alchemist EP 51: What’s Next for U.S. Tariff Policy

    In Episode 51 of Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent dive into the shifting landscape of U.S. trade policy following a landmark Supreme Court decision. They break down the legalities of tariffs, analyze the real-world impact on consumer goods like the iPhone, and discuss why international markets are seeing a 2026 surge.

    About your Hosts

    Ben Jones, CFP®

    Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group

    www.nwmgadvisors.com

    Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com

    Follow him on X @thekaratstick

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

    Brent Gargano, CFP®

    Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning

    www.infinitewealthplanning.com

    linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

    Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

    Agenda:

    What’s happening now

    • Market Shift: Cintrini Research report on AI’s impact on software sends ripples through the markets.

    • International Growth: Total International Market index funds are up 10% so far in 2026.

    • Geopolitical Tension: Monitoring the impact of ongoing violence in Mexico.

    • Constitutional Ruling: The use of IEEPA to set tariff policy has been ruled unconstitutional.

    Topic du jour - What’s Next for Tariffs

    • The SCOTUS Decision: A 6-3 ruling deems the Executive Branch's use of IEEPA for broad tariffs unconstitutional under the Major Questions Doctrine.

    • Trade Act of 1974 (Section 122): Understanding "balance of payments" authority—15% tariffs for 150 days (requires Congressional extension).

    • Section 301 Investigations: How the U.S. Trade Representative determines unfair trade practices.

    • National Security (Section 232): The Dept. of Commerce’s role in retaliation measures regarding national security threats.

    • Trade Winners: Why Canada and Mexico are likely to benefit as "economic threat" cases become harder to prove.

    • The China Impact: With $308.4 Billion in annual imports, is the impact of China tariffs being overstated?

    • Case Study (iPhone 17 Pro Max): Despite a 125% tariff, the 2026 price remains steady at $1,199. Why haven't prices increased?

    Tip of the Week:

    • Roast Your Own Coffee: Save money and improve quality by roasting at home. The SR800 Coffee Roaster by FreshRoast is a great entry-level option.

    • Sourcing: Order green coffee beans directly from cooperatives like Green Coffee Collective or even via Amazon.

      To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com.

    Disclosure:

    The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates.

    Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

    Tax planning strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone and could change due to updates in tax laws or regulations; always consult a qualified tax professional or CPA for advice tailored to your specific situation.

    Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions.

    Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly.
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Top 10 Tax Myths Causing You Stress

    Top 10 Tax Myths Causing You Stress
    Feb 21 2026
    In Episode 50 of Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent cover market updates, a story about Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway, and break down the most common tax myths that continue to confuse and stress investors. About your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com  Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com  Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/   Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning  www.infinitewealthplanning.com linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573   Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com Agenda: What’s happening in 10 minutes Superbowl highlights S&P 500 up almost 2% YTD led by digital storage manufactures, with market breadth widening (consumer staples doing well) - MU contributing most YTDLow-hire, low-fire jobs report sign of cooling labor market and peak cycle Story - How Warren Buffett bought Berkshire Hathaway, a textile company Topic du jour - Top 10 tax myths No requirement to file - only to pay - but always file (3-year statute of limitations begins upon filing)Extensions are NOT bad - in fact they can reduce your error rate and chance at audit Tax deferral is not a no-brainer and can hurt investors - IRD assets do not pass tax-efficiently (Section 1014 - step-up in basis at death)Charitable contributions only help up to the first $1,000, but then cannot be deducted beyond this if using standard deductionSocial Security is NOT tax free Forms tell the whole story Tax brackets apply across all income Owning real estate can offset earned income Not discussed but intended: The income tax may go away because of tariff revenueThere’s a secret loophole that the wealthy people use to dodge taxes Juicy Topics Jeffrey Epstein as a ‘tax-expert’ - what advice did he actually give and was it worth $158 million, as Leon Black paid him (note over annual & lifetime exemptions)Valuation discount abuse - what IRS permits (illiquidity discounts, How rampant is fraud and do most people get away with it? Illiquidity (DLOM), minority interest, key person, easements, etcShould attain a qualified appraisal Tip of the Week: Use your AI tool to plan vacations - very good results with Claud reported. Describe your budget, the amount of people and makeup, travel preferences and originations. Cohen Recycling: did you know you can take all your used TVs/appliances to Cohen to have them recycled? They will even pay for metal by weight. Variable pricing protection - online retailers track you to maximize how much you will pay. Use VPNs and tracker blocking browsers like Brave to limit some of this - browse without logging in whenever possible. Brave also blocks YouTube ads! Sources: IRS Dirty Dozen: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2025-irs-warns-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats National Debt Clock.org https://usdebtclock.org/   Disclosure: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tax planning strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone and could change due to updates in tax laws or regulations; always consult a qualified tax professional or CPA for advice tailored to your specific situation. Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly. To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@themoneyaltchemistshow.com.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 17 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.