If you have ever wondered how the government could miscount a million jobs, why your favorite economist keeps muttering about seasonal adjustments, or why buying a house now feels like trying to catch smoke with a butterfly net, this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach is for you.

Jake dives into the strange and surprising world behind the numbers we hear every day, from the Labor Department’s massive job revision that missed by seven digits, to the weird reality of record breaking retail sales that somehow look flat once they are seasonally adjusted. He unpacks the Federal Reserve’s concerns, the rise of AI reshaping small business hiring, and the reason our memories of the pandemic are statistically, and hilariously, inaccurate.

We also take a clear and honest look at the current housing market, where sales are plunging, prices are stubborn, builders are struggling, and the construction workforce has shifted in a big way. Add in the spike in student loan delinquencies, changing household debt, and the surge in online buying, and you get a fast moving tour of the forces reshaping the American economy in real time.

It is nerdy, it is funny, it is unexpectedly human, and it just might change the way you look at the headlines.

This episode was recorded on February 6, 2026.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

This week's market update as seen by The Personal Wealth Coach. Listen in to hear how our preferred market indicators reacted this week, followed by treasury yields and West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil.

This episode was recorded on February 13, 2026.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.

Take a front row seat as Jake McClure unpacks the strange reality of China’s post‑pandemic economy. Prices are falling, wages are shrinking, factories are slashing pay, and electric cars are cheaper every month. It sounds like good news until you see what is actually happening underneath the surface.

In this episode, Jake explores why deflation has taken hold, how China’s real estate engine stalled after driving the economy for two decades, and why businesses are undercutting each other by selling below their own cost. You will hear stories from the factory floor, insights from Bloomberg’s multi‑year price study, and a clear explanation of how gold markets in China and India reacted instantly to news from the Federal Reserve.

Jake also digs into China’s rising authoritarianism, the purge within its military ranks, growing tension around Taiwan, and what all this means for global markets and for the United States. He wraps up with practical guidance on staying disciplined, diversified, and grounded in a world filled with tariffs, political friction, and unpredictable economic swings.

If you want a thoughtful, witty, and highly engaging exploration of the forces shaping our world, this episode is a must‑listen.

This episode was recorded on February 6, 2026.

If you would like to contact us, please send an email to us at advisingteam@tpwc.com. We are happy to address any of your questions about Economics and Finance.

If you are ready and would like to book an appointment either in office or over the phone, you can also send a message to us through the contact form on our website TPWC.com.

** The information provided in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. We are “The Personal Wealth Coach,” which is also the name of an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. However, being registered with the SEC does not authorize us to provide investment advice. Investment advice should be personalized, offered in a private setting, and be in the best interests of the individual as a fiduciary. If we make any fraudulent statements, you should report them to the SEC. The information presented in this educational episode has been obtained from sources that we deem to be reliable, but we make no warranty or guarantee as to the completeness or accuracy of said information.