Welcome to the Higher Standard Podcast, where we give you ultra-premium, unfiltered truth when it comes to building your wealth and curating the lifestyle of your dreams. Your hosts; Chris Naghibi and Saied Omar here to help you distill the immense amount of information and disinformation out there on the interwebs and give you the opportunity to choose a higher standard for yourself. Sit back, relax your mind and get ready for a different kind of podcast where we elevate your baseline with ...
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Warren Buffett Retires, Powell Holds Rates, & GDP Turns Negative
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1:00:30You’ve heard the headlines, but we’re here to break down what they really mean for your wallet. In this episode, Warren Buffett officially announces his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Jerome Powell leaves rates untouched (again), and America’s GDP takes a nose dive into negative territory. Meanwhile, the media spins, Wall Street panics, a…
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A Bittersweet Farewell: Reflecting On Our Journey
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1:06:08Welcome to a milestone episode of The Higher Standard — our final recording in the studio that saw it all: hot takes, financial rants, emotional confessions, and at least one broken mic stand. In this sendoff, Chris and Saied wax poetic (and sarcastic) about the evolution of the show, what it took to build the brand from a neon-lit cave to a next-g…
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Equity, Debt, & The Volatile Future of Home Ownership
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1:11:33In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take a wrecking ball to the myths of modern homeownership—armed with caffeine, sarcasm, and a well-earned chip on their shoulder. From the Fed’s tightrope act to the slow-motion implosion of consumer confidence, they unpack the real estate market’s latest mood swings, including a 5.9% drop in …
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Tariffs, Tumbling Tech & The Fed’s Tightrope
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1:18:30Jerome Powell might be the only man in America who can tank the stock market and calm it down—all in the same sentence. In this episode, Chris and Saied break down Powell’s most recent cryptic speech (complete with purple tie and Fed-speak flair) and explain why the central bank is stalling like your friend who won’t define the relationship. With t…
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Tariff Chaos, Market Meltdowns & Why This Economy Feels So Broken
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1:07:29With the market in full-blown tantrum mode—thanks to headline whiplash over tariffs, Fed drama, and bond sell-offs—we decided it was time to do the unthinkable: relax. That’s right. This week, your favorite duo dials back the financial fear porn to take a breather from the endless stream of doomsday news. Don’t worry, we still dissect what happened…
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The Art of the Tariff: Trump Shakes the Global Trade Table
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1:19:11Chris Naghibi and Saied Omar toss aside their planned topics faster than a politician dodging a question to tackle the economic grenade President Trump just lobbed: tariffs. And not just any tariffs—reciprocal tariffs with the subtlety of a wrecking ball. With import taxes soaring as high as 49%, countries like China, India, and the EU are basicall…
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What Apple, Trump, & Your Second Job Say About the Economy
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1:20:27What do a $500 billion Apple flex, Trump’s economic record, and your second job all have in common? They’re all part of the weird, wild economic moment we’re living in—and the guys are breaking it down. Chris and Saied take a sharp, funny, and occasionally savage look at how big companies are hedging political bets, what Trump actually did for the …
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When Dollar General Sounds Like the Fed, You Know It’s Bad
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1:16:26If the CEO of Dollar General starts talking like Jerome Powell, it might be time to check your emergency fund. In this episode, Chris and Saied dive headfirst into the weird intersection of retail earnings calls and central bank policy. Spoiler alert: both are saying the same thing — the consumer is tapped out. From February's disappointing 0.2% bu…
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Stocks, Rates & Jobs: The FOMC vs. The President
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1:14:03🚨 Disclosure: Due to an unexpected technical plot twist, the show's cameras stopped recording at the 27-minute mark. But instead of leaving you hanging, we got creative—real MacGyver vibes. If you're watching on YouTube or Spotify, enjoy the unconventional but still brilliant presentation. Hey, sometimes the universe forces you to innovate! This ep…
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Understanding Tariffs: Impact on Consumer Prices & the Risk of Stagflation
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1:31:36Brace yourselves—this episode is a rollercoaster of wit, wisdom, and a little bit of economic doom. Chris and Saied break down the most contentious topic in finance right now: tariffs. Are they a necessary economic weapon or a sneaky tax on the everyday American? The guys cut through the noise with a no-nonsense breakdown of how these new tariffs o…
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Why Warren Buffett Is Sitting on $334 Billion in Cash (What You Should Know!)
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1:21:03In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take a wild ride through financial headlines, questionable government efficiency, and the enigma that is Warren Buffett’s ever-growing cash pile. From the SEC’s scathing dismissal of meme coins to Elon Musk demanding his employees justify their existence via email, no topic is safe from their …
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The Housing Market, Remote Work Shakeups & Jamie Dimon’s Big Warning
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1:26:26Chris and Saied break down the ever-misleading jobs report, exposing its flaws as a lagging indicator that fuels misguided Fed decisions. They reveal why unemployment figures don’t tell the full story—especially when they ignore discouraged workers and the rise of multiple job holders struggling to keep up. And if you’re a government worker in D.C.…
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Inflation Is Rising & Consumer Protections Are Vanishing - What It Means for You
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1:23:50This week, Chris and Saied tackle the latest inflation print that came in hotter than a tiger del fuego—and yes, that’s the official economic term now. With prices climbing for consumer staples like eggs (who knew you should’ve invested in chickens?), we dissect what this means for rate cuts, the Fed’s next move, and whether we’ll all just resort t…
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The Psychology of Financial Decision-Making in Today's Economy
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1:22:49In this mind-expanding episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take a detour from their usual financial deep dives to expose the sinister underbelly of human decision-making. Turns out, the economy isn’t broken—our brains are. From Robert Shiller’s Narrative Economics to Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation, the duo unpacks how financial…
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Unlocking The Future With Quantum Computing
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1:23:19Strap in, folks! This episode of The Higher Standard dives into the mind-bending world of quantum computing, where traditional computers look like toddlers trying to do calculus compared to these futuristic behemoths. Chris and Saied break down how these machines are poised to change finance, security, and possibly the way your toaster thinks about…
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Why Your 401k Isn’t Enough: The Real Path to Wealth
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1:23:04The Jeff Goldbum of podcasting, Chris Naghibi, and the Louie Anderson of podcasting, Saied Omar, are back, and this time they're tackling the economy with unfocused and unstructured charm. Starting with a light-hearted critique of Chris' newfound love for wearing green—a strategy he swears is to win favor at home but admits has been a complete flop…
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Artificial Intelligence: Boosting Innovation or Killing Careers?
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1:15:01In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied embark on a laugh-out-loud journey into the brave new world of artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and why you might want to rethink your TikTok algorithm. From discussing how AI is turning banks into crystal ball-wielding financial wizards to debating whether robots will steal your jo…
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Money Stress in America: Breaking Down Financial Anxiety
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1:12:49In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied tackle the growing emotional toll of money management and the chaos of California’s insurance market. Against the backdrop of the devastating Los Angeles fires, they unpack how insurers are fleeing high-risk areas, leaving homeowners with overpriced, bare-bones policies like the California Fai…
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What Happens When a Whole Generation Never Grows Up
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1:19:48🎧 What happens when a whole generation hits pause on adulthood? Chris and Saied are here to unpack the Wall Street Journal’s claim that millennials and Gen Z are stuck in “arrested development.” Spoiler: it’s not TikTok’s fault—try student loans, absurd housing costs, and a financial system that makes The Hunger Games look like a utopia. ➡️ From ch…
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Happy New Year! In this special year-end episode, Chris and Saied dive deep into the wild ride that was 2024, recapping the economy quarter by quarter with their signature mix of insight and banter. From the "pensive" start of the year where the Fed played cat-and-mouse with rate cuts to the real estate market's affordability crisis and the Magnifi…
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The Fed's Latest Move: Why Markets Are About to Get Wild
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1:17:18In this episode, Chris and Saied break down the Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut, and let’s just say, it’s got everyone—from Wall Street to your wallet—feeling some kind of way. With a 25 basis point cut to the Fed Funds rate, inflation still refusing to play nice, and the bond market throwing a full-on tantrum, it’s clear: the Fed’s decisions are…
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Why Your First $100,000 Is The Hardest: Lessons From Financial Fails
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1:25:24You know what they say – the first $100,000 is the hardest, and it feels like scaling Mount Everest in flip-flops. In this episode of *The Higher Standard*, Chris and Saied unpack why breaking that six-figure milestone is such a struggle and how even Charlie Munger (RIP) called it a "b*tch." But once you hit that $100K, things start compounding fas…
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2025 Housing Market Predictions You Can’t Ignore
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1:24:14Buckle up, folks—it's a wild week for the economy, and The Higher Standard crew is here to navigate the chaos so you don’t have to. Chris and Saied tackle the avalanche of data from the ISM, JOLTS, and the much - anticipated Jobs Report. (Haroon is still out on paternity leave.) Will these numbers flex harder than a bodybuilder at the beach, or are…
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Is The American Dream Officially Dead Now?
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1:30:24The American Dream is increasingly being questioned as financial challenges mount for many Americans. With 84% of the population believing it's a bad time to buy a home, the podcast dives into the shocking statistics surrounding homeownership costs, credit card debt, and the soaring rejection rates for loans. ➡️ Hosts Saied and Chris share their ca…
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You Need To Know This About Your Job
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1:22:02🎙️ In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take listeners on a rollercoaster ride through the land of leadership, stress, and... Whole Foods hot bars? 🍳 Yes, it’s that kind of episode. Starting with some playful banter about overpriced turmeric shots and parental leave policies (because Haroon is off becoming a “baby-making legend”)…
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Why Government Spending Is Soaring & How Elon Musk Plans to Fix It
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1:19:18In this episode, hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon tackle the behemoth that is U.S. government spending. With deficits skyrocketing 287% year-over-year and the national debt now exceeding $33 trillion, the hosts break down how this level of fiscal mismanagement impacts everything from mortgage rates to Social Security. They also delve into Elon Musk a…
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Why You’re Paying More for Cars, Homes, & Everything In Between
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1:22:57The average age of U.S. homebuyers has soared to 56, proving that owning a home now requires both age and a level of patience previously reserved for waiting in line at the DMV. Saied, Chris, and Haroon hilariously dissect this trend, blaming skyrocketing home prices, nosebleed mortgage rates, and a painfully thin housing inventory for forcing youn…
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Election Economics: How Inflation, GDP & The Fed Shape 2024’s Future
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1:13:17As the U.S. approaches Election Day on November 5th, the trio dives deep into the intersection of politics and economics, exploring how election outcomes could impact the market and your wallet. With rising anxiety reflected in the VIX index, your hosts discuss the historical volatility seen during previous elections, particularly in 2008 and 2020,…
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Markets vs. The Fed: Who’s Right About Inflation & Employment?
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1:22:06In this episode of The Higher Standard, Chris and Saied take the stage as a dynamic duo, flying solo without their third musketeer, Haroon, who’s off on PTO (probably in a pickleball tournament or hiding from the Fed). With no one to keep them in check, the two dive headfirst into a whirlwind of financial insights, market predictions, and why the M…
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Housing Market Update: Prices Falling in 26 of 28 Major Cities
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1:09:54Consumers might have to wait two to three years for their perceptions of inflation to normalize, as highlighted by Fed’s Daly, leaving many still wincing at higher prices. Meanwhile, falling home prices are causing significant distress, particularly in ten states where mortgage balances now exceed property values. ➡️ Episode 252 of The Higher Stand…
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Kobe, Cash Flow, & Chasing Dreams: A Laid-Back Financial Chat
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1:22:03The hosts take a hilarious trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the good old days of AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). They crack up over their embarrassingly bad usernames—ones that should probably never see the light of day again. You know that cringe-worthy online persona you thought was behind you? Turns out, it never really leaves! They dive in…
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From Basic Budgeting to Port Strikes & Bananas
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1:32:11The 250th episode of The Higher Standard podcast marks a significant milestone packed with our unique style of humor and engaging discussions on financial literacy. Hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon navigate the complexities of budgeting and personal finance with an entertaining twist. They delve into the nitty-gritty of establishing a payday routine,…
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The Housing Market Has A BIG Problem
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1:05:46Chris takes the helm for episode 249 of The Higher Standard podcast, delivering an insightful solo deep dive into the economic landscape. The episode kicks off by addressing the Federal Reserve's unexpected 50 basis point rate cut and its implications for the U.S. economy, drawing parallels to previous cuts in 2001 and 2007 that preceded recessions…
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The Fed Cut Rates Half A Point, Now What
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1:30:17Episode 248 of The Higher Standard is here and Saied, Chris and Haroon break down the key takeaways from the Fed's decision to cut a full 50bps for its first rate cut of the cycle. The last two times this happened historically was in 2001 and 2007. After each of those was a notable recessionary economy. ➡️ Real estate agents are also dropping like …
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We Are Getting A Rate Cut This Week
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1:20:55In episode 247 of The Higher Standard, Saied, Chris and Haroon dive deep into a lighthearted discussion about the unexpected appearance of cockroaches in their studio. As they transition into the financial content, the team tackles a listener question on how to find the best real estate agent. And of course they had to cover the guaranteed rate cut…
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Real Money Making Habits That Can Make You Millions
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1:33:39In this episode of The Higher Standard, your charming hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive deep into the habits that might be holding you back from financial freedom, inspired by Humphrey Yang’s insightful YouTube video “The Middle Class Habits Keeping You in the Rat Race.” The trio dissects the habits that seem harmless but might be chaining you to…
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What You Need To Know About Rate Cuts & How to Make Millions
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1:23:50In episode 245 of The Higher Standard podcast, Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive into the latest market-moving headlines. They start with a bombshell from Jerome Powell, who finally hints that the Fed might cut interest rates. But before you get too excited, they break down why rate cuts tied to a looming recession might spell trouble for your stock po…
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The BIG We Told You This Would Happen Episode
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1:15:14In this episode of The Higher Standard podcast, Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive into the timeless lessons of Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad," reflecting on the book’s enduring insights into wealth-building strategies. While they acknowledge the value of its principles, the hosts candidly express their mixed feelings about Kiyosaki’s modern-day…
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These Are The Influencers You Can't Trust
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1:33:13In episode 243 of The Higher Standard podcast, hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive headfirst into the world of social media financial influencers, giving a no-holds-barred critique of those you should avoid at all costs. They call out big names like Grant Cardone, Pace Morby, Kris Krohn, Luke Belmar, Albert Preciado and more. ➡️ As the conversation…
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The stock market’s recent nose dive has everyone buzzing, and The Higher Standard crew is here to break it all down. Chris, Saied, and Haroon dig into the fleeting positivity of the 2Y/10Y spread—did it really mean anything, or was it just a tease? Meanwhile, Dave Ramsey’s relentless “buy, buy, buy” mantra gets a skeptical side-eye as the hosts que…
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Getting rich can happen a lot of different ways, but very few instances are quick or by chance. Most people build wealth over time by following the principles that Chris, Saied and Haroon lay out for you at the top of episode 241 of The Higher Standard podcast. ➡️ But don't stop there, the boys jump in to all the financial information you need to k…
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Financial Terms You Didn't Know You Needed To Know
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1:36:37We get it. Some times on The Higher Standard podcast we throw around a lot of financial terms that not everyone is familiar with. Chris, Saied and Haroon aim to fix that, in part, by practically defining a lot of financial terms for you that you didn't know you needed to know in episode 240 of the show. ➡️ From balance sheets to high yield savings …
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Shocking Financial Statistics Of The Average Person & Looming Rate Cuts
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1:26:36Episode 239 of The Higher Standard podcast starts off with Chris, Saied and Haroon diving in to some of the top financial mistakes people make. Some of these may sound basic or simple, but you would be shocked at how many people are impacted by these problems every single day. ➡️ For the second segment of the show, the boys go deep on the first str…
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Investing For Your Kids And Recession Red Flags
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1:19:01In this jam-packed episode of The Higher Standard, Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive headfirst into the fiery debate of 529 plans versus brokerage accounts for kids. With Chris hilariously comparing brokerage accounts to the wild west and Haroon trying to make 529 plans sound as exciting as a superhero origin story, this segment is both informative and…
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EBITDA Explained, Inflation Persists & Hawk Tuah
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1:16:26Welcome back to another episode of The Higher Standard podcast, where Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive into the latest in finance, investing, and pop culture. Today, we're breaking down some intriguing insights and bringing a touch of humor to your financial woes. First up, the boys aim to demystify "EBITA" – yes, we know you probably thought it was a…
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Mind Pump's Amazing Adam Schafer Returns
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1:30:52Some of you might not know this, but The Higher Standard podcast wouldn't be here if it were not for Mind Pump's Adam Schafer. Chris and Saied were long time fans of Mind Pump, the #1 fitness podcast in the world. Adam and Chris formed a friendship over time and the idea to create The Higher Standard in a model after Mind Pump was born. You may eve…
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Chris, Saied, and Haroon kick off this episode of The Higher Standard podcast with a look in to dive deep into what was once the hype around the Bilt credit card program. The Flashy Rent Credit Card was backed by Wells Fargo Bank and is costing them $10 million a month thanks to some poor business decisions. Sometimes when something sounds too good…
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GDP, CPI & All The Data You NEED to Know Explained
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1:40:33In this episode of The Higher Standard podcast, Chris, Saied, and Haroon dive deep into the essential economic data impacting today's market. They kick off with the critical information you need to understand about GDP and CPI, highlighting the significance of the latest CPI print. ➡️ The discussion then moves to the US yield curve problem, includi…
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How Much Home Can You ACTUALLY Afford
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1:11:05In episode 233 of "The Higher Standard," Chris, Saied and Haroon dive into the crucial topic of home affordability, exploring how much house you can actually afford without breaking the bank or sacrificing your prized Pokémon collection. ➡️ They delve into the latest housing market trends, discussing the surge in new single-family homes for sale as…
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In this episode of The Higher Standard podcast, hosts Chris, Saied, and Haroon engage in an insightful conversation with Alessandro Chesser, co-founder of GetDynasty. GetDynasty is revolutionizing estate planning by offering a platform that allows users to create and manage living trusts entirely online. This innovative approach helps protect asset…
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