The Personal Wealth Coach

Two Timely Subjects: The History of the Trade Act of 1974 and Private Equity and How It Works

In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake McClure pulls off the rare double feature deep dive, equal parts economic thriller and private equity reality check.
First, Jake unpacks the surprisingly dramatic backstory behind the 1974 Trade Act, complete with gold standard intrigue, secret French operations, Charles de Gaulle’s long memory, and the logic chain that somehow connects D-Day deception to Nixon’s gold shock to President Trump’s new tariffs. If you have ever wondered why tariffs keep making headlines or why the Supreme Court keeps telling presidents "you cannot do that," this history-packed segment finally makes the modern story click.
Then the episode shifts into the world of private equity. Jake breaks down what it really is, why institutions like Yale and Harvard once championed it, why big firms such as Blue Owl are wrestling with liquidity problems, and how AI has upended the value of certain PE investments almost overnight. He explains the hidden risks behind the glossy sales pitches and what business owners should understand before assuming they are missing out.
It is a smart, accessible, and occasionally humorous look at two complex financial topics that matter far more than most people realize.
If you like your economics with real history, practical insight, and a storyteller who can make gold reserves sound exciting, this episode will hook you.
This episode was recorded on February 27, 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.

Weekly Market Update February 23 - 27, 2026

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 27, 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.

The Tariff Ruling That Changes Everything

What happens when the Supreme Court pulls the plug on sweeping global tariffs overnight? Prices shift, markets twitch, lawsuits pile up, and Jake McClure grabs the mic to make sense of the chaos. In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake breaks down the Court’s ruling with clarity, humor, and just enough economic nerdery to make you feel smarter without feeling bored.He walks through why tariffs are really just taxes with a fancy name, how uncertainty in boardrooms has been freezing investment, and why removing these tariffs might actually kick the economy into higher gear. You’ll hear about inflation bulges, refund nightmares, FedEx tariff bills (yes, really), and the ripple effects that could shape both prices and politics heading into November.If you want a clear-eyed, entertaining look at what this ruling means for your wallet, the economy, and the year ahead, this episode is your guide.
This episode was recorded on February 20, 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.

Weekly Market Update February 17 - 20, 2026

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 20, 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.

Seasonal Adjustments and the Real Housing Story

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 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.
 

Weekly Market Update February 9 - 13, 2026

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.

China’s Economy After the Pandemic: Why Deflation Is Sticking

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.

Weekly Market Update February 2 - 6, 2026

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 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.

Is There an Artificial Intelligence Bubble?

Is artificial intelligence the next big bubble or the surprising force quietly rebuilding America’s energy backbone? In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake McClure takes listeners inside the frenzy surrounding AI and the massive wave of investment behind it. He explains what today’s AI really is, how large language models reached their limits faster than expected, and why the companies pouring billions into the field are not just chasing hype. They are building data centers, expanding power generation, and reshaping infrastructure in ways that make this moment very different from the dot com era.Jake also breaks down how the overwhelming amount of AI generated content on the internet is changing the landscape for the models themselves. He compares the promise people once saw in the early internet to the real transformation that came decades later, setting the stage for what AI might become. Alongside the technology story, he covers the week’s major economic developments, including the Federal Reserve’s steady hand, a subtle shift that looks a lot like quantitative easing, and the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair. The market’s reaction tells its own story, especially the sharp drop in silver prices after the announcement.It all comes together in a conversation that blends economics, technology, history, and a bit of humor. If you want a clear, thoughtful, and entertaining look at what is really happening in AI and the broader economy, this episode is well worth a listen.
This episode was recorded on January 30, 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.

Weekly Market Update January 26 - 30, 2026

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 January 30, 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.