The past month has brought a staggering V-shaped market recovery—one sharper and faster than even the post-COVID rebound. As Joey Loss and Adam Van Wie discuss, it serves as a reminder that markets don’t just bounce; they whiplash in ways that defy headlines, sentiment, and short-term logic.

Despite being just a few points off their all-time highs, the S&P, Dow, and NASDAQ are surging not on hype, but on breadth. This isn’t just the Mag 7—it’s a recovery touching unloved sectors and small caps alike. Even international markets have shown surprising strength. But the core message? Don’t mistake momentum for certainty.

Tariff fears, inflation concerns, and a Moody’s downgrade have made noise, but history shows that markets often rally in the face of doubt. As Adam notes, the smartest investors weren't market timing; they were quietly rebalancing portfolios, letting discipline, not panic, guide strategy. That’s where the wins were.

Retail sentiment, social media echo chambers, and political divides muddy perception. Yet the fundamentals tell a clearer story: inflation is trending down, optimism is rising, and earnings will be key. Momentum may carry the market, but valuations demand scrutiny.

Whether you're navigating trade policy, rate cut speculation, or the ever-louder digital noise, the same lesson holds true: stick to the plan. Don’t react to every scare. Stay diversified. The market may be rigged—but it’s rigged in favor of those with patience, perspective, and a long-term view.

Key Topics:

• The Current State of the Market (00:00)
• Winners and Losers Over the Past Month (04:49)
• Fundamentals That Have Shaped the Market in the Last 4 Weeks (09:27)
• Why It’s Dangerous to Try to Time the Market (11:57)
• Escaping Your Echo Chamber (14:04)
• Is Inflation Going Up Or Down? (19:59)
• Key Economic News (23:14)
• What We Currently Know About Changes to the Tax Law (26:57)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

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“The market is a rigged game—but it’s rigged in your favor.”

Today, Adam Van Wie and Joey Loss of Strivus Wealth Partners break down the sudden upswing in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones that’s led to a rare ten-day rally. They trace the roots of today’s geopolitical tensions through a historical lens and give their thoughts on why we might just be entering the third year of a bull market.

As macro data show mixed signals—like a Q1 GDP dip offset by strong business investment and steady job numbers—there’s a key lesson: Reacting to short-term turbulence can undermine long-term success.

From fears of a recession to tariff tensions and shifting trade policies, the past six months have been a rollercoaster of geopolitical and economic volatility. Yet, Adam’s advice remains consistent: Don’t chase headlines. The markets are forward-looking and notoriously unpredictable. Instead of scrambling after every dip or rally, investors should stay diversified and focused on their time horizons.

With AI-driven growth in tech, evolving global trade talks, and a potential rate cut from the Fed on the horizon, conditions remain dynamic. But the real takeaway? As tempting as it is to react, history proves the best outcomes often come from disciplined patience, not panic.

So ignore the noise and stick to the plan.

Key Topics:

• Are We Looking at a Bull Market in 2025? (01:04)
• What the Latest Jobs Report Tells Us (03:23)
• Why Joey and Adam Are Optimistic About Geopolitics So Far (07:04)
• Looking Forward (11:17)
• Adam’s Investment Philosophy (17:29)
• What Trump’s Tariffs Mean for Investors Going Forward (22:37)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

Tariffs are back in the headlines—and markets aren’t handling it well.

A new wave of trade penalties, including a universal 10% import tariff and a steep 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, has triggered a ripple of fear through global markets. The result? A skittish S&P, a tech-heavy NASDAQ off 13%, and investor sentiment near historic lows. But beneath the surface panic lies a tale of two economies.

Those who entered the COVID era with assets—homes, portfolios, pensions—are emerging stronger. But renters, young families, and blue-collar workers are bearing the brunt of inflation and now face what amounts to a regressive tax. Tariffs, by their nature, raise prices, and those who spend more of their income on essentials feel it most. In other words: the economic divide is deepening.

Yet even amid uncertainty, opportunity exists. Utilities, commodities, and international markets—especially Europe—are quietly outperforming. And with inflation moderating and potential rate cuts on the horizon, the Fed may have room to maneuver.

What’s the play? Diversify. Rebalance. Think long-term. If you’re heavily concentrated in a few tech names, this might be your chance to reassess. Sharp drawdowns tend to reward patient investors—those who ignore the headlines and focus on fundamentals.

Yes, the noise is deafening. Yes, the future is murky. But that’s often when portfolios are quietly built, not broken.

Bottom line: stay the course. History favors the disciplined, and panicking rarely pays.

Key Topics:

• The Problem with Living in the Post-COVID World (01:29)
• What Exactly Are Tariffs? (05:54)
• The Current State of the Market (10:45)
• How These Tariffs Could Impact the Near Future (14:24)
• Implications of the Latest Michigan Consumer Confidence Survey (22:57)
• Closing Thoughts (35:05)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

Markets tanked, small caps got crushed, and investors were left scrambling. What triggered the chaos?

“Liberation Day,” a bold and controversial move by the Trump administration that slapped a blanket 10% tariff on all imports—plus targeted penalties for countries deemed unfair trade partners. The result? A sharp 34% market drop by Friday morning and a wave of uncertainty for global investors. Our host Joey Loss, along with business partner Adam Van Wie, break it down.

While the policy aims to correct imbalanced trade relationships, critics argue it’s built on a flawed premise. Trade deficits, they point out, aren’t inherently negative. What matters more is reciprocity—when U.S. goods face stiff barriers abroad but foreign products enter American markets freely, the playing field is skewed.

But amid the panic, the message to investors is clear: don’t react emotionally. History has shown time and again that attempting to time the market during moments like this only worsens losses. Sharp declines often pave the way for strong rebounds, and those who stay invested typically come out ahead.

Recession chatter is growing—JPMorgan just raised its odds to 60%—but there are bright spots. Job numbers remain solid, inflation appears to be cooling, and there’s still hope that tariffs are being used as leverage rather than long-term policy. If that’s the case, we could be staring at a rare buying opportunity.

Bottom line: hold steady. Diversify. Think long-term. The worst financial decisions are made in panic—and the best are made when others are panicking.

Key Topics:

• What is Liberation Day? (00:00)
• Our Thoughts on Reciprocal Tariffs (06:54)
• What Investors Can Do (08:09)
• Current Job Numbers (15:26)
• A Balanced Portfolio is Your Best Friend (22:19)
• The Story We’re Not Being Told Being the Tariff Regime (25:00)
• Is This An Excellent Buying Opportunity? (30:08)

Resources:

• Truflation Tool

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

“You cannot predict what the market is going to do. Your investment experience must be built on expected outcomes and formed around things that you can control.”

Our host Joey Loss is joined by Skylar Liang from Dimensional Fund Advisors to discuss best practices for investing success in the long-term.

“So little of the market’s behavior is in our control. The only thing that is in our control is our behavior towards the market.”

They dive into the merits of diversification and maintaining a big-picture perspective amidst the changing tides of the market, especially with the ever-evolving geopolitics we’re currently facing, as well as the recent explosion of new retail investors.

“When it comes to investing, you need uncertainty. Without uncertainty, you might as well own cash and bonds. There would be no premium for being in stocks.”

Joey and Skylar also explore Dimensional's evolution from its institutional beginnings in the 1980s to becoming a key partner to today’s financial advisors. Skylar shares insights into the company's “backend” strategies, distinguishing them from traditional index funds by emphasizing cost reduction and optimized returns. She discusses the importance of balancing strategic investment approaches with flexibility, avoiding headlines, and being married to only one or two stocks.

Key Topics:

• About Skylar Liang and Dimensional Fund Advisors (00:00)
• Defining “Value Investing” (03:32)
• Dimensional’s Outlook on the Market (09:33)
• The Valuation Equation (12:30)
• Controlling Your Behavior Towards the Market (18:00)
• Why Uncertainty is a Good Thing (23:37)
• The Value of Financial Planners (27:40)
• Dimensional’s Foray Into the Advisor Space (29:01)
• Dimensional’s ETF Lineup (33:43)
• Considerations Around Index Funds (34:42)

Resources:

• Dimensional Website

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

“Don’t make long-term investment decisions based on short-term events. It will only lead to losses.”

Have the unpredictable market swings in recent months been giving you whiplash?

Today, Joey Loss and Adam Van Wie unpack the current state of the NASDAQ, S&P 500, and emerging markets, all while navigating through the geopolitical storms fueled by tariff threats and unexpected European Central Bank decisions. They also give their thoughts on looming recession fears from Wall Street and beyond, as well as the impact of extended tariffs on various sectors of society.

Throughout the conversation, Adam and Joey stress the importance of understanding how shifting your focus from short-term market jitters to long-term investment strategies can make all the difference in your portfolio (and your sanity).

You can’t rely on textbook theories and “rules” when managing a portfolio. After all, the real world is unpredictable. It requires us to embrace pragmatism and the ability to pivot quickly if we don’t want to get left behind.

At the same time, our decisions as investors must be based on a sound, long-term strategy with an emphasis on diversification. That way, we protect ourselves from wild swings in the market, not only in today’s turbulent geopolitical and economic environment, but tomorrow’s as well.

Key Topics:

• Navigating the Market in Times of Uncertainty (00:00)
• Headlines (04:03)
• The Impact of Tariffs on Different Areas of Spending (05:35)
• The European Spending Splurge (08:57)
• Ever-Increasing Debt in the Post-COVID Era (13:31)
• Adam’s Market Forecast (14:40)
• How Strategic Asset Allocation Protects You From Wild Market Swings (20:15)
• Today’s Market Analysis and Tariff News (21:38)
• Making Wise Investment Decisions Going Forward (23:36)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)

Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

“One of the big exercises you have to do is try to disassociate the emotion of your company to the reality of what the equity, in a worst case scenario going down, can do to your financial life.”

Today, our host, Joey Loss, sits down with Brett Wysopal, a career changer who made the leap from professional hockey to financial planning. Brett shares how the financially challenging world of pro sports cultivated his appreciation for sound financial planning and shaped his money beliefs. Joey and Brett discuss the transformative journey from a stable income to the uncertainties of starting a new venture and how financial experiences profoundly impact personal habits and perspectives. Brett's story is a testament to the power of money as a tool for navigating life choices and possibilities.

Joey and Brett shift gears to examine the complexities of managing equity packages for employees of private companies. The discussion highlights the unique risks and challenges faced by those without guaranteed liquidity events and underscores the importance of balancing investments with personal financial goals. They illustrate the dangers of losing sight of tangible goals in pursuit of uncertain windfalls. A regret minimization framework is presented as a valuable tool for decision-making, guiding individuals through the uncertainties of equity investments while keeping their personal life goals in focus.

In wrapping, Joey and Brett emphasize the critical importance of liquidity for employees of private companies, particularly those dealing with equity compensation. The conversation stresses the value of strategic planning to maximize liquidity opportunities, such as using high-yield savings accounts instead of maxing out 401(k)s.

Joey and Brett also look into tax planning intricacies surrounding equity compensation, underscoring the need for proactive strategies and the value of knowledgeable financial advisors. With real-world examples and personal insights, they aim to equip listeners with the knowledge needed to navigate the complex world of equity compensation and financial planning.

Key Topics:

• Brett Wysopal’s Career Journey (00:00)
• The Role of Life Planning in Financial Decisions (04:04)
• Parallels Between Sports and Financial Planning (06:38)
• Navigating Equity Compensation and Financial Stress (09:55)
• Challenges of Private Company Equity and Liquidity Planning (13:52)
• Emotional and Psychological Aspects of Equity Compensation (26:08)
• Tax Planning and Optimizing Equity Compensation (26:26)
• The Role of Financial Education in Equity Compensation (34:48)
• Wrap-Up and Resources (37:32)

Resources:

• Wysopal Wealth
• Brett Wysopal on LinkedIn

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
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Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.

With 2024 in the books and a new president in the White House, what investment strategy should you be adopting to make 2025 a success?

Our hosts, Joey Loss, and Adam Van Wie, reflect on the technological and geopolitical shifts that have shaped last year’s market and what to expect going forward.

They look back at the remarkable performances of the NASDAQ and S&P 500, and how policy changes under Donald Trump's administration might shape the future for small businesses. They share their thoughts on the Trump tax law extension, especially the QBI deduction, as a vital lifeline for entrepreneurs.

Changing focus to the dynamic forces driving market trends, Joey and Adam break down the AI boom and the recent surge in consumer discretionary spending. They also chat about how NVIDIA's standout performance in the semiconductor industry serves as a testament to technology's intertwined role in market health.

A common question they’ve been getting at the turn of the new year is the best way to invest in AI moving forward. Joey and Adam offer their take on this, alongside their thoughts on AI's impact on job security, and why we need more open-minded analyses of economic forecasts in a world brimming with both optimism and doubt.

Wrapping up, they explain why a diversified portfolio will always lead to more success than attempting to time the market or going all in on a single stock or sector.

Key Topics:

• Quick Market Return Stats in 2024 (02:38)
• Discussing the Implications of Trump’s Inauguration Speech (04:40)
• Top Factors That Impacted the Market in 2024 (07:38)
• “How Do I Invest in AI in 2025?” (12:19)
• Is the Defense Sector Poised to Win? (17:38)
• Short-Term Volatility in the Next 100 Days (20:40)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

Follow Joey & Strivus on Social Media:

• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)

Read our audio, video, and written content disclaimer here.