Why is Google being forced to “split up?” What does it mean that Berkshire’s assets are now more than 25% cash? And do we finally have the right leader for the Nebraska football program? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

David unpacks a few items one could expect at our upcoming SMART Spend-down Solutions Class, hosted by Colin Kastrick with Kastrick Law, and Michael Luna with Senior Asset Solutions. Plus, David reveals data on how delinquencies are on the rise across the board, especially with commercial mortgages.  

From disconnections between the labor market and the stock market, to times when the unemployment rate surpassed its 24-month moving average, David walks us through the analytical data related to these fields.

David talks on how California keeps taking hits by over-regulating and over-taxing big name companies, that end up packing their bags and moving out of state, and why Prospect Capital’s $8B private credit strategy is raising concern.

How can a financial advisor help numerous workers when their massive company shuts down? Should Nebraska mimic Colorado, and enact what supporters call a “Taxpayers Bill of Rights?” Are we entering a similar cycle to 2008?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q & A episode.

CEO of Martinsen Wealth Management, Lane Martinsen, joins with David in discussion as they compare retirement and tax strategies in their businesses, and how planning has grown more complex over the years.

David Brooks shares his thoughts on Tim Walz being the running mate as Vice President, for candidate Harris, and why we should not be quick to trust the data that government agencies are putting out, particularly on job surveys.

David talks on the ‘arms race’ over Big Tech Names splurging to get the latest AI chips, and on how major states are in a chokehold due to the loss of high dollar tax payers.

What is Project 2025 and are you for it or against it? in today's Q&A episode, David Brooks unpacks this hot button topic that’s sweeping all of the news airways and social media outlets.

Estate Planning Attorney, Colin Kastrick, expands on how the flow of assets, through a will, can become complicated in “2nd marriage” scenarios and for clients choosing to cohabitate.

David Brooks gives insight on the following major topics: Kamala Harris looks to be the likely presidential nominee for the Democratic party and Sticky inflation is turning up the heat for average buyers in the grocery and food industries.  

President and founder of Kirsner Wealth Management, Craig Kirsner, discusses with David on strategies on how you don’t have to wait for your passing to bless your family legacy.   DISCLOSURE: Craig Kirsner and Kirsner Wealth Management are not clients of, nor affiliated with Retire SMART and were not compensated for his appearance or endorsement. However, Craig Kirsner does benefit from this podcast also being released on the Kirsner Wealth Management video and podcast platforms.

We are bringing out one of David’s virtual advisor talks from the Retire Smart media vault to the podcast platform.  Founder and President of Evolution Retirement Services, Adam Bruno, hosts a conversation with David Brooks on retirement and tax planning.

David talks on the four winning and four losing states in taxable income, and how the U.S. needs to pay close attention to the Chinese banking crisis, to not follow suit.

Is the Fed in favor of rate cuts or not? Do we pay off our home in one payment or leave the mortgage alone? Is the future of social security secured? David Brooks has answers to your questions in today's Q&A episode.

Financial advisor, Dustin Galvan, touches on the ABCs of Medicare and how to be cautious with the so called “free” Medicare Advantage plans.

David reflects on the recent assassination attempt on former president Trump and how policies laid out by the government have affected the financial wellness of our country over the last four years.

David talks on how AI is a serious option being considered to help in the Biden campaign, and how the AI boom is to blame for the new high record of office vacancies in San Francisco.  

Is the day of the digital dollar upon us? Is David’s math on point? Did the bearish analyst from JP Morgan quit or get fired? David Brooks has answers to your questions in today's Q&A episode.

Financial advisor, Jacob Orand brings back our third installment of “Stump David Brooks” on subjects related to charitable giving.

David talks on one of the biggest and most significant rulings out of the supreme court, and what the S&P 22-Day Moving Average is all about.

David talks on Warren Buffett’s confirmation on how he has cut the Gates Foundation from his will and what seems to be a breach of fiduciary duty from a Morgan Stanley lawsuit over low interest rates on client cash.

Is Walgreens in trouble? Is now a good time for selling my property? Should I invest in the tech sector? David Brooks has answers to your questions in today's Q&A episode.

Do you use apps for managing your finances and investments? Financial advisor, Alex Murray, shares wisdom and warnings on “FIN TECH” (Financial Tech) in today’s conversation with David Brooks.

David shares his thoughts on the recent Biden-Trump debate, and how the policies of the future elect can directly affect the financial wellness of your portfolio.

David discusses how nearly half of American EV owners are likely to shift back to gas-powered cars, why McDonalds is having to pull back on their AI-based ordering systems, and how your taxes will likely be going up.

Should we consider Trump’s proposal to replace income tax with tariffs? Is our country’s debt load reasonable? And will Bidenomics ever work? David Brooks has answers to your questions in today's Q&A episode.

David talks with financial advisor, Mike Shudel, on the valuation of real estate assets, particularly for farmers, and how to develop a SMART protection plan to safeguard your family legacy.

Multiple reports by ZeroHedge that bring to light reoccurring issues that were promised to be taken care of, such as Biden’s High Speed internet, and how “The Fed is playing with fire by not cutting rates.”

We are bringing out one of David’s popular video conversations from the Retire Smart media vault to the podcast platform.  Wealth advisor, Adam Curran, of Curran Financial Partners, hosts a debate with David on Roth conversions.

Amid all the negative news stories, finally David Brooks jumps on the positive news train! In today's episode David responds to an article by Forbes on how Omaha made it to the #1 slot of top 10 cities to live in, and gives praise to Nebraska on how it has remained a fiscally responsible champion, as a state.

Some news outlets say we’re gaining jobs while others say we’re losing them; what is the true job situation? And what are we to expect with Apple now taking a piece of the “Open A.I.” pie? 

Auto insurance, home-owners insurance, Medicaid, and assisted living; all these can be a nightmare to manage…but worry not!  David talks with the president of SMART Protection and Senior Asset Solutions, Michael Luna, on developing strategies to navigate through these critical challenges.

David shares his highlights from the “TeamMates Golf Event,” European voters veering to the “right,” and tax changes on the horizon that has business and tax leaders worried.

David talks about the differences between Medicare advantage plans and Medicare supplemental policies and how there’s a global crisis with the supply and demand of copper, due to the high demand of electric vehicles.

Should republicans try to extend and pay for the Trump tax cuts? Are there hidden tax traps when selling gold? And what’s the “sweet spot” for the percentage of income spent on a mortgage?

Bitcoin, Ethereum, crypto mining, and more! David talks with Financial Advisor, Brad Starken, about currency in the digital universe.

David talks about how the market is a leading indicator of what’s happening in the overall economic health of our country, and how to read the “signs.”  Plus, how McDonald’s is no longer fast food, but a luxury.

Why David is troubled about the “buy now, pay later” loan strategy that’s becoming more popular and how Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” shops’ security technology isn’t what it seems.

Why is the California public employee retirement system melting down and is corporate America to blame for all the inflation?!  David Brooks has answers to your questions in today's Q&A segment.

David talks with Estate Planning Attorney, Colin Kastrick, about Retire SMARTs’ wholistic approach to retirement and how estate planning is something most retirees think is a good idea but have poor follow-through with.

The soaring rates of ocean freight containers that’s setting off global trade alarm bells and how American’s struggle to make ends meet as inflation takes its toll.

How for one year, Omaha’s own, Douglas County, rose to the top as the fastest growing economy in the US, and what Warren Buffett meant when he said “I killed the Dow.”

“How can I get David Brooks to be my personal financial advisor? And what are we to do with managing the earnings of High paid CEOs? 

Financial Advisor, Alex Murray, gives deeper insights into the latest GameStop phenomenon in the marketplace, what the “Start SMART” program is all about, and how young investors can get involved.

How the change in leadership in Iran will affect inflation rates around the globe, and why copper, or “Doctor Copper,” is a bellwether for today’s markets and the economy.

David talks about college vs trade school, and why the Biden administration is suing a convenience store chain.

David talks about the so-called mortgage reform that could unleash the next big US stimulus inflation bomb and on what little percentage of retirees are actually “living the dream.”