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The Money Alchemist Podcast

The Money Alchemist Podcast

By: Ben Jones & Brent Gargano
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Join two dudes, Ben and Brent, to discuss current market events and savvy financial strategies to build wealth consistently over time.

Now in video -> https://www.youtube.com/@TheMoneyAlchPod

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About your Hosts

Ben Jones, CFP®

Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group

www.nwmgadvisors.com 

Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karastick.com 

Follow him on X @thekaratstick

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

 

Brent Gargano, CFP®

Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning 

www.infinitewealthplanning.com

linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

 

Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/moneyalchemistpod/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@themoneyalchemistpodcast?_r=1&_t=ZP-93mdovEr0vu

https://www.youtube.com/@TheMoneyAlchPod/videos

The Money Alchemist 2026 Economics Personal Finance
Episodes
  • CFP® Meets Reddit: Real Personal Finance Questions Answered by Professional Advisors

    CFP® Meets Reddit: Real Personal Finance Questions Answered by Professional Advisors
    Apr 18 2026
    Topic of the Day

    CFP® Meets Reddit

    What can real questions from Reddit teach us about personal finance?

    In this episode of The Money Alchemist Podcast, Ben and Brent review real posts from r/personalfinance and walk through how a CFP® professional would approach them. From navigating a major increase in income to thinking about long-term wealth, they break down practical decision-making in real-world scenarios.

    They also cover current market and economic updates, including developments around the Artemis II mission, comparisons between NASA and SpaceX, recent shifts in MAG 7 valuations, and the latest geopolitical headlines.

    If you’ve ever wondered how a financial advisor would think through real-life money questions, this episode offers a clear and practical look into that process.

    What’s happening in 10 minutes

    • Artemis II mission updates and cost considerations • NASA vs SpaceX: different approaches to space exploration • MAG 7 valuations amid recent market movement • Latest developments from recent geopolitical headlines

    About your Hosts

    Ben Jones, CFP®

    Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group

    www.nwmgadvisors.com 

    Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com 

    Follow him on X @thekaratstick

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

     

    Brent Gargano, CFP®

    Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning 

    www.infinitewealthplanning.com

    linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

    Tip of the Week

    www.CollegeAidPro.com

    Sources/Links:

    Reddit Post 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/1sejscz/roth_401k_contribution/

    Reddit Post 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/comments/1s6x28g/massive_jump_in_salary_need_advice/

    Citrini Report:

    https://www.citriniresearch.com/p/strait-of-hormuz-a-citrini-field

     

    Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

    The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates.

    Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

    Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions.

    Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly.

    To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@themoneyaltchemistshow.com.

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • How Much Financial Advisors Make: Fees, Clients, and What They Actually Do | MAP Episode 53

    How Much Financial Advisors Make: Fees, Clients, and What They Actually Do | MAP Episode 53
    Apr 4 2026

    How much do financial advisors actually make?

    In this episode of Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent break down how advisors are compensated, how many clients they can realistically serve, and what their day-to-day work actually looks like. They also cover current market conditions, including recent S&P 500 movement, rising gas prices, and shifting expectations around interest rates.

    The conversation touches on broader economic themes like productivity, inflation, and the growing role of government debt.

    Whether you’ve worked with an advisor before or are simply curious how the industry operates, this episode provides a clear look at how the business of advice really works. Watch the full episode on our channel.

    Subscribe for more conversations on markets, investing, and financial planning.

    About your Hosts

    Ben Jones, CFP®

    Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group

    www.nwmgadvisors.com 

    Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com 

    Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/

    Brent Gargano, CFP®

    Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning 

    www.infinitewealthplanning.com

    linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573

    Comments or questions?

    Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com

    Raw Agenda:

    What’s happening in 10 minutes S&P 500 in correction - down -5.9% from ATH led by MAG-7 declines

    Gas prices up, Fed rate cut forecasts slashed - chances of next move being a hike higher than a cut K-shape Economy - hot now but been going on for awhile

    Chuck Noris, seeking greater challenges, decides to die at 86 Productivity down (wages tend to drive inflation with productivity being the offset) & what this means for inflation

    Government debt hits $39T, growing by $2.78T since Trump took office

    Topic du jour - How Much Financial Advisors Make Brokers vs agents vs fiduciaries

    How many clients can an actual advisor handle?

    What do they typically do Advice models - which is best?

    Tip of the week Athropic Acadamy -

    https://www.anthropic.com/learn

    General Education -

    udemy.com

    Disclosure: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Geopolitics and Portfolios: Inflation, Oil Prices, and What It Means for Markets

    Geopolitics and Portfolios: Inflation, Oil Prices, and What It Means for Markets
    Mar 21 2026
    In Episode 52 of The Money Alchemist, Ben and Brent walk through the latest market developments, including inflation trends, labor data, and shifts in private credit. They also discuss the market implications of recent geopolitical events, including Operation Epic Fury, and how these dynamics are influencing oil, global trade, and investor sentiment. The episode closes with a practical tip of the week and a broader perspective on how these moving pieces connect back to portfolios. About your Hosts Ben Jones, CFP® Managing Director, National Wealth Management Group www.nwmgadvisors.com  Sign up for Ben’s newsletter at www.karatstick.com  Follow him on X @thekaratstick https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-nwmg/   Brent Gargano, CFP® Founder & Advisor, Infinite Wealth Planning  www.infinitewealthplanning.com linkedin.com/in/brent-gargano-cfp®-2067b573   Comments or questions? Email us at comments@moneyalchemistshow.com Agenda: What’s happening in 10 minutes Inflation returning - Jan PPI moves up (Core at 3.6%), oil up +50% YTDEmployment data not hot but resilient - March 6 BLS report Wage inflation moves higher from 3.7 to 3.8%Unemployment up from 4.3 to 4.4%Labor participation dipped to 62% - lowest since 12/2021Job cuts hit nearly all sectors, healthcare hardest hit due to Kaiser Permanente strike Private Credit exodus - duration mismatch in evergreen funds apparent, banks enter space in 2022-2023 increasing competition, lowering spreads and covenant quality - older loans, especially to software co.s affected by AI. Retail requesting redemptions in mass. Solvency issue at the fund level, not the issuer level - middle market showing financial strength Consumer spending up 3.2% YoYBroadening trade widensTransition to Operation Epic Fury BlackRock (HLEND), Blue Owl (OBDC II) & Blackstone BCRED have all frozen redemptions Topic du jour - Operation Epic Fury market implications Over 5,000 targets struck - more than Desert Storm & Operation Iraqi Freedom - rumor is traffic cameras provided critical intel Interim acting Supreme Leader in limbo (Mjtaba Khamenei or Alireza Arafi). Tehran continues to reject unconditional demands 7 service members KIA. March 10 reported to be most intense day of strikes yetPolitically, Trump Admin frame “short-term” campaign message to garner public support - initially 2-weeks, now 4Control of global oil shipments is a major objective, albeit not publicly highlighted - Oil must trade primarily in dollars to maintain dollar hegemony - Iran/Venezuelan oil trade fell largely outside of U.S. dollar systemCrude Oil futures (April 26 contract) on NY Mercantile peaked around $95 before pulling back to sub $90. USD largely unchanged YTD but strengthening since launch of operation - speculate continued strengthStrait of Hormuz effectively ‘closed’ in game of chicken. Threats are the primary leverage. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy using small boats & drones for hit and run - estimated 5 ships have been hit. Tip of the week If planning an expensive vacation (i.e. resort package), upgrade to an Executive Membership at Costco & book through Costco Travel using the Citi Rewards card. This will net you back 5%. New cardholders can sometimes take advantage of one-time promos and stack benefits Sources: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/one-big-reason-ships-and-insurers-are-unwilling-to-risk-strait-of-hormuz.html https://www.worldometers.info/oil/us-oil/ https://www.macrotrends.net/1369/crude-oil-price-history-chart https://tradingeconomics.com/united-states/average-hourly-earnings-yoy https://www.bls.gov/ppi/home.htm Disclosure: The information provided on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, financial, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed here are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of National Wealth Management Group, LLC or its affiliates. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy discussed will be successful or profitable. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Economic discussions are based on current data and opinions, which are subject to change and may not accurately predict future events. We encourage listeners to conduct their own research and seek guidance from a certified financial advisor before making any decisions. Advisory services are offered through National Wealth Management Group, LLC. For more information about National Wealth Management Group including our Forms ADV and CRS, please visit our website www.nwmgadvisors.com or contact us directly. To connect with Ben Jones or Brent Gargano directly, email us at comments@themoneyaltchemistshow.com.
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
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