Episode Details

The economy is technically growing, the job market is holding together, and yet almost everyone feels uneasy. In this episode of The Personal Wealth Coach, Jake McClure unpacks why the economic story we are living through feels so disorienting.

Jake starts with the latest Federal Reserve meeting and explains why a “rates unchanged” headline misses the real story. A divided board, a new Fed chair, and a quiet return to quantitative easing are reshaping interest rates, inflation expectations, and the future of mortgages. He breaks down what the Fed’s continued sale of mortgage backed securities means for housing prices and why mortgage rates have stayed stubbornly high longer than most people expected.

From there, the lens widens to the global stage. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, the UAE walking away from OPEC, and Russia’s oil infrastructure under sustained attack, energy markets are under pressure in ways that are already feeding inflation. Jake connects these global events to what consumers see at the gas pump and the grocery store.

The episode also tackles housing supply, demographics, and why today’s economy looks strong on paper but feels uncomfortable in real life. If you are trying to understand why confidence is low while spending remains high, and why everything feels uncertain even without a clear recession, this conversation brings the missing context together in one place.

This episode was recorded on May 1, 2026.

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** 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.