Tall Oaks Podcast

Branden DuCharme
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Investing
  • Updated Weekly

Educating and empowering individuals that want to have more effective engagements with professionals around their financial lives.DISCLAIMER: Information presented is for your educational purposes only and should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed.  Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information.  A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented.Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

  1. 2d ago

    Annuities Explained: Fees, Income Riders, and When They Actually Make Sense

    Are annuities worth it? Branden DuCharme sits down with colleague Jace Austin — who spent nearly a decade writing life insurance and annuity contracts — for an honest, no-sales-pitch look at how these products really work. They cover what makes an annuity an insurance product, the difference between the fees you can see and the "implicit" fees you can't, how fixed index annuities use floors, caps, and participation rates, and why contract terms can quietly get worse after year ten. Jace also shares his candid take on income riders and what to do if you already own an annuity you don't fully understand. A balanced, plain-English conversation for anyone weighing guaranteed income against cost and flexibility. Questions about your own situation? Reach the team at https://ducharmewealth.com DISCLAIMER: Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    Annuities Explained: Fees, Income Riders, and When They Actually Make Sense

  2. Sep 10

    Equity Compensation Explained: RSUs, ESPPs, NSOs & ISOs | with Mark Cecchini

    Equity compensation comes with its own alphabet soup — RSUs, ESPPs, NSOs, and ISOs — and getting it wrong can cost you thousands. In this episode, Branden DuCharme, CFP® is joined by equity comp specialist Mark Cecchini, CFP® to break it all down in plain English. You'll learn how each type of equity comp works, when you actually get taxed, the biggest mistake people make after their shares vest, the AMT trap that catches ISO holders off guard, and the behavioral side of holding a large concentrated position — with real lessons from employees who lived through the SpaceX IPO. In this episode:  • The full equity comp landscape, from 401(k) stock to startup options  • RSUs: vesting, the one-year cliff, and the "would you buy it today?" reframe  • ESPPs and the 15% discount that's close to free money  • NSOs and the three ways to exercise your options  • ISOs, the Alternative Minimum Tax, and how the AMT credit works later  • Profits Interest Units — the unusually favorable model OpenAI is using  • Tender offers, direct listings, IPO lockups, and managing concentration risk  • The behavioral core: FOMO, anchoring bias, and answering "how much is enough?" Have equity comp questions? Mark Cecchini, CFP® is Director of Wealth Solutions at Quadrant Capital, specializing in equity compensation for tech founders and executives. Learn more at quadcapco.com or connect on LinkedIn (search "Mark Cecchini CFP"). DISCLAIMER: Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    Equity Compensation Explained: RSUs, ESPPs, NSOs & ISOs | with Mark Cecchini

  3. Sep 3

    August 2026 Market Update: What Rates, Oil & Gold Are Signaling Now

    Branden DuCharme closes out August 2026 with a chart-driven read on what the markets are actually signaling — not stock tips, but the big inter-market trends worth understanding. In this episode: The ten-year Treasury and why higher interest rates shouldn't surprise youWhere mortgage rates may be headed (and why waiting for lower rates can backfire)What tight credit spreads say about the economy's healthOil, West Texas Intermediate crude, and why energy prices may stay higherGold's breakout and the long-term case for it outperforming the S&P 500The US dollar's trading bands and what a move to the downside would meanWhy international stocks may be setting up for a new secular trendWhether you're a long-term investor or just trying to make sense of the noise, Branden offers a grounded framework for where to be positioned. Learn more at ducharmewealth.com. DISCLAIMER: Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    August 2026 Market Update: What Rates, Oil & Gold Are Signaling Now

  4. Aug 27

    Jim Bianco: The Fed, Jackson Hole & Rising Rates

    New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivers his first Jackson Hole keynote on August 28. Ahead of it, host Branden DuCharme talks with macro strategist Jim Bianco (Bianco Research) about why the bond market is rejecting the Fed's current policy — and what it means for interest rates, inflation, and your mortgage. Since September 2024, the Fed has cut rates six times, yet the 10-year Treasury yield has risen a full percentage point — something Bianco notes hasn't happened in 55 years of data. He explains the difference between "forward guidance" and "reaction function," why he believes we still have an inflation problem, and why unusually low interest rates can damage an economy just as much as high ones. Recorded as a preview ahead of the Jackson Hole speech, this is Bianco's read on what to watch for. In this episode: Why this Fed operates differently — 12 independent voters, not one chairmanThe fight over Fed independenceWhy long-term rates rise even as the Fed cutsForward guidance vs. reaction functionWhat it means for ARMs vs. fixed-rate mortgagesThe "monetary shot clock" and the hidden cost of low rates Follow Jim Bianco on X: @biancoresearch Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    Jim Bianco: The Fed, Jackson Hole & Rising Rates

  5. Aug 20

    The Dollar Milkshake Theory with Brent Johnson of Santiago Capital

    The Dollar Milkshake Theory — explained by the person who created it. Brent Johnson, CEO of Santiago Capital, joins Branden DuCharme to unpack how the US dollar really works and why the popular "the dollar is collapsing" narrative gets it backwards. This is a genuine masterclass. Brent walks through why the dollar losing purchasing power at the grocery store is a completely different thing from the dollar losing its global reserve status — and why conflating the two leads people to bad conclusions. He explains the eurodollar market, the enormous pool of dollar-denominated debt held outside the United States that quietly drives global demand for dollars, using a Turkish shoemaker as a memorable example. From there: whether the BRICS nations can realistically replace the dollar, how the post-war shift from the gold standard to the petrodollar built the system we have today, and why, in Brent's view, a US debt crisis is always a global one — but not the other way around. The back half turns practical. Brent shares how he actually builds portfolios for his clients — most of whom, in his words, didn't come to him to get rich but to stay that way — and why he leans toward protecting the downside over chasing an extra few percent in emerging markets. Whether you're a finance nerd or just someone who's heard "the dollar is dying" and wondered if it's true, this conversation will change how you think about the money in your pocket. Find Brent Johnson on X/Twitter @SantiagoAuFund, at research.santiagocapital.com, and on his weekly YouTube show, Milkshakes, Markets and Madness. The Tall Oaks Podcast is brought to you by DuCharme Wealth Management. DISCLAIMER: Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    The Dollar Milkshake Theory with Brent Johnson of Santiago Capital

  6. Aug 13

    Federal Employee Retirement: FERS, TSP & the Pension Explained

    Federal employees have one of the most misunderstood retirement setups out there — and most navigate it alone, with advice from a coworker or a Google search. Branden DuCharme sits down with Trevor Trebbien of Encompass More, who specializes in federal retirement planning, to break down FERS, the TSP, and the pension in plain terms. In this episode: - How the FERS pension is calculated (the high-3, years of service, ~1% per year) - Minimum retirement age (57) and the 20-year mark - The TSP match — why hitting 5% is a 100% return you can't skip - The five TSP funds explained: G, F, C, S, and I - Life cycle funds and the mutual fund window - Buying back military time to boost your pension - The Social Security supplement for early federal retirees - Roth conversion windows and the low-tax years people miss A practical map of the federal retirement plan, whether you're just starting or close to the finish line. Chapters: (00:00) Cold open: the "do it yourself" trap (00:54) Intro: meet Trevor Trebbien (01:29) Why federal retirement is do-it-yourself (02:38) FERS explained: pension, Social Security & TSP (03:01) How the pension is calculated (age 57, the high-3) (05:59) The TSP and the three-legged stool (06:23) The match: why you have to hit 5% (08:03) The five TSP funds (G, F, C, S, I) (11:34) Market-cap vs. price weighting: S&P 500 vs. Dow (13:34) International investing and the US dollar (17:34) Mutual fund window & life cycle funds (21:09) The landmines: military buyback & Social Security timing (23:35) Roth conversions and the low-tax window (27:16) Where to find Trevor Contact Us at Ducharmewealth.com Connect with Trevor Trebbien on LinkedIn (search "Trevor Trebbien"). — Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up to date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management, LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

  7. Aug 6

    Cutting Through the Noise: Rates, Gold & Energy | July Market Update

    Gold at $49,000? Branden isn't calling for it — but the chart behind that number is one of the most overlooked signals in the market right now. In this July market update, Branden DuCharme steps past the individual stock picks and the mainstream headlines to walk through the bigger forces at play: where interest rates are really headed, why the traditional 60/40 bond trade has broken down, whether international stocks are staging a genuine secular turn, and the metals-and-energy setup that could shape the next cycle. The through-line: with the S&P 500 richly valued, the interesting opportunities — and the added volatility that comes with them — increasingly sit outside big US tech. As always, Branden's bottom line is to let your financial plan, not the best-looking chart, guide your position sizing. In this episode: • The two-year Treasury and what it signals about Fed policy • Why long-duration bonds have stopped protecting portfolios • High-yield bonds as a read on institutional risk appetite • A possible secular turn in international vs. US stocks • The gold-to-S&P ratio and the "$49,000 gold" math • Silver, platinum and palladium setups • Energy: oil, refining capacity, and the under-invested services trade Reach out to Branden with questions, comments, or feedback on X. contact us on our website Ducharmewealth.com Watch this episode on Youtube — Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    Cutting Through the Noise: Rates, Gold & Energy | July Market Update

  8. Jul 30

    Estate Planning Beyond the Will: Probate, Taxes & Gifting

    Most people think a will and a trust binder means their estate plan is done. But when we open that binder, we usually find blank pages, homes never titled into the living trust, and accounts that were never funded. The document looks complete — in practice, it isn't doing much. In this episode, Branden DuCharme and Carisa Bertrand break down what estate planning actually requires, and the three components everyone should understand before assuming they're "done." What we cover: Your taxable estate — the 2026 federal exemption sits around $15M per person, so most people won't owe federal estate tax. But state rules differ, and a normal revocable living trust doesn't shield assets from your taxable estate the way many people assume. We also touch on where an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) fits in. Probate — the court process that's slow, expensive, and public. Branden and Carisa explain why business owners in particular want to avoid it, how a pour-over will works, and how a single outdated beneficiary designation can override your entire plan — including leaving an account to a prior spouse. Gifting — the annual exclusion, split gifting between spouses, and the "direct support" exception for tuition and medical bills. Plus the step-up in basis: how gifting a home too early can accidentally hand your kids a large capital gains bill that passing it through a trust would have avoided. The bottom line: estate planning is about making sure your plan actually does what you think it does. Review it regularly, check your beneficiary designations, and build a team that can help. Timestamps: (00:00) The blank pages most estate plans hide (00:52) Welcome & why most estate plans aren't done (02:27) The two sides of estate planning (03:33) Your taxable estate & the 2026 exemption (07:33) Irrevocable trusts and the ILIT (08:50) What probate actually is (09:40) Why probate is public — and risky for business owners (13:22) Beneficiary designations override everything (15:19) Gifting: the annual exclusion & split gifting (17:02) Gifting a home & step-up in basis (21:30) Long-term care and the sell-the-house trap (25:53) The bottom line: does your plan do what you think? Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Reach out — we'd love to hear from you. Watch this episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/hq1NAkj3pas To review your own estate plan with our team, visit ducharmewealth.com — Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up-to-date, but we do not guarantee its accuracy, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

    Estate Planning Beyond the Will: Probate, Taxes & Gifting
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About

Educating and empowering individuals that want to have more effective engagements with professionals around their financial lives.DISCLAIMER: Information presented is for your educational purposes only and should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed.  Discussions and answers to questions do not involve the rendering of personalized investment advice, but are limited to the dissemination of general information.  A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented.Encompass More Asset Management LLC is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered, or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

Information

  • Creator
    Branden DuCharme
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tall Oaks Podcast
  • Show Website
    Tall Oaks Podcast

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