Investment Friday

Hannah Chapman

Investment Friday® is a weekly podcast offering clear, fiduciary-led insight into investing, financial markets, and the global economy. Designed for investors, business owners, and professionals, Investment Friday® moves beyond headlines and hype to provide context, clarity, and disciplined thinking. Each week Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC®, Founder of X² Wealth Planning, and Brad Haines, CFA®, FRM, Chief Investment Officer of Juncture Wealth Strategies, break down what's happening in the markets and why it matters for long-term investors. Each episode explores: Market volatility and economic cycles Interest rates, inflation, and Federal Reserve policy Global economic trends and geopolitical risk Investor behavior and decision-making Evidence-based investment strategy and risk management No stock tips. No speculation. Just thoughtful conversation to help you invest with confidence.

  1. Aug 21

    Treasury Yields Are Surging: What AI Spending Means for Stocks & Bonds

    Stocks are near all-time highs. Long-term Treasury yields are reaching levels we haven't seen in decades. And some of the world's largest technology companies are borrowing enormous amounts of money by issuing bonds to fund the artificial intelligence buildout. So what happens when all three collide? In this week's Investment Friday, Hannah and Brad unpack what's happening in the bond market, why rising Treasury yields matter far beyond bonds, and how the massive race to build AI infrastructure is creating an unusual new source of demand for capital. Then we bring it back to the question investors actually care about: What should I do with my money right now? And as usual, the answer depends far less on what's making headlines—and far more on what your money actually needs to accomplish. Find out: Why long-term Treasury yields have climbed to levels not seen in more than 20 years What the government's Treasury buyback announcement signaled to financial markets How the federal debt and growing cost of servicing that debt are affecting the bond market Why massive AI infrastructure spending is pushing large technology companies into the debt markets How higher bond yields can put pressure on stock valuations—and why stocks can still rise at the same time Why the return you actually need to achieve your financial goals should influence how much investment risk you take Why there is no universal "right portfolio" and investment decisions have to account for your goals, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, income needs, and life Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    Treasury Yields Are Surging: What AI Spending Means for Stocks & Bonds
  2. Aug 7

    The Real Reason the Stock Market Is at Record Highs

    If geopolitical conflict is escalating, oil markets are under pressure, interest rates remain high, and the headlines seem filled with reasons to worry. Why is the stock market still hitting all-time highs? In this episode, Hannah and Brad look beyond the headlines to examine what's actually happening underneath the economy and financial markets—from rising worker productivity and strong corporate earnings to the changing role of the bond market. They also dig into the ongoing conflict with Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, including an important question for American consumers and investors: how vulnerable is the United States to a disruption in global oil supplies? Learn about: Why rising productivity and slowing wage-cost growth could be good news for corporate earnings and inflation How the bond market can tighten financial conditions even when the Federal Reserve doesn't change rates Why higher bond yields may restore some of the diversification benefits investors traditionally expect from bonds The role of a CFP®, CFA, and FRM—and why financial planning and investment management require different expertise Why the stock market can reach all-time highs even while geopolitical uncertainty dominates the headlines How strong corporate earnings and the AI investment cycle continue to support long-term market growth What the Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz could actually mean for U.S. oil supplies, gasoline prices, and the economy Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    The Real Reason the Stock Market Is at Record Highs
  3. Jul 24

    Should You Be Afraid of the Next Bear Market?

    The headlines can make it feel like a market crash is always just around the corner. So what should investors actually do? In this week's Investment Friday, Hannah and Brad break down what history tells us about bull markets, bear markets, and why emotional investing—not market volatility—is often the greatest risk to long-term wealth. They also discuss encouraging second-quarter earnings, why companies are becoming more profitable despite economic uncertainty, and how to build an investment strategy that lets you sleep well at night—even during market downturns. Whether you're years away from retirement or already living off your investments, this episode will help you understand how to prepare for volatility without trying to predict it. In this episode: Why the markets continue to perform despite negative headlines What second-quarter earnings are telling us about the economy The difference between an earnings bubble and an asset bubble Why fears of an "earnings collapse" may be overblown The historical reality of bull and bear markets Why market timing rarely works the way investors hope How cash reserves and income buckets reduce emotional investing Why your investment strategy should reflect your goals—not someone else's Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    Should You Be Afraid of the Next Bear Market?
  4. Jul 17

    What If Financial Planning Isn't About the Numbers?

    What if the biggest breakthrough in your financial life isn't finding a better investment, but finally understanding why money has felt so heavy in the first place? This week on Investment Friday, Hannah Chapman, CFP®, is joined by a special guest host, Lauren Ammon, for a behind-the-scenes look at what financial planning actually feels like. After Lauren observed her very first X² Wealth Planning discovery meeting, the two unpack one of the biggest misconceptions about money: that people need to have all the answers before meeting with a financial planner. The truth is that most people don't need more information. They need more clarity. Along the way, Hannah also covers this week's market update, including encouraging inflation data, why the stock market barely reacted, and what early earnings reports from companies like Taiwan Semiconductor may be telling us about the next phase of the economy. Learn more: This week's inflation (CPI) report and what it could mean for future interest rates Why strong corporate earnings aren't always enough to move stock prices higher What early earnings season is telling us about the health of the broader economy A behind-the-scenes look at X² Wealth Planning's financial discovery process Why most people feel overwhelmed by money—even when they're financially successful The difference between knowing your numbers and understanding your financial life How money stories shape the decisions we make (and avoid) Why financial planning should start with your vision—not a retirement calculator Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    What If Financial Planning Isn't About the Numbers?
  5. Jul 10

    What Should You Do When You Suddenly Have More Money Than You've Ever Managed?

    Receiving an inheritance, life insurance payout, business sale, or other significant windfall can feel like you've been dropped into the middle of the ocean. There's relief, there's uncertainty, and suddenly, everyone seems to have an opinion about what you should do next. In this week's Investment Friday, Hannah and Brad discuss why one of the biggest financial mistakes people make after a major wealth event isn't making the wrong investment—it's leaving substantial amounts of money sitting in cash for years because they're afraid to make any decision at all. The conversation also explores the latest market update, including inflation, Federal Reserve policy, AI investing, and whether the current excitement around artificial intelligence resembles a market bubble. Learn about: Market update: inflation, the Federal Reserve, and what to watch in next week's CPI and PPI reports Is artificial intelligence in a bubble? The current state of AI investing and why the infrastructure buildout is still in its early stages What to do after receiving an inheritance, life insurance payout, or other significant financial windfall Why leaving large amounts of money in cash can become one of the biggest long-term financial mistakes How inflation quietly erodes purchasing power—and why investing is often the better long-term strategy Dollar-cost averaging, diversification, and creating an investment plan that balances growth with peace of mind The emotional side of money: how grief, fear, and uncertainty influence financial decisions after major life events Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    What Should You Do When You Suddenly Have More Money Than You've Ever Managed?
  6. Jul 3

    When Having Millions of Dollars Still Doesn’t Feel Like Enough

    What happens when the spreadsheet says you're doing great... but your body says you're not safe? This week on Investment Friday, Hannah and Brad explore one of the most important—and least discussed—truths in financial planning: Money is never just about the money. The conversation begins with the latest developments in inflation, interest rates, mortgage markets, and why Brad believes inflationary pressures may continue to ease over the next six to twelve months despite the Federal Reserve's current concerns. But the heart of this episode comes from a series of client conversations that revealed a deeper truth: it's possible to have a strong financial plan, substantial wealth, and even an early retirement trajectory—and still feel financially insecure. Together, Hannah and Brad discuss how our childhood experiences, money stories, relationships, and emotional associations with wealth often shape our financial decisions far more than the numbers themselves. In This Episode The latest developments in oil prices and inflation Why the Federal Reserve remains focused on inflation Why inflation may moderate over the next year How artificial intelligence is creating temporary inflationary pressures Why mortgage rates remain stubbornly high Why some families feel financially insecure despite having significant wealth The difference between financial reality and emotional reality How childhood experiences shape our relationship with money Why couples often experience money differently The importance of regular financial conversations between spouses How to create financial autonomy within a marriage Why financial planning is about more than investments and spreadsheets The role of money stories in financial decision-making Why estate planning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    When Having Millions of Dollars Still Doesn’t Feel Like Enough
  7. Jun 26

    20 Years in Financial Planning: Inflation, Market Volatility & Why We Built X² Wealth Planning

    After 20 years in the financial planning industry, one lesson has become clearer than ever: great financial advice isn't just about numbers—it's about understanding the human behind them. In this solo episode of Investment Friday, Hannah Chapman reflects on two decades of guiding clients through market cycles, including the Great Recession, COVID, and today's AI-driven economy. Hannah also pulls back the curtain on the newly launched X² Wealth Planning website, sharing the philosophy behind the firm, why it integrates fiduciary financial planning, investment management, Human Design, and money story work, and how this holistic approach helps clients build not just wealth—but lasting prosperity. In this episode: Why inflation remains one of the biggest drivers of stock market performance The latest PCE inflation numbers and what they mean for interest rates Why the Federal Reserve may still raise rates this year Why oil prices matter more than most investors realize Why markets are always looking 6–12 months into the future A listener question: Should you keep cash on the sidelines waiting for a market crash? Why dollar-cost averaging continues to outperform emotional investing How cash reserves and portfolio rebalancing can prepare you for market downturns The philosophy behind the new X² Wealth Planning website Why financial planning should integrate technical expertise with personal alignment Understanding significant wealth events, including inheritances, business sales, and divorce Why the first step after receiving significant wealth is often to pause Ready to work with a fiduciary CFP to build your long-term wealth strategy? Hannah is currently accepting new clients at X² Wealth Planning. Schedule a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/60-minute-exploration-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com

    20 Years in Financial Planning: Inflation, Market Volatility & Why We Built X² Wealth Planning
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Investment Friday® is a weekly podcast offering clear, fiduciary-led insight into investing, financial markets, and the global economy. Designed for investors, business owners, and professionals, Investment Friday® moves beyond headlines and hype to provide context, clarity, and disciplined thinking. Each week Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC®, Founder of X² Wealth Planning, and Brad Haines, CFA®, FRM, Chief Investment Officer of Juncture Wealth Strategies, break down what's happening in the markets and why it matters for long-term investors. Each episode explores: Market volatility and economic cycles Interest rates, inflation, and Federal Reserve policy Global economic trends and geopolitical risk Investor behavior and decision-making Evidence-based investment strategy and risk management No stock tips. No speculation. Just thoughtful conversation to help you invest with confidence.