Tall Oaks Podcast

Hosted by Branden DuCharme

Business Investing

Website RSS feed

Episodes

126

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 20, 202643 min

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.

August 13, 202627 min

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 T revor 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.

August 6, 202629 min

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.

July 30, 202628 min

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.

July 23, 202625 min

Debt Payoff and Investing: A Coach's Playbook

Should you pay off debt or invest first? A Ramsey-certified financial coach breaks down how to do both — the smart way. In this episode of the Tall Oaks Podcast, Branden DuCharme sits down with Marcus Corvino, the financial coach at DuCharme Wealth Management, to answer one of the most common questions they hear from younger clients and second-generation families: should you wait until you're debt-free to start investing? Marcus walks through the debt snowball method, when it beats the math-optimal "avalanche" approach, and the behavioral side of paying off debt that most calculators ignore. Then they tackle the big question — how to think about investing while you still carry debt, why an employer 401(k) match is so hard to pass up, and how to choose between Roth and tax-deferred contributions. Plus: the truth about "0% interest" car loans, and why financing more car than you can afford can quietly work against your retirement. Whether you're just starting to tackle debt or deciding where your next dollar should go, this conversation gives you a clear framework to work from. Questions for Marcus? Reach him on Instagram: @marcus.at.dwm ▶️ Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nbsg2qSj3tk Learn more: https://ducharmewealth.com — Information presented on this program is believed to be factual and up to date but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. Discussions are limited to the dissemination of general information and do not constitute personalized investment advice. A professional advisor should be consulted before implementing any of the options presented. Encompass More Asset Management, LLC is a registered investment advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempt from registration requirements. #PersonalFinance #DebtPayoff #Investing

July 16, 202636 min

Trump Accounts Explained: Free Money, Real Tradeoffs

Trump Accounts became legal on July 4, 2026. Branden DuCharme and Carisa walk through what they are, who qualifies, and where they fit in a real plan. Kids born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 can receive a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government. Branden's take: if the government is offering your kid free money, take it. But these accounts come with a tradeoff that catches people off guard. At 18, the account is legally the kid's. No trust, no levers of control, no way to stop them from cashing it out. What's covered: • Eligibility and how the tax treatment works • Why you're effectively locked into the S&P 500 • The recordkeeping problem that shows up 18 years later • Estate planning uses for high net worth families • The Roth conversion window in early adulthood • Business owner contributions and why most self-employed people don't qualify • Alternatives: 529 plans, brokerage accounts, custodial Roth IRAs Questions or guest suggestions? We'd love to hear them. 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 advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements.

July 9, 202638 min

Is Playing It Safe Still Working? | June 2026 Market Recap

Is playing it safe still working? Branden DuCharme breaks down what happened across the markets in June and what the charts are signaling heading into the second half of 2026 — interest rates, the US dollar, Bitcoin, emerging markets, the Magnificent 7, and gold. This is a chart-driven technical recap: trend, momentum, and price action across every major asset class, translated into plain-language takeaways for long-term investors. In this episode: - Why the 2-Year Treasury leads the Fed — and the setup Branden sees in cash and T-bills - Mortgage rates and the "higher for longer" reality for homebuyers - The US dollar breakout and what a strong dollar means for inflation - Bitcoin's 50%+ correction and why nobody talking about it is a good thing - The hidden semiconductor exposure inside emerging markets - The rotation question: where does the money go when the chip trade wobbles? - A stock-by-stock look at the Mag 7 — including Microsoft's 35% drawdown - Gold's ~30% correction, the $4,000 level, and the gold-to-S&P ratio - Bonus: how index funds absorbed the SpaceX IPO Chapters: 00:00 Cold Open 00:18 Disclaimer 00:44 Welcome & What This Episode Covers 01:04 2-Year Treasury: Why It Leads the Fed 03:17 Bond Duration Explained 04:29 Mortgage Rates: Higher for Longer 05:31 US Dollar Index: The Breakout 08:48 Bitcoin: Nobody's Talking About It 11:44 Emerging Markets: A Hidden Chip Bet 14:17 The Rotation Thesis: Where Does the Money Go? 16:42 The Magnificent 7 (MAGS ETF) 19:21 Mag 7 Stock-by-Stock: Microsoft, Meta, Apple 21:46 Amazon, Google, Nvidia & Tesla 24:53 Gold: My Favorite Pet Rock 29:15 Gold vs. S&P 500: The Ratio Chart 34:18 Bonus: SPACE, IPOs & Index Gaming 37:23 Wrap-Up & How to Reach Us Questions, comments, or topics you'd like covered? Reach out through the website or send a message on Instagram , X , or Facebook . ducharmewealth.com (435) 288-3396 — 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.

July 2, 202642 min

Your Cheapest Policy Could Be Your Most Expensive Mistake

Is your cheapest insurance policy quietly setting you up for financial disaster? In this episode of the Tall Oaks Podcast, Branden DuCharme sits down with Latham Jepson — a property and casualty insurance broker based in Utah — to break down the gaps most people don't know exist in their home and auto coverage, and the surprisingly inexpensive fixes that could save you everything. This isn't a sales pitch. It's the honest conversation your insurance agent should be having with you — but probably isn't. Here's what we cover: The difference between protecting an asset and protecting your liability, and why most people are only thinking about one of them Why Utah's state minimum auto liability coverage of $30,000 is dangerously low, who it's actually appropriate for, and what happens when you rear-end a "Lamborghini" with it How insurance carriers quietly shift their risk appetite and why your rates can go up even when you've done nothing wrong Captive agents versus independent brokers and what that difference actually means for your options and your premium The cheap endorsements most homeowners never add, including service line coverage and sewage backup, that cost almost nothing and cover a lot Why maxing out personal liability on your homeowner's policy to $500,000 is one of the easiest and most overlooked moves in personal finance How umbrella policies work, why they're more affordable than most people think, and how having one changes the insurance company's incentive to actually fight for you Scheduling jewelry, firearms, collectibles, instruments, and high-end gear that your standard policy sublimit won't fully cover Why renter's insurance is almost always a no-brainer, including the one thing it covers that most renters never expect Personal injury liability coverage and why it matters, especially if you're in financial services, make content, or have strong opinions in Facebook comment sections Branden's framework for every risk you face: insure it, retain it, or mitigate it, and when the right answer is just being a better driver The bottom line: pull out your declarations page, write down your assets, and honestly ask yourself whether your coverage matches what you have to lose. Find Du Charme Wealth Management here: https://ducharmewealth.com Phone: (435) 288-3396 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.

June 25, 20261 hr 18 min

First-Time Buyers Are Making This One Huge Mistake

Is real estate investing still a reliable path to wealth? Stop viewing buying a home as a guaranteed ticket to riches and avoid financial strain. This discussion challenges the outdated belief that real estate is an automatic wealth builder. We break down why the current real estate market requires a more cautious approach and why purchasing property solely for investment potential can backfire if your finances are already stretched thin. If you are questioning if real estate is a good investment right now, this honest assessment provides the perspective you need to make smarter financial decisions. • real estate returns driven more by macro forces than most people admit • using a 50/30/20 framework to think about macro, property type, and deal selection • first-time homebuyer decision anchored on mobility and a realistic 3 to 5 year timeline • why renting can beat buying when interest dominates the mortgage payment • hidden ownership costs beyond principal and interest, including HOA, insurance, taxes, repairs • what happened when rental supply rose as mortgage rates surged, and why rents hit a ceiling • buying for community, schools, stability, and predictability versus buying for investment alpha • why “get rich in real estate” advice is outdated in a high-rate affordability-stretched market • refinance risks, amortization schedules, and how lower payments can mean higher lifetime interest • cash-buyer share, split-market pricing, and why days-on-market tells a truer story than hype • inventory, absorption rate, and the gap between pending sales and closed volume • seller anchoring bias, the myth that real estate never goes down, and how losses really happen • local economy concentration risk in growth-dependent areas and why diversification matters Find Du Charme Wealth Management here: https://ducharmewealth.com Phone: (435) 288-3396 Find Robert Macfarlane here: https://www.realtor.com/realestateagents/583655fa34e2ea0001aebd05 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. 0:00 Intro and welcome 6:20 First-Time Buyer Reality Check 9:36 When Renting Beats Buying 12:04 Rent Supply Surge And Wage Limits 20:32 Lifestyle Value Versus Investment Return 34:14 Refinance Traps And Amortization Math 38:46 Cash Buyers And Market Stability 44:27 Inventory Levels And True Demand 53:25 Anchoring Bias And Real Estate Losses 1:01:08 Local Economy Risk In Growth Towns 1:08:31 Animal Spirits From SpaceX Mania 1:14:32 Find Your Edge Then Wrap

June 18, 202640 min

Insurance Gaps Most People Don't See Coming

We make the case for a mid-year insurance review and explain insurance as a tool to transfer the few risks that can blow up your cash flow and net worth. We walk through the coverages that matter, the gaps we see most often, and a simple process to keep policies organized and aligned with your life. • Summer as a natural trigger for insurance reviews due to new purchases, renewals and close calls • The core definition of insurance as paying a little to protect against a low-odds high-impact event • The policies to review beyond life insurance, including disability, health, auto, homeowners, liability and business insurance • Why annuities and often long-term care planning sit outside a quick annual insurance check • Common gaps and mistakes, including missing umbrella coverage, uninsured “toys,” stale vehicles and overlooked endorsements • How to think about flood, earthquake and sewer line coverage through a self-insure versus insure lens • Employee benefits oversights, including paying for add-ons you never use or understand • Disability insurance basics, elimination periods and when short-term coverage can free up invested capital • Life events that should trigger updates, including marriage, divorce, kids, job changes, home moves and retirement • Document habits that make reviews easy, including saving declaration pages in a secure folder by year • Why we prefer building the need with a financial plan before shopping with an insurance agent • Beneficiary checks and why naming minor children can create avoidable legal friction • A DIY approach using a written net worth statement and cash flow statement to test coverage decisions Find Du Charme Wealth Management here: https://ducharmewealth.com Phone: (435) 288-3396 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. 0:00 Welcome And Risk Management Basics 5:14 Why Summer Triggers Insurance Reviews 8:46 Insurance As Risk Transfer Plus Health 11:08 Finding Gaps Umbrella And Home Riders 15:07 Employee Benefits Traps And Disability Math 20:23 Life Events Beneficiaries And Document Habits 26:49 Financial Planner Versus Insurance Agent 36:48 DIY Review Using Net Worth Basics 38:48 Closing And Next Property Casualty