Tall Oaks Podcast

Hosted by Branden DuCharme

Business Investing

Website RSS feed

Episodes

134

Latest episode

Oct 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

October 22, 202656 min

Managed Futures and Diversification Beyond 60/40 with Charlie McGarraugh | Ep. 135

Charlie McGarraugh, Chief Investment Officer of Altis Partners and a former Goldman Sachs Partner, joins Branden DuCharme to discuss managed futures, trend following, and diversification beyond a traditional 60/40 portfolio. Why the stock-bond correlation changed, and what it means for 60/40 Why stocks, bonds, and cash alone may not be diversified on inflation How leverage is embedded in futures contracts, plus clearinghouses and liquidity Trend following explained: "the moving business" Risks to understand: sudden reversals and bankroll management Recorded SEP 25th, 2026. Watch our conversation with Harley Bassman (Sep 30): https://youtu.be/7TgEoeYf8mU Want to talk about how diversification fits into your own plan? Connect with the DuCharme Wealth Management team: https://ducharmewealth.com/contact-us/ Check out Charlie on X: https://x.com/CMcgarraugh 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.

October 15, 202625 min

Student Loan Forgiveness: IBR, PSLF and Your Options

Already have student loans? The right strategy depends on what kind you have. With private loans, you pay them down like any other debt. With federal loans, forgiveness can flip the math, and sometimes the smartest move is paying as little as the rules allow.Branden DuCharme, CFP®, CMT, sits down with David Hessel, CSLP®, CKA®, of Harvest Well Financial Partners, to walk through how income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) actually work.In this episode: Federal vs. private student loans, and why they call for opposite strategies How Income-Based Repayment (IBR) calculates your monthly payment Why a $0 payment can still count toward forgiveness Planning for the tax bill when non-PSLF forgiveness hits How married filing separately and traditional retirement contributions can lower payments The 1.5x debt-to-income rule of thumb for deciding if forgiveness is worth pursuing Why anyone at a government or nonprofit employer should look at PSLF New federal borrowing caps and what they mean for future students Find David and Harvest Well Financial Partners: https://www.harvestwellfp.com Free calculator mentioned: VIN Foundation Student Loan Repayment Simulator Rules for these programs changed in 2025–2026. Check current plan details at studentaid.gov before acting. 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.

October 8, 202615 min

10-Year Treasury Breakout: September 2026 Market Update

The 10-year Treasury yield just broke out of a multi-year base, the U.S. dollar is testing a key channel, and most stocks are sliding while the biggest tech names hold up. in this September Market Update, Branden DuCharme CFP® and CMT® at DuCharme Wealth Management, walks through five charts to help make sense of what's moving markets and what may be on the horizon. Recorded Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, before the month closed, so the candlestick reads are still developing. In this Episode: Why rising interest rates pressure both bonds and stocks, and why they matter for mortgage rates. The 10-year Treasury yield breaking above its 2023 high, plus a long-term look at yields back to the 1970s What a stronger U.S. dollar can mean for gold, international and emerging market investments What the equal-weight S&P 500 says about market breadth The Magnificent 7 retesting a breakout, and why big tech leadership matters Want to talk through how rates and the dollar may affect your own plan? Visit ducharmewealth.com or reach out to the team at 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.

October 1, 202645 min

Harley Bassman on Bonds, AI Debt & Inflation | Tall Oaks Podcast

Harley Bassman, the "Convexity Maven" and creator of the MOVE Index (often called the VIX for bonds), joins Branden DuCharme for a wide-ranging look at bonds, rates, and the dollar. Harley spent 26 years at Merrill Lynch, where he traded options on mortgage bonds, and he shares his market commentary for free at ConvexityMaven.com. In this episode: • Why a mortgage bond works like the original covered call fund • Convexity explained in plain English • Why the mortgage market's "convexity beast" is waking up • Why AI hyperscalers may borrow at almost any price, and what that could mean for Treasury yields • How the yen carry trade could change who buys U.S. debt • Why Harley calls inflation the government's silent tax • His view of gold as an alternate currency Resources: • Harley's free commentaries: https://www.convexitymaven.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.

September 24, 202641 min

Retirement Myths, Busted: Fact, Fiction, or It Depends | hosted by Carisa Bertrand

Retirement planning myths, busted. Carisa Bertrand puts Branden DuCharme through a rapid-fire round of fact, fiction, or it depends — covering Social Security, market timing, taxes, Roth conversions, retirement myths, and estate planning. In this episode: • Is Social Security going bankrupt? • Claim early or wait until 70? • The $1 million retirement myth • Is the 4% withdrawal rule still reliable? • Estate planning myths everyone believes • Should you trust ChatGPT with your financial advice? Have a question you want answered on the show? Reach out to DuCharme Wealth Management — we'll try to cover it in a future episode. 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.

September 17, 202627 min

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.

September 10, 20261 hr 1 min

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.

September 3, 202624 min

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 you Where mortgage rates may be headed (and why waiting for lower rates can backfire) What tight credit spreads say about the economy's health Oil, West Texas Intermediate crude, and why energy prices may stay higher Gold's breakout and the long-term case for it outperforming the S&P 500 The US dollar's trading bands and what a move to the downside would mean Why international stocks may be setting up for a new secular trend Whether 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 27, 202644 min

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 chairman The fight over Fed independence Why long-term rates rise even as the Fed cuts Forward guidance vs. reaction function What it means for ARMs vs. fixed-rate mortgages The "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.

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.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

The Bottom Line

Alexander Spencer

BusinessInterviews guests