Upticks: A Financial Planning & Investment Podcast

Hosted by Jake Falcon

Business InvestingInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

420

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to Upticks, your podcast for financial insights. Hosted by Jake Falcon, CRPC® and Cory Bittner, CRPC®, who discuss the philosophy of wealth management, exploring tailored retirement plans, tax strategies, and timely market topics. Join us for concise, understandable discussions that empower your financial literacy. Disclaimer: Securities offered through HighTower Securities, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC, HighTower Advisors, LLC is a SEC registered investment Adviser

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 21, 2026Episode 41536 min

How We Pick Stocks: Falcon's CIO on AI, Earnings, and Market Risks

How do investment professionals evaluate individual stocks, and what matters most when deciding whether a company belongs in a portfolio? In this episode of Upticks, Jake Falcon is joined by Falcon Wealth Advisors' Chief Investment Officer, Conner Hanlon, CFA®, for a conversation about the financial markets and the research behind investment decisions. They discuss corporate earnings, AI infrastructure spending, inflation, higher interest rates, geopolitical developments, and the risks associated with concentrated market exposure. Conner also walks through how the investment team evaluates potential holdings, including diversification, financial performance, debt, management, and long-term business prospects. The discussion concludes with their outlook for 2027 and how AI-driven productivity could influence companies across different industries. --------------- 📘 Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook 📩 Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com 📰 Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake 📱Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/ https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #stockmarket #fundamentalanalysis #investing #artificialintelligence #uptickspodcast

October 16, 2026Episode 41439 min

Social Security Could Face Cuts in 2032. Should You Claim Early?

Should you begin collecting Social Security at 62 because you're concerned about future benefit cuts? In this episode of Upticks, Jake and Cory examine the projected Social Security funding shortfall and what it could mean for people approaching retirement. They discuss the trade-offs between claiming early and delaying benefits, why a future funding issue does not necessarily make early claiming the right decision, and how financial plans can account for uncertainty. The conversation also explores hypothetical benefit reductions, the importance of maintaining spending flexibility, potential changes to Social Security funding, and why predicting what Congress will do is not a substitute for financial preparation. --------------- 📘 Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook 📩 Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com 📰 Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake 📱Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/ https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #socialsecurity #retirementincome #financialplanning #retirementplanning #uptickspodcast

October 7, 2026Episode 41336 min

5% Treasuries, Higher Rates, and Is Your Home Really an Investment?

The 10-year Treasury yield is above 5%. Does that mean retirees should reduce stock exposure and rely more heavily on bonds? In this episode of Upticks, Jake and Cory discuss why an attractive Treasury yield does not automatically eliminate the need for diversification. They examine liquidity, interest-rate risk, bond ladders, long-term growth, and the different purposes served by stocks, bonds, and cash. The full conversation also explores what households should review in a higher-rate environment, including debt, cash management, borrowing assumptions, home purchases, and whether a primary residence should be evaluated like a traditional investment. The larger takeaway is that higher rates create more options—but each asset and liability still needs to support the complete financial plan. --------------- 📘 Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook 📩 Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com 📰 Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake 📱Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/ https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #treasurybonds #retirementincome #interestrates #investing #uptickspodcast

September 30, 2026Episode 41236 min

How Much Should Your Adult Kids Know About Your Money?

How much information should parents share with their adult children about money, estate plans, accounts, and a possible inheritance? In this episode of Upticks, Jake and Cory discuss how to prepare family members to step in without revealing every dollar or encouraging someone to depend on a future inheritance. They explore what a spouse or adult child should know, what may reasonably remain private, and why awareness of a financial plan is different from having legal authority to act. The complete conversation also covers what younger adults may need when they begin investing, when professional financial guidance may become appropriate, how inheritance expectations can affect behavior, and how a family meeting can create greater clarity. --------------- 📘 Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook 📩 Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com 📰 Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake 📱 Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/ https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #familyfinances #financialplanning #inheritanceplanning #generationalwealth #uptickspodcast

September 23, 2026Episode 41137 min

The Fed Raised Rates. Should You Change Your Financial Plan?

What should someone approaching retirement do after the Federal Reserve raises interest rates? Jake and Cory agree that a single Fed decision should not automatically cause someone to abandon a thoughtfully constructed financial plan. They disagree, however, about how much influence monetary policy has over inflation, consumer behavior, housing prices, and broader financial conditions. In this episode of Upticks, they discuss what higher rates can mean for borrowers and savers, whether retirees may be tempted to hold too much cash, why the Fed does not directly determine every consumer interest rate, and why long-term financial decisions should not depend on a short-term rate prediction. --------------- Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com Watch clips of this episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/@uptickspodcast?si=H2Nj_aq7Jdh9AIc4 Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #retirementplanning #interestrates #federalreserve #investing #uptickspodcast

September 16, 2026Episode 41036 min

529 Plans, Trump Accounts, and Why the Financial System Feels Rigged

How can parents and grandparents give the next generation a stronger financial starting point? Is the financial system truly rigged—or does it simply reward people who already own assets? And should investors take extraordinary cryptocurrency and national-debt predictions seriously? In this episode of Upticks, Jake shares what he learned from opening a 529 plan and Trump Account for his newborn son. Jake and Cory also examine a speculative cryptocurrency theory and discuss why asset ownership, financial literacy, access to advice, and early action can significantly influence someone's future financial opportunities. --------------- Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com Watch clips of this episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/@uptickspodcast?si=H2Nj_aq7Jdh9AIc4 Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #529plan #trumpaccounts #financialliteracy #assetownership #uptickspodcast

August 19, 2026Episode 40937 min

Socialism, the Fed, and the Hidden Costs of Real Estate Investing

Can the economics of socialism be discussed without becoming partisan? Should the Federal Reserve hold interest rates steady? And does residential real estate offer the returns many investors assume? In this episode of Upticks, Jake and Cory discuss why affordability has made simple political promises more appealing, how monetary policy and consumer behavior interact, and why real estate returns should be evaluated after accounting for leverage, expenses, taxes, concentration, and limited liquidity. --------------- Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com Watch clips of this episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/@uptickspodcast?si=H2Nj_aq7Jdh9AIc4 Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #economics #interestrates #realestateinvesting #financialliteracy #uptickspodcast

August 13, 2026Episode 40827 min

401(k) Rollovers, Private Equity, and Roth Conversions

What should you do with a 401(k) after leaving an employer? Should private equity be included in workplace retirement plans? And when does a Roth conversion deserve consideration? In this episode of Upticks, Jake and Cory discuss three financial decisions that are often treated as automatic answers. They explain why each choice should instead be evaluated within the context of an individual financial plan, including investment strategy, access to retirement funds, taxes, liquidity, and long-term goals. --------------- Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/retiring-right-e-book.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=rr_ebook Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/notes-from-jake.html?utm_source=libsyn&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=notes_from_jake Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com Watch clips of this episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/@uptickspodcast?si=H2Nj_aq7Jdh9AIc4 Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #401k #retirementplanning #rothconversion #privateequity #uptickspodcast

August 7, 2026Episode 40732 min

Leverage, Concentrated Stock, and Is Early Retirement Overrated?

What happens when leverage, confidence, and speculation collide? Jake and Cory begin this episode by discussing a highly leveraged hedge fund and the risks of investing with borrowed money. They also explain how options strategies may help executives manage concentrated company stock before turning to a deeper question: Is retiring as early as possible really the right goal? The conversation explores the difference between financial independence and leaving work, why purpose remains important in retirement, and why a complete retirement plan should address what you are retiring to—not only whether you can afford to stop working. --------------- Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/jake-falcon-book-signup.html?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=rr_ebook Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/index.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=upticks#ID2GUSO1Sj8Upy1QWdqVxHOM Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com Watch clips of this episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/@uptickspodcast?si=H2Nj_aq7Jdh9AIc4 Follow Jake and Cory https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/corybittnerkc/ #retirementplanning #financialindependence #investing #stockoptions #uptickspodcast

July 30, 2026Episode 40617 min

20 Years of Retirement Planning Taught Me These 5 Things

What separates a successful retirement plan from one that's simply invested? In this solo episode of Upticks, Jake shares five practical lessons he's learned from more than 20 years of helping clients prepare for retirement. He explains why financial organization, tax planning, flexibility, and aligning your investments with your personal goals often matter more than chasing market performance. Whether you're approaching retirement or simply looking to improve your financial plan, this episode offers practical ideas you can apply today. --------------- Get your complimentary guide to retirement https://falconwealthadvisors.com/jake-falcon-book-signup.html?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=rr_ebook Get Jake's weekly blog https://falconwealthadvisors.com/index.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=upticks#ID2GUSO1Sj8Upy1QWdqVxHOM Question for Jake and Cory? Email Luke → luke@falconwealthadvisors.com Watch clips of this episode on YouTube https://youtube.com/@uptickspodcast?si=H2Nj_aq7Jdh9AIc4 Follow Jake https://www.instagram.com/jake_falcon_crpc/?hl=en #retirementplanning #financialplanning #retirement #investing #uptickspodcast

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