How to Invest When the World Feels Unstable

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

AI, Interest Rates & Bonds: What Investors Need to Know

Is AI coming for your job? Are interest rates staying higher for longer? And what should investors be doing with bonds in today's market? In this week's Investment Friday, Hannah Chapman and Brad Haines break down the Federal Reserve's latest decision, the massive AI infrastructure buildout happening behind the scenes, and why fixed income strategies may deserve a fresh look as markets navigate an uncertain future. Learn: * Why the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady * How Kevin Walsh is changing Fed communication * What the "dot plot" is and why it may become less important * How oil prices impact inflation * Why the Iran ceasefire matters for markets * The role AI infrastructure plays in today's economy * How data centers create short-term inflation * Why AI may ultimately be deflationary * How AI could increase worker productivity and incomes * Why human capital still matters in an AI-driven world * Fixed-rate bonds vs. floating-rate bonds * When each bond strategy may make sense * How investors can build stability into their portfolios 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?back=1&month=2026-06 Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com Connect with Brad at bhaines@juncturewealth.com and online at https://www.juncturewealth.com

What the SpaceX IPO and Social Security Changes Mean for Your Money

This week on Investment Friday, Hannah Chapman, CFP®, and Brad Haines, CFA, FRM, tackle two of the biggest financial stories currently making headlines: the highly anticipated SpaceX IPO and the latest update on Social Security's long-term solvency. First, Brad breaks down why the SpaceX IPO has captured so much investor attention, what makes this offering unique, and why investors should expect significant volatility in the months ahead. Then, Hannah and Brad pivot to Social Security, discussing the latest trustee report, what it actually means for current and future retirees, and why thoughtful retirement planning matters now more than ever. Learn: * Why the SpaceX IPO is generating so much excitement * How IPO allocations actually work * How private markets are changing the IPO landscape * What the latest Social Security report revealed * Why Social Security's trust fund projection moved closer * How much of Social Security benefits could still be paid even if reserves run out * Potential solutions lawmakers may consider * Common Social Security mistakes retirees make * Why retirement income planning requires more than just claiming benefits 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/25-minute-get-to-know-you-call Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com Connect with Brad at bhaines@juncturewealth.com and online at https://www.juncturewealth.com

SpaceX Is Going Public: What Investors Need to Know

This week's Investment Friday episode explores one of the most anticipated financial events of the year: the potential IPO of SpaceX—and what it could signal for the future of investing, AI, and public markets. Hannah and Brad break down how IPOs actually work, why today's private mega-cap companies are going public at valuations never seen before, and what investors need to understand before chasing the excitement surrounding companies like SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI. They also discuss the risks, opportunities, and market implications of trillion-dollar IPOs, including what happens when index funds are forced to buy these massive companies. What You'll Learn * What an Initial Public Offering (IPO) actually is * Why companies choose to go public * How investors gain access to IPO shares * Why SpaceX's valuation is making headlines * What happens when trillion-dollar companies enter public markets * How IPO allocations work for individual investors * Why many IPOs struggle immediately after going public * The role of index funds in mega-cap IPOs * Potential implications for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 * Why valuation matters—even for great companies * How SpaceX compares to past IPOs like Meta (Facebook) * The potential future relationship between Tesla and SpaceX 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/25-minute-get-to-know-you-call [https://calendly.com/hannahrchapman/25-minute-get-to-know-you-call] Hannah Chapman, CFP®, APMA®, CRPC® | hannah.chapman@x2wealthplanning.com | x2wealthplanning.com [http://x2wealthplanning.com] Connect with Brad at bhaines@juncturewealth.com and online at https://www.juncturewealth.com

Why Bonds Matter Again (And Most Investors Don’t Understand Them)

This week's Investment Friday episode takes a deep dive into one of the most overlooked—but critically important—parts of portfolio construction: fixed income and bond strategy. Hannah and Brad unpack why rising bond yields matter, how inflation and interest rates are impacting markets right now, and why many investors don't fully understand the role bonds are supposed to play inside a portfolio. They also explore the difference between individual bonds vs bond funds, why higher yields create both risk and opportunity, and how thoughtful fixed income management can help create stability and income during retirement. What You'll Learn * Why summer markets often become more volatile * How inflation and oil prices are affecting interest rates * What the yield curve actually means (in plain English) * Why mortgage rates follow Treasury yields * How rising yields impact bond prices * The difference between individual bonds and bond ETFs * Why fixed income should prioritize safety and stability * The risks of floating-rate and lower-quality bonds * How active bond management differs from “set it and forget it” investing * Why bonds become more important near retirement * The unique experience and perspective Brad's Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designation brings to Juncture Wealth Strategies and X² Wealth Planning Connect with Hannah at Hannah.Chapman@x2wealthplanning.com and online at https://x2wealthplanning.com Connect with Brad at bhaines@juncturewealth.com and online at https://www.juncturewealth.com