The Investing for Beginners Podcast - Your Path to Financial Freedom
This podcast teaches stock market investing in a simple, jargon-free way. It covers strategies for beginners, comparing companies like Coke vs. Pepsi and spotting red flags in CEOs. The goal is to help listeners build wealth steadily without chasing get-rich-quick schemes.
Episodes
The Psychology of Position Sizing
Every investor lives with two competing internal voices: the hyper-optimist who wants to go all-in on an exciting growth story, and the hyper-skeptic who gets paralyzed by uncertainty or cut positions at the first sign of discomfort. Managing these emotional extremes isn't just about discipline—it requires a practical, repeatable framework to audit your portfolio without letting fear or greed make
AAR63 - The Bottom Hits - What Most People Miss in Their Finances
We all know the "top hits" of personal finance, but what about the silent wealth killers? In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew break down six common financial traps that are incredibly easy to fall into, regardless of your income.
From the dangers of letting your budget rot and relying on sheer willpower, to the sneaky reality of lifestyle creep and the false economy of "buying cheap
The Earnings Illusion: How Working Capital Exposes Cash-Burning Companies
A company can post record net income on paper while silently draining its checking account to zero. Mainstream financial media fixates on Wall Street's favorite metric—Earnings Per Share (EPS)—but the true operational health of a business lies in its day-to-day cash flow engine. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the mechanics of Changes in Working Capital to expose how inventory bloat
Accidental Indexing: Why Owning Too Many Stocks Destroys Returns
Most retail investors spend endless hours hunting for the next breakout stock, only to ruin their returns by spreading their capital across dozens of minor positions. Buying too many stocks creates an "accidental index fund," while placing tiny bets on multi-bagger winners renders those gains completely meaningless to your net worth. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the mechanics of
AAR62 - Homeownership Progress Update
It has officially been one year since Evan and his wife purchased their first home at 27 years old. In this solo episode of At Any Rate, Evan takes a transparent look at how the finances, lifestyle changes, and hidden expenses have actually played out over the past 12 months.
From navigating Florida's home insurance landscape and new-build tax perks to dealing with $2,200 shower door quotes and
Why Your Brain is Sabotaging Your Portfolio
The stock market isn't just a platform for building wealth; it is a real-time stress test of human psychology. When headlines scream panic and portfolios bleed red, our innate cognitive biases trigger emotional reflexes that push us toward destructive mistakes like compulsive trading and holding onto losers. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down the mental traps that destroy returns and p
The AI CAPEX Illusion with Thomas Chua
Tech giants are dropping hundreds of billions on AI infrastructure, but the market is punishing some players and rewarding others for the exact same strategy. In this episode, Thomas Chua from Steady Compounding reveals why the true story of AI demand is hidden in the footnotes of balance sheets, and how everyday investors can separate genuine compounders from capital-destroying hype.
What You
AAR61 - Drafting Our Finances
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew run a high-stakes "Fantasy Financial Draft." Alternating picks back and forth, they compete to build the ultimate personal finance strategy across six key categories: safe investments, compounding assets, inheritance accounts, side hustles, home ROI upgrades, and common money rules.
From comparing index funds to LeBron James and individual stocks
Birdseye View ASTS: Moonshot Potential vs. Financial Reality
In this episode, Stephen and Andrew take a bird’s-eye view of AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) to separate the revolutionary promise of direct-to-cell satellite broadband from the cold, hard financial realities hiding in its SEC filings. While the technology aims to solve global cellular dead zones, a look under the hood reveals massive cash burn, crushing debt maturities, and significant operational delays
Why 100-Baggers Cause Bad Decisions and How to Stay Grounded
The temptation of hitting a 100x return in the stock market often drives investors straight into emotional traps, leading to reckless greed or paralyzing fear. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew dive into the psychology of money, breaking down the true economics behind massive winners, how to manage emotional swings, and why building a disciplined, repeatable process is the only way to safeguard
AAR60 - Money Debates 2 - Early Mortgage Payoff? Emergency Fund vs. HELOC
This episode is a follow-up to the recent “Money Debates” episode. Evan and Andrew run the format back with new topics: they present both sides of common financial arguments, then share what they personally agree with—sometimes changing their minds mid-discussion.
They debate whether a HELOC (home equity line of credit) can replace a traditional emergency fund, whether paying off a mortgage ear
The Stoplight System with Tykr founder Sean Tepper
In this episode, Andrew interviews Sean Tepper, founder and CEO of Tykr (T-Y-K-R), an investing education and stock analysis platform built for everyday investors who want a clear, repeatable process. Sean shares how he went from running a service business to building a value-investing system inspired by Phil Town—then turning it into software with a simple “stoplight” rating: green (on sale), gra
Stop Overthinking Stock Screeners
Stock screeners can feel intimidating, but they’re really just a fast way to generate starting points—not “buy” signals. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew build a simple screener in Fiscal.ai (growth, ROIC, balance sheet strength, valuation, and anti-dilution rules), then run it live and walk through what shows up.
You’ll hear how they quickly pressure-test businesses like Yelp, LendingTree,
AAR59 - We Grade Each Other's Financial Decisions
In this episode, Evan and Andrew try a fun (and slightly dangerous) format: they each bring real financial decisions from their past, give context, then let the other person interrogate the decision and assign a letter grade. The point isn’t to shame anyone—it’s to show how context changes the “right” answer in personal finance.
They cover Evan’s Tesla purchase, Andrew’s past truck purchase, Ev
Q&A: How Do I Value Banks & Insurance 101
Most businesses can be evaluated with a simple trio—revenue growth, margins, and free cash flow. But banks and insurance companies are a different animal: their “inventory” are loans, their raw material is risk, and their profits can look incredible right before things break. In this episode, Andrew answers a Value Spotlight member question (Nate) and walks through how to value banks and insurers
Does T. Rowe Price’s 1950 Growth Stock Checklist Still Work Today?
What’s harder than finding a “great company”? Figuring out whether you’re buying a great company or just the great memory of one. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew hop into a time machine and pressure-test T. Rowe Price’s 1950 Barron’s checklist for picking growth stocks—then ask what still holds up, what breaks, and what’s surprisingly timeless.
They walk through eight factors (management, R
AAR58 - Money Debates - Snowball vs. Avalanche and Other Fights
Evan and Andrew try a new format: common personal finance disagreements, argued from both sides—then they reveal where they actually land. They cover debt payoff strategy, whether leasing a car can ever make sense, the lifestyle tradeoffs of investing, and the classic housing question.
Along the way, they keep it real: most money decisions aren’t just math—they’re behavior, stress, time, and li
6 Warning Signs a Company Is Quietly Dying (Part 2)
In Part 2 of the Business Autopsy series, Stephen and Andrew keep building the framework for spotting companies that are quietly breaking down before the stock becomes a disaster. This episode focuses on the “sneaky” risks that often don’t show up in headlines until it’s too late—especially debt, dilution, and the slow creep toward irrelevance.
They walk through real examples like Toys R Us (ov
6 Warning Signs a Company Is Quietly Dying (Part 1)
Most investors think the biggest risk is buying the “wrong” company. But a sneakier risk is buying a company that used to be great—and not realizing the story has changed until the stock is down 70%. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen kick off a “business autopsy” series: how to recognize early warning signs that a company is quietly sliding into decline.
You’ll learn why “stocks don’t die—com
AAR57 - What Does Your Perfect Day Cost?
Money is pointless if it doesn’t help you live a better life. In this episode, Evan is joined by Andrew Sather to talk about what most people are really chasing when they chase money: peace and control. They start with a simple question—“What does your perfect day 5 years from now look like?”—and unpack what those answers reveal about what matters.
From there, they get practical: how to build m
Margin of Safety Planning: How to Prepare for the Risks You Don’t See Coming
Charlie Munger said if you can’t stay calm through a 50% market decline, you’re not fit to be a shareholder—and that’s the point of this episode. Stephen and Andrew break down a simple truth most investors miss: risk isn’t just price movement. Volatility is expected. The real danger is the stuff that causes permanent damage—liquidity crunches, too much debt, concentration blowups, inflation erodin
Tech Stocks Are Down—Is It “Tech Rot” or Just Noise?
Tech stocks dip and suddenly the media declares the bubble popped—“AI is over,” rates are killing growth, and data centers cost too much. Stephen and Andrew cut through the headlines and explain what’s actually going on: why broad labels like “tech rot” are mostly clickbait, and how small drawdowns get spun into a crisis narrative that can scare newer investors out of the market.
Then they get
AAR56 - Engineering POV on Building Margin Into Personal Finance
Most personal finance advice gets treated like a checklist: hit the emergency fund number, hit the savings rate, and you “pass.” In this episode, Evan explains why that mindset breaks in the real world—and why you should build margin into your finances the same way engineers build margin into parts, systems, and analysis.
You’ll learn how small decisions “stack up,” how to set ranges instead of
What the Shiller P/E (CAPE) Can and Can’t Tell You
A listener named Chris emailed in with a question a lot of investors are quietly thinking: if the CAPE ratio is around 40 and forecasts say future stock returns could be low, why keep investing at all—especially when CDs, T-bills, and high-yield savings accounts are paying 4–5%? In this episode, Andrew and Stephen break down what CAPE (the Shiller P/E) actually measures, why it’s elevated, and how
How to Read a 10-K in 20 Minutes (The Beginner Speedrun Checklist)
Most investors download a 10-K, scroll for a few minutes, and quit—because it feels like 100 pages of legal pain. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen break down a practical “speedrun” approach to get real value from a 10-K in about 20 minutes, without pretending you need to read every paragraph.
They walk through the key sections that matter most for beginners plus a simple checklist to make su
AAR55 - 5 Years in Engineering: 5 Things I Learned About Building Wealth
In this solo episode, Evan reflects on five years working in engineering (quality → design) and shares the biggest money lessons he’s learned along the way. This isn’t a highlight reel or a sob story—it’s an honest breakdown of what actually changed his financial trajectory, what mistakes he made early, and what he’d do differently if he could start over.
You’ll hear why a steady paycheck can c
Why A Negative P/E Happens and What to Use Instead
Ever pulled up a stock and noticed the P/E is negative—then immediately wondered if the company is “cheap” or just a disaster? In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down exactly why a P/E ratio “breaks” when earnings go negative, what that actually tells you (and what it doesn’t), and why a negative P/E should be treated as a big red flag—but not an automatic walk-away.
They cover the three
Personal Finance First: The Step-by-Step Plan Before You Start Investing
Most people advise to jump straight into investing—but that’s backwards. In this episode, Stephen is joined by Evan Raidt (host of At Any Rate) to lay out a simple, phase-based roadmap for building a stable financial foundation before you start making investing moves. Think of it like building a house: if the foundation isn’t solid, everything you build on top of it is at risk.
They walk throug
AAR54 - AI and Your Finances: Tool or Risk
AI is everywhere—and now it’s creeping into personal finance in a big way. In this episode, Evan is joined by Stephen Morris to talk about what AI could mean for your money, especially as tools like ChatGPT move toward linking directly to financial accounts through services like Plaid.
They break down the real risks: privacy and security, “black box” decision-making, hallucinations that sound c
Present Value vs. Terminal Value: The Real Difference Between “Value” and “Growth”
“Value vs. growth” gets treated like two different religions—but the math doesn’t agree. In this episode, Andrew is joined by Daniel Mahncke and Sean O’Malley to break down intrinsic value into two core components: present value (cash flows you can reasonably forecast) and terminal value (everything beyond your explicit forecast period).
They make it tangible with two case studies: Universal Mu
Not All Dividends Are Equal: Dividend Kings, Aristocrats, and Red Flags
Not all dividends are created equal. In this episode, Andrew and Stephen break down two popular “quality filters” dividend investors use—Dividend Aristocrats and Dividend Kings —and why a long streak can be a useful starting point for stock ideas, not a guarantee of safety.
They also dig into what a dividend streak can signal about a business, plus the red flags that can turn a “safe yield” int
AAR53-Stop Ballparking It: A Real Plan for Saving Toward a Goal
In this episode, Evan walks through a real-time example of saving toward a short-to-medium term goal: buying a motorcycle (plus safety gear) ahead of a future motorcycle trip with his best friend. Instead of vague “just save more” advice, he breaks down the exact mindset and planning process he’s using—built for goals under ~2 years where you need clarity, not hype. You’ll hear what to avoid , the
The Truth About Market Timing, Crashes, and Long-Term Investing with Ben Carlson
What’s the secret to investing? According to Ben Carlson (CFA, Ritholtz Wealth Management), the “secret” is that there isn’t one—building wealth is mostly about time, consistency, and letting compounding do the heavy lifting. In this conversation, Ben breaks down why the lottery-ticket approach and constant market timing are usually a losing game, even for smart people.
We also dig into how the
What “Invest With a Margin of Safety” Really Means
You hear us say it every week: invest with a margin of safety—emphasis on the safety. In this episode, we finally slow down and explain what that phrase actually means, where it comes from (Benjamin Graham’s The Intelligent Investor), and why it’s one of the most practical “anti-stupid” guardrails you can use as an everyday investor.
We break margin of safety down into plain English: it’s not a
AAR52 - Financial Realities of Home Improvement
Homeownership comes with a surprise a lot of first-time buyers don’t fully feel until it’s too late: everything costs more—and “small” projects can still run into the thousands. Evan and Andrew break down how home improvements differ from emergencies (like a roof or AC) and why renovations are so easy to underestimate when you’re used to apartment life.
Then they get practical with a planning f
Financial Modeling: FMVA, DCFs, and AI in Excel with Tim Vipond
Andrew sits down with Tim Vipond, co-founder and CEO of Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), to talk about what it really takes to learn financial modeling and valuation—without getting lost in the weeds. Tim shares how he went from teaching a live modeling course at a university to building CFI into a major online education platform, and why strong accounting fundamentals matter more than most peop
Live Research: On Holding (ONON) — Great Growth, Big Questions
In today’s episode, Andrew and Stephen try something new: researching a company live, on-air, in real time. The company is On Holding (ONON)—a premium Swiss running and lifestyle shoe brand both hosts personally like, but don’t fully understand from an investor’s perspective. They walk through how they’d approach a high-growth stock when they’re still building conviction, using On as the case stud
AAR51 - The Money and Mental Health Connection
Money stress isn’t just about dollars—it’s about what money does to your brain. In this episode, Evan and Andrew dig into the real link between mental health and finances: decision fatigue, avoidance, impulsive “therapy spending,” and the spiral where stress creates bad decisions… which creates more stress.
Then we get practical. If you’re stuck in that loop, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s redu
How Non-Food Franchises Build Wealth with Jon Ostenson
Most people hear the word franchise and immediately think fast food but franchising is much bigger than burgers and drive-thrus. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Jon Ostenson, a franchise consultant, investor, and author of Non-Food Franchising, to unpack what non-food franchising actually is and why it's become a serious wealth-building path for business owners.
They break down the real
Birdseye View: Caterpillar (CAT) — Moat, Dealers, and the “Picks & Shovels” of the AI Boom
Caterpillar (CAT) is one of those companies almost everyone recognizes—but most investors still struggle with the same question: how do you know if a great business is actually worth buying at today’s price? In this episode, Stephen brings the real-world perspective from growing up around mines and heavy equipment, while Andrew brings the numbers-first approach to see what the financials say.
W
AAR50 - 5 Recession Preparations Without the Panic
In this milestone 50th episode, Evan and Andrew break down what a recession is, why it happens, and why the media often frames it in a way that creates unnecessary fear. Instead of doom-and-gloom predictions, the focus is on staying calm, reducing harm, and preparing in practical ways that actually help the average person.
You’ll walk away with five actionable steps—covering job security, budge
How AI Is Changing Investing— with David Trainer
Andrew sits down with David Trainer, CEO of New Constructs, to talk about what AI can actually do for investors—and where most tools fall short. David explains why the future of AI in investing depends less on flashy chatbots and more on trustworthy, auditable data and domain-specific “agents” that don’t pull from the open internet.
They dig into how New Constructs built its dataset over decade
Back to the Basics: How to Manage Your Portfolio Without Overthinking It
We’re wrapping up the Back to the Basics series by tackling the part of investing that’s not flashy—but can make or break your long-term results: portfolio management. Stephen and Andrew break down what it actually means to manage a portfolio, starting with the simplest (and most important) principle: diversification—because the future will surprise you, and you don’t want one stock or one sector
AAR49 - Why High Interest Rates Are Good For You
High interest rates get painted as “bad news” almost by default—but for everyday people, that’s only half the story. In this episode, Evan and Andrew break down why higher rates can actually help you build a stronger financial foundation, especially if you’re a saver.
You’ll learn how higher rates can boost what you earn on idle cash (like emergency funds), make fixed-income options like CDs, T
Back to the Basics: How to Find Great Stock Ideas (Rabbit Holes vs. Screeners)
Finding a great stock idea is hard—especially when you’re new and it feels like everyone has “the best” method. In this Back to the Basics episode, Stephen and Andrew compare how they personally generate investing ideas: Stephen’s rabbit hole method (starting with a company you already understand and branching out through suppliers, competitors, and beneficiaries) versus Andrew’s more numbers-firs
Back to the Basics: Circle of Competence
Circle of competence” sounds fancy, but it’s really just this: know what you know, and know what you don’t. In this episode, Stephen and Andrew break down how most investing mistakes happen when you get confident in a business you don’t truly understand—even if the company feels familiar on the surface.
You’ll learn how to define your circle of competence, how to expand it safely over time, and
AAR48— The Real Cost of Going Electric
Thinking about buying an EV? In this episode, Evan breaks down the actual financial impact of owning an electric vehicle—using his real numbers from owning a Tesla Model 3 since December 2023. Instead of debating whether EVs are “cool” or “annoying,” this episode stays focused on the money: upfront price differences, tax credits, charging costs, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and the big un
Back to the Basics: Compound Interest Explained (The Snowball That Makes You Rich)
Compound interest is one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) forces in investing. In this Back to the Basics episode, we break down what compound interest actually is, why time matters more than most people think, and how even small contributions can snowball into life-changing money.
We also talk through the Rule of 72, why dividends can supercharge compounding, and the mindset shift
Back to the Basics: Stock Dilution and the Main Types of Investments Explained Simply
Share dilution sounds scary — and a lot of the time, it is. In this episode, we break down what dilution actually means, why companies do it, and how it can either help you or quietly hurt you.
We also dig into the flip side: buybacks. Buybacks can boost your slice of the “pizza,” but they can also be a trap if a company is borrowing money to fund them, skipping real growth investments, or buyi
AAR47 - More Money, Worse Life?
Job-hopping for higher pay is common advice—but does “more money” actually improve your life? Evan is joined by Andrew Sather to challenge the reflex to chase bigger numbers and to zoom out to the stuff the salary statistic never captures: stress, hours, commute, PTO, culture, and whether the work aligns with what you care about.
They walk through a practical decision framework: define your fin
Back to the Basics: Why Companies Go Public + The 3 Financial Statements Beginners Must Know
In this episode, we go back to the basics: why companies go public in the first place, what an IPO actually is, and why the hype around “getting in early” often works against everyday investors. We talk through the real incentives—raising capital, letting founders and early employees cash out, and funding aggressive growth—especially in winner-take-all industries like tech.
We also cover the tr
A Shoe Company “Pivots to AI”… and the Stock Jumps 582% (Markets Are Cray-Cray)
In today’s episode, we kick things off with Amazon’s new 3.5% fee for third-party sellers and why the internet outrage might be missing the bigger point: shipping, logistics, and supply chain costs are real—and they don’t magically disappear just because Prime feels “free.”
Then we dig into peak market mania: a shoe company (Allbirds) announces a pivot to AI and the stock rips higher in a singl
AAR46 - Financial Half-Truths
In this episode, Evan dives deep into the realities of debt, including the emotional and financial impact of paying off a mortgage early. We challenge the age-old myth that "renting is throwing away money" and explore how to properly view your primary residence as a lifestyle choice rather than a pure investment. Whether you are looking to buy, rent, or manage existing debt, this episode breaks do
The Complexity Myth: Why Investing is Simpler Than You Think
In this episode, Andrew and Stephen step away from in-depth stock market analysis to tackle a more personal topic: how to talk to the people you love about investing. Stephen shares a personal story about his dad's journey from skepticism to believing in the power of compounding, and the guys discuss common misconceptions that keep people from starting their wealth-building journey. They break dow
A Contrarian Take on AI: Is It Time to Buy Software Stocks?
In this episode, Andrew tackles a listener's question about the recent brutal sell-off in the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) sector and whether AI is coming to eat Adobe’s lunch. He dives into the real threats facing software companies, unpacks some alarming studies on the psychological impacts of AI, and explains why comparing the current AI boom to the early days of the internet might be a dangero
AAR45 - Is Dollar Cost Averaging Losing You Money?
In today’s episode, Evan (aka Aaron) Raidt and Andrew Sather tackle one of the most debated questions in the investing world: Should you drip your money into the market slowly or dump it all in at once? We break down the psychological hurdles of "waiting for the dip," the math behind historical market performance, and why your emotional temperament might be the most important factor in your strate
Part 2 Translating the Corporate "Suit": Your Guide to Q1 Earnings
In Part 2 of our deep dive into earnings calls, Stephen and Andrew translate the weird metaphors Wall Street loves to use. From "headwinds" to the confusing "puts and takes," they decode exactly what CEOs mean. Andrew explains why most Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) destroy shareholder value, while Stephen shares a snowboarding story to illustrate what happens when a company gets "ahead of its skis.
Part 1 Translating the Corporate "Suit": Your Guide to Q1 Earnings
In this back-to-basics episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew tackle one of the most intimidating hurdles for new stock pickers: Earnings Calls. Wall Street loves to use complex acronyms to make simple concepts sound sophisticated, but the guys are here to translate. They break down the core structure of an earnings call and equip you with the BS-detector you need to cu
AAR44 - Taxes Nobody Warns You About
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew break down the hidden tax traps that can catch even the most responsible investors off guard. From the brutal reality of self-employment taxes on your side hustle to the surprise tax bill hiding in your High-Yield Savings Account, they discuss the rules you need to know to protect your wealth. They also cover the "wash-sale rule," how 401K withdrawal
Dividends vs. Buybacks & The Great Tax Deferral Debate
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew break down the ultimate capital allocation debate: Dividends versus Stock Buybacks. They discuss the mechanics of how retiring shares increases your slice of the pie, why Wall Street treats dividend-paying companies like "boomers," and the hidden dangers of buybacks used to mask executive compensation. Andrew defends the ps
Debunking Wall Street: Why Common Sense Hurts Your Portfolio
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew take aim at "common sense" stock market advice that might actually be hurting your portfolio. The guys expose 10 sophisticated-sounding traps that even experienced investors fall into. From the "Pokémon Fallacy" of over-diversification to the dangers of blindly buying the dip, they break down why Wall Street jargon often le
AAR43 - Your 401k Might Be Holding You Back
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan and Andrew tackle the sacred cow of personal finance: the 401K. While everyone knows about the amazing tax benefits and the undeniable power of an employer match , the duo discusses how maxing out your 401K could actually be holding you back financially. From the painful reality of having your money locked up until age 59½ , to the restrictive investment option
Is the CEO Lying? How to Read a Cash Flow Statement
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew look beyond the income statement to uncover how healthy a company truly is by diving into the cash flow statement. Along with addressing some hilarious rumors about Andrew's perfectly styled hair, the duo breaks down the nuts and bolts of working capital—including accounts receivable, inventory, and accounts payable. They d
Ferrari's Pricing Power Personified & The Chutzpah of Scarcity
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Stephen and Andrew dive into the fascinating business model of Ferrari, arguing that it operates more like a luxury lifestyle conglomerate than a traditional automaker. They contrast Ferrari's strategy of prioritizing value over volume against the traditional auto industry's "race to the bottom". By digging into Ferrari's 20-F, they unpack th
AAR42 - College Scholarships 101
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Andrew Sather dive into college financial aid. They cover the crucial differences between scholarships, grants, and fellowships—highlighting that they offer tax-advantaged money you don't need to pay back. Evan shares how he graduated debt-free by leveraging the UCF Provost and Florida Bright Futures scholarships, while Andrew reflects on his own high
How the Crisis in Iran Could Spark the Next Financial Revolution
In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Andrew and Stephen tackle the massive macroeconomic shifts happening right now due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. With the Strait of Hormuz blocked, the global flow of oil and liquid natural gas has been severely choked, causing energy prices to skyrocket—not just at the pump here in the US, but even more drastically across Europe and Asia.
The Traits of Elite Investors with Lee Freeman-Shor
What separates the world’s greatest investors from the rest? In this episode of the Investing for Beginners podcast, Andrew sits down with Lee Freeman-Shor, former fund manager and author of The Art of Execution and the hotly anticipated follow-up, Stock Market Maestros. Lee shares his fascinating experience managing over 100 top fund managers and reveals a shocking truth: even the best investors
AAR41 - Listener Q&A: DIY Investing vs. Wealth Managers?
In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Andrew Sather dive into a fantastic listener question from Joey. Joey asks a common but critical question: if a standard market ETF averages 10% a year, but a wealth manager can get you 16% for a 1% fee, shouldn't you just hire the professional?
Topics Covered:
The Reality of 16% Returns: Andrew explains why finding a manager who can consisten
Listener Q&A: Should You Adjust Your WACC for Inflation?
In this episode, Andrew and Stephen get into the financial weeds to answer a great listener question from passaro94 about how inflation actually impacts a company's value. We break down the macroeconomic side of investing—explaining exactly what the Federal Reserve does, the critical differences between inflation and deflation, and how the best businesses account for these economic shifts using pr
The New Cola Wars
If you watched the Super Bowl, you probably saw the commercial where the Coca-Cola polar bear did a blind taste test, picked Pepsi, and had to go to therapy. It was hilarious, but what a lot of people don't realize is that is exactly how the original Cola Wars started back in 1975!
Today, Stephen and Andrew dive into the economics of company rivalries. From Coke vs. Pepsi to Costco vs. Sam’s Cl
AAR40 - From Navigating Debt to Long-Term Wealth with Stephen Morris
In this episode, Evan Raidt welcomes Stephen Morris, the new co-host of the Investing for Beginners podcast. Stephen opens up about his unique personal finance journey, from experiencing early financial trauma. They discuss why his nuanced take on Dave Ramsey, and why he completely abandoned the high-stress world of day trading in favor of long-term, "chill" investing.
Topics Covered:
Step
Stop Chasing Hype: The Unsexy Reality of Long-Term Investing
Everyone online wants to sell you a "get rich quick" scheme, but is gaining wealth really that easy?
In reality, true investing is often boring and less sexy than what you see on social media. Today, Andrew and Stephen dive into the 10 unsexy investing truths that no one wants to talk about but are essential for your long-term success.
Key Topics Covered:
Why it is okay (and often bette
Why Wall Street is Wrong About Superstar CEOs
Is the CEO of a company really as important as Wall Street makes them out to be, or are investors putting too much faith in loud visionaries?
In this episode, Stephen and Andrew tackle a controversial topic: whether Wall Street overly obsesses over the CEO. They break down the real value of capital allocation, compare visionary leaders to operational leaders, and discuss why a flashy CEO might
AAR39 - How to Build Wealth in Your 20s (Without Ruining Your Life)
Are your 20s a time for taking massive risks and experimenting, or is it the most critical decade for laying a rock-solid financial foundation? In this episode of At Any Rate, Evan Raidt and Andrew Sather break down exactly how to navigate your finances in your 20s. They discuss the unmatched power of compound interest, why building good habits matters more than a high salary, where to park your s
Why I Quit Swing Trading to Build a Long-Term Portfolio (And a Huge Podcast Announcement!)
Have you ever felt the urge to just trade a stock because you were bored, or felt like you had to "do something" to make money?
In this episode, we address a major transition for the Investing for Beginners podcast and introduce a new co-host, Stephen Morris. We dive into Stephen’s personal journey, the "gambler's fallacy" in trading, the power of a company's "moat," and why sometimes the best
How to Invest in the "Core" of AI, Crypto, and Real Estate in 2026 with Dan Daly
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Are you maximizing the equity in your assets, or is your wealth just sitting "under the mattress" losing value to inflation?
In this episode, Andrew is joined by entrepreneur Dan Daly to discuss his journey from evaluating stocks in the W
AAR38: How to Maximize Cash Back and Build Credit from Scratch
You can download Evan’s free budgeting framework here https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
Are you missing out on free money because you're afraid of credit cards, or are you falling into the debt trap of complex point schemes?
In this episode, Evan pulls back the curtain on his highly transparent, personal credit card strategy. He shares the exact four cards he keeps in his wallet, wh
The Hidden Goldmine of Stock Spinoffs with Rich Howe
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When a massive company splits and spins off a smaller business, the market often completely ignores it. But what happens when that ignored, newly spun-off company is actually a hidden goldmine?
Today, Andrew sits down with Rich Howe from St
Bird's Eye View: Inside GEICO & The Insurance War
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Warren Buffett calls it his "Crown Jewel," but how does a company that started by mailing checks to government employees become an insurance giant worth billions?
In this Bird's Eye View episode, Dave and Andrew break down the history and
AAR37: Why Chasing "The Number" is Hurting You
You can download Evan’s free budgeting framework here https://einvestingforbeginners.com/budget/
We all see the headlines about the ultra-wealthy, but is becoming a billionaire a realistic—or even healthy—goal for your financial life?
In this episode, Evan and Andrew strip away the glamour of the "three comma club" to discuss why chasing an arbitrary number might actually be sabotaging your
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