In episode 54 of The Market Enthusiast, Noah Brooks and Chris Needs explore the key forces influencing markets as January 2026 comes to a close, from shifting market leadership to rising energy demands and ongoing policy uncertainty.

With the S&P 500 hovering near 7,000, they discuss why performance is rotating away from big tech and toward small caps, value stocks, and international markets, including strong gains in emerging markets. They also examine whether this rotation is likely to persist or if leadership could shift again as earnings season unfolds.

The conversation turns to the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates steady, fading expectations for future rate cuts, and what higher-for-longer interest rates could mean for market valuations and economic growth.

Noah and Chris also dig into the growing electricity demands driven by AI and data centers, renewed interest in nuclear power, and why energy infrastructure may become a critical constraint on future technological expansion.

Finally, they touch on labor trends, automation, immigration, and productivity, and how these long-term dynamics could shape wage growth and employment in the years ahead.

As markets respond to a mix of innovation, policy shifts, and economic crosscurrents, the episode reinforces the importance of diversification, discipline, and keeping long-term goals in focus despite short-term volatility.

Have questions, topic suggestions, or comments? Feel free to reach out to us at marketenthusiast@goodlifefa.com!

Visit GoodLifeCo.com/podcasts/market-enthusiast for more episodes.

Good Life Companies is a stand-alone entity providing real estate, infrastructure, technology, training, marketing, and support to independent professionals throughout the United States. Good Life Companies is not a broker/dealer or a Registered Investment Advisor and does not provide legal or tax advice.

In Episode 53 of The Market Enthusiast, Noah Brooks and Chris Needs discuss what early 2026 is already revealing about both markets and everyday spending as investors navigate a shifting economic landscape.

With markets near all-time highs, they examine why leadership is changing, how small-cap and international stocks are gaining traction, and why big tech no longer dominates returns the way it once did. The conversation also covers recent labor data, slowing job growth, and what those trends may signal about economic momentum in the months ahead.

Alongside the market discussion, Noah and Chris touch on a reality many households are facing: the growing impact of recurring expenses and subscription-based spending on monthly cash flow. As costs quietly add up, they highlight why managing everyday finances remains just as important as investing for long-term growth.

As 2026 unfolds, the episode reinforces the value of discipline, diversification, and maintaining perspective — focusing not only on market headlines, but also on the financial habits that shape long-term success.

Have questions, topic suggestions, or comments? Feel free to reach out to us at marketenthusiast@goodlifefa.com!

Visit GoodLifeCo.com/podcasts/market-enthusiast for more episodes.

Good Life Companies is a stand-alone entity providing real estate, infrastructure, technology, training, marketing, and support to independent professionals throughout the United States. Good Life Companies is not a broker/dealer or a Registered Investment Advisor and does not provide legal or tax advice.

In Episode 52 of The Market Enthusiast, Noah Brooks and Chris Needs reflect on the themes that defined markets in 2025 and discuss what investors should be watching as 2026 approaches.

They explore how tariffs and policy uncertainty influenced hiring and business behavior, why job growth has slowed, and what shifting labor trends may mean for economic momentum. The conversation also examines market rotation, international outperformance, and how artificial intelligence, automation, and capital investment are reshaping productivity expectations.

With markets delivering strong returns despite growing uncertainty, Noah and Chris emphasize the importance of discipline, diversification, and maintaining a long-term perspective as the market enters a new phase in the new year.

Have questions, topic suggestions, or comments? Feel free to reach out to us at marketenthusiast@goodlifefa.com!

Visit GoodLifeCo.com/podcasts/market-enthusiast for more episodes.

Good Life Companies is a stand-alone entity providing real estate, infrastructure, technology, training, marketing, and support to independent professionals throughout the United States. Good Life Companies is not a broker/dealer or a Registered Investment Advisor and does not provide legal or tax advice.