In this week’s episode, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney dive into the paradox of modern investing: why are so many investors chasing assets like Gold, Bitcoin, and Nvidia, which offer little to no income—while ignoring the historical power of dividend-paying stocks?

We unpack a revealing JP Morgan study showing that concludes 55% of the S&P 500’s total return since 1987 came from re-invested dividends. Contrary to popular belief, high-flying tech stocks haven’t been the primary engine of long-term market returns. In fact, the best-performing U.S. stock over the past 40 years, Altria Group (ticker: MO), formerly known as Philip Morris, is an old-school producer and marketer of tobacco products. From 1985–2025, Altria stock returned an incredible 2,033,839%, a $1,000 invested in 1985 would be worth over $20 million today! Even more remarkably, over 80% of that return can be attributed to dividend reinvestment.

But here’s the twist—dividend paying value stocks have been underperforming their growth stock counterparts over the past decade, driven by themes like AI, have dramatically outperformed. Is this just a temporary anomaly? Will markets revert to the mean? Are dividend stocks about to make a comeback? Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is betting big on income-rich sectors like healthcare and energy instead of chasing the current hype around the Magnificent 7. With many high-yielding stocks trading at steep discounts to the tech-heavy S&P 500, is now the time to lean into income? We give you the “Payne Perspective.”

We also tackle the recent signs of weakness in the labor market—and what it really reveals about the underlying health of the economy. Are Wall Street economists missing the mark yet again? The stock market is hitting all-time highs, economic growth is accelerating, and corporate profits are trending upward, all forward-looking indicators that point to a continued expansion. So, do we truly need more rate cuts? Or is the Federal Reserve simply spiking the punch bowl—risking an overheated economy and inflated asset prices? We break it all down and share exactly what we think.

💰 Warren Buffett’s latest moves—abandoning the Magnificent 7 and doubling down on value-rich healthcare, homebuilder & energy stocks

📉 The recent labor market weakness—what it really signals about the economy

📈 Why Wall Street strategists might be missing the mark (again)

🏦 Whether the Fed is about to overdo it with rate cuts, risking an overheated economy

If you’re wondering where the smart money is headed and how to position your portfolio for long-term success, this episode is a must-listen.

This week on Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney unpack what Ryan’s recent trip to MetLife Stadium to see his favorite band, Oasis, reveals about the current state of the economy. Yes, even a rock concert can be an economic indicator!

We dive into Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s surprising pivot toward cutting interest rates this fall. What does this mean for economic growth and the stock market? Is this the fuel the bull market really needs to keep melting higher?

Plus, retail investors are now responsible for 18% of all stock market trades—nearly double the amount of 2010, according to estimates by Sifma, a Wall Street trade group. Are individual investors becoming smarter, or are we seeing classic late-stage bull market behavior? We weigh in with our decades of experience navigating market psychology.

And in our Financial Autopsy segment, we dissect a real-life financial plan to spotlight one of the biggest mistakes investors make: overloading on low-yield or declining cash flow investments. Income is king when it comes to financial independence—are you building your portfolio the right way today?

Tune in for insights, hot takes, and actionable advice to help you build real wealth in today’s market.

In this week’s episode of Payne Points of Wealth, we sit down with John A. Catsimatidis Jr., President and COO of Red Apple Group, a $7 billion powerhouse spanning energy, supermarkets, media, real estate, and investments.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss how John applies elements of Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy to his own portfolio management. We forecast the direction of energy prices and their impact on inflation, and explore what Fed interest rate cuts could mean for an ailing real estate market. We also dive into Gen Z’s affordability crisis and how to solve the current New York City housing shortage without resorting to socialism.

John’s approach to life, business, and investing is refreshingly straightforward—rooted in common sense, the ability to integrate principles across many disciplines, driven with clarity & conviction.

Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or just curious about the current forces shaping our economy, this episode offers invaluable insights from one of NYC’s rising business leaders.

🎧 Tune in for a fascinating conversation that blends big-picture thinking with practical wisdom.

In this week’s episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris, & Courtney dive into President Donald Trump’s controversial new executive order that opens the door for private equity, venture capital, and hedge funds to be included in your retirement account. Is this a golden opportunity to supercharge your portfolio—or just another Wall Street scheme to rake in higher fees with less transparency? We break it all down and give you our take.

💥 Plus, we tackle the ongoing debate around inflation. With consumer prices less hot than expected, is inflation finally behind us—or is this just the calm before the storm? Economists predicted a summer spike due to tariffs, but so far, they’ve missed the mark. Meanwhile, oil prices are plunging, helping to offset rising costs elsewhere. We’ll help you navigate this uncertainty and position your portfolio accordingly.

🔍 And in our Financial Autopsy segment, we dissect a real-life financial plan to highlight the dangers of parking your money in CDs and cash—especially with the Fed potentially cutting rates again. Sitting on the sidelines could seriously derail your retirement goals. We’ll give you a blueprint for allocating your capital for both growth and safety in today’s market

📈 Don’t miss this episode—it’s packed with insights to help you make smarter financial decisions in uncertain times.

This week on the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, and Chris dive into Trump’s reign of tariffs, unpacking the economic ripple effects of his aggressive import tax strategy. From business impacts to what it means for your wallet and investments, we break down the real-world consequences of the ongoing trade war.

We also tackle the high-stakes dilemma facing Fed Chair Jerome “Jay” Powell. With political pressure mounting from the Trump administration, will the Fed cut rates at the September meeting? Should they? And what would a rate cut mean for the markets, the economy, and your portfolio?

Plus, we explore the wild world of corporate finance as companies start raising debt to buy Bitcoin. Is this a genius hedge or financial madness? And what about the rise of stablecoins like Circle’s USDC—are they a threat to the traditional banking system, or just another crypto fad that won’t end well?

And don’t miss our signature segment: the Financial Autopsy. We dissect a real-life financial plan, exposing some of the most common—and costly—mistakes people are making today when building and protecting their retirement wealth. From being sold an annuity to underestimating the true risk in their portfolio, we highlight the pitfalls you need to avoid.

This episode is packed with insights, hot takes, and practical advice you won’t want to miss. We cover everything you need to know right now to stay ahead of the curve.

An estimated 3 million Americans served in combat during the Vietnam War. Today, only about 725,000 of these brave individuals remain with us. Vietnam is etched in American history as a brutal and costly conflict—one where many young men and women answered the call to serve our country with unwavering courage. On this episode of the *Payne Points of Wealth* podcast, we had the good fortune to interview our friend Nicholas Simonic, a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. Through grit, resourcefulness, and what Nick would call “luck,” he survived the scorching Southeast Asian heat, guerrilla warfare in thick jungles filled with booby traps, landmines, and tunnels: to make it back home. Nick takes us back to a tumultuous upbringing in Cleveland, his time in the U.S. Army, and how surviving in the face of extreme uncertainty helped him forge a path to building his own version of the American dream as a successful family man and entrepreneur. Today, Nick, a CPA by trade, owns his own accounting practice in Jacksonville, Florida. Join us as Nick shares an emotional and humbling account of his real-life American experience. We hope you find his story as moving and meaningful as we did.

In Episode of 211 of the Payne Points of Wealth, Bob, Ryan, Chris & Frankie sit down with top estate planner Kelly Zerillo to break down everything you need to know about putting together your estate documents in light of the Big Beautiful Act. Whether it's your first time drafting legal documents or you're looking to design a more sophisticated plan, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

Kelly Zerillo, a seasoned expert in the trust and estates field, provides sophisticated estate planning and administration services to ultra-high net worth individuals, families, and business owners throughout New York City and beyond. With over a decade of experience, Kelly has earned a reputation for delivering personalized, strategic, and tax-efficient solutions tailored to the unique needs of her clients.

Join us as we walk you through all the common-sense strategies and pitfalls for creating the right plan to transfer your assets to the next generation in the most efficient and tax-sensitive manner. We demystify the complexities of legal planning and offer the most straightforward discussion on the topic. From the basics to advanced strategies, this episode is your go-to guide for estate planning.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of:

• The essentials of putting together your estate documents.
• Strategies for designing a high-net-worth estate plan.
• Common pitfalls to avoid in asset planning.
• How to transfer your assets efficiently and in a tax-sensitive manner.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your existing plan, this episode has something for everyone.

In this episode of the Payne Points of Wealth, join Bob, Ryan, Chris, and Courtney as they dive into the latest buzz in American politics—the new political party proposed by none other than Elon Musk. Is this the dawn of a new political era, or is Musk simply expressing frustration over rampant government spending? We’ll dissect the potential impacts of adding trillions to the already massive government debt and explore the unintended consequences that could follow.

We’ll also delve into the implications of the newly enacted Big Beautiful Law on small company stocks. Could this be the perfect moment to re-allocate your investment portfolio? Don’t Miss this Episode …