Signal or Noise?
- Episodes
- 80
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Oct 22, 2026
About the podcast
Which financial headlines are signals of something bigger, and which are just noise you should tune out? Creative Planning Chief Market Strategist Charlie Bilello and President & CEO Peter Mallouk break down what's happening in the markets and economy and let you know which headlines you should actually be paying attention to. Come for the approachable analysis and entertaining conversation. Stay for the sharp insights. Become a more informed investor.
Episodes 80
The Biggest Myths in Markets
From “don’t buy at all-time highs” to “successful investing requires predicting what happens next,” Peter and Charlie debunk 10 of the biggest myths in investing. Plus, find out where to watch or listen to …
Show notes
From “don’t buy at all-time highs” to “successful investing requires predicting what happens next,” Peter and Charlie debunk 10 of the biggest myths in investing. Plus, find out where to watch or listen to Peter’s newest podcast, Icons and Ideas.
When Concentrated Stock Creates Concentrated Risk
With the SpaceX IPO putting concentrated wealth in the spotlight, Charlie and Creative Planning Chief Investment Strategist Ramesh Poola discuss how concentrated stock positions develop, why they can create …
Show notes
With the SpaceX IPO putting concentrated wealth in the spotlight, Charlie and Creative Planning Chief Investment Strategist Ramesh Poola discuss how concentrated stock positions develop, why they can create significant risk and strategies investors can consider to diversify while managing tax implications.
Rate Hikes, Recessions and the Biggest Risk
Peter and Charlie discuss what’s driving expectations for higher interest rates, what rate hikes could mean for investors, and how markets performed over the past decade before sharing what each sees as the …
Show notes
Peter and Charlie discuss what’s driving expectations for higher interest rates, what rate hikes could mean for investors, and how markets performed over the past decade before sharing what each sees as the biggest risk facing investors today.
The $40 Trillion Question
With the United States’ national debt now topping $40 trillion, Peter and Charlie discuss how we got here, whether we can grow our way out of it, what an actual debt crisis would look like and more. Plus, get …
Show notes
With the United States’ national debt now topping $40 trillion, Peter and Charlie discuss how we got here, whether we can grow our way out of it, what an actual debt crisis would look like and more. Plus, get their take on whether a U.S. debt crisis is a signal or just noise.
How to Make Your First Million
From saving early to investing in your health, Peter and Charlie share 10 practical tips for building wealth and working toward long-term financial success. Plus, discover where you can see Peter and Charlie …
Show notes
From saving early to investing in your health, Peter and Charlie share 10 practical tips for building wealth and working toward long-term financial success. Plus, discover where you can see Peter and Charlie live at a regional CONNECT26 event.
The Mark Cuban Bet (That Became an Investing Lesson)
An April 2021 Twitter exchange between Peter Mallouk and Mark Cuban resulted in two $1,000,000 bets. Peter and Charlie discuss how the bets came about, how things are going and what investors can learn from them.
The Madness of Crowds
With signs of frenzied speculation everywhere, Peter and Charlie discuss SpaceX’s recent IPO, abnormally high semiconductor index returns and the danger of chasing performance before explaining why heavily …
Show notes
With signs of frenzied speculation everywhere, Peter and Charlie discuss SpaceX’s recent IPO, abnormally high semiconductor index returns and the danger of chasing performance before explaining why heavily equity-based diversified portfolios have enjoyed outsized performance over the last decade.
How to Think About Investing in IPOs
From why companies are staying private longer to whether most IPOs live up to the hype, Peter and Charlie answer four key questions to help guide how you think about investing in IPOs.
What Is Gold?
You’ve likely heard that gold is an inflation hedge. Peter and Charlie unpack that narrative and the nuanced reality behind the metal's role in a portfolio.
5 Lessons From “Money, Simplified”
From why you should own the haystack to why you shouldn’t fear new market highs, Peter and Charlie discuss five key lessons from Peter’s recently re-released book, Money, Simplified.
10 Ways to Save on Your Taxes
10 Ways to Save on Your Taxes From maxing out your retirement accounts to working with a proactive tax planner, Peter and Charlie share 10 ways to potentially pay less in taxes.
The Fog of War
The Fog of War With the U.S. involved in military conflict, Peter and Charlie discuss rising uncertainty — and what it could mean for oil, consumers, stocks, inflation, interest rates and Fed policy.
The State of the Markets
Peter and Charlie discuss the stock market, the bond market, the Fed, inflation, the economy and more on this special episode of Signal or Noise.
The Ultimate Guide to Volatility and Corrections
With the markets once again experiencing volatility, Peter and Charlie walk through what’s causing fear today and discuss what investors should expect in terms of volatility, corrections and drawdowns. Plus …
Show notes
With the markets once again experiencing volatility, Peter and Charlie walk through what’s causing fear today and discuss what investors should expect in terms of volatility, corrections and drawdowns. Plus, learn what you should do when these periods occur.
6 Questions for 2026
From anticipated Fed rate cuts to the staying power of international stocks, Charlie and Peter cover six topics on the minds of investors as we kick off 2026. Plus, discover where you can see Peter and Charlie …
Show notes
From anticipated Fed rate cuts to the staying power of international stocks, Charlie and Peter cover six topics on the minds of investors as we kick off 2026. Plus, discover where you can see Peter and Charlie live by attending a regional CONNECT26 event.
The Ultimate Financial Checklist for Peace of Mind
After hearing many stories from clients this year about how Creative Planning helped them navigate the loss of their parent or spouse, Charlie and Peter share seven actions that can help create financial peace …
Show notes
After hearing many stories from clients this year about how Creative Planning helped them navigate the loss of their parent or spouse, Charlie and Peter share seven actions that can help create financial peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
7 Lessons From 2025
From why you shouldn’t fear all-time market highs to the reason we diversify, Charlie and Peter discuss seven important lessons from 2025. Plus, a good reminder that time is worth more than money.
The Great Divergence: Consumer Gloom vs. Market Boom
In this episode, Charlie and Peter examine why consumer sentiment is so low even with stocks at all-time highs — it’s a gap unlike anything we’ve seen before. Is this low consumer sentiment a signal or just noise?
Are We in an AI Bubble?
In this episode, Charlie and Peter examine whether we’re in an AI bubble, discussing how a speculative bubble is defined, the warning signs of a bubble, the possibility that this is actually an AI revolution …
Show notes
In this episode, Charlie and Peter examine whether we’re in an AI bubble, discussing how a speculative bubble is defined, the warning signs of a bubble, the possibility that this is actually an AI revolution, and what investors should do.
10 Charts Every Investor Should Frame
Covering topics spanning the power of compounding to why you shouldn’t bet against America, Charlie and Peter examine 10 charts illustrating important investment principles all investors should understand.
5 Things That Should Be Required Learning in High School
From how a credit card works to how to add value to any organization, Charlie and Peter discuss five important things to teach your children before they turn 18. Plus, the government shutdown: is it a signal or …
Show notes
From how a credit card works to how to add value to any organization, Charlie and Peter discuss five important things to teach your children before they turn 18. Plus, the government shutdown: is it a signal or just noise?
How to Invest Cash on the Sidelines
With a record $7.7 trillion sitting in money market accounts, Charlie and Peter discuss the opportunity cost of sitting in cash, the odds that waiting for a market correction will allow you to buy in at a …
Show notes
With a record $7.7 trillion sitting in money market accounts, Charlie and Peter discuss the opportunity cost of sitting in cash, the odds that waiting for a market correction will allow you to buy in at a better price and other considerations for investing your own cash on the sidelines. Plus, see how investing at the “worst” time every year, historically, would have performed compared to sitting in cash.
Rate Cuts, Recessions and Risks
After a year of pressure to cut rates, the Fed seems poised to lower rates by 0.25%-0.50% next week. Peter and Charlie discuss the logic behind this imminent rate cut as well as the likelihood of a recession …
Show notes
After a year of pressure to cut rates, the Fed seems poised to lower rates by 0.25%-0.50% next week. Peter and Charlie discuss the logic behind this imminent rate cut as well as the likelihood of a recession and the biggest risk for investors. Plus, is rising unemployment from a cycle low a signal or just noise?
How to Make Housing Affordable Again
With home prices far outpacing wages over the last decade, Charlie and Peter discuss the record housing affordability gap and its wide-ranging implications before turning to potential solutions and the barriers …
Show notes
With home prices far outpacing wages over the last decade, Charlie and Peter discuss the record housing affordability gap and its wide-ranging implications before turning to potential solutions and the barriers that may prevent or postpone implementing them. Plus, discover where you can see Peter and Charlie at an upcoming CONNECT25 event.
Is This as Good as it Gets?
With investors seeing another all time high in the market, many are left wondering what’s next and how long this can last. Charlie and Peter share their analysis, plus discuss earnings, the tech revolution …
Show notes
With investors seeing another all time high in the market, many are left wondering what’s next and how long this can last. Charlie and Peter share their analysis, plus discuss earnings, the tech revolution, strong international markets and the low unemployment rate. They wrap up with a reminder to not get too comfortable and provide five investor takeaways to help you remain prepared.
Triumph of the Optimists
Charlie and Peter dive into the triumph created from long-term investing, including why it’s better to be an owner than a lender and the importance of global diversification. Together they offer insights into …
Show notes
Charlie and Peter dive into the triumph created from long-term investing, including why it’s better to be an owner than a lender and the importance of global diversification. Together they offer insights into the behavior of investors, the cost of pessimism, and economic indicators that influence your portfolio. Plus, the continued growth of AI and new all-time highs.
10 Lessons for Living
Charlie and Peter shake things up by pressing pause on their usual market commentary to instead discuss 10 important life lessons from Peter Mallouk. Plus, discover how you can see Peter and Charlie live by …
Show notes
Charlie and Peter shake things up by pressing pause on their usual market commentary to instead discuss 10 important life lessons from Peter Mallouk. Plus, discover how you can see Peter and Charlie live by attending a CONNECT25 event near you.
10 Lessons From Jonathan Clements
Charlie and Peter are joined by noted Wall Street Journal columnist and Creative Planning Director of Education Jonathan Clements to discuss 10 valuable lessons handpicked from his many contributions to the …
Show notes
Charlie and Peter are joined by noted Wall Street Journal columnist and Creative Planning Director of Education Jonathan Clements to discuss 10 valuable lessons handpicked from his many contributions to the world of personal finance. Plus, learn how you can contribute to Jonathan's charitable Getting Going on Savings Initiative while furthering your own financial education.
Deficit Nation
On this episode, Charlie and Peter examine how the bill recently passed by the Housecould further impact the national deficit and why addressing spending patterns is crucialfor long-term fiscal health.
The End of an Era
With Warren Buffet announcing he’ll be stepping down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, Charlie and Peter discuss seven new lessons we can glean from his legacy. Plus, we’ve seen one of …
Show notes
With Warren Buffet announcing he’ll be stepping down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, Charlie and Peter discuss seven new lessons we can glean from his legacy. Plus, we’ve seen one of the most significant market rebounds in history since the bear market low in April. Is it a signal or just noise?
These are the latest 40 of 80 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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