The 9Innings Podcast

The 9Innings Podcast

por Kevin Thompson, RICP®, CFP®
EmprendimientoSuperación personal

🔥 The AI Spending Boom: Bubble or the Next Industrial Revolution?

In this episode of 9Innings, host Kevin Thompson sits down with Spear Invest founder Ivana Delevska to discuss one of the hottest investment themes in the market today: AI infrastructure and the explosion in data center demand. The conversation explores the growing political pushback against new data center developments in cities like Fort Worth and New York, while highlighting why many rural communities are embracing these projects. Ivana explains the concept of compute constraints, why both AI model training and inference are driving unprecedented demand, and what it all means for investors. Kevin and Ivana also examine the economics of energy, the possibility of space-based data centers, and whether today's AI infrastructure boom resembles the fiber optic buildout of the late 1990s. Despite concerns about elevated valuations and increasing concentration among technology mega-caps, Ivana remains optimistic. She points to powerful demand signals, including Anthropic's rapid revenue growth, as evidence that this cycle is being driven by real adoption rather than speculation alone. (00:00) – The War on Data Centers: Why Cities Are Saying No (03:21) – What Does "Compute Constrained" Actually Mean? (06:25) – Who Pays for AI? The Hidden Energy Problem (10:29) – Is This Another Dot-Com Bubble? (15:29) – Are Big Tech Companies Becoming Too Powerful? NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
E172
28 jul 2026
21:23

FoF: The Future of Social Security: Are Benefit Cuts Becoming More Likely? 🚨

Welcome to the 9Innings Podcast where we Educate, Empower and Engage. Facts Over Feelings In this episode, we separate the headlines from reality and examine whether Social Security benefit cuts are becoming more likely. With the trust fund projected to be depleted around 2032–2034, beneficiaries could face automatic benefit reductions of roughly 20–25% if Congress fails to act. We'll discuss why every proposed solution—raising payroll taxes, increasing the retirement age, reducing benefits, or lifting the payroll tax cap—faces significant political resistance, making bipartisan reform increasingly difficult. We'll also look at how demographic trends are putting additional pressure on the program. Most importantly, we'll explain why Social Security isn't going away, but why relying on it as your sole source of retirement income has become an increasingly risky proposition. As always, we'll focus on the facts, not the fear, and help you understand what really matters instead of getting caught up in sensational headlines. The Political Challenge (00:01:25) What Retirees Should Do (00:02:56) Diversifying Retirement Income (00:04:17) Unpopular but Necessary Choices (00:07:18) NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
21 jul 2026
9:05

💰 Who Really Pays for Your Credit Card Rewards? | Econ 101

Who really pays for your 2% cash back? Every time you swipe your credit card, money changes hands long before your rewards hit your account. In this episode of Econ 101, Kevin Thompson breaks down where merchant fees go, how banks and payment processors make billions, and why your airline miles and cash back aren't actually free. Topics covered: How credit card transactions work What interchange fees really are Why merchants accept credit cards Who ultimately pays for rewards Why carrying a balance can erase any benefit from cash back If you've ever wondered how banks can afford to hand out points, airline miles, and cash back while reporting record profits, this episode follows the money. Subscribe for more episodes of Econ 101 and Facts Over Feelings. 00:00 – Who Really Pays for Your Cash Back? 01:18 – Following the Money Behind Every Swipe 04:01 – Why Banks Love Credit Cards 07:53 – The Hidden Wealth Transfer 10:07 – Credit Cards Aren't the Enemy NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
14 jul 2026
15:25

FoF: 💰Trump Accounts: Free Money or Just Another IRA?

Welcome to the 9Innings Podcast where we Educate, Empower and Engage. ON THIS WEEKS PODCAST: Trump Accounts have been pitched as a new way to help children build wealth, but what are they actually, and who benefits the most? In this episode of Facts Over Feelings, Kevin Thompson breaks down what Trump Accounts are, what they aren't, and three major ways they differ from other IRAs. We discuss the $1,000 government contribution, taxes, investment restrictions, and why parents may want to compare these accounts to a 529 plan if education is the goal. Are Trump Accounts a real wealth-building tool, or will the biggest benefits go to families who already have the money to contribute? These are the facts. You can decide how you feel about them. How Trump Accounts Work (00:01:40) Difference 1: No Earned Income Required (00:02:54) Difference 2: Restricted Investment Choices (00:04:17) Difference 3: The Money is Locked Up (00:07:02) Comparison with 529 Plans for Education (00:08:04) Kevin's Perspective: Are They Revolutionary? (00:10:24) What Should You Do? (00:12:51) NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
7 jul 2026
15:21

🚨 Inflation Is Falling... So Why Does Everything Still Cost So Much? | ft. Dr. John Harvey

In this episode, host Kevin interviews Dr. John T. Harvey, the "cowboy economist," about inflation and economic policy. Dr. Harvey distinguishes between demand-pull and cost-push inflation, criticizing the Federal Reserve's focus on core CPI while excluding food and energy prices. He challenges conventional thinking about government debt, supports paying living wages despite inflationary effects, and warns about America's short-term economic thinking compared to China's long-term planning. Dr. Harvey argues the Fed has limited ability to control inflation and that misallocation of resources, rather than debt itself, is America's primary economic concern. (01:47) – Demand-Pull vs. Cost-Push Inflation: Understanding the Difference (04:39) – Trimmed Inflation Explained: Better Data or Statistical Smoke and Mirrors? (12:16) – Corporate Profits, Market Concentration, and the Real Drivers of Post-COVID Inflation (20:44) – The Fed's 2% Inflation Target: Is It Still Realistic? (30:42) – The Future of the U.S. Dollar, National Debt, and America's Economic Outlook (41:11) – Quick Fire Round: Inflation Myths, Interest Rates, and What's Next NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
E171
30 jun 2026
47:59

Econ 101: ⚡ Data Centers: Who Really Pays the Price?

On This Week's Econ 101... Data centers are becoming one of the fastest-growing industries in America, fueled by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and our increasingly digital lives. Communities across the country are competing to attract these facilities with promises of economic growth, new investment, and job creation. But are the benefits matching the promises? In this episode, Kevin Thompson breaks down what data centers are, why they are being built at such an unprecedented pace, and how they impact the communities where they operate. From electricity demand and water consumption to tax incentives and job creation, we explore the economic tradeoffs that local residents and policymakers are increasingly being forced to confront. Topics Covered: What data centers actually do and why they are essential to modern technology How artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented demand for new facilities The impact of data centers on local power grids and utility costs Why water consumption has become a growing concern Whether data centers create the jobs communities expect Tax abatements, incentives, and the debate over corporate subsidies Why some communities are pushing back against new developments The economic concept of externalities and who ultimately bears the costs As AI continues to expand, data centers aren't going away. The question is whether the communities hosting them are receiving a fair return for the resources they provide. (00:00) – What Are Data Centers and Why Are They Everywhere? (04:29) – Jobs, Electricity, and Water: The Real Economic Tradeoffs (09:24) – Tax Breaks, Subsidies, and Corporate Incentives (11:01)– Why Communities Are Fighting Back NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
23 jun 2026
16:23

FoF: 🚨 Is Social Security Really Going Broke? Separating Fact from Fear | Facts Over Feelings

In this episode, we break down the realities of Social Security's financial future, separating fact from emotion. He clarifies that the Social Security trust fund and the overall system are not the same — even if the trust fund is depleted, benefits continue, though potentially reduced by 20-25%. We explore contributing pressures including aging demographics, declining birth rates, immigration shifts, and automation replacing payroll-tax-generating workers. We emphasize that benefit cuts would devastate millions of retirees who rely solely on Social Security, while also harming the broader economy through reduced consumer spending and tax revenues. (00:00) – Social Security Isn't Going Broke (03:56) – Why the Current Model Is Under Pressure (07:01) – What a 20–25% Benefit Cut Would Mean (09:32) - Why the System is Under Pressure NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
16 jun 2026
14:32

🚪 The IPO Exit Strategy: Why Retail Investors Are Buying What Insiders Are Selling 💰

In this episode of the 9innings Podcast, host Kevin Thompson — CEO of 9i Capital Group — breaks down the current IPO boom featuring companies like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Stripe. Kevin cautions retail investors against getting swept up in the hype, noting that IPOs primarily serve as exit opportunities for early investors and venture capitalists. He highlights concerning trends including shortened lockup periods and faster index inclusions, while reminding listeners that great companies don't always make great investments. His key takeaway: valuations and fundamentals matter, and the easy money has likely already been made. (00:00) – The IPO Boom Is Back: What Retail Investors Need to Know (00:51) – Why SpaceX, Stripe, and Others Are Going Public Now (03:21) – The New IPO Rules: Accelerated Lockups & Forced Index Buying (05:49) – Great Company ≠ Great Investment: The Valuation Problem (09:06) – Why Insiders Are Selling and What Retail Investors Should Watch NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
E170
9 jun 2026
15:04

FoF: 🔥 The Middle-Class Millionaire: Why $1 Million Isn't What It Used To Be

Welcome to the 9Innings Podcast where we Educate, Empower and Engage. ON THIS WEEKS PODCAST: In this episode of Facts Over Feelings on the 9Innings Podcast, Kevin Thompson explores how inflation has fundamentally changed what it means to be a millionaire in America. Using historical inflation data, he breaks down why $1 million today doesn't carry the same buying power it did in 1980, 2000, or even just a few years ago. Kevin introduces the concept of the "Middle-Class Millionaire," arguing that a net worth of $1-3 million is increasingly becoming the baseline for maintaining a middle-class lifestyle rather than a symbol of extraordinary wealth. He discusses the shift from pensions to 401(k)s, the growing burden placed on individual investors, and why purchasing power—not the number on your account statement—should be the true measure of financial success. The episode also examines the hidden costs of inflation, the risks of holding excessive cash, and why ownership of productive assets has historically been one of the most effective ways to protect and grow wealth over time. If you've ever wondered whether $1 million is still enough, this episode is for you. (00:00) The Middle-Class Millionaire: Why $1 Million Isn't Rich Anymore (04:09) Retirement Reality: Why a Million-Dollar Nest Egg Doesn't Go as Far (07:20) NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2eig6s&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-90-Feet-Counting-ebook/dp/B0BLJPYNS4 Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idisclosure/disclosure
2 jun 2026
14:36

Econ 101 🔥 Medicare DisAdvantage: The Changes Seniors Need To Know 🔥

In this episode of Econ 101 on the 9 Innings Podcast, Kevin Thompson, founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group, explores how artificial intelligence, privatization, and cost containment are quietly reshaping Medicare. He discusses growing concerns around AI driven systems like the WiSer platform and how increased prior authorizations, delays, and denials could impact seniors seeking care. Kevin also examines the broader shift toward profit driven healthcare models, declining physician participation due to reimbursement pressures, data privacy concerns, and the growing complexity of Medicare Advantage plans. He encourages retirees and caregivers to understand their rights, protect their personal medical information, and build strong support systems to help navigate an increasingly bureaucratic healthcare landscape. (00:00) Introduction to AI and Medicare (02:33) The WiSer System and AI Driven Denials (05:10) The Privatization Shift Inside Medicare (08:56) Why Doctors Are Leaving Medicare NEWSLETTER (WHAT NOW): https://substack.com/@9icapital?r=2ei... Follow Us: youtube: / @9icap Linkedin: / kevin-thompson-ricp%c2%ae-cfp%c2%ae-74964428 facebook: / mlb2cfp Buy MLB2CFP Here: https://www.amazon.com/MLB-CFP%C2%AE-... Website: http://www.9icapitalgroup.com Hit the subscribe button to get new content notifications. Corrections: Editing by http://SwoleNerdProductions.com Disclosure: https://sites.google.com/view/9idiscl...
26 may 2026
13:19
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