Polaris Perspective

by Jeff Powell & Jeremy Witbeck

Welcome to the Polaris Podcast, a financial planning and investment management podcast featuring conversations with Jeff Powell and Jeremy Witbeck. The series features topics ranging from politics, economics, financial markets, and deep-dives into specific regions and industries. It's time for our weekly review of all the important things that have happened over the last several weeks. Time to not only look back but to start pl ...   ...  Read more
Investing
Business News
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Podcast episodes

  • Season 3

  • Optimistic Projections

    Optimistic Projections

    S03 E01
    21:26

    A year ago, business and economic leaders were looking beyond COVID to what they were perceiving as better times — when the pandemic would be a thing of the past, the economy would rebound, and ‘normal,’ as in the life we experienced before March of 2020, would return. Most of that, especially the parts about COVID being over and returning to normal, didn’t happen. And that explains why, a year later, amidst another strong surge in COVID cases, there is optimism about the year ahead, but also some significant hedging of bets. We just can’t predict what will happen with this pandemic or with many of its side effects, everything from an unprecedented workforce shortage to inflation and supply chain woes, but Jeff Powell & Jeremy Witbeck discuss insights and tips for making sure you take action, if needed, to start this new year feeling confident about your financial health.

  • Season 2

  • YOUR ESSENTIAL YEAR-END FINANCIAL CHECKLIST

    YOUR ESSENTIAL YEAR-END FINANCIAL CHECKLIST

    S02 E49
    24:19

    The end of the year always seems to sneak up on us. After Thanksgiving, the buzz of the holiday season keeps us busy through the New Year, and tax season probably isn’t even a distant thought yet. But there are a number of reasons to make year-end financial and estate planning a priority because when the year turns over there’s no going back. It’s safe to say we’re all ready to bid 2021 goodbye – but before you let the holidays take over completely, set aside some time to get your finances in order. Jeff Powell & Jeremy Witbeck provide valuable insights and tips for making sure you take action, if needed, before the end of the year and head into next year feeling confident about your financial health.

  • Omicron Could Knock U.S. Economic Recovery Off Track

    Omicron Could Knock U.S. Economic Recovery Off Track

    S02 E48
    26:56

    The emergence of a new COVID-19 variant is raising fresh uncertainty for the U.S. economy, even as President Biden vows that the country will not see more lockdowns. After wading through a summer surge in cases driven by the delta variant, the U.S. is now bracing for the arrival of omicron, a strain identified by the World Health Organization last week as a “variant of concern.” The U.S. economy held up much stronger against the emergence of the delta variant this summer than many analysts expected, despite an initial drop in consumer activity and travel. Revised figures from the Labor Department showed job growth holding strong even as schools faced early shutdowns and millions of workers remained unable to rejoin the workforce. Consumer spending and incomes also rose despite high inflation, lining the U.S. up for a stellar fourth quarter after a summer slowdown. While the Biden administration is not expected to push for any nationwide lockdowns, persistently higher cases and hospitalizations could still suppress the economy even if local governments don’t impose new restrictions. Jeff Powell and Jeremy Witbeck discuss the new variant “Omicron” and the potential concerns it poses in terms of throwing the U.S. Economic recovery off track.

  • Stunning Decline on Unemployment Claims

    Stunning Decline on Unemployment Claims

    S02 E47
    21:55

    The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits last week fell to the lowest level in more than half a century. This is the latest sign of the labor market bouncing back from the coronavirus pandemic. Last week’s jobless claims totaled 199,000 when adjusted for seasonal swings, the lowest level since November 15, 1969. Jeff Powell and Jeremy Witbeck discuss the dramatic drop in last week’s claims and whether or not it indicates just how good things are in the labor market and the overall economy right now.

  • A Take on Active vs. Passive Investing

    A Take on Active vs. Passive Investing

    S02 E46
    27:01

    The last two years have come with many changes. The state of the world has caused many of us to make shifts in our lives, both personally and professionally. For better or for worse, some of these shifts may be short-lived and some may last much longer. And in thinking of our finances, worry might come to mind as more uncertainty seems to loom around the corner. This is why investment management is so crucial at this time – for investors at any stage in their journey. Investment management refers to the process of handling various securities and financial assets. It involves devising long-term and short-term plans to acquire and dispose of portfolio holdings – with the aim of making clients’ money grow in order to help them achieve financial aspirations and goals. Investors have two main investment strategies that can be used to generate a return on their investment accounts: active portfolio management and passive portfolio management. Jeff Powell and Matthew Erickson break down those concepts and debate the merits of “active” versus “passive” investing.