All Episodes
Peace, Politics, and Your Portfolio: The Cost of Conflict and Spending
In this episode of The Difference, Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano dive into a historic moment of global diplomacy and dissect its ripple effects on markets, interest rat...
CPI Surprise: Cool Inflation, Hot Markets
In this episode of The Difference, Dan O'Donnell and Brian Jacobsen unpack the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which came in cooler than expected and sparked...
U.S. Trade Triumphs and Economic Strategy Under Scrutiny
The U.S. has secured a series of favorable trade deals, most notably with the European Union, positioning itself as a dominant global economic force while pressuring C...
Is Jerome Powell #OpenToWork?
Join Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano on The Difference, where in this episode they examine the palpable tension between President Trump and Chairman Powell, as well as tr...
Can America Afford Its Future?
Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano unpack the economic balancing act facing the U.S.—from looming tariff deadlines and ballooning deficits to Fed uncertainty and the long-te...
I'm Just A Big, Beautiful Bill.
A campaign promise was made, and that campaign promise was met. Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano react to the Big Beautiful Bill passing into law and the subsequent reacti...
Tacos, Tariffs, and Treasury: Understanding Trump's Economic Strategy
In this episode of The Difference, hosts Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano, CEO of Annex Wealth Management discuss the "TACOS" acronym (Trump Always Chickens Out), coined b...
"The Safest Debt In The World"
Economic and political risks, who's spending whose money? Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano discuss attempted cost reductions and slowed-down spending on The Difference.
The China deal might affect more than tariffs
It might be something in the air in Switzerland, but the United States and China were able to lay the groundwork for a deal that could change more than tariffs. The ma...
A glimmer of tariff clarity?
Tariff clarity remains elusive as tax policy stays murky. Fresh from another round of White House radio shows, Dan O'Donnell and Dave Spano reconnect to discuss a week...
Pretty ugly in the next 30 days.
Market gains rarely move in a straight line. As the next round of earnings calls approaches, Dave Spano will be listening for key insights from corporate leaders. Mean...
Are we in a recession?
It's a 50/50-coin flip. Made even more complicated by shifting messages. Dave Spano and Dan O'Donnell chop up the latest.
Tariff downsides? Recession and demand destruction.
It's a tight game being played. Art of the Deal or potentially turning the midterms upside down? Dan and Dave discuss the week after Liberation Day.
Perception is greater than reality
Recession predictions are on the rise. Liberation Day is April 2nd. Will that be enough for our Master-Negotiator-In-Chief?
It's the White House not the Waffle House
Were we due for an economic detox? Dan and Dave discuss tariffs and tactics.
The art of the tariff making deal?
We're seeing how the sausage is getting made. Not pretty. But are conditions poised to spring back when certain hurdles are cleared?
The 'message' behind tariffs isn't getting across.
We're truly at the intersection of politics and economics when it comes to tariffs and foreign conflicts.
Insights from Dan's day broadcasting live from the White House
What was it like to broadcast from 'radio row' at the White House and interview officials like Scott Bessent and Doug Burgum? Dan takes us behind the scenes. DOD also ...
How about growing our way out of this mess?
"Why are people up in arms that they (DOGE) want to find fraud in the system?"
The economic tool for non-economic outcomes
Tariff talk as shifting policy changes make for an uncertain environment. Plus, the subject of DOGE sets the boys up to utter 'big balls' at least 7 times.
The Art of the Deal 2025?
Economic tools for non-economic goals from Donald Trump. Plus, Dave Spano connects Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with the current trade standoff.
DeepSeek day. Is this AI's 'Sputnik' moment?
Did China’s AI bot leapfrog the competition? It sure rattled the markets. Dan and Dave discuss---and Spano makes the point it could have a Capitalism-like twist.
Inauguration Day. Proclamations and executive orders.
Front and Center: Immigration and Border Security. President Trump has a long list including tax cuts and deregulation. Dave suggests Wisconsin takes the UP back from ...
What will Trump 2.0 look like? He’s been through the ringer, expect more efficiency .
First show of 2025. Dan shares more about WISN's extraordinary ratings performance before the guys settle into looking at next week's inauguration.
Trump, running things already
Recorded on the day SoftBank announced a $100B investment in the US, Dave and Dan run through 2024 and look ahead to next year.
US bullish sentiment vs. worrisome geopolitics.
Investor enthusiasm is high but global tensions are on the rise. Dave Spano warns us not to get over our skis.
Dave, Dan, and Billy Bob sort out oil production
NOTE: This episode includes language that some may find offensive. Not quite NSFW, but keep the volume down when the clip from 'Landman' airs.One of the 'three arrows'...
More Trump cabinet issues? The Bessent dissent.
Dan says the nominee worked for the entity that was the 'most destabilizing force in the US'. Dave says Bessent has the skills to tackle a very full plate of issues.