On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to examine why many analysts are moving beyond the traditional 60/40 portfolio model.

They break down the shift toward a 60/20/20 framework—60% stocks, 20% bonds, and 20% gold—and explain why major institutions are reconsidering asset allocations after years of inflation, geopolitical instability, and market concentration in a handful of technology stocks. The discussion highlights how correlations between stocks and bonds have changed, why portfolios can quietly drift out of balance, and why annual “financial checkups” are essential in fast-moving markets.

Diehl shares a six-year analysis comparing multiple asset classes through the COVID-19 pandemic, global conflicts, and persistent inflation. The results underscore the hidden cost of inflation—roughly 24.5% over that period—and reveal how several conventional assets struggled to outpace rising prices, while gold and silver grew at several times the rate of inflation.

Chastain explains the importance of managing different types of risk, including volatility risk, shortfall risk, and inflation risk. Together, they outline how adding a third pillar in the form of physical gold may help stabilize portfolios while preserving long-term purchasing power.

Discover why U.S. Money Reserve is a trusted ally for Americans focused on wealth protection and long-term financial security. As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-minted gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—and the only precious-metals firm led by two former U.S. Mint Directors—it offers clients unmatched institutional expertise. Having served more than one million customers and processed over $4.4 billion in transactions, U.S. Money Reserve continues to help individuals safeguard their futures.

For more information, listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 833-201-4647 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/POD50P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to break down Bitcoin’s dramatic slide and what it means for consumers seeking stability.

They examine Bitcoin’s more than 50% drop in recent months, its repeated history of 70–80% bear markets, and why its price behavior increasingly resembles speculative technology stocks rather than a monetary safe haven. The discussion challenges the long-standing “digital gold” narrative, highlighting how Bitcoin has struggled to act as a hedge against inflation or currency weakness during periods of economic stress.

Diehl and Chastain also explore the broader crypto landscape, including regulatory shifts, political support, and the role blockchain technology may play in future financial innovation. While digital assets continue evolving, they explain why volatility remains a defining feature of crypto markets.

Discover why U.S. Money Reserve is a trusted ally for Americans focused on wealth protection and long-term financial security. As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-minted gold, silver, platinum, and palladium—and the only precious metals firm led by two former U.S. Mint Directors—it offers clients unmatched institutional expertise. Having served more than one million customers and processed over $4.4 billion in transactions, U.S. Money Reserve continues to help individuals safeguard their futures.

Discover more: tune in to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 833-201-5238 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/POD49P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to unpack the recent volatility in gold and silver prices—and what it actually means for buyers.

They explain why a rapid run-up in prices set the stage for a sharp correction, including surprise developments surrounding the Federal Reserve, changes in futures market leverage requirements, and widespread profit-taking in paper markets. The discussion breaks down how margin calls and dealer hedging can amplify short-term price swings, even when physical demand remains strong.

Diehl and Chastain also clarify the critical distinction between paper gold and physical gold, explaining why leveraged positions are vulnerable during market pullbacks while physical ownership avoids forced selling. As prices rebounded quickly after the correction, the episode highlights why long-term fundamentals—limited supply, sustained demand, and global uncertainty—continue to support gold’s broader trajectory.

U.S. Money Reserve is widely known as one of the country’s largest private dealers of government-minted gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. It’s the only precious-metals firm led by two former U.S. Mint Directors, giving the company unrivaled institutional insight. Having served more than one million customers and processed over $4.4 billion in transactions, U.S. Money Reserve is widely trusted for helping Americans safeguard their financial future.

For more information, listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 833-201-5560 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/Website/POD48P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to unpack Japan’s growing currency crisis and why it carries serious implications far beyond Asia.

They explore the sharp decline of the Japanese yen, the risks tied to Japan’s massive debt load, and how years of ultra-low interest rates fueled one of the largest carry trades in history. Chastain explains why even talk of intervention by Japan or the U.S. could send shockwaves through bond markets, currencies, and global liquidity—and how an unwinding of these trades could impact U.S. Treasuries and financial stability at home.

The discussion also connects currency stress to broader systemic risks, including leveraged trades, rising global debt, and the fragile balance holding modern markets together. With wealthy investors and family offices continuing to shift toward gold, the episode outlines why currency volatility often drives demand for assets viewed as being outside the traditional financial system.

As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, U.S. Money Reserve brings rare leadership perspective to these conversations. With two former Directors of the U.S. Mint on its leadership team and more than a million clients served, the company provides experienced guidance during periods of geopolitical stress and market disruption.

Listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 833-201-5742 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/Website/POD47P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to examine how global resource competition is fueling uncertainty—and sending gold to new highs.

They break down why renewed pressure surrounding Greenland sparked a sharp market reaction, and how rapidly escalating rhetoric and policy signals can drive gold higher even before events fully unfold. The discussion expands into Venezuela, connecting regional tensions to the broader push for resource control, supply-chain security, and geopolitical leverage.

Diehl and Chastain explain why the world is moving away from the old globalization model and toward strategic trade partnerships built around reliability, security, and access to critical materials. With alliances shifting, tensions between major powers rising, and questions around long-term stability growing, the episode highlights why gold continues to strengthen as confidence in traditional financial systems becomes harder to maintain.

As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, U.S. Money Reserve brings rare leadership perspective to these conversations. With two former Directors of the U.S. Mint on its leadership team and more than a million clients served, the company provides experienced guidance during periods of geopolitical stress and market disruption.

Listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 855-425-2963 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/Website/POD46P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve's Managing Director and Global Head of Research, to unpack the intensifying showdown between the Federal Reserve and the White House—and why it’s fueling gold’s momentum.

They examine the mounting scrutiny around Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, including testimony, subpoenas, and political pressure tied to Fed decision-making. The discussion covers why this kind of uncertainty matters beyond headlines, and how it can ripple through markets, influence interest rate expectations, and shape confidence in the financial system.

Diehl and Chastain also break down why the U.S. dollar can actually strengthen during turbulent periods, why that dynamic creates risks in global debt markets, and what a sharp move in currency direction can signal for market participants. This episode highlights why physical gold continues to attract demand as a hedge against instability, inflation concerns, and monetary uncertainty while markets react to shifting policy signals and questions of central bank independence.

As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, U.S. Money Reserve brings rare leadership perspective to these conversations. With two former Directors of the U.S. Mint on its leadership team and more than a million clients served, the company provides experienced guidance during periods of geopolitical stress and market disruption.

Listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 855-425-3061 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/Website/POD45P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Managing Director, Global Head of Research, to unpack the market shock triggered by escalating tensions in Venezuela.

They explain how unexpected U.S. military and geopolitical moves pushed gold up more than $100 per ounce in a matter of days, reinforcing gold’s long-standing role as a safe haven during periods of instability. The discussion explores why the Western Hemisphere has become a focal point for global power competition, how U.S. policy signals a modern revival of the Monroe Doctrine, and why China and Russia are being forced to reassess their influence in Latin America.

Diehl and Chastain also examine why oil markets reacted differently than gold, the structural limits of Venezuela’s energy sector, and how geopolitical risk feeds broader concerns around currencies, trade realignment, and global power shifts. As tensions extend beyond Venezuela to other potential flashpoints, the episode outlines why uncertainty continues to support demand for physical gold.

As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, U.S. Money Reserve brings rare leadership perspective to these conversations. With two former Directors of the U.S. Mint on its leadership team and more than a million clients served, the company provides experienced guidance during periods of geopolitical stress and market disruption.

Listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 855-486-9549 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/Website/POD44P

On this episode of America’s Gold Authority® Podcast, host Mike Barnes is joined by Philip N. Diehl, President of U.S. Money Reserve and former Director of the U.S. Mint, and Brad Chastain, U.S. Money Reserve’s Director of Education, to assess whether gold can sustain its strength following an extraordinary 2025.

The conversation explores why forecasting has become increasingly difficult in an era defined by rapid change, from aggressive trade policies and geopolitical tensions to accelerating advances in artificial intelligence. Diehl and Chastain explain how repeated interest rate cuts, rising global debt, and shifting alliances are reshaping the financial landscape, while central banks and governments adjust to a more fragmented global system.

They also examine why long-standing portfolio models are being reconsidered, as correlations between stocks and bonds rise and confidence in sovereign debt weakens. With deglobalization gaining momentum and economic signals sending mixed messages, the episode outlines why gold continues to stand apart as a neutral asset—one not tied to any single country’s liabilities or political decisions.

Looking ahead, the discussion offers perspective on what consumers may face in 2026, including labor market disruption, uneven economic outcomes, and continued uncertainty around monetary policy. Against that backdrop, Diehl and Chastain explain why many financial leaders are elevating the role of precious metals as part of long-term wealth protection strategies.

As one of the nation’s largest private distributors of government-issued gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products, U.S. Money Reserve brings rare leadership experience to these conversations. With two former Directors of the U.S. Mint on its leadership team and more than one million clients served, the company provides trusted insights into navigating evolving financial conditions.

Listen to America’s Gold Authority® Podcast and request your FREE Gold Ownership Guide by calling 855-494-0049 or visiting https://usmr.gold/USMoneyReserve/Website/POD43P