Episodes

  • December Jobs Miss Expectations Amid Slowdown Concerns

    December Jobs Miss Expectations Amid Slowdown Concerns
    Jan 20 2026
    # Podcast Episode Summary

    **U.S. Jobs Market Hits the Brakes: What December's Disappointing Numbers Mean for You**

    The latest jobs report reveals a stark economic slowdown, with only 50,000 jobs added in December—well below expectations and marking the weakest annual growth since the pandemic recovery. Host Morgan Riley breaks down the troubling trends: long-term unemployment climbing to 1.9 million, retail shedding 25,000 positions, and federal employment plummeting by 277,000 for the year.

    While unemployment edged down slightly to 4.4%, the details paint a more concerning picture. Wage growth of 3.8% is being crushed by inflation hovering around 6%, meaning workers are actually losing purchasing power. Healthcare and hospitality are the bright spots, but most industries are frozen in "wait-and-see" mode—implementing hiring freezes rather

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 mins
  • December Jobs Miss Signals Deeply Mixed Labor Market

    December Jobs Miss Signals Deeply Mixed Labor Market
    Jan 13 2026
    # Podcast Episode Summary

    **Is the Job Market Actually Recovering? What December's Disappointing Numbers Mean for 2026**

    The latest jobs report paints a troubling picture: just 50,000 new positions in December, capping off what experts call a "truly miserable year" with only 584,000 jobs added in 2025—the weakest growth since 2020. Even more concerning? 84% of those gains happened in the first four months, meaning job creation has essentially flatlined since May.

    But the story isn't entirely bleak. Unemployment sits at 4.4%, wages are running a full percentage point above pre-pandemic levels, and 8.3 million low-wage workers just got minimum wage increases. The challenge? Unprecedented uncertainty from tariff announcements has frozen corporate hiring decisions, hitting manufacturing particularly hard with 72,000 jobs lost.

    We break down the fundamentals

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    4 mins
  • Jobs Data: Resilience Amid Rate Cuts and Sector Shifts

    Jobs Data: Resilience Amid Rate Cuts and Sector Shifts
    Jan 6 2026
    # Jobs Report Update: What the Latest Numbers Tell Us

    In this episode, Morgan Riley breaks down the latest employment trends with the next major Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report scheduled for Friday, January 16 (8:30 AM ET), which will reveal December's figures. The previous report showed better-than-expected growth with 227,000 nonfarm payroll jobs added while unemployment held steady at 4.2%.

    Morgan examines how the current labor market compares to post-2008 recession recovery patterns, highlighting strong hiring in healthcare and leisure sectors contrasted with manufacturing declines. With Federal Reserve rate cuts in discussion, these indicators take on special significance. Wage growth has reached 4% annually, outpacing inflation and boosting consumer spending power.

    For additional employment insights, tune in for the November Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey data release on January 7 (10 AM), which will provide crucial vacancy

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 mins
  • Jobs Report Slowdown: Healthcare Leads While Markets Cool

    Jobs Report Slowdown: Healthcare Leads While Markets Cool
    Dec 30 2025
    # Jobs Report Indicates Cooling U.S. Labor Market as 2025 Ends

    In the latest episode, host Morgan Riley breaks down November's delayed jobs report, revealing a labor market that's cooling but not collapsing. The unemployment rate remains at 4.6% (the highest since 2017 outside pandemic times), while private employment added a modest 69,000 jobs. Healthcare and social assistance continue driving nearly all net job growth, with construction showing some strength in the nonresidential sector.

    Meanwhile, federal government positions declined amid the shutdown, with additional losses in transportation, manufacturing, and retail. Wage growth has stabilized around 3.9% year-over-year, easing inflation concerns. The current "low-hire, low-fire" environment suggests caution similar to post-2008 recovery patterns, with economists projecting mixed results heading into 2026.

    For professionals navigating this shifting landscape

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 mins
  • November Jobs: Healthcare Climbs as Unemployment Hits Four-Year High

    November Jobs: Healthcare Climbs as Unemployment Hits Four-Year High
    Dec 23 2025
    # Jobs Report Update: Mixed Signals in November's Labor Market

    In this episode, we break down November's surprisingly resilient but uneven jobs report. While the economy added 64,000 jobs (exceeding economists' 40,000 projection), the unemployment rate climbed to a four-year high of 4.6%. Healthcare emerged as the standout sector with 46,000 new positions, followed by construction adding 28,000 jobs primarily in specialty trades.

    Meanwhile, transportation, warehousing, and leisure sectors continued shedding positions. The good news? Real wages grew 0.8% year-over-year, outpacing inflation. The concerning trend? Total employment has stagnated since April, suggesting potential weakness beneath the headline numbers.

    We analyze what this bifurcated labor market means for different industries and workers as we approach 2026, highlighting opportunity pockets amid broader economic uncertainty.

    Ready

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    2 mins
  • Job Market Freeze: No Hiring, No Firing Phenomenon Explained

    Job Market Freeze: No Hiring, No Firing Phenomenon Explained
    Dec 16 2025
    # The Employment Landscape: Cooling But Not Collapsing

    In this thought-provoking episode, Morgan Riley delivers a nuanced analysis of America's current employment situation. Drawing from delayed government reports, Morgan reveals how the job market has shifted into a peculiar "no hire, no fire" holding pattern - with September adding just 119,000 jobs while unemployment remains at 4.4%.

    The recovery appears increasingly uneven, with healthcare continuing as the dominant growth sector while transportation and federal positions contract. Most telling is what Morgan calls the "frozen room" effect - businesses hesitant to both hire new staff and release existing employees, creating a labor market that's neither advancing nor retreating dramatically.

    Perhaps most intriguing is Fed Chair Powell's suggestion that official numbers may be overstating job growth by approximately 60,000 positions monthly, potentially meaning actual employment has remained flat or even declined slightly since spring. This disconnect helps explain why many

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 mins
  • Jobs Cooling, Not Crashing: America's Labor Market Reality Check

    Jobs Cooling, Not Crashing: America's Labor Market Reality Check
    Dec 9 2025
    # U.S. Labor Market: Cooling Without Crashing

    In this episode, Morgan Riley delivers a nuanced analysis of the U.S. employment landscape, revealing a labor market that's cooling but not collapsing. The September jobs report showed 119,000 nonfarm jobs added while unemployment edged up to 4.4%, with health care and food services growing while transportation and federal positions declined.

    The third quarter saw hiring slow dramatically to 62,000 jobs monthly—less than half the rate from a year prior. November's ADP report indicates further weakening with private employers cutting 32,000 jobs across manufacturing, professional services, and construction sectors. However, layoffs remain below typical recession levels, and job openings stay relatively high at 7.2 million.

    What emerges is a "low-hiring, low-firing" environment where health care continues driving growth while office and tech positions cool. For workers

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 mins
  • Job Growth Rises While Unemployment Climbs: America's Mixed Signals

    Job Growth Rises While Unemployment Climbs: America's Mixed Signals
    Dec 2 2025
    # Job Market Update: Growth Amidst Complexity

    This insightful employment update breaks down the latest job numbers showing an American economy at an interesting crossroads. With 119,000 new jobs in September (exceeding expectations), yet a slight uptick in unemployment to 4.4%, we're seeing a nuanced picture of labor market health. Healthcare, food service, and social assistance sectors show strength, while transportation and government positions decline. The analysis highlights concerning trends in job diffusion across industries, even as wage growth remains positive at 3.8%.

    Morgan Riley delivers a balanced perspective on this "selective strength" economy, where robust job creation exists in specific sectors while the overall foundation narrows. For job seekers, the focus remains on developing skills in growth areas like healthcare, green jobs, and technology.

    For more employment insights and market analysis, visit https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

    This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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    3 mins