Deals, Prices , Bubbles , and Anger: Is This the Strangest Economy Ever?

In this episode of 'Worth Knowing' with Matt Robison, joined by business expert Chris Hill, former host of 'Motley Fool Money' and current host of 'Money Unplugged', they dive into the peculiarities of the current economy. They discuss the potential AI bubble, the impact of Donald Trump's tariffs, and ponder the future of media with the Warner-Netflix-Paramount merger. Hill also shares his cautious optimism about the stock market and economy. Fast facts:

The unemployment rate is up to 4.6% historically fairly low but still a 4-year high, and job growth is fluctuating (Nov 2025 payrolls +64,000, Oct 2025 payrolls −105,000)

The inflation rate is much lower than 2021–2022 but price levels are still high. CPI was +3.0% YoY (Sep 2025), but what households experience at the grocery store and in rent still feels crushing.

Real wages are up, but not enough to “feel” like it. Real average hourly earnings were +0.8% YoY (Sep 2024 → Sep 2025), but that doesn’t cover the increase in actual prices.

Household savings are down from Pandemic highs. Typical households now hold relatively low emergency funds (e.g., ~$8,000 median), and only about 55% of adults have emergency savings to cover three months of expenses.

Stocks are strong (so wealthy households feel fine) but broader sentiment is weak (many households feel terrible). The University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey just hit it’s second-lowest level ever.

All of the growth in stocks and the real economy is concentrated in AI-adjacent businesses. We’re spending the equivalent of the entire 1960s moon shot every ten months.

THE BOTTOM LINE: from a high level the economy doesn’t look that bad. From the ground level, as an individual household, it sucks: people have less money to afford things that are still way more expensive than 5 years ago, job prospects are uncertain, and the only sector that’s really thriving primarily benefits a narrower, wealthier slice of America.

To sort out what’ going on, I hosted an old friend of mine, Chris Hill, the former host of Motley Fool Money and the current host of Money Unplugged. We covered questions like:

Are we in an AI bubble?

Why are people so unhappy?

Are we about to see even more price spikes?

If Trump’s tariffs are overturned, how messy will things get?

What about the mega media merger between Netflix OR Paramount and Warner?

02:14 Eight Points of Light: Good News Stories
14:09 Chris Hill Joins the Conversation
19:15 Gifts and Financial Anxiety
25:29 AI Bubble and Economic Lessons
35:53 Tariffs and Supreme Court Ruling
40:24 Supply Chain Disruptions and Economic Chaos
44:21 Media Mergers and the Future of Content
47:47 Streaming Services and Consumer Behavior
56:21 Economic Resilience and Optimism
58:52 Closing Remarks and Announcements