On episode 172 of The Compound and Friends, Michael Batnick and Downtown Josh Brown are joined by Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust Advisors to discuss his outlook on 2025, Recessions, Monetary Policy, Bitcoin, being an Eagle Scout and more! This episode is sponsored by iShares by BlackRock! To learn more, visit: https://www.ishares.com/bitcoin More from Brian: https://x.com/wesbury 00:00 - Cold Open 07:42 - Intro 09:10 - Brian and First Trust 11:36 - Why Brian is Bearish on 2025 24:47 - The Biggest Risk to the Market 28:40 - Employment and Government Spending 37:08 - Federal Budget Madness 44:24 - Money Supply and The Fed 01:06:46 - Bitcoin 01:10:05 - Modern Monetary Theory 01:20:35 - Being an Eagle Scout 👕 Check out The Compound shop: https://www.idontshop.com 🎙️ Listen to our podcasts: TCAF: https://podcasts.thecompoundnews.com/show/TCAF/ Animal Spirits: https://podcasts.thecompoundnews.com/show/animalspirits/ Ask The Compound: https://podcasts.thecompoundnews.com/show/ATC/ The Compound Newsletter: https://www.thecompoundnews.com/subscribe Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecompoundnews Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecompoundnews IBIT is the largest spot bitcoin ETP by AUM as of 11/30/24 and most traded spot bitcoin ETP by 20-day avg. trading volumes from 1/11/24-7/24/24. Source BlackRock and Bloomberg. This information must be accompanied by a current iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF prospectus, which may be obtained here: https://www.ishares.com/us/literature/prospectus/p-ishares-bitcoin-trust-12-31.pdf Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves a high degree of risk, including possible loss of principal. An investment in the Trust is not suitable for all investors, may be deemed speculative and is not intended as a complete investment program. The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and therefore is not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds or ETFs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This information should not be relied upon as research, investment advice, or a recommendation regarding any products, strategies, or any security in particular. This material is strictly for illustrative, educational, or informational purposes and is subject to change. Investing in digital assets involves significant risks due to their extreme price volatility and the potential for loss, theft, or compromise of private keys. iSHARES and BLACKROCK are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc., or its subsidiaries in the United States and elsewhere. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Josh Brown are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. ETFs invested in digital assets are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should consider carefully the risks included in the prospectus. The trading prices of many digital assets, including bitcoin, have experienced extreme volatility in recent periods and may continue to do so. Extreme volatility in the future, including further declines in the trading prices of bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the ETF shares and the shares could lose all or substantially all of their value. The Compound Media, Incorporated, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertisin.... Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ #thecompound #investing #stockmarket