

Facts vs Feelings with Ryan Detrick & Sonu Varghese
Carson Investment Research
This podcast takes a deep dive into the market-moving events to cut through the noise and help you identify what really matters. Facts vs Feelings is hosted by Chief Market Strategist, Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist, Sonu Varghese, and is a product of the Carson Investment Research Team.The information included herein is for informational purposes and is intended for use by advisors only, and should not be copied, reproduced, or re-distributed without the consent of CWM, LLC. Carson Partners offers investment advisory services through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Carson Coaching and CWM, LLC are separate but affiliated companies and wholly-owned subsidiaries of Carson Group Holdings, LLC. Carson Coaching does not provide advisory services.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 15, 2025 • 51min
Oops…the China Trade War Is Back (Ep. 157)
Summary: In this episode, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, dive into the renewed tensions between the U.S. and China—what they’re calling “Trade War 3.0.” They break down the latest round of tariffs, China’s restrictions on rare earth exports, and what this means for markets, global trade, and investors. The conversation also touches on October’s trademark market volatility, the three-year anniversary of the current bull market, and Carson Group’s exciting milestone of surpassing $50 billion in assets under management. To wrap up, Ryan and Sonu discuss how AI investments are shaping economic growth and why diversification remains key as the market rides this wave of innovation.Key Takeaways:Trade War 3.0: The China trade war is back, with new tariffs and export restrictions creating fresh market uncertainty.Not a Shock: October remains the most volatile month for markets—current swings are historically typical.The Bull’s Birthday: The three-year bull market continues to show resilience and momentum heading into year four.Massive Impact: AI-related investment is a key driver of GDP growth, fueling spending, innovation, and market optimism.Connect with Ryan: • LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick • X: @RyanDetrickConnect with Sonu: • LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese • X: @SonuVargheseQuestions about the show? We’d love to hear from you — factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.com#FactsVsFeelings #CarsonGroup #Investing #MarketOutlook #ChinaTradeWar #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #EconomicTrends #RareEarths #AIMarkets #NVIDIA #OpenAI #StockMarket #FinancialPlanning #MarketInsights

Oct 8, 2025 • 47min
Shutdown…But Not Out (Ep. 156)
In this episode, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, tackle the market implications of the ongoing government shutdown, the surge in gold prices, and what investors should expect from the Fed. They also dig into the booming AI investment cycle, shifting momentum across market caps, and why the labor market remains resilient even as hiring slows.Key TakeawaysGold Shines Bright: Gold has remained on the rise, nearing $4,000 an ounce as central banks buy aggressively and inflation concerns persist.Shutdown, Not Slowdown: Despite Washington gridlock, the S&P 500 keeps hitting record highs. Historically, markets shrug off shutdowns and focus on Fed policy instead.Rate Cuts Coming: Fed futures signal multiple cuts starting this fall. Weak hiring but low layoffs point to a cooling, not collapsing, economy.AI Spending Surge: OpenAI, NVIDIA, AMD, and others are driving a wave of capital investment, with AI-related spending now accounting for roughly 6% of U.S. GDP.Market Momentum Builds: Strong seasonality, easing rates, and improving earnings expectations set the stage for a solid Q4, even as mid-caps lag under tariff pressure.Connect with Ryan: • LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick • X: @RyanDetrickConnect with Sonu: • LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese • X: @SonuVargheseQuestions about the show? We’d love to hear from you — factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.com#FactsVsFeelings #CarsonGroup #Gold #FederalReserve #AI #GovernmentShutdown #Investing #StockMarket #WealthManagement #EconomicOutlook #MarketInsights

Oct 1, 2025 • 48min
Talking Gold, Crypto, and More With Jan van Eck (Ep. 155)
In this special episode of Facts vs. Feelings, recorded live at Excell 2025 in Phoenix, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, sit down with Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, to discuss gold, crypto, ETFs, and the future of investing. From the history of the first U.S. gold fund to today’s innovations in blockchain, stablecoins, and nuclear energy, Jan shares unique insights into how markets are evolving.Key TakeawaysGold & Bitcoin: Gold remains a global safe haven, while Bitcoin is increasingly seen as “digital gold,” according to Jan.Stablecoins: Potentially revolutionary for payments, creating new competition between banks and tech companies.Macro Trends: The rise of India could reshape global markets, while China’s equity returns remain lackluster.Energy & AI: Nuclear energy is regaining bipartisan support as demand for power surges, particularly from AI growth.Connect with Ryan:• LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick• X: @ryandetrickConnect with Sonu:• LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese• X: @sonusvargheseConnect with Jan van Eck:• LinkedIn: Jan van Eck• X: @JanvanEck3 Questions about the show? We’d love to hear from you! factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.com Disclosure: Jan van Eck is not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Opinions expressed by our guests may not be representative of CWM, LLC.#FactsVsFeelings #CarsonGroup #Gold #Bitcoin #Crypto #ETFs #Stablecoins #Investing #WealthManagement #MarketInsights

Sep 24, 2025 • 52min
No, This Isn’t 1929 (Ep. 154)
In the latest episode of Facts vs Feelings, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, tackle the growing comparisons between today’s market and the 1929 crash. They cut through the noise on gold sentiment, small-cap strength, earnings growth, Fed policy, and consumer resilience—all in under 52 minutes.Key Takeaways1929 comparisons: Why we believe today’s bull market is not a replay of the Great Depression.Gold sentiment: The metal has been a strong diversifier for portfolios so far this year.Small caps: They’re breaking out after nearly four years without new highs.Earnings reporting: The hosts debate quarterly vs. semiannual disclosures after President Trump floated the idea last week.The Fed: What the recent rate cut mean, labor market concerns, and why equities rallied.Connect with Ryan:• LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick• X: @ryandetrickConnect with Sonu:• LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese• X: @sonusvargheseQuestions about the show? We’d love to hear from you! factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.com#FactsVsFeelings #StockMarket #BullMarket #Gold #SmallCaps #Fed #RetailSales #InvestingPodcast #MarketUpdate

Sep 17, 2025 • 41min
Live From Excell With Dr. David Kelly (Ep. 153)
In the latest episode of Facts vs Feelings, recorded live at Excell 2025 in Phoenix, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, are joined by Dr. David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. From jobs data revisions and labor supply challenges to the Fed’s upcoming rate decisions, productivity, AI, and the outlook for portfolios, this episode is packed with insights advisors and investors can use right now.Key TakeawaysJobs revisions: Recent downward adjustments highlight slowing payroll growth.Labor market: Supply shortages are keeping unemployment low despite weak hiring.Productivity: AI may boost output, but inequality risks remain.Fed policy: There’s a debate on whether cuts would stimulate the economy or actually drag it down.Tax refunds: 2025 policy changes could deliver a stimulus-like boost.Global opportunities: International equities could benefit from a weaker dollar.Connect with Ryan:• LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick• X: @ryandetrickConnect with Sonu:• LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese• X: @sonusvargheseConnect with Dr. David Kelly:• Website: Dr. David Kelly• LinkedIn: Dr. David KellyQuestions about the show? We’d love to hear from you! factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.comDisclosure: Dr. David Kelly is not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Opinions expressed by our guests may not be representative of CWM, LLC.#FactsVsFeelings #CarsonGroup #DavidKelly #MarketOutlook #FedPolicy #InvestingPodcast #ExcelConference #Economy2025

Sep 10, 2025 • 45min
Live From Excell With Strider Elass and Sam Rines (Ep. 152)
In the latest episode of Facts vs Feelings, recorded live at Excell 2025 in Phoenix, hosts Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, are joined by Strider Elass of First Trust and Samuel Rines of WisdomTree for a timely discussion on the labor market, inflation trends, tariffs, and what investors should watch heading into late 2025. The conversation covers job growth concentration in a few sectors, revisions in employment data, underlying inflation measures, and how tariffs may reshape growth, manufacturing, and markets.Key TakeawaysAfter the latest jobs report, unemployment sits at 4.3%, with weakness concentrated outside health, education, and government.Real-time shelter metrics suggest underlying inflation is lower than official reports.Effective tariff rates could rise further, pressuring companies and growth.Growth could see a potential reacceleration in late 2025, but risk remains of structural slowdown.Health care services have been driving job creation, while manufacturing faces losses.Connect with Ryan:• LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick• X: @ryandetrickConnect with Sonu:• LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese• X: @sonusvargheseConnect with Strider Elass:• LinkedIn: Strider Elass• X: @StriderElassConnect with Samuel Rines:• LinkedIn: Samuel Rines• X: @SamuelRinesQuestions about the show? We’d love to hear from you! factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.comStrider Elass and Samuel Rines are not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Opinions expressed by our guests may not be representative of CWM, LLC.#FactsVsFeelings #CarsonGroup #MarketOutlook #JobsReport #Inflation #Tariffs #Economy2025 #InvestingPodcast

15 snips
Sep 3, 2025 • 51min
September Blues (Ep. 151)
Ryan Detrick and Sonu Varghese tackle September's market challenges, analyzing Fed Chair Jerome Powell's dovish comments and their impact on small-cap stocks. They explore the balancing act of jobs and inflation, along with the implications of a steepening yield curve. The duo discusses gold's rising prices as a hedge against inflation and the potential for consumer spending due to falling rates. Despite the seasonal volatility, they maintain a bullish long-term outlook and hint at exciting upcoming guests and live events.

11 snips
Aug 27, 2025 • 59min
Cliff Asness Returns (Ep. 150)
Cliff Asness, co-founder of AQR Capital Management and a luminary in quantitative investing, reappears to share his insights on today’s market dynamics. He discusses the notion of market bubbles and why they might not be as dire as feared. Cliff dives into the rise of social media grifts and the speculative nature of crypto investments. He reflects on unexpected economic anomalies and the efficacy of buffered ETFs. The conversation takes a personal turn with humorous parenting stories and pop culture references, making for a captivating listen.

Aug 20, 2025 • 53min
The Fed Has an Inflation Problem (Ep. 149)
The hosts dive into a playful analysis of pop culture, specifically how a new Taylor Swift album influences the economy. They explore the complexities of inflation trends, from cooling payrolls to rising dining costs, underscoring that the market isn't as shaky as it seems. They discuss the impending rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and scrutinize consumer demand in bustling cities. The conversation highlights resilient corporate earnings and the intricate dynamics at play in today’s economic landscape.

Aug 13, 2025 • 57min
Talking Charts with J.C. Parets (Ep. 148)
In the latest episode of Facts vs Feelings, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, sit down with veteran market technician JC Parets, founder of TrendLabs, for a fast-moving discussion on technical analysis, market sentiment, gold, global equities, crypto, and the discipline of changing your mind when the charts say so. Packed with insights, laughs, and a few baseball stories, this episode cuts through the noise and focuses on what really matters for investors right now.Key TakeawaysFlows over fundamentals — Why positioning matters more than headlines.Global bull market — Confirmation from Europe, Asia, and Latin AmericaGold breakout — Record highs in every major currencyCrypto rotation — Ethereum strength vs. Bitcoin and growing institutional accessU.S. dollar — Rejection at key levels and implications for risk assetsRisk management mindset — Moving quickly when trades don’t workBusiness lessons — Building teams, staying liquid, and taking it one day at a timeConnect with Ryan:• LinkedIn: Ryan Detrick• X: @ryandetrickConnect with Sonu:• LinkedIn: Sonu Varghese• X: @sonusvargheseConnect with J.C.:• Website: All Star Charts • LinkedIn: J.C. Parets• X: @JC_ParetsX Questions about the show? We’d love to hear from you! factsvsfeelings@carsongroup.comJ.C. Parets is not affiliated with CWM, LLC. Statements and opinions made by our guests are for general information only and may not be a reflection of CWM, LLC. #FactsVsFeelings #StockMarket #TechnicalAnalysis #Gold #Crypto #MarketSentiment #GlobalMarkets #InvestingPodcast #TrendFollowing #FinancialAdvisors


