Podcast Summary:

Keeping It Real with Jillian Michaels

Episode: "2026 Economic Warnings & Predictions - Trish Regan"
Air Date: December 21, 2025
Guest: Trish Regan (Financial Journalist, Former CNBC and Fox Business Anchor)
Host: Jillian Michaels

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Jillian Michaels sits down with Trish Regan, renowned financial journalist and economic commentator, to demystify the complexities of the U.S. and global economy as we approach 2026. They break down economic data, the impact of government policy, shifting labor markets, inflation, energy, and international affairs. The conversation is candid, practical, and aimed at empowering listeners to understand and take charge of their own economic futures.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Demystifying Economic Jargon and the Jobs Report

(Start – 05:21)

• Jillian confesses economic topics have always intimidated her and asks Trish to break them down for everyday people.
• Trish emphasizes the importance of clear communication in financial reporting:

  "If you're talking about things in a language frankly that they don't understand... you're going to lose them. And this is almost like a foreign language for people." (Trish, 02:15)

• The recent jobs report is dissected:
  • Political divides: Democrats view it as negative due to job losses, Trump administration claims loss is only in government jobs while private sector growth is robust.
  • Trish's viewpoint:

    "You don't want to be growing jobs in government if you can grow them in the private sector... keep government on a short leash, don't give them all this money and let those jobs go to the private sector." (Trish, 05:21)

2. Labor Markets, Visas, and Workforce Education

(06:45 – 08:50)

• Discussion on labor shortages and why U.S. companies rely on H1B visas.
• Key issue: Not enough American graduates in engineering and tech—“alarming” math and science test scores.
• Trish advocates for better education policy:

  "Somehow, some way, we got to find a way to better educate our kids because we need the engineers. We need the tech people of the future." (Trish, 07:16)

3. AI and Its Impact on Employment

(08:50 – 12:45)

• Jillian highlights how AI has reduced the need for many creative and production roles in her businesses.
• Trish reassures that while AI replaces some jobs, it also creates unforeseen opportunities, comparing technological revolutions in history:

  "We were once an agricultural society... then came the Industrial Revolution. As a society, we keep moving forward." (Trish, 09:49)

• Importance of embracing innovation and investing in future sectors.

4. Interest Rates, the Fed, and Investment Advice

(12:45 – 16:22)

• Jillian asks why lower jobs numbers often lead to lower interest rates and why the regular consumer feels left out.
• Trish’s take on Federal Reserve action:

  "The Fed is always like late and they always do like too much too late and they never do it on top of things." (Trish, 14:56)

• Strong advice to listeners:

  "Even if it's like $5 a week, find $5. Like, put it in the market... If you're not investing in the market, then the world's kind of passing you by." (Trish, 13:29–14:56)

5. Who Benefits from Current Economic Policies?

(16:22 – 18:21)

• Do the wealthy benefit most from interest rates as they are?
  • Yes, if they have cash reserves, but inflation is a risk.
  • Key: When interest rates are low, companies invest, jobs are created, benefiting investors (often wealthy).

6. Energy Policy and Geopolitics: Venezuela & Oil

(18:53 – 26:45)

• Trump vs. Biden on energy:
  • Biden restricted U.S. drilling while sanctioning Russian oil, influencing global energy prices.
  • U.S. potentially reopening ties with Venezuela for oil, as other global players (Russia, China, Iran) build influence in Latin America.
• Trish underscores the security and economic stakes:

  "We need to have control over our hemisphere. We don't want our enemies three hours away." (Trish, 26:45)

• Transparency in foreign policy is vital for public trust.

7. Tariffs, Economic Leverage, and Latin America

(28:33 – 33:33)

• Jillian revisits tariffs: Are they effective?
  • Trish: Marginal economic effect, but powerful for diplomatic leverage.
  • Trump uses financial tools—tariffs, sanctions, credit deals—to shape international relationships, emphasizing economic muscle over military actions.

8. BRICS, Global Currency, and the Dollar’s Future

(33:36 – 37:09)

• Jillian asks if the dollar is under threat from the BRICS countries.
• Trish is unphased:

  "It's still—the dollar's still supreme... even if you're in bitcoin, even if you're in gold, in some way, shape or form, it's still coming back to dollars." (Trish, 33:58)

9. Inflation, Deflation, and Real Wages

(37:09 – 42:14)

• Do rising wages actually outpace inflation?
• Listeners’ frustration with higher prices in all sectors (travel, housing, food).
• Trish provides an economic primer on why prices won’t return to pre-pandemic levels:

  "If that happens, then you're looking at a scenario called deflation. And deflation is... the really, really, really ugly stepchild of inflation. You don't want deflation." (Trish, 40:13)

10. Housing, Generational Wealth Gap, and Political Shifts

(42:14 – 43:54)

• Home prices have soared, locking younger buyers out and deepening generational and class divides.
• Jillian relates her own experience with California real estate skyrocketing, empathizes with young buyers’ frustration and radicalization.

11. 2026 Economic Predictions & Practical Investment Tips

(43:54 – end)

• 2026 Outlook:
  • Moderate economic growth, no severe recession expected.
  • Ongoing rise in inequality; investing is more critical than ever.
• Best advice for lay investors:

  "Just buy the S&P 500 and be in it in some way, shape or form, because that's going to be the disparity." (Trish, 43:54) "You don't need a fancy fund manager picking your stocks... What should be your bread and butter... is the S&P and some bonds." (Trish, 46:59)

• Live within your means, cultivate contentment, and prioritize financial security to protect your health and well-being.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On explaining finance:

  "It can kind of be dry and boring. And I hope that it's exciting for people... this is your livelihood, this is your future. This is our country's future and it matters." (Trish, 02:15)

• On U.S. education and H1B visas:

  "We're not graduating enough [engineers]. So that needs to be fixed. And the H1B visa is kind of a band aid in the interim." (Trish, 07:16)

• On technological change:

  "There are jobs that you cannot even imagine that will come from AI and will increase productivity and GDP." (Trish, 09:49)

• On inflation vs. deflation:

  "Deflation is the really, really, really ugly stepchild of inflation. You don't want deflation." (Trish, 40:13)

• Actionable investing advice:

  "If you're not investing in the market, then the world's kind of passing you by..." (Trish, 13:29) "Just buy the S&P 500 and be in it in some way, shape or form." (Trish, 43:54)

Important Timestamps

• Jobs Report Explained: 03:42 – 06:45
• H1B Visas & Education: 06:45 – 08:50
• AI & Job Disruption: 08:50 – 12:45
• Why Interest Rates Move: 12:45 – 14:56
• Energy Policy & Venezuela: 18:53 – 26:45
• Tariffs & International Strategy: 28:33 – 33:33
• Dollar’s Global Status: 33:36 – 37:09
• Inflation/Deflation: 40:13 – 41:45
• Economic Predictions for 2026: 43:54 – 46:21
• Practical Investing Tips: 46:21 – 49:36

Final Takeaways

• Education, transparency, and critical thinking are essential for decoding economic rhetoric and policy.
• Invest, even modestly and early, to build financial security.
• Don’t expect prices to fall; rather, focus on adapting to changing economic realities.
• Geopolitics matters: Energy, international finance, and policy decisions have tangible effects on wallets and markets.
• Stay curious, stay proactive: Engage with credible sources and keep informed to navigate ongoing change.

Guest Resources:

• Trish Regan Show (Spotify, YouTube)
• 76Research.com for financial analysis and investment ideas

Host Final Note:
Jillian closes by tying financial health to overall wellness, emphasizing that better economic understanding empowers individuals to live healthier, less stressful lives.