Four years ago, Justice Scalia passed away suddenly while President Obama was in office. Republicans refused to allow a vote to come to the floor, saying that there had to be an election prior to a new Supreme Court nomination. Here’s the big question…If four years ago, you justified a different response to filling a Supreme Court vacancy, how is your opinion different for you this year? Chris speaks to multiple callers regarding their opinions. He also shares the results of a live poll on Chris’ social media page.

“Operation Warp Speed” is a program aimed at getting a COVID-19 vaccine to market before the end of the year. The question is… would you take it? Here is the issue. For the vaccine to be effective the goal is to reach herd immunity, meaning that most people must take it. However, reports have shown that 20% of Americans have flat out said that they would not take the vaccine, additionally, another 31% are unsure. Chris speaks to callers and together they discuss their thoughts regarding taking the vaccine and whether political affiliations have an impact on their opinions.

The presidential election is just nine weeks away. Now we expect that both sides, Republican and Democrat to release op-eds and research about both candidates. The big question is, what would it take at this point to change your mind on who you are voting for? Whether it’s literally voting for the other candidate or perhaps even staying home, what would it take to change your opinion regarding the upcoming election? Chris opens the discussion by taking on the recent article by The Atlantic. Do these types of articles have an impact on you? If we rewind back to 2016, President Trump said so many things that the media said would derail his chances in the election. What are the determining factors for you? NEXT, Chris discusses the role of Social Media for kids and teens during the pandemic. If kids need Social Media as a platform to connect with their peers, how do you balance keeping them safe, while respecting their desire for privacy?

A number of folks have reached out recently concerned about the impact the election could have on the stock market. The stock market is actually in record territory right now. Three months ago, no one expected this type of recovery. So the next question is, when might this change? The answer that most people are getting is that the election is going to be the big difference maker. Before the 2016 election, CNN money reported: “If Donald Trump wins, U.S. stocks will almost certainly tank.” They quoted one firm who predicted an 8% drop if Trump won, and the Brookings Institute projected a 10-15% drop. Of course, in 2016, the exact opposite happened. But the key lesson here isn’t that the market will go up or down based on who wins, it’s that we don’t win in the market by trying to predict it. So many people have come out with predictions from both the right and left. Chris shares his main concern with predictions, which is the choices we make when reacting to anxiety and fear. If we live in a cycle of fear, you are going to severely damage your portfolio long-term. Politicians are capitalizing on this like crazy right now. They are trying to push us into thinking, if the other side wins…it is going to catastrophic. It’s about managing your response to fear.

More and more of our clients fall into the sandwich generation… caring for a parent while also caring for kids. This can be very rewarding but also financially and emotionally stressful. Tara Stack joins Chris on the show and shares her story of caring for four kids and a mother with Alzheimer’s during the pandemic. Tara shares the progression of their family dynamic and the many transitions her and family remained resilient through. Together Chris and Tara discuss the increased pressures that Covid-19 brought on, as well as the financial impact of caring for a parent.

The president decided Congress was taking too long and released his own stimulus package via executive order, and neither side seem particularly happy about it. Republicans and Democrats have been arguing over this issue over the past two weeks regarding what do to when the current stimulus package ends. The President announced that he’d like to roll out a plan that includes $400 a week, but the Federal Government would only cover 75% of it ($100 would be paid by the States). NEXT, Chris dives into the other components of the proposed stimulus plan, which includes the deferral of payroll taxes. How does this work, and more importantly, how does this impact Social Security funds? ALSO, what assistance is available to renters and homeowners in the stimulus plan? Chris shares his thoughts and speak to callers about their outlook as well.

Close to 30 million Americans receive unemployment benefits, that’s about 18 billion dollars a week that funds the current unemployment program. Over the past few months Americans that qualify for unemployment have received an extra $600 in supplemental income. Should these additional benefits be continued? Unemployment aid accounts for 15% of our entire nation’s wages, which majorly impacts the economy as a whole. In fact, data suggests that unemployed Americans may be spending more than they did before the pandemic, while folks who maintained their jobs are spending less. This purchasing behavior can be attributed to a variety of reasons, one large factor being that those receiving the extra unemployment benefits are just now able to make a livable wage. So, where do we go from here? Chris speaks to multiple callers and hears their take. He discusses their thoughts regarding moving to an unemployment strategy that is balanced to fuel the economy, while still providing proper incentives for Americans to pursue employment.

Dr. Shannon Self-Brown, Department Chair and professor at Georgia State University, joins The Chris Burns Show to explain the hidden impact of Covid-19 felt by youth and our responsibility to help. Together they discuss the common ways that trauma can reveal itself in kids, and effective ways to encourage our children through this difficult time. If you do believe that you witness a child experiencing trauma or is in an unsafe environment, what do you do? Dr. Shannon Self-Brown talks through the appropriate steps to take action and what important items to consider. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed some resources for parents and families related to COVID-19: https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters/pandemic-resources.

If you have kids, they are probably anxious to get back to school. Kids miss their friends and may not have a full understanding of everything that has led to the shift of their learning environment. Depending on where you live, parents this week are faced with a major decision between in-person or digital learning for their children. While everyone is trying to determine how to proceed safely, this decision is largely impactful on both parties. While kids may be adjusting to the concepts behind learning virtually, parents may not have the appropriate support system to manage work and in-home learning. Chris shares how he sees the impact of virtual learning in his own kids and speak to other parents who share their outlook as well.

Chris and Meredith Burns share stories from their early days in their marriage, including their college years and the struggles they experienced when they moved into their parent’s basement. Together, they dive into the financial expectations they had and the realities of life they had to face. So, how does the Burns Family handle their finances? They discuss tactics like playing to their personal strengths, the importance of communication, and why it is key to revisit and restructure your budget when hard times transpire. NEXT, they talk about Emergency Funds. The Burns had a large unexpected expense this summer and had to dip into their emergency fund. They talk through the ebbs and flows of their fund, and the emotions tied to using and rebuilding their emergency fund.

There has been movement of people funneling into the day trading world - using apps, where you can buy and trade stocks. So where is this leading people? Chris takes on Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, and who has recently begun day trading and sharing his successes, which has become a trending topic. Dave has even claimed to be “beating Wallstreet like a drum” and is leading an army of “Joe Public” investors into day trading. What is scary with this approach, is that it can appeal to young people who may seemingly act with no regard for the long-term consequences. While Dave adds the appropriate caveats and disclaimers, this tactic can leave people in extremely dangerous territory. NEXT, Chris shares cautionary stories of day trading, and why good investing is boring and isn’t supposed to be sexy! LATER, “To mask, or not to mask?” Chris discusses the controversy over regulations regarding masks amidst a pandemic and the reality that we don’t have enough data to fully understand the protective measures in place against COVID-19 quite yet.

Social and financial unrest is impacting everyone, especially the most vulnerable. Andy Cook, CEO of Promise 686, joined The Chris Burns show on WSB to discuss what’s happening to foster children during this time and how you can make a difference. Our favorite quote from this Father’s Day interview was when Andy said “If a rising tide lifts all boats, what happens in a falling tide?”. Andy’s point was that difficult social and economic times disproportionately impact the most vulnerable. This is where Any and his team make a difference. Promise 686 specializes in partnering with churches across the United States to create safe foster home environments. Since its inception, Promise 686 has engaged 201 new foster homes. Learn more about Andy and Promise686 here: https://promise686.org/

Expect the unexpected. How can what’s been going on recently in our nation, effectively help shape our future decisions? We entered this week with optimism. The stock market made a record run, economic numbers showed that people were slowly getting back to work, the curve for the pandemic seemed to have flattened. But then, a cascade of events changed the momentum. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve said, it could be some YEARS before people get back to their jobs. Additionally, experts on the pandemic advise that it may be a year before things get back to “normal”. In Atlanta specifically, there are increased racial tensions with protests continuing throughout the week. No matter what your opinion is on the events taking place, the market and more importantly our lives, are greatly impacted by this. Is your plan effective when the unexpected happens? Chris wraps up the show with a lightning round and answers questions from dynamicmoney.com

There is no doubt that the way you handle your finances have been impacted by the events within the last few months. Americans have experienced the onset of a pandemic, a fluctuating economy, and racial tensions rising throughout the nation. We are quickly approaching a catalyst for change. NEXT, Chris shares strategic financial “danger signs” to watch out for and how they may get you into trouble overtime. Common financial reactions to beware of: 1. The overly conservative response 2. Bearing an unhealthy amount of risk to “catch-up” 3. The “if only” opportunist mindset Bonus: Chris ends the show with a prediction!

The Chris Burns Show has always been about more than just money. With the onset of COVID-19, the pending economic recession, and increased racial tensions across the country, we'd like to have a round table discussion about the issues impacting Americans today. Joining Chris are key leaders in the community like Jeffery Cleveland, Pamela Stringfield, and Pastor Leonce Crump Jr. Their discussion ranges from the foundational issues plaguing America, to practical ways to take action. Chris Burns also hears from callers who share their viewpoints and personal experiences.

Should we be offended that American billionaires are up $434 Billion dollars since the start of the pandemic? Why are large companies like Amazon, getting wealthier during the pandemic and should we be alarmed by this? Chris discusses perspectives on capitalism and taxes, and how consumer behaviors impact the ultra-rich. He also explores the "brand" of capitalism is going to emerge from the pandemic, and why business opportunities, the concept of supply versus demand, and competition are essential to keeping the American economy great. NEXT, Chris addresses the big question “What’s more important: saving lives amidst Covid-19 or allowing the economy to bounce back?” The answer is always messy, but it’s not always one option versus the other.

How is the pandemic impacting the real estate market? Are home values going up or down right now? There is a storm brewing in the real estate world. Chris discusses how to approach your housing situation and walks through various scenarios, ranging from renters rights, to federally backed and non-federally backed mortgages. LATER, many people are seeing home values go up, even as we enter a recession. This is not normal. Chris shares key components affecting the real estate market today and how to approach housing during an economic downturn. THEN Chris answers questions from callers who are considering selling their homes and discusses important considerations.

One of the top hashtags trending on Twitter this week is #worry. With April job numbers showing about 15% unemployment, fear and anxiety are at an all-time high. Many are looking for a source to blame, should we point the finger at capitalism, politics, the system? Chris shares stories of relentless resilience from business clients, friends, and his community. Chris also shares the best advice he’s ever received from a mentor, which is to “Give yourself time to be angry, but don’t STAY THERE”. If you reside in a place of anger, you won’t find your way out. If you are in a place of frustration, the way out is to remember what you CAN control and most importantly, to cultivate resilience within yourself.

The market has come back up, after plunging 34% in March. How does this line up with the reality of the economy right now? Anytime you see market data, that is just one aspect of the full picture. In actuality, we don’t have the economic data yet that tells us where are going as a country and where we are at globally. Chris addresses two big questions: 1. Where is this all going? 2. What Should I do now? THEN Chris discusses an interesting trend regarding credit card spending limits. Many people are relying on their credit cards as a safety net, however we are also discovering that limits are being drastically cut. Relying on credit lines as emergency funds can be deeply problematic. Credit unfortunately can be like a game, but here are a few tips to best play along. Like what you heard? Leave us a review. #LikeAndSubscribe

Stimulus package number two is on its way. However, when legislation gets pushed though quickly, there can be a lot of mistakes and exploitations. Small businesses have felt the pinch of this the most. It takes an unbelievable amount of courage to make difficult business decisions like determining when to open and more importantly, when to close for the safety of your employees. What is the role of banks in the equation? When you need your bank to be your advocate, it has been found that local banks and credit unions, have been the biggest support system for individuals and small businesses. The key right now for funding is being able to find a bank that not only takes your information, but advocates for you. Like what you heard? Leave us a review. #LikeAndSubscribe