The Zach Foust Show – Details, episodes & analysis

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ZFS Ep #25

Freddie Smith joins me on ZFS 24 to pull back the curtain on what life really costs in America right now. We walk through the data on wages, rent, mortgage payments, child care, used cars, utilities, and why a “starter home” now requires starter-CEO money. If you’re under 35 and feel like you have to be extraordinary just to live an ordinary life, this one’s for you.

We break down how interest rates and the bond market feed straight into monthly payments, why builders keep chasing profits over price cuts, and why first-time buyers are boxed out even when they “do everything right.” We get real about mental health, hopelessness, and why cutting Netflix will not fix a math problem driven by housing, healthcare, and debt.

Then we talk solutions. From rethinking zoning and permitting to investor fees that fund first-time buyers, to smarter multi-family and fractional ownership, we explore what could actually move the needle. We also cover the labor market reality behind headline unemployment, why 500 qualified applicants fight for one underpaid job, and how to navigate the next decade by owning scarce assets and staying financially mobile.

Topics we cover:

Housing affordability vs wages, and why costs exploded in the last five years

Rates, bonds, and why your annual mortgage interest doubled

Renting vs buying in 2025 and the case for “renter + investor”

Mental health, “deaths of despair,” and the pressure to run harder just to stand still

Practical policy ideas that help first-time buyers without killing small landlords

What builders actually respond to, and why supply keeps missing the mark

How to position yourself: savings, debt strategy, and owning scarce assets

If you care about the American Dream and what it takes to build a life right now, hit play, take notes, and share this with a friend who needs a clear, no-spin breakdown.

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ZFS Ep #23

Our economy is cracking, and the headlines don’t even cover half of it. I sat down with Robert from @Infranomics to break down what’s really happening with inflation, debt, housing affordability, and the Fed’s next moves. We talk about why families are struggling, what the numbers actually show, and how the cracks in the system are starting to widen.

If you’ve been wondering about the future of the US economy, whether a recession is coming, or what rising rates and consumer debt mean for everyday Americans, this conversation is for you. No hype. No political spin. Just raw, data-driven truth.

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ZFS Ep #14

All sources used in today's show:

https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/people/n_7912/

https://cbs12.com/news/local/judge-releases-2006-pbc-grand-jury-documents-in-jeffrey-epstein-criminal-case-sex-trafficking-and-rape-allegations-palm-beach-county-south-florida-news-july-1-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maison_de_L%27Amitie?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/31/us/politics/virginia-giuffre-family-trump-epstein.html

https://youtu.be/UbbCHkjvU-o?si=7eZxs161vfWb9Jv8

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMGfvhqpPBT/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMOrTi_Ajrp/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DMavQzkuZHe/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DL7qU_XPC1B/

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Document to follow along = Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

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ZFS Ep #13

Home prices are crazy high right now, and the drama between Donald Trump and Jerome Powell over interest rates is heating up. Trump wants lower rates, but does the Fed really have the power to make that happen? We're diving into how the bond market, inflation, and the Fed’s decisions are impacting mortgage rates, and why a quick fix could make things worse. Let's break it all down in this episode so you’re not left wondering what’s really going on.

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Document to follow along = Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

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ZFS Ep #12

Home prices are at an all-time high, but sales are at an all-time low. Let's dive into why that’s happening and what it’ll take for the market to shift. Could it take a major financial crash like 2008, or is there a different path? Let's also explore how corporate investors are impacting affordability and whether new solutions can help get homes into the hands of first-time buyers. The struggle’s real, and we’re here to break it all down.

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Document to follow along = Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

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ZFS Ep #11 | Reacting to the Week (Jerome Powell, Housing Market, & Trump DRAMA)

We’re diving into the ongoing drama between Donald Trump and Jerome Powell, looking at the fiery exchange and what it means for the economy. Trump is threatening to fire Powell, and we’re breaking down the fallout from that—along with the $2.5 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters. Is this all about Powell’s interest rate policies, or is there something deeper at play here? Stick with us as we react to the latest in the housing market, mortgage rates, and the future of our economy. 

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Document to follow along = Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

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ZFS Ep #10

It’s been 178 days since Trump took office, and his promises to slash rates, cut regulatory costs, and make housing more affordable are still in play. Today, we’re diving into the numbers—home prices, mortgage costs, bills in Congress, and whether a housing crash is on the horizon. With a healthier market than we saw in January, we’ll break down what’s actually happening and whether we’re closer to affordable homes or facing more uncertainty. Stay tuned as we review housing affordability and the potential for a shift in the market.

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Document to follow along = Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

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Jerome Powell’s got an impossible decision to make. Should he lower rates or hold steady? Donald Trump’s pushing for cuts, but Powell’s sticking to his guns—for now. With high rates and a tough housing market, what’s next? Will prices drop enough to make homes more affordable, or are we stuck in a never-ending cycle of uncertainty? Let’s break it down and figure out what this all means for you and your financial future.

ZFS Ep #9

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

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ZFS Ep #8

The Epstein cover-up is happening right in front of our eyes.

We are being instructed to follow the misspoken and nervous words of Pam Bondi; the seemingly defensive words (and hands) of Donald Trump; and to accept that Mrs. Maxwell is not really behind bars for orchestrating an organized s** ring. No, instead it was only Epstein, the CCTV footage of him is legit and Alexander Acosta has no clue what he is talking about, when referencing the sweetheart slap on the wrist he gave Epstein in 2008, " it's above your pay grade" "he is part of intelligence". 

When is enough enough?  

ep 8 Zach Foust show

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing

Send us a text

 ZFS Ep #7

We’re at a crossroads in the economy, and there’s drama brewing between Jerome Powell and Donald Trump. This time, the stakes are even higher. We're looking at a future where the age of easy money could be back, and while that sounds good on the surface, it comes with serious consequences. Home prices may rise, the wealth gap will widen, and inflation could get worse. But what does this all mean for your next five years? I’ve got some uncomfortable predictions to share, and I'll break down what’s really going on behind the scenes and how you can prepare for what’s coming. If you're waiting for home prices to crash, you might be waiting for the wrong thing. The truth? Lower rates are coming—but they're not going to make things easier for everyone. Here’s what to expect in the next few years, and how you can position yourself now. 

We break down housing, growing wealth gaps, and the economy in a simple, meaningful way.

Clear, honest, and structured for real people.

Tracker document
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VNPGRB5ZcrxxIk_27Mmbe10nxc5wyCuHJPpD4ZGSvEU/edit?usp=sharing