2026-05-04 Charles Hugh Smith Economic Outlook 2026 | Debt, Demographics

Is the U.S. economy running into deeper structural headwinds? In this episode of the Retirement Lifestyle Advocates Radio podcast, host Dennis Tubbergen sits down with writer and economic analyst Charles Hugh Smith to discuss the growing risks facing the U.S. and global economy. They break down geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, the unpredictability of global trade, the mounting debt burden on the American consumer, and why demographic shifts may have a major impact on future growth. The conversation also explores how changing household formation and spending patterns could affect stocks, real estate, and other risk assets, along with the “reverse wealth effect” that can occur when falling asset prices reduce consumer spending. Charles Hugh Smith is the author of the oftwominds.com blog, #7 in CNBC's top alternative financial sites, and 18 books on our economy and society, including "A Radically Beneficial World: Automation, Technology and Creating Jobs for All," "Global Crisis, National Renewal: A (Revolutionary) Grand Strategy for the United States," "Burnout: Reckoning and Renewal" and "Self-Reliance in the 21st Century." His work is published on a number of popular financial websites including Zero Hedge, Financial Sense and Seeking Alpha and has been featured on numerous podcasts. To learn more about our guest, Charles Hugh Smith, visit OfTwoMinds.com or CharlesHughSmith.blogspot.com. To learn more about Retirement Lifestyle Advocates, please visit our website at www.RetirementLifestyleAdvocates.com.