Market Volatility and Today’s Headlines | Ep. 279

Market Volatility and Today’s Headlines | Ep. 279 In this episode of Financially Speaking, Cole Bruner of Buska Retirement Solutions and co-host Tony Shore tackle a topic that’s been dominating headlines lately: market volatility. With geopolitical tensions, shifting trade policies, and ongoing economic uncertainty making daily news, many investors are wondering what it all means for their retirement plans. Cole explains why markets often react quickly—and sometimes overreact—to global events, and why volatility doesn’t necessarily mean danger for long-term investors. The conversation also explores how news cycles can amplify fear, why emotional investing can hurt long-term returns, and the importance of understanding the difference between market volatility and true financial risk. You’ll also learn about sequence of returns risk, why having the right withdrawal strategy matters during retirement, and how a balanced portfolio with both growth and safety components can help you stay on track even during uncertain market conditions. Most importantly, Cole emphasizes the value of having a written financial plan that prepares you for both good and challenging market environments—so you can make informed decisions instead of emotional ones. If recent market swings have you questioning your current strategy, the team at Buska Retirement Solutions offers complimentary, no-obligation second opinions to help you understand your risk level and determine whether your retirement plan is built to handle market volatility. Please note: The information in this video is accurate as of 03/17/2026. Please verify details, as they may have changed since the recording date. Learn more at https://retirewithbuska.com or call 715-355-4445 to schedule a complimentary consultation. Timestamps: 00:01 - Show introduction and episode overview 00:22 - Why markets feel headline-driven right now 01:08 - How to contact Buska Retirement Solutions 01:55 - Tony joins the show and light banter 03:00 - The 24-hour news cycle and investor anxiety 04:31 - Why AI growth is expanding beyond a few companies 05:18 - Why fear-driven headlines keep people watching 07:00 - What’s driving current market volatility 08:47 - How markets historically react to geopolitical events 09:51 - Why now is a good time to assess portfolio risk 11:25 - Why active portfolio management matters in volatile markets 12:43 - The difference between volatility and real investment risk 15:03 - Why withdrawals during downturns can create problems 16:15 - Preparing clients so they don’t panic during volatility 17:00 - Planning for down years during retirement 19:48 - Understanding sequence of returns risk 21:01 - How retirement income “buckets” work 21:42 - The Retirement Compass planning report 22:32 - A long-term perspective on market history 23:07 - The biggest mistake investors make during volatility 24:03 - How investors miss rebounds by going to cash 26:01 - Why timing the market hurts long-term returns 27:12 - Why getting a second opinion can help 28:03 - How to schedule a complimentary consultation 28:30 - Episode wrap-up