BBT #09 | Iran Attacked Saudi Arabia, AI Is Replacing Your Job, and Your Portfolio Is on Fire

Trump gave Iran 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — or he'd obliterate their power plants. Iran fired missiles at Saudi Arabia's capital. Oil hit $112. And your portfolio just had its worst month since 2022.Malcolm and Thomas break down the four stories defining this week: the Iran war escalation hitting your gas prices and budget, the AI job paradox where the same companies building AI are firing people because of it, March Madness upsets that mirror career lessons nobody talks about, and why your portfolio might be in worse shape than the S&P headline suggests.⏱️  Timestamps:00:00 — Navigating Turbulent Times: Iran War, $112 Oil & Your Wallet on Fire13:11 — The Rise of AI and the Job Paradox: OpenAI's Super App, Meta's 20% Cuts & "AI-Washing"35:55 — OpenAI Expansion, AI Literacy & What Early-Career Professionals Need to Know44:41 — March Madness Upsets: No. 11 Texas, Dybantsa's One-and-Done & Business Lessons52:35 — Market Volatility: S&P Down 15%, Russell in Correction & Investment Strategy📊 Key stats from this episode:• Brent crude hit $112/barrel — up 50% since the war began Feb 28• Gas is $3.93 nationally, $5.53 in California — highest since Oct 2023• Trump's 48-hour Hormuz ultimatum expired Monday — Iran threatened permanent closure• Meta reportedly cutting 20% of workforce to fund $135B in AI — stock went UP 3% on the rumor• Sam Altman called tech layoffs "AI-washing" — companies using AI as cover for over-hiring cuts• 56,000+ tech workers laid off in 2026 so far — AI cited in 12,000+ US job cuts• No. 11 Texas beat No. 6 BYU and No. 3 Gonzaga back-to-back to reach the Sweet 16• S&P 500 down 15% from highs — 40% of S&P stocks are in individual bear markets• Russell 2000 officially in correction territory — zero rate cuts priced in for 2026—📦 Black Box Theory breaks down tech, investing, and corporate culture for early-career professionals. New episodes every week.🎧 Listen everywhere:SpotifyApple PodcastsAmazon MusiciHeartRadioDeezer📲 Follow us:InstagramTikTokYouTube📩 Partnerships & Inquiries: [email protected]⚠️ Disclaimer: We are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or legal experts. All content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always do your own research and consult qualified professionals before making financial decisions.#BlackBoxTheory #careeradvice #techcareers #earlycareerprofessional #podcast #investing #financialliteracy #unwrittenrules