Risks in 2026 and How to Protect your Portfolio

We share the difficult decision to pause the show after seven seasons, 270 episodes, and 850,000 downloads. We explain why we are stepping away, reflect on what the podcast has meant to us, and outline how listeners can continue to follow us and get our content through other channels. Subscribe to my Free Weekly Newsletter! Make sure to check out the complete show notes. YouTube: http://bit.ly/2Zs6r1r FB: http://bit.ly/2Z7Q5gF Blossom: @thedividendguy X: @TheDividendGuy

Fifteen years into dividend growth investing, Mike looks back on the lessons that shaped his strategy, his portfolio, and his mindset. This episode is a practical reflection on what actually matters over the long run: having a process, avoiding common traps, managing risk with intention, and focusing on business fundamentals instead of noise. From early investing mistakes to the evolution of the Dividend Triangle, this is a strong recap of the principles that helped him stay consistent and get ahead of his original plan. Subscribe to my Free Weekly Newsletter! Make sure to check out the complete show notes. YouTube: http://bit.ly/2Zs6r1r FB: http://bit.ly/2Z7Q5gF Blossom: @thedividendguy X: @TheDividendGuy

Beaten-down stocks can look like obvious bargains… right up until they turn into value traps.

Free cash flow is one of those metrics that can panic investors fast—especially when it trends down for several years. Using six well-known stocks (plus lessons from the recent TELUS episode), we show you how to read a declining free cash flow chart with context: when it's a temporary byproduct of heavy investment, and when it's a sign the business model is getting squeezed. Get the Updated Dividend Rock Star List! Make sure to check out the complete show notes. YouTube: http://bit.ly/2Zs6r1r FB: http://bit.ly/2Z7Q5gF Blossom: @thedividendguy X: @TheDividendGuy

This episode is a numbers- and strategy-focused deep dive into TELUS, right as earnings drop. Mike explains why TELUS used to be an attractive mix of a telecom cash cow plus "tech-like" growth segments—but why that story has become far less convincing as revenue stagnates, debt pressure remains high, and dividend growth has been paused. The core takeaway isn't "buy" or "sell." It's: build an investment thesis, define your rules, and track tangible metrics. If TELUS executes, the stock could follow an "Enbridge-style" recovery path. If the math doesn't improve, hope won't save the dividend—or your returns. Get the Updated Dividend Rock Star List! Make sure to check out the complete show notes. YouTube: http://bit.ly/2Zs6r1r FB: http://bit.ly/2Z7Q5gF Blossom: @thedividendguy X: @TheDividendGuy DividendStocksRock.com Retirement Loop