Rich Dad Radio Show: "The Big Print Is Here… And It’s Killing the Middle Class"
Host: Robert Kiyosaki
Guest: Lawrence Lepard
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Podcast: Rich Dad Radio Show: In-Your-Face Advice on Investing, Personal Finance, & Starting a Business
1. Introduction and Guest Overview
In this compelling episode of the Rich Dad Radio Show, host Robert Kiyosaki welcomes Lawrence Lepard, the author of "The Big Print," a book that delves into the current state of the monetary system and its impact on the middle class. Kiyosaki expresses his enthusiasm for Lepard's work, highlighting its alignment with his own financial philosophies inspired by his studies, including Buckminster Fuller's "Grunch of Giants."
Notable Quote:
- Robert Kiyosaki [01:46]: "This book, the Grunch is your chapter one, huh? It's you nailed."
2. The Core Issue: Monetary Policy and Wealth Inequality
Lepard articulates his primary concern: society's adherence to the Keynesian monetary model has led to significant issues such as wealth inequality, inflation, and ongoing conflicts. He argues that despite technological advancements that facilitate communication and broadcasting, the underlying monetary system remains archaic, better suited to the 18th or 19th century, thus exacerbating financial disparities.
Notable Quotes:
- Lawrence Lepard [03:21]: "Society has gone down the wrong path by following the Keynesian monetary model."
- Robert Kiyosaki [08:44]: "We're still operating with a government and a monetary operating system that is better suited to the 18th century or the 19th century."
3. Historical Context and the "Big Print" Phenomenon
Lepard explains the concept of the "Big Print," referring to the massive increase in the money supply by central banks, notably during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. He details how these actions have led to unprecedented inflation rates, benefiting the wealthy while stifling the purchasing power of the middle and lower classes.
Notable Quotes:
- Lawrence Lepard [10:38]: "The nation's 220-some years old, and they grew the money supply by 40%."
- Robert Kiyosaki [12:39]: "This is a five-dollar bill. This is toilet paper as far as I'm concerned."
4. The Fourth Turning Theory and Societal Shifts
The discussion transitions to the Fourth Turning theory, which posits that every 80 to 100 years, society undergoes significant upheavals that reshape its fundamental structures. Lepard connects the current monetary policies to this theory, predicting substantial changes in the monetary system within the next decade to three decades, potentially leading to severe inflation or the collapse of fiat currencies.
Notable Quotes:
- Lawrence Lepard [34:13]: "Fourth turnings occur. That's how. And Strauss wrote a book by that title."
- Robert Kiyosaki [34:25]: "The Chinese were the first to print money. Then came the Germans and the Romans."
5. Solutions and Personal Investment Strategies
To counteract the detrimental effects of the current monetary system, Lepard emphasizes the importance of sound money and advocates for investments in assets like physical gold and Bitcoin. He criticizes traditional financial advisors for ignoring these assets due to conflicts of interest and highlights Bitcoin's fixed supply as a superior form of money that cannot be diluted.
Notable Quotes:
- Robert Kiyosaki [26:08]: "Why isn't everybody on Bitcoin? I mean, all you do is get 10th, whatever. Yeah, it's designed to make you rich."
- Lawrence Lepard [25:03]: "Bitcoin represents the future of money. My children and grandchildren will price things in satoshis."
Lepard also discusses the psychological aspects of investing, such as overcoming skepticism and maintaining conviction during market volatility. He underscores the potential for significant wealth accumulation by understanding and leveraging these financial tools.
Notable Quotes:
- Lawrence Lepard [32:29]: "Don't put more in it than you can afford. The volatility... you can live with a drawdown of 50%."
- Robert Kiyosaki [30:12]: "I should have bought more."
6. Conclusion and Call to Action
The episode concludes with a strong call to action, urging listeners to educate themselves by reading Lepard's "The Big Print" and other foundational texts like "The Bitcoin Standard" by Saifedean Ammous. Kiyosaki emphasizes the urgency of understanding the monetary system's flaws to protect personal wealth and advocate for systemic change.
Notable Quotes:
- Lawrence Lepard [37:17]: "Sound money is a moral issue, and it's written into our constitution."
- Robert Kiyosaki [38:06]: "Remember that wheelbarrow full of money led to Adolf Hitler."
Kiyosaki expresses a commitment to partnering with Lepard in spreading this crucial financial knowledge, highlighting the importance of collective awareness and action to avert potential civil unrest stemming from economic disparities.
Key Takeaways:
- "The Big Print" exposes how excessive money printing by central banks disproportionately harms the middle and lower classes by devaluing currency and escalating inflation.
- Historical patterns indicate that such monetary policies lead to societal upheavals, aligning with the Fourth Turning theory.
- Investing in sound assets like physical gold and Bitcoin can serve as a hedge against monetary devaluation and offer pathways to financial security.
- Education and awareness are paramount for individuals to navigate and mitigate the adverse effects of the current monetary system.
Additional Resources:
- Book Mentioned: Lepard, L. "The Big Print."
- Related Reading: Kiyosaki, R. "Rich Dad Poor Dad." | Ammous, S. "The Bitcoin Standard."
Disclaimer: The podcast episode includes promotional segments for products and services, such as Apple Card and Odoo. These sections have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core content and discussions relevant to financial education and investment strategies.
