Rich Dad Radio Show: "Why Energy Investments Are Powering the Next Wave of Wealth"

Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Robert Kiyosaki
Guests: Michael Maselli (REI Energy), Tom Wheelwright (CPA, Author of "Tax-Free Wealth")

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Robert Kiyosaki explores the shifting landscape of global energy, its connection to wealth-building, and the unique tax incentives tied to oil and gas investments. Joined by long-time oil investor and operator Michael Maselli, and tax expert Tom Wheelwright, the conversation spirals across geopolitics, recent world events (including a fictionalized account of Trump’s military action in Venezuela), investment strategies, and advice for escaping the financial "rat race."

Kiyosaki and guests break down how energy assets can empower investors (often accredited only) to maximize returns and minimize taxes, all while navigating the changing global order of resources and currency. The episode’s tone is frank, sometimes irreverent, rich in practical wisdom, and peppered with the brand’s signature humor and "in-your-face" advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Geopolitical Shifts and the Role of Oil

[01:01–07:01]

• Kiyosaki Remarks on Recent Events: Opens with a provocative take on "my friend Donald Trump" bombing Venezuela, triggering global ripples, and linking this to the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
• Backdrop: Describes how U.S. foreign policy has always been intertwined with energy. Reminds listeners that in 1974, the U.S. established the "petrodollar," making oil trade a pillar of global dollar dominance, which Saudi Arabia has recently distanced from.
• Venezuela’s Significance: Michael Maselli notes Venezuela’s vast heavy crude reserves and their importance to Gulf Coast refineries (“most of our refineries…built to handle Venezuelan crude”) [11:33].
• China and Global Competition: Both Kiyosaki and Maselli discuss how China’s purchases of Venezuelan oil and the influx of drugs are seen as threats to U.S. interests, with American intervention in Venezuela partly about stopping “bad actors.”

  “All the bad actors that want to see America fail…were using Venezuela as a staging point.” — Michael Maselli [07:01]

2. Tax Advantages of Oil & Gas Investments

[08:13–10:21, 17:26–20:33, 29:10–30:17]

• Immediate Tax Deductions:

  “Every dollar you invest with Mike, you’re going to get about an 80% to 90% deduction in the very first year…Intangible drilling cost deduction plus bonus depreciation.” — Tom Wheelwright [08:13]

• On-going Benefits: Only 85% of the income from oil wells is taxable—the rest is shielded via depletion allowance [08:13, 29:10].
• Comparison to Other Investments: Returns from oil investments (outside 401ks/IRAs) offer far greater tax advantages than dividends from standard stocks or most real estate investments.
• Risk & Offset: Losses from unsuccessful drilling ("dry wells") are fully deductible, further cushioning downside [13:53].
• Caveat: Investing through retirement accounts negates these benefits—a recurring warning.

  “If you have a 401k…you lose all the tax benefits if you invest with Mike through your 401k.” — Tom Wheelwright [13:23]

• Tax Avoidance vs. Evasion: Stresses that utilizing legal incentives is not only legal but expected and “encouraged” by the government for investors [10:17].

3. Who Can Play? Accredited Investor Status and Minimums

[21:40–24:29]

• Fast Track vs. Rat Race: Kiyosaki references his “CASHFLOW” board game analogy: to invest with Michael Maselli, you must be an accredited investor (“the fast track”).
• Accredited Investor Definition:

  “Make $200,000 a year…or combined household of $300,000, or … one million dollars net worth outside of your home.” — Tom Wheelwright [22:02]

• Investment Minimums: Maselli’s REI Energy minimum is $25,000; “typical” investment runs $100,000 or more [24:07–24:18].

4. Advice for Escaping the “Rat Race”

[24:58–25:54]

• Start a Business: Tom Wheelwright strongly advises entrepreneurship for better tax planning and easier access to high-yield, tax-advantaged investments.
• Education Warning: The hosts lament that conventional paths (college, 401k) trap people in high-tax, low-leverage strategies.

  “So, the rich get richer and the poor and middle class got to buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs. So it’s not fair necessarily. But it’s also not fair to be poor.” — Robert Kiyosaki [24:29]

• Inclusivity Warning: If you’re not an accredited investor, “you’re out.” [22:36]

5. Risks and Diversification in Energy Investing

[26:01–27:37]

• Maselli’s Caution: Oil/gas is inherently risky—only invest what you can afford to lose.
• AI and Increased Energy Demand: The rise of AI and data centers is dramatically boosting electricity (and thus energy) demand. Maselli sees future in natural gas (60% of his current production) and envisions eventual growth in small nuclear reactors.
• Transitioning Energy Mix:

  “Right now wind and solar…don’t account for a large amount of the energy…just because of the cost. I think…you’re going to see a lot more small nuclear reactors, more nuclear energy…” — Michael Maselli [26:38]

• Natural Gas Boom: The U.S. has vast reserves; the bottleneck is moving gas to market due to limited pipelines [28:17].

6. Generational Wealth, Cash Flow, and Longevity of Oil Investments

[30:08–32:36]

• Long-Term Returns:

  “The thing I love about it is money I gave Michael 25, 30 years ago—I’m still being paid on it.” — Robert Kiyosaki [32:36]

• Depletion Allowance Keeps Reducing Taxes: Tax advantages are long-lived if reinvestment continues [30:08].
• Horizontal Well Technology: Modern oil extraction means higher reliability and payout, compared with past generational drilling [31:46–32:36].

7. Government Incentives and the Future of Energy

[32:46–33:27]

• Consistent Government Incentives:

  “The government’s always going to incentivize energy…we need energy to run the economy. With AI coming on, we’re going to need…more and more energy…” — Tom Wheelwright [32:46]

• Fossil Fuels’ Endurance: Renewables aren’t expected to fill demand in the next decade; oil and natural gas will remain central.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tax Strategy:

  “From a tax standpoint, oil and gas is the sweetest deal.” — Tom Wheelwright [11:06]

• On American Wealth Building:

  “There’s always risk…if you can’t afford to lose the amount you invest…look at more conservative…” — Michael Maselli [26:01]

• On Wealth Disparity:

  “So once again the rich get richer and the poor and middle class got to buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs…” — Robert Kiyosaki [24:29]

• On Energy Transition:

  “Right now wind and solar…aren’t a large amount of what’s made in the US… in the future… you’re going to see more nuclear energy.” — Michael Maselli [26:38]

• On Accredited Investing:

  “If you’re in the rat race…you’re out.” — Tom Wheelwright [22:36]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|----------------------------------------------| | 01:01 | Introductions, Trump/Venezuela commentary | | 02:49 | Michael Maselli's oil industry background | | 03:42 | Tom Wheelwright’s tax background | | 08:13 | Oil/gas tax breaks explained | | 11:06 | Why oil/gas is such a powerful tax shelter | | 11:33 | Venezuela’s oil and refinery relationships | | 17:26 | Return from break: focus on REI Energy and US market impacts | | 22:02 | What makes an accredited investor? | | 24:07 | Minimum investment for REI Energy | | 26:38 | AI, the future of energy, and nuclear/nat gas| | 29:10 | Example: Tax paid on $100K oil income | | 32:36 | Horizontal wells and long-term payoffs | | 32:46 | Why the government always incentivizes energy|

Flow & Tone

• The episode combines Kiyosaki’s signature provocative style with deep practical expertise: frank, humorous, sometimes blunt—especially about “the system,” government, and schools.
• Maselli provides experience-grounded, jargon-free wisdom, blending technical precision with real-world analogies.
• Wheelwright translates complex tax code into accessible strategies, with repeated caveats: all actions should be personally reviewed with a qualified advisor.

Summary Takeaways

• Oil and gas carry some of the most powerful legal tax benefits for investors, far outweighing stocks, mutual funds, or 401ks.
• You must be an accredited investor to access most direct energy investment deals. Entrepreneurship is the #1 path to leave the “rat race” and reach this level.
• Global events and technology trends (like AI) are driving increased long-term demand for energy, particularly in the US, making savvy energy investing a way to build resilient, generational passive income streams.
• Modern drilling and US energy abundance, coupled with government incentives, make domestic oil/nat gas a favored choice for the wealthy—but with real risk to principal.
• Always consult with a tax or investment advisor—the show educates and inspires, not sells products.

This episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how the financially free leverage global trends, tax law, and the ongoing evolution of energy to multiply wealth and minimize taxes—whether or not they ever buy a single barrel of oil.