Summary of "Suze Orman's Women & Money (And Everyone Smart Enough To Listen)"
Episode: Suze School: Understanding Palantir
Release Date: June 8, 2025
Host/Author: Suze Orman Media
Introduction
In this episode of Women & Money, Suze Orman dives deep into the complexities of investing in Palantir, a stock recommendation that has sparked significant debate among her listeners. Joined by financial expert Keith Fitzgerald, Suze aims to clarify misconceptions, address concerns, and provide guidance on handling investments in controversial stocks like Palantir.
Special Birthday Promotion
Suze begins the podcast by announcing a special birthday promotion:
Suze Orman [00:00]: "Susie has the best birthday gift she's giving you. ... for $74, you go to an attorney, they would be $2,500 or more. ... musthavedocs.com birthday. Happy birthday to all of you."
Listeners are encouraged to visit musthavedocs.com to obtain essential legal documents at a discounted rate in honor of Suze's 74th birthday.
Introduction to Keith Fitzgerald
Despite Suze's usual format of hosting solo, she makes an exception for today by inviting Keith Fitzgerald, a seasoned financial strategist with over 45 years of experience in global markets.
Suze Orman [05:26]: "Keith, just tell people a little bit about you and why I go to you..."
Keith Fitzgerald [05:57]: "I've been doing this since I was 15 years old... investing optimistically leads to profits."
Keith shares his extensive background, highlighting his early start in investing influenced by his grandmother and his tenure at Wilshire Associates. His approach centers on optimism and common sense, avoiding complex jargon to make investing accessible.
Understanding Palantir
The core of the discussion revolves around Palantir, a company Suze has been recommending based on Keith's insights. However, Palantir has faced backlash from listeners concerned about its association with military and intelligence operations.
What is Palantir?
Keith Fitzgerald [08:53]: "Palantir takes chaotic data and organizes it, enabling clients to make decisions using information they couldn't access before."
Palantir specializes in managing and analyzing large, complex datasets, transitioning from military roots to diverse applications in commercial and governmental sectors. This capability allows for enhanced decision-making across various industries.
Addressing Misconceptions and Controversies
Many listeners have expressed concerns over Palantir's role in surveillance and its potential negative impact on privacy.
Keith Fitzgerald [11:00]: "There's a lot of misinformation out there... Palantir is not built for spying; it has robust safeguards."
Keith counters the fears by emphasizing Palantir's compliance with the 1974 Privacy Protection Act, ensuring data access is auditable and transparent. He argues that Palantir's technology is essential for national security and cannot be easily misused without stringent controls.
Palantir's Role During COVID-19
Suze mentions Palantir's contribution during the pandemic, highlighting how selective negative perceptions can overshadow the company's positive impacts.
Suze Orman [20:13]: "Palantir helped us during COVID and the pandemic... but some listeners chose to focus on a single aspect and reacted emotionally."
Financial Strategies: Hold or Sell?
A significant portion of the episode addresses whether to hold or sell Palantir stocks, especially when personal convictions conflict with financial interests.
Keith Fitzgerald [23:28]: "If you are absolutely dead set and you want to sleep... sell it."
Keith advises listeners to make decisions based on their comfort levels and investment strategies, emphasizing that maintaining emotional detachment is crucial for successful investing.
Suze Orman [24:25]: "If you value yourself more than money, then sell it."
She shares a personal anecdote about selling her Tesla shares despite potential profits, illustrating the importance of aligning investments with personal values and emotional well-being.
Personal Experiences and Listener Stories
Suze recounts a listener named Katie who was initially eager to sell her Palantir shares upon hearing negative news. Through a conversation facilitated by Keith, Katie reconsidered her decision, balancing her emotional response with financial reasoning.
Suze Orman [20:13]: "Katie was mad at me for recommending Palantir, but with Keith's help, she evaluated the situation calmly."
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with key takeaways on managing investments amidst controversy and emotional turbulence. Suze reinforces the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in financial decision-making.
Suze Orman [27:53]: "Remember, when it comes to your money, people first, then money, then things."
Keith adds a final thought on the value of optimism in investing:
Keith Fitzgerald [26:08]: "Investing in optimism is always more profitable and confidence-inspiring than cowering in fear."
Final Remarks
Suze ends the episode by reminding listeners of the ongoing birthday promotion and teasing future content, ensuring they stay engaged with the Women & Money community.
Suze Orman [27:56]: "There are only a few days left to go to musthavedocs.com and get the must-have documents for $74."
Notable Quotes
- Suze Orman [00:00]: "You have to have a will, living revocable trust, advanced directive, and durable power of attorney for health care."
- Keith Fitzgerald [05:57]: "Investing optimistically leads to profits."
- Suze Orman [24:25]: "If you value yourself more than money, then sell it."
- Keith Fitzgerald [26:08]: "Investing in optimism is always more profitable and confidence-inspiring than cowering in fear."
Key Takeaways
- Essential Legal Documents: Suze promotes obtaining essential legal documents through a special birthday offer.
- Understanding Palantir: Palantir is a data management company with significant contributions to both government and commercial sectors.
- Addressing Concerns: Keith addresses misconceptions about Palantir's role in surveillance, emphasizing its compliance with privacy laws.
- Investment Decisions: Balancing emotional responses with financial strategies is crucial when dealing with controversial stocks.
- Optimism in Investing: Maintaining an optimistic outlook can lead to better investment outcomes.
Final Thoughts
This episode serves as an insightful guide for investors grappling with ethical considerations and financial prudence. By providing expert opinions and personal experiences, Suze Orman and Keith Fitzgerald offer a balanced perspective on navigating complex investment landscapes.