Podcast Summary: The Clark Howard Podcast

Episode: 11.28.25 – BEST OF: About Clark Howard + A Special Birthday Edition of Clark Stinks

Release Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Clark Howard
Guest/Co-host: Krista Howard

Episode Overview

This special “Best Of” episode celebrates Clark Howard’s 70th birthday with two main segments. First, Krista encourages Clark to share the seldom-heard story of his life and how he became a personal finance icon. In the second half, instead of the usual “Clark Stinks” segment, Krista reads heartfelt listener messages honoring Clark’s positive impact. The episode is nostalgic, warm, and full of gratitude, highlighting both Clark’s frugality and the community he’s built.

1. Clark Howard’s Life & Career Journey

(00:23 – 18:25)

Early Life, College, and Hard-Learned Lessons

• Clark’s Upbringing:
  • Grew up in what seemed like a wealthy household; realized later that his parents spent everything they earned.
• Turning Point:
  • At 18, returning home from college, Clark’s father lost his job after nearly 30 years with the same company. This financial crisis forced Clark to become self-sufficient (02:09).
  • “There’s money for you to go back to college in January,” his father said—a subtle way of saying there wasn’t.
• Immediate Response:
  • Clark switched to night school, got a full-time job, and paid for his tuition himself ($2,400/year at the time, which is about $17,286 in today’s dollars) (05:34).
• Work Ethic and Determination:
  • Supported himself by splitting cheap rent with a friend, worked during the day, studied at night, and finished college in three years to save money.
  • Took jobs at HUD and IBM (as a bill collector) because they paid for his education.

Notable Quote:

“I came right out of college living on every other paycheck and right from the get-go saving half of what I made. … It was an equal and opposite reaction to what happened.” – Clark (14:30)

Early Career and Entrepreneurship

• Social Work & Alternative School:
  • Became a social worker for at-risk youth (age 22-23).
  • Founded Career Action, an alternative school for employment skills (08:22).
• Entrepreneurial Pivot:
  • At age 25 opened a travel agency, anticipating a travel boom after airline deregulation.
  • Grew to 5 agencies and sold the business at 31—unexpectedly forced “retirement” (09:48).

The Road to Media & Personal Finance Authority

• Accidental Radio Career:
  • At age 33, invited as a guest on radio to talk travel; this led to hosting “Cover Your Assets”—a money call-in show (10:02).
  • Draws on real estate investing experience (bought first foreclosure at 22) and lessons from his father about reading stock tables.
• Transition to Television:
  • Eventually recruited to do TV; sent to “TV school” in Iowa and now a correspondent in multiple markets (11:41).
• Syndication & the Digital Era:
  • Went national in 1998; launched Clark.com (then ClarkHoward.com) in 1997 (13:16).
  • Early pioneer in podcasting before it was popular.
  • Shifted from syndicated radio to focus on podcasting and YouTube to reach a broader audience.

Notable Quote:

“We started podcasting before it was even called podcasting.” – Clark (13:24)

Core Money Philosophy & Motivation

• Living Frugally and Saving:
  • The trauma of his family’s lost financial security inspired lifelong habits: always save a large portion of income, always live below means.
  • Has always refused endorsements or paid commercials to preserve independence on the air (15:00).
• Giving Back:
  • Founded the Consumer Action Center in 1993 to provide free one-on-one financial help.
  • Led and sponsored Habitat for Humanity home builds (over 104 homes sponsored with his wife Lane) (17:52).

2. Special Birthday Edition: Listener Tributes

(20:22 – 36:02)

Instead of the usual “Clark Stinks” (where listeners correct or critique Clark’s advice), Krista reads just a fraction of the “hundreds and hundreds” of birthday messages sent by fans. These highlight Clark’s personal impact, his financial wisdom, and his humanity.

Standout Messages & Moments

• Helping Listeners Through Hardship:

  • Susan recalls losing her job in 2008, calling the show, and Clark caring about her feelings as much as her money (21:42).

• Transforming Financial Futures:

  • Reggie says, “Before I started listening to you…I could barely rent an apartment. Since then … this is my fifth property. Thanks to all your wisdom and guidance, you’ve changed my financial and credit path forever” (24:20).
  • Lana, a single mom and nurse, credits Clark’s advice for her $4 million net worth:

    “You are so right. It’s not how much you earn, it’s how much you save.” (32:49)

• Clark’s Humor and Relatability:

  • Brian jokes about Clark’s youthful hair (“You stink with your fancy, mostly black, full head of hair. It’s just not fair.”) (25:15)
  • Longstanding Costco/Pampers legend gets playfully debunked by Clark:

    “That is not a true story. That one has lived on like a legend. And besides, would I have bought brand name diapers?” (31:49)

  • Rob from San Diego writes he’ll celebrate in Clark’s honor by buying “day old grocery cupcakes marked down to half price… and cut free paper straws into candles.” (32:15)

• Stories of Listener Success:

  • Bill saves $3,000 in two years by switching cell providers on Clark’s advice (26:45).
  • Clay recounts being saved by buying travel insurance due to Clark’s recommendation – after needing medical attention during a trip to the Grand Canyon (27:22).

• Human and Community Touch:

  • Bonnie, a retired social worker: “You kept me company while I drove to home visits. I’m now retired in part thanks to your advice on … saving for retirement.” (33:46)
  • Multiple listeners recall decades of following Clark’s tips, sharing them with family, and making memories as a result.
  • Dan recalls working beside Clark at a Habitat build and laughs about Clark’s inexpert hammering (“all was fun and games until he handed the hammer to me and asked me to finish it”) (28:58).
  • Suzanne from Alaska was so engrossed listening to Clark while weeding, she missed a moose passing 5 feet away! (30:39)

Notable Quote:

“If I could, I would give you the biggest birthday hug for setting an amazing example of what A human being should be.” – Nancy (27:02)
“If there’s anything I can do it’s inspire you to have the confidence to be the boss of your own life.” – Clark (34:27)

3. Noteworthy Reflections & Philosophy

• Clark on Professional Ethics:
  • Never allowed himself to do endorsements, commercials, or be censored:

    “I wanted the freedom to say what I felt was right in my heart, in my head… because I had saved so much … I was able to say what I believe…” (15:00)

• On Humble Beginnings:
  • Clark admits he graduated near the bottom of his class in high school and encourages young listeners not to be discouraged:

    “I was on a fair amount of academic probation…” (16:36)

• Clark’s Greatest Joy:
  • Volunteering and building community through Habitat, Christmas Kids, and more:

    “…what I really love is all the volunteer activities we’ve been able to do where we get people involved as part of our community…” (17:29)

4. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Birthday Introduction & Family Banter: 00:23–02:00
• Clark’s Life Story: 02:08–18:25
• Listener Tributes and Clark’s Responses: 20:22–36:02
• Reflections on Community and Gratitude: 34:27–36:04

5. Memorable Quotes

• On reacting to his father’s job loss:
  “I started smiling…he was just really torn up...he said ‘what are you smiling about?’ I said ‘I thought you were dying.’ And then he laughed.” – Clark (02:09)
• On financial independence:
  “I’ve always been about this stuff. It’s very intrinsic in me that I’m into living on less than what you make.” – Clark (14:30)
• Listener tributes:
  “We re-read your emails with tips like they were coming from a top government official.” – Rebecca (23:00)
• “May you have a happy memory for every dollar your advice has helped your followers to save. That would be a lot of happy memories.” – Lynn May (25:34)

6. Tone and Style

The episode is warm, celebratory, and humorous. Clark’s humility and Krista’s affection come through, making listeners feel part of a close-knit community. Listener messages overflow with gratitude, humor, and real-life impact.

7. Closing Reflection

Clark thanks everyone for their messages and reiterates his show’s purpose:

“If there’s anything I can do, it’s inspire you to have the confidence to be the boss of your own life.” – Clark (34:27)
“I appreciate more than you know, the gratitude. But what I really appreciate is hearing where you’ve been able to take stuff you’ve heard or learned and empower yourself in your own life.” – Clark (34:27)

He promises a return to regular programming after his “day old cake” birthday celebration.

For More: Visit Clark.com or Submit a question to the show

(End of content summary; advertisements and outro not included.)