Every stock tells a story. This week on Rule Breaker Investing, we gather around the campfire for the ninth time to share our best stock stories. From Meta Platforms’s long arc of growth to Warner Bros. Discovery’s debt-ridden saga, these stories aren’t just tales of companies; they are lessons for life and investing. David and his Motley Fool friends—Dave Meier, Mary Long, Nathan Alderman, and Tracy Dahl—recount their most memorable stock experiences. Join us at the campfire!
Companies Mentioned:
BMBL, BRK, META, WBD, YHOO
Host: David Gardner
Guests: Dave Meier, Mary Long, Nathan Alderman, Tracy Dahl
Producer: Desirée Jones
On the road and looking at a light mailbag, David writes his own beautiful question this month, using it as an opportunity to highlight five favorite moments from the Rule Breaker Investing podcast in 2024.
Companies Discussed: AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, META, MSFT, NVDA, TSLA
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
Welcome back to our quarterly Market Cap Game Show! This week, two past champions, Matt Argersinger and Yasser El-Shimy, face off in a battle of wits and estimates, each vying for the coveted seat in our 2025 “March Market Cap Madness” World Championships. With 10 stocks on the line and two throwdown rounds, who will come out on top? And how will you fare against our contestants? Whether it’s semiconductors, space exploration, or the future of sound systems, we’ve got an exciting lineup of companies for you to test your market cap knowledge. Can you outscore both guests?!
Companies Discussed:
NBIX, RKLB, AMD, SHOP, SYNA, MSFT, LOW, SONO, HEI, KFRC
Host: David Gardner
Guests: Matt Argersinger, Yasser El-Shimy
Producer: Desirée Jones
Investing rewards those who play the long game. While short-term trading can capture gains, true wealth comes from thinking in years, even decades. This applies not just to investing, but also in business, leadership, and life. This week, David interviews Rand Stagen, Managing Director of Stagen Leadership Academy, and one of David’s favorite people in business. Rand shares his wisdom on the long-term development of leaders and organizations, why conscious leadership is crucial for businesses today, and the lessons we can all learn from playing the long game in every aspect of life. Along the way, they’ll explore the balance of business, family, and legacy, and even tackle some Buy, Sell, or Hold predictions for the future of leadership.
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
In this sixth installment of Essays from Yesterday, David takes us on a journey back through time to revisit some of his earliest (and sometimes prophetic) investment writings from his days as a Motley Fool newsletter contributor. From reflections on the volatility of 2007-8, to introducing new terms like “Big Dumb Money,” and thoughts on building mental frameworks for investing, David reacts to his past essays with fresh insights for today’s markets. Join us as we explore the lessons learned from history and how they continue to guide our investing journeys today.
3:56 - #1 January is the Best Month
12:14 - #2 Big Dumb Money
21:34 - #3 Frameworks for Investors
31:46 - #4 Fool’s Eye on Investing
Companies Discussed: CHKP, CSCO, FTNT
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
Light mailbag as we pre-recorded early in the month. But always a few things to talk about. Small things come in good packages! Happy Labor Day Weekend to all USA Fools.
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
Games have always been central to the human experience, shaping the way we think, interact, and understand the world. This week, as part of our Authors in August series, David welcomes back philosopher C. Thi Nguyen to explore the deeper implications of games in our lives. From ancient pastimes to modern video games, we delve into why games matter, how they reflect our agency, and what they teach us about ourselves. With his book Games: Agency as Art, Nguyen reveals the profound ways games act as a form of artistic expression and how they can even influence the way we navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re a dedicated gamer or simply curious about the philosophical underpinnings of play, this conversation offers insights that extend far beyond the gaming table.
Also, this is a reminder that our August Mailbag episode drops this Saturday. Whether you’re on the road for Labor Day Weekend or just relaxing at home, be sure to tune in, our 106th consecutive monthly mailbag will be there for you!
(1:34) Intro C.Thi Nguen
(4:51) Why we play games
(11:58) What does it mean to play a game?
(19:13) Striving Play vs. Achievement Play
(31:21) A game that people think is not a game?
(34:43) What's not a game people think is a game?
(54:13) Buy Sell or Hold
Producer: Desirée Jones
This week on Rule Breaker Investing, David welcomes neuroscientist and bestselling author David Eagleman for a mind-expanding conversation about his book Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives. As part of the ongoing Authors in August series, David dives into Eagleman’s fascinating exploration of life, death, and the possibilities beyond. What can a neuroscientist’s perspective on creativity and storytelling teach us about how we live our lives today? Plus, a speculative look at the future of AI, the neuroscience of rule-breaking, and what it means to leave a lasting legacy. And… does this episode feature our best-ever game of Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Companies Discussed: AMZN
Producer: Desirée Jones
Continuing our 7th annual Authors in August series, David welcomes John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, for a deep dive into his 2024 book, The Whole Story. Reflecting on the journey from Safer Way to Whole Foods to Amazon.com to Love.Life, John shares how passion, purpose, and unexpected surprises shaped a company that’s transformed the way America eats. With a nod to their 2020 conversation on Conscious Leadership, this episode explores the intersection of purpose and profit, and the enduring joy of playing the game of life—and business.
Companies Discussed: AMZN, CMG, SBUX, WMT
Producer: Desirée Jones
Kicking off our 7th annual Authors in August series, David pivots from an unexpected cancellation to a special Poetry of Rule Breaker Investing episode. Herein, a selection of eight original poems from fellow Fools inspired by market movements, Rule Breaker principles, and financial freedom, plus a surprise world-premiere musical tribute! Join us for a whimsical and thought-provoking journey into the art of investing, with a nod to the enduring impact of classic literature.
Companies Discussed: AAPL, AMZN, NFLX
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
In this, our 105th consecutive monthly Mailbag episode, we explore the power of asking beautiful questions, the importance of engaging sincerely with all questions, and the journey of finding one’s platform of value.
Companies Discussed: PTON, ROKU, SEA, TDOC, ZOOM
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Heather Horton
With August imminent, David reminds listeners of the three authors we’re hosting next month and gives one great quote from each of their books as a teaser. But this 19th episode of Great Quotes then starts in earnest with five powerful quotes from past featured August authors Seth Godin, Priya Parker, Amor Towles, Shirzad Chamine, and Warren Berger — with many other books and quotes peppered in. How does the wisdom from each of these brilliant thinkers break the rules, and what do they teach us about investing, business, and life?
Companies Discussed: AMZN, GOOG, NVDA, SBUX
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
“Where my whimsy takes me.” It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere! Pretty hot, too. In this new episodic series, David shares a five-thought sampler of musings to make you smarter, happier, and richer. This includes seeing investment opportunities with new eyes, understanding the two types of failure, and recognizing an additional benefit of investing in other countries. Grab your lemonade and join us under the summer sun!
Companies Discussed: AMZN, NVDA
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desirée Jones
In this landmark episode, David reviews and shares perspectives and learnings from the entire collection of 30 five-stock samplers picked from 2015 to 2021, and reviewed into 2024. Using his special 10 1/2 chapter format, David reflects on the themes, results, and lessons from six years of stock picking. How’d we do?! Discover the highs and lows, the glory and the pain, and the enduring principles of Rule Breaker Investing.
Companies Discussed: AAPL, AMZN, BKNG, DIS, GOOG, IPGP, MELI, NFLX, NVDA, PTON, SE, TDOC, TSLA, TWOU
Host: David Gardner
Producer: Desiree Jones
Independence Week in the United States is the perfect time to explore financial freedom. This week’s podcast highlights five key points leading to financial independence, featuring insights from American history, Rule Breaker listeners, and David himself. Rediscover Ben Franklin’s wisdom, the Diderot Effect, and Yankee ingenuity. Learn from listener stories about frugality, teaching financial literacy, and entrepreneurial success. Stories and inspiration helping you achieve financial freedom, American-style.
It’s Rule Breaker Investing’s first-ever outtake — what stock could we NOT feature on last week’s Market Cap Game Show, and why? Bill Barker joins in for a few laughs. David closes out “5 Stocks Pursued by a Bear,” explores with Jim Mueller if The Motley Fool gives options advice, and welcomes a visit from Sean Milliken, head of the Fool’s latest fund. Mailbag!
Companies Discussed: AAPL, AXON, DAVA, NFLX, PTON, SNBR, TTD, U, Z
Host: David Gardner
Guests: Bill Barker, Sean Milliken, Jim Mueller
Producer: Desiree Jones
The first of the new season, this week’s Market Cap Game Show features an epic showdown between two Bills full of humor, precision(!), wild guesses, and a miss by the thinnest of margins. (Ever!) Can you outscore one… or both… Bills?
Companies Discussed: QCOM, CHWY, SNBR, CAVA, MANH, IT, VZ, TGTX, QRVO, TMDX
Host: David Gardner
Guests: Bill Barker, Bill Mann
Producer: Desiree Jones
For the second week in a row, David launches Volume 1 of a new episodic series. This time it’s “Pet Perks,” a celebration of the small joys that enhance our investing, business, and life. What little things make a big difference? Tune in for practical tips and a touch of humor as we explore the finer points of living a Foolish life.
This week, ChatGPT asks David its five “most thought-provoking questions” about Rule Breaker Investing, and he takes his best shot answering every one! Cutting-edge technology meets timeless investing wisdom in our newest episodic series.
Stocks Mentioned:
META, ABNB, UBER, CAVA, SG, TOST, OLO, NFLX, TSLA, NVDA, AXON, CMG, MELI, WRBY, AMZN
The fifth Wednesday of May brings us a mailbag to close out a remarkable month reflecting back on dividend stocks, David’s birthday learnings, and most of all a provocative and deep mailbag entry, a reflection on three new additional laws to consider….
Stocks mentioned: NVDA, CMG, MELI
We celebrate the breaking of rules, but… laws? Not so much. This week, David returns to this episodic series to cover six more laws that will level up your game and make you smarter, happier, and richer.
(5:08) Newton’s First Law of Motion
(11:16) Arthur C. Clarke’s Second Law
(16:07) Sutton’s Law
(24:47) Amara’s Law
(32:15) Cunningham’s Law
(37:17) Hofstadter’s Law
Did someone say free money?! After 4 years, we’re diving back into the world of dividend investing with David’s dividend friends Buck Hartzell & Matt Argersinger.
David breaks down dividends in chapters:
Chapter 1: The Shift Away from Dividend Investing
Chapter 2: Their Practical Value
Chapter 3: Challenges & Misconceptions
Chapter 4: Stock Buybacks vs. Dividends
Chapter 5: Spotlight on Stock Picks & Strategies
Guests: Buck Hartzell, Matt Argersinger
Stocks Mentioned: GOOG/GOOGL, BRK-B, EBAY , HSY, RPM, SBUX, EGHSF, BIP or BIPC, MTY
Happy Shakespeare’s Birthday! On our 102nd Mailbag: Is gold a golden investment? What do ETFs that rebalance get right... and wrong? And do you: Buy Now, and Pay Later? David is joined by fellow Fools Andy Cross and Robert Brokamp to tackle these questions, and more... and producer Rick Engdahl closes it out with a special announcement. It's our April Mailbag! Fool on.
Host: David Gardner
Guests: Andy Cross (8:35), Robert Brokamp (24:24)
Producer: Dez Jones