Most parents hide their wealth to "protect" their children, but in business, hiding the financials from future CEOs is negligence.

In this episode, Dan speaks with John Knowlton, author of Thinking for Success, about the concept of "Shared Governance" for family wealth. John breaks down why 52% of parents fail to discuss money with their children, the critical distinction between "Good Success" and "Bad Success," and how to use tools like a Family LLC and a "Golden Triangle" framework to turn your legacy into a business that every family member helps run.

Key Talking Points:

• The danger of "Authority without Information" in parenting
• Why "Good Success" requires relationships, not just capital
• The "Golden Triangle" framework: Why, How, and What
• Using a Family LLC to shift the psychology of inheritance
• The "Shared Governance" model for decision making
• How to start the "Board Meeting" at the dinner table

Escape The Clock Resources:

• The Book: escapetheclock.com/book
• The Planner: escapetheclock.com/toolkit
• The Podcast: escapetheclock.com/podcast
• 1:1 Help: escapetheclock.com/schedule
• Free Weekly Insights: escapetheclock.com/subscribe

Episode References & Resources:

• 71% of parents would rather talk about death than money — T. Rowe Price Parents, Kids & Money Survey (2019) — https://www.troweprice.com/corporate/en/press/releases/t-rowe-price-parents-kids-money-survey.html
• 52% of parents have not discussed their net worth with their kids — Fidelity Family & Finance Study (2025) — https://newsroom.fidelity.com/pressreleases/fidelity--study-finds-the-great-wealth-transfer-leaves-families-poised-to-build-stronger-financial-f/s/3c72b6d3-9ab6-400a-95e7-f4b30e43db64
• 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation — The Williams Group (2018) — https://www.williamspgroup.com/

Connect with John:

• Website: https://abundantthoughtrevolution.com/
• Book: https://indiepubs.com/products/thinking-for-success
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-knowlton-516b828/

Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe and leave a review
• Share this episode with others
• Join the free newsletter at escapetheclock.com/subscribe

Thank you for listening. This podcast is for education only and is not financial advice.

We are living in a financial reality where money and capital are no longer the same thing.

In this deep-dive episode, Dan speaks with Paul Musson, author of Capital Offence, about the "Great Category Error" most investors make: confusing the currency they save with the wealth they create. Paul breaks down how the Fiat system punishes savers, why your home’s appreciation might be a hidden mechanism of wealth redistribution, and how to build a portfolio of "Real Assets" that allows you to opt out of the distorted reality and escape the clock.

Key Talking Points:

• The fundamental difference between Money (currency) and Capital (productive capacity)
• Why the "Wealth Effect" in housing is actually a transfer of wealth from the young to the old
• The "Paradox of Thrift" and why central banks are incentivized to punish prudence
• How to use the "Central Bank Lunacy Hedge" to protect your portfolio from policy errors
• The danger of "Zombie Companies" in passive index funds
• Why you must balance financial defense with living for today

Escape The Clock Resources:

• Book: www.escapetheclock.com/book
• Planner: www.escapetheclock.com/toolkit
• 1:1 Help: www.escapetheclock.com/schedule
• Free Weekly Newsletter: www.escapetheclock.com/subscribe

Episode References:

• The M2 Money Supply exploded by 40% between 2020 and 2022, while real productivity barely budged - Federal Reserve Economic Data (2024) - https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/M2SL
• Since 2009, US Household Wealth has nearly tripled to $150 Trillion, largely driven by asset price inflation rather than GDP growth - Federal Reserve Financial Accounts of the US (2023) - https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/z1/
• The percentage of "Zombie Companies" (firms that can't cover interest payments with profits) rose to nearly 20% in the US by 2020 - Bank for International Settlements 2020) - https://www.bis.org/publ/qtrpdf/r_qt2009a.htm
• Over the last 100 years, gold supplies have increased at an annual rate of only 1% to 3%, making it hard to manipulate - Mark Skousen, The Structure of Production (2015) - https://www.amazon.com/Structure-Production-Mark-Skousen/dp/1479848522

People & Concepts Mentioned:

• Michael Green: Portfolio Manager known for his research on how passive investing strategies (index funds) distort market prices.
• Paul Volcker: Former Fed Chair (1979–1987) who famously raised interest rates to 20% to crush the inflation of the 1970s.
• Paul Krugman & Paul McCulley: Economists referenced regarding their 2002 arguments for creating a "housing bubble" to replace the dot-com bubble.
• Bob Kierlin (Fastenal): The founder referenced by Paul as a prime example of ethical stewardship for distributing wealth to his employees.

Connect with Paul:

• Website: https://paddingtoncapitalmgmt.com
• Book: https://paddingtoncapitalmgmt.com/capital-offence-book-paul-musson-economic-policy-inequality-money-management-financial-intelligenc/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbmusson/

Support the podcast:

• Subscribe and leave a review
• Share this episode with someone who would benefit
• Join the community at escapetheclock.com/subscribe

Thank you for listening. This podcast is for education only and is not financial advice.

Most people treat retirement like a finish line, only to find themselves struggling with a crisis of identity and purpose once the work stops.

In this episode, Daniel talks with CFP and author Eric Brotman about why we need to change our vocabulary to change our outcome. Eric explains why retirement should be viewed as a "graduation" into your life's work, not a cessation of activity. He shares critical strategies for shifting from "playing offense" in your accumulation years to "playing defense" to protect your freedom, and why everyone needs a "Financial Editor" to check their blind spots. Listen to learn how to graduate into your next phase rather than just quitting your current one.

Key Talking Points:

• Why "retirement" definitions are broken and how the "graduation" mindset prevents an identity crisis
• The critical shift from playing Offense (Growth) to playing Defense (Risk Management)
• The "Day 2 Problem": How to build a moat around your financial castle
• The math of $1 Million: Why it might only provide a $40k/year lifestyle
• The "Financial Editor" concept: Why even financial advisors need advisors
• Why taking a "Trial Run" sabbatical is the only way to test your readiness

Escape The Clock Resources:

• The Book: www.escapetheclock.com/book
• The Tools: www.escapetheclock.com/toolkit
• Help: www.escapetheclock.com/schedule
• Free Weekly Insights: www.escapetheclock.com/subscribe

Episode Sources:

• From Strength to Strength — Arthur Brooks (2022) - https://arthurbrooks.com/book/from-strength-to-strength/
• A 65-year-old couple retiring in 2024 needs an estimated $330,000 for health care — Fidelity (2024) - https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/plan-for-rising-health-care-costs
• The 4% Rule (Safe Withdrawal Rates) — William Bengen (1994) - https://www.financialplanningassociation.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/MAR04%20Determining%20Withdrawal%20Rates%20Using%20Historical%20Data.pdf

Connect with Eric:

• Website: https://dontretiregraduatebook.com/
• Firm: https://bfgfa.com/
• Book: https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Retire-Graduate-Financial-Retirement/
• Podcast: https://bfguniversity.com/podcasts/
• Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebrotman/

Support the Podcast:

• Subscribe and follow on your favorite platform
• Leave a rating & review
• Share this episode with others
• Support me by picking up the book for yourself or a loved one at escapetheclock.com/book

Thank you for listening!

This information is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.