Rule Breaker Investing

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The Besties of 2025

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Dec 17, 2025

Sam Horn, an author and communication expert, shares practical tools for navigating tough conversations, including clever ways to use humor to lighten the mood. Shirzad Chamine, founder of the Positive Intelligence movement, dives into mental fitness, discussing the balance between our inner saboteurs and sage advice during stressful situations. Both guests offer unique insights on self-command, emphasizing the importance of love over fear in personal growth and effective communication.

01:24:58

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ADVICE

Swap 'But' For 'And' In Tough Talks

Replace verbal landmines with practical phrases like 'and' instead of 'but' to keep conversations constructive.
Use the eyebrow test and 'fight fire with water' to reframe conflict as clarification.

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ANECDOTE

Turning Shame Into Humor At The Airport

Sam Horn used an airport T‑shirt interaction to show humor defuses embarrassment and reframes identity.
The man turned a liability into strength by wearing funny shirts and making others laugh.

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ADVICE

Use PQ To Shift From Fear To Sage

Shirzad Chamine teaches using PQ to notice pain briefly, then shift from a 'saboteur' to the 'sage' mindset.
Practice self-command to apply mental fitness to high-stakes moments like public speaking or childbirth.

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Rick Engdahl's decade behind the mic

05:17 • 2min

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Rick's 2026 predictions and air taxis

07:33 • 3min

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Storytelling, Bitcoin, and bubbles

10:53 • 9min

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Saving habits beat small balances

20:18 • 6min

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10 Years Later experiment launch

26:17 • 4min

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Sam Horn: speaking tools for hard talks

30:27 • 2min

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Using humor to defuse tension

32:21 • 8min

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Shirzad Chamine on mental fitness

40:11 • 4min

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PQ applied: birth and public speaking

44:03 • 5min

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Focus on love, not fear

Character and practical virtues

53:03 • 2min

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Sem Verbeek's long-game athletic story

55:22 • 7min

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Sem's neurological training and preparation

01:02:11 • 2min

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Listeners' financial freedom stories

01:04:23 • 3min

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Market Cap Game Show championship

01:07:14 • 5min

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Andy and Emily's market-cap strategies

01:12:21 • 4min

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Authors in August: handing over the mic

01:16:03 • 5min

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Comparison never stops—find your enough

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

Positive intelligence

Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential and How You Can Achieve Yours

Shirzad Chamine

In this book, Shirzad Chamine reveals how to achieve professional success and personal fulfillment by identifying and conquering ten well-disguised mental Saboteurs. Positive Intelligence (PQ) measures the percentage of time the mind serves rather than sabotages. The book provides tools and techniques to increase PQ, which can be improved significantly in as little as 21 days, leading to better performance, happiness, and reduced stress. Chamine shares stories from his coaching experiences with CEOs and executive teams, highlighting applications such as team building, workload management, and improving work-life balance.

#20168

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Feed

Mira Grant

Mira Grant's "Feed" is a captivating blend of zombie fiction and political thriller, set in a future where a zombie apocalypse has been largely contained. The story follows three bloggers who cover a presidential campaign, navigating both the political landscape and the ever-present threat of the undead. The novel cleverly uses the bloggers' perspective to highlight the contrast between mainstream media's delayed response to the crisis and the immediate understanding of online communities. The political intrigue and character development are as compelling as the zombie elements, creating a unique and engaging reading experience. The book explores themes of information control, political manipulation, and the power of online communities in a crisis. It's a fast-paced, thought-provoking read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

#975

• Mentioned in 38 episodes

The Art of Spending Money

Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel's "The Art of Spending Money" delves into the psychology of financial decisions, exploring how our emotions and biases influence our spending habits. The book challenges conventional wisdom about saving and investing, emphasizing the importance of aligning our financial goals with our values and life experiences. Housel uses compelling narratives and real-world examples to illustrate the complexities of money management, offering practical insights for readers of all financial backgrounds. The book encourages readers to develop a more mindful and intentional approach to spending, helping them make choices that enhance their overall well-being. Ultimately, it aims to empower readers to make informed financial decisions that lead to a more fulfilling life.

#1874

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

Enough

True Measures of Money, Business, and Life

John Bogle

In 'Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life,' John C. Bogle reflects on the excesses of the financial system, particularly in the context of the 2008 crisis. The book is divided into three sections: Money, Business, and Life. Bogle discusses the importance of long-term, client-first approaches and the need to redefine success beyond mere financial gain. He emphasizes values such as trust, stewardship, character, and contribution, and argues against the destructive nature of greed and blind ambition. The book includes a foreword by William Jefferson Clinton and is written in a straightforward and accessible style.

#500

• Mentioned in 61 episodes

Rule Breaker Investing

t’s the 50th week of the year, which means it’s time once again for the Besties—a celebration of the episodes that educated, amused, and enriched us most in 2025. David highlights ten standout episodes from this year, revisiting the ideas, stories, and lessons that lingered long after the microphones were off. And all of the voices behind those moments return for brief cameos, reflecting on the year that was and looking ahead to what comes next. From Authors in August and a Market Cap Game Show world championship, to character, community, games, and the many ways listeners took concrete steps toward financial freedom, this episode captures the breadth of what Rule Breaker Investing aims to be: thoughtful, optimistic, playful, and practical. A year in review — not ranked, just remembered.

Companies mentioned: VKTX

Order David's Rule Breaker Investing book here: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1804091219/

Host: David Gardner
Guests: Andy Cross, Chris Hill, Emily Flippen, Morgan Housel, Randi Zuckerberg, Rick Engdahl, Sam Horn, Sem Verbeek, Shirzad Chamine
Producer: Bart Shannon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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