Advertise on podcast: AJ Osborne Podcast

The middle class is shrinking, but not for the reason you think. It’s hard to escape the doom-and-gloom narratives: wages are stagnant, the rich are getting richer, and everyday Americans are getting crushed. But when you look at the inflation-adjusted figures, a very different story emerges. For years, we’ve been told that the middle class is collapsing. But it’s not. It’s moving up. Incomes in the U.S. have actually surged over the last 30-40 years. People are getting wealthier, so why doesn’t it feel like it? The reality is that where you live, how you live, and what you owe have a much bigger impact than your tax bracket. Yes, housing has outpaced inflation, but other costs—like college tuition, childcare, and healthcare—have blown past it. A millennial with student debt and less purchasing power feels much poorer than someone in another area of the country—even if they earn the same salary. It’s a tale of two Americas. But there’s an even bigger distinction between millennials who have prospered and those who continue to struggle, and you might have more control over which side you land on after all. Insights from today’s episode:  Why the shrinking middle class actually signals upward income mobility The real reason millennials are divided on lifestyle affordability in the US Why many Americans don’t feel wealthy (despite rising incomes) Why housing affordability isn’t the middle class’s biggest economic challenge Two things you can do today to drastically improve your financial situation — The Wealth System You Were Taught Is a Lie (Here’s the Real One) Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 

The wealthy hate income and actively avoid it. Most people think income is the key to wealth. The more you grow your income, the higher you climb the corporate ladder, the more money you’ll have to save and spend. This couldn’t be more wrong. Income is a silent wealth-killer because you’re losing money before it ever reaches your pocket. Wealth is ownership—not income, but assets that produce income. We’re all taught to earn money, pay our taxes, and either spend or save the rest. But the rich invert this formula by earning, spending, investing, and then paying taxes. It’s not a tax loophole. It’s how the tax code was designed. The system rewards those who play the long game and keep their money in the system. I didn’t learn this overnight. It took years at an old sales job before I realized just how much money I was leaking with every paycheck. Today, I share exactly how I built my wealth by reinvesting, compounding, and strategically deferring taxable events.  More income just brings more taxes, but ownership brings freedom. Insights from today’s episode:  Why the wealthy “hate” income (and what they do with their money instead) How the rich invert the wealth “formula” to delay taxable events Why debt is a powerful tool (not a liability) for building long-term wealth Why the US tax code benefits those who keep their money “in the system” The exact blueprint I followed to 7X my investing returns — My mission is to help everyday people achieve financial independence by teaching the strategies and principles that the wealthy use—but that most people never learn. If you're tired of working hard but not getting ahead financially, you're in the right place. Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter  The Self Storage Bubble Bust… https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/the-self-storage-bubble-bust 

I have a framework that tells me which investments (and businesses) have the highest odds of succeeding. I’ve used this framework to build multiple $10M+ businesses and own a $100M+ real estate portfolio. I didn’t do this all by luck, and it isn’t because I’m a genius. It’s all because of this simple framework that anyone can use, with any budget, at any stage in their life.   Most businesses fail. Restaurants open, then close a month later. Stocks get sold off and drop to zero. Companies lay off their staff and shut their doors. This is all while other industries, companies, and investments see record profits. They all had a dream, but only some of them succeeded. What’s the secret to knowing which ones will make it?    The 4M Framework.   The 4M Framework has personally helped me invest (and divest) in industries at the exact right times, making the most money possible and growing my wealth to $10M+. I’m finally sharing it, after testing it for over 20 years and seeing incredible results. You can use it, too, no matter how much money you have. I’m breaking down all four stages so you can multiply your money faster and stop getting burned.    Insights from today’s episode:    The 4M Framework: the ultimate way to predict the odds of any investment or business  How I knew exactly when to sell one of my largest investments at precisely the right time  The “shortcut” through the four stages of wealth and what will make you richer faster  How to know whether a business has a “moat” or will get taken down by competitors quickly  Signs that a business or investment is underpriced and has the potential to take off  The one thing that will sink a business, even if it’s poised to succeed  — See My 4M Breakdowns on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ajosborne  Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 

This looks a lot like the Dot-com bubble. Stock prices are hitting record highs, but their valuations are starting to diverge from reality. Americans are scared they’ll miss out on the rise of AI, so they’re pouring cash into the market in record amounts. Meanwhile, price-to-earnings ratios are inching nearer to Dot-com bubble levels.    How close are we to the AI bubble bursting? Is this just another mania, or will AI deliver such strong production and profit increases that this type of stock market becomes the new reality? 90% of investors think the stock market is overpriced…so why is everyone still buying?   I’m sharing my thoughts in today’s episode as we compare the Dot-com bubble in 2000 to the 2025 stock market, which is seeing unprecedented price growth thanks to AI. I’ll admit this isn't the same economic environment as the Dot-com bubble, but the similarities are getting hard to ignore.    Stocks could pull back, as they often do after a massive run-up. The question is: will the AI bubble burst, or is this the new reality?   Insights from today’s episode:    The stock market’s “divergence” from reality and why valuations are growing much faster than profits  The 2000 Dot-com bubble vs. the AI craze of 2024 and 2025  Bubble indicators that are flashing major warning signs, but nobody is paying attention  The almost unbelievable size of US stock valuations, dwarfing other major countries Can this really last if AI provides the performance gains investors are looking for? — AJ Osborne Podcast 29. How AI Could Trigger the Next Great Depression   Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 

This is about to get weird. I’m opening up about something that has only been shared in very private circles. As some of you know, years ago, I was comatose and paralyzed for months, unable to move or communicate, stuck in a hospital bed, with only my thoughts. Deep into my paralysis, strange things began to happen—breakthroughs I didn’t know were possible. Personalities became unlocked, and a part of me I thought had died began to escape.    This led me to what I now call the “meeting of the mind,” a major shift in my life that has not only led me to more success, but greater happiness, a deeper understanding of myself, and the ability to unlock my mind’s full potential. This is something very few people have ever experienced, but today I’m giving you the tools to try this experiment on your own.   This will allow you to unlock all your different personalities, including the one who gives you crystal clear clarity to see things as they truly are. If you were expecting an episode on business building or economic changes, sorry, this isn’t it. But knowing how to have your own “meeting of the mind” will amplify any area of life you want to succeed in.    Insights from today’s episode:  What I saw (and realized) while I was in a coma and paralyzed  How to practice the “meeting of the mind” for yourself and see your true personalities (yes, multiple) “The observer” who creates clarity no matter the situation you’re in  How allowing my personalities to interact made me much more successful  My mental rebirth and the part of AJ who died the day I was paralyzed    Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter  

There’s one thing that separates a “good” commercial real estate deal from the rest—and you have complete control over it. Get it right, and your returns are much closer to being locked in. Get it wrong, and you could have a cash-draining property on your hands.  Kevin Bupp, 20+ year investing veteran and mobile home park and parking lot expert, is here to help. He built a massive real estate portfolio from nothing, starting at the young age of 20, lost it all in the 2008 crash, and rebuilt it bigger, better, and (much) safer than before. He’s learned the lessons the hard way, so you don’t have to. In this episode, we’re talking about commercial real estate underwriting, how to separate the “good” deals from the BS, and the most crucial factor that makes or breaks a real estate investment. Kevin is buying multimillion-dollar deals, meaning his margin for error can only be tiny. This is the way he decides whether to buy or move on to the next opportunity.   Insights from today’s episode:  The most crucial factor of a “good” real estate investment that so many got wrong in 2020 - 2022 The best loan to use for commercial real estate investing that can save your deal during bad times  What sets the successful real estate investors apart from the rest (99% of people can’t handle this) How Kevin built his portfolio, lost it all, and rebuilt it better and stronger than before  How to filter out the BS when getting started in real estate investing  — Sunrise Capital Investors: https://sunrisecapitalinvestors.com/fund-4/ Kevin’s Website: https://kevinbupp.com/ Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbupp/   Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter   

Want to start a business and begin working for yourself? This is how you do it. You don’t need to (and actually should not) invent a product or create a new type of service or technology. You can work for yourself simply by doing what you do right now at your job or what you’re interested in. Becoming your own boss enables you to earn more money, live on your own terms, and build something greater than yourself.   This is how to start your own business from scratch, even if you have $0 and are working a full-time job.   My guest isn’t wearing a suit, and he’s not driving a Bentley to work. He doesn’t need to, even though he’s COO of Self Storage Income. George Mortimer became my COO through starting his own web design business after not wanting a boss. Now, he’s running teams and a multimillion-dollar business. George and I know what it’s like to do the grunt work, struggle, and finally succeed at being (often) happily self-employed.   We’ll walk through how you can do it, too: build your own business, become your own boss, and scale up through the business stages (without burning out).   Insights from today’s episode:  How to build your own business (or self-employed income stream) from scratch  Why creating a “job” for yourself is not a bad thing (but it comes with some struggles) The best “business” for anyone to start who’s currently employed  Why big businesses go wrong and how to avoid their massive mistakes  Building the “moat” that makes your business stand out from competitors  Hey, you! DON’T go and invent a thing! Don’t even think about it!     Self Storage Income: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/     Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 

The long-awaited Fed announcement is here. After the recent Fed meeting, where we got more clarity on rate cuts, the economic “cycle” seems to have been just reset. This will have significant consequences for the economy and prime specific industries for a resurgence. If you own any of these assets or work in any of these sectors, you could be riding a new “wave” of wealth for years to come.    After years of economic tightening and high interest rates, stubborn inflation, and American purchasing power shrinking dramatically, the Fed has finally reversed course, heading towards an “easing” cycle. But something more interesting than rate cut news came out of recent Fed meetings—it’s what the Fed didn’t say.   Jerome Powell has switched from familiar verbiage to some new phrasing, priming us that we could be in a much different position than we’ve been in before. This has enormous implications for the next moves the Fed makes, and whether we’ll see interest rates fall even more as a result. Was the Fed too late with this move, with unemployment already rising and job revisions pushing us into an even deeper hole? I’m explaining who will win and who will get left behind in this next cycle.    Insights from today’s episode:  The Fed announcement on rate cuts and what it means for the economy Who will win in this next economic cycle (industries and investments) A big pivot? Why the Fed backed off its 2% inflation goal  Was the Fed too late? Can employment bounce back? What a tightening vs. easing “cycle” means for the average American   — Why U.S. Debt is Everyone’s Problem (Including Yours) - https://youtu.be/DFDZwj64EeQ?si=t6jH1zLvRBn0Wmas  Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 

If you can’t fix this, you’ll never be wealthy. The 99% move like a herd, and the masses scream in fear, duck for cover, and sell in lockstep during every major recession, crash, and recovery. This is why most Americans (or people on Earth, for that matter) will never be wealthy. By letting their fear take over during times of opportunity and their greed override their senses during peaks, the masses buy high, sell low, and remain in the same place. This is avoidable. Anyone can grow wealthy IF they follow the right steps. At some point, I realized that my emotions were controlling too many of my decisions. When I stopped listening to my lizard brain and started operating on a system, everything changed. How did I know to buy so low during the real estate bust in 2008? How did I know my industry was in a bubble before so many others? And why am I back to buying while people are telling me the bottom is yet to come? Keep following the news if you want to remain stuck. Listen to this episode if you want to finally control your financial future.  Insights from today’s episode:  How to stop your emotions from ruining your wealth-building opportunities  The “signal” the wealthy look for that tells them when to buy (and sell) Why allowing yourself to look stupid may be the best decision you ever made My “buy box” formula that controls my investing (not my emotions!) How to capitalize on market confusion and buy when everyone else is too scared to act — AJ Osborne YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AJOsborneOfficial  Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter

AI could trigger a new economic crisis—the next great depression—and most people are ignoring it. I’m not just talking about job loss or automation replacing salaries. There’s a much deeper problem—one that could erode the last remnants of stability in the US economy and government. Is AI taking jobs? Yes. But that’s just one of our worries. “Second-order consequences” are coming fast. Nobody is talking about them. The government, the economy, and everyday US citizens are not prepared. And this isn’t just a US problem. Many developed nations are dealing with a generational shift, massive national debt, and a shrinking workforce. Will AI solve this problem or make it even worse?  I’m sharing my theory on how AI will shift the US economy and you individually, the effects that most people are completely overlooking, and a growing concern that is going to hit the US government head-on. AI could be the solution to many of our problems—it could also be our downfall. Which road will we take? Insights from today’s episode:  The shrinking labor force problem that AI can only superficially solve  How the US government’s debt crisis will ramp up once AI replaces jobs The growing wealth gap that could further widen thanks to AI How to protect your personal wealth when AI is taking high-paying jobs  Could taxing the rich fix any of this—or just make it worse? Why U.S. Debt is Everyone’s Problem (Including Yours) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFDZwj64EeQ&pp=0gcJCcwJAYcqIYzv  Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter 

The stock market crashed in March, but now it’s back to all-time highs. You might have sat frozen, waiting for a recovery or a better buying opportunity. Chances are, you didn’t make any moves that made you richer. Was that a mistake? During “trendless” markets like these—where price swings feel random and directionless—most Americans sit on the sidelines. Others, like Adam Koós, one of Investopedia’s Top-100 Most Influential Financial Advisors in the U.S., made money in the peaks, valleys, and in between.    So, how do you invest in chaotic markets where the “trend” seems nonexistent? What’s the investment strategy beginners can use to protect from the crashes and buy on the way back up? If you’re wondering where to invest now, Adam has the answer.   Adam has the technical trading knowledge that 99.9% of investors (and even advisors) lack. His full-time job is identifying trends, capitalizing on them, and moving more money into his all-star roster of investments. He’s sharing his actual investment strategy today (piece-by-piece!)—so you can apply the same principles to your own portfolio. Plus, he even provides his five-year forecast and an optimistic view on interest rates.   Insights from today’s episode:  How to invest even during market chaos, tariffs, wars, and more  Adam’s exact investing strategy to take advantage of any market cycle A five-year economic forecast and a contrarian take on future inflation  How to build a stock portfolio of “playoff teams” that will take YOU to the financial Super Bowl Beginner investments you can make now that protect you during crashes and build wealth during bull runs     Libertas Wealth: https://www.libertaswealth.com/  Elevate and Exit: http://elevateandexit.com/  Connect with Adam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamkoos/  Alphatrends: https://alphatrends.net/  🎙️ Have a story worth sharing? Apply to be a guest on the Self Storage Income or AJ Osborne podcasts: https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📚 Want the full blueprint? Get my latest book on how to build and scale a successful self storage business: https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Ready to invest alongside us? Take advantage of today’s market conditions and grow with our team at Cedar: https://cedar.cc/invest 

For over a decade, as I built my portfolio, I didn’t raise capital from outside investors. Why? I didn’t want to take the risk. Raising capital for real estate is something you cannot afford to get wrong. No one wants to end up in prison because they funded a deal the wrong way. Good news? I’ve got SEC attorney and good friend Mauricio Rauld here to tell you how to do it right. Even better news? AI is about to make it cheaper (and easier) for all of us.    Seriously, why pay a lawyer tens of thousands of dollars to come up with your documents when AI can compile everything for a fraction of the cost? Most lawyers don’t want to hear this, but Mauricio is fully on board. The change is coming, and it’s about to bring huge cost savings to all of us who run businesses or invest in real estate. Plus, accredited investor rules could change soon, making it even easier for average Americans to invest in bigger deals. Will the move actually go through?   If you’re even thinking about raising money, listen to this episode. You could be paying thousands of dollars for what Mauricio is about to tell you. We’re also sharing the best career advice you’ll ever receive, our thoughts on AI’s new lawyer-replacing features, and why the middle class is stuck, getting squeezed while the rich get richer.    Insights from today’s episode:  How to raise capital for real estate (the rules you MUST follow before you do) New AI lawyers that can draft your legal docs for a fraction of the cost  Why you have way more control than you think when raising capital for real estate  Crucial career advice if you feel like you don’t know what your “passion” is Changes to accredited investor rules? Why this could be good for average Americans   — Helpful Articles: https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/the-truth-about-real-estate-investing  https://www.selfstorageincome.com/blog/the-secret-investments-of-the-wealthy-1  🎧 Listen to Drunk Real Estate: https://www.drunkrealestateshow.com/ 🔗 Mauricio’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauriciorauld/ 📚 Mauricio’s Coaching: https://coachingwithmauricio.com  🎙️ Have a story worth sharing? Apply to be a guest on the Self Storage Income or AJ Osborne podcasts: https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📚 Want the full blueprint? Get my latest book on how to build and scale a successful self storage business: https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Ready to invest alongside us? Take advantage of today’s market conditions and grow with our team at Cedar: https://cedar.cc/invest 

Sign Up for My Newsletter Here: https://ajosborne.com/newsletter Markets are volatile. Whispers of a recession are getting louder. Some industries—like commercial real estate—are already in recession. This has been one of the most difficult market cycles for business owners and self storage investors to navigate. Want to know how to start a business that thrives in any economic environment? I break it down in today’s episode! We’re coming off arguably the greatest bull market in history. The problem? People start businesses expecting success, which is exactly why they fail. Their systems, models, and contracts aren’t designed for the worst-case scenario. The truth is, if you want to succeed long-term, you can’t build to succeed. You must build to fail. It sounds backwards, but it’s the only way to survive the storms. Make no mistake—you will fail. But how you fail makes all the difference. You don’t need to be fearless, just aware of the risks and prepared for the valleys. In this episode, I show you how to fail the right way—small, fast, and forward! Insights from today’s episode: Why “building to succeed” is a fatal flaw in this economy (and what to do instead)The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when starting a new businessHow to create “asymmetric failure” that your business can weatherThe number one reason businesses go under during tough market cyclesWhy you must treat every new investment opportunity like a business.   🎙️ Do you have a great story to share on the SSI or AJ Osborne podcasts? You can now apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with us: https://cedar.cc/invest 

This investor makes tens of thousands a month from his “AI vending machine” business. A business so simple a teenager could run it—and make more than most Americans do at their day job. We’re not talking about those old vending machines in the back of bowling alleys selling Cokes for $1.50. We’re talking about an AI vending machine business plan that generates $1,200 to $2,000 per month per machine.    Michael Hoffmann—better known as ‘Mr. Passive’—has been running his vending machine side hustle for over five years. But he’s made a serious business out of it, leveraging his Silicon Valley tech background to perfect the purchasing experience.    A customer simply walks up to your machine, taps their card, grabs what they need, and leaves. You make a massive markup, and the customer gets what they want—fast. Want to know how to repeat it? Michael is sharing exactly how much he makes, how much a machine costs, the profit margins, and a step-by-step plan so you or even your kid can start a vending machine business.   Insights from today’s episode:  How much vending machines make AND how much a vending machine costs The new “AI vending machines” with bigger purchases and better margins A step-by-step business plan for starting your own vending machine business How to scale your vending machine side hustle into a full-time business The best way to teach your kids entrepreneurship? Why AJ is bullish on vending machines for HIS kids    Join the Waitlist for VendHub! - https://www.vendhub.ai/  Learn how to do this yourself and subscribe to Michael’s YouTube Channel! - https://www.youtube.com/@UCCr13sXOZgWCqpPv8WPKhwQ  🎙️ Do you have a great story or advice to share on the AJ Osborne podcast? Apply here! https://form.asana.com/?k=TGU88eU0bFTFW1iHcckuTA&d=1203571084143207 📖 Get AJ's book that teaches you everything he knows about self-storage https://a.co/d/aRSKcSq 📉 Take advantage of today’s market conditions and invest with our company, Cedar Creek Capital: https://cedar.cc/invest 

The parenting playbook is changing. Raising independent children has only gotten harder as family units drift apart, grandparents remain out of the picture, schools fail to teach financial literacy for kids, and overprotective helicopter parenting becomes the new norm. But just because society is heading in one direction, doesn’t mean your family has to as well. We’re proof of that, with four independent, high-achieving children raised by us, not society.    Who is “we”? Today, I brought my better half, Tessa, to the show. Tessa is on the Board of Directors at Innovate Academy, founded the Family Foundations Camp, and is author of the upcoming (hold her to that!) book Parenting in a Petri Dish. Tessa spends all day, every day, thinking about how we can create better futures with our children, not just for them. This “petri dish” parenting is the playbook we use to raise our children to be self-sufficient, financially savvy, and compassionate, caring individuals.   Has the system failed us as parents? You probably already know the answer. So how do we take control of our kids’ cultivation? Simple: practice life skills at home! But how? Today, Tessa and I share what we do to raise children we’re proud of, why daughters and sons need different challenges, and why focusing only on outcomes will fail your child in the long run.    Insights from today’s episode:    The “petri dish” style of parenting that leads to successful (and happy) kids  Call your grandparents! Why older generations MUST be included in your kids’ lives Male vs. female learning patterns and why you should treat your daughters and sons differently  How to “manufacture” challenges in the home that build your kid’s character  Why focusing on outcomes (not skills and habits) is a huge mistake  Family Foundations Camp: https://www.foundationsfamilycamp.com/ Innovate Academy: https://innovatehigh.com/ The Comfort Crisis: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Crisis-Embrace-Discomfort-Reclaim/dp/0593138767