Advertise on podcast: Kerry Lutz's--Financial Survival Network

In this interview, host Kerry Lutz is joined by noted economist Professor Michael Bussler on the Financial Survival Network to analyze the dual forces shaping the U.S. economy: foreign conflict and fiscal policy. Professor Bussler breaks down how geopolitical friction in Iran continues to strain global supply chains and drive up energy prices, acting as a temporary drag on otherwise strong GDP growth and low unemployment numbers. The discussion highlights how federal investment incentives—such as immediate expensing rules—have fueled a domestic business boom, while emphasizing that resolving energy market instability is crucial to bringing inflation below targets and unlocking the economy’s full potential. The conversation shifts to the escalating federal debt, which has now crossed $40 trillion, alongside annual interest payments eclipsing $1 trillion. Lutz and Bussler explore the broader macroeconomic consequences, including potential capital shortages and sustained higher interest rates caused by government borrowing crowding out private markets.Highlighting the difficulties of reining in federal spending despite structural reforms, Lutz also unveils his Dollar Time Machine tool to demonstrate the severe erosion of consumer purchasing power over time. The episode concludes with practical perspectives on foreign policy strategy and a call for fiscal restraint before national debt service limits future economic growth. Note: This interview was recorded live on September 30th. Find Michael here: https://www.facebook.com/fundingdemocracy/ Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz sits down with Dale Smothers of RD Smothers Wealth Management (recorded live on September 30th) to analyze the surprising resilience of the U.S. economy amid rising inflation, high interest rates, and complex geopolitical shifts. Dale breaks down why strong GDP growth, elevated oil prices, and the enduring petrodollar continue to sustain economic stability. The pair explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and emerging biotechnology—from AI integration across key industries to revolutionary GLP-1 health treatments—and how these megatrends are reshaping humanity, healthcare, and long-term financial markets. Turning to actionable retirement planning, Kerry and Dale discuss the critical importance of protecting your wealth against the eroding power of inflation. Demonstrating tools like the Dollar Time Machine, they highlight why holding excess "lazy cash" guarantees a loss of purchasing power over time. Dale shares crucial advice for pre-retirees and retirees on balancing stable income needs while keeping capital working in productive, high-growth assets. Tune in to learn how to navigate market volatility, position your portfolio for the ongoing AI revolution, and build a secure financial plan for a 20- to 30-year retirement. Find Dale here: https://rdsmotherswealth.com Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz sits down with financial commentator John Rubino to unpack the compounding pressures facing the global economy. The discussion explores how surging interest rates—highlighted by the 10-year Treasury yield crossing 5%—are placing the Federal Reserve and Treasury in a difficult trap: lowering rates risks triggering persistent inflation, while keeping them high destabilizes the bond market and threatens to freeze housing affordability. The pair also examines global supply-chain vulnerabilities, rising energy transport costs driven by diesel shortages, and China's aggressive gold-buying strategy alongside its growing dominance in the global EV market. Shifting to defense and emerging technology, Lutz and Rubino highlight how low-cost autonomous drones, robot soldiers, and advanced weaponized tech are disrupting traditional military strategy and rendering legacy equipment obsolete. Despite these macro pressures and volatile swings in precious metals, Rubino argues that current pullbacks in gold and silver offer strategically timed buying opportunities for long-term investors rather than signs of a structural downturn. Find John here: https://Rubino.substack.com Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz sits down with Rob Kientz from Freedom Report to analyze current macro-economic challenges and the performance of key asset classes. Kientz unpacks the drivers behind recent gold and silver corrections, explaining why historical patterns point toward a mid-bull cycle setup rather than a long-term downturn. The discussion explores escalating national debt, interest rate pressures, and government proposals—such as wrapping U.S. Treasuries into stablecoins—to maintain liquidity without addressing underlying fiscal imbalances. Kientz also breaks down his inflation-adjusted asset study comparing the S&P 500, NASDAQ, bonds, and precious metals since 1971 and 2010. The conversation further shifts to the structural vulnerabilities of cryptocurrencies, where Kientz details why Bitcoin faces network congestion, rising transaction fees, and centralizing forces that hinder its status as a primary wealth-preservation tool. He highlights how tech monopolies—specifically the “Magnificent Seven”—maintain lower capital costs and competitive moats across internet infrastructure, contrastingly positioning physical gold as a superior risk-adjusted stabilizer for individual portfolios. Finally, Kientz outlines his work as Executive Director of the Sound Money Trade Association, detailing state-level legislative initiatives and infrastructure development designed to establish gold and silver as viable voluntary legal tender options. Find Robert here: https://freedomrpt.substack.com Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz interviews precious metals analyst David Morgan to discuss shifting global monetary dynamics, precious metal pricing, and industry opportunities. Morgan emphasizes that central banks and institutional investors have already signaled a systemic monetary transition through record gold accumulation—reaching 2,522 tons ($380 billion) in the first half of the year alone. With gold trading near $4,600 per ounce and silver breaking $69, Morgan identifies $4,600 as strong technical support for gold and points to mining equities as the market's most compelling value opportunity. He explains that major mining companies are generating historic levels of free cash flow that Wall Street has yet to price in, setting up an impending wave of mergers and acquisitions as majors seek to acquire discounted junior producers to replenish their reserves. The conversation also explores practical market mechanics, trading risks, and physical metals investing. Morgan details how bullion banks utilize high leverage and margin requirement adjustments to navigate parabolic price swings, contrasting paper market exposure with physical ownership. The discussion addresses key retail challenges, such as wide dealer bid-ask spreads and the growing prevalence of counterfeit coins and bars online. Morgan shares operational insights from visiting mints—noting how modern computerized tolerances detect subtle weight variances—and stresses that physical investors must use digital scales, calipers, water displacement, or XRF testing guns to verify authenticity.  Note: This interview was recorded live on August 27, 2026 Find David here: https://www.themorganreport.com Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz welcomes back bestselling author and commentator Naresh Vissa for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state of the global economy and the hidden pressures driving everyday costs. Challenging the narrative that a soaring stock market signals economic health, Vissa breaks down why Wall Street highs fail to reflect the financial realities faced by everyday consumers. He points to rising oil and energy costs—exacerbated by international conflict and reduced industry competition, such as the absence of budget carriers like Spirit Airlines—as a primary driver behind surging airfares and elevated prices across consumer goods and services. Expanding on these inflationary pressures, Vissa traces today’s affordability crisis back to the fiscal and public health policies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores the long-term economic fallout of global lockdowns, massive stimulus money printing, and government mandates that disrupted small businesses and supply chains. Vissa argues that the resulting inflation, coupled with delayed interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, continues to burden Americans years later . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this interview with host Kerry Lutz on the Financial Survival Network, economic confidence model creator Martin Armstrong breaks down an escalating series of geopolitical conflicts and their economic repercussions. Armstrong argues that aggressive political maneuvers in Ukraine, Iran, and Europe are severely disrupting international energy supplies—specifically refined products like diesel—which could lead to global fuel panics and potential rationing. He highlights how escalating global tensions, coupled with political division, are eroding trust in public institutions while dragging world economies into a multi-year period of stagflation and heightened market volatility. Looking toward the financial markets, Armstrong warns that world sovereign debt is rapidly approaching a dangerous threshold, making higher long-term interest rates an inescapable global reality. He emphasizes that political fixes and tax increases fail to resolve underlying economic crises because power rests largely with unelected bureaucrats and systemically unchecked spending. While gold remains in a temporary consolidation phase, Armstrong predicts that escalating geopolitical instability—driven by upcoming elections in Russia, Israel, and the U.S. midterms—will spark chaotic market shifts and eventually drive precious metal prices higher into 2027 and beyond.  Find Martin here: https://armstrongeconomics.com Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz welcomes back financial analyst and macro strategist Jim Welsh of MacroTides.com to break down the underlying vulnerabilities in today's financial markets. Rather than predicting an immediate market crash, Jim highlights a growing internal weakness, pointing out how an equal-weighted S&P 500 and broader market internals show more stocks hitting new lows than highs. The discussion delves into surging Treasury yields, the probability of a "one-and-done" Federal Reserve rate hike driven by economic factors and newly signaled Fed policy, and why market-driven rate increases are already doing the heavy lifting for the central bank. The conversation shifts to sector trends, specifically examining whether the booming artificial intelligence sector is headed for a dot-com style correction. Jim outlines his technical outlook for the semiconductor index (SMH), forecasting near-term pullbacks followed by a potential buying opportunity before a larger macro unwind occurs later in the cycle. Kerry and Jim wrap up with a look at historical market patterns, economic cycles, and a brief look at inflation metrics via the Dollar Time Machine, highlighting how rising national debt impacts long-term economic stability. Find Jim here: https://Macrotides.com Find Kerry here: https://Kerrylutz.com and here: https://dollartimemachine.com All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz sits down with David Erfle of Junior Miner Junkie to break down the latest market volatility in gold and silver following rate hikes by the ECB and hotter-than-expected PPI numbers. Erfle explains that while short-term algorithm selling is driving pressure on precious metals, the underlying secular bull market remains strong. Major gold miners are generating massive profit margins, cleaning up their balance sheets, and outperforming the metals themselves. The discussion touches on the broader macro landscape, including mounting U.S. national debt, persistent inflation, and potential catalysts like upcoming M&A activity surrounding major industry events like the Beaver Creek Precious Metals Summit and the Denver Gold Forum. The pair also dive into practical investment strategies and the psychological pitfalls investors face in volatile commodity cycles. Erfle stresses the importance of disciplined profit-taking during parabolic spikes and scaling into quality positions during short-term pullbacks, warning against chasing speculative "junk" stocks that still litter the junior sector. Lutz introduces his new tool, Dollar Time Machine, to illustrate the dramatic loss of U.S. dollar purchasing power over time, contrasting historical asset performance against rising national debt to GDP. Find David here: JuniorMinerJunkie.com  Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

Host Kerry Lutz welcomes back guest Bill Walton on the Financial Survival Network for a wide-ranging discussion on current geopolitical tensions, economic narratives, and personal financial strategies. The conversation opens with an analysis of media coverage surrounding military conflicts involving Iran and the U.S., highlighting how AI tools and mainstream media reports can offer starkly contrasting perspectives. Walton and Lutz dissect the resilience of global markets and energy infrastructure, discussing how adaptability prevents long-term choke points despite fluctuating gas prices and ongoing economic uncertainty. Shifting focus to the domestic economy, the two explore the realities behind GDP metrics, labor participation rates, and the growing demand for skilled blue-collar trades over traditional, debt-heavy college degrees. Walton emphasizes the importance of personal financial responsibility—spending less than one earns, building savings cushions, and avoiding debt—as the primary drivers of individual financial health.  Find Bill here: https://thebillwaltonshow.com Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

Kerry Lutz welcomed back veteran trader and market strategist Greg Mannarino for a candid deep dive into the growing disconnect between Wall Street valuations and real-world economic conditions. Throughout the conversation, Greg breaks down the structural flaws of modern monetary policy, explaining how artificially suppressed interest rates and continuous debt expansion conceal a shrinking real economy. We examine the erosion of purchasing power caused by decades of fiat devaluation—demonstrating why cash holders remain at a severe disadvantage to asset owners—and explore how central bank interventions, stealth QE, and corporate bailouts consistently transfer wealth upward while squeezing the middle class. Looking ahead, we pivot to the debt market as the primary engine to watch, warning how a sudden liquidity contraction could trigger a system-wide credit freeze and reset. To navigate these looming risks, Greg makes a strategic case for securing hard assets like gold, silver, commodities, and select cryptocurrencies as vital hedges against currency degradation. Beyond financial positioning, the discussion wraps up with essential, real-world advice on building localized, self-sustaining communities, storing physical reserves like food and fuel, and taking decisive control of your personal wealth. Find Greg here: https://traderschoice.net Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz is joined by Matthew Tuttle of Tuttle Capital Management to break down the latest troubling economic indicators. Opening with a personal story about soaring everyday prices, Lutz sets the stage for a discussion on stubborn inflation, highlighted by recent PCE numbers rising at 3.7% against the Fed’s 2% target. With GDP slowing to 1.5%, Tuttle outlines the sticky position this creates for the Federal Reserve and incoming Chair Kevin Warsh as they head into Jackson Hole and upcoming FOMC meetings. The duo explores the political pressure on the Fed to cut rates, the treasury market interventions by the Treasury Department, and why the long-dormant "bond vigilantes" may force interest rates higher regardless of central bank policy. Turning toward actionable investment strategies, Tuttle argues that traditional 60/40 portfolios and long-duration bonds are currently uninvestable in an inflationary environment. Instead, he shares Tuttle Capital’s unique approach to modern portfolio construction: balancing high-upside AI "bottleneck" stocks with "Halo" (heavy asset, low obsolescence) value companies and century-old "Lindy" stocks. He highlights tactile assets like gold and silver—noting key technical signals for silver at $70 and $75—alongside cryptocurrency and property and casualty (P&C) insurance stocks, which he utilizes as higher-upside, zero-benchmark bond substitutes. Find Matthew here: https://www.tuttlecap.com/ Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore     This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

Kerry Lutz sits down with market cycle analyst Charles Nenner to examine the financial and geopolitical cycles that could reshape markets in the year ahead. Nenner forecasts a major move in gold, targeting $6,500 into next year, while warning of an impending stock market crash reminiscent of the late 1920s. A 50% decline in homebuilder stocks could be an early warning sign for the housing market, while oil could rebound toward $101 and higher and enthusiasm for Bitcoin may be coming to an end. With the traditional buy-and-hold strategy facing serious challenges, investors may need to focus more heavily on hedging and protecting their portfolios. The discussion also explores the growing appeal of storing physical gold safely in Switzerland as investors look for ways to preserve wealth amid increasing market uncertainty. The risks extend well beyond the markets. Nenner sees global conflict and "war cycles" escalating toward a major peak between 2030 and 2032. He views the Russia-Ukraine and Middle East conflicts as prolonged stalemates, while mounting Western military costs contribute to rising U.S. national debt and bond yields, making Federal Reserve rate cuts more difficult. Add in domestic security concerns and accelerating commodity inflation, and the road ahead looks increasingly volatile. Find Charles here: https://CharlesNenner.com Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz sits down with legendary resource investor Rick Rule to discuss wealth, purpose, and living a fulfilled life beyond the markets. Reflecting on his career, Rick explains why he hasn't felt like he has "worked" since his 30s—shifting his focus from chasing profit to creating genuine value for others. He shares how surviving an early-career financial bust taught him that market cycles are inevitable and that embracing failure is essential for long-term speculative success. He also details his plan to leave 99% of his estate to philanthropy. The conversation also explores human capital, personal drive, and navigating modern shifts like artificial intelligence. Kerry shares his experience finding renewed purpose by challenging municipal system flaws, while Rick highlights his ongoing work with Battle Bank to offer better solutions for precious metal investors. Together, they offer practical insights on saying "no" to non-essential tasks, building strong communities, and staying adaptable in a rapidly changing world. Find Rick here: https://www.ruleinvestmentmedia.com Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Financial Survival Network, host Kerry Lutz sits down with wealth advisor Ted Thatcher to analyze the latest macroeconomic data and its direct impact on monetary policy. With recent inflation prints showing a year-over-year CPI of 3.4% and core inflation rising slightly due to spikes in healthcare and transportation costs, the duo unpacks why the Federal Reserve is likely off the path of future rate hikes. Despite minor softening in labor market participation and public sector job shifts, Thatcher argues that strong Q2 corporate earnings and high profit margins paint an overall bullish picture for equity investors while keeping central bank expectations firmly grounded. Beyond standard market metrics, the conversation dives into unique economic indicators, geopolitical dynamics, and regional market shifts. Host Kerry Lutz introduces his tongue-in-cheek "Palm Beach Trophy Wife Index" as a gauge for high-net-worth consumer sentiment, contrasting main street trends with luxury spending and labor supply. The discussion also touches on global energy markets, US crude production economics, and undertracked geopolitical catalysts like energy infrastructure bypasses in the Middle East and the economic implications of ongoing developments in Cuba for Florida and the broader Southeast logistics corridor. Find Ted here: https://www.brightlakewealth.com Find Kerry here:  https://khlfsn.substack.com and here: https://inflation.cafe    All Kerry's books are available here:  Amazon Bookstore   This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.financialsurvivalnetwork.com/subscribe