Rule Breaker Investing

The Motley Fool

David Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool, is among the most respected and trusted sources on investing. As a best-selling author, hugely successful stock picker, and financial authority, David has led The Motley Fool’s growth into a worldwide investment and financial advisory services company. Each week David shares his insights into today's most innovative and disruptive publicly traded companies -- and how to profit from them by following his signature “Rule Breaker Investing” principles. read less

Our Editor's Take

The Rule Breaker Investing podcast teaches listeners how to make informed, optimal choices with their money. Host David Gardner is the right person to provide that information. He has cowritten several books, including The Motley Fool Investment Guide: How the Fools Beat Wall Street's Wise Men and How You Can Too.

The podcast has some recurring themed episodes. "Great Quotes," "Pet Peeves," and Mailbag" are a few of the listeners' favorites. Authentic advice is the primary reason this show has been a trusted resource since 2015. Gardner says it's important to remember what investing means. He calls trading the antithesis of investing. Gardner says he has better things to do than look at "wiggles and waggles" on charts and follow crypto all day. He explains why "long-term investing" is a redundant phrase.

Gardner says there are nine "eternal verities" about investing. One is that humans live in a "protopia." That means the world gets an almost invisible amount better every day. Over time, the improvements become visible. Gardner offers computers and female CEOs as examples. He reveals persistent truths about the stock market. Gardner admits he's not good at predicting the market and doesn't think anyone is. He calls it a coin flip and says there's a better strategy. Gardner always bets on it going up. Podcast listeners learn the logical reason why.

On the podcast, Gardner explains the four tenets of conscious capitalism. He discusses the importance of optionality in the companies people invest in. A business needs several possible futures. Alphabet Inc. excels at optionality. They own Fitbit, YouTube, Google DeepMind, GV, Android OS, and more.

Listeners can also learn from Gardner's explanation of "rowboat syndrome." Rowers look backward. Canoe paddlers look forward. Gardner shares why sailors have the best technique. He equates paddling to day trading-lots of effort for an uncertain outcome. Rule Breaker Investing takes the opposite tact. New podcast episodes come out each Wednesday.

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April 2024 Mailbag: Buy Now, Pay Later?

April 2024 Mailbag: Buy Now, Pay Later?

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

Episodes

April 2024 Mailbag: Buy Now, Pay Later?

April 2024 Mailbag: Buy Now, Pay Later?

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

Great Quotes Vol. 18: As You Like It

Great Quotes Vol. 18: As You Like It

In the 18th installment of our Great Quotes series, we delve into Shakespeare's "As You Like It," the play that inspired our company's name. David explores five compelling quotes from the Bard's beloved comedy, explaining how they can make us smarter, happier, and richer. Join us as we uncover centuries-old wisdom the play holds for investors. Host: David Gardner Producer: Desiree Jones

Telling Their Stories, Vol. 6: Sports, Family & Finance

Telling Their Stories, Vol. 6: Sports, Family & Finance

You know Bill Barker’s and Robert Brokamp’s investment advice from years of contributions to our podcasts and services. But did you know where and how they started? Sports, family, and finance keep popping back up in their life stories expressed in 10 sentences, in the stock graphs of their lives, and in the three key moments that have made these admirable men the Foolish investors that they are. Host: David Gardner Guests: Bill Barker (3:11), Robert Brokamp (42:26) Producer: Desiree Jones

Optimism, with Bill Burke

Optimism, with Bill Burke

What makes someone an optimist? How do you embody optimism? Who is on your Mount Rushmore of Optimists? And, should we “gather all the optimists and eat the pessimists”?! Cultivating optimism, with Bill Burke, founder of The Optimism Institute.

March 2024 Mailbag: Reflecting on Your Experience

March 2024 Mailbag: Reflecting on Your Experience

The 101st mailbag may not seem as momentous as the one that ended with "0" but Fools know that big round numbers are just a milestone on the path to the future. Today we mark our charts for the course ahead, and hear from the delightful crew that we're sailing with on this ship of Fools. Yo, ho, ho, it's the March Mailbag! Host: David Gardner Producer: Rick Engdahl

March Market Cap Madness Championship: Bill vs. Andy

March Market Cap Madness Championship: Bill vs. Andy

It all comes down to this... Who will be the National World Champion of The Market Cap Game Show? In one corner is Bill Mann and in the other is Andy Cross, both investing gurus and indelible Fools. But we're betting on you to come out smarter, happier, and richer as we all play and learn together! Companies discussed: UNP, WD, UBER, SYNA, SRAD, USB, NARI, DXCM, TDOC, PI, LYV Host: David Gardner Guests: Bill Mann, Andy Cross Producer: Rick Engdahl

March Market Cap Madness: Bill vs. Matt

March Market Cap Madness: Bill vs. Matt

We hope you've filled out your bracket because we're back with the second match of the March Market Cap Madness Final Four. Today it's the OG, Matt Argersinger up against the globetrotter, Bill Mann! Who will make it to next week's final? You will, Fool! Companies discussed: ELF, MIDD, CCL, ABNB, BRC, EBAY, CRNC, KLG, PAC, BBW Host: David Gardner Guests: Bill Mann, Matt Argersinger Producer: Rick Engdahl

March Market Cap Madness: Emily vs. Andy

March Market Cap Madness: Emily vs. Andy

The Olympics. The World Cup. The Super Bowl. These competitions bring the world together to back their favorite teams as they compete for the ultimate title. But March Market Cap Madness has an even bigger draw, because you not only get to root for your favorite; you get to compete! Strap in and get your pencils ready, it's go time! Companies discussed: INTU, CMG, MMM, LUV, NTB, TSLA, SNBR, DOC, SSNC, VBAH Host: David Gardner Guests: Andy Cross, Emily Flippen Producers: Dez Jones, Rick Engdahl

Extra: The 100th Mailbag After-Party

Extra: The 100th Mailbag After-Party

When the party's over, turn out the lights? No way, Fool! Head on over to the after-party and keep the good times rolling! Last Wednesday we had an epic 100th mailbag, joined by several of our long-time listeners. Today we extend that conversation and dig-in to four beautiful questions to make us all smarter, happier, and richer. Host: David Gardner Guests: Jason Moore, David Geck, Jumm, Adam Nelson, Mike McMahon, Jason Newman Producer: Rick Engdahl

February 2024 Mailbag (#100!): Very Good Company

February 2024 Mailbag (#100!): Very Good Company

We've always held that the mailbag is a chance for us to learn from each other; to hear the thoughts of Fools from around the world who listen to the show and then respond with wisdom of their own. Today, as we celebrate our 100th mailbag, we're kicking it up a notch! Get ready to meet seven of our most brilliant and prolific correspondents, and this time hear their voices as well as their stories. Host: David Gardner Guests: Jason Moore, David Geck, Jumm, Jason Trice, Adam Nelson, Mike McMahon, Jason Newman Producer: Rick Engdahl

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue, Vol. 8

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue, Vol. 8

It's time again for an old format, a new show, borrowed wisdom and some blue sky thinking! You don't have to be a bride to join in the good luck this week. (04:31) Style Boxing(14:23) The Golden Ticket(21:43) The Why of Work(29:25) A Study in Blue Companies Mentioned: MORN, DIS, ABNB, NFLX, TSLA Host: David Gardner Producer: Rick Engdahl

Mental Tips, Tricks & Lifehacks, Vol. 9

Mental Tips, Tricks & Lifehacks, Vol. 9

Does cost equal quality? Can your smart watch make you even smarter? And where on Earth is rule.breaker.investing? You're about to be smarter, happier, and richer, Fool! Time for some tips, tricks, and lifehacks. Host: David Gardner Producer: Rick Engdahl

Investing in Art with Tonya Turner Carroll and Michael Carroll

Investing in Art with Tonya Turner Carroll and Michael Carroll

Stocks, bonds, ETFs, real estate, crypto, art... Wait, what? Art? Is that a thing that you can invest in? There are always more rules to break, Fool! Today we're here to explore the world of art investing. Is it our area of expertise? No. Do we have guests who can teach us where to begin and guide us along the way? You bet! There's wine and cheese in the corner; take a look around and be sure to ask about the context. Host: David Gardner Guests: Tonya Turner Carroll, Michael Carroll Producer: Rick Engdahl

January 2024 Mailbag: Magnificent Faangs

January 2024 Mailbag: Magnificent Faangs

Do you own the Magnificent 7? Do you remember FAANG stocks? Do these arbitrary groupings matter? Only if you keep score, as one listener reminds us! Yes, it's the mailbag time of the month again, where we hear from you about what you've learned, what you're teaching, and what you're looking forward to. Host: David Gardner Producer: Rick Engdahl

Calculating Risk Foolishly, Vol. 3: KNSL vs. CHWY

Calculating Risk Foolishly, Vol. 3: KNSL vs. CHWY

High risk? Low risk? MEDIUM risk? What does that even mean? And what the heck is risk anyway? Today, we define risk Foolishly and revisit our risk ratings, a system to quantify the long-term risk your companies may face. Companies Discussed: KNSL, CHWY Host: David Gardner Guests: Emily Flippen, Andy Cross Producer: Rick Engdahl

Blast From The Past, Vol. 8

Blast From The Past, Vol. 8

As Mark Twain once said, "History never repeats itself, but the Kaleidoscopic combinations of the pictured present often seem to be constructed out of the broken fragments of antique legends." Or something like that. In any case, we're here today not just to repeat lessons from the past, but to reflect on them anew, and fit them into our view of the present and more importantly, the future. Stocks Mentioned: NVDA, DIS, AMZN, TSLA, NFLX Host: David Gardner Producer: Rick Engdahl

Gotta Know The Lingo, Vol. 5

Gotta Know The Lingo, Vol. 5

We're here to make you smarter, happier, and richer, and today we're focusing on the smart part. Or that's the aim anyway. You keep score and let us know how we're doing, as our all-star cast tries to help you understand some common and not-so-common investing terms. Do you know them? It's lingo-bingo so prepare to be delighted! Host: David Gardner Guests: Matt Argersinger, Bill Barker, Jim Mueller Producer: Rick Engdahl

Essays From Yesterday, Vol. 5

Essays From Yesterday, Vol. 5

Remember when Motley Fool newsletters were printed on paper and sent not to your inbox but to your mailbox? If so, thank you! You've been with us for a long time. If not, you may have missed out on some great stock returns (though we believe future returns will be just as great). And you might have missed out on some great stories and lessons, printed on page one of those old paper newsletters. This is the series where we bring these essays back, warts and all, to see what we were thinking, how things might have changed, and mostly, what can we learn going forward. Host: David Gardner Producers: Heather Horton, Rick Engdahl

December 2023 Mailbag: Pigs vs. Turkeys

December 2023 Mailbag: Pigs vs. Turkeys

Another month gone by, indeed another year gone by! We're here to wrap it up in a bow with our final mailbag of 2023. The Market has been kind this year, and we've been rewarded for staying invested. But we're not here to dwell on the past, after all it's the future that matters most. So whether you're wearing a black tie, your best dress, or goofy 2024 sunglasses, have a Happy New Year and we'll see you on the other side! Host: David Gardner Producer: Rick Engdahl

Market Cap Game Show: Smack Talk

Market Cap Game Show: Smack Talk

A company with a $50 price per share might have a million shares outstanding or a billion shares outstanding. And unless you know both numbers, you don't know the price tag of the stock you're about to buy. It's market cap time once again, and we're here to have some fun talking about the true value of companies that the Motley Fool recommends. Companies Discussed: VRNS, CLNE, NFLX, DPZ, ALGN, DHR, SHOP, RGEN, BR, INTU Host: David Gardner Guests: Bill Barker, Yasser El-Shimy Producer: Rick Engdahl