FTM 507: Empire of Debt

The United States is rapidly approaching $40 trillion in national debt—and there’s no sign of slowing down.In this episode, Jerry Robinson takes a hard look at America’s growing debt crisis and what it really means beneath the surface.From exploding deficits to trillion-dollar interest payments, the numbers are becoming impossible to ignore. And yet, Washington continues spending with little restraint.In this episode:• Why U.S. debt has surged from $9T to nearly $40T• How interest payments are becoming one of the largest federal expenses• The real cost of empire and global military spending• Why inflation is the hidden consequence of runaway debt• Signs that global confidence in the U.S. financial system may be shiftingPlus, Jerry shares his latest market insights, including:• S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 trends• Gold and silver outlook• Bitcoin and crypto sentiment• Oil and U.S. dollar movementsThis episode closes with a sobering reminder about debt, currency, and long-term stability.

Markets are shaking. Oil is rising. Headlines are loud. But the best investors don’t panic. In this episode, Jerry explains why staying the course may be the smartest move you can make right now.

The United States and Israel have launched new strikes on Iran, marking a significant escalation in the Middle East.Officials say the action was necessary. Yet reporting suggests there was no clear evidence of an imminent Iranian attack on the United States.So what is the real threshold for war?In this episode, Jerry breaks down:• The latest facts surrounding the Iran escalation• The long-standing narrative of Iran’s nuclear timeline• The pattern of foreign conflict emerging during periods of domestic pressure• The erosion of congressional war authority since World War II• Why modern wars are often fought without formal declarationsThen, Jerry shifts to the markets:• S&P 500 resilience amid geopolitical tension• Gold, silver, and Bitcoin reactions• Oil and the Strait of Hormuz risk• The U.S. dollar’s role during global stressIn this new episode, Jerry breaks down the facts, the timing, and what markets are signaling.

America is facing a retirement reckoning. A recent survey shows Americans believe they need $2.1 million to retire comfortably. Yet 62% have saved less than $150,000.In this episode, Jerry breaks down:• The structural retirement savings gap• Why wages stopped keeping up with productivity• The Social Security shortfall projected by 2032• Inflation and sequence of returns risk• Longevity and healthcare shock risk• The Five Levels of Financial Freedom• The Three Bucket Strategy for retirement planning• Roth accounts, dividend income, and managing equity exposureRetirement is not an event. It is a long-term risk management strategy.

In this episode of Follow the Money, Jerry Robinson addresses the latest sell-off in precious metals and Bitcoin and explains why volatility is not a sign that something is broken, but the cost of admission in the financial markets.In Segment Two, Jerry is joined by David Keller, CMT, founder of MarketMisbehavior.com, for a conversation on technical analysis, behavioral finance, and how understanding market psychology can help investors stay disciplined when volatility spikes.The episode concludes with a reminder about mental control, patience, and perspective in uncertain markets.

In this episode of Follow the Money, Jerry Robinson takes a hard look at the signs pointing to America’s late-stage empire moment.In Segment One, Jerry connects the dots between soaring national debt, currency debasement, fractured alliances, executive overreach, and rising global resistance to U.S. power. Drawing from history and current geopolitical realities, he explains why no empire lasts forever and why the warning signs are now impossible to ignore. In Segment Two, Jerry shifts to the markets, offering sober commentary on U.S. stocks, gold, silver, Bitcoin, Ethereum, the U.S. dollar, and oil.He also shares three practical strategies he uses to navigate position downtrends without panic, including inverse ETFs, buying put options, and disciplined dollar cost averaging.The episode closes with a powerful reminder from Proverbs 22:7 and a final reflection on debt, freedom, and financial stewardship.Topics covered:The erosion of American economic and political powerNational debt, currency trust, and empire cyclesNATO tensions, Venezuela, and global realignmentMarket positioning during volatilityWhy financial literacy is a form of freedom

In this first episode of 2026, Jerry Robinson shares his 2026 economic and market outlook and explains how he’s positioning for the year ahead.Jerry previews three key economic forecasts shaping the new year and then walks through three investment themes he expects to outperform the S&P 500 in 2026.The episode also includes a preview of several stocks Jerry is watching closely this year and concludes with a reflective final word on time, perspective, and enjoying the journey of life as the years move faster than we realize. This episode is a preview of Jerry’s full 2026 Market Outlook, which is available to Follow the Money members.

In this episode of the Follow the Money podcast, Jerry Robinson breaks down how politics, markets, and power are colliding in real time.Jerry begins with a look at President Trump’s recent cannabis policy pivot and the sharp rally it sparked in cannabis stocks, explaining why markets move quickly on political signals.He then turns to Venezuela, exploring the deeper geopolitical and economic forces at play, including oil, dollar power, and America’s long history of intervention in Latin America.In the second half of the show, Jerry delivers his latest market commentary, covering the S&P 500, gold, silver, Bitcoin, and crude oil. He explains where trends remain intact, where risks are rising, and why discipline matters more than prediction.The episode concludes with a powerful final word that reminds us that all people are made in the image of God and therefore worthy of love and compassion. 

In this episode of the Follow the Money podcast, Jerry breaks down the Federal Reserve’s upcoming December meeting and why he expects a 25 basis point rate cut. He also explains the end of quantitative tightening, the concerns around Fed independence, and the possible return of future QE.Jerry also covers silver’s fresh all time high, Bitcoin’s recent weakness, and the growing tension in Venezuela as the United States positions itself around the world’s largest oil reserves.

In today’s episode, Jerry introduces the Three Bucket Strategy, a simple framework that brings clarity to your financial life by organizing liquid assets, safe growth assets, and long-term risk growth.He explains why so many investors feel stress during market volatility and how proper bucket planning reduces fear, panic selling, and emotional decision-making.Jerry also shares his latest market insights ahead of Nvidia’s earnings release and tomorrow’s jobs report, both of which could move the markets.He walks through the current set-ups in the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, gold, silver, bitcoin, and more.The episode ends with a clear reminder of why planning beats prediction and how a steady hand wins over time.🎧 Listen now at FollowTheMoney.com/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.