Rand Stagen on Long-Term Leadership, Business, and Life

On the road and looking at a light mailbag, David writes his own beautiful question this month, using it as an opportunity to highlight five favorite moments from the Rule Breaker Investing podcast in 2024. Companies Discussed: AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, META, MSFT, NVDA, TSLA Host: David Gardner Producer: Desirée Jones

Welcome back to our quarterly Market Cap Game Show! This week, two past champions, Matt Argersinger and Yasser El-Shimy, face off in a battle of wits and estimates, each vying for the coveted seat in our 2025 “March Market Cap Madness” World Championships. With 10 stocks on the line and two throwdown rounds, who will come out on top? And how will you fare against our contestants? Whether it’s semiconductors, space exploration, or the future of sound systems, we’ve got an exciting lineup of companies for you to test your market cap knowledge. Can you outscore both guests?!   Companies Discussed: NBIX, RKLB, AMD, SHOP, SYNA, MSFT, LOW, SONO, HEI, KFRC   Host: David Gardner Guests: Matt Argersinger, Yasser El-Shimy Producer: Desirée Jones

Investing rewards those who play the long game. While short-term trading can capture gains, true wealth comes from thinking in years, even decades. This applies not just to investing, but also in business, leadership, and life. This week, David interviews Rand Stagen, Managing Director of Stagen Leadership Academy, and one of David’s favorite people in business. Rand shares his wisdom on the long-term development of leaders and organizations, why conscious leadership is crucial for businesses today, and the lessons we can all learn from playing the long game in every aspect of life. Along the way, they’ll explore the balance of business, family, and legacy, and even tackle some Buy, Sell, or Hold predictions for the future of leadership.   Host: David Gardner Producer: Desirée Jones

In this sixth installment of Essays from Yesterday, David takes us on a journey back through time to revisit some of his earliest (and sometimes prophetic) investment writings from his days as a Motley Fool newsletter contributor. From reflections on the volatility of 2007-8, to introducing new terms like “Big Dumb Money,” and thoughts on building mental frameworks for investing, David reacts to his past essays with fresh insights for today’s markets. Join us as we explore the lessons learned from history and how they continue to guide our investing journeys today.   3:56 - #1 January is the Best Month 12:14 - #2 Big Dumb Money 21:34 - #3 Frameworks for Investors 31:46 - #4 Fool’s Eye on Investing   Companies Discussed: CHKP, CSCO, FTNT   Host: David Gardner Producer: Desirée Jones  

Light mailbag as we pre-recorded early in the month. But always a few things to talk about. Small things come in good packages! Happy Labor Day Weekend to all USA Fools. Host: David Gardner Producer: Desirée Jones

Games have always been central to the human experience, shaping the way we think, interact, and understand the world. This week, as part of our Authors in August series, David welcomes back philosopher C. Thi Nguyen to explore the deeper implications of games in our lives. From ancient pastimes to modern video games, we delve into why games matter, how they reflect our agency, and what they teach us about ourselves. With his book Games: Agency as Art, Nguyen reveals the profound ways games act as a form of artistic expression and how they can even influence the way we navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re a dedicated gamer or simply curious about the philosophical underpinnings of play, this conversation offers insights that extend far beyond the gaming table.   Also, this is a reminder that our August Mailbag episode drops this Saturday. Whether you’re on the road for Labor Day Weekend or just relaxing at home, be sure to tune in, our 106th consecutive monthly mailbag will be there for you! (1:34) Intro C.Thi Nguen (4:51) Why we play games (11:58) What does it mean to play a game? (19:13) Striving Play vs. Achievement Play  (31:21) A game that people think is not a game? (34:43) What's not a game people think is a game?  (54:13) Buy Sell or Hold Producer: Desirée Jones    

This week on Rule Breaker Investing, David welcomes neuroscientist and bestselling author David Eagleman for a mind-expanding conversation about his book Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives. As part of the ongoing Authors in August series, David dives into Eagleman’s fascinating exploration of life, death, and the possibilities beyond. What can a neuroscientist’s perspective on creativity and storytelling teach us about how we live our lives today? Plus, a speculative look at the future of AI, the neuroscience of rule-breaking, and what it means to leave a lasting legacy. And… does this episode feature our best-ever game of Buy, Sell, or Hold?   Companies Discussed: AMZN Producer: Desirée Jones

Continuing our 7th annual Authors in August series, David welcomes John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, for a deep dive into his 2024 book, The Whole Story. Reflecting on the journey from Safer Way to Whole Foods to Amazon.com to Love.Life, John shares how passion, purpose, and unexpected surprises shaped a company that’s transformed the way America eats. With a nod to their 2020 conversation on Conscious Leadership, this episode explores the intersection of purpose and profit, and the enduring joy of playing the game of life—and business.   Companies Discussed: AMZN, CMG, SBUX, WMT Producer: Desirée Jones

Kicking off our 7th annual Authors in August series, David pivots from an unexpected cancellation to a special Poetry of Rule Breaker Investing episode. Herein, a selection of eight original poems from fellow Fools inspired by market movements, Rule Breaker principles, and financial freedom, plus a surprise world-premiere musical tribute! Join us for a whimsical and thought-provoking journey into the art of investing, with a nod to the enduring impact of classic literature. Companies Discussed: AAPL, AMZN, NFLX   Host: David Gardner Producer: Desirée Jones

In this, our 105th consecutive monthly Mailbag episode, we explore the power of asking beautiful questions, the importance of engaging sincerely with all questions, and the journey of finding one’s platform of value. Companies Discussed: PTON, ROKU, SEA, TDOC, ZOOM Host: David Gardner Producer: Heather Horton