FTM 521: The Hidden Cost of America's War on Iran

In Episode 521 of Follow the Money, Jerry Robinson examines the staggering economic and human costs of America's ongoing war against Iran.New Pentagon estimates put the military cost above $47 billion, while independent research suggests American consumers have absorbed another $160 billion in gasoline and diesel expenses.Jerry breaks down the numbers, examines the constitutional questions surrounding the war, and explains how rising energy costs are complicating the Federal Reserve's fight against inflation.Plus, in our Market Insights segment, Jerry previews today's Fed decision, major technology earnings from Alphabet and Microsoft, and the latest developments shaping stocks, bonds, gold, and Bitcoin.The episode concludes with a hopeful reminder that peace, accountability, and human dignity still matter in a world committed to warfare. Visit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

Inflation is back on the rise, and America's energy crisis is getting worse. The latest inflation report shows consumer prices rising 3.7% annually, with gasoline prices surging more than 34% over the past year. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency warns that global diesel shortages could persist well into 2027.How much of this economic pressure is connected to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran? And with the November midterm elections approaching, should Americans be preparing for an October surprise?In this episode of the Follow the Money podcast, economist and investor Jerry Robinson examines the latest inflation numbers, the global energy crisis, Social Security's 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027, and the growing political uncertainty surrounding the midterm elections.Jerry also shares his latest technical market analysis, covering the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, gold, silver, crude oil, the U.S. dollar, Treasury yields, and Bitcoin.The episode concludes with an encouraging reflection on finding peace, wisdom, and contentment in uncertain times.Visit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

Is the next great cryptocurrency bull market taking shape?In this episode of Follow the Money, economist and investor Jerry Robinson explains why he's becoming increasingly bullish on Bitcoin and Ethereum as we head toward 2027.Jerry also examines two major developments involving cryptocurrencies he's owned for years. Chainlink's latest interoperability upgrades and Quant's recently announced agreement with The Clearing House offer a fascinating glimpse into how blockchain technology is finding its way into traditional finance. But significant opportunities rarely come without significant risks.Jerry discusses the importance of remaining disciplined during volatile markets and why he's maintaining his long-term investment approach.Plus, in our regular market commentary, we'll examine the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, Gold, Silver, the U.S. Dollar, and much more.Finally, Jerry closes the show with some thoughts on the quiet power of patience and why some of life's greatest rewards require the willingness to wait.Featured topics: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Chainlink, Quant, institutional crypto adoption, financial markets, and long-term investing.Visit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

Artificial intelligence is becoming a global gold rush. In this episode, Jerry Robinson speaks with Kevin T. Carter, founder and CIO of EMQQ Global, about the emerging-market companies, technologies, and consumers helping shape the next phase of the AI boom.They discuss Taiwan Semiconductor, Samsung, SK Hynix, China’s rapidly developing AI ecosystem, India’s extraordinary digital transformation, and the risks investors should keep in mind.Plus, Jerry opens with brief thoughts on the Federal Reserve, Bitcoin, and the latest developments in Washington.Topics include:Why AI is becoming a global investment themeThe “Mag 3” of emerging-market AITaiwan Semiconductor, Samsung, and SK HynixChina’s emerging AI ecosystemOpen-weight AI modelsIndia’s digital transformationAadhaar and India’s digital payments infrastructureThe global AI infrastructure buildoutThe bear case for AI investmentU.S.-China technology competitionKevin’s central argument is that the traditional emerging-market story of rising consumers is now being joined by a second major force: AI infrastructure and technological innovation.Visit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

When most people hear “digital assets,” they think of Bitcoin's price, wild volatility, meme coins, and speculation. But while the public has been watching the prices, a much larger transformation has been unfolding beneath the surface.In episode 517, economist and investor Jerry Robinson pulls the camera back to examine five forces quietly reshaping money and markets: digital dollars are going global, traditional assets are moving on-chain, Wall Street is entering the market, governments are finally writing the rules, and AI may be getting its own economy.This is not an episode about chasing the latest token or predicting short-term prices. It is an educational look at the financial infrastructure being built, the opportunities it may create, and the risks thoughtful investors should not ignore.Jerry also shares his latest market insights and closes with an invitation to his free educational webinar, Following the Future: Three Trends Reshaping Our World, taking place Wednesday, September 9, at 11:00 a.m. Central. You can register for free here: https://followthemoney.com/freewebinarVisit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

America's national debt is closing in on $40 trillion, but Jerry Robinson says the debt total itself may not be the biggest warning.The real story is the rising cost of financing it.Recent Treasury auctions have produced the highest 10-year and 30-year auction yields in decades as investors demand greater compensation to lend Washington money. Meanwhile, the Treasury Department is doubling certain long-term debt buybacks, a move Jerry explains is debt reshuffling, not debt reduction.In this episode, Jerry examines what persistent long-term rates could mean for mortgages, businesses, stocks, government finances, and American households.Then, in our Market Insights segment, Jerry examines an S&P 500 sitting near record highs with record corporate profit margins, but increasingly stretched market breadth. He also discusses the weakening U.S. dollar, improving gold prices, record-high copper, oil and the depleted Strategic Petroleum Reserve, plus his outlook for Bitcoin and Ethereum heading toward October.Visit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

America’s national debt is rapidly approaching $40 trillion, while the federal government is projected to spend roughly $7.4 trillion this fiscal year.There is no pandemic, no economic depression, and no declared world war. Yet Washington continues operating as though the country is facing a permanent emergency.In Episode 515, economist Jerry Robinson asks a basic question: What are Americans getting for all this money?Social Security remains exposed. Healthcare consumes trillions while producing disappointing outcomes. Educational achievement is slipping. American families are under increasing financial pressure. Meanwhile, Washington continues finding money for wars of choice, foreign commitments, corporate subsidies, and politically connected interests.Jerry argues that America’s central problem is not a lack of money. It is a crisis of priorities, stewardship, and accountability.Later, in Market Insights, Jerry explains what the approaching $40 trillion debt burden could mean for Treasury yields, bonds, inflation, the U.S. dollar, gold, stocks, retirement income, and household financial planning.In this episode:Why trillion-dollar deficits have become Washington’s normal operating modelWhat the national debt reveals about America’s prioritiesThe looming Social Security funding challengeWhy America spends so much on healthcare but receives poor resultsThe financial and moral costs of wars of choiceWhat rising government debt could mean for interest ratesWhy gold and productive assets may matter in a debt-heavy eraPractical steps households can take to prepare without panickingThe national debt is serious, but fear is not a financial plan. Stay informed, remain diversified, and keep your own financial priorities in order.Visit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

For decades, dividend-paying companies have quietly built enormous wealth for patient investors.In Episode #514, Jerry Robinson explains why dividend growth remains one of the most overlooked drivers of long-term investment success. Learn the difference between Dividend Achievers, Dividend Aristocrats, and Dividend Kings, why chasing high dividend yields can be dangerous, and why quality companies that consistently raise their payouts deserve a place on every investor's watchlist.Jerry also explains why SCHD remains one of his favorite dividend ETFs and shares how the Follow the Money Dividend Aristocrat Leaderboard helps members identify high-quality dividend stocks using both fundamental and technical analysis.Plus:• Current market commentary• S&P 500• Nasdaq 100• Gold• Silver• Bitcoin• Oil• U.S. DollarVisit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

Artificial intelligence may feel like it lives in the cloud, but the cloud runs on electricity.In this episode of Follow the Money, Jerry Robinson explores one of the most overlooked investment themes of the AI revolution: power.In Segment One, Jerry explains why exploding demand from AI data centers is creating new challenges for the electric grid and why electricity may become one of the defining bottlenecks of the next decade.Then, in Segment Two, he examines several investment themes that could benefit from this trend, including nuclear power, uranium, natural gas, electrical infrastructure, and data center cooling. Rather than chasing headlines, Jerry explains how disciplined investors can build a watchlist and identify opportunities as they emerge.Topics discussed include:• Why AI is becoming an energy story• The growing demand for electricity from AI data centers• Nuclear power vs. uranium: understanding the difference• Natural gas as a bridge fuel for AI growth• Grid modernization and infrastructure opportunities• Why investors should focus on trends instead of hypeVisit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.

A brand-new investment account for children is now available, and many parents and grandparents are wondering whether it deserves a place in their family's financial plan.In this episode, Jerry Robinson explains how Trump Accounts work, who qualifies for the federal $1,000 seed contribution, how these accounts compare to kid Roth IRAs, and why early investing may be one of the greatest financial gifts we can give the next generation.Jerry also discusses long-term tax planning considerations, future Roth conversion opportunities, and the power of compounding over decades.Plus, Jerry shares his latest market insights, including the key trends, sectors, and asset classes he is watching right now.In this episode:• What Trump Accounts are and how they work• Who qualifies for the $1,000 federal contribution• Trump Accounts vs. Kid Roth IRAs• Long-term tax planning for children• Future Roth conversion opportunities• The power of compounding over time• Jerry's latest market insightsLearn more at https://FollowTheMoney.comTo request a complimentary conversation with a Follow the Money affiliated advisor, visit https://FollowTheMoney.com/adviceVisit FollowtheMoney.com for Jerry Robinson’s latest market insights, investing tools, trading education, and membership resources.Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Investing and trading involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial professional before making financial decisions.