Welcome back to Founder's Story! In this episode, Daniel Robbins sits down with Larry McDonald, founder of The Bear Traps Report and author of the newly released book, How to Listen When Markets Speak. Larry brings decades of investment expertise and invaluable insights on navigating today’s volatile markets and preparing for the future.

Episode Highlights:

The Journey to Bear Traps:

• Larry shares how he became a leading voice in financial analysis, writing A Colossal Failure of Common Sense during the 2008 financial crisis and connecting its lessons to today’s economic landscape.

Market Insights for 2025 and Beyond:

• The shift from austerity post-2008 to massive fiscal and monetary responses totaling $16 trillion since COVID.
• Why today’s inflation pressures demand a new investment philosophy for the next decade.
• Predictions for 2025, including major restructuring in the U.S. debt market and its potential impacts.

Investing in a Multipolar World:

• The rise of emerging markets and their increasing energy consumption.
• Why global energy infrastructure—including natural gas, uranium, and copper—may become the biggest beneficiaries of the AI and crypto boom.

Lessons from Legends:

• Larry reflects on mentorship from investing greats like Charlie Munger, highlighting the importance of patience, discipline, and resisting the hype.

The Reality of Crypto Investing:

• Why Bitcoin’s extreme volatility requires careful timing and discipline.
• The dangers of "testosterone-driven" investing and how liquidity drives crypto markets.

BRICS and Global Shifts:

• The BRICS nations’ push away from the U.S. dollar and toward hard assets like gold.
• How overuse of sanctions by the U.S. has accelerated this trend.

AI's Transformational Role:

• Why the true winners in AI will be those investing in the energy infrastructure to support it.
• Why NVIDIA’s valuation is a cautionary tale and where to look for real opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Patience and timing are critical for successful investing—“All the great profits are in the waiting.”
• The next wave of investment opportunities lies in energy infrastructure, not just AI companies.
• Bitcoin and crypto are highly volatile and require a disciplined, long-term perspective.
• The global financial system is evolving into a multipolar world, requiring new strategies and insights.

Connect with Larry McDonald:

• Follow him on Twitter: @ConvertBond
• Email for a free trial of The Bear Traps Report:
• Tatiana@thebeartrapsreport.com
• Valentina@thebeartrapsreport.com

Larry’s newsletter and book democratize market intelligence, providing everyday investors access to the insights of top hedge funds, mutual funds, and pension funds.

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