You might expect someone who experienced homelessness as a kid to grow up angry at the financial system. Instead, John Hope Bryant set out to understand it and help more people succeed within it. Our guest today believes financial literacy isn’t just helpful but foundational to economic opportunity and even human dignity. John is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, one of the nation’s leading organizations focused on financial literacy, credit access, and economic empowerment. Today, we’re talking about his personal story, economic mobility, entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to build a financial system that works for everyone. We cover:

• The ‘third reconstruction’
• Doing well and doing good
• Improving over burning our current system
• How our economy is driven by consumer spending
• AI upskilling and its impact on jobs
• Capitalism isn’t a blue vs red political choice
• Ladders of economic mobility
• Incentivizing corporations to help those in need
• The ‘American bet’ and what he thinks will give you a good shot at success
• And plenty more!

Want more How To Money in your life? Here are some additional ways to get ahead with your personal finances:

• John Hope Bryant: Check out Operation Hope, John’s non-profit that works to expand economic opportunity via free enterprise, as well as his latest book, Capitalism For All: Inclusive Economics and the Future-Proofing of America.
• Credit card perks: Check out our favorite credit cards that we use to maximize rewards and optimize our spending.
• Money Gears: Knowing what to do with your money is crucial to your personal finance journey.
• Newsletter: Sign up for the weekly HTM newsletter. It’s fun, free, & practical.
• Other money nerds: Find a thriving community of fellow money nerds by joining the HTM Facebook group!

And please help us to spread the word by letting friends and family know about How to Money! Hit the share button, subscribe if you’re not already a regular listener, and give us a quick review in Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Help us to change the conversation around personal finance and get more people doing smart things with their money!

Best friends out!