At 70, I Wish I Learned THIS About Money and Life at 21 | George Bodine | BFM220

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Jan 5, 2026

George Bodine, a former Navy F-18 Hornet pilot and Top Gun instructor turned Bitcoin advocate, shares invaluable life lessons. He discusses how the Nixon shock exposed the fragility of money and urges flexibility in today's economic landscape. George emphasizes entrepreneurial spirit and the importance of Bitcoin as a safeguard against financial crises. He reflects on consumerism, the value of time, and the need for the next generation to prepare for shifting economic realities with resilience and adaptability.

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ANECDOTE

Living Through The Nixon Shock

George Bodine lived through Nixon's 1971 gold decoupling and initially believed the official narrative.
He watched inflation and high interest rates erode his earnings despite intense labor in the 1970s.

INSIGHT

Flexibility Beats Fixed Career Paths

Flexibility and willingness to change careers were common in George's youth and are crucial now.
He argues AI and the coming crisis make being fleet-footed and entrepreneurial essential.

ADVICE

Prepare For The Fourth Turning

Prepare for a chaotic multi-year Fourth Turning by protecting yourself and studying the cycle.
George specifically recommends owning digital assets that governments cannot print, especially Bitcoin.

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George “Jethro” Bodine is a former Navy F-18 Hornet pilot, Top Gun instructor and staunch Bitcoin advocate with great wisdom from his eventful life.

› https://x.com/jethroe111

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🕑 TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - The Journey Begins: Life Lessons from the 20s

03:46 - Navigating the Chaos: The Impact of Inflation and Money

07:10 - Flexibility and Fear: The Changing Landscape for Millennials

10:32 - The Fourth Turning: Understanding Cycles of Crisis

14:32 - Consumerism and Regret: Lessons from the 30s

18:40 - Time as a Precious Resource: Reflections on Family and Life

22:34 - The Digital Future: Bitcoin and the New Economy

28:34 - Advice for the Next Generation: Navigating Today's Challenges

34:29 - The Future of Bitcoin and Financial Awareness

41:33 - Understanding the Current Economic Landscape

47:50 - The Importance of Self-Custody in Bitcoin

54:37 - Preparing for a Chaotic Future

01:02:27 - The Legacy We Leave Behind

ℹ️ EPISODE SUMMARY

Bram Kanstein talks with George Bodine, who shares the hard-earned lessons from a life that spanned the gold decoupling, double-digit inflation, and the front lines as a Navy pilot. We discuss why traditional career paths are a dangerous illusion in the face of the "Fourth Turning" and why flexibility is the only true security. George reveals the expensive mistakes of his 30s and why escaping the consumerist "keeping up with the Joneses" trap was his greatest financial win. If you feel paralyzed by economic anxiety, George’s perspective on Bitcoin as the ultimate "answer" will rewire your strategy for the next decade.

RELAI DISCLAIMERRelai sponsors this show/podcast and is authorized to provide crypto-asset services in Switzerland and across the European Union under the MiCA regulatory framework with its license issued by the French regulator, AMF (License No: A2025-006). The company is actively expanding its services to EU member states following the completion of passporting notifications.