Is the American Dream Dead? | Mark Matson

What does the “American Dream” really mean in 2025—and is it still within reach for everyone? Financial advisor and author Mark Matson joins us to discuss his new book, Experiencing the American Dream, where he redefines success as a mindset rooted not in wealth, but in freedom, creativity, and service. For Mark, fulfillment comes from purpose, gratitude, and agency—not entitlement or comparison.

Mark shares his behavioral approach to investing and lets us in on a little secret: most people are their own worst enemies when it comes to financial decision-making. He explains how biases like overconfidence, herding, and confirmation distort our judgment and lead to costly mistakes. Want financial success? According to Mark, it’s not about luck or timing—it’s about diversification, discipline, and understanding your own mind.

But not everything about the American Dream is so simple. In this week’s grooving session, we wrestle with the complexity of Mark’s message: can anyone truly achieve the American Dream? Or is that belief itself a bias born from privilege and perspective? We explore whether hard work and optimism alone can overcome systemic headwinds—and unpack the tension between personal responsibility and social reality.

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