In this episode of Burning the Ships, I sit down with someone whose work has impacted not just my life, but the lives of millions around the world — Sharon Lechter, co-author of Rich Dad Poor Dad and a global pioneer in financial literacy.

This conversation is personal for me. Back in 2016, while I was still in my W-2 career, a single book lit a fire that eventually led to me burning the ships on corporate America. Since launching this podcast, more than half of my guests have referenced that same book as a pivotal moment in their journey. So getting the chance to sit down with Sharon — the powerhouse behind that movement — was something special.

We go far beyond Rich Dad Poor Dad. Sharon shares stories about growing up in a family that talked about assets at the dinner table, becoming one of the first women in public accounting in the 1970s, burning the ships on her own career, building the Rich Dad brand globally, serving on presidential advisory councils, partnering with the Napoleon Hill Foundation, and continuing to “refire” instead of retire at 72.

We also talk about marriage, adversity, losing a child, faith over fear, mentorship, legacy, and what true wealth really means. If you’ve ever felt called to something bigger, questioned retirement as the ultimate destination, or wondered what lasting impact really looks like — this episode is for you.

Key Talking Points of the Episode

00:00 “I’m not retiring — I’m refiring.”

01:06 The book that changed my life and so many of my guests’ lives

03:50 How David Richter connected me with Sharon

05:00 Growing up discussing assets, liabilities, and cash flow at the dinner table

07:30 Becoming one of the first women in public accounting in the 1970s

08:33 The “Why not?” philosophy that shaped her career

09:56 Leaving a secure W-2 to become an entrepreneur

11:02 A failed business decision that led to meeting her husband of 46 years

12:23 Building a global children’s publishing company through Disney licensing

14:17 Dedicating her life to financial literacy after her son’s college debt wake-up call

16:21 Meeting Robert Kiyosaki and turning a board game into Rich Dad Poor Dad

18:57 Realizing the book had taken on a life of its own

22:52 The power of association and building authority

24:36 Sharon’s personal success equation (Passion + Talent × Association × Action + Faith)

29:15 “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”

31:13 Why she chooses to refire instead of retire

33:17 Introducing her new book: Old Wealth, New Wealth, True Wealth

36:49 Losing her son in 2012 and choosing to move forward

39:16 Turning fear into faith and purpose

41:00 Marriage advice after 46 years together

44:12 Why the journey is the destination

Quotables

“Why not? Why not take the road less traveled?”

“We can control three things: our thoughts, our words, and our actions.”

“True wealth is not what you accumulate — it’s who you become along the way.”

“I’m not going to retire. I’m going to refire.”

“Respect your spouse even more than you love them.”

“Turn fear into focus, and focus into fuel.”

Links

Sharon Lechter

https://sharonlechter.com

Old Wealth, New Wealth, True Wealth

Available wherever books are sold

608B Capital

https://608bcapital.com