In this episode of The Initiation, I turn our focus to one of the most foundational—and fragile—systems shaping our world: money. This isn’t just a conversation about inflation, debt ceilings, or economic cycles. What I explore here is something deeper: the structural limits of our current fiat monetary system—and why it may be approaching a breaking point. We trace the full arc: from barter to gold, from centralized banking to fiat currency—and why our system, built on ever-expanding debt, now seems to be entering a spiral that’s mathematically impossible to sustain. I unpack: The five core properties of money and why scarcity is the most essential How fiat currency emerged from gold-backed systems—and what we lost in the process Why our current system requires perpetual debt creation just to stay afloat How governments face an impossible bind between default and debasement And why this isn’t just an American story, but a global reckoning   We’re now seeing the consequences:  – Exploding interest payments  – Record levels of personal, corporate, and sovereign debt  – A decline in the effectiveness of debt as a growth driver  – And trillions in unfunded liabilities that dwarf our capacity to repay   I explore the two historical paths that typically follow this kind of system exhaustion: deflationary collapse or hyperinflation -and why both signal a possible phase shift, not just in money, but in the very architecture of global trust and coordination.   --   The Initiation is a podcast for those who sense we’re living through a civilizational turning point. In each episode, I explore the forces of breakdown and breakthrough reshaping our world - and the inner transformation required to meet them. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to share it, subscribe, and leave a review. You can also find me on on Twitter and Instagram under @bastidienst Until next time - stay awake, stay courageous, and thank you for being part of The Initiation.