Description

What if the true thief of your wealth isn’t out there—it’s lurking in your own mind?

On this episode of Thrive LouD, host Lou Diamond welcomes Hall of Fame speaker, best-selling author, and renowned relationship marketing expert Bill Cates. Bill introduces listeners to the concept behind his latest book, The Hidden Heist, and reveals how our unconscious beliefs and emotional hang-ups around money are, quite literally, robbing us blind.

Lou and Bill have a candid, humorous, and at times eye-opening conversation about the “psychological bank robbers” hiding within all of us. They dive into why even the ultra-wealthy secretly fear losing it all, how social media is warping our money mindsets, and why most financial education skips the crucial step—what we believe about money itself.

Key Highlights:

• Bill reveals what the “hidden heist” really is and why it’s the biggest obstacle to building lasting wealth (02:12)
• Why anxiety, shame, and secrecy around money are universal and sabotage our true potential—regardless of net worth (03:43)
• The dangerous myth of “money as a scarce resource” and how reframing this core belief can set you free (06:05)
• Behind-the-scenes on writing a financial parable (instead of a “how-to” manual), and why storytelling matters for true change (14:54)
• The difference between external financial freedom and internal financial peace (13:35)
• The double-edged sword of social media, “financial gurus,” and the pressure to keep up—especially for millennials (17:58)
• Bill’s favorite heist movies, bucket list adventures, and a fun run through the Thrive Loud “Speakeasy Pub Crawl”(21:19)

Whether you’re struggling with your money mindset or just want a totally fresh take on building wealth, this episode has priceless insights—and more than a few laughs.

Timestamped Overview:

00:00 – Introduction and welcome to Bill Cates02:12 – What is “The Hidden Heist” and how did the book come to be?03:43 – The unspoken emotional barriers and anxieties people have about money06:05 – Reframing beliefs: Scarcity vs. abundance and how money truly flows08:10 – Storytelling through parable: Why Bill’s new book departs from traditional guides 13:35 – Two types of financial freedom and why inner peace often eludes even the wealthy 14:54 – Co-writing a parable, real-life stories, and crafting the book for all ages17:58 – Social media’s impact, financial “gurus,” and the cost of keeping up20:01 – Where to learn more: TheOrdinaryMillionaire.com & TheHiddenHeist.com21:19 – Speakeasy Pub Crawl: Heist movies, classic rock, food, and travel dreams26:18 – Closing thoughts and reminders

Tune in and discover: What’s the hidden heist keeping you from your wealthiest, happiest self?