Turn on any news station or scroll through social media, and you’ll hear the same warning: Foreign adversaries, specifically China, are quietly buying up the heart of America—our farmland. The story goes that they are snatching up the soil to control our food supply and compromise our national security. But is that actually what’s happening? In this episode, we follow the paper trail to find a different reality. While the headlines scream about China, the data shows they own less than 1% of foreign-held land. The real "landlords" of the American countryside? Our closest allies. We dive into why countries like Canada and the Netherlands are pouring billions into American timber and renewable energy. But watch out. While we were looking at the cornfields, we missed what was happening on our own streets. Last year, a staggering 1/3 of all single-family homes sold didn't go to families—they went to investors. Institutional Investors from Wall Street are playing a different game than your local "mom-and-pop" landlord and they are cornering the "starter home" market, effectively deleting the first rung of the property ladder for an entire generation. The Big Question: Are we witnessing the birth of a Lease-Only Society? As homeownership rates for young families stall, we ask the hard questions: Is the American Dream being "pivoted" into a subscription service? Does this new model provide "professional management," or is it a massive wealth extraction from local communities to global shareholders? Join us as we pull back the curtain on the new owners of America. It’s not a conspiracy, it’s just business. But that doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Support the Show by Shopping with our Sponsors: Meet the World’s First Hair Deodorizer. We’ve all been there—your hair looks great, but it smells like the airport, the kitchen, or the campfire. Dry shampoo can hide the oil, but it can’t erase the scent. Introducing FreshSet, the first-ever hair deodorizer engineered to neutralize odors at the molecular level. Whether you need to: Erase the "Travel": Step off a 6-hour flight and into a boardroom feeling (and smelling) like you just stepped out of the shower. Kill the "Kitchen": Love the garlic shrimp, but don't want to wear it to the dinner party? One spray clears the air. Reset the "Great Outdoors": Shake off the scent of the Michigan woods before your night out on the town. Don’t just mask it. Neutralize it. StirredUp listeners can try it before anyone else. The first 50 listeners who use STIRREDUPPOD at checkout get free shipping and a free gift. Visit www.freshsethair.com use code STIRREDUPPOD at checkout. Other Sponsors Get 10% Off Google Workspace + Gemini AI Work smarter, not harder. With Google Workspace you’ll have Gmail, Drive, Docs, Calendar—and now premium AI features with Gemini included. – Use our link to get 10% off your first year: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/oL83 The best hoodies and loungewear, hands down. Once you try Comfrt.com, you’ll literally never want to wear anything else. – Grab 15% off your order with our link: http://comfrt.com/stirreduppod Ready to step into the leader you’re meant to be? Whether you’re moving into a bigger role, shifting from execution to strategy, or just feeling stuck, coaching can change everything. – Work with certified coach Lisa Tarkington, trusted by thousands of leaders. Book your free consultation today at lisatarkington.com/coaching and mention this podcast for a special discount
