Behavior Gap Radio

Is there something magical about saying no? A listener shares a hunch—every time they say no to something that’s not a good fit, something great follows. Coincidence? Carl doesn’t think so. In this episode, he explores the power of making space, the confidence that comes with clear decisions, and the idea that opportunities may already be there—we just need to be able to see them. What happens when we clear the clutter and signal that we’re ready? Tune in for a reflection on saying no, making room, and what might show up next.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

After four days deep in the New Zealand bush—no cell service, no news, just the sound of waterfalls and the weight of stillness—Carl is confronted with a jarring return to the outside world. A chance encounter with hikers reveals devastating news, and it sparks a bigger question: What is the role of news in our lives? How much do we really need to know, and at what cost? With reflections on information, control, and clarity, this episode invites you to reconsider your relationship with the constant flow of updates.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

Fresh from his time in New Zealand, Carl reflects on clarity—the kind that comes when the noise fades away. Inspired by Carl Jung’s insight that "only if we know that the thing that truly matters is infinite can we avoid fixing our interests upon futilities," Carl explores how distractions and false possessions dull our sensitivity to what really matters. What happens when we remove the noise? And how do we create space for a clearer signal in our own lives? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on focus, meaning, and what’s truly essential.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this episode, Carl shares an exciting update about his upcoming book—a collection of 97 essays paired with sketches—and invites listeners to join a "reading party" by providing feedback on one of the essays. He reads "Stuff You Own, Stuff That Owns You," a reflection on the fine line between owning things and being owned by them, and offers a simple question to help regain control of your stuff.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this episode, Carl shares two guiding principles that have shaped his life: Lao Tzu's call to "be who you really are and go the whole way" and Howard Thurman’s wisdom to "ask what makes you come alive and go do it." Through personal reflections and practical insights, Carl explores what it means to notice the moments that light you up and bring you fully alive. From deep presence with others to the flow of skiing through the mountains, Carl unpacks how these moments reveal who we truly are and why the world needs more people who have come alive.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this first episode of 2025, Carl reflects on the importance of consistent practice, whether it’s journaling, recording, or simply noticing the world around us. After a break spent adventuring in New Zealand, he shares how quickly the muscle of capturing and processing experiences can atrophy—and why the act of documenting thoughts, even privately, is so valuable. Carl revisits lessons from Seth Godin and a heartfelt reminder from a listener, Ashby, to focus on what lights you up. This episode is a reminder that anything worth mastering requires practice, and sharing ideas publicly can refine and elevate them.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares reflections from a backcountry skiing trip in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. Inspired by a striking ridgeline etched against the horizon, he explores the metaphorical ridgelines in our lives—birthdays, transitions, and new beginnings—that challenge us to go a little further and reach a little higher. With a new year on the horizon, Carl invites listeners to embrace the possibilities that lie just beyond their comfort zones.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl reflects on a backcountry skiing trip that offered profound moments of connection—with nature, loved ones, and the present moment. He explores the tension between saving for the future and fully embracing the wealth of sacred experiences available right now. Through stories of unexpected reunions, quiet mountain ridges, and laughter with friends, Carl challenges listeners to reconsider where the true value lies and invites them to lean into the joy and meaning already present in their lives.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this heartfelt episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl reflects on a powerful realization while preparing for a family trip: the delicate balance between knowing we are enough as we are and striving to be a little better. Through the story of creating a simple yet profound piece of art, Carl explores the tension of holding two seemingly opposing truths at once. He invites listeners to embrace this balance in their own lives and consider how they might share the message of "you are enough" with others during the holiday season.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl dives into a powerful question inspired by a conversation with writer Joel Stein: If someone 100 years from now reviewed a perfect record of how you spent your money and time, what would they learn about your true values—and what might embarrass you? Carl explores the discomfort and growth that come from confronting gaps between our stated priorities and actual behavior. He challenges listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider: Do you have a safe space to face these uncomfortable truths? If so, hold onto it—it’s a rare and invaluable gift.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/