

Behavior Gap Radio
Carl Richards
Greetings, Carl here.
This podcast is super simple, it's me wandering through the world noticing things about how to align my use of capital (time and money) with what is actually important to me.
-Carl
This podcast is super simple, it's me wandering through the world noticing things about how to align my use of capital (time and money) with what is actually important to me.
-Carl
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2024 • 6min
1190 | The Hungry Ghost of Never Enough
Dive into the concept of the 'hungry ghost,' a powerful metaphor for our endless cravings and the chase for satisfaction. Discover how defining your own limits of 'enough' can lead to greater happiness. Relationship and experiences take center stage, reminding us that true wealth is not measured in possessions. This thought-provoking discussion encourages listeners to reflect on what really matters in their lives.

Nov 14, 2024 • 4min
1189 | The Best, Last Teacher
Explore the journey of authenticity and self-discovery inspired by Lao Tzu's timeless wisdom. The discussion emphasizes the significance of being true to oneself, especially during transformative moments. It highlights the role of teachers as guides while encouraging listeners to find their own paths. Through personal stories and reflections, the conversation invites you to embrace the adventures of uncovering and living your true self.

Nov 11, 2024 • 3min
1188 | Problems as a Tax
Explore the burdens we create through unnecessary worries about the future. Discover how many of our fears are mere projections that tax our happiness. Inspired by Wendell Berry's wisdom, learn to embrace the present moment. Let go of imagined problems and find peace by focusing on what truly matters. Humor from Mark Twain adds a light-hearted touch to this insightful reflection on living fully.

Nov 8, 2024 • 6min
1187 | The $100 Meditation
Dive into a unique meditation that transforms a $100 bill into a personal dialogue. Imagine money as a person who knows your dreams and frustrations. Engage in guided journaling that explores what money means to you and invites deeper introspection. Discover the emotional journey behind your beliefs about wealth, and ask yourself: if money could talk, what would it reveal? This thought-provoking approach helps reshape your relationship with finances.

Nov 7, 2024 • 4min
1186 | The Collective Delusion
In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl dives deeper into the "collective delusion" around money, expanding on his previous discussion about money as a shared story. He explores the powerful beliefs society attaches to money—like money as power, freedom, or influence—and how these narratives can mislead us. While some of these ideas are positive and others negative, Carl argues they are all ultimately illusions that distract us from deeper truths. He challenges listeners to question these collective assumptions and hints at an upcoming episode where he’ll discuss the "$100 bill meditation" as a tool for reframing our relationship with money.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/

Nov 6, 2024 • 5min
1185 | Money and the Collective Story
In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl reflects on his conversation with Krista Tippett, host of On Being, which led him to explore the idea of money as a collective story we've all agreed upon. He delves into how money, though just paper or digital numbers, gains power through our collective belief—a useful story that can drive progress but also a dangerous delusion when given too much meaning. Carl introduces the "$100 bill meditation," a thought experiment that encourages listeners to reframe their relationship with money by considering its true nature and the narratives we attach to it.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/

Nov 5, 2024 • 6min
1184 | Fear and Money
In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl explores the powerful link between money and fear, reflecting on his own journey to move away from making financial decisions from a place of anxiety. He shares personal stories about rewiring the deep-rooted fear response often triggered by money, a shift that came not from changing his financial situation but from growing awareness and practices like meditation and therapy. Carl invites listeners to consider how fear influences their own financial choices and shares how embracing awareness can lead to profound, lasting change. He welcomes listeners to share their own experiences on this journey away from fear-based decisions.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/

Nov 4, 2024 • 8min
1183 | Doctor Low Angle
In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares an essay on finding clarity in decision-making and risk. Inspired by a personal shift in his backcountry skiing approach after a tragic accident, he explores the powerful concept of focusing on terrain that's always safe rather than testing boundaries. This episode delves into three key themes: rethinking risk, clarifying motivations, and the creative process of distilling insights into a single, impactful idea—like finding one grain of sand on a vast beach. Join Carl as he reflects on applying this "Dr. Low Angle" philosophy both in skiing and in life.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/

Nov 1, 2024 • 7min
1182 | Compounding Kindness With the Work
In this special field episode from New York City, Carl shares reflections from his "idea tour," which has taken him across the U.S., exploring the profound alignment between money and personal values. He discusses the concept of "compounding kindness"—the idea that small acts of kindness can multiply and impact lives across the globe. Reflecting on personal encounters, he highlights the power of one-to-one kindness scaling into a global network of positive impact. With over a million downloads of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl envisions a future of spreading kindness at scale and invites listeners to join the movement by sharing the episode with others who could use a spark of inspiration.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/

Oct 31, 2024 • 5min
1181 | Money Is Just a Word
In this thought-provoking episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl challenges us to rethink our relationship with money, suggesting that money itself is simply a word—a neutral tool that we've imbued with complex stories, emotions, and generational beliefs. He explores how recognizing money as a concept, rather than the source of our financial stress or aspirations, can open the door to clearer, more actionable financial thinking. Carl isn’t proposing a quick fix for financial struggles but rather a reframing: by seeing money for what it is and isn’t, we can begin to untangle our emotions from the practical steps needed to navigate our financial realities.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/