Behavior Gap Radio

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl explores a deceptively simple question: What are you solving for? Whether it’s a mountain bike race, a business idea, or a client conversation, knowing the answer shapes everything—your tools, your preparation, and even your motivation. Carl shares how asking this question (and noticing when the answer changes) has guided his life over the past few years—and how it might do the same for you.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 takes us inside a classroom exercise that never fails to surprise him—and might surprise you, too. What’s the first thought or feeling that comes to mind when you see a dollar sign? From dumpster diving as a kid to growing up surrounded by wealth but told “we’re not like them,” Carl shares powerful stories about the money scripts we carry. This episode is an invitation to notice the story, feel the emotion, and maybe even write it down and throw it in the fire.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 a quote that hit him like a ton of bricks: “Sooner or later, you’re going to have to give up all hope for a better past.” What does that mean when it comes to money? A lot, actually. Carl dives into how we carry old stories—some ours, some inherited—and how they quietly shape our present. This one’s an invitation to drop the stick, stop rewriting the past, and finally move forward with clarity and compassion.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 a sketch—and a story—from his upcoming book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth Through Simple Sketches, about the power of perspective. Whether it’s a rafting trip gone sideways or a financial challenge that feels overwhelming, sometimes the only way through is up. Carl invites us to rise above the chaos—walk the riverbank, take a breath, talk to a friend—and see the forest, not just the trees.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/ 

Feeling stuck in a loop? Like every day is just… the same? In this episode, Carl explores what happens when purpose goes missing—and why the smallest spark can change everything. From “bullshit jobs” to freshman soccer referees, this one’s about reclaiming meaning in ordinary moments. You don’t need a big dramatic change. But you do need to decide not to throw in the towel.

What’s more heroic—dying for something or living for it? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl explores why it’s often harder (and more meaningful) to show up in the quiet, inconvenient moments than it is to make one grand gesture. From NBA legend John Stockton’s quiet consistency to the daily act of texting a grieving friend, this is a reminder that true courage might just be found in the boring stuff… like doing the dishes.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/ 

Ever felt that spark when watching someone do something incredible—like you're catching a glimpse of pure passion in action? That feeling isn't random. It's a clue, a breadcrumb, guiding you toward what makes you come alive. In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl reveals exactly how to decode these moments, uncover your own passion, and turn inspiration into action. Because the world doesn't need more people just getting by—it needs you to Find Your Fire.

Ever grab an electric fence? Carl has—and he says that’s exactly what money conversations can feel like when we don’t expect emotions. In this short episode of Behavior Gap Radio, he shares one simple idea that might change how you talk about money forever: expect feelings. Because money isn’t just numbers… it’s identity, power, fear, and love. When you expect the emotional charge, you won’t be shocked. You’ll be ready.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/ 

Ever found yourself spiraling into a story before you even know what’s happening? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares a powerful tool he picked up from a conversation with Henry Shukman: SOS—Sensations Over Stories. When money decisions trigger anxiety, the key isn’t to analyze the story… it’s to drop into the body. Carl unpacks how this simple practice of noticing sensations can shift everything—even if the facts stay the same.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/ 

When life feels out of control—markets crashing, job uncertainty, financial stress—Carl shares the most reliable response: a flight to simplicity. In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, he explains how shrinking the problem and focusing on what you can control (even something as small as a single breath) helps restore calm and clarity. It's not about fixing everything. It's about finding solid ground—one square inch at a time—and starting from there.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/