Behavior Gap Radio

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl explores the terrifying beauty of doing work no one asked for. He challenges the conventional path of chasing demand and instead makes a case for following the quiet compulsion to create—especially when it feels scary, uncertain, or totally invalidated. If you’ve ever felt called to make something simply because it lights you up, this one's 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 questions the very idea of financial "problems." What if most of what we worry about isn’t actually a problem at all—just imagined futures that may never happen? He explores how shifting our mindset (and maybe even our language) can help us stop spinning in thought and start doing the simple things that actually move us forward.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 one of the most powerful tools he's ever created: The Overnight Test. Through stories of stocks, cabins, businesses, and even old clothes, Carl explores how this simple mental exercise helps reveal when we’re making emotional decisions disguised as financial ones. If you’ve ever struggled to let go of something—just because it’s always been there—this one’s 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 short and powerful episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl offers just one thought—“If you don’t know who you are, money is a very expensive way to find out.” Then he invites you to sit with it. No answers, no unpacking—just space to let the idea settle and do its work.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 the challenge of communicating hard truths with people we care about. Inspired by a principle from Buddhism, he explores the delicate balance between saying what is kind, true, and necessary. Through personal stories and honest introspection—especially around parenting—Carl unpacks how even well-intentioned kindness can sometimes be a misapplied avoidance of discomfort. This episode is a thoughtful invitation to approach tough conversations with clarity, courage, 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 reads a new essay from his upcoming book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth Through Simple Sketches. The essay is titled You Can’t Hedge Yesterday, and it uses a simple circle sketch to illustrate a powerful truth: The time to prepare is before the crisis, not after. Carl reflects on how we often react to past events with elaborate solutions that can’t change what’s already happened—and why true resilience comes from preparation, not panic.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 explores what Henry Shukman calls the fundamental investigation of a lifetime: the search for our identity. Drawing from Shukman’s book One Blade of Grass, Lao Tzu’s wisdom, and reflections from thinkers like David Whyte and Jim Collins, Carl unpacks the power of asking, "Who am I? and What do I want?" He shares how this practice can create distance from reactive emotions, like grumpiness, and helps align our time, energy, and money with what truly matters.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 deeply personal story about a recent argument with his wife over money—one sparked by the language he used. He unpacks how the phrase "beast of burden" shaped his mindset around financial pressure, risk, and creative work, and how words carry unintended weight in conversations about money. Through this reflection, Carl explores the power of language, the emotional charge behind financial discussions, and the importance of reexamining the narratives we tell ourselves.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/ 

What do you truly want? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl Richards continues the conversation on the two fundamental questions that shape financial decisions—and life itself: Who are you? And what’s important to you? He explores how our desires evolve, how cultural and social influences shape what we think we want, and why living with these questions (rather than rushing to answer them) leads to better-aligned choices. If you’ve ever felt pulled in different directions by expectations, trends, or habits, this episode is 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/ 

At the heart of real financial planning—and a meaningful life—are two fundamental questions: Who are you? And what do you desire? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl Richards explores why the practice of digging into these questions is essential for making financial decisions that truly align with your values. Without clarity on what matters most, it’s easy to get distracted by fleeting opportunities and trends. But when you have a deep, personal yes, saying no to the wrong things becomes much easier.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/