Behavior Gap Radio

Sometimes, the best way to navigate chaos is to step back and see the bigger picture. In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares an essay from his upcoming book, Your Money: Reimagining Wealth Through Simple Sketches. Inspired by a rafting trip on the Salmon River, he explores how gaining perspective—whether through a walk, a conversation, or a moment of stillness—can transform confusion into clarity. When we rise above our problems, we see options instead of obstacles.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 does it really mean to do nothing? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares a personal story about an intervention from a close friend who insisted he take a week to do nothing—no work, no frantic activity, just stillness. But how do you do nothing? And why does it feel so hard? Carl explores the tension between productivity and presence, the challenge of stepping away from the constant drive to create, and why intentionally doing nothing might just be the ultimate productivity hack.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/ 

Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do is… nothing. In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl explores the fascinating paradox of inaction—why doing nothing is often the smartest move, especially in investing. A well-crafted portfolio doesn’t need constant tinkering, and great advice sometimes means telling clients to sit tight. But here’s the twist: Getting to a place where you can confidently do nothing takes real 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/ 

Attention is the most valuable resource we have—and yet, it's one of the easiest to waste. In this episode, Carl shares a riddle from The Zen of Climbing and explores how we spend, waste, or invest our attention. Whether it’s business, creativity, or simply being present, where we direct our focus shapes everything. So, how are you investing yours?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/ 

Simple doesn’t mean simplistic. In this episode, Carl shares an essay from his upcoming book, exploring the journey from complexity to elegant simplicity. Whether it’s investing, budgeting, or mastering a craft, the real challenge isn’t adding more layers—it’s stripping away the unnecessary. Why do we resist simple solutions? And how do we move through complexity to find clarity?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/ 

Sometimes, you just need to vent. In this episode, Carl explores the value of blowing off steam—the importance of safe spaces, good friends, and moments where you can let it all out without judgment. Whether it’s venting to a trusted person or pushing yourself physically, finding a release can be essential. So, how do you blow off steam?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’s on your emotional balance sheet? In this episode, Carl shares an essay from his upcoming book, exploring how we hold onto frustrations, arguments, and disappointments—tracking them like bad investments that no longer serve us. Inspired by a classic Zen parable, this reflection challenges us to balance the books and let go.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/ 

Risk is just a concept—until it isn’t. This week, Carl shares a backcountry ski adventure that took an unexpected turn, turning a routine 25-minute descent into a five-hour lesson in risk, preparation, and the power of community. What happens when risk stops being theoretical and shows up in real life? And how does that apply beyond the mountains—to investing, business, and creative 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 revisits the purpose of goals—why we set them, why they’re often just guesses, and why we should still have them anyway. He explores how goals provide a sense of direction and create a gravitational pull that helps us recognize opportunities. But a recent conversation introduced a third, unexpected reason: hope. What if setting a goal isn’t just about achievement but about creating something to look forward to?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 unpacks the irony of our most well-intentioned distractions—especially when they become clever ways to avoid the real work. From obsessively reading time management books to spending hours researching the best apps to reduce screen time, Carl explores the sneaky ways we hide from what actually matters. What if the solution isn’t another tool or strategy but simply doing the thing we’ve been avoiding?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/