Behavior Gap Radio

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl discusses the often-overlooked aspect of financial planning: understanding your current position. While it might seem simple, Carl explains that assessing where you are today is actually a complex process influenced by emotions and personal values. Using the metaphor of an explorer's map, he shows how your starting point—whether it's a balance sheet or your core values—shapes your financial journey. Tune in to learn why getting clear about your present is an ongoing practice and how it impacts your path to financial goals.

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares a personal story about his surprising reaction to using a credit card—an instinctive response rooted in old financial anxieties. Why do these ingrained behaviors stick with us even when they're no longer helpful? And how can we start changing these patterns? Carl offers a compassionate approach by recognizing and thanking these old habits for their past role, then suggests a kinder way to rewire our mindset about 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/

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl asks listeners to reflect on their earliest memory of money and how it influences their current relationship with it. What childhood experiences shaped your financial behaviors? How do these early memories affect your beliefs about money today? Drawing from his work at 50 Fires, Carl explores how authority figures or even the tooth fairy play a role. He encourages you to explore these formative moments and use simple awareness—asking yourself, "Isn't that interesting?"—to gain insights into your financial mindset. This episode helps connect the dots between your past and present attitudes toward money.

Listen to 50 Fires: Money and Meaning here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-fires-money-and-meaning-with-carl-richards/id1709551590

Today, Carl explores the concept of alignment—what it means to be truly aligned with your sources of capital: time, money, energy, and attention. How does it feel when you're in alignment with what's important to you? What happens when you drift out of alignment, and how can you recognize and adjust when that happens? Carl discusses the balance (and sometimes planned imbalance) in our lives and the importance of being aware of how we use our resources.

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl dives into the complex relationship between money and power. How do you think about money and power in your life? Are there times when financial decisions might stray from your core values due to external pressures or incentives? Carl discusses the importance of being aware of these dynamics, recognizing when money becomes a proxy for power, and choosing to navigate these forces with love and grace. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own relationship with money and power and how they can maintain alignment with their true values.

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 tackles a common challenge: the fear of sharing your work. How often does fear hide behind excuses? What if you embraced "version zero" and released your project, flaws and all? Carl shares his favorite strategy for turning fear into action, helping you take that first step with confidence, no matter the creative project.

Carl dives into the power of micro-actions and the importance of taking the next smallest step when navigating complex challenges, whether in work, life, or personal projects. Drawing from his own experiences and insights from experts like James Clear, Carl emphasizes that progress isn't about giant leaps but about consistently moving forward with tiny, deliberate steps.

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/

Carl reflects on a conversation with sitcom writer and comic King Hassan, who offers an interesting perspective: What if we focused on solving major issues instead of celebrating them? How does this shift change our view of progress? Join Carl as he explores this thought-provoking idea and its impact on how we define success.

Want to hear Carl's conversations with King Hassan? Listen to 50 Fires: Money and Meaning here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comedian-and-former-police-officer-king-hassan-on/id1709551590?i=1000666085069

Have you ever made assumptions based on someone's wealth? How does financial status affect our view of a person’s worth? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl Richards opens up about how money can shape our judgments of others. Carl shares personal stories and challenges the tendency to equate money with value, urging us to approach others with empathy and grace instead.

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl Richards dives into the essence of Real Financial Planning, which he defines as the continuous process of aligning your use of capital—time, money, energy, and attention—with what truly matters to you. Using the metaphor of two shifting circles, Carl illustrates how both our resources and our priorities are in constant motion, requiring ongoing adjustments to keep them in harmony. He emphasizes the importance of experimenting, acknowledging changes in what we value, and embracing the practice of aligning our capital with our evolving goals.

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/