Behavior Gap Radio

Join Carl in this heartfelt episode of Behavior Gap Radio as he explores the struggle of feeling unsettled in one’s own plan. Have you ever felt like you’re searching for understanding and belonging? Why do we apologize for our complex nature? Carl reflects on a social media exchange and shares his own challenges in balancing simplicity with chasing something deeper. 

Why is it so hard to feel like we are “enough”? In this episode, Carl explores the concept of structural scarcity—a scarcity mindset built into our systems and culture. From the way we talk about getting ahead to the pressure of keeping up with others, scarcity is everywhere. Carl reflects on the challenge of living in a system that promotes competition and never-ending consumption and how difficult it is to resist moving the goalposts in life. Join Carl on this insightful journey of reflection and practice in navigating the complexities of scarcity and sufficiency.

In this episode, Carl tells the story of someone who reached out to him, struggling with a toxic relationship with money despite having $1.2 million in savings. As soon as the number is mentioned, Carl highlights how our minds tend to shift into judgment mode, trying to evaluate whether this person “should” be struggling. He challenges us to stop using net worth, income, or spending as a tool for judgment and instead focus on the real issue—money struggles often have little to do with the actual amount of money. How does your brain react when you hear someone’s financial situation? Is it possible to look beyond the numbers and empathize with their struggles?

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What happens when small negative events aren’t processed? In this episode, Carl Richards introduces the concept of "micro-PTSD," describing how small events accumulate over time and, if not metabolized, create a state of disequilibrium. Using the analogy of a clogged funnel, Carl discusses the importance of ritualistic ways to process these events, such as journaling, meditation, or time spent in nature. Could regular reflection or rituals help prevent emotional buildup in your life?

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What are some tasks or commitments you can start delegating or eliminating? Carl reflects on the simple yet powerful idea of doing more of what lights you up and less of what doesn’t. He shares how life has improved as he’s become more intentional about focusing on what energizes him and delegating or eliminating tasks that drain him. The challenge, he says, is figuring out what those things are—and it’s a process that takes time. Sometimes, it’s easier to start with a “stop doing” list, identifying things that don’t bring energy and gradually removing them from your life.

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In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl dives into the concept of finding "Your Thing"—the unique pursuit that you’re meant to do. He emphasizes that this process is deeply personal and often tied to rediscovering who you truly are. While it sounds simple, Carl explains that uncovering your thing is challenging, requiring self-awareness and perseverance. He encourages listeners to be patient with themselves in this process. What’s "Your Thing,” and how can you start uncovering it?

Today, Carl shares a powerful quote from Lao Tzu: "If you're not always trying to be someone, you can be who you really are and go the whole way." He reflects on what it means to stop striving to be someone else and instead embrace who we truly are. Carl shares his own journey toward being fully himself in his work and life, and he invites listeners to consider what going “the whole way” means for them. How would your life or work change if you fully embraced who you are?

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 mean to truly be yourself? In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl Richards shares a quote from Bruce Lee: “Always be yourself. Express yourself. Have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” Carl discusses the temptation to imitate others in the early stages of our careers and how real growth happens when we step into our own identity. He encourages listeners to follow the example of others but not to become trapped by imitation. 

Carl shares a famous quote from Picasso: “If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the pope. Instead, I was a painter, and I became Picasso.” In this episode, Carl reflects on the influence of those closest to us, especially in shaping our desires and career paths. Carl touches on mimetic desire—the tendency to copy others' desires—and how challenging it can be to uncover our true selves beneath layers of societal expectations. How much of your life has been shaped by others’ expectations, and what would it look like to truly follow your own path?

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/

Today, Carl introduces a series on finding "Your Thing," a concept he believes applies to everyone. He explains that "Your Thing” doesn’t have to be heroic or career-related, but it is deeply personal and a reflection of who you are. What’s "Your Thing," and are you ready to start uncovering 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/