Behavior Gap Radio

In this episode, Carl reflects on one simple but surprisingly powerful question from a recent retreat: What’s one thing you’ve changed your mind about? As stories unfold around the table, he explores the remarkable human capacity to revise long-held beliefs, let go of old stories, and see the world differently. Through a personal example of discovering he’d misunderstood part of his wife’s relationship with money for decades, Carl reminds us that changing our minds isn’t a weakness—it may be one of the clearest signs that we’re still learning.

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, Carl reflects on the idea of obsession—not as something unhealthy, but as the kind of deep fascination that brings a person fully alive. Drawing on wisdom from Howard Thurman and a Zen teaching about living “as though a fire were raging in your hair,” he explores what it means to rediscover the interests, questions, and pursuits that quietly call to us. It’s an invitation to notice what captures your attention, rekindle what once lit you up, and make a little room for the thing that won’t stop asking to be noticed.

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, Carl explores a simple but transformative idea: The most meaningful goals aren’t really about achieving an outcome—they’re about becoming a different kind of person. Using examples from running, graduate school, and personal growth, he reflects on how goals can serve as forcing functions that shape our identity rather than just our accomplishments. It’s a thoughtful invitation to stop asking, “What do I want to achieve?” and instead ask, “Who am I becoming?”

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, Carl shares a lesson he’s learning while riding an adventure motorcycle: Look where you want to go. Whether on a motorcycle, skis, a mountain bike, or in life, focusing on the obstacle often pulls you toward it, while looking beyond it helps you move through it. Carl reflects on attention, presence, and the surprising way our brains can navigate challenges when we keep our eyes on the path ahead rather than the thing we’re trying to avoid. It’s a simple lesson with implications far beyond the trail.

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, Carl continues his “feelings are data” series by exploring a growing body of research suggesting that the body often knows things before the conscious mind does. From studies of traders who could better sense their own heartbeats to research showing that emotions consistently show up in specific parts of the body across cultures, Carl makes the case that physical sensations may be valuable information, not distractions. Rather than ignoring feelings or blindly following them, he suggests a third path: getting curious about them and treating them as data worth investigating.

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, Carl reflects on the quiet, often unspeakable feeling that points us toward the work we’re meant to do. He explores how years of expectations, practicality, and well-meaning advice can cause us to lose touch with the things that once made us come alive. Through stories, questions, and the metaphor of “dancing with dragons,” Carl invites listeners to pay attention to the small ember of curiosity, creativity, or longing that still exists beneath the surface—and to consider what might happen if they simply acknowledged it instead of ignoring 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/ 

In this episode, Carl continues his exploration of the idea that feelings are data through a conversation with a friend who approaches decisions very differently—through analysis, spreadsheets, and deep research. What surprised Carl was discovering that even the most analytical decision-makers often pay attention to feelings when something seems “off.” The conversation leads to a simple but powerful distinction: the goal isn’t to blindly trust your feelings, but to get curious about them. Feelings may not be conclusions, but they can be valuable clues pointing toward questions worth investigating.

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, Carl examines a surprising emotional reaction he had while hearing about an extravagant luxury home—and what that reaction might be trying to tell him. Instead of dismissing the feeling or judging it, he gets curious about it, using it as another example of his growing belief that feelings are data. It’s a candid exploration of envy, anger, values, and the stories we tell ourselves about money, wealth, and what a good life looks like.

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, Carl continues his exploration of the idea that feelings are data with a bold claim: When it comes to risk, feelings aren’t incidental—they’re central. Too often, emotions are treated as noise that gets in the way of good decision-making. Carl argues the opposite. When we’re facing uncertainty, fear, excitement, hesitation, and intuition may contain critical information about what matters to us and how we perceive risk. It’s a thoughtful look at why understanding our feelings may be just as important as understanding the numbers.

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, Carl explores a paradox he’s noticed in some of the most important decisions of his life: While he loves receiving strong, opinionated advice, the people who have helped him most often didn’t tell him what to do at all. Instead, they created the space for him to discover his own answer. Reflecting on decision-making, wisdom, and even spiritual maturity, Carl considers the difference between giving answers and helping someone find their path—and why the latter may be far more valuable, even when it feels frustrating in the moment.

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/