July 30, 2025

How to Make Better Decisions Using Math (with Ted Dintersmith) SB1715

1 hour 20 minutes

High school math left most of us staring blankly at the board, convinced compound interest was just a fancy way to say "confusing." But what if math could be fun, relevant, and—dare we say—life-changing?

In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy, OG, and Neighbor Doug welcome economist, education reformer, and documentary filmmaker Ted Dintersmith to the basement for a conversation that makes math feel less like a chore and more like a cheat code for life.

Dintersmith, best known for his education advocacy and the acclaimed documentary Most Likely to Succeed, joins us fresh off the release of his latest book, Aftermath—a compelling look at how we rethink learning in a world that’s evolving faster than ever. With over a decade visiting 500+ schools and a deep passion for practical math, Ted shares how skills like estimation, probability, and prediction can help you make smarter decisions—especially when it comes to your money.

Why Prediction Beats Perfection

Ted explains why being roughly right about your spending, investing, and life planning is more powerful than being precisely wrong.

Consumer Math is the Real MVP

From family budgets to grocery store run-throughs, Dintersmith makes a case for math that actually applies to your everyday decisions—and shows how parents and educators can teach it at home.

A Fourth-Grade Science Test Gone Wrong

An unforgettable story about how one exam nearly crushed a curious kid’s confidence… and what it says about how we measure learning.

The Financial Advisor Dilemma Solved

Joe Saul-Sehy and OG unpack the key differences between bank advisors and independents, including fee structures, fiduciary responsibilities, and what really matters when choosing your financial guide.

Lights, Camera, Reform

Dintersmith shares the powerful stories behind his documentaries—including Most Likely to Succeed and the upcoming Multiple Choice—and why his new book Aftermath is a must-read for anyone who believes education should prepare us for real life.

The Psychology of Math Anxiety and Money Mistakes

We explore how bad math experiences lead to financial decision paralysis, and how to rebuild confidence one calculation at a time.

Neighbor Doug’s Trivia Takes the Stage

Whether it connects to math or not, Neighbor Doug delivers his signature trivia moment with flair—and possibly a tangent or two.

Math shouldn’t be a barrier to better money decisions. This episode arms you with a fresh mindset for yourself, your kids, and maybe even your school board. If you’re a math teacher, financial coach, or just someone who once cried over fractions, we want to hear from you.

Join the conversation in our Facebook group, The Basement, and tell us: How are you making math practical—or how do you wish you’d learned it?

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://stackingbenjamins.com/math-that-you-need-in-your-life-1715

Deeper dives with curated links, topics, and discussions are in our newsletter, The 201, available at https://www.stackingbenjamins.com/201

Enjoy!

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By Joe Saul-Sehy and Josh ‘OG’ Bannerman, CFP

4.4

19291,929 ratings