Don and Tom dive into common misconceptions about what’s really been the top-performing asset class over the past five years—spoiler: it’s not the S&P 500. They compare U.S. large-cap growth with international small-cap value, using Larry Swedroe’s data to highlight the importance of global diversification. Listeners call in about estate planning, withdrawal rates in retirement, and portfolio construction. The hosts explain community property rules, flexible withdrawal strategies backed by research, and which small-cap value ETFs they prefer. The episode closes with a reality check on Bitcoin’s latest crash, revisiting Mark Hulbert’s warning that crypto isn’t an asset class but a risky “thingy.”

0:04 Opening banter on the show’s long Seattle run and mission to simplify money.

2:08 The S&P 500 obsession—why investors overweight large U.S. growth stocks.

3:23 Larry Swedroe’s quiz: best-performing asset class 2019–2025 (hint: it’s not U.S. large growth).

4:07 Dimensional International Small Cap Value Fund (DISVX) vs. S&P 500 Growth (VOOG).

5:20 Why diversification and global exposure matter long-term.

6:20 Break: “Financial Flinch Reflex” PSA.

7:42 Diversification means holding assets that sometimes disappoint you.

8:33 Don’s marriage analogy and listener call-in from Baltimore about trusts.

10:15 Estate simplicity, beneficiary designations, and when trusts are unnecessary.

11:55 The danger of “trust mills” and the value of family transparency.

14:40 Community property vs. joint tenancy—Washington’s unique tax advantage.

16:36 Call from Michael: flexible vs. fixed withdrawal rates in retirement.

17:29 Why a 5% flexible withdrawal often beats the classic 4% rule.

20:19 Research roundup: Kitsis, Vanguard, Morningstar confirm flexible success rates.

23:09 Listener from Tennessee asks about capital-gains exclusions.

25:44 Chris from Seattle: using target-date funds to fix a “hodge-podge” portfolio.

27:24 Adding small-cap value (AVUV) to target-date funds for tilt and simplicity.

28:34 Listener from New Hampshire asks which planning software Appella Wealth uses.

30:06 Call from Sam: best small-cap value ETF options (AVUV vs. VBR).

33:21 Risk, volatility, and why small-cap value offers higher expected returns.

35:47 Mark Hulbert on crypto’s crash—bigger than 1929 by percentage.

36:54 Why hype, not utility, drives crypto coverage.

38:36 Final takeaway: investors remain too U.S.-centric; diversify globally.

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