When the market is a rollercoaster and headlines won’t stop screaming, even the savviest investors can start second-guessing everything. In this episode, Pete, Damian, and Kristen unpack what confidence in investing actually means—and how to build it, rebuild it, and protect it when doubt creeps in.

Summer break is here—which means your kids are home, your fridge is empty, and your wallet is… nervous. In this episode, Pete, Kristen, and Dame explore whether the old rules of teaching kids about money still hold up, or if today’s world demands something new.

From toddler toy budgets to teen summer job paychecks, we break down how to raise money-smart kids without turning into a lecture machine (or losing your mind). You’ll learn how to:

Use summer moments as money teaching tools

Talk to kids at different ages without getting eye-rolls

Help teens manage their own money—without a meltdown

Equip them for real life, not just allowance life

Plus, the team shares their favorite (and most hilarious) wins and fails from teaching their own kids about money.

In this episode, we tackle a sneaky problem: confusing financial motion with actual progress. Just because you’re constantly doing money-related tasks—paying bills, checking balances, moving money around—doesn’t mean you’re getting ahead. Pete opens with a gym analogy that hits a little too close to home, then brings in Kristen and Dame to break down why so many people feel stuck despite their efforts.

We explore what real progress looks like—both on paper and emotionally. From Power Percentage and savings rate to the peace of mind that comes with financial confidence, we’re separating the signal from the noise.

And with the year halfway over, we wrap with a "mid-year compass check" to help you course-correct before it’s too late. If January’s goals are now a blurry memory, this is your wake-up call. Don’t wait for December to figure out whether you made progress—let’s find out now.

The markets are soaring, the economy is expanding, and everyone's wondering—are we in a bubble? In today’s CalmCast, Pete breaks down the difference between market momentum and market mania, explores what real economic growth looks like, and helps you focus your energy on what matters most: your personal financial vision. Whether you’re tempted to chase hot stocks or just trying to make sense of the noise, this episode will help you zoom out, calm down, and plan forward.

Sometimes the markets have confidence, well at least their investors do. And sometimes the market struggles to find conviction. What helps you understand the difference between the two? Volume.

Think being smart protects you from financial blunders? Think again. In this episode of The Pete the Planner Show, we uncover why even the most intelligent, high-earning individuals routinely make money mistakes. From gym memberships we never use to inflated lifestyles we never questioned, we explore the sneaky psychological traps—like overconfidence, present bias, and lifestyle creep—that derail even the best of us.

You’ll learn why financial IQ doesn’t always translate to good behavior, and more importantly, how to bridge that gap with practical tools rooted in behavioral science. Whether you're making six figures or just trying to make ends meet, this episode will help you stop being your own financial enemy.

Segments include:

You Know Better, But Do You Do Better? – Why knowing isn’t doing.

The Smart-People Traps – The surprising ways confidence costs you.

How to Outsmart Your Smart Self – Tactical strategies to outwit your own brain.

Smart doesn’t equal invincible. Let’s get better together.

The markets are nervous, the economy’s acting weird, and housing feels increasingly out of reach. In today’s CalmCast, we walk you through three critical signals: what investor sentiment is telling us (and why it’s not the whole story), what stagflation is and whether we’re in danger of it, and why housing affordability is straining the budgets of millions.

We’ll help you make sense of what’s happening—and what you can do to stay grounded, no matter the economic weather.

Topics Covered:

Stay calm. Stay informed. Stay on course.

We know it’s bad for us—and we still buy it. In today’s Storytime with Pete, we dig into the bizarre economics of spending money on things that actively hurt us: alcohol, junk food, and those late-night dopamine bombs we call “treats.” Why do we do it? Blame your brain chemistry. Pete unpacks the science of dopamine, the illusion of indulgence, and the very real cost of self-sabotage—with just enough sarcasm to keep you from crying into your curly fries. This one’s part money talk, part emotional intervention. Bring your budget... and maybe a kale smoothie.

In this episode of CalmCast, we break down one of the most misunderstood stock market tools: the circuit breaker. What triggers it, why it exists, and what it actually means for your investments. Then, we zoom out to explore how a sharp drop in U.S. markets can ripple through the global economy — impacting everything from oil prices to your grocery bill. Finally, we bring it back to you: how to set meaningful financial goals when the world feels financially unstable.

Whether you're anxious about your 401(k) or just trying to stay the course, this episode is your reminder to pause, breathe, and take one solid financial step forward.

AI isn’t coming for your wallet—it’s already living in it. In this episode, Pete unpacks the surprising ways artificial intelligence is reshaping your financial life, from how your bank detects fraud to how scammers clone your voice. We explore the good (smart budgeting tools), the bad (AI-generated investment scams), and the weird (why your insurance premium changed without a human decision). Whether you’re intrigued or uneasy, one thing’s clear: ignoring AI in finance is no longer an option.