Best Madfientist Podcasts (2024)

1
Why Normal People Are Irrational Investors, with Finance Professor Meir Statman 1:06:03

36m ago1:06:03

1:06:03

#526: Recorded LIVE on stage at the Morningstar Conference in Chicago! We chat with behavioral finance professor Meir Statman. He breaks down the differences between standard finance and behavioral finance, making it clear that understanding human behavior is an essential part of investing. Statman starts by explaining that standard finance assumes…

1
Michael Kitces: Is the Economy Worse Than We Think? 1:43:07

2h ago1:43:07

1:43:07

We chat with renowned financial advisor Michael Kitces at the Morningstar Investor Conference in Chicago. Kitces answers a big question: Is the economy worse than we think? He explains that a few big companies like Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet are holding up the S&P 500. But this doesn’t mean the economy is bad. It's common for a small group of compa…

1
Q&A: Don’t Waste Your Inheritance! Here’s How 1:05:56

26m ago1:05:56

1:05:56

#524: Mark and his partner will soon inherit an IRA worth over a quarter million dollars. With today’s elevated interest rates, would throwing it all at a primary residence be the smartest play? An anonymous caller and his girlfriend are musicians who dream of building a home with a monetizable recording studio. How do they untangle personal wants …

1
The Power of Deep Work, with Google’s Productivity Expert Laura Mae Martin 50:27

19h ago50:27

50:27

#523: How much is an hour of your time worth? Google's Executive Productivity Advisor , Laura Mae Martin, joins us to answer that question. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Paula Pant | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
Q&A: Help! I’m STUCK On A Financial Tracking Hamster Wheel 1:07:33

1d ago1:07:33

1:07:33

#522: Emily Anne is worried about her obsessive tracking behavior. She’s in great financial shape but struggles to shake the constant compulsion to check her accounts. What should she do? An anonymous caller and his partner plan to use geo-arbitrage to retire early before reaching their financial independence number. Can they have their cake and ea…

1
Behind-the-Scenes with Paula and Joe 40:15

3d ago40:15

40:15

If you're a longtime listener, you'll enjoy this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about entrepreneurship and growth between Paula Pant and former financial advisor and Stacking Benjamins host Joe Saul-Sehy. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanything.com/episode521 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice…

1
How The Supreme Court's Chevron Ruling Could Impact Retirement 44:06

8d ago44:06

44:06

#520: Happy 248th birthday, USA! In this 5th of July First Friday economic update, we cover five topics: the economic impact of elections in the UK; the S&P 500 topping 5500; the effect of the Supreme Court’s Chevron ruling on Social Security and retirement planning; the latest jobs report; and California’s new law allowing accessory dwelling units…

1
Jim Kwik: Secrets to a Smarter Brain 1:24:35

11d ago1:24:35

1:24:35

#519: We sit down with Jim Kwik, a brain coach and expert in memory improvement, speed reading, and optimal learning. As a child, Jim suffered a brain injury that made learning difficult. He was labeled "the boy with the broken brain," which deeply affected his confidence and performance in school. Today, he’s an expert in memory, focus, learning, …

1
Rachel Rodgers: The Million Dollar Mindset 1:02:49

19d ago1:02:49

1:02:49

#518: If you want to learn about building wealth through entrepreneurship, you’ll enjoy this episode. When Rachel Rodgers graduated from law school, she didn’t take the conventional path to working at a big law firm. Instead, she opened her own practice, specializing in intellectual property law. Many of her clients were entrepreneurs and small bus…

1
Should I Raid My Retirement Plan to Buy Real Estate? 1:13:08

18d ago1:13:08

1:13:08

#517: Kimiko is dismayed that the asset allocation books she’s read led her down a path to an underperforming portfolio heavy in ex-US stock investments. Where should she go from here? Julie and her husband dream of owning a vacation rental in the Denver area even though the math doesn’t add up. It seems like everyone around can make it work though…

1
Dr. Brian Klaas: The Secret to Financial Resilience 1:05:27

22d ago1:05:27

1:05:27

#516: Have you ever wondered how small, seemingly insignificant actions can have massive impacts on your financial life? In today's episode, we talk to Dr. Brian Klaas, a Professor at University College London and an affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford. He explains how our decisions can lead to unintended and unanticipated consequences…

1
Q&A: Sell Your Home or Stay Put? 56:44

25d ago56:44

56:44

Jessica and her husband are juggling two home sales and one home purchase within the next two to four years. How do they execute wisely while navigating a tight real estate market? Zerai works two jobs that both offer a pension and retirement plan. Can he take advantage of everything at his disposal or must he make some tough choices? Emily and her…

1
Why the Latest Economic Report is a Rorschach Test 35:24

1M ago35:24

35:24

#514: The S&P 500 hit a record high — and the GameStop guy is back, and he now owns 9 million shares of GME, making him the 4th largest shareholder. Interest rates from remain the same, and are expected to hold steady until September. Inflation remains unchanged from last month. Last month we saw a massive explosion of new jobs, at 272,000 — nearly…

1
Bachelorette Star Jason Tartick: The Truth About Financial Infidelity 1:02:55

1M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Jason Tartick, a former banker and TV star from The Bachelorette, discusses finances in relationships. He describes eight crucial questions about money that every couple should discuss. When a couple is dating, but before they get serious, he says, each person should divulge their debt-to-income ratio. This is your monthly debt payments divided by …

1
Don't Let One Big Bill Blow Up Your Budget (Here's How) 1:02:20

1M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

#512: An anonymous caller who received a large inheritance feels paralyzed by all the investment philosophies he’s read about. How does he pick a winning strategy he can stick with? Josh is an expectant dad looking to buy a bigger house but doesn’t know how much everything will cost. Should he save more or invest more? Another anonymous caller worr…

1
Q&A: "I'm Scared of Running Out of Money in Retirement!" 53:12

1M ago53:12

53:12

#511: Sara is five years from retirement with a paid-off house. But she’s worried that her money will run out before she turns 80. What does she need to do now to protect her future self? Lauren is a personal finance nerd who gets it. But one question perplexes her: When should she should choose an ETF over an index mutual fund? What about vice ver…

1
How to Master the Psychology of Persuasion, with Michael McQueen 53:44

1M ago53:44

53:44

#510: Maybe you’re trying to convince: – Your spouse | to embrace the FIRE movement. – Your teenage kids | to invest some of their summer job money in stocks. – Your neighbor | to sell you their house in a private, off-market deal. – Your boss | to give you more vacation time. – Your client | to pay you more. Today’s episode is about how to change …

1
I’m Retiring at Age 34 and a Half! 44:24

2M ago44:24

44:24

#509: Rob wants to retire early, but a real estate investment led to $30,000 of credit card debt. Should he take on more debt to pay it off? An anonymous return caller took Paula’s advice and ran with it, doubling her income within a few years. Should she update her investment strategy now that she’s in a higher tax bracket? Humaira is tired of pay…

1
Stanford Researcher Dr. Mary Murphy on How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset 54:48

2M ago54:48

54:48

#508: Recently I chatted with Stanford researcher Dr. Mary Murphy, a renowned expert in the field of psychological and brain sciences. Dr. Murphy, who is a Professor at Indiana University and conducts research at Stanford University, shared insights into the concepts of fixed mindset and growth mindset. We deep dived into her extensive research on …

1
How One Ex-Inmate is Building a Better Future 1:01:02

2M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

#507: Robert was recently released from prison and wants to start his life on the right foot. What’s Joe and Paula’s advice for him? Suzy is excited to deploy her first corporate bonus but scared to invest everything in a lump sum. Should she stick with what’s worked in the past and just dollar cost-average? Meghan doesn’t understand how stock pric…

1
MadFientist: Life is Too Short to Wait for Someday 1:03:07

2M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

#506: "Today's guest, Brandon Ganch, also known as the MadFientist, reached Financial Independence (FI) and quit his job as a software developer at 34. But then he faced a vexing question: what should he do with the rest of his life? In this episode, Brandon shares his journey with FI, revealing the gap between the ideal life you envision on spread…

1
Harvard Dropout Builds Nation’s First Car-Free Utopia, with Ryan Johnson and JD Roth 58:41

2M ago58:41

58:41

#505: Ryan Johnson isn't your average CEO. He's a visionary reimagining city life, one car-free community at a time. In this episode, we chat with Ryan, the co-founder of Culdesac, about building walkable neighborhoods designed for human connection, not just traffic. We'll dive into his experience with Opendoor, his passion for electric bikes (he o…

1
The Points Guy: Growing a Side Hustle into a 140-Person Business 1:05:35

2M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

#504: Brian Kelly faced a harsh reality during the Great Recession – $65,000 in income and crushing credit card debt. He started a simple side hustle, a website called The Points Guy, as an attempt to earn a few hundred dollars a month. Fast forward to today: The Points Guy boasts 11 million monthly visitors and a thriving team of 140 employees. In…

1
Q&A: “My Husband is Not Reliable with Money. Should We Split Finances? 1:26:30

2M ago1:26:30

1:26:30

#503: Lindsay’s husband struggles with a mental disability. She’s worried about the impact on her family’s finances. How does she maintain harmony in her marriage and protect her kids’ future? An anonymous caller is stoked about her young nephew’s interest in saving for retirement. What’s Paula and Joe’s advice for a teenage saver? Another anonymou…

1
Fed Keeps Interest Rates High; Jobs Grow for 40th Consecutive Month 43:19

2M ago43:19

43:19

#502: The Fed met earlier this week and elected to keep interest rates at a 23-year high, in an effort to wrestle inflation closer to its two percent target. Despite this, the April jobs report, which was released today, shows that jobs grew for the 40th consecutive month, and unemployment remains under 4 percent, an historic low, for the 27th stra…

1
Mic Drop! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett Interviews Paula Pant 1:27:11

3M ago1:27:11

1:27:11

#501: Drop the mic! ChooseFI's Brad Barrett takes the host role in this special episode, interviewing Paula Pant about the financial independence community. This episode was recorded LIVE at a comedy club in Brooklyn, as the final installment of the Episode 500 and 501 celebration. For more information, visit the show notes at https://affordanythin…

1
LIVE EVENT Q&A: Episode 500, Part 2, with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett 59:47

3M ago59:47

59:47

Enjoy Part 2 of our two-part Episode 500 special, recorded live at a comedy club in Brooklyn. Host Paula Pant and special guest Brad Barrett from ChooseFI answer questions from the audience, live on stage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesBy Paula Pant | Cumulus Podcast Network

1
LIVE FROM BROOKLYN: Episode 500 with ChooseFI’s Brad Barrett 53:55

3M ago53:55

53:55

Enjoy Part 1 of our two-part Episode 500 special, recorded live at a comedy club in Brooklyn. Brad Barrett, host of the ChooseFI podcast, joins us on stage to talk about what financial independence ideas and practices have changed … and what ideas and practices have remained consistent, universal and time-tested throughout the years. For more infor…

1
Vicki Robin: Financial Independence After 70 [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 44:29

3M ago44:29

44:29

We delve into the world of Financial Independence (FI) with a pioneer -- Vicki Robin, the co-author of Your Money or Your Life. In the 1970s, Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, from vastly different backgrounds, came together over a shared vision: FI as a life philosophy, not just a savings strategy. Their book, "Your Money or Your Life," which sold mo…

1
A.J. Jacobs: Habits, Health, and Human Connection [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Esquire Magazine editor-at-large and bestselling author A.J. Jacobs joins the show to discuss his experimental approach to life. Jacobs, whose TED Talks have been viewed more than 3 million times, shares best practices around motivation, habits, confidence, boosting happiness, and optimizing creativity. In this episode: -- Discover the benefits tha…

1
Michael Kitces: Investing in Stocks vs. Skills [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 1:06:41

3M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

Stocks or skills? How should you invest? Should you pour money into unlocking your income potential? Or should you pour money into the market? Forget the motivational posters -- unlimited potential is real. But unlocking it takes investment. The question is: Do you invest in yourself or the market? Stocks, bonds, real estate offer clear returns. Bu…

1
JL Collins: How to Beat Wall Street with a Boring Portfolio [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 29:31

3M ago29:31

29:31

JL Collins, the author of "The Simple Path to Wealth," achieved financial independence in 1989 with a surprisingly simple strategy: saving half his income and investing in index funds. In this episode, JL breaks down his ultra-simple investing approach. He argues that keeping things uncomplicated leads to better results in the long run. "The less y…

1
Jean Chatzky: The 50% Off Fallacy & Other Ways You're Sabotaging Your Savings [GREATEST HITS WEEK] 29:52

3M ago29:52

29:52

Today’s guest is Jean Chatzky, financial editor for the TODAY Show, host of the HerMoney podcast and a frequent guest on TV shows like Oprah, Regis & Kelly, and The View. We discuss six money rules to guide your spending, including: #1: The more time you spend looking, the less happy you’ll be with what you find. #2: Your retirement trumps their tu…

1
Q&A: We Save $5,000 Per Month. Where Should We Invest It? 1:04:04

3M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

#499: Eugene and his wife are retiring with a $10 million net worth and a guaranteed income that exceeds their annual budget. Do they still need things like life insurance and a financial advisor? The next question, at 30:24, comes from an anonymous caller. Her HOA costs have doubled since she bought her condo. She’s wondering if it’s still a good …

1
Harvard Business Professor Explains Investing in NFTs 1:05:57

3M ago1:05:57

1:05:57

#498: Financial literacy includes understanding NFTs, DeFi, and cryptocurrency. But it's hard to separate education from hype. Harvard Business School's Scott Duke Kominers, a professor in Harvard's Entrepreneurial Management Unit, and a Faculty Affiliate of the Harvard Department of Economics and the Harvard Center of Mathematical Sciences and App…

1
Tribute to Dr. Daniel Kahneman, Who Won a Nobel in Economics Even Though He Never Took an Econ Class 36:49

3M ago36:49

36:49

#497: Princeton Professor Daniel Kahneman never took an economics class. But he won the 2002 Nobel Prize in economics, thanks to his advancements in understanding the psychology of money. In today’s episode, we pay homage to the late Dr. Kahneman, who passed away on March 27 at age 90. We also discuss the jobs report, inflation data, the booming st…

1
The Pay Cut Price of Freedom 1:05:23

3M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

#496: How much of a pay cut would you take for a lighter workload? Today we hear from Paul, 35, who’s grappling with that question. Paul’s boss offered him the chance to cut his hours and salary by 25 percent. He’d love to work fewer hours. He has a decent net worth, plenty of savings, and no debt. Should he grab the opportunity? Or stick with his …

1
Dr. Cal Newport: Achieve More by Doing Less 1:19:33

4M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

#495: Marie Curie won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. She's famous for her work in radioactivity. Lin-Manual Miranda is a songwriter, producer and director who won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 2016, as well as several Tony awards. What do they have in common? They lived a century apart. They innovated …

1
My Husband Makes Double My Income, But Saves Nothing! Should I Be Worried? 49:42

4M ago49:42

49:42

#494: Tatyana is about to pay off her house at age 39! What’s next? Her husband, who earns twice as much (and whom she met after she bought the home), has no savings. They want a boat. Should she focus there? Matthew recently ended a relationship that resulted in a real estate buyout with an 8.1 percent interest rate. With rates expected to decline…

1
Wall Street Secrets, with Your Rich BFF Vivian Tu 59:36

4M ago59:36

59:36

#493: Do you ever wonder what happens behind closed doors on Wall Street? Vivian Tu, also known as Your Rich BFF, is here to spill the tea. Vivian grew up in a modest immigrant family. After college, she found herself working insane hours on Wall Street after college. While working on Wall Street, Vivian saw some weird things. Once, a coworker stum…

1
I’m Earning Extra from my Side Hustle. But Does This Cramp My Chances at Investing? 56:27

4M ago56:27

56:27

#492: Christine’s business is struggling. She needs more income. If she adds a full-time remote job to her plate, how will her retirement and finances change? Rob enjoyed a banner year in 2023. He made over $1 million. But the sting of income tax has him making moves that violate his investment strategy. Is his tax tail wagging the dog? Gena is exc…

1
Why Bitcoin is Back in the News | First Friday 22:53

5M ago22:53

22:53

#491: Welcome, Emma Chamberlain’s fans!! Thanks for joining the Afford Anything community. You can find out how to escape the 9-to-5 grind at affordanything.com/escape Once a month, on the First Friday of the month, we explore the hot economic and money stories that are dominating the headlines. These days, Bitcoin is back in the news. As of Friday…

1
Inside the Mind of a Supercommunicator, with Charles Duhigg 1:20:28

5M ago1:20:28

1:20:28

#490: Great communication will get you a raise. It'll get you promoted. You'll land the corner office. You'll make friends and be the life of the party. You'll land business deals and form lucrative partnerships. Supercommunication is a superpower. But how do we build it? Sometimes, you might walk away from a conversation with the joy of having mad…

1
Ask Paula: What to Do with a Six-Figure Windfall? 1:08:54

5M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

#489: Cara made $100,000 in commissions this year, her biggest bonus ever. What should she do with the money if she wants to retire early? An anonymous caller is upset that the 401k plan he sold his boss on is charging him an Assets Under Management (AUM) fee. Should he keep the 401k at all? Remy and her husband need to come up with $30,000 for IVF…

1
Gut Instincts and Big Decisions, with Morgan Housel 1:02:55

5M ago1:02:55

1:02:55

#488: Ever made a flippant, seemingly minor decision that radically changed the course of your life? Morgan Housel has experienced this. At age 17, he made a quick decision that ended up saving his life. Sadly, two of his friends were less fortunate. He shares that story in today's podcast episode, and sheds light on the lessons he's learned from i…

1
Ask Paula: "Should I Put My Dreams on Hold … and Buy a House Instead?" 1:08:09

5M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

#487: Luis’s wife is killing it at her side hustle. The unexpected income has led Luis to YouTube for hacks to capitalize on their surplus. Can a 529 plan double as long-term care savings? Elizabeth is frustrated with the housing market. She’s been saving for years but isn’t anywhere near her goal. Should she give up and spend it on a dream pottery…

1
Stocks are Hot. Jobs are Hotter. What’s Next? 53:53

5M ago53:53

53:53

#486: By every definition of the word, we’re in a bull market. The S&P 500 hit record highs for five consecutive days last week, and remained strong throughout this week. The Dow is above 38,000 for the first time in history. Unemployment has stayed below 4 percent for 24 months, marking the strongest employment in half a century. And consumer sent…

1
How to Start a Business in One Weekend, with Noah Kagan 1:23:03

6M ago1:23:03

1:23:03

#485: If you’ve ever thought: "I’d love a business BUT …” I don’t have TIME I don’t have MONEY I don’t have IDEAS I have TOO MANY ideas and I don't know where to start I'm not technical I'm not creative or artistic I'm not good at sales You're not alone. Countless people don't start businesses or side hustles for these reasons. And they're losing t…

1
Ask Paula: The Hidden Cost of Student Loan Forgiveness 1:07:07

6M ago1:07:07

1:07:07

#484: Kristen’s financial advisor charges a 1.3 percent fee on her investments. They also sold her term life, whole life, and long-term disability insurance. Do they have her best interests at heart? Casey has $290,000 in student loan debt. He committed 10 years to one employer for a chance at public service loan forgiveness. But five years in, Cas…

1
Thriving in a High-Pressure World, with Jennifer Breheny Wallace 48:48

6M ago48:48

48:48

#483: Competitive. Results oriented. Driven to be the very best. These are a few ways to describe achievement culture. Achievement culture can also be described as stressful, high pressure and unhealthy. Yet, there is consistently the pressure – internally and externally – to make more money, be a better parent, spouse, friend, or employee. These b…

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