Best Columbia Ideas At Work Podcasts (2025)

1
The Brutal Math of Caring for Aging Parents, with MarketWatch Columnist Beth Pinsker 1:02:42

2h ago1:02:42

1:02:42

#660: Caring for an aging parent can morph into a second full-time job, and even the most financially savvy adults get blindsided. Bank accounts freeze, home sales stall, and family savings disappear faster than anyone expects. In this episode, we dig into what really happens when you take over a parent’s financial life, from the first power of att…

1
James Patterson Shows Why Comfort Can Be a Trap 1:08:50

2d ago1:08:50

1:08:50

#659: Imagine that you’re at the absolute peak of your career. You’re the CEO of a prominent advertising company at the age of 36, but you feel like you’re driving in the wrong lane. It’s wrong.Then you make a hard career pivot and it works out beautifully.My guests today know exactly what that’s like. We’re joined by James Patterson, the author wh…

1
Tech Solutions (#1): The affordable tech that will revolutionize farming (with Samir Ibrahim and Josephine Waweru) 24:09

4d ago24:09

24:09

When entrepreneur Samir Ibrahim asked farmers in Kenya what problem they most needed solved, the answer was simple: reliable access to water to irrigate their farms year-round. Samir is the CEO of SunCulture, a company replacing diesel- and petrol-powered water pumps with more affordable solar-powered ones. He sits down with Sherrell Dorsey, host o…

1
First Friday: When the Gov’t is Closed, Where Do We Find the Numbers? 37:21

7d ago37:21

37:21

#658: An unusual First Friday episode because we don't have a jobs report. However, we do know that in October, U.S. companies announced more job cuts in a single month than they have over any single month of the last 20 years. In other words, October was peak job cut month. By contrast, private payrolls, as reported by ADP, rose by 42,000 in Octob…

1
Q&A: Can You Really Beat the Market by Copying Members of Congress? 59:18

10d ago59:18

59:18

#657: This week, Paula and Joe dig into a listener’s question about ETFs that track the stock trades of U.S. politicians — including the Democratic “NANC” fund and its Republican counterpart “KRUZ.” They explore whether this strategy is smart investing or just expensive entertainment. Then, they shift gears to home ownership headaches. Another list…

1
A bold idea to rebuild the working class | Molly Hemstreet 11:30

8d ago11:30

11:30

Struggling communities don’t need handouts — they need bold new ways to root wealth. Meet Molly Hemstreet — a TED Fellow, Southern Appalachia native and cofounder of worker support network the Industrial Commons — who’s flipping the script on generational poverty by turning textile waste into $9-per-pound yarn and factory workers into business owne…

1
Would You Shock a Stranger? What a 1960s Experiment Reveals About Your Money Decisions 1:28:17

14d ago1:28:17

1:28:17

#656: What would you do if someone in authority told you to do something that felt wrong? Most of us like to think we'd speak up, push back, stand our ground. But research tells a very different story. In fact, when Yale researchers conducted a famous experiment in the 1960s, they found that 65% of people would administer what they believed to be d…

1
Q&A: How to Choose Between Financial Freedom and a First Home 1:14:26

18d ago1:14:26

1:14:26

#655: What would you do if, at the age of 23, you found yourself with $70,000 a year leftover after expenses? Would you pour everything into retirement and coast to financial independence, or stockpile a down payment before life gets pricier with kids, a mortgage, and maintenance costs? This week, we dive into that real-life dilemma and explore how…

1
The world's first "nature superpower" | Ilona Szabó de Carvalho 12:55

17d ago12:55

12:55

Over the last 40 years, Brazil has lost an area larger than California to deforestation — and 90 percent of the clear-cutting has been illegal, all part of a multi-billion-dollar global environmental crime economy. Civic entrepreneur Ilona Szabó de Carvalho sees this crisis as an opportunity. Revealing how Brazil is pioneering an economic model act…

1
How to Stop Fighting About Money 1:25:49

21d ago1:25:49

1:25:49

#654: Fights about money are common, but they're rarely about math. They're about power, shame, vulnerability, and trust. And no amount of data or fancy spreadsheets is going to fix it. What you need is a better system for fairness, more open communication, and a shared ambition. In this candid conversation with Heather and Doug Bonaparte, we explo…

1
Radical Transparency in Real Estate Predictions 1:02:15

24d ago1:02:15

1:02:15

#653: What happens when we actually check our predictions? In this episode we play clips from our 2023 conversation with Scott Trench from BiggerPockets and ask the uncomfortable question: were we right? Two years ago we made some big calls about the housing market. Mortgage rates had doubled. Prices hadn’t crashed. Inventory was vanishing. Everyon…

1
Brené Brown on courageous leadership | from ReThinking with Adam Grant 41:55

17d ago41:55

41:55

Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author who hosts the podcast Dare to Lead and has given some of the most popular TED Talks of all time. Brené joins Adam live at Authors@Wharton to talk about her new book, Strong Ground. They discuss how to identify your core values, what courageous leadership looks like, and whether vulnerability has …

1
Why High Earners Stay Broke, with Rose Han 1:12:33

28d ago1:12:33

1:12:33

#652: What if you did everything “right”, earned the degree, landed the six-figure job, and still felt broke? That’s exactly where Rose Han found herself. Fresh out of NYU with a finance degree and a Wall Street paycheck, she had a negative net worth, mounting stress, and a sinking feeling that traditional success wasn’t the path to freedom. In thi…

1
Everyone Says Don’t Hold Bonds in Taxable Accounts. They’re Wrong 1:24:46

1M ago1:24:46

1:24:46

#651: Many who reach CoastFI find themselves in a strange in-between: financially independent enough to stop saving, but not ready to fully retire. When you’re living off a taxable brokerage for decades, does the “never hold bonds in taxable” rule still apply? This episode explores how traditional asset location advice meets real-life spending. We …

1
A traditional job isn’t the only path to success | TED Talks Daily 14:04

1M ago14:04

14:04

Africa’s booming youth population is often seen as a "jobless generation." But in Kenya alone, young people are already adding more than 530 million dollars a month to the economy through informal businesses. Social entrepreneur Anuj Tanna, who cofounded a social network to connect these entrepreneurs, challenges us to rethink the narrative: What i…

1
How Money Moves Through Markets 1:13:26

27d ago1:13:26

1:13:26

#650: Sarah Williamson is the kind of person who shapes the decisions that move trillions of dollars. She earned her MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and holds both the CFA and CAIA designations, two of the most demanding credentials in finance. In this episode, she helps us understand how investing really works, who the major play…

1
How Texas became America’s biggest producer of wind energy | Speed & Scale 27:02

1M ago27:02

27:02

This is the surprising story of how Texas – rich in oil and gas – became America's biggest producer of wind energy. For our first episode, Ryan and Anjali talk with Pat Wood, once George W. Bush’s right hand man and head of Texas's Public Utility Commission, to uncover the innovative approach that turned Texas into a renewable energy powerhouse. It…

1
Q&A: Should You Buy a House Now or Invest Your Down Payment Instead? 1:08:54

1M ago1:08:54

1:08:54

#649: Many first-time buyers feel like they’re watching the train pull out of the station. If you’ve saved for years but can’t afford a home nearby, should you stretch to buy further (maybe hours) away or invest that cash instead? In this episode, we dig into the psychology, math, and lifestyle tradeoffs behind the “buy now or wait” dilemma. Plus, …

1
How to get people to do what you want | Barry Sonnenfeld 16:27

1M ago16:27

16:27

As a film and television director, Barry Sonnenfeld had millions of dollars riding on his ability to get his cast and crew to play along — and much of what he learned along the way applies to everyday life. Here, he shares nine bits of wisdom and whimsy gleaned from 40 years in entertainment. So the next time you encounter a screaming bully, you to…

1
First Friday: The Government Shuts Down -- But Bitcoin is at an All-Time High?!? 41:35

1M ago41:35

41:35

#648: The U.S. government is shutting down. Bitcoin just hit a record high. Inflation whispers are back. And Wall Street is buzzing with speculation. What does this all mean for your money, your portfolio, and your long-term financial freedom? On this First Friday episode, we unpack the economic headlines you can’t ignore — and help you separate si…

1
Q&A: How Do You Maximize a Mini-Retirement? 1:01:15

2M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

#647: What if you and your partner want to take a few months – or even a year – off work? How do you handle health insurance once you leave your jobs? And how do you make sure the time off isn’t wasted, but becomes a launchpad for what’s next? In this week’s Q&A, we dive into those questions. We also cover three more listener questions: what to do …

1
Why good people become bad bosses | Jamie Woolf and Christopher Bell 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

You’ve probably had a bad boss, but you might not realize how easy it is to become one. Leadership experts Jamie Woolf and Christopher Bell unpack “power blindness” — how authority can warp your perspective — and share smart, practical ways to break the cycle of toxic bosses for good. After the talk, Modupe shares one more exercise to help you beco…

1
The Third Option Between Working and Retiring 1:12:29

2M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

#646: What if you didn’t have to choose between grinding full-time until retirement or quitting work altogether? By 40, Andy Hill and his wife had built a $500,000 portfolio and paid off their home. Instead of racing toward early retirement, they chose a third way: scaling back to part-time work, becoming equal partners in parenting, and reclaiming…

1
Q&A: My Friend Won’t Invest - How Can I Help? 1:16:47

2M ago1:16:47

1:16:47

#645: Mike (02:50): After 15 years of intentional living, Mike is 80 percent of the way to financial independence. Now he’s trying to help friends take control of their own financial future. But what happens when one spouse is eager to learn and invest, while the other isn’t interested? Michael (27:07): For two years, Michael has tracked his net wo…

1
The most powerful predictor of team success | Rafael Chiuzi 18:33

2M ago18:33

18:33

Remember that gut-clenching fear of speaking up in class? Organizational psychologist Rafael Chiuzi reveals how that same feeling shows up in the workplace, limiting productivity and the free exchange of ideas. Backed by decades of research and hands-on consulting, he unpacks the science of psychological safety — and shares three actionable steps t…

1
The Hidden Psychology Behind Every Financial Decision You Make with Dr. Daniel Crosby 1:09:41

2M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

#644: Why do we both crave money and resent it? Why do some people sabotage their financial futures in the name of short-term comfort? And why is your brain — not the stock market — the biggest threat to your wealth? In this conversation, we explore the surprising ways that psychology and money intertwine. Our guest, Dr. Daniel Crosby, is a behavio…

1
LIVESTREAM: A Former Fed Economist Reveals What's Really Happening, with Karsten Jeske (“Big ERN”) 1:03:19

2M ago1:03:19

1:03:19

#643: Picture this: you're at the Federal Reserve years ago. The chairman literally hangs up a conference call, waits 30 minutes, then calls back — suddenly everyone agrees on the rate decision. That's the kind of insider story Karsten Jeske (“Big ERN”) shares when he joins us to break down what's happening with the economy right now. Karsten worke…

1
BONUS: Stagflation, Stocks & Social Security - What’s Next for Your Money? with Rob Berger 26:06

2M ago26:06

26:06

EXCLUSIVE: Is your money safe in today’s economy? In this bonus interview, Paula Pant sits down with financial expert Rob Berger to unpack the latest on inflation, interest rates, market valuations, and the future of Social Security. Together, Paula and Rob dive into the tough questions: Is the American Dream dead for Gen Z? Will there be another m…

1
A story of moral imagination and bold entrepreneurship | Sitoyo Lopokoiyit in conversation with Jacqueline Novogratz 21:35

2M ago21:35

21:35

In a conversation about visionary leadership, M-PESA CEO Sitoyo Lopokoiyit speaks with impact investor and Acumen CEO Jacqueline Novogratz about how he grew a nascent mobile payment service into Africa’s largest fintech platform — which now handles nearly 60 percent of Kenya's GDP and more than a billion dollars in daily transactions. They draw on …

1
The Case for Investing in Individual Stocks, with Co-Founder of the Motley Fool, David Gardner 1:29:14

2M ago1:29:14

1:29:14

#642: Curious about how individual stock picking could sharpen your investing skills—even if you’re an avid index fund investor? Paula sits down with David Gardner, co-founder of The Motley Fool and author of Rule Breaker Investing, to delve into the world of contrarian stock strategies and the mindset behind picking standout companies. Timestamps:…

1
Q&A: ChatGPT Built Her $1.2M Portfolio … But Should You Trust It? 57:44

2M ago57:44

57:44

#641: Cristina has a $1.2 million portfolio and hopes to make work optional within the next decade. Is she invested in the right way? Or should she change up her asset allocation? Anonymous and her husband plan to retire in 5 years. They have 10 rental properties and a $2.75 million portfolio. They dream of slow travel, generosity, and family time.…

1
Forget hustle culture. Behold the Artist Corporation | Yancey Strickler 12:42

2M ago12:42

12:42

Kickstarter cofounder Yancey Strickler unveils a radical new economic model that could transform how creative people build sustainable careers, amass collective wealth and escape the burnout of hustle culture. Hear his vision for how artists can pool resources, share profits and own their work in a new kind of economy, as he poses a tantalizing vie…

1
First Friday: Jerome Powell's Remarks at Jackson Hole 17:58

2M ago17:58

17:58

#640: The jobs report came out this morning and it was a painful one. The US added only 22,000 new jobs in August, according to the latest BLS report. And unemployment ticked up to 4.3%. What does this mean? Find out in today's First Friday episode! Timestamps: Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising …

1
Q&A: How to Invest in Your Community (by Finding the Third Option) 48:36

2M ago48:36

48:36

#639: Aisha is excited to share how some life-changing advice has played out for her career. She wonders now: what limiting beliefs has Paula and Joe had to overcome in their businesses? Lesley is attracted to community bonds as a way to build collective wealth for the underserved. But do the same risks exist as they do in the traditional bond mark…

1
Quick Fixes: How to level up, job craft, and manage colleagues you can’t stand | Fixable 19:19

3M ago19:19

19:19

In this Quick Fixes episode, Anne and Frances work to solve three different callers’ tricky work problems in under 20 minutes. One listener searches for the best way to level up his small business, the next plans to approach their manager about a dramatic role change, and a final caller is interviewing for a new leadership position that would requi…

1
[GREATEST HITS] James Clear: How Small Daily Actions Compound Into Life-Changing Wealth [RERUN] 1:18:41

3M ago1:18:41

1:18:41

#638: Fifty dollars. That's how much this couple transferred to their "Trip to Europe" savings account each time they cooked dinner instead of going to a restaurant. By year's end, they had funded their dream vacation — not through budgeting or willpower, but by hacking their habit loop. This story illustrates how James Clear approaches habit chang…

1
Q&A: Can You Open an IRA for Someone Else's Kid? (And Should You?) 55:15

3M ago55:15

55:15

#637: Nick wants to set up an investment account for his nephew to contribute annually, creating a nest egg for college since the parents are already opening a 529. He's unsure whether a standard brokerage account, IRA or other options work best when you're not the parent. Diana asks whether she needs TIPS in her portfolio to protect against inflat…

1
The trillion dollar paradox | George Zaidan 9:02

2M ago9:02

9:02

Global warming is very, very expensive: extreme weather, rising sea levels, crop failures, health issues, and industry disruptions all cost money. So, what’s the best way forward? Is the estimated trillion-dollar price tag that comes with transitioning the world to clean energy worth the cost of investment? George Zaidan explores what it would take…

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Columbia Ideas At Work Podcasts

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