Best The Mad Fientist Podcasts (2024)

1
3 Buckets of FIRE, Long Term Care, Dating, Mailbag | MHFI 221 56:43

1d ago56:43

56:43

Doug and Carl answer questions from the Facebook mailbag. Branden – Basically Coast FI, but can’t pass up the tax advantages of a 401k and a Roth IRA even though focusing on a taxable brokerage account would provide freedom sooner. How did you prioritize which accounts to use and when? Julie – Do you favor long-term care insurance? Matt – How to ap…

1
Are High Net Worth People Happier? – Allison | MHFI 220 1:12:28

8d ago1:12:28

1:12:28

Doug and Carl chat with Allison, delving into her unique journey as a nanny for high net worth families and some insights & takeaways from those with wealth. Allison also discusses her path toward financial independence including frugal areas of her life, giving into the (lifestyle) creep, and finally attending an in-person FI event for the first t…

1
Happiness Through Subtraction 7:57

9d ago7:57

7:57

If you want to use money to make you happier, stop thinking about what you can buy with it. Instead, think about how you can use it to remove the things in your life that make you unhappy. Full Article: https://www.madfientist.com/happiness-through-subtraction/

1
Why I Quit My High-Paying Engineering Job – Vivi | MHFI 219 1:05:41

15d ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Doug and Carl chat with Vivi Ton who shares her bold decision to leave a stable career as an aerospace engineer to pursue her true passion in graphic design. Vivi discusses entrepreneurship & her work with Personal Finance Club, her experiences with mental health & therapy, navigating the societal pressures of leaving a high-paying job, and offers …

1
Lazy Book Update & Google is Bad Now | MHFI 218 32:28

22d ago32:28

32:28

Doug and Carl catch up briefly on a potpourri of personal topics including challenges of managing time, updates with the lazy book, fitness updates, and upcoming summer plans. They also discuss changes in Google search, the impact of AI on search results, and the current state of SEO. Save 50% site-wide on your new mattress, pillow, and bedding ove…

1
Military Path to Financial Freedom – B.J. | MHFI 217 1:33:27

29d ago1:33:27

1:33:27

Doug and Carl chat with Air Force veteran & physician B.J., who shares his journey toward Financial Independence and life beyond material success. B.J. discusses how military benefits like pensions & healthcare can pave the way to financial success, the personal growth he experienced after achieving FI, and the pursuit of deeper happiness beyond ow…

1
Millionaires Think They’re Middle Class?? – Amberly Grant | MHFI 216 1:19:37

1M ago1:19:37

1:19:37

Doug and Amberly explore the intriguing reasons why many millionaires consider themselves middle class. They discuss the technical definitions of financial classes vs. the challenging societal definitions of these same classes, how both of these relate to their own views, and the psychology of wealth & self-perception among financially successful i…

1
Should I Quit My Corporate Job & Mailbag | MHFI 215 1:02:50

1M ago1:02:50

1:02:50

Doug and Carl work through a case study from listener Frank and also answer questions from the Facebook mailbag. Frank – Has a stressful, yet well paying job. Should he stay at his current job, which he doesn’t like so much, or move on to something else that he’s been contemplating for a while? Rich What does a typical daily meal and snack look lik…

1
Mad Fientist: Life, Money, & Pursuit Of Happiness (Mindy on Money) | MHFI 214 1:13:28

2M ago1:13:28

1:13:28

Mindy and Carl catch up with long-time friend Brandon, the Mad Fientist, to discuss the balance between spending, saving, and maintaining happiness. Brandon details his journey from extreme frugality to spending experiments to purposeful spending/spending for happiness. He also discusses the indispensable role of personal development, the importanc…

1
Bill Perkins - Memory Dividends, Time Buckets, and Maximizing Net Fulfillment 1:37:41

2M ago1:37:41

1:37:41

Out of all the episodes of the Financial Independence Podcast, this is the one I wish I heard when I was on my journey to financial independence. Bill Perkins, author of Die with Zero, joins Chris Hutchins on the All the Hacks podcast to discuss what money is really for – maximizing net fulfillment. This interview is incredible, so I reached out to…

1
Bill Perkins – Memory Dividends, Time Buckets, and Maximizing Net Fulfillment

2M ago

—

Out of all the episodes of the Financial Independence Podcast, this is the one I wish I heard when I was on my journey to financial independence Bill Perkins, author of Die with Zero, joins Chris Hutchins on the All the Hacks podcast to discuss what money is really for – maximizing net fulfillment. This interview is incredible, so I reached out to …

1
Mastering the Market, AI’s Future with Brian Feroldi | MHFI 213 50:16

2M ago50:16

50:16

Doug and Carl chat with financial educator, investing enthusiast, and author Brian Feroldi. Brian delves into early investment mishaps, his investing philosophy (focusing on high-quality, long-term businesses), the significance of understanding the stock market & personal finance, and where to find new investing ideas. The group also discusses Warr…

1
My Wife Retired Early!!! | MHFI 212 1:20:40

2M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

Carl chats with Doug and his wife Elizabeth who recently left her career and retired early. Elizabeth discusses her introduction to Financial Independence and some of the skepticism she initially had while also walking through some of the specifics about actually leaving her job (making the decision, having a solid financial plan in place, and desc…

1
Evolution of FIRE and EconoMe 2024 | MHFI 211 50:31

2M ago50:31

50:31

Recorded in the hotel lobby on the last day of the EconoMe conference, Doug and Carl reflect on some of the presentations and conversations they had over the weekend while also providing their own insights & observations. They discuss various topics including: the evolution of the FIRE movement from its initial focus on accumulating wealth to its c…

1
Accidental FI, Early Retirement, & Subtle Art of Living FI – Bob Haines | MHFI 210 1:14:10

3M ago1:14:10

1:14:10

Doug and Carl chat with Bob Haines who is a well-known figure in the FI community due to his frequent attendance of various FI-related events such as FinCon, EconoMe, Chautauqua, and CampFI. Bob recounts his financial journey from initially finding FI through the Tim Ferriss podcast, to discovering that he was accidentally FI already, to transition…

1
Random Show from EconoMe 2024 | MHFI 209 52:06

3M ago52:06

52:06

Recorded in the hotel lobby from the EconoMe conference in Cincinnati, Doug and Carl catch-up on various topics including: a recap of their recent visit to the Culdesac community in Arizona, thoughts on e-bikes & electric vehicles, Doug’s battle with pink eye, updates to their fitness routines, and Carl’s unfortunate Facebook incident. Doug also sh…

1
Telling People You’re Retired or Wealthy | MHFI 208 55:06

3M ago55:06

55:06

Doug and Carl (along with special guest co-host Georgie the dog) explore the concept of stealth wealth. Each provides their personal money story & how much work it took to arrive at their current position, the pros & cons of sharing one’s financial status with others, and how this knowledge impacts social interactions & relationships. They also dis…

1
Mr. Money Mustache & Car Free Living at Culdesac | MHFI 207 54:20

3M ago54:20

54:20

Doug and Carl visit Culdesac, a unique car-free rental apartment community in Tempe, AZ that redefines the typical American neighborhood by focusing on sustainability, communal living spaces, and alternative transportation options. The guys are joined by members of the FI community (including Pete Adeney (Mr. Money Mustache), Paula Pant, Brad Barre…

1
Fitness & Health Update | MHFI 206 1:05:44

4M ago1:05:44

1:05:44

In a follow-up to MHFI Episode 187 (Fitness Madness), Doug and Carl provide an update on how they’re progressing with their original fitness goals, discuss challenges they’ve faced along the way, provide dieting & workout tips, and discuss future plans. Carl speaks candidly about Attachment Disorder and the importance of mental health. Also, don’t …

1
The Secret Cost of Over-Optimization & Random Show | MHFI 205 1:01:00

4M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Doug and Carl catch up on a potpourri of topics including recent purchases, frugal hacks, investments, optimization, skepticism, and recent books & TV shows each have been consuming. They discuss over-optimizing & reevaluating perceptions in the areas of health & fitness and try to provide a balance by incorporating de-optimization. Carl also intro…

1
From Deep in Debt to Fit Rich Life | MHFI 204 1:14:39

4M ago1:14:39

1:14:39

Doug and Carl chat with Justin David Carl, a fitness, money, and life coach also known as Dragon. Justin shares his journey from being heavily in debt and out of shape to becoming financially independent and physically fit. He discusses the dramatic career changes he made, his discovery of the financial independence movement, and how coaching & acc…

1
When Did You Feel Wealthy? Or Rich? | MHFI 203 44:34

4M ago44:34

44:34

Doug and Carl delve into the differences between being “rich” and being “wealthy”, discussing their own journeys to financial independence and the pivotal moments when they each felt rich and then wealthy. They reflect on pieces of financial advice, how to feel wealthy, reclaiming an abundance mindset from scarcity, and the importance of evaluating…

1
I Hit Barista FI, But Now I Like My Job – Kim Ehardt | MHFI 202 1:08:44

4M ago1:08:44

1:08:44

Doug and Carl chat with Kim Ehardt, a firefighter from Austin, Texas, who unknowingly achieved Barista FI through careful savings and an unconventional career path. Despite her financial status and ability to leave her current profession, Kim articulates a desire to shift focus from financial security alone to personal fulfillment, purpose, and hap…

1
Pathfinders – JL Collins | MHFI 201 58:10

5M ago58:10

58:10

Doug and Carl chat with JL Collins about the evolution of the FIRE movement, lifestyle inflation, “enough”, & envy as well as how diverse the FI community is (not exclusive to any particular income level or lifestyle). JL introduces his recent book, “Pathfinders”, which collects stories that demystify the process of achieving financial independence…

1
What We Learned From 200 Episodes | MHFI 200 33:10

5M ago33:10

33:10

Doug and Carl celebrate the 200th episode of the Mile High FI podcast, reminiscing about the past while discussing future plans. Topics include: what they’ve learned, what they enjoy about podcasting, the many challenges they’ve faced, and goals & plans for 2024 and the next 100 episodes. Carl also discusses his new podcast with Mindy. Come celebra…

1
Scarcity vs Abundance Mindset & FIRE with Diania Merriam | MHFI 199 1:00:17

5M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Doug and Carl chat with Diania Merriam about big events in her life in 2024 (a wedding & the EconoMe conference), struggles with scarcity mindset/shifting to an abundance mindset, and how these mindsets have influenced her approach to wedding planning. Along the way she discusses her transformative experience at the Hoffman Process retreat, especia…

1
Finance Advice to Our Younger Selves | MHFI 198 45:40

5M ago45:40

45:40

Doug and Carl reflect on their paths to financial independence and discuss the advice they would have given their younger selves. Topics include college education/career paths, early savings, retirement account contributions, index fund investing, flexibility across different investments, strong work ethic, resilience, and of course… asparagus. Do …

1
Sabbatical Case Studies – Paula Pant & J.D. Roth | MHFI 197 53:23

6M ago53:23

53:23

Paula Pant and J.D. Roth join Doug at FinCon 2023 to discuss their unique sabbaticals. Paula details her year-long break from ‘Afford Anything’ to pursue a Columbia University fellowship, while J.D. shares his experience stepping away from finance writing to pursue art and Taoism. They both open up about the challenges of their time off and future …

1
When Spending Feels Wrong: Tackling FI Guilt and Money Mindsets | MHFI 196 58:13

6M ago58:13

58:13

Money Struggles, Celebrating Success, and Potential Return to Work (in the soundcheck) We discuss listeners’ questions on their individual financial journeys. Topics covered include the struggle to attain financial independence, the guilt associated with spending large amounts, the decision to stay in a high-paying but unfulfilling job versus seeki…

1
Go Sober to Pay for College (and Save BIG) | MHFI 195 51:31

6M ago51:31

51:31

Doug and Carl have an in-depth conversation with Barbara Zink who is a mother & wife, an entrepreneur, and a personal finance enthusiast who describes herself as a “closet FI person.” Barbara shares her FIRE journey and how cutting back on alcohol consumption has not only resulted in several health benefits, but has also contributed greatly to her …

1
Will Retiring Early Actually Make You Happy? [rebroadcast] | MHFI 194 1:43:27

6M ago1:43:27

1:43:27

Carl and Doug unpack the pursuit of happiness and the winding road to early retirement. From life’s unexpected twists to the importance of relationships beyond the balance sheet, they explore what it really means to live a fulfilling life post-FIRE. Listen-in for a blend of finance, philosophy, and insights, all served up with a side of personal st…

1
DIY Projects, Live-In Flips, and Financial Planning | Mailbag | MHFI 193 57:44

7M ago57:44

57:44

Doug and Carl answer questions from the Facebook mailbag. Sam: How important were the live-in flips and other real estate ventures that you and Mindy got into impact your success and overall net worth? Patrick: With all of Carl’s DIY experience, what house projects would he now hire out (like flooring, tile, drywall, or bathroom remodels) instead o…

1
Travel Tips | MHFI 192 1:11:47

7M ago1:11:47

1:11:47

Join Carl and Doug as they share practical travel tips such as the benefits of TSA Pre-check, understanding ideal travel lengths, and the importance of downtime during vacations. They also share money-saving tips like using credit card benefits and the art of negotiating hotel fees. In the soundcheck Carl and Doug talk about their weekend in Brecke…

1
The Best Advice from JL Collins 39:56

7M ago39:56

39:56

To celebrate the release of JL Collins' new book, Pathfinders, I collected all the best advice from his Financial Independence Podcast interviews! Jim has been on the show three times: First, back in 2012 (he was my second guest ever!) Second, when his hit book, The Simple Path to Wealth, was released Third, during the depths of the Coronavirus cra…

1
The Best Advice from JL Collins

7M ago

—

To celebrate the release of JL Collins’ new book, Pathfinders, I collected all the best advice from his Financial Independence Podcast interviews! JL has been on the show three times: First, back in 2012 (he was my second guest ever!) Second, when his hit book, The Simple Path to Wealth, was released Third, during the depths of the Coronavirus cras…

1
Charlie Munger Tribute From FIRE Community [bonus] 37:31

7M ago37:31

37:31

We lost a legend on Nov 28, 2023. Carl and I recorded a special live stream on YouTube. Charlie was really influential for Carl. So we talk about the time Carl almost met him in Omaha. Then, we try to guess what he might order at McDonalds, hypothetically. Carl shares his favorite quotes from Charlie. Charlie Munger Born: January 1, 1924, Omaha, NE…

1
How We Improved Sleep | MHFI 191 56:48

7M ago56:48

56:48

Doug and Carl talk about sleeping better. Both have been terrible sleepers in the past and have improved a lot recently. They discuss several of their top changes and provide various sleep tips along the way: Sleep history, struggles, and habits Sleep goals and why these are important Tips: Don’t have an alarm/wake up naturally Maintain a consisten…

1
Withdrawal Strategies in Early Retirement | MHFI 190 1:12:56

7M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

Carl and Doug explore the nuances of early retirement, diving into aspects ranging from daily life to responsible financial drawdowns. They also address withdrawal strategies, involving rental properties and index funds, automated transfers, and how to handle Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The discussion expands into elements of happiness i…

1
FinCon Recap and Mailbag – Random Episode | MHFI 189 1:16:07

8M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

Grab your headphones for an eclectic episode of Mile High FI with hosts Carl Jensen and Doug Cunnington where they chat with special guest Mindy Jensen. They dive into life with a Tesla, the unforeseen hazards of owning one, and smart college fund investments for children. They also share their personal experiences from the recent FinCon conference…

1
Emergency Funds, Tesla Stock Talk, and Coast FI Decisions | Mailbag | MHFI 188 45:22

8M ago45:22

45:22

Doug and Carl answer questions from the mailbag. Intro: Doug & Carl discuss their weddings and advice for others Questions answered: Carl: How big is Doug’s Emergency Fund? Mike: What is Carl going to do with his Tesla Stock? Tahir: Plans to buy a house outright, works part-time as a college professor, with tutoring as a side-hustle on the way to C…

1
Parker Hewes - Your Money and Your Health 22:31

8M ago22:31

22:31

Health is similar to finances in that there are many overly-complex things people say you need to do, but there are just a few simple things that actually matter. What is the "spend less than you earn, invest in a diversified/low-fee portfolio, and leave it to grow/compound" of the health world? That's what today's episode is about! Parker Hewes wr…

1
Fitness Madness | MHFI 187 1:08:59

8M ago1:08:59

1:08:59

Doug and Carl talk about fitness per request of listener Rakesh. Topics include fitness updates/observations, goals, and tips. Intro: Poor phone etiquette Workout routines & fasting Doug’s busy summer – more eating, less exercise Eating on the road Working out while traveling Carl’s lack of rest and hearing scare Growing old Blood-work – high chole…

1
Approaching Coast FI Case Study | MHFI 186 1:15:09

8M ago1:15:09

1:15:09

Doug and Carl talk to Frances and Peter about their finances. Topics include Coast FI, real estate investing, emergency funds, and civet coffee (google it, we dare you!). Intro: A crazy purchase. Team Asparagus. Coast FI Should they invest in more real estate? The great “paying off the house” debate rages on Were they too Frugal? Challenges Frances…

1
A Review Of Carl’s $12,000 Concert Weekend | MHFI 185 41:35

8M ago41:35

41:35

Doug, Carl and special guest Mindy talk about Carl’s $12,000 concert weekend. Was it worth it? Would he do it again? What is his next Big Thing? Intro: Doug has an addiction. A Melanzana addiction. How Carl came to buy a private show and what Mindy thought about it Concert weekend Regrets? What stressed Carl out Soundcheck: Did Mindy like the Webb …

1
Questions From The Facebook Group | MHFI 184 54:55

9M ago54:55

54:55

Doug, Carl and special guest Mindy discuss listener questions submitted on the Mile High FI Facebook group. They talk about mortgages, what Carl would have done differently, frugality, and living in an expensive city. Intro: Are you on Team Pumpkin Spice? The debate exposes divisions within the Mile High FI team. Should you wait to buy a house? Car…

1
Four Mini Case Studies | MHFI 183 1:02:52

9M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

Doug and Carl review 4 listener case studies. Listener #1 loved his 38 year career. Listener #2 is only 27, but is ready to hang up the keyboard. Listener #3 wants advice on how to leave his job. Listener #4 makes the case for going part-time. Intro: Doug talks about his Never Nude Ken doll. Carl talks about what his Ken doll would look like. Steve…

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The Mad Fientist Podcasts

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