Money Unplugged with Chris Hill

Matt Argersinger, senior investing analyst at The Motley Fool and dividend specialist. He recounts early investing mistakes and explains why dividend-paying companies can quietly outperform. He challenges the idea dividends are only for retirees. He also discusses when growth stocks make sense and why keeping investing simple often wins.

Douglas Boneparth, CFP and president of Bone Fide Wealth and coauthor of Money Together, shares his journey from Blockbuster clerk to building a firm during the 2008 financial crisis. He recalls early entrepreneurial lessons, moving to NYC amid market chaos, money conversations before marriage, hobbyist splurges, and the central idea of playing long games in finance and life.

Tim Hanson didn’t set out to become a capital allocator.Today he’s the President and CIO at Permanent Equity, helping steward long-term investments in private companies built to last. But his path to investing included playwriting, early stock picks, and lessons about money that started in childhood. Chris Hill talks with Tim about what separates investing from allocating capital — and why the distinction matters, as well as:- The first stock Tim ever bought (and what he learned from it)- How Permanent Equity thinks about holding businesses for decades- Raising kids who understand ownership- A surprising purchase that says more about capital discipline than you’d thinkLooking for the best wrap-up of the day on Wall Street? Sign up for the free daily Brew Markets email at BrewMarkets.com/money What’s the last thing you splurged on?Share your story at info@moneyunpluggedpod.comOpening clip - "Glengarry Glen Ross"

Personal finance isn’t just math—it’s memory, emotion, and lived experience.Chris Hill talks with MarketWatch columnist Beth Pinsker about why money decisions feel so hard, especially during life’s biggest transitions. Drawing from her work as a journalist and financial planner, Beth breaks down caregiving, taxes, and end-of-life planning in ways that actually make sense. They discuss:- How childhood money experiences shape adult behavior- What financial planners can—and can’t—help with during crises- Why “bad choices” are sometimes the only choices- What she learned about profit, inventory, and responsibility while illegally selling soft drinks on the beaches of Atlantic CityOpening clip – “The Princess Bride”Beth’s new book, My Mother’s Money: A Guide to Financial Caregiving, can be found at BethPinsker.com.What’s the last thing you splurged on?Got a purchase you regret and still think about? Share your story at info@moneyunpluggedpod.com

Denise Coursey didn’t grow up talking about investing—but she did grow up learning respect for money.Raised in a blue-collar, union household, Denise became a first-generation college student, took early career risks as a writer and editor, and eventually became a small business owner. Along the way, she developed strong views on scarcity, financial independence, and why “having enough” doesn’t always quiet the money noise in your head.Chris Hill talks with Denise about:•Why karate became a lifelong practice—and eventually a business•Taking creative and career risks without a financial safety net•How separate bank accounts reduced money stress in her marriage•Redefining “splurging” as time, not dollarsOpening clip – “Tom Papa: What A Day!”Want to find the best stocks and speed up your investing analysis? Try TIKR for free at tikr.com/unpluggedMore info about Denise's business at VirginiaDojo.comSend your questions and comments to info@moneyunpluggedpod.com

Money anxiety often starts long before our first paycheck. For Carl Richards, it showed up as “static in the air” growing up around unspoken financial stress—and it shaped everything that came after.In this candid conversation, Carl reflects on how early experiences with money quietly influence our beliefs about risk, security, and success. From diving for golf balls as a kid to accidentally landing a job in finance, he shares the moments that taught him why money is never just about numbers—and why comparison keeps so many of us from ever feeling like we have enough. Chris and Carl explore:•Why money stress is often felt before it’s ever discussed•How childhood experiences shape our financial behavior as adults•Why hitting a financial “number” rarely brings peace of mind•Carl’s belief that money’s natural state is flow, not accumulation•How he now thinks about purpose, profit, and permission in his workOpening clip – “John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid”Check out Carl’s new book Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple SketchesSend your questions and comments to info@moneyunpluggedpod.comGo to ilovemarmar.com and use the promo code “MONEY” to get 10% off the best chili garlic crunch in America!

Why does so much financial advice feel urgent—yet miss what actually matters?Chris Hill talks with Cullen Roche, investor, author, and founder of Discipline Funds, about why the financial industry continues to misunderstand time, incentives, and risk—and how that confusion shapes the advice people receive.In this conversation, they discuss:- How growing up in a large family influenced his views on ownership and responsibility- Early investing losses that reshaped Cullen’s view of risk- The role financial media plays in distorting expectations- Why many families avoid open conversations about money—and the cost of that silenceOpening clip – “F1”Check out Cullen’s new book Your Perfect Portfolio: The ultimate guide to using the world's most powerful investing strategies.Want to find the best stocks and speed up your investing analysis? Try TIKR for free at tikr.com/unpluggedSend your questions and comments to info@moneyunpluggedpod.com

Nick Wolny, a personal finance writer and author of Money Proud, dives into the emotional aspects of finance and why many smart individuals avoid confronting their money matters. He shares his journey from music to finance, revealing how childhood experiences and societal pressures influence financial habits, especially in queer communities. The discussion also highlights the importance of adapting skills to changing economic landscapes and avoiding costly mistakes in business. Nick's unique insights on money and identity are both illuminating and relatable.

We’re kicking off the new year with one of our most popular episodes of 2025. When Dan Pink was growing up in Ohio, money issues in his home were like a cloud that caused “an endless drizzle” over his family. Despite having written a string of #1 New York Times bestsellers, his earliest encounters with finance still play a big role in Dan’s conservative approach to money. Sitting down at his kitchen table in Washington DC, he shares: - Taking a VC approach to lemonade stands - The economic reason behind his decision to attend law school- Why a poor financial decision helps him sleep better at night- An “absolute waste of time” he finally got rid of Looking to fuel your workouts AND save money? Go to Pacers and get 10% off your order when you use the promo code “MONEY”.Email the show! info@moneyunpluggedpod.com 

Chris Hill shares some holiday wishes before handing the show over to the late, great Louis Armstrong for his reading of Clement Moore’s classic poem, A Visit From St. Nicholas.Opening clip – “Scrooged”Email us info@moneyunpluggedpod.com