Behavior Gap Radio

In this episode, Carl shares a striking teaching attributed to Jesus from the non-canonical Gospel of Thomas. The story describes a wealthy man carefully planning how to grow and store his wealth so he would never lack anything—only to die that same night. Carl reflects on how prophets, poets, and philosophers across centuries keep pointing to the same lesson: wealth can be useful, but it’s wise not to become too attached to it.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

A reflection on how money shapes the conditions for security, autonomy, and purpose. Short, clear takes on why financial resources open options but do not produce inner safety. A focus on choice, nervous-system responses, and how meaning arises from what we do with freedom.

A meditation on training like an Olympian applied to everyday life. Carl breaks down intentional daily routines, deliberate practice, and tiny improvements that compound. He explores designing an “ultimate day,” balancing disciplined protocols with planned slack, and treating small, consistent habits as your personal Olympics.

They dig into why long-term projections demand more humility about assumptions. They warn against false precision from neat numbers and spreadsheets. They explore where assumptions hide in plans, forecasts, and capital decisions. They urge actively seeking evidence that would disprove your beliefs and having a clear, defensible philosophy for any assumptions you use.

A guide to spotting the emotional pivots in conversations by watching for sudden shifts in tone and loaded words. A binoculars metaphor frames how to tune attention and stay curious. Practical tips cover Zoom and in-person habits to reduce distraction and respond more thoughtfully. The piece emphasizes practice, intent, and simple rituals to become more present in everyday talks.

A fresh take on spending decisions that asks not just about price but about the cost of regret. Short anecdotes and a concert example show how time and meaning can change the math. Practical reframes encourage purposeful spending and weighing emotional costs alongside monetary ones.

In this episode, Carl shares a brief reflection on the traditional idea of retirement. Outside of professions where physical limits make it necessary, he questions the notion of spending decades working at full speed only to stop completely one day. Instead, Carl suggests a different approach: designing work and a life you don’t feel the need to escape from in the first place. For many people, that shift might take years to build, but the question is worth sitting with. What would it look like to create a life you don’t need to retire from?Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

A thoughtful look at what “enough” really means and why context shapes that feeling. A discussion on how privilege and circumstance change the message of prosperity. A parable about giving coats is explored from different viewpoints. Reflection on living with the ongoing tension of balance rather than tidy answers.

In this episode, Carl continues the conversation about “risk hangover,” the emotional aftermath that can follow a painful financial loss. He explores common patterns that show up in that state, like overcorrecting, anchoring to old highs, shortening time horizons, or rushing to repair the damage. Carl also shares a simple recovery protocol: pause, separate emotions from the numbers, give your nervous system time to settle, and then reinstall thoughtful guardrails before making the next decision. The goal is not to avoid risk entirely, but to recover from it in a way that leads to wiser decisions next time.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/ 

In this episode, Carl explores the idea of a “risk hangover,” the emotional aftermath that can follow when a big risk doesn’t work out. It often shows up as regret, shame, rumination, or the urge to quickly “get back to even.” Carl reflects on how our brains treat financial mistakes as threats and how that can push us toward impulsive or avoidant behavior. The key, he suggests, is learning to recognize your personal red flags before making a risky decision. By understanding the patterns that show up when emotions run high, we can make wiser choices the next time risk appears.Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/