
Hosted by Carl Richards · EN

In this episode, Carl explores the surprisingly large gap between feeling productive, being seen as productive, and actually doing meaningful work. He reflects on how easy it is to confuse organizing, planning, researching, or publicly announcing our intentions with the vulnerable act of creating something real. It’s a thoughtful look at identity, risk, and the subtle ways we avoid uncertainty while still convincing ourselves we’re making progress.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 shares a moment of clarity after being told he wasn’t a fit for a market-focused podcast—and why that turned out to be exactly right. He explores the important difference between markets and investing, and why chasing daily commentary isn’t the same as doing the real work of aligning money with a meaningful life. It’s a reflection on knowing what game you’re playing, letting go of noise, and focusing on the kind of thinking that actually helps people make better decisions over 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 reflects on a powerful idea inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.: The arc of the moral universe bends toward justice—but what about our own personal arc? He explores how money and power can quietly influence our decisions, sometimes pulling us away from what we say we believe. Rather than judging others, Carl turns the lens inward, asking where we might bend our own standards under pressure—and how to notice those moments before they shape who we become.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 shares a surprising personal story about being “fired” from his own financial planning meetings—and why he was secretly thrilled about it. That experience leads to a deeper question: What if the so-called “disengaged” partner isn’t a problem to fix, but simply someone who's playing to their strengths? Carl challenges a common assumption in financial planning and explores a different approach—one rooted in trust, clear communication, and letting people focus on what they’re actually good at.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/

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In this episode, Carl reflects on the deeper purpose behind his work and a simple realization that keeps guiding him: Money is the entry point, but kindness is the point. While conversations often start with money, they quickly reveal what really matters—how we spend our time, energy, and attention, and what we want to build in the world. Carl shares why he continues to use money as the doorway, even though the real work has always been about love, connection, and being human.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 shares a personal story about a decision to step away from social media noise and focus on one-to-one connection—and the surprising long-term impact it’s had. What started as replying thoughtfully to emails turned into years of meaningful moments with people who never forgot being seen and heard. Carl reflects on a simple idea: Kindness compounds. Not in an abstract way, but in real relationships, trust, and unexpected returns over time—while the opposite carries a cost that shows up when you least expect 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/

In this episode, Carl explores the deeper meaning of compounding—not just as a financial concept, but as a universal life principle. Drawing from wisdom across cultures and centuries, he reflects on how the most valuable things in life—health, relationships, skills, and creativity—are built slowly through consistent, repeated effort. Instead of chasing shortcuts, Carl makes the case for investing your time, energy, and attention into things that grow over time and letting them compound into something meaningful.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 shares a story from a trip to Chamonix that challenged his assumptions about money, value, and how the world works. After a failed attempt to order eggs outside of breakfast hours, he’s reminded that not everything is about paying more to get what you want—sometimes it’s about craft, culture, and a completely different way of seeing things. Carl reflects on how travel and new environments can expand our perspective on money and life, and why those moments of friction might be some of the most valuable experiences we have.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 talks openly about the rise in economic anxiety and what to do when fear shows up. Instead of rushing to answers or hiding behind data, he makes a simple point: It’s normal to feel scared when things are uncertain. The real first step isn’t solving the problem, it’s creating space to talk about it honestly—with empathy, not dismissal. Whether you’re the one feeling the fear or the one others turn to for guidance, Carl explores how making room for that emotion can lead to better, more grounded decisions about what to do next.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/