The Rational Reminder Podcast

Episode 401: Eduardo Repetto & Caitlin Ebanks - Opening the Avantis CAGE

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if factor investing in Canada became as simple—and affordable—as buying a single ETF? In this episode, we are joined by Eduardo Repetto, CIO ...

Episode 400: The Evolution of Index Fund Investing

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this special 400th episode, the Rational Reminder hosts reflect on 50 years of index investing and the profound impact it has had on financial mark...

Episode 399: James Choi - Portfolio Theory in a Spreadsheet

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome back James Choi, Professor of Finance at the Yale School of Management, to unpack one of the most important—and misunder...

Episode 398: Tom Hardin - Ethics, Financial Crime, and Redemption

26 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Hardin, also known as "Tipper X," the former hedge fund analyst who became one of the most prolific informants i...

Episode 397: Hendrik Bessembinder - Constant Leverage & Measuring Investor Outcomes

19 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome back return guest Hank Bessembinder for a deeply analytical conversation spanning leveraged ETFs, volatility, and the futu...

Episode 396: Theresa Ebden - Protecting Investors at the OSC

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we are joined by Theresa Ebden, Vice President of the Investor Office at the Ontario Securities Comm...

Episode 395: Charles Chaffin - The Psychology of Financial Planning

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Felix and Braden Warwick are joined by Dr. Charles Chaffin, a leading voice in financial psychology, to explore why investors so often act against...

Episode 394: Equal Weight vs. Market Cap Weight Index Funds

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Equal-weighted index funds sound like an elegant solution to some of today's biggest investor anxieties: high market concentration, elevated valuation...

Episode 393: Engineering Financial Outcomes

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if financial planning were approached the same way engineers design aircraft, medical treatments, or complex systems—with clearly defined objec...

Episode 392: The Rise of ETF Slop

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

ETFs were once almost synonymous with low-cost, sensible investing. But that era is changing fast. In this episode, Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben...

Episode 391: How Assumptions Shape Financial Planning Outcomes

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Financial planning is built on assumptions — about markets, inflation, longevity, human behaviour, and even the questions clients bring into the roo...

Episode 390: The "AI Bubble" and Stock Market Concentration

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of 2026, we sit down for a deep dive into one of the hottest concerns coming from clients and listeners lately: Is the U.S. stoc...

Episode 389: How the Rational Reminder Podcast is Made

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special year-end episode, Ben and Cameron turn the spotlight inward for a behind-the-scenes look at the Rational Reminder podcast. They're joi...

Episode 388: AMA #11 - Your Parents' Advisor, 100% Equity Portfolios, and Investing $10 Billion

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special year-end AMA, the full PWL crew — Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, Ben Wilson, and Dan Bortolotti — sit down together for the first ti...

Episode 387: Lessons from The Wealthy Barber (2025)

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, the team digs into the newly updated 2025 edition of The Wealthy Barber — Dave Chilton's iconic Canadian personal finance book that...

Episode 386: Is anyone doing dd? with Aravind Sithamparapillai

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when alternative investments shift from niche products to the industry's go-to value proposition? In this episode, we're joined by financ...

Episode 385: A Case Study on Pension Benefits vs. Commuted Values

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we feature two conversations that highlight PWL's culture, values, and intentional approach to advice. We first sit down with Trevor ...

Episode 384: Mamdouh Medhat - A Profitability Retrospective, and Private Fund Performance

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're joined by Mamdouh Medhat, VP and Senior Researcher at Dimensional Fund Advisors, for an exceptionally deep, exceptionally nerdy...

Episode 383: AMA #10 - Dollar cost averaging & mutual funds vs. ETFs

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Rational Reminder, Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, and Ben Wilson return with a classic AMA format—answering listener questions that...

Episode 382: Ted Cadsby - The Power of Index Funds, and Being Human

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ben, Cameron, and Dan are joined by Ted Cadsby, former executive at CIBC, author of The Power of Index Funds, Closing the Mind Gap, a...

Episode 381: Investing 101

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Investing 101 episode, the Rational Reminder hosts—Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben Wilson—team up to revisit the fundamental co...

Episode 380: John Y. Campbell - Fixing Personal Finance

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if capitalism itself is confusing your personal finance decisions? In this week's episode, Harvard economist John Y. Campbell joins us to unpack ...

Episode 379: AMA #9: Covered Call ETFs, Currency Hedging, and Bond Misconceptions

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this AMA episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti return to answer listener questions across a wide range of topics—...

Episode 378: Learning from Market History

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by Mark Higgins, an award-winning author and institutional investment advisor, to discuss the power and importance of s...

Episode 377: Investing in Your Health

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your health may well be the most important investment you ever make, and the earlier you start, the better your outcomes are likely to be. In this epi...

Episode 376: Climbing The Wealth Ladder

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are your financial decisions evolving as your wealth grows? In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we welcome back Nick Maggiulli to unpack...

Episode 375: Covered Calls: A Devil's Bargain

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ben and Dan take a deep dive into covered call strategies—popular ETFs often marketed on their eye-catching distribution yields. Wh...

Episode 374: The Underperformance of Target Date Funds

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're joined by David C. Brown, Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Arizona, for a deep dive into the mechanics, perf...

Episode 373: Asset Allocation in Practice

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if choosing your asset allocation was as personal as your life story—and as consequential as your retirement? In this episode, we are joined by...

Episode 372: Elie Hassenfeld - (Approximately) Optimal Philanthropy

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by Elie Hassenfeld, Co-Founder and CEO of GiveWell to discuss how data, transparency, and moral trade-offs can guide ch...

Episode 371: Banks Sell Products, Not Advice

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore take a critical look at the Canadian banking system's mutual fund advice model. A newly released study...

Episode 370: Dave Chilton (The Wealthy Barber): Timeless Financial Advice

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the most impactful financial advice isn't about picking the right investment—but about understanding human behaviour, simplifying your life,...

Episode 369: The Most Important Quotes in Investing

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti celebrate the show's 7th anniversary with a conversation centered aroun...

Episode 368: Jim Rowley & Andy Maack - Implementing Index Funds at Vanguard

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if index funds weren't as "passive" as you think? In this episode of the Rational Reminder, we are joined by Jim Rowley, Global Head of Investmen...

Episode 367: AMA #8 + Insurance Needs Analysis with Louai Bibi

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if early RRSP withdrawals aren't always the tax-smart move they're made out to be? In this special AMA edition of the Rational Reminder podcast, ...

Episode 366 - Avoiding Investment Scams

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when your favourite financial educator's identity is hijacked by scammers? In this episode, Ben and Cameron pull back the curtain on a di...

Episode 365 – Rob Carrick's Eight Lessons Learned in 27 Years of Covering Personal Finance

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome back Rob Carrick—one of Canada's most trusted personal finance journalists—for his third appearance on the Rational Re...

Episode 364 – Martijn Cremers: Is the Conventional Wisdom on Active Management Wrong?

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're joined by Martijn Cremers, Dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and co-author of the groundb...

Episode 363 - The (Underappreciated) Risk of Individual Stocks

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if holding just a few "winning" stocks is riskier than it seems? In this episode, Ben and Cameron explore the hidden dangers of concentrated port...

Episode 362 – AMA #7

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the hardest part of investing isn't building a portfolio—but sticking to it? In this AMA edition of the Rational Reminder podcast, Ben Fel...

Episode 361: Alex Edmans - Finding "The Truth" in Economics, Finance, and Life

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today, Ben plays lone host for the first time as we welcome Alex Edmans to the show. Alex is a Professor of Finance at London Business School as well ...

Episode 360 – Gerard O'Reilly: The Components of Net Returns

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if "just buying the market" isn't the end of the story? In this episode, we are joined by Gerard O'Reilly, Co-CEO and Co-CIO of Dimensional Fund ...

Episode 359 - The Most Controversial Topics in Personal Finance

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time as a host combination, Ben, Dan, and Cameron sit down to discuss the most controversial topics in personal finance. We begin with i...

Episode 358 – Dr. Eli Beracha: Renting versus Buying a Home

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Eli Beracha has recently been recognized by The Journal of Real Estate Literature as the world's third best in research productivity, and today, w...

Episode 357 – AMA #6

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cameron joins Ben for his first AMA as we bring you the sixth edition of our Listener Questions and Investing Lessons mini-series. Diving right in, Be...

Episode 356 – Abby Davisson: How to Make Decisions About Money and Love

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do we make the most important decisions in life with intention rather than impulse? In this episode, we are joined by Abby Davisson to unpack her ...

Episode 355 – Do Index Funds Incur Adverse Selection Costs?

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Marco Sammon joins Ben and Dan to unpack his latest paper, 'Index Rebalancing and Stock Market Composition', beginning with how Marco's work (co-writt...

Episode 354 - Jason Pereira: Expert Financial Planning

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Beyond the sales pitches, acronyms, and product talk, what does it mean to be a financial planner? In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, w...

Episode 353 – AMA #5

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fifth installment of our Ask Me Anything sessions begins with the inevitable volatility of the stock market as we urge investors to remain calm am...

Episode 352 – Jessica Moorhouse: Everything But Money

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the key to financial success isn't just a better budget, but a better understanding of your relationship with money? In this episode of the Ra...

Episode 351 – DFA vs Vanguard

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) and Vanguard have intersecting histories rooted in the development of the first-ever index fund. Vanguard's market-cap...

Episode 350: Scott Cederburg: A Critical Assessment of Lifecycle Investment Advice

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our conversations with Professor Scott Cederburg from Eller College of Management have led to the most heated debates among our listeners! Today, Prof...

Episode 349 – AMA #4

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Ben, Dan, and Mark tackle another Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, covering a wide range of investing and financial planning topics. Th...

Episode 348 - Andrew Barclay (StatCan): Measuring Inflation

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the government manipulating inflation data? Why do so many people feel like their personal costs are rising faster than official inflation numbers ...

Episode 347 - The Case for Index Funds

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are index funds the best investment strategy for most investors? In this episode of Rational Reminder, Benjamin Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Mark McGrat...

Episode 346 - Hendrik Bessembinder: Why It's So Hard to Beat the Market

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that just a handful of stocks drive nearly all of the stock market's long-term gains? In this episode, we sit down with Hendrik Bessembin...

Episode 345 - AMA #3

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we continue to answer your questions from our most recent AMA, Ben, Mark, and Dan begin today's episode with Bitcoin and how its value as an invest...

Episode 344 - Michael Mauboussin: The One Job of an Equity Investor

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if the key to successful investing is about understanding how market expectations, intangible assets, and even your own biases shape the outcome?...

Episode 343 - How to Choose an Asset Allocation

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Choosing an asset allocation is a crucial investment decision, as it determines expected returns and risk exposure. During this episode, we uncover wh...

Episode 342 - Matthew Ringgenberg: When Do Anomaly Returns Happen?

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are joined by the Professor of Finance at the University of Utah, Matt Ringgenberg to discuss everything related to anomaly returns. Matt's r...

Episode 341 - PWL's Next Chapter

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

PWL Capital is undergoing an exciting change that will help the company bring a greater positive impact to the Canadian Wealth Management space and se...

Episode 340 - Ben Mathew: The Lifecycle Model vs. Safe Withdrawal Rates (SWR)

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What drives the best financial planning decisions? In this episode, Ben Felix and Mark McGrath sit down with Ben Mathew, a PhD in economics from the U...

Episode 339 - 2024 Year-End AMA Pt 2

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our second episode of 2025, Ben, Mark, and Dan continue to work through the listener questions we received in our 2024 AMA. We begin with home coun...

Episode 338 - Peter Mladina: Factor Betas and ICAPM in Practice

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we unpack how rigorous research translates into actionable strategies for wealth management. Ben and Mark are joined by Peter Mlad...

Episode 337 - 2024 Year-End AMA

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the year draws to a close, the Rational Reminder Podcast team delivers an engaging year-end special with a unique twist. Rather than curating clips...

Episode 336 - Steve Utkus: Investor Beliefs and Financial Advice

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What shapes investor beliefs and behaviours? Steve Utkus, a leading expert in investor behaviour and former Global Head of Investor and Retirement Res...

Episode 335 - "What About Warren Buffett?"

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What makes Warren Buffett's investment legacy so iconic, and how has his advice shaped the world of investing? In this episode, we delve into Warren B...

Episode 334 - Magnus Reitan: Managing (Significant) Family Wealth

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you balance family values, evidence-based investing, and building long-term wealth? In this episode, we are joined by Magnus Reitan, CEO of Rei...

Episode 333 - The Presidential Puzzle: Trump's Win and Expected Stock Returns

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does Trump's re-election mean for the markets? In this episode, Ben and Mark explore The Presidential Puzzle, a phenomenon revealing that equity ...

Episode 332 - Randolph Cohen & Michael Green: How Concerned Should We Be About Index Funds?

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are index funds a silent disruptor? Or are the concerns overblown? In this grab-your-popcorn episode, Michael Green returns to the show after his prev...

Episode 331 - Cameron in Norway: The Indexing Revolution, and Key Lessons from Past Guests

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Cameron sits down with Mark McGrath to talk about his trip to Trondheim, Norway, the event he attended there, and his presentation...

Episode 330 - Davidson Heath: How Are Index Funds Affecting Financial Markets and Corporate Governance?

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when index investing dominates the market? In this episode, we're joined by Davidson Heath, Assistant Professor of Finance at the Univers...

Episode 329 - Optimal Education Savings, Withdrawals, and Asset Allocation

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlocking the power of education savings is often a complex task, but with the right strategies, a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can be a g...

Episode 328 - Prof. Stephen R. Foerster: Pursuing the Perfect Portfolio

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how the world's top financial thinkers shaped the way we invest today? In this episode, Ben and Cameron sit down with Professor...

Episode 327 - Building Better Portfolios with Don Calcagni

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to manage a $60 billion wealth management firm while keeping investment strategies grounded in scientific thinking? In this episode,...

Episode 326 - Dr. Sunil Wahal: Applying Financial Science

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are the critical factors driving investment success? How can investors balance profitability and risk? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Suni...

Episode 325: Addressing 200+ Comments on Renting vs. Owning a Home

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are many different considerations behind housing when you are in the position to choose between renting or buying. During this episode, hosted b...

Episode 324 - Dr. Bryan Taylor: Lessons from Market History (1600-2024)

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how financial markets performed centuries ago or how world events impacted stock prices? Today, we sit down with Dr. Bryan Tayl...

Episode 323 - Renting Versus Buying a Home in Canada 2005-2024

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is renting just "throwing money away," or could it be the smarter financial choice? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics ...

Episode 322 - Prof. Marco Sammon: How are Passive Investors Affecting the Stock Market?

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can we really understand the impact of passive ownership on the US market? Marco Sammon is an Assistant Professor in the Finance Unit at Harvard Busin...

Episode 321 - Evidence in Practice with Håkon Kavli

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How can the Rational Reminder Podcast get even better? By bringing back one of its most beloved voices, Dan Bortolotti, also known as "The Spud." In t...

Episode 320 - Kyla Scanlon: In This Economy?!

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how vibes can shape the economy? Or how the economy differs from financial markets? Or even how meme stocks operate? In this ep...

Episode 319 - The Ultimate RRSP vs. TFSA Showdown

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Which account should you choose, a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or a Tax-free savings account (TFSA)? This is one of the most common deci...

Episode 318 - Assia Billig: Is Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Sustainable?

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you're in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), then you won't want to miss today's conversation with Canada's Chief Actuary, Assia Billig. Assia's knowle...

Episode 317 - An Economist's Perspective on Capital Gains Taxes with Kevin Milligan

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we sit down with Professor Kevin Milligan to unpack the recent capital gain changes and the complexities of the Canadian tax system. Kevin Mill...

Episode 316 - Andrew Chen: "Is everything I was taught about cross-sectional asset pricing wrong?!"

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you curious about the hidden factors driving your investment decisions? Today's guest is Andrew Chen, a Principal Economist at the Federal Reserve...

Episode 315 - An Update from Avantis with Eduardo Repetto

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

During this episode, we welcome back Eduardo Repetto, Chief Investment Officer of Avantis Investors. In his leadership capacity, he directs research d...

Episode 314 - Professor Valentin Haddad: How Competitive is the Stock Market?

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Valentin Haddad to unpack the intricacies of market elasticity, passive investing, and the dynamic nature ...

Episode 313 - When Should You Hire a Financial Advisor?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Low-cost index funds and digital tools have revolutionized wealth-building, making it easier than ever before to manage your own investment portfolio....

Episode 312 - Prof. John M. Griffin: Forensic Finance and the Power of Research

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the hidden underbelly of financial markets in today's episode featuring Professor John M. Griffin, a leading forensic finance expert and the ...

Episode 311 - Is Roaring Kitty a Good Role Model?

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When witnessing the dramatic payouts of miracle trades, it's easy to be lured into thinking that your big score is just a few trades away. But as is e...

Episode 310 - Professor Antoinette Schoar: Consumer Finance, Crypto, and Private Equity

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is a huge range of factors that can impact our investment decisions, whether we realize it or not, from our level of financial literacy to our p...

Episode 309 - Are Robo-Advisors Passive Investors?

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When robo-advisors first came onto the scene, they were pitched as an easy way to access index funds. These digital platforms provide algorithm-driven...

Episode 308 - Dan Bortolotti: The Canadian Couch Potato

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to DIY investing, there's always a temptation to make things more complicated than they need to be. But, in reality, embracing simplicit...

Episode 307 - How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you confident about the amount of life insurance coverage you have? Are you maximizing your tax savings with the principal residence exemption? In...

Episode 306 - Wei Dai: Fighting for Every Basis Point

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Designing a robust portfolio requires considerable expertise, data, and experience. And while there are plenty of published articles that can guide ho...

Episode 305 - Is Private Credit Special?

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Private credit is one of the fastest-growing asset classes, and today we take a closer look at why that is, and if it's really worth the hype. When yo...

Episode 304 - Budget 2024: The Capital Gains Inclusion Rate

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Canadian government has recently proposed significant changes to how capital gains are taxed, but how will this impact Canadians? In this episode,...

Episode 303 - Scott Galloway: The Algebra of Wealth

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is the role of luck in financial success? And how can we make decisions that will put us in the best possible position to experience long-term pr...

Episode 302 - Michael Green: Market Efficiency Is Not The Question

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

With a wealth of experience as a market theoretician and a prolific contributor to financial discourse, today's guest is uniquely positioned to guide ...