The Rational Reminder Podcast

Episode 301 - Optimal Government Pension Claiming

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we delve into the best time to claim your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits. Although the focus of this episode is on Canada, there ...

Bonus Episode - Prof. Meir Statman: A Wealth of Well-Being

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we welcome back Prof. Meir Statman to talk about the role of finances in well-being. We investigate the role of finances in well-being with Pro...

Episode 300 - Abby Sussman: Financial Judgment and Decision Making

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by renowned expert Abby Sussman to unpack how individuals form judgments and make decisions about their finances. Abby ...

Episode 299: The Most Important Lessons in Investing

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we unpack key tenants of investing and the quality of financial advice in Canada's banking industry. In our conversation, we present ...

Episode 298 - Randall Stutman: Admired Leadership for Financial Decision-Making

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Randall Stutman is an author, highly sought-after speaker, and executive leadership coach to some of the world's most exceptional CEOs, billionair...

Episode 297 - Do Stocks Return 10-12% On Average? & Zero to Millionaire with Nicolas Bérubé

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As human beings, our brains are wired to solve problems. This can make long-term investment strategies, like passive investing, surprisingly challengi...

Epidose 296 - Adam Alter: The Anatomy of a Breakthrough

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling stuck is a common human experience and almost all of us will go through it at some point in our lives. Whether it's relationship struggles, di...

Episode 295 - Home Country Bias, Seg Funds, and Todd Rogers on Writing for Busy Readers

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we explore the intricate world of home-country bias in investment decision-making and learn the secret sauce to effective communicati...

Episode 294 - Dan Harris: 10% Happier

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we delve into the world of mindfulness and meditation with renowned author and meditation advocate, Dan Harris. In our conversation, ...

Episode 293 - Eric Balchunas: Spot Bitcoin ETFs

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After a year and a half hiatus from discussing Bitcoin, we felt compelled to explore the implications of the US Securities and Exchange Commission's a...

Episode 292 - Rob Copeland: Ray Dalio and Bridgewater

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome Rob Copeland, author of the recently released book The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates, and the Unraveling of a W...

Episode 291 - The Quant Winter, and is Canada Pension Plan a Scam?

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for a deep dive into quantitative investing, the private credit trend, and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)? Then this episode is for you! ...

Episode 290 - Morgan Housel: Same as Ever

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined, for the third time, by renowned author and commentator Morgan Housel. Many of you are familiar with Morgan's bestselle...

Episode 289 - Retiring Retirement Income Myths with the Retirement Income Dream Team

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does the 4% rule still work? In this episode, we welcome three esteemed experts to counter a recent controversial claim made on the Dave Ramsey Show r...

Episode 288 - Scott Rick: Navigating the Money Minefield in Real Relationships

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tightwads are more likely to hold onto their money even when there is more than enough to spend, whilst spendthrifts will drain their bank account of ...

Episode 287: A Practical Look at Private Equity w/ Steve Balaban & Epic Life w/ Justin Breen

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's the start of a new year and with it comes an opportunity to re-evaluate your trajectory and set your goals for the months to come, whether they b...

Episode 286: Errol Morris: Tuning out the Noise

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rational Reminder listeners get exclusive first access to Tune Out the Noise, a documentary directed by Academy Award-winner Errol Morris until Janua...

Episode 285: A Year in Review

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's hard to believe, but today's episode marks our fifth annual year-in-review episode — where we look back at some of our favourite conversations ...

Episode 284: Prof. Scott Cederburg: Challenging the Status Quo on Lifecycle Asset Allocation

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome back the esteemed Professor Scott Cederburg, Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Arizona. In this highly a...

Episode 283: When Volatility is Risk, and Introducing The Money Scope Podcast

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode features a series of in-depth segments, and includes a visit from our two favourite Marks; Mark Soth (aka The Loonie Doctor) and Mark ...

Episode 282: Dr. Jim Grubman: The Psychology of Wealth

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we delve deep into the world of wealth management and family advisory services and explore the evolving landscape of financial wealth...

Episode 281: Lifecycle Asset Allocation, and Retiring Successfully with Justin King

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we take a closer look at asset allocation through an empirical lens, by drawing on the work and data of Scott Cederburg and his new article 'B...

Episode 280: Shane Parrish: Clear Thinking in Everyday Life

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we delve into the complexity of navigating life's challenges, taking risks, fostering self-confidence, and honing problem-solving ski...

Episode 279: Stock Returns in Recessions, and FSRA's Approach to Regulation

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we start by learning about the complex relationship between recessions and stock returns before welcoming Huston Loke and Jordan Solw...

Episode 278: Juhani Linnainmaa: Financial Advisors, and the Cross-Section of Returns

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you dive deep into financial advisor fixed effects, you'll begin to understand that an advisor's own portfolio has a bigger impact on the portfolio...

Episode 277: The Cash Wedge w/ Phil Briggs, and and the Four Ds of Tax Planning

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

During this episode, Financial Advisor and Associate Portfolio Manager Phil Briggs joins us to discuss the 'cash wedge' financial strategy. He also sh...

Episode 276: Darin Soat: The Problem with Finfluencers, and Why it Won't Get Better Anytime Soon

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you're in the world of finance, you'd know today's guest from YouTube — but you've probably never heard his real name. However, today and for the...

Episode 275: Live from Future Proof 2023: Decoding Financial Decision-Making with Hal Hershfield

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome back Hal Hershfield, Associate Professor of Marketing and Behavioral Decision Making at UCLA Anderson School of Management...

Episode 274: A Live 5-Year Rational Reminder Retrospective (and Creating Superfans with Brittany Hodak)

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are trying something different. Recorded live at the CFA Society's Toronto Annual Wealth Conference, we take an exclusive look at ...

Episode 273: Professor Samuel Hartzmark: Asset Pricing, Behavioural Finance, and Sustainability Rankings

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is an exhilarating journey into the captivating realms of finance and human behaviour with Professor Samuel Hartzmark, who takes centr...

Episode 272: Rob Carrick: Canadian Personal Finance in 2023

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we welcome back one of Canada's most trusted and widely read financial experts to discuss the state of Canadian personal finance. Rob...

Episode 271: Expected Returns of the AI Revolution (plus People are Lying to you About Money w/ Anthony Walsh)

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

AI is not new and financial mis-education is rife. These are two ideas that form the foundation of this episode, which features insights from Ben Feli...

Episode 270: Victor Haghani and James White: The Missing Billionaires

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If the wealthiest families of the past century spent a reasonable amount of their wealth, invested in the stock market, and paid taxes, there would be...

Episode 269: Preet Banerjee: A multi-dimensional analysis of the value of financial advice

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcome back return guest Preet Banerjee, a renowned speaker, personal finance expert, consultant, and author of Stop Overthinking Your M...

Episode 268: Itzhak Ben-David: ETFs, Investor Behavior, and Hedge Fund Fees

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For nearly 25 years, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have been a popular passive investment vehicle for both household and professional investors due to ...

Episode 267: The (Expected) Cost of Pessimism (Plus Matthew Dicks on the Value of Storytelling)

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's show is centred on the expected cost of pessimism and how investor expectations of loss negatively affect financial decisions. After concisely...

Episode 266: Prof. Cass Sunstein: Practical Reason in Ordinary Life

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We make countless decisions throughout our lives that range from the mundane to the monumental. But how do you decide how you decide? That is the fund...

Episode 265: 5% HISA... for the Long-run? (Plus Stoicism with Michael Tremblay)

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we tackle the timely topic of higher interest rates and their potential impact on investors' decisions. With rates soaring to unprece...

Episode 264: Pim van Vliet: The Volatility Effect, Revisited

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pim van Vliet is on a mission to put the low volatility factor on the map. In his role as Head of Conservative Equities and Chief Quantitative Strateg...

Episode 263: A Tribute to Harry Markowitz with Alex Potts & 7 Steps to a Better Portfolio with Edward Goodfellow

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the recent passing of Harry Markowitz, we wanted to take this opportunity to spend some time honoring this giant of financial economics. Joining ...

Episode 262: Francisco Gomes: Consumption and Portfolio Choice over the Life Cycle

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Household finance has grown considerably as a field of study in recent years. And with the decrease in defined benefits pension plans, households are ...

Episode 261: Structured Products with Felix Fattinger and Petra Vokata & Jill Schlesinger

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our focus for today's episode is the topic of structured products and we welcome two expert guests to weigh in with their research and insight on the ...

Episode 260: Prof. James Choi: Practical Finance

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we welcome James Choi, Professor of Finance at the Yale School of Management, to the show to share some of his insight into what he has dubbed p...

Episode 259: Comprehensive Overview: Estimating Expected Returns

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we present a compilation of segments on expected returns and the dynamics that shape investment outcomes. We deep dive into the world of fi...

Episode 258: Prof. Meir Statman: Financial Decisions for Normal People

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Behavioural finance provides a realistic and comprehensive framework for understanding financial markets and decision-making. Incorporating insights f...

Episode 257: Giorgio Ugazio (Mr. RIP): Life Design, In Progress

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What are your guiding philosophies on work and life? And how do they influence your daily decisions and the trajectory of your career? If these questi...

Episode 256: Prof. Hal Hershfield: Your Future Self

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How does the connection we have with our future self impact the decisions we make today? And what active steps can we take to improve our connecti...

Structured Products (Plus Just Keep Buying with Nick Maggiulli) (EP.255)

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Structured products can offer unique investment opportunities and customization but also come with risks and complexities. It is vital to thoroughly...

David Blanchett: Regret Optimized Portfolios, and Optimal Retirement Income (EP.254)

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are many different objective functions you can use when building optimal portfolios. The majority of these approaches define risk from the p...

Complex Financial Instruments with Prof. Paul Calluzzo (Plus Sean Silcoff on Losing the Signal) (EP.253)

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have two guests joining us for this episode of the Rational Reminder podcast. First up, we have Paul Calluzzo, who is the Assistant Professor of Fi...

Prof. Burton Malkiel: 50 Years of A Random Walk Down Wall Street (EP.252)

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Understanding market efficiency is an important part of investment decision-making. It can help investors to identify the most appropriate investm...

Covered Calls (Plus Robin Powell and Jonathan Hollow on How to Fund the Life You Want) (EP.251)

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all have different levels of risk tolerance. But how is that risk measured for complex investment strategies like covered calls? And how can you be...

Prof. John Y. Campbell: Financial Decisions for Long-term Investors (EP.250)

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Navigating the world of finance and investing is undeniably complicated, sometimes unnecessarily so. And all too often the people who end up making th...

What are financial advisors (measurably) useful for? (EP.249)

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our focus for this episode is the real utility of financial advisors, and Ben shares a host of research and findings about the supposed and actual val...

Prof. William Goetzmann: Learning from Financial Market History (EP.248)

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How the financial system works and how we interact with it has grown in complex ways and is a fascinating but nuanced topic. To guide us through the h...

Bank Runs (plus Jonathan Clements on "My Money Journey") (EP.247)

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There's been a lot of interest in the topic of bank runs lately, and in today's episode, we take a look at the most relevant research to help us bette...

Daniel H. Pink: How to Use Regret (EP.246)

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Human beings are undeniably complex, and what motivates us can often be a mystery, even to ourselves. So, how do we go about gathering and analyzing t...

Deeper Goals, and Retiring with Purpose (EP.245)

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Goal-setting is essential for personal and professional growth, helping individuals clarify their priorities, stay focused, and achieve success. We ar...

Charles D. Ellis: The Loser's Game (EP.244)

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to the world of investing, there are many options available to consumers. The range of financial products available can be overwhelming ...

The Role of Debt in Financial Planning (EP.243)

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Debt can play an essential role in financial planning in several ways, such as financing large purchases, building credit, managing cash flow, and lev...

Erica Alini: Personal Finance Tactics for the Real World (EP.242)

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The intersection between economics and psychology makes the subject of personal finance complex. To help us elucidate this topic is personal finance ...

Basic Personal Finance Concepts (EP.241)

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are spending most of the episode going further into the basic concepts that ground good financial practices and the personal finance topics t...

Prof. Eric J. Johnson: Choice Architecture and Financial Decisions (EP.240)

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The decisions we make may be further out of our control than we'd like to imagine. Today we are joined by Professor Eric J. Johnson to discuss choice ...

The Math of Financial Planning (EP.239)

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The concept of financial math is another foundational element of investing and good economic decision-making, and today we are carrying on the recen...

Prof. Ralph Keeney: Decision Analysis and Value-focused Thinking (EP.238)

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A large portion of what we talk about on this show boils down to decision-making, and today we have our focus squarely on the fundamentals of this pro...

Who are you, and who do you want to be? (EP.237)

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Identifying your personal values is the foundation for making future decisions. In this episode, we discuss the profound ways in which personal values...

Harold Geller: "I Sue Financial Advisors" (EP.236)

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest today, Harold Gellar, is a lawyer who helps clients dealing with fraud and negligence perpetrated by financial advisors, and is a passionate...

Top Learnings from 2022 (plus 23 in 23 Special Guest Shaun Tomson) (EP.235)

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As we kick off the new year, we wanted to look back at our biggest areas of learning from last year. So this episode serves as a great companion piece...

Prof. Robert C. Merton: ICAPM, Retirement, and Models in Finance (EP.234)

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Few people have impacted the way the world works, and today, we have the privilege of speaking to one of them. Professor Robert C. Merton is the Disti...

2022: A Year in Review (EP.233)

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It has been an amazing year for the podcast. We have had some incredible guests during 2022 who have provided us and listeners with insights and thoug...

Dr. Annamaria Lusardi: The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy (EP.232)

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gaining financial literacy is critical if you want to thrive in today's society. And yet, only about a third of the global population can be described...

RR 231: Investing Basics and Common Questions (plus Reading Habits w/ Amer Kaissi) (EP.231)

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today is our final episode featuring just the two of us before our annual wrap-up show, and we thought we would use this opportunity to cover some imp...

Prof. Robert Frank: Success, Luck, and Luxury (EP.230)

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The world is a highly competitive place, and becoming successful requires hard work, dedication, and luck. This is the view of today's guest, Professo...

The 2% (!?) Rule for Retirement Spending (EP.229)

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Traditionally, people saving for retirement and financial advisors relied on the 4% rule when calculating how much to save for retirement and the asso...

Eduardo Repetto: Deep Dive with Avantis Investors' CIO (EP.228)

24 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we are joined by the CIO of Avantis Investors, Eduardo Repetto, to have an in-depth conversation about his philosophy and approach to...

Who Should Invest in (Cap Weighted) Index Funds? (EP.227)

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we pull relevant quotes from past guests (namely John Cochrane, Gene Fama, and Jonathan Berk) to extricate who should own market c...

Colonel Chris Hadfield: An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth (EP.226)

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we speak to renowned Canadian figure Colonel Chris Hadfield. For those who don't know, Chris is a heavily decorated astronaut, engine...

The Index Fund "Tipping Point" (EP.225)

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are index funds a menace to the market? Are pension funds still a wise way to secure your financial future? In this episode, we discuss index funds, t...

Prof Scott Cederburg: Long-Horizon Losses in Stocks, Bonds, and Bills (EP.224)

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are stocks and bonds good in the long game? What are the best long-term investment options? In this episode, we speak to Professor Scott Cederburg abo...

A Financial Goals Master List (n=310) (EP.223)

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We recently created and conducted a very interesting survey based on financial goals, and today, we get to share some of the data we collected and the...

Cassie Holmes: Being Happier (EP.222)

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is more and more research on the determinants and results of happiness in human life, and on the show today we get to do an amazing deep dive on...

Permanent Life Insurance (EP.221)

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Of course, you want to protect your family and your savings from unforeseen consequences, but is life insurance the best option? Can life insurance be...

Jonathan Berk and Jules van Binsbergen: The Arithmetic of Active Management, Revisited (EP.220)

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Do you feel like you have a good grasp of financial markets? Think again! In this episode, we take a plunge into the world of financial markets with e...

Understanding Crypto 17: Ari Juels: The Technical Case for Blockchain

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Critics of blockchain often say that it is nothing more than a database, but today's guest, Ari Juels, has a different opinion. His technical expertis...

Expected Returns for Alternative Asset Classes (plus Reading Habits w/ David Senra) (EP.219)

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The type of assets which usually come to mind when considering investments are stocks, bonds, or cash, but what are the alternatives? And what kind of...

Understanding Crypto 16: Chris DeRose: Uncensored Crypto Perspectives

16 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we speak to Chris DeRose, software developer and former co-host of the Bitcoin Uncensored podcast, about both the downsides and upsid...

Colleen Ammerman: Gender and Human Capital (EP.218)

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The gender pay gap is still a persistent problem in today's society, reflecting the overall state of gender inequality. It is full of complexity and c...

Understanding Crypto 15: Prof. Vili Lehdonvirta: Cryptocracy: The Obfuscation of Power

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we speak to Vili Lehdonvirta, Professor of Economics, Sociology, and Digital Social Research at the Oxford Internet Institute at the University...

The Expected Returns of Financial Literacy (EP.217)

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What impact does financial literacy have on decision-making and financial outcomes? How is financial literacy tested? In this episode, we help listene...

Understanding Crypto 14: Prof. John Cochrane: Money, (Fiscal) Inflation, and Political Freedom

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our limited edition crypto series. In this episode, we welcome back Professor John Cochrane, who was a guest on the Rational Reminder serie...

Gus Sauter: Vanguard's Former CIO on Indexing, Active Management, and Private Equity (EP.216)

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The indexing revolution is something that underpins all of our work here at the Rational Reminder and is a subject we reference in different ways in a...

Understanding Crypto 13: Prof. William Magnuson: Blockchain and Democracy

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to another episode from our limited edition crypto series. The previous guests we have spoken to about crypto generally have experience in eco...

Asynchronous Work & Effective Equity Duration (plus Reading Habits w/ Harley Finkelstein) (EP.215)

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We start the show with a brief highlight of recent episodes, upcoming guests, and feedback we have received about the show. We then review the book R...

Understanding Crypto 12: David Gerard: Crypto Realities

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is the real value of cryptocurrencies? Can crypto technology be applied to traditional financial markets? In this episode, we welcome David Gerar...

Jay Van Bavel: Shared Identities and Decision Making (EP.214)

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Identity helps shape our perception and thinking about the world around us. What is identity? How does it influence our perspective? These are some of...

Understanding Crypto 11: Quinn DuPont: Understanding Crypto: An Interdisciplinary Approach

12 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we speak to Quinn DuPont, a self-described technology historian and researcher of everything crypto. He is fascinated by what humans ...

Expected Returns and Factor Investing (EP.213)

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, we beg the question: is factor investing worth it? Factor-tilted portfolios tend to perform independently of the market and today,...

Understanding Crypto 10: Prof. Hilary Allen: DeFi: Shadow Banking 2.0?

05 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There is a lot of hype surrounding cryptocurrencies and DeFi technology, with excitement around the potential innovations they offer financial systems...

Prof. Ralph Koijen: Demand System Asset Pricing & Inelastic Markets (EP.212)

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you're ready for a serious education on market elasticity, demand system pricing, and stock market flows, you've come to the right place (disclaime...

Understanding Crypto 9: Campbell R. Harvey: DeFi and the Future of Finance (Rebroadcast)

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For this week's episode, we are revisiting a portion of our conversation with the legendary Professor Campbell R. Harvey and and his more optimistic v...