50 Fires: Money and Meaning with Carl Richards

Krista Tippett is an icon of reflection and moral imagination. As the creator and host of the radio program On Being, Krista’s voice has been a steadying for millions of listeners over the years, guiding conversations about life’s biggest questions, and inviting us to think more deeply. Krista and Carl venture into the complex and often messy relationship that we all have with money. Not just as a cultural force, but as something deeply personal. Together they examine the stories we inherit, the paradoxes money creates, and the tension between our feelings of self worth vs. our measurements of net worth. Krista shares her perspective on her own journey with money, one that she admits has not been perfect, and continues to develop as she approaches the next phase of her life.  For more about Krista and her work, visit https://onbeing.org Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kara Swisher joins Carl for a wide-ranging conversation about money and meaning - from her early experiences with money to observing the habits of influential billionaires up close. If you’re not already familiar with Kara, her reputation precedes her: she’s direct, honest, and unapologetic about asking tough questions, especially to the wealthiest of individuals in our society. Over the course of her career, Kara has interviewed many of the most influential figures in the tech industry: Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos, just to name a few. Kara and Carl discuss everything from the importance of personal values in spending, to her views on gender dynamics in financial negotiations, and the significance of taking risks in her career - something she thinks everybody should do a little more of.  Kara’s latest book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Burn-Book/Kara-Swisher/9781982163891 Kara’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pivot/id1073226719 Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What job have you given money, and is it realistic? Jonny Miller and Carl explore this question in a discussion that digs deeper into the meanings of wealth, ambition, and fulfillment. Jonny is the founder of  the Nervous System Mastery program, providing high-performers -  from the CEO of a rocket ship company to startup founders recovering from burnout to busy parents attempting to stay afloat amidst the chaos of raising a family- with evidence-backed protocols to cultivate calm, build resilience & increase aliveness. A former tech entrepreneur, Jonny and Carl explore the pitfalls of hustle culture, the importance of self-unfoldment over self-improvement, and the necessity of experiencing suffering for personal growth.  Listen and Follow Jonny’s Podcast: https://curioushumans.com/episodes For more on Nervous System Mastery: https://www.nsmastery.com/ Jonny’s TedX Talk - “The Gifts Of Grief”: https://www.ted.com/talks/jonny_miller_the_gifts_of_grief?subtitle=en Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry Colonna is a certified professional coach dedicated to the notion that better humans make better leaders. Drawing on his wide variety of experiences as a former venture capitalist and practicing Buddhist, Jerry and Carl explore the intricate relationship between money, emotions, and family ancestry. He shares personal anecdotes about his early memories of money, the emotional weight it carries, and how these experiences shaped his understanding of financial relationships throughout his life and career. This episode of 50 Fires explores the deep-rooted unconscious lessons from childhood that shape our perceptions of safety and fulfillment, and is a powerful reminder that ‘enough’ is not something to attain, but something that is already within us.  For more on Jerry’s work: https://www.reboot.io/ Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David C. Baker is the author of multiple books, including “The Business of Expertise: How Entrepreneurial Experts Convert Insight To Impact + Wealth”. He’s a helicopter and airplane pilot, an avid photographer, and taught high performance motorcycle riding/racing. Based in Nashville, he has visited and worked all over the world. On this episode of 50 Fires, he shares his insights on staying curious in life, the importance of keeping meaningful hobbies, and how to shut out the noise of comparative spending.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Spain is a veteran sports reporter who currently hosts “Good Game with Sarah Spain”, a daily podcast covering the biggest stories in women’s sports. Sarah and Carl discuss the challenges and realities of working in the sports industry, including the financial struggles and gender inequity that comes with it.  Follow and Listen to "Good Game with Sarah Spain": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-game-with-sarah-spain/id1752100672 Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teenage investor Chris Truong joins Carl to discuss why investing your money should be boring. At just 16 years old, Chris started a long-term diversified investing club at his high school - a club for ‘boring investment’, as he puts it - and it has grown from a club of 2 people - just him and his teacher - to over 40 of his peers. Chris emphasizes the importance of investing for long-term financial stability and the misconception that picking individual stocks can lead to quick wealth. He also highlights the influence of social media, particularly TikTok, in promoting risky investment behaviors among young people. The conversation emphasizes the importance of educating young investors about sustainable investment practices and the dangers of gambling-like behavior. When you invest like an adult or, in this case, like a 16-year-old, it's boring, but ultimately rewarding.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world is a better place when we are all trying to do the thing that lights us up. Ben Katt shares his experience of following his intuition and making a job change to focus on writing a book and rebooting his meditation teaching practice while in his 40s. Ben recently authored a book called “The Way Home: Discovering the Hero’s Journey to Wholeness at Midlife”, and on this episode of 50 Fires, he and Carl discuss many of the principles in that book that helped him embrace his uniqueness and live a life that inspires others to do the same. Ben emphasizes the importance of choosing your heart and living a soul-centric life, even if it doesn't always lead to monetary gain. The Way Home: Discovering The Hero’s Journey to Wholeness at Midlife: Click Here for more information  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jodi Kantor and Ron Lieber are both distinguished journalists at The New York Times, and today they join Carl to discuss the importance of financial stability for their family while pursuing work that is meaningful, both as individuals, and as a couple. Ron has been the “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times since 2008, and worked as the editor for Carl’s “Sketch Guy” column when he was at the Times. In 2017, Jodi and her colleague Megan Twohey I broke the story of decades of sexual abuse allegations against the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, work that helped ignite the #MeToo movement and spur cultural, corporate and legal changes around the globe. In this episode of 50 Fires, Ron and Jodi discuss their personal experiences with money and how it has shaped their lives. They discuss the role of money in their family and the lessons they ultimately hope to pass on to their children.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it truly mean to balance success with artistic integrity? Brendan Leonard, an artist and creative known for his humorous and thoughtful writing at Semi-Rad.com, shares his journey through the delicate balance of staying true to his creative vision and the pressures of mass appeal. This episode explores a familiar theme on 50 Fires: Why do we need money, and what is it really for?  Reflecting on personal stories, Brendan and Carl observe that true security may be more about mindset and less about accumulated wealth. They also touch on the importance of defining success beyond financial gain, and the simple joy of creation in and of itself.  Visit https://semi-rad.com/ for more on Brendan Leonard and his work.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Kelton is an American Economist, Academic, and a leading proponent of Modern Monetary Theory. She served as chief economist on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee in 2015, and POLITICO called her one of the 50 Most Influential Thinkers the year after. On this episode of 50 Fires, she joins Carl to share her own personal stories about money and discuss what it means to her. The conversation explores the themes of taking risks, learning how (and when) to say yes to opportunities, and the challenges of the current financial system. Despite these challenges, Stephanie remains optimistic and believes that there are better ways to build and improve on the system.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peter Rollins is an Irish philosopher, author, storyteller, producer and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and being in the world. Peter joins Carl to reflect on how we can align our lives more closely with our values, using money to enable that alignment. This wide ranging conversation focuses on themes of desire, lack, and the pursuit of fulfillment, while exploring the relationship between money, satisfaction, and everyday experience.  For more on Peter’s work, visit https://peterrollins.com/ Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian King Hassan has lived many lives - he’s a former police officer who somehow became a stand up comic and writer, now living in Los Angeles with his wife and three kids. He was born in Alabama to an American mother and Nigerian father, which led to often confusing and conflicting approaches to money, wealth, and identity. He and Carl discuss how he has embraced change and uncertainty in his career and how he has always found meaning in his work, a trait he picked up from his enterprising father. He also explains why he doesn’t find money to be a very funny topic, and the different approaches he’s experienced with money between being a police officer and a comedian.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carl welcomes Greg McKeown, the author of two New York Times bestsellers “Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most”, and “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,” one of Carl’s favorite books. In this episode of 50 Fires, Greg and Carl discuss the concept of creating possibilities beyond money and why lack of capital should never be the thing that holds us back from doing something that we really want to do. Greg explains his philosophy that in any endeavor, starting small and building momentum is the key to building something that’s truly meaningful and sustainable, demonstrating the power of vision and determination over financial constraints. Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharon Salzberg is a meditation pioneer, world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. In fact, if you’ve come across the word ‘mindfulness’ in the past decade, Sharon has had a lot to do with it (at least here in the United States). On this episode of 50 Fires, Sharon shares how her experiences in India and Burma shaped her as a college student from New York City,  where she witnessed the sheer generosity of people who had very little, and what it taught her about money and community back home in the U.S. They discuss finding meaning in work, and the role that intention and inner work should play when setting financial goals in relation to resources. As a result, Sharon emphasizes the need for even bigger aspirations in our lives while shifting our attention away from conventional ideas of success.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone has a meaningful story about money. What's yours? Start by answering this question: What's your earliest memory of money? Share yours by emailing Carl - hello@behaviorgap.com Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits: Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever felt like the investment advice you get feels closer from sources like CNBC feels like gambling (AKA The Financial Pornography Network) and want to be thoughtful about investing, this episode of 50 Fires is a great place to start. Carl welcomes Meb Faber, a co-founder and the Chief Investment Officer of Cambria Investment Management. Meb is also the host of The Meb Faber Show podcast and has authored numerous white papers and leather-bound books.  This is the first episode of 50 Fires specifically about investing, but it’s about why we invest, and how to make it personal for your goals. Carl and Meb start on the topic of risk and the mistakes people make when they don't understand the investing environment they're operating in. The importance of having a written investing plan and focusing on process over performance is emphasized.  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever found yourself gripped by the terrifying thought of your money running out? Join Carl in this bonus solo episode of 50 Fires, as he contemplates financial anxiety. Imagine if we viewed money not as a dwindling resource but as something more fluid and replenishable? This 'minisode' isn't just about financial strategies; it's an introspective look into how our mindset shapes our fears about the future. Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Music Credits:  Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Ballew is a filmmaker, singer, and songwriter who has taken a remarkable journey from directing adventure films for Yeti to releasing music as a solo artist starting in his late 30s. Carl explores Scott's upbringing in a modest household in Austin, Texas, where his family faced financial struggles but maintained a stable environment. Scott describes himself as a recovering Texas football star and drug addict, and now that he’s found sobriety, he reflects on the internal struggle of wanting a stable, conventional life while feeling compelled to pursue life as an artist. Scott's story highlights the importance of finding personal fulfillment beyond material achievements, even when it doesn't lead to immediate financial gain. For more on Scott, visit: https://www.leisurerodeo.com Music Credits: “Mutiny” by Scott Ballew and “Border Kid” (feat. Ryan Bingham) by Scott Ballew  Email List: Sign up at https://www.50fires.com/ for our monthly email with resources for financial advisors!  Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/ Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices