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Standard Deviations with Dr. Daniel Crosby

Standard Deviations with Dr. Daniel Crosby

325 episodes — Page 6 of 7

Ep 74Corey Hoffstein - A Day at the Factor Zoo

Corey Hoffstein is one of the brightest minds in quant investing and has a unique knack for making hard-to-understand concepts palatable for novice investors. Tune in this week to understand: • Why a risk-first approach to managing money could make sense • Why pain may actually be sought out when considering investment factors • What set of circumstances would cause Corey to reconsider a cherished investment factor • Why honesty and candor can be essential characteristics of good asset managers

Mar 14, 20191h 0m

Ep 73Money and Marriage: How to Build Financial Harmony in Your Relationship

Disagreements about money are the #1 reason cited for divorce in North America. In this Money Minute, we dig in to three reasons why couples have so much trouble with being candid about their finances.

Mar 11, 20197 min

Ep 72Noreen Beaman - Key Leadership Lessons Every Leader Should Know

Noreen Beaman is living the American Dream. After starting at Brinker Capital three decades ago, and having worked in every vertical in the company, she is now the CEO of the multi-billion dollar asset management firm. In this episode, Noreen shares the lessons of leadership she learned along the way, including: How she defines leadership The steps she takes to ensure that Brinker's culture remains vibrant What she learned from her biggest professional mistake The place of failure and hardship in becoming a great leader

Mar 7, 201941 min

Ep 71Dr. Daniel Crosby - Why Goals-Based Investing is the Key to Achieving Your Financial Dreams

The Power of Goals Based Investing - Dr. Daniel Crosby by Dr. Daniel Crosby

Mar 4, 201956 min

Ep 70Michele Lee Fine - The Hidden Keys to Financial Success: Unconventional Tips for Wealth Building

Today on the podcast, Dr. Crosby is joined by Michele Fine, an award-winning financial professional based in New York. We discuss: What's broken and what works in today's wealth management industry The importance of managing fees, risk and taxes How to prevent lifestyle creep Under-considered investment strategies

Feb 28, 201940 min

Ep 69Dr. Daniel Crosby - The Role of Behavioral Finance in Modern Investment Management Practices

A discussion of the 4 Cs of behavioral investment management as found in The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the Secret to Investing Success.

Feb 25, 201957 min

Ep 68Doug Boneparth - Navigating the Future of Retirement: Essential Strategies for Planning Ahead

Douglas Boneparth is an InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 alum, the co-author of The Millennial Money fix, and financial Twitter's resident hair and coffee expert. In this episode, we discuss: Whether or not online interactions can take the place of "in real life" connection The case for authenticity and being candid about our own struggles The changing shape of retirement and what it will look like in the future So, grab a cup of your favorite caffeinated beverage and join us.

Feb 21, 201951 min

Ep 67Blair DuQuesnay - Is It Time to Fire Your Male Broker?

After her recent New York Times op-ed, "Consider Firing Your Male Broker", Blair duQuesnay precipitated some soul-searching and started some great conversations about gender equality on Wall Street. This week, she joins Standard Deviations to give further insights into why she thinks the future of wealth management is female. Listen to learn: What Blair views as the source of women's strong investment performance Why both women and men view women as less competent with money, despite data to the contrary Which financial planning considerations are unique to women's lives What the industry can do to achieve gender parity

Feb 14, 201941 min

Ep 66Life Lessons: A Letter To My Daughter

Life Lessons: A Letter To My Daughter by Dr. Daniel Crosby

Feb 11, 201919 min

Ep 65Dr. Daniel Crosby - The 10 Laws of Wealth: Unlocking the Secrets to Financial Success

The 10 Laws of Wealth - Dr. Daniel Crosby by Dr. Daniel Crosby

Feb 11, 20191h 11m

Ep 64Sonya Dreizler - Doing Well by Doing Good: How Ethical Practices Lead to Business Success

Some call it ESG, others SRI, while still others refer to as "impact" or "values-based investing." But whatever you call it, Sonya Dreizler can help you make sense of how you can wear your heart on your sleeve and still secure your financial future. In this episode we discuss: Whether or not divesting of public equities has the intended impact Why shareholder engagement is the future of values-based investing How owning stocks of companies you hate might actually make a lot of sense How ESG investing can actually improve investor behavior

Feb 7, 201952 min

Ep 63Can Embracing Weirdness Lead to Wealth and Happiness?

Audio of a TEDx presentation given by Dr. Daniel Crosby

Feb 4, 201917 min

Ep 62James Matthews - Breaking the Millennial Money Myths

With all of the negative stereotypes around Millennials and money, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Luckily, Standard Deviations is joined by James Matthews, who is just the man for that job. Listen in to learn: Couples' five most common sources of disagreement about money Why James and Daniel are not fans of budgeting How a deeply felt personal purpose can lead to better financial decisions

Jan 31, 20191h 2m

Ep 61Dr. Daniel Crosby - Exploring the Influence of Love, Money and Irrationality on Everyday Choices

Audio of my second TEDx talk, given in Huntsville, Alabama.

Jan 28, 201918 min

Ep 60John Nolan - Business Lessons From a Spy: Unconventional Wisdom for Leaders

This week, Dr. Crosby is joined by John Nolan, who may just be the most interesting man in the world. Mr. Nolan is a Vietnam veteran who then spent 22 years in the CIA before going on to found and sell his own corporate espionage firm. Listen in for fascinating discussion of: The one skill that separates good from great spies The surprising lengths to which companies and countries go to steal secrets How to get complete strangers to share their secrets Learn more about John: https://www.expectlittlemiracleshsv.org/

Jan 24, 201958 min

Ep 59TEDxHuntsville - Dr. Daniel Crosby - You're Not That Great: A Motivational Speech

Audio of my first ever TEDx talk, given in Huntsville, Alabama. I also created a book based on the ideas presented here, which can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-That-Great-Daniel-Crosby/dp/1595718362

Jan 23, 201919 min

Ep 58Daniel Crosby - The Behavioral Investor

This week on Standard Deviations, the tables are turned as Daniel passes the mic to Dr. Brian Portnoy, author of The Geometry of Wealth. Brian and Daniel discuss Dr. Crosby's new book, The Behavioral Investor, touching on: The four primary types of investor misbehavior What can be done to manage behavioral risk The future of behavioral finance For fans of psychology, personal finance and the elusive search for happiness, this episode is a can't miss. Read Daniel's book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0857196863?pf_rd_p=c2945051-950f-485c-b4df-15aac5223b10&pf_rd_r=64A1MZ20GJNVXJZT6G2Q Read Brian's book: https://www.amazon.com/Geometry-Wealth-Shape-Money-Meaning/dp/0857196715/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543434923&sr=1-1&keywords=the+geometry+of+wealth

Jan 17, 201950 min

Ep 57Jennifer McClure - Public Speaking 101: Key Strategies to Transform Your Speaking Skills

What’s the recipe for a great presentation? This week Jennifer McClure, an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, leadership success coach, and former HR executive who works with business leaders to build their influence, think strategically, and create maximum positive impact at work and in life, provides a masterclass on sharing ideas with the world generally as well as specific advice around common clichés to avoid and for how to create a business around public speaking. Learn more about Jennifer: https://jennifermcclure.net/ https://twitter.com/JenniferMcClure

Jan 10, 20191h 8m

Ep 56Tra Williams - Feed Your Unicorn

During the last holiday season, entrepreneurship consultant Tra Williams was feeling especially thankful for his gifts and said so on social media. His gratitude was immediately thrown back in his face by an online troll who suggested that he "go feed his unicorn." Originally taken aback by the rudeness, Tra decided not to let the bully get him down and instead determined he would follow his advice; He WOULD feed his unicorn, thank you very much. Listen to this episode to learn: How to maintain childhood and creativity, all while earning a living Why work and life are equal goods that feed one another, not separate entities to be "balanced" Why you should never let others define success for you Listeners will leave energized and more encouraged than ever to chase that long-ignored dream!

Jan 3, 201937 min

Ep 55Randy Norton - Why Value Investing is the Key to Success in Real Estate Markets

Randy Norton - Applying Value Investing to Real EstateThis week the Standard Deviations is pleased to welcome Randy Norton, Managing Partner and Global Head of Real Estate and Alternative Investments at Green Mesa Capital.Randy provides excellent guidance on how to think about seldom-considered asset classes in a conversation that touches on:How the wisdom of value investing can be applied to real estateThe most common behavioral traps among real estate investorsConsiderations for buying a REIT vs. real propertyLearn more about Randy:https://greenmesacapital.com/home/

Dec 27, 201844 min

Ep 54Joey Fishman - ESG in Action: A Practical Discussion on How to Drive Sustainable Growth

Joey Fishman - A Practical Conversation About ESG This week on Standard Deviations, Dr. Crosby speaks with Joey Fishman who heads up the socially responsible investing arm of Ritholtz Wealth Management and oversees their "Portland Portfolio." Their discussion of ESG investing includes: A definition of the differences between SRI, ESG and impact investing How to think about risk and return tradeoffs in values-based portfolios A hard look at whether or not SRI brings about the desired changes Learn more about Joey: https://ritholtzwealth.com/team/joel-joey-fishman/ @joeyfishman

Dec 20, 201834 min

Ep 53Tyrone Ross Jr. - The Lessons of Failure: How Embracing Setbacks Leads to Success

Tyrone Ross is a financial advisor, cryptocurrency enthusiast and Olympic Trials qualifier in the 400 meters. In this week's episode, Tyrone shares intensely personal stories of how his brushes with defeat have made him the success that he is today. Our longest episode to date, you'll understand why we needed all 1.5 hours to have this important conversation! Listen in to learn: How a handful of heartbreaking failures set Tyrone on his current path to success What gave him hope in his darkest hour Why Tyrone is a crypto believer at a time when many others are losing faith Whether crypto is a currency an asset class or something different entirely If the "I like blockchain but not Bitcoin" stance is a sensible one Learn more about Tyrone: https://www.noblebridgewealth.com/team-member-01/tyrone-ross-jr

Dec 11, 20181h 17m

Ep 52Dan Egan - The Power of Good Design: Encouraging Positive Behavior in Spaces and Systems

Our guest this week is Dan Egan, Director of Investing and Personal Finance at Betterment. Dan is an expert at improving decisions through smart technological design and he brings that wisdom to a show that includes talk of: How "centaur" approaches (combining human advisors with tech) are the future of finance Why investors need to have faith in their own approach The future of behavioral finance Whether it is most effective to change the person or the product Learn more about Dan: https://www.dpegan.com/ Dan recommends: https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Not-Camera-Financial-Technology/dp/0262633671/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538390664&sr=8-1&keywords=an+engine+not+a+camera

Dec 6, 201846 min

Ep 51Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw - The Next Millionaire Next Door

Dr. Sarah Stanley Fallaw - The Next Millionaire Next Door Standard Deviations welcomes Sarah Stanley Fallaw, Ph.D. the founder and President of DataPoints LLC, a research-based technology company that gives advisors tools to identify and guide better financial behaviors in their clients. Dr. Fallaw is continuing and furthering the important work begun by her father, Thomas Stanley, author of The Millionaire Next Door. In this data-packed episode, Dr. Fallaw shares with us: What to look for in an appropriate measure of risk tolerance The characteristics shown by young people who are likely to become millionaires The steps you can take to become the next millionaire next door Learn more about Dr. Sarah: https://www.datapoints.com/ https://twitter.com/sarahfallaw Sarah's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Next-Millionaire-Door-Enduring-Strategies/dp/1493035355/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538393280&sr=8-1&keywords=sarah+stanley+fallaw

Nov 29, 201836 min

Ep 50Chris Turchanksy - Future-Proofing Your Finances: The Evolution of Financial Advisors in 2025 and Beyond

Chris Turchansky - The Financial Advisor of the Future Standard Deviations is pleased this week to welcome Chris Turchansky, President of ATB Investor Services. Chris's role is unique in that he leads a team of investment and financial services professionals with a singular focus on serving the residents of Alberta, Canada. Chris believes that investing is about more than just money and that it is directly tied to things like happiness and family security. Listeners to this week's episode will learn: What the financial services industry can change to better serve clients' interests Why he is optimistic about the future of advice in the face of a great deal of naysaying How the future of advice will look different than it is today How clients can discern between good and bad financial advisors Learn more about Chris: https://www.atb.com/about/Pages/executive-team.aspx https://twitter.com/turchansky?lang=en

Nov 22, 201841 min

Ep 49Annette Hammortree - Navigating Financial Planning for Families with Special Needs Children

Annette Hammortree is the owner of Hammortree Financial Services and the parent of a child with special needs. With a passion born of personal experience, Annette provides us with a detailed look at the unique financial considerations of those who love someone with special needs. Listeners will learn: The biggest misconceptions and misunderstanding around money and children with special needs How living with a special child impacts daily living The financial considerations that are unique to families of children with special needs The three steps necessary to help prepare today for an uncertain tomorrow Follow up with Annette: http://www.hammortreefinancial.com/ Josh Wilson - "Dream Small" ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOBaLrItEyc

Nov 15, 201850 min

Ep 48Neil Bage - Exploring the Intersection of Behavioral Finance and FinTech: How Technology Shapes Investor Decision-Making

Neil Bage - Behavioral Finance and FinTech This week, Dr. Crosby is joined by fellow behavioral finance geek Neil Bage, co-founder of the award winning fintech Be-IQ. Neil is passionate about helping people make safe and informed choices and is a specialist on behavioral drivers of financial decisions. In this episode, we explore the intersection of technology and psychology by discussing: How behavioral finance can move from diagnosing bias toward more practical solutions Whether education is sufficiently powerful to constrain bad investor behavior The recent critique of loss aversion in the Journal of Consumer Psychology Learn more about Neil: https://www.beiq.co.uk/ https://twitter.com/neilbage

Nov 7, 201843 min

Ep 47Kristin Scroggin - Millennials and Money: Key Insights into Their Financial Priorities and Challenges

Kristin Scroggin - Millennials and Money The world "millennial" was recently deemed so loaded and negative that the New York Times struck it from their style book. But are millennials really as entitled as the popular press would have us believe? This week, generational expert Kristin Scroggin joins us to cut through the noise and provide facts and figures around millennials and money. In this stereotype-destroying hour you will learn: How early bad experiences with investing have sensitized young people to volatility The source of Millennials skepticism toward financial experts Truths vs. stereotypes about Millennials and money How best to provide advice to young investors Why socially responsible investing might succeed with this generation To learn more about Kristin: https://www.genwhycommunications.com/

Nov 1, 201849 min

Ep 46Brian Ford - The Eight Pillars of Financial Wellness: Expert Insights

Brian Ford - The Eight Pillars of Financial Wellness This week on Standard Deviations, Dr. Crosby sits down with financial wellness executive Brian Ford to understand the eight pillars of financial readiness. Discussion points include: The behavioral benefits of automation The most ignored source of additional money The psychological and planning benefits of giving money away Learn more about Brian: https://www.momentumonup.com/ Brian's book about the 8 pillars: https://www.amazon.com/8-Pillars-Financial-Greatness/dp/1432737481/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1538055109&sr=1-1&keywords=brian+nelson+ford

Oct 25, 201846 min

Ep 45Travis Scribner - Are You Prepared for 30 Years Without a Paycheck? Start Planning Now

October is Retirement Readiness Month and Travis Scribner is ready to tell us what it takes to be prepared. Travis initially worked on Wall Street before discovering his true passion; simplifying the complex world of finance for the benefit of everyday investors. In his current role as Managing Partner of WestPac Wealth Partners he oversees more than 25 financial representatives as well as hosting his own radio show, "Las Vegas Money Resource." My talk with Travis includes: A discussion of whether or not the retirement readiness landscape is as bleak as it is sometimes portrayed Some of the psychological barriers to preparing for an event that is so far away Tips for maintaining a sense of meaning in retirement Follow up with Travis: http://www.westpacwealthpartners.com/team/travis-scribner

Oct 18, 201842 min

Ep 44Jeff Zentner - How to Write a Book: Expert Tips for Aspiring Authors

Jeff Zentner - How to Write a Book Dr. Crosby is joined this week by Jeff Zentner, author of New York Times Notable Book The Serpent King as well as Goodbye Days. His third book, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee is forthcoming in February 2019. He is the winner of the William C. Morris Award, the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award, the International Literacy Association Award, and the Westchester Fiction Award. His books have been nominated and longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and he has been a finalist for the Indies Choice Award and the Southern Book Prize, and been named a Publishers Weekly Flying Start. Specifically, Jeff gives advice in this episode that will help listeners accomplish something that 80% of American says is a goal of theirs: to write a book. In this episode, you will learn: Why Jeff chooses to write his books on a phone on a Nashville city bus Where he finds inspiration for his characters How he overcomes the overwhelming cruelty of that first blank page Learn more about Jeff: http://www.jeffzentnerbooks.com/ Jeff's books: https://www.amazon.com/Rayne-Delilahs-Midnite-Matinee-Zentner/dp/1524720208/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538395403&sr=8-3&keywords=jeff+zentner https://www.amazon.com/Serpent-King-Jeff-Zentner/dp/0553524054/ref=pd_sbs_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0553524054&pd_rd_r=04d60b3e-c572-11e8-a709-598374602c47&pd_rd_w=l9hTy&pd_rd_wg=IWLVX&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=0bb14103-7f67-4c21-9b0b-31f42dc047e7&pf_rd_r=EM73JT2DW7TAP9DH5XZ8&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=EM73JT2DW7TAP9DH5XZ8 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553524097/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0

Oct 11, 201837 min

Ep 43Meredith Jones - Women on Wall Street: Paving the Path to Financial Empowerment

Standard Deviations is pleased to welcome Meredith Jones, award-winning author of Women of the Street and an internationally recognized expert on women and investing. She was named one of Inc. magazine’s “17 Inspiring Women To Watch in 2017” and a Distinguished Author by the Securities and Exchange Commission in 2018. She has been a regular columnist for Institutional Investor and is a contributor for Market Watch. In this episode, Meredith tackles Wall Street's diversity problem while making the case for women as the ultimate behavioral investors. Listeners will leave with: A sense of the biopsychosocial roots of women's investment outperformance Insights into the "confidence gap" exhibited by female investors Concrete steps to increase diversity in financial services Learn more about Meredith: http://www.aboutmjones.com/about/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UR6WvCoNGQ Meredith's book: https://www.amazon.com/Women-Street-Managers-Generate-Returns/dp/1137462892/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538396356&sr=8-1&keywords=women+of+the+street+jones

Oct 4, 201837 min

Ep 42Unlock Your Full Potential: Life on Your Terms with Eric McDermott

In this episode of Standard Deviations, Eric McDermott, a Managing Partner at Pacific Advisors, Financial Specialist and marketing guru breaks down the steps investors can take to operate from a “risk first” mentality. Learn fascinating facts about the origins of insurance as an industry and how to overcome overconfidence en route to having candid conversations about risk. Eric’s book recommendation: Man’s Search for Meaning Follow up with Eric: http://www.pacificadvisors.com/team/eric-mcdermott

Sep 27, 201841 min

Ep 41Brian Portnoy - The Geometry of Wealth: How to Build Lasting Financial Prosperity

This week on Standard Deviations, Dr. Crosby speaks with Brian Portnoy, Ph.D., CFA, an expert at simplifying the complex world of money. In his two books, The Investor's Paradox and The Geometry of Wealth, he tackles the challenges of not only making better investment decisions but also how money figures in to a joyful life. He is currently the Director of Investment Education at Virtus Investment Partners and has spent the last 25 years as educator, investor, and strategist. He holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago and currently lives on the north side of Chicago with his wife and three children. Listen in to learn: Why Brian has banished the word busy from his life The difference between experienced and reflective happiness The strengths and limitations of money as it intersects with meaning

Sep 25, 201841 min

Ep 40How to Spot a Financial Bubble: 6 Warning Signs Explained

In today's episode we run through the six signs of a financial bubble.

Sep 7, 20185 min

Ep 39The Surprising Secret to Greatness: Embracing Mediocrity

In this episode, Dr. Crosby asserts that owning our personal mediocrity is paradoxically the key to personal exceptionalism. Huh? Listen in to hear why owning that you're not that great could be the key to greatness.

Sep 3, 20189 min

Ep 38Understanding the Psychology of Diversification: How to Make Smarter Investment Choices

Investment diversification is widely-accepted best practice for financial reasons but the psychology of not putting all of your eggs in one basket is at least as powerful. Listen in to understand the psychology of winning by not losing.

Aug 31, 201811 min

Ep 37Why Feeling Excited About an Investment Could Signal a Bad Idea

A debate rages about the impact of emotion on investment decision-making. Some believe it to be a source of signal where others just see noise. In today's episode, we look at some of the research around investing and emotion and suggest that exciting investing is often bad investing.

Aug 27, 20189 min

Ep 36How to Watch Financial News: Top Tips for Staying Informed

In most endeavors, staying informed is a positive. So why is it that people who watch less financial news tend to be outperformed than the truly plugged in when considering investing? Listen in to understand how to consume financial media without being consumed by the hype.

Aug 24, 20188 min

Ep 35How to Thrive in Volatile Markets: Key Do's and Don'ts for Smart Investing

The stock market can be extremely volatile, but with a little understanding of market history and dynamics, you can navigate its ups and downs with greater ease.

Jun 29, 201814 min

Ep 3410 Key Questions Every Investor Should Ask Their Financial Advisor

On this week's episode we review the evidence around whether or not to hire a financial advisor and offer ten questions for separating great advisors from the not so great.

Jun 15, 201815 min

Ep 33Master the 12 Laws of Wealth: Essential Rules for Building Lasting Prosperity

Investing has been described as simple but not easy. By listening to this podcast, you will understand the 12 steps necessary to create lasting wealth. The implementation? That's up to you.

Jun 8, 201815 min

Ep 32Is It Time for New Friends? 5 Key Reasons You Should Rethink Your Social Group

In this episode, we take on the age old questions: "Do birds of a feather flock together?" or "Do opposites attract?" We also make the bold statement that your friends are lame and are keeping you from being as smart and well-rounded as you ought to be.

Jun 1, 20188 min

Ep 31Luck vs. Skill in Investing: What Really Determines Financial Success?

Is investing a game of luck or skill? In this episode, we examine the three criteria needed to distinguish a game of luck from skill and find that financial markets land somewhere in the middle. We then discuss the implications of this finding for selecting appropriate investment vehicles.

May 26, 201815 min

Ep 30You’re Worrying About the Wrong Things: What to Focus on Instead

It's human nature to worry about low probability/high salience things and ignore threats that are far more immediate and pervasive. Tune in to learn why and what to do about it.

May 18, 201810 min

Ep 29How Behavioral Feedback Loops Shape Financial Market Dynamics

Feedback loops exist in relationships, nature and especially in financial markets. In today's episode, we examine how capital markets operate in boom and bust cycles due to our subjective perceptions.

May 15, 201814 min

Ep 28When to Trust Your Gut: Understanding the Two Crucial Conditions

Can you trust your gut? Well...sometimes. Today on the podcast we look at the two conditions that must be met in order for intuition to be useful. Even the best-informed intuition is only as good as the milieu in which it finds itself and environmental cues remain the best predictor of whether or not intuition can be trusted. In the absence of a certain level of predictability and rapid feedback, neither of which are present in financial markets, intuition lacks soil fertile enough to take root. We have reason to trust the intuition of a NICU nurse, a physicist or a mathematician, but very little reason believe the instincts of a therapist or stock picker (sadly, I am both). Such intuitive shortcomings are not the fault of the experts in question but rather the discipline in which they ply their trade. As Murray Gell-Mann correctly noted, “Imagine how hard physics would be if electrons could think.” Intuition is powerful in many domains but ill suited to the vagaries of allocating capital.

May 14, 201812 min

Ep 27Why Positivity Outperforms Negativity in Driving Lasting Behavior Change

Listen in this week to learn: Why positivity brings about more lasting change than negativity How making lists of "not to do" can have a paradoxical effect Why labeling ourselves and others can blind us to the true state of things

May 7, 201817 min

Ep 26The Paradox of Knowledge: How More Info Can Create More Problems

It is often assumed that there is a positive, linear relationship between information and market efficiency. It stands to reason, at least to a point, that the more publicly available information we have about a security, the greater our ability to accurately price that security. But is it possible that too much information can be as bad for efficiency as too little? As reported in Scientific American, the amount of data that we produce doubles each year. To put it more concretely, in 2016, humankind produced as much data is in the entire history of the species through 2015. The publication’s best estimate for the future of data is that in the next decade there will be 150 billion networked measuring sensors, 20 for every man, woman and child on Earth. At this point, the amount of data that we produce will double every 12 hours. We are a culture in love with data and tend to take a “more is better” approach when it comes to measuring and reporting on every part of our world. But the glut of information flooding our lives has real consequences, many of them negative.

Apr 29, 201820 min

Ep 25You Will Never Have Enough Money: Key Reasons and How to Break the Cycle

We’re all familiar with the term “keeping up with the Joneses” but it’s doubtful that we understand just how deeply ingrained this is in our concept of wealth and success. Each year, a Gallup poll asks Americans to determine “What is the smallest amount of money a family of four needs to get along in this community?” Gallup finds that the answers to this question moves up in line with average incomes of the respondents. A recent Princeton study set out to answer the age-old question, “Can money buy happiness?” Their answer? Sort of. Researchers found that making little money did not cause sadness in and of itself but it did tend to heighten and exacerbate existing worries. For instance, among people who were divorced, 51% of those who made less than $1,000/month reported having felt sad or stressed the previous day, whereas that number fell to 24% among those earning more than $3,000/month. Having more money seems to provide those undergoing adversity with greater security and resources for dealing with their troubles. However, the researchers found that this effect (mitigating the impact of difficulty) disappears altogether at $75,000. For those making more than $75,000 individual differences have much more to do with happiness than does money. While the study does not make any specific inferences as to why $75,000 is the magic number, I’d like to take a stab at it. For most families making $75,000/year, they have enough to live in a safe home, attend quality schools and have appropriate leisure time. Once these basic needs are met, quality of life has less to do with buying happiness and more to do with individual attitudes. After all, someone who makes $750,000 can buy a faster car than someone who makes $75,000, but their ability to get from point A to point B is not substantially improved. It would seem that once we have our basic financial needs met, the rest is up to us.

Apr 23, 201816 min