The Rational Reminder Podcast

In this episode, Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Kelly Thomas revisit some of the blind spots from their recent discussion about the finances of marriage before diving into a deeply nerdy discussion about leveraged ETFs. Kelly brings a different perspective to questions around spending roles, career sacrifices, financial autonomy, and the mental load of managing household finances. The main discussion explores leverage, human capital, volatility drag, and the long-held belief that daily resets make leveraged ETFs poor long-term investments. Ben explains how his own thinking changed after feedback from the Rational Reminder community and a growing body of research, arguing that daily resets themselves do not cause volatility drag—volatility does. The conversation examines when leverage might make theoretical sense, why the safety of human capital is a critical assumption, and why what looks optimal in a model may be difficult to stick with in real life. They also examine the practical risks and costs of…

In this episode, we're joined by Victor Haghani, founder of Elm Wealth and co-author of The Missing Billionaires, for a wide-ranging conversation about how different types of investors shape financial markets. Victor explains the framework behind his forthcoming paper, Who Killed the Random Walk?, and how fundamental investors, static investors, and extrapolators interact to produce momentum, excess volatility, and other market anomalies. We explore why return chasing is different from momentum investing, how investor flows and inelastic demand can move markets, and how the Merton share connects expected returns and risk to portfolio allocation. Victor also discusses long-short direct indexing and tax-loss harvesting, his experiment giving investors tomorrow's Wall Street Journal today, how AI performed in the same trading game, the role of leverage in financial markets, and when borrowing to invest might make sense. We finish with Victor's advice to his younger self: be intentional about financial planning,…

What happens when a small group of exceptionally wealthy people holds a growing share of a country's income and wealth? And what can economics tell us about the forces behind that concentration? In this episode, we are joined by Owen Zidar, professor of economics and public affairs at Princeton University and coauthor of the forthcoming book The Everywhere Millionaire. We explore the rise of the millionaire class, how tax policy shapes inequality, and why the geography of wealth matters when trying to understand the economic landscape. We also discuss the role of entrepreneurship, industry-specific knowledge, and concentrated ownership in building wealth. Owen shares insights from extensive Treasury data, interviews with business owners, and research into the paths taken by millions of entrepreneurs. The conversation examines why access to capital may be less important than practical experience, how private equity can help or hurt business owners, and how local business consolidation can affect both…

In this episode, we're joined by Matthew Taylor, a litigation lawyer with Sotos Class Actions in Toronto who represents retail investors and pension funds in securities class actions. We take a deep dive into what makes a successful negligence claim against a financial advisor, how courts assess fiduciary relationships in Canada, and what investors should look for when evaluating the people managing their money. We explore the evidence that can strengthen or weaken a negligence claim, from one-size-fits-all portfolios and unexplained trades to poor communication and failures to account for changing life circumstances. Matthew also explains the distinction between suitability and fiduciary standards, the factors courts consider when determining whether a fiduciary relationship exists, and why professional affiliations and explicit fiduciary commitments can matter. The conversation then turns to class actions, including how securities claims differ from individual negligence lawsuits, what makes a claim…

In this episode, Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben Wilson take a research-driven look at the finances of marriage, from spending personalities and prenuptial agreements to wedding costs, joint accounts, financial infidelity, and household decision-making. The conversation explores how the way couples think about and manage money can affect both financial outcomes and relationship satisfaction. We unpack the difference between being frugal and being a "tightwad," why tightwads and spendthrifts may be drawn to each other despite having more conflict later, and how simply understanding your partner's spending tendencies can improve financial conversations. We also examine the case for prenups, the role of optimism bias in avoiding them, and how couples can use legal agreements to deliberately design their financial arrangements. The discussion then turns to wedding spending, including the marketing forces behind engagement-ring conventions and research linking higher spending on rings and weddings with greater…

In this episode, we're joined by Philippa Hann and Dr. Moira Somers, co-authors of The Fault Lines of Finance: Understanding and Preventing Financial Misconduct, for a deep dive into why good people can do bad things with other people's money. Philippa brings two decades of experience suing financial advisors, wealth managers, and banks, while Moira brings her expertise as a clinical neuropsychologist working with financial professionals, families, and the human side of money. We explore the psychology and systems that can allow financial misconduct to happen, from financial stress, incentives, and information asymmetry to workplace culture, poor training, exhaustion, and the pressure to please. Philippa and Moira explain why ethical behavior is not simply about knowing right from wrong, and why developing "ethical health" requires understanding your own vulnerabilities, building a moral operating system, and having people you can turn to when doing the right thing becomes difficult. We also discuss how…

In this episode, we welcome back David Booth, Co-Founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors and author of Stay Calm: Learn to Embrace Uncertainty in Investing and Life. David reflects on his remarkable career at the center of the evidence-based investing revolution, from studying under Eugene Fama at the University of Chicago to helping build investment strategies around decades of financial research. We explore what the data revealed about markets and professional money management, why implementation matters as much as great ideas, and how investors can make better decisions without trying to predict the unpredictable. David also shares his views on trust, financial advice, public versus private markets, human ingenuity, and the meaning of true wealth. Along the way, he explains why staying calm, having a process, and staying invested can matter far more than finding the next winning forecast. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:04) Introducing David Booth and his new book, Stay Calm: Learn to Embrace Uncertainty…

In this special episode, we are joined by Mike Sullivan, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at OneDigital, and Vinay Gidwaney, OneDigital's Chief Product Officer, to discuss their new book, Workforce Intelligence: The People-First Playbook for Leading Your Company Through AI Transformation. Together, they offer a practical, pro-human framework for navigating a future where artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in how organizations operate. We explore why leaders should focus on tasks rather than headcount, how AI can amplify uniquely human capabilities, and why companies may need to rethink how they manage their workforce. Mike and Vinay explain their concepts of reducible and irreducible skills, AI coworkers, workforce intelligence, collaborative AI use, and the importance of building an organizational intelligence layer. They also share practical lessons from OneDigital's own AI transformation—including why leadership activation, trust, reskilling, and a partnership between technical and…

In this episode, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti take on 10 of the biggest myths in personal finance and investing. From the idea that young people should save every possible dollar to benefit from compounding, to assumptions about economic growth, dividends, index funds, valuation ratios, stock picking, bonds, gold, and homeownership, they examine the subtle details that can make conventional wisdom misleading. Ben and Dan explore why personal finance is often about balance rather than absolute rules, why spending decisions can be just as important as saving decisions, and how investors can confuse familiar stories with useful financial principles. Along the way, they discuss consumption smoothing, marginal utility, total returns, diversification, valuation, risk, inflation, and the trade-offs between renting and owning. They also announce a new podcast initiative: future episodes featuring PWL clients discussing their experiences and the impact that financial planning has had on their lives. Key Points From…

In this episode, we welcome back William Bernstein to discuss the final book of his longtime friend Jonathan Clements, Money and Me. Bill reflects on Jonathan's ideas about spending, happiness, retirement, investing, inheritance, and the psychology of financial decision-making, while sharing personal stories that bring those ideas to life. We explore why material purchases often lose their appeal quickly, why autonomy can be one of the best things money can buy, and how worrying about money can be a greater problem than spending it. Bill also discusses the four horsemen of financial disaster—inflation, deflation, confiscation, and destruction—why diversification matters, and why investors should be skeptical of assumptions about future returns and market forecasts. The conversation also examines what it means to "win the game" financially, why retirement should be thought of as a verb rather than a destination, and the three foundations of well-being: connection, competence, and autonomy. Bill shares…

Barry Ritholtz returns to the Rational Reminder podcast to discuss the biggest mistakes investors make—and why avoiding them may matter more than finding the next great investment. Drawing on decades of experience in markets, wealth management, and financial media, Barry explains why forecasting consistently fails, how investors can distinguish good advice from noise, and why humility, probabilistic thinking, and disciplined behavior are among the most valuable investing skills. Throughout the conversation, Barry shares lessons from his new book, How Not to Invest, covering everything from media consumption and behavioral biases to index investing, portfolio concentration, market cycles, and choosing a financial advisor. He explains why experts are often better at providing context than making predictions, why social media amplifies poor financial advice, and how investors can build processes that help them stay disciplined through uncertainty. The discussion blends academic research, practical experience,…

In this Ask Me Anything episode, Ben Felix, Ben Wilson, and Louai Bibi tackle a wide-ranging collection of listener questions spanning investing, retirement, family finance, and financial planning. Along the way, they combine academic research, practical experience, and thoughtful discussion to separate evidence-based decisions from intuition. The conversation explores everything from teaching children healthy money habits and the long-term behavioral challenges of value investing to sequence of returns risk, retirement spending strategies, and global portfolio construction. The episode concludes with an in-depth discussion of Louai Bibi's National Financial Planning Award-winning financial plan, highlighting the importance of holistic advice, evidence-based planning, and continuous improvement through client feedback. Key Points From This Episode: (00:00:00) Introduction (0:05:30) Advice for aspiring financial planners: Building skills, credentials, networks, and mentorship early in your career. (0:07:35)…

In this episode, we are joined by Jean-Pierre Aubry, Associate Director of Retirement Plans and Finance at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, for a research-driven conversation about retirement investing, financial advice, pension fund management, and inflation. Drawing from years of empirical research, Jean-Pierre shares insights into how households actually invest, how financial advisors shape portfolio decisions, and why investors often hold asset allocations that differ from their own stated preferences. We also examine the investment strategies of public pension plans, why their increasing reliance on alternative assets has largely failed to deliver superior performance, and the institutional forces driving those decisions. Finally, Jean-Pierre explains how inflation disproportionately affects retirees, why many households overreact during inflationary periods, and why understanding retirement risks—from market volatility to sequence of returns—is critical for long-term financial…

In this AMA episode, Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben Wilson tackle a wide range of practical investing questions submitted by listeners. They begin by discussing one of the most common investing mistakes—market timing—and explain why getting back into the market is often harder than getting out. From there, they explore the evidence behind lump sum investing versus dollar-cost averaging, why high valuations rarely justify sitting in cash, and how your discomfort with investing may reveal a mismatch between your portfolio and your true risk tolerance. The conversation also pulls back the curtain on PWL Capital's investment committee, detailing how new investment products are evaluated, how due diligence is conducted, and why even seemingly simple index funds require ongoing scrutiny. They then examine whether any recent Canadian ETF innovations are genuinely useful, discuss retirement-focused T-Series asset allocation ETFs, debate whether gamified trading creates opportunities for active management, and…

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Paul Kaplan, economist, CFA charterholder, former Director of Research at Morningstar Canada, and co-author of Lifetime Financial Advice, for a fascinating exploration of life cycle finance. Drawing on decades of research in economics, portfolio construction, and asset allocation, Paul explains how financial planning should be grounded in optimizing lifetime consumption rather than relying on disconnected rules of thumb. We explore how life cycle finance integrates consumption, saving, investing, and retirement spending into a single framework, why risk tolerance and risk capacity are fundamentally different concepts, and how human capital should be treated as part of an investor's balance sheet. Paul also walks through the life cycle model he and Tom Idzorek developed, explains why traditional retirement rules like the 4% rule lack theoretical foundations, and demonstrates an open-source spreadsheet that allows anyone to experiment with the model for themselves. This…

In this AMA episode, Benjamin Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben Wilson tackle a wide range of listener questions covering portfolio construction, diversification, active management, pensions, fiduciary duty, and short-term investing decisions. They examine whether breaking apart all-in-one ETFs is worth the complexity, why global diversification remains the default despite long stretches of underperformance, and how investors should think about risk when they have defined benefit pensions or short-term financial goals. Along the way, they discuss the limits of active management, why simplicity often beats optimization, and even reveal their favorite board games. Key Points From This Episode: (0:01:12) Whether investors should replace asset allocation ETFs with individual component ETFs to save on management fees. (0:01:40) Why simplicity has real economic value—and how small fee savings compare to behavioral costs. (0:05:38) Portfolio drift, rebalancing discipline, and the hidden costs of managing multiple…

In this episode, we are joined by Shannon Lee Simmons—Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Investment Manager, bestselling author, and founder of the New School of Finance—for a wide-ranging conversation about the emotional side of money. Drawing on more than two decades of working directly with Canadians, Shannon explains why financial stress has become so pervasive, how social comparison shapes spending habits, and why a well-built financial plan can be one of the most powerful antidotes to money anxiety. We also explore decision-making during financial crises, the psychology of regret, why traditional budgeting often fails, and how couples navigate money differently—particularly in retirement. Shannon shares practical frameworks for aligning spending with personal values, avoiding emotional financial mistakes, and helping households make confident decisions through life's biggest transitions. Key Points From This Episode: (0:03:56) Why people worry about money—and why financial uncertainty often feels…

In this episode, Ben Felix and Ben Wilson tackle a wide range of listener questions covering portfolio construction, home-country bias, currency exposure, ETF selection, retirement decumulation, leasing versus buying a car, discounted cash flow valuations, and the real work of portfolio management. Along the way, they revisit the Rational Reminder model portfolios, discuss how new products like CAGE have changed the DIY investing landscape, and explore whether Warren Buffett's long-term record still provides evidence that active management can outperform. The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at PWL Capital's planning-centric approach to wealth management and why helping clients make better financial decisions often matters more than portfolio construction itself. Key Points From This Episode: (0:28) Why AMA episodes have become less frequent despite hundreds of listener questions waiting to be answered. (2:07) Ben shares observations from PWL's growing institutional investment business and…

In this episode, we are joined by Morley Conn, Director of Sales and Strategy, ETF Services at Scotia Global Banking and Markets, for a deep dive into the mechanics of the ETF ecosystem. With more than 30 years of experience across equities, foreign exchange, and money markets, Morley pulls back the curtain on the creation and redemption process, ETF liquidity, block trading, market making, and the often-overlooked infrastructure that allows ETFs to trade efficiently every day. We explore how authorized participants and market makers facilitate liquidity, why ETF liquidity is driven by the underlying holdings rather than trading volume, and how large institutional ETF trades are executed. Morley also explains the differences between Canadian and U.S. ETF markets, discusses common misconceptions investors have about ETF trading, and shares practical advice for retail investors seeking better execution. This conversation offers a rare look at the operational machinery behind one of the most important…

In this episode, we are joined by Ben Carlson, Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management and author of Risk & Reward, for a wide-ranging conversation about market history, investor psychology, and the realities of long-term investing. Ben brings his trademark blend of data-driven thinking and plainspoken storytelling to topics like market crashes, inflation, diversification, and why investors are so tempted to time the market. We explore the lessons from Japan's historic asset bubble, the lingering impact of the Great Depression, and why diversification remains one of the few true free lunches in investing. Ben also explains the difference between volatility and risk, why the stock market is not the economy, and how investor behavior—not market performance—is often the biggest determinant of success. Along the way, we discuss inflation hedges, lost decades, speculative behavior, and the psychological challenge of staying invested through inevitable downturns. Key Points From…

In this episode, Ben Felix and Braden Warwick unpack the surprisingly complex world of expected return modeling and why it matters so much for retirement projections, portfolio construction, and financial advice. They explain how PWL Capital currently estimates expected returns across asset classes, why traditional Monte Carlo methods relying on Gaussian distributions may miss important market behaviors, and how new research could improve the realism of long-term financial planning simulations. The conversation also explores a fascinating collaboration between PWL and Columbia Engineering student John Yang, who worked with Professor Michael Robbins on a project to build more realistic synthetic return data for financial planning. John explains how his team used empirical distributions, t-copulas, and Extreme Value Theory to better capture market crashes, fat tails, and asset co-movements during periods of stress. Ben and Braden then analyze how these improved simulation methods affect financial planning…

In this episode, we are joined by Shelly Antoniewicz, Chief Economist at the Investment Company Institute (ICI), for a data-rich exploration of the modern fund industry. Shelly walks us through the staggering scale of global regulated funds, how ETFs and mutual funds shape capital allocation, and why the rise of indexing may not be as disruptive as critics fear. We discuss the growth of ETFs versus mutual funds, increasing concentration among large fund sponsors, and how financial advisors are reshaping portfolios around low-cost investment products. Shelly also explains why fund fees keep falling, how 401(k) plans have democratized investing for middle-class households, and why investor choice remains central to healthy capital markets. Along the way, we unpack active ETFs, intraday liquidity, interval funds, private credit exposure, and the evolving role of retail investors in financial markets. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:00) Introducing Shelly Antoniewicz and the role of the Investment Company…

In this episode, we are joined by Jeff Hooke, former investment banking, private equity, and private debt executive turned academic critic of alternative investments, for a rigorous and provocative examination of private equity, private credit, and institutional investing. Jeff draws on decades of experience in finance and years of academic research to challenge many of the assumptions driving institutional and retail allocations to private markets. We discuss why pension plans and endowments continue pouring capital into alternatives despite evidence of underperformance, how private market valuations can obscure true risk, and why the fee structures embedded in private funds create enormous hurdles for investors. Jeff explains the methodological challenges of benchmarking private investments, the role of investment consultants and industry incentives, and why illiquidity and opaque reporting make private assets especially difficult for retail investors to evaluate. Along the way, we explore survivorship…

In this episode, we are joined by Elroy Dimson, Professor of Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School and co-creator of the Dimson-Marsh-Staunton (DMS) dataset, for a sweeping and deeply insightful conversation on financial history, market behavior, and the evolution of global investing. Elroy walks us through the origins of the groundbreaking Triumph of the Optimists, the challenges of assembling over 100 years of global return data, and the critical biases that once shaped our understanding of markets. We explore how expanding beyond U.S.-centric data reshaped expectations for the equity risk premium, why economic growth doesn't necessarily translate into higher stock returns, and what history reveals about diversification, factor investing, and investor behavior. Elroy also shares lessons from his work with major institutions like Norway's sovereign wealth fund, discusses the surprising long-term outperformance of railways, and offers a grounded perspective on future expected returns. This episode is a…

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Kothakota for a deeply technical and thought-provoking conversation on interdependent integrative financial planning theory. Drawing from his background in academic research and real-world advisory practice, Michael introduces a mathematical framework designed to capture the full complexity of financial planning—where decisions across domains like taxes, investments, and estate planning are interconnected and constantly evolving. We explore why traditional economic models fall short in capturing the individualized and multi-dimensional nature of financial planning, and how Michael's approach uses tools like multi-objective optimization and dynamic programming to better reflect reality. He explains how client preferences, time-varying priorities, and uncertainty all interact within the model—and why even identical financial situations can lead to very different optimal decisions. This episode is a deep dive into the mechanics of financial advice, offering a new lens…

In this episode, the Rational Reminder team unpacks the mechanics and implications of mega IPOs like SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic potentially entering public indices. They explore how index funds handle IPO inclusion, why newly public stocks tend to underperform, and how structural features of indexing can lead to systematically buying high and selling low. The conversation dives into academic research on IPO returns, the role of free float in index construction, and how evolving market dynamics are forcing index providers to reconsider long-standing rules. They also examine alternative approaches from firms like Dimensional and Avantis, and whether investors are truly missing out by not accessing private markets. This episode blends market structure, empirical evidence, and investor behaviour into a nuanced look at one of the most talked-about investing topics today. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:04) Introduction to the Rational Reminder Podcast and hosts. (0:00:19) PWL Capital expands to Vancouver…

What if the decades-long debate between active and passive investing wasn't really a debate—but a data problem? In this episode, Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore are joined by Tim Edwards, Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices, for a deep dive into the SPIVA Scorecard—the industry's most enduring and data-driven comparison of active versus passive investing. Tim explains how SPIVA has evolved over 25 years, why survivorship bias matters more than most investors realize, and what the data consistently shows across markets: most active funds underperform their benchmarks—especially over longer time horizons. The conversation goes beyond the headline results, exploring persistence (or lack thereof) in manager performance, why bond funds don't escape the same fate, and whether combining active funds improves outcomes (spoiler: not really). They also tackle common critiques of indexing, including index rebalancing costs, IPO inclusion concerns, and the role of index…

What if the way we think about investing—and expected returns—was fundamentally incomplete? In this episode, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti take a deep dive into one of the most influential papers in financial economics: Fama and French (1993). With nearly 15,000 citations, this research reshaped how we understand asset pricing by showing that market beta alone isn't enough to explain returns. Instead, multiple factors—specifically size and value—play a critical role. Ben and Dan unpack how this paper challenged the dominance of CAPM, introduced the now-famous Three-Factor Model, and laid the foundation for decades of empirical asset pricing research. They explore how factor investing evolved, why anomalies may not be anomalies at all, and what this means for evaluating portfolios and active managers today. The conversation also connects theory to practice—highlighting how modern fund providers implement factor strategies and what it means for investors trying to improve expected returns without abandoning…

What if your biggest investment risk isn't the stock market—but your own income? In this episode, we are joined by Patrick Adams, a PhD candidate at MIT, for a fascinating deep dive into how income risk, spending commitments, and liquidity constraints reshape what "optimal" investing actually looks like. Drawing on large-scale administrative tax data, Patrick challenges the conventional wisdom that young investors should be heavily—or even fully—invested in equities. We explore why stocks appear safe over long horizons but become risky when real-world constraints force investors to sell at the worst possible times. Patrick explains how high-income households behave during market downturns, why their income risk is closely tied to stock market performance, and how consumption commitments like mortgages and childcare create hidden financial leverage. The conversation also introduces a new life-cycle model that incorporates these frictions—leading to surprisingly conservative optimal equity allocations for…

In this episode, we unpack the growing tension in private markets—private equity, private credit, and private real estate—and examine whether their long-standing appeal holds up under scrutiny. With increasing pressure to bring these investments to retail investors, the discussion explores how illiquidity, valuation opacity, and complex fee structures may be masking risks rather than reducing them. We break down how private assets are marketed, why their "smooth" returns may be misleading, and what recent events—like gated funds and forced asset sales—reveal about their true risk profile. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:00) Introduction to the episode and overview of private markets as the main topic. (0:00:39) Clarifying PWL Capital's full-service wealth management approach beyond asset management. (0:03:24) Why private markets are under scrutiny and recent negative developments across asset classes. (0:06:36) The seductive sales pitch: higher returns, lower risk, and low correlation to public markets.…

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 of Avantis Investors, and Caitlin Ebanks, Director of ETF Strategy at CIBC, to unpack the long-awaited launch of Avantis ETFs in Canada. This conversation explores how a partnership built on client-first principles and fee discipline is bringing sophisticated, evidence-based investing strategies to Canadian investors in a dramatically more accessible way. We dive into the structure and philosophy behind the new ETF lineup, including how Avantis applies factor tilts, why implementation details like direct security ownership and low turnover matter, and how the new asset allocation ETF (CAGE) could simplify portfolio construction for DIY investors. Eduardo also shares insights into Avantis' research process, expected premiums, and the realities of tracking error, while Caitlin explains how CIBC is positioning these products within the Canadian ETF landscape. This…

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 markets, investor behavior, and the cost of investing. The episode features a panel moderated by Ben Felix at the New York Stock Exchange—hosted by Vanguard and S&P Dow Jones Indices—bringing together leading voices in the indexing world to explore how passive investing evolved and what it means for the future of capital markets. Ben is joined on the panel by Tim Edwards (S&P Dow Jones Indices), Jim Rowley (Vanguard), and Shelly Antoniewicz (Investment Company Institute) to discuss the mechanics of indexing, the myths surrounding passive investing, and the evidence on how index funds affect markets. They unpack questions about market concentration, price discovery, and whether indexing is changing the structure of capital markets. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:04) Introduction to the Rational Reminder podcast and the hosts from PWL Capital. (0:00:24)…

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 misunderstood—questions in personal finance: How much of your portfolio should be in stocks? Drawing on his new paper, Practical Finance: An Approximate Solution to Lifecycle Portfolio Choice, James walks us through the classic portfolio choice problem first solved by Robert C. Merton, later extended by Francisco Gomes and co-authors, and now made dramatically more usable through a spreadsheet-based approximation. We explore how risk aversion, wealth, labor income risk, and expected returns shape optimal asset allocation, why simple rules like "100 minus your age" aren't terrible but still costly, and how James and his co-authors managed to approximate a complex dynamic optimization model with an error of less than 0.1% in lifetime welfare. Key Points From This Episode: (0:04) Introduction and why this episode delivers on "mathy roots." (1:10) James Choi's new paper:…

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 in the largest insider trading crackdown in U.S. history. Tom walks us through his journey from rule-following soccer referee in Georgia to Ivy League graduate and rising Wall Street analyst—before crossing the line into insider trading at age 29. What makes this conversation so compelling is not just the crime, but how ordinary it felt at the time. Tom explains how small rationalizations, cultural pressures, ambition, and the normalization of questionable behavior gradually eroded his ethical boundaries. After being arrested and recruited by the FBI, he wore a wire 48 times and helped build over 20 cases in Operation Perfect Hedge, exposing widespread misconduct across the hedge fund industry. We explore the psychology of ethical failure, the "fraud triangle," moral licensing, and the difference between ethics in the classroom and ethics in the real world. Tom…

In this episode, we welcome back return guest Hank Bessembinder for a deeply analytical conversation spanning leveraged ETFs, volatility, and the future of performance measurement. Hank walks us through his latest research on leveraged single-stock ETFs, clarifying the misunderstood concept of "volatility decay" and decomposing returns into rebalancing effects and frictions. The results are striking: meaningful underperformance relative to simple levered benchmarks, driven by both embedded costs and the mechanics of daily resets. In the second half, we shift gears to a more foundational question: What is a return, really? Hank challenges the dominance of arithmetic averages and even geometric means, arguing that neither truly captures the long-term investor experience. He introduces the concept of the sustainable return—a measure based on the cash flows an investment can support without depleting capital—and outlines how it could reshape academic finance and real-world financial planning. Key Points From…

In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we are joined by Theresa Ebden, Vice President of the Investor Office at the Ontario Securities Commission, for a deep dive into how regulators are thinking about modern investor risks—from AI-powered scams to finfluencers and the gamification of investing apps. Theresa explains how the OSC works to protect investors through policy, education, behavioral research, and direct engagement with the public, and why investor education is one of the most powerful tools regulators have. Key Points From This Episode: (0:01:55) Overview of the OSC and why its investor research and education work matters. (5:42) What the Ontario Securities Commission does and its mandate to protect investors and capital markets. (6:25) Inside the OSC Investor Office: policy, education and outreach, and the investor contact centre. (9:28) How the Investor Office identifies priority issues using inquiry data, behavioral insights, and global collaboration. (12:11) The nature of investor…

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 their own best interests—and how better tools and frameworks can help bridge the gap between rational plans and real human behavior. The conversation blends behavioral finance, goal setting, and risk profiling, while also introducing a new evidence-based risk tolerance questionnaire now being made publicly available to listeners. The episode digs into why humans are wired for short-term survival rather than long-term optimization, how biases and environment shape financial decisions, and why coaching—not transactions—is becoming the advisor's most important role. Charles explains concepts like money scripts, financial flashpoints, identity-based goals, and financial self-efficacy, tying them directly to investing behavior and client outcomes. The discussion also goes deep on financial risk tolerance: what it really is, why people consistently misjudge it, and…

Equal-weighted index funds sound like an elegant solution to some of today's biggest investor anxieties: high market concentration, elevated valuations, and outsized influence from a handful of mega-cap stocks. In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben Wilson take a deep, evidence-based look at whether equal weighting actually improves portfolios—or simply introduces new risks under a different name. The discussion breaks down how equal-weighted indices differ fundamentally from traditional market-cap-weighted indexes, why equal weighting has historically outperformed in certain periods, and what's really driving those results beneath the surface. The team explains how equal weighting tilts portfolios toward smaller, cheaper, and more volatile stocks, while also systematically trading against momentum due to frequent rebalancing. Key Points From This Episode: (0:01:10) Introduction to Episode 394 and discussion about declining enthusiasm over long podcast runs.…

What if financial planning were approached the same way engineers design aircraft, medical treatments, or complex systems—with clearly defined objectives, constraints, and rigorous trade-off analysis? In this episode, Benjamin Felix is joined by Braden Warwick for a deep dive into what it means to engineer financial outcomes. Drawing on Braden's background as a PhD-trained mechanical engineer and his work building financial planning software at PWL Capital, the conversation reframes financial planning as a design problem rather than a speculative exercise. They explore the critical distinction between a financial plan and a financial projection, why uncertainty does not invalidate good planning, and how professional communication under uncertainty can build trust with clients—especially those from technical backgrounds. The discussion highlights the importance of goals-based planning, sensitivity analysis, and explicitly quantifying trade-offs when clients have multiple competing objectives. Key Points From…

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 Wilson introduce and unpack the concept of "ETF slop"—the explosion of complex, high-fee, behaviorally engineered ETFs that are designed to attract assets rather than improve investor outcomes. The trio traces how ETFs evolved from simple index-building tools into wrappers for increasingly speculative strategies. They discuss how the ETF "halo effect" can mislead investors into equating structure with quality, and why innovation in financial products often benefits manufacturers more than end investors. From thematic hype to downside "protection" that isn't what it seems, the episode offers a clear framework for thinking critically about modern ETF offerings. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:04) Introduction to the Rational Reminder Podcast and the hosts. (0:00:39) Ben introduces the idea of "ETF slop" and why ETFs are no longer synonymous with sensible…

Financial planning is built on assumptions — about markets, inflation, longevity, human behaviour, and even the questions clients bring into the room. In this episode, Ben and Braden welcome a diverse panel that originally came together at the FP Canada Conference to explore how those assumptions influence planning outcomes in practice. Joining them are Adam Chapman, a retirement-focused planner who helps clients turn their money into memories; Joe Nunes, an actuary with decades of pension and longevity experience; and Aaron Theilade, Director of Continuing Education at FP Canada. Together, the panel unpacks how to make assumptions credible, how to stress-test them, how to navigate client bias, and how planners can blend math with humanity to create better client outcomes. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:04) Why this episode: recreating a conference panel on planning assumptions. (0:01:03) Braden on the panel's value for planners and DIY investors. (0:02:32) Meet the guests: Adam, Joe, Aaron, and Braden.…

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. stock market dangerously concentrated—and are we in an AI bubble? Ben, Dan, and Ben unpack the data, the history, and the psychology behind today's valuations, drawing lessons from past episodes of market euphoria such as Nortel in Canada, the dot-com boom, and Japan's 1989 peak. They explain why high market valuations—not concentration—pose the bigger challenge, how bubbles historically fuel real economic innovation while hurting investors, and why diversification continues to offer the only reliable protection against unknowable futures. Along the way, they revisit examples of how value stocks, small-cap value, and global diversification have fared across different market regimes. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:40) What RR is about: evidence-based insights, synthesis episodes, expert interviews, and long-form inquiry — not debates. (0:04:20) Why listeners…

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 joined by the extended team that keeps the show running—from compliance to editing to marketing—to reflect on a landmark year in the podcast's evolution. We hear from Multimedia Specialist Matt Gambino, Compliance Reviewer Ross Brayton, long-time Marketing Lead Angelica Montagano, and others who share their roles, personal stories, and what the show means to them. Ben and Cameron also discuss the podcast's growth trajectory, the impact of joining OneDigital, standout market events from 2025, and what's ahead for 2026. It's a thoughtful, personal, and often funny conversation that celebrates community, nerdiness, and meaningful work. Key Points From This Episode: (0:01:00) Behind the scenes: Why the entire Rational Reminder team joined the mic for this special episode. (0:01:40) Meet the production crew: From video editing to compliance and marketing. (0:02:54)…

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 time on the podcast to reflect on the roller-coaster that was 2025 and to tackle a wide range of thoughtful listener questions. The episode begins with reflections on a year that included wild market swings, an extraordinary rally few predicted, major changes within PWL, and personal milestones. From there, the team dives deep into the psychology of staying invested, the real risks of inexperienced investors going 100% equities, the complexity of asset location and pre-tax vs. after-tax allocation, and how to talk to family members who are paying too much in investment fees. Key Points From This Episode: (0:04) Introduction — first-ever full-team recording and setup for the year-end AMA. (1:12) Why not all AMA questions could be answered — over 400 submissions and many not suited to the format. (1:48) 2024 market recap — from early-year panic to strong double-digit…

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 helped shape millions of financial journeys. Ben, Dan, and Ben walk through the biggest lessons Dave has reworked for a world of high housing costs, social-media-fueled spending pressure, new tax-sheltered accounts, and the ever-present noise of investing advice. This discussion explores why the book remains so effective: it blends timeless principles with approachable storytelling, humor, and deeply practical guidance. The conversation also highlights Dave's real-world insights from reviewing thousands of personal financial situations across Canada. You'll hear how the book explains foundational habits like paying yourself first, why simple investing beats stock picking, how renters can build wealth, and why understanding your own spending is the key to unlocking both financial progress and happiness. Whether you're brand new to money or a seasoned investor,…

What happens when alternative investments shift from niche products to the industry's go-to value proposition? In this episode, we're joined by financial planner and self-described "pathological nerd" Aravind Sithamparapillai for a rigorous exploration of private markets, product due diligence, advisor incentives, and the narratives driving the surging popularity of alts. Aravind has become known in advisor circles for asking the uncomfortable questions at conferences—the ones that expose gaps in explanations, shaky assumptions, and in some cases, outright contradictions. In this conversation, he shares the stories and analytical frameworks behind his deep dives into mortgage funds, private credit, private real estate, IRR-based marketing, vintage stacking, stale pricing, operational risk, and why even large professional allocators get burned. We explore how advisors are selling alts, how funds are pitching them, what due diligence actually requires, how expected returns can be decomposed, and why…

In this episode, we feature two conversations that highlight PWL's culture, values, and intentional approach to advice. We first sit down with Trevor Daigle and Brett Watt, founders of EB Wealth in Halifax, to talk about why they chose to merge their thriving independent practice with PWL — PWL's first acquisition in Atlantic Canada. Trevor and Brett open up about what they saw in PWL's infrastructure, culture, and client-first philosophy, the internal hurdles they had to clear (including their own egos), and the moment they realized they "couldn't unsee" what PWL had built. Then, in the second half of the episode, PWL Portfolio Manager and Financial Planner Phil Briggs walks us through a remarkable real-world case. A podcast listener's father decided to take the commuted value of his defined benefit pension… and the family approached PWL to invest it. Rather than simply execute the plan, Phil stepped back to rigorously analyze whether that decision made sense at all. The result is one of the most compelling…

In this episode, we're joined by Mamdouh Medhat, VP and Senior Researcher at Dimensional Fund Advisors, for an exceptionally deep, exceptionally nerdy exploration of factor investing—focusing on profitability, value, defensive equity, and the persistent misunderstandings that surround them. Mamdouh walks us through his retrospective paper (co-authored with Robert Novy-Marx) on the profitability premium, why profitability subsumes a wide range of quality metrics, and why it dramatically clarifies how we should think about defensive/low-volatility strategies. He also explains the role of profitability in value's US underperformance since 2007, why price-to-book remains a remarkably effective valuation metric, and how Dimensional incorporates these insights into portfolio construction. In the second half of the conversation, we shift to private markets. Mamdouh unpacks Dimensional's research on buyouts, venture capital, private credit, and private real estate—revealing what percentage of the global investable…

In this episode of Rational Reminder, Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, and Ben Wilson return with a classic AMA format—answering listener questions that dig deep into the behavioral and evidence-based foundations of sensible investing. From lump-sum investing to the psychology of advice, the trio blend data, humor, and clear thinking to demystify complex financial ideas. They discuss the behavioral logic behind dollar-cost averaging, why mutual funds might actually be more tax-efficient than ETFs in Canada, and whether technology could ever truly replace human financial advisors. Plus, they share their biggest investing mistakes (yes, Bitcoin makes an appearance), dissect the rise of "buffered" ETFs, and explain why chasing complexity usually costs investors more than it helps. Key Points From This Episode: (0:00:05) Introduction – The first episode featuring all three hosts together: Ben Felix, Cameron Passmore, and Ben Wilson. (0:44) OneDigital update: expanding evidence-based advice across Canada with new PWL…

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, and Hard to Be Human. Ted brings a rare combination of experience in both finance and cognitive psychology, having helped introduce index investing to Canada before turning his attention to how human thinking itself often misleads us. Ted shares inside stories from his time at CIBC—how he tried to make the bank an indexing leader in the late 1990s, the pushback he faced, and why he still believes so deeply in indexing today. Then, the conversation turns to human cognition: why our brains evolved for simplicity, certainty, and emotion, and how those traits can sabotage both our portfolios and our peace of mind. From "greedy reductionism" and "certainty addiction" to emotional overreaction and competing selves, Ted unpacks the five cognitive design flaws that make it hard to be human—and how metacognition and mindfulness can help us overcome them. Key Points From…