50 Fires is taking a very short break to gear up for Season 2 with even more meaningful conversations about money. In this quick episode, Carl invites you to kindle your own enlightening discussions around money with a spouse, family member, or dear friend, and offers 5 simple, yet impactful steps to start these conversations:  Look for time and space for the conversation  Pick a simple question to get started like, “What’s your earliest memory of money?” Go a little deeper  Express...

Carl welcomes journalist, writer, surfer, climber, father and husband Daniel Duane to reflect on a life and career guided by passionate pursuits and what happens when that career suddenly seems unviable. The conversation raises questions about the meaning of a simpler life and how to navigate the complexities of money in the present as the cost of living continues to rise all around us. As a result, Dan shares his journey of transitioning from being a writer to becoming a psychotherapist,...

Podcaster, Author, and Financial Journalist Farnoosh Torabi discusses the impact of her parents’ approach to money growing up as a first generation Iranian family in Massachusetts, and how the gender dynamics of their relationship impacted her at an early age. She reflects on how her childhood experiences shaped her perception of money and the importance of finding financial autonomy in her own marriage. Farnoosh also reveals some of the most impactful paradigm shifts around money that she’s...

Comedian Pete Holmes reflects on his relationship with money and how it relates to his sense of freedom, creativity, and play.  In this wide ranging conversation, Carl and Pete explore how money impacts our anxiety, and the role that spirituality plays in helping to reduce that tension. From Pete’s early days in standup comedy, to his eventual success as a writer, actor, and podcaster, this episode highlights the importance of understanding and deepening our values during each phase of life,...

On this week’s episode of 50 Fires, Carl keeps things in the family by having a discussion about money with his oldest daughter, Lindsay Richards.  Lindsay is a 27-year old finance professional living in New York City, and as the oldest of 4 kids, she has a lot of perspective on how her parents handled money as she and her siblings grew up. From her earliest memory of money (“Mom wouldn’t let me touch coins because they’re dirty”) to reflecting on the ways money was treated and discussed in...

Hal Hershfield is a leading expert on the psychology of making decisions, but that doesn’t mean that he always makes the right decisions about money, which should be reassuring for us all to hear. A Professor of Marketing, Behavioral Decision Making, and Psychology at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, Hal joins Carl to discuss some of his earliest memories about money (he looked it up in the ‘M’ book of his Encyclopedia), the importance of aligning capital with what's important in our...

Carl takes a look back on moments from the first 20 episodes of the show, and highlights some moments that you may have missed.  Celebrity Chef and Food Network Star Maneet Chauhan reflects on growing up in India and how she never compared what she had to her peers (ie - life before Instagram)!   Musician Lukas Nelson reveals how he writes music that is important to him and what he learned from his Dad, Willie Nelson, about the business of writing songs.  Venture Capitalist Bryce Roberts...

It’s not a secret that a elementary and secondary school educators are notoriously underpaid, and in this episode, Educator Jonathan Santos Silva discusses how he’s pursued his career in education despite any and all financial pressures. Throughout this important conversation, Jonathan and Carl ultimately discuss the role of money as an expression of value and its relationship to purpose and community in life. Jonathan Santos Silva got his start as an educator in 2010 at Little Wound School...

In Part 2 with Morgan and Gretchen Housel, host Carl Richards unpacks the difference between wants and necessities (ie - sometimes flying in Business class is essential in order to effectively do what you’ve been hired to do) . They also reveal that while they have disagreements about some things, money has never really been one of them. And the explore the challenges of parenting in the digital age, the dangers of social comparison, and the importance of not focusing solely on money and...

Description  If you’ve spent any time in finance, you’ll know that Morgan Housel is The New York Times Bestselling Author of The Psychology of Money and the newly released Same As Ever: Timeless Lessons on Risk, Opportunity, and Living a Good Life. But today, you’ll get to hear him like you never have before…in conversation with his wife Gretchen.  In Part One of this two-week episode, host Carl Richards asks Gretchen and Morgan what’s most important in their relationship, and it’s something...

Elizabeth Poett is a seventh generation cattle rancher, born and raised on Rancho San Julian, her family's historic 14,000-acre cattle ranch on California's Central Coast near Santa Barbara. On this episode of 50 Fires, Elizabeth reflects on the importance of embracing uncertainty as a rancher, a career where every day is different, and unpredictability is a part of the routine. She also shares her own journey of starting a business and diversifying opportunities at the ranch, which includes...

As the Head Coach of Baylor Men’s Basketball, Scott Drew has the ability to talk about money on his own behalf, as well as all of the young athletes he gets to coach and mentor each and every year. Carl and Coach Drew talk about the financial pressures many players face today, how he tries to instill good financial lessons in them before they leave his team, and the importance of mentoring his players both on and off the court.  When Coach Scott Drew accepted the head coaching position at...

Carl’s guest this week holds one of the more unique relationships with money you will ever hear. Jamie is a diagnosed psychopath, but the word doesn’t mean what you think. Psychopathy is a neurological disorder, similar to narcissistic personality disorder, and as you’ll soon discover, it has allowed Jamie to treat money with a logic that we could all learn from (example: she maxed out her retirement account at the age of 30)!   A lawyer by trade and author of the book Confessions of a...

Carl welcomes Dave Goetsch, comedy writer and co-executive producer of 'The Big Bang Theory' for a conversation about navigating the uncertainty of Hollywood. Dave discusses the importance of resilience - financial, emotional, and mental - throughout his career. Dave shares his firsthand experiences with financial crises, canceled shows, and the pressure of tying self-worth to success. He also discusses how he learned to live in reality and not just fix everything with harder work, which is...

Josh Brown is a financial advisor known for his insights on CNBC and as the co-host of "The Compound and Friends" podcast with Michael Batnick. He’s had thousands of conversations about money over the years, but none quite like this one. Josh offers a rare, personal glimpse into the moments that molded his financial perspective and approach to life, like the hidden financial struggles his parents shielded him from and the critical role of financial literacy, something he learned the value of...

Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez of the musical duo Johnnyswim open up about the meaning of money in their creative partnership and marriage.  Money disagreements are a part of any relationship, but it's how you work through them to forge a unified financial life, and throughout their career, Abner and Amanda have prioritized  creative control and financial independence.  Abner and Amanda released their first music as Johnnyswim in 2008, and married a year later in 2009. Since then, they’ve...

Carl invites his wife, Cori, to have a conversation about money that’s been decades in the making. 28 years into their relationship, Carl and Cori are still learning about each other–especially when it comes to money. In this intimate episode, Carl and Cori break down decades-long misconceptions about one another, assumptions they've made but rarely questioned, and feelings they're never before revealed. Don't miss Carl putting his money where his mouth is, this week on 50 Fires. Carl...

Being a successful actor is no easy feat, and learning how to navigate the tumultuous waves of the entertainment industry’s financial landscape takes discipline and even frugality. Actor Dean  shares how his early obsession with saving money molded his successful acting career. Way before he landed the role of Hank on Breaking Bad, he understood the critical importance of living within his means so that he could continue to pursue acting. Money can offer freedom, but it requires a delicate...

Gina Yashere’s career in comedy is a result of sheer resilience, determination, and…budgeting. As a standup comedian and co-creator of Bob Hearts Abishola on CBS, she’s come a long way from her upbringing as a second generation Nigerian immigrant in London. Growing up, her mother essentially gave her two career options - doctor or engineer. After becoming an elevator technician and engineer in her early 20s, she decided that comedy would ultimately make her more money, albeit with a more...

Matt Higgins’ journey to success, growing up poor in New York City, has been a huge part of his framework for viewing money. He and Carl discuss the idea that money is meant to be in flow, and Matt shares his earliest memory of how his mother had an abundance mindset - despite her financial circumstances. Matt candidly shares the deep-seated trauma of his financial struggles and how it shaped his relationship with money, and reflects his ongoing journey towards feeling safe with all of his...

Chef Maneet Chauhan is best known as a judge on Chopped and as a fierce culinary competitor on Food Network shows like Iron Chef, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Beat Bobby Flay. But off screen, she’s a successful chef and restaurateur with a passion for sharing the diverse flavors she grew up with in India. As an immigrant to the United States, she also has a unique perspective on money. From her father's meticulous habit of recording expenses as a child to her own hard-earned lessons about...

Most of us were first introduced to Chip Gaines on “Fixer Upper,” the blockbuster renovation show where he serves as genius contractor, adoring husband, and comic relief. But this episode of “50 Fires” reveals a different seen side of Chip–entrepreneurial, spiritual, philosophical, and reflective. Carl and Chip discuss Chip’s unconventional attitude toward risk, using money as a tool for impact versus a measurement of success, the challenges of raising children in the Instagram era, and the...

Carl goes deep on the realities of being a working musician with Singer Songwriter Lukas Nelson and festival organizer Ben Anderson. Recorded at the Park City Song Summit in September. Carl’s conversation with Lukas Nelson unpacks how the allure of fame and money can be a trap for musicians, and how Lukas navigated finding his own artistic path, despite being the son of legendary artist Willie Nelson.  After the break, Carl speaks with Ben Anderson, a seasoned trial lawyer who grew up...

Money: it’s a necessity, but sometimes it becomes an obsession. For Bryce Roberts, a venture capitalist who also happens to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, balancing faith, morality and financial success is a personal challenge.  On this episode, Carl asks Bryce to ponder the Devil's Golden Question: How much money is enough? They share their personal experiences growing up in the Mormon church, wrestling with cultural pressures around money specific to their...

For many artists, the path to financial stability while pursuing creative passions is often winding and steep. Drawing from her rich experiences as a poet, professor and public intellectual, Carl’s guest Caroline Randall Williams offers unique insights into the subtle dynamics between education, wealth and social standing. She also shares her personal path to carving out space for creative fulfillment in a demanding professional environment. This conversation also reveals a valuable lesson...