Episodes

Jan. 6, 2021

Inflation Truthers (EP.185)

On this week's show we discuss why inflation isn't being understated, why the economy is so difficult to understand, why growth is outperforming value, the case for higher returns even with valuations so high, why Bitcoin is a religion, how incomes...

Jan. 1, 2021

The Best of 2020

On today's last show of the year, we look back at the biggest stories from 2020 as well as our favorite books, movies and TV shows. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us on And feel free to...

Dec. 30, 2020

Everyone Knows Everything (EP.184)

On this week's show we discuss the luck of the draw in the economy this year, our new fantasy trading game, pockets of froth in the markets, Tesla speculators, ARK inflows, why Roths are overrated and much more. Find complete shownotes on our...

Dec. 25, 2020

Talk Your Book: Momentum Investing With Joe Terranova

On today's show, Michael and Ben talk with Joe Terranova of Investment Partners about the lessons from 2020, and the launch of his new investment ETF. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us...

Dec. 23, 2020

Never Stop Buying Lottery Tickets (EP.183)

On this week's show we discuss the new stimulus bill, why the stock market isn't always this easy, Tesla investors who made a boatload of money, Robinhood lawsuits, the potential for a Roaring 2020s and more. Find complete shownotes on our...

Dec. 18, 2020

How to Start Your Financial Life (EP.182)

On today's show we discuss financial topics for young people including how much you should spend on an engagement ring, how to talk about money with your significant other, how much a wedding costs, managing money when you're married, starting to save...

Dec. 16, 2020

IPO Mania (EP.181)

On this week's show we discuss the Airbnb and DoorDash IPOs, similarities and differences between now and the 1990s dot-com boom, why IPOs rise so much on the first day of trading, YOLO structured notes, why the vaccine is our moon landing and more....

Dec. 11, 2020

Talk Your Book: ESG Investing

On today's show, Michael and Ben talk with Brie Williams of State Street Global Advisors about the momentum behind ESG investing. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us on And feel free to...

Dec. 9, 2020

How America Invests (EP.180)

On today's show we discuss AT&T vs. Verizon, why we could see the highest CAPE ratio ever, the end of movie theaters, why selling is the hardest part of investing, when we'll get the vaccine, the best movies you haven't seen and much more. Find...

Dec. 7, 2020

Blog Post: How Ben Invests His Money

Inspired by the new book, How I Invest My Money, Ben shares how he manages his own money.

Dec. 5, 2020

Book Excerpt: The 20 Rules of Personal Finance

Ben reads a chapter from his new book, Everything You Need to Know About Saving For Retirement.

Dec. 4, 2020

Talk Your Book: The Structured Marketplace

On today's show we talked with Jason Barsema, co-founder and CEO of Halo Investing, an online marketplace for structured products, annuities, and buffered ETFs. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us on ...

Dec. 2, 2020

Raising the Minimum Wage (EP.179)

On this wee's show we discuss bitcoin vs. gold, billionaires and the minimum wage, there is no perfect number for your savings goals, the downside of FIRE, why credit card debt it falling, the pros and cons of Robinhood on investor habits, Ben's new...

Nov. 30, 2020

Blog Post: Is Robinhood Good For Investors?

A few weeks ago on a Zoom conference call, Michael was asked "Is Robinhood good for investors?" In this episode, Michael shares how this question caused him to think more deeply about his answer.

Nov. 25, 2020

Is Bitcoin the New Gold (EP.178)

On this week's show we talk about the bitcoin bull market, the generational wealth gap, who owes all the student loan debt, why poor people still buy luxury goods, investing in TikTok mansions, young people entering the housing market and more. Find...

Nov. 20, 2020

Talk Your Book: Direct Indexing

On today's show, Michael and Ben talk with Rusty Vanneman, Chief Investment Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions about all things related to direct indexing. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben Carlson’s Michael Batnick’s Like us on And...

Nov. 18, 2020

Cancel All the Debt (EP.177)

On this week's show we discuss vaccine Mondays, why the market doesn't care about increasing cases, what's the best age to die, making emergency funds obsolete, too much cash on the sidelines and more. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben...

Nov. 16, 2020

Blog Post: How Much is $20 a Month Worth?

Ben looks at one of the hardest problems for most people when it comes to building wealth -- regularly saving money and shows why $20/month could be worth more than you think. And he has an announcement for his all new book about saving for retirement.

Nov. 14, 2020

BLOG POST: How I Invest My Money

Ben and I are trying something new. Once or twice a week we're going to read a blog post and drop it in Animal Spirits. If you like it, we'll keep going, if not, we'll stop. The first post from Michael was inspired by Josh Brown and Brian Portnoy's...

Nov. 13, 2020

Talk Your Book: But What Happens Tomorrow?

On today's show we talk with Michael Arone, Chief Investment Strategist at State Street Global advisors about how elections impact the market, and why we might be on an unsustainable path going forward. Find complete shownotes on our blogs... Ben...

Nov. 11, 2020

The Vaccine (EP.176)

On this week's show we discuss what a vaccine would mean for the markets and economy, why a post-pandemic market will be so difficult to handicap, the potential for a massive boom post-vaccine, market moves after the election, corporate America as our...

Nov. 4, 2020