Money Unplugged with Chris Hill

Money anxiety often starts long before our first paycheck. For Carl Richards, it showed up as “static in the air” growing up around unspoken financial stress—and it shaped everything that came after.
In this candid conversation, Carl reflects on how early experiences with money quietly influence our beliefs about risk, security, and success. From diving for golf balls as a kid to accidentally landing a job in finance, he shares the moments that taught him why money is never just about numbers—and why comparison keeps so many of us from ever feeling like we have enough. Chris and Carl explore:
•Why money stress is often felt before it’s ever discussed
•How childhood experiences shape our financial behavior as adults
•Why hitting a financial “number” rarely brings peace of mind
•Carl’s belief that money’s natural state is flow, not accumulation
•How he now thinks about purpose, profit, and permission in his work
Opening clip – “John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid”

Check out Carl’s new book Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches
Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

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Why does so much financial advice feel urgent—yet miss what actually matters?
Chris Hill talks with Cullen Roche, investor, author, and founder of Discipline Funds, about why the financial industry continues to misunderstand time, incentives, and risk—and how that confusion shapes the advice people receive.
In this conversation, they discuss:
- How growing up in a large family influenced his views on ownership and responsibility
- Early investing losses that reshaped Cullen’s view of risk
- The role financial media plays in distorting expectations
- Why many families avoid open conversations about money—and the cost of that silence
Opening clip – “F1”
Check out Cullen’s new book Your Perfect Portfolio: The ultimate guide to using the world's most powerful investing strategies.
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Send your questions and comments to [email protected]

Why do smart, capable people still avoid looking at their finances?
Chris Hill talks with Nick Wolny, personal finance writer and author of Money Proud, about the emotional side of money—why avoidance is so common, how early experiences shape financial behavior, and what actually helps people face their finances without shame. They also discuss Nick’s initial career path in music, following where "money is moving", as well as:
Closing the Wealth Gap - Why certain communities fall behind on savings and how "service journalism" can spark better financial habits.
The Pivot - How to identify where the money is moving in the economy and adapt your skillset to higher-paying industries.
Business Acumen vs. Marketing Hype - Lessons learned from the "dangling carrot" of expensive online courses and how to avoid being “in the red" in your first year of business.
Illegal Money - The thrilling documentary TV series (currently streaming on YouTube) that looks at money through the lens of organized crime. 
Opening clip – “Jim Gaffigan: Comedy Monster”
Send your questions and comments to [email protected]
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We’re kicking off the new year with one of our most popular episodes of 2025. When Dan Pink was growing up in Ohio, money issues in his home were like a cloud that caused “an endless drizzle” over his family. Despite having written a string of #1 New York Times bestsellers, his earliest encounters with finance still play a big role in Dan’s conservative approach to money. Sitting down at his kitchen table in Washington DC, he shares:
- Taking a VC approach to lemonade stands
- The economic reason behind his decision to attend law school
- Why a poor financial decision helps him sleep better at night
- An “absolute waste of time” he finally got rid of

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Chris Hill shares some holiday wishes before handing the show over to the late, great Louis Armstrong for his reading of Clement Moore’s classic poem, A Visit From St. Nicholas.
Opening clip – “Scrooged”

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