Behavior Gap Radio

Carl addresses the pervasive struggle with the concept of "enough" and its roots in the human brain's scarcity mindset. Drawing insights from Michael Easter's book, "The Scarcity Brain," Carl explores how our brains are wired to constantly seek more. It turns out that we often associate "less" with negativity and view abundance as the ultimate goal. But in today's age of plenty, this mindset can l...

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl talks about the profound influence of money on our lives through a poignant quote from John Armstrong's book, "How to Worry Less About Money." Reflecting on the multifaceted nature of our relationship with money, Carl shares how it shapes our identity, attitudes toward others, and even societal dynamics. He challenges conventional notions of money as mer...

"What economic class were you in junior high?" In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl reflects on the significance of this question. Carl offers two follow-up questions to deepen the conversation: "How did you know?" "Can you share a story with me about how you knew?" Have a story to share? Email Carl at hello@behaviorgap.com! Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email...

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares a powerful anecdote about the impact of meaningful conversations about money within relationships. Drawing from his podcast "50 Fires," Carl recounts how a simple question—what's your earliest memory of money?—led to profound insights between a financial planner friend and his spouse of 15 years. The resulting hour-long discussion went beyond tact...

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl reflects on the importance of protecting confidence. He delves into the challenges of navigating social media and external feedback while creating meaningful work. With a commitment to prioritize craftsmanship and continuous improvement, Carl shares his dedication to producing high-quality content that resonates with his audience. 

Listen in as Carl explores the significance of certainty and control in various aspects of life, particularly with our finances. In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl highlights how our behaviors, tactics, and mindsets differ based on the level of certainty and control we perceive in different areas of our financial lives. Drawing from personal experiences, he emphasizes the importance of un...

Today on Behavior Gap Radio is all about the importance of error correction mechanisms in our lives. Carl challenges the notion of avoiding being wrong and embracing the practice of actively seeking disconfirming evidence. Drawing from personal experiences, he reflects on how confirmation bias often leads us to defend our theories about the future, hindering our ability to adapt and learn. Instead...

Join Carl as he shares a story from his early days of backcountry skiing, reflecting on the blurred line between good decisions and fortunate outcomes in uncertain environments. Recounting a risky adventure down an avalanche-prone slope, Carl explores the concept of "wicked learning environments" where feedback is delayed, infrequent, or inaccurate, leading to a potentially dangerous reinforcement...

Jumping off from episode 1016, Carl continues his exploration! This time, he focuses on the concepts of "forced" versus "flow" in navigating life's challenges and decisions. Reflecting on the distinction between tasks or decisions that feel coerced versus those that align effortlessly, Carl invites listeners to consider the subtle yet profound difference between forcing outcomes and allowing them...

In this episode, Carl explores the difference between "hard" and "heavy" in pursuing our goals. Reflecting on the concept of forcing functions and the distinction between tasks that feel natural versus those that require discipline, Carl unpacks the nuanced relationship between challenge and effort. Drawing from his own personal experiences, he invites listeners to consider the energizing nature o...

This is a brief but impactful episode of Behavior Gap Radio! Carl challenges conventional wisdom surrounding certainty and uncertainty in decision-making. Whether you're a financial advisor, investor, or entrepreneur navigating complex landscapes, Carl's insight cuts to the core: Certainty is easy to sell but impossible to deliver. Instead, he advocates for embracing uncertainty and seeking out th...

Today's episode of Behavior Gap Radio is all about Carl's concept of "success porn" and its implications on personal growth and achievement. Carl reflects on the prevalent culture of motivational speakers and internet gurus who preach about exponential growth and mindset shifts, arguing that success often transcends mere positive thinking. Drawing from his own experiences, Carl highlights the mult...

Join Carl on Behavior Gap Radio as he explores the intricacies of risk in our daily lives. Reflecting on his own statement, "Risk is what's left over after you think you've thought of everything," Carl examines the unseen hazards that exist beyond our awareness. Using backcountry skiing as a metaphor, he discusses the difference between risk and uncertainty, emphasizing the difficulty of preparing...

Today's episode explores the intricate realm of decision-making in uncertain environments. Carl reflects on the allure of navigating risky landscapes, drawing parallels between financial decisions and outdoor adventures. Using the concept of "wicked problems," Carl explores their complexity, emphasizing their interdependent nature and the absence of definitive solutions. With insights into charact...

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl examines the struggle of maintaining confidence in straightforward solutions amid complexity. Reflecting on a recent board meeting regarding software product changes, he discusses how simplicity can obscure the effort required behind it. Carl highlights the connection between presenting a clear answer and confidence in our own abilities. He thinks practi...

Carl shares a candid reflection on the role of intuition in high-risk decision-making scenarios. Following up on listener feedback from episode 1008, "Intuition," Carl talks through the nuanced interplay between intuition and stoke, exploring how to discern between gut feelings and mere excitement. Drawing from personal anecdotes, Carl navigates the complexities of intuition, particularly in uncon...

In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl shares his journey up the Grand Teton in Wyoming as he reflects on the complexities of risk assessment. While scaling the mountain with his friend V, Carl confronts a stark realization: his focus on the probability of falling contrasts sharply with V's concern for the consequence of dying if a fall happens. This eye-opening experience prompts Carl to exa...

Join Carl on Behavior Gap Radio as he dives into the role of intuition in decision-making. In a world fraught with risks and uncertainties, Carl explores the valuable insights intuition offers, particularly when it urges caution and prompts us to pause and assess. Carl considers the flip side of intuition, examining moments when it might lead us astray, driven by emotions like greed or excitement....

Today, Carl explores being true to yourself in your creative work. Drawing from the wise words of philosophers and insights from Bruce Lee, Carl tackles the struggle of staying real in a world that loves copycats. Carl digs into why it's scary to be different and why there is an urge to copy instead of invent. He's all about finding that sweet spot between making something that is yours while also...

Join Carl as he explores closed loops and the vital role of reliable systems. He talks through the challenges that come up when delegating tasks within teams and unpacks the psychological barriers that can make it tough to let go. Delegation isn't always a walk in the park! Carl shares strategies for fostering accountability, trust, and clear communication in organizations. You can use Carl's idea...

Sparked by a chat with a listener named Ashby, this episode is all about the concept of purposeful consumption! Carl talks about aligning how we use our time, money, energy, and attention with what really matters to us. He shares how purposeful consumption leads to sustainable living and long-term happiness. In this episode of Behavior Gap Radio, Carl is challenging listeners to take a beat, think...

Join Carl on a candid episode of Behavior Gap Radio as he shares a personal health scare that led to unexpected revelations. Reflecting on his visit to the emergency room for severe pain, Carl speaks about the concept of "Diagnostic Disappointment"—the emotional complexity that arises when medical tests yield no definitive diagnosis. Through introspection and research, Carl explores the psychologi...

Carl shares his thoughts on the overwhelming flood of information in today's world. Through personal reflections, Carl highlights the staggering reality of information overload, comparing it to a relentless fire hose directed at our minds. Drawing parallels to elimination diets, Carl proposes the concept of a periodic information fast, where one disconnects from all sources of information for a se...

Today, on Behavior Gap Radio, Carl talks about the elusive concept of status and its insatiable nature. How much status is enough? Carl highlights the inherent paradox of chasing status, noting that it's a pursuit without a finish line. With references to Michael Easter's insights on scarcity loops, Carl invites listeners to consider how they can break free from the status-driven cycle and cultiva...

Join Carl on this episode of Behavior Gap Radio as he talks about the importance of being mindful of who and what we compare ourselves to. With sharp observations and personal stories, Carl shows how the people we hang out with and the media we consume can really affect how we see things like money, success, and happiness. Using some examples from his own life, he explains how our comparison set c...