The Rational Reminder Podcast

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this special Investing 101 episode, the Rational Reminder hosts—Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Ben Wilson—team up to revisit the fundamental concepts that every investor should understand before diving deep into...

What if capitalism itself is confusing your personal finance decisions? In this week's episode, Harvard economist John Y. Campbell joins us to unpack his new book, Fixed: Why Personal Finance Is Broken and How to Make...

In this AMA episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti return to answer listener questions across a wide range of topics—from covered call ETFs and dividend tax credits to currency hedging...

In this episode, we are joined by Mark Higgins, an award-winning author and institutional investment advisor, to discuss the power and importance of studying US financial history. Mark brings his wealth of knowledge as...

Your health may well be the most important investment you ever make, and the earlier you start, the better your outcomes are likely to be. In this episode, Ben Felix is joined by Ben Wilson, Portfolio Manager and Head...

Are your financial decisions evolving as your wealth grows? In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we welcome back Nick Maggiulli to unpack his approach to climbing the wealth ladder and creating the life you...

In this episode, Ben and Dan take a deep dive into covered call strategies—popular ETFs often marketed on their eye-catching distribution yields. While these products promise steady "income," the reality is more...

In this episode, we're joined by David C. Brown, Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Arizona, for a deep dive into the mechanics, performance, and pitfalls of target date funds (TDFs)—the most common...

What if choosing your asset allocation was as personal as your life story—and as consequential as your retirement? In this episode, we are joined by PWL Capital's Louai Bibi and Ben Wilson for a deep dive into how...

In this episode, we are joined by Elie Hassenfeld, Co-Founder and CEO of GiveWell to discuss how data, transparency, and moral trade-offs can guide charitable giving with maximum impact. Elie brings his background in...

In this episode, Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore take a critical look at the Canadian banking system's mutual fund advice model. A newly released study by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) and the Canadian...

What if the most impactful financial advice isn't about picking the right investment—but about understanding human behaviour, simplifying your life, and laughing along the way? In this episode of the Rational Reminder...

In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti celebrate the show's 7th anniversary with a conversation centered around timeless investing wisdom. Drawing from a vibrant thread in the...

What if index funds weren't as "passive" as you think? In this episode of the Rational Reminder, we are joined by Jim Rowley, Global Head of Investment Implementation Research, and Andy Mack, Head of US Equity Portfolio...

What if early RRSP withdrawals aren't always the tax-smart move they're made out to be? In this special AMA edition of the Rational Reminder podcast, Ben and Cameron are joined by PWL Financial Planner Louai Bibi for a...

What happens when your favourite financial educator's identity is hijacked by scammers? In this episode, Ben and Cameron pull back the curtain on a disturbing but increasingly common reality: sophisticated scammers...

In this episode, we welcome back Rob Carrick—one of Canada's most trusted personal finance journalists—for his third appearance on the Rational Reminder podcast. Rob recently retired after an incredible 27-year career...

In this episode, we're joined by Martijn Cremers, Dean of the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame and co-author of the groundbreaking 2009 paper that introduced the concept of Active Share...

What if holding just a few "winning" stocks is riskier than it seems? In this episode, Ben and Cameron explore the hidden dangers of concentrated portfolios and unpack the data that makes a strong case for...