Shows / The Rational Reminder Podcast
The Rational Reminder Podcast
A weekly reality check on sensible investing and financial decision-making, from three Canadians. Hosted by Benjamin Felix, Cameron Passmore, and Dan Bortolotti, Portfolio Managers at PWL Capital.
Episodes
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 374: The Underperformance of Target Date Funds
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 373: Asset Allocation in Practice
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 372: Elie Hassenfeld - (Approximately) Optimal Philanthropy
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 371: Banks Sell Products, Not Advice
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 370: Dave Chilton (The Wealthy Barber): Timeless Financial Advice
What if the most impactful financial advice isn't about picking the right investment—but about understanding human behaviour, simplifying your life, and…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 369: The Most Important Quotes in Investing
In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti celebrate the show's 7th anniversary with a conversation centered around…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 368: Jim Rowley & Andy Maack - Implementing Index Funds at Vanguard
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 367: AMA #8 + Insurance Needs Analysis with Louai Bibi
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 366 - Avoiding Investment Scams
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 365 – Rob Carrick's Eight Lessons Learned in 27 Years of Covering Personal Finance
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 364 – Martijn Cremers: Is the Conventional Wisdom on Active Management Wrong?
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 363 - The (Underappreciated) Risk of Individual Stocks
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…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 362 – AMA #7
What if the hardest part of investing isn't building a portfolio—but sticking to it? In this AMA edition of the Rational Reminder podcast, Ben Felix and Dan…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 361: Alex Edmans - Finding "The Truth" in Economics, Finance, and Life
Today, Ben plays lone host for the first time as we welcome Alex Edmans to the show. Alex is a Professor of Finance at London Business School as well as an…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 360 – Gerard O'Reilly: The Components of Net Returns
What if "just buying the market" isn't the end of the story? In this episode, we are joined by Gerard O'Reilly, Co-CEO and Co-CIO of Dimensional Fund Advisors…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 359 - The Most Controversial Topics in Personal Finance
For the first time as a host combination, Ben, Dan, and Cameron sit down to discuss the most controversial topics in personal finance. We begin with identity…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 358 – Dr. Eli Beracha: Renting versus Buying a Home
Dr. Eli Beracha has recently been recognized by The Journal of Real Estate Literature as the world's third best in research productivity, and today, we are…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 357 – AMA #6
Cameron joins Ben for his first AMA as we bring you the sixth edition of our Listener Questions and Investing Lessons mini-series. Diving right in, Ben and…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 356 – Abby Davisson: How to Make Decisions About Money and Love
How do we make the most important decisions in life with intention rather than impulse? In this episode, we are joined by Abby Davisson to unpack her practical…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 355 – Do Index Funds Incur Adverse Selection Costs?
Marco Sammon joins Ben and Dan to unpack his latest paper, 'Index Rebalancing and Stock Market Composition', beginning with how Marco's work (co-written by…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 354 - Jason Pereira: Expert Financial Planning
Beyond the sales pitches, acronyms, and product talk, what does it mean to be a financial planner? In this episode of the Rational Reminder Podcast, we sit…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 353 – AMA #5
The fifth installment of our Ask Me Anything sessions begins with the inevitable volatility of the stock market as we urge investors to remain calm amidst…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 352 – Jessica Moorhouse: Everything But Money
What if the key to financial success isn't just a better budget, but a better understanding of your relationship with money? In this episode of the Rational…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 351 – DFA vs Vanguard
Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) and Vanguard have intersecting histories rooted in the development of the first-ever index fund. Vanguard's market-cap weighted…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 350: Scott Cederburg: A Critical Assessment of Lifecycle Investment Advice
Our conversations with Professor Scott Cederburg from Eller College of Management have led to the most heated debates among our listeners! Today, Prof…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 349 – AMA #4
In this episode, Ben, Dan, and Mark tackle another Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, covering a wide range of investing and financial planning topics. They begin…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 348 - Andrew Barclay (StatCan): Measuring Inflation
Is the government manipulating inflation data? Why do so many people feel like their personal costs are rising faster than official inflation numbers suggest?…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 347 - The Case for Index Funds
Are index funds the best investment strategy for most investors? In this episode of Rational Reminder, Benjamin Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Mark McGrath explore…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 346 - Hendrik Bessembinder: Why It's So Hard to Beat the Market
Did you know that just a handful of stocks drive nearly all of the stock market's long-term gains? In this episode, we sit down with Hendrik Bessembinder to…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 345 - AMA #3
As we continue to answer your questions from our most recent AMA, Ben, Mark, and Dan begin today's episode with Bitcoin and how its value as an investment has…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 344 - Michael Mauboussin: The One Job of an Equity Investor
What if the key to successful investing is about understanding how market expectations, intangible assets, and even your own biases shape the outcome? In this…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 343 - How to Choose an Asset Allocation
Choosing an asset allocation is a crucial investment decision, as it determines expected returns and risk exposure. During this episode, we uncover what this…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 342 - Matthew Ringgenberg: When Do Anomaly Returns Happen?
Today we are joined by the Professor of Finance at the University of Utah, Matt Ringgenberg to discuss everything related to anomaly returns. Matt's research –…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 341 - PWL's Next Chapter
PWL Capital is undergoing an exciting change that will help the company bring a greater positive impact to the Canadian Wealth Management space and serve more…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 340 - Ben Mathew: The Lifecycle Model vs. Safe Withdrawal Rates (SWR)
What drives the best financial planning decisions? In this episode, Ben Felix and Mark McGrath sit down with Ben Mathew, a PhD in economics from the University…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 339 - 2024 Year-End AMA Pt 2
In our second episode of 2025, Ben, Mark, and Dan continue to work through the listener questions we received in our 2024 AMA. We begin with home country…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 338 - Peter Mladina: Factor Betas and ICAPM in Practice
In today's episode, we unpack how rigorous research translates into actionable strategies for wealth management. Ben and Mark are joined by Peter Mladina…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 337 - 2024 Year-End AMA
As the year draws to a close, the Rational Reminder Podcast team delivers an engaging year-end special with a unique twist. Rather than curating clips from…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 336 - Steve Utkus: Investor Beliefs and Financial Advice
What shapes investor beliefs and behaviours? Steve Utkus, a leading expert in investor behaviour and former Global Head of Investor and Retirement Research at…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 335 - "What About Warren Buffett?"
What makes Warren Buffett's investment legacy so iconic, and how has his advice shaped the world of investing? In this episode, we delve into Warren Buffet's…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 334 - Magnus Reitan: Managing (Significant) Family Wealth
How do you balance family values, evidence-based investing, and building long-term wealth? In this episode, we are joined by Magnus Reitan, CEO of Reitan…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 333 - The Presidential Puzzle: Trump's Win and Expected Stock Returns
What does Trump's re-election mean for the markets? In this episode, Ben and Mark explore The Presidential Puzzle, a phenomenon revealing that equity risk…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 332 - Randolph Cohen & Michael Green: How Concerned Should We Be About Index Funds?
Are index funds a silent disruptor? Or are the concerns overblown? In this grab-your-popcorn episode, Michael Green returns to the show after his previous…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 331 - Cameron in Norway: The Indexing Revolution, and Key Lessons from Past Guests
In today's episode, Cameron sits down with Mark McGrath to talk about his trip to Trondheim, Norway, the event he attended there, and his presentation in which…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 330 - Davidson Heath: How Are Index Funds Affecting Financial Markets and Corporate Governance?
What happens when index investing dominates the market? In this episode, we're joined by Davidson Heath, Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 329 - Optimal Education Savings, Withdrawals, and Asset Allocation
Unlocking the power of education savings is often a complex task, but with the right strategies, a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can be a…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 328 - Prof. Stephen R. Foerster: Pursuing the Perfect Portfolio
Have you ever wondered how the world's top financial thinkers shaped the way we invest today? In this episode, Ben and Cameron sit down with Professor Stephen…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 327 - Building Better Portfolios with Don Calcagni
What does it take to manage a $60 billion wealth management firm while keeping investment strategies grounded in scientific thinking? In this episode, we're…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 326 - Dr. Sunil Wahal: Applying Financial Science
What are the critical factors driving investment success? How can investors balance profitability and risk? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sunil Wahal…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 325: Addressing 200+ Comments on Renting vs. Owning a Home
There are many different considerations behind housing when you are in the position to choose between renting or buying. During this episode, hosted by Ben…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 324 - Dr. Bryan Taylor: Lessons from Market History (1600-2024)
Have you ever wondered how financial markets performed centuries ago or how world events impacted stock prices? Today, we sit down with Dr. Bryan Taylor…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 323 - Renting Versus Buying a Home in Canada 2005-2024
Is renting just "throwing money away," or could it be the smarter financial choice? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in…
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Episode 322 - Prof. Marco Sammon: How are Passive Investors Affecting the Stock Market?
Can we really understand the impact of passive ownership on the US market? Marco Sammon is an Assistant Professor in the Finance Unit at Harvard Business…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 321 - Evidence in Practice with Håkon Kavli
How can the Rational Reminder Podcast get even better? By bringing back one of its most beloved voices, Dan Bortolotti, also known as "The Spud." In this…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 320 - Kyla Scanlon: In This Economy?!
Have you ever wondered how vibes can shape the economy? Or how the economy differs from financial markets? Or even how meme stocks operate? In this episode, we…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 319 - The Ultimate RRSP vs. TFSA Showdown
Which account should you choose, a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or a Tax-free savings account (TFSA)? This is one of the most common decisions…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 318 - Assia Billig: Is Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Sustainable?
If you're in the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), then you won't want to miss today's conversation with Canada's Chief Actuary, Assia Billig. Assia's knowledge of…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 317 - An Economist's Perspective on Capital Gains Taxes with Kevin Milligan
Today, we sit down with Professor Kevin Milligan to unpack the recent capital gain changes and the complexities of the Canadian tax system. Kevin Milligan is a…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 316 - Andrew Chen: "Is everything I was taught about cross-sectional asset pricing wrong?!"
Are you curious about the hidden factors driving your investment decisions? Today's guest is Andrew Chen, a Principal Economist at the Federal Reserve Board…
- The Rational Reminder Podcast
Episode 315 - An Update from Avantis with Eduardo Repetto
During this episode, we welcome back Eduardo Repetto, Chief Investment Officer of Avantis Investors. In his leadership capacity, he directs research design and…