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Artwork for Talking Real Money

Talking Real Money - Investing Talk

Don McDonald
Financial Planning
Cryptocurrency
Exchange Traded Funds
Investment Strategies
Bitcoin
Investing
Social Security
Retirement
Retirement Planning
Mutual Funds
Dividends
Health Care Expenses
401(k)
Investing Strategies
Retirement Savings
Medicare
Fiduciary Duty
Certified Financial Planner
Vehicle Financing
Portfolio Diversification

Financial talk radio veteran, Don McDonald and former host of Serious Money on PBS, Tom Cock, join forces to talk about real money issues. In each episode, they solve real money problems, dole out real investing (not speculating) advice, and really explain the financial issues that effect all of us. Plus, it's actually fun! Talking Real Money is a podcast designed to provide the real help we all n... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1772Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
InvestingBusinessHow ToEducation

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Artwork for Talking Real Money

Latest Episodes

A listener’s nightmare 401(k) story sparks a deep dive into how small employers can delay, misuse, or even lose employee retirement contributions before they ever reach the plan custodian. Don and Tom explain the Department of Labor’s weak enforcemen... more

Don fields a full slate of listener questions on everything from SGOV vs. high-yield savings accounts to the differences between AVUV and DFSV, why international stocks belong in a portfolio (but shouldn’t dominate it), and whether equal-weighted fun... more

YouTube

Don and Tom question a surprising Wall Street Journal column arguing that annuities should become the default option in 401(k) plans. They explore why the idea is gaining traction, where the logic breaks down, and how the insurance industry benefits ... more

YouTube

Tom and Don grade Gen Z investors from a recent Wall Street Journal article, discussing their portfolios, common mistakes like stock picking, active management, and crypto speculation. They move into practical retirement and college-planning question... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Christine Benz
Director of Financial Planning at Morningstar
Morningstar
Episode: Experts Need Experts
Megan Gorman
Author of 'All the President's Money'
Episode: Pecuniary Presidents
Michael DeJoseph
Researcher in Investment Advisor Research at Vanguard
Vanguard
Episode: Vanguard's Advisor Alpha
David Booth
Founder and Chairman of the Board at Dimensional Fund Advisors
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Episode: Quiet Investing Science
Dave Butler
Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Episode: Quiet Investing Science
Joe Saul-Sehy
Host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast and a prominent speaker at Retiremeet 2025.
Stacking Benjamins
Episode: Retiremeet '25 - Part One
Roxy Butler
Advisor to Pell Wealth, returning guest known for her engaging insights
Pell Wealth
Episode: Tom + Roxy + Qs
Wes Crill
Senior Investment Director
Dimensional Funds
Episode: Presidential Preference?
Dan Solin
Author and financial educator
Best-selling author, financial educator
Episode: Money for Millennials

Hosts

Don McDonald
Co-host and financial expert with years of experience in financial education and planning.
Tom Cock
Co-host and financial advisor with a focus on making financial advice relatable and accessible.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 924 ratings
  • Forrest vs. Trees

    $120k for a midwifery degree?? What?! That should have been your response to that emailers question. Instead, you both debated the benefits or not of taking a loan. You guys have made your bones on low-cost investing. How about low-cost education and shopping around, like you advocate for investing? This person has $60k set aside in a 529 plan. That’s the max budget. She can’t afford $120k! And Don, you love your AI assistant. A simple AI query indicates that a grad degree in midwifery can be p... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    AshiGaruma
    United States23 days ago
  • You Are Showing Progress

    Don,

    I’ve got to say, I’m pleasantly surprised — your latest take on Bitcoin finally sounds grounded in reality. I’d like to think I helped nudge you there, even if just a little. Comparing your reaction to the 2021 Bitcoin drop versus the recent one, it’s clear you’ve matured on the topic. This time your comments were actually measured — and you even admitted a few truths you used to deny:

    1️⃣ Bitcoin isn’t just another crypto; it is the category.

    2️⃣ Bitcoin is legitimate.

    3️⃣ The market sets ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    TRM-7
    United Statesa month ago
  • Crypto Ignorant

    Don claims to have read extensively on Bitcoin, but then asks ‘What can Bitcoin do that the Dollar or the euro can’t? If he actually had done the research he would know one of the many features of Bitcoin over the dollar/euro is it can’t be debased. Unlike the dollar and the euro there is a limited supply of Bitcoin. It is locked in by computer code and cannot be changed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Navrep
    United Statesa month ago
  • Horse in the race…

    I agree with Don when he said that people tend to talk up investments when they too are invested in that said investment. Don was talking about Bitcoin, but it could be anything. Great observation and insight Don, I guess time will be the ultimate judge on Bitcoin.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TEAM GREET
    United Statesa month ago
  • Gone downhill.

    I’ve listened to these guys for a long time. Just can’t take it anymore. They’ve changed. They sold their business. The program is full of commercials. They become political. More and more seems like they’re just doing this to attract clients. They become exactly what they used to complain about.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    WiscoNerd
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

There is noticeable criticism regarding the hosts' views on newer financial trends, such as cryptocurrency, suggesting some listeners feel the show is somewhat outdated in its viewpoints.
Many find the advice practical and applicable to real-life financial decisions.
Listeners appreciate the accessible and entertaining way the hosts explain complex financial topics.
Some reviews mention a desire for more nuanced discussion regarding contemporary financial issues.
Positive comments highlight the humor and chemistry between the hosts, which makes the show engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#96
United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#226
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#121
Finland/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#154
Israel/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#236
Mexico/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Z Good and Z Bad
Q: Should I pull $8,000 out of that account to make a Roth contribution or just leave the money there and not make a contribution?
If the money in the taxable account is earmarked for retirement, it makes sense to pull it out for the Roth contribution.
Investing Is Dull
Q: Should we switch from traditional 401K contributions to a Roth?
It's advisable to stick with traditional contributions if you expect to be in the same or lower tax bracket during retirement.
Investing Is Dull
Q: Should I live off of our taxable investments after retirement or convert IRA money?
It's generally better to start with taxable investments while allowing your IRAs to grow until required minimum distributions are necessary.
Annuity Reality
Q: How do I convince my wife this is the best strategy, she likes owning individual companies?
Data and evidence support the long-term benefits of diversified portfolios over stock picking.
Annuity Reality
Q: What's the best and most efficient way to sell the individual stocks and buy a total world index fund?
You should offset winners and losers, and consider selling over time to manage your tax bracket.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Talking Real Money

What is Talking Real Money about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Aimed at helping listeners make informed financial decisions, this podcast covers practical investing advice, financial strategies, and insightful discussions on market dynamics. Episodes frequently focus on various topics including retirement planning, taxable versus tax-deferred accounts, and international investment opportunities, while also addressing listener questions that provide real-time financial advice. The hosts balance their professional insights with a relatable and humorous approach, making complex financial concepts more accessible.

Noteworthy is the podcast's commitment to separating investing advice from speculation, ensuring that the discussions remain grounded in reality. The duo brings a wealth of experience to the tab... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Talking Real Money?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Real Money:

1. The Clark Howard Podcast
2. Sound Investing
3. Retire Sooner with Wes Moss
4. The Stacking Benjamins Show
5. Your Money, Your Wealth

How many episodes of Talking Real Money are there?

Talking Real Money launched 12 years ago and published 1772 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Talking Real Money?

Recent guests on Talking Real Money include:

1. Christine Benz
2. Megan Gorman
3. Michael DeJoseph
4. David Booth
5. Dave Butler
6. Joe Saul-Sehy
7. Roxy Butler
8. Wes Crill

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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