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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
Mutual Funds
Dividends
Retirement Planning
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1828Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToBusinessInvestingEducation

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Artwork for Talking Real Money

Latest Episodes

0:04 Dow hits 50,000 while most stocks lag—why it’s a meaningless headline

0:59 Robinhood and Palantir slide—speculators start getting nervous

1:39 Jason Zweig on low-volatility funds—and why timing them is a trap

1:55 Why the Dow is a terrible “i... more

Don and Tom step away from pure investing talk to explore how AI, layoffs, and stagnant wages are reshaping career paths—especially for young people and midlife career changers. Drawing on a Wall Street Journal article, they make the case that skille... more

YouTube

In this Friday Q&A episode of Talking Real Money, Don tackles five thoughtful listener questions ranging from confusing 401(k) collective investment trusts and investment club withdrawals to Roth conversion strategies, inflation fears in bond portfol... more

YouTube

Don and Tom take on Elon Musk’s claim that AI will make retirement saving obsolete, pushing back hard on the idea that technology or billionaires will somehow fund everyone’s future. They examine why universal basic income is politically and mathemat... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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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
Weston Wellington
Vice President with Dimensional Funds and seasoned professional in the investment industry
Dimensional Funds
Episode: A Dimensional Mind
Dave Butler
Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors
Dimensional Fund Advisors
Episode: Quiet Investing Science
David Booth
Founder and Chairman of the Board at 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?

Hosts

Don McDonald
Host and financial expert dedicated to educating listeners on real money issues and practical investment strategies.
Tom Cock
Co-host and financial expert bringing insights on investing and practical financial advice to listeners.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • The best!

    30 year DIY investor through the Clark Howard School of Basic Investing. Decided to listen after hearing an ad and I’m glad I did. TRM has quickly become my 1 one podcast. I haven’t missed a show in 2-3 years. Sorry Clark! I’ve learned a lot, added more diversity to our investments and I’m feeling more comfortable on the process of generating an income from our investments when the time comes. Keep doing what you do. Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CT Design Guy
    United Statesa month ago
  • A couple has-beens leeching money

    I’ve started listening to these guys and while they offer decent information, other times they’re way off. Especially when it’s a topic that threatens their livelihood, even if true. Or on topics they just don’t understand. Looking at them further, they’re former radio hosts that had some success an decided to start an advisory group… one of those bad ones that operates under an AUM framework, essentially leeching 1% off your portfolio for minimal value. While their DIY portfolios on their w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Phuoc-SD
    United Statesa month ago
  • Progress

    Don, I can no longer justify a one-star review. You’ve made real progress in your understanding of Bitcoin. Even after a recent 20% pullback, you’re no longer making the wild, uninformed, and flat-out inaccurate claims you once did. You’ve stopped predicting Bitcoin’s demise. You’ve stopped asking what it’s “good for.”

    After 17 years, Bitcoin continues to see accelerating global adoption. Its role as a store of value is now so established that it’s accepted as collateral by 8 of the 10 largest ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    TRM-7
    United Statesa month ago
  • Money Talks

    Love listening to the old guys talk about money and investing. They seem very genuine and offer sound advice. I find myself turning off my normal channels such as ESPN just so I don’t miss an episode. I even share what I learn with co-workers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    huntabsarokee
    United Statesa month ago
  • Midwest Quilter

    I just listened to your Jan 1st podcast and learned how to review your show!I’ve listened a long time but you said you never put sales people on your show…Wrong About 2-3 years ago you interviewed a guy that espoused the virtues of ESG investing. You almost lost me as a listener. Thus the 4 star review. You guys aren’t quite perfect 🫤

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Lives by Tom in Florida
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback indicates listeners desire a more balanced perspective on political issues that can arise during discussions.
The show has received praise for its educational approach, with many noting it has significantly influenced their financial mindset.
Listeners appreciate the podcast's practical financial advice and engaging hosts, who make complex financial topics accessible and understandable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#52
United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#177
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#97
Finland/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#116
Spain/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#120
China/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#193
Spain/Business

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Money Game?
Q: Does it make sense to have bonds in a personal portfolio, given a public sector pension?
It depends on individual risk tolerance; bonds can provide peace of mind but may not be necessary if your pension covers fixed income needs.
Money Game?
Q: What is the advantage of an ETF compared to a traditional mutual fund?
ETFs are more tax-efficient and have lower costs because they trade like stocks and allow for immediate access to the value of the fund, without incurring a tax event until sold.
Hard to Stop
Q: Is it advisable to cash in my annuity?
You need to analyze the specifics of the annuity, including fees and remaining value, as it may not be in your best interest.
Hard to Stop
Q: What should I do with funds set aside for future expenses like a new roof?
It depends on your needs' flexibility; you could consider a mixture of equities and high-yield savings or CDs.
Hedge Funds Pitch
Q: What say you?
Given that the caller is young and has high-risk preferences, a balance between paying off debts and investing should be considered, but access to money in a diversified portfolio is also essential.

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?

Financial literacy and investment strategies are at the forefront of the discussions, with insightful analysis of retirement planning, taxes, and common pitfalls in the financial advisory industry. The hosts focus on real-world issues, providing listeners with practical advice for navigating the complexities of investing and retirement. Particularly noteworthy is their examination of common financial products like bonds, funds, and annuities, presenting a balanced view of potential pitfalls and benefits of each. Their engaging style blends education with entertainment, making challenging subjects more accessible and relatable, encouraging listeners to take charge of their financial futures.

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How many listeners does Talking Real Money get?

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What are the audience demographics for Talking Real Money?

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How many subscribers and views does Talking Real Money have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Talking Real Money has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Talking Real Money?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Talking Real Money:

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

How many episodes of Talking Real Money are there?

Talking Real Money launched 12 years ago and published 1828 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Talking Real Money?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Talking Real Money?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Talking Real Money from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Talking Real Money?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Talking Real Money. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

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. Weston Wellington
5. Dave Butler
6. David Booth
7. Joe Saul-Sehy
8. Roxy Butler

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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