Rephonic
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)
Retirement Savings
Medicare
Certified Financial Planner
Fiduciary Duty
Vehicle Financing
Portfolio Diversification
Retirement Savings Strategies

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1798Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BusinessEducationInvestingHow To

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Talking Real Money

Latest Episodes

A year-end Boxing Day Q&A covering realistic downside expectations for global portfolios, the marginal value of adding international small-cap value, details for RetireMeet 2026, and a deeply skeptical look at Medicaid-compliant annuities. The common... more

YouTube

It’s surprisingly hard to know what something is really worth until someone actually tries to buy it—and that problem is front and center in private funds. Don and Tom unpack why private equity, private real estate, and other “alternative” investment... more

YouTube

A Wall Street Journal column argues that younger investors are turning to options, crypto, and betting as a rational response to a “rigged” economic system. Don and Tom aren’t buying it. While acknowledging real headwinds—student debt, housing costs,... more

YouTube

Streaming was supposed to save us money. Instead, it quietly rebuilt cable… with better branding and worse self-control. Don and Tom trace the journey from rabbit-ear TV to today’s subscription sprawl, where “it’s only $14 a month” quietly becomes hu... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Sound Investing
Sound InvestingPaul Merriman
Your Money, Your Wealth
Your Money, Your WealthJoe Anderson, CFP® & Alan Clopine, CPA of Pure Financial Advisors
The Stacking Benjamins Show
The Stacking Benjamins ShowStackingBenjamins.com | Cumulus Podcast Network

Recent Guests

Christine Benz
Director of Financial Planning at Morningstar
Morningstar
Episode: Experts Need Experts
Roxy Butner
One of the advisors and guest host
Episode: T&R Q&A
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 former financial advisor
Stacking Benjamins
Episode: Money Talkin' Bros
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 936 ratings
  • Don is Too Inconsistent to Take Seriously

    Don’s advice is all over the map. On one hand, he downplays 3–4% inflation as if it’s just background noise no one should worry about. But the moment a caller pays even 50 basis points more than the funds he promotes, suddenly it’s a cardinal sin worthy of a lecture. The inconsistency is hard to ignore—and even harder to take seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TRM-7
    United Statesa month ago
  • Enjoyable & Informative

    I’ve made Tom & Don a regular part of my walks. They’ve provide me with great insights, ways to rethink about my financial hodgepodge and begin to get things in line. I miss T&D of I go a few days without listening but then I’m happy to be able to binge listen 😃. Also, the length of each episode is perfect for my listening pleasure. Keep up the great work Tom & Don 👍🏻😃

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chunks Chummy
    United Statesa month ago
  • I never miss this podcast

    They are usually right on. But immediate annuities from a low cost source can be very effective. Check out Wade Pfau and many other researchers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Interested bystander
    United States2 months ago
  • Great

    Love the show. Don’t get why the haters have to leave negative reviews. If you don’t like it, don’t listen. I do find it “fascinating” how Tom says “etc, etc, etc” multiple times per show. Keep up the great work guys. My favorite podcast and I listen to several.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UTNDguy
    United States2 months ago
  • Podcaster Doesn’t Understand

    Don, you’re missing the point about debasement.

    You keep insisting that the U.S. dollar’s loss of value is “gradual,” as if that somehow makes it acceptable. But that’s precisely how monetary decay hides in plain sight—slow enough that people don’t notice until it’s too late. Let’s look at the numbers.

    According to Zillow, the typical U.S. home in 2015 was worth $183,000. Today, that same home is valued at $363,932—a 99% increase. Did the home itself suddenly become twice as useful or desirable?... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Navrep
    United States2 months 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
#64
United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#190
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#83
China/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#157
South Korea/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#162
Mexico/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#166
Finland/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Money Suckers
Q: Why is it better to withdraw from a taxable account instead of an IRA for living expenses?
Generally, it allows for the tax-deferred growth of the IRA while leveraging lower capital gains tax rates on the investment account.
Market Value?
Q: Should I transfer my 401k from Edward Jones to Fidelity?
Moving to Fidelity is a smart move because you'll have lower expense ratios and better diversification options.
Market Value?
Q: What are the rules for minimum distributions from an inherited IRA?
You need to clean out the inherited IRA within the 10-year period.
More Holiday Q&A
Q: What percentage should be allocated to US large cap stocks in my portfolio?
There is no definitive answer, but generally speaking, around 70-75% of the stock market consists of large cap stocks. An appropriate allocation might be about 10-20% in large cap growth if you prefer a value-oriented approach.
More Holiday Q&A
Q: How do I manage required minimum distributions through Schwab or Vanguard?
Both Schwab and Vanguard have robust RMD calculators and can automate the distribution process, making it easier than managing a complex portfolio with a broker.

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.

Where can I find podcast stats for Talking Real Money?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Talking Real Money. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Talking Real Money and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Talking Real Money get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Talking Real Money, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Talking Real Money?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Talking Real Money, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Sound Investing
3. Retire Sooner with Wes Moss
4. Your Money, Your Wealth
5. The Stacking Benjamins Show

How many episodes of Talking Real Money are there?

Talking Real Money launched 12 years ago and published 1798 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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. Roxy Butner
3. Megan Gorman
4. Michael DeJoseph
5. David Booth
6. Dave Butler
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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days