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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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1744Founded12 years ago
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Artwork for Talking Real Money

Latest Episodes

The show kicks off with a sardonic take on turf wars between delivery drivers—yes, really—before diving into third-quarter market returns, investor behavior, and asset class performance. Don and Tom remind listeners (again) that sticking with a diver... more

A lively, unscripted listener Q&A episode with no set topic — just a flood of great questions. Don and Tom tackle everything from inheriting farmland to the hidden cost of medical inflation, tax-efficient short-term investments, Ameriprise conflicts ... more

YouTube

In the longest Q&A episode yet, Don answers seven listener questions covering everything from concentrated stock windfalls and early retirement asset allocation to Roth vs. taxable contributions, the real 59½ withdrawal date, the dangers of buffered ... more

YouTube

Don and Tom tackle Americans’ retirement fears, highlighting a survey where one in five say it would take “a miracle” to retire securely. They stress the importance of planning over wishful thinking, cover the risks of recency bias, taxes, and undere... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
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
Roxy Butler
Financial Advisor at Appella Wealth and presenter at Retiremeet 2025
Appella Wealth
Episode: Retiremeet '25 - Part Two
Joe Saul-Sehy
Host of the Stacking Benjamins podcast and a prominent speaker at Retiremeet 2025.
Stacking Benjamins
Episode: Retiremeet '25 - Part One
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 918 ratings
  • Getting Closer

    These podcasters are getting closer to understanding Bitcoin, but still are unable to connect the dots. Their comments about Dr Fama and Bitcoin align almost exactly with those of Bitcoiners.

    Dr. Fama is right that Bitcoin is a puzzle, and by traditional Keynesian thinking it “shouldn’t” survive. But the reality is that it not only has survived—it’s thriving. Every year it endures, every block mined, every halving completed proves its resilience.

    If Bitcoin continues to thrive, it doesn’t mea... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    TRM-7
    United States19 days ago
  • Love Talking Real Money

    Tom, Don, and Roxie, I love listening to the show! It's very educational and entertaining at the same time!

    Talking Real Money is really good at stressing what not to do - bad annuities, crypto, high fees, etc., and really excels in this area. Tom and Don are dedicated to educate and serve their listeners. Roxie is so well spoken, articulate, and makes understanding questions on Q & A so much simpler to understand. Thanks for all you do! Thanks Tom for reviewing my portfolio earlier, it's tru... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kilaeua
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love it!

    It’s must listen to! Changed my life!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    darkokrypto
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great info but slightly misguided on International bonds

    Love the show and I’m a long time listener. But these guys often say they’re not fans of international bonds due to the currency exposure. But a fund like BNDX is actually currency hedged so there’s no currency risk. Furthermore, international bonds provide more diversification than holding only US bonds.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    BxJA4
    United Statesa month ago
  • Solid investment advice, but…

    This podcast is rated as “clean” but I’ve heard Tom cuss on multiple occasions. When you use The Lords name in vain, you will run off more listeners than you will attract. Also, both of them I suspect are reasonable moderates politically, but for no gain to the subject of investing, they both can’t seem to help but speak of their dislike of our current Presidents policies, and they make it personal. Just don’t go there guys and keep the language clean so I can feel safe to listen to your show wi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Scotman2012
    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
#74
United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#242
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#230
Canada/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#164
Israel/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#167
Finland/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#229
Poland/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Clements' Consistent Counsel
Q: What is the difference between ETFs and regular mutual funds?
ETFs have tax advantages because they can move securities without generating capital gains, unlike mutual funds.
Clements' Consistent Counsel
Q: How do I convince my wife to invest in stocks when she's scared of losing money?
Suggest framing it in terms of the growth of the economy and share a financial plan that indicates the need for some level of investment for future security.
Behavior Prompting
Q: What recommendations do you have about how much house I can afford?
The hosts suggest that with a strong income, it's sensible to consider purchasing a bigger house if it aligns with lifestyle desires, while also advising caution regarding current low mortgage rates and offering flexibility to refinance if future rates drop.
Questions and Critiques
Q: Would it be better to use a flat fee advisor versus a percent of AUM advisor?
It depends on the details, but for larger portfolios, a flat fee advisor might often be more cost-effective than a percentage-based advisor.
Questions and Critiques
Q: Can I actually ask you questions about how off-base you were on Ramsey?
Don emphasizes that he and Tom enjoy hearing from differing opinions and stands by their critiques of Ramsey for his treatment of callers.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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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. 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 1744 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. Megan Gorman
2. Michael DeJoseph
3. Weston Wellington
4. David Booth
5. Dave Butler
6. Roxy Butler
7. Joe Saul-Sehy
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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