How to Avoid Financial Scams Stephen Greenspan is a psychologist and author of the Annals of Gullibility: Why We Get Duped and How to Avoid It. Greenspan’s book outlines notable instances of gullibility including the Trojan Horse, the failure to locate weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and the bad science surrounding cold fusion. Most of the book focuses on anecdotes, but the final chapter sets forth the anatomy of being fooled and attributes it to some combination of the following factors: • ...
Feb 20, 2018•9 min•Ep. 16
There are three things that intelligent investors must understand if they are to truly inoculate themselves against the fear peddled by the profiteers of peril: corrections and bear markets are a common part of any investment lifetime, they represent a long-term buying opportunity and a systematic process is required to take advantage of them. A “correction” is defined as a 10% drop in stock prices, whereas a “bear market” is defined as a 20% drop. Both definitions are entirely arbitrary, but in...
Feb 17, 2018•5 min•Ep. 15
We rely on the crowd to do everything from run our governments to help us select a place to eat, but does the wisdom of the crowd apply to the stock market? By examining the anatomy of a good decision set forth by Richard Thaler we arrive at the conclusion that crowds are wise in some respects but can lead us astray in others.
Oct 13, 2017•12 min•Ep. 14
It has been said that "this time is different" is the most expensive phrase in investing but what can be said to be the most profitable words in investing? In this episode, we look at the three tests of an investable idea, providing a tri-part test for discovering enduring alpha.
Aug 28, 2017•14 min•Ep. 13
Did you choose to listen to this podcast? The question seems so simple as to be laughable, but new research paints an increasingly complicated picture with respect to the limits of willpower and free will. In this episode, we tackle such questions as: Why do Audi drivers cheat on their spouses? and Would you have hidden Anne Frank in the attic?
Aug 22, 2017•20 min•Ep. 12
Let's face it, life is complicated. That being the case, it tends to defy easy description and silly platitudes. But one phrase proves to be applicable to every market and life circumstance. Listen in to learn the phrase that can humble you in times of prosperity and give you solace in times of struggle.
Aug 15, 2017•11 min•Ep. 11
We are a nation in love with the idea of trusting intuition, but does it actually help us to make effective decisions? In today's episode we examine some of the research in favor of - and against - this notion of trusting your gut. What emerges is a complex picture that shows intuition to have some real, almost metaphysical power, that is domain specific in the usefulness of its application.
Aug 07, 2017•18 min•Ep. 10
Excessive ego is the enemy of both good living and good investing and yet it is simultaneously a big part of what gets us out of bed in the morning. In this podcast, you'll learn 5 practical ways to make better decisions by beginning to see the world more clearly.
Aug 01, 2017•14 min•Ep. 9
Many of us have had the experience of bickering with friends and loved ones on social media about political, religious or ethical differences of opinion. But does any of it do any good? In this episode, we examine the persistence of belief, the difficulty in changing minds and the reasons why challenging someone with cold, hard facts may only make them MORE wed to their existing bad ideas.
Jul 25, 2017•15 min•Ep. 8
We commonly speak of how "stressed out" we are today but as recently as a century ago, the idea of stress was viewed as unscientific. In this episode, we talk about the physical psychological impact of stress on investment decision-making and risk appetites. The takeaway? Good investing is so difficult partially because it is physically painful.
Jul 17, 2017•8 min•Ep. 7
Stories are powerful means of transmitting information and making sense of our own lives, but do they serve us well as investors? In this episode, we will answer these and other questions by looking at the price of a sequined glove, the performance of initial public offerings and how stories can hijack our brain on the way to our hearts.
Jul 10, 2017•9 min•Ep. 6
It's counterintuitive, but a growing body of research suggests that you just don't like cheap things. In this episode, we discuss how price as a proxy for quality can be in dangerous in investing and give clues as to how behavioral investors can sever this spurious connection.
Jun 29, 2017•10 min•Ep. 5
Today's episode is a tongue-in-cheek examination of the ten best ways to ruin your investment future.
Jun 23, 2017•8 min•Ep. 4
We love to fantasize about winning the lottery or buying a yacht, but have difficulty having sensible conversations about money with those we love. Dr. Crosby examines some of the religious, social and behavioral impediments to having conversations about money and issues a challenge to do better.
Jun 15, 2017•14 min•Ep. 3
Our brains are designed to privilege safety and certainty over happiness and growth. Understanding this simple truth, we begin to realize that the time will never be perfect to do the thing we've always dreamed of and learn to press forward in spite of our fears.
Jun 06, 2017•8 min•Ep. 2
Does everyone deserve a trophy? In today's episode we look at the research around self-esteem and examine how the need to feel special may have played in to the biggest Ponzi scheme in history.
Jun 02, 2017•10 min•Ep. 1
What are the top 5 regrets of the terminally ill and how can they help you live a more fulfilled life?
May 23, 2017•8 min0
