50 Fires: Money and Meaning with Carl Richards

Latest Episodes:

Choosing What Matters Most with Neha Ruch Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

What if the boldest career move you ever made was stepping away? Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled and author of The Power of Pause, joins Carl to unpack the layered experience of pausing a high-powered career to prioritize family — and rediscover a deeper sense of self.

Neha shares her journey as the daughter of Indian immigrants, growing up acutely aware of financial insecurity and the privilege of choice. She opens up about the clarity she found in early motherhood, the liberation in presence over productivity, and how she reframed staying home not as a step back, but as a bold act of agency. They also dig into the misconceptions surrounding stay-at-home parenting, the emotional balance sheet every family quietly navigates, and how intentional money conversations can build stronger, more equitable partnerships.

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Follow Neha Ruch @motherunited

Purchase The Power Pause Book: http://motheruntitled.com/thepowerpause

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

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The Zen Of Enough with Henry Shukman Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Poet, Zen teacher, and memoirist Henry Shukman joins Carl for a conversation that explores what it truly means to live freely.

Through stories from Henry’s life—including his youthful encounters with a wandering tramp named “Speedy” and the spiritual revelations that shaped his memoir One Blade of Grass—they dive into profound ideas of freedom, enoughness, and generosity.

Carl and Henry explore how early experiences with money shape our adult perspectives, how to calm financial anxiety by reconnecting with the body, and what Zen can teach us about feeling at home in the world—no matter our net worth. They also wrestle with questions like: What’s the right amount to give? How do we stay generous in uncertain times? And is it possible to pursue financial security without losing touch with our values?

Whether you're facing a surprise tax bill or a crisis of purpose, Henry’s insights offer a grounded path toward clarity and peace.

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Follow Henry Shukman @henryshukman

For more on Henry visit https://henryshukman.com

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sound, Smell, and Meaning of Money with Susan Werner Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Singer-Songwriter Susan Werner joins Carl for a deeply personal conversation that weaves together her upbringing on a midwest farm, her financial philosophy, and how it intersects with her pursuit of creative integrity. From the sound of coins jingling in her father’s pocket as a young child to the smell of manure—“the smell of money” on an Iowa farm—Susan shares how early experiences shaped her understanding of value and work.

Susan opens up about navigating the unpredictable economics of a life in the arts, her aversion to debt, the delicate balance between humility and hustle, and how those lessons built her tolerance for financial uncertainty as a working musician.

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Follow Susan Werner on Instagram @thesusanwerner

For more on Susan and her music visit: https://susanwerner.com/

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tarriffs and Economic Uncertainty (What Should We Do?) Apr 03, 2025

Show notes

What should we do to protect our finances and investments right now? First off, when markets get scary? We should avoid chasing predictions.

It turns out that creating financial resilience is not about making perfect predictions about what’s coming next. It’s about building a life that can adapt to whatever arrives. This approach works, regardless of what’s happening with tariffs, markets, or potential recessions. By focusing on what you can control, you’re building financial strength that serves you well in any economic environment.

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What To Do When The Markets Are Scary Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Carl tackles the fear and uncertainty that often accompanies volatile markets (are you feeling a little bit of that right about now?), with a reassuring reminder that market fluctuations are normal. Carl emphasizes the importance of staying focused on long-term goals rather than reacting emotionally to short-term market movements.

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facing a Tough Financial Decision? Try The Overnight Test Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Making tough financial decisions can be overwhelming, especially when emotions and biases come into play. In this mini episode of 50 Fires, Carl shares a powerful mental tool he calls The Overnight Test. This simple yet effective exercise helps navigate the inertia of holding onto investments, properties, or even routines that no longer serve us.

Through real-life stories—including a long-abandoned family cabin, an under-performing stock, and a small business owner's dilemma—Carl illustrates how changing our perspective can lead to better, more intentional choices. Whether you're struggling to let go of something or just looking for a fresh way to evaluate your decisions, this episode will leave you with a practical strategy to use in everyday life.

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A Life Well Lived with Peter Singer Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Peter Singer may be, as The New Yorker calls him, the planet’s “most influential living philosopher." He has written the classic textPractical Ethics, The Expanding Circle, The Life You Can Save (which gave rise to the organization of the same name) and Pushing Time Away (an account of the life and fate of his grandfather, a victim of the Holocaust). Carl and Peter discuss the carefulness around spending instilled by his parents at an early age and reflects on the ethics of giving and altruism. Peter also emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between personal enjoyment and addressing global suffering, advocating for a focus on sufficiency rather than excess. He highlights the significance of having a purpose in life and the evolving nature of needs versus wants in contemporary society. Peter advocates for effective altruism, culminating in his reflection on how future generations might view their relationship with money and its role in doing good in the world.

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Livest Well Lived Podcast

Listen to the Lives Well Lived podcast, hosted by Peter and Kasia de Lazari Radek, wherever you get your podcasts. Episodes consist of interviews with remarkable guests who have lived well, both in the sense of living an ethical life, but also in that they are fulfilled and happy with what they have achieved in their lives.

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding Your Own Definition of Wealth with Katie Gatti Tassin Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Katie Gatti Tassin, the creator of the Money with Katie Podcast, joins Carl to explore the personal and philosophical sides of money. Katie shares her journey from launching a personal finance blog to selling it to Morning Brew, and how that experience reshaped her views on wealth, work, and independence.

Together, they dive into Katie’s early memories of money, the financial habits instilled by her parents, and the emotional weight of financial decisions—like buying a luxury car and the conflicted feelings that followed. She opens up about her evolving perspective on financial success, the tension between abundance and scarcity mindsets, and the reality of scaling up lifestyle expenses while maintaining financial security.

Carl and Katie also tackle systemic economic issues, including the illusion of meritocracy, and how shifting personal and societal financial narratives could lead to a more equitable future.

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For more on Katie visit https://moneywithkatie.com/

Pre-Order her new book Rich Girl Nation: https://moneywithkatie.com/rich-girl-nation

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Common Sense Is Controversial with Kevin Dahlstrom Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

At 54 years old, Kevin Dahlstrom has discovered the secret to ‘enough.’ A four-time CMO, founder, rock climber, father, and husband, Kevin joins Carl to explore themes of career control and the true importance of aligning one’s life with personal values. They discuss strategies for gaining control over one’s career, the significance of unstructured time for creativity, and the concept of a low-cost ideal life. Ultimately, Kevin advocates for a mindset that prioritizes experiences over material possessions and encourages continuous growth—always looking forward rather than living in the past.

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking Big Leaps and Meaningful Rewards From Author Pam Houston Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Celebrated author Pam Houston describes her extraordinary journey with Carl in this inspiring episode —from a childhood shaped by financial anxiety to finding solace and purpose in the natural world. Pam shares the remarkable story of how she bought her beloved ranch in Wyoming with just 4.7% down and a signed copy of her first book, the life lessons she learned from her father’s obsession with money, and how she discovered the true meaning of “enough.”

Along the way, Pam reflects on the power of risk-taking, the importance of saying "yes" to life’s unexpected opportunities, and the deep connection she feels to the land, her animals, and the places that have shaped her. Tune in for an episode filled with wisdom, warmth, and the reminder that sometimes, taking the biggest leap leads to the greatest rewards.

For more on Pam, visit https://pamhouston.net/

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Follow 50 Fires on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50firespod/

Please direct business inquires to: blindnilaudio@magnolia.com

Cover Art: Josh Passler - TheFinArtist.com

Music Credits:

Alexandra Woodward / Rabbit Reggae / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Cody Francis / Wherever You’re Going / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices