Talking Real Money - Investing Talk
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 need to enjoy a really great future. Call in with your questions anytime at 855-935-TALK (8255).
- Update frequency
- every day
- Average duration
- 30 minutes
- Episodes
- 1726
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Opportunities Overseas
Don and Tom dig into international investing — why diversification across borders is essential, why timing international markets is a mistake, and how currency fluctuations affect returns. They revis…
00:26:47 |
Thu 11 Sep 2025
Why So Mean?
In this episode, Don and Tom dig into the podcast rankings to explain why Talking Real Money isn’t at the top—and why Dave Ramsey still is, despite offering more shame than substance. They explore th…
00:45:34 |
Wed 10 Sep 2025
Too Great Expectations
Don and Tom break down the overhyped expectations around recent market returns, referencing Jason Zweig’s analysis of 230 years of stock market data. They emphasize that spending and saving habits ma…
00:43:42 |
Tue 09 Sep 2025
Extended Child Care
Don and Tom dive into the emotional, financial, and practical realities of supporting adult children. From layoffs to loans, down payments to dog surprises, this episode tackles the growing trend of …
00:27:19 |
Mon 08 Sep 2025
Ready for a Few As
In this Friday Q&A edition, Don fields listener questions on rolling over a large 401(k) after a layoff, whether IRA money should ever be used to buy real estate, Vanguard’s new active ETF offerings,…
00:16:50 |
Fri 05 Sep 2025
Passive Bubble?
Don and Tom dismantle the “passive bubble” trope, walk through Morningstar’s active/passive scorecard (great one-year anecdotes vs brutal long-run stats), and recap the steady shift of investor dolla…
00:44:28 |
Thu 04 Sep 2025
September Nonsense
Don and Tom mark Labor Day weekend with a lively discussion of the so-called September Effect—Wall Street’s superstition about historically negative returns in September. They remind listeners that s…
00:44:43 |
Wed 03 Sep 2025
Q&A&B(onds)
Tom kicks off with a check-in on bond market returns, reminding listeners that bonds are about stability, not yield-chasing. He’s joined by advisor Roxy Butner, who helps answer listener questions ab…
00:25:37 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
Query Day
Don fields listener questions from Asheville in this Friday Q&A edition. Topics include calculating investment returns with XIRR versus simple time-weighted methods, rebalancing U.S. vs. internationa…
00:21:12 |
Fri 29 Aug 2025
Looking Back
This episode of Talking Real Money digs into recency bias—our human tendency to expect the future to look like the recent past—and how it’s quietly reshaping retirement portfolios. Don and Tom examin…
00:29:15 |
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Illiquid Alternatives
Tom Cock takes the reins while Don visits family, leading a live call-in show that covers liquidity risks in private investments and university endowments, skepticism over deferred income annuities, …
00:44:13 |
Wed 27 Aug 2025
Making Life Better
Tom Cock hosts this week’s Talking Real Money solo while Don visits his mom. He reflects on Appella Wealth’s annual client event, where clients talked more about travel, grandkids, and weather than m…
00:42:19 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
Should Have Yielded
Don and Tom revisit their long-standing skepticism of Yieldstreet after CNBC’s investigation reveals major investor losses. They highlight how promises of high returns and low risk almost always end …
00:27:49 |
Mon 25 Aug 2025
Busy Day of Q&A
This question heavy episode of Talking Real Money dives into six listener questions ranging from umbrella insurance and portfolio rebalancing to small-cap value allocation, AI’s role in financial pla…
00:26:49 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Still Rising
Why has the stock market been so persistently resilient despite crises like COVID, wars, and inflation? Don and Tom explore whether the current generation of investors is simply too inexperienced to …
00:32:24 |
Thu 21 Aug 2025
Mind the Gap
Don and Tom explore why real-life investors consistently underperform the market—thanks to emotional decisions, frequent trading, and flashy sector bets. They break down Morningstar’s “Mind the Gap” …
00:44:37 |
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Investing Trivia Time
This lively episode of Talking Real Money features trivia-packed investing fun, smart listener questions, and sharp commentary from Don and Tom. They dive into a Wall Street Journal quiz on investing…
00:45:52 |
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Social Insecurity?
In this episode, Don and Tom confront the emotionally charged—and often financially tragic—decision to claim Social Security early. They debunk three common justifications: fear of system insolvency,…
00:27:33 |
Mon 18 Aug 2025
More Money Answers
Listener Q&A covering early retirement feasibility, VT vs. SPGM ETF comparison, tax-efficient liquidation of a legacy mutual fund, recommended financial planning resources and Monte Carlo tools, and …
00:24:12 |
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Pecuniary Presidents
Tom Cock interviews Megan Gorman, author of All the President’s Money, exploring how U.S. presidents have handled their personal finances and the lessons investors can take from their successes and f…
00:26:18 |
Thu 14 Aug 2025
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