When I decided to get serious about learning what it means to be financially independent (and retire early… i.e., FIRE!), I turned to books and podcasts. Podcasts are great because I can listen while taking a walk, doing chores, or getting ready for bed. Below are the podcasts I enjoy the most.
These are my consistent favorites that I find myself listening to again and again. At the end of this post I have also listed additional podcasts I have listened to, but are not my go-to’s.
1. Money with Katie
“Finance bros are out, #RichGirls are in. Join Money with Katie and her guests as they talk spending habits, smart investing, and tax strategies – without putting you to sleep. Listen weekly on Wednesdays to learn how to turn your Rich Girl mindset into money.”
Listen on: Apple Podcasts; Spotify
A friend introduced me to this podcast and I’m so glad she did! I love this podcast because the content is palatable and digestible. It is fun to listen to and makes personal finance easy to understand. Katie Gattie Tassin’s podcast covers a wide range of topics from the basics of retirement planning to smart investing strategies and even navigating money conversations with parents. She’s even inspired some of the questions for our revamped annual Big Brain Planning retrospectives.
Informative episodes I liked:
- How to Construct a Diversified Stock Portfolio of Major Index Funds (Oct 26, 2022)
- Investment Taxes 101: Capital Gains, Dividends, Tax Loss Harvesting & More (Mar 8, 2023)
- Deep Dive: Set Yourself Up to Pay No Penalties or Taxes in Early Retirement (Aug 31, 2022)
Episodes that made me think:
- The Hidden Costs of a Disability (Mar 22, 2023)
- Life Coaches: Pyramid Scheme or Legitimate Investment? I Hired One to Find Out (May 22, 2024)
2. Two Sides of FI
Two lifelong friends document and share their personal journey as they seek to become financially independent and retire early (FIRE). One achieves his FIRE goal in 2020 during a global pandemic, inspiring the other to play catch-up. Whether you are new to the FIRE movement, already on your FIRE journey, or have retired early, there’s something here for you. Go beyond the numbers and get the personal stories as experienced by Eric and Jason.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts; Spotify
I like the Two Sides of FI podcast because it covers many of the less tactical concepts of FIRE–things like struggling with mental health, and unexpected reactions to early retirement. The show does still have episodes focused on the more tactical side of FIRE (i.e., how not to run out of money in retirement), but I like that they focus on the more squishy topics of FI.
Informative episodes I liked:
- Don’t Let the Cost of Healthcare Break Your Early Retirement Plan (Jul 16, 2022)
- What’s Wrong with This Popular Retirement Strategy? (Feb 12, 2023)
- Tax Strategies on FIRE: Financial Independence / Retire Early (Dec 4, 2022)
Example episode on squishier topics:
- Four Years Later: What I Wish I Knew Before Retiring Early (Jun 30, 2024)
3. Choose FI
“Join Brad Barrett each week as he breaks down the most current topics and trending issues within the Financial Independence community. You’ll learn life-changing tips and actionable advice to help you rethink how to pay off your debt, slash your grocery bill, reduce living expenses, travel the world for nearly free, and live your best life..”
Listen on: Apple Podcasts; Spotify
This is a long-time running podcast and I find myself browsing and picking and choosing the the episodes I want to listen to. This podcast often features interviews with individuals who have achieved financial independence and offers actionable strategies and stories to empower listeners on their own journey to financial independence.
Informative episodes I liked:
- 481 | Mailbag: Long-Term Care, Aging Parents and their Finances | Danielle Miura (Mar 11, 2024)
- 474 | How to Access Your Retirement Accounts Before 59.5 | Sean Mullaney (Feb 5, 2024)
- 474 | Social Security Deep Dive | Denise Shapiro (Jan 29, 2024)
Below are podcasts that I found interesting, but not my preference when it comes to getting most of my financial independence knowledge.
Retirement Answer Man Show
“A top retirement podcast. Roger Whitney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®, RMA, guides you on how to actually do retirement well financially and personally. This retirement podcast isn’t afraid to talk about the softer side of retirement. It will teach you how to retire with confidence. Two-time PLUTUS winner for best retirement podcast / blog and the 2019 winner for best financial planner blog. This retirement podcast covers how to create a paycheck, medicare, healthcare, Social Security, tax management in retirement as well as retirement travel and other non-financial issues you’ll need to address to rock retirement. Retirement isn’t an age OR a financial number. It’s finding that balance between living well today and feeling confident about your retirement. It’s about gaining more freedom to pursue the life you want.”
This episodes I listened to on this podcast were a bit more technical than I was looking for but I might try and give it another try in the future.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts; Spotify
All the Hacks
This podcasts covers a wide range of topics, and only some touch on finance. I liked the episode with Katie Gatti Tassin! “Leveraging Tax-Advantaged Accounts to Maximize Your Wealth with Katie Gatti Tassin” (Nov 22, 2023)
Listen on: Apple Podcasts; Spotify
Catching Up to FI
“A mindset, money, and life podcast for late starters catching up to Financial Independence.”
Something to listen to! It’s comforting to know that it’s still possible to make it to financial independence even as a “late starter”. Sometimes the hosts can feel a little rambly but I still learn some.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts; Spotify
Thanks for reading and happy podcasting!
