The Wealthy Barber Podcast

Our guest this episode is Dr. Daniel Crosby — psychologist, behavioral finance expert and Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion Advisor Solutions. Daniel is the bestselling author of several books on the psychology of money, including "The Behavioral Investor" and "The Soul of Wealth," and is the host of the popular podcast "Standard Deviations." His mission is to help investors and advisors understand how psychology shapes financial decisions and what true wealth really means.

In this episode, Dave and Daniel dive into the psychology behind investing and the behavioral biases that quietly sabotage even the smartest investors. They break down the four major investor biases, why overconfidence is the most damaging of the bunch and Daniel's "Three E's" framework for overcoming them. They also explore why money is emotional rather than purely mathematical and the role behavioral fintech design can play in helping people make better long-term decisions.

The conversation also explores the rise of the "gamblification" of investing, the impact of social media on young investors and why personal benchmarking tends to serve people far better than chasing the S&P 500. Along the way, Daniel shares his framework of believing, belonging and becoming as the keys to a good life, his perspective on managing anxiety in uncertain times and why so many investors still fall into the trap of buying high and selling low.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to think about your relationship with money, this episode is packed with insights that will help you understand yourself as much as the markets.

 

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Daniel Crosby

(03:02) Daniel's Path From Psychology to Finance

(05:21) Statistics on Reading

(06:48) The Four Major Investor Biases

(13:12) The Three E's to Overcome Biases

(18:25) Why Overconfidence Is the Most Damaging Bias in Investing

(19:02) Money Is Emotional, Not Just Mathematical

(22:50) Daniel's Role at Orion & Behavioral Fintech Design

(24:56) Personal Benchmarking vs. Chasing the S&P 500

(25:45) Mental Accounting & The House Money Effect

(26:50) The Gamblification of Investing & Young Men

(30:36) Social Media's Damage to Young Investors

(33:51) Believing, Belonging & Becoming: Keys to a Good Life

(38:56) Managing Anxiety in Uncertain Times

(42:05) Why We Buy High & Sell Low

(44:19) Conclusion

Our guest this episode is Daniel Glazier — a Certified Personal Property Appraiser (CPPA) with more than 25 years in the designation. Daniel spent decades in the used furniture and antiques trade before moving into appraisals full-time and has now completed over 1,000 appraisal reports for families, executors, lawyers and financial institutions across Southern Ontario.

In this episode, Dave and Daniel dive into the often-overlooked world of personal property appraisals and why so many family fights after a death have nothing to do with money and everything to do with stuff. They cover the endowment effect, Daniel's "VHS system" for identifying the items most likely to cause conflict, how to resolve disputes over contested belongings and why making a plan ahead of time is one of the most important and overlooked parts of estate planning.

Whether you're working on your own estate plan, helping a parent downsize or settling an estate as an executor, this episode is packed with practical insights that could save your family real money and a lot of unnecessary conflict.

 

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(01:44) Intro to Daniel Glazier

(03:42) Daniel's Origin Story: Used Furniture & Strip Joints

(06:06) The Endowment Effect & The Used Furniture Market

(07:53) The VHS System for Identifying Items That Could Cause Family Conflict

(11:16) Resolving Conflicts Over Contested Items by Selling Them

(13:26) Make a Plan Ahead of Time to Avoid Family Conflict

(16:15) The Research on Sentimental Items

(17:34) A Solution to the Wedding Ring Dilemma

(18:52) Handling Non-Monetary Heirlooms

(20:50) The Appraiser's Role in Estate Planning

(23:24) The $5,000 Lamp Nobody Noticed

(25:22) Will AI Replace Personal Property Appraisers?

(26:55) Getting the Appraiser Involved Early

(28:02) How Clients Find Daniel

(29:41) Why Sold Prices Beat Asking Prices

(31:10) Location & Charitable Auctions Skewing Values

(33:11) Conclusion

Our guest this episode is Mark McGrath — one of Canada's top voices on evidence-based personal finance and a returning guest from episode #12. Mark recently came out of semi-retirement to launch his own advice-only practice called Phynance which focuses on helping physicians with financial planning. He is also co-author of "Wealthier: The Investing Field Guide for Canadian Millennials." 

In this episode, Dave and Mark dive into all-in-one ETFs and why simplicity often beats last-mile portfolio optimization for the typical Canadian. They also discuss the renting vs. buying debate as Mark’s family has recently decided to sell their house and become renters.

The conversation also explores the limits of the 4% rule, how safe withdrawal rates differ across countries, and whether retirees are more comfortable holding stocks today than they used to be. Along the way, Mark talks about calling out charlatans on Twitter and shares which personal finance opinions he has changed his mind on over the years.

Whether you're a DIY investor, a homeowner weighing your options, or anyone trying to cut through the noise of online personal finance commentary, this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based perspective from one of Canada's most trusted financial voices. 

 

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Mark McGrath

(02:28) Mark's Semi-Retirement and His New Firm Phynance

(06:01) The Evolution of the Financial Planning Industry

(09:27) All-in-One ETFs Explained

(12:32) Simplicity Over Last-Mile Optimization

(15:39) The Case for a Home-Country Investing Bias

(19:27) Why Mark's Family Decided to Sell Their House & Become Renters

(23:44) Renting With Young Kids & Schools

(25:58) Why Mark Didn't Like Being a Landlord

(27:07) Homeowners Are Often Out of Touch With Costs

(29:44) What The 4% Rule Leaves Out

(34:05) Safe Withdrawal Rates Across Countries

(36:09) Are Retirees More Comfortable Holding Stocks Now Than in the Past?

(37:37) Voices Mark and Dave Respect in the Financial Industry

(40:54) Getting Assessed for ADHD

(41:54) Wife's Take on Personal Finance

(42:42) Calling Out Charlatans on Twitter

(45:03) Why Market Forecasters Keep Getting Booked

(45:55) Why Mark Stepped Away from Twitter

(48:32) What Personal Finance Opinions Has Mark Changed His Mind On

(53:02) Phynance Already Has a Waitlist

(55:52) Conclusion

Our guest this episode is Frederick Vettese — former Chief Actuary at Morneau Shepell (now Telus Health), longtime Globe & Mail columnist and one of Canada’s leading voices on retirement planning. Fred is also the author of four books on retirement, including the bestselling “Retirement Income for Life.”

In this episode, Dave and Frederick cover a wide range of retirement topics from why many Canadians may be more prepared than they think to how annuities can fit into a retirement income plan. They also discuss reverse mortgages, whether it makes sense to delay OAS, RRSP meltdown strategies and how thinking around withdrawals has evolved over time. Along the way, Frederick shares thoughtful perspectives on carrying a mortgage into retirement, gifting to adult children, universal life insurance and his own estate planning approach.

Whether you’re approaching retirement or simply want to better understand the key decisions that shape it, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world advice from one of Canada’s top experts.

 

Show Notes
(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer
(00:55) Intro to Fred Vettese
(02:21) How Fred Comes Up With Writing Topics for The Globe & Mail
(04:30) Fred’s Career as an Actuary & Author
(06:45) Why Many Canadians Are Better Prepared for Retirement Than They Think
(10:31) Longevity Risk & the Case for Delaying CPP to 70
(12:15) The Role of Annuities in Retirement Income
(14:29) When Reverse Mortgages Make Sense
(16:32) Delaying CPP: Why Canadians Are Finally Coming Around
(18:47) Should You Also Delay OAS to Age 70?
(21:10) RRSP Meltdown Strategy & Income Smoothing
(23:20) How the Industry Shifted on RRSP Withdrawal Thinking
(25:27) Will People Get Married for the Financial Benefits in Retirement?
(27:12) Insurance Products: Universal Life & When They Make Sense
(29:38) Carrying a Mortgage Into Retirement
(31:13) Gifting Money to Adult Children & The Risk to Your Own Retirement
(34:02) Fred’s Own Estate Planning & Will Strategy
(35:43) Fred’s Personal Investment Mistakes & Lessons
(39:31) How the Financial Advice Industry Has Improved
(41:10) Some Grandparents are Upsizing
(42:14) Conclusion

Our guest this episode is Brian Orlando — CPA and creator of the fast-growing Canadian personal finance account @CalmMoneyCoach. Brian has over 15 years of experience across accounting, finance and tech, before recently leaving the corporate world to pursue financial coaching full time. His mission is simple: reduce money stress and help people build plans they can actually stick to.

In this conversation, Dave and Brian explore why simplicity is often the most powerful strategy in personal finance — from automating savings and avoiding high-fee products to cutting through common misconceptions around RRSPs and investing. They also dive into real-world challenges Canadians are facing today, including the rising cost of living, lifestyle inflation and the pressure to “keep up.” Along the way, Brian shares practical insights on everything from the Smith Maneuver to employer RRSP matching, renting vs. buying, insurance decisions and how to make smarter financial choices in your 30s and beyond.

If you’re looking for straightforward, no-nonsense financial advice that actually works in the real world, this episode is packed with practical takeaways you can implement right away.

 

Show Notes

(00:00) Intro & Disclaimer

(00:55) Intro to Brian Orlando (The Calm Money Coach)

(02:26) Brian’s Background & Career Path

(05:37) How Brian Grew His Audience for Calm Money Coach

(07:55) Why Simplicity Beats Complexity in Investing

(11:03) Automating Savings & Paying Yourself First

(11:54) The Downside of Fintech Platforms & Expensive Investment Products

(13:52) The Rising Cost of Living & Financial Desperation

(16:10) The Smith Maneuver Explained

(23:08) Financial Advice for Canadians in Their 30s

(27:55) Canada is Lucky to Have Great Financial Educators

(29:59) RRSP Misconceptions & Tax Efficiency

(32:59) Getting Good Advice for Retirement is Financially and Emotionally Beneficial

(36:30) Will People Get Married in Retirement for the Tax Advantages?

(37:50) Rent vs. Buying a Home

(43:45) The FHSA & Its Triple Tax Advantage

(44:21) Term vs. Whole Life Insurance

(47:10) Employer Matching on Group RRSP & Fees

(49:46) Overspending on Cars & Lifestyle Inflation

(52:32) Conclusion