The Rational Reminder Podcast

Nov 21 2024 353 ep. 59 mins 5.3k
The Rational Reminder Podcast artwork

A weekly reality check on sensible investing and financial decision-making, from two Canadians. Hosted by Benjamin Felix and Cameron Passmore, Portfolio Managers at PWL Capital.

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Episode 332 - Randolph Cohen & Michael Green: How Concerned Should We Be About Index Funds?

Nov 21 2024 117 mins  
Hosts Ben Felix and Cameron Passmore welcome Harvard Business School senior lecturer Randy Cohen and Simplify Asset Management's Mike Green for an in-depth debate about passive investing's impact on financial markets. They explore whether the rise of index funds and target date funds poses systemic risks, discussing market efficiency, price elasticity, and implications for investor

Episode 331 - Cameron in Norway: The Indexing Revolution, and Key Lessons from Past Guests

Nov 14 2024 60 mins  
In today's episode, Cameron sits down with Mark McGrath to talk about his trip to Trondheim, Norway, the event he attended there, and his presentation in which he shared top lessons from prestigious Rational Reminder Podcast guests. Tuning in, you'll hear Cameron's top takeaways from conversations with Nobel laureate Eugene Fama and his collaborator Kenneth French, as well as Rober

Episode 330 - Davidson Heath: How Are Index Funds Affecting Financial Markets and Corporate Governance?

Nov 07 2024 44 mins  
What happens when index investing dominates the market? In this episode, we’re joined by Davidson Heath, Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business, to explore this question and its surprising answers. Davidson’s research dives into the unintended impacts of passive investing, examining how it influences price stability, corporate g

Episode 329 - Optimal Education Savings, Withdrawals, and Asset Allocation

Oct 31 2024 81 mins  
Unlocking the power of education savings is often a complex task, but with the right strategies, a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can be a game-changer for Canadian families planning their children's future. In this episode, Ben Felix, Dan Bortolotti, and Mark McGrath take a deep dive into the mechanics of the RESP, covering everything from optimal contributions and grant

Episode 328 - Prof. Stephen R. Foerster: Pursuing the Perfect Portfolio

Oct 24 2024 69 mins  
Have you ever wondered how the world's top financial thinkers shaped the way we invest today? In this episode, Ben and Cameron sit down with Professor Stephen Foerster from the Ivey Business School to explore the evolution of modern investing. As a distinguished financial expert and co-author of In Pursuit of the Perfect Portfolio, Professor Foerster dives into the groundbreaking w

Episode 327 - Building Better Portfolios with Don Calcagni

Oct 17 2024 58 mins  
What does it take to manage a $60 billion wealth management firm while keeping investment strategies grounded in scientific thinking? In this episode, we’re joined by Don Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer at Mercer Advisors. Don chairs the firm’s investment committee and provides guidance on mergers and acquisitions, investment integration, and long-term strategic planning. Hi

Episode 326 - Dr. Sunil Wahal: Applying Financial Science

Oct 10 2024 76 mins  
What are the critical factors driving investment success? How can investors balance profitability and risk? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sunil Wahal, the Jack D. Furst Professor of Finance and Director of the Center for Responsible Investing at the W.P Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, to delve into the intricacies of financial science. With over 25 yea

Episode 325: Addressing 200+ Comments on Renting vs. Owning a Home

Oct 03 2024 43 mins  
There are many different considerations behind housing when you are in the position to choose between renting or buying. During this episode, hosted by Ben Felix and Dan Bortolotti, we address user questions and comments on homeownership, rentals, and the factors that may lead to choosing one over the other. We discuss what makes homeownership more attractive as your financial situ

Episode 324 - Dr. Bryan Taylor: Lessons from Market History (1600-2024)

Sep 26 2024 64 mins  
Have you ever wondered how financial markets performed centuries ago or how world events impacted stock prices? Today, we sit down with Dr. Bryan Taylor, President and Chief Economist at Global Financial Data, to unpack the world’s fascinating financial history. Dr. Taylor is known for his extensive work in collecting and analyzing historical financial data that spans several cen

Episode 323 - Renting Versus Buying a Home in Canada 2005-2024

Sep 19 2024 79 mins  
Is renting just “throwing money away,” or could it be the smarter financial choice? In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most debated topics in personal finance: renting versus owning a home. In our conversation, we discuss the nuances of renting versus owning, the hidden costs of buying a home, and the importance of saving discipline. Tuning in, you’ll discover how