Radical Personal Finance

1,828
Investing #92

Joshua J Sheats, MSFS, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CAP, RHU, REBC is a financial planner who teaches people how to live a rich life now while building a plan for financial freedom in 10 years or less. He mixes creative approaches to lifestyle design, deep-dive financial planning techniques, and hard-core business strategy to equip you with the knowledge and inspiration you need to build financial independence.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • jski94
    Religious Zealot
    I’ve been listening to Joshua’s podcast since 2016, so I’ve obviously gotten something positive out of it. He’s very knowledgeable when it comes to financial and insurance matters, but over the years his right-wing religious zealotry has become a much larger part of the show. He says some really wacky things about women, education, gender roles, his imaginary friend in the sky etc. It’s reached a point where that sort of nonsense makes an appearance in nearly every episode. Sorry, Joshua, you’ve lost another loyal listener with your narrow minded and backwards world view. ✌️
  • S. E. R. 123
    Very Socially Removed Podcast Host
    Before I share my review, know that I very rarely leave negative reviews, however I feel compelled to share my thoughts for this podcast. I work in healthcare, have my doctorate, have been on the path to financial independence since 2018, have done a fair bit of world traveling, and I continue to sop up any information I can to better my life. I used to enjoy listening to this podcast, and over the years his financial advice has been helpful. However, the podcast’s “about” section needs to be changed to at least hint about the religious/conservative ideals infused throughout every episode. It’s gotten worse over time, and the episode titled “Lessons I Learned From Six Countries in Asia” from Oct 10th is what put me over the edge. I understand the low birth rates in developed countries is a big problem, but it’s like he can’t understand why it’s happening. As he’s talking about South Korea, he obviously failed to educated himself on the movement that a large amount of South Korean women started in 2019 to fight against dangerous beauty standards, structural misogyny, and gender discrimination. He sees the world through the lens of a conservative, white, religious man, and he obviously has little empathy and understanding for other types of people and cultures throughout the world. Joshua, if you want the birth rates to improve, you might want to focus on the deep roots of the social problems and less through the lens of Christianity. Until then, your views on the subject aren’t compelling! I will never listen to this podcast ever again. Thankfully there are plenty of other wonderful places to find great information that aren’t so bias.
  • cdrghvdstujjnbvnk
    Religion, religion, religion.
    Beware, after listening to a great episode and actually buying a recommended book before reaching the end of the show, he slipped in a Christian religion comment about sin. I let it pass because everything else was so good. But another episode was full religious force, and I realized he’s just another car salesman, although for luxury cars. I’m having quite a time looking for financial advice that doesn’t include manipulation into a religion (AKA a marketing scheme). On to the next!
  • C. Schwartz
    The real deal
    First time ever writing a review for something…because I was so blown away by your episode ‘Advice for a happy life’! I can tell you are living one since every point you bought up rings true and has always been true for generations but has gotten lost over time. Thank you for being a pioneer in this space!
  • Does my opinion finally count
    Killing it brother!!!
    So much appreciate your logical, wise and compassionate Christian view on life. You are an absolute inspiration to me. This is coming from someone who is not traditionally a dreamer. You deliver the information to help my everyday life and at the same time make me think outside the box about mundane life. Keep up the excellent work.
  • NJCPA
    Podcast should be renamed Radical Religious Right Dogma
    Warning…the show has slowly morphed from a personal finance podcast to religious right evangelical propaganda. Under the guise of “serving his audience” he’s now releasing podcasts telling his audience who to marry, how many children to have, when to get married, etc. The podcast has gotten extremely preachy and manipulative of its audience. He really should change the name of the podcast and be honest with his listeners regarding the actual theme of the show.
  • shootthemoonmom
    Josh has a great show
    Josh is a solid and devoted Christian who wants to improve the lives of others. I appreciate his show tremendously.
  • RyanRav12
    The Ultimate Freedom Machine
    I’ve listened to many episodes over the years, but this episode was terrible in its application and applicability to your average household. 91.5 percent of US households own cars for a multitude of reasons - most importantly, many people need them. I’m not talking about Uber and for hire drivers who make a living utilizing automobiles for income, nor the person who owns a fleet of U-Haul trucks. I’m talking about individuals with families, the disabled, folks in urban and rural areas, and in some cases the elderly (individuals with vestibular, physical, and sensory challenges). Yes, once upon a time cars were merely a symbol of prestige and class - most people couldn’t afford them. But thanks to our competitive market, the assembly line, and the creation of reliable cars that require less maintenance (as an example, oil change intervals at 10k miles versus 3k), automobile ownership strikes me as a low contender when it comes to a discussion on the “ultimate freedom machine” (though I do agree that many people driving “ultimate driving machines” [BMWs] might be handcuffed to their mechanics). I concede that while this episode might be an eye opener for those who live in cities with mass transportation, it’s not practicable across the board. My opinion: a 40 minute podcast discussing financial responsibility and freedom should have broader applicability.
  • dont be a troll
    Long discussion on morality of abortion
    Just so you are aware there are medical situations in early gestation that put the mothers life at risk. If undiagnosed it can cause her to become barren or worse she can bleed out. I was very opposed to all forms of abortion, until my sister almost died from an ectopic that ruptured on her way home from a drs Apt. when my very first pregnancy was a ectopic I knew my risk of a second was higher. I have a child now after 2 medically terminated ectopic pregnancies. An ectopic is not going to result in a full term healthy baby, and if allowed to progress can cause the woman to loose any chance of future pregnancy. For this reason I’m no longer able to be completely against abortion. It should be used in extreme conditions not as a second form of birth control.
  • AkShlee
    Mostly good
    I like the financial advice, the religion piece gets old.
  • KC Kardan
    Excellent Podcast
    Thank you for your informative and thoughtful podcast. I’m so happy to hear historical and not hysterical thoughts on immigration. I’m a proud granddaughter of European immigrants who came for a better life. My Dad was a soldier in the Korean War. Most immigrants I know are hard working tax payers who contribute to our country.
  • kegroh
    Absolute Best in Investing
    Phenomenal. And outside the box way to invest. Just just money, but your kids, education, family, resources. This podcast reframed my brain into understand there are more ways to invest than just money.
  • KCKCTOM
    Financial literacy for adults
    I’ve greatly enjoyed this podcast and the nuance that Joshua provides. I could literally respond to a Dave Ramsey podcast caller but I find I’m still learning new things after listening here for years.
  • Montara California.
    Awesome podcast
    Answers lots of questions. Rational. Well researched. Practical. Trackles some subjects youll never hear any where else.
  • LO101518
    More homeschooling shows
    This show felt a bit irrelevant to me until the homeschool series. Living internationally? We are over here trying to afford a simple homeschooling lifestyle on one income and wondering if we are doing the wrong thing financially because everyone around us is dual income. I’m still not sure if we are doing it correctly financially, but the homeschooling series has been so insightful and is a topic no one else in the financial world is addressing. I LOVED the most recent episode enough to come rate the show. Thank you for your insight!
  • MacUser247
    Host is too full of himself
    It’s clear that the host is way too full of himself. In Q&A episodes, a caller asks a question and then the host mutes the caller and attempts to say as much about the general topic as possible to make himself sound smart, but he often doesn’t even answer the question. The show is supposed to be about gaining financial independence quickly, but discusses everything but that. Recently, the show turned into constant pressure to buy the host’s online courses on topics that he doesn’t seem to be an expert on.
  • Teniente Columbo
    I much prefer the non-purely-finance episodes!
    I really like that RPF isn’t only about pure finances, but also/mostly about how to live an satisfactory and fulfilling life. In my opinion, Joshua’s episodes and Q&As on multilingualism and on raising children are golden and deserve the hugest recognizition.
  • CarlsonfaMN
    Homeschooling encouragement
    The episodes on investing in your children’s education has been very insightful and encouraging. I already had many of the ideas and practices in place that are mentioned, but it is always good to be reminded of what I’m doing and why and re-evaluate to see if I’m truly hitting or on the course to hit the targets we’ve set. The only *major* thing lacking IMO is show notes! That took my review down to 4 stars.
  • myboondoggle
    This show has gotten way off topic.
    10 shows on educating children! You need to start a new podcast on this topic and get this one back to finance. You have wore me down, I am no longer a listener.
  • ExpensiveGymMember
    best well rounded podcast about personal finance
    I have learned a lot from Josh through his podcast. He’s extremely knowledgeable and answers a lot of questions that myself and other listeners have - in what appears to be all sectors of finance whether it be business, taxation, personal finance, living in foreign places & how to make that work, the kind of investments and retirement accounts to think about and invest in for your future, etc. He balances the line between actionable steps and being conversational at the same time very well. Just signed up for a personal consult with him!
  • moneywins2020
    Really enjoying his series on how to invest in your children!
    So many thought provoking ideas. Radical life changing ideas. I look forward to every new episode. Parenting right is a big job and we need all the wisdom possible, Joshua has clearly put in the time to think through a lot of issues I haven’t from what to look for in a spouse to how to eat properly to have the best chance of growing and raising healthy children, to how to introduce math and language and on and on. Keep up the good work!
  • mkduran
    Left this podcast years ago because he was arrogant
    I think I made it through a few episodes back in the day, maybe 2017? It was clear pretty quickly he was arrogant. He didn’t cover anything complex or groundbreaking but self-proclaimed his podcast to be like a masters program compared to other material out there that was supposedly more elementary. After hearing that a few times I decided not to waste my time. Came across this again when I was searching for someone that gives actual good information (jake desyllas) who was a guest here. Decided to check reviews and turns out he’s still arrogant and now goes on contradictory rants. Not surprising and glad i didn’t invest another minute to listening!!
  • John3:16EternalLife
    Great show!
    Thanks Joshua! I always learn something new from your show.
  • chelsea-jetpack workflow user
    Do you want financial tru
    Good episode 2-23-23. I’m a tax professional and find that this podcast adds to my confirmation bias which means closer to the truth. Love the bit about hedonism! Financial behavior is downstream of culture & values system… and quantifiable which is why I love it. Keep up the great work!
  • FI_Bro
    Other reviews covered it well, but mostly for the wrong reasons.
    Joshua’s thought process for evaluating financial situations /opportunities, as well as his range of knowledge are so valuable. I learned a lot from this podcast. I’m leaving because there hasn’t been a whole lot of deep content lately, and that’s okay because finance doesn’t change too much. Just listen to the backlog up through 2019 and try to ignore the political/idealogical comments that don’t add value to the show. Joshua if you’re reading this, I recommend you release fewer, more targeted high quality episodes on personal finance. Or at least separate the ideology into their own episodes. You are free to talk about what you want on your show, but most of the hot topics aren’t what your audience comes for. I don’t necessarily oppose all of your views, but they’re mostly a distraction from the core theme of a show.
  • Jacksauce3474
    Thank you Joshua
    This review is a small token of my gratitude for the excellent advice and guidance that Joshua provides on a variety of topics
  • Carissa1235
    5 stars and beyond
    I’ve listened to Joshua for 6 years. In that time I’ve eliminated debt, started a business, had children, moved across the country and I can thank Joshua for encouragement and practical advice on each of these topics through his podcast. Joshua please never stop! Your content is amazing!
  • DavidBrookings
    I have learned so much!!!
    Joshua has so much knowledge and wisdom to share. He is an excellent teacher! He covers a vast array of topics and makes them clear. He helps his listeners take this information and apply it to their own lives. He doesn’t assume his audience knows everything, but never talks down to them either. I have learned so much from this show. Other than a one or two shows I might have missed by accident, I have heard them all. Never a waste of my time. Loyal listener for years—and for years to come. Thanks Joshua!
  • chrisrose41
    Meh
    Ever since COVID, his show has become less about offering useful financial advice, and more about espousing tired and lazy conservative takes on the hot-button issue of the day. It all boils down to government=bad. Truly thought-provoking stuff. If you want some useful financial advice, you’ll have to comb through his pretty substantial library to find it. I won’t deny that some episodes are helpful for financial planning. Otherwise, you can find plenty of other podcasts that complain about mask mandates, student loan forgiveness, abortion, public school (“government-mandated schooling”) or whatever right-wing grievance is happening on Twitter that week, elsewhere. Pass.
  • MontanaRuss
    Favorite show
    This is my favorite podcast I stream. Joshua does a great job with all the shows. I’m the world needs more guys like Joshua, and I appreciate his willingness to share his opinions, thoughts, and knowledge. keep up the good work
  • Michael freeloader
    Good technicals, the rest schizophrenic.
    I was a true fan, supporting him on Patreon for a while and buying one of his courses. I came very close to paying for personal coaching. I'm glad I didn't, and he would not want my money anyway. His technical information is vast and precise. I appreciate that. But... The rest is confusing and insulting. He did an entire episode on the moral duty of obeying the rulers. Then he rails against everything they do, everyone who enforces the law, and calls them immoral. He tells you to keep every law. Then he asks for money for Venezuela but can't tell you details because he's violating the law. Then he claims to be a Christian, and in a recent episode tells us that all beaurocrats are stupid and immigration employees are all especially "very stupid." How many hundreds of thousands of people is that? Joshua, there's a verse about whoever calls his brother "fool." For all the talk about building memories with others, he lacks any sense of community. He makes is clear that when a situation gets difficult or dangerous, he's gone. I'm tired of being insulted. If you are an employee of the government or especially law enforcement, or love someone who is, this podcast will be more infuriating than helpful. After all the dangerous situations I've faced, I no longer welcome the cheap opinion of someone who talks for a living.
  • Knufflebunny14
    Mostly very good, sometimes a little misguided.
    Joshua has very good information on personal finance, prepping, and general life planning. I appreciate his willingness to explain his rationale about how and why he suggests things. He provide helpful and very detailed tips on what steps take taking an action (buying a car, preparing for a recession, etc.) They've been very useful over the years. I also understand that his political and religious beliefs, which are sometimes polar opposite of mine, factor into his decisions and explanations. Happily he is very purposely transparent with his beliefs and he lets his listeners know when something is based on tested best practices or when he's making decisions on moral convictions. I appreciate his honesty and integrity in this. What I stuggle with here, which makes it difficult to listen to sometimes, is that although its clear Joshua has an interest in how policy, law, and business intersect and impacts his personal and financial decisions, it's doesn't always seem like he has a clear understanding of how those forces actually work which makes the logical progression of his decision process a little hard to listen to. For instance, the strength of the US dollar as an international currency reserve, our ability to keep global trade moving freely, and our foreign allies willingness to purchase US debts even with an ever increasing federal deficit will factor into whether we decide to raise taxes and reduce our federal spending long before a bunch of local politicians rhetoric that debt=bad does. But if you listening to old episodes about deficit and defaults, and are making decisions about the future of your family in a country based on bigger deficit=bad, you are making a misinformed decisions based on too simplified, and perhaps accidentally biased, understanding of what's happening. This is not to say Joshua is wrong for trying to consider these things together to make decisions, I just wish he'd take a deeper look at these topics, or maybe expand out of where he's getting info from now, and try to learn more about them. There's much more at play that affects personal finances than just US domestic conservative vs liberal political infighting. Or rather, neither rand paul nor nancy pelosi seem to have a problem increasing our national debt when they can make insider trades on the companies we just gave government money to so perhaps looking beyond domestic deficit rhetoric to what impacts our reserve status from a foreign perspective would be more useful if one is trying to make decisions about the safety of the US dollar. That requires expanding his world of information sources which I hope he does because he's really quite an interesting and unique thinker in the personal finance space otherwise.
  • seanm447
    Great strategy and tactics
    I don’t agree with everything Joshua says, but the framing on so many ideas that he has provided in episodes throughout the catalog has been deeply helpful to me, and I would recommend it to anyone.
  • Bparker125
    A wealth of knowledge!
    Joshua, I love your show, especially your Q and A’s. You’re ability to speak intelligently on such a variety of topics is impressive and full of great advice. I do wish some of the content was a bit more direct and pointed towards the stated objective of financial freedom in 10 years or less.
  • michael-j-e44
    Extremely thoughtful and insightful
    I’ve been listening to RPF for a few years now. I really enjoy the topics Joshua talks about and the Friday Q&A’s. I’ve learned how to live a rich life now while also planning to build wealth in the future.
  • diggermcg
    More than financial planning
    Expert financial planning show and so much more. The driving factor throughout the shows is how to plan a rich life. His expertise in financial products is olympic level, but more importantly his understanding that maximizing value and stability has more to do with spiritual growth and faith and less to do with the mechanics of your planning. He is a true desciple with the God given ability to help others quietly without making a big deal about it all the while being humble and highly respectful to all his callers. On one of his shows he took the time to read aloud Hans Christian Anderson’s “A Christmas Carol”. My daughters and I listened to the whole show in one sittting.
  • Nord du Nord
    I used to love this podcast
    It’s now in my view not good. I lost a detailed review due to trying to do this on iTunes Podcast in my opinion 1. He suffers in advice from severe survivor bias 2. He oversells the need for his services 3. His about turn on crypto is survivor bias to a ridiculous degree 4. His precious metals view is as tin foil hat as crypto. He has no proof that Russians who are sanctioned can trade crypto which is more easily traceable than other assets 5. He allows people who seem like grifters or at least people who offer services that are rarely of use to normal people shill their courses to his listeners I say this all with a heavy heart. I love much of what Josh says, but at the end of the day I think he’s a salesman selling stuff that rarely works but is based on survivor bias. Mutual finds in my opinion are better than all this nonsense. And if the entire US stock market and economy is destroyed, does any of the survivor bias advice really work for the individual or would society be back to tribal conflicts?
  • Heudjejsuxhdndbxhd
    off putting
    some of the content is good. sometimes it’s preachy. he’s very opinionated without always backing it up, and it sometimes comes to bite him when talking to guests on the show. his way of speaking comes off as pretentious with the over annunciation of Ts. i don’t know or care about his political party but some of the opinionated phrases that come through suggest how he views women and immigrants, and it’s not cool.
  • WopYoJaw
    Alternative Perspectives Needed
    Radical Personal Finance tackles so many topics from alternative perspectives that might be considered more “conservative” leaning. A must listen If you truly want to challenge your thinking and stop living in an echo chamber.
  • Tucson Retiree Grandma
    Balancing money with life, or how Scrooge discovered joy
    Thanks for your skilled and very pleasant reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Linked to by my favorite finance guy, son Matt Miner, MinerWealth and Work Pants Finance. Merry Christmas and Happy Financial Planning in 2022. Beth Miner/Tucson, AZ
  • obliger 102
    Good insight
    Rather unique perspectives on life & finances. I found his emergency preparedness info last year unique and helpful, even if slightly extreme. Unfollowing now thanks to comments like “want to get a prostitute? Go to Costa Rica”
  • sunflower@sea
    Bye bye
    Promoting the leathal jab and vaccine cards? Look what is going on in Australia. Are we kidding?? Will not follow anymore!
  • BQBerry
    Deep thinker
    Joshua’s perspectives have never failed to make me expand my own. He shares his thought process in addition to his conclusions, which is key to enable each of us to make our own individual decisions. And he doesn’t shy away from the politically incorrect which I LOVE! Thank you for not self-censoring.
  • kylekues
    I’m out
    I’m out at the point at which he live-streamed the Rittenhouse verdict. Not because of the verdict, or even that he did stream it (though I specifically follow this show because things like politics were left out of the discussion save necessary law change discussions of course). He lost when he talked about how he was happy because Kyle is 17, and really believed he could make a difference and do something. And then essentially compared the tragic result of his actions to how Joshua would serve with hurricane relief efforts at that age because he wanted to make a difference. I’m done with the show after having listened to a couple years, really enjoyed a lot of the old back catalogue too. Oh well, plenty of other financial shows out there.
  • Samx39
    Thank you Joshua
    Solid podcast. Thank you for helping us look at things from different angles.
  • MannersCanBeFun
    Deleted episode
    I am now listening to this podcast!!! You spoke the truth :).
  • Jewsmith
    He teaches you how to think, not what to think.
    Great podcast that will teach you financial principals that apply to more then just finance.
  • Their disgusting
    He has lost.
    He is seriously advising to forge vaccination cards and commit a punishable law offense.
  • A Digital Nomad Abroad
    Anti-masker Nut, Whose Advice is to Be Rich Already
    Listened to an episode. His initial advice for personal finance is to be rich. Not how to get reach. Just be rich. Already. He proceeds to lament that he traveled Europe and had to observe protocols in France. He comes across as a Covid denier and anti-masker.
  • jmr580
    Great podcast!
    Great podcast. It has kept my attention for years and I’ve learned a lot and been very inspired by Joshua’s perspective!
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