NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet built its reputation by making financial product comparisons transparent and data-driven. The Smart Money Podcast extends that same approach into audio, covering the full range of money decisions people actually face -- from choosing a high-yield savings account to building an investment portfolio to navigating a home purchase. Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner keep things conversational without dumbing anything down. A typical episode opens with a listener question, then brings in a NerdWallet specialist to break down the answer with specifics. Not vague principles, but actual numbers: what interest rate makes refinancing worth it, how much emergency fund you really need based on your expenses, what the tax difference is between a traditional and Roth 401(k) at different income levels. The investing coverage is practical rather than speculative. You'll hear about target-date funds, total market index funds, tax-loss harvesting, and how to evaluate expense ratios. They explain concepts at a level that assumes intelligence but not expertise, which hits a sweet spot for people who are past the basics but not ready for deep stock analysis. Episodes run about 20 to 30 minutes and release weekly, sometimes more often when a major financial news event warrants extra coverage. The NerdWallet brand gives them access to solid data and research teams, and that shows in the quality of the recommendations. This is a particularly good fit for people who are making real financial decisions right now and want clear, specific guidance they can act on immediately.