If you want to learn how to invest, this episode of the Unlimited Podcast isn’t for you. Brian sits down with renowned investor Barry Ritholtz to talk about his new book How Not to Invest. They explore Barry’s irreverent communication style, the creation of Ritholtz Wealth Management, his belief that “nobody knows anything,” and much more.
Barry Ritholtz is one of the most influential voices in modern finance known for blending behavioural insight with data-driven analysis. As co-founder, chairman, and CIO of Ritholtz Wealth Management (founded in 2013), he oversees a multibillion-dollar advisory firm built on transparency, fiduciary duty, and client alignment.
He’s also a celebrated writer and media figure. Barry created the award-winning blog The Big Picture (founded in 1998, relaunched on TypePad in 2003), which has drawn tens of millions of readers and remains one of the most respected financial blogs online. His commentary has appeared in Bloomberg Opinion, The Washington Post, and across major financial media outlets, including Bloomberg Television.
Barry authored the bestseller Bailout Nation (2009), a sharp critique of the 2008 financial crisis, and his latest book How Not to Invest: The Ideas, Numbers, and Behaviors That Destroy Wealth and How to Avoid Them (March 2025) continues his mission to help investors avoid costly mistakes.
He also hosts Bloomberg Radio’s Masters in Business podcast, featuring long-form interviews with leading investors, economists, and business thinkers.
Barry holds a B.A. in Political Science (with a Philosophy minor) from Stony Brook University and a J.D. (cum laude) from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He lives on Long Island, New York, with his wife and two dogs.
Timestamps
0:00 Disclaimer & Intro
7:11 What inspired Barry's career?
11:01 Barry's "Day Job" at Ritholtz Wealth Management
15:22 Humour & Professionalism
19:12 What inspired How NOT to Invest?
23:19 Learning from the two Charlies
30:50 Nobody knows anything
38:06 What might investors be blind to?
42:40 The power of saying "I don't know"
48:01 If Barry could do anything, what would it be?
50:17 Outro