Episode 274: A Live 5-Year Rational Reminder Retrospective (and Creating Superfans with Brittany Hodak)

In this episode, we are trying something different. Recorded live at the CFA Society’s Toronto Annual Wealth Conference, we take an exclusive look at the origins and evolution of the Rational Reminder Podcast through an interview with Ben and Cameron. From motivations for starting the podcast to favourite episodes and guests, we delve into the behind-the-scenes of the show. Discover how the podcast has grown, the impact it's had on listeners, and the exciting global reach it's achieved. Get an exclusive look at the challenges, regrets, and valuable lessons learned along the way. Then, we are joined by Mark McGrath to explore common pitfalls of ITF accounts, providing listeners with valuable information to help them make the right decisions for their investments. Finally, we welcome special guest Brittany Hodak, author of Creating Superfans, which unpacks the concept of turning customers into passionate fans of your brand. Brittany shares her insights on the power of storytelling in business and how to create Superfans who will champion your brand. We explore the concept of the experience economy, the right approach to investing in marketing for your business, and much more! Join us for this extraordinary episode that blends wealth management insights, podcasting wisdom, and the secrets to cultivating Superfans. Whether you're a long-time Rational Reminder listener or a business owner seeking to supercharge customer loyalty, this episode has something for everyone. Tune in now!

 

Key Points From This Episode:

 

(0:04:32) Introduction to Ben and Cameron’s interview at the 2023 Annual Wealth Conference. 

(0:07:15) Learn about the average listener base for the show, the active Rational Reminder community, and how the podcast has grown over time. 

(0:10:08) The global reach of the podcast, how it has benefitted business, and a look back at the first episode of Rational Reminder. 

(0:13:19) What Ben and Cameron originally envisioned, how they met, and what motivated them to start a podcast. 

(0:15:17) Insights into the cost of the show, the shift from audio only, and the appetite for long-form content. 

(0:18:18) Their favourite episodes and guests, keeping content balanced, and how the reading challenge was started. 

(0:25:25) Attracting big industry names to the podcast, their dream guests, and the episodes that did not go to plan. 

(0:31:28) Advice for aspiring podcasters, the amount of work the show takes, and their biggest lessons so far. 

(0:37:02) Ben and Cameron share their reading habits and the books they think everyone should read and why. 

(0:40:14) Why they work so well together, plans for the future, and what they wish they knew before starting the podcast. 

(0:43:14) Ben and Cameron each share their definition of success, and final words of advice for listeners. 

(0:45:46) Mark to Market: exploring the ins and outs of ITF accounts to avoid common mistakes.

(0:55:04) Introducing today’s guest, Brittany Hodak, and her fascinating book, Superfans. 

(0:56:51) Brittany explains some basic definitions and the power of storytelling for your business. 

(0:59:50) Why storytelling has become a potent marketing technique, and why Superfans are important to building a successful business. 

(1:02:53) Unpacking the Superfan personality, how they can be created, and identifying your customer’s story. 

(1:08:47) Defining the experience economy and its impact on customer expectations. 

(1:12:38) Recommendations for how businesses should approach investing in marketing. 

(1:14:11) The after-show: trip highlights, listener reviews, and more! 

 

Books From Today’s Episode:

The Fiscal Theory of the Price Level — https://www.amazon.com/Fiscal-Theory-Price-Level/dp/0691242240

How to Change — https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Science-Getting-Where/dp/059308375X

Get It Done — https://www.amazon.com/Get-Done-Surprising-Lessons-Motivation/dp/0316538361/

Your Future Self — https://www.amazon.com/Your-Future-Self-Tomorrow-Better/dp/B0BJ554T6M/

Like the Best Podcast — https://open.spotify.com/show/22fi0RqfoBACCuQDv97wFO

Deep Work — https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692

Storyworthy — https://www.amazon.com/Storyworthy-Engage-Persuade-through-Storytelling/dp/1608685489

Financial Market History — https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Market-History-Reflections-Investors-ebook/dp/B06WVBHK72/

The Great Depression: A Diary — https://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Depression-audiobook/dp/B0030HF9F6/

Using Behavioral Science in Marketing — https://www.amazon.com/Using-Behavioral-Science-Marketing-Instinctive/dp/1398606685/

Clear Thinking — https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Thinking/dp/0593716213

 

Links From Today’s Episode:

Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582.

Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/

Shop Merch — https://shop.rationalreminder.ca/

Join the Community — https://community.rationalreminder.ca/

Follow us on X — https://twitter.com/RationalRemind

Follow us on Instagram — @rationalreminder

Benjamin on X — https://twitter.com/benjaminwfelix

Cameron on X — https://twitter.com/CameronPassmore

Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/

Mark McGrath on X - https://twitter.com/MarkMcGrathCFP

Mark McGrath on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmcgrathcfp/

Brittany Hodak — https://brittanyhodak.com/

Brittany Hodak on X — https://twitter.com/BrittanyHodak

Brittany Hodak on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/brittanyhodak/

Brittany Hodak on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/BrittanyHodak

Brittany Hodak on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyhodak/

Creating Superfans — https://www.amazon.com/Creating-Superfans-Five-Step-Multiplying-Reputation/dp/1774580780

Annual Wealth Conference 2023 — https://web.cvent.com/event/874a7379-a0cb-4b91-ad18-c46daf17b685/summary

Rational Reminder Episode 1: The Cheapest Advice Probably isn't the Best — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/1

Rational Reminder Episode 100: Prof. Kenneth French — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/100

Rational Reminder Episode 169: Prof. John Cochrane — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/169

Rational Reminder Episode 171: Prof. Campbell R. Harvey — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/171

Rational Reminder Episode 200: Prof. Eugene Fama — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/200

Rational Reminder Episode 224: Prof. Scott Cederburg — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/224

Rational Reminder Episode 226: Colonel Chris Hadfield — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/226

Rational Reminder Episode 268: Itzhak Ben-David — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/268

Rational Reminder Episode 271: Expected Returns of the AI Revolution (plus People are Lying to You About Money w/ Anthony Walsh) — https://rationalreminder.ca/podcast/271