1477 | Feelings Function as Information

About this episode

Carl Richards explores how feelings serve as data in decision making, particularly regarding money.

In this episode, Carl continues his exploration of the idea that feelings are data by introducing the concept of “affect as information.” Drawing from established research, he examines how we constantly use our emotions as a source of information when making decisions—often without realizing it. Rather than treating feelings as something separate from rational thinking, Carl explores how they may be an essential part of how humans navigate uncertainty, assess situations, and make sense of the world, especially when it comes to money and the choices that matter most. Want more from Carl? Get the shortest, most impactful weekly email on the web! Sign up for the Weekly Letter from Certified Financial Planner™ and New York Times columnist Carl Richards here: https://behaviorgap.com/

People in this episode

Host: Carl Richards

Topics covered

• emotions
• decision making
• affect as information
• money
• uncertainty

Keywords

• feelings
• data
• decision making
• emotions
• money
• uncertainty
• affect

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Times, Certified Financial Planner™, behaviorgap.com

More episodes of Behavior Gap Radio

• 1478 | You Already Know · June 12, 2026 · 9 min
• 1476 | Without Feeling, Thinking Gets Worse · June 9, 2026 · 5 min
• 1475 | Feelings Are at the Center · June 8, 2026 · 4 min
• 1474 | Financial Planning Begins With Feeling · June 5, 2026 · 9 min
• 1473 | A Partner, Not a Path · June 4, 2026 · 3 min
• 1472 | The Time to Awareness · June 3, 2026 · 6 min