Best Michael Fink Podcasts (2026)

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Michael Finke: Why Annuities Make Sense Right Now (From the Vault) 48:07

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9d ago48:07

48:07

In this episode, The Annuity Man and Michael Finke discuss: Annuities are more attractive today Protecting your future lifestyle Cutting little slices from the birthday cake There's no perfect product to solve for inflation Key Takeaways: At the time of this episode's taping, near-retirees can lock in 5.2% on five-year MYGAs for the next five years…

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Is This Thing On? 2:28:30

11h ago2:28:30

2:28:30

Testing, testing…does anybody know? Is this thing on? It depends on who you ask, frankly. The Blank Check team are divided on Bradley Cooper’s latest offering, the divorce dramedy Is This Thing On? Can you just walk in off the street to do an open mic at the Comedy Cellar? No. Is Peyton Manning one of our finest athlete actors? Yes. Is Griffin’s op…

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Introducing Critical Darlings 1:25:39

7m ago1:25:39

1:25:39

Welcome to Critical Darlings, a new podcast miniseries from Blank Check: A conversation about the awards season conversation, one contender at a time. On Critical Darlings, critics and Blank Check alumni Richard Lawson and Alison Willmore guide you through the state of the Oscars race, from the precursors, to the campaigns, to the nominees themselv…

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The New Financial "F" Word: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 8:43

3h ago8:43

8:43

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Questioning the fiduciary label Recognizing bad advice despite credentials Performing personal due diligence Choosing advisors carefully and staying informed Key Takeaways: "Fiduciary" is often misused by advisors as a marketing badge rather than a guarantee of acting in the client's best interest. Consum…

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Terry Savage: Chicken Money Is Still Tasty (From the Vault) 47:01

3h ago47:01

47:01

In this episode, The Annuity Man and Terry Savage discuss: What is "chicken money"? Considering future crises in your financial plan Seeking trusted advisors Building an income floor Key Takeaways: Your "chicken money" is money that you can't afford to lose. CDs, treasury bills, money markets, AAA municipal bonds, and MYGAs are suitable options. MY…

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Voltus Co-Founder and CEO Dana Guernsey 1:26:37

7d ago1:26:37

1:26:37

As an aging grid faces rising demand, increasing complexity, and more frequent stress events, one thing has become clear: we don’t just need more power, we need power that can show up at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price. What’s far less settled is how we get there. Should large energy users build their own power? Should th…

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The Slower You Go the More You Can See 36:30

10d ago36:30

36:30

Join us on patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind Speed narrows perception. Stillness restores it. Inspired by the wisdom that when thought settles, reality becomes visible, this conversation is a meditation on slowness as a way of seeing—truly seeing. Through the symbolism of the Winter Solstice, the costs of productivity culture, and the quiet met…

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Life Insurance Loans Are Not Income: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 5:52

11d ago5:52

5:52

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Understanding why life insurance loans are not income Questioning glossy tax-free income pitches Keeping life insurance simple and purpose-driven Testing illustrations and setting clear expectations Key Takeaways: Loans from a life insurance policy are not income, just as bank loans are not income. They a…

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - It's a Wonderful Life 1:20:58

1d ago1:20:58

1:20:58

Send us a text Peter and Andrew tackle the beloved Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life in their holiday special, examining how Frank Capra's 1946 film became a cultural phenomenon despite its initial box office failure. They explore the film's unusual structure, George Bailey's repeated business failures, and whether the movie's message about f…

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Avatar: Fire and Ash 2:44:30

14d ago2:44:30

2:44:30

We went back to Pandora and we all fell in love with a very special lady. She’s a bit prickly. A bit unconventional. But boy, is she something! Join us as we chat Avatar: Fire and Ash, aka VARANG: THE AWAKENING, the third installment in Big Jim’s Sully family saga. Yes, this movie’s a bit messier than the previous ones. Yes, it repeats many of the …

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - Parasite 54:50

8d ago54:50

54:50

Send us a text Peter and Andrew dive into Bong Joon Ho's Oscar-winning masterpiece Parasite, exploring how it masterfully blends genres while delivering a devastating critique of economic inequality. They discuss the film's brilliant structure that shifts from heist comedy to psychological thriller, and how it uses smell as a metaphor for class div…

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014 - For Your Eyes Only (1981) with Tranna Wintour 2:00:23

8d ago2:00:23

2:00:23

This case is going to bring us back down to earth, and who better to help us unpack the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only than Canada's favorite faithful: comedian, actress, singer, and podcaster Tranna Wintour! We talk about the very young Bond women, the sexy (or not) baddies, and dodge some well placed arrows! Subscribe to the show on Apple Pod…

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Roth IRA Annuity Industry Insanity: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 9:47

8d ago9:47

9:47

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Seeing through product-driven Roth pitches Recognizing political risk in long-term tax planning Keeping conversions separate from annuity products Avoiding shiny-object sales tactics Key Takeaways: Treat Roth conversions as tax decisions rather than annuity strategies. Rely on math and tax guidance instea…

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463: Cyril Derreumaux—In the Flow 1:27:54

9d ago1:27:54

1:27:54

Mike sits down with adventurer, endurance athlete, and motivational speaker Cyril Derreumaux, a man who has spent an unusual amount of time alone with his thoughts—and the open ocean. Cyril talks Mike through his two 70-plus-day solo treks across both the Atlantic and the Pacific in a kayak. Mike and Cyril explore risk, resilience, and the fine lin…

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Ella McCay with Richard Lawson 2:05:31

21d ago2:05:31

2:05:31

It’s pretty hard being the governor of an unnamed state when you’re a 34-year-old woman with a husband who’s the heir to a local pizza empire and you’ve got a brother who has agoraphobia and your sleazy dad keeps leaving you weird voicemails and Julie Kavner is narrating your entire life story! Wooo, that was a lot. James L. Brooks’ Ella McCay is A…

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Dr. Daniel Crosby - Write Your Story 16:11

25d ago16:11

16:11

Tune in to hear: What does Swiss-born British author Alain de Botton have to say about Macbeth’s cynical soliloquy on the brevity and meaningless of life? Why does he state that despair and hope are two sides of the same coin? How does storytelling make a truth durable in our minds by linking an idea to an ego? Why is our internal dialogue one of t…

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Death as an Annuity Strategy: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 6:18

17d ago6:18

6:18

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Designing dependable inheritances Structuring income for generations Choosing tools for guaranteed legacy streams Partnering wisely with trusted professionals Key Takeaways: Integrating annuities into estate plans allows individuals to pass on structured, reliable income rather than lump-sum inheritances,…

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - Good Will Hunting 1:14:23

23d ago1:14:23

1:14:23

Send us a text Peter and Andrew tackle the beloved 1997 drama Good Will Hunting, exploring how Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's Oscar-winning screenplay creates a surprisingly grounded story about genius, friendship, and finding your path. They analyze the film's lived-in authenticity, Robin Williams' powerful performance, and how the movie balances in…

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462: Del Bigtree—An Inconvenient Study 1:39:34

16d ago1:39:34

1:39:34

On this eye-opening episode, Mike welcomes filmmaker and television veteran Del Bigtree of The HighWire to discuss his newest documentary, An Inconvenient Study—a film that investigates what happened to the most thorough childhood vaccinated vs. unvaccinated study ever done. They discuss how Del convinced a doctor at one of the most prestigious hea…

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Honey Don't with Mattie Lubchansky 2:35:59

28d ago2:35:59

2:35:59

Honey Don’t? Honey probably shouldn’t have. But that’s okay, because Honey, we’re gonna talk about it anyway! Writer and illustrator Mattie Lubchansky joins us to close out our Coens series with Ethan and Tricia’s latest offering from earlier this year. How do we feel about Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza as performers? How do we feel about Chris…

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Warren Buffett's 2 Rules for Annuities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 3:27

29d ago3:27

3:27

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Prioritizing safety and guarantees Selling only contractual commitments Using PILL to guide purpose Key Takeaways: Annuities should focus on protecting principal and providing a reliable income. Strong insurance carrier backing ensures certainty and reduces risk. Avoiding speculative products maintains fi…

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - Mirror 50:15

23d ago50:15

50:15

Send us a text Peter and Andrew tackle their most challenging film yet: Andrei Tarkovsky's enigmatic masterpiece Mirror, a non-narrative exploration of memory, nostalgia, and Soviet history. They discuss how the film abandons traditional storytelling in favor of a dreamlike meditation on childhood, war, and personal trauma, and why Tarkovsky priori…

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461: Danny Combs—TACT, The Future of Workforce 1:28:24

1M ago1:28:24

1:28:24

Mike sits down with Danny Combs, founder of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), a program that teaches people with autism skilled trades ranging from welding to woodworking to IT. With equal parts heart and hard data, Danny walks Mike through how TACT is helping fill critical labor shortages while giving thousands of gifted, detail-driven …

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Moshe Milevsky: Learning from History with Annuities (From the Vault) 53:56

24d ago53:56

53:56

In case you missed it, I have decided to circle back to one of my Fun With Annuities episodes that just cannot be missed. This one has annuity gold, and it is definitely a must-listen. In this episode, The Annuity Man and Moshe Milevsky discuss: The problem with annuities What's a tontine? How income increases with tontines The gap between healthsp…

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Drive Away Dolls with mxmtoon 2:30:38

1M ago2:30:38

2:30:38

Two gals and a briefcase full of dicks. What more could an 84 minute caper need? mxmtoon joins us to chat about Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s lesbian road trip movie Drive Away Dolls, and brings with her the fascinating perspective of someone whose first Coen movie was…Drive Away Dolls! We’re chatting about Ethan and Tricia’s unconventional relatio…

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Tyba Co-Founder and CEO Michael Baker 1:18:47

1M ago1:18:47

1:18:47

As load growth pushes the grid to its limits, the energy transition increasingly depends on one technology: storage. Batteries are becoming the backbone of reliable, clean power, and according to a recent UBS analysis, AI-driven data centers are set to trigger a “boom cycle” for energy storage in the next five years. As more clean energy comes on…

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Comparing Myga Interest Rates to Spia Rates: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 4:50

1M ago4:50

4:50

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Distinguishing annuity types Applying the PILL strategy Interpreting annuity yields Securing contractual understanding Key Takeaways: Understanding the purpose of different annuities is crucial: MYGAs provide guaranteed interest on principal like a CD, while SPIAs deliver a lifetime income stream tailored…

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - The Dark Knight 1:14:27

1M ago1:14:27

1:14:27

Send us a text Peter and Andrew dive deep into Christopher Nolan's masterpiece The Dark Knight, exploring how it transcended the superhero genre to become a complex meditation on chaos, order, and moral compromise. They discuss Heath Ledger's iconic Joker performance, the film's post-9/11 themes of surveillance and security, and how it changed supe…

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460: Ryan Fink and Ty Frackiewicz—Can AI Build My House? 1:09:04

1M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

Mike sits down with the two innovative minds behind Digs — an app that's helping to streamline the home-building process. It's a candid look at what happens when tech guys wander into the world of lumber, drywall, and delayed inspections—and try to fix it. If you've ever wondered whether artificial intelligence can actually help build a house, or a…

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The Tragedy of Macbeth with Dana Schwartz 2:44:13

1M ago2:44:13

2:44:13

You can’t say “Macbeth” in a theater, but you can certainly say it on a podcast! Dana Schwartz joins us (in her third Blank Check appearance on a witch-centered film) to talk about Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, the first solo-directorial effort from a Coen Brother after their amicable split. We’re debating the success of Frances McDormand and…

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Grace Makes Me Good Enough 42:56

1M ago42:56

42:56

You can watch videos and access more content on Patreon: https://patreon.com/kindmind Grace, in the deepest spiritual sense, is the spontaneous, unearned, and transformative presence of divine love. Across wisdom traditions and within sacred texts, grace is understood as not achieved by will, but recognized in surrender as the undoing of effort. It…

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Annuity Zero Is Not Your Hero: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 4:50

1M ago4:50

4:50

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: What does "zero is your hero" mean Dirty tactics that agents use to sell annuities A more rational alternative to the CD product Zero is not your hero Key Takeaways: The phrase "zero is your hero" means that when the market goes down, you will not lose any money. In this world that we live in, you should …

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013 - Moonraker (1979) with Cass and Tommy Proffitt 2:22:34

1M ago2:22:34

2:22:34

Agents! This month, we're using The Force, but not too much force, as we invite fellow agents Cass and Tommy Proffitt of the Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective show Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast to help us get out of this world with 1979's Moonraker! So break some glass, get out your metal teeth and grab a laser as we deep dive on this contr…

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - The Apartment 52:20

1M ago52:20

52:20

Send us a text Peter and Andrew explore Billy Wilder's Oscar-winning classic The Apartment, a deceptively light comedy that tackles heavy themes of loneliness, corporate culture, and moral compromise in 1960s America. They analyze how Wilder crafts sympathetic characters caught in morally complex situations and discuss the film's surprising depth b…

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459: Steven Grayhm—Sheepdog 1:33:53

1M ago1:33:53

1:33:53

Mike meets actor, writer, and director Steven Grayhm, whose award-winning film Sheepdog is about to hit theaters. Steven breaks down how a three-hour ride with a tow truck driver led him on a 14-year odyssey to get to the truth about veteran post-traumatic stress. It's a conversation about grit, service, sacrifice, and the complicated realities fac…

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Rick Ferri: Core-4 Portfolios for Simplistic Success (From the Vault) 45:55

1M ago45:55

45:55

In this episode, The Annuity Man and Rick Ferri discuss: Outperforming 90% of investors Developing a simple portfolio Five ways to improve your portfolio Facing the risks Key Takeaways: Investing is not as difficult as others would have you believe. The best way to invest is to keep things simple; the fewer moving parts, the better. Develop a simpl…

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The Ballad of Buster Scruggs with Paul Scheer & Jason Mantzoukas 3:29:53

2M ago3:29:53

3:29:53

Six segments. Four legendary movie podcasters. Three and a half hours of keeping David Sims away from his family. Welcome to our Ballad of Buster Scruggs episode! How Did This Get Made’s Paul Scheer and Jason Mantzoukas join the Two Friends to talk about the Coens’ final film together (as of this recording), a grab bag of western vignettes that cou…

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Political Chaos Equals Contractual Opportunities: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 6:40

2M ago6:40

6:40

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: How chaos leads to both risks and opportunities What contributes to financial uncertainty? Maximizing lifestyle and financial security Locking in guarantees Key Takeaways: Political chaos leads to both risks and opportunities in investments, especially regarding annuities. Market volatility and potential …

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458: Johnny Joey Jones—Mind Your Wake 1:30:05

2M ago1:30:05

1:30:05

In honor of Veterans Day, Mike speaks with co-host of The Big Weekend Show Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny Joey Jones, who served eight years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in Iraq and Afghanistan—where he lost both legs in the line of duty. These days, he's on a mission to highlight those who serve, from American warfighters to f…

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Introducing: "How To Make Films and Influence People" - Battle of Algiers 45:36

2M ago45:36

45:36

Send us a text If you enjoy Russell Gets Revenge, check out the new podcast from its creator. This is a conversation podcast where two screenwriter/filmmakers discuss great works of cinema, their own screenwriting projects and philosophy, and creatively reimagine how Hollywood would remake classic films. Check out the podcast here or search for "Ho…

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Hail, Caesar! with Shirley Li 2:36:34

2M ago2:36:34

2:36:34

Would that it twere so simple to lasso that lazy ol’ moon! This week, we’re chatting about all the studio shenanigans in Hail, Caesar! with our pal Shirley Li. Speaking of Shirley, we all knew she was skilled at getting David “The Dog” Sims off the leash, but did you know that she also attended researcher JJ’s wedding?! Lore drop! Join us as we unp…

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Crypto Dice Throw or Annuity Guarantees: Shootin' It Straight With Stan 7:21

2M ago7:21

7:21

In this episode, The Annuity Man discussed: Choosing guarantees over speculation Knowing your "PILL" for protection Building your income floor Balancing risk with security Key Takeaways: Crypto investments are like rolling dice, while annuities provide contractual guarantees and predictable results. Building financial security means focusing on wha…

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457: Alex Epstein—Did Bill Gates Change His Mind 49:37

2M ago49:37

49:37

Mike joins author and energy expert Alex Epstein to discuss Bill Gates' surprising new stance on climate change, the growing clash between "human-centric" and "anti-impact" environmentalism, and how the AI revolution is reshaping global energy demands. They also explore what this shift means for philanthropy, fossil fuels, and the future workforce …