Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger

In this episode of Reasonably Happy, comedian and writer Paul Ollinger sits down with former Last Week Tonight writer Jeff Maurer for a razor-sharp, no-holds-barred conversation on comedy, politics, and the state of liberal discourse. Maurer, now the voice behind the acclaimed Substack I Might Be Wrong, unpacks his journey from speechwriter to Emmy-winning TV writer, and why he left Hollywood to pursue independent commentary. They dive deep into the culture wars, media bias, the Biden dilemma, and what today's Democratic Party can learn from the Obama era. With sharp wit and refreshing honesty, Maurer discusses the left’s loss of self-awareness, the problem with orthodoxy, and how free speech is under siege from all sides. If you're tired of political echo chambers and crave a blend of humor and intellect, this one's for you.Get Pauls book! https://www.paulollinger.com/the-bookCheck out Jeffs Substack: https://substack.com/@imightbewrong This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

In this episode of Reasonably Happy, host Paul Ollinger sits down with Anne Mahlum, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Solidcore, the Pilates chain she sold for $100 million. Anne shares her incredible journey from starting a nonprofit running club for the homeless to building a fitness empire with over 100 locations. She dives into overcoming personal and business challenges, navigating the pandemic, redefining success, and the importance of pushing past comfort zones to embrace growth. They also discuss financial mindset shifts, leadership, and maintaining purpose beyond wealth. If you're looking for motivation, business insights, and a fresh perspective on personal growth, this is a must-watch!Find Anne online: https://www.annemahlum.com/Check out Pauls book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

🎭 Hollywood stories, comedy legends, and the pursuit of happiness! 🎭In this episode of Reasonably Happy, host Paul Ollinger sits down with the legendary Bruce Vilanch—Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and one of the funniest minds behind Hollywood’s biggest events. Bruce spills the tea on outrageous celebrity encounters, wild award show moments, working with Joan Rivers, and the unpredictability of writing for some of the craziest actors in showbiz.From behind-the-scenes gossip to his personal philosophy on finding joy in a world of chaos, Bruce brings his signature wit, wisdom, and unfiltered Hollywood insider knowledge.Check out Bruce's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Seemed-Like-Bad-Idea-Time/dp/0914091921Buy Pauls book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Bestselling author Gretchen Rubin joins Reasonably Happy with host Paul Ollinger for a deep dive into happiness, self-improvement, and personal growth. They explore habit formation, the psychology of motivation, the power of self-awareness, and why enjoying the process matters more than the outcome. Gretchen shares insights from The Happiness Project, her Four Tendencies personality framework, and her experiment with learning to love the New York Knicks. They also discuss money and happiness, goal-setting, and how small daily changes can transform your life. Plus, find out Gretchen’s #1 tip for taking control of your phone addiction! Don’t miss this inspiring and thought-provoking conversation! #happy #happiness #author Take the quiz: https://gretchenrubin.com/quizBuy Paul's book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

"Love isn't enough." So says marriage expert Carolyn Sharp in her new book 'Fired Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship.' Paul talked with Carolyn (a college friend) this week and dove deep into the challenges of modern relationships, the importance of emotional connection, communication, and radical acceptance, and why love alone isn’t enough to sustain a lasting partnership. Carolyn shares insights on attachment styles, overcoming relationship roadblocks, and how to create a safe, thriving partnership—whether you’re married, dating, or navigating polyamory. Plus, Paul’s wife Stacey joined for an impromptu session on marriage dynamics! Don't miss this eye-opening conversation packed with relationship advice, practical tips, and humor. 🎙️💡Buy Paul's Book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-bookBuy Carolyn's Book: https://www.secureconnectionsretreats.com/thebook#RelationshipAdvice #LoveAndIntimacy #MarriageTips #Podcast #CouplesTherapy #EmotionalConnection #HealthyRelationships This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

In this candid and insightful episode of Reasonably Happy, host Paul Ollinger sits down with Anthony Scaramucci—founder of SkyBridge Capital, former White House Communications Director, and author of From Wall Street to the White House and Back. Scaramucci shares unfiltered lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, wealth, and personal growth, reflecting on his meteoric rise in finance, public failures, and what truly makes a fulfilling life. He dives into the paradox of money and happiness, the lessons he learned from working in the Trump White House, and why failure is essential for success. Plus, hear his thoughts on crypto, navigating controversy, and the surprising place he finds true happiness. Don't miss this raw, thought-provoking conversation packed with insights on business, politics, and personal reinvention!Buy Pauls Book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Join Paul as he sits with the very funny Matt Ruby and discuss performing on psychedelic mushrooms, being raised by a bohemian mom who ran around New York City with Alan Ginsberg and more!Links to all things Matt Ruby including his newsletter, specials and more:https://www.mattrubycomedy.com/Get Paul Ollinger's book Here: "Reasonably Happy: Essays on Money, Work and Other Things that Piss Me Off" https://www.amazon.com/Reasonably-Hap...Read Paul's Substack: https://words.paulollinger.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Join hilarious comedian and hater of all things technology Nathan Macintosh as he sits with host Paul Ollinger and discusses his love hate for tech, the overabundance of screens in socoiety and the fear of what AI will do to the world. Watch Nathan's latest 2 specials here:"Money Never Wakes" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQd7kHYiNsQ&t=20s&authuser=1"Down with Tech" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gApnofHJLoo&authuser=1Get Paul Ollinger's book Here: "Reasonably Happy: Essays on Money, Work and Other Things that Piss Me Off" https://www.amazon.com/Reasonably-Hap...Read Paul's Substack: https://words.paulollinger.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Join legendary musician Paul Shaffer, famed as David Letterman’s long-time musical director, as he shares his extraordinary career journey—from his childhood in Thunder Bay to iconic roles on Saturday Night Live and The Blues Brothers. Shaffer sits with host Paul Ollinger and reflects on his early love for music, working alongside comedy greats like Martin Short and Bill Murray, and how rock and roll’s raw simplicity shaped his passion. Packed with nostalgic Hollywood and Broadway stories, this conversation is a must-watch for music and comedy fans alike. 🎵🎭Get Paul Ollinger's book Here: "Reasonably Happy: Essays on Money, Work and Other Things that Piss Me Off" https://www.amazon.com/Reasonably-Hap...Read Paul's Substack: https://words.paulollinger.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Paul sits down to talk happiness with Deepak Chopra who is a world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation alongside award winning author, professor, writer and speaker Dr, John Kaag.Visit Rebind at https://s.rebind.ai/0PmPOV and use the promo code reasonablyhappy to get 15% off your first Rebind book experienceGet Paul's book Here: "Reasonably Happy: Essays on Money, Work and Other Things that Piss Me Off" https://www.amazon.com/Reasonably-Happy-Essays-Money-Things/dp/0997270659Read Paul's Substack: https://words.paulollinger.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Paul sits down with comedian and syndicated radio legend Rickey Smiley and talk about happiness in the face of grief after losing a son to opioid addiction, surviving being shot at point blank range and continuing a life in comedy in the face of tragedy. Check out Rickeys book: "Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith"https://www.amazon.com/Sideshow-Livin... This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Paul is joined by SNL music director Eli Brueggemann to discuss everything from what landing a gig like Saturday Night Live does for a musician to how quickly a masters level university degree can become outdated because of simple technology. Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Paul sits down with the insanely funny comedian Mandal to discuss his rise, fall and rise again that lead him to be a go to opener for John Mulaney and performing at the world famous Hollywood Bowl. Paul and Mandel dive into the world of stand up comedy and how Mandel finds purpose and happiness and why it is the driving force in all of his artistic endeavors.Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Paul sits down with lawyer turned comedian Liz Glazer to discuss how a successful lawyer and law professor can find happiness by saying goodbye to a tenured career by pursuing a life in the arts.Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Join us for an insightful conversation with Adrian Brambila and Brad Klontz, authors of "Start Thinking Rich," as we dive deep into the mindset strategies that lead to success. Discover how your background, no matter the challenges, should never hold you back from achieving your goals. Learn practical tips and valuable lessons on how to develop a wealth-focused mindset, overcome obstacles, and leverage the experiences of others to create the life you've always wanted. Whether you're aiming for personal or financial success, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you think rich and succeed in any area of life.Pick up a copy of "Start Thinking Rich: 21 Harsh Truths to Take You from Broke to Financial Freedom" by Adrian Brambila and Brad Klontz:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/start-thinking-rich-brad-klontz/1146212034;jsessionid=9ADBFA21F7779A45F34745CE6E50B715.prodny_store01-atgap15?ean=2940191065052Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

We are joined by Lydia Fenet, the founder and CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency, a boutique agency representing best in class charity auctioneers. Lydia is a best selling author and ground breaking art auctioneer who sits with us to talk about art, confidence and how to decide what success means to you. Pick up a copy of "Claim Your Confidence" by Lydia Fenet: https://lydiafenet.com/the-book/Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

We are joined by New York Times best selling author and former Wall Street wild man Turney Duff to discuss Hookers, Blow, Million-dollar bonuses on Wall Street and the journey through recovery and what lies the other side of the Wall Street hustle. Pick up a copy of "The Buy Side" by Turney Duff: https://www.amazon.com/Buy-Side-Street-Traders-Spectacular/dp/0770437176Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

What did Ray Kroc, Maya Angelou, Margaret Thatcher, and Malcolm X all have in common? (Don’t worry - this isn’t a dirty joke!) They were all opsimaths, i.e. a person who blooms late in life. In his new book SECOND ACT: What Late Bloomers Can Tell You About Success and Reinventing Your Life, author Henry Oliver shares the stories of well-known people whose greatest accomplishments happened in or past middle age. In other words, there’s still hope for you! Maybe you’re 45 and haven’t written the great American Novel yet. There’s still time! You’re 55 and haven’t made your first million or billion? There’s still time! You’re 65 and havne’t gotten elected to political office? Well, let’s not push it, but you never know. If you are indeed an opsimath, you’ll keep working toward your goal for the sake of the thing and not in hope of any extrinsic rewards. In this informative and sometimes humorous conversation, Henry and I—two urbane gentleman that we are—discuss the following:Fluid intelligence v. concrete intelligenceWhy motivation is the closest thing we have to magic. How and why to stay in the game as you get olderThe commonalities among late bloomers include hard work, intrinsic motivation and a willingness to keep trying and learning.The similarities between Ray Kroc’s relationship with the McDonald brothers and Mark Zuckerberg’s relationship with the Winklevoss twins.How Katharine Graham’s family’s suffocating wealth both helped and hindered her developmentPre-order Henry's book here. Subscribe to his Substack here. WAIT - don’t go until you’ve done 2 out of these 3 things:💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here.This episodes Keywords:late bloomers, success, age, intelligence, motivation, hard work, meandering path, passion, experience, network, late bloomers, success, reinventing life, Ray Kroc, McDonald's, Katharine Graham, Washington Post, David Duffield, Workday, internal motivation, careers, second careers, reinvention This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Nobody gets into poetry for fame and fortune. And yet, there might be a tiny bit of each happening for In-Q, my guest this week who is a renowned poet and spoken word artist. When he started freestyling (aka, “rapping" for you old people) with his friends at age 13, In-Q felt an empowerment that didn’t exist in the rest of his life. The words inside him took on a life of their own and, after he started writing poetry at 19, In-Q found himself in the embrace of L.A.’s slam poetry community. He never really considered poetry taking him to a place where could make a living, "let alone live in abundance.” But through dedication, perseverance, and perhaps, the sheer inability to quit, he’s now selling out theaters, writing hit songs, and publishing books and albums. In-Q has appeared on A&E, ESPN, and HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. His stand-up poetry special, 'Live at the Ace Theatre', is now streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. To top all that, Oprah (you know “Winfrey”) named him to her SuperSoul 100 list of the world’s most influential thought leaders.On this week’s episode, In-Q and I discuss:Why he has a tattoo with the Hebrew word he thought meant “forgiveness"The perilous childhood moment that could have changed his life forever How his learning disability contributes to his successWhy ‘Hamilton’ is a perfect work of artThe day he decided that Nas was GodHis creative processWatch his special, Live At the Ace Theater and listen to his album The Never Ending NowWAIT - don’t go until you’ve done 2 out of these 3 things:💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here.This episodes Keywords:IN-Q, poet, spoken word, slam poetry, creativity, self-expression, learning disabilities, dyslexia, art, IN-Q, poetry, creativity, writing process, empowerment, tattoos, Amazon special, immersive experience, album, book, events, forgivenessPaul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

The spirit of the working class is crushed. So argues Batya Ungar-Sargon in her new book 'Second Class: How the Elites Betrayed America's Working Men and Women’. Batya says that working men and women in the United States have been abandoned by both political parties and left to fend for themselves all while unchecked immigration makes an already challenging job market untenable. As her title suggests, she believes “elites” are causing this problem. And though you hear the word used more often and somewhat scornfully on Fox News, “elites” doesn’t just progressives. It’s alll of us who are educated, have stable jobs, and aren’t worried aobut making rent next month. But just because Batya uses the word doesn't mean her main argument—that unchecked immigration is making life untenable for working Americans—is wrong. At the very least, it is inarguable that immigration is putting a strain on our housing, educational and medical infrastructure. And all of us foot the bill for that. What’s really odd about this to me is, despite the fact that Batya defends Donald Trump as a friend of the working people, that the policies she recommends to fix the problem feel like Democratic policies from an earlier time. Unions, tarriffs - that sort of thing. Whichever side they’re from, she is passionate about the importance of a thriving middle class for a stable democracy. Batya is The Opinion Editor at Newsweek. She holds a BA from the University of Chicago and earned her PhD at UC, Berkeley. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Foreign Policy, the New York Times, The Daily Beast, and The Free Press. Buy ’Second Class’ here.WAIT - don’t go until you’ve done 2 out of these 3 things:💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here.This episodes Keywords:elites, working class, income inequality, immigration, Trump, unions, working conditions, middle class, stable democracy, vice president, politics, kamalaharris, election, timwalz, joshshapiroPaul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

**Hi friends - this is Paul writing to confess to an error in my introduction in this week's episode. The name of Angus Hervey's podcast is "Hope Is a Verb," not—as I called it—"Hope is NOT a Verb," which is kind of the opposite (insert winky emoticon). Unfortunately, I am unable to re-record the intro as we are traveling, but I can change these show notes, so that's what I'm doing. Sincere apologies to my most gracious guest for this ridiculous foul-up.**The news is always bad, and that’s not an accident. “If it bleeds, it leads” has long been the theme that drives networks and newspapers to accentuate the negative because that’s how you earn ratings and pageviews, baby! This week, Dr. Angus Hervey, founder of 'Fix the News’ and the co-host of the podcast ‘Hope Is A Verb’ joins Paul to discuss the evolutionary and economic reasons behind this phenomenon and how it hurts us as a society. The dreadful headlines disguise the truth that we humans are making terrific progress fighting poverty, eradicating disease, finding alternatives to fossil fuels, and expanding human rights. But you wouldn’t know that reading the New York Times or scrolling your Facebook feed. Of course everything isn’t perfect. But thanks to technology and perhaps to the fact that—as Dr. King said—the arch of the moral universe bends toward justice, things are way better than they have ever been and they continue to improve. We ignore this to our peril and at the cost of our happiness. As Dr. Hervey cautions negative news is an addictive product that divides us as a society, "breeding cynicism, apathy, hopelessness, and even hate.” As if that weren’t bad enough, it also prevents us in believing that progress can be made, saying “If we want more people to devote themselves to making progress, maybe we should tell more people that it’s possible to make progress.” Further, he says that all these predictions of an AI apocalypse are highly-overblown. Angus earned his PhD in Political Econmomy at London School of Economics. His two TED Talks have generated millions of video views, He lives in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia whence he spoke to Paul before his children woke up. Listen to Hope Is A Verb and read Fix The News today!WAIT - don’t go until you’ve done 2 out of these 3 things:💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here.This episodes Keywords:News, good news, bad news, negative filtering, evolution, negative news, perception, progress, media, incentives, bias, optimism, technology, AI, biotechnologyPaul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Stephanie Stuckey used her life’s savings to buy the company that is her family’s legacy. At it’s height in the1960’s and 70’s, there were hundreds of Stuckey’s stores selling gas, pecan candy, cold drinks, and quick meals near highway exits around the United States. But after her grandfather was bought out by a big corporation, the neglected enterprise and its stores fell into disrepair. Since buying what remained of the company five years ago, Stephanie—an attorney and former Georgia State Representative with no prior business experience—has been on a mission to restore the brand to its former glory. She relishes Stuckey’s history and philosophy of hospitality that welcomed *all* travelers during an era when segregation was the rule. Her inspiring story is that hopeless romantic who puts it all on the line to celebrate what’s good and authentic in the world. Stephanie lives in Atlanta. She loves sweet tea, R.E.M., and the Georgia Bulldogs. Follow Stephanie on Instagram and LinkedIn and getcha some Pecan Log Rolls on the Stuckey’s website. Oh, and buy her book here. 💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible Substack newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Nicole Avant is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas and author of a new memoir, 'Think You’ll Be Happy: Moving through Grief with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude’ which tells the story of her extraordinary family and her mother’s tragic death by murder. Her mom, Jacquie was a philanthropist and community activist whose example taught Nicole kindness, respect, and humility. Nicole’s father was Clarence Avant, a highly successful music executive who gathered in their Beverly Hills home a mélange* of the most prominent musicians, producers, actors, and politicians. Indicative of the environment in which she grew up, Nicole’s godfather is legendary producer, Quincy Jones. Speaking of godfathers, Nicole produced a documentary about her dad called 'The Black Godfather,’ which is available on Netflix and is totally amazing. After college, Nicole worked in the music business but got into politics, eventually becoming the Southern California finance co-chair for the 2008 Presidential campaign of Barack Obama who appointed her Ambassador. Nicole’s film about the contributions of Black servicewomen during WWII, 'The Six Triple Eight,’ was directed by Tyler Perry and comes out later this year. Check out The Black Godfather trailer here and learn more about Nicole’s book here. (So you understand the context, the “Ted” to which Nicole refers in this interview is her husband, Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix.)💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤*I said it - mélange, baby!About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

On this introspective episode of Crazy Money, Paul sits alone in his empty Atlanta house and talks openly about the thoughts and feelings that drew him back to Atlanta, and the head trauma that may or may not have initiated his desire to sell everything and move to New York City.Oh, by the way, my name is Mike Carano and I’m writing these surely-to-be-deleted episode notes. Paul is occupied with the chaos of moving, but I suspect he’s more likely trying to get to the bottom of the, “which Ray’s Pizza is the REAL Ray’s Pizza.” In between mumbling, “miles to go before I sleep,” he asked if I could handle this writing task. Inspired by he and Stacey’s decision to embrace a big change and wring every drop out of this thing called life, I said uhh, okay. In this intimate podcast Paul talks about how this move came about, how he, Stacey, and their two kids, kid #1, and kid #2, ended up in Atlanta, and his plan to put the pedal to the metal and maximize opportunity, expand horizons, and have coffee with the dude from TED.I found this be be genuinely inspiring, and I’ve decided to do the same thing. Only I’m going to Barstow, because I’m broke.Please enjoy this thoughtful episode.HEY - want to help Paul grow this great podcast? DO THESE THINGS:💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s thought-provoking newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Today’s episode covers: Constitution, originalism, living constitutionalism, individual rights, common good, abortion rights, free speech, society, interpretation, democracy, government, people, age and health of the president, executive orders, Supreme Court, Constitution, First Amendment, Second Amendment. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Yes, there was actually a guy named Rudolf Diesel who actually invented the diesel engine, which was incredibly revolutionary for its time. It earned Diesel a massive fortune and had huge implications for how war—especially maritime war in the early 1900’s—would be waged. As European countries scrambled for dominance just prior to WWI, Diesel disappeared, leading to speculation that he was murdered by either Germany’s Kaiser Wilhelm II or by America’s John D. Rockefeller whose young petroleum empire Diesel's motor threatened. Or maybe Diesel leapt to his own death. Or maybe...something else happened. Author Doug Brunt’s new book 'The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I’ tells the story of this incredible innovator and the impact his machine continues to have on the world. Doug Brunt grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from Duke University. A former technology executive turned writer, his previous novels include 'Ghosts of Manhattan’ (which is f-in great!), 'The Means’, and 'Trophy Son'. He lives with his wife, journalist Megyn Kelly, in Connecticut. Check out Doug’s website here. 💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul. In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Charlie Wheelan is a professor of economics and public policy at Dartmouth College and the author of several books, including Naked Money, Naked Economics, (no nudity in either), and The Centrist Manifesto, all of which we discuss in this episode. The Chicago Sun-Times describes Charlie as someone who “combines a razor-sharp mind with a boatload of charm and impressive expertise in economics and foreign policy,” which might be why his students regularly pick him as one of Dartmouth's 10 best professors. Charlie is also the founder and Co-director of Unite America, a movement of Democrats, Republicans, and independents working together to to put voters first by fostering more representative and functional government. In March, 2009, Charlie ran unsuccessfully for the Congressional seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel who went on to become President Obama’s Chief of Staff. Charlie is a graduate of Dartmouth and holds a Master’s from Princeton and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In today’s conversation, we talk about:Why our political process has become so polarized,Why it’s near impossible to get reasonable candidates elected, and What each party is either right or wrong about.Most importantly, Charlie lays out some very practical ideas for how we can restore sanity to our governing bodies.Check out Charlie’s website here.💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Styx, and Collective Soul.In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals.Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here.This episodes Keywords: Taxes, tax policy, inequality, infrastructure, Civics government, elections, voting, Dartmouth, federal debt. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Mike Posner is a Grammy-nominated rapper, singer, songwriter, and music producer from Detroit. His Spotify channel has generated over 3 billion plays and his song 'I Took a Pill in Ibiza' reached the top five on the Billboard Hot 100. Mike "had it all" at a young age and captured his lifestyle in the lyrics of his biggest hit: “A real big baller (who) made a million dollars and...spent it on girls and shoes.” But Mike wanted more—he wanted to live a life of meaning and purpose - to become the person he was supposed to be. As he shares in his recent TED Talk, '5 Lessons on Happiness – from Pop Fame to Poisonous Snakes,’ he began a 3,000 mile on-foot trek across the United States, starting in New Jersey and making it all the way to Colorado where he was waylaid by a rattlesnake bite. After a few weeks of recovery, he set back out on the road, completing his walk with a run into the Pacific Ocean at Venice Beach, CA. In this joyous conversation, Paul and Mike cover:Mike's journey from pop star to becoming his own personMean things people said about him on social mediaWhat he rapped about when he was 8 years oldMike’s youthful collaboration with Big Sean The duality of human nature and how we all have good and bad within usSelf-awareness and the importance of compassionFollowing one's own path, rather than relying on external validation. Why we must embrace our mortality, and the reason others want you to forget itThe importance of faithCheck out Mike’s TED Talk: 5 Lessons on Happiness and his Spotify profile.💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Paul Ollinger and Crazy MoneyAfter working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees, Paul retired from the corporate world at 42, only to find himself bored, lonely, and driving his wife crazy. Today, he’s a standup comic, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and insight, performing alongside a diverse group of comedy powerhouses and iconic musicians, including Daniel Tosh, Dave Attell, Chelsea Handler, Norm Macdonald, Styx, and Collective Soul.In 2019, Paul started this podcast, Crazy Money to explore the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In one-on-one conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he helps uncover the true sources of happiness in life and what wealth, success, and fame can (and can't) do for us. Previous guests include LL COOL J, Judd Apatow, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals.Paul is always on tour and coming to a comedy club near you. Check dates here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Andrew Yang is a former Presidential and NYC mayoral candidate and the founder of Venture for America. He's also the founder of the Forward Party where he advocates for structural reform to safeguard our democracy. He lays all this out in his new book, ‘Forward,' which we discussed today. We also discuss Andrew's life as a teenager, his obsession with post-punk bands like The Smiths, Depeche Mode, and Nine Inch Nails, why he didn’t do drugs as a teenager, and how his parents felt when he got his ear pierced. More to the point of his political career, we talk about how money is the tail that wags the dog and both the GOP and the Democratic Party. He mentions why we should pay our politicians more, how gerrymandering and primaries forment polarization, and we talk about entitlement reform and universal basic income. Even if you don't agree with all his policy ideas, I think you'll agree that Andrew’s efforts to fix the machine of politics are worthwhile and something we should all think about supporting because the current polarized political system is making everybody freaking miserable. Andrew is the son of immigrants from Taiwan. He attended Philips Exeter, Brown University, and Columbia Law School. This episode oraingally ran in August of 2022.💰 Please leave us a rating here. (Seriously, do it!)💰✍️ Get Paul’s Substack newsletter here. ✍️🔥 Subscribe to us on Instagram here. 🔥Follow Andrew on Twitter. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Jordan Harbinger is one of the most popular podcasters in North America, but it all started by accident. As a young University of Michigan grad, Jordan decided to go to law school because it was something to do after college and eventually ended up at a Wall Street firm. A multi-linguist, Jordan traveled and met new people all over the world. He eventually started teaching networking to other young adults. The tapes—compact discs, actually—of his presentations became so popular that he decided to upload them to a central server. Thus did he unintentionally become a very early podcaster. Today,"The Jordan Harbinger Show” generates over 10 million downloads per month and features conversations with huge guests like Ray Dialo, Simon Sinek, Mark Cuban, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Tony Hawk, and hundreds more. In this converation, Jordan and I discuss:What job interviewers are really looking forThe thing he asked Kobe Bryant, just months before the basketball star’s death.The difference between NY and London law firmsWhy he won’t accept gambling ads on his showThe scandals other prominent podcasters have faced recently and what Jordan believes he owes his audience in terms of the ethics of his own behavior. Learn more about Jordan / listen to the Jordan Harbinger Show here. 💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s incredible newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Today’s episode covers: podcasting, Zoom, languages, law school, career paths, teaching, integrity.Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Good morrow, chum! My guest this week is A.J. Jacobs, author of the new / amazing book 'The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution’s Original Meaning’, in which A.J. chronicles his year of living as an 18th Century citizen, including writing letters with quill and ink, carrying a musket around the Upper West Side of Manhattan while wearing colonial garb, and celebrating election days with cake and rum! It’s the latest of his year-long experiments in living for which A.J. is so well known. As his website describes him, "A.J. Jacobs is an author, journalist, lecturer and human guinea pig. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help.” He is also the only 3-time Crazy Money guest in history of the world! Huzzah! I’m such a fan of AJ’s becuase he is a true original. He is smart, funny, and just the right amount of kooky. He’s also on a misison to make the world smarter, more aware, and more grateful. So that’s cool. He lives in New York City, very near where Paul's family will soon be living. In this fabulous conversation, Paul and A.J. discuss:Originalism v. Living ConstitutionalistsThe way the Constitution is like a Rorschach testHow elections used to be parties with beer and cakeThe balance between individual rights and the common goodWhat are rights? And who decides which rights to prioritize?The disproportionate power of the Executive BranchHEY - want to help Paul grow this great podcast? DO THESE THINGS:💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s thought-provoking newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Today’s episode covers: Constitution, originalism, living constitutionalism, individual rights, common good, abortion rights, free speech, society, interpretation, democracy, government, people, age and health of the president, executive orders, Supreme Court, Constitution, First Amendment, Second Amendment. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

‘Radical Candor’ author Kim Scott once had to inform a colleague that they smelled bad….like, really bad. She was able to do so becuase she had created on her team a culture or radical candor. No, this doesn’t mean you can just walk up to colleagues and say, “you stink!” or “nice shirt, bozo!” On the contrary, radical candor is a culture where authentic personal caring co-exists with direct challenges. Lacking this combination, workplace communication falls into one of three meaningfully-less desirable buckets: 1. Obnoxious Aggression, 2. Ruinous Empathy, and 3. Manipulative Insincerity. In this conversation, Kim explains how radical candor can generate respect, collaboration, better relationships, and improved performance. Kim also addresses the challenges of perfectionism and the application of radical candor in marriages and parenting. She emphasizes the need for open communication, soliciting feedback, and expressing appreciation. See - that’s what you should be doing with your teenagers - expressing appreciation…before you tell them to put on deodorant! :-)Kim also discusses:What Sheryl Sandberg taught her about radical candorThe way culture affects communication stylesWhether you can bring your whole self to work in an increasingly politicized world.Whether Google’s Gemini AI debacle would be less likely to happen in an environment of radical candorListen to the Radical Candor Podcast here and BUY Kim’s new book, 'Radical Respect' here. 💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s thought-provoking newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Today’s episode covers: radical candor, radical respect, workplace communication, feedback, culture, collaboration, respect, individuality, radical candor, radical respect, workplace culture, feedback, hierarchy, perfectionism, marriages, parenting. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Debbi Fields founded Mrs. Fields cookies brand when she was in her early 20s and built the company into a well-known global brand. Wade Shealy got his start selling Bibles door-to-door then went on to develop and sell > $3 billion in resort real estate over the next few decades, including Hampton Island, GA whose residents include Ben Affleck / Jennifer Lopez and Robert / Lydia Monday. He is now CEO of Third Home, a vacation home sharing platform that empowers its members to see the world. In this week’s epiosde, these two wildly accomplished humans share lessons about entrepreneurship, friendship, and raising stable kids in an atmosphere of affluence. Debbi tells the story of how she went from Oakland A’s ball girl to cookie kingpin and her commitment to quality over cost control. She also tells us how she kept a positive attitude when circumstances compelled her to give up control of the company. Wade emphasizes the importance of motivation, positive attitude, and controlling one's thoughts in achieving success. Both discuss their commitment to friendship. Learn more about ThirdHome here.💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰🔥 Register for Paul’s thought-provoking newsletter here.🔥🎤 See Paul LIVE for telling of comedy jokes here. 🎤About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Today’s episode covers: entrepreneurship, customer experience, real estate, motivation, positive attitude, friendships, family, friendship. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Rabbi Steve Leder is the Senior Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, a very large and influential congregation in Los Angeles. He is a New York Times best-selling author of several books, including 'For You When I Am Gone’ and 'The Beauty of What Remains,’ both of which pertain to death and dying. I had planned on speaking with Steve primarily about death for an hour, but our conversation covered everything from regret to forgiveness to the life of a rabbi. He shares lessons about fund-raising, his thoughts about whether Scripture is based on fact or truth, and the conflict of conscience he experienced when counseling a temple member who had ALS about her assisted suicide. Finally, Rabbi Leder speaks frankly about what Israel means to him and the tragic complexity of the war between Israel and Hamas.Follow Rabbi Leder on Instagram here. • 💰Rate and review Crazy Money here. 💰 • 🔥Register for Paul’s thought-provoking newsletter here.🔥About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Today’s episode covers: regret, joy, sadness, forgiveness, fundraising, preaching, teaching, relationships, advice, conscience, ALS, end-of-life decisions, euthanasia, Jewish law, compassion, Israel, Middle East, Gaza, Hamas. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Robin Sharma is a leadership expert, coach and author whose books have sold tens of millions of copies around the world. The author of The 5AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, The Everyday Hero Manifesto, and Who Will Cry When You Die?, Robin has a new book out called The Wealth Money Can’t Buy in which he examines the ways we can all develop happiness with and beyond financial wealth. In this conversation, Robin shares with me insights from the book, specifically: The danger of focusing solely on moneyHow to find joy in your craftWhat his work with billionaires has taught him about money and lifeWhy and how he started writingWhether he believes in GodWhere the word “coach” comes fromThe benefits of masteryAnd, the 8 forms of wealth: wellness, family, craft, money, community, adventure, service. Learn more about Robin and his new book on his website. • 💰If you enjoy Crazy Money, please leave us a rating here. 💰 • 🔥Register for Paul’s thought-provoking newsletter here.🔥About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the stock market, or how to save money by switching credit cards. It is about deciding what role we want money to play in our lives and how we can use it to be our best selves. Topics covered include: philosophy, happiness, contentment, meaning, dreams, purpose, success, society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, mid-life crisis, business, work, careers, authors, books, consumerism, values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth management, culture, society, status, ambition, accomplishment, perfectionism. Please stop reading and have a great day. Paul loves you.=====TakeawaysFind joy and fulfillment in your craft, no matter what you doDon't focus solely on financial wealth; pursue all eight forms of wealth: growth, wellness, family, craft, money, community, adventure, and serviceIn difficult times, practice meditation, visualization, and prayer (MVP) to build resilienceStay in the pain and learn from it; it can lead to personal growth and wisdomLead with kindness and generosity, and give gifts to others without expecting anything in return This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Sharon McMahon is living her purpose. Via her wildly popular Instagram account @SharonSaysSo, she is fighting political misinformation and guiding her audience through “the fascinating world of democracy, politics, and history.” In the process, she is proving that Americans—and other good people around the globe—are hungry for unbiased political context and analysis. "With a heart for education and a mission to clear up political confusion,” Sharon has become known as America’s Government Teacher. And she’s such a clear and compelling teacher that over a million people subscribe to see her reels and stories that offer in-depth and unbiased background to the most important politics issues of the day. Sharon leverages her passion for history and government to promote knowledge, understanding, and TRUTH. Her work is strengthening democracy during a time when it is most urgently need. For that, Crazy Money salutes her! In today’s episode, Paul and Sharon discuss:The increasing politicization of the American classroom and the importance of critical thinking The broken two-party system and electoral collegeA purely hypothetical 2024 election between butter and olive oil, and the pros and cons of voting for a 3rd Party Candidate, I Can’t Believe It’s Not PresidentWhat it was like to interview the VPOTUS, Kamala HarrisSharons' book, 'The Small and the Mighty,' which explores the stories of unsung Americans who changed the course of history.Learn more about Sharon’s book and podcast here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Gary Stevenson grew up in tough, working class East London. Despite setbacks in high school (having to do with the distribution of illicit substances), his gift for mathematics landed him a spot at London School of Economics (alma mater of Mick Jagger, Margaret Thatcher, and George Soros) where he attended with the sons and daughters of the global elite. His skill at a card game won him a job on Citibank’s trading desk and he went on to earn multi-million dollar—er, pound sterling—bonuses in his early 20s. Gary eventually become Citi’s top trader but the game started to take a physical toll on him. The stress, pressure, and moral conflict of betting against poor people—at least that’s how he saw it—led him to leave trading and begin to address growing income inequality around the globe. In this fast-paced and insight-rich conversation, Gary and Paul discuss:Gary's new memoir, The Trading Game: A Confession.The risks of trading currencyHow he felt when he got his first bonus of $750,000 Bias against working-class people Why he knew it was time to quit the industry The positive role of short-sellers in a marketHis YouTube challenge, Gary’s EconomicsHot to tax billionaires more ⭐ Subscribe To Paul’s Substack HERE. (Seriously, Do It!)⭐ ✍️ Rate And Review Crazy Money HERE. (Seriously, Do This Also!) ✍️🎤See Paul’s Live Comedy Dates HERE. 🎤 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a clinical psychologist and author of the New York Times best-seller It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People. In this insight-rich conversation, Dr. Ramani explains the traits and behaviors of narcissistic individuals, how they hijack our well-being, and the motivations behind their attention-seeking behavior. She also relieves Paul of the sneaking suspicion that he might be a narcissist. Other topics include:Gender and narcissism (ladies is narcissists too!)The continuum and different types of narcissism, including: grandiose, malignant, neglectful and also self-righteous narcissism (Paul’s favorite!)How social media has amplified narcissistic behaviors and their impact on society.Gaslighting and other tools narcissists use to sow self-doubt.Which cities has more narcissists, Los Angeles or Washington D.C.?The Different roles that evolve in narcissistic family systems (the golden child, scapegoat, fixer, peacekeeper, invisible child, and truth seer)The correlation between ADHD and narcissism The process of healing from narcissistic abuse and moving towards a thriving life.Learn More About Dr. Ramani Here: ⭐ Get Paul’s Writing To Your Inbox HERE. (Seriously, Do It!)⭐ ✍️ Rate And Review Crazy Money HERE. (Seriously, Do This Also!) ✍️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Chris Anderson is the Head Curator of TED and author of the new book, 'Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading' in which he argues that YOU and I can improve the world by embracing our natural inclination toward generosity. He speaks not just of financial generosity, though that’s certainly a huge part of it, but also of creative generosity and generosity of spirit. In this conversation, Chris and I discuss:The formula to determine if you are a net giver or a net taker in lifeMrBeast and the phenomenon of performative philanthropyHow gratitude can foster a sense of generosity and empathyThe contribution TED has made to the world by providing a platform to share valuable ideas.How one, small act of kindness can spark generosity in others Chris was born in Pakistan where his father was "an eye surgeon and evangelical Christian who ran a mobile hospital. He attended school in the Himalayan mountains of India before transferring to a boarding school near Bath, England. He went on to study philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford, then found himself captivated by the personal computer revolution in the mid-1980s. He launched computer magazines via Future Publishing and eventually published 150 titles and employed 2,000 people. Using the proceeds of his success, Chris established a foundation to tackle tough global issues through media, technology, entrepreneurship, and ideas. In 2001, that foundation acquired the TED Conference, then an annual meeting of luminaries in the fields of technology, entertainment, and design, held in Monterey, California. Chris left the publishing world to work on TED full-time. In the next two decades, TED expanded to include the TED Prize, Ted-Ed, and the licensing of its name via TEDx, local, independently-produced conferences around the globe. Learn more about Chris and the book on InfectiousGenerosity.org. ⭐ Rate And Review Crazy Money HERE. (Seriously, Do It!)⭐ ✍️ Get Paul’s Writing To Your Inbox HERE. (Seriously, Do This Also!) ✍️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

This episode is highlights of a conversation between Paul and Mike Carano, long-time friend and Crazy Money editor. It was recorded on a road trip between San Francisco where Paul had just performed at Cobb’s Comedy Club and San Luis Obispo where he was heading to perform in the SLO Fest Comedy Festival. Among other things, Paul and Mike discuss:Memories of commuting from SF to Yahoo! in SunnyvaleWhy it’s hard to admit what we want in lifeThe history of Crazy MoneyThe possible new names for Crazy MoneyLife in general✍🏾Please leave us a rating here. ✍🏾👊Get Paul’s Substack newsletter here. 👊 Subscribe to us on YouTube here. Topics addressed on Crazy Money include: Philosophy, Happiness, Contentment, Meaning, dreams, purpose, Success, Society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, Mid-Life Crisis, Business, Work, Careers, Authors, Books, Consumerism, Values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, wealth, wealth management.If you haven’t found what you’re looking for in the words above, you’re probably not going to find them down here. Seriously, all the important stuff is up yonder. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

When John O’Leary was 9 years old, he played with fire and got burned. Like really, really burned, over 99% of his body. Doctors gave him less than 1% chance to live and told his parents he would not survive. Yet thanks to the amazing support of his family, the community, and medical care providers, survive he did. His journey back took years, required dozens of surgeries, and cost him all of his fingers. Today, John is a world-renowned inspirational speaker who has addressed audiences around the globe. John is also the author of the best-seller On Fire!: 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life and In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy. He hosts the Live Inspired podcast. John and I have a lot in common. We were both one of six kids in a big, Catholic family and raised by amazing parents who were married for over 50 years and whose humility and grace inspire us to this day. We’re both husbands and dads and both want our audiences to be radically aware of the value of their lives and the opportunity to make every day count. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of:Living in the momentGratitudeFamilyCourageFriends who will fight for youFinding your TalentsLearn more about John on his website.✍🏾Please leave us a rating here. ✍🏾👊Get Paul’s Substack newsletter here. 👊 Subscribe to us on YouTube here. Topics addressed on Crazy Money include: Philosophy, Happiness, Contentment, Meaning, dreams, purpose, Success, Society, mental health, Buddhism, Stoicism, the hedonic treadmill, morality, Mid-Life Crisis, Business, Work, Careers, Authors, Books, Consumerism, Values, capitalism, economics, investing, saving, spending, personal finance, charity, philanthropy, altruism, wealth, wealth management.If you haven’t found what you’re looking for in the words above, you’re probably not going to find them down here. Seriously, all the important stuff is up yonder. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

In this special “where has Paul been?” episode, Paul reads three of his latest pieces from his Substack, Money and the Meaning of Life, so that you can drive or workout without reading. Latest posts include:Adventures in Affluence: Dry Cleaning - why Paul got freaked out when he starting thinking about how much he spends on dry cleaning every year.Gary v. Jerry: Why Gary Gulman Resents Rich People -Gary Gulman is an amazing comedian, but he harbors some very negative attitudes toward people who have more than he does.The Dreaded H-Word: Should Labors of Love be Tax-Deductible? - Why Paul got so upset when the IRS got judgy about this podcast.🔥Paul publishes these essays (about) every other Tuesday. You should subscribe HERE. 🔥🚀 Follow Paul on Instagram HERE. 🚀 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Today’s guest is Coleman Hughes, a writer, podcaster, opinion columnist and self-described "Black man who does’t think everything is about race.” Coleman has a new book out this week called 'The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America,’ in which he confronts the "failed corporate diversity and inclusion efforts and poisonous race-based policies that hurt the very people they intend to help."Coleman has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The National Review, Quillette, The City Journal and The Spectator. He's appeared on many TV shows and podcasts including Real Time with Bill Maher, Making Sense with Sam Harris and the Jordan B. Peterson podcast. In this conversation from summer of 2022, Coleman and I talk about:The Racial Wealth Gap and its origins, Why government action including reparations is not a solutionWhether 100% equality among all races is possible or even desirable, How progressive policies that supposedly help African-Americans are actually holding them back and…What issues we should focus on if we actually want to empower Black Economic Autonomy.💰Please leave us a rating here. 💰🔥Get Paul’s Substack newsletter here.🔥🔥Subscribe to us on YouTube here. 🔥Follow Coleman on Twitter and hear his music here. Topics include DEI, race, racial wealth gap, reparations, Ibram Kendi, Robin DiAngelo, economics, inequality. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Paul Schervish studies very wealthy people: what worries them, what delights them, and what motivates them to give to charity. The Director of Boston College’s Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, Paul is the co-author of 'The Joys and Dilemmas of Wealth,' a 2010 report that is one of the most insightful studies of the ultra-affluent ever. We discuss how the fears and joys that come with being rich are often two sides of the same coin. And how Paul, a former Jesuit priest strongly influenced by Karl Marx, has come to appreciate more fully the humanity of the affluent. Learn more about Paul Schervish here. This episode was posted originally in April, 2022. • 💪🏼 Rate and Review Crazy Money here. 💪🏼 • 🦸‍♂️ Read Paul’s Substack newsletter here. 🦸‍♂️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

This is a special holiday encore of the 2nd episode of Crazy Money with Dr. Drew, which ran Jan 30, 2019. Dr. Drew offers candid insight into the ups and downs of a career in broadcasting and medicine. From Loveline to Celebrity Rehab, Dr. Drew has been a staple on radio and cable television for over 30 years, but that doesn’t mean he’s rich — he’s got triplets to get through graduate school, after all. But he is definitely conversant on almost any topic you throw at him, including opera, coffee and Ulysses S. Grant. Oh, and doctor stuff. He knows about that too. Find out more about Dr. Drew on his website. • 💪🏼 Rate and Review Crazy Money here. 💪🏼 • 🦸‍♂️ Read Paul’s Substack newsletter here. 🦸‍♂️ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Financial gurus like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman tell their audience that the key to achieving wealth—or just financial stability—is to cut back on the little things like that daily Starbucks latte. Jared Dillian thinks they’re wrong. Focusing on the little things, Jared argues, is pointless and unsustainable. But focusing on the big things, like your house, your car, and how much you pay for college, makes all the difference. A renowned investment strategist and author, Jared is widely recognized for his keen insights into market psychology and his ability to explain complex financial concepts in an accessible manner. He is also the author of the acclaimed book 'Street Freak: Money and Madness at Lehman Brothers' and the editor of the popular financial newsletter 'The Daily Dirtnap', where he shares his valuable perspective on the markets. Pre-order his new book, ’No Worries: How to Live a Stress-Free Financial Life’ here. On this week’s episode, we discuss:Striking the balance between being a cheap f*ck and a high roller.Why renting is often a much better idea than buying a home.How much student debt is okay.The five asset classes you should own in “The Awesome Portfolio"Jared also graciously shares insights into his bipolar disorder and the side effects of the meds he takes. In so doing, he continues to help de-stigmatize mental illness. And for that, I thank him. See Paul live in comedy mode:Austin, Jan 11 - Buy Tickets HereSan Francisco, Feb 22 - Buy Tickets HereNashville, Feb 28 - Buy Tickets Here 🔥Learn and laugh by reading Paul’s Substack here. 🔥🚀 Follow Paul on Instagram here. 🚀DISCLAIMER: This episode contains a discussion of investment strategies and theories but in no way should be considered personal financial advice. Investing in any of the asset classes mentioned can result in material losses. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Judd Apatow is one of the most important figures in comedy and film today. But he just doesn’t care that much about money. This non-attachment to material goods leaves him more time to focus on what matters: writing, directing, developing talent, and getting his family together for dinner. Judd has accomplished so much in his career that, in retrospect, his success appears to have been pre-ordained. But despite his massive success in the past 20 years, he never forgets his early struggles. In this week’s encore episode from Feb ’22, I speak with the writer / director / producer behind iconic comedy films such as Anchorman, Trainwreick, This is 40, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin about:Why Adam Sandler paid $50 more in rent than Judd when they were roommatesWhy he didn’t worry too much about finances as a young comedianHow failure prepared him to handle successBeing creative during a pandemicBuddhism and stuffCatch Paul Ollinger live (or tell your friends to go):Austin, Jan 11 - Buy Tickets HERESan Francisco, Feb 22 - Buy Tickets HERENashville, Feb 28 - Buy Tickets HERE 🔥Learn and laugh by reading Paul’s Substack here. 🔥 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Gary Sernovitz is one of the funniest financial writers working today. His hilarious new novel The Counting House tells the story of a university’s Chief Investment Officer who is suffering a mid-life crisis. If you possess either an interest in finance or a robust / dark sense of humor, The Counting House will make you laugh and, at times, cry in empathy with the protagonist. Gary has spent the last 25 years observing how money works from inside Goldman Sachs and the private equity business, bringing a keen writer’s eye to the money business through two previous novels, a non-fiction account of the oil and gas industrial, and a bunch of essays in The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Wall Street Journal. A Milwaukee native and longtime resident of New York, Gary now lives in New Orleans with his wife and daughter. See more about Gary and The Counting House here.In this conversation, Gary and I discuss:Investing with the constraints of a modern university stakeholdersWhether your performance is your identityThe state and cost of college Writing as a side hustle while working full-time in financeSee Paul live in comedy mode:Austin, Jan 11 - Buy Tickets HereSan Francisco, Feb 22 - Buy Tickets HereNashville, Feb 28 - Buy Tickets Here 🔥Learn and laugh by reading Paul’s Substack here. 🔥🚀 Follow Paul on Instagram here. 🚀 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

Do you ever feel stuck in life? As if you are in the wrong place or you’re in the right place but doing the wrong thing? What do you do when you find yourself at a crossroad? Today, I speak to innovation expert Merrick Furst about how seeing ourselves and the world more clearly can tell us how to move forward when the way isn’t clear. Merrick is a Distinguished Professor at Georgia Tech. His list of academic and commercial accomplishments are longer than your arm (see below) but today we’re putting his immense analytical skills to work to determine the questions we should ask ourselves when we’re not sure about which way to go. Merrick is the co-author of a new book, The Heart of Innovation, which guides start-ups and the humans that lead them how they can go about being themselves. In today’s conversation we discuss:What should you do when you feel stuck?How blind spots keep us stuck and how to find out what your blind spots areThe importance of both radical candor and unconditional positive regard…and, most importantly, how Merrick helped to inspire the Crazy Money podcast!👝Shop SIDECAR’s stylish, hands-free travel accessories here. Use code CRAZY20 to get 20% off order over $75.👝🔥Learn and laugh by reading Paul’s Substack here. 🔥🚀 Follow Paul on Instagram here. 🚀Merrick’s BIO:Merrick L. Furst, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor, runs commercialization and new venture creation and directs undergraduate programs and faculty development in the College of Computing at Georgia Tech. Prior to GT he was a professor at UC Berkeley, president of the International Computer Science Institute at Berkeley and CEO of Essential Surfing Gear, Inc., which grew to 53 employees before being sold in 2000. Earlier he was professor and associate dean in the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon. Dr. Furst is known for seminal research in algorithms, complexity theory and AI. Merrick co-invented probabilistic circuit analysis and planning graphs, which are considered among the most influential breakthroughs in the field of AI planning. He is the founder of Flashpoint, one of the key developmental communities in Atlanta’s tech start-up scene. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

In this special “over the river and through the woods” episode, Paul reads four of his latest pieces from his Substack, Money and the Meaning of Life, so that you can drive or workout without reading. Latest posts include:Every Day Is ThanksgivingThis One Question Will Help You Stop Comparing Yourself to OthersWhy the Jews? The holy roots of anti-semitism might surprise youThis is Us: Inconclusive Thoughts on Why We Kill Each OtherDuring this Thanksgiving week, Paul commands you to be grateful and to savor your good fortune and your loved ones. That is all.🔥Paul publishes these essays (about) every other Tuesday. You should subscribe here. 🔥🚀 Follow Paul on Instagram here. 🚀 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

✍️ Subscribe to Paul’s Substack ‘Money & the Meaning of Life’ here. ✍️🎤 See Paul’s upcoming comedy dates here and random thoughts on Instagram here. 🎤Ed Begley Jr. has been acting professionally since 1967 when he appeared in an episode of My Three Sons. 56 years later, Ed has acted in hundreds of movies and TV shows, including An Officer and a Gentleman, Batman Forever, The Larry Sanders Show, Better Call Saul, This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show, and—of course—St. Elsewhere for which he earned six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award nomination. His new memoir, To the Temple of Tranquility...and Step on It! is a joyous collection of anecdotes cataloging his career, addiction, recovery, commitment to the environment and—most importantly—his family. In this week’s interview, Ed and discuss: Him drinking 32 oz of vodka every day for seven yearsWhat Jack Nicholson taught him about actingWhy he once considered moving to AtlantaThe blessing of not getting the part he wanted on St. Elsewhere Where, on a random night in 1972 you might see Elton John, the Eagles, Jackson Brown, Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Steve Martin, Richard Pryor, and Albert BrooksWhy being present in the moment is so important👂Learn more about Ed on his website here. Buy the book here or at your favorite bookstore.👂-- Read my newsletter Money and the Meaning of Life here.Paul Ollingerhttp://PaulOllinger.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit words.paulollinger.com/subscribe