Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger

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Andrew Yang on Our Broken Political System (Encore) May 21, 2024

Show notes

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.
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The Third Path with Jordan Harbinger May 14, 2024

Show notes

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 for
The thing he asked Kobe Bryant, just months before the basketball star’s death.
The difference between NY and London law firms
Why he won’t accept gambling ads on his show
The 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.
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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.
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Living The Constitution with AJ Jacobs May 07, 2024

Show notes

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 Constitutionalists
The way the Constitution is like a Rorschach test
How elections used to be parties with beer and cake
The balance between individual rights and the common good
What are rights? And who decides which rights to prioritize?
The disproportionate power of the Executive Branch
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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.
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Being Human at Work with Kim Scott, author of 'Radical Candor’ Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

‘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 candor
The way culture affects communication styles
Whether 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 candor
Listen to the Radical Candor Podcast here and BUY Kim’s new book, 'Radical Respect' here.
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🎤 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.
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Power Couple: Debbi “Mrs.” Fields and Wade Shealy Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

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. 💰
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🎤 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.
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Death, Dying, and Israel with Rabbi Steve Leder Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

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.
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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.
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The Wealth Money Can’t Buy with Robin Sharma Apr 09, 2024

Show notes

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 money
How to find joy in your craft
What his work with billionaires has taught him about money and life
Why and how he started writing
Whether he believes in God
Where the word “coach” comes from
The benefits of mastery
And, the 8 forms of wealth: wellness, family, craft, money, community, adventure, service.
Learn more about Robin and his new book on his website.
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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.
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Takeaways
Find joy and fulfillment in your craft, no matter what you do
Don't focus solely on financial wealth; pursue all eight forms of wealth: growth, wellness, family, craft, money, community, adventure, and service
In difficult times, practice meditation, visualization, and prayer (MVP) to build resilience
Stay in the pain and learn from it; it can lead to personal growth and wisdom
Lead with kindness and generosity, and give gifts to others without expecting anything in return
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America’s Government Teacher, Sharon McMahon Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

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 college
A 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 President
What it was like to interview the VPOTUS, Kamala Harris
Sharons' 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.
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Poor Kid Makes Millions Trading, Fights Inequality with Gary Stevenson Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

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 currency
How 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 market
His YouTube challenge, Gary’s Economics
Hot to tax billionaires more
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The Narcissist Next-door with Dr. Ramani Durvasula Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

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:
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