Crazy Money with Paul Ollinger

The Simpsons writer and showrunner Mike Reiss shares behind-the-scenes secrets from 36+ years on the iconic animated series. From working with comedy legends like Sam Simon, Al Jean, and Conan O'Brien to writing for Johnny Carson and witnessing the wild beginnings of FOX, Mike recounts hilarious Hollywood stories and life lessons from his travels to 147 countries. He reveals the origin of the Simpsons, why Harvard wasn't funny, how VCRs and fan feedback helped shape the show, and why the writers' room was like a "kibbutz but more Jewish." It's a deep dive into comedy, creativity, and the wild ride of creating a global phenomenon. Follow Mike's Substack: https://substack.com/@mikereiss Get Paul's Book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

Former personal assistant to both Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali, Laurie Woolever, opens up about the untold truths behind celebrity kitchens, toxic food culture, addiction, and what ultimately drove Bourdain to suicide. From Mario Batali's manipulative power plays to Bourdain's romantic obsessions and lifelong depression, Woolever shares the unfiltered story behind her new memoir Care and Feeding. The conversation also explores alcoholism in fine dining, working through shame, and the ethics of telling personal stories—alongside hot takes on The Bear, Lucky Charms, and how Batali allegedly didn't pay staff. This is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the dark underbelly of fame, food, and finding your voice after chaos. Check out Laurie's podcast: https://www.instagram.com/carbfacepod/ Get a copy of Paul's book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

In this raw and revealing episode of Reasonably Happy, author and screenwriter E.A. Hanks opens up about growing up as the daughter of Tom Hanks, surviving a chaotic childhood with an abusive, mentally ill mother, and forging her own path in Hollywood. From hidden trauma and therapy breakthroughs to the price of fame and writing a memoir about family, identity, and the open road, Hanks shares powerful stories behind her new book The Ten. She discusses how her father's fame created emotional distance, the collapse of her mother's mental health, and how writing became both her refuge and rebellion. If you're into celebrity legacies, healing childhood wounds, or the grind of making it as a writer in L.A., this episode hits every note.

Legendary sportscaster Jim Lampley joins Paul Ollinger on "Reasonably Happy" to share unforgettable stories from his 40+ year broadcasting career, covering everything from Olympic Games and Super Bowls to boxing icons like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Lampley reveals the behind-the-scenes drama of his rise at ABC Sports, recounts his emotional connection to the Miracle on Ice, and reflects on the values learned from greats like Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, and Howard Cosell. From interviewing George Mira to being thrust into the spotlight by Roone Arledge, Jim discusses ego, failure, reinvention, and finding happiness through storytelling. His new memoir It Happened: A Uniquely Lucky Life in Sports is a masterclass in perseverance and passion—this conversation is a must-watch for sports fans, storytellers, and anyone chasing purpose. Get Jim's Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/It-Happened!/Art-Chansky/9781637746431 Get Paul's Book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

In this thought-provoking episode of Reasonably Happy, Paul Ollinger sits down with journalist and author Jane Borden to unpack her explosive new book Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America. Together, they explore how apocalyptic beliefs, religious extremism, and cult-like behaviors have shaped American identity—from Puritan roots to modern political movements like MAGA. Jane reveals how tribal psychology, anti-intellectualism, and the prosperity gospel fuel division, and why both the far right and far left are vulnerable to cultish thinking. With dark humor, candid insights, and a deep dive into American history, this episode is a must-watch for anyone curious about religion, politics, and the future of democracy. Check out Janes book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cults-Like-Us/Jane-Borden/9781668007808 Get Pauls Book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

In this episode of Reasonably Happy, Paul Ollinger sits down with Fox News contributor and Raging Moderates co-host Jessica Tarlov for a wide-ranging conversation on politics, media bias, Israel, parenting, and the chaos of air travel. Jessica opens up about raising two young kids, finding peace in Jamaica, and holding her own as the lone Democrat on The Five. They dive into the latest national security scandal involving leaked attack plans, the challenge of moderate voices in polarized media, anti-Semitism on the left, and what's really holding back immigration reform. It's an honest, thoughtful, and funny episode that blends politics with real life. Get Pauls book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

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-book Check out Jeffs Substack: https://substack.com/@imightbewrong

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

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/quiz Buy Paul's book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

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! Take the quiz: https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz Buy Paul's book: https://www.paulollinger.com/the-book

In this episode of Reasonably Happy, host Paul Ollinger sits down with relationship expert Carolyn Sharp, author of Fired Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship. They dive 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 Stacy joins for an impromptu session on marriage dynamics! Don't miss this eye-opening conversation packed with relationship advice, practical tips, and humor.

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

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/

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=1 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/

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=1 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/

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.

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 experience Get 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/0997270659 Read Paul's Substack: https://words.paulollinger.com/

1 view Dec 3, 2024 Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger 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...

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

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

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

Paul sits down with comedian and actor Mehran Khaghani and gets deep into the psyche of a man who was brought to America from Iran as a 3 year old who discovered himself after years of addiction and psychedelics only to emerge on the other side as one of the funniest comedians working today and starring in the hit Off Broadway Steven Soderbergh show "The Fears".

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=2940191065052 Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger

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

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/0770437176 Follow Reasonably Happy host Paul Ollinger: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger

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 intelligence Why motivation is the closest thing we have to magic.  How and why to stay in the game as you get older The 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 development Pre-order Henry's book here. Subscribe to his Substack here.  WAIT - don't go until you've done 2 out of these 3 things:

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 success Why ‘Hamilton' is a perfect work of art The day he decided that Nas was God His creative process Watch his special, Live At the Ace Theater and listen to his album The Never Ending Now WAIT - don't go until you've done 2 out of these 3 things:

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:

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 Not 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:

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. 

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. 

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 Caliornia finance co-chair for the 2008 Presidential campaign of Barack Obama who appointed her Ambassador. Nicole's film about Black the contributions of Black service women 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 interivew is her husband, Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO of Netflix.)

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:

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. 

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. 

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.

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 person Mean things people said about him on social media What he rapped about when he was 8 years old Mike's youthful collaboration with Big Sean  The duality of human nature and how we all have good and bad within us Self-awareness and the importance of compassion Following one's own path, rather than relying on external validation.  Why we must embrace our mortality, and the reason others want you to forget it The importance of faith Check out Mike's TED Talk: 5 Lessons on Happiness and his Spotify profile.

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.

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. 

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 HEY - want to help Paul grow this great podcast? DO THESE THINGS:

‘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. 

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.

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 sevaral 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.  •

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. •

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. 

Gary Stevenson grew up in tough, working class East London. Despite setbacks in high school, 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 where he went on to earn multi-million dollar—er, pound sterling—bonuses. Gary went on to become Citi's top trader but eventually found 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, Paul and Gary 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  The way other's implicit bias against working class people worked to his advantage 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 Whether we should tax billionaire more and how exactly we should do it ⭐ Subscribe To Paul's Substack HERE. (Seriously, Do It!)⭐  ✍️ Rate And Review Crazy Money HERE.  (Seriously, Do This Also!) ✍️

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!) ✍️

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-1980's. He started Future Publishing, a specialist computer publications that eventually published 150 magazines and websites 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 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 Sunnyvale Why it's hard to admit what we want in life The history of Crazy Money The possible new names for Crazy Money Life in general ✍

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 moment Gratitude Family Courage Friends who will fight for you Finding your Talents Learn more about John on his website. ✍