Ep 426 Can You Be Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
Release Date: 01/22/2025
Richer Soul, Living A Life on Purpose!
The AI-Driven Leader What if artificial intelligence could free you from the daily grind and unlock your full potential as a strategic leader? In this game-changing episode of Richer Soul, Rocky talks with Geoff Woods, international bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader and founder of AI Leadership. Geoff shares how leaders can escape operational overwhelm, reclaim their time, and harness AI for exponential growth—no coding required. From reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad at age 10 to scaling billion-dollar companies, Geoff's journey is fascinating. But it's what he reveals about...
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Finding Your Purpose What if the path to wealth, happiness, and fulfillment isn’t in doing more — but in feeling more? In this powerful episode of Richer Soul, Nate Ewert joins Rocky to share how he helps men break free from unconscious survival patterns and step into lives of true purpose and alignment. Through his work with Igniter Men’s Group and Somatic Synergies, Nate bridges ancient wisdom, neuroscience, and trauma-informed healing practices to guide transformation from the inside out. Whether you're feeling stuck in patterns that no longer serve you, or you're seeking...
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Increasing Your Healthspan On this powerful episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Ashley Garcia—a small-town girl from rural Illinois who defied limitations and built a life of health, purpose, and high performance. A celebrated IFBB Figure Pro, health coach, and business owner, Ashley joins Rocky for a raw and empowering conversation on rewriting personal narratives, cultivating resilience, and designing a life rooted in vitality and purpose. She didn’t just overcome self-doubt and outdated societal expectations—she crushed them under the barbell of transformation. ...
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Living Longer and Healthier What if aging wasn’t inevitable? What if your energy, skin, and vitality didn’t have to fade with time? In this mind-expanding episode of Richer Soul, Rocky dives deep into the science and soul of reversing aging with the revolutionary biohacking coach, Dr. Grazyna Pajunen. With her background in electrical engineering and a powerful immigrant story, Dr. Pajunen combines academic rigor with practical tools to help everyday people stop settling for a life of aches, wrinkles, and fatigue. From AI-enhanced wellness to practical tips for restoring...
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Breaking Free of Your Boxes Unlocking Freedom Through Wealth: How Betsy Pepine Built a Real Estate Empire Rooted in Debt-Free Living What if the secret to wealth wasn’t just making more—but making smart, intentional choices with what you already have? In this powerful episode of Richer Soul, Betsy Pepine shares the remarkable story of how she went from a frugal childhood in New Jersey to becoming a best-selling author, serial entrepreneur, and leader of one of the top real estate brokerages in the U.S. Her philosophy? Live below your means, stay out of debt, and use money as a tool...
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The Alcohol-Free Lifestyle In this episode of Richer Soul, we explore the intersection of high performance, mental clarity, and living alcohol-free with James Swanwick — entrepreneur, investor, author, and former ESPN anchor. James shares his personal journey from journalism to broadcasting to launching a movement that empowers executives and business leaders to live their best lives without alcohol. His insights challenge cultural norms, offering a neuroscience-backed framework to help high achievers make better life decisions. Key Takeaways: Alcohol Doesn’t Serve High...
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Confidence Comes Later In this episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Angus Nelson, an executive coach dedicated to transforming entrepreneurs into their best selves. Angus shares his powerful story of overcoming burnout, addiction, and personal loss to build a life of balance and fulfillment. He discusses the psychology of success, emotional intelligence, and how to cultivate a wealthy life beyond just financial gains. His insights have impacted leaders in startups, Fortune 500 companies, and even celebrity circles. Join us as we dive into Angus’ transformative journey and learn how you,...
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I Respectfully Disagree In this episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Justin Jones-Fosu, an energetic business speaker, social entrepreneur, and workplace researcher. Justin is the founder and CEO of Work. Meaningful., where he helps organizations create a culture of purpose-driven work. He is also a prolific author, with books like Your WHY Matters NOW and The Inclusive Mindset. Through his unique life experiences, including growing up with contrasting financial influences and conquering one of the Seven Summits, Justin brings valuable insights on navigating challenges, finding purpose,...
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The Power of the Family Office In this transformative episode of The Richer Soul, we are joined by Dane Czaplicki, co-founder of Members' Wealth, as he reveals the blueprint for achieving financial peace and purpose. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Dane's path to success wasn’t a straight line—he self-educated, made early mistakes, and ultimately built a thriving business that helps others preserve their wealth. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your financial struggles into triumphs, this episode is packed with powerful insights. Discover how Dane took...
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The Power Of Culture Culture is at the core of everything we do—both personally and professionally. In this episode of Richer Soul, we had the pleasure of speaking with Laura Hamill, an organizational psychologist, ex-Microsoft director, and co-founder of Limeade, an employee experience software company. Laura now leads the Paris Phoenix Group, helping organizations transform their workplace culture. She is also the host of the Happy at Work podcast and the author of The Power of Culture (coming November 12, 2024). In our conversation, we dive deep into the role of workplace...
info_outlineCan You Be Reasonably Happy
In this episode of Richer Soul, I had the privilege of speaking with Paul Ollinger, a stand-up comedian, podcast host, and author who left a lucrative career at Facebook to chase his dream of comedy. Through his podcast, Reasonably Happy, Paul explores the interplay between money, happiness, work, and purpose. His life journey, marked by bold choices and valuable lessons, offers incredible insights into navigating life’s financial and emotional complexities.
Key Takeaways:
- Childhood Money Scripts Matter: Paul grew up in a large Catholic family where money was stable but never abundant. This upbringing shaped his initial belief that wealth equates to freedom from stress—a script he reevaluated later in life.
- Chasing Dreams Is Risky but Rewarding: Paul’s decision to leave Facebook to pursue stand-up comedy was financially unprofitable, but it brought him immense personal growth and fulfillment.
- Money and Happiness Are Interlinked but Complex: Paul’s podcast and essays examine how financial success can coexist with personal happiness, emphasizing balance over blind ambition.
- The Power of Giving Back: From supporting his family as a child to providing thoughtful insights through his podcast, Paul embodies the spirit of contribution, proving that fulfillment often lies in lifting others.
Money Learning:
Paul’s journey reveals that our financial habits often stem from childhood experiences. His early lessons about saving and frugality played a pivotal role in his career choices. However, he emphasizes the importance of not letting outdated beliefs limit your growth. For Paul, real financial wisdom lies in balancing practical discipline with pursuing meaningful experiences.
About Paul Ollinger:
Paul Ollinger is a stand-up comedian and the host of Reasonably Happy, a podcast where he discusses money, happiness, and work with renowned guests like Judd Apatow and LL COOL J. His latest book, Reasonably Happy, compiles over 200 interviews into humorous and insightful essays. Based in New York City, Paul lives with his wife, two teenagers, and their French bulldogs, Theo and Colonel Tom Parker.
Key Discussion Points:
- Early Money Lessons: Paul shared how his upbringing in a frugal, Catholic family shaped his financial mindset. His parents’ values emphasized stability over luxury, which initially instilled in him the belief that wealth equated to stress-free living.
- The Psychological Impact of Wealth: Paul discussed the emotional challenges of growing up with financial stress. He later learned to untangle these experiences to adopt a healthier relationship with money.
- Balancing Career Risks and Fulfillment: Leaving a well-paying job at Facebook for comedy was a gamble. Paul explained how this decision was fueled by the desire for purpose and authenticity over monetary gain.
- Cultural Narratives Around Money: Paul touched on societal attitudes towards wealth, noting how Catholicism often associates financial success with moral compromise—a narrative he actively worked to rewrite.
- Teaching Financial Lessons to the Next Generation: As a parent, Paul is mindful of the lessons his children absorb from him, ensuring they learn the value of money without developing unhealthy attachments or anxieties.
Conclusion:
Paul Ollinger’s story is a testament to the fact that money, while essential, is just one piece of the happiness puzzle. His journey from corporate success to personal fulfillment through comedy and podcasting showcases the courage it takes to align your financial habits with your values and passions. Tune in to this episode to gain deeper insights into how money, happiness, and meaning intersect.
Links:
Book on Amazon: Reasonably Happy: Essays on Money, Work and Other Things that Piss Me Off- https://www.amazon.com/Reasonably-Happy-Essays-Money-Things/dp/0997270659/ref=sr_1_1?crid=326TDOT9XWWGI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dLZOV_Igvsr40nXuxzsMbULjnDLojjeLCAnUkSK67wDL2ByRXdMpN6QwaDis5Ewq.RqJ-nLbHhL2CsP6768q3Ko-D9W2Wo1HMtxKDr_cs7Es&dib_tag=se&keywords=paul+ollinger&qid=1733763670&sprefix=paul+ollinger,aps,208&sr=8-1
Substack: https://words.paulollinger.com/
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@richersoul
Richer Soul Life Beyond Money. You got rich, now what? Let’s talk about your journey to more a purposeful, intentional, amazing life. Where are you going to go and how are you going to get there? Let’s figure that out together. At the core is the financial well-being to be able to do what you want, when you want, how you want. It’s about personal freedom!