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 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...
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The Inner Journey In this episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Seth Spears, a business strategist and entrepreneur with a passion for purpose-driven ventures. Seth shares his journey growing up in a large, homeschooled family, the early money lessons that shaped his mindset, and his evolution from hard work to smart wealth creation. He delves into entrepreneurship, personal development, and the intersection of mission and business. Key Takeaways: Shifting from Hard Work to Smart Work. Seth grew up with a strong work ethic, believing money had to be earned through hard labor....
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Living Authentically In this episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Brian Bogert, a human behavior and performance coach, business strategist, and speaker. Brian’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and intentionality. After a traumatic injury at age seven, he learned how to embrace pain to avoid suffering—a philosophy he now teaches to help others unlock their full potential. Brian challenges the traditional norms of success, pushing individuals and leaders to connect with their authentic selves rather than simply chasing external achievements. His work is about...
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F Happiness In this episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Shawn Nowotnik, a therapist, author, artist, and filmmaker. After the devastating loss of his son to suicide, Shawn embarked on a deep exploration of mental health, addiction, and the pursuit of meaning. His insights challenge the conventional idea that happiness is the ultimate goal in life. Instead, he encourages people to focus on finding purpose and personal fulfillment. Shawn’s book, Fck Happiness: The Search for Meaning in a World Gone Mad Chasing Happiness*, delves into these themes, questioning why our culture is...
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Life As A Masterpiece In this episode of Richer Soul, we dive into the inspiring journey of Cathy Christen, a serial entrepreneur, speaker, and executive business coach who is passionate about helping others craft a "Life by Design." Cathy shares her personal growth story, how she overcame early money mindsets, and how she now empowers women through GoBundance WomenⓇ to live abundant, fulfilling lives. Key Takeaways: Overcoming Early Money Programming: Cathy grew up in a low-income household with a fear-driven attitude toward money. Through personal development,...
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Can 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...
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Surges Of Income In this episode of Richer Soul, we welcome Chris Moore, a property investor, entrepreneur, and business development consultant. Chris’s journey from a hardworking entrepreneurial family to becoming a successful author and digital marketing expert is full of insightful lessons on growth, resilience, and wealth creation. His reflections on family, money, and building a purposeful life provide listeners with actionable wisdom. Key Takeaways: Money as a Tool and Responsibility: Growing up in a household where money was part of everyday conversations, Chris learned...
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Embody: Feel, Heal, and Transform Your Life through Movement In this episode of Richer Soul, Rocky Lalvani welcomes Toni Bergins, M.Ed., an embodiment trailblazer and creator of JourneyDance. Toni shares her deeply personal journey of self-discovery, healing, and how movement transformed her life. From growing up in a household where money was a source of tension to building a holistic career path that speaks to her heart, Toni inspires us to embrace authenticity, let go of fear, and embody our true selves. Key Takeaways: Transformational Power of Movement: Toni explains...
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Creating Intentional Life Focus In this episode of Richer Soul, Dave Lubelczyk, also known for the "The Focus Turbine," joined us to discuss how to align your actions with your deeper motivations to create a life of fulfillment and success. Drawing from his expertise in leveraging the brain’s focus systems, Dave shared invaluable insights on living authentically and intentionally while balancing achievement with personal happiness. Key Takeaways: The Power of Focus: Dave emphasizes that what you focus on becomes your reality. He encourages listeners to concentrate on...
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The Purpose Code How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy In this thought-provoking episode of Richer Soul, we reconnect with Jordan Grumet, a hospice doctor, financial expert, and acclaimed author of Taking Stock. Jordan shares his reflections after the release of his book and addresses a common paradox about purpose: its undeniable importance and the anxiety it can cause. This conversation dives deep into how purpose intertwines with health, longevity, and financial well-being. Key Takeaways: Purpose Is Multifaceted: Jordan discovered that...
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!