Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger

The New Yorker called Princeton and University of Melbourne bio-ethicist, Peter Singer “the world’s most influential living philosopher." Time included him on its annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people. Peter has a question for you: Did you know that for the cost of a new television ($600), you can save a life? Here’s another: would it be worth foregoing a nice bottle of wine ($50) to cure someone’s blindness, thus allowing them to return to work and provide for themselves and their family? Could you come up with $700 to fix a new mother’s fistula, a debilitating condition that otherwise sentences her to incontinence and ostracism? Peter asks these questions because he wants to remind us that sums that are relatively trivial to us in the West can literally save or radically improve the life of someone in the developing world. He argues persuasively that we have the not just the opportunity but the obligation to help these people and doing so is in our own “enlightened self-interest." Peter is the author of The Life You Can Save, which Bill and Melinda Gates called, “an inspiring work that will change the way you think about philanthropy.” The 10th anniversary edition of the book is available for free in both audio and e-book formats on the website TheLifeYouCanSave.org. Go to the site and find ways you can save a life for $600 or cure someone’s cataract-induced blindness for as little as $50. Seriously, go do it. Now. Here’s the link again: TheLifeYouCanSave.org. You’ll feel better about yourself and life after you do it. Follow Crazy Money on Facebook here and join the Crazy Money Listeners Group here.
About Crazy Money:
Unlike traditional personal finance shows like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
Produced and edited by Mike Carano

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Tony Hsieh was the former CEO of Zappos, which Amazon bought for $1.2 billion. With a net worth reported at over $700 million, Tony appeared to have everything anyone could want. However, Tony suffered from severe addiction that pulled him down into a spiral of substance abuse, bizarre behavior, and his eventual death. During the Covid lockdown, Tony bought over $50 million worth of houses in Park City, UT and actually paid his friends to come live near him and “be happy.” He died from injuries sustained in a house fire where he was locked in a shed.
Angel Au-Yeung and David Jeans wrote the Forbes feature article, Tony Hsieh’s American Tragedy which details both Tony’s extraordinary accomplishments and his tragic demise. Dr. Drew Pinsky joins after Angel and David to discuss the correlation between wealth and addiction. 
Angel Au-Yeung writes about billionaires at Forbes. David Jeans, also a Forbes staff reporter, covers the technology industry. His work appears regularly in the New York Times. Dr. Drew Pinsky is an internist, addiction specialist, and popular broadcaster. 
**Please rate and review Crazy Money here.
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Produced and edited by Mike Carano
About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.

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John Helliwell is Professor emeritus of Economics at University of British Columbia and editor of The World Happiness Report, a landmark survey of the state of global happiness that ranks 156 countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. The report has been published since 2012 when the United Nations General Assembly invited countries to measure their citizen’s happiness. And why not? We measure and report GNP, the GDP, the unemployment rate, average income, home sales, but not happiness. Aren’t all these things surrogates for what we should be evaluating, i.e. happiness?  On today’s show, John shares the themes he and his colleagues have identified over years of study but also the more recent effects of Covid pandemic and quarantine on our overall happiness.  John studied as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford where he received his PhD. In 1967, John joined the economics faculty at University of British Columbia where he is now Professor Emeritus. In addition to many other distinctions, he was a visiting research fellow at Merton College, Oxford, and a Fullbright Fellow and MacKenzie King Visiting Professor of Canadian Studies at Harvard University (it’s near Boston, in case you’ve never heard of it) Take a few minutes to read his work: World Happiness Report.  **Please rate and review Crazy Money here. Follow Crazy Money on Facebook here and join the Crazy Money Listeners Group here.
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Produced and edited by Mike Carano
About Crazy Money:
Unlike traditional personal finance shows, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, charity, philanthropy, altruism, affluence, wealth, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
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Kay Madati was born to a single, Tanzanian mother who died when he was 12. Kay and his brother were then adopted by a very affluent caucasian couple who lived on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. His new family situation was an uncanny mirror to the plot of Diff’rent Strokes, one of the most popular American TV shows of the early 1980s. In a very short period of time, Kay went from a world where “black kids were never supposed to be anything but working class” to attending Riverdale Country School, an elite and nurturing private school in which teachers opened his eyes to his own massive potential. His experience, while rooted in tragedy, is a testimony to the transformative power of adoption and how parenting, education, and access are undeniable sources of privilege.  Kay eventually graduated from Georgetown University and went on to a career in media, working for some of the world’s most prestigious corporations, including BMW, CNN, Facebook, and BET Networks where he was Chief Digital Officer. Most recently, Kay was the Global Vice President and Head of Content Partnerships at Twitter, overseeing the company’s worldwide efforts to engage with media and content publishers across TV, Sports, News, Film, Music, among other categories. 
Kay is a citizen of both the United States and Tanzania. In 2014, President Obama appointed him to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans. Today he serves on the Advisory Board of Harvard Univeristy’s Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research, and is a member of the board of directors of Wingstop, a quickly-growing restaurant and franchise concept.  Outside of work, Kay is a passionate advocate for youth in underserved communities. He is a founding Board Member & Chairman Emeritus of both Brooklyn Excelsior and Atlanta Heights Charters Schools. For more information about these schools, click:

Atlanta Heights Charter School

Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School

Email me your receipt to [email protected].

**Please rate and review Crazy Money here.**
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Produced and edited by Mike Carano
About Crazy Money: Unlike traditional personal finance shows like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
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In this special Thanksgiving encore episode, I talk to A.J. Jacobs about his latest book, Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey, in which he expresses gratitude to a thousand people who are involved with getting him his morning coffee.
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 editor at large at Esquire magazine, a commentator on NPR and a columnist for Mental Floss magazine. 
Despite his references to the hygienic benefits of not shaking hands, this interview was recorded in pre-COVID 2019 at his office in New York City.
Learn more about A.J. on his website.
**Please rate and review Crazy Money here.
Follow Crazy Money on Facebook here and join the Crazy Money Listeners Group here.
Get your official Crazy Money t-shirts here. 
Produced and edited by Mike Carano
About Crazy Money:
Unlike traditional personal finance shows like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status. Paul Ollinger 
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Rich Beem won the 2002 PGA Championship, one of professional golf’s four major tournaments. Despite having won twice on tour prior to the PGA, Rich's win at Hazeltine was as unlikely as the groovy dance moves he busted out after sinking his final putt of the tournament. Describing himself as “the luckiest guy in the world,” Rich loves golf and hanging out with people who give him energy. He played the game loose and wide open, but the rising expectations he felt after becoming a major champion became a distraction, and he never won again on tour. On today’s Crazy Money, Rich speaks candidly about grinding his way up the golf ladder, and how he found purpose and meaning in life as his PGA prospects began to dim.  Rich was born in Phoenix, AZ, grew up in El Paso, TX and played college golf at New Mexico State University. Today Rich plays on the PGA Champions Tour and works as a TV golf analyst on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. Follow Rich on Instagram and/or Twitter.  **Please rate and review Crazy Money here. Follow Crazy Money on Facebook here and join the Crazy Money Listeners Group here.
Get your official Crazy Money t-shirts here. 
Produced and edited by Mike Carano
About Crazy Money:
Unlike traditional personal finance shows like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status. Paul Ollinger 
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Lisa Birnbach is the author of over 20 books, includingThe Official Preppy Handbook, a cultural phenomenon from the early 1980’s. The book sold more than a million copies and has been cited as an inspiration to the founder of J. Crew and is thought to have boosted the growth of LL Bean.  InT.O.P.H., Birnbach celebrated, skewered, and democratized the concept of preppiness, with writing the The New York Times described as “affectionate but acerbic.” Upon re-visiting the book, I found her reflections on money, fashion, status, and the social hierarchy as insightful and hilarious today as they were forty years ago. In this thoroughly enjoyable interview, we talk about the preppy aesthetic, Connecticut, and how the world has (and hasn’t) changed since she launched this juggernaut into being.  Celebrated for her keen eye and sharp wit, Lisa Birnbach is an award-winning journalist, cultural commentator, and bestselling author. She has written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, Parade, Rolling Stone, and New York magazine. You should check out her podcast, 5 Things with Lisa Birnbach. Lisa spoke to me from her home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. — See more about Lisa here - https://lisabirnbach.com/ **Please rate and review Crazy Money here. Follow Crazy Money on Facebook here and join the Crazy Money Listeners Group here. Get your official Crazy Money t-shirts here.  Pre-order Joshua Brown and Brian Portnoy's How I Invest My Moneyhere.
Produced and edited by Mike Carano
About Crazy Money:
Unlike traditional personal finance shows like Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, Crazy Money is not about how to make a million bucks, how to beat the market, or how to save money by switching cable providers. 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, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
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Dr. Brad Klontz is a psychologist and certified financial planner. He helps his clients (many of whom are ultra-high net worth individuals or even billionaires) understand how what they learned about money as kids affects their attitudes and dysfunctions today.  This week, both Paul and his editor/producer extraordinaire Mike Carano take Brad's Money Disorder Assessment and discuss their results in the hope he can cure them of their money ills. Brad’s work has been featured inThe Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Time, Kiplinger’s, Money, NPR and many other media outlets and professional magazines and journals. He is the author of several books, includingMind Over Money.  Take his Money Disorder Assessment here. Check out his YouTube Channel.  Please take a moment to rate Crazy Money here. Find out more about Crazy Money and Paul Ollinger on his website and/or follow him on the socials: 
• Twitter: http://Twitter.com/Paul_Ollinger
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulOllinger/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulollinger/
Produced and edited by Mike Carano
Topics addressed in this episode include:
Topics addressed on Crazy Money include: Philosophy, Happiness, Contentment, Meaning, dreams, purpose, Success, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
Now listen, I’m happy you’re here, but if you haven’t found what you’re looking for in the words above, you’re probably not going to find them down here. Seriously, all the important stuff is up yonder.

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Dylan Mohan Gray is the director of The King of Good Times, the pilot film of the new Netflix series, Bad Boy Billionaires: India, which has been the most viewed show in India for much of October. The film chronicles the rise and fall of Vijay Mallya, heir to a brewing fortune and founder of Kingfisher Airlines. Vijay was known for his excessive lifestyle, over-the-top personality, and lavish investments in sexy, high-profile ventures like cricket and Formula One racing teams. Despite his massive affluence, Vijay is accused of money laundering and fraud, which is said to have arisen from financial recklessness and over-reaching at his growing airline.  In this episode, Dylan and I discuss not only Vijay’s story, but how his excessive ambition, over-confidence, and lack of a sense of enough got him— and others who already have way more than they need — into big, big trouble.  An award-winning documentarian, Dylan also directed Fire in the Blood, which explored the high price of AIDS drugs in the developing world. The film was an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and The Wall Street Journal called it “powerfully cinematic and vitally important.”  Dylan holds an AB in History and Film from Dartmouth College and an MA in Contemporary History from Central European University. Read Paul Ollinger’s latest essays on Medium.
Please take a second to rate and review Crazy Money here. (Click on whichever app you use to listen!)
Join the discussion on the Crazy Money Podcast Listeners’ group on Facebook here. 
Produced and edited by Mike Carano
Topics addressed on Crazy Money include: Philosophy, Happiness, Contentment, Meaning, dreams, purpose, Success, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
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Janny Scott grew up on an 800-acre estate near Philadelphia. The descendant of railroad barons and financial magnates, Janny tracks the effects of her family’s multi-generational wealth in her book, The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune, and the Story of My Father. In the book, she lays the details of both the opulence and the tragic complications of her family’s vast resources. While things appeared perfect from the outside, alcoholism, suicide, divorce, and idleness derailed many of her relations. In this conversation, we discuss what it was like to grow up on property the size of Central Park and how the presence of so much wealth affects her attitudes about money today. We also cover the tragedies that befell many of her ancestors as they struggled to find purpose amidst massive affluence.  Janny worked for fourteen years as a reporter for the New York Times where she was a member of the team that won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for national reporting. Prior to the NYT, she reported for the LA Times and The Record of Bergen County (NJ). Her first book, A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mother earned her a nomination for the PEN/Jacqueline Bogard Weld Award for Biography and was named to Time magazine’s top ten nonfiction books of 2011. Her recent book was one of the NYT 100 Notable Books of 2019 and NPR’s Favorite Books of 2019. Janny has made appearances on The Colbert Report, Today, C-Span, Fresh Air and many other national TV and radio shows. She is a graduate of Harvard College and spoke with me from her home in New York City. Learn more about Janny’s work on her website. Download Peter Singer’s book,The Life You Can Savefor free hereor listen to the audiobook on Spotifyor Apple Podcasts. You can also listen to my interview with Peter here. Join the new Crazy Money Listeners Group on Facebook here. 
Read Paul's latest essays on Medium.
Please take a second to rate and review Crazy Money here.
Crazy Money is produced and edited by Mike Carano. Topics addressed on Crazy Money include:Philosophy, Happiness, Contentment, Meaning, dreams, purpose, Success, Rat Race, 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, wealth management, culture, society. Status.
If you haven’t found what you’re looking for in the words above, you’re probably not going to find them down here. Seriously, all the important stuff is up yonder.

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