Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger

AJ Jain is a retired C-level insurance executive, former strategy consultant, and professor of marketing at Southern Methodist University. He holds a Ph.D. and MBA from SUNY Buffalo and two other degrees from prestigious universities in India. In other words, he’s a very accomplished guy.  Yet, for a few years in his early 40’s, AJ faced existential economic catastrophe and marital collapse. On the brink of financial ruin, AJ rediscovered himself and committed to living a purposeful, family-centric life. 
AJ is the founder of Feed A Billion, a nutritional non-profit program that helps prevent human trafficking caused by food insecurity. Since it’s inception in 2016, it has provided 5.5 million meals to those in need. Learn more here: http://FeedABillion.org
Tell Paul hello at [email protected]

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In his new book, Civilized to Death: The Price of Progress, Chris Ryan, PhD. questions whether civilization has actually been a net benefit to our species. Ask yourself: would you rather spend your life fighting traffic and working every day in a cubicle, or foraging among the trees, falling asleep under the stars, warmed by a literal and communal fire? Chris’ first book, Sex at Dawn spent several weeks on the New York Times best-seller list. His TED Talk has been viewed over 2.5 million times.  https://chrisryanphd.com/ Email Paul at [email protected]

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Bobbi Rebell is an award-winning TV anchor and personal finance columnist most recently at Thomson Reuters, the largest news organization in the world. She is also the host of the Financial Grownup podcast and the co-host of the Money with Friends podcast. Her Reuters column was syndicated to newspapers and websites worldwide. Before that, she was a reporter at PBS’ Nightly Business Report and held various producer positions at CNN and CNBC.  Bobbi is the author of the best-selling self-help/personal finance book “How to Be a Financial Grownup: Proven Advice from High Achievers on How to Live Your Dreams and Have Financial Freedom. The book combines unique personal financial stories from inspirational leaders, including Tony Robbins, Jim Cramer, Drew Barrymore, and many more. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Bobbi holds a Certificate in Financial Planning from New York University. I spoke to Bobbi in her NYC office about raising financial grown-ups, the life cycle of a financial journalist, and working for her dad’s approval. 
See all things Bobbi here: http://www.bobbirebell.com/
See some things Paul here: http://paulollinger.com

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Rick Bronson is an award-winning comedian, magician, TV Host, and entrepreneur. He has worked with President Bill Clinton, Spinal Tap, Martin Short, The Smothers Brothers, and many other fascinating people. Rick is the recipient of 8 COCA Comedian of the Year awards, an AMPIA award for Best TV Host on his travel series, The Tourist, and many other comedy accolades. 
Today, Rick owns and operates some of North Americas top comedy clubs – The House of Comedy in Minneapolis and Phoenix; and The Comic Strip in Edmonton and (coming soon) East Rutherford, NJ.
We talked live at the Big Pine Comedy Festival in Flagstaff, AZ about transitioning from life as a performer, running a successful business, smoked meats, and finding happiness amidst life’s ups-and-downs….which has mostly to do with smoked meats…and golf.  Email Paul at [email protected]

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Ryan Holiday is the author of ten books, which have sold sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages. World-class athletes, celebrities and political leaders use his lessons to achieve peak performance. His 2014 book, The Obstacle Is The Way, was read by the New England Patriots during their 2014 Super Bowl-winning season and by four-time major champion golfer Rory McIlroy as preparation for the 2019 Masters Tournament.  In his new book, Stillness is the Key, the author explores how each of us can find wisdom in our lives by slowing down and quieting the barking dogs in our head. Ryan is also the founder of Daily Stoic, a community of 200,000 people dedicated to leading better lives by contemplating the ancient philosophy.  
Find Ryan on http://dailystoic.com
Find Paul on http://PaulOllinger.com Email Paul at [email protected]

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Our brains are not good at predicting what will actually make us happy. You think you want more money, more fame, and to be alone, but what will actually make you happy are more social connections and more gratitude. Dr. Santos’ course Psychology and the Good Life teaches students to live happier, more fulfilling lives, which is good because student rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are at an all-time high.  Check out her great new podcast, The Happiness Labhere.  Make a social connection with Paul at his website, http://paulollinger.com Email him guest suggestions and gift certificates at: [email protected]

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Princeton economist and Nobel Prize-winner, Sir Angus Deaton co-authored a famous study concluding that well-being peaks at $75k/year in income. But the results of this research go much deeper and are widely misconstrued. The first question we wrestle with is "what does it mean to be happy?” We also get into health, opioids, and trout-fishing.  A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Angus Deaton earned his BA, MA, and PhD at Cambridge. Since 1983, he has been a member of the Economics faculty at Princeton University. He has won many awards, most notably the 2015 Nobel Memorial prize in Economic Sciences for his analysis of consumption, poverty, and welfare. In 2016, Deaton joined the Order of the British Empire, named Knight Bachelor "for his services to research in economics and international affairs.” Check out his latest book on Amazon: The Great Escape: Health, Wealth, and the Origins of Inequality Find all things Paul Ollinger on his website: http://paulollinger.com Email Paul at [email protected]

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Kristy Shen grew up in abject poverty in rural China where her family lived on $.44 per day. Chronic hunger and worm-infested drinking water were regular parts of her youth. Her husband, Bryce Leung, is also a first generation Canadian, but from a more middle class background.  Early in their computer-programming careers, they committed themselves to frugality. In their early-30’s, with millions in the bank, they retired, and now travel the world full-time. Kristy and Bryce are the co-founders of the financial independence blog, Millennial-Revolution.com and co-authors of the book, Quit Like a Millionaire: No Gimmicks, Luck or Trust Fund Required. See their blog here: https://www.millennial-revolution.com/ Give Paul hair and make-up tips here: http://PaulOllinger.com

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Israeli kids grow up in a world of uncertainty, with war and terrorism never far away. They are independent yet group-minded. They know that when they turn 18, they will serve in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Their parents don’t hover over them, obsess over every mistake, or give them trophies for losing. 
In her new book, Chutzpah, Inbal Arieli argues that these traits uniquely prepare them for life as entrepreneurs. 
Inbal garnered her entrepreneurial skills during her mandatory IDF service where she was a Lieutenant in the elite intelligence 8200 unit. In her post-military career, she has served as General Counsel to several start-ups, and is currently Co-CEO of Synthesis, a Leadership Assessment & Development company.
She holds an LL.B. in Law, B.A in Economics and MBA in Entrepreneurship and Strategy, from Tel Aviv University. 
Learn more about Inbal here: http://inbalarieli.com/
Compliment Paul on his hair: http://paulollinger.com

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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 producer Mike Carano take Brad's Money Disorder Assessment and discuss their results in the hope he can cure them of their money ills. Brad'swork 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: https://www.yourmentalwealth.com/assessment/ Check out his YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_GFrBVMkHRqL1_W0uu40Fg See links to Paul’s comedy shows and upcoming dates here: http://paulollinger.com

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