Crazy Money with Paul Ollinger

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. 

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 Grownuppodcast and the co-host of theMoney with Friends podcast. Her Reuters column was syndicated to newspapers and websites worldwide. Before that, she was a reporter at PBS’ Nightly Business Reportand held various producer positions at CNN and CNBC.

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.

Ryan Holiday is the author of ten books, which have sold sold more than 2 million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 professional career, she has served as General Counsel to several start-ups, and is currently Co-CEO of Synthesis, a Leadership Assessment & Development company.

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.

Marc Cohodes has made a career betting against companies he suspects of fraud. So when two FBI agents showed up on his farm to tell him to stop Tweeting about MiMedx CEO Pete Petit, Marc says he knew something was rotten in the Marietta, GA biotech’s company’s operations. Marc is especially tenacious when target companies push back or trash his reputation. Says he, "There’s no greater motivator than disrespect."

Gerald Chertavian is the Founder / CEO of “Year Up.” According to the US Dept of Labor, there are 7.3 million unfilled jobs in the United States. At the same time, there are millions of young adults who are working way below their potential or not working at all. Year Up takes those who want to work, arms them with both technical and social skills, then connects them to employers who need motivated, qualified employees.

You’ve likely seen Joe Matarese on one of his many television appearances, including two sets on Late Show with David Letterman, five on the Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson, or on his Comedy Central Presents half hour special, among many others. As a finalist on America’s Got Talent, Joe received a standing ovation from the 2,000-person crowd and all four celebrity judges. I have spent many weekends on the road as Joe’s opening act, and I consider him to be a good friend.

Graham Hill has a message for you: that big ol’ house of yours—and all the stuff in it—isn’t making you (or the environment) happy. His words are resonating. Graham’s two TED Talks on low-impact living and #minimalism have been viewed over 7 million times. A successful entrepreneur, Graham co-founded, ran and sold both SiteWerks and TreeHugger.com. Today he runs LifeEdited, which is dedicated to helping people design their lives for more happiness with less stuff.

Bill Gates calls Will MacAskill, “a data nerd after my own heart." Will is Associate Professor in Philosophy / Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on the fundamentals of effective altruism—the use of evidence and reason to help others by as much as possible with our time and money. His TED Talk on the subject has earned almost two million views. He is the author of "Doing Good Better." See my upcoming shows and links to my comedy EP here: http://paulollinger.com

Samantha Barry is Editor in Chief of Glamour where she is responsible for setting the voice and mission of the publication. As a young woman in Ireland, Sam dreamed of being a war correspondent. Her early work in journalism took her all over the world, including stints in Nigeria, Burma, Pakistan, Iraq, Papua New Guinea, Burma, and many other turbulent locations where she worked for the BBC, Intermedia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. I spoke to Sam in the Conde Nast offices in New York.