Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger

Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger

Author: Paul Ollinger Language: English Episodes: 100
Paul Ollinger has worn a few different hats-stand-up comedian, tech executive, and now, the curious host of Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger. This isn't a lecture series or a dry self-help guide. Instead, it feels more like pulling up a chair for a series of genuinely engaging talks that wander into the places where our daily lives, careers, and inner worlds collide. The conversations, which feature authors, thinkers, and various creatives, are refreshingly candid. They dig into the practical and philosophical questions about what it actually means to build a life that feels both successful and satisfying. You'll find that each episode of this podcast approaches big themes-money, purpose, and the pursuit of contentment-with a blend of wit and thoughtful depth. The underlying idea isn't about finding a perfect, Instagram-ready version of happiness, but something more grounded and attainable. It's for anyone who's ever wondered if there's a smarter, more meaningful way to navigate the pressures of business and culture without losing sight of what matters. Tuning in, you get the sense that Paul is figuring it out alongside his guests, making the insights feel earned and relatable. The result is a consistently interesting exploration of how we can all aim for a life that feels reasonably, and authentically, well-lived.
Episodes
Giving Away Half-a-Billion Dollars w/ Craigslist founder, Craig Newmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:15
If you had hundreds of millions of dollars, how would you use it? Craigslist founder Craig Newmark faces this exact “problem”—and he’s working hard to give his fortune away to nonprofits tackling some of society’s most u…
Laughing at Death w/ John Kenney [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:15
What happens when you mix grief, comedy, and a brutally honest take on life’s hardest moments? You get John Kenney’s new book, I See You’ve Called in Dead. In this episode, I (i.e., me–Paul–the host) sit down with John K…
Rise of Populism w/ Brad Todd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:56
Political strategist, author, and CNN commentator Brad Todd joins Paul Ollinger for a no-BS and eye-opening conversation about what’s really happening in American politics. From growing up in East Tennessee to advising s…
From Prison to Oprah [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:52
What happens when a suburban soccer mom falls into heroin addiction, commits felonies, and ends up in prison—only to climb back out and become a four-time New York Times bestselling author? In this unforgettable episode,…
Vote for Jesus! w/ Jonathan Rauch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:20
What happens when someone who grew up Jewish, gay, and atheist finds deep inspiration in the teachings of Jesus? In this fascinating conversation, Jonathan Rauch returns to the podcast to talk about his new book 'Cross-P…
Tribalism is Dumb (w/Andrew Heaton) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:10
Andrew Heaton is the author of the new book Tribalism Is Dumb and the host of The Political Orphanage podcast. He sits down with Paul to unpack where tribalism comes from, how it is tearing us apart, and how we might fix…
Puck CEO, Sarah Personette [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:05
This week, Paul sits down with Sarah Personette, CEO of Puck, the fast-growing news outlet the New York Times described as “Vanity Fair for the Substack era.” From her ambition to become a CEO at age seven to her senior…
How Victimhood and Narcissism Hold Us Back (w/ Scott Barry Kaufman) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:05
Scott Barry Kaufman is a cognitive scientist and best-selling author of the book Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential. Scott’s writing dives deep into the psychology of…