Facing Down Trump with Jocelyn Benson

Facing Down Trump with Jocelyn Benson

Author: Paul Ollinger May 30, 2025 Duration: 45:15
In December 2020, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was decorating the family Christmas tree with her 5-year-old son when she heard a crowd outside her home chanting "Stop the Steal!" In the days and weeks that followed, Donald Trump harassed her on social media, calling for her arrest and accusing her of treason, Benson alleges.On this week's Reasonably Happy podcast, Benson--who is now running for governor--joins Paul Ollinger to discuss how she modernized the DMV, what it feels like to be targeted by the President of the United States, and why the Democrats' murky future. Paul pushes her to take a stand against a party that keeps falling on the sword of cultural issues with which most of America disagrees, opening the door for the very President who tried to intimidate her. Unfortunately, Benson waffles on subjects like biological males in girls' sports and the fact that most college campuses have been captured by progressive ideology. Still, it's an interesting conversation with a rising political star who, if she can stand up to her party the way she stood up to Trump, could be a solid mainstream candidate someday.Read Paul's Substack here: Http://words.paulollinger.com

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 321

Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger
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