Judd Apatow on Money, Fame, and Adam Sandler (Encore)

Judd Apatow on Money, Fame, and Adam Sandler (Encore)

Author: Paul Ollinger December 13, 2023 Duration: 48:26
Judd Apatow is one of the most important figures in comedy and film today. But he just doesn’t care that much about money. This non-attachment to material goods leaves him more time to focus on what matters: writing, directing, developing talent, and getting his family together for dinner. Judd has accomplished so much in his career that, in retrospect, his success appears to have been pre-ordained. But despite his massive success in the past 20 years, he never forgets his early struggles. In this week’s encore episode from Feb ’22, I speak with the writer / director / producer behind iconic comedy films such as Anchorman, Trainwreick, This is 40, and The 40-Year-Old Virgin about:

Why Adam Sandler paid $50 more in rent than Judd when they were roommates

Why he didn’t worry too much about finances as a young comedian

How failure prepared him to handle success

Being creative during a pandemic

Buddhism and stuff


Catch Paul Ollinger live (or tell your friends to go):

Austin, Jan 11 - Buy Tickets HERE


San Francisco, Feb 22 - Buy Tickets HERE


Nashville, Feb 28 - Buy Tickets HERE


🔥Learn and laugh by reading Paul’s Substack here. 🔥

Get full access to Reasonably Happy at words.paulollinger.com/subscribe

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: 100

Reasonably Happy with Paul Ollinger
Podcast Episodes
A.I. Facts, Fears and Fiction (w/ Bryan Reimer) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:16
AI will have at least as big an effect on society as the invention of electricity. That’s the prediction of MIT’s Bryan Reimer. Bryan is the co-author of the new book ‘How to Make AI Useful’ in which he explores AI’s pow…
From Apartheid to Atlanta w/ Robyn Curnow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:38
My guest is Robyn Curnow, a native South African who spent over two decades at CNN, where she hosted CNN’s Newsroom, and anchored The International Desk with Robyn Curnow. Prior to that, she served as the network’s Afric…
Rewrite Mental Illness w/Laura Delano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:27
Laura Delano is the author of Unshrunk: A Story of Psychiatric Treatment Resistance. Laura was fourteen years old when she saw her first psychiatrist, which was not something openly discussed at the time in her wealthy h…
Find your Essential Intent w/ Greg McKeown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:33
Welcome back to this holiday conversation with ‘Essentialism' author Greg McKeown (see his very impressive resume below). As you set your goals and intentions for 2026, Greg’s insights will be a great way to think throug…
High Net Worth Divorce with Laura Wasser [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:56
People magazine called Laura Wasser “the celebrity of celebrity divorce attorneys,” which makes sense considering she has—according to Wikipedia—handled cases for A+listers like Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian, Johnny Dep…
Surviving the College Application Process w/ Jeffrey Selingo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:16
As the father of two prep school students, I was very eager to meet this week’s guest. Jeffrey Selingo has written about college admissions for more than 25 years and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books,…
Paul’s Insights into NYC, Email, and Estate Planning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:19
Hello friends. On this week’s episode, I read to you—like a daddy rocking his baby to sleep—the most recent posts from my Substack newsletter, which you can find here. (You can subscribe for free or pay a few bucks, if y…
Confronting Mortality with Thad Reichley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:04
Imagine being told you have a terminal illness. Would it change the way you approach each day? Two years ago, Thad Reichley went to the doctor because he had the flu. When initial attempts to address his symptoms were un…
Walking Away from Fame and Money with Rachel Heck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:47
Rachel Heck was a golf prodigy who qualified for the US Women’s Open at age 15 and made the cut. As a freshman in high school, she committed to play at Stanford University, where she went on to win both individual and te…