Paul Shaffer | Reasonably Happy

Paul Shaffer | Reasonably Happy

Author: Paul Ollinger December 18, 2024 Duration: 1:02:44
Join legendary musician Paul Shaffer, famed as David Letterman’s long-time musical director, as he shares his extraordinary career journey—from his childhood in Thunder Bay to iconic roles on Saturday Night Live and The Blues Brothers. Shaffer sits with host Paul Ollinger and reflects on his early love for music, working alongside comedy greats like Martin Short and Bill Murray, and how rock and roll’s raw simplicity shaped his passion. Packed with nostalgic Hollywood and Broadway stories, this conversation is a must-watch for music and comedy fans alike. 🎵🎭

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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
Podcast Episodes
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…
Stoic Street Smarts w/ Ed Latimore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:48
Ed Latimore grew up in the projects of Pittsburgh where poverty, drugs, and gun violence were the rule of the streets. But he escaped and went on to become a professional boxer and earn a degree in Physics. I spoke to Ed…