Rise of Populism w/ Brad Todd

Rise of Populism w/ Brad Todd

Author: Paul Ollinger September 3, 2025 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 senators, governors, and big-time campaigns, Brad’s been in the trenches for decades — and he’s got the stories to prove it. Paul and Brad dig into the rise of populism, how the Republican Party has changed, and the real challenges facing Democrats in 2025. Brad gives unfiltered takes on Donald Trump’s second term, what a post-Trump GOP might look like, and why primaries and caucuses shape the country’s future. You’ll also hear what Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett was like at Rhodes College (where both Paul and Brad went to school), some high-stakes dog track bets, and why politics is still a young person’s game. It’s part insider scoop, part history lesson, part comedy — the kind of conversation that’ll make you think, laugh, and maybe even yell at your screen. If you want the truth about U.S. politics without the cable news noise, this is it.

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
America’s Government Teacher, Sharon McMahon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:56
Sharon McMahon is living her purpose. Via her wildly popular Instagram account @SharonSaysSo, she is fighting political misinformation and guiding her audience through “the fascinating world of democracy, politics, and h…
The Narcissist Next-door with Dr. Ramani Durvasula [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:36
Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a clinical psychologist and author of the New York Times best-seller It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People. In this insight-rich conversation, Dr. Ramani explains the trai…
TED's Chris Anderson on Infectious Generosity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:54
Chris Anderson is the Head Curator of TED and author of the new book, 'Infectious Generosity: The Ultimate Idea Worth Spreading' in which he argues that YOU and I can improve the world by embracing our natural inclinatio…
Mike and Paul’s Road Trip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:09
This episode is highlights of a conversation between Paul and Mike Carano, long-time friend and Crazy Money editor. It was recorded on a road trip between San Francisco where Paul had just performed at Cobb’s Comedy Club…
On Fire for Life with John O’Leary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:06
When John O’Leary was 9 years old, he played with fire and got burned. Like really, really burned, over 99% of his body. Doctors gave him less than 1% chance to live and told his parents he would not survive. Yet thanks…
Paul Reads Money Essays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:21
In this special “where has Paul been?” episode, Paul reads three of his latest pieces from his Substack, Money and the Meaning of Life, so that you can drive or workout without reading. Latest posts include:Adventures in…
Race and Money with Coleman Hughes (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:34
Today’s guest is Coleman Hughes, a writer, podcaster, opinion columnist and self-described "Black man who does’t think everything is about race.” Coleman has a new book out this week called 'The End of Race Politics: Arg…
The Joys and Anxieties of Wealth (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:58
Paul Schervish studies very wealthy people: what worries them, what delights them, and what motivates them to give to charity. The Director of Boston College’s Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, Paul is the co-author of…
Dr. Drew Pinsky on Careers, Money, and Fame (Encore) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:26
This is a special holiday encore of the 2nd episode of Crazy Money with Dr. Drew, which ran Jan 30, 2019. Dr. Drew offers candid insight into the ups and downs of a career in broadcasting and medicine. From Loveline to C…