Tribalism is Dumb (w/Andrew Heaton)

Tribalism is Dumb (w/Andrew Heaton)

Author: Paul Ollinger July 30, 2025 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 it. With wit, warmth, and some surprisingly deep evolutionary psychology, Andrew explains how our ancient brains are wired to seek belonging—even if that means choosing teams over Truth. They cover everything from Dunbar’s number to the loneliness epidemic, from the comedy club to Capitol Hilll, and why political identity has become a poor substitute for real community. Whether you're center-left, center-right, or just tired of the noise, this conversation offers a refreshing dose of nuance, laughs, and insight into how we got here and where we could go. If you've ever felt politically homeless—or curious why shouting on Twitter feels like the new religion, this conversation is for you! Don’t miss the part where Andrew suggests that Paul change the name of his podcast to “Drinking Liberal Tears with Paul.” (It’s not going to happen, but just think of how popular it would be if we did!)

Subscribe to Paul’s Substack: http://words.paulollinger.com

Follow Andrew at https://mightyheaton.com/

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…