Ep. 352: Is Ambition Anti-Happiness? Former Facebook Employee Shares [REMASTERED]

Paul Ollinger was one of Facebook’s first 250 employees. At age 42, he walked out with a pocket full of cash in what most would consider an ideal situation, but what he found instead left him wondering what’s next while he explored the relationship between money, happiness, work, and meaning.   In this episode, we discuss how wealth changes us, leaves us the same and why it even matters for the average middle class American as we explore the question.  This episode originally aired January 20, 2025. If you liked this episode, you’ll also like episode 330: IS YOUR HAPPINESS BEING POLITICIZED [REMASTERED]? Guest:https://words.paulollinger.com/ https://www.paulollinger.com/https://www.paulollinger.com/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger/https://www.facebook.com/pmohttps://x.com/Paul_ollinger Sponsors: https://www.historicpensacola.org/about-us/  2:12 Walking away from silly money4:17 Was it burnout or something deeper5:44 Does ambition kill happiness9:34 Why the top 1% work the longest hours10:36 The Meritocracy Trap explained16:26 The one question you get to answer19:06 Everyone has a Facebook story21:17 The Saturn SL2 and narcotic gratitude24:37 Why it's hard to remember life is good27:38 Still a grumpy fuck half the time28:22 Why we count steps instead of love29:26 Flow state and podcasting addiction32:38 Vast wealth as an unnatural state34:09 The 80% who can't cover a $1,000 bill36:22 Does pursuing wealth also isolate you39:44 Finding work you're curious about early40:05 Mind time traveling to define happy41:27 Six years of podcasting, honestly assessed43:39 Final question: are you reasonably happyRequest to join my private Facebook Group, MFR Curious Insiders: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BAt3bpwJC/Follow me in all the places:https://www.meredithforreal.com/  https://www.instagram.com/the_curiousintrovert/ [email protected]://www.youtube.com/meredithforreal https://www.facebook.com/curiousintrovert