The Fragile Power of Wealth

If you’ve ever wondered if having everything you’ve ever wanted would make you feel like a complete human being, this episode is for you. My guest today is Dr. Paul Hokemeyer, a psychotherapist who works almost exclusively with ultra-high-net-worth individuals—the kind of people most of us assume have life completely figured out. Spoiler alert: they don’t. Dr. Hokemeyer is the author of Fragile Power, a fascinating look at the emotional and psychological challenges that come with extreme wealth, fame, status, and success. In his work, he’s seen firsthand how money can insulate people from consequences, distort relationships, and quietly fuel addiction, anxiety, and isolation. In other words, he has a front-row seat to the uncomfortable truth behind the fantasy. Today, we talk about why power is more fragile than it looks, how wealth can complicate identity and purpose, and what it actually takes—whether you’re worth $10,000 or $10 billion—to build a life that feels meaningful.✍️ Subscribe to Paul’s Substack here. ✍️📈Rate Reasonably Happy here.📈👀 Learn More about Dr. Paul here. 👀 Get full access to Reasonably Happy at words.paulollinger.com/subscribe