The Polestar Podcast

Morgan Housel: On Wealth, Wisdom & the Pursuit of Happiness

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Polestar Podcast, host Jason Boudreau speaks with Morgan Housel, author of "The Psychology of Money" and "Same as Ever." Morgan shares insights from his unique journey from a ski-racing youth to a leading financial writer, emphasizing hard work, curiosity, and the realization that personal inadequacy led to greater efforts in his education and career. Morgan explores the balance between optimism and pessimism in wealth management, drawing from his professional experiences and his writings. He highlights the critical role of understanding human behavior in financial decisions and discusses the complexities of entrepreneurship, the pursuit of happiness, and parenting in the age of social media. This episode is a deep dive into Morgan's philosophy on financial psychology, the importance of self-awareness, and the challenges of navigating success and satisfaction in today's digital and materialistic world.

Episode Notes

Key highlights of this episode:

• Morgan Housel's unique journey to acclaimed financial writer, highlighting the value of hard work and the impact of early life experiences on career choices.
• The importance of balancing optimism and pessimism in wealth management.
• Insights into behavioral finance, emphasizing the psychological aspects of money management and the power of understanding human behavior in financial success.
• The role of entrepreneurship and the realities of managing a business, addressing the challenges and rewards of navigating the business world.
• The impact of social media on happiness and self-comparison, with a focus on the challenges of parenting in the digital age and fostering a healthy relationship with technology.
• Morgan's perspectives on the pursuit of happiness, success, and fulfillment, offering listeners a guide to navigating life's financial and emotional complexities.

About the Guest- Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel is a partner at The Collaborative Fund.

He's the New York Times Bestselling author ofThe Psychology of Money and Same As Ever. His books have sold over five million copies and have been translated into more than 50 languages. 

Morgan is a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and winner of the New York Times Sidney Award. In 2022, MarketWatch named him one of the 50 most influential people in markets. He serves on the board of directors at Markel.

About the Host – Jason Boudreau

Jason has built VELA Wealth into an established life and estate planning firm, guiding families as they make meaningful choices at the intersection of life and wealth. Jason’s areas of expertise include intergenerational wealth transfer and estate planning with a focus on advanced insurance-based solutions that incorporate philanthropy and legacy planning. Leveraging these specialties, Jason brings a fresh perspective and outside-the-box thinking to the strategic planning process. To read more, please visit the VELA team page.