The topic today is the book Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. I did an episode back in November, Episode #42 on Money. It was a precursor to this conversation, and either before or after you listen to this episode, I hope you’ll go back and take a listen. The topic of money, and how we think about money, how we relate to money, is such a vital part to finding peace and happiness in the world. We simultaneously need to know the value of a dollar, but also its limits. We must find balances between thrift, generosity, and transcendence…knowing that the presence of money doesn’t actually solve all problems. In fact, it can cause an abundance of them. This book—Die With Zero—has played such a vital role in helping me truly understand the role money plays in my life…It’s necessary not simply to spend intentionally, but to earn intentionally. In working professional America, there is a sense of “Grind Culture” where we sometimes think that earning and producing indefinitely is somehow virtuous. But when we think about the most finite resource in our life—it’s never money—it’s time. We have a finite period on this earth, and when we die. Thats it. So yes we need to spend some of that time on earth earning money, and not enjoying our lives. But that being said, every dollar left in our bank account when we die represents a fraction of time that we could have spent achieving our goals, or spending time with our loved ones. Dying With Zero is an ethos about living and spending intentionally, accepting our mortality, and thinking of money not as an ends, but as a means to a life well lived—however you define it.

The second reason I’m excited is for today’s guest. Tal Moore is one of the most successful names in E-Commerce. He’s been the founder of multiple successful e-commerce exits including Franklin's Gourmet Popcorn, Gumballs.com, Wicker.com, and Chocolate.com. His specialty has been bringing popcorn to the e-commerce world. He’s has spent considerable Time and resources developing himself as a leader and mentor. Not only was he on the edge of the LA Fires when we recorded this conversation, but he’s back at the plate as the Founder & CEO of PopSmith, a wonderful product that allows families to easily make stovetop popcorn at home in healthy & delicious cookware. While he and I live different lives today—me a country bumpkin with a dad-bod…Tal with a fierce startup vigor in LA—we find so much common ground on how we both relate to money and I think it will be a productive listen for all our audience members.

If you do enjoy todays episode, please consider rating us on apple, spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, they actually help us a ton to get in front of more listeners.

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