Joe Lonsdale: American Optimist
Ep 90: Ethan Penner on Choosing Greatness & Pioneering New Markets on Wall Street
May 23, 2024
Author Ethan Penner discusses choosing greatness, pioneering new markets on Wall Street, and the misconceptions around achieving excellence in daily life. He emphasizes the importance of personal accountability, resilience, and societal structures in enabling individual greatness. The conversation also delves into historical examples and cultural contrasts to highlight the quest for excellence and optimism in times of transition.
37:06
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Quick takeaways
- Greatness is a daily decision to choose excellence, bringing meaning and fulfillment to life.
- Ethan Penner reshaped real estate financing through innovative structured finance and securitization in the 1990s.
Deep dives
Facing Inequality at Birth and Embracing Individual Journeys
Inequality is an inherent part of life at birth, with variations in attractiveness, intelligence, and upbringing. Each individual embarks on a unique journey, not meant to be equal. Ethan Penner's mindset as a scholar and philosopher has led him to challenge real estate financing in the 1990s, reshaping the industry with structured finance and securitization. He emphasizes the importance of choosing greatness and highlights the societal factors necessary for fostering individual excellence.
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