We Study Billionaires - The Investor’s Podcast Network TIP757: Richer, Wiser, Happier Q3 2025 w/ Stig Brodersen & William Green
This intriguing discussion unpacks whether universal truths about living well truly exist. Insights reveal that happiness often stems from the absence of negative emotions. The hosts emphasize the unique lessons learned from the wealthiest individuals about money and satisfaction. They argue that generous spending on others can enhance personal joy. Stig shares his intentional reading restrictions, while they both explore the link between finances, meaningful experiences, and the importance of intellectual humility in judgment.
02:07:49
Multigenerational Home Perspective
- Stig recounts a Moroccan telling him multigenerational households are spiritually rich.
- The story highlights how cultural values change what people regard as a 'good life'.
Why He Tells People To Start Companies
- Stig admits his bias favors entrepreneurship because having a boss irritates him.
- He contrasts that with friends who prefer steady jobs, showing preferences are personal, not universal.
Question Provisional Truths
- William Green and Stig stress that nothing in life is absolutely certain and you should question received truths.
- Adopting provisional beliefs reduces dogmatism and lowers the risk of costly mistakes in life and investing.
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Intro
00:00 • 30sec
Why universal truths about a good life are elusive
00:30 • 5min
Questioning assumptions to improve judgment
05:51 • 10min
Practical investing principles amid uncertainty
16:02 • 5min
Balancing conviction and humility in decisions
21:23 • 21min
Ad break
42:31 • 4min
Why 'this is beneath me' is a useful ethic
46:30 • 4min
Does more income increase happiness?
50:44 • 5min
What money actually buys: security and optionality
55:29 • 16min
Spending that enriches life and eases worry
01:11:09 • 21min
Ad break
01:32:00 • 3min
How money facilitates relationships and experiences
01:35:24 • 3min
Experimenting with reading habits and focus
01:38:43 • 5min
Macro reading: Why country debt matters personally
01:43:16 • 7min
Unstructured reading and the wild-goose chase
01:50:35 • 12min
Choosing teachers and cloning virtues you admire
02:02:32 • 9min
Outro
02:11:58 • 27sec
#31493
The Words of My Perfect Teacher
Patrul Rinpoche
#32486
Shadows on the Hudson
Isaac Bashevis-Singer
#67872
The Slave Ship
Marcus Redica
#145
• Mentioned in 100 episodes
Richer, Wiser, Happier
How the World's Greatest Investors Win in Markets and Life
William Green
In Richer, Wiser, Happier, William Green draws on interviews conducted over twenty-five years with many of the world’s greatest investors.
The book highlights that the most successful investors are mavericks and iconoclasts who question conventional wisdom and think rationally, rigorously, and objectively.
They maximize their odds of long-term success in markets and life by drawing insights from diverse fields such as neuroscience, economic history, psychology, philosophy, and more.
Green explains how these investors can teach us not only how to become rich but also how to improve our thinking, decision-making, risk assessment, and resilience, and how to turn uncertainty to our advantage.
#660
• Mentioned in 34 episodes
How to Live
27 conflicting answers and one weird conclusion
Derek Sivers
In 'How to Live', Derek Sivers presents a collection of 27 independent chapters, each offering a different philosophy on how to live.
These chapters often contradict each other, arguing for various approaches such as being completely independent, committing to one career or person, being fully present, or delaying gratification.
The book is designed for reflection as much as instruction, providing actionable directives without quoting philosophers or naming specific ideologies.
It invites readers to consider multiple perspectives and find their own way, emphasizing that there is no one right way to live life.
#180
• Mentioned in 84 episodes
Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.
#761
• Mentioned in 31 episodes
Letting Go
David Hawkins
#183
• Mentioned in 83 episodes
How Countries Go Broke
Principles for Navigating the Big Debt Cycle, Where We Are Headed, and What We Should Do
Ray Dalio
In this book, Ray Dalio provides a groundbreaking analysis of the Big Debt Cycle, addressing critical questions about debt growth, the potential for a major reserve currency country like the US to go broke, and how to identify and mitigate debt-related risks.
Dalio draws on his experience as a global macro investor and his study of 35 historical cases of governments facing financial crises over the past 100 years.
He offers a template for identifying and managing debt problems, which he has discussed with treasury secretaries and central bankers worldwide.
The book explains the mechanics of debt sustainability, potential government debt reduction strategies, and the role of central bank interventions in managing debt crises.
#507
• Mentioned in 41 episodes
Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order
Why Nations Succeed and Fail
Ray Dalio
In this book, Ray Dalio analyzes the most turbulent economic and political periods in history to identify repeating patterns and cause/effect relationships that drive changes in wealth and power.
He studies the rise and fall of major empires, including the Dutch, British, American, Chinese, Soviet, and Japanese empires, highlighting the 'Big Cycle' that has driven their successes and failures.
Dalio uses these historical insights to offer practical principles for understanding the current world order and preparing for the future.
The book is organized into 14 chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the changing world order, and it weaves together history and economics using real-world examples.
#2072
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
A Room of One's Own
Virginia Woolf
In 'A Room of One's Own', Virginia Woolf delivers a groundbreaking essay that addresses the status of women in literature and society.
The essay, originally based on a series of lectures given at women's colleges, posits that for women to write fiction, they must have money and a room of their own.
Woolf explores the historical limitations faced by women in accessing education, careers, and artistic endeavors, and she critiques the societal structures that have hindered women's creative expression.
Through the fictional character of Judith Shakespeare, Woolf illustrates the tragic fate of a talented woman denied the opportunities available to men.
The essay concludes with an exhortation to women to claim their intellectual and creative freedom, advocating for economic and intellectual autonomy as essential for fostering creativity and self-expression.
#696
• Mentioned in 33 episodes
Essays
None
Michel de Montaigne
Montaigne's *Essays* are a seminal work that introduced the essay as a literary form.
The book is a personal and introspective exploration of various subjects, including the human condition, skepticism, and the importance of concrete experience over abstract learning.
Montaigne's skepticism is reflected in the title *Essais*, meaning 'Attempts' or 'Tests', indicating a project of trial and error and tentative exploration.
The essays cover topics such as the education of children, the role of the body, illness, aging, and death.
Montaigne's writing style is characterized by multiple digressions, anecdotes from ancient and contemporary sources, and quotations that reinforce his critical analysis of reality.
Each quarter, Stig Brodersen sits down with his friend and co-host William Green, author of Richer, Wiser, Happier. Together, they reflect on the lessons and stories that have made them Richer, Wiser, or Happier over the past few months. From investing insights to timeless ideas about how to live well, this conversation is an invitation to join them on the journey toward a more meaningful life.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
00:00 - Intro
05:35 - Whether universal truths about a good life really exist
07:43 - What we can — and can’t — learn about living well from other people
47:54 - Why happiness often comes more from the absence of negative emotions than from positive ones
50:24 - What William has learned about money and happiness from some of the wealthiest people on earth
01:17:33 - Why spending money on others may increase your own happiness
01:27:29 - Why Stig has deliberately constrained himself from reading new books this past quarter
Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
- Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members.
- William Green’s book Richer, Wiser, Happier – read reviews of this book.
- Check out their episode on being Richer, Wiser, and Happier in Q2 2025, Q1 2025, Q4 2024, Q3 2024, Q1 2024,and Q3 2023.
- William Green’s interview with Hagstrom.
- Sarah Bakewell’s book, How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer.
- Michel de Montaigne’s book, Essays.
- David R. Hawkins’ book, Letting Go.
- Ray Dalio’s book, How Countries Go Broke.
- Ray Dalio’s book, Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order.
- Patrul Rinpoche’s book, Words of My Perfect Teacher.
- John Milton’s book, Paradise Lost.
- Virginia Woolf’s book, A Room of One’s Own.
- Related books mentioned in the podcast.
- Ad-free episodes on our Premium Feed.
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