Episode 303 - Scott Galloway: The Algebra of Wealth

The Rational Reminder Podcast

What is the role of luck in financial success? And how can we make decisions that will put us in the best possible position to experience long-term prosperity? Joining us today to unpack these questions is Scott Galloway, a talented public speaker, author, entrepreneur, and professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business. His latest book, The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security, explores key lessons to help you optimize your life for wealth and success. He is the host of a thrice-weekly podcast, The Prof G Pod, and co-hosts a podcast called Pivot with esteemed tech journalist, Kara Swisher. Scott also has a very popular blog called No Mercy / No Malice, where he shares his thoughts on wealth, business, psychology, and more. In today’s conversation with Scott, we delve into the lessons he’s learned about economic success and the contents of his new book, The Algebra of Wealth. Tuning in you’ll learn how the economic stress he experienced as a child shaped his life, the important role that luck plays in financial success, and why he believes people should follow their talents rather than their passions. Scott goes on to expand on why diversification is essential for financial success before sharing key lessons from the various businesses he has started, built, and sold. We also discuss how he manages his financial worries, his hopes for his children, and how he defines success. Tune in to hear all of Scott’s valuable insights as we take a deep dive into the forces that shape our economic outcomes, and the algebra of wealth!

Key Points From This Episode:

(0:00:18) Introducing today’s guest, Professor Scott Galloway.

(0:05:43) Unpacking the title of his book The Algebra of Wealth, and what it refers to.

(0:10:39) The pursuit of wealth as a whole-person project and why balance is rarely possible.

(0:13:38) How stoicism can help you spend wisely and resist temptations.

(0:19:23) The difference between working hard and having character when it comes to wealth.

(0:22:20) Why it’s so important to acknowledge the role of luck in economic success; how Scott’s awareness of luck impacted his financial decisions and made him diversify.

(0:30:41) The concept of having enough, why people always want more, the benefits of giving back, and the role that luck has played in Scott’s wealth.

(0:35:31) Why Scott believes people should follow their talents, rather than their passion.

(0:39:31) Scott’s thoughts on the work-from-home trend and why he is a big proponent of an office environment and in-person work for young people.

(0:41:23) The key ways that physical exercise contributes to financial success.

(0:44:37) Scott’s thoughts on financial planners, how to take advantage of technology and low-cost EFTs to diversify on your own, and qualities you should look out for in a financial planner.

(0:50:08) Scott’s approach to investing in private businesses, his history of starting and selling companies, and why diversification is key.

(0:52:26) What the average person should do when there is excitement about a particular stock.

(0:56:06) Scott’s insights on the most beneficial way to trade money for time, how he manages his financial worries, and his biggest financial concerns when it comes to his children.

(01:03:32) How Scott defines success in his life, and what he has learned so far from starting ketamine therapy.

Links From Today’s Episode:

Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder Website — https://rationalreminder.ca/

Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/

Rational Reminder on X — https://twitter.com/RationalRemind

Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/

Rational Reminder Email — [e-mail] Felix — https://www.pwlcapital.com/author/benjamin-felix/

Benjamin on X — https://twitter.com/benjaminwfelix

Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/

Cameron Passmore — https://www.pwlcapital.com/profile/cameron-passmore/

Cameron on X — https://twitter.com/CameronPassmore

Cameron on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronpassmore/

Scott Galloway — https://profgmedia.com/

Scott Galloway Books — https://profgmedia.com/books/

Scott Galloway on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/profgalloway/

Scott Galloway on Twitter — https://twitter.com/profgalloway

No Mercy No Malice — https://www.profgalloway.com/

Pivot with Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher — https://profgmedia.com/pivot/

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway — https://profgmedia.com/the-pod/

Books From Today’s Episode:

The Algebra of Wealth: A Simple Formula for Financial Security — https://www.amazon.com/Algebra-Wealth-Formula-Financial-Security/dp/0593714024