The lesson in some ways that I drew from Howard that's been life-changing for me is you can't

predict the future, but what you can do is accommodate yourself to reality as it is.

I'm Ricky Mulvey and that's William Green. He's the author of Richer, Wiser, Happier.

He also hosts a podcast with the same title. My colleague Robert Brokamp caught up with Green

for a conversation about the book and the lessons that investors can take from the greats.

They discuss why market beaters are often a little odd, how Charlie Munger thought about risk

and some life and financial lessons from investors

you've heard of and a few you'll learn about on today's show.

So William, you've interviewed countless investors over your career through your writing,

your own podcast. And you could have made this book just about cold hard facts about investing, investing

principles. But it's not just that, right? You do many sort of mini biographies of famous

investors and not quite such famous investors. You explore their life stories, their work

habits, psychology, in some cases, spirituality. What led you to choose that

path for this book? I think part of it is just that I'm so full of existential angst that I'm

always trying to figure out how are we supposed to live? And so part of that obviously is

figuring out what role money plays in our life. You know, how can I create a life where I'm free to do what I love to do?

How can I have financial independence and financial security?

But I think all of us sense that that's not enough.

And so I'm always looking at these questions and thinking, yeah, but so, so then

what actually will constitute a rich life? What will constitute an abundant life? Is it possible

to live in a way that's truly aligned with who you are and yet also be part of the group? Is it

possible to live with integrity and honor and truthfulness? Or is that

...