Icons and Ideas with Peter Mallouk

What if achieving everything you want still doesn’t give you the life you’re looking for? "Inner Excellence" author and former professional baseball player Jim Murphy joins Creative Planning President and CEO Peter Mallouk on Icons and Ideas to explore why achievement, confidence, money and status alone don’t create fulfillment and what it really takes to perform at your best under pressure.
Jim shares the remarkable journey that took him from professional baseball and the Chicago Cubs organization to giving away most of what he owned and moving to the Arizona desert in search of a greater purpose. He explains the principles behind “Inner Excellence,” including why presence can be more powerful than confidence, how our attachment to possessions, achievements, looks, money and status can hold us back and why the goals we chase may not be what we truly want.
Jim also reflects on the unexpected moment Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was seen reading "Inner Excellence" during an NFL playoff game, sending a book that had struggled for 16 years into the spotlight. Through it all, Jim challenges high achievers to redefine success, pursue a fullness of life and devote themselves to something greater than themselves.
What You’ll Learn
✅ Why presence and belief can be more powerful than confidence under pressure
✅ How chasing possessions, achievements, looks, money and status can create an illusion of success
✅ What Jim Murphy learned from 16 years of persistence before "Inner Excellence" became a breakout success
✅ Why pursuing purpose, unconditional love and a fullness of life can matter more than conventional achievements
Sponsored By
This episode is brought to you by Apollo. Private markets have evolved, and public markets capture only part of the opportunity. Apollo brings more than 35 years of experience across the breadth of private markets. Learn more at Apollo.com/ASPM
Timestamps
(00:00) Jim Murphy on why success isn’t enough
(01:50) Leaving everything behind for the Arizona desert
(04:12) How elite athletes perform under extreme pressure
(06:37) The Three Worlds model and the problem with chasing results
(08:59) How A.J. Brown changed Inner Excellence overnight
(12:23) PALMS: possessions, achievements, looks, money, and status
(14:06) Why the heart decides and the mind follows
(16:05) Why presence and belief can be more powerful than confidence
(19:15) Why even the biggest goals may be too small
(21:22) Selflessness, fear, love, and finding a purpose beyond yourself
Key Takeaways
🔹 Success isn’t necessarily fulfillment. Jim believes people often pursue money, status, championships and recognition because of what they think those achievements will make them feel rather than because of the achievements themselves.
🔹 Presence can be more powerful than confidence. Confidence is the feeling that you can accomplish something. Jim describes belief as knowing you’ll be okay regardless of the outcome, while presence removes attachment to the past and future.
🔹 Focus on what you can control. The four daily goals of "Inner Excellence" are to give your best today, be present, be grateful, and focus on your routines and what you can control.
🔹 Purpose goes beyond personal achievement. Jim argues that complete freedom and material success can still leave people feeling empty. He believes a powerful vision and purpose beyond yourself can create a deeper sense of being fully alive.


About Jim Murphy

#1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Murphy is a Performance Coach to some of the best athletes and leaders in the world. He began his career as a professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization. After experiencing vision issues that ended his playing career, Murphy coached with the Texas Rangers as well as the South African Olympic baseball team. He has worked with some of the world’s best golfers, including world champions, FedEx Cup champions, and world #1s. The majority of Murphy’s clients have the best year of their careers in their first year working with him. In addition to coaching professional athletes and executives, Murphy leads "Inner Excellence" offsite retreats around the globe. He’s the president of the "Inner Excellence" Freedom Project, whose mission is to build communities to alleviate spiritual and physical poverty around the world.

Website: Jim Murphy "Inner Excellence" https://innerexcellence.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/innerexcellence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/innerexcellencejimmurphy/
Connect With Peter Mallouk
Website: Peter Mallouk - President & CEO - Creative Planning
X (Twitter): @PeterMallouk
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Facebook: Official Peter Mallouk
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What does the future of investing look like as artificial intelligence, private markets and speculation reshape finance? Vanguard CEO Salim Ramji joins Creative Planning President and CEO Peter Mallouk on Icons and Ideas to discuss the principles that have made Vanguard one of the most influential investment firms in the world and how those principles are evolving for the next generation of investors.
Salim also shares why Vanguard is acquiring Altruist and how the move could expand access to high-quality financial advice while empowering more independent advisors to serve more families.
Salim shares how Vanguard is carrying forward Jack Bogle’s legacy of low-cost, diversified, long-term investing while expanding into areas including ETFs, fixed income, private markets and financial advice. He and Peter also explore the growing divide between investing and speculation, Vanguard’s approach to Bitcoin and prediction markets, and why AI could dramatically expand access to high-quality financial advice. Salim also reflects on leadership, Vanguard’s unique culture and the simple advice that changed the trajectory of his career.
What You’ll Learn
✅ Why Vanguard continues to prioritize low-cost, diversified and long-term investing
✅ How Salim Ramji thinks about private markets, Bitcoin and the rise of speculative investing
✅ Why AI could transform financial advice and expand access for millions of Americans
✅ How Jack Bogle’s philosophy continues to influence Vanguard’s strategy and culture
This episode is brought to you by Blackstone. With proven performance for over 40 years, Blackstone’s investment strategies across private equity, real estate, credit and infrastructure are designed to help investors build wealth by diversifying portfolios beyond stocks and bonds.
Learn more at Blackstone.com.
Timestamps
(00:00) The leadership advice that changed Salim Ramji’s career
(01:49) Vanguard announces its acquisition of Altruist
(07:00) Jack Bogle’s legacy and the evolution of Vanguard
(09:55) The investing principles Vanguard refuses to change
(15:38) Becoming the first outsider to lead Vanguard
(21:16) Meme stocks and the line between investing and gambling
(23:21) Vanguard’s position on Bitcoin and speculative investing
(27:47) Why Vanguard is moving into private markets
(32:18) Vanguard’s influence on corporate America
(36:01) How AI could transform financial advice
(45:06) Jack Bogle, mentorship, and the future of leadership

Key Takeaways
🔹 Vanguard’s products may evolve, but its core principles of low costs, diversification and long-term investing remain central to the firm’s philosophy.
🔹 Salim warns that meme stocks, prediction markets and other forms of speculation risk blurring the important distinction between investing and gambling.
🔹 Private markets could play a role in certain investor portfolios, but Salim believes greater transparency and more client-friendly fees are essential.
🔹 AI has the potential to complement human financial advisors while expanding access to financial advice for Americans who currently can’t afford or access an advisor.

About Salim Ramji
Salim Ramji is Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard and a member of the firm’s board of directors, leading 20,000 crew dedicated to giving all investors the best chance for investment success. Founded in 1975, Vanguard provides investments, advice and retirement services to more than 50 million individual investors around the world through direct investing, workplace plans and financial intermediaries.
Throughout his career, Salim has worked to make investing more accessible and empower investors to prepare for a secure retirement. Prior to joining Vanguard in July 2024, he spent 30 years in leadership roles spanning investments, capital markets and wealth management.
Salim holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and politics from the University of Toronto and an M.A. in law from Cambridge University. He’s also a CFA® charterholder.
Website: https://investor.vanguard.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salim-ramji/
Jack Bogle
Sponsored By
This episode is brought to you by Blackstone. With proven performance for over 40 years, Blackstone’s investment strategies across private equity, real estate, credit and infrastructure are designed to help investors build wealth by diversifying portfolios beyond stocks and bonds.
This episode includes an advertisement by the sponsor. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning.

Connect With Peter Mallouk
Website: Peter Mallouk - President and CEO - Creative Planning
X (Twitter): @PeterMallouk
LinkedIn Peter Mallouk on LinkedIn
Instagram: @peter_mallouk
Facebook: Official Peter Mallouk
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What does it actually mean to be wealthy? Bestselling author Morgan Housel joins Peter Mallouk to explore why building wealth has less to do with intelligence and more to do with behavior, independence and understanding what money is really for.

Morgan shares the thinking behind “The Psychology of Money,” why every U.S. publisher initially rejected the book, and the stories that shaped his approach to money and investing. He explains why financial success is often driven by behavior rather than knowledge, why getting rich and staying rich require different skills, and why some of the best financial decisions can’t be measured on a spreadsheet.

Morgan addresses the difference between being rich and being wealthy, raising kids with healthy money habits, taking risks, dealing with success and defining "enough" in his refreshingly human perspective on building wealth and living a meaningful life.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

✅ Why financial behavior can matter more than intelligence when building long-term wealth

✅ The difference between being rich and being truly wealthy and why Morgan defines wealth through independence

✅ Why the mathematically "best" financial decision isn't always the best decision for your life

✅ How risk, expectations, happiness and knowing when you have "enough" can shape financial success

This episode is brought to you by Avantis Investors. Broad diversification and thoughtful implementation. Daily oversight and low fees. You don’t have to choose. Start saying “and.” Talk to your advisor about Avantis and visit avantisinvestors.com.

Timestamps

(00:00) “The Psychology of Money”, Wealth and What Actually Makes You Rich

(01:33) Why Morgan Housel's writing resonates around the world

(06:39) Why behavior matters more than intelligence with money

(13:49) Why we've “solved” investing but not investor behaviors

(18:38) The avalanche tragedy that changed Morgan's view of risk

(26:01) Why wealthy people can still lose everything

(30:47) The difference between being rich and wealthy

(36:05) Why Morgan paid off a low-interest mortgage

(40:26) How successful investors think about market volatility

(47:51) Teaching kids healthy money habits

Key Takeaways

🔹Financial success is behavioral. Intelligence and financial knowledge matter, but how you behave with money can ultimately matter even more.

🔹 Wealth is about independence. Morgan distinguishes being rich from being wealthy by the freedom your financial resources give you over your time and decisions.

🔹 Not every return belongs in a spreadsheet. Peace of mind, stability, flexibility and sleeping well at night can have tremendous value even when they aren't mathematically optimal.

🔹 Lead by example with money. When teaching children about finances, Morgan believes everyday behavior can have more influence than lectures about what they should or shouldn't do.

 

About Morgan Housel

Morgan Housel is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Psychology of Money, The Art of Spending Money, and Same As Ever. His books have sold over 12 million copies and have been translated into more than 60 languages.

He is a two-time winner of the Best in Business Award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and winner of the New York Times Sidney Award. MarketWatch named him one of the 50 most influential people in markets. He's a partner at The Collaborative Fund and serves on the board of directors at Markel.

Website: https://www.morganhousel.com/

X: https://x.com/morganhousel

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Morgan-Housel

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgan-housel-5b473821

 

Sponsored By

This episode is brought to you by Avantis Investors. With strategies designed around broad diversification, thoughtful implementation, daily oversight and low fees, Avantis helps investors say “and” instead of “or.” Talk to your advisor about Avantis and visit avantisinvestors.com.

This episode includes an advertisement by the sponsor. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning.

Connect with Peter Mallouk

 Website: Peter Mallouk - President & CEO - Creative Planning

X (Twitter): @PeterMallouk 

LinkedIn: Peter Mallouk on LinkedIn 

Instagram: @peter_mallouk 

Facebook: Official Peter Mallouk

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What does great leadership look like in today's rapidly changing world? Harvey Schwartz believes it begins with opportunity, resilience, continuous learning and investing in people. On Icons and Ideas, Peter Mallouk sits down with Harvey Schwartz, CEO of Carlyle, to discuss leadership, private markets, investing, artificial intelligence and the mindset needed to succeed in uncertain times.

Harvey shares his journey from a challenging childhood to leading one of the world's largest investment firms. He reflects on the mentors and opportunities that shaped his career, lessons from Goldman Sachs and why culture, trust and disciplined decision-making drive long-term success. Peter and Harvey also explore private equity, AI, global markets and the future of investing, offering practical insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and anyone looking to build resilience and lead with purpose.

The following episode contains discussions about mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Please visit nami.org for more information or to connect with a mental health professional.

What You'll Learn

✅ The leadership lessons that helped Harvey Schwartz become CEO of Carlyle

✅ Why resilience, mentorship and continuous learning are essential for leadership

✅ How private markets, private equity and AI are reshaping the future of investing

✅ The leadership habits that help organizations succeed during uncertainty

This episode is brought to you by State Street Select Sector SPDR ETFs. Invest where you see opportunity with the 11 Select Sector SPDR ETFs. StateStreet.com

Timestamps

(00:00) Leadership, Resilience and the Future of Private Markets

(01:48) Growing up with parents battling mental illness

(05:55) The mentors and opportunities that shaped Harvey's life

(13:59) Mental health, resilience and overcoming adversity

(18:38) Harvey's journey from Wall Street to CEO of Carlyle

(28:17) The future of private markets and investing

(33:42) Private credit, diversification and long-term investing

(42:11) Geopolitics, national security and global markets

(44:19) Inflation, interest rates and portfolio strategy

(49:56) Leadership lessons and the future of private capital

Key Takeaways

🔹 Leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about building trust, making thoughtful decisions and learning through adversity.

🔹 Private markets continue to create opportunities for investors seeking diversification, innovation and long-term value.

🔹 Artificial intelligence will transform business, but human judgment, culture and leadership will remain competitive advantages.

🔹 The most successful leaders embrace lifelong learning, seek mentorship and invest in developing great teams.

About the Guest

Harvey Schwartz is the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Carlyle, one of the world's leading global investment firms. Before joining Carlyle in 2023, he spent more than 20 years at Goldman Sachs, where he served as President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Global Co-Head of the Securities Division. Harvey is also an advocate for mental health research and leadership development through his work with One Mind. He earned his BA from Rutgers University and his MBA from Columbia University.

Carlyle: carlyle.com

LinkedIn: LinkedIn Harvey Schwartz

Sponsored By:

This episode is brought to you by State Street Select Sector SPDR ETFs. Invest where you see opportunity with the 11 Select Sector SPDR ETFs. StateStreet.com

This episode includes an advertisement by the sponsor. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning.

Connect with Peter Mallouk

Website: Peter Mallouk - President & CEO - Creative Planning

X (Twitter): @PeterMallouk

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Instagram: @peter_mallouk

Facebook: Official Peter Mallouk

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What do world leaders, celebrities, activists and ordinary people reveal when they think no one is watching? Legendary photographer Platon joins Peter Mallouk for a remarkable conversation about trust, vulnerability, leadership and the human stories behind some of the most iconic portraits ever captured.
Having photographed presidents, prime ministers, Nobel Peace Prize winners, business leaders, artists and activists around the world, Platon explains how authentic human connection allows him to reveal the real person behind power. From photographing Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter to documenting human rights defenders in conflict zones, Platon shares extraordinary stories that redefine leadership, courage, curiosity and empathy.
More than a conversation about photography, this episode explores why curiosity matters, how vulnerability creates trust and what business leaders can learn about bringing people together in an increasingly divided world.
Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, creative professional, photographer, or simply fascinated by human behavior, this episode offers timeless lessons on communication, influence and authentic connection.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Platon's Greek village childhood and dyslexia shaped his fearless approach to people
✅ What Clinton, Obama, Bush, Trump and Putin are really like behind closed doors
✅ The technique Platon uses to disarm even the most powerful people in the world
✅ Why business leaders, not politicians, are the real champions of our time
This episode includes a paid advertisement purchased by a sponsor for placement on a Creative Planning podcast. The advertisement does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation or affiliation between the sponsor and Creative Planning

Timestamps
(00:00) Platon on growing up between London and a Greek village
(02:20) Dyslexia, running away from school and the corridor of no man's land
(05:30) Art school, contour drawing and discovering photography
(10:10) How a camera changes the dynamic in any room
(14:40) JFK Jr., George Magazine and the deal that launched a career
(19:48) Photographing President Clinton — and the moment that divided a nation
(28:34) Politics as the new religion and the crisis of polarization
(31:36) Why business leaders are the champions of our time
(33:39) Dustin Hoffman, 200 white roses and people power
(39:37) Photographing Putin — intimidation, the Beatles and a subliminal message
(45:20) Egypt, the Arab Spring and building a studio in Tahrir Square
(49:27) The Little Rock Nine and the photograph that hangs in the Smithsonian
(52:47) Clinton, Obama, Bush, Carter and Trump — the presidents compared
(1:02:20) The very first shoot: Anthony Hopkins, a panic attack and the lesson that changed everything

Key Takeaways
💎 True human connection requires going first — with honesty, openness and courage — regardless of who’s in the room.
💎 Power is a social construct, and the ability to see through it is what allows Platon to capture truth on film.
💎 Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the only currency that creates real trust between people.
💎 Business leaders, not politicians, are the force most capable of pulling a polarized society back together.

About the Guest
Platon is one of the world's most celebrated portrait photographers, known for his iconic images of presidents, world leaders, activists and cultural figures. Born in London and raised between England and a small Greek village, Platon studied at Central Saint Martins before being discovered by John F. Kennedy Jr. for George Magazine. His work has appeared on the covers of TIME, The New Yorker, Esquire and Rolling Stone. His portrait of Putin is classified as extremist material in Russia — and sits on Putin's desk. He’s a passionate advocate for human rights, authentic connection and the power of curiosity over judgment.
Connect With Platon
Instagram: @platonphoto
Website: platonphoto.com
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