John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan stopped by The Bobby Bones Show to talk all about his new book and his billionaire life.
Bobby shared that a billboard featuring Morgan’s face now stood outside his house. Morgan explained that while he approves and suggests creative concepts for the billboards, his team in Brooklyn often produces ideas he finds too wild to use. Bobby asked Morgan about his book Life Is Luck: Lessons from a Paperboy and How to Improve Your Luck, questioning why Morgan emphasized luck despite his obvious hard work. Morgan explained that after being featured on the cover of Forbes as one of the country’s billionaires, he reflected on his journey. Looking back, he saw countless unpredictable turns from left turns, right turns, to U-turns, many driven by instinct or chance. He identified three types of luck: pure luck, planned luck, and practiced luck. Morgan said the book shares stories from his life illustrating these concepts and aims to help readers improve their own opportunities. Morgan recalled his early days as a paperboy, calling it a demanding job that required daily commitment regardless of weather. He credited that experience with nurturing his entrepreneurial instincts. He clarified that the book is not a full autobiography but a collection of moments where luck played a role in his path to success. When asked about his motivation for writing, Morgan said he wanted to give back. He had written previous books, You Can’t Teach Hungry and You Can’t Teach Vision, and felt compelled to share the ideas in his head. He compared it to his decision to build the WonderWorks attraction, which he created after being unable to let go of the concept.
The conversation shifted to Morgan’s wealth status. Bobby asked if Morgan had a single system to track all his money. Morgan confirmed that he could log in and view everything, including daily interest earnings, though he joked that his son checks it more frequently. Morgan then shared a story about firing one of his sons, Dan, for poor work habits while employed at WonderWorks. He explained that Dan had taken long lunches and ignored management instructions. After being fired, Dan struggled in other jobs before eventually finding success at Firehouse Subs, where he developed a strong work ethic. When asked how he raised children with strong values despite his wealth, Morgan said he required them to pay for their own insurance, drive modest cars, and work jobs. He made his sons work 40 hours at WonderWorks over Christmas break, despite their protests that none of their peers were working.
Discussing misconceptions about personal injury lawyers, Morgan addressed the “ambulance chaser” stereotype. He argued that such narratives are driven by the insurance industry and emphasized that his firm only accepts a small percentage of cases. He described how insurance companies delay and deny claims, sometimes leading to large jury verdicts when jurors become frustrated. Morgan highlighted a case where his firm secured over $31 million for a client who had initially been offered $70,000 by an insurance company. He also mentioned a recent $650 million verdict involving a quadriplegic client, noting that insurers sometimes refuse reasonable settlements and risk larger judgments. When asked about legal reforms, Morgan said he would mandate bodily injury insurance coverage and increase minimum limits, explaining that many injured individuals are left without compensation when negligent parties lack adequate insurance.
Bobby then wanted to know if Morgan does in fact own the O.J. Simpson Bronco, which Morgan confirmed and shared it's displayed at his Alcatraz East attraction in Pigeon Forge. He invited the show’s crew to visit his attractions, including WonderWorks and his restaurant, Downtown Flavortown. Morgan admitted his fascination with crime and punishment, explaining that America has a deep interest in such topics. He described collecting various artifacts, including items connected to notorious criminals and famous cases. He recounted attending the Ted Bundy trial before law school and observing Bundy’s demeanor firsthand.
Bobby asked whether Morgan pays attention to prices in everyday life. Morgan said he rarely shops for clothing anymore, as he already owns more than he needs. However, he shared a story about giving money to a woman in a grocery store who had put back a steak due to cost, which led him to reflect on food insecurity. He mentioned building a food bank in West Virginia and supporting hunger relief efforts in Orlando.
In the final moments, Bobby asked if Morgan owned a bunker. Morgan responded jokingly that his only “bunker” was the feeling he gets after taking gummies at night. He added that even if he had a bunker, he doubted it would provide safety in an extreme scenario.