James Altucher interviews the world’s leading peak performers in every area of life. But instead of giving you the typical success story, James digs deeper to find the “Choose Yourself” story—these are the moments we relate to… when someone rises up from personal struggle to reinvent themselves. The James Altucher Show brings you into the lives of peak-performers: billionaires, best-selling authors, rappers, astronauts, athletes, comedians, actors, and the world champions in every field, all who forged their own paths, found financial freedom and harnessed the power to create more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
How to Take Control of Your Health Beyond DNA Destinies with Naveen Jain
Here are the show notes for The James Altucher Show episode featuring Naveen Jain:A Note from James:“Oh my gosh. What a podcast with Naveen Jain. I first had Naveen on in 2014 or 2015, and he remembered it perfectly. That conversation was so fun, I still remember it like it was yesterday. It’s crazy because I’ve done over 1,500 episodes, but that one stuck with me.Back then, we talked about Moon Express and his journey building rockets to the moon. Now, almost ten years later, Naveen has built several other companies, including Viome, which uses cutting-edge technology to analyze your microbiome and help people live longer healthier lives. Today, we’re talking about his new book, The Youth Formula: Outsmart Your Genes and Unlock the Secrets to Longevity.At first, I’ll admit, I was tired of hearing about longevity—everyone seems to be saying the same thing—but Naveen has such a unique take on it. We got into everything: from the role of microbes in our health to fecal transplants (yes, really) and how bacteria can influence personality traits. It was fascinating. We even talked about how changing your microbiome could literally alter your personality.There’s so much in this episode that it’s going to blow your mind. I hope it’s not another ten years before we get Naveen back on the show. I’m definitely going to take him up on some of his suggestions, and maybe I’ll have some results to share in a few months. Here’s Naveen Jain.”Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher is joined by serial entrepreneur Naveen Jain to explore the cutting-edge science of longevity, gut health, and human potential. Naveen, the founder of Viome and author of The Youth Formula, dives deep into how the microbiome shapes our health and even our personality. He explains why genes aren’t destiny, how microbes may play a more important role in our health than DNA, and what steps we can take to live longer healthier lives. James and Naveen also discuss the surprising science behind fecal transplants, the future of personalized nutrition, and why finding purpose might be the ultimate key to longevity.What You’ll Learn:How the microbiome plays a crucial role in your overall health—and might even affect your personality.Why DNA isn’t as important as you think when it comes to disease and longevity.The latest research on fecal transplants and their impact on treating various diseases.How personalized nutrition can help you optimize your health based on your unique biology.The connection between purpose, community, and living a longer life.Timestamped Chapters:[01:30] Introduction: Reconnecting with Naveen Jain after 10 years[02:44] The Youth Formula and Viome: Outsmarting your genes[03:17] Microbiome’s role in health: 99.999% of your body is microbes[04:02] Fecal transplants and personality: Can you inherit personality traits?[06:00] Personalized nutrition: Why “healthy” food isn’t healthy for everyone[12:00] The power of purpose: Why having a reason to live is crucial for longevity[21:32] Changing the microbiome to treat disease: Fecal transplants and immunotherapy[29:24] How microbiomes affect mental health: Serotonin and gut-brain connections[39:51] The role of AI in personalized health recommendations at Viome[46:00] Stress and the sympathetic/parasympathetic modes: Modern stressors vs. ancient survival instincts[48:01] The role of exercise: Why 30-45 minutes of movement is enough[49:00] Sleep and health: The importance of quality over quantity[56:58] Entrepreneurial insights: Why a smooth life isn’t what you want as an entrepreneur[58:07] Long-term vision: How Viome is focused on extending life by improving microbiome health[65:00] Wrap-up: James’s thoughts on the future of health and Naveen’s closing remarksAdditional Resources:The Youth Formula: Outsmart Your Genes and Unlock the Secret to LongevityViome: Learn more about personalized nutrition and microbiome analysis.Naveen Jain's Official Website
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
10/23/2024 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 2 seconds
Unlocking the Power of AI in Healthcare | Hamed Shahbazi (Part 2)
A Note from James:"I do think that the most important use case for AI is in extending our lifespans. And I think if this isn’t five or ten years in the future—this is right now. Things are happening in AI that are going to change healthcare overnight. Today, I’m continuing my discussion with Hamed Shahbazi, founder of Well Health. This is a publicly-traded company in Canada, and it’s already impacting millions of lives by applying AI to healthcare.HealWell, one of Hamed’s companies, has processed over 18 million patient records. With this data, their AI can analyze symptoms and assist with diagnosis and treatment options faster than ever. Imagine calling your doctor, and before you even see them, AI has already pieced together potential diagnoses and suggested next steps. This is how we extend lives—prevention is the best cure, after all.In this episode, Hamed and I talk about healthcare AI and how it’s poised to save millions of lives. I’ll be sharing updates on AI and healthcare companies doing interesting things in the next few months. So, listen in, subscribe, and let’s keep the conversation going. Here’s Hamed, talking about AI in healthcare."Episode Description:James is joined again by Hamed Shahbazi, founder of Well Health, for an in-depth look at AI’s role in transforming healthcare. They discuss how AI can process vast amounts of medical data to assist doctors in diagnosing and treating patients quickly and accurately. Hamed shares his insights on how HealWell's AI copilots help healthcare providers manage data and improve patient care. This conversation reveals how AI is poised to revolutionize healthcare and extend lifespans in previously unimaginable ways.What You’ll Learn:The role of AI in accelerating diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving millions of lives.How HealWell's AI copilots enhance productivity and enable healthcare providers to focus more on patient care.The ethical and regulatory challenges in using AI in healthcare, especially concerning patient data privacy.The potential future of digital twins in healthcare, allowing doctors to simulate treatments on virtual models of patients.Insights into how healthcare AI could personalize supplements and treatment plans based on individual health data.Timestamped Chapters:[01:30] – James introduces Hamed Shahbazi and the current impact of AI on healthcare.[03:25] – How AI can prevent illnesses by providing rapid diagnosis and treatment options.[05:51] – Discussing the resistance from healthcare professionals toward AI.[13:27] – The use of AI for scribing medical notes and its benefits for healthcare providers.[19:05] – Ensuring patient data privacy and the role of consent in AI data processing.[27:13] – The future of healthcare AI, digital twins, and personalized medicine.[37:14] – Challenges in eliminating bias from healthcare AI.[47:56] – Potential for AI to improve life expectancy by supporting preventive care.Additional Resources:Oura Ring Official WebsiteWell Health TechnologiesHamed Shahbazi | LinkedIn
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
10/15/2024 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 9 seconds
The Ultimate Guide to Risky Decisions: Risky Business with Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver: Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver
A Note from James:"Are you a member of the river or the village? That’s the question we’re diving into today. Nate Silver—yes, the Nate Silver from 538—joins us with Maria Konnikova, a master of poker and decision-making. Members of the 'river,' as Nate describes, are rational thinkers. They make decisions based on probabilities and data, not emotions. So, are you in the river or the village? Because today, we’re talking about how to think differently about risk—whether it’s betting on an election, making an investment, or even figuring out how to navigate life. Here’s what you need to know."Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher brings together two brilliant minds: Nate Silver, known for his predictive prowess, and Maria Konnikova, a renowned psychologist and poker player. The trio delves into how they make calculated decisions when the stakes are high. With examples from poker, elections, and everyday life, they discuss how we can all navigate a world full of uncertainty. What does it mean to be a rational thinker? And how can understanding probabilities make you a better decision-maker? Join them as they explore strategies for improving your risk assessment, leveraging data, and making choices that keep you in the game longer.What You’ll Learn:Risk Assessment Tools: How to analyze risk effectively using concepts from poker and data science.The River vs. The Village: Are you making rational decisions, or are you just playing it safe? Find out how to challenge your instincts.Understanding Probabilities: How to apply probabilistic thinking to everyday situations, from career moves to investments.Avoiding Cognitive Traps: Learn about common mental biases that can lead to poor decisions and how to overcome them.Betting on Your Choices: Practical advice on evaluating your options to maximize the chances of success.Timestamped Chapters:[01:30] – Are You a Member of the River or the Village?[03:21] – Meet the Guests: Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova[10:09] – Maria’s Journey into Poker and Game Theory[14:59] – Understanding Risk and Decision Making[27:55] – The Challenge of Trust and Information in the Digital Age[31:04] – Nate’s Transition from Poker to Election Forecasting[42:37] – The Evolution of Poker Strategy[54:15] – Betting Markets and Inefficiencies[1:00:58] – Decision Making and Risk in Poker and LifeAdditional Resources:Maria Konnikova's Book: The Biggest BluffNate Silver's Newsletter: The Silver BulletinMaria Konnikova's Newsletter: The LeapNate Silver's Book: On the EdgePodcast: Risky Business with Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
10/9/2024 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 36 seconds
Are we really at risk of entering a World War 3!? | Brandon Webb
In this episode, I engage in a detailed discussion on various geopolitical issues, reflecting my optimism even in challenging times. We revisit historical events such as the Great Recession and 9/11 and discuss the current global situation involving tensions between nations, particularly the roles of the U.S., Israel, Iran, Russia, and China in the context of emerging proxy wars. I express concerns about the potential for World War III, influenced by proxy conflicts and the global arms trade. Throughout, there's an emphasis on the need for strong leadership and innovation in the face of geopolitical challenges. The conversation features Brandon Webb, a Navy SEAL veteran and military content expert, who explores the complexities of modern warfare and international alliances. The dialogue touches on innovations and economic stability amidst ongoing global conflicts, stressing the importance of leadership in averting potential wars.Brandon Webb also highlights insights from his military and intelligence background, discussing the complexity of current conflicts and international relations, especially regarding U.S. political dynamics and their impact on global security. 00:00 Introduction and Optimism in Tough Times 01:18 Current Global Conflicts and Proxy Wars 04:18 Middle East Tensions and Alliances 08:25 Economic Impact of Wars 09:01 Historical Context and Policy Decisions 11:52 Conversation with Brandon Webb 13:15 Discussion on World War Three 16:05 Geopolitical Strategies and Leadership 21:12 Political Landscape and Future Predictions 31:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
10/8/2024 • 33 minutes, 2 seconds
In Memory Of Dr. Gladys McGarey: Discovering Love, Life, and Laughter at 103 and Guide to Thriving Through Adventure and Compassion Across a Century
A Note from James:Oh my gosh, every time, this is the second time I've talked to Gladys McGarey. Last year she was 102 years old, this year she's 103 years old. She wrote a book, The Well Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age, and it's coming out in paperback. And every time I read this book, I've read it twice now, and I talk to her, I almost feel like crying, and I don't really know why. It's almost as if she was born with wisdom, but then kept even growing for the next 102 years. Like she drove a Ford Model A car, and now she's talking to me through Zoom on the internet and going on podcasts, writing books. She was a doctor her whole life. She's been all over the world. She's had so many amazing experiences and also has suffered, of course, much loss. I don't think you're going to live to be that age and not have an incredible amount of loss that you have to learn to move past and still be positive and still live every day to its fullest. She had, she was riding a tricycle and it threw her off into the street and she broke three ribs. And she's now totally healed and on the podcast. I really look up to this woman a lot.Here's Gladys McGarey. We have a great conversation about all sorts of things and she's the author of The Well Lived Life. Episode Description:In this profound and enlightening conversation, James revisits the remarkable life of Dr. Gladys McGarey, who, at 103 years old, shares her 'six secrets to health and happiness at every age' from her book 'The Well Lived Life'. Reflecting on a life rich with experiences, from caring for patients across the globe to handling personal loss and surviving a recent tricycle accident, Dr. McGarey embodies resilience and wisdom. She discusses the importance of facing challenges, the transformative power of love and life, and how her encounters with notable figures like Milton Erickson shaped her understanding of human potential. Dr. McGarey's perspectives on aging, happiness, and living a meaningful life offer invaluable insights, emphasizing the significance of community, love, and choosing one’s path with intention.Episode Summary:00:00 Celebrating a Century of Wisdom with Gladys McGarey02:04 The Resilience of a 103-Year-Old: Tricycle Accidents and Recovery05:11 Finding Humanity and Overcoming Loss06:04 The Power of Love and Life: A Personal Journey14:44 Exploring the Mind's Influence on Reality16:31 The Magic of Connection: A Story of a Plant and Dementia25:39 Embracing Life's Adventures and the Quest for True Humanity31:29 The Philosophy of Life, Love, and Humanity36:07 Navigating Life's Challenges with Optimism37:47 The Power of Choice in Overcoming Adversity40:39 Turning Pain into Purpose: A Personal Journey41:47 Action as a Catalyst for Change42:23 The Interplay of Life and Love44:13 Embracing Aging with Grace and Wisdom46:33 The Impact of Stress on Health and Well-being47:47 Finding Meaning and Joy Amidst Loss50:42 The Importance of Memory and Presence56:42 Exploring Spiritual Growth and Self-Discovery01:02:05 The Role of Technology and Community in Modern Life01:06:32 Reflecting on a Life Well Lived
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
10/5/2024 • 1 hour, 8 minutes
Chris Voss | The How-To of High-Stakes Negotiations: The Secrets of Tactical Empathy
A Note from James:You know, I first had Chris Voss on in 2016. Out of the 1500+ podcasts I’ve done, his is one of the few where I’ve really followed all the advice. His book Never Split the Difference wasn’t just any negotiating book—it’s a survival guide for life, built from his time as the FBI’s lead hostage negotiator. And trust me, if you’re going to take advice from anyone on negotiation, take it from Chris. His tactics don’t just work in life-or-death situations—they work in everyday business, personal relationships, and everything in between.Today, Chris is back on the show for the third time. We talk about his documentary Tactical Empathy, available on Amazon Prime, and what makes a truly great negotiator. Trust me, whether you’re selling a company or just trying to ask for a raise, you’re going to want to listen closely to this one. Negotiation isn’t just a skill—it’s a way of life, and you’ll learn why here.Episode Description:In this episode, James sits down with negotiation expert Chris Voss to dig into the real secrets behind successful negotiating. Drawing from his years as an FBI hostage negotiator, Chris reveals how the techniques he developed to save lives can be applied to everyday negotiations, from asking for a raise to making high-stakes business deals. They also discuss the impact of Chris’s documentary Tactical Empathy, which explores the importance of empathy in negotiation. With actionable tips and real-world insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their negotiation game.What You’ll Learn:Why empathy is the most powerful tool in any negotiationHow to use tactical empathy to build trust and get better outcomesThe difference between tactical empathy and manipulationHow understanding neuroscience can give you an edge in negotiationsKey techniques to avoid burnout in high-stress negotiationsTimestamped Chapters:[00:01:30] Introduction to Chris Voss and his journey[00:03:00] The importance of tactical empathy[00:05:25] Chris’s experience with a suicide hotline[00:08:00] How to disrupt manipulation in negotiation[00:12:00] Chris’s approach to asking for a raise[00:15:00] The role of emotional intelligence in negotiation[00:19:30] Neuroscience and how it applies to negotiating[00:23:58] Triggering neurochemical responses in negotiations[00:27:32] Oxytocin and its role in building trust[00:31:10] Manipulative vs. genuine empathy[00:36:05] Building relationships and timelines in negotiation[00:40:15] How Chris deals with suspects and witnesses in interrogations[00:45:20] Evolution of terrorist organizations post-9/11[00:50:13] Tools of the trade: go-to techniques for negotiation[00:54:45] Using the Ackerman model in bargaining[01:00:09] Emotional bandwidth and hostage situations[01:05:08] Understanding pronouns and decision-makers in negotiations[01:12:26] Using empathy to secure high valuations in business deals[01:16:07] The importance of long-term relationships in negotiation[01:18:26] Final thoughts on anger and negotiationAdditional Resources:Never Split the Difference by Chris VossTactical Empathy Documentary on Amazon Prime
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
10/1/2024 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 31 seconds
Bill O'Reilly | How Presidential Legacies Shape America: An In-depth Look at U.S. Leaders
A Note from James:"Oh my gosh, I am really interested in the history of the presidents of the United States. These are the guys who have not only shaped the country but to some extent have shaped the world. And I say 'these guys' because, let’s be honest, it’s been all men so far. Who knows? There’s a woman running for president now. We’ll see. Kamala Harris, right? Anyway, today I’m excited because we have someone on the show who knows a ton about presidents—Bill O'Reilly. He’s written about some of the most famous, from Kennedy to Reagan to Trump, and his latest book, Confronting the Presidents, gives a no-spin assessment of their legacies. Some of it’s scandalous, honestly, and it was fascinating to chat with Bill about who did what right and who really missed the mark. Plus, we dive into what’s happening in the political landscape today, from the current election to the economy. It’s a jam-packed conversation you don’t want to miss!"Episode Description:In this episode, James sits down with Bill O'Reilly, one of the most well-known figures in political commentary and presidential history. With his new book Confronting the Presidents, Bill pulls no punches in evaluating the successes and failures of U.S. presidents—from Polk to Reagan to Biden. What’s particularly captivating about this episode is how Bill’s deep knowledge of history provides context for today’s political climate. You’ll hear about underrated presidents like James K. Polk and get Bill’s uncensored take on why the current administration is struggling. James and Bill also discuss the dynamics of power, leadership, and what we can learn from the past as we approach future elections. It’s an insightful and candid conversation that’ll leave you rethinking what you know about American history and politics.What You’ll Learn:The surprising legacy of James K. Polk: Why Bill O’Reilly ranks him among the top 10 U.S. presidents and what modern leaders can learn from him.How presidential power has shifted: From the days of Jefferson and Washington to modern executive orders and how this impacts our political landscape.Current political divisions: A look at how today’s polarization mirrors the most divisive eras in U.S. history, and why social media has made things worse.What Bill thinks of today's political figures: His thoughts on current leadership, from Trump to Biden, and the factors influencing their legacies.Why past presidents might not crave power like today’s politicians: A discussion on how motivations have shifted over time.Timestamped Chapters:[01:30] Introduction to presidential history and today's guest, Bill O'Reilly[03:32] Underrated presidents: James K. Polk’s surprising impact[07:40] The evolving nature of presidential power and why recent presidents fall short[17:26] Current political climate: How today compares to the Civil War and Vietnam eras[25:29] Trump's political strategy and what Bill would advise him to do differently[33:23] Reflections on historical presidents like Lincoln and Teddy RooseveltAdditional Resources:Confronting the Presidents by Bill O'ReillyKilling Lincoln by Bill O’ReillyThe United States of Trump by Bill O'ReillyWatch Bill O'Reilly's daily show, No Spin News
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
9/24/2024 • 33 minutes, 17 seconds
How to Succeed in Business and Politics | Wilbur Ross (39th Secretary of Commerce)
Here’s a draft of your podcast show notes based on the Wilbur Ross episode:A Note from James:Wilbur Ross, the man, the myth, the legend. I’m going to be honest, back in 1999, I remember playing a lot of poker at the Mayfair Poker Club in New York City. There was a guy there who worked for Wilbur Ross, who was running huge private equity funds back then. I was jealous because I wanted to work for Wilbur Ross. He’s been a consistent feature in building businesses decade after decade. Most recently, he served as Secretary of Commerce for all four years of the Trump administration.Now, Wilbur has a new book out called Risks and Returns, about his 55-year career building businesses and his experiences in government. So, I can’t believe I had the chance to talk with him about this incredible journey.Episode Description:In this episode, James sits down with Wilbur Ross, one of the most influential business minds of our time. From running one of the largest private equity funds to serving as Secretary of Commerce, Ross has been at the epicenter of some of the most significant economic shifts in modern history. Wilbur shares his insights on building businesses, navigating the complexities of government, and his views on the current economic landscape. His new book Risks and Returns offers a unique glimpse into his 55-year career, and this conversation is filled with the kinds of practical insights that entrepreneurs and investors won’t want to miss.What You’ll Learn:The keys to Wilbur Ross’s long-term success in business and government.How the American bankruptcy system aids in company rehabilitation, rather than liquidation.The challenges and opportunities around rare earth minerals and the semiconductor supply chain.Why labor force participation is crucial to economic growth and reducing inflation.How government fiscal policy and the Federal Reserve's actions contribute to inflation.Timestamped Chapters:[01:30] Introduction to Wilbur Ross’s career and private equity legacy.[04:37] The scope of the Secretary of Commerce's responsibilities.[06:41] The innovations Elon Musk has brought to the space industry.[13:19] Wilbur’s early career challenges and lessons learned.[20:20] Wilbur's approach to distressed industries and investment strategies.[32:15] How the government prints money and its role in inflation.[45:14] The national security threat posed by rare earth minerals and semiconductors.[50:26] Reflections on the Trump administration and Trump's unique approach to foreign policy.Additional Resources:Risks and Returns by Wilbur Ross
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
9/17/2024 • 1 hour, 40 seconds
The Weight of the Presidency | David Rubenstein
Here are the podcast show notes with all the chapters included:A Note from James:"Sometimes, if you just read the news, it doesn’t always seem like it, but being President of the United States is the highest calling. You have responsibility over the entire economy, the lives of millions, and the direction of the country in war and peace. I’m excited to talk to David Rubenstein today—he’s the head of the Carlyle Group, a $500 billion private equity firm. He also worked for Jimmy Carter, has had presidents work for him, and just published a book called The Highest Calling: Conversations on the American Presidency, where he talks to historians about U.S. Presidents, from George Washington to Nixon and beyond. It’s filled with fascinating insights. Let’s get started."Episode Description:In this episode, James interviews David Rubenstein about his latest book, The Highest Calling, which dives into the complexities of American presidents through interviews with historians and Rubenstein's own reflections. Rubenstein shares what he’s learned from years of interacting with former presidents, how public opinions on U.S. presidents change over time, and what makes the presidency such a unique role. They also touch on the challenges and achievements of figures like Jimmy Carter, Abraham Lincoln, and Dwight Eisenhower, offering listeners new ways to think about the men who have led the country.What You’ll Learn:The evolving reputations of U.S. Presidents and how history changes its mind on who was successful.Insights into Jimmy Carter’s presidency and why he is gaining new respect over time.The unique challenges that presidents face in foreign policy, with examples from Carter and Eisenhower.How third-party candidates can impact U.S. presidential elections, and what history tells us about that.Surprising facts about lesser-known presidents and the personal relationships that shaped their leadership.Chapters:01:30 – The Weight of the Presidency: Why it's the highest calling in America.02:09 – Introduction of David Rubenstein and his work with U.S. Presidents.03:01 – Rubenstein’s New Book: The Highest Calling and why it stands out.03:19 – Changing Opinions: How history re-evaluates past presidents.05:12 – Jimmy Carter’s Presidency: Achievements and controversies.08:37 – Foreign Policy and Perception: How leaders are judged at home and abroad.10:21 – Carter's Unique Strategy in 1976: His rise to the presidency.12:38 – Foreign Policy in the Middle East and the Iran Hostage Crisis.14:03 – Stories Left Out: Surprising anecdotes from U.S. history, like Teddy Roosevelt’s Amazon expedition.21:54 – Coolidge’s Forgotten Legacy: Why he is an underrated president.23:02 – Hoover’s Response to the Great Depression: Was it Coolidge’s fault?25:21 – Eisenhower’s Quiet Success: How peace and prosperity defined his presidency.29:01 – Military Presidents and Their Reluctance to Use Force: Why they preferred diplomacy.32:17 – The President's Club: Why it no longer exists and the political divide today.33:50 – The Role of Fundraising in Political Polarization.36:46 – The Costs of Running a Presidential Campaign: Why it’s so expensive.38:13 – Lincoln’s Path to the Presidency: How he stood out in a crowded race.39:49 – The Electoral College Debate: Should it still exist?42:18 – Third-Party Candidates and Their Impact on Elections.44:06 – Overrated and Underrated Presidents: How Kennedy and Eisenhower are viewed today.49:09 – Nixon’s Fall from Grace: How his tapes ruined his presidency.50:12 – Nixon’s Post-Presidency and Redemption.54:45 – Presidential Debates: How one-liners and debate prep can make or break a candidate.57:40 – The Influence of Speechwriters: Ted Sorensen’s role in Kennedy’s speeches.01:00:04 – Entering Politics: David Rubenstein’s inspiration from Ted Sorensen.01:01:21 – What Presidents Should Know About the Economy.01:03:16 – Unrealized Gains and Tax Proposals: Do candidates really understand the economy?Additional Resources:David Rubenstein’s book: The Highest Calling.
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
9/10/2024 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 12 seconds
Revolutionizing Medical Tech with AI | Hamed Shahbazi
Episode Description:In this episode, James sits down with Hamed Shahbazi, the CEO of WELL Health Technology and Chairman of Healwell AI, who has been pioneering advancements in healthcare through technology. Hamed shares how AI is not just a tool for the future but a current reality that is reshaping the healthcare industry. From predicting diseases to optimizing treatments, AI is making healthcare more personalized and proactive. Hamed’s insights reveal how these technological advancements are poised to dramatically improve patient outcomes, streamline medical processes, and ultimately save lives.This episode isn't just about the potential of AI in healthcare—it's about the actual changes happening right now. Hamed discusses the importance of data in healthcare and how AI uses this data to make life-saving decisions that were previously unimaginable. If you’re interested in the future of medicine, this episode offers a clear view of what’s coming and what’s already here.What You’ll Learn:The Role of AI in Diagnosing Rare Diseases: Discover how AI is capable of identifying rare diseases that even experienced doctors might miss, using complex data analysis.AI's Impact on Personalized Healthcare: Learn how AI personalizes healthcare by analyzing individual patient data against millions of other records to offer tailored health advice and treatment plans.Efficiency in Healthcare with AI: Understand how AI is reducing the workload for physicians by automating data entry and patient monitoring, allowing them to focus more on patient care.Healthcare as a Service: Explore the concept of Healthcare as a Service (HaaS), where AI-driven platforms provide continuous health monitoring and proactive care suggestions.The Future of AI and Healthcare: Get insights into how AI is set to transform healthcare, not just in the long term but in the immediate future, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and the Evolution of Healthcare03:10 - How the Oura Ring Tracks and Measures Stress08:05 - The Impact of Continuous Health Monitoring12:15 - AI's Role in Health Data Analysis and Prediction19:35 - The Future of AI in Personalized Healthcare26:00 - Real-Life Examples of AI Diagnosing Rare Diseases35:20 - Challenges and Benefits of AI in Medical Diagnosis42:40 - The Concept of Healthcare as a Service46:55 - Future Predictions and Parting ThoughtsAdditional Resources:Oura Ring Official WebsiteWell Health TechnologiesHamed Shahbazi | LinkedIn
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
9/3/2024 • 46 minutes
RFK Jr. Suspends Campaign and Endorses Trump – Impact on the Election, Important Issues and What happens next?
In this episode, I analyze the surprising decision of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to suspend his presidential campaign and endorse Donald Trump, examining the potential ripple effects on the upcoming election. I address several key questions, such as how this decision could influence voter behavior, affect fundraising dynamics, and reshape election strategies for both Trump and Kamala Harris. I delved into my personal experience with RFK Jr., including his appearance on my podcast where he discussed his contentious views on vaccines, which I initially chose not to release due to their controversial nature and my inability to fact-check them at the time.Additionally, I provide a historical perspective by examining past elections where third-party candidates acted as spoilers, such as Ralph Nader in the 2000 election and Theodore Roosevelt in the 1912 election. These examples highlight the significant impact a third-party candidate can have on election outcomes. The script further explores RFK Jr.'s speech and newly expressed concerns about chronic diseases, obesity, and ultra-processed foods in the U.S., comparing his claims with available data and trends.I also address the concept of corporate capture of federal agencies like the FDA, providing examples of former FDA officials who moved to high-level positions in pharmaceutical companies. This discussion includes RFK Jr.'s claim that 50 percent of the FDA's funding comes from pharmaceutical companies through user fees, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.Moreover, I discuss RFK Jr.'s potential future role in a Trump administration, focusing on health policy issues, and his influence on current polling dynamics. I fact-check several of his statements and analyze their implications for American health and longevity, contrasting U.S. life expectancy with that of other countries. Finally, I explore economic policies proposed by Kamala Harris and their potential impact on the U.S. economy, emphasizing RFK Jr.'s emphasis on children's health and the possible consequences of his alignment with Trump for the upcoming election. This detailed analysis aims to provide viewers with a nuanced understanding of RFK Jr.'s endorsement and its broader political and social implications.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene00:14 Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Campaign Suspension00:47 Personal Reflections on Vaccines04:03 Impact of Third-Party Candidates in Elections06:38 Historical Spoiler Elections13:23 RFK Jr.'s Concerns and Endorsement of Trump22:49 Polling Dynamics and Election Predictions27:52 RFK Jr.'s Potential Role in a Trump Administration30:04 Fact-Checking RFK Jr.'s Claims on Health Issues34:14 Big Pharma: Friend or Foe?34:34 The Decline of Smoking and Its Impact on Life Expectancy35:34 Comparing Life Expectancy Across Countries37:01 The Role of Ultra-Processed Foods in American Health39:37 RFK Jr.'s Controversial Views on Vaccines41:43 The Impact of RFK Jr.'s Political Moves46:39 Corporate Capture and Its Consequences51:59 Economic Policies and Their Implications54:46 RFK Jr.'s Focus on Children's Health58:30 Final Thoughts and Listener Questions
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
8/26/2024 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 32 seconds
The Pillars of Life with Marshall Goldsmith
A Note from James:"Marshall, you have the best name in the world for someone who’s going to write about leadership. I would hire you as a coach just for your name alone—Marshall Goldsmith, it just sounds perfect. For those who aren’t familiar, and I’ll do an intro, you’ve written an enormous number of successful leadership books, selling over 3 million copies. You’ve coached Fortune 500 CEOs, and you’re launching MarshallGoldsmith.AI, your new AI venture. Let’s get into what it means to be a good coach."Episode Description:In this episode of The James Altucher Show, James welcomes Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world’s leading executive coaches and a best-selling author. Marshall shares his insights on leadership, coaching, and the often-overlooked distinction between happiness and achievement. With a career that spans decades, Marshall’s wisdom is not just theoretical; it’s backed by his experience coaching some of the most successful leaders in the world.Listeners will discover why coaching isn’t just about offering advice but about working with those who are ready to make real changes. Marshall’s no-nonsense approach to identifying and working with key stakeholders, understanding the value of process over results, and the importance of daily habits for personal growth are just a few of the many lessons shared in this episode.What You’ll Learn:Why the most successful leaders seek out coaching and how it helps them continue to grow.The critical difference between happiness and achievement, and why you shouldn’t confuse the two.How focusing on the process rather than the results can lead to greater success and satisfaction.Practical techniques for self-improvement that you can implement daily, including the power of active questioning.The unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the realm of coaching and personal development.Chapters:01:00 - Introduction and Name Discussion02:04 - Marshall Goldsmith's Coaching Philosophy02:13 - Success Stories: Alan Mullally and Hubert Jolie04:00 - The Impact of Coaching on Leadership08:16 - Coaching Techniques and Stakeholder Feedback16:09 - Happiness and Achievement: Independent Variables22:14 - Focusing on the Process, Not the Results33:55 - The Key to Daily Happiness34:16 - The Billionaire's Happiness Dilemma35:30 - Three Pillars of a Fulfilling Life37:44 - The Illusion of Achievement-Based Happiness42:51 - Daily Questions for Self-Improvement44:34 - The Importance of Being Coachable59:40 - The AI Coaching Revolution01:03:37 - Marshall Goldsmith's Journey to Coaching01:05:55 - Final Thoughts and ReflectionsAdditional Resources:Marshall Goldsmith's Official WebsiteMarshallGoldsmith.AIThe Heart of Business by Hubert JolyLoonshots by Safi Bahcall
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
8/20/2024 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 18 seconds
Scott Adams: Unpacking Former President Donald Trump’s Livestream with Elon Musk and how Trump and Kamala will shape the 2024 Election
In this episode, I delve into the current political climate in anticipation of the 2024 election. We analyze the past eight years, focusing on key figures like Trump, Hillary Clinton, Biden, and Kamala Harris, and discuss crucial issues such as cybersecurity and election integrity. Scott Adams joins us to share insights from his 'Coffee with Scott Adams' show, evaluating media influence, polling, and the strategies of political parties. We also discussed the Livestream that Elon Musk did with Former President Trump on "X". Additionally, here are my takeaways from the livestream.We discuss the polarization of society, the role of mental health in politics, and leaders' decision-making processes influenced by impactful ideas. Additionally, we touch on the emergence of the 'Internet Dads,' a non-partisan group advocating for common-sense solutions, and provide tips to navigate fake news and connect with the electorate. Join us as we explore the complexities of today's political landscape and the possibilities for positive change amidst significant challenges.Livestream takeaways: https://x.com/jaltucher/status/182339446314779868100:00 Reflecting on the Political Landscape01:21 Election Security Concerns05:05 Debating Voter ID Laws08:17 The Role of Electronic Voting Machines11:12 Trump's Political Journey22:20 Pandemic Leadership and Decisions27:58 Fascism and Government Control30:09 Analyzing Political Campaign Strategies33:16 Trump and Musk: A New Kind of Interview41:51 The Influence of Advisors and Ideas44:40 The Influence of Consultants in Politics45:14 Kamala Harris and the No Taxes on Tips Initiative46:14 Obama's Influence and the TARP Bailouts48:00 Antisemitism on College Campuses52:43 The Impact of Mental Health on Political Views55:08 The Polarization of Political Conversations57:01 Election Predictions and Potential Outcomes01:00:15 The Role of the Supreme Court in Election Disputes01:22:52 The Importance of Personal Charisma in Politics01:24:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Predictions
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
8/14/2024 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 41 seconds
Navigating New Frontiers: A Military Tech Overhaul with Chris Kirchhoff
A Note from James:Is our military way behind other countries in terms of using the latest technology with AI, with drones, with biotech, with cybersecurity? I think for many years we know we're behind on supersonic weapons. Are we behind on AI? How did Hamas send undetected a thousand or so paragliders into Israel without Israel detecting it? Are we behind on the AI that's in sensors? What is going on?So, with the help of Chris Kirchhoff, who wrote the book "Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War," we answer these questions and more.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher hosts Christopher Kirchhoff to explore the critical question: Is the US military lagging behind in technology? They discuss the current technological shortcomings of the military, historical contexts, and how metrics of military power are evolving. Kirchhoff provides an insightful analysis of the Hamas attack as a case study to highlight technological vulnerabilities and failures. The conversation expands to cover the rise of drones, the innovative Replicator Initiative, and the crucial role of AI and machine learning in military operations. Kirchhoff shares his experiences bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon, offering a rare glimpse into the challenges and successes of modern military technology integration.What You’ll Learn:Technological Shortcomings: Understand the areas where the US military is currently falling behind other nations in technology.Impact of Drones: Learn about the transformative role drones play in modern warfare and their potential to change military strategies.Replicator Initiative: Discover the Pentagon's innovative approach to building low-cost autonomous weapon systems.AI in Military Operations: Gain insights into how AI and machine learning are being integrated into military strategies and operations.Bridging Technology Gaps: Explore the challenges and successes of connecting Silicon Valley's rapid innovation with the Pentagon's strategic needs.Chapters:01:30 Introduction: Is the US Military Lagging in Technology?02:15 Current Technological Shortcomings03:20 Historical Context of Military Superiority03:59 Changing Metrics of Military Power06:42 Hamas Attack: A Case Study08:15 Technological Vulnerabilities and Failures10:22 US Military's Technological Lag11:42 The Rise of Drones in Modern Warfare14:52 The Replicator Initiative17:54 Bridging the Gap Between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon24:39 Challenges in Government Contracting28:35 Innovative Contracting Solutions31:17 Discovering Joby Aviation: The Future of Flying Cars32:24 Military Applications and Collaboration with Joby34:53 The Rise of Drones in Modern Warfare37:12 Rogue Squadron: The Military's First Commercial Drone Unit39:32 Anduril and the Future of Combat Collaborative Aircraft45:14 AI and Machine Learning in Military Operations51:31 Ethical Issues in Military Technology01:04:02 Strategic Stability and the Future of Warfare01:09:35 Conclusion: Bridging Silicon Valley and the MilitaryAdditional Resources:Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of WarJoby AviationAnduril IndustriesDefense Innovation Unit (DIU)DARPA
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
8/6/2024 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 21 seconds
Pivoting to Prosperity with Mike & Kass Lazerow
A Note from James:So, in 2006, I was starting this company called StockPicker. This random guy calls me out of the blue and says, "I want to be CEO of your company. I just sold Golf.com and now I'm figuring out what to do." So we meet for breakfast, and he gave me all these ideas that were great. I stole all of them, built up StockPicker, and sold it. This guy and his wife then started their own company, and eventually sold it for $800 million. We've been friends all along. Even though I rejected him and stole his ideas, I'm glad he did much better than if he had joined StockPicker. They decided to come on the podcast and share their secrets of entrepreneurship. So, here’s Michael and Kass Lazerow, two extraordinary entrepreneurs and friends.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher sits down with Michael and Kass Lazerow, the dynamic duo behind Buddy Media, a company they built and sold for $800 million. They share their journey from the early days of cold emailing and breakfast meetings to navigating the challenges of the great recession and pivoting their business model. This conversation goes beyond the usual success stories, diving into the reality of entrepreneurship, the sacrifices, the mistakes, and the mindset needed to thrive.What You’ll Learn:The Importance of Pivoting: How to know when it’s time to change your business model and the signs that indicate a pivot is necessary.Building a Resilient Mindset: Insights on handling stress and maintaining a positive outlook during challenging times.Networking and Fundraising: Effective strategies for building valuable relationships and securing investments.Working with Your Spouse: The dynamics of being business partners with your spouse and how to make it work successfully.Marketing and Scaling: Techniques for marketing your startup effectively and transitioning from custom solutions to scalable software.Chapters:00:01:30 - The Unexpected Call: Starting StockPicker00:02:39 - Introducing Michael and Kass Lazerow00:02:50 - The Shift to Social Media00:03:25 - Buddy Media’s Early Days and Challenges00:04:16 - Writing a Book: Shoveling Shit, A Love Story00:05:07 - The Art of Pivoting in Business00:07:53 - The Power of Partnership: Working as a Married Couple00:11:27 - The Evolution of Buddy Media00:16:15 - The Free Felt Business Idea00:18:46 - Navigating Early Challenges and Fundraising00:32:47 - Health Scares and Their Impact on Perspective00:34:13 - The Reality of Entrepreneurship00:40:22 - Balancing Personal Life and Business00:50:31 - Networking and Building Relationships00:56:28 - Writing the Book: Process and Insights01:00:38 - Conclusion and Future PlansAdditional Resources:Buddy MediaGary VaynerchukPeter ThielMark PincusVelvet Sea VenturesThese show notes capture the essence of the episode, providing listeners with clear insights and resources to further explore the topics discussed.
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
7/31/2024 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 12 seconds
This Election is NOT What You Think
A Note from James:"So, you know, just like last week, I wanted to bring a somewhat neutral point of view to all the wild conspiracy theories, allegations, rumors, and actual facts about the Trump assassination attempt. I wanted to comment on the conspiracy theories. What are the facts? What could be our open questions? And just state the truth about what's going on without any BS political bias. The reason there's bias is that right from the beginning, we have an election coming up. Democrats want to win. Republicans want to win. They hate each other. And so, they keep throwing these weird accusations at each other. Some of which may be true, most of which are not.So now, we have Biden basically dropping out of the race. Kamala taking his place. What's being said? What is this being compared to? What has happened in the past? What are the conspiracies, and what's true and what's not? Someone actually wrote to me and said they were quite upset. I was taking a neutral point of view. I won't say what party this person was from. He thought I should not be neutral. My whole point is not necessarily that I have no feelings about any of these issues. I actually have quite a lot of feelings about the issues. But I am disgusted with how easy it is to see the bias in the headlines, in the accusations, whether it was CNN headlines, MSNBC headlines, or Fox headlines. You could just see how gross the bias was and how just lacking in morals and ethics and even business model the mainstream media has. I just wanted to bring some truth to the discussion.So let's get right into it."Episode Description:In this episode of "The James Altucher Show," James tackles the contentious and dramatic events surrounding the 2024 election. With Biden dropping out and Kamala Harris stepping in, the political landscape is charged with conspiracy theories and partisan biases. James navigates through the noise to present a factual and neutral perspective on the Trump assassination attempt, the Democratic power struggles, and the unprecedented political maneuvers. Listeners will gain insights into the historical parallels, the behind-the-scenes power plays, and what these developments mean for the future of American politics.What You’ll Learn:The factual background of the Trump assassination attempt and its impact on the political climate.Analysis of Biden's decision to drop out and Kamala Harris's rise to the candidacy.Historical precedents that compare to the current political situation.The internal power struggles within the Democratic Party.The potential impact of third-party candidates like RFK Jr. on the 2024 election.Chapters:00:01:30 – Introduction to the Trump Assassination Attempt00:03:24 – Biden's Decline and the 2024 Debate00:05:43 – Democratic Party Power Struggles00:07:01 – Impeachment and Political Bias00:16:22 – Historical Precedents and Political Uncertainty00:31:43 – RFK Jr. and Third-Party Candidates00:37:46 – Predictions and Final ThoughtsAdditional Resources:Hunter S. Thompson - Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72Grover Cleveland - 22nd and 24th President of the United StatesRobert Cialdini - Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
7/26/2024 • 41 minutes, 50 seconds
Navigating Alternate Realities with Blake Crouch
A Note from James:I'm so excited. I'm like a fanboy of my favorite TV show of the year. It's called Dark Matter, and it's on Apple TV Plus. I don't know how to describe it. It's a thriller, it's drama, it's science fiction, and it's emotional. It's just a well-written show. Every episode's a cliffhanger, and it's based on one of my favorite novels, Dark Matter, by one of my favorite novelists, Blake Crouch. Blake was also involved in writing the TV show. Blake agreed to come on the podcast, and we talk all things writing, thrillers, Dark Matter, TV, publishing, and he answered all my questions about my favorite show and his writing process. Here's Blake.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher interviews Blake Crouch, the mastermind behind the novel and TV adaptation of "Dark Matter." They discuss the intricacies of writing thrillers, the challenge of adapting a beloved novel for the screen, and the science and emotion behind the concept of the multiverse. Blake shares his insights into the creative process, his experiences with traditional and self-publishing, and the importance of emotional resonance in storytelling. Whether you're a fan of "Dark Matter" or an aspiring writer, this episode offers a deep look into the mind of a successful author navigating the intersection of science fiction and human experience.What You’ll Learn:The creative process behind writing and adapting "Dark Matter" for television.Insights into the multiverse theory and its narrative potential.The emotional and existential questions that drive Blake's storytelling.The evolution of Blake's writing career from self-publishing to mainstream success.The balance between science fiction concepts and human emotions in creating compelling stories.Chapters:02:39 Exploring the Multiverse Concept05:21 Character Development and Performance08:52 Blake Crouch's Writing Journey16:07 Self-Publishing vs Traditional Publishing22:58 Defining the Thriller Genre29:43 The Art of Surprising the Reader33:12 The Art of Surprising Readers34:03 Cliffhangers vs. Surprises35:01 The Challenge of Writing Endings35:59 The Value of a Great Book36:59 Exploring Existential Questions38:36 The Science of Gene Editing43:29 The Appeal of Wayward Pines45:23 The Complexity of Plot Twists50:23 The Writing Process55:35 The Impact of Success01:00:04 Conclusion and Future WorksAdditional Resources:Blake Crouch's Official WebsiteWayward Pines SeriesRecursion by Blake CrouchUpgrade by Blake Crouch
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
7/23/2024 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 5 seconds
Assassination Attempt on Trump: The Facts, Theories, Future of Democracy, and My Love Letter to America
A Note from James:"So during COVID, every single day, I was doing a podcast because I felt there was so much misinformation in the mainstream media. Everyone was saying conspiracy theories, and nobody was getting the math right on how infections like COVID-19 spread. I just wanted to make the information more correct every day, explain what was going on, and try to translate why so much of the mainstream news was wrong—not just about COVID but about the effects on the economy from the shutdowns and the printing of trillions of dollars. Many of the things spoken about then have come to pass.On COVID, it was more of an attempt to understand what was unknown by the public, what were conspiracy theories, and what was misinformation. I tried to understand from a rational point of view what was going on. Rationality is not part of the mainstream media anymore.We're seeing this again with the Trump assassination attempt—on every side, by the way. This is not intended to be a political podcast, although I will talk about some of the politics involved. So, I want to go through what happened, some of the conspiracy theories about this kind of stuff in general, some of the history behind this, and perhaps we'll get into some more recent events. This is a news-filled week: just a few days after the assassination attempt is the nomination of JD Vance as the vice presidential candidate for the Republican party. It's a very historic event, and I will comment on that as well. But let's start with this assassination attempt."Episode Description:James breaks down the recent assassination attempt on former President and presidential candidate Donald Trump. He provides historical context, drawing parallels to past attempts on major political figures, and discusses the ensuing conspiracy theories from all sides of the political spectrum. Listeners will gain a clear, rational perspective on the events and their implications for the upcoming election and beyond.What You’ll Learn:The historical context of assassination attempts on U.S. political figures.An analysis of conspiracy theories surrounding the Trump assassination attempt.The implications of the assassination attempt on the current political landscape.How media bias and misinformation shape public perception during political crises.The potential impact of this event on the upcoming presidential election and economic markets.Chapters:01:30 - Misinformation During COVID02:12 - Mainstream Media Rationality02:34 - Trump Assassination Attempt: An Overview03:33 - Historical Assassination Attempts: George Wallace and Theodore Roosevelt06:19 - Secret Service Protection Protocols10:15 - Conspiracy Theories Debunked17:02 - Secret Service and Political Bias25:08 - The Fallout: Public and Media Reactions28:08 - Trump's Response: "Fight, Fight, Fight"40:18 - Economic Impact: Bitcoin and Stock Market Reactions42:33 - JD Vance: A New VP Candidate47:26 - Reflections on Political PolarizationAdditional Resources:Hillbilly Elegy by JD VanceSecret Service Protocols and History
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
7/17/2024 • 47 minutes, 31 seconds
How to Have Impossible Conversations when Facts Don't Matter! Peter Boghossian
A Note from James:You know, it's election season, and guess what? Everybody is annoyed right now. Do you know why? It's not that their opinions are annoying, I could care less, but everybody wants to know your opinions on everything. And you know what? It's a dangerous time right now. You could have opinions about who should be president, you could have opinions about Israel, you could have opinions about Ukraine, and you see people had opinions and like, okay, my friend has this opinion, I have a different opinion.That's not true anymore. Now people hate you for your opinions, whether you're on the left or the right or whatever. And even worse, nobody ever believes that you're just not interested, that you're neutral. Like I've written for the past 15 years what I think of the presidency. Heck, I've written, I'm even running for president and People say you can't be neutral or not have an opinion on Joe Biden and Donald Trump.If you go to FEC.gov, I decided I could completely not have an opinion if I ran for president myself, so I filled out all the paperwork and I'm running for president. Officially, not seriously, really, but still to the point where if anyone asked my opinion, I could just say, I don't like either of them because I'm running against them.So anyway, it's very hard to have difficult conversations, which is why I'm so glad my friend Peter Boghossian wrote a book, How to Have Impossible Conversations. And this is valuable stuff to listen to during election time. Here he is.Episode Description:Facts Don't Matter! Over the past year, people are either on one side or another, and they're so into their own beliefs, it's almost impossible to have a reasonable and proper conversation with either side! Do you remember all the impossible conversations that you had with your family or friends? It's always unproductive and doesn't lead anywhere! In this episode, I have Peter Boghossian - an American philosopher, pedagogist, and author - on the podcast to talk about the techniques of talking to people that he described in his book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide.
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
7/10/2024 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 7 seconds
Crypto Millions: Nat Eliason's Wild Crypto Journey and the Future of Digital Currency
A Note from James:Today, we have an incredibly exciting guest, Nat Eliason, author of the riveting book Crypto Confidential: Winning and Losing Millions in the New Frontier of Finance. Tons of people have made millions, maybe even tens of millions, in the various crypto crazes of 2013, 2018, 2021, and now. In his book, Nat tells his own adventure of making a ton of money, losing a ton of money, making a ton of money again, and how it all ended up by creating his own tokens or currencies for a game and NFTs. You'll hear him talk all about it on the podcast. We'll discuss not only his story but also the future of crypto. Here it is; a great conversation.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher sits down with Nat Eliason, the author of Crypto Confidential. Nat shares his personal journey through the highs and lows of the crypto world, providing unique insights into the wild and often unpredictable world of cryptocurrency. From making and losing millions to creating his own tokens for games and NFTs, Nat's story is both cautionary and inspiring. They explore the evolving landscape of crypto, the impact of decentralized finance, and the future potential of blockchain technology. This episode is packed with real-life lessons and insider knowledge that you won't find anywhere else.What You’ll Learn:The dynamics of making and losing millions in the crypto world.How to create and launch your own cryptocurrency tokens.The future of decentralized finance and blockchain technology.The psychological and financial challenges faced by crypto investors.Insights into the evolving trends and opportunities in the crypto market.Chapters:01:33 Nat Eliason's Crypto Journey Begins 02:07 The FOMO Effect and Early Crypto Experiences 03:21 The Rise of Bitcoin and Automated Investments 05:36 The World of Crypto Farming 08:13 The Evolution of Crypto Trends 09:42 Gaming and NFTs: A New Frontier 14:41 Tokenization and Real-World Applications 26:30 The Wild West of Crypto and Regulation 29:38 Learning Solidity and Building in Crypto 42:29 The Token Payment Dilemma43:18 Unexpected Wealth from Token Launch 44:22 The NFT and Gaming Boom 47:28 Liquidity Issues and Market Realities 49:17 Public Wallet Scrutiny 55:21 Johnny's NFT Success Story 59:08 The Writing Journey 01:07:44 Future of Crypto and AI Coins 01:12:25 Potential of Crypto in Payments01:16:39 Concluding Thoughts and Future PlansAdditional Resources:Nat Eliason's Book: Crypto ConfidentialOpenZeppelin: Ethereum Development FrameworkCoinbase: Cryptocurrency ExchangeUniswap: Decentralized Trading ProtocolBlake Crouch's Dark Matter
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
7/2/2024 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 58 seconds
Drugs, Chess, and Rock & Roll | Brian Lawlor
A Note from James:Drugs, chess, and rock and roll—Brian Lawlor has seen it all. I didn’t include the sex part because I don’t know, but he's been to jail. We talk all about that: how, why, when. But I was concerned—how did he survive? Interestingly, part of the way he survived was through chess.Brian's story is riveting and valuable, touching on survival in general. We played a bunch of games. I’m not including the games in the podcast, but he surprised me with his skill. We’ll do a video on that later. But for now, here’s Brian Lawlor.###Episode Description:In this episode of "The James Altucher Show", James sits down with Brian Lawlor, a man who transformed his life from being a drug addict in and out of jail to becoming a successful composer and teacher. Brian shares his remarkable journey of overcoming addiction, finding solace in chess, and building a career in music against all odds. This episode is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of passion and discipline.What You’ll Learn:How Brian used chess as a tool for mental stability and personal growth.The impact of music on Brian's rehabilitation and how he built a career from it.Insights into the challenges and stigmas faced by former inmates trying to reintegrate into society.The importance of self-reinvention and finding new pathways to success.Practical advice for anyone struggling with addiction or looking to make a significant life change.Chapters:01:44 Brian's Jail Experience02:42 Surviving Jail Through Chess and Ping Pong04:00 The Reality of Jail Life07:16 The Ping Pong Incident18:52 Struggles with Addiction28:32 Rebuilding Life After Jail39:04 Exploring Musical Diversity39:49 Classical Influences in Modern Music41:07 Pop Music Production Insights43:20 Favorite Bands and Musical Influences44:28 Chess Journey and Early Experiences46:51 Chess and Music: A Unique Intersection51:56 Sound Sensitivity and Chess Commentary55:04 Chess Tournaments and Personal Stories01:06:02 Concluding Thoughts and ReflectionsAdditional Resources:Brian Lawlor’s Music StudioBook: “How to Reassess Your Chess” by Jeremy SilmanBook: “My 60 Memorable Games” by Bobby FischerKeywords: addiction recovery, peak performance, chess, music, rehabilitation, Brian Lawlor, James Altucher, resilience, reinvention.
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/27/2024 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 18 seconds
Mastering the Book Game: Charlie Hoehn's Playbook for Self-Publishing Success
A Note from James:Charlie Hoehn has quietly become the go-to expert on self-publishing your book. Charlie has worked with some of the best authors out there, like Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, David Goggins, Ramit Sethi, and Cody Sanchez. Charlie has touched every part of the book-making process—from coming up with the right idea to marketing the book in the most efficient and high-quality way.I've been writing books for over 20 years, and in this one-hour podcast, Charlie gave me so many new ideas I had never thought of before. This is a must-listen for anyone thinking about writing a book. Share it with your friends who are authors or aspiring authors, and be sure to check out Charlie's site, charliehoehn.com, where you can subscribe to his newsletter and all his self-publishing tips. This is important stuff to listen to.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher sits down with Charlie Hoehn, the self-publishing maestro who has helped best-selling authors like Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin bring their book ideas to life. Charlie shares his unique approach to self-publishing, offering insights that go beyond the traditional publishing route. He discusses the power of crafting compelling book titles, the importance of building a personal brand through your writing, and how to market your book effectively without a massive budget. Whether you're an established author or just starting, Charlie's strategies will help you rethink the entire book creation process and achieve self-publishing success.What You’ll Learn:How to effectively self-publish a book and the advantages over traditional publishing.The art of crafting compelling book titles that attract readers.Strategies for marketing your book on a budget.The importance of building a personal brand through your writing.How to use personal stories and experiences to create a powerful and relatable narrative.Chapters:[00:01:30] Introduction to Charlie Hoehn: The Self-Publishing Expert[00:02:47] Catching Up: Life Updates and Personal Challenges[00:05:21] The Quest: Rediscovering Chess Mastery[00:10:12] The Power of Play: Transforming Anxiety into Joy[00:20:35] The Art of Book Marketing: Testing Titles and Strategies[00:31:00] Navigating Criticism and Resilience[00:43:06] The Benefits and Challenges of Self-Publishing[00:58:25] Starting Your Book Journey[01:10:33] Structuring and Drafting Your Book[01:18:15] Writing for Your Former Self[01:23:50] Building a Tribe Through Your Book[01:32:40] Finding Your Unique Voice[01:40:17] The Power of Personal Experience[01:50:30] Additional Resources for Aspiring AuthorsAdditional Resources:Charlie Hoehn’s WebsiteJames' "How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days" CourseHelpThisBook.comINeedABookCover.comTim Ferriss's BooksSeth Godin’s BlogDavid Goggins's Book "Can't Hurt Me"Ramit Sethi’s “I Will Teach You to Be Rich”
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/25/2024 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 36 seconds
Facing Mortality and Beyond: Peak Performance in the Most Crucial Moments | Sebastian Junger
A Note from James:Imagine you are dying or you're about to die. Let's say you were hit by a car, you're bleeding out, you're on the way to the hospital but you just have this sense that you're not going to live, and you see visions of someone you knew in the past, maybe a mother or a father, and they're saying, "Don't worry, we're here for you." Come down this light at the end of a tunnel. Does that change your experience of life if you then survive? Well, we're going to hear from Sebastian Junger, who wrote "In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife." And if you don't know who Sebastian is, he's written many books about being a war reporter, his experiences in war zones, and other intense situations. But this is perhaps his most intense book that I've read, where he's not talking about deaths on the battlefield or in a war zone, but his own experience of dying and what happened to him during that experience. It really makes you think. And I've been thinking about it a lot for personal reasons this past week. I hope everybody enjoys it. If you do, please retweet it, share it with your friends, and subscribe to the podcast so all the good little algorithms work for me. Thanks so much, and here is Sebastian.Episode Description:In this compelling episode, James Altucher converses with Sebastian Junger, acclaimed author and war reporter, about his harrowing near-death experience and his exploration of the afterlife in his latest book, "In My Time of Dying." Junger shares the profound and mystifying moments he faced at the brink of death, challenging his atheistic beliefs and scientific understanding. This episode isn't just about a personal encounter with mortality but dives into the larger implications of consciousness, the mysteries of the human mind, and what it means to truly live after facing death.What You’ll Learn:The profound impact of near-death experiences on one's worldview and beliefs.The intersection of scientific rationalism and mystical experiences.Insights into the psychological and emotional aftermath of surviving a near-death experience.Theories about consciousness and the potential for an afterlife from both scientific and experiential perspectives.Practical lessons on living a more appreciative and meaningful life after a brush with death.Chapters:00:01:30 - Introduction: Sebastian Junger's Near-Death Experience00:04:41 - The Moment of Crisis: Abdominal Hemorrhage and Medical Intervention00:09:00 - Encountering the Void and Seeing His Father00:14:22 - The Medical Miracle: Innovative Interventional Radiology00:24:26 - Rational Explanations vs. Mystical Experiences00:31:30 - Unexplained Phenomena: Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness00:41:29 - Personal and Philosophical Reflections on Life and Death00:52:30 - The Aftermath: Dealing with Anxiety and Fear00:56:35 - Finding Meaning and Appreciation in Life Post-Trauma01:02:15 - Writing About the Experience: Structuring the Narrative01:05:28 - Final Thoughts and TakeawaysAdditional Resources:Sebastian Junger's Official WebsiteIn My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an AfterlifeTribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian JungerWar by Sebastian JungerQuantum Enigma: Physics Encounters Consciousness by Bruce Rosenblum and Fred KuttnerBiocentrism: How Life and Consciousness are the Keys to Understanding the True Nature of the Universe by Robert Lanza
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/20/2024 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 55 seconds
How to Achieve Peak Performance in Any Field: Chess GM Hikaru's Life Lesson
A Note from James:Today, we have a fascinating story of resilience, transformation, and triumph. Imagine being the second-best player in the world in your field, only to see your ranking plummet over the years. Hikaru Nakamura experienced just that in the world of chess. Once the number two player globally, he saw his ranking drop below the top 20. But Hikaru didn't let this define him. During the pandemic, he started streaming chess online, building a massive audience and diversifying his interests. And remarkably, he climbed back to number two in the world. How did he do it? What changes in mindset and strategy led to this incredible comeback? We'll cover all this and more in our discussion today. This conversation is not just for chess enthusiasts but for anyone looking to succeed and find balance in life. So, here is Hikaru Nakamura."Episode Description:In this episode of The James Altucher Show, James talks with Hikaru Nakamura about his extraordinary journey in the world of chess. Hikaru shares the ups and downs of his career, detailing how he went from being the second-best chess player in the world to falling out of the top 20. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hikaru pivoted to streaming chess online, which not only revitalized his career but also brought him back to the top echelons of the chess world. This episode delves into the mindset shifts, strategies, and the role of diversification in achieving success and maintaining mental well-being. Hikaru's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability, offering insights that are valuable for anyone aiming to excel in their field.What You’ll Learn:The psychological challenges of being a top-ranked chess player and how to overcome them.How diversifying interests and income streams can alleviate career pressures.The impact of streaming and online presence on professional success.The importance of maintaining a balanced mindset in competitive environments.Strategies for turning setbacks into comebacks in any career.Chapters:00:00 The Rise and Fall of Hikaru Nakamura01:10 Hikaru's Streaming Journey Begins01:51 Return to Competitive Chess02:24 The Psychology of Chess05:23 The Impact of Computers on Chess10:57 Hikaru's Career Challenges24:14 The Turning Point: Streaming and the Pandemic35:57 Transitioning to Live Streaming36:17 Changing Perceptions of Chess Players37:21 Cultural Significance of Chess38:02 Making Chess More Accessible38:48 Strategic Decisions in Content Creation41:37 Engaging the Audience44:10 Pandemic and the Rise of Chess Streaming47:17 Building a Streaming Business55:26 Diversifying Income and Investments01:06:49 Maintaining Chess Skills01:10:45 Unexpected Opening Strategy01:11:13 The Power of Unpredictability01:11:47 Evolving Chess Study Methods01:13:20 Memory and Age in Chess01:14:22 Generational Gaps in Chess01:16:07 Impact of the Chess Boom01:18:02 Emotional Moments in Chess01:22:45 Future Aspirations Beyond Chess01:24:02 Dealing with Online Trolls01:26:01 Breaking Chess Rules with Computers01:29:55 Challenges of Modern Chess01:39:39 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsAdditional Resources:Hikaru Nakamura’s Twitch ChannelHikaru Nakamura’s YouTube ChannelThe Lex Fridman Podcast with Hikaru Nakamura“The Queen’s Gambit” on NetflixInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding how to navigate the ups and downs of a professional career, leveraging new opportunities, and achieving personal growth. Tune in to hear Hikaru’s inspiring story and gain insights that could transform your approach to success.
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/18/2024 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 18 seconds
Superconvergence: The Dawn of Human-Engineered Intelligence with Jamie Metzl
Episode DescriptionIn this riveting episode of "The James Altucher Show," James welcomes back futurist Jamie Metzl to explore the groundbreaking themes from his new book, Superconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI Revolutions Will Transform Our Lives, Work, and World. As one of the most frequent and insightful guests on the show, Jamie shares his expert perspective on the rapid acceleration of technologies that are reshaping our future. From the intersection of genomics and artificial intelligence to the ethical implications of human-engineered life, this conversation is packed with insights that you won't find anywhere else. Tune in to understand how these technological advancements will affect your health, the environment, and the global economy.What You’ll Learn:The concept of superconvergence and how it marks a pivotal point in technological evolution.The ethical considerations and potential risks of genome editing and AI.How AI and genomics are being used to tackle some of the most challenging health issues.The future of food production with lab-grown meat and genetically modified crops.Predictions for the next big breakthroughs in biotechnology and artificial intelligence.Chapters:00:01:30 – Introduction to Jamie Metzl and Superconvergence00:02:35 – The Most Exciting and Worrisome Future Technologies00:04:04 – Potential Dangers of Genomics and AI00:06:12 – The Convergence of AI and Genomics: A Tipping Point00:10:05 – Ethical and Societal Implications of Genome Editing00:19:06 – Lab-Grown Meat: Science and Ethical Concerns00:29:52 – The Debate Over GMOs and Misinformation00:39:30 – Breakthroughs in Genome Editing and CRISPR Technologies00:54:50 – Applications of AI in Healthcare and Beyond01:02:43 – Navigating the Future of Personalized Medicine01:13:05 – Predictions for the Future: Sustainable Innovations and Human-AI IntegrationAdditional Resources:Jamie Metzl’s websiteSuperconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI Revolutions Will Transform Our Lives, Work, and WorldHacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of HumanityAlphaFold by DeepMindJennifer Doudna’s work on CRISPR
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/13/2024 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 15 seconds
Stoic Strategies for Success | Ryan Holiday
A Note from James:Today, we've got a returning guest, a fan favorite, and someone whose work has consistently left a mark on this podcast—Ryan Holiday. We've talked about many of his books, from "Trust Me, I'm Lying" to his series on stoicism, including "The Obstacle is the Way". His latest work, "Right Thing Right Now: Good Values, Good Character, Good Deeds", is part of his Stoic Virtue series and is packed with insightful stories and practical advice on how to live a virtuous life. Ryan always brings fascinating examples and compelling narratives that not only entertain but also offer deep, actionable insights. So, let's jump right into it with Ryan Holiday.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher sits down with Ryan Holiday, a prolific author and modern stoic philosopher, to discuss his latest book, "Right Thing Right Now". This book is a profound exploration of the virtues of good values, good character, and good deeds, and how these principles can be applied to everyday life to achieve peak performance and personal growth. Ryan shares powerful stories and historical examples that highlight the importance of doing the right thing, even when it's difficult. Listeners will gain unique perspectives on how to navigate challenges and make ethical decisions that benefit both themselves and society.What You’ll Learn:The Real Benefits of Virtue: Discover how practicing good values and character can lead to a more fulfilling and successful life.Historical Lessons: Learn from historical figures who embodied stoic principles and made significant impacts on society.Practical Stoicism: Get actionable advice on how to incorporate stoic virtues into your daily routine.Overcoming Modern Challenges: Understand how ancient wisdom can be applied to solve contemporary problems and improve personal resilience.Chapters:[01:30] – Introduction and Background on Ryan Holiday[03:15] – The Unique Dimensions of "Right Thing Right Now"[07:00] – The Evolution of Ryan’s Stoic Journey[14:26] – Thomas Clarkson and the Abolition of the Slave Trade[20:00] – Historical Parallels and Modern Applications[25:01] – The Importance of Community in Practicing Virtue[33:45] – Learning from Past Leaders: LBJ, Malcolm X, and More[45:13] – The Role of Storytelling in Spreading Wisdom[51:46] – Personal Reflections on Changing One’s Mind[01:03:00] – Concluding Thoughts and Future ProjectsAdditional Resources:Ryan Holiday's Official WebsitePurchase "Right Thing Right Now" on AmazonThe Obstacle is the Way by Ryan HolidayEpictetus' Discourses and Selected WritingsMarcus Aurelius’ Meditations
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/11/2024 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 42 seconds
'Secret Altucher' | Unveiling Life Lessons from Movies and Icons
Episode Description:In this special episode of "The James Altucher Show," James shares his unique commentary on surprisingly impactful media that has imparted valuable life and business lessons. Through an in-depth analysis of scenes from iconic movies and insights from legendary figures, James reveals how these media moments have influenced his thinking and strategies. Listeners will discover practical and transcendent lessons that aren't typically found in conventional self-help resources. Whether it's the strategic use of cognitive biases in "8 Mile" or the unfiltered wisdom of Bill Murray, this episode offers a treasure trove of insights that can elevate your performance in life and business.What You’ll Learn:How cognitive biases can be leveraged in various aspects of life from negotiation to personal branding, exemplified by a scene from "8 Mile."The importance of embracing spontaneity and fearlessness, inspired by the life and career of Bill Murray.The enduring power of persistence and passion, illustrated by the longevity and success of The Rolling Stones.Essential storytelling techniques from Stan Lee that can enhance your communication and influence.The concept of the hero's journey and how to apply it to your own life challenges.Chapters:00:01:30 - Cognitive Biases in "8 Mile"00:09:42 - Life Lessons from Bill Murray00:15:35 - The Secrets of The Rolling Stones’ Longevity00:22:19 - Stan Lee’s Hero’s Journey: A Blueprint for SuccessAdditional Resources:Bill Murray on IMDbRolling Stones Official WebsiteStan Lee’s Hero’s Journey ExplainedEminem’s "8 Mile" on IMDb
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/7/2024 • 31 minutes, 52 seconds
Steve Forbes and the Billionaire's Mind
A Note from James:Today, we have a very special guest, Steve Forbes, who is arguably the world's leading authority on billionaires. Each year, Forbes magazine publishes the Forbes 400, listing the 400 wealthiest people on the planet. Although I sometimes disagree with the list, Steve always provides fascinating insights into what it takes to become a billionaire. Our conversation covers various intriguing topics about wealth, success, and the unique traits that make these billionaires stand out. Let's jump into it.Episode Description:In this episode, originally recorded on August 10th, 2018, James sits down with Steve Forbes, the chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, to explore the traits and strategies that define billionaires. Steve shares his wealth of knowledge from years of curating the Forbes 400 list, offering a rare glimpse into the minds and habits of the world's richest individuals. This conversation is not just about money; it’s about understanding the relentless drive, innovative thinking, and strategic decisions that set billionaires apart. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or someone fascinated by success stories, this episode offers unparalleled insights you won't find anywhere else. What You’ll Learn:The key habits and mindsets that distinguish billionaires from millionaires.How billionaires maintain agility and innovation even as their companies grow.The role of passion and obsession in achieving monumental success.Insights into the economic and technological trends shaping the billionaire landscape.Real-world examples of how billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett manage their businesses.Chapters:01:30 - Introduction to Steve Forbes and the Forbes 400 list.03:12 - Why billionaires fascinate the public and insights on the self-made nature of most billionaires.05:00 - Discussion on Jeff Bezos hitting the $100 billion mark and the strategies of top billionaires.08:46 - The actual number of billionaires and their strategies for staying under the radar.13:10 - The differences in habits between millionaires and billionaires.18:14 - The importance of passion and seeing opportunities where others don’t.21:11 - The evolution of media and Forbes' approach to digital transformation.25:15 - Inflation, deflation, and the economic impacts of technology and productivity.29:26 - Potential billionaire candidates for the presidency and their political prospects.32:11 - Billionaire Blitz! Quick thoughts on notable billionaires featured in James's book "Think Like a Billionaire."Additional Resources:Forbes 400 ListThink Like a Billionaire by James AltucherI Love Capitalism! by Ken LangoneForbes MagazineThe Two Pizza Rule: How Amazon Delivers High-Impact ResultsTune in for an enlightening conversation that goes beyond the numbers to reveal the essence of what it means to think and act like a billionaire.
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
6/2/2024 • 34 minutes, 31 seconds
Secrets Unveiled: The Power of Hidden Truths with Andrew Gold
A Note from James: Today, we've got Andrew Gold back on the podcast. He's an investigative journalist and the author of "The Psychology of Secrets: My Adventures with Murderers, Cults, and Influencers" This book is riveting—every page dives into the intriguing world of secrets. What are secrets? What are the big secrets we know of? How do you tell someone’s secrets? From murderers to cults to influencers, Andrew’s insights are fascinating. He also runs the YouTube channel Heretics, which I highly recommend. But for now, let’s get into our conversation about the nature of secrets. Here's Andrew Gold.Episode Description:In this episode, James welcomes back investigative journalist and author Andrew Gold to discuss his latest book, "The Psychology of Secrets: My Adventures with Murderers, Cults, and Influencers." Andrew shares his deep insights into the nature of secrets and their impact on our lives. From the hidden doctrines of cults like Scientology to the subtle ways secrets influence our personal relationships, Andrew reveals the psychology behind why we keep secrets and how they shape our behavior. This conversation delves into the interplay between secrecy and storytelling, the social dynamics of secret-keeping, and the ethical dilemmas of radical honesty.What You’ll Learn:The psychological mechanisms behind why people keep secrets and how they affect our mental health.The role of secrets in cult dynamics, including how leaders manipulate followers by controlling access to secret knowledge.How secrets can both strengthen and destroy personal relationships.The ethical considerations and potential consequences of radical honesty.The impact of AI and data on uncovering and preserving secrets in the digital age.Chapters:01:52 The Fascinating Dynamics of Cults and Influence02:57 Navigating the Complexities of Public Appearances and Media05:51 The Ethical Dilemmas and Impact of AI on Truth25:40 Unveiling the Power of Secrets in Cult Dynamics39:15 The Enigmatic Influence of Secrets on Society and Individual Psyche42:18 The Intricacies of Secrecy and Society43:03 The Evolution of Secrets and Their Societal Impact45:08 The Power of Secrets in Personal and Social Dynamics54:56 Exploring the Psychology Behind Sharing Secrets58:23 The Complex Relationship Between Secrecy, Honesty, and Society01:06:42 Navigating the Challenges of Content Creation and Audience Expectations01:17:43 Reflections on the Journey of a Content CreatorAdditional Resources:Andrew Gold’s YouTube Channel: HereticsThe Psychology of Secrets on AmazonSam Harris' Book: LyingPeter Boghossian’s WorkTrigonometry Podcast
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/28/2024 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 29 seconds
Whole Foods Market Founder, John Mackey’s Journey of Love, Life, and Capitalism: Hippie to Heavy Hitter:
A Note from James:Today, we have a remarkable guest, John Mackey, the founder of Whole Foods. Whole Foods is my go-to place for groceries, whether I'm shopping in-store or ordering via Instacart. John’s story is fascinating. He started as a young, hippie-ish guy living in a commune and working in a food co-op. One day, he thought, "Hey, I could do this," and opened his first store, Saferway, humorously named to poke fun at Safeway. Over time, this venture grew into the massive empire we now know as Whole Foods, which was eventually acquired by Amazon.John's journey is detailed in his new book, which captures the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur. Despite his seemingly hippie background, John evolved into an ardent capitalist, recognizing that innovation thrives on the competition capitalism inspires. In our conversation, we delve into how he evolved over the decades and the invaluable advice he shared with me.So, here’s John Mackey with the whole story: adventures in love, life, and capitalism.Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher welcomes John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market. John shares his inspiring journey from a young man living in a commune to building one of the most successful grocery chains in the world. This conversation offers a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, competition, and personal growth. John reveals his transition from a "hippie-ish" background to embracing capitalism, discussing how competition fuels innovation. Listeners will gain insights into John’s entrepreneurial spirit, his experiences with Whole Foods’ expansion, and the personal challenges he faced along the way. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone interested in business, personal development, and the philosophy of conscious capitalism.What You’ll Learn:The Origin Story: How John Mackey’s journey from a commune and food co-op led to the creation of Whole Foods.Entrepreneurial Insights: The transition from hippie to capitalist and how competition drives innovation.Cultural Integrity: The importance of maintaining a healthy company culture during rapid growth.Resilience in Business: How setbacks and failures can be opportunities for learning and growth.Future of Retail: John’s thoughts on the future of retail and holistic health with his new venture, Love Life.Chapters:00:01:30 - Introduction to John Mackey00:03:07 - Whole Foods Market headquarters and remote work trends00:04:22 - John Mackey’s departure from Amazon and thoughts on company culture00:06:32 - Love Life: John’s new venture and its holistic approach00:10:04 - Rebuilding after setbacks: The flood and the importance of resilience00:13:32 - The importance of culture in business growth and sustainability00:19:41 - Analogies between company culture and personal culture00:27:15 - Challenges and lessons from early partnership conflicts00:30:38 - The impact of personal relationships on business00:41:52 - Expansion instincts and entrepreneurial foresight00:46:53 - Current economic perspectives and the future of capitalism00:51:23 - Optimism, creativity, and the role of innovation00:58:22 - Recommended reads for understanding progress and optimism01:08:41 - Managing fear and focusing on personal contributions01:09:31 - Conclusion and John’s new venture, Love LifeAdditional Resources:The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism by John MackeyEnlightenment Now by Steven PinkerSuperabundance by Marian TupyCapitalist Manifesto by Johan NorbergThe Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/23/2024 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 44 seconds
Anthony Scaramucci's Resilience: Surviving Trump, FTX and Embracing Bitcoin
A Note from James:"I've known Anthony Scaramucci for about 15 years. We had breakfast 15 years ago after his first book came out, and I had written a review of it in the Financial Times. At different times, we even thought about working together, about 10 or 15 years ago. He's always been a very interesting guy.Of course, I know him from the hedge fund world, but much later, he got involved in the political world. He became the Communications Director of the White House under Donald Trump for 11 days before he got fired. He later came on my podcast to talk about his time there, and by then, he was more aligned with Biden.Anthony has a problem: both sides of the aisle don't like him. Democrats remember him as a Trump guy, and Trump supporters hate him because he trashes Trump. I like it when people can't figure out what they really are, but love him or hate him, Anthony Scaramucci has been involved in top news events of the past 10-15 years. From Trump to being involved with FTX, where Sam Bankman-Fried tried to buy Anthony's firm SkyBridge and bought a stake in it, which is part of the bankruptcy proceedings.He just wrote a book, 'From Wall Street to the White House and Back,' the Scaramucci guide to unbreakable resilience. We started off by discussing why people either love or hate him. I pointed out that the worst thing you could have for a book is three-star reviews. You want a lot of five-star reviews and a lot of one-star reviews to show you had an impact on people. That's how he is as a person, and I feel like that's how I am sometimes. We had a good conversation.He's been a friend for a long time. Here's Anthony Scaramucci."Episode Description:In this episode, James Altucher welcomes Anthony Scaramucci, a man who has worn many hats—hedge fund manager, White House Communications Director, and now author. Known for his controversial yet impactful presence, Scaramucci shares insights from his new book, "From Wall Street to the White House and Back," offering listeners a unique perspective on resilience, peak performance, and navigating the highs and lows of public and professional life. Whether you love him or hate him, Scaramucci's journey provides valuable lessons on maintaining integrity, finding purpose, and thriving amidst adversity.What You’ll Learn:Navigating Political and Financial Turbulence: How Scaramucci dealt with his brief yet tumultuous tenure in the White House and his involvement in the FTX debacle.Building Unbreakable Resilience: Insights from Scaramucci’s new book on how to cultivate resilience in the face of public and private challenges.Bitcoin and Crypto Insights: Scaramucci's perspective on the future of Bitcoin, the impact of the FTX collapse, and the importance of doing your homework in the crypto world.Balancing Integrity and Ambition: Lessons on maintaining integrity while pursuing ambitious goals in high-stakes environments.The Importance of Being Polarizing: Why having strong opinions that elicit love or hate can be more impactful than being universally liked.Chapters:00:01:30 - Introduction and Background00:04:00 - Early Career and Hedge Funds00:11:49 - Tenure in the White House00:22:27 - FTX and Crypto Insights00:39:30 - Bitcoin and Financial Strategies00:49:33 - Political Views and Voting Decisions01:00:53 - Philosophical Insights and Purpose01:03:34 - Closing Thoughts and Future PlansAdditional Resources:Anthony Scaramucci’s book: "From Wall Street to the White House and Back"SkyBridge CapitalBitcoin and Cryptocurrency Resources
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/21/2024 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 8 seconds
Quantum Quandaries and Cosmic Contemplations with Sean Carroll
A Note from James:This may be the smartest guy in terms of raw intelligence that I've ever had on the podcast. Sean Carroll is a great physicist and a great writer of physics. He attempts to explain quantum mechanics and the difference between quantum mechanics and classical physics. I make some analogies about how this applies to my personal life and pitch an idea that I think could win the Nobel Prize. If you listen to this podcast, you will know more about quantum mechanics than before.Sean Carroll is a professor living in Maryland, and a superb physicist who has written many books. However, there's another Sean Carroll who also lives in Maryland and is very smart. While preparing for this podcast, I didn't know the difference between the two Sean Carrolls, so I read books by both. Today, we have Sean M. Carroll, but there's also Sean B. Carroll, who wrote "A Series of Fortunate Events," about the science behind the luck of human existence. It was as fascinating as Sean M. Carroll's work. I read both in preparation and only later realized they were different Sean Carrolls. We need to get the other Sean Carroll on the podcast as well.Episode Description:In this mind-expanding episode of The James Altucher Show, we dive into the complex world of physics with none other than Sean Carroll, a renowned theoretical physicist and one of the most thought-provoking scientists of our time. This isn't your standard physics discussion; it's an enlightening exploration of how the fundamental laws of the universe influence our everyday lives. From the nuances of quantum mechanics to the grandeur of cosmology, Sean breaks down the universe's biggest mysteries in a way that's not only accessible but deeply relevant to personal growth and understanding our place in the cosmos.Episode Summary:[00:01:30] - Introduction to Sean Carroll and his expertise in physics and writing.[00:03:17] - Discussion on Sean's books and their approach to explaining complex physics.[00:05:19] - Quantum mechanics vs. classical physics and their applications.[00:06:44] - The holistic view of the universe in quantum mechanics.[00:07:34] - The nuances of gravity and its evolution from Newton to Einstein.[00:12:35] - Electromagnetism and its difference from the Newtonian view.[00:14:25] - Exploring the unity of gravitational fields and magnetic fields.[00:16:05] - Einstein's perspective on gravity as a feature of space-time.[00:18:27] - The role of quantum mechanics in explaining the universe.[00:20:00] - Understanding the Big Bang and the cosmic microwave background radiation.[00:22:42] - Speculative theories about multiple Big Bangs and the creation of new universes.[00:23:15] - Quantum fluctuations and the possibility of new universes popping into existence.[00:27:02] - The famous question in quantum mechanics: Why does observing a particle change it?[00:29:35] - The theory of spooky entanglement and its implications.[00:31:39] - The holistic nature of quantum mechanics and the concept of entanglement.[00:37:00] - The information dimension and the complexity of space in quantum mechanics.[00:40:31] - Sean Carroll's journey into physics and his philosophical approach.[00:42:57] - The ongoing quest for understanding the smallest particles and fundamental forces.[00:45:51] - The challenges and politics of academia and scientific discovery.[00:48:52] - The practical applications of physics and the importance of documenting knowledge.[00:50:50] - The influence of capitalism and creativity in scientific fields.[00:54:55] - Injecting creativity into physics and balancing academic expectations.[00:57:43] - The exciting areas of complexity and emergence in modern physics.Additional Resources:Sean Carroll's Book: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Space, Time, and MotionSean Carroll's Book: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Quanta and FieldsTune in and expand your understanding of the universe with insights from Sean Carroll!
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/16/2024 • 57 minutes, 51 seconds
Revolutionizing Education with AI | Khan Academy founder Salman Khan
A Note from James:Oh my gosh, I've been wanting to have this guy on my podcast for literally ten years, ever since I started. I am so impressed with him, and he speaks about a subject near and dear to my heart. Salman Khan, Sal Khan, is the creator of Khan Academy, which was really the first big online academy. It focused on teaching math, coding, and other subjects, effectively reaching people who went through years of school without truly mastering these topics. Khan Academy has had a profound understanding of education and has become a huge phenomenon.150 million students have used Khan Academy, with that number representing monthly users or registered accounts. Sal Khan recently authored a book on how AI will revolutionize education, titled "Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education and Why That's a Good Thing." He discusses the use of AI in education for students, teachers, and employers, providing valuable insights into not only education but also AI and its impact on our lives. He addresses common fears about AI, its role in creativity, learning, and whether it will replace jobs or facilitate new employment opportunities.I finally got the chance to interview Sal Khan about Khan Academy and AI. I learned so much, and I hope you will too.Episode Description:In this thought-provoking episode of The James Altucher Show, we embark on an exploratory journey into the future of education with none other than Salman Khan, the visionary founder of Khan Academy. As AI continues to seep into every facet of our lives, its potential to transform educational paradigms stands both as an opportunity and a profound challenge. Salman shares intriguing insights from his latest book, *Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education and Why That's a Good Thing*, delving into AI's role not just as a disruptor, but as a potent catalyst for educational equity and innovation.Salman's perspective is not just about theoretical possibilities; it's grounded in the tangible impact Khan Academy has had on democratizing education for millions globally. He recounts the Academy's genesis from humble beginnings — a series of YouTube tutorials for his cousin — to a global phenomenon. What stands out is his belief in AI's potential to further this mission, tailoring learning experiences to meet individual student's needs and inspiring both educators and learners to view AI as a partner, rather than a threat.This episode is a beacon of optimism for educators, parents, and creatives alike, providing nuanced viewpoints on AI's implementation in classrooms, its potential to reshape content creation, and the critical role of humans in steering this technological revolution. Salman envisions a future where AI supports personalized learning journeys, making the exceptional accessible to many rather than a privileged few.James engages Salman in discussions that span the philosophical to the practical, from concerns over AI-induced job displacement to the future of screenwriting in the age of algorithmic creativity. Yet, at its core, this dialogue returns always to the transformative potential of AI in enriching human understanding and connection — whether in interpreting Shakespeare or solving quadratic equations.If you're looking for a blend of futurism with grounded optimism or curious about how technology could enhance human capabilities rather than replace them, this episode is an enlightening listen. As always, James brings his signature mix of curiosity and skepticism, pushing beyond surface-level concerns to uncover the deeper implications of our evolving relationship with AI. Listen in to reimagine what education could become in an AI-integrated world, and perhaps to catch a glimpse of how we might navigate these uncharted waters with wisdom and humanity at the helm.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Sal Khan's Impact03:00 Exploring Sal Khan's Personal Background05:12 The Genesis of Khan Academy08:26 Transitioning Khan Academy into a Nonprofit Giant09:53 AI's Role in Revolutionizing Education12:45 Addressing AI and Cheating in Education16:03 The Future of Education and AI's Collaborative Potential24:24 Reimagining the Role of Teachers in an AI-Enhanced World29:43 Rethinking Education Systems for the Future34:56 Personalized Learning and AI's Role40:50 AI's Role in Education: Enhancing Teacher and Student Experiences43:05 The Future of Education: Trends and AI Integration44:37 Revolutionizing Assessments and Personalized Learning with AI54:25 Addressing the Creative Industry's Concerns About AI01:01:42 Parenting in the Age of AI: Opportunities and Challenges01:15:34 The Future of Education Credentials and Access01:20:26 Concluding Thoughts on AI's Impact on EducationLinks and Resources:"Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education and Why That's a Good Thing" by Salman Khan and Other Creators - For more information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/Brave-New-Words-Revolutionize-Education/dp/1119824848Khan Academy - A nonprofit educational organization offering free courses on a wide array of subjects: https://www.khanacademy.orgOpenAI and ChatGPT - Creators of the Generative Pre-trained Transformer AI models: https://openai.comTyler Perry - Filmmaker discussing the impact of AI on his industry decisions: https://tylerperry.comDuke TIP (Talent Identification Program) - An example of advanced learning programs for youth: https://tip.duke.edu
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/14/2024 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 49 seconds
Mastering Mastery: Unraveling Learning with Scott Young
A Note from James:"Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery." I first met Scott Young nearly ten years ago when he completed all the requirements for a four-year MIT degree in computer science in just 12 months. He's an expert at learning things quickly and recently authored the book "Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery."I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him, as I'm always interested in learning and mastering new skills. Scott Young excels in this area, and we discuss it thoroughly in this episode.Episode Description:In a vibrant dialogue that traverses the breadth of learning, James Altucher and Scott Young dissect the complexities of acquiring new skills across diverse fields. From Scott's pursuit of an MIT degree in a record-breaking year to effective strategies for mastering anything, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to elevate their learning game. James explores the psychological underpinnings and practical applications of learning principles, drawing on examples from chess, writing, acting, and more to illustrate the multifaceted nature of learning and mastery. Scott Young provides insights from his book, offering listeners a blend of storytelling, scientific research, and personal anecdotes. Whether you're a lifelong learner, an educator, seeking to break through personal boundaries, or simply curious about the mechanics of mastering new skills, this episode is a compelling journey into understanding how we learn best.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to Mastery and Learning Quickly00:08 Scott Young's Journey and the Art of Ultra Learning01:57 The Science of Learning: Insights and Strategies05:43 Exploring the Role of Talent in Learning06:56 Case Study: Annette Oberstadt's Poker Mastery17:56 The Importance of Quantity and Practice in Mastery24:25 Understanding Chunking and Pattern Recognition29:38 The Power of Variability in Learning33:36 Applying Knowledge: The Challenge of Retrieval35:39 Unlocking the Basics: Starting Your Learning Journey35:51 Deep Dive into Learning Piano: Strategies and Pitfalls38:12 Exploring Creativity in Music and Writing40:41 The Role of Theory in Creative Mastery45:40 Learning Across Lifespans: Adapting and Overcoming46:45 The Power of Procedural Learning and Memory Systems01:01:41 Harnessing Improv for Acting: A Unique Approach01:04:57 Aging and Learning: Cognitive Shifts Over Time01:10:29 The Joy of Learning: Flow, Mastery, and Well-beingScott Young's website: Scott H. YoungGet Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery by Scott Young: https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/getbetter/Harlan Ellison: Information about the writer can be found on WikipediaThe Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell: Find details on WikipediaOctavia Butler: Learn more about the author on WikipediaClarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers' Workshop: More information can be found on their official websiteArthur Brooks: Discover more about his work on his official website
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/9/2024 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 46 seconds
How to Live the Constitution: AJ Jacobs' Ultimate Guide to America's Founding Document
A Note from James:"The Year of Living Constitutionally." I mentioned this episode last week during our discussion with AJ Jacobs, but here we delve into his book, "The Year of Living Constitutionally." AJ not only researched and wrote about the Constitution, but he also spent a year living as if it were 1790, adhering to the U.S. Constitution literally. He even carried a musket and applied to be a pirate in Congress, referencing Article One, which grants Congress the power to commission pirates.The book is filled with facts, debates, and information about the newfound powers of the Supreme Court, Congress, and the President, as well as the pros and cons of states' rights versus federal rights. It covers the reasons behind various amendments and the ongoing debates about the Electoral College.AJ not only researched this; he lived it. I discussed his unique method of immersing himself in his subjects on last week's podcast, a method that has proven successful in creating bestsellers. With his humor, talent, and depth of information, AJ brings a fresh perspective to the U.S. Constitution in "The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning."And here's my good friend, AJ Jacobs.Episode Description:In this compelling episode of 'The James Altucher Show', James sits down with the endlessly curious and ever-experimenting AJ Jacobs, the author behind the intriguing ‘The Year of Living Constitutionally’. Delving into AJ’s unique journey of trying to live by the U.S. Constitution's original tenets, this conversation unfolds a treasure trove of insights, historical quirks, and the profound impact of such an experiment on one’s understanding of democracy and personal freedoms today.James and AJ unpack the myriad lessons learned from this year-long adventure, touching upon the original intent behind the Constitution’s creation, the contemporary relevance of its mandates, and the often humorous, sometimes bizarre challenges of adhering to its original rules in the modern world. From carrying a musket in New York City to applying to become a legal pirate, AJ’s experiences provide a unique lens through which we explore the founding document of the United States.Beyond the historical anecdotes and constitutional debates, this episode shines a light on the dynamic interplay between law, personal belief, and the evolving landscape of American democracy. James and AJ's dialogue ventures into the complexities of freedom of speech, the implications of the Electoral College, and the changing powers of the presidency, offering listeners a nuanced perspective on what the Constitution means in today’s context.More than just a discussion, this episode is an invitation to reflect on the living spirit of the Constitution, encouraging us to consider how its foundational principles influence our lives and society at large.Episode Summary:00:00 Diving Into the Year of Living Constitutionally01:11 AJ Jacobs' Unique Method of Experiencing History02:56 Exploring the Original Meaning of the U.S. Constitution07:09 The Surprising Realities of Early American Laws15:26 The Evolution of Free Speech in America21:11 The Supreme Court's Role and the 14th Amendment23:37 The Growing Power of the Presidency24:21 Historical Debates and the Idea of Multiple Presidents26:04 The Evolution of Presidential Powers29:54 The Founders' Flexibility and the Constitution's Compromises37:49 The Challenges of Federal Regulation and Overregulation42:02 Reforming the Constitution for Modern Times45:42 AJ Jacobs on Writing and Future ProjectsAdditional ResourcesAJ Jacobs: https://ajjacobs.com/The Year of Living Biblically by AJ JacobsThe Year of Living Constitutionally (Link will be added once available)Federalist Papers - Authored by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James MadisonJames Altucher
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/7/2024 • 47 minutes, 21 seconds
Living By the Books | AJ Jacobs on Writing Methods
A Note from James: AJ Jacobs, who has an upcoming book, "The Year of Living Constitutionally", he's a fascinating writer. He basically, instead of just doing research on a topic "Oh, I'm going to do research on the Constitution, I'm going to do research on living healthy, I'm going to do research on the Bible," instead of just researching something and writing a book, which I consider to be boring, he has a completely different way of exploring a topic, and it turns out,and not by accident, it turns out that this is the formula for writing a bestselling, millions-of-copies kind of book.And it's an interesting way to live life. And what I mean is, A. J. really lives what he's writing about. So when he wrote his, one of his early books, The Year of Living Biblically, he lived for a year, literally word by word, as the Bible would suggest he lives. For instance, I'll let A. J. describes and we talk about it in this episode, but in "The Year of Living Constitutionally", which is about to come out he lives the life of someone.Around 1790, living the constitution word for word applying to be a pirate with the Congress. Something which was an article, one of the constitution, if you didn't happen to know. And meanwhile, other books he's had are like, "My Life is An Experiment", where everything was an experiment.For instance, he outsourced arguments with his wife to an outsourcing agency in India. So this turns out to be not only a fascinating way to live a very curious and adventurous life. But again, as I said earlier, it turns out to be a great formula for writing a bestselling book, the kind of formula AI can't really compete with I will add. First, I want to hear about AJ's method, the AJ method of living a life of experience and using that to create stories, adventures, and of course, bestselling books. And he's a very funny guy, so how he incorporates Humor into that. And then next week, we're going to do a whole episode, fascinating episode, the year of living constitutionally, because there's so many issues about the constitution.I didn't know about it. And so many, so much information about the constitution. I didn't even know about it. I used to think I've read it, but it turns out I hadn't. So first off though, the AJ method on writing his own unique brand style of bestseller and living a life of adventure.Episode Description:In this episode of the James Altucher Show, James engages in a fascinating conversation with AJ Jacobs, an esteemed author known for his unique approach to writing and life. Jacobs discusses his upcoming book 'The Puzzler', delves into his method of immersing himself in his subjects, and shares insights from the Year of Living Constitutionally. Jacobs, known for his adventurous lifestyle and humor, describes past projects including outsourcing arguments with his wife to India and living according to the Bible. The episode also covers his visit to a long-termism conference, discussing potential future challenges and the impact of AI. Additionally, AJ and James ponder over the significance of incorporating puzzles into daily life and explore the concept of improving forecasting abilities through understanding probabilities. Episode Summary:00:00 Exploring AJ Jacobs' Unique Approach to Writing and Living02:47 AJ Jacobs: A Deep Dive into His Life and Works03:31 The Fascinating World of Puzzles with AJ Jacobs03:56 AJ's Hermit Life and the Creative Process04:47 Solving the World's Most Baffling Puzzles17:07 The Art of Creativity and Intelligence in Puzzle Solving27:24 Exploring Long-Termism and Future Challenges31:57 The Unheard Stories of Nuclear Near Misses32:19 Exploring the Shadows of the Cold War33:05 The Petrov Day: A Reminder of Nuclear Threat34:29 Unaccounted Nuclear Weapons: A Lingering Threat34:48 Envisioning a Utopian Future Amidst Doom35:42 The Evolution of Technology vs. Environmental Challenges36:54 The AI Dilemma: Potential and Perils37:50 AI's Unintended Consequences: From Paperclips to Pandemics41:19 The YouTube Algorithm: A Case Study in AI's Impact48:32 Addressing the Threat of Authoritarianism52:58 The Importance of Science and Statistics in Society58:15 Rethinking Education: A Focus on Practical Knowledge01:01:34 Long Termism: A New Perspective on Humanity's Future
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/3/2024 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 41 seconds
Mastering the Art of the Interview | Polina Pompliano Returns!
A Note from James:Learning how to be a good interviewer is crucial in life, not just for reporters or podcasters, but because many life situations resemble interviews. Whether you're applying for a job, hiring someone, or meeting someone new at a party, it's beneficial to gather as much information about them as quickly as possible. Additionally, it's important to leave a good impression if that's your goal. Being a skilled interviewer is therefore essential. I'm grateful for my podcast, which has allowed me to study the techniques of some of the best interviewers. Recently, one of the top interviewers, Polina Pompliano, who writes the newsletter "The Profile," shared her insights. She has profiled many remarkable people and I recommend googling her. Polina has also written a book, "Hidden Genius," and in a recent issue of her newsletter, she didn't profile someone but instead shared the top 10 techniques for becoming a great interviewer, drawing from the best in the field.I found this immensely valuable, so I invited her to come on the podcast to discuss these techniques and share stories about what makes a good interviewer. Let me know if you find this helpful, but I'm confident it will be valuable. Here's Polina and our conversation on how to excel at interviewing.Episode Description:This episode of The James Altucher Show explores the intricate art of interviewing, broadening its significance from journalism to daily situations like job interviews and social exchanges. Today's interview features a deep dive into interviewing techniques shared by notable figures, including insights from Polina Pompliano's newsletter "The Profile," which covers a diverse spectrum of personalities from billionaires to artists. We explore critical aspects of successful interviews, such as understanding individuals, establishing rapport, the art of storytelling, and mastering public speaking. Ethical considerations in selecting interview subjects and deliberately omitting controversial figures are also discussed. Moreover, the episode examines the importance of connecting with audiences across different platforms, utilizing storytelling effectively, and finding a balance between personal interests and professional development. This in-depth discussion not only captures the essence of interviewing but also emphasizes its importance in improving both personal and professional communication skills.Episode Summary:00:00 Mastering the Art of Interviewing: Insights and Techniques00:51 Polina Pompliano's Insights on Great Interviewing01:35 Exploring Interview Techniques with Polina Pompliano02:19 The Power of Research and Preparation in Interviews03:53 The Art of Interviewing: Learning from the Best05:13 The Impact of Interviewing Skills Beyond Podcasting05:47 Building Intimacy and Trust in Interviews10:37 Overcoming Nerves and Embracing the Interview Process17:24 The Delicate Balance of Challenging and Supporting Interviewees33:42 Joe Rogan's Approach to Engaging Conversations42:05 Decoding David Letterman's Interview Style45:01 The Art of Interviewing: Oprah's Approach47:37 Howard Stern's Unique Interview Technique51:12 Breaking Down Barriers with Sean Evans55:08 Capturing the Essence of a Story: Barbara Walters01:03:44 The Challenge of Interviewing Controversial Figures01:09:21 Exploring Public Speaking and Interview Ethics01:11:53 The Journey of a Masterful Interviewer01:16:52 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
5/1/2024 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 9 seconds
Tim Ferriss: 10 Years Later...
A Note from James: I want to congratulate my friend Tim Ferriss on the 10th anniversary of his podcast. It is such an excellent podcast. It's one of the few podcasts I regularly listen to and I highly recommend it if you don't already listen to it. He's been a great guy, and a great friend over the years. We don't always keep in touch, but I always count him among my long-distance friends, and congratulations to him on having the 10th anniversary of his podcast.I remember when he was first considering the podcast, he was calling around to other podcasters, including me, and he was doing his Tim Ferriss thing of researching and asking people as many questions as possible. And he thoroughly prepared and instantly became one of the. Top five podcasts out there.So congratulations, Tim. This is the first episode on my podcast where Tim was the guest. It brings back fond memories also from 10 years ago. So here's Tim Ferriss being an amazing guest on my podcast. Episode Description:Tim Ferriss has a life-changing surprise for you.It was expensive. I mean, it was expensive for him. It cost him a couple hundred thousand dollars to get. It also wasn't easy. He fought for a year and a half to get it.This is going to change our lives. Yes, both of us.Let me ask you this: What's the one skill you always wanted and don't have?Is it Brazilian jiu-jitsu? Flirting? Playing poker? How to get out of a hostage situation? Whatever it is, you can learn it.You just need to know how to learn. Learning is a skill.Tim Ferriss did a bunch of experiments and mastered learning. In today's show, he reveals the secret to gaining any skill you ever wanted.He FINALLY got digital rights to his TV show, The Tim Ferriss Experiment. It's about how to conquer fear in any skill at 10 times your learning speed. Think of it as MythBusters meets Jason Bourne."My job is to get people from zero percent to the top five percent in six months or less," he says, "The skill I'm refining is meta-learning. It's the toolkit."The best part is that he filmed all 13 experiments. Now it's a show. It's "MythBusters meets Jackass." Clearly, a must watch.I'm going to make my daughter binge-watch it today. Even if she has homework. This is more important. And more valuable.The best part? He's releasing all 13 episodes "House of Cards-style" today.They're available at iTunes.com/timferriss.In The Tim Ferriss Experiment, Tim goes around trying to learn the most difficult skills in the world.Sometimes, he's successful. Other times, he has to pull himself out of having an anxiety attack.In today's interview, Tim reveals why we suck at learning new skills. The best part is that it's not your fault. You can do anything you want. Think about it. People with no legs can run.Listen today to hear how to choose the best teacher, find an unorthodox mentor, alter your technique, and much more.In this episode, you will learn:•What's holding you back from learning the skills you want•How to present yourself in the best way possible•How to find unorthodox mentors and teachers•How to identify outliers•How to learn to learn•What examples you should study when practicing a new skillLinks and resources mentioned in the show:Tim Ferriss Book Club: http://fourhourworkweek.com/category/tim-ferriss-book-club/Extra footage from The Tim Ferriss Experiment: http://fourhourworkweek.com/tv/ Episode Summary:00:00 Celebrating Tim Ferriss: A Decade of Podcasting Excellence01:43 The Launch of Tim Ferriss' TV Show: Behind the Scenes03:52 The Art of Documentary Making: Tim Ferriss' Journey09:31 Navigating the Challenges of TV Show Cancellation13:53 Revolutionizing Content: Tim Ferriss' Strategy for Digital Rights17:31 Exploring the Episodes: A Deep Dive into Tim Ferriss' TV Show33:04 The Fascinating World of Urban Evasion and Escape33:34 Creating a Show: From Novice to Jason Bourne34:41 The Art of Escape: Learning to Outwit Kidnappers35:58 Mastering the Unthinkable: Escaping Duct Tape and Handcuffs37:20 Beyond the Show: The Science of Learning and Memory37:30 Golfing Miracles: From Novice to Pro with Biomechanics38:51 The Meta-Learning Journey: Enhancing Skill Acquisition49:53 Language Learning on Fast-Forward: The Tagalog Challenge54:32 Unconventional Training: Learning from the Unlikely Experts58:49 The Battle for Show Rights: A Lesson in Persistence01:00:41 Meta-Learning and Education: The Future of Skill Acquisition
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/28/2024 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 32 seconds
Scott Galloway's Ultimate Guide to Financial Well-Being: The Algebra of Wealth
A Note from James:"The Algebra of Wealth" is a very good book by Scott Galloway and I had a very good conversation with him about how to create wealth, along with all the mistakes he's ever made. He's started nine companies: two were super successful, and several were pretty successful. He's talked about entrepreneurship so much. He's a really smart guy and these lessons are about building wealth. I wish I had known them when I was younger. I wish my kids would know them and I want your kids to know them. So pay attention to this conversation I'm about to have with Scott Galloway, Professor G. Episode Description:Today's interview with Scott Galloway focuses on financial security, investment strategies, and the interplay of personal life and professional ambitions. Galloway shares his journey of founding nine companies, the crucial role of location, network, character, and luck in achieving wealth, and the lessons learned from failures. He advocates for investing in low-cost index funds over stock picking or day trading, especially in a fluctuating economy, using Nvidia as an illustrative example. Additionally, he reflects on how New York City has shaped their careers and personal lives, providing a rounded perspective on achieving economic security amidst market uncertainties post the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation is a blend of professional advice on savings and investment, underscored by the importance of maintaining a balance for long-term success.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to 'The Algebra of Wealth'00:46 A Deep Dive into Scott Galloway's Life and Career Moves03:15 The Essence of Building Wealth and Embracing Opportunities11:34 Navigating the Complexities of Career Choices in Your 20s29:10 The Realities of Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Rejection33:05 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Personal Growth33:31 The Power of Self-Belief and Persistence33:46 Navigating Relationships and Personal Happiness34:41 The Importance of Networking and Surrounding Yourself with Success48:06 Financial Strategies and the Value of Saving55:01 Career Choices and Finding Your Path57:13 Overcoming Failure and Building Resilience58:40 Wealth, Lifestyle, and Financial Freedom01:03:39 Investment Strategies for Long-Term Success01:06:13 Reflecting on Life Choices and the Future of New York
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/23/2024 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 26 seconds
Unlocking the Secrets of Age Reversal | David Sinclair Returns!
A Note from James:I particularly want to reverse my aging. I'm not concerned about being able to run a mile or anything like that; I just want to reverse the aging of my brain. I feel there's a definite difference between my brain now and when I was younger. By the way, culturally, we acknowledge that the brain ages. Not only medically, but culturally, you have to adapt to being the wise older person rather than the sharp young person.We had a great conversation with Arthur Brooks about this. He wrote an excellent book, which I can't recommend enough, called "From Strength to Strength." That podcast with Arthur Brooks changed my life in how I view my brain aging. Additionally, several podcasts with David Sinclair about the aging process have also been life-changing.I have used the supplements he recommended and made the lifestyle changes he suggested back in 2019. David has conducted a lot of research in the five years since his book "Lifespan" was released, and I wanted to see what the current state of his research was. So, he came on the podcast.I'm very grateful; he doesn't do many podcasts. He shared some incredible discoveries and new information, giving me real insight. We discussed everything related to what he's doing in anti-aging and what he's discovered since the last time I had him on. At the special request of our listeners, I also asked him about testosterone.Towards the end of the podcast, I asked him about that, and his answer was very interesting. Here’s David.Episode Description:Today, James discusses personal motivations for wanting to reverse aging, specifically targeting brain aging. The conversation moves into the broader cultural and scientific understandings of aging, touching on insights from Arthur Brooks and David Sinclair's research. Sinclair's work on anti-aging, including lifestyle changes and supplement use recommended by him, is highlighted, mentioning his book 'Lifespan' and the progress in his research over the past five years. Key discussions include the information theory of aging, the role of DNA and epigenetics in aging, and the concept of age reversal through maintaining or restoring the epigenome's integrity. The episode covers the potential of using Yamanaka factors for age reversal, the challenges in translating these findings from mice to humans, and regulatory considerations for human trials. Sinclair also touches on his ongoing work in developing chemical cocktails for age reversal, comparing lifestyle changes to these scientific advances. Episode Summary:00:00 The Quest for Age Reversal: Personal Motivations and Influential Conversations01:11 Diving Deep into David Sinclair's Research on Anti-Aging02:24 Exploring the Information Theory of Aging and DNA's Role04:30 The Potential of Epigenetics in Reversing Aging07:14 The Challenges and Ethics of Age Reversal Technologies09:01 The Future of Anti-Aging: From Gene Therapy to Accessible Pills10:53 Debunking Myths and Addressing Controversies in Anti-Aging Supplements15:13 The Cutting-Edge of Aging Research: Yamanaka Factors and Epigenetic Reset25:05 The Philosophical and Practical Implications of Rejuvenation Research27:57 Unveiling New Breakthroughs in Cellular Biology28:19 Decoding the Mystery of Emanarcha Factors29:18 Exploring the Potential of Yamanaka Factors in Age Reversal29:43 The Future of Age Reversal: From Theory to Practice30:52 Innovative Approaches to Rejuvenation and Safety Measures31:52 Understanding the Complexity of Aging Across Different Organs34:57 The Fascinating World of Epigenetic Aging and Brain Plasticity37:20 Pushing the Boundaries: Chemical Cocktails for Rejuvenation39:46 Comparing Lifestyle Factors and Chemical Interventions in Aging40:56 Exploring the Possibilities of Reversing Menopause in Mice45:09 Navigating the Path to Human Trials and Regulatory Approval49:18 The Potential and Ethics of Off-Label Uses for Gene Therapy53:53 Personal Insights and Experiments in Anti-Aging
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/18/2024 • 56 minutes, 48 seconds
James and Tim Solve the Student Loan Debt Crisis and Make a Billion Dollars
A Note from James:"In this episode, Tim Collins and I discuss what I believe is a great business idea that could solve the main problems of the world, including student loan debt and possibly even inflation. It's a very interesting concept, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.Additionally, we have a call for participants in this episode. So here we go: the ultimate business idea that solves every problem in the world." Episode Description:In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss a groundbreaking business idea with the potential to solve significant world problems, including student loan debt, debt in general, and possibly inflation. They explore the concept of meme coins, like Dogecoin, and their underlying technology, highlighting their dependency on cultural value while lacking intrinsic utility. The conversation shifts to the innovative use of 'runes' on the Bitcoin blockchain to create more efficient and cost-effective digital currencies. Additionally, they delve into the notion of tokenizing future income as a novel solution to the student loan crisis, suggesting a business model where individuals can sell a percentage of their future earnings. This system could gamify career prospects and provide a more dynamic way of dealing with student debt. The episode concludes with a call to action for participants interested in being part of this pilot project, aiming to test and refine this business idea. Episode Summary:00:00 Kicking Off with a World-Changing Business Idea00:44 Exploring the World of Meme Coins and Cryptocurrency14:08 The Potential and Pitfalls of Tokenizing Future Income22:10 Brainstorming the Future of Tokenized Careers and Student Loans25:19 Reflecting on OJ Simpson's Legacy and the Future of Tokenization29:46 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/16/2024 • 30 minutes, 39 seconds
How to Use AI to Make a Graphic Novel and a Porn Business
A Note from James:"Okay, two things. One is Tim Collins tells me all about getting pitched the ultimate AI porn business and how AI is going to change the porn industry. From both a business perspective and an AI perspective, I do think it's interesting how every industry is basically going to change. Because then, when we started with this...Tim, who I've worked with for a long time—like 20 years or so—recently I found out he is a writer of horror novels and he's writing a horror graphic novel, but using MidJourney for the graphics part. Now, I've always been fascinated by graphic novels, but I figured I couldn't ever do one because I can't draw or paint or anything. But now, you can use AI to make your own graphic novel.So, Tim describes that. Then we talk about the AI porn industry. That's this episode. Even more fascinating is the next episode, which is more like a mini-episode. I'll describe that one briefly, but we explore the ultimate business model. Don't steal it, or you can steal it if you want, but it's fascinating.So, first, stay tuned for this one, about how to use AI, how AI is changing every industry, particularly the porn industry, and how you can make your own graphic novel." Episode Description:This episode discusses the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) across various industries, with a focus on porn and graphic novels. Tim Collins shares insights on an AI-driven business model aimed at revolutionizing the porn industry, highlighting the technology's ability to generate realistic models and interactive experiences. Furthermore, Collins, a writer of horror novels and an emerging horror graphic novelist, elaborates on his use of the AI tool Midjourney to create the artwork for his graphic novel, leveraging AI to maintain consistency in character designs and scenes. The conversation navigates the technicalities of using AI for creative processes, the societal implications of AI in adult entertainment, and personal anecdotes, concluding with reflections on the broader impact of AI on creativity and commerce. Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to AI's Impact on Industries00:04 Exploring AI in the Porn Industry00:29 The Creative Process of Making a Graphic Novel with AI01:28 Deep Dive into AI-Generated Graphic Novels05:00 Innovations and Challenges in AI for Horror Content05:52 The Future of AI in Adult Entertainment08:05 Personal Reflections and Ethical Considerations08:58 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/16/2024 • 10 minutes, 16 seconds
The Next Billion-Dollar Bitcoin Idea: Inscriptions and Ordinals
Episode Description:Today's episode features part one of a 3-part detailed discussion on the emerging trends of inscriptions and ordinals in the Bitcoin blockchain, positioning them as exciting new forms of collectibles with real historical significance and potential for value appreciation. James is joined by financial advisors Timothy Collins and Benjamin Honig (Co-Founder & CEO at SatRepublic), who bring their expertise on the subject matter, explaining the technical aspects, comparisons to NFTs on Ethereum, and the intrinsic value of certain Satoshi's due to historical transactions or rarities defined by ordinal theory.The episode covers the potential use cases, like digital art and collectibles with immutable provenance, leveraging the security and permanence of Bitcoin's blockchain, far beyond traditional NFTs stored on more volatile platforms. They delve into how ordinals create a new market for Bitcoin enthusiasts to engage actively with their holdings through creative inscriptions and the anticipation around the Bitcoin halving event that could significantly impact this emerging space. Listeners are guided on how to participate, buy, and potentially create their inscriptions, underscoring the novelty and speculative opportunity ordinals represent in the broader context of cryptocurrency innovations. Episode Summary:00:00 Diving Into the World of NFTs, Inscriptions, and Ordinals00:37 Introducing the Experts: A Deep Dive into Bitcoin's New Frontier02:21 The Historical Significance of Bitcoin Transactions06:54 Exploring the Rarity and Value of Satoshis21:51 The Fascinating World of Inscriptions on Bitcoin26:54 Exploring Recursive Inscriptions and Digital Ownership27:51 Warren Buffett and the Value of Inscribed Picks28:42 Artistic and Practical Uses of Satoshi Inscriptions29:02 The Evolution of NFTs and Blockchain Certifications30:14 The Future of Digital Collectibles and Community Support36:27 Building a Community and the Importance of Early Support44:17 The Potential of Inscriptions Beyond the Crypto Community52:36 Navigating the Marketplace: Buying, Selling, and Holding Rare Sats
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/12/2024 • 58 minutes, 55 seconds
Tupac and Me
Episode Description:James shares a personal story from his early days as an entrepreneur, focusing on a critical lesson learned during a business pitch involving Tupac Shakur's posthumous album. Initially detailing the misconceptions about entrepreneurship, he narrates his journey from working at HBO while simultaneously running his first company, Reset, which specialized in creating websites, notably in the entertainment sector. A significant opportunity arose with Tupac Shakur's manager and mother planning to release a new album and greatest hits collection, which promised Reset a $90,000 deal. However, due to James’s unfamiliarity with Windows-based PCs, the pitch meeting with the manager went disastrously wrong, leading to the loss of the project. Despite this setback, he lied to his employees about the meeting's outcome to maintain morale. This experience taught him the importance of preparation, reliability, and displaying confidence as a leader. He concludes by reflecting on the broader challenges of entrepreneurship and the idea that entrepreneurial skills are valuable both as a business owner and within a larger organization.Episode Summary:00:00 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins: Lessons from Tupac Shakur00:20 The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Myths vs. Facts01:01 Launching My First Company: The Early Days of Reset01:57 The Hustle: Balancing HBO and Reset03:44 The Wu-Tang Clan Project: A Turning Point05:45 Expanding the Portfolio: From Hip-Hop to Corporate Websites07:51 The Tupac Shakur Project: A Meeting to Remember25:51 Lessons Learned: The Importance of Preparation and Reliability30:58 Reflecting on Entrepreneurship: Growth, Challenges, and Mentorship31:46 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement for Future Entrepreneurs
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/10/2024 • 33 minutes, 54 seconds
Nassim Taleb | Why You Should Embrace Uncertainty
A Note from James:I am thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of my podcast. Occasionally, I'll feature some timeless episodes as if they're brand new, sharing those that have greatly impacted me. One such figure is Nassim Taleb, whom I consider one of the smartest people on the planet.I've learned so much from Nassim, and I'm not sure he realizes or cares just how influential he's been on me. I was extremely grateful when he agreed to appear on my podcast. There's an interesting backstory to his appearance: he joined my show a few years ago, and we are airing that episode now, though he might not be aware of the whole story.Back in 2002, I was desperate—I was broke, struggling, losing my house, and my family was falling apart. I wrote to 20 influential individuals, including well-known investors and writers like Warren Buffett and Carl Icahn, expressing my desire to meet them. Only three responded.Jim Cramer was one of them. I had sent him ten ideas for articles he could write for TheStreet.com. To my surprise, he responded positively and encouraged me to write the articles myself, which kickstarted my career as a writer. From financial columns, I expanded into other topics.Victor Niederhoffer also replied because I sent him software programs tailored to his trading style, offering them for his and his traders' use and my assistance if needed, with no pressure to respond.Nassim Taleb was another who responded. I had reached out to him because I admired his book "Fooled by Randomness" and wished to meet him. Although he was willing to meet, I never followed up. However, many years later, he came on my podcast, bringing everything full circle, for which I am immensely grateful.Now, I am honored to reintroduce one of the smartest men in the universe, Nassim Taleb. Episode Description:In this episode, we explore Nassim Taleb's influential ideas, specifically his thoughts on antifragility, the unpredictability of life, and the beneficial role of trial and error in diverse areas such as technology, health, and business. As we mark ten years of learning, the host shares transformative conversations with Taleb, revealing how chaos and uncertainty can fortify systems, people, and industries. We examine Taleb's key principles: reducing interference, valuing variability, and the necessity of personal investment in outcomes. We also look at concrete examples. Further, we discuss how embracing errors and innovation can lead to breakthroughs in sectors like drug development and business ventures, and address the negative impacts of excessive rescue measures and regulatory constraints. Through a blend of personal anecdotes and theoretical exploration, this episode encapsulates the essence of antifragility as a pathway to resilience and fulfillment. Episode Summary:00:00 Celebrating a Decade of Podcasting: A Special Revisit00:35 The Power of Cold Emails: Life-Changing Connections02:04 Nassim Taleb: A Mind That Shaped My Worldview02:51 Exploring the Impact of Technology Through the Lens of Anti-Fragility04:18 The Evolution of Communication: From TV to Social Media04:47 The Paradox of Technological Progress: A Historical Perspective05:43 Disruptive Innovations and the Cycle of Technology08:41 Personal Anecdotes and the Philosophy of Email Communication09:24 The Intricacies of Responding to Emails and Setting Boundaries10:56 Journalism, Social Media, and the Quest for Authenticity15:27 Understanding Fragility vs. Anti-Fragility: A Deep Dive26:07 The Role of Variability and Stressors in Evolution and Health31:49 Applying Anti-Fragility to Diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle49:43 The Importance of Political Variability and the Unpredictability of Life51:40 Exploring the Anti-Fragile Lifestyle52:00 The Power of Walking and Creative Thinking54:22 Embracing Natural Elements for Health55:06 Rethinking Medicine and Personal Health Strategies57:30 Navigating Social Relationships and Disruption01:00:31 The Essence of Anti-Fragility in Life and Work01:09:34 Understanding the Financial System and Its Fragilities01:12:33 The Role of Entrepreneurship and Risk in Society01:29:51 Reflecting on Writing, Publishing, and Intellectual Pursuits01:41:37 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/6/2024 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 3 seconds
The Most Interesting Writer in Fiction | Amor Towles
A Note from James:I have to say, this next guest has recently become one of my all-time favorite writers, presenting a very different style from what I'm accustomed to. I started reading one of his books, and it turned out to be "Table for Two," which includes some short fiction and a novella titled "Even Hollywood." At the time, I didn't know it was the sequel to his first novel, ""Rules of Civility."He also wrote "A Gentleman in Moscow," one of the best books I've ever read. In fact, by the time this podcast is released, it will have been adapted into a TV series starring Ewan McGregor, which looks amazing. All of his books rank among the best fiction I've ever encountered.I highly recommend "A Gentleman in Moscow," "Table for Two," "Rules of Civility," and "The Lincoln Highway." the latter of which I'm currently reading post-podcast. I hope to speak with Mr. Towles again, as I now have questions about "The Lincoln Highway." He was incredibly open about his writing process, which differs significantly from those of other writers I've discussed in my ten years of conversations. It was such a pleasure to delve into his experiences and how he crafts his books.I can't express enough how much I admire Amor Towles, author of "A Gentleman in Moscow" and the upcoming collection "Table for Two." I also recommend checking out the TV series adaptation of "A Gentleman in Moscow." Amor Towles' Books:"Rules of Civility""A Gentleman in Moscow""The Lincoln Highway""Table for Two" Episode Description: This discussion with Amor Towles offers a profound insight into his unique approach to writing, character creation, and thematic exploration across his notable works, including 'A Gentleman in Moscow' and 'Rules of Civility.' The conversation sheds light on Towles' years-long process of developing three-dimensional characters, reflecting on the societal roles and individual identities within his narratives. Towles discusses the influence of his investment background on his disciplined approach to writing, and the cultural impact of his work, including television adaptations. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, identity, resilience, and the authenticity of his characters, illustrating the nuanced interplay between an individual's role within society and their journey. Additionally, Towles shares insights on the contrasting crafts of novel and short story writing, and his transition from a career in finance to becoming a celebrated author, highlighting the ever-relevant nature of his thematic concerns in historical and contemporary contexts.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to a Favorite Writer and His Works02:35 Diving Deep into the Writing Process with Amor Towles04:41 Exploring Character Development and the Art of the Novel17:03 The Craft of Writing: From Concept to Language28:53 The Richness of Language and the Writer's Knowledge38:24 Exploring the Art of Writing: Insights and Metaphors39:41 Character Development and the Power of Subconscious Creativity42:36 The Revision Process: Crafting and Refining a Story46:54 Navigating Historical Contexts and Character Perspectives57:52 The Complexity of Social Classes and Personal Identity01:04:40 Interconnected Stories and Characters Across Novels01:13:10 Exploring the Creative Process Behind a Novella01:13:47 The Noir Tradition and Writing Style01:15:43 The Unique Appeal of Short Stories01:17:10 Experimenting with Narrative Perspectives01:20:50 The Art of Surprise in Short Stories01:23:24 Personal Reflections in Writing01:28:57 Adapting Novels for Television01:33:10 The Aspirational Nature of 'A Gentleman in Moscow'01:35:06 Patience and Process in Writing and Investing01:42:20 Concluding Thoughts and Future Projects
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
4/2/2024 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 55 seconds
A Century of Wisdom | 103-Year-Old Dr. Gladys McGarey Returns!
A Note from James:Oh my gosh, every time, this is the second time I've talked to Gladys McGarey. Last year she was 102 years old, this year she's 103 years old. She wrote a book, The Well Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age, and it's coming out in paperback. And every time I read this book, I've read it twice now, and I talk to her, I almost feel like crying, and I don't really know why. It's almost as if she was born with wisdom, but then kept even growing for the next 102 years. Like she drove a Ford Model A car, and now she's talking to me through Zoom on the internet and going on podcasts, writing books. She was a doctor her whole life. She's been all over the world. She's had so many amazing experiences and also has suffered, of course, much loss. I don't think you're going to live to be that age and not have an incredible amount of loss that you have to learn to move past and still be positive and still live every day to its fullest. She had, she was riding a tricycle and it threw her off into the street and she broke three ribs. And she's now totally healed and on the podcast. I really look up to this woman a lot.Here's Gladys McGarey. We have a great conversation about all sorts of things and she's the author of The Well Lived Life. Episode Description:In this profound and enlightening conversation, James revisits the remarkable life of Dr. Gladys McGarey, who, at 103 years old, shares her 'six secrets to health and happiness at every age' from her book 'The Well Lived Life'. Reflecting on a life rich with experiences, from caring for patients across the globe to handling personal loss and surviving a recent tricycle accident, Dr. McGarey embodies resilience and wisdom. She discusses the importance of facing challenges, the transformative power of love and life, and how her encounters with notable figures like Milton Erickson shaped her understanding of human potential. Dr. McGarey's perspectives on aging, happiness, and living a meaningful life offer invaluable insights, emphasizing the significance of community, love, and choosing one’s path with intention. Episode Summary:00:00 Celebrating a Century of Wisdom with Gladys McGarey02:04 The Resilience of a 103-Year-Old: Tricycle Accidents and Recovery05:11 Finding Humanity and Overcoming Loss06:04 The Power of Love and Life: A Personal Journey14:44 Exploring the Mind's Influence on Reality16:31 The Magic of Connection: A Story of a Plant and Dementia25:39 Embracing Life's Adventures and the Quest for True Humanity31:29 The Philosophy of Life, Love, and Humanity36:07 Navigating Life's Challenges with Optimism37:47 The Power of Choice in Overcoming Adversity40:39 Turning Pain into Purpose: A Personal Journey41:47 Action as a Catalyst for Change42:23 The Interplay of Life and Love44:13 Embracing Aging with Grace and Wisdom46:33 The Impact of Stress on Health and Well-being47:47 Finding Meaning and Joy Amidst Loss50:42 The Importance of Memory and Presence56:42 Exploring Spiritual Growth and Self-Discovery01:02:05 The Role of Technology and Community in Modern Life01:06:32 Reflecting on a Life Well Lived
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/28/2024 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 30 seconds
Preparing for Impact | Ryan Estis
A Note from James:Ryan Estis is potentially the most successful public speaker worldwide. I've known him for about a decade, thanks to our mutual friend Scott Cohen, who has appeared on this podcast several times and is an outstanding entrepreneur.Over the years, Ryan and I have developed a strong friendship, partly due to our connection with Scott. Ryan is an exceptional public speaker, known for his inspirational talks. He possesses a wealth of knowledge in business, sales, and global affairs, speaking at various events worldwide.Recently, he co-authored a book with his brother Chad, an executive with several sports teams, including the Cowboys. The book, titled "Prepare for Impact," features many compelling stories. I particularly recommend the "30 Steps to Success" section, which encourages readers to devise their strategies for success.I was curious to learn how Ryan became a top public speaker, including how he started his career, increased his fees, and gained the confidence to work independently. I also wondered about his future plans, especially how he intends to adapt his career as he ages and possibly reduce his travel for speaking engagements.These inquiries, while specific to Ryan, are relevant across all industries for professionals considering the future of their careers, wealth, and success.It was a great pleasure to speak with my friend Ryan Estis. His insights, shared in our conversation and in his book "Prepare for Impact," are sure to inspire many. Episode Description:This podcast episode features a comprehensive conversation with Ryan Estis, celebrated as one of the most successful public speakers globally. The discussion touches upon Ryan's journey from a prolific sales professional to a distinguished public speaker and author. James and Ryan explore the essence of Ryan's new book, 'Prepare for Impact,' co-authored with his brother Chad, who has an extensive executive background in sports management. The book encapsulates 30 steps to success, offering insightful advice on professional growth and human-centered leadership. Beyond discussing his literary work, Ryan delves into the nuances of public speaking, including his start, evolving fee structures, branching out on his own, and envisioning a future where he doesn't have to travel as intensely. They also discuss the implications of aging on career and life choices, reflecting on personal development and shifting from proving to giving back to the community. The conversation further explores Ryan's new venture, ImpactEleven, which aims to support and accelerate the growth of public speakers, and contemplates the transformative impacts of global crises on personal and professional reinvention. Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to Ryan Estis: The Public Speaking Prodigy03:07 The Art of Public Speaking: Ryan's Path to Mastery08:23 Navigating Career Transitions: From Sales to the Stage08:52 Building a Speaking Career: Strategies and Breakthroughs19:03 The Power of Free Gigs: Establishing Credibility and Demand26:40 Maintaining Integrity and Navigating Imposter Syndrome28:19 Navigating the World of Public Speaking29:37 Overcoming Stage Fright and Idolization32:50 The Impact of COVID-19 on a Speaking Career34:50 The Genesis of ImpactEleven: A New Venture36:10 Expanding Beyond Public Speaking48:13 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations54:12 The Evolution of Success and the Importance of Giving BackLinks:Check our Prepare for Impact Here: "Prepare for Impact"Official Website: ryanestis.comImpactEleven Official Website: ImpactElevenTwitter: Ryan Estis on TwitterLinkedIn: Ryan Estis on LinkedInInstagram: Ryan Estis on Instagram
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/26/2024 • 57 minutes, 45 seconds
James Goes to Jail, and then… | James Brandolino Part 2
A Note from James:Yesterday, we talked all about how James Brandolino started a hedge fund, which was a fraud upon the scheme, all the illegal activity, and how he went from civil to criminal. You could go back and listen to that, but also, dive into some of the details here. But most of all, this one starts with James Brandolino going to jail and what happened afterward. Episode Description:Today, we conclude our interview with James Brandolino, a former hedge fund manager who turned himself in after running a fraudulent fund. Part Two begins with Brandolino's decision to face the consequences of his actions, including his incarceration and the aftermath of his fraud. He discusses his initial attempts to die by suicide, the moment of turning himself in, and the support he received from his family despite their being victims of his scheme. Brandolino talks about the challenges in maintaining a facade, the mechanics of creating fake audits, and how he was never caught by investors, despite many opportunities. The discussion also touches on the financial crisis of 2008, providing insights into how Brandolino could have used the situation to cover up his fraud. Brandolino shares the methodology of deceiving both savvy investors and due diligence processes, culminating in his realization of the wrongness of his actions, his time in prison, and his current efforts to prevent investment fraud. The interview explores the complexities of financial fraud from the perspective of someone who lived through it, offering unique insights into the signs of fraudulent activities and the psychological burden of committing fraud. Episode Summary:00:00 The Start of James Brandolino's Downfall01:16 The Emotional Toll and Decision to Turn Himself In03:43 The Complexity of Investor Trust and Fraudulent Audits13:25 Navigating Federal Prison: A New Reality21:21 The Journey of Rehabilitation and Reflection27:15 Unveiling the Complex World of Hedge Fund Audits27:47 The Intricacies of Financial Statements and Audits29:11 Real-World Examples of Financial Manipulation29:47 The Critical Role of Auditors in Detecting Fraud32:10 Navigating the Challenges of Hedge Fund Investments38:51 From Fraudster to Fraud Investigator: A Personal Journey45:18 The Importance of Due Diligence in Investment50:33 Life After Fraud: Redemption and New Beginnings
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/21/2024 • 55 minutes, 27 seconds
The Diary of a Fraudster | James Brandolino Part 1
A Note from James:James Bandolino committed serious financial fraud - started a hedge fund which was a Ponzi scheme - went to jail for nine years, and we really dive into the details of his fraud, the psychology of it. What's critical is that not all frauds have the same flavor - all frauds are bad, don't get me wrong. It is morally bad to be fraudulent. There's a reason why he went to jail. He wanted to go to jail. He tried to kill himself. It's amazing the story of how he failed to do that. But, before I give too much away we're going to discuss in detail the fraud and then tomorrow I'm going to release the story of him going to jail, what happened there, and how he came out the other side.So, without further ado, let's dive into the details of the fraud that James Brandolino committed. Episode Description:This episode delves into the life of James Brandolino, a former hedge fund manager who crafted a Ponzi scheme leading to significant financial fraud. Brandolino pleaded guilty to mail fraud in August 2011 and was sentenced to 107 months in prison and ordered to pay $3,865,484 in restitution. It begins with an introduction to Brandolino's fraudulent activities, leading to his nine-year imprisonment. Altucher and Brandolino explore the psychology behind the fraud, emphasizing the gradual and unintentional entry into illegal activities. James Brandolino shares a detailed backstory of his trading career, starting with inspiration from the movie Trading Places and his progression in the financial sector, working at MF Global and creating a futures trading company. Initially, honest intentions led him to a Ponzi scheme when attempts to cover a minor initial loss spiraled out of control. The discussion includes technical aspects of his trading strategies and the choice to commit fraud to escape from admitting failure. In a dramatic turn, James attempts suicide but survives, leading to his voluntary surrender to authorities and incarceration. Episode Summary:00:00 The Intriguing Case of James Brandolino's Financial Fraud01:48 Diving Deep into the Psychology of Fraud02:26 The Early Trading Days and the Birth of a Scheme08:28 The Slippery Slope: From Legitimate Trading to Financial Fraud16:40 The Descent: Amplifying the Fraud and Facing the Consequences20:35 The Personal Toll of Financial Fraud21:18 The Isolation and Stress of Financial Deception24:00 Turning to Criminal Actions for Survival25:25 The High-Risk Attempts to Recover Losses28:05 The Psychological Battle and Trading Strategies36:12 Facing the Consequences and the Brink of Despair40:09 A Failed Suicide Attempt Leads to Redemption
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/20/2024 • 43 minutes, 17 seconds
From Combat to Clarity: A Blueprint for Transformation | Wiley McGraw
A Note from James:Wiley McGraw, a very interesting guy. He was a soldier for many years. He went to Afghanistan. He went to Iraq. He's been in bloody military engagements, and he's also a kind of unique kind of performance coach who tries to be disruptive in a way that many coaches are afraid to be to help his clients.Improve and upscale their lives. And so we talk about both things. First, I want, I always want to know this, and I've spoken about this with Jocko Willink as well, like, are any wars ever justified? So we kind of talk first about his military experience. And I asked that question and we had a conversation about it.And then we talk more specifically about what he does and how he's built. Uh, I don't want to call him a coach. He doesn't call himself a coach, but basically, he's become a high-performance expert for CEOs, celebrities, athletes, and so on. I'm always curious about that business and industry and how I could perform at a peak level, which I don't often do.And I'm trying to get better, at least figure it out a little bit more. So here's Wiley McGraw, and it's a really engaging conversation on a bunch of different levels. Episode Description:This insightful conversation with Wiley McGraw, a former soldier turned high-performance coach, sheds light on the intersection of personal development and true fulfillment. McGraw's journey from military service to coaching high-profile clients reveals his unique approach to overcoming personal challenges and traumas for genuine performance. Through discussing the importance of confronting inner demons and finding foundational peace, McGraw critiques conventional self-help methods and shares his intensive, personalized coaching method. Limiting his client list to maintain quality, McGraw focuses on deep, transformative growth over superficial success. His candid discussion covers topics from happiness and stress to the impact of personal history on behavior, providing a profound look at achieving meaningful success and impact amid life's challenges. Episode Summary:00:00 Meet Wiley McGraw: Soldier Turned Performance Coach02:24 Diving Deep into Wiley's Military Background and Perspectives02:40 The Emotional Journey of Writing 'War Was My Vacation'04:32 From Childhood to Combat: Wiley's Personal and Military Life05:35 The Complexities of War and Its Aftermath07:58 The Legacy of Military Service in Wiley's Family10:03 Reflecting on the Impact of Military Decisions and Leadership24:51 Transitioning from Military to Bull Riding and Baseball31:51 Wiley's Unique Approach to Performance Coaching39:36 The Unconventional Journey of Transforming Lives39:40 Navigating the Complexities of High-Profile Client Relationships41:27 The Intimate and Confidential Nature of Personal Development42:02 Challenging the Status Quo: A Unique Approach to Personal Growth46:28 Confronting and Overcoming Deep-Rooted Issues51:00 The Impact of Personal Transformation on Professional Success01:01:09 The Challenges of a Unique Business Model in Personal Development01:11:54 Exploring the Future: Books and the Quest for Understanding
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/15/2024 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 15 seconds
The Ultimate Biohacking Guide for Optimal Health | Dave Asprey
A Note from James:Dave Asprey was this fat aging tech entrepreneur who realized he was going on a bad path and so he completely changed his life around. He kind of went to the scientific sources and did the research himself and practically started the field of biohacking, of doing experiments on himself with his diet, with the supplements, with the devices he uses. And now it's as if he's 20 years younger than he was 20 years ago.He started Bulletproof Coffee, which I'm sure many of you have heard of, and a new coffee company called Danger Coffee. You've probably listened to him on this podcast. And now he just wrote the book Smarter, Not Harder. I'll describe that in a second.I want to tell a story when Dave asked, but he's been on the podcast a bunch of times when he was on in 20, I think it was 2016, it happened to be coincidentally the first day I was trying standup comedy. So at the end of that episode, it might have even been after we shut down the cameras, at the end of that episode, I asked him, "Dave, I'm doing standup comedy for the first time tonight, and I'm really nervous. What's your advice?" I just wanted to, he's a smart guy. I respect him. I just wanted to put him on the spot a little bit and see what his advice would be. And he thought about it for about a second. And then he said, "When you get up there, love your audience." And that is the best advice for a standup comedy that I have ever heard before or since.And it's really worked well for me. And I would say the same holds true when I write, I always love my audience. And when I do public speaking or even this podcast, I always picture in my head loving the audience. So what does Dave write about in Smarter, Not Harder? Well, his very interesting point is that humans, from an evolutionary perspective, should be somewhat lazy.We need to have a lot of energy when our fight or flight reflex triggers. Like when you have to run from the lion that's chasing you, you have to use a lot of energy very quickly. And then, you rest. But Dave's point is that in our society, just staring at screens, we get that fight-and-flight response sitting still.And so our body and mind don't know what's happening. And his argument is the same for exercise. His point is, and he, and you know, we'll see a lot of people are going to have different opinions on this. His point is you might not need to exercise for hours at a time because. That's not what the human body is supposed to do. It exerts itself for very short spurts of time and then rests. So his whole book is kind of his biohack experiments on exercise, sleep, diet, and how you can live your life to perform more optimally. You know, it's an anti-aging book, so it's in that category. We've done a lot of anti-aging.Podcasts and they're always very fascinating to me and I ask him very, very specific questions about food, supplements, and exercise because I always want to know what I should do. The answers are always enlightening. So anyway, once again, here is Dave Asprey. Episode Description:In a comprehensive discussion about biohacking for better health, Dave Asprey, the founder of Bulletproof Coffee and Danger Coffee, shares his journey from overcoming personal health issues to pioneering in the biohacking space. The conversation expands into Asprey's latest venture, Danger Coffee, and the release of his book Smarter Not Harder, offering insights into efficient exercise, debunking nutrition myths, and providing a deep dive into bodily and mental wellness. The episode covers a broad range of topics including the importance of dietary choices, quality animal proteins, managing stress, optimizing hormones, and the role of supplements like NAD+, zinc, and magnesium. Asprey also touches on technological advancements with an AI tool for supplement guidance, and the crucial balance of testosterone for health. Through personal anecdotes and expert advice, the episode serves as a guide for listeners to navigate their health, dietary habits, and supplement intake for a holistic approach to wellness. Episode Summary:00:00 Welcome Back, Dave: The Bulletproof Coffee Saga00:51 Introducing Danger Coffee: A New Brew on the Block02:49 The Biohacker's Guide to Optimal Body and Mind05:47 Navigating the Nutritional Maze: Vitamins, Minerals, and More12:22 The Journey from Tech Entrepreneur to Biohacking Pioneer18:50 Unlocking the Secrets of Sleep: From Light to Supplements38:28 Exercise for the 'Lazy': Rethinking Fitness41:33 Unlocking the Secret to Effortless Fitness41:48 The Power of Saving Time and Money42:23 Revolutionizing Your Workout Routine43:07 The Surprising Truth About Cardio43:49 Rethinking Exercise: Quality Over Quantity44:59 Maximizing Recovery and Nutrient Absorption45:28 The Role of Stress and Recovery in Fitness47:38 Harnessing the Power of Meditation and Mindfulness49:00 Building Muscle the Smart Way49:33 Debunking Plant-Based Protein Myths49:56 The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Muscle50:04 Exploring Innovative Fitness Technologies51:51 Navigating the Complex World of Nutrition52:15 The Hidden Dangers of Common Foods01:11:02 The Truth About Supplements and Protein Intake01:17:12 The Essential Role of Testosterone in Health
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/12/2024 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 12 seconds
Boost Your Productivity Using Deliberate Slowness | Cal Newport
A Note from James:Cal Newport has written such great books about how to be more productive, more creative, the titles of the books speak for themselves: 'So Good They Can't Ignore You', 'Deep Work', and this latest one is called 'Slow Productivity'. It's about how you ultimately succeed in getting more productive by going slower and sometimes doing nothing. Cal tells us how and why and we always have an interesting conversation. So here is Cal Newport!Episode Description:This episode explores the nuanced concept of 'Slow Productivity,' as championed by Cal Newport, across an engaging dialogue that sheds light on achieving more by intentionally slowing down. Newport, making his fifth appearance on the podcast, underscores the counterintuitive productivity philosophy through his journey, inspirations from his books like 'Digital Minimalism,' and the pivotal role of mindful work habits. Referencing historical and contemporary figures like Benjamin Franklin and John Grisham, Newport articulates the significance of deliberate practice, the fallacy of equating busyness with productivity, and the benefits of focused work. Additionally, the interview captures a personal milestone of applying for full professorship, emphasizing the importance of scholarly impact and steady progress. Through a blend of personal anecdotes, historical wisdom, and critique of modern work culture's inefficiencies, the discussion advocates for a transformative approach to work and creativity that values depth, reflection, and the strategic delegation of tasks.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to Cal Newport and His Work02:30 Cal's Journey as an Author and His Writing Process04:09 The Importance of Stories Over Studies in Books07:42 The Role of Workload in Productivity14:22 The Impact of Technology on Productivity14:52 The Shift to Remote and Hybrid Work20:30 The Importance of Structuring Your Day25:28 The Balance Between Hustle and Slow Productivity30:59 The Misconceptions of Young People About Work31:06 Balancing Grad School and Writing Books31:13 The Importance of Time Management32:03 The Reality of Workload and Social Interactions32:37 The Mythology of Speed in Work34:36 The Paradox of the Relaxed Rhodes Scholar35:12 The Role of Time in Productivity36:40 The Importance of Quality Over Quantity38:26 The Impact of Pseudo Productivity54:11 The Role of AI in Writing and Academia01:00:03 The Journey to Tenure and Beyond
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/7/2024 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 21 seconds
The Art of the Dirty Joke | Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling
A Note from James:Gosh, I can't believe the story Jackie just told about Jeffrey Epstein and Trump and Clinton and everything, but first: Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling wrote for many years, 15 years for Howard Stern, wrote for Rodney Dangerfield, is an awesome standup comedian. He's just an all-around good guy. I remember the last time Jackie was on the podcast was years ago and, we were talking about what constitutes a "dirty joke".And he sent me these two huge books, like academic books, about the history of the dirty joke. That's the kind of just generous, good guy Jackie is. He just sent these books and they're fascinating. Jackie and I got together today. We talked about his history and what's going on and the documentary, 'Joke Man'. It's his whole story. It's really interesting. And his whole career is interesting.Towards the end - he didn't really hold back - but, I got him to tell this story of his experience with Jeffrey Epstein - and he's innocent of anything, don't make any assumptions there - but it was just a fascinating story.So here he is, Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling. Episode Description:The episode weaves together the intriguing personal and professional tales of Jackie 'The Joke Man' Martling, touching upon his comedy career, notable relationships, and memorable experiences with figures like Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, and Bill Clinton. It also details the evolution of Martling's documentary, 'Joke Man,' portraying his comedic journey and life anecdotes. James and Jackie talk about the evolution of the music industry from the era of Columbia Record Club to the digital age, exploring the changing dynamics of music consumption and artist revenue. Jackie tells stories anecdotes about Willie Nelson, the effects of the pandemic on New York's entertainment scene, and ambitions for a new comedy venue are discussed, highlighting a profound passion for comedy, music history, and the art of storytelling. Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction and Background01:52 Reconnecting with Old Friends02:42 The Gymnastics Journey04:52 The Comedy Scene and Connections08:45 The Art of Joke Telling11:32 The Howard Stern Show Experience14:10 The Post-Show Life16:06 The Art of Networking17:12 The Comedy and Life Philosophy37:31 The Jeffrey Epstein Story44:17 Unexpected Dinner with Jeffrey Epstein44:48 The Power of Jokes and Humor45:21 A Glimpse into the World of Famous Personalities46:25 The Art of Comedy and Storytelling47:31 An Unusual Encounter with Jeffrey Epstein49:56 The Dark Side of Donald Trump51:08 Reflections on Jeffrey Epstein's Scandal52:42 The Unpredictable Nature of Fame55:02 The Journey of 'Joke Man' Documentary55:30 The Legacy of the Stern Show01:17:38 The Impact of a Controversial Article01:24:03 A Final Anecdote: Yogi Berra and Moonstruck
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
3/5/2024 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 39 seconds
Decoding the Constitution in the Modern American Landscape | Jay Wexler (Author & Constitutional Law Prof.)
A Note from James: I'm confused. There are so many national and international issues being debated on constitutional grounds lately. For example, issues at the Texas border and federal versus state powers—like the case of friends versus the state of Colorado. Does a state have the right to decide who appears on the national presidential ballot?Regarding COVID-19, I'm wondering if it was constitutional to close down all the businesses. It might have been the right decision, but does it infringe on our right to life, liberty, and property without due process? I posed these questions to a renowned constitutional expert, the author of "The Odd Clauses," who is also a professor of constitutional law at Boston University, Jay Wexler. He provided insights into which recent events were constitutional and which may not have been. Here's what he had to say.Episode Description:James leads an enlightening conversation with Jay Wexler, a professor of constitutional law at Boston University and author of 'The Odd Clauses'. They explore topics ranging from state rights in decision-making, such as Texas' border policies and Colorado's stance on the national presidential ballot, to significant constitutional debates such as the power of the Supreme Court, the implications of COVID-19 business shutdowns, and the increasingly prominent discussions around freedom of speech and presidential powers. Wexler provides deep insights into each topic, shedding light on the constitutional underpinnings and contemporary interpretations that inform these critical national discussions. The discussion also touches on potential constitutional conflicts and the nuanced understanding required to navigate these issues, with particular emphasis on the importance of Constitution's adaptability over time and the ongoing debate between originalism versus evolutionary interpretation. Episode Summary:01:00 Introduction: The Constitution in the News01:46 Interview with Constitutional Expert Jay Wexler02:33 The Life of a Law Professor03:13 Challenges of Teaching in the Digital Age04:49 Constitutional Battles in Recent Years06:16 The Power of the Supreme Court07:00 The Intricacies of Marbury v. Madison08:34 The Role of the Supreme Court in the Executive Branch11:38 The Texas Border Issue and Constitutional Merit24:46 The Power of States in Deciding Presidential Candidates33:18 Understanding the Qualifications for Presidential Candidates36:06 Exploring the Impact of COVID-19 on Businesses and Constitutional Rights37:34 The Lochner Era and its Influence on Business Regulations40:20 Religious Rights and Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic44:22 The Controversial Topic of State Secession51:31 The Intricacies of Freedom of Speech and its Boundaries54:51 The Power and Limitations of Presidential Executive Orders01:05:51 The Unusual Third Amendment and its Interpretation
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/29/2024 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 39 seconds
Should you go to college!? James Debates Jim Keyes
A Note from James:For 20 years, I've been writing about how much I think people should not go to college, and that college is not the only solution for a career. It could be the worst solution because tuition has risen faster than inflation every single year for the past 50 years.And why is that? Because student loans are a big scam and the government backs them, college presidents always know they're getting their money. They keep raising tuition even faster than society is raising the prices of anything else. James Keyes, former CEO of multibillion-dollar company 7-Eleven, has been CEO of many companies, including Blockbuster, and he wrote a book about the importance of education: Education is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands.So guess what? We decided to debate. And I'll admit I'm the sort of person who tends to agree with whoever the last person I speak to is, but he presented some very good arguments and I have to, I have to give them all credit for that. But I'll let you hear the conversation and it's well worth listening to, particularly if you've been wondering about this issue.So, here he is. Let's talk about college.Episode Description:James and corporate leader Jim Keyes debate the relevance of a college education for career success, attributing rising tuition costs and impractical skill sets to modern colleges' downsides. The importance of degrees as a differentiator in the job market is emphasized, with the debate also covering emerging alternatives such as Google certificates. The two later shift to discuss learning and education in the context of business evolution, specifically detailing challenges faced by 7-Eleven in maintaining "freshness" and the role of technology in overcoming these. Episode Summary:00:00 The Value of College Education: A Conversation with James Keyes01:45 The Business of Convenience: The 7-Eleven Story04:52 The Evolution of Blockbuster and the Future of Streaming07:03 The Impact of Technology on Global Education08:42 The Importance of Learning and the Role of College08:50 The Debate: Is College Worth It?09:46 The Role of College in Career Advancement13:52 The Future of Education and the Global Economy21:47 The Power of Self-Investment and the Value of a Degree24:07 The Practical Reality of College Education29:16 The Entrepreneurial Path vs. College Education36:22 The Impact of Self-Doubt and the Confidence from Education37:51 The Role of Society in Learning38:18 The Importance of Discipline in Self-Learning38:45 The Social Aspect of Education39:02 The Value of Collaboration in Learning39:32 The Impact of Real-World Experience on Learning40:12 The Comparison Between Formal Education and Self-Learning41:31 The Role of Professors in Learning42:05 The Power of Self-Learning42:52 The Debate on College Degree vs Google Certificate46:11 The Importance of Broad Education49:14 The Future of Education01:02:25 The Impact of Fear on Learning01:08:23 The Future of Economy01:15:31 The Importance of Freshness in Business01:17:15 The Power of Knowledge
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/27/2024 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 8 seconds
Civil War 2024?!? | A Conversation with Tucker Max
A Note from James:Civil war… Honestly, I had an Uber driver the other day and he asked me, in the middle of the drive, "Hey, do you have your go bag?" And I'm like, "What's that?" And he said when the civil war starts - "and it's going to start any day, definitely before the 2024 election," he said - "you need to have your go bag. So wherever you are, you can just go right up into the mountains. Put up your tent, get your plasma lights, get your almond butter and seeds and honey. And you better learn how to like forage for vegetables and hunt and start a fire." I'm like, "What are you talking about?" And he pointed to the passenger seat next to him.He had a go bag ready in the Uber car. He said it could happen anytime where he just can't, you can't go back to the city. You can't go back to your home because the Civil War has started. And I got nervous. I think as I get older, I really don't want the status quo to change that much. And, there's a movie coming out, "Civil War", Texas and the federal government are having these conflicts and you're about to hear more about that.So let's get right into it…A few years ago, a guy who's a regular guest on the podcast - has been since 2014. I can't believe this is the 10th year I'm doing this, but I love doing it. But one of my first guests, anyway, he came on in 2020, he said, "James, you're hearing it from me. Now there's going to be a civil war."I said, "no way it's impossible," but now it's like in the news. I still don't believe there's going to be any kind of civil war at least one where people are shooting at each other with guns, which sounds ridiculous to me, but now at least it's the, in the public discussion and there's a movie coming out and people are nervous about this upcoming election.So here we go. Tucker Max, coming back on the show to explain a little bit more why he predicted this, what he predicts now, and what will lead up to a potential civil war in 2024. The conversation didn't make me that happy, but I always prefer to be informed than not informed. So here we go. Episode Description:Tucker Max discusses a civil war prediction within the United States, made by an Uber driver who believes it would happen before the 2024 election. Max talks about the current political climate and the possible scenarios that could lead to a civil confrontation, mentioning that the war has already started in some respects. He also discusses the recent developments with states ignoring federal mandates or creating their own laws, leading towards a more decentralized form of governance. Additionally, the conversation shifts to personal memoirs, where Max discusses his work teaching others how to write memoirs and understanding their truths. He suggests that memoir writing is a constant process of truth discovery and self-acknowledgement. Episode Summary:00:08 Introduction: An Unexpected Conversation with an Uber Driver01:23 The Civil War Prediction: A Guest's Insight02:47 Interview with Tucker: A Deep Dive into Predictions02:59 The Texas Scenario: A Civil War Starting Point03:31 The Cultural Divide: Left vs Right04:28 The Communist Threat: A Discussion on Ideologies08:20 The Shift in American Politics: A Historical Perspective11:17 The Border Crisis: A Constitutional Battle14:50 The Future of America: Predictions and Possibilities29:57 The 2024 Election: A Potential Flashpoint32:14 The Power of Propaganda and Tribalism33:12 The Shocking Reality of COVID-1933:48 The Ongoing Civil War38:14 The Future of Elections and the Potential for Conflict41:47 The Collapse of Empires and the Importance of Community43:12 The Current State of Safety and the Fragility of the System49:01 The Importance of Self-Reliance and Personal Responsibility57:37 The Challenges of Writing a Memoir01:02:00 The Power of Truth in Memoir Writing01:04:28 The Launch of the Memoir Mastermind
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/22/2024 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 1 second
How to become a Super-communicator | Charles Duhigg
A Note from James: Sometimes I think I'm a pretty good communicator, but sometimes I'm just awful. It's really important to have good skills at communicating - I've done lots of kind of communicating. I've been a public speaker. I've been in sales. I've been an entrepreneur. I've been a standup comedian and I've been a podcaster, but my biggest communications have been with writing and you really always have to put yourself in the shoes of the other person.Fortunately, I just read an incredible book - I highly recommend it - called Supercommunicators by my good friend, Charles Duhigg. You've previously seen him on the podcast for Smarter Faster Better and his book The Power of Habit.All of his books have been great. But this one just blew me away. I invited him on the podcast. And I had a ton of questions for him. And here he is. Episode Description:The discussion navigates Charles Duhigg's transition from The New York Times to The New Yorker and how it shaped his perspective on communication. He introduces the concept of practical, emotional, and social conversations and how understanding these can improve one's communication proficiency. The conversation also addresses the importance of systematizing communication and how pre-preparation lessens anxiety. Key highlights include the art of negotiation, maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude, and harnessing curiosity for effective interaction. Duhigg also introduces his book 'Supercommunicators', a culmination of three years of work, where he explores these principles in detail. The program encourages audience interaction and asserts that everyone can become a 'supercommunicator' with awareness and technique. Episode Summary:00:01 Introduction and Career Transition to The New Yorker01:18 The Writing Process and Balancing Multiple Projects01:49 The Journey of Writing 'Supercommunicators'02:08 The Art of Writing Books and Stories02:46 Personal Growth and Self-Improvement03:24 The Struggle of Communication and Its Importance04:49 Understanding Different Types of Conversations05:52 The Power of Matching in Conversations07:12 The Role of Authenticity in Communication08:16 The Art of Asking Deep Questions09:35 The Impact of Authenticity and Vulnerability in Conversations13:39 Navigating Difficult Conversations15:16 The Power of Understanding in Conversations22:10 The Art of Recruiting in the CIA29:10 The Importance of Authenticity in Difficult Conversations39:49 Understanding the Power of Communication40:27 The Art of Active Listening40:53 The Importance of Genuine Understanding41:15 The Power of Perspective Sharing41:28 The Impact of Authenticity in Communication41:56 The Role of Empathy in Difficult Conversations42:57 The Pitfalls of Trying to Convince Others43:02 The Power of Motivational Interviewing43:51 The Importance of Shared Concerns in Communication44:37 The Power of Facts in a Common Ground45:07 The Role of Neural Entrainment in Communication45:21 The Power of Connection in Communication45:38 The Importance of Genuine Conversation in Relationships47:50 The Power of Self-Awareness in Communication49:02 The Role of Communication in Influencing Others51:08 The Importance of Understanding Communication Channels53:36 The Power of Authenticity in Online Communication56:22 The Role of Communication in Public Speaking59:07 The Power of Curiosity in Communication01:12:14 The Importance of Respect in Communication01:16:25 The Role of Communication in Building Relationships01:17:56 The Power of Communication in Personal Growth
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/20/2024 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 32 seconds
My Favorite Things! - Morgan Freeman & Denzel Washington Movies
Episode Description:The podcast episode of 'My Favorite Things' explores various movies such as 'Lean on Me' and 'Argyle', and TV series like 'pen15' and 'Atlanta'. James also shares two websites, ACX and Text Broker, recommending them as platforms to earn money from home. The discussion transitions to financial freedom and the concept of having a 'number' for comfort in life. Jay and James suggest people consider how to grow their wealth through calculated investments for a more secure future. They conclude the episode with book recommendations for gaining financial freedom and better decision-making.Episode Summary:02:20 Introduction to My Favorite Things02:43 Movie Recommendation: Lean on Me03:00 Appreciation for Bill Withers05:07 Movie Discussion: Argyle06:26 Reflections on Technology and Outsourcing07:00 Exploring Spy Comedy Films08:00 Movie Recommendations Continued10:02 TV Series Recommendations: Pen15 and Atlanta17:58 Exploring Online Money-Making Opportunities23:34 Discussing the Book 'How to Satisfy a Billionaire'27:36 Experimenting with Writing and Publishing32:27 Reviewing 'How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World'33:34 Understanding the Concept of 'Boxes' in Life37:59 Exploring Other Interesting Reads39:01 Discussing Personal Financial Goals41:21 Calculating the 'Retirement Number'50:14 Understanding the Importance of Investing51:02 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/17/2024 • 46 minutes, 5 seconds
DO MEN REALLY THINK ABOUT THE ROMAN EMPIRE ALL DAY? (And Other Fun Facts) | Jeremy Ryan Slate
Episode Description: Jeremy Ryan Slate delves into the history of Ancient Rome, dissecting the transition from Republic to Empire, and the events that unfolded during the era. He also discusses the lives and reigns of significant figures like Julius Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, and Augustus. Jeremy makes comparisons to modern America, highlighting lessons that can be learnt relating to monetary policy, government structure and wealth distribution. They also explore narratives around power, perceived freedom and its restrictions, and the link between upward mobility and satisfaction in a nation's citizens.Links:Command Your Brand: bestpodcastbook.comJeremy Ryan Slate - YouTubeThe Create Your Own Life Show on Apple PodcastsJeremy Ryan Slate | Top-Rated Podcaster | PR ExpertEpisode Summary:00:00 Introduction and Apologies00:06 Discussing Email Overwhelm02:01 YouTube Success and Challenges02:37 Exploring JFK Assassination Theories09:30 Unraveling the Mystery of the Roman Empire10:07 Diving into Alexander the Great's History28:59 Understanding the Wealth and Power of Rome30:03 The Art of Propaganda and Ruler Worship30:43 The Influence of Literature in Shaping Perception31:09 The Tactics of Pompey and Caesar31:59 Augustus: The Master of Positioning32:39 The Expansion of Rome: Republic vs Empire33:04 The Impact of Hadrian's Wall33:57 The Fall of the Western Empire34:23 The Longevity of Rome and the US in Comparison34:48 The Mystery Years of the US35:17 The Importance of Narrative in History37:12 The Decline of the US and the Roman Empire: A Comparison38:01 The Crisis of the 3rd Century45:38 The Fall of the Byzantine Empire48:39 The Impact of Modern Economy on Masculinity51:04 The Importance of Upward Mobility in a Society51:52 The Role of Monetary Policy in an Empire's Stability54:20 The Future of the US Economy
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/14/2024 • 58 minutes, 54 seconds
My Favorite Things: James Sharing Favorites and what he learnt!
In this podcast episode, James Altucher is joined by Jay "The Engineer" Yow to share their favorite things, covering diverse themes including his favorite TV show, Instagram accounts, AI websites, Kung Fu movies, Twitter accounts, books, comedians, and much more. He discusses the details of why these particular favorites have made an impact on him and why he recommends checking them out. Co-host Jay also chimes in with his favorite sitcom and Kung Fu film. Here are the links that you should check out!Favorite IG Accounts: @emonthebrain and @codiesanchezFavorite AI Websites: Suno.ai and pixite.aiFavorite Books: Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson, and Creativity by Mihaly CsikszentmihalyiFavorite Mashup: Wu-Tang Clan x Led Zeppelin by Curious GeorgeFavorite Kung Fu Movies: Ip Man 1, 2, 3, 4Favorite Comedian: Greer Barnes Also, check out the episode with Codie Sanchez: How to Build Wealth Buying Boring Businesses | Codie Sanchez-------------00:00 Introduction to My Favorite Things00:31 My Favorite Social Media Accounts00:51 Discussion on Favorite Instagram Accounts02:57 Exploring Favorite Neuroscience Instagram Account04:41 Favorite Business Instagram Account06:18 Favorite YouTube Mashup08:00 Favorite AI Websites10:41 Favorite Comedian13:47 Favorite Twitter Account13:52 Favorite Books17:22 Favorite Kung Fu Movies22:33 Favorite AI Website Revisited24:45 Favorite Sitcoms25:57 Conclusion
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/11/2024 • 26 minutes, 45 seconds
Perfecting the Craft of Mystery | Jonathan Kellerman
From James: This guest has sold over a hundred million copies of his books. He's a thriller writer, he's a suspense writer, and his latest book, The Ghost Orchid: An Alex Delaware Novel just came out: Jonathan Kellerman. And I have to say this book was riveting from the beginning to the end. You don't have to read any of his prior books to get completely what's happening. It's about a psychologist who also likes to solve crimes and Jonathan himself was a psychologist - he had a whole career in that, which he left behind when he started writing. We talk about everything from how to write a thriller to his career, the hard stuff along the way, and so much more. It was a great conversation and a great book.Here's Jonathan Kellerman. Episode Description:This podcast features Jonathan Kellerman, a bestselling author well-known for his Alex Delaware series, disclosing his transformational journey from a child psychologist to an acclaimed writer. He discusses his writing blueprint, emphasizing the importance of plot, pace, character development, themes, locations, time periods, and dialogue, and shares how he incorporates his psychology background to create suspenseful narratives. Kellerman shares enlightening insights on managing success and highlights that talent alone does not define successful writers. As a commentary on the rapidly evolving literary realm due to technological advances and shorter attention spans, Jonathan reflects on the struggles of transforming multifaceted novels into TV scripts and his inclination towards non-fiction as quintessential inspiration. More personally, he opens up about maintaining a balanced relationship with his wife, also a successful author.Episode Summary:01:00 The Art of Writing: From Office to Bestsellers02:08 The Journey of a Successful Author02:55 The Reality of Writing as a Career03:21 Transitioning Careers: From Psychology to Writing06:20 The Struggles and Triumphs of a Writer08:33 The Importance of Persistence in Writing11:42 The Art of Storytelling and Character Development14:48 The Challenges and Rewards of Writing18:38 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Writing21:47 The Role of Preparation and Discipline in Writing25:09 The Influence of Psychology on Writing27:50 The Unpredictability and Joy of Writing41:23 The Art of Character Development41:40 The Mystery of Motive: Writing a 'Why Done It'42:31 The Writer's Craft: Comparing Writing to Painting43:16 The Pressure and Pleasure of Writing a Series45:23 The Evolution of a Writer: From Fear to Publication47:33 The Influence of Age and Experience on Writing49:42 The Reality of Being a Bestselling Author51:45 The Power of Partnership: Writing as a Married Couple54:45 The Balance of Life, Work, and Writing01:06:53 The Unchanging Nature of Human Beings: A Writer's Perspective01:07:21 The Evolution of Reading and Writing in the Digital Age01:12:05 The Journey of a Writer: From Idea to Book01:14:50 The Ghost Orchid: An Alex Delaware Novel
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/6/2024 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 23 seconds
The Power of Quests | James is Interviewed by Amy Morin
From James: Oh, my God, I'm so excited about this, because Amy Morin she doesn't know it, but she's my therapist. Amy doesn't realize it, but whenever she comes on my podcast or I go on her podcast, it's like I'm going into a therapy session.Of course, you know her as the author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, sold millions of copies. She's been on my podcast five or six times or more, and I'm really happy this episode is her interviewing me from her podcast. And it's me having a therapy session. Here we go!Episode Description:In this episode of Mentally Stronger, Amy Morin engages in a spirited discussion with James about the concept of quests and their transformative potential. They discuss how engaging in a quest, whether it's learning a new skill, exploring a hobby, or pursuing a wild idea, can invigorate life, foster creativity, and build mental strength. They also highlight how quests are journeys of learning, personal growth, and potentially surprising benefits, even if the end goal is not achieved. Additionally, they explore the necessity of shifting and changing quests as needed and the compelling connections between quests and mental strength.Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction to the Concept of Quests01:56 The Importance of Goals and Quests in Mental Strength03:23 The Role of Quests in Personal Growth04:43 Exploring the Concept of Quests with James Altucher05:23 Defining a Quest and its Impact on Life10:32 The Quest of Visiting Every State in the U.S.15:14 The Quest of Interviewing People at 3am19:01 The Quest of Returning to Chess28:25 The Power of Pursuing a Quest28:32 The Role of Passion and Experimentation29:50 Exploring the World of Forged Artworks30:58 The Impact of Quests on Personal Growth31:47 The Challenges and Rewards of Chess Mastery32:14 The Importance of a Positive Mindset33:28 The Value of Safe Practice and Failure33:52 The Joy of Personal Achievement34:10 The Role of a Trainer in Achieving Goals35:17 The Journey of Learning and Improvement37:09 The Intricacies of Pursuing a Quest46:37 The Unexpected Adventure of Buying Greenland53:18 The Therapist's Take on Mental Strength-Building StrategiesEpisode Summary:
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
2/1/2024 • 58 minutes, 39 seconds
When Should You Give Up on Something Important? | Brian Keating (Part 2)
From James: So this is part two of our interview with astrophysicist Brian Keating, but it's completely different from part one. Completely different topics, 100%. What this episode ultimately boiled down to is: When should you give up on something that's important to you? And we also talk about some BS that's been happening in college campuses lately and some things that have been personally hitting both of us. So, here's Brian Keating again. Enjoy!Episode Description:In part two of our interview with astrophysicist and UCSD Professor Brian Keating, the conversation turns away from physics and toward how Brian's visit to Israel at the time of a devastating terrorist attack plays a significant part in defining his year. Brian and James explore the recent tragic events in Israel, the devasting terror, the response of universities like UCSD, and the broader implications on global geopolitics and campus culture. The discussion also touches upon the experiences of Arab Israeli citizens and Brian's reflections on his career, research, and the significant impact of his podcast. Episode Summary:00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates00:11 Reflecting on a Year of Achievements and Challenges00:45 Discussing the Impact of Terrorism in Israel01:14 Analyzing the Response of Universities to Global Events02:51 Debating the Complexities of the Israel-Gaza Conflict04:37 Exploring the Reality of Life in Israel06:31 Confronting Antisemitism and its Impact09:08 Navigating the Challenges of Campus Politics14:40 Reflecting on Career Progress and Future Projects20:15 The Struggles of Podcasting and Advertising21:05 The Purpose and Future of Podcasting21:18 The Power of YouTube and Subscriber Growth22:11 Meeting Influential People in the Industry25:07 The Journey of Chess Mastery27:20 The Struggle of Improvement and the Concept of Age32:46 The Importance of Numbers and the Balance of Fun35:27 The Future Plans and the Art of Writing36:29 The Conclusion and Future Collaborations Reflecting on Success, Challenges, and Pursuits | Part 2
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
1/30/2024 • 41 minutes, 20 seconds
How to Create a Million Dollar Weekend: Overcoming Fear and Validating Business Ideas | Noah Kagan
From James: For the past 10 years, I have been dying for this guy to write a book. I think I've told him at least once a year, "Write a book already. You have so much interesting knowledge!" I still remember when he first came to my podcast in 2014, he gave me advice. I still do it to this day. And we talk about "The Coffee Challenge", as he calls it. And then he gave me more advice that I'm sure 10 years from now, I'm still going to be doing. So he just came out with Million Dollar Weekend: Noah Kagan. He was like the 12th employee at Facebook and the fourth employee at Mint, and he was fired from both places. He's had an incredible entrepreneurial journey but loves these challenges and experiments.You just got to listen to him talk!Episode Description:Join Noah Kagan, the creator of AppSumo and former employee at Facebook and Mint, in a straightforward talk about transforming fear into action and modest goals into profitable businesses. Drawing on insights from his book 'Million Dollar Weekend,' Kagan will discuss his experiences in starting and growing successful companies. He'll explain the 'coffee challenge' and his approach to the 'dollar challenge,' offering practical advice on developing and testing business ideas, focusing on customer needs, and measuring success by customer profits instead of just invested funds. Kagan will share stories from his diverse background, including playing chess with actor Jamie Foxx, to motivate you to face the fear of rejection and the uncertainty of starting something new. He'll emphasize the importance of consistent hard work, resilience, and learning from failures for entrepreneurial success.Episode Summary:01:38 Introduction02:04 The Long-Awaited Book: Million Dollar Weekend03:52 The Power of Asking: The Coffee Challenge04:45 The Art of Rejection and Negotiation05:46 The Journey of Starting a Business12:57 The Dollar Challenge: A New Perspective on Business15:39 The Importance of Getting Started and Sticking with It32:19 The Story of AppSumo: From Idea to Successful Business34:08 The Power of Software and the Art of Messaging35:08 The Art of Cold Emailing and Building Connections35:31 The Three W's of Business35:50 The Power of Asking and Leveraging Opportunities36:26 The Journey of AppSumo: From a Single Sale to a Million-Dollar Business36:40 The Importance of Validating Business Ideas37:03 The Power of Execution and Overcoming Fear of Failure37:39 The Story of Jake: Turning Dreams into Reality39:34 The Power of Feedback in Business40:34 The Importance of Understanding Your Business Model (1)40:34 The Importance of Understanding Your Market and Business Opportunity (2)43:25 The Power of Networking and Offering Value46:57 The Journey of Jake: Scaling His Golf Trips Business52:39 The Power of Testing and Investing in Business52:45 The Importance of Doubling Down on What Works01:05:01 The Power of Being Resourceful in Entrepreneurship01:07:02 Creating Business Opportunities from Personal Pain Points01:07:19 Exploring Business Ideas through Personal Interests01:08:48 Identifying Business Opportunities through Conversations01:09:33 The Importance of Validating Business Ideas01:09:58 The Journey of Becoming a Better Chess Player01:11:03 The Potential of a Chess Coaching Business01:11:54 The Challenges of Starting a Business01:13:08 The Power of Persistence in Business01:15:05 The Value of Entrepreneurship01:16:11 The Role of Mindset in Business Success01:17:21 The Importance of Asking for Money in Business01:19:07 The Impact of Personal Development on Business Success01:21:20 The Role of Fun in Business01:23:30 The Power of Networking in Business01:25:25 The Importance of Embracing Rejection in Business01:27:31 The Power of Saying 'Yes' in Business01:29:13 The Importance of Being Assertive in Business01:30:36 The Power of Solving Problems in Business01:32:06 The Role of Passion in Business Success01:33:31 The Importance of Persistence in Business01:35:11 The Power of Entrepreneurship01:36:19 The Importance of Taking Risks in Business01:37:35 The Power of Networking in Business
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
1/25/2024 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 1 second
How to Master 'Infectious Generosity' | Chris Anderson
A Note from James: A fascinating guy, Chris Anderson has run the TED Talks for over 20 years, and he's the author of the new book, "Infectious Generosity". We talk all about the benefits of generosity - not only for the entire world but for you, the generous individual - and all of his adventures along the way with TED. Episode Description: In this engrossing conversation, TED curator Chris Anderson speaks about his new book, 'Infectious Generosity', and explains how it reframes generosity as a beautiful self-fueling cycle that can do good for the world in the connected age. Anderson shares insights about human psychology, the new science on generosity, and the psychological benefits of being generous. He draws upon personal experiences and shares inspiring stories of ordinary individuals displaying extraordinary generosity. He also presents a novel concept of forming 'generosity groups', highlighting how collective efforts can enable community development and create a global impact. The conversation also delves into the power of storytelling, the true significance of community, and how we can learn from the generosity showcased in various 'Blue Zones' around the world.Notable Topics: the contagious nature of generosity, shifting trends on the internet towards positivity, the link between generosity and longevity, and the idea of 'group efforts' generating significant community change.Episode Timeline (timestamps may not account for ads):00:00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Chris Anderson00:01:43 Discussing the Impact of TED Talks00:02:50 Exploring the Concept of Infectious Generosity00:03:15 The Connection Between Gratitude and Generosity00:04:59 The Role of Generosity in Happiness00:06:01 The Power of Generosity in Changing One's Perspective00:08:05 Discussing the Fear of Innovation00:09:07 The Need to Take Back the Internet00:11:59 The Shift from Social Networking to Social Media00:12:34 The Power of Generosity in Building Brands00:17:32 The Impact of Generosity on Reputation00:20:50 The Role of Generosity in Viral Content00:23:28 The Potential of Generosity in Changing Internet Culture00:24:09 Exploring Unique Ways to Practice Generosity00:32:02 The Power of Unreported Stories00:32:55 The Virality of Good News00:33:44 The Impact of Negativity00:34:33 Understanding Our Instincts00:34:55 The Influence of Media00:35:27 The Slow Progress of Good Things00:37:07 The Power of Positive Stories00:37:48 The Shift Towards Good News00:38:20 The Challenge of Changing Media Trends00:38:59 The Potential of Positive Media00:40:38 The Impact of Personal Stories00:42:50 The Power of Generosity00:44:54 The Infectious Nature of Generosity00:48:42 The Role of Community in Generosity00:55:39 The Potential of Local Initiatives01:02:13 The Future of Infectious Generosity
------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn
1/23/2024 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 49 seconds
Black Holes, Worm Holes, and the Origin of Everything
One of the smartest people in history, the author of Losing the Nobel Prize and Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner - and he did almost win the Nobel Prize. Maybe he will one day do it. - Professor Brian Keating, physicist extraordinaire!We've divided this conversation in two because first, I was really curious about black holes, wormholes, and the beginning of the universe. So we talk about that and he answers some of my questions, which I'm sure some of you might have as well, once you hear them. Next Friday, we have part two on just the weird things he's seen on college campuses lately. We also talk in general about when it is worth giving up on a goal or a life path. Here’s part one, all about the mysteries of the cosmos with Brian Keating!------------Discussion on IQ and Intelligence [00:01:30]: The interview begins with a discussion about the perception of high IQ and its social implications, comparing it to questions on platforms like Quora.History of the Alphabet and Rosetta Stone [00:02:33 - 00:03:59]: They explore the history of the alphabet, particularly its Phoenician and Hebrew origins, and delve into the story and skepticism around the Rosetta Stone.Webb Telescope Discovery and Black Holes [00:03:59 - 00:05:44]: The conversation shifts to a recent Webb Telescope discovery of a massive black hole, discussing its implications for our understanding of the universe and the concept of primordial black holes.Concepts of Space-Time and Black Holes [00:05:44 - 00:08:01]: Keating explains the idealized form of a black hole and the inseparability of space and time in the context of Einstein's theories.Relationship Between Time and Gravity [00:08:01 - 00:12:37]: They discuss the complex relationship between time and gravity, particularly how it is influenced by the presence of massive objects like black holes.Theories of the Universe and Dark Matter [00:12:37 - 00:17:03]: The interview covers various theories about the origin and nature of the universe, including speculations on dark matter and its potential origins.Einstein's Theories and Mercury's Orbit [00:17:03 - 00:29:50]: Keating elaborates on Einstein's contributions to physics, particularly how his theories explained the peculiar behavior of Mercury's orbit.The Ether Theory and Propagation of Light [00:29:50 - 00:35:04]: The discussion turns to the historical ether theory and its role in understanding the propagation of light, leading to Einstein's revolutionary ideas.Wormholes, Black Holes, and Universe Theories [00:35:04 - 00:40:23]: They explore the concepts of wormholes and black holes, discussing various theoretical models about the universe, including multi-dimensional theories.Limits of Light Speed and Einstein's Relativity [00:40:23 - 00:44:19]: Keating and Altucher delve into why the speed of light is a fundamental limit and how Einstein's theory of relativity explains this.Future Research and Discoveries in Cosmology [00:44:19 - End]: The interview concludes with discussions on future research directions in cosmology, including the search for primordial waves of gravity and the oldest signals from the Big Bang.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/19/2024 • 52 minutes, 38 seconds
Hooked on the First Line: Mastering Memoir
"How is it possible to bring order out of memory?"This quote begins Beryl Markham's West with the Night, the memoirs of the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from East to West."I should like to begin at the beginning patiently like a weaver at his loom. I should like to say this is the place to start. There can be no other, but there are a hundred places to start."Today, James and Cal Fussman return for another episode of "Hooked on the First Line", where they each bring to the table books that had them hooked from page one.Cal Fussman and James Altucher engage in a deep exploration of the art of writing, examining how first and last lines, personal experiences, and storytelling techniques shape a writer's work and influence the reader's experience. They discuss specific examples from literature, including the works of Ernest Hemingway, and relate these concepts to broader themes like memory, personal growth, and the diversity of writing styles across different fields.-----------Episode Summary:Importance of First and Last Lines in Writing [00:00:30]: The discussion begins with the significance of the first and last lines in writing, their impact on readers, and the challenge of competing with modern distractions.Reflections on Personal Life and Chess [00:02:18 - 00:03:56]: Personal anecdotes about past relationships, chess playing, and the influence of sports and activities on personal growth are shared.Discussion on George Foreman and Muhammad Ali [00:03:56 - 00:09:10]: They delve into the lives and careers of George Foreman and Muhammad Ali, discussing their iconic fight and their impact on their careers and personalities.Peak Ages in Different Professions [00:09:10 - 00:10:54]: The conversation shifts to the concept of peak ages in various professions, including sports, mathematics, and writing, and the importance of experience in artistic fields.George Foreman's Career and Personal Transformation [00:10:54 - 00:14:30]: Fussman recounts George Foreman's career, his comeback in boxing, and how he transformed his public persona.Writing Craft and First Lines [00:14:39 - 00:16:11]: The discussion focuses on the art of writing, the importance of first lines, and how it sets the tone for a story or a piece of writing.Cal Fussman's Personal Writing Experiences [00:16:11 - 00:19:21]: Fussman shares his experiences with writing, particularly on significant events like 9/11, emphasizing the importance of both the first and last lines in storytelling.Analysis of Hemingway's Work and Other Literature [00:19:21 - 00:22:55]: The conversation shifts to Ernest Hemingway's work and his thoughts on other writers, including "West with the Night" by Beryl Markham and analysis of various books and their opening lines.Exploring Memory and Storytelling [00:22:55 - 00:28:51]: The interview touches on the themes of memory, storytelling, and how writers use their experiences to craft narratives.Discussion on Business Books and Writing Styles [00:28:51 - 00:57:12]: The dialogue expands to include different writing styles and the importance of craftsmanship in writing across genres. After a discussion about journaling, Cal discusses Harry Crews and his memoir "A Childhood: The Biography of a Place". They explore how the principles of storytelling and narrative structure apply to various forms of writing, including business and self-help genres."A Time of Gifts" by Patrick Leigh Fermor [00:45:10]: Fussman describes Fermor's journey from Holland to Constantinople in 1933 and the impact of this journey on the world and literature, noting that it took three books to capture the experience. The second book mentioned is "Between the Woods and the Water," detailing Fermor's travels from Hungary to Romania,Discussion on Business Books [00:54:25]: Towards the end of the conversation, Fussman reflects on business books, contrasting them with fiction, which he grew up reading. He acknowledges his later introduction to business books and notes a different approach to the first lines in these works compared to fiction.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/16/2024 • 57 minutes, 8 seconds
The Power of Obsession
Jay tricked me... So as you know, Jay Yow is the producer of this podcast. We were talking casually and he asked me about a lot of different things I've been obsessed with ever since I was a little kid and this "Power of Obsession" has driven my entire life for better and for worse.We're just casually talking about it and then I realized he's recording, so we made an episode about The Power of Obsession... You kind of hear in the beginning, I didn't want to do an episode on it. But, then I realized, this has been an interesting thing for me, and this aspect, this Power of Obsession, has had an overall very positive effect on my life.So here we go—the Power of Obsession. ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/11/2024 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 59 seconds
Mastery of Mind and Body: Pathways to Personal Excellence | Brian Johnson
What a great book! For anyone who's ever been interested, even for a second in the personal development/ inspirational category, this book, Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential by Brian Johnson... You have to visually see this book. It's 451 chapters, a thousand pages. It's almost like a little cube, but it's very fast to read because every chapter is just one or two pages and it's well done.It interweaves all these hundreds of stories and different authors and philosophers into one cohesive strategy for living your best life. The word Arate means, essentially, everyday living the best life. And this book is about how to do it. There are hundreds of stories and examples.It's also Brian Johnson and his own stories, and we talk about it from various perspectives. In the very beginning, we're talking about how his son is super-interested in chess, which is coincidental to me. So we talk about how he's using Arate with his son, but then we dive into so many different subjects about what it means to activate your heroic potential.One of the funnest podcasts that I've done, I really recommend listening to this one. Thanks!Heroic | The Social Training PlatformAreté: Activate Your Heroic PotentialBrian Johnson (heroic.us)-----------Episode Summary[00:01:30] - James Altucher's chess journey and the improvement in his chess rating.[00:02:25] - Discuss chess, learning from the game, and dealing with losses.[00:04:54] - Brian Johnson talks about his son Emerson's chess training and the importance of physical fitness for mental performance.[00:06:03] - The role of energy and preparation in various fields, including chess and business.[00:07:11] - James Altucher and Brian Johnson discuss the importance of physiology in cognitive performance.[00:10:32] - Conversation on the impact of exercise and mental health.[00:13:10] - Discussion about the impact of positive affirmations and mental preparation.[00:16:22] - Emphasis on learning from mistakes and adopting a growth mindset.[00:17:38] - Introduction to Brian Johnson's book "Arate" and its significance.[00:19:37] - Discussion on various techniques for self-improvement.[00:21:04] - Brian Johnson explains why he is invited to speak at significant events, including with the U.S. Special Operations Command.[00:23:27] - The concept of "antifragile confidence."[00:26:27] - How to maintain and follow a personal protocol for success.[00:30:29] - Anecdotes about helping others develop their personal protocols.[00:33:31] - Specific examples of protocols and habits for high performance.[00:37:28] - The significance of doing tasks even when you don't feel like it.[00:39:26] - Differentiating extrinsic and intrinsic motivation.[00:41:31] - Brian Johnson's approach to synthesizing wisdom from various authors.[00:44:28] - Discussion on resilience, growth mindset, and the concept of 'grit'.[00:48:30] - The importance of doing and applying knowledge.[00:49:32] - Crafting a personal checklist for success.[00:54:07] - The role of physical fitness in various professional fields.[00:57:06] - The impact of posture and physical presence on performance.[01:00:01] - Brian Johnson's creative process and inspirations for his book.[01:00:01] - Brian Johnson talks about his creative process and inspirations for his book "Arate".[01:08:10] - Book release information and plans for additional volumes.[01:17:56] - Closing remarks, future engagements, and appreciation for the interview.What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/9/2024 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 41 seconds
What is going on with the Bitcoin ETF!? And the future of Crypto Market with Omid Malekan
So much happening in crypto last yesterday. There was a flash crash, of Bitcoin when there was rumors that the Bitcoin ETF might not happen. But there's a lot of other news, a lot of other catalysts for big moves in crypto. I brought on my good friend and super crypto expert, Omid Malekan. Omid is a professor of crypto at Columbia business school. He's written two books, The Story of the Blockchain, and his most recent book - which is a great book, I highly recommend it - Re-Architecting Trust, The Curse of History and the Crypto Cure for Money Markets and Platforms. He also was one of the first people to help guide Citigroup, the largest bank in the world on the topic of crypto.We talked about everything from the Bitcoin ETFs to the convergence of crypto and AI to the Ethereum upgrade, and all sorts of other catalysts for Bitcoin and crypto in general. So, a lot of topics. Here it goes! -----------Episode SummaryCrypto Writing and Teaching [00:01:30]: Malekan discusses his focus on writing about crypto and his fully enrolled class after a hiatus.Crypto's Disruptive Nature [00:02:42]: He reflects on the fundamentally challenging, confusing, and disruptive aspects of crypto.The Future of Money [00:04:14]: The conversation touches on the surprising lack of foresight in sci-fi literature regarding the future of money, despite advancements in other technologies.Evolution of Money [00:05:50]: Altucher points out that major evolutions in money, such as the use of gold as currency, were always unexpected.Crypto's Initial User Base [00:06:46]: Malekan agrees that all major monetary evolutions were unexpected and discusses how crypto's initial user base was tech-savvy, leading to some resistance as it became mainstream.Expansion of Crypto [00:09:15]: The discussion covers the expansion of crypto beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, highlighting the growth of the field since 2017.Ethereum's Use Cases [00:11:04]: Malekan points out that Ethereum has opened the door to many new use cases, far beyond what was initially envisioned.Killer App of Decentralized Cloud Computing [00:12:37]: He speculates on the potential 'killer app' for decentralized cloud computing, emphasizing that the best applications may not have been seen yet.Digital Identity [00:14:03]: Malekan discusses the potential for blockchain in managing digital identities and the convergence of crypto and AI.AI and Blockchain Intersection [00:16:51]: The conversation touches on the intersection of AI and blockchain, including decentralized computing for controversial AI models.Advanced Cryptography for Data Protection [00:20:20]: Malekan highlights the need for advanced cryptography for secure data sharing and training AI models on encrypted data.Complexity of Crypto Transactions [00:21:05]: The complexity and difficulty of buying Bitcoin, especially for non-tech savvy individuals, are discussed.Challenges in Evolving Crypto [00:25:05]: Malekan points out the paradox at the core of evolving crypto, balancing decentralization with user-friendliness.Radical Decentralization and ETFs [00:26:39]: The conversation shifts to the radical decentralized dream in crypto and the conflict it creates with the emergence of ETFs.Crypto and Tax Laws [00:33:26]: Malekan discusses how new tax laws involving crypto are indicative of the government recognizing crypto as a legitimate form of payment.Global Nature of Crypto [00:33:56]: The global nature of crypto is discussed, highlighting its potential as a global financial system and the reluctance of some US government officials.Current Events and Crypto [00:35:04]: Altucher segues into current events, discussing the weaponization of the dollar and the potential of crypto as a global reserve currency.Imminent Approval of Crypto ETFs [00:36:09]: Malekan talks about the imminent approval of crypto ETFs and the impact it may have.Involvement of Hedge Funds in Crypto [00:44:23]: The interest of hedge funds in cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, is discussed.Potential Multiples Increase in Bitcoin Price [00:47:26]: The possibility of Bitcoin's price increasing several multiples is explored, along with the role of other countries in adopting crypto ETFs.Post-Bitcoin ETF Roadmap [00:50:12]: The roadmap after the approval of a Bitcoin ETF, including the possibility of an Ethereum ETF and others, is discussed.Stablecoins and Crypto Predictions [00:53:55]: Malekan mentions a public figure's recent change in stance towards crypto and the development of a so-called stablecoin.Maturation of Crypto [00:56:55]: The significant strides in the maturation of crypto over the past year are highlighted.Crypto's Tipping Point [01:01:24]: The discussion focuses on the tipping point for crypto's takeover, emphasizing the need for practical use cases beyond speculation.Future of Bitcoin [01:08:39]: Malekan speculates on the future of Bitcoin, particularly concerning miners' revenue and the potential for new financial models.Bitcoin's New Use Cases [01:13:27]: The conversation turns to new use cases for Bitcoin and the search for product-market fit within the crypto space.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/5/2024 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 5 seconds
The Power of Resilience | Soulaima Gourani's Journey from Adversity to Silicon Valley Success
Dive into an episode featuring the remarkable Soulaima Gourani, a masterclass in resilience and ambition. From her dramatic escape at 13 to dominating Silicon Valley, Gourani's story is a rollercoaster of triumphs and trials. Discover how a troubled childhood fueled her rise in the corporate world, leading to prestigious roles at IBM and Hewlett Packard, and her bold ventures in the tech startup scene. It's more than an interview; it's a journey through adversity to success, offering priceless insights for anyone dreaming big. Tune in for an unmissable episode that's both a heart-tugging narrative and a playbook for aspiring entrepreneurs and dreamers.Twitter: Soulaima Gourani on TwitterLinkedIn: Soulaima Gourani on LinkedInHappioh: A platform focused on business solutions. You can learn more about it at happioh.com.-----------Early Struggles and Fundraising for Startup [00:01:30 - 00:03:10]Gourani discusses her admiration for Altucher's podcast, which supported her during her startup's fundraising phase, marked by personal challenges and rejections.Traumatic Childhood [00:04:04 - 00:07:21]Gourani recounts her tumultuous childhood, including running away from home at 13, her father's bankruptcy and abuse, and her family's multiple relocations.Education and Early Career Moves [00:07:32 - 00:13:45]Despite being kicked out of school, Gourani completed her education. She discusses her early career, including jobs in the hospitality industry and moving to Switzerland to work as a waitress.Career Growth and Success [00:17:04 - 00:20:01]Gourani's career growth included working in tech, scaling a software company internationally, and holding high-profile roles in large corporations.Entrepreneurial Ventures and Personal Life [00:20:01 - 00:22:32]She talks about her entrepreneurial ventures, starting several companies, moving to Silicon Valley, meeting her husband, their family, and the importance of her support system.Challenges as a Silicon Valley Founder [00:31:33 - 00:35:46]Gourani shares the psychological pressures and challenges of being a tech startup founder in Silicon Valley, including fundraising and dealing with rejections.Current Ventures and Reflections [00:53:55 - 01:03:40]The interview concludes with Gourani discussing her current startup, a software company, and reflecting on the lessons learned and experiences gained throughout her life.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/4/2024 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 31 seconds
2024: Harness the Chaos! A Revolutionary Approach to Redefining Success and Conquering the Unpredictable
In this engaging episode of the James Altucher Show, James and "Jay The Engineer" offer a reflective and insightful discussion on the lessons from 2023 and the unpredictable nature of what lies ahead. Tackling topics ranging from the complexities of global politics to the nuances of personal growth, they share thought-provoking perspectives on navigating a world full of uncertainties. This conversation goes beyond a simple year-in-review; it serves as a guide to understanding and embracing the unpredictability of life and times.The episode takes an intriguing turn as James questions the effectiveness of traditional New Year's resolutions, suggesting instead the creation of a personal manifesto for 2024. Drawing inspiration from Viktor Frankl's quest for meaning and his own life experiences, James presents a compelling argument for setting life-enriching quests over conventional goals. This episode is not just a talk; it's a motivational call to action for listeners to rethink their approach to personal development and to seek out fulfilling adventures and meaningful pursuits in the year ahead.Ronny Chieng On Why We Need an Asian President (youtube.com)---------Reflection on 2023 and Thoughts on 2024:James reflects on the challenges of 2023 and discusses the unpredictable nature of 2024, touching on geopolitical issues and the state of the world. [00:01:00] - [00:05:52]Unpredictability in Politics and Life:James delves into the unpredictability in politics, including presidential election predictions, and how it mirrors the unpredictability in life. [00:05:52] - [00:12:16]New Year's Resolutions and the Concept of Meaning:James expresses skepticism about New Year's resolutions and introduces the concept of finding meaning in life, drawing from Viktor Frankl's experiences. [00:12:16] - [00:24:18]Goals vs. Quests:The discussion shifts to differentiating between goals and quests, with James explaining how quests are personal adventures that add value to life. [00:24:18] - [00:36:37]The Value of Experiments and Self-Help:James talks about the value of experiments in life and discusses the nature of self-help, emphasizing personal experiences and storytelling. [00:36:37] - [00:48:45]Creating a Manifesto for 2024:The conversation concludes with James urging listeners to create a personal manifesto for 2024, focusing on meaning, purpose, quests, and goals. [00:48:45] - [00:53:02]-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/28/2023 • 51 minutes, 39 seconds
Supercharge Your Mind, Supercharge Your Love | Amy Morin's Secrets to Unstoppable Mental Strength and Relationship Bliss!
James sits down with renowned author and psychotherapist Amy Morin for an enlightening 80-minute conversation that delves deep into the human psyche, relationships, and the essence of mental strength. Amy, celebrated for her bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," shares her profound insights into the dynamics of personal growth and the intricate workings of couple relationships. This episode is not just an interview; it's a journey through the complexities of the human mind, peppered with personal anecdotes, professional experiences, and the wisdom Amy has gained through years of counseling and writing.The conversation seamlessly navigates from the unexpected twists in Amy's career, including how her book's success was propelled by unforeseen press, to the intricate details of relationship dynamics and therapy. James and Amy explore the deep-seated challenges individuals and couples face, discussing everything from grief and loss to the impact of social media on relationships. They also delve into the importance of continuous personal and mutual growth within partnerships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the nuances of mental strength, the art of nurturing relationships, and the journey of self-improvement. It's a compelling blend of professional insights, therapeutic wisdom, and relatable storytelling that promises to engage, educate, and inspire listeners.13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do: Fix What's Broken, Develop Healthier Patterns, and Grow Stronger Together.13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't DoAmy Morin, LCSW (amymorinlcsw.com)----------Episode Summary:1. Initial Discussion on Book Sales and Bestseller Lists:• [00:01:00] to [00:02:10]: Discussion on Amy's book, its sales, and its performance on bestseller lists.2. Unexpected Press and Impact:• [00:02:10] to [00:03:13]: Conversation about the unexpected press from Rush Limbaugh and the impact on book sales.3. Therapy and Personal Challenges:• [00:03:13] to [00:11:58]: Amy and James share their experiences with therapy and personal challenges, including grief and loss.4. Therapist's Perspective:• [00:11:58] to [00:12:10]: Amy discusses her perspective as a therapist and her experiences with different types of patients.5. Mentally Strong Couples:• [00:12:10] to [00:15:34]: In-depth discussion on Amy's book about mentally strong couples and the unique challenges in couple relationships.6. Writing Process and Marketing Books:• [00:15:34] to [00:20:29]: Amy talks about the challenges in writing and marketing books, and the importance of marketing post-publication.7. Relationship Dynamics and Therapy:• [00:20:29] to [00:23:37]: The conversation shifts to dynamics in couples therapy, common issues, and therapy experiences.8. Characteristics of Strong Relationships:• [00:23:37] to [00:24:38]: Amy outlines what makes a relationship strong, including good communication and empathy.9. Social Media and Relationships:• [00:24:38] to [00:25:46]: Discussion on the role of social media in portraying relationship happiness and its actual implications.10. Maintaining Relationships:• [00:25:46] to [00:27:00]: Emphasizing the importance of remembering why partners fell in love and avoiding unrealistic expectations in relationships.11. Personal Growth within Relationships:• [00:27:00] to [00:28:29]: Concluding with the importance of personal growth and not taking partners for granted in relationships.12. Expectations and Challenges in Therapy:• [00:28:29] to [00:32:03]: Discussion about expectations in therapy, challenges faced by therapists, and managing different situations in couples therapy.13. Scripts for Difficult Conversations in Relationships:• [00:32:03] to [00:36:25]: Talk about creating scripts for difficult conversations in relationships, helping couples navigate complex issues more effectively.14. Using Emotions in Relationships:• [00:36:25] to [00:38:38]: Conversation about how partners sometimes use emotions as weapons in relationships and the impact of such behavior.15. Distribution of Responsibilities in Relationships:• [00:38:38] to [00:41:06]: Discussing the importance of equal distribution of responsibilities and the implications of failing to do so.16. The Role of Honesty and Boundaries in Relationships:• [00:41:06] to [00:43:08]: Focus on the necessity of honesty and setting appropriate boundaries in relationships for long-term sustainability.17. Impact of External Perceptions on Relationships:• [00:43:08] to [00:45:35]: Examining how external perceptions and societal pressures can influence relationships, including the impact of social media.18. Long-term Relationships and Evolving Dynamics:• [00:45:35] to [00:48:57]: Insights into how long-term relationships evolve over time, dealing with changes, and maintaining connection and growth.19. Consequences of Neglecting Relationships:• [00:48:57] to [00:51:40]: Discussion on the consequences of neglecting relationships, taking partners for granted, and the need for continuous effort.20. Growth and Change in Individual Partners:• [00:51:40] to [00:53:31]: Highlighting the importance of individual growth and change within a relationship, and how it contributes to the relationship's overall health.21. Understanding and Fulfilling Emotional Needs:• [00:53:31] to [00:55:02]: Talking about the importance of understanding and fulfilling emotional needs within a relationship without over-reliance on one partner.22. Avoiding Blame and Focusing on Solutions:• [00:55:02] to [00:55:53]: Discussion about the negative impact of blaming each other for problems and focusing instead on collaborative solutions.23. Final Thoughts and Takeaways:• [00:55:53] to [End of Interview]: The interview concludes with final thoughts and takeaways on maintaining strong, healthy relationships, emphasizing communication, understanding, and mutual growth.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/26/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 20 seconds
The Secrets to Hosting Memorable and Impactful Social Events | Nick Gray
In his conversation with Nick Gray, James Altucher explores practical advice for enhancing social interactions, particularly in the context of hosting gatherings. James, who often feels out of place at social events, seeks insights from Nick, an expert in hosting successful small-scale parties. Nick shares his transformation from disliking traditional parties to excelling in organizing intimate, engaging events. He highlights the importance of having a small core group to initiate the event, creating a well-balanced guest list, and engaging activities like icebreakers to break the ice.Nick introduces his NIC(K) formula - Name tags, Icebreakers, Cocktails/mocktails only, and Kick-out time - essential for a smooth and enjoyable event. They discuss strategies to prevent awkwardness in social settings, the role of vulnerability in forming connections, and avoiding 'trauma dumping' in conversations. Nick also provides insights into improving networking experiences at conferences, illustrating his methods for more effective interactions.The conversation goes beyond party planning logistics, encompassing broader themes of human connection and interaction. James and Nick's exchange sheds light on the nuances of socializing and the impactful nature of well-planned gatherings.Check out Nick's book: The 2-Hour Cocktail Party!-----------Episode Summary:Introduction and Social Challenges at Parties (00:01:30 - 00:02:01): James Altucher opens the conversation by sharing his difficulties in socializing at parties and expresses a need to improve his skills in this area.Nick Gray's Background and Dislike for Conventional Parties (00:02:01 - 00:02:38): Nick Gray explains his initial aversion to typical networking events and his journey towards creating more meaningful and comfortable social gatherings.Hosting Personal Parties in Small Spaces (00:02:38 - 00:03:35): Nick shares how he began hosting parties in his small apartment in New York, mixing neighbors and new acquaintances, focusing on creating a welcoming environment.Concept of the Core Group for Party Planning (00:03:35 - 00:05:14): Nick introduces the idea of a 'core group' as a crucial element in party planning, ensuring a successful and comfortable gathering.The Ideal Size and Diversity for a Good Party (00:05:14 - 00:05:59): The discussion covers the optimal size for a party (16 to 22 people) and the importance of diversity in the guest list.Effective Icebreakers and Introductions (00:05:59 - 00:06:40): Nick discusses the role of icebreakers and introductions in making parties enjoyable and less awkward, especially for introverts.James' Experiences with Hosting and Party Challenges (00:06:40 - 00:08:20): James shares his experiences with hosting neighborhood parties, discussing the challenges he faces as an introvert.Importance of Pre-Announcing Party Activities (00:08:20 - 00:09:37): The conversation shifts to the significance of informing guests about party activities in advance to avoid surprises and discomfort.Crafting Effective Icebreakers for Large Gatherings (00:09:37 - 00:11:33): Nick provides insights on creating engaging icebreakers for large groups, emphasizing quick and meaningful interactions.Ending Parties on Time and Party Duration Preferences (00:11:33 - 00:14:19): Nick and James discuss strategies for ending parties at a scheduled time and share personal preferences on party duration.What Makes a Good Party and Conversation Ending Techniques (00:14:19 - 00:15:52): They explore what constitutes a successful party for hosts and guests, including tips on how to gracefully end conversations.Nick's Personal Hosting Experiences and Party Advice (00:15:52 - 00:19:01): Nick reflects on his own party hosting experiences and offers advice on ensuring a pleasant experience for every attendee.Engaging Icebreakers for Different Stages of a Party (00:19:01 - 00:20:32): The discussion includes various icebreakers suitable for different moments during a party, aiming to enhance guest interactions.James' Strategies for Successful Conferences (00:20:32 - 00:23:13): James shares his tactics for making conferences more engaging and memorable, including how he uses icebreakers in these settings.Nick's Full-Time Commitment to Party Hosting and Background (00:23:13 - 00:24:33): Nick talks about his full-time dedication to party hosting and his background in business and museum tours.Party Hosting as a Life Strategy (00:24:33 - 00:25:51): They delve into how hosting parties can be an effective strategy for building relationships and expanding one's network.James' Interest in Hosting in Atlanta and Austin (00:25:51 - 00:28:02): James expresses interest in hosting events in Atlanta and Austin, and Nick offers to assist.Differentiating Between Types of Guests and Events (00:28:02 - 00:29:25): The conversation touches on categorizing events and guests to tailor the experience to different groups.Frequent Hosting for Network Expansion (00:29:25 - 00:30:45): Nick advises on the frequency of hosting events for network growth and the importance of a diverse guest list.Utilizing Social Proof and Guest List Visibility (00:30:45 - 00:32:30): Nick highlights the importance of social proof and making guest lists visible to encourage participation.Strategies for Effective Networking at Conferences (00:32:30 - 00:33:36): Nick shares his approach to enhancing networking experiences at large conferences.Utilizing Personal Experiences in Social Settings (00:33:36 - 00:35:30): Nick shares anecdotes from his life, relating them to the art of hosting and connecting with people.James' Unique Networking Strategies (00:35:30 - 00:37:58): James discusses his own techniques for networking, particularly at conferences.Applying Party Hosting Techniques to Dating (00:37:58 - 00:40:27): The conversation shifts to how the principles of party hosting can be applied to dating.Effective Icebreakers for One-on-One Conversations (00:40:27 - 00:42:08): Nick and James discuss various icebreakers that can be used in one-on-one settings.Role of Vulnerability in Building Connections (00:42:08 - 00:44:18): The topic of vulnerability in social interactions is explored.Hosting Events for Network Expansion (00:44:18 - 00:48:54): Nick gives advice on hosting events as a strategy for expanding one's network.James' Potential Plans for Hosting in Austin (00:48:54 - 00:51:00): James expresses a desire to host events in Austin and discusses potential collaboration with Nick.Differentiating Events for Various Audience Types (00:51:00 - 00:53:19): They talk about categorizing events based on the type of audience.Social Proof and Guest List Visibility in Event Planning (00:53:19 - 00:54:46): Nick emphasizes the importance of social proof in event planning.Enhancing Conference Networking Experiences (00:54:46 - 00:57:05): Nick shares his experiences and strategies for improving networking sessions at conferences.James' Dating Hacks and Approaches to Dating (00:57:05 - 00:59:32): James talks about his approach to dating, including unique strategies and challenges.Importance of Icebreakers in Various Social Settings (00:59:32 - 01:00:54): The discussion returns to the role of icebreakers in different social situations.Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations (01:00:54 - 01:03:27): The interview concludes with James and Nick discussing potential future collaborations and summarizing their key takeaways from the conversation.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/21/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 5 seconds
How to Redefine Success and Find True Happiness | Arthur Brooks
We're thrilled to welcome Arthur Brooks to the show, a remarkable author whose work has significantly influenced James' recent journey. We dive deep into his inspiring books, "From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life" and "Build the Life You Want," co-authored with the iconic Oprah Winfrey. Our conversation is not just about the pages of these books but the profound impact Arthur's works have had on reshaping the perspectives and lives of those who read them.Arthur's "From Strength to Strength" struck a personal chord with James last year, especially with his quest to regain and surpass his Chessmaster ranking from 25 years ago. Drawing on social science, philosophy, biography, theology, and Eastern wisdom, Brooks explains how true success in life is well within our reach. By refocusing on certain priorities and habits that anyone can learn, such as deep wisdom, detachment from empty rewards, connection & service to others, and spiritual progress, we can set ourselves up for increased happiness.In this episode, Arthur and James explore the powerful concepts in Arthur's books, discussing how they can be applied to achieve personal and professional growth. Join us for this enlightening conversation that might change the way you think about your strengths and the path to building the life you've always wanted.The interview with James Altucher and Arthur Brooks covers several topics, primarily focusing on changes in intelligence and success over the lifespan, and how to find happiness and meaning in life.------------Introduction and Arthur Brooks' Books (00:00:33 - 00:03:44): James introduces Arthur Brooks and mentions his books "From Strength to Strength" and a book co-authored with Oprah, focusing on changes in brain function with age and strategies for happiness and success.Fluid vs. Crystallized Intelligence (00:03:44 - 00:10:06): Brooks explains the concept of fluid intelligence (quick thinking and problem-solving in youth) and crystallized intelligence (wisdom and pattern recognition in older age). He provides examples from chess, law, music, and other fields, illustrating how different stages of life favor different types of intelligence.Career Pathways and Success Across Lifespan (00:10:06 - 00:12:20): They discuss how career trajectories should change with age, emphasizing moving from roles requiring fluid intelligence to those benefiting from crystallized intelligence, like teaching or advising.Happiness, Wellbeing, and Success (00:12:20 - 00:22:22): Brooks talks about the difference between happiness and wellbeing, and how success should be judged at different ages. He stresses the importance of focusing on things that bring true happiness like faith, family, friendship, and service.Spiritual and Philosophical Life (00:22:22 - 00:27:40): The conversation shifts to spiritual and philosophical aspects of life, and how these can become more important as one gets older. Brooks shares his experiences with different spiritual traditions and their teachings on suffering, happiness, and meaning.Starting Late on the Path of Intelligence and Success (00:27:40 - 00:35:34): Brooks advises on how to start late on the path of crystallized intelligence and how to redefine success and happiness later in life.Transcendence and Overcoming Challenges (00:35:34 - 00:42:03): They discuss strategies for overcoming life challenges, the importance of transcendence, and how to adapt one's career and personal goals as they age.Closing Remarks and Future Projects (00:42:03 - 00:49:39): The interview concludes with Brooks talking about his future projects and the overlap of teachings in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity, especially regarding suffering and its role in understanding life's meaning.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/19/2023 • 41 minutes, 24 seconds
How to Make It in the NBA | Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Today we reunite with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, the acclaimed author known for "Don't Trust Your Gut." Seth introduces his new book "Who Makes the NBA," a trailblazing work written in just 30 days using AI. He shares how AI tools, particularly ChatGPT's code interpreter, inspired him to blend his passion for basketball with data science, creating an innovative approach to sports analytics.Seth dives into the fascinating insights from his book, addressing questions like the key factors for NBA success, the role of genetics versus training, and the impact of coaching on players' careers. The discussion also covers intriguing topics like the hypothetical best NBA player at a uniform height and the global distribution of NBA talent.James and Seth further explore the business side, discussing strategies to monetize Seth's groundbreaking work. They brainstorm ideas for expanding the reach and impact of his AI-driven approach to sports analytics, offering insights into the potential of AI in both creative and commercial realms. This episode offers a unique blend of sports, data science, and business innovation, showcasing the transformative power of AI in modern industries.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/14/2023 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 52 seconds
The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life | Hal Elrod
When my children or good friends have problems and difficulties in life, you would think I would recommend to them my book Choose Yourself, which describes times when I've had hardships and the ways I used to pick myself out of being broke or sick or depressed.But that is not the book I give people. I usually give them The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, and starting today, I’ll be giving them The Miracle Morning Update and Expanded Edition: The Not So Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life(Before 8 AM) by Hal Elrod. It's the 10th anniversary of the original book, it's an expanded edition. He now includes The Miracle Evening, The Miracle Life, and more!Imagine you wake up one morning, your lung has collapsed, you have cancer, and you're told you're going to die in two or three weeks. Hal Elrod had been doing the Miracle Morning for years when that happened to him, and he shows how it applied during a situation like that. It helped him when he was going broke and losing his house and when he got into a car accident and was declared dead three times on the way to the hospital. It has helped the hundreds of thousands of people who participate in his community and have embraced the ideas in this book and his SAVERS acronym.We talk about it all, and he's one of my favorite people. Here’s Hal Elrod.
12/12/2023 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 15 seconds
A 'Choose Yourself' Way to Become an Artist | Chase Jarvis
“If this idea… the idea of overcoming one fear a day scares you, then keep reading.”I wrote this line three years ago.I was doing a photo challenge. I asked Chase Jarvis, one of the best photographers in the world and the founder of Creative Live, “What should I do?”I wanted to know how to take a good photo.He asked me what I liked.I said, “Sad people.”So he told me to shoot through the lens of “connection.” So I went inside. And looked for my inner compass.I went to eat.Then I saw the man. He was a balding guy in his 60s waiting to be served. He told me he just arrived after a 17-hour trip from Italy. He said, "I am tired."And I shot him.I shot him before my daughter left for college. Before I became a stepdad. Before stand-up comedy. Before Trump. Before #metoo. Before phone addiction (sort of). Before a lot of things.“That photograph is evidence,” Chase said. “It’s evidence that we’re all creative… Wildy.”But not everyone believes that.Because they’ve blocked it for too many years.But you can get it back.Chase explains how in his book, “Creative Calling: Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World with Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life.”And he explains the DNA of creativity on my podcast. Here’s a list of everything we talk about. Including quotes from Chase and tips on how to start your daily creative process today:I introduce Chase Jarvis, one of the best photographers in the world and founder of Creative Live – [3:35]How Chase helped me hone my creative muscle three years ago – [4:32]“We’re all creative, wildly” – Chase Jarvis – [8:18]The wrong way to think about creativity – [8:48]“When you’re in your purest element of creativity, you’re not judging. You can’t be creative and judging at the same time.” – Chase Jarvis – [10:20]Three key principles of Chase’s book:1. Everyone is creative2. Creativity is not a skill. It’s a habit. It’s a process, not a product.3. Creativity is a muscle. – [13:08]How creating in small ways every day leads to the habit of creativity – [15:29]The myth of creativity: some people are creative and some people aren’t. Chase explains where this myth came from – [16:49]Proof that we are “self-expression machines.” And proof that society makes us scared to be creative – [19:11]I ask Chase about mastery – [21:19]Chase tells us what Creative Live is and what kind of classes they have available for you – [23:56]I ask Chase about fear and self-doubt- [24:51]How to get to know the things you’re supposed to be doing in this world. And how Chase figured this out for himself, too – [25:25]I ask Chase if building a business made him fearful of losing his roots in photography -[27:22]How to know if something is the right path for you – [28:05]Know when to shift directions. How to know if you’re following the flame in your life. Or not – [29:45]Why you’re loved ones don’t support your dreams and want you to do what’s safe…- [30:14]“Now is the riskiest time in human history to do the thing that has always been safe. Because the world is changing so fast. If you don’t have a life and connection and a passion for what you’re doing, you’re going to be isolated. You’re going to be lonely. You’re going to be sick. It’s not safe to do what everybody else wants. The safest thing, in your journey, is to be inexcusable unapologetically you.” – Chase Jarvis – [31:00]We look at how Chase combined two passions and became the best in the world at the intersection of his two passions – [32:22]Why society doesn’t teach us to be creative – [34:01]The power of experimentation – [35:21]I ask Chase how he initially started developing his internal flame and love for photography – [36:00]Why Chase doesn’t give The A-Z steps to find your path… because everyone’s path is different and unique. – [39:40]How a teacher killed Chase’s dreams. And shift led to his identity. – [42:00]How Chase rediscovered his creativity 20 years after his teacher crushed him – [44:00]How to be more in tune with yourself. Chase says how he realized he was denying his creative self – [47:40]How Chase taught himself how to take pictures – [48:20]Tip: learn from virtual mentors – [50:29]Why do you have to document your work and analyze it for improvement? – [52:40]Chase talks about trading food for the ability to learn – [55:00]“Learning gets easy when you’re doing something that resonates internally” – Chase Jarvis – [55:56]When you start anything, you’re going to suck. Embrace this. – [57:03]Measure how much you love something. vs how much you’re frustrated by something. Then use this to know where the flame is for you – [58:24]The importance of having the right community… one where you feel welcome – [1:00:14]How to develop a community around your work – [1:01:18]Article recommendation: “A Thousand True Fans” by Kevin Kelly – [1:01:46]Every path is different. The best time to start a new creative endeavor is 10 years ago. And today – [1:02:28]The advantage and danger of having competition in your community – [1:03:25]The importance of asking yourself, “How does this make me feel?” about a person or community or task, job, creative project, etc. – [1:04:21]Why not paying attention to how people and situations can make you feel leads you down the wrong path – [1:05:12]How to tell who your people are. And who they aren’t. – [1:06:09]Listen to your calling. “It’s not always a trumpet,” Chase said. “It’s a whisper and that whisper is inside of you. And it doesn’t look like a map. Because a map shows you, ‘I’m here and I’m going to follow this path and I’m going to end up here.’ It’s way more a compass. And a compass is just an arrow that gets you in a direction.” – [1:07:15]How Chase dealt with burnout at the peak of his career – [1:08:23]The first photo-sharing app was created by Chase. He said, “That ended up being one of my biggest professional successes and failures at the same time” – [1:10:18]I ask Chase what mistakes he made in creating his photo-sharing app – [1:11:38]Six critical lessons to learn from Chase – [1:14:30]I ask Chris how someone who’s 40, 50, 60 years old can start to listen to their inner compass when it’s been blocked for so long – [1:15:24]Step 1: call yourself a creative. Math is creative. Science is creative. No matter what you do, somehow you’re creating in small ways – [1:17:08]Chase gives some experiments that you can do to start today – [1:18:42]Why this book resonated with me – [1:21:45]Rejection therapy. Try this to advance in ability faster – [1:22:34]“Being willing to be uncomfortable is a huge opportunity.” – Chase Jarvis – [1:24:42]Proof that “people want to help you when you do crazy shit”- [1:26:46]The one exercise Chase does every morning to make himself get out of his comfort zone – [1:28:22]I thank Chase for coming on the show and breaking down the DNA of creativity. And why his book is the Bible of creativity – [1:29:05]-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/7/2023 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 56 seconds
The Secret to Overcoming Impossible Odds | Mike Massimino
One of our favorite guests, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, has authored a new book titled "Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut’s Guide to Achieving the Impossible" and is back to talk all about it. "Moonshot," a follow-up to his bestselling memoir, offers an insightful look into the mindset required to overcome challenges and achieve ambitious goals. Massimino distills his experiences and lessons learned at NASA into an actionable guide designed to help readers accomplish their biggest goals. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, leadership, problem-solving, and adapting to change. In today's interview, the pair discuss some of James' favorite stories from the book and talk about some of the ten key lessons that Massimino has gleaned from his career in spaceflight and other life experiences. These lessons include principles like "One in a Million Is Not Zero," encouraging readers to pursue their goals despite the odds, and "The Thirty-Second Rule," which focuses on learning from mistakes.James and Mike's conversations are always full of wit and heartfelt enthusiasm. Enjoy this conversation and pursue your "moon shots"!-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/5/2023 • 56 minutes, 21 seconds
Mastering the 48 Laws of Power | Robert Greene
James welcomes renowned author Robert Greene back on the show to discuss the intricacies of power, strategy, and human nature, as explored in Greene's bestselling book, "The 48 Laws of Power." The episode kicks off with James sharing his journey to reclaim his old chess ranking, a challenge that's not only about the game but also about rediscovering and harnessing personal strengths and strategies. This journey has inspired James to pen a book, and the conversation naturally flows into the writing process and the lessons learned from such endeavors.The spotlight then turns to the special 25th Anniversary edition of "The 48 Laws of Power." James and Robert discuss the significance of a book's packaging, emphasizing how the design and presentation of a book can frame the story within, creating an immersive experience for the reader. This new edition is not just a repackaging but a celebration of the book's timeless lessons. As they explore the content, Robert explains his unique approach to writing, focusing on the multitude of historical examples and stories that form the backbone of each chapter. He shares his reasoning for not including personal anecdotes in his books, preferring to draw from rich historical contexts.The discussion deepens as they delve into some of the most compelling examples from "The 48 Laws of Power." They explore how figures like Napoleon's chief diplomat, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, navigated the treacherous waters of successive revolutions with astute power plays. The story of Victor Lustig's audacious con of Al Capone, and the tale of the advisor who cunningly manipulated Genghis Khan through his self-interest, are dissected to reveal the intricate workings of power and influence. Throughout, James and Robert unravel the fascinating question of how Robert, at 38 and without direct experience of power, managed to write such a compelling and enduringly popular book, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the mind of a master strategist.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/30/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 33 seconds
How To Get Anyone To Fall In Love With You
Today, James is joined by Robyn and Jay the Engineer to talk about romantic and business relationships. They share personal stories of moving from friends to being in love and discuss how intimacy works in different kinds of relationships, including those at work and in the community. A key focus of our discussion is the intriguing idea of moving from the 'friend zone' to deeper, more meaningful connections. We delve into the importance of sustained, escalating, reciprocal, and personal self-disclosure in building intimacy. This exploration is anchored by insights from the research paper "The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness," which sheds light on the patterns essential for developing close relationships. Below is the full list of 36 questions for "closeness-generating", taken from the paper:1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? 2. Would you like to be famous? In what way? 3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why? 4. What would constitute a "perfect" day for you? 5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else? 6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want? 7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die? 8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common. 9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? 10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? 11. Take 4 minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible. 12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? Set II 13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know? 14. Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it? 15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? 16. What do you value most in a friendship? 17. What is your most treasured memory? 18. What is your most terrible memory? 19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why? 20. What does friendship mean to you? 21. What roles do love and affection play in your life? 22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of 5 items. 23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's? 24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother? 25. Make 3 true "we" statements each. For instance 'We are both in this room feeling ... " 26. Complete this sentence: "I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... " 27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know. 28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time saying things that you might not say to someone you've just met. 29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life. 30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself? 31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already. 32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about? 33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet? 34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why? 35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why? 36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner's advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/28/2023 • 59 minutes, 18 seconds
How To Make the Best Sports Bets | David Beaudoin (aka Professor MJ)
20 years ago, I used to make a living by statistically analyzing the behavior of stocks. I would make a trade when my statistics would show I would have a certain advantage in different types of trades. The system worked for a really long time, and eventually, I created a career out of this.Imagine if you could do things like this with sports, which is a much more inefficient market.This is what David Beaudoin - better known as "Professor MJ" - has been doing for 20 years: using statistics to analyze sports bets…and he's never had a losing year.Several years ago, he retired from being a statistics professor and dedicated his time to beating the sports books and he also shares his picks!Here's how he does it and how his life has changed by doing it.Smart sports betting – Professor MJ - Sports InvestorMJ PicksProfessor MJ on YouTube-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/25/2023 • 40 minutes, 3 seconds
How to Build Wealth Buying Boring Businesses | Codie Sanchez
Everybody wondering how to build wealth should listen to this episode with Codie Sanchez. Codie is a mastermind in turning 'boring' businesses into profitable ventures. She explains the allure of investing in everyday businesses like laundromats and car washes, showcasing how these often-overlooked opportunities can be lucrative. She also reveals her top strategy for increasing sales in small businesses, a hack that has proven pivotal in her success.We then shift to Codie's unique acquisition technique, a method influenced by Amazon's business strategies. She provides valuable insights into this approach, demonstrating how it can be applied to various business models for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, Codie shares her perspective on the burgeoning legal cannabis market, offering her thoughts on its current state and future potential.In the final segment of today's episode, Codie and James discuss her "Contrarian Thinking" course and newsletter, which embody the essence of challenging conventional wisdom and investing in unconventional ideas. Codie elaborates on the core principles of the course, emphasizing the importance of 'investing in yourself,' a philosophy that resonates deeply with the themes of James' book "Choose Yourself." This episode is not just about investments and strategies; it's about the mindset and resilience required to excel in the world of business.The FREE Contrarian Thinking Newsletter | Free your mind. Build your bank account.Contrarian Thinking CoursesCodie Sanchez's Website-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/21/2023 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 14 seconds
How to Have a Super Brain | Jim Kwik
Jim Kwik is my brain guru. He literally has superpowers. After a childhood injury gave him some brain damage, he became dedicated to turning his brain into a super machine, exercising his brain until he could use it to as full a capacity as possible:Super Memory Speed ReadingWhat it takes to keep building his neuroplasticity, so we keep learning things quickly and on and on.The results can be found in his excellent book:Limitless came out 10 years ago and sold millions of copies, but now he has an expanded edition with a lot more information, a lot more stories, and a lot more useful advice based on research and his own practices in the past few years. Jim also has an online academy for all this, and he's even gone out to Hollywood to teach actors including the stars of the X-Men movie franchise (which he talks about on the podcast)!We welcome Jim back again to celebrate the Limitless Expanded Edition, to discuss its contents, and to help James improve his brain.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/16/2023 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 23 seconds
How to make a few Billion Dollars | Brad Jacobs
I bet you always wanted to know how to make a few billion dollars.Well, I wanted to know too, so I read the book “How to Make a Few Billion Dollars” by Brad Jacobs.But, I had questions...Luckily for us, Brad agreed to come on the show! Brad has founded seven companies―all billion-dollar or multi-billion-dollar corporations―completed approximately 500 M&A transactions, and raised $30 billion of debt and equity capital through private and public offerings, including three IPOs. He began his career at age 23 when he founded Amerex Oil Associates, followed by Hamilton Resources, both privately held. He subsequently created five publicly traded companies―United Waste Systems, United Rentals, XPO, and XPO’s two spin-offs, GXO Logistics and RXO.I asked my questions, some related to making billions of dollars, but also stuff that had completely nothing to do with it. Although...maybe it *does* have something to do with making billions of dollars after all...-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/14/2023 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 16 seconds
How to Find Out if Your Idea is Good | Merrick Furst
James invites Merrick Furst, an influential figure in his academic past and a beacon in the world of innovation, to discuss the intricacies of "authentic demand" as outlined in Furst's latest book, "The Heart of Innovation: A Field Guide for Navigating to Authentic Demand." Together, they venture into the exploration of how one can identify and validate the true potential behind an idea.Throughout the episode, the duo examines the nature of "authentic demand" – the genuine need or desire for a product or service in the market. They pose and address pivotal questions: Can you accurately determine whether there's a real market need for your idea? What are the elements that people consider non-negotiable in their lives, and how do these essentials drive innovation?Drawing from his extensive experience in launching companies and nurturing ideas to fruition, Furst - along with insights from coauthors Matt Chanoff, Daniel Sabbah, and Mark Wegman - shares his approach to evaluating ideas not just for their novelty, but for their ability to meet a deep-rooted demand.Listeners will gain an understanding of the crucial aspects that turn an idea into a product or service that people cannot envision living without. The conversation extends beyond the theoretical into practical, actionable strategies that entrepreneurs and creatives can implement to ensure their innovations align with the indispensable needs of their target audience.Buy The Heart of Innovation: A Field Guide for Navigating to Authentic Demand!-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/9/2023 • 2 hours, 23 minutes, 54 seconds
Unimaginable Loss, Unexpected Lessons | Nick Shaw
Nick Shaw, an executive coach who has faced the unimaginable sorrow of losing a child, joins James to discuss his profound journey and the insights he shares in his book My Teacher, My Son: Lessons on Life, Loss, and Love. This conversation is not just about coping with grief but about the transformative lessons that can emerge from it. Shaw's reflections offer a poignant look at how personal loss can inform and deepen one's approach to life and work.Shaw's narrative begins with a day that turned from idyllic to tragic, resulting in the loss of his nine-year-old son, William. In the throes of mourning, Shaw experienced a moment of revelation: his son had been his teacher all along, imparting wisdom that would carry him forward. "My Teacher, My Son" is more than Shaw's memoir—it's a guidebook for anyone grappling with the complexities of being present, letting go, and seeking connection in the wake of loss.Throughout the episode, we explore the themes of resilience, the search for meaning, and the ways in which tragedy can illuminate our most significant life lessons.Shaw’s experiences as a father and coach converge, providing unique insights into embracing life's unpredictability with grace and fortitude. His story, though rooted in personal pain, stands as a testament to the strength found in vulnerability and the potential for growth in the face of life's greatest challenges.Amazon: My Teacher, My Son: Lessons on Life, Loss, and LoveNick's company: Mirrorbox Leadership Lab -----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/7/2023 • 50 minutes, 8 seconds
The Secrets to Healthy Aging | Shawn Stevenson
Best-selling author and host Shawn Stevenson, once a victim of a dire diagnosis of degenerative spine disease in his early twenties, faced a battle not just for mobility, but for his very life. The hidden culprit? The ultra-processed foods silently wreaking havoc on countless Americans. Shawn fervently believes that these foods are the stealthy assassins of our modern age. Yet, amidst this bleak landscape, there emerged a beacon of hope: a diet shift that Shawn credits with literally saving his life. Discussing his newest book, the "Eat Smarter Family Cookbook," Stevenson reveals how ditching these deadly foods and embracing whole, nutritious alternatives not only reversed his seemingly irreversible condition but also restored vitality to his body and soul. If you ever doubted the lethal power of processed foods or questioned the life-giving force of a truly wholesome diet, this episode will leave you both shaken and inspired. Join us for a narrative that’s as alarming as it is redemptive, and discover the dietary truths Shawn believes we all need to embrace before it's too late.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/2/2023 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 57 seconds
The Age of Prediction | Igor Tulchinsky and Chris Mason
The Age of Prediction is such a fascinating book! After reading it, I really do think the job people should be preparing for is “data analyst” or “predictor”, because that's going to be used in every single industry, more than prompt engineers or AI coders - because AI is going to write its own code. Being able to understand what data to look at and why and how to make use of it, whether it's the medical industry or sports or stocks or insurance or art, this is going to be such a valuable skill to have, and it's a just beginning field. The creativity there is going to be amazing.The Age of Prediction: Algorithms, AI, and the Shifting Shadows of Risk by Christopher Mason and Igor Tulchinsky is like a guidebook to what's happened, what's going to be happening, and all the different ways people use will prediction technology.Igor has a $7 billion hedge fund, which analyzes millions of pieces of data around the world to predict stocks, whether something will happen tomorrow, or an hour from now, or 10 seconds from now.Christopher Mason is geneticist and computational biologist who has been a Principal Investigator and Co-investigator of many NASA missions and projects. I wanted to know: What is the state of this industry? How much can we really predict? How can we get better at it? What are the limitations? How close are we to manipulating DNA for disease gene removal? Can single-gene editing be done within a living human? We talk about all of that, and then just have a fun time while I pitched different ideas. Enjoy our interview with Igor and Chris, authors of The Age of Prediction.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/31/2023 • 58 minutes, 56 seconds
Reacher's Legacy | A Novel Transition with Lee and Andrew Child
James is joined by the brilliant minds behind the Jack Reacher series, Lee and Andrew Child. The conversation navigates through the evolution of the iconic series, focusing on the latest installment, 'The Secret,' and the transition of authorship from Lee to Andrew. Lee reflects on his three-decade-long journey, sharing the stage with his brother, who is set to continue the Reacher saga.Lee’s candid revelation about the importance of a personal touch in writing resonates as a central theme of the discussion. He emphasizes that a book thrives on the unique imprint of its author's imagination, a lesson that underpins his passing of the torch to Andrew. The collaborative essence and the distinct fingerprint of individual creativity on 'The Secret' are explored, setting the stage for Andrew’s solo venture into the Reacher realm.The episode encapsulates the spirit of creative freedom and the enduring allure of the Jack Reacher series, promising a fresh yet familiar journey for its avid readers as Andrew takes the helm. It’s a tale of brotherhood, legacy, and the boundless realm of imagination that fuels the world of fiction.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/26/2023 • 51 minutes, 27 seconds
Bill O'Reilly | Killing the Witches
Join James in conversation with Bill O'Reilly, exploring the dark and tumultuous period of the Salem Witch Trials as depicted in O'Reilly's newest addition to the "Killing" series, "Killing The Witches." The dialogue plunges into the chaotic world of Salem, where the accusations of young girls led to a horrific chain of events - a somber chapter of American history that saw 20 individuals executed and hundreds jailed based on dubious testimonies.The narrative takes an intriguing twist as a young Benjamin Franklin steps onto the scene. Intrigued by the unfolding hysteria, Franklin's interaction with the notorious witch hunter, Cotton Mather, leads him to a profound realization about the destructive force of unchecked religious fervor. This episode illuminates how the grim events of Salem resonated through the psyche of one of America's founding fathers, potentially influencing the ethos of a budding nation.As James and Bill dissect the intricate details, they venture beyond the surface-level horrors of the witch hunts, diving into the nuanced, unintended consequences that rippled through society and the impressions it left on the minds of key historical figures. Later, the conversation shifts to the present-day news media and political dynamic, which O'Reilly views as a "cancel culture witch hunt" organized as a defense strategy by the progressive far-left.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/24/2023 • 21 minutes, 19 seconds
Should We Have a Random-ocracy? With AJ Jacobs
Round two with A.J. Jacobs and it's a trip down the democracy lane, but with a twist! A.J. throws a quirky curveball - randomocracy. It's democracy's distant cousin, the one that shows up uninvited but makes the party unforgettable. We dissect it, play around with it, and wonder, could this be a real alternative? A.J., with his Constitution-living lens, breaks down randomocracy's nuts and bolts, and I gotta say, it's tickling the brain. It’s weird, it’s fascinating, and it’s a hearty meal for thought. We're not just thinking outside the box; we're kind of tearing the box apart. And hey, I'm all ears and now I'm handing the mic to you. What do you think about stepping into a randomocracy? Tweet me @JAltucher, share the episode, and let's stir the pot.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/20/2023 • 21 minutes, 46 seconds
Can you solve these puzzles with me and AJ
Unleashing a realm of curiosity and amusement, this episode of the James Altucher Show welcomes the ever-inventive A.J. Jacobs, who brings along a treasure trove of puzzles from his new daily podcast, "The Puzzler". As A.J. shares the essence behind his latest venture, James steps into the playful challenge, answering sample anagrams and audio rebuses on the spot.The episode kicks off with a lively discussion about A.J.'s upcoming book on living according to the U.S. Constitution, offering a quick glimpse into his boundless exploratory spirit. Soon, the spotlight shifts to "The Puzzler," where A.J. and James immerse themselves in a playful yet insightful interaction. The fun escalates as the episode extends into two bonus segments of "The Puzzler." In the first bonus episode, "Pan in Panama", Jeopardy! legend Ken Jennings - host of the "Omnibus" podcast and lots more - joins as the special guest puzzle solver.Following suit, the second bonus episode, "Moment of Zen", features writer and activist Baratunde Thurston, formerly of the Daily Show, founding editor of Puck and host of the PBS series "America Outdoors." Be sure to subscribe to "The Puzzler" wherever you get your podcasts, or at thepuzzler.com------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/19/2023 • 53 minutes, 27 seconds
How to Get Younger While Getting “Older" | Suzanne Somers
3 years ago when Suzanne Somers came on the podcast to discuss her book A New Way to Age, I was blown away by her depth of knowledge and personal results in the field. Suzanne passed away this week, 23 years after her cancer diagnosis. Today, we're re-airing her episode about living a vibrant life._____________Suzanne Somers has sex twice a day.She’s 73.“I’m horniest on the 12th day of the month,” she said. “When there’s a full moon.”“I’ll never look at a full moon the same ever again,” I said.She laughed. And told me why she’s feeling younger… even though she’s getting older. Which she writes about in her new bestselling book, “A New Way to Age: The Most Cutting-Edge Advances in Antiaging.”Some might say “an actress” isn’t qualified to write a scientific book about aging.But that’s stupid. One: she’s human. With human problems that lead her to see real doctors. The best doctors. With cutting-edge formulas to beat aging.She told me, “I’ve beat cancer three times,” she said. And now she plans to live into her hundreds.But with a caveat…“If I’m going to be alive, then I want to be alive. What’s alive? I want to have a sex drive. I want to have nice shiny hair. I don’t want to have unexplained weight gain. I don’t want to have insomnia. I don’t want to have night sweats. I don’t want to have hot flashes. I don’t want to be forgetful.”That’s what this book and this podcast is about. She breaks down:– how to prevent memory loss– how to keep your sex drive even as you age– how to have a good quality of life into your hundreds– how to access the latest age-defying technologyAnd we invited our friend Dr. Dean Mitchell to help back up her research.And give us the science we need to be just as horny.Full moon. Or not.0:00 | Intro2:05 | Why Suzanne wrote a book about holistic medicine and what she does personally to prevent aging5:42 | Nobody thinks they’ll end up in a nursing home… but what are the real steps to avoid ending up there?6:48 | Why Suzanne says that getting cancer 20 years ago was “the greatest thing that ever happened to her”7:36 | The effects of chemo 8:13 | Suzanne talks about how she beat cancer three times12:37 | The suspicious way Suzanne’s doctor died15:01 | I ask why Steve Jobs swapped holistic medicine for chemotherapy15:49 | How food becomes fuel for your health17:03 | Dr. Mitchell says why Suzanne’s book is revolutionary19:01 | “Don’t go to the doctor like a child. Go to the doctor like a contractor.” – Suzanne Somers20:55 | How to deal with menopause, balance your hormones, and keep your sex drive as you age25:17 | Do supplements work?28:20 | Suzanne “femsplains” prostate and why testosterone is the antidote to prostate cancer34:28 | Why NAD is “the closest thing we found to the fountain of youth”35:45 | How to know whether or not your body is absorbing minerals37:10 | The #1 supplement we need39:02 | Why vegans don’t live as long39:56 | The long-term effects of radiation on the body42:25 | Why we become sluggish as we age43:56 | The power of keeping your insides young45:10 | OutroLinks & ResourcesRead Suzanne’s bestseller, “A New Way to Age: The Most Cutting-Edge Advances in Antiaging“Suzanne on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & YouTubeLearn more at www.suzannesomers.com“TOX-SICK: From Toxic to Not Sick” by Suzanne Somers“Ageless: The Naked Truth About Bioidentical Hormones” by Suzanne Somers“I’m Too Young for This!: The Natural Hormone Solution to Enjoy Perimenopause” by Suzanne Somers
10/17/2023 • 45 minutes, 24 seconds
Finding Your Voice with Rudy Valdez | The 'Real Good' Podcast
Real Good examines current and historical barriers to equal opportunity in finance and highlights people in the non-profit and for-profit worlds who are working to remove those barriers. In candid, 60-minute conversations, host Faith Salie (CBS Sunday Morning, NPR) and U.S. Bank Chief Diversity Officer Greg Cunningham invite guests to share their work and challenge listeners to think differently about the steps needed to create opportunity for all.Today, we share an episode of the Real Good podcast with acclaimed filmmaker Rudy Valdez. Valdez entered filmmaking with a desire to find his voice. The Emmy-winning documentarian spoke with hosts Faith and Greg about the importance of diverse subjects and storytellers in film. The crew also discusses behind-the-scenes anecdotes from Rudy’s recent project Translators, and how language can improve access and break down barriers.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/13/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 21 seconds
Clear Horizons | A Dialogue with Shane Parrish
James welcomes Shane Parrish, the mind behind Farnam Street—a platform committed to enhancing decision-making and self-improvement! The focal point of their discussion is Shane's recent book, "Clear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results," which encapsulates the essence of making well-informed decisions amidst life’s daily challenges.James, an admirer of Shane’s work, navigates through the key ideas presented in the book, shedding light on how to leverage mental models to address modern-day complexities. They touch on self-awareness, avoiding self-destructive behaviors, and creating success-conducive environments. Discussions also extend to managing mistakes, maintaining calm in stressful situations, and evolving one's perspective to act with intention.Shane’s journey from a cybersecurity expert to a self-improvement advocate is captivating. His practical insights and real-life examples provide listeners with a robust understanding, enabling them to adopt these models for better decision-making and to transform ordinary moments into avenues for remarkable success.This episode serves as a catalyst for listeners to engage with the ideas, question their existing frameworks, and explore the potential of clear thinking in altering life's trajectory. It's a call to action for individuals to pause, reflect, and equip themselves with the necessary tools for a life marked by clarity, purpose, and success.Shane's Twitter and InstagramFarnam StreetClear Thinking: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Results-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/12/2023 • 43 minutes, 59 seconds
Deep Questions to Avoid Shallow Relationships
James, Robyn, and Jay navigate reflective questions originally curated by Dushka Zapata, a writer known for her profound questioning and shared prominence with James on Quora. What unfolds is a contemplative discussion that offers a break from the routine; listeners should take the opportunity to ponder along and, perhaps, find resonance with their own experiences.The episode begins with a light-hearted inquiry into their Sunday afternoon routines, gradually moving on to more thought-provoking questions about past relationships, deep friendships, and trust. The spontaneous and honest responses from James, Robyn, and Jay, craft a narrative that’s both engaging and reflective, providing a space for listeners to introspect on similar facets of their own lives.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/10/2023 • 46 minutes, 13 seconds
Jocko Willink’s Tactical Playbook
The episode unfolds with James Altucher welcoming back Jocko Willink, a seasoned veteran and a recurrent esteemed guest on the show. They dive straight into the heart of Jocko’s newly expanded edition of his Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual, a bestseller that resonates with many aspiring and established leaders alike. Through a series of hypothetical problem scenarios presented by James, Jocko demonstrates how the principles in his book can be applied to overcome various leadership challenges, providing listeners with practical takeaways. With Jocko’s adept articulation and James’ probing inquiries, listeners are in for an enlightening discussion filled with practical leadership nuggets and a clearer understanding of the complex world of international defense.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/5/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 50 seconds
The Dual Sides of Victory | NFL Star Malcolm Jenkins
In this enlightening episode, James sits down with legendary NFL defender and now-author, Malcolm Jenkins, supporting his new book What Winners Won't Tell You: Lessons from a Legendary Defender.With a football career that boasts two Super Bowl wins and numerous accolades, Malcolm shares his perspective on game strategies and developments in performance analytics. But his triumphs don’t end on the football field. Malcolm dives into his forays into the business world, specifically his 20+ QSR franchises (on their way to 100), media endeavors under Malcolm Inc. and Listen Up Media, and his foray into the "human performance" field by investing in Nestre.Transitioning into one of the most critical discussions of our time, Malcolm also speaks about his symbolic role in the racial justice movement, detailing his stance during the NFL National Anthem demonstrations and the cultural imperative of the George Floyd protests during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the dialogue concludes, Malcolm sheds light on his dedication to education, specifically his initiatives geared towards aiding athletes in crafting a sustainable career income post their athletic prime. This episode offers a panoramic view of a champion’s life on and off the field.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/3/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 22 seconds
The World's Most Successful Gambler | Billy Walters
Today, we speak to a gambler with a 36-year winning streak, the man who is arguably the most successful and controversial gambler alive, Billy Walters!From his roots in extreme poverty to his rise as a revolutionary figure in sports betting, Billy Walters has broken the norms, setting unparalleled records and redefining the realms of sports wagering. He’s now sharing his extraordinary experiences and tightly-guarded secrets of his betting system in his revealing memoir "Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk". The conversation follows Walters’ ascent from an innovative and enterprising car salesman to becoming a revolutionary figure in sports betting, breaking records, overcoming addictions, and his skirmishes with organized crime. We gain a detailed understanding of his proprietary betting system, getting a glimpse of the formulas, point systems, and principles he has refined over the decades. Billy also provides a plethora of advice for aspiring sports wagerers, focusing on maximizing the wealth of information available online to make informed and lucrative wagers.Whether you’re intrigued by the tumultuous and triumphant life stories or looking to learn the strategies to bet and win, this episode offers a compelling blend of the gripping, the blistering, and the enlightening, all seen through the eyes of a man who has lived a singular and highly intriguing American life.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/28/2023 • 59 minutes, 19 seconds
Scott Adams | Reframe Reality for Happiness and Success
James is joined by the multifaceted Scott Adams. Adams' journey from a cartoonist and writer to a divisive political commentator is as intriguing as his insights into human behavior and mindset. The two explore the transformative concepts from Scott's latest book, "Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success", where he presents more than 160 counterintuitive reframes aimed at shifting perspectives and shaping a life of happiness and success. The episode is packed with practical examples, putting these reframes into real-world contexts, and providing listeners with actionable steps to reshape their own realities.Later, James and Scott venture into the terrain of public opinion, addressing Scott’s recent experiences with social media backlash and the phenomenon of ‘canceling.’ They discuss the impact and implications of public scrutiny and the ways in which reframing can be a powerful tool in navigating such situations.Throughout this enlightening conversation, Scott shares invaluable insights and techniques, empowering listeners to rethink their approaches to life’s challenges and to harness the power of words and thoughts to redefine their realities. Whether you are looking to achieve personal fulfillment, mental well-being, or career success, this episode offers a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/26/2023 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 26 seconds
Ask Altucher! EP07: How to Unlock Your Twenties
In this insightful episode of "Ask Altucher," James delves into a pivotal query from a recent college graduate, seeking wisdom on navigating life and career paths in the uncertain times of early adulthood. James provides comforting advice, stating it's normal not to have it all figured out in your early twenties, and emphasizes the value of embracing experiences and increasing the surface area of luck.Reflecting on his journey from being a grad student in computer science to embracing varied roles like a stand-up comedian, a hedge fund manager, a podcast host, and a father, James shares the significance of saying 'yes' to experiences and following one's curiosity. He suggests that rather than hoarding savings, spending on life experiences can yield greater dividends in personal growth and happiness in the long run.This episode is filled with rich anecdotes from James's diverse experiences. It is a treasure trove of advice for anyone standing at the crossroads of life, pondering over career and existential dilemmas. James encourages listeners to explore their curiosities, learn continuously, and adapt, providing a roadmap for a fulfilling life laden with diverse experiences and learnings.Key Points:It's normal not to know your life path in your early twenties, and it's essential to remain open to evolving and adapting.Embrace various experiences and say 'yes' more often to increase the surface area of your luck.Rather than focusing solely on savings, invest in experiences that contribute to personal growth and happiness.Following your curiosities and passions can lead to a more fulfilling and enriched life.James’s journey is a testament to the importance of staying versatile, learning continuously, and embracing life with open arms.----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/22/2023 • 29 minutes, 46 seconds
Four Billionaires and a Parking Attendant: Strategies from the Minds of the Wealthy and Wise | Chris Ullman (Part 2)
In part one, we delved into Chris Ullman's fascinating journey as a four-time International Whistling champion. Now, we're pivoting to explore Chris's other passion: a career that has positioned him next to some of the world's wealthiest and most influential people. In part two of this extraordinary series, James and Chris explore the life lessons and success strategies outlined in Chris's latest book, "Four Billionaires and a Parking Attendant."The book is segmented into eight overarching strategies that are crucial for achieving success and fulfillment in life: Be Purposeful, Innovate & Accomplish, Build Bridges, Be Productive, Solve Problems, Be Authentic, Think of Others, and Be Humble. Through autobiographical examples, Chris paints a vivid picture of working with some of the biggest names in finance and politics, such as David Rubenstein, Bill Conway, and Daniel A. D'Aniello of the Carlyle Group, Orlando Bravo of Thoma Bravo, former Governor of Ohio John Kasich, and Arthur Levitt, former Chairman of the SEC.Whether it's navigating the world of high-stakes private equity or working on Capitol Hill, the wisdom Chris has gleaned is universally applicable. The episode concludes with a stirring performance of Duke Ellington's "Take the A Train," connecting the dots between the joy of whistling and the fulfillment of a life well-lived. Don't miss this episode that not only provides a blueprint for creating a life of wealth, health, and happiness but also encapsulates the multifaceted nature of success.-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/21/2023 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 42 seconds
How to Become the World Champion of Your Favorite Hobby | Chris Ullman (Part 1)
When you think of someone in the inner circle of billionaires and political giants, you don't usually imagine them whistling Duke Ellington tunes in corporate meeting rooms. Chris Ullman defies that stereotype; a virtuoso whistler, he has performed in venues as diverse as the Oval Office and the top of the Washington Monument. Join James Altucher in part one of this extraordinary interview as they delve into Chris's passion for whistling, which he explored in his book "Find Your Whistle."From a young age of 13, Chris committed himself to whistling. He credits his father for the initial inspiration, but becoming a champion took hard work and unique sacrifices—like abstaining from kissing 24 hours before a performance. Chris and James discuss the perception of whistling as a "novelty," contrasting it with other forms of art and sports. Yet, Chris believes that whistling is the great equalizer; it's a universal joy that resonates with everyone from grandparents to billionaire bosses. In fact, this underestimated art has brought Chris "more joy than he could have ever imagined."This conversation sets the stage for part two, where James and Chris will discuss Chris's latest book, "Four Billionaires and a Parking Attendant." But for now, enjoy this deep dive into an art form that's both ancient and modern, simple and intricate, and understand how Chris Ullman has built a life around spreading joy and inspiring others to find their own "whistle."-----------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/19/2023 • 40 minutes, 7 seconds
Ask Altucher! EP06: The Legacy Dilemma - What We Leave Behind and Why It Matters (Or Doesn't)
Is it important to leave a legacy? Should your life's mission revolve around creating something that outlasts you? Episode #6 of "Ask Altucher" grapples with these questions as Jay and James offer contrasting perspectives. Jay strongly believes that leaving a legacy should be a driving force in life. James counters with a cautionary note, arguing that the pursuit of a legacy beyond your immediate family can lead to discontentment, as you'll never experience the benefits after you pass away.The conversation takes an even deeper turn when James raises the concern about one legacy he would NOT want to leave: death by suicide and the collateral emotional damage inflicted upon family and friends. This poignant moment adds another layer to an already complex debate, making listeners ponder the legacies they are consciously or unconsciously leaving behind.But the duo doesn't stop there. Jay ups the ante by introducing two philosophical dilemmas that challenge conventional thinking: "Would you choose immediate suicide to save the planet?" and "Given the choice only for immediate death or immortality, which would you pick?" These thought-provoking questions elevate the episode from a simple discussion on legacy to a broader contemplation of life, death, and the ethical considerations in between.Whether you've contemplated your own legacy or never given it a second thought, this episode offers a compelling dive into what it means to leave something behind, the cost of doing so, and the moral complexities that come with it. A must-listen for anyone pondering the bigger questions of life.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/16/2023 • 39 minutes, 29 seconds
Anxiety, Art, and Appetizers | Inside Jeremy Fall's Creative Journey
Join James Altucher and Jeremy Fall, the entrepreneurial polymath who has worn hats as varied as restaurateur, nightclub and bar owner, and digital NFT artist. Known for his groundbreaking breakfast-for-dinner concept restaurant in L.A., Jeremy has collaborated with big names like Jay Z and Quincy Jones. His latest venture, the book Falling Upwards: Living the Dream, One Panic Attack at a Time, details how he navigated the complexities of anxiety disorder, a subject James can relate to. It’s not just about the restaurants; it’s about breaking the mold and charting a path through the often anxious world of creativity and business.Jeremy has always been one to defy expectations. He started with a concept that turned dining norms upside down in the restaurant business. That innovative spirit extended to his collaborations in nightlife and even into the digital art world, where he was commissioned by CNN. His book encapsulates this multi-faceted journey, offering insights into how he copes with anxiety disorder while thriving in a range of creative endeavors.The episode is a smorgasbord of topics: creativity, food, anxiety, and business. It’s an inspiring and refreshing talk that tackles not only the taste buds but also the heart and mind. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a foodie, or someone who struggles with anxiety, this episode will offer a hearty serving of inspiration, coupled with a dash of mental health awareness.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/14/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 28 seconds
In Honor & Memory... We Hear an NYC Air Traffic Controller’s 9/11 Story: How Chris Tucker Saved Lives
Chris Tucker is a former air traffic controller who was working in New York City on 9/11. Tucker spent the whole day trying to keep the passengers of two hijacked planes safe. This episode is his story. It's heroic, and it saved lives. But as Chris says, "I was just doing my job."Episode Notes:I welcome Chris Tucker on the show. The reason I had him on is because I heard him speak at an event. And it was riveting. Chris spoke about his personal experience trying to keep the passengers of two hijacked planes safe – [2:55]I tell Chris my experience that morning. I was a hedge fund manager. It was one of the most beautiful days in New York City. I saw the plane. And my business partner thought it was the president. The plane flew over us. Everyone ducked. It was so loud. And so fast. And we watched the plane go right into the building – [4:06]Chris says why he became an air traffic controller – [6:56]Why New York City is too stressful to live in – [8:02]How Chris’ solo sailboat trip gave him clarity. And helped him see what he wanted to do with his life. He said, “The nice thing about being in the middle of the ocean with no one else around you is that you can find some clarity that for some bizarre reason is not attainable when you’re in the normal world.” – [8:57]I ask “How long does it take to get a pilot’s license?” He breaks down the process. – [9:54]“Flying is, in general, very safe, but that having been said, airplanes can find ways to kill you that you can’t even dream of.” – [12:18]Chris’ scariest moment aboard a plane. He says it was very similar to what happened to JFK Jr. – [12:32]How Chris transitioned from pilot to air traffic controller – [16:37]I ask Chris, “How close can two jets get before they start to affect each other?” – [19:33]Chris gives an example of how two aircraft accidentally impacted each other. And caused turbulence. “That aircraft had to make an emergency landing. But that’s extremely rare,” he said. [22:13]Chris Tucker’s training: he does 3 months and is in the top 40%. He moves to New York and starts apprenticing. It took 3 and a half years to become fully certified. “And the very first day was terrifying.” – [22:45]Chris gives some background information. This helps set the setting for September 11. So we can understand what makes being an air traffic controller so stressful – [23:40]How private jets and small planes impact regular planes – [26:33]Why there’s a 0% chance I’ll get a pilot’s license… Chris tells a story about a time he almost crashed directly into another plane – [29:20]In 1981, Ronald Reagan fired 11,345 air traffic controllers who had a union strike. I ask Chris, “Why did he think he could do that? And why did we survive that?” – [32:06]Chris Tucker starts to tell us about his day on September 11, 2001 – [33:58]Chris was working departures out of JFK airport. And he explains the structure he has to follow to make sure arrivals and departures don’t conflict with each other – [34:45]“I had a lot of work to do,” Chris says as he explains the number of planes he has to vector before ever learning about the hijacked planes – [37:20]The moment Chris finds out there’s a hijacked plane… – [39:13]Everyone was experiencing denial. Chris explains why they didn’t believe there was a real hijack at first… and how that changed – [40:00]The controllers in Boston could hear the hijackers making announcements to the passengers – [41:12]Things change… the hijackers turn off their transponder. “Now we can’t see the altitude the aircraft is broadcasting.” – [43:01]I ask if the military could have intervened in any way. – [45:03]“One of the flight attendants on board called American Airlines and told them that the aircraft had been hijacked and that they had murdered the pilots.” – [46:23]Chris says what they thought the hijackers were going to do… and why they didn’t think a crash was possible – [47:03]Chris calls the military – [47:47]“Every eye in the room is staring at this target…” But they still had other planes to watch. And they did. “It’s part of the job,” Chris said, “…this division of attention.” – [49:20]“In the beginning, it’s like the fog of war. It’s unsettling. It’s disconcerting. Everybody’s not feeling right. And we weren’t trained to project what might happen in the future and what we can do about it. Air traffic controllers keep airplanes apart from one another. And apart from the ground. That’s our job.” – Chris Tucker – [49:49]How Chris learned the North Tower of the World Trade Center was on fire. – [53:01]Chris describes the tension in the room – [54:45]The moment Chris started praying – [1:00:27]How Chris stopped two planes that were 8 miles apart from colliding – [1:00:46]The radar updates every 12 seconds. Chris and his colleagues watch the two hijacked planes on the screen. And debate whether they’re going to land… or if they’re going to crash – [1:07:50]After the planes crashed… Chris screamed at the radar. They didn’t know what to do next. “But at the same time, I had work to do,” Chris said. Because there were other planes in the air that needed to land – [1:09:11]Chris explains the devastating emotional effects crashes have on air traffic controllers – [1:10:30]A few minutes after they watched the plane crash on the radar, Chris and his colleagues discovered it crashed into the World Trade Center. – [1:11:35]We discuss the military’s involvement. And why there was nothing they could do – [1:13:31]The horrifying alternative realities Chris has had to face… – [1:15:21]Chris says how connecting with a particular passenger helped him avoid suffering PTSD – [1:18:53]Chris decided to see a psychiatrist. He said, “I wasn’t suffering too bad… But nobody in the country, let alone New Yorkers, could get those images out of their head that day, the next day, the next week, the next month.” – [1:20:30]Chris gets an invite from the FFA to meet with the Critical Incidents Stress Management Team. – [1:22:12]I ask Chris, “What are the odds that this can happen again?” [1:25:23]How the airline industry has changed – [1:26:57]What measures of airport security are effective vs. just reactive? – [1:30:39]I thank Chris for everything he did on September 11. And we talk about what he’s up to now – [1:33:37]Chris talks about some of the new technology air traffic controllers are using – [1:35:39]We end on a light note. You’ll hear me ask two naive questions that get Chris laughing – [1:37:19]------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/12/2023 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 9 seconds
When the Game Was War: A Journey Back to the NBA's Greatest Season | Rich Cohen
Step into the world of the 1987-88 NBA season with author Rich Cohen as he discusses his new book, "When the Game Was War: The NBA's Greatest Season," with James. In this seminal season, Hall of Famers spanned the entire history of the league, from Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who played with players that existed before the NBA, to young talents like Reggie Miller and Scotty Pippen. It was also the time when Cohen fell in love with pro basketball, ignited by game six of the 1988 NBA Finals. The Detroit Pistons were on the brink of closing out the Lakers and making history, but Isaiah Thomas had other plans. Despite rolling his ankle, he delivered a performance for the ages, scoring an incredible 25 points in the third quarter alone—a playoff record that still stands.The core of the book narrows down to four games that encapsulated the era's four dynasties—Magic Johnson’s Los Angeles Lakers, Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics, Isiah Thomas’ Detroit Pistons, and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls. These teams went to "war" with each other, their skirmishes defining the era. By the time you get to the fourth game in the book, Cohen promises you'll know every player on the floor. This episode offers a deep dive into the emotional gravity of the season that connected fans like never before.Whether you're an ardent NBA follower or a casual fan, this episode with Rich Cohen is a must-listen. It will evoke nostalgia, inspire you with stories of perseverance and skill, and offer a masterclass on the art of storytelling and sports history.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/7/2023 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 19 seconds
How to Pivot Your Life Multiple Times | Bruce Feiler
You've heard the saying, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket," but have you ever considered applying it to your career? James Altucher, a man of many hats—software guy, writer, standup comedian, and more—dives deep into this concept with Bruce Feiler, an author who has spent years researching people who have successfully made dramatic transitions in their lives. From discovering a new passion in your 40s to switching industries without a safety net, Bruce offers a practical guide for those ready to pivot and change direction. So, if you're tired of the straight and narrow and curious about carving out your unique zig-zag path, this episode is for you.Both James and Bruce challenge the conventional wisdom that says you must stick to one thing to be successful. They explore not just the 'why' but also the 'how' of life reinvention, drawing on real-life stories and actionable advice. Whether you're contemplating a career switch or just want to add more strings to your bow, tune in to find out how you can live a life less ordinary.Read Bruce's new book on the topic: The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/6/2023 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 59 seconds
Hooked on the First Line: The Sensual Syntax of Nabokov's 'Lolita,' 'Ada,' and 'Laughter in the Dark'
Welcome back to "Hooked on the First Line," where James and master storyteller Cal Fussman dig deep into what makes the opening lines of novels so captivating. Today's focal point is the notoriously controversial but beautifully penned 'Lolita' by Vladimir Nabokov. "Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta." These opening lines are as alluring as they are unsettling, a fitting introduction to Nabokov's tale.The episode doesn't stop at 'Lolita'; it branches out into the first lines of Nabokov's 'Ada' and 'Laughter in the Dark,' showing that the author's skill in gripping the reader is not a one-off but a recurring theme in his work. James and Cal talk about the stylistic elements, the melody in the words, and the ethical conundrums posed right from the first sentence. How do these lines affect our perception of the characters and the unfolding story? And how does Nabokov manage to lure us into complex emotional landscapes with just a few words? Discover the craftsmanship behind some of literature's most iconic opening lines.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/5/2023 • 23 minutes, 41 seconds
The Making of a Legend: How a Criminal Became a Champion | Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock calls himself "The First Super Athlete" in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Some might say that Frank lacks humility, but he was the first UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and retired undefeated from the organization. He revolutionized MMA and went deeper than anyone else, studying the body and optimizing his performance. While others focused on technical fighting, Frank dug into the biomechanics and became a force to be reckoned with.But get this, Frank didn't start off as a fighter. Actually, he found MMA while he was in jail at the tender age of 11. Frank had left his abusive home and turned to crime as a way to protect himself and get out of his situation. Sad, but true.Fast forward a bit, and Frank is in prison at 17 for 3 and a half years. That's when he had his big "aha" moment. He realized that he had ruined his life with 20 felonies, no education, and a baby to support.Frank understood that he had hit rock bottom, but he wasn't going to let that hold him back. He learned that changing his mindset and taking action was the first step to rebuilding his life. Now, Frank is an inspiration to all of us.A former criminal who became a champion, Frank Shamrock's journey and lessons can inspire anyone, whether they're fighters or not. It's all about having the right mindset and taking action to overcome any obstacle.Links and Resources:Follow Frank on TwitterCheck out Frank’s WebsiteAlso Mentioned:“Bound by Blood” DocumentaryEgo is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/1/2023 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 25 seconds
Deciphering the Global Economic Puzzle | David Rubenstein
What's really going on in the world economy? James Altucher turns to David Rubenstein—manager of the Carlyle Group, one of the world's most significant private equity funds—for answers. With half a trillion dollars in investments and a deep involvement in the global economy since the '70s, David offers unparalleled insights into pressing questions like the future of the U.S. dollar, oil markets, and potential recessions. The conversation doesn't just skim the surface; it dives deep into the mechanics of financial systems, interest rates, and unemployment figures. Whether you're an investor, an entrepreneur, or someone simply trying to understand the economic maze, this episode promises a comprehensive look at where things stand and where they might be headed.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/30/2023 • 39 minutes, 36 seconds
Hooked on the First Line | 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' with Cal Fussman
James Altucher is back, this time with an exciting new sub-series called "Hooked on the First Line," where he and his guests dive deep into the world of storytelling through the lens of a novel's opening sentence. Today's episode kicks off with Cal Fussman, an expert storyteller and interviewer, as they explore the first lines of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez and "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie.Imagine if you could predict a book's richness, complexity, and emotional highs and lows just by its first line. James and Cal explain why a well-crafted first line is like a seductive whisper inviting you into a world that you’ll never want to leave. They go on to discuss how these opening lines are a microcosm of the themes, characters, and questions that the book poses. In this episode, you'll gain insights not only into the craft of writing but also into the art of storytelling itself—how it captures our attention, holds us hostage, and ultimately transforms us.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/26/2023 • 19 minutes, 40 seconds
Unmasking Shadows with Chuck Palahniuk | Fight Clubs, Killer Families, and Deep Reflections
In this candid episode, James Altucher welcomes back Chuck Palahniuk, a guest who never ceases to inspire introspection long after the conversation has wrapped. As they unpack the twisted humor and darkness of Palahniuk's new book, "Not Forever, But for Now", listeners are invited into a world of professional killer families and the burdens shouldered by young successors. But it doesn't end there. In an episode filled with profound insights and electric dialogues, James and Chuck paint a vivid tapestry of how writing mirrors life, its joys, and its abysses.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/22/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 16 seconds
Locked In & Breaking Out | Ian Bick - Part 2
By age 21, Ian Bick's life took a sharp detour from the world of nightclubs and parties to the harsh realities of prison and 'Diesel Therapy'. The disorienting experience of being constantly moved from one correctional facility to the next was just the beginning. Ian opens up about the mental and emotional challenges of enduring six long months in solitary confinement, an experience that could break even the most resilient. Yet, his spirit wasn't quashed.Emerging from his prison sentence, Ian navigated his return to society, a world that was vastly different from the one he remembered. In the digital age, he discovered new platforms to tell his story, eventually launching his hugely popular YouTube channel, "Locked In with Ian Bick". His candid tales of life behind bars, coupled with his insights on personal growth and redemption, also resonated with the masses on TikTok and Instagram. Dive deep into the second chapter of Ian Bick's life, exploring the dark corners of his past and the bright lights of his present, only on the James Altucher Show.Watch Ian's Podcast on YouTube: Locked In with Ian BickListen to Ian's Podcast: Locked In with Ian Bick | Podcast on SpotifyVisit Ian's Website: Ian Bick------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/17/2023 • 36 minutes, 16 seconds
Risky Business: A Teen, A Nightclub, and a Ponzi Scheme | Ian Bick - Part 1
Before he could legally drink, Ian Bick was already in the thick of the nightclub scene, not as a patron, but as the owner of Tuxedo Junction in Connecticut. Drawing from the excitement of youthful partying, Bick's events were anything but your typical high school get-togethers. But when the glitz started to fade, and the revenue wasn't flowing as he'd imagined, desperation knocked on his door. Instead of seeking advice or potentially shutting down, Bick veered down a dangerous path, one that entangled him in a web of deceit, old debts, and new investors. On this episode of the James Altucher Show, hear from Ian Bick himself – how youthful ambition can quickly take a wrong turn, and how a teenager found himself running a $500,000 Ponzi Scheme. From the highs of Tuxedo Junction to the lows of a prison cell, Bick's tale is a cautionary one, now featured on HBO Max's "Generation Hustle."Listen to Ian's Podcast: Locked In with Ian Bick | Podcast on SpotifyVisit Ian's Website: Ian Bick------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/15/2023 • 51 minutes, 58 seconds
Beyond Stars and Conspiracies | A Cosmic Chat with Brian Keating
Ever wondered just how vast our universe truly is or if there's any truth to those compelling space conspiracies? In this episode of the James Altucher Show, James sits down with Brian Keating, a renowned astrophysicist, to delve deep into the cosmos. They chat about the groundbreaking findings from the James Webb Space Telescope, providing an intriguing glimpse into the universe's origins. But it's not all about distant galaxies; James throws in some of the most captivating space-related conspiracies he's come across, and with Brian's expertise, they sift fact from fiction. Plus, tune in to hear about the recent developments in the world of superconductors and the possibility of a room-temperature stable variant.From the enigma of extra-terrestrial life to the truth about the universe's beginning, this episode promises to be a blend of scientific insight and casual banter. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just someone who loves a good conspiracy theory, there's something in it for you!https://BrianKeating.com/listhttps://twitter.com/DrBrianKeatingBrian's Books and Brian's Blog, Listen to the Into The Impossible podcast,Check out Brian's YouTube channel, with a following of 140k followers and growing. ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/10/2023 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 50 seconds
The AI Horizon: Preserving Jobs and Crafting Personal AI Legacies | Brian Roemmele - Part 3
As we round out this enlightening three-part series with Brian Roemmele, we venture into the exciting future of AI. How can companies harness the transformative power of AI without jeopardizing jobs? We discuss the revolutionary concept of the "Personal AI" company, an innovative vision where a human's wisdom, personality, and essence can be synthesized through voice modeling, based on answers to a 1000-prompt questionnaire. Imagine a future where your knowledge, experiences, and insights could be immortalized, accessible to generations to come. Brian's groundbreaking perspective offers a glimpse into a future where technology and humanity converge in profound and lasting ways.----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go toJamesAltucherShow.com/writingto join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/8/2023 • 53 minutes, 21 seconds
The Grand Mirror: AI as a Reflection of Humanity | Brian Roemmele - Part 2
In Part 2 of this compelling three-part series with Brian Roemmele, we delve further into the complex world of AI, unraveling how it serves as a grand mirror reflecting humanity's knowledge, language, feelings, and emotions. Join us as we explore how AI, without the consciousness we're still struggling to comprehend, amplifies and magnifies our innate intelligence. Discover how AI is not an alien concept but an extension of our very nature, bridging the disparate facts gathered from our senses and offering new insights into what it means to be human. It's a journey that takes us closer to the core of what connects us all, unraveling the mysteries of memory, consciousness, and emotion. You won't want to miss this fascinating and enlightening episode.----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/3/2023 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 7 seconds
A Quantum Leap into AI and Consciousness | Brian Roemmele - Part 1
Join us in the first segment of a captivating three-part series with Brian Roemmele, one of the world’s leading futurists and thought leaders on voice technology.In this episode, we delve deep into the riveting realms of intelligence and consciousness. We challenge the boundaries of your perception, engaging in a thought-provoking discussion about the implications of AI for our understanding of intelligence and the potential intersections with quantum mechanics. This conversation promises to leave you questioning what you thought you knew. And don't miss Brian's intriguing thoughts on the 'cure for outrage' - a timely exploration of how technology might just hold the key to bridging societal divisions.Stay tuned for the next episodes where we continue our voyage into the unknown with Brian, extending the conversation into the farthest reaches of future technology and its potential impact on humanity.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/1/2023 • 51 minutes, 25 seconds
How To Ruin Your Life with a Quest
Whether you're on the edge of a life transition, reeling from a setback, or simply searching for a fresh perspective, this episode is your starting point. Join us as James dives deep into his unique technique of embarking on 'quests'— thoughtful journeys designed to answer life's perplexing questions or rebound from difficult times.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/27/2023 • 55 minutes, 10 seconds
Revolutionizing Gaming: The Legendary Creator of DOOM Speaks | John Romero
Step into the world of legendary gaming as James Altucher sits down with none other than John Romero, the brilliant mind behind the groundbreaking first-person shooter, DOOM. Join us on this captivating episode of The James Altucher Show, as we delve into the fascinating journey of a visionary video game developer who revolutionized the gaming industry.For over three decades, FPS games have enthralled gamers worldwide, and DOOM stands tall as one of the pioneers that defined the genre. In this candid conversation, James reminisces about his exhilarating experiences with DOOM, which captured the hearts of millions with its unparalleled 3D graphics and immersive gameplay.John Romero takes us back to the inception of DOOM, sharing the challenges and triumphs he faced while creating this iconic masterpiece. Discover the secrets behind what makes a great game, as he imparts invaluable insights into the gaming business and industry, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring game developers.As a special treat, John Romero talks about his compelling book, Doom Guy: Life in First Person, offering a glimpse into the life of a gaming genius and the creative process that spawned a cultural phenomenon.Tune in to witness an engaging conversation filled with nostalgia, wisdom, and passion that continues to drive John Romero's indelible impact on the gaming world. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or simply curious about the magic behind the pixels, this episode will surely leave you inspired and entertained. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear from the visionary mind behind DOOM, only on The James Altucher Show.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/25/2023 • 59 minutes, 37 seconds
The Real AI: Unmasking the Hype | Kevin Surace
Are we overhyping AI? Can it truly shape our future or devastate it? James Altucher, an AI veteran, brings a fresh perspective to the table, cutting through the buzz and fearmongering that often surrounds Artificial Intelligence.In this enlightening episode, James sits down with a true pioneer in the AI industry, Kevin Surace. Known for his instrumental role in developing Siri, and a series of impressive AI companies, Surace is here to demystify AI. Tune in as they delve deep into the real possibilities and limitations of AI, separate fact from fiction, and explore how you can harness this powerful technology to enhance your life.Don't miss this chance to hear from the frontlines of AI innovation, and remember: it's not about fearing the future—it's about shaping it.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/20/2023 • 51 minutes, 7 seconds
Unveiling a Financial World Order: Challenging the 'Own Nothing' Paradigm | Carol Roth
In this thought-provoking episode of The James Altucher Show, renowned author and entrepreneurial powerhouse, Carol Roth, joins James to delve deep into the captivating themes explored in her groundbreaking book, "You Will Own Nothing." Prepare for a riveting conversation that challenges the status quo and offers fresh perspectives on the future of wealth, ownership, and personal freedom.Drawing from her extensive research and insightful analysis, Carol Roth exposes an underlying agenda shared by numerous international institutions that seeks to diminish the influence of the dollar and hinder millions of Americans from attaining true financial autonomy. She expertly elucidates why owning mere possessions, as opposed to substantial assets, can lead to a decrease in wealth and personal liberty. Moreover, she imparts invaluable guidance on how individuals can effectively safeguard their wealth amidst these transformative times.Under the premise of a new financial world order, where global elites possess everything while individuals are left with nothing, Carol Roth and James engage in an exhilarating two-sided debate, aiming to unearth the most compelling insights and provide the audience with a comprehensive understanding of the shifting landscape. This dynamic conversation explores multifaceted topics, including the intricate dynamics of taxation and government spending, the evolving role of the dollar in the global economy, and the captivating potential and potential pitfalls of central bank digital currencies, while addressing the pressing concern of their potential weaponization. place in the global economy now, and the future of Central Bank Digital Currencies and their potential for weaponization.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/18/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 13 seconds
Writing Thrillers and Unraveling Geopolitics | Brandon Webb
🎧 Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping episode of The James Altucher Show featuring the extraordinary Brandon Webb, a former Navy SEAL, sniper training program leader, and master of thrilling storytelling! 🌟Join James as he dives into a captivating conversation with Brandon, the ultimate "slasher," who has conquered the worlds of military expertise, nonfiction writing, and now, bestselling thrillers that are taking the entertainment industry by storm. Discover the secrets behind Brandon's latest heart-pounding release, "Blind Fear," and gain invaluable advice on writing gripping thrillers.Brandon updates us on the intricate dynamics of global affairs, discussing new approaches he's taking for his news website Sofrep.com, then delves into the captivating landscapes of Russia, Ukraine, and China. Gain unique insights into the current geopolitical climate and deepen your understanding of these complex regions.But that's not all! Brandon unveils an exciting glimpse into his next literary endeavor focused on mental management. Prepare to be fascinated by his innovative techniques and strategies that can transform how you approach your mental well-being.So, don't wait any longer! Join James Altucher as he engages in a riveting conversation with the multi-talented Brandon Webb. 🎙️✨-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/14/2023 • 59 minutes, 48 seconds
The Ultimate Guide to Making Good Decisions
🎧 Tune in to this week's episode of The James Altucher Show, where James and his producer, Jay Yow, dive deep into the fascinating world of decision-making methodologies and the formula for happiness! 🌟Are you tired of feeling overwhelmed when making decisions, big or small? Join James and Jay as they explore the art of making good choices, breaking them down into short-term and long-term categories. Discover how even seemingly mundane decisions, such as selecting a food brand or choosing your daily outfit, can impact your life and happiness.🔍 Uncover the secret to happiness as James and Jay reveal the importance of aligning your expectations with reality. Find out how managing your expectations can lead to a more fulfilling and contented life.💡 Ready to break free from conventional norms? James and Jay explore innovative ways of creating original and derivative content that pushes boundaries and goes beyond the ordinary. Discover the power of Combination, Subtraction, and Substitution methods to unleash your creative potential.📈 Dreaming of starting your own business? James provides invaluable insights into three different models for entrepreneurial success. Dive into the "Jim McKelvey" model, the "Access Economy" model, and Matt Ridley's thought-provoking "Humans vs. Data" model. Explore their unique approaches to business and gain inspiration for your entrepreneurial journey.Don't miss out on this thought-provoking episode of The James Altucher Show, packed with practical advice, expert insights, and mind-expanding discussions. Download now and embark on a path toward better decision-making and greater happiness! 🎙️✨-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/11/2023 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 52 seconds
King's Gambit - A Chess Prodigy's Journey Back to 2200 | "The Chess Angle Podcast" with Neal Bellon
Welcome to a very special episode of The James Altucher Show! James steps out of the usual host's seat, becoming the interviewee on "The Chess Angle" podcast with the insightful Neal Bellon. You've never heard James like this before, and you definitely don't want to miss it.Journey back to James' early days as a young chess wunderkind, when he stormed the New Jersey youth championship and achieved an impressive 2200 rating. Now, at 55 and currently the reigning senior champion in Georgia, James is on a quest - a journey back to the top, a crusade to regain that coveted 2200 rating.James opens up about his guiding lights in the game, revealing the lessons he's learned from his teachers over the years; each mentor has brought a unique perspective and invaluable wisdom to his game.How does today's competition compare to the bygone era when James first started his journey? James shares his insightful observations on the evolution of the game, discussing the generational shifts and how they've transformed the world of chess.As an older player in a game often dominated by young minds, James discusses the techniques that matter most when you're playing chess after the age of 50. His thoughts may surprise you. What's more, they might just change your game.Are you ready to dive into the intricacies of the ultimate game of strategy with one of the sharpest minds out there? Download this episode now and step into the mind of a true chess master. Checkmate has never sounded so intriguing.Press play and let's get started. It's your move. Listen to "The Chess Angle" podcast on SpotifyWatch full video interviews and more on The Chess Angle's YouTube page.View "The Chess Angle's" Chessable page.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/8/2023 • 51 minutes, 6 seconds
The Rise of the Prompt Engineer | Mark Savant on the "After Hours Entrepreneur" Podcast
Today, James is a guest on Mark Savant's "After Hours Entrepreneur" podcast. In this insightful interview, James shares his unique analysis on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as an assistant to humans, rather than a replacement along with the fascinating potential of AI in optimizing human efficiency across various domains.Throughout the interview, James offers real-world examples where AI can empower individuals and businesses, enhancing productivity and effectiveness. However, he also emphasizes the importance of recognizing situations where human touch and creativity are irreplaceable. His insights shed light on the delicate balance between embracing technological advancements and preserving the qualities that make us human.The interaction with the episode's dedicated listeners makes this episode truly engaging. They join the conversation, posing their thought-provoking questions to James. From the practical implications of AI in the workplace to the ethical considerations surrounding its use, this dialogue brings depth and diverse perspectives to the table.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/4/2023 • 48 minutes, 20 seconds
Unlock Secrets from Beyond the Grave | Barbara Butcher (NYC Forensic Investigator)
Discover a world shrouded in mystery as you step into the shoes of New York City's top forensic investigator, Barbara Butcher. We've secured an exclusive podcast interview where Barbara takes you on an eerie journey, recounting tales from her critically acclaimed book, "What the Dead Know."Peek behind the crime scene tape and unearth lessons that only the silent can teach. With a career spanning over two decades, Barbara's wealth of experience is beyond riveting - it's a profound exploration of life, death, and the spaces in between.Tune in to this thought-provoking discussion as Barbara dissects real-life cases, relives unforgettable encounters, and discusses her path-breaking work. She'll unravel the cryptic language of the deceased, deciphering the stories they leave behind – a skill she has honed and shares in her thrilling new book.A warning though - once you start listening, there's no turning back. You're about to uncover "What the Dead Know" - are you ready?Don't forget to pick up your copy of Barbara Butcher's incredible new book on Amazon. Don't miss this chance to unravel the mysteries of the silent world!-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookShow Less
6/29/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 11 seconds
Unveiling the Path to a Life Worth Living | Miroslav Volf (Yale Professor & Theologan)
Join us for a captivating interview with acclaimed theologian Miroslav Volf as he unveils his groundbreaking book, "Life Worth Living: A Guide to Thinking Through What Really Matters." Alongside co-authors Matthew Croasmun and Ryan McAnnally-Linz, Volf challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on the meaning and purpose of life. From exploring the complexities of human existence to seeking genuine happiness, Volf's insights promise a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth.Drawing from his expertise as a professor and theologian, Volf delves into universal longings and exposes society's shortcomings in addressing the pursuit of a meaningful life. Through profound reflections on love, justice, forgiveness, and ultimate purpose, he offers a roadmap to navigate the challenges of modern existence. "Life Worth Living" combines engaging anecdotes with scholarly wisdom to inspire individuals to embrace purpose and authenticity.Brace yourself for a captivating blend of scholarly wisdom and relatable anecdotes that will inspire you to embrace authenticity and find purpose in every aspect of your life.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/27/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 43 seconds
The Identity of Success | Polina Marinova Pompliano on 'Hidden Genius'
Welcome to another thrilling episode of the James Altucher Show. Our special guest for today is none other than Polina Marinova Pompliano, a former Fortune journalist, founder of the celebrated newsletter "The Profile", and now, author of the sensational new book Hidden Genius: The Secret Ways of Thinking That Power the World's Most Successful People.Polina breaks down the principles that power the most successful minds. We delve deep into the profiles of extraordinary personalities like the indomitable David Goggins, the master storyteller Aaron Sorkin, and the astute thinker Charlie Munger. Each figure illustrates an aspect of the 'hidden genius' Polina describes in her book, from Goggins' hardening resilience through adversity, Sorkin's impeccable storytelling acumen, to Munger's insights on building trust.As the conversation evolves, James and Polina offer a behind-the-scenes look into their journeys as interviewers and chroniclers of human experience. They dive into their philosophies behind profiling and interviewing guests, discussing the art and science of extracting nuggets of wisdom from their subjects, and the challenges and joys they encounter in the process.Further, they explore the sense of identity tied to their respective platforms. Polina offers insights on founding 'The Profile', revealing how the venture reflects her journalistic ethos and contributes to her evolving identity. In an industry where names are often tied to success, James and Polina reflect on the importance of creating something inherently and intrinsically connected to who they are. This episode promises to be a captivating exploration of what it means to navigate the world of profiles, interviews, and personal branding. This is not just a discussion about 'Hidden Genius' but a conversation that unveils the hidden geniuses behind 'The James Altucher Show' and 'The Profile'. Be prepared for an exciting ride!-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/22/2023 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 43 seconds
The Science of Age-Defying Focus: Strategies for Rekindling Cognitive Performance | Ben Greenfield
Join James on a fascinating journey of self-discovery and exploration as he rekindles his passion for chess and strives to surpass his former master-level ranking. Today, James invites renowned biohacker and fitness expert Ben Greenfield to delve into physical and cognitive enhancements that can propel James toward his chess mastery goals.In his mid-50s, James is determined to reclaim his former glory as a chess player and exceed the skill level he achieved in his twenties. With Ben Greenfield's vast knowledge and experience in biohacking, the conversation dives into cutting-edge strategies and tools to optimize physical and mental performance.The duo explores a variety of potential approaches, beginning with revolutionary therapies like stem-cell therapy and testosterone replacement therapy. Ben provides expert insights on the potential benefits and associated risks of these treatments and how they could impact James' cognitive abilities and overall performance on the chessboard.Moving beyond traditional methods, the discussion then shifts towards emerging trends such as NAD and NR supplementation, which have gained significant attention for their potential to enhance cellular function and cognitive vitality. Alongside these topics, Ben delves into the realm of nootropics and micro-dosing LSD, exploring their effects on cognitive function and their potential advantages for James' chess strategy and mental acuity.In addition to chemical interventions, Ben also emphasizes the importance of foundational habits that contribute to optimal performance. He shares invaluable insights into optimizing light exposure, sleep patterns, and managing external noise—a comprehensive approach that can profoundly impact cognitive abilities.Later on, Ben dives into the latest advancements in biohacking devices and gadgets that have recently caught his attention, many of which are cutting-edge technologies that most people have never heard of. Ben shares his firsthand experiences with each device, offering his impressions and expert opinions on their potential benefits for improving mental focus, physical recovery, and overall well-being.Prepare to be inspired and enlightened as you join this fascinating conversation on optimizing human potential and achieving extraordinary feats in chess and beyond.Ben's WebsiteRead Ben's New Book: Boundless Parenting!Explore the Boundless Cookbook!-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/20/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 34 seconds
How to Speed Read - And When NOT To | Ask Altucher! EP06
Does your mind wander while reading a book? Do you have to go back pages and re-read because you have no idea what happened in the plot for a few minutes? Have you given up or lost your joy of reading because the task was too daunting?Today, James gives his tried-and-true method of speed-reading books to maximize the knowledge you retain and reduce the amount of time spent reading to a minimum. He gives practical examples for optimal efficiency based on the time you have available and breaks down why other speed-reading methods are less effective over the long haul.We also learn when NOT to speed-read and what is lost to the reader in those circumstances.After listening today, you'll want to head straight to the bookstore or library and knock out a few of the books from your bucket list that seemed impossible to comprehend beforehand.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/18/2023 • 1 hour, 35 seconds
The SEC vs. The Crypto Market | Omid Malekan
Climb aboard as we take you on the rollercoaster of the latest crypto headlines and regulatory battles. The SEC is throwing punches, suing heavyweights like Binance and Coinbase. But don't believe the hype and panic-inducing headlines just yet! We have the ultimate insider, Omid Malekan, back on the show.Omid is the go-to guy for global finance, crypto, and Wall Street. He's spilled the beans on jaw-dropping adventures from his hedge fund days in our "Wall Street Insane" series. And guess what? He used to help Citigroup navigate the treacherous waters of crypto. Plus, he's the genius behind "Re-architecting Trust," an eye-opening book that unravels the trillion-dollar crypto industry. Trust us, you'll want to grab a copy.Forget about all the noise happening right now. We've got the juiciest, expert perspective on this week's crypto news. Get ready to have your curiosity ignited as we unravel the mysteries of global banking and SEC Chairman Gary Gensler's fight to destroy the crypto industry in the United States. Buckle up, folks. We're about to embark on the wildest crypto adventure yet!-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/15/2023 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 33 seconds
So Good They Call You a Fake | Joshua Lisec's Secrets to Creating Unbelievable Results
In this captivating episode, join James as he delves into the world of prolific writer, Joshua Lisec. With a staggering 78 books under his belt, Joshua's impressive track record has attracted the attention of Twitter trolls who can't resist taking a swipe. But Joshua isn't one to let negativity dampen his spirits. Instead, he channels his expertise into empowering others through his latest book, So Good They Call You a Fake: Command Attention, Monetize Your Talent Stack, and Become the Uncontested Authority in Your Niche.https://lisecghostwriting.com/book/James and Joshua dissect Joshua's systematic approach to effective writing and marketing. They explore the remarkable success stories of once-unknown experts who now reap the abundant rewards of their newfound fame. Joshua aptly dubs his approach "The Definitive Guide to Creating Books, Courses, Coaching, and Services that Get Results So Good People Can't Believe They're Legit."With no steps skipped, Joshua's book unveils a blueprint for leveraging the visibility you've already earned and transforming it into a thriving, monetized venture. Whether you're an aspiring author, an entrepreneur seeking to establish yourself as an authority figure in your niche, or a creative professional looking to maximize your talents, So Good They Call You a Fake offers invaluable insights and practical strategies that are bound to elevate your success.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/13/2023 • 57 minutes, 3 seconds
How to Outrun Dinosaurs and Escape the Titanic | Cody Cassidy
Have you ever imagined yourself as Scott Bakula's character in Quantum Leap, traveling back in time into a disastrous scenario? For many of us, it would spell doom. Luckily, today's guest Cody Cassidy - author of How to Survive History: How to Outrun a Tyrannosaurus, Escape Pompeii, Get Off the Titanic, and Survive the Rest of History's Deadliest Catastrophes - is here to keep us alive.Cassidy has written a string of fascinating and entertaining history books, including And Then You're Dead and Who Ate the First Oyster? In today's conversation, he and James run through ways to survive archetypically horrific events in Earth's history. They attempt to survive the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs. They try to avoid contracting the bubonic plague. They try to decide whether presenting dental floss to a king would keep them from the gallows!History may be the most dangerous place on earth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit. And with a copy of How to Survive History, some penicillin, and this episode of the podcast, you just might make it out alive.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/8/2023 • 48 minutes, 26 seconds
How Traders Make Billions from Unexpected Events | Scott Patterson (WSJ Reporter and NYT Bestselling Author)
Join us as we delve into the captivating world of Wall Street's most unexpected profits. In this episode, we interview Scott Patterson, acclaimed Wall Street Journal reporter and author of the fascinating book, Chaos Kings: How Traders Make Billions in the New Age of Crisis.Drawing upon his extensive research and insider knowledge, Scott reveals the secrets of how traders manage to transform unprecedented events, such as the 'Black Swan' and 'Dragon King' phenomena into extraordinary profit-making opportunities.One faction, led by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, bestselling author of The Black Swan, believes humans can never see the big disaster coming. In their view, while inevitable, extreme events—so-called Black Swans—will always catch us by surprise. In 2007, Taleb’s longtime collaborator, Mark Spitznagel, launched the Universa hedge fund, which would make billions protecting investors against unforeseen chaos in the market.A second faction, which relies on complex formulas, believes looming chaos can be detected. Chief among these risk prognosticators is Didier Sornette, a colorful French mathematician who enjoys riding his motorcycle at speeds over 170 miles per hour. When Sornette looks out from what he calls his Financial Crisis Observatory in Zurich, Switzerland, what he sees are "Dragon Kings"—punishing events that are unlikely to occur but have probabilities that can be predicted…and defended against.Patterson reveals the intricate strategies employed by these traders, who possess an uncanny ability to navigate and capitalize on market upheavals. From analyzing the impact of unforeseen events to the psychology of risk-taking, he and James shed light on the inner workings of betting on high-stakes world events.Throughout the interview, we explore the thrilling stories and characters that make up the fabric of Wall Street's most profitable moments. Scott Patterson's journalistic expertise and intimate understanding of the financial landscape give listeners a unique perspective on the elusive world of traders who have mastered the art of profiting from chaos.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/6/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 13 seconds
From Indie Author to TV Phenomenon | Hugh Howey on "Silo" and Self-Publishing Success
Today, we have a special guest who needs no introduction if you're a fan of science fiction, the talented writer of Silo – now an Apple+ TV series - Hugh Howey.Hugh Howey has an extraordinary journey that has taken him from working in bookstores to laboring as a roofer and even sailing on private yachts around the world. All the while, he was tirelessly crafting science-fiction novels and delving into various other genres. Just as James experienced with the self-publication of his book Choose Yourself, Hugh discovered the transformative power of self-publishing when he unleashed Wool onto the world. Little did he know that this gripping novel would eventually evolve into a groundbreaking TV series.On today's episode, we dive deep into the realms of writing, self-publishing, and the allure of science fiction. Hugh Howey joins James in a thought-provoking conversation about the fascinating universe of Silo and the intricacies of television production. Together, they explore the themes of optimism versus pessimism, the rise of artificial intelligence, and many other captivating subjects.-----------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/1/2023 • 45 minutes, 41 seconds
Unleashing the Creative Pandora's Box: AI's Potential for Innovation and Exploitation in the Arts | Vernon Reid
In April 2023, a seismic shift occurred in the world of art and creativity. The prestigious Sony World Photography Awards, renowned for celebrating human talent and vision, awarded a prize to an AI-generated photograph. This groundbreaking moment marked a turning point, showcasing the capabilities of generative AI in producing art that could rival human creations. It left many questioning the boundaries between human and machine creativity.Simultaneously, another event unfolded. A new single, seemingly performed by beloved artists Drake and The Weeknd, took the internet by storm, captivating fans across the globe. However, as the excitement reached its peak, the truth emerged—it was an AI creation, flawlessly imitating the artists' musical styles and voices. This incident exposed the potential for AI to deceive and manipulate, blurring the lines between authenticity and imitation.This era of generative AI has ushered in a new paradigm, where not only are judges and fans being fooled, but malicious actors are exploiting the technology for personal gain. Voice cloning, powered by AI, has become a tool for scammers to steal personal information and deceive unsuspecting victims out of their money. The implications are far-reaching, challenging notions of trust and raising concerns about privacy and security in an increasingly AI-driven world.Amidst these pivotal developments, the esteemed musician and technology enthusiast, Vernon Reid, enters the stage. Known as one of Rolling Stone's '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,' Reid brings a unique perspective to the conversation. With his vast experience and passion for technology, he joins James in a discussion that delves into the evolving creative process and the profound implications of Large Language Models (LLMs) in shaping today's culture.Together, they navigate the complex landscape of AI's impact on creativity, touching upon questions surrounding artistic authenticity, the role of human intuition in the creative process, and the ethical considerations raised by the potential misuse of AI. Reid's insights shed light on the opportunities and challenges presented by LLMs, and their profound implications for the future of art, music, and human expression.To book this guest, contact Cricket PR: 212-363-0654------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/30/2023 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 22 seconds
Change Your Mind, Choose Your World & More Genius Advice| Seth Godin
What does it sound like when you change your mind?That’s the name of the book Seth Godin was about to publish when James interviewed him. He only printed 5,500 copies. And he’s not printing anymore.He doesn’t view a book as just pages surrounded by two covers. He makes a 3-dimensional object that’s beautiful to look at and read.“It’s not new,” he said on my podcast. “It’s the best of the last four years of my work. And it’s illustrated with hundreds of photos by Thomas Hawk, who’s the most prolific and talented internet photographer.”The book weighs 18 pounds. And it’s 800 pages long.I asked him about art and marketing… and he told me about life.A) START FROM THE BEGINNING“No business, no project, no novel ever started big,” Seth said.It started with fear, uncertainty, excitement, possibility. Tons of “what if’s” that lead to real action. And real action halts the what if’s. The "what if’s" turn to "what is".Seth said, “Instead of saying, ‘I need to leap to the middle,’ say, ‘I’m going to start with people who want to engage with me.'”All successes start with one person. That’s it. One person, then two, then three.Success is a curve. We all know it. Don’t try to cheat the curve.B) KNOW YOUR WORLDI asked Seth, “How do you know what the world wants to hear?”“Well, first of all, never the whole world,” he said. “You pick your world.”Where do you hurt? Where do you feel a knot? Can you loosen it up and ease the pressure?Can you create something for the people (or person) who want to love what you want to love?C) WHAT DO YOU CARE ENOUGH TO SAY?We talked about Facebook. And the Lays Potato Chip guy who re-designed the bag. His job was to make it sound crunchier.Kids had slamming competitions. Who could slam a soda the fastest? So Coke-A-Cola created a bottle with a mouthpiece meant to maximize chugging efficiency.They sold products. But it’s the message that matters.I always say: message over money.Invention happens at the edges. Between heart and lungs, breath and vocal cords is the message. It’s the thing you want to say. The thing you’re afraid to say.“What really matters isn’t what time you posted on Facebook,” Seth said. “What matters is, what did you care enough to say?D) ANYONE CAN LEAD…“’Purple Cow‘ says, ‘How do I sit in my office and make a thing that people talk about?'”“What ‘Tribes‘ says is ‘Now that anyone can stand up and lead (because anyone can have a media channel… because anyone can make a connection) will you choose to lead? And if you’re going to lead, who will you lead? How will you connect with the people you’re leading? That is marketing, but it’s also life.”E) CULTURE BEATS EVERYTHING“No one has a Suzuki tattoo,” Seth said.“What’s a Suzuki tattoo?” I asked.Then I got it. Harley Davidson makes half their revenue licensing its brand. T-shirts, jackets, etc.“If you’re in the Harley tribe, you can’t show up on a Suzuki,” he said.“Tribes aren’t about the alpha to the omega. Leaders always go away. The alpha person dies or moves on. But the tribe doesn’t. The tribe persists. Because culture beats everything. Scenes have a culture. Tribes have a culture. It’s the culture that determines how an organization makes its choices, how a nation will evolve.”I’ve said this before. It doesn’t matter who the president is. What matters is who you surround yourself with. Who’s in your tribe? Who’s in your heart?And if they’re toxic to your creativity or well-being, detox now.“The Beatles didn’t invent teenagers. I’m not saying we invent our tribe. We just show up to lead them.”I didn’t invent the choose yourself community. The cubicle job did.F) SHOW UPI’ll never say what other people should do. I just say what I like to do. I say what gets me past just getting by.“Half my blog posts are below average,” Seth said.I asked if he feels bad.Intellectually, I understand failure. But it still hurts. It can turn your life upside down. I lost everything more than once. And maybe you’re reading this because you have to… or you’re afraid of losing everything.“I’m talking about [creating] generous work with good intent… that didn’t work.” That’s the failure we need to show up for.“I show up,” Seth said.G) DON’T WRESTLE WITH INFINITYI didn’t know what that meant.“I am almost done wrestling with infinity,” he said.We had half an hour left in the interview. I didn’t interrupt.I couldn’t.I was captivated. My mind expands when I’m seconds away from hearing someone’s genius. My vision slows and the inside of my ears soften. It’s like my body is creating room.“I made the book I wanted.”“I only printed 5,500 copies of the book. And there’s not going to be a second printing. That’s all there is.”He doesn’t have to chase. He already broke even and the best part is he chose himself.“Now there’s not an infinity of upside.”He didn’t need approval from publishers, his boss, a network… He didn’t write for a bestseller list. He was compelled. And he created.He made what he wanted to make. “Here’s my definition of art,” he said. “Art is when a human being does something that might not work…”And my whole body nodded.He went on… changing my mind.Links and Resources:Seth’s upcoming book “What Does It Sound Like When You Change Your Mind?”Read Seth’s books:The New York Times, BusinessWeek, and Wall Street Journal bestseller, “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us“A New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller, “The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)“A New York Times bestseller, “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?““Purple Cow, Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable““All Marketers are Liars: The Underground Classic That Explains How Marketing Really Works–and Why Authenticity Is the Best Marketing of All““Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers“Join Seth’s newsletter and get his latest blog posts at SethGodin.comSeth’s “alt MBA” courseFollow Seth on Facebook + TwitterAlso by Seth Godin:The Icarus Deception““Poke the Box““We Are All Weird““Whatcha Gonna Do with That Duck?““V Is for Vulnerable““Meatball Sundae““Free Prize Inside““Unleashing The Ideavirus““Small Is The New Big““Survival Is Not Enough““The Big Red Fez“Also Mentioned:Thomas Hawk Photography ------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/27/2023 • 57 minutes, 37 seconds
Discover the Techniques Behind the World’s Fastest-Growing Companies | Peter Diamandis & Salim Ismail
Exponential Organizations 2.0, by Peter Diamandis & Salim Ismail, is a new book - and a new book format - that offers valuable insights into how companies can achieve exponential growth and impact by leveraging the latest technologies. You can now talk directly with the book that generated $1B for Procter & Gamble using OpenExO's chatbot, AI-X. You can register for free for the Exponential Organizations 2.0 Launch Event on June 8th, 2023 at 8 am PST, which will give you access to this new book as well as the ability to watch a 3-hour webinar discussing specifics of these topics with the book's authors.In today's episode, Peter and Salim discuss the billion-dollar businesses of the next decade, focusing on the 11 attributes of ExOs laid out in the book. Not all ExOs exhibit all 11 attributes, but they all incorporate many of them.The first 10 attributes of an Exponential Organization can be divided into “outward facing” and “internally facing” traits. The first five, encapsulated by the acronym SCALE, are outward-facing attributes, and the second five, encapsulated by the acronym IDEAS, are internally-facing attributes.SCALE attributes:Massive Transformative Purpose (MTP)Staff on DemandCommunity and CrowdAlgorithms and AILeveraged AssetsIDEAS attributes:InterfacesDashboardsExperimentationAutonomySocial TechnologiesFor example, a company like Uber uses a gig economy platform to hire external workers on a per-project basis (Staff on Demand) and leverages social media to engage with and learn from a community of like-minded individuals (Community and Crowd), exhibiting SCALE attributes. Meanwhile, a company that encourages experimentation in all departments of the organization and allows individual employees or teams to operate independently and effectively (Autonomy), exhibits an IDEAS attribute.In addition to these, the eleventh attribute is a culture of experimentation. This attribute refers to the importance of constantly testing new ideas and approaches in order to stay ahead of the competition and discover new opportunities for growth. For example, Google’s “20% time” policy allows employees to spend 20% of their time working on their own projects, which led to the creation of innovative products like Gmail and Google Maps.This book is a must-read for anyone looking to future-proof their organization and this interview will convince you why.After you listen, remember to register for free for the Exponential Organizations 2.0 Launch Event being held June 8th, 2023 at 8 am PST!------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/25/2023 • 58 minutes, 53 seconds
Comedy, Horror, and NYC Real Estate: The Feature Film | Sally Struthers & Allan Piper
What a treat today's interview is. The legendary actress Sally Struthers and director Allan Piper talk with James about their new horror film eVil Sublet one week after its Best Feature debut win at the Coney Island Film Festival. Our guests discuss the rogue production techniques, filmed on location in Allan & his wife/star Jennifer Leigh Houston's apartment and a storage unit during the height of the pandemic, and the lengths New Yorkers will do to score a deal on an affordable rental. We also hear the backstory of Sally's first decade of television stardom on All in the Family and Gloria & Allan's lengthy background as a director working on presidential campaigns over the last 20 years.This conversation goes all over the place, and you'll love every minute of it.------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/23/2023 • 53 minutes, 6 seconds
The History of Money - Part 1 | Omid Malekan | Ask Altucher! EP05
Why do we use money? How did we get to the point where billions of US dollars can be created by the Federal Reserve with the click of a button for bills that are never printed and have no relation to the finite assets those dollars used to be pegged against? Are cryptocurrencies and the digital blockchain the next evolution of worldwide finance?The answer - according to Omid Malekan - is trust, and on today's episode of Ask Altucher, he and James take this conversation back thousands of years to the beginning of 'commodity money' and walk through its evolution to the present day.Omid has been studying the relationship between trust and money for decades, working as a stockbroker, lead cryptocurrency consultant for Citi Group, professor at Columbia Business School, and author of several books, including Re-Architecting Trust: the Curse of History and the Crypto Cure for Money, Markets and Platforms as well as The Story of the Blockchain: A Beginner’s Guide to the Technology That Nobody Understands.If you ever wanted to understand how and why the worldwide financial system operates, Omid explains it all in explicit yet accessible detail. Even seasoned financial professionals will take new nuggets of information away from this conversation.------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to join James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/22/2023 • 51 minutes, 57 seconds
How to Become a Better Writer with AI | SmartBlogger's Jon Morrow
Jon Morrow was facing an existential threat to the future of his livelihood's existence. He needed to figure out whether Chat-GPT was truly capable of authoring content that surpassed his team of copywriters at Smartblogger. After hundreds of hours of testing, Jon found his answer and made his choice: embrace the future.Jon has now published a book written completely by AI based on his exhaustive writing prompt discoveries, selling over 2,000 copies per week and a perfect 5-star average rating on Amazon. As Jon says, "You can only write a great prompt for AI if you truly understand the output you want. Because I’m better at writing headlines than 99.9% of writers, I can create a better prompt."Today's compelling episode follows James and Jon as they break down the structure and rationale behind Jon's discoveries. You'll hear James generate headlines and draft outlines in real-time using the specific prompts and methods outlined in Jon's new book to breathtaking results.Want your own copy of Jon's book for a fraction of the price? He's set up a special link for James Altucher Show listeners to buy AI Writer for $1 along with 3 sets of bonus material. Go to SmartBlogger.com/James to get your copy today.------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to see James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/18/2023 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 3 seconds
Jordan Harbinger | How Does Your Community Define You? | Ask Altucher! EP04
In this engaging episode of Ask Altucher, James welcomes a special guest, the renowned podcast host and relationship/networking expert, Jordan Harbinger. Together, they dive deep into a highly sought-after question from one of our dedicated listeners, Steve Blackburn. Steve's query resonates with many of us, as he asks a fundamental question that has the potential to transform our lives: "Since you always mention you're an average of the five people you spend the most time with, how do I develop relationships with more successful people so I surround myself with a better five people?"With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Jordan Harbinger takes the reins and shares his invaluable insights on this matter. Drawing from his expertise in relationships and networking, Jordan provides practical strategies and actionable steps that can be implemented in various aspects of life, whether it's personal relationships, professional networking, or even the dynamic landscape of the media industry.Through their engaging dialogue, Jordan and James shed light on the power of intentional relationship-building, the art of networking, and the role of social media platforms in forging meaningful connections.------------What to write and publish a book in 30 days? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/writing to see James' writing intensive!What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/16/2023 • 57 minutes, 19 seconds
Rebuilding Higher Education for the 21st Century | Brian Keating
Dr. Brian Keating - the Chancellor’s Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences (CASS) in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego - has been working in higher education for 25 years. Still, today he's facing an identity crisis. Brian has become disillusioned with how the university and accreditation system is organized, and he's looking to reinvent how higher education looks, costs, and interacts with students. In recent years, Brian has branched out into the media world, authoring multiple non-academic books and blogs, hosting the Into The Impossible podcast, and cultivating a YouTube following of 115k followers and growing. Today's conversation revolves around Brian and James' ideas for new higher learning frameworks, focused on remote and metaverse learning and the concept of virtual mentors - 3D-rendered avatars of interactive historical figures built using large language models and natural language processing.Enjoy this fascinating conversation with one of our favorite guests about one of the topics he holds closest to his heart.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/13/2023 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 45 seconds
Unleash Exponential Success with The 10x Approach | Dr. Benjamin Hardy
James sits down with renowned author and psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy to discuss Dr. Hardy's highly anticipated book, 10x Is Easier than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less, the third book he's co-authored with the accomplished entrepreneur and coach, Dan Sullivan.The conversation began with Altucher delving into the title of the book, intrigued by the idea that achieving ten times more success might be easier than merely doubling one's productivity. Benjamin emphasizes that their book challenges the widely held belief that more effort and hard work are the only paths to success. Instead, Dr. Hardy and Sullivan propose a unique approach that emphasizes simplification, focus, and leveraging one's unique abilities. By narrowing their focus, world-class entrepreneurs can strategically delegate or eliminate non-essential tasks, thereby creating more time and energy for high-impact endeavors.The conversation delved into specific strategies discussed in the book, such as creating a vivid vision for the future, setting non-negotiable boundaries to protect one's time and energy, and harnessing the power of accountability through strategic partnerships or mentorship. Dr. Hardy and Sullivan's collaborative work provide a comprehensive roadmap for entrepreneurs looking to maximize their impact while experiencing more fulfillment and balance in their lives.With the right mindset, deliberate focus, and a commitment to doing less but better, entrepreneurs can unlock unprecedented levels of success and fulfillment.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/11/2023 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 6 seconds
Unleashing the Side-Hustle Revolution: Exploring the Future of Freelancing | Michael Hearne
Today, James sits down with Michael Hearne, one of the visionaries behind the groundbreaking 9-part docuseries, "6 Figure Side Hustles."As the gig economy continues to gain momentum, more and more individuals are seeking opportunities to generate additional income and gain financial independence. In "6 Figure Side Hustles," Michael and his team of gig-economy experts explore the remarkable stories of everyday people who have transformed their lives by leveraging their skills and passions to create thriving side businesses. You can sign-up now for free to view the series, airing on May 23rd, at Hustles.JamesAltucherShow.com. In the interview, James and Michael dive deep into the fascinating world of the booming side-hustle economy. They discuss the ins and outs of building successful side businesses and the strategies employed by individuals featured in Michael's captivating documentary series.But that's not all—James and Michael also explore the evolving landscape of freelancing and its integration with human-trained and self-training AI. They delve into the potential impact of AI on the freelance market, discussing how it may revolutionize the way freelancers find opportunities and collaborate with clients in the coming years.Brace yourself for a captivating discussion that will inspire you to embrace the side-hustle revolution and navigate the future of freelancing with confidence.Visit Hustles.JamesAltucherShow.com to learn more about "6 Figure Side Hustles"!------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/9/2023 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 21 seconds
How to Write AND Publish a Book in 30 Days!
James has a brand new video writing course available that teaches you How to Write AND Publish a Book in 30 Days!Back in 2020, James began a series of 30-day book challenges on his Instagram Q&As and Side Hustle Friday episodes (Here and Here) and wrote a breakdown of the basics in a LinkedIn blog post. The feedback and enthusiasm from aspiring writers was larger than he'd expected and the concept never left his mind.Now, James has launched an inclusive writing seminar video course that goes far beyond the existing content and teaches writers step-by-step how to write and publish a book in 30 days! He's even gone so far as to offer to buy, read, and review any book published using this course for listeners who join after listening to this episode, just send James an email at "[email protected]".Here are the details of what the course covers:You will learn how to write a book in just 30 days from a best-selling author.You will learn my best techniques for coming up with good book ideas that can be completed in as quickly as 30 days.The step-by-step process of professionally publishing a book: from editor and book design to publishing hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio.The Four Book Concepts that Will Give You INFINITE ideas for books you can write.You will learn all the writing tips I have discovered in my 30 years of writing that have made my books and articles successful.You will learn the techniques I use to avoid writer's block.Master the art of the start. What are the best practices for starting your book. How to analyze the best first lines to be a book or story.The art of story-telling. Understand the Arc of the Hero and how it is used in not only fiction, but non-fiction, article writing, and even a tweet.Learn the methods for calculating the readability quotient of your book.What are the best practices for marketing your book.What are the best methods for making a post or book go viral.Listen on as James gives a deep background on his writing journey over the past 23 years, how he became a published author in every print format, and why he wants to teach you how to get your ideas out into the world.**Click Here to Look at the Course: "How to Write AND Publish a Book in 30 Days!"**------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/6/2023 • 57 minutes, 37 seconds
Wisdom You'll Wish You'd Known Earlier | Kevin Kelly
In this insightful podcast episode, James interviews Wired editor Kevin Kelly on his latest book, Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I Knew Earlier. The conversation delves into various topics such as parenting by example, the genius of being the "only" rather than the "best", and the art of honing the skill of being a friend.The conversation also explores the concept of working on ideas in 5-year segments - Kelly happens to do so against a 'doomsday clock' predicting how much longer he'll live. Bookending the interview, the two discuss Kevin's daily art project focused on creating new work each day with the assistance of conversational user interface AI and what Kevin learned about the technology's strengths and weaknesses throughout the process.Buy Kevin's new book: Excellent Advice for Living: Wisdom I Wish I'd Known Earlier------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/4/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 36 seconds
Ryan Holiday | The Stoics' Guide to Mindful Parenting
Today, James sits down with longtime friend and best-selling author Ryan Holiday to discuss his latest book, The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kids. Ryan’s side of the conversation takes place in his charming bookshop - The Painted Porch in Bastrop, Texas - where he only sells books that he personally enjoys reading. Before diving into the heart of their conversation, James and Ryan spend the first 15 minutes discussing ex-President Jimmy Carter. They explore Carter's relationship with Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, who famously asked Carter, "Why Not the Best?" during a job interview and ended up as the title of Carter's 1975 presidential campaign memoir. The conversation provides a fascinating insight into the character of one of America's most beloved presidents.From there, James and Ryan move onto discussing "The Daily Dad," Ryan's latest book, which offers 366 meditations on parenting and family life. Ryan shares his personal experiences as a father and offers practical advice for navigating the joys and challenges of raising kids. His wisdom is both inspiring and thought-provoking, providing a fresh perspective on the importance of being present and engaged in our children's lives.Throughout the interview, James and Ryan's chemistry is palpable, as they engage in a lively and insightful conversation about what it means to be a parent and a partner. Their discussion is sure to resonate with parents and non-parents alike, as they explore the complexities of love, family, and the human experience.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/2/2023 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 22 seconds
Laughing through Life with The King of Humor | Dave Barry
Today, James sits down with legendary humorist Dave Barry to explore the absurdity of Florida, his prolific career as a writer, and his creative process.With over 50 fiction and nonfiction books to his name, including his latest release Swamp Story, Dave is a master storyteller and has been entertaining readers with his sharp wit and hilarious observations for decades.James and Dave discuss the ups and downs of the newspaper industry and how Dave has adapted to the changing times. They also touch upon Dave's experience with "Dave's World", a sitcom loosely based on his life as a humor columnist. Dave shares candidly about how the show strayed further and further away from his actual life as the series progressed.Later on. the conversation turns to the increasing role of generative AI in the newspaper business and how it might affect sports writers in particular, such as Dave's wife - a newspaper sports reporter.Strap in for lots of Floriday oddities, discussions about the writing process, and Dave's winding road that led him to be the most syndicated humor columnist in America.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/27/2023 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 13 seconds
Ask Altucher! EP03: Altucher's Hybrid Tax Plan for All Americans
On today's 'Ask Altucher', which continues the chain of thought from our previous episode, James details his innovative economic and taxation plan to help all Americans. Proposing a flat 10% federal income tax while instituting a 10% national sales tax (with rebates for the first $20k of purchases annually), his hybrid solution provides an innovative and effective economic plan that increases tax revenue, capitalizes on foreign national tourist spending, and offers progressive tax relief for low-income families.James also delves into topics such as foreign & domestic policy, the national defense budget, the strength of the US dollar's role in the global economy, and how America's dominance in technology and innovation cements the United States' role as a global superpower.Each week, James will be answering user-submitted questions from the web form, Twitter queries, and submissions via NotePd.com------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/25/2023 • 57 minutes, 26 seconds
Ask Altucher! EP02: A Crash Course in Civics from the Nation's 47th President (Possibly)
We all know that James is running for President of the United States in 2024 (and you should too!) In today's episode, James answers questions about the President's role, the distribution of powers at each level throughout the country, and how the US government differs from parliamentary republics and fascist states.Each week, James will be answering user-submitted questions from the web form, Twitter queries, and submissions via NotePd.com------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/22/2023 • 29 minutes, 11 seconds
The 6 Secrets to Live Your Best Life: Practical Advice from the 102-Year-Old "Mother of Holistic Medicine" | Dr. Gladys McGarey
In today's episode, James sits down with Dr. Gladys McGarey, a 102-year-old holistic physician and trailblazer in the world of alternative medicine.In this fascinating interview, Dr. McGarey shares her incredible life story, from growing up in northern India to experiencing the Great Depression in Kansas, then becoming a physician, wife, mother, and eventually a divorcee. She shares how she lost her medical practice after her divorce and had to start all over again with her daughter.Dr. McGarey is the co-founder of the American Holistic Medical Association, and in this interview, she discusses the importance of holistic medicine and how it can improve overall health and well-being. She also shares the six secrets to living a well-lived life as outlined in her latest book, The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.This one-of-a-kind interview with Dr. Gladys McGarey is a must-listen. Join us for an inspiring conversation with one of the most respected figures in holistic medicine.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/20/2023 • 47 minutes, 20 seconds
Unleash Your Self-Publishing Success | Chandler Bolt
Today, we dive further into the world of self-publishing with a true expert, Chandler Bolt. Chandler is the founder of SelfPublishing.com and a best-selling author who has cracked the code to help self-published authors create and sell 10,000 copies of their books.Chandler shares invaluable insights from his latest book, Published, which is a game-changing guide for aspiring authors who dream of seeing their books soar to new heights. He reveals his proven techniques and strategies that have helped him sell thousands of copies of his own books and helped countless authors succeed in the competitive world of publishing.Chandler discusses the fundamental principles of self-publishing success, including finding the right niche, creating compelling book covers, crafting captivating book descriptions, and mastering effective book marketing techniques. He shares actionable tips and practical advice on how to optimize your book's visibility, reach, and sales potential.But Chandler's expertise doesn't stop at just self-publishing.He shares personal anecdotes and lessons learned from his successful (and not-so-successful) prior businesses, and - of course - we get James' take on it all as someone who has published with and without the assistance of major publishing companies.Grab your pen and paper, get ready to take notes, and join us on this exciting episode with the incredible Chandler Bolt! Get a FREE, UPDATED copy of "Published" by Chandler Bolt here!Attend a FREE Workshop, Live on May 2nd, 2023: "Confessions of a New York Times Bestselling Author" with Chandler Bolt and James Altucher!------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/18/2023 • 56 minutes, 17 seconds
Ask Altucher EP01: Is Entrepreneurship an Innate Ability or Influenced by Environment?
'Ask Altucher' has returned! After a brief 7.5 year hiatus, James has resurrected his beloved Q&A show as a weekly sub-series on The James Altucher Show podcast, and we want YOUR questions. Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher to ask James a question on any topic and your submission could be answered on a future episode!On today's return show, James fields a question deep in his wheelhouse regarding 'what it takes' to be an entrepreneur, the types of businesses he's succeeded (and failed) at in the past, and the motivation behind each one. James also fields a question prompted by his AI Chat Clone from NotePd.com asking his top 3 entrepreneurial book choices.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/15/2023 • 43 minutes, 1 second
Decision Making at Mach-2: An Air Force Fighter Pilot Teaches *You* To Think Clearly | Hasard Lee
"Small mistakes can have big consequences."When Hasard Lee was learning to dogfight in the F-16 fighter jet, he made a minor error while maneuvering the plane vertically and his airspeed dropped to 0. With afterburners fully engaged - sending a 30 ft flame from the back of the plane - he and the $70m jet were going backward. The nose of the plane suddenly snapped downward, and - at negative 2.4 G's - he's being pulled upward with over 500 pounds of force. With alarms blaring, he's heading into an out-of-control spin toward the Earth. 5 seconds before impact, Lee was able to stabilize the craft and regain airspeed. Based on years of experience making high-stakes, split-second decisions as a fighter pilot and later awarded 'Top Instructor Pilot of the Year' for the Air Force's largest F-16 Combat Wing, Hasard has spent the last six years cementing his knowledge in the new book The Art of Clear Thinking, which teaches readers to make clear decisions in their everyday life.Lee has also amassed a YouTube following that's watched over 10 million times each month and a 290 million person reach across social media in just two years.In today's conversation, James and Hasard pivot between death-defying stories and the principles that help make rational clear-headed decisions to avoid disaster and succeed.Buy The Art of Clear Thinking here from your favorite retailer!Check out Hasard's WebsiteWatch Hasard's YouTube channel, (10+ million views every month!)------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/12/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 52 seconds
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. | The Man Who Could Be President
This is the only interview James ever recorded that wasn't released on the podcast…until today.In July 2019, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined James for an interview at Stand Up New York, where the pair discussed RFK Jr's book American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family amidst a wide-ranging conversation on the Kennedy Family, the role money plays in American politics, and the cost of fossil fuel-based energy compared to renewable energy sources. Around the 50-minute mark in the conversation, the topic pivots, following a discussion on the post-WW2 tax rates and the rise of billionaires such as Bill Gates. James questions Kennedy's view on Gates - given the Microsoft founder's pledge to donate large sums of money to charity and his vaccine efforts to eradicate malaria in Africa - to which Kennedy responds, "Bill Gates has done more harm to the planet than arguably anybody in history." Kennedy believes that many vaccines are ineffective and harmful to the populace and that Gates' efforts in Africa have caused the deaths of "millions and millions of children".Kennedy continues to discuss The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) of 1986, which limited the potential financial liability of vaccine manufacturers due to vaccine injury claims, and how three years later, "There was a 'gold rush' and it went from the three vaccines that [Kennedy] had, to the seventy-two vaccines kids have to get today. And suddenly, beginning in 1989, [America] saw this explosion of chronic disease in this country."Following the divisive turn in the conversation, the show decided against airing this interview. However, on April 6, 2023, Kennedy announced his plans to run for President in the 2024 election and will formally declare his candidacy at an event on April 19, 2023. Due to its topical relevance, The James Altucher Show has decided to air the previously unreleased 2019 interview in full.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/10/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 43 seconds
The Power of Mindfulness: Overcoming Fear and Cultivating Self-Discovery | Case Kenny
In today's episode, James invites Case Kenny, a mindfulness mentor and the host of the "New Mindset, Who Dis?" podcast, to explore the topic of the "law of attraction" and whether it is a legitimate concept or just pseudoscience. The "law of attraction" is a belief that the universe responds to your thoughts and feelings, and by focusing on positive energy, you can attract positive outcomes in your life.During the conversation, James and Case delve into the practice of mindfulness and how it can be used to cultivate self-fulfillment. They discuss the power of journaling or self-storytelling as a tool for introspection and self-discovery, and how this practice can help people to better understand themselves and their goals. Additionally, they explore the importance of taking pride in your work, and how this mindset can lead to a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment.Finally, the pair discuss Case's series of journals, used by a community of over 300,000, including The 60 Day New Mindset Journal, Single is Your Superpower, Unbothered, and But First, Inner Peace.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/6/2023 • 49 minutes, 25 seconds
The Global Freelancing Boom and You! | Freelancer.com's CEO, Matt Barrie
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the global workforce and reshaped the way businesses operate. Many companies have turned to freelance contractors as a way to manage costs, increase flexibility, and access a wider pool of talent. This has led to a surge in demand for freelancers, with many professionals turning to online platforms like Freelancer.com to find work.Matt Barrie, the CEO of Freelancer.com, has been at the forefront of this trend. With over 66 million users worldwide, Freelancer.com is the largest freelancing marketplace in the world. On today's show, Matt discusses the impact of the pandemic on the freelance contractor market and shared insights on the future of work.According to Matt, the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of freelance work by businesses of all sizes. With remote work becoming the new norm, companies are no longer limited by geographic constraints when hiring talent. This has created new opportunities for freelancers to work with clients from around the world, expanding their reach and earning potential.Matt also discussed the role of AI in the freelance industry, highlighting how AI-powered tools like automatic speech-to-text transcription and translation are already making it easier for clients and vendors to communicate and work together seamlessly, regardless of language barriers.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/4/2023 • 41 minutes, 12 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Create Your Own Niche Podcast! | Sabrina Ricci & Garret Kruger from "I Know Dino"
Today, James sits down with Sabrina Ricci and Garret Kruger, the hosts of the popular "I Know Dino" podcast, to discuss how they have built a successful niche podcast and turned it into their full-time job.Sabrina and Garret have been running their dinosaur-focused podcast for eight years, and during the interview, they share their insights into how they have been able to grow their audience and leverage their niche topic to their advantage.They talk about the genesis of their show, which was born out of their shared love for dinosaurs, and discuss the challenges they faced in the early days of the podcast, such as finding their voice and building an audience. However, their passion for the topic kept them going, and they continued to produce high-quality content.Through hard work and dedication, Sabrina and Garret have turned their passion into a full-time job, using multiple monetization strategies, including Patreon, ad revenue, merchandising, and promotional opportunities. Sabrina and Garret have found that niche podcasts have an inside route in the podcast business. Listeners are passionate about specific topics and are willing to support creators who are equally as passionate. This provides an opportunity for creators to build a loyal audience and monetize their content.If you're a fan of the "I Know Dino" podcast or interested in learning how to build a successful niche podcast, tune in now to hear Sabrina and Garret's insights and advice on how to turn your passion into a thriving business.Listen to the "I Know Dino" PodcastVisit and Join Their Patreon!Check out "I Know Dino" Merchandise!How a Part-Time Dinosaur Podcast Became a Full-Time Business - Side Hustle Nation------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/31/2023 • 46 minutes, 28 seconds
Cracking the Code of Aging: Inside "Project Blueprint" | Bryan Johnson
Bryan Johnson has been many things in his life, but the founder of Braintree Venmo's current passion is being - in his parlance - a "Professional Rejuvenation Athlete". Over the past two years, Bryan developed Project Blueprint, a comprehensive health regimen designed to reverse the aging process and increase longevity. After struggling with unhealthy eating habits, Johnson "fired himself" and dedicated his time to researching and experimenting with different health and wellness techniques. He used data-driven approaches to optimize his diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, with the goal of improving his overall health and extending his lifespan.In his first year of following Project Blueprint, Johnson achieved remarkable results, reducing his epigenetic age by 5.1 years in just seven months. This amounts to an average age reversal of .73 years per month, a significant accomplishment in the field of anti-aging research.One of the unique aspects of Johnson's approach is his gamification of the age-reversal process. He created The Rejuvenation Olympics, an online leaderboard open to the public designed to motivate himself and others to stay on track with their age reversal goals and to have a public forum to share protocols and validated results for age rejuvenation. This approach helps turn the often daunting task of improving one's health into a fun and engaging game.Johnson also employs a problem-solving approach he calls Zeroth Principle Thinking, which involves breaking down complex problems into their most fundamental components and solving them systematically. This approach helped him create his Goal Alignment Problem, which involves aligning his daily actions and habits with his long-term health goals.One notable aspect of Project Blueprint is that it's available to anyone, free of charge. Johnson has made the information and tools he's developed publicly accessible, with the hope of helping as many people as possible achieve better health and a longer lifespan.Overall, Bryan Johnson's Project Blueprint represents an innovative and data-driven approach to health and longevity, with potential implications for the broader field of anti-aging research.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/30/2023 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 42 seconds
The Cure for America's Societal Problems | Tim Urban
In this episode of the James Altucher Show, James sits down with Tim Urban, author of the popular blog "Wait But Why" to discuss his latest book What's Our Problem? A Self-Help Book for Societies.Tim Urban is known for his ability to explain complex topics in a relatable way, and this interview is no exception. James and Tim explore a variety of societal issues, including the increasing polarization of American society in the past decade. They delve into the reasons behind this polarization, including the concept of societal echo chambers versus idea labs.One of the key insights that Tim shares from his book is that there are two games being played in the socio-political world. The first game, which Tim calls "Political Disney World", is the game that both the left and the right are playing with each other. In this game, each side views themselves as heroes and the opposition as villains, with no middle ground. The second game, which is the unspoken nuance that many individuals silently agree with but are scared to voice their opinions for fear of being expelled from their spoken tribe, is what Tim calls "Game 2".Tim emphasizes the need for players of "Game 2" on both sides of the political spectrum to push back against "Game 1" because the current state of affairs is actually harmful to effectively promoting the ideals of either in the present.James and Tim also touch upon the concept of an idea spectrum, which gravitates between thinking like a scientist on one pole, a sports fan in the middle, and a zealot at the other pole. They discuss how individuals can move away from a zealot mindset and towards a more scientific mindset, which involves seeking out new information and being open to changing one's beliefs based on that new information.Throughout the conversation, Tim shares practical solutions for creating a more cohesive and harmonious society, emphasizing the importance of empathy and communication in solving societal issues.Listen on for a fresh perspective on the challenges we face as a society and actionable solutions for creating a better future. Buy What's Our Problem? A Self-Help Book for SocietiesRead Tim's Blog "Wait But Why?"------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/28/2023 • 54 minutes, 2 seconds
The Future of Medicine is Personalized, Predictive, and in Your Hands! | Dr. Leroy Hood & Dr. Nathan Price
Dr. Leroy Hood and Dr. Nathan Price, with over a century of combined experience in the industry, have written a book titled The Age of Scientific Wellness: Why the Future of Medicine is Personalized, Predictive, Data Rich, and in Your Hands. The book explores cutting-edge technology that can help people live longer, healthier lives regardless of age. In today's interview, they discuss the role of AI in improving human lifespan, immunotherapy, NMN, gene editing, Alzheimer's, and other related topics. No 'stupid question' of James' goes unanswered!They also share insights about their personal experiences, including stories about Dr. Hood's one-on-one experience as a graduate student of Richard Feynman while Feynman was compiling his classic 3-volume Lectures on Physics. The Age of Scientific Wellness is an excellent resource for readers interested in learning more about modern medicine.------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/23/2023 • 52 minutes, 33 seconds
Banks, Crypto, China: Do We Need to Be Afraid? | Omid Malekan & Cal Fussman
The US financial system has been going through a period of uncertainty, with various factors contributing to this state of affairs. One major issue that has been in the news recently is the occurrence of bank runs and mid-size bank insolvencies. These events have caused concerns about the stability of the banking sector and the broader financial system.Another factor that has contributed to the current uncertainty is the massive fluctuation of cryptocurrencies. The prices of popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen significant fluctuations, with prices soaring to record highs at times and plummeting to new lows at others. This volatility has raised questions about the role of cryptocurrencies in the financial system and their potential impact on traditional banking and finance.In addition to these domestic issues, there is also growing concern about China's increasing influence as an international deal broker. As China's economy continues to grow and expand, it is seeking to play a greater role in global finance and trade. This has led to some anxiety about the future of US financial dominance and the potential for China to become a major player in the international financial system.To shed light on these issues, James and his guest, Cal Fussman, are joined by resident financial expert Omid Malekan. Together, they discuss the root causes of the current uncertainty, the issues that are worth worrying over, and what the future may hold for the American financial system. By examining these issues in depth, they hope to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the US financial system in the years ahead.------------Read Omid's book: Re-Architecting Trust: The Curse of History and the Crypto Cure for Money, Markets, and Platforms------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/21/2023 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 17 seconds
A Decade of Discovery: Reflecting on Ten Years of Podcasting with James and Jay
In this podcast episode, James talks to our producer Jay Yow about the show's first ten years, James' experience with interviewing before starting the podcast, and his podcast goals for the next decade. This conversation comes after James has conducted 1300 interviews over nearly a decade.James has a rich and varied background in media and entertainment, which has informed his approach to podcasting. Prior to launching his show, James worked at HBO, where he developed and produced the web series "3 AM." This project, which followed the lives of New York City night owls, was ahead of its time and was an early example of the kind of storytelling that would come to define podcasting.After leaving HBO, James went on to help other creators launch successful podcasts, including Tim Ferriss, whose show has become one of the most popular and influential podcasts in the world. James' experience with Ferriss helped inform the importance of having a strong point of view and being willing to take risks to create something truly unique.Throughout his career as a podcast host, James has had his share of fears and favorite moments. He admits that it can be nerve-wracking to interview high-profile guests or tackle sensitive topics, but he also finds great joy in the process of discovery and the opportunity to share fascinating stories with his audience. Some of his favorite moments as a host include the times when he has been surprised by the insights or perspectives of his guests, or when he has been able to cultivate friendships with his interviewees such as chess legend Garry Kasparov.Despite the challenges and uncertainties of the industry, James remains passionate about podcasting and is excited to see where the medium will go in the years to come. His experience and perspective have helped him to create a show that is both entertaining and insightful, and he continues to push himself to take risks and explore new avenues of storytelling.What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/17/2023 • 52 minutes, 52 seconds
The Secrets to The Good Life: Insights from Harvard's 80-Year Study | Robert Waldinger
Today's guest is Professor Robert Waldinger, who has been in charge of an 80-year study at Harvard University, tracking the happiness and well-being of a group of 724 people and their descendants. In his viral TED Talk, which has garnered over 40 million views, Professor Waldinger shared some of the insights he's gained from this long-term study, and in his new book, The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, he goes even deeper into the factors that contribute to a fulfilling life.As a psychiatrist and Zen priest, Professor Waldinger brings a unique perspective to the study of happiness and well-being. In this episode, we'll explore some of the key findings from his research, including the role of relationships, community, and purpose in leading a good life. We'll also delve into practical strategies for cultivating happiness and meaning in our own lives, and discuss the challenges we face in today's fast-paced, technology-driven world.Tune in as we explore the secrets of The Good Life with Professor Robert Waldinger.Watch Bob's Viral TED TalkBuy The Good Life------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/16/2023 • 1 hour, 58 seconds
Fraudsters Unveiled: Inside the Minds of Intentional, Righteous, and Accidental Perpetrators | Kelly Richmond-Pope
Today, James welcomes Kelly Richmond-Pope, a forensic accountant and professor at DePaul University, to discuss her new book Fool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud Industry.The book explores the world of financial fraud and provides insights into how fraudsters operate, the damage they cause, and the techniques used to catch them. James and Kelly dive into some examples from the book to examine the three types of financial fraudsters: Intentional Perpetrators, Righteous Perpetrators, and Accidental Perpetrators.Intentional Perpetrators are those who knowingly commit fraud for personal gain. Kelly shares some fascinating stories about individuals who engaged in elaborate schemes to defraud others, including the city comptroller of Dixon, IL (population: 16,000) who embezzled over $53.7m from the town's coffers.Righteous Perpetrators, on the other hand, believe that they are acting in the best interest of others when they commit fraud. Kelly provides examples of individuals who embezzled funds from their companies to support their personal causes, such as a woman who stole money from her slumlord boss to benefit her community.Lastly, Accidental Perpetrators are those who unknowingly commit fraud. Kelly discusses cases where people unintentionally misrepresent their financial statements or fail to report income accurately, resulting in unintentional fraud.Throughout the episode, James and Kelly also explore some of the broader issues surrounding financial fraud, and the importance of education in preventing fraud. Don't miss this captivating episode if you're curious about the fascinating world of finance, fraud, and forensics. Kelly Richmond Pope's WebsiteFool Me Once: Scams, Stories, and Secrets from the Trillion-Dollar Fraud IndustryWatch her documentary All the Queen's Horses on Prime Video------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/14/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 51 seconds
Exploring the COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory | Matt Ridley
In this episode, James welcomes back Matt Ridley, an acclaimed author & journalist who co-wrote the book Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19. The book delves into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and explores the various theories that have emerged about how the virus started.With recent reporting suggesting that the Department of Energy and FBI are now considering the possibility that the pandemic began from a lab leak, Ridley returns to the show for the third time since the book's release to discuss this development in depth. He will explore the evidence and arguments that support or refute the idea that the virus originated from a laboratory.Ridley's extensive knowledge of the subject and his ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in an accessible way make him an ideal guest to discuss this topic. Listeners can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the pandemic's origins and the potential implications of a lab leak theory being confirmed. They will also get insights into the scientific community's ongoing search for answers and their challenges in investigating this complex and politically charged issue.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/12/2023 • 44 minutes, 20 seconds
Master the Art of Persuasion and Win Every Argument | Mehdi Hasan
Are you tired of always losing arguments? Do you find it challenging to persuade others to your point of view? Look no further than today's episode with Mehdi Hasan, renowned news anchor and author of Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking.Mehdi reveals the secrets to mastering the art of persuasion using the proven techniques from the book, emphasizing the importance of empathizing with your audience and tailoring your arguments to their needs and desires. By using phrases like "I understand how you feel" and "Let's work together to find a solution," you can create a sense of rapport and trust that will make your argument more convincing.Mehdi also emphasizes the importance of backing up your claims with facts and evidence, using words and phrases like "research shows" and "studies have proven." Additionally, he explains how the power of storytelling can captivate your audience and make your argument more memorable.This conversation is not just for those interested in politics or public speaking, but for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and win arguments in any situation. Tune in now to learn how to use the language that will make your argument irresistible. Visit Mehdi on TwitterBuy Win Every ArgumentThe Mehdi Hasan Show on MSNBC------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/9/2023 • 52 minutes, 11 seconds
Unusual Facts of the Day: Insights on Marriage, History Trivia and Neuroscience
In this episode of The James Altucher Show, James sits down with producer Jay Yow to discuss eight fascinating and unusual facts James learned that day. From tips on marriage and happiness to surprising historical trivia and neuroscience, this conversation is packed with exciting and thought-provoking tidbits that are sure to spark your curiosity.The duo begins by discussing the declining birth rate in many countries and what it means for their future. They then dive into statistics on various accidents, including the number of Tesla deaths in 2023.Next, James shares Gottman’s 7 Principles for Making a Marriage Work, offering his own insight on marriage. They then explore the science behind a Duchenne smile and how it can help reduce stress, even if you're faking it!Additionally, James shares an anecdote about a pitch email he received from a publicist, concluding that most people don't care about their job. They then delve into neuroscience, discussing how to activate your brain's dorsomedial prefrontal cortex.Finally, the conversation takes a historical turn as James learns two surprising facts about Malaysia in real-time, including its use of the Latin alphabet and its invasion by Japan via bicycle just one day after the Pearl Harbor attack.Join James and Jay in this informative and engaging conversation, and be sure to share your own unusual facts with James on Twitter @jaltucher.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/7/2023 • 43 minutes, 15 seconds
Writing Your Most Interesting Story: Six Rules for Everyday People to Write Compelling Books
In today's episode, James is sharing some great tips on how everyday people can write interesting books that really grab their readers' attention. Everyone has a really interesting story to tell, and personal narratives are the most powerful stories out there. He goes on to stress the importance of not relying solely on scientific proof to make your point, and instead focusing on crafting a compelling story that your readers can connect with. To illustrate this point, James talks about how Annie Duke used her experience in the world of poker to connect decision-making concepts to statistics, creating a really powerful narrative that resonated with readers.James talks about the necessity of adding to the frontier of knowledge. He explains why it's so important to say something new and different in your writing, rather than just repeating the same old ideas. He mentions Ryan Holiday and Robert Greene as experts at making old ideas new and relevant again.Finally, James gives us some tips for becoming a better writer, including reading widely, practicing writing regularly, and learning how to edit and revise effectively. With these six rules in mind, James encourages us all to start writing our own compelling stories.If you're thinking about writing a book that really stands out and connects with your readers, this episode is a must-listen.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/3/2023 • 36 minutes, 32 seconds
Mastering the Magic of Language: Insights on Persuasion and Connection | Jonah Berger
Today's episode is going to be incredible because we have a very special guest: Jonah Berger, author of "Magic Words: What to Say to Get Your Way" Are you looking for ways to improve your persuasion skills, whether in business or your personal life? Then you won't want to miss this one!During this episode, James and Jonah will be revealing the seven magic words that are proven to be highly persuasive. Imagine being able to use words like "you," "because," "free," "imagine," "if," "how," and "instantly" to influence and engage the people around you. And what's even more exciting is that Jonah will be sharing how he uses these same words to motivate and engage his children as a parent.But that's not all - James and Jonah will also dive into the psychology behind language and why certain words are more contagious than others. They'll discuss the role that emotions, social identity, and culture play in shaping our linguistic preferences and habits and share practical tips on how to become better communicators and storytellers.So, if you want to learn how to master the art of influence and become a better persuader in both your professional and personal life, tune in to this episode now. You won't regret it, because you'll discover how to use magic words to motivate and inspire those around you.Visit Jonah's WebsiteBuy Magic WordsJonah On Twitter------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/28/2023 • 49 minutes, 31 seconds
Jordan B. Peterson | Exploring the Phenomenal Logical Landscape of Humanity
“You have the ideal life,” I said. “You think about things. And people pay attention. And you get paid for it.” I was talking to Jordan B. Peterson. His YouTube channel has tens of millions of views. He’s a clinical psychologist, professor, and author of 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, and now a guest on this podcast.People stop him on the street. They say “Thank you.” They say, “You’ve changed my life.”“What did you say that helped their life?” I asked.But I already knew the answer…Because it’s true for me too.He told them what they were ready to hear. That’s it. And they acted. Sometimes people thank me. And I tell them “You did it.” Then we take a picture and I feel happy.I asked Jordan about his “12 rules for life.”“I tried to lay out the phenomenal logical landscape of humanity in this book,” Jordan said.I interrupted.“What’s phenomenal logical?”“It’s life as experienced. Ya know, you think, ‘What’s reality?’ Well, there’s material reality, but that isn’t the reality you live. You live a reality that’s full of emotions and motivations and personal experiences. That’s your reality.”I stayed silent. I was collecting.“But what’s the structure of that reality? What’s the fundamental structure of the human-lived reality?” he said. “Part of it is suffering because we’re finite and limited. But it’s suffering that’s tainted with malevolence because some of that suffering is unnecessary. You cause it, society causes it. It doesn’t have to happen. That’s the world we live in. It’s hard and it’s cruel.”Then he said, “You’re stuck with that. That’s the bottom line. So how are you going to deal with it?”I think that’s the basis of how we live. The answer to that question “how are you going to deal with it?” With losing money, hating your job, getting fired. That’s the act. The response is life.He gave me a lot of steps (for dealing with cruelty and suffering). I’ll give you some in a minute. But you should also listen to him on the podcast because he gives so much more in that one hour than I could ever collect on this page.STEP 1 – Get in touch with your dissatisfaction.STEP 2 – Take stock of your life (what can you do differently? What are the small steps? Don’t actually take them (yet). Just start by learning what you don’t like and what you do like in your life right now). Do that for a week.Those steps continue. But he also said this:“You have to choose your pathway of suffering. That’s one way of thinking about it. You can choose the suffering that’s associated with deceit, arrogance, resentment, bitterness or you can choose the suffering that’s associated with truth. The suffering that’s associated with truth transcends. It starts to make things better. Deceit makes life worse. And truth makes it better. ”I needed examples—dozens of them.I just kept throwing life problems at Jordan to see what he’d say. He told me how he solves conflicts with his wife. And how he managed his depression. He told me his thoughts on “the grind of life.”Because it’s every day. And it’s hard.But there are things we can do to make ourselves more okay with our chaos and the chatter between our ears. We can follow rules (like Jordan’s) or make our own.I’m doing both.Links and Resources12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. PetersonJordan’s website: jordanbpeterson.comFollow Jordan on Twitter and FacebookWatch him on YouTube (his channel has over 6.5 million subscribers)Also MentionedTools of Titans by Tim FerrissJordan’s interview with Joe Rogan Carl PanzeranA quote from Carl Jung: “Modern people can’t see God because they won’t look low enough”------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/26/2023 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 50 seconds
James Mentors People | Jason Wright
In 2003, Jason Wright was feeling utterly miserable after spending six years job-hopping through corporate America. Wanting more out of life, he decided to become his own boss and operate his own small business. At the age of 28 and with no clue where to start, Jason was determined to make it happen.After a year of hard work, Jason successfully purchased an existing real estate company without any money down. His secret? A compelling story as to why he was the right buyer and an ability to convince the seller they'll get their money. Now, two decades later, Jason is a writer, teacher, podcaster, and coach still persevering in that same Texas town.In this new sub-series of unfiltered mentoring calls, James Altucher and Jason engage in an openly vulnerable conversation where Jason shares his journey of escaping corporate America and becoming a successful entrepreneur. Join us as we listen in on this fly-on-the-wall conversation and learn from Jason's valuable insights.https://www.jasonwrightnow.com/The Jason Wright Show------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/23/2023 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 46 seconds
Superpowered Aging with the Master of Flow | Steven Kotler
Steven Kotler believes that middle-aged adults are better learners than kids, and he has the Ivy League studies to back it up.In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kotler, the bestselling author of Gnar Country: Growing Ould, Staying Rad, and a true expert in the field of peak performance and human potential.In Gnar Country, Kotler explores the world of extreme sports and the science behind what drives these athletes to push themselves to their limits. But what's really interesting is how this knowledge can be applied to all of us, no matter our pursuits.During our conversation, Kotler introduced the concept of "dynamic deliberate play," which involves taking on new challenges and exploring the unknown with a sense of curiosity and creativity. He also talked about how this kind of play can lead to a state of "flow," which is when we're completely absorbed in the activity we're engaged in and time seems to fly by.Kotler also discussed the idea of "peak performance aging," which is the notion that we can continue to improve and achieve our goals well into our later years. He shared the latest research on how our brains and bodies age, and how we can use this knowledge to stay healthy, happy, and productive as we get older. Kotler's compiled research suggests that 'cognitive superpowers' exist which aren't neurologically available to younger humans, but there are four conditions required in order to tap into those abilities:By age 30: Solve the crisis of identity.Be age 40: Create a tight-knit match between your identity and your principal activity.By age 50: Exhibit forgiveness and empathy for yourself and others.In your 50s: Regularly engage in challenging and creative activities.We covered a lot of ground in this interview, from the science of flow to the keys to achieving your goals, and everything in between. So, whether you're an athlete, a professional, or just someone who wants to live your best life, you won't want to miss this conversation with Steven Kotler. Tune in to learn about the power of dynamic deliberate play and how it can help you achieve your full potential, no matter what your age.Visit the Gnar Country websiteVisit Steven Kotler's websiteSteven Kotler on Twitter------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/21/2023 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 17 seconds
The Making of a Legend: How a Criminal Became a Champion | Frank Shamrock
Frank Shamrock calls himself "The First Super Athlete" in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Some might say that Frank lacks humility, but he was the first UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and retired undefeated from the organization. He revolutionized MMA and went deeper than anyone else, studying the body and optimizing his performance. While others focused on technical fighting, Frank dug into the biomechanics and truly became a force to be reckoned with.But get this, Frank didn't start off as a fighter. Actually, he found MMA while he was in jail at the tender age of 11. Frank had left his abusive home and turned to crime as a way to protect himself and get out of his situation. Sad, but true.Fast forward a bit, and Frank is in prison at 17 for 3 and a half years. That's when he had his big "aha" moment. He realized that he had ruined his life with 20 felonies, no education, and a baby to support.Frank understood that he had hit rock bottom, but he wasn't going to let that hold him back. He learned that changing his mindset and taking action was the first step to rebuilding his life. Now, Frank is an inspiration to all of us.A former criminal who became a champion, Frank Shamrock's journey and lessons can inspire anyone, whether they're fighters or not. It's all about having the right mindset and taking action to overcome any obstacle.Links and Resources:Follow Frank on TwitterCheck out Frank’s WebsiteAlso Mentioned:“Bound by Blood” DocumentaryEgo is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/17/2023 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 1 second
Mastering the Mindset: Unlocking Peak Performance | Avetik Grigoryan
To be the best in the world at something requires a lot of skill, some talent, and a lot of hard work. In this episode, James sits down with Grand Master Avetik Grigoryan, the founder of ChessMood.com, to explore the importance of mindset in achieving peak performance at work. Avetik shares his experience as a professional chess player and coach, poker player, and entrepreneur, highlighting the role that mindset plays in achieving success on and off the board.As the founder of ChessMood.com, Avetik is committed to helping others master their mindset and unlock their full potential. [Side note: Chess Mood is incredible. It's hundreds of hours of videos and it really helps, no matter what your level is. Today also happens to be Chess Mood’s fifth year anniversary and they're unlocking all their courses for free.]Whether you're a professional athlete, a CEO, or someone looking to improve your performance at work, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips for mastering your mindset and unlocking your full potential.Join James and Avetik as they delve into the importance of mindset in achieving peak performance, and explore the power of the motto "right mood, right move".------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/15/2023 • 2 hours, 8 minutes, 13 seconds
The Importance of Human Connection | Cal Fussman
"If you're connected, there's always hope, there's always a solution. If you feel disconnected, man…it's all on you!"In this episode of the podcast, James Altucher sits down with Cal Fussman to discuss the need for human contact and social connectivity in a world that has been forever changed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Cal shares his personal experience of the daily breakfast group he was a part of for many years with his friend and confidant Larry King, where the motto was "Seize the Day".As the world begins to slowly emerge from the pandemic, Cal and James explore the ways in which our relationships with others have been impacted and the importance of re-establishing these connections. They discuss the value of in-person interactions, the benefits of having a strong support network, and the need for human touch and connection - even if it's giving yourself a daily high-five in the bathroom mirror.Whether it's rekindling old friendships, joining a new community, or simply taking the time to reach out to someone in need, this episode highlights the importance of human connection and the role it plays in our happiness and well-being.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/14/2023 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 34 seconds
Everyone is Lying About the Economy! | James on The Undefeated Marketing Podcast
Everybody is lying about the economy and I can't stand it anymore. Listen as I break down what people are misrepresenting, what is actually going on, and how I'm personally investing during this time.One stock that I own a good amount of is Wrap Technologies, which I've owned for years (as a co-founder). I plan on owning it for hopefully 10 more years, so I don't care if people will buy it or not. Here's why I'm talking about this: I don't particularly care about what happens in the economy when I plan my investments. When I invest, I'm long-term and I'm looking for "moonshots" - exponentially growing industries that have the potential to take $1 and turn it into $100s.This interview originally appeared on Phil Stutts' Undefeated Marketing Podcast. Listen on to hear why people are lying about the economy - whether it's the Federal Reserve, the media, or economists - and what they're missing.Phillip Stutts' WebsiteThe Undefeated Marketing PodcastWRAP | Safer Policing Outcomes | BolaWrap® & Wrap Reality™ ------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/10/2023 • 51 minutes, 46 seconds
The Human Hacker's Guide to Hacking Your Own Biology | Ben Greenfield
This interview blew my mind. I'm not going to inject stem cells into my penis, but I'm going to do everything else Ben Greenfield suggests. Human hacker - and New York Times bestselling author - Ben Greenfield joins the show as he shares the secrets from his book Boundless: Upgrade Your Brain, Optimize Your Body & Defy Aging. I have interviewed dozens of people on this topic; however, this episode and book sum them all up and then go 10x deeper! Ben explores cutting-edge science and strategies for optimizing every aspect of human performance, from physical fitness and longevity to cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and sexual performance. This episode will be enlightening whether you're a seasoned biohacker or just looking to improve your health and wellness. Get ready to learn how you can hack your own biology and unlock your boundless potential with Ben Greenfield. Visit Ben's WebsiteView All of Ben's BooksBen on TwitterBen's YouTube ChannelBen on Instagram------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/9/2023 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 30 seconds
Sara Blakely | From Footless Tights to Forbes
Sara Blakely is a self-made billionaire. She’s the founder and creator of Spanx. I interviewed her in January 2017 - over 800 episodes ago! - but all of her advice (learned directly from DOING) is still impacting me today. I had to re-listen. And I hope you do too...Some people are inspirations for life. Sara is one of those people.Sara Blakely is weird. I wish I could think the way she does. I want to be weird like her.“I look at any object and try to think of any use it has other than what people had planned for it.”And then she acts on it. She sees a pair of pantyhose, cuts off the feet (why not?), and creates a multi-billion dollar company, Spanx.She sees her 9-month pregnant belly and paints a basketball on it. And then inspires hundreds of other women to do the same. Creates a book out of it, The Belly Art Project, and donates the proceeds to charity.“All my life I was taught how to deal with failure,” she told me. “My dad would ask us at the dinner table every night: how did you fail today?” HOW DID YOU FAIL TODAY?She got comfortable with failure at an age when every other kid wants to get an A+ at everything.She got comfortable embarrassing herself. For two years she tried to be a standup comedian. “I wasn’t very good at it.” Practice embarrassing yourself…Ready. Fire. Aim.She got a huge order from Nieman Marcus even though she didn’t have the inventory or the production ready.She said, “YES!”. Then she figured out how to get the order filled.Oprah listed Spanx as one of her “favorite things” of 2000. Oprah wanted to film her office. Sara had no office.She said, “YES!”. Then she got an office and filled it up with people.Say YES! Then make things happen. Don’t argue yourself into failure.Excuses are easy. Saying “yes” and then executing is hard. Get your thinking time.“It takes me five minutes to drive to work,” she told me. “But I take 45 minutes. I use that time to think.”It’s important to think. To be creative every day.This is how she comes up with non-stop ideas to expand her brand, expand her products, and work on other projects.I suspect this is the secret to how she always sees things differently. Being creative is a practice. It’s not lightning from above.It’s taking the long route when you could’ve taken the short route. Purpose = Infectious salesmanship.While I was talking to Sara she used the word “empower” several times.Spanx clothes give women more confidence. Empowers women. The Belly Art Project empowers pregnant women.It seems like there are three parts to a project that leads to mastering salesmanship.The higher purpose for it. This gets people excited.The actual product and its benefits.ExecutionCombine all three and people will get infected with your passion for your ideas. Sara was unstoppable. Don’t volley.Don’t engage with the people who want to argue with you. That’s time wasted when you can be creative. Don’t invite ego in the door.Once you’ve worked on your project, have passion for it, and started it, be willing to take suggestions and listen to people.Ego can kill a project and close the door on good opportunities. Be aware of your mortality.Sara was selling fax machines for five years before fully launching Spanx.She could still be selling them if she never started.If she listened to all the people who tried to dissuade her.If she became afraid of the multi-billion dollar companies that could have easily squashed her. Except they didn’t. She was one person and they were billions. But they lost.We are here only this precious small amount of time. Make every moment a work of art. Make every moment move you one step forward toward your dream and purpose.Invent a new undergarment even if you have never made clothes in your life.Get 100s of women to paint their pregnant bellies and then raise money for charity with the idea.“EVERYTHING IS A CANVAS,” she told me.Which makes everyone a potential artist. What a great way to look at life.But I can’t!Why not?For anything you want to do, for anything that excites you, take the time to figure out the next step. Ready. Fire. Aim.Just why not? Why not? Links and Resources:Visit her website: Spanx The Belly Art Project and check out the book The Belly Art Project: Moms Supporting MomsEvery Mother CountsMen’s SpanxFollow Sara on Instagram@sarablakelyFollow Sara on Facebook + TwitterAlso mentioned:“How To Be a No Limit Person” by Dr. Wayne DyerI interviewed Sara’s husband, Jesse Itzler, about his book Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/7/2023 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 39 seconds
The Secrets of Negotiation from the FBI Top Negotiator | Chris Voss
“Terrorists have moms,” he said.Jeffrey Schilling was kidnapped in the Philippines and held hostage for 7 and a half months. The terrorists said they were torturing him.But Chris Voss didn’t fall for it.Chris is a former FBI hostage negotiator and the author of Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It.“Find a way to mention his mother’s concern for him,” Chris’ boss said.“I remember thinking, ‘That’s the dumbest idea I ever heard. A terrorist is going to care about this guys mother?’”“But my boss had great insight. And I didn’t see any downside to it. So in the middle of the negotiation I said, ‘Ya know Jeff’s mom is really worried about him.’”“What happened next?” I asked.“This murderous, sociopathic terrorist said, ‘His mother knows about this? You tell his mother he’s OK.’”Months later, Jeffrey came home.Some hostage negotiation tactics won’t work in business or with your wife.But these 5 tactics will…1. Use the “hand-cuff method”:Use this line when someone yells at you: “I can’t hear you when you’re yelling at me.”The logic is simple. People yell when they want you to listen.But if you eliminate their reward (being heard), then they have to comply. And you’ll never get yelled at again. 2. Push past threats:“People who make threats always leave themselves an out,” Chris said.But the truth is they need you. If you’re not talking, there’s no deal. They could lose out on a sale, a new employee, or millions of dollars.“The point of a negotiation is to find out how much money is on the table,” Chris said. “You have to push the other side as far as they’ll go… without insulting them.” 3. Gain the upper hand 100% of the time:“You can gain the upper hand by giving respect first,” Chris said.Which a lot of people are afraid to do...“But that’s exactly why you gain the upper hand,” Chris said. 4. Become less busy:Rest is the new hustle.“Anytime you slow down to do things more deliberately, you save time.” Chris calls this, “The delay that saves time.” 5. Show fearlessnessFear can be useful. But not in a negotiation. “Showing fearlessness is a great way to inspire confidence in you from the other side,” Chris said.Forget what you have to lose. And focus on the reward.I can’t afford to lose all my money again. So if you’re on this list… don’t listen to this interview:A) You’re related to meB) You work with meC) You want to sell me somethingEverybody else is welcome.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/4/2023 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 16 seconds
The Secret World of Illicit Finance | Raymond Baker, Author of 'Invisible Trillions'
Today, we're joined by the one and only Raymond Baker, author of the eye-opening book Invisible Trillions: How Financial Secrecy is in periling Capitalism and Democracy, and the Way to Renew our Broken System. That's a lot in the subtitle, but it's also a massive topic that's often swept under the rug because - as Raymond details - essentially every large corporation engages in the tax-dodging practices he details in depth in today's conversation. Raymond talks about the interweaving between capitalism and democracy, whether it's a good thing across the world, and the international ramifications. The examples Raymond provides in the book and in the actual experiences and situations he recounts on today's episode are very serious, and it really does involve trillions of dollars. You won't want to miss this fascinating conversation filled with surprising revelations and thought-provoking insights. Join us as we explore the world of "Invisible Trillions" with Raymond Baker!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/2/2023 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 12 seconds
Inside the Mind of a Cybercriminal: The Original Internet Godfather Shares His Story | Brett Johnson
Brett Johnson committed tax fraud and credit card fraud from a desk inside the FBI offices for almost a year before going on a cross-country crime spree, stealing $600,000 in four months, making the US Most Wanted list, going to Disney World, getting sent to prison AND THEN ESCAPING! But let's back up…In today's episode of The James Altucher Show, we sit down with Brett Johnson, a man who has lived a double life. Once the leader of ShadowCrew & Counterfeit Library - precursors to the modern dark web - he's now a sought-after cybersecurity expert and consultant, using his insider knowledge of the criminal underworld to help organizations defend themselves against cyber threats.Brett takes us on a wild ride through his upbringing at the hands of manipulative criminal parents, his rise through the burgeoning world of cybercrime and social engineering beginning with mid-'90s eBay fraud, and how his yearning for love and acceptance concluded with his arrest by federal law enforcement.Instead of continuing down the path of criminal activity, Brett has found a way to use his expertise to make the digital world a safer place for all of us. Redemption is possible. No matter what mistakes you've made in the past, it's never too late to turn your life around and use your skills for good.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/31/2023 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 49 seconds
Uncovering the Legend: A Personal Look at the Life and Legacy of Larry King | Cal Fussman
James sits down with legendary journalist Cal Fussman to discuss the life and career of the iconic Larry King. Cal, who knew Larry for over 30 years, shares personal anecdotes and insights into the man behind the microphone.Cal and James begin by discussing Larry's early days in radio, where he got his start as a disc jockey in Florida. From there, they delve into the story of how Larry landed his first national television gig on the Mutual Broadcasting System's "The Larry King Show." Cal describes Larry as a masterful interviewer, who had a unique ability to make his guests feel comfortable and open up to him.The conversation then turns to Larry's time at CNN, where he hosted "Larry King Live" for 25 years. Cal talks about the significance of the show, and how it helped to establish CNN as a major player in the world of cable news. He also shares some of his favorite moments from the show, including interviews with world leaders and celebrities.James and Cal also discuss Larry's impact on the media industry, and how he helped to pave the way for other talk show hosts. They also touch on Larry's personal life, including his marriages and health struggles in recent years.Throughout the interview, Cal provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the life and legacy of Larry King. He paints a picture of a man who was not only a skilled journalist but also a kind and generous person who is deeply missed by those who knew him.This is a must-listen episode for fans of Larry King and anyone interested in the history of media and journalism.Big Questions Podcast with Cal Fussman
1/27/2023 • 2 hours, 17 minutes, 27 seconds
Failing to Predict the Future: A Deep Dive into 'The Worst Tech Predictions Ever' | Trung Phan
When Elon Musk tweets a one-character reply to your article and 2.3 million people view it, you've hit viral gold.That's what happened with Trung Phan's article about the worst tech predictions ever on the Sat Post substack; a retrospective look at some of the most inaccurate predictions in the technology industry. Some of the predictions discussed include the belief that the internet would be a passing fad, that smartphones would never catch on, and that social media would never be profitable. Trung also reflects on the reasons WHY these predictions were so far off the mark and the impact that these inaccuracies had on the industry. In today's episode, James and Trung discuss the predictors' motivations behind their statements, James talks about how his past predictions have affected his current life, and the two give some of their current predictions for the hotly debated topics of cryptocurrencies and AI. SatPost by Trung Phan | SubstackTrung Phan (@TrungTPhan) / TwitterBearly.ai | The world's best Ai at your fingertips.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/26/2023 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 36 seconds
Breaking the Rules: Insider Secrets from a Former CIA Agent and Author of 'Company Rules' | Mike Baker
In this episode, James sits down with Mike Baker - a former CIA agent and author of the bestselling book Company Rules. With years of experience in covert operations and leadership, Mike shares his unique insights on strategy, corporate culture, and the importance of breaking the rules. Whether you're a startup founder or a seasoned CEO, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain a competitive edge.The book offers a candid look at the challenges and successes of the CIA, and how these can be applied to the corporate world. It also covers the importance of fostering a culture of innovation and risk-taking, as well as the need to adapt to changing circumstances. Tune in as James and Mike delve deep into the inner workings of the CIA and the lessons that can be applied to the business world. Don't miss out on this exciting and informative conversation.Get the audiobook, narrated by the author: Company Rules by Mike Baker - Audiobook | ScribdThis episode was also brought to you by Wondrium! https://Wondrium.com/james------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/24/2023 • 1 hour, 50 seconds
One Billion Users: The Future of Crypto | Tascha @TaschaLabs
Is it possible to time the crypto market? I talked to Tascha from @TashaLabs, one of the smartest people I know in the crypto space. You definitely have to check out her website, Tasha Labs, and sign up for her newsletter. We talk in great detail, not only about how you value a cryptocurrency, not only how you can time the crypto market, but about what really are some of the future use cases of crypto that will lead to ultimately a billion users, and why this is not just a fad.Back in 1999, 2000, and 2001, everyone was still saying the internet was a fad. Well, it wasn't. Crypto's going to follow the same path and Tasha has the details.Tascha (@TaschaLabs) / TwitterTascha Labs - YouTubeTascha Labs - FREEDOM | CREATIVITY | WEALTH | CONSCIOUSNESS------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/20/2023 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 7 seconds
He Was So Fed up with Traffic, He Redrew the Map (Literally!) | Uri Levine
Uri Levine was frustrated by traffic jams on his commute and found validation that the problem was widespread. His solution was to co-found Waze, the crowd-sourced GPS navigation platform which became a major competitor to Google Maps before being acquired by Google for $1.4 billion.But Uri's new book, Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution: A Handbook for Entrepreneurs is not the story of Waze. It's not one story about entrepreneurship. It's completely an A-to-Z handbook for entrepreneurs with so many specific sections, like:How to do a demo,How to build a slide deckHow to make an effective presentationHow do you evaluate a term sheet?What metrics do you use to measure the growth of your company?How do you manage investors, fire people, and hire people?What deal terms need to be negotiated for the exit?This is such a valuable guide, it really is, and today's conversation builds upon these principles. Listen on as Uri & James discuss all of these topics and more, including:Waze built its maps using user GPS data, why did the first 1000 users download Waze? (00:11:22)The 4 Stages of Users: Innovators -> Early Adopters -> Early Majority -> Late Majority (00:13:14)What percentage of successes are problem-based vs innovation-based? (00:15:46)How do you distinguish between your users and your customers? (00:16:50)Did Waze ever consider charging subscriptions to the users? (00:18:37)What metrics do you look at to see if a business is on the right path? (00:39:25)Did Waze ever consider licensing navigation data? (00:47:39)Why is it more valuable to talk to customers who don't like you? (00:48:27)What are some techniques to cement a good first impression? (00:53:30)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/19/2023 • 1 hour, 43 seconds
Steven Pressfield | Writing Lessons from the Master
Steven Pressfield's newest book, Govt Cheese a memoir, must jump to the top of your reading list. Both gut-wrenching and laugh-out-loud funny, his brutally honest story is a compelling page-turner. Steven's writing career spans many genres and formats, but it almost never materialized. From US Marine to advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout, mental hospital attendant, migrant fruit-picker, and hack screenwriter, his debut novel - The Legend of Bagger Vance - was 30 years in the making before it was published (later to become a major motion picture). Never content with one format, his non-fiction book The War of Art has now sold over a million copies globally & his historical fiction novel Gates of Fire is on the required reading list at West Point.James and Steven touch upon all manner of concepts & credos during today's conversation, among them:What role does advertising play in an author's toolkit? (00:06:10)After writing 3 unpublished novels and 9 failed screenplays, what kept Steven motivated? (00:15:17)Did Steven ever consider suicide? (00:16:43)What breakthrough made Steven's books "publishable"? (00:19:13)The 5 stages of creative development: Desire, Craft, Soft Skills, Finishing, and Killing the Ego (00:29:43)The importance of mentorship (00:31:43)What did Steven learn from re-writing a porn script? (00:47:04)James' two classes of humans: "Writers" & "Birdwatchers" (00:56:02)Belief in the other all-knowing dimension (01:02:08)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/17/2023 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 42 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Build Your Own Real Estate Empire Starting with Zero Dollars! | Rolly Weaver
Think of this as a step-by-step guide to building literally your own real estate empire! Roy “Rolly” Weaver did his first real estate transaction fresh out of college with ZERO dollars to his name and, leveraging his earnings, built a portfolio including an apartment building, a hotel, and resort-town cabins which continue to earn him hundreds of thousands of dollars in passive income annually!Listen on hear to Rolly describe his business ascent using other people's money and stick around for the details on his ongoing "chess match to the death" with James!https://www.instagram.com/rollyweaver/------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/13/2023 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 12 seconds
Skip the Line, Enter Through the Alley, and Sneak in Through the Kitchen! | Alex Banayan
Alex Banayan's story would have made a perfect chapter in Skip the Line: A college student hacks his way onto a game show, uses his wit to win the showcase, sells the prizes, and uses the proceeds to fund his business ambitions!Alex's bestselling book The Third Door takes readers on an unprecedented adventure—from hacking Warren Buffett’s shareholders' meeting to chasing Larry King through a grocery store to celebrating in a nightclub with Lady Gaga—as Alex Banayan travels from icon to icon, decoding their success.James and Alex discuss the journey (including the crushing failures along the way), how their strategies and circles have overlapped, and what the next chapter of Alex's journey holds in store.This episode was also brought to you by Wondrium! https://Wondrium.com/james------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/12/2023 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 56 seconds
This Author's Titles Are So Important, I Wrote an Entire Chapter About Them! | Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, joins The James Altucher Show to discuss technology and how different systems handle disorder. As humans evolve, technology is constantly being upgraded and replaced with new concepts and ideas. Today, we use technology in almost every aspect of our lives, but do we really understand the advantages and disadvantages of constantly being computerized?In Nassim's book The Black Swan, he highlighted for readers the unusual and unpredictable events that underlie almost everything about our world. Now with his book Antifragile, readers are presented with why we should embrace these uncertainties. The ideas and concepts that Nassim presents today for our listeners are beyond anything you have heard before. Nassim and James talk about several ways that disorder in your life will actually make you stronger. As Nassim tells James in the interview, "If you don't have variability in your life, you are not human." The key is to take these shocks and disruptions and become - as Nassim says - antifragile, making you stronger, more creative, and better able to adapt to each new challenge you face.Nothing is certain in this world; this episode will have you questioning everything you thought you knew.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/10/2023 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 19 seconds
How to Thrive in our Modern Work World with a 70,000-year-old brain! | Martin Seligman, Ph.D. & Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, M.D.
Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, M.D., has served as chief product officer and chief innovation officer at BetterUp, founding CEO of LifeLink, and an advisor to healthcare, coaching, and behavior change technology companies. Martin Seligman, Ph.D. is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, director of the Positive Psychology Center, and former president of the American Psychological Association. Together, they join James today to discuss their new book, Tomorrowmind.Tomorrowmind tackles the challenges of thriving in our modern world of work with a 70,000-year-old brain. How can we not only survive but flourish amidst the never-ending cycles of change and unprecedented uncertainty that threatens to drown us daily?Drawing from their original research, Kellerman and Seligman outline five critical skills that today’s professionals need to develop to achieve their potential. They offer guidance for organizational leaders looking to arm their workforce with the capabilities that will future-proof their firm’s success.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/6/2023 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 45 seconds
Google Doesn't Care About Stories! | SmartBlogger's Jon Morrow
Jon Morrow might be the most successful copywriter on the web, and he's definitely the best indexed on the web. Jon (the owner of Smart Blogger) and James take today's 80 minutes to unravel the current market conditions for getting paid to write content, how to learn to do it, and how rapidly the market is going to shift over the next 5 years.In Jon's words, "The future of AI isn't to replace all writers, I think it's going to replace the word processor. Instead of going into Google Docs or Microsoft Word, you're going to go to an AI prompt and you're going to have a writing assistant who you will feed at your novel ideas and it will express them in super interesting ways that you can then choose from to publish on the web."The pair also discuss:Search-driven content vs. social media-driven contentWhat are content briefs and who are content strategists?Domain authority vs. topical authorityCopywriting vs. content writingAI-assisted SEO keyword generationHow to get paid to write from home with no prior experience!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/5/2023 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 53 seconds
How to Build the Future | Peter Thiel
"If you listen to only one podcast this year, this has to be the one." That's what James wrote after interviewing Peter Thiel in 2014 and, to begin 2023, we've remastered this classic episode for a new audience to experience. To one degree, this time-capsule episode immediately dates itself: Discussion about whether Uber can grow outside of San Francisco; Facebook was the most important social media company; talk of "new banking systems" doesn't revolve around cryptocurrencies and DFi. Make it past the surface, however, and this episode provides 75 minutes of thoughtful and robust discourse around the principles which have made billions and created billionaires.Among the many lessons in today's episode:Capitalism and competition are antonyms. A capitalist to someone who's in the business of accumulating capital. Great companies do something unique, and because of this unique thing they have monopoly-like pricing power and can create value for all consumers.A company should start when they have a technology that is 10 times better than its closest competitor."I've never seen anyone succeed with a pitch like "1% of China will buy our refrigerator" because there will be 99 other Chinese companies for the other 99% of China, and they will drive the marginal profits to zero."It's critical to find people with whom you're fundamentally aligned and on the same page when you're starting a business. It's better to have a long pre-history with your co-founder so you understand each other's strengths and weaknesses and can speak to one another honestly. You get maximal cooperation when people's roles are defined in very differentiated ways. As a founder or manager in an early-stage startup, you need to continuously readjust the org chart, continuously redefine people's roles, and make sure that the highs and lows are differentiated so that the lows don't blow up like they might in a primitive, archaic tribe.(**Check out this incredible write-up outlining the episode from one of our listeners!**)Click here to find Peter's 2014 book, Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future ------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/3/2023 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 32 seconds
What's Important for the 2nd Half of Your Life? | Dr. Brian Keating (Part 2 of 2)
Today's episode with Dr. Brian Keating - concluding our conversation from last week - also acts as a fitting bookend to our previous episode with Jordan Harbinger. Brian and James delve into the perils of fame-seeking ambition and how their world views have changed after recently cresting age 50.Brian also gives some business ideas he's been ruminating on and asks for James' feedback:"Yellowstone" but Based Around the Biblical Patriarchy (00:11:53)Anti-Doxing as a Service (00:21:36)Deepfake & Chatbot Detectors (00:23:11)https://BrianKeating.com/listhttps://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/27/2022 • 42 minutes, 56 seconds
Ambition and Experiences in an AI World | Jordan Harbinger
Fan favorite guest Jordan Harbinger joins today for an agenda-free discussion that winds up centering around ambition, the importance of lived experience, family life, and how artificial intelligence is changing the job descriptions of content creators and media personalities.Enjoy our episodes with Jordan? Check out The Jordan Harbinger Show! Here are the episodes Jordan and James discuss during today's conversation:Ken Perenyi | The Secret Life of an American Art Forger | The Jordan Harbinger Show 282Mark Edward | True Confessions of a Fake Psychic | The Jordan Harbinger Show 413Here's a "starter pack" of additional episodes Jordan recommends from his archives:Starter Packs for New Listeners | Jordan HarbingerAnd, keeping on our recent theme of 'recommendation lists', check out Jordan's most recommended books and movies:Jordan's Recommended Reading ListJordan's Recommended Movies List------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookShow Less
12/22/2022 • 45 minutes, 28 seconds
Winning the Horace Mann Medal | Dr. Brian Keating
Our conversations with astrophysicist Brian Keating Ph.D. are always wide-ranging, topical, and a little spicy (served with a side of bad puns). Today's conversation begins amidst the 5-week University of California Graduate Student Union strike, where Brian was unable to communicate with his graduate research assistants without a picket line being crossed. The discussion moves back to familiar territory from our prior encounters: imposter syndrome, winning and losing prestigious awards, and whether it's more charitable to donate anonymously or influence others to do so publicly.https://BrianKeating.com/listhttps://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/20/2022 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 26 seconds
Machatunim & More! | Jason Feifer's Recommendations for 2023
Our end-of-the-year recommendation series continues this week with friend of the pod Jason Feifer!In honor of the eight nights of Chanukah (not really), Jason has come loaded with 8 recommendations to take you into 2023.Listen on to hear why Jason made these picks and find out what the heck "machatunim" means! Jason's 1st Recommendation: If you have a curiosity, call or email someone smart (00:26:57)Jason's 2nd Recommendation: Annie Duke's newest book Quit (00:34:31)Jason's 3rd Recommendation: The "Garbage Day" newsletter by Ryan Broderick (00:39:32)Jason's 4th Recommendation: "Lucifer on the Sofa" the newest album by Spoon (00:53:15)Jason's 5th Recommendation: "Don't Let the Sunlight Fool Ya" the newest album by The Slackers (00:57:41)Jason's 6th Recommendation: Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds 2 (00:58:17)Jason's 7th Recommendation: Build for Tomorrow by Jason Feifer (01:02:38)Jason's 8th Recommendation: Ask people for favors and create virtuous cycles (01:03:13)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/16/2022 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 56 seconds
Code, Content, Content, Collaboration | Dan Martell (Pt. 2)
Dan Martell’s work ethic propelled his business forward…and destroyed his life. His constant attachment to the job ruined his friendships and ended his engagement with his fiancé. Did any of this stop him? Yes, yes it did.Dan now preaches his “Buy Back Your Time” method, coaching CEOs and entrepreneurs on how to lead and grow their companies while delegating the tasks that they don’t enjoy or don’t excel at.In today’s conclusion to our two-part interview, we hear about Dan’s career and development after exiting his first company, the methodology that’s changed how he runs his companies, and James gets to speak with Dan’s wife about the time they simultaneously learned about Dan’s criminal past.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/13/2022 • 39 minutes, 44 seconds
Askhole, Stretchy Belts, and AI Bible Verses! | A.J. Jacobs's Recommendations for 2023
Whenever A.J. Jacobs comes on the podcast, you better buckle up. Our longtime friend (and occasional co-host) is always deep in the middle of a long-term experiment on himself and you never know what he's going to bring to the table. On today's episode, (jealous of our recent recommendation podcast with Amy Morin?) A.J. arrives in an 18th-century mindset to discuss his list of recommendations heading into 2023.Listen on and check out the links below for more information:A.J.'s first pick: Ground News (00:24:15)A.J.'s second pick: Romesh Ranganathan: The Cynic (00:29:06)A.J.'s third pick: Askhole (00:30:32)A.J.'s fourth pick: Beltology.com Stretchy Belts (00:42:11)A.J.'s fifth and sixth picks: Stave Puzzles & Liberty Puzzles (00:54:37)A.J.'s seventh pick: Japanese Puzzle Boxes (00:59:21)A.J.'s eighth pick: Derry Girls on Netflix (01:02:40)Bonus!: AI Bible Verses via GPT3 (01:11:35)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/10/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 11 seconds
Buy Back Your Time! | Dan Martell
When Dan Martell was 14 years old, his parents gave him up to the foster care system. At age 15, he ended up in a car chase with the police while driving a stolen car with a handgun inside and tried to end his life. While in rehab after a stint incarcerated, he focused his attention on a 486 computer and Java programming handbook and never looked back.Today, Dan is on a mission to scale companies and help CEOs "Buy Back Their Time", and is known as one of the world's most popular "SaaS coach" to CEOs. Dan's upcoming book shows entrepreneurs at every level how to scale their businesses fast while avoiding burnout.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/8/2022 • 34 minutes, 4 seconds
Books, Boats, Murders, and More | Amy Morin & James' Best-of-2022 Recommendations
Our favorite boat-dwelling, social working, Maine-to-Florida transplant - bestselling author/podcaster/psychotherapist Amy Morin, LCSW - makes her eagerly awaited return to the podcast to wrap up 2022 and help ring in the new year with James. The duo present their favorite book, show, and activity recommendations from the next year and we get the details on Amy's upcoming books releasing in 2023!James and Amy's 2022 Nonfiction Book Picks:Discipline is Destiny by Ryan HolidayListen to the InterviewBuy the BookThe Gift by Edith EgerListen to the interviewBuy the BookGovt Cheese by Steven PressfieldListen to the most recent interviewBuy the BookOther memoirs about writing James recommends:James Patterson by James PattersonNovelist as a Vocation by Haruki MurakamiA Moveable Feast by Ernest HemingwayJames' wildcard genre fiction pick:The Long Walk by Steven King (written as Richard Bachman)James' TV Picks:YellowstoneAtlantaAmy's Activity Pick:Underwater photography with the GoPro Hero cameraAmy's Professional Life Splurge - Airport Private Lounge Access:American Airlines Admirals ClubDelta Sky ClubAmy's Podcast Recommendation:The VanishedJames' Standup Special Recommendation:Ari Shaffir: JEW**Pre-order Amy's upcoming 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Workbook**------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/6/2022 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 25 seconds
...and How to Be Happy | Dr. Andrew Huberman (Part 2)
Enjoy the second half of our episode with Dr. Andrew Huberman (one of the world's leading neuroscientists), who tells us how to create happy chemicals in our brains (naturally) and feel good more often.Here's a list of what we talked about:How to optimize your brain to be as happy as possible, as energetic as possible, and as smart as possibleHow to create more happy chemicalsHuman evolution and why our brain functions the way it doesThe purpose of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, and how to create each of these dailyWhy gratitude helps us slow down and connectDifferent mental health drugs and supplementsThe power of sunlightCocaineHow to train your brain to focusWhat causes good sleepPubertyBooks we recommendHow to shake off the residue of the dayNootropicsand more!And if you want to learn more from Dr. Andrew Huberman, check out his Instagram account, @hubermanlab, which brings you new information directly from Stanford Medical School's Huberman Lab.https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab/?hl=en------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/3/2022 • 41 minutes, 27 seconds
How to Optimize Your Brain | Dr. Andrew Huberman
Part of enjoying life is taking care of your brain. So I wanted to invite Dr. Andrew Huberman (one of the world's leading neuroscientists) back on to tell us how to create happy chemicals in our brains (naturally) and feel good more often.Here's a list of what we talked about:How to optimize your brain to be as happy as possible, as energetic as possible, and as smart as possibleHow to create more happy chemicalsHuman evolution and why our brain functions the way it doesThe purpose of serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, and how to create each of these dailyWhy gratitude helps us slow down and connectDifferent mental health drugs and supplementsThe power of sunlightCocaineHow to train your brain to focusWhat causes good sleepPubertyBooks we recommendHow to shake off the residue of the dayNootropicsand more!And if you want to learn more from Dr. Andrew Huberman, check out his Instagram account, @hubermanlab, which brings you new information directly from Stanford Medical School's Huberman Lab.https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab/?hl=en------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/2/2022 • 56 minutes, 58 seconds
How Do We Build a Better Crypto Marketplace? | Omid Malekan (Part 2)
How do we get better crypto exchanges and custodians, both in terms of being more responsible and more regulated?Coming out of the FTX debacle, the media spotlight is highlighting the cracks and flaws in the current system. While the crypto industry is doubling down on ways to make key management and self-custody a lot easier with ideas like social backups, a revamp of the exchange industry is needed in order for major sources of wealth to stake their claims in the marketplace.Enjoy the conclusion of James' conversation with the "explainer-in-chief of crypto" Omid Malekan!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/29/2022 • 41 minutes, 6 seconds
Build a Better Crypto Marketplace! | Omid Malekan
Omid Malekan, the former Crypto advisor for Citi Ventures, has a lot of ideas about the direction of decentralized finance and cryptocurrencies. Today, Omid and James piggyback on last week's interview with Google finance lead Antonio Reza to discuss the industry fallout from FTX's fraud and bankruptcy filing.The pair discuss how we can develop better crypto exchanges, the broad role of NFTs in assigning property rights to intangible assets, and lessons learned from Omid's new book: Re-Architecting Trust: The Curse of History and the Crypto Cure for Money, Markets, and Platforms.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookShow Less
11/25/2022 • 34 minutes, 26 seconds
2022 Election Recap! How Did James' PredictIt Bets Fare? | Phillip Stutts
"Voters are ready to move on and they want to know how you're going to solve the future problems and the current problems, not dispute past arguments." - Phillip StuttsPolitical operative and campaign manager Phil Stutts joins James live on YouTube for a 2022 election recap. Listeners may recall Phil's two most recent appearances on the podcast where Phil discussed polling while James gambled on outcomes using the website PredictIt.org.The "Red Wave" that Phil had forecasted 9-days prior to the election did not turn out as he'd expected. Today, the two discuss the exit polling demographic data across the country and how candidate messaging impacted voter turnout. The two also begin the conversation with a quick discussion of the recent collapse of FTX and the future of cryptocurrency platforms.Additional Topics Include:All In Podcast about FTX Collapse (00:06:34)James predicts Twitter will be the ultimate cryptocurrency & digital payments platform (00:09:56)The "Red Wave" was a "Pink Tide" (00:12:44)Issues in the 2022 Midterms: Exit Polling (00:19:22)The efficiency of candidate spending vs SuperPAC spending (00:25:35)Comparing fundraising in Ohio vs Pennsylvania (00:27:49)"If you stay above the mud, you'll always have a chance to come back. If you stay in the mud, you'll always look like mud." (00:51:59)Could there be a legitimate 3rd party candidate in 2024? (00:57:00)How Did Phil Stutts' Campaigns Do in 2022? (01:02:37)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/22/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 56 seconds
The Rational Optimist Rationalizes the Pandemic | Matt Ridley
When Matt Ridley joined us most recently, he and co-author Alina Chan - a molecular biologist specializing in gene therapy and cell engineering - had just released Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19, which defends why people ought to take the SARS-CoV-2 lab-leak hypothesis seriously. One year later - now that the politicization regarding every aspect of Covid has subdued - Matt rejoins the podcast to discuss what he's learned over the past twelve months.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/19/2022 • 58 minutes, 28 seconds
The Biggest Fraud in History | Antonio Reza
The ABCs of How to Commit Corporate Fraud:Step 1: Have high-up government connections.Step 2: Deal with a service so complicated that you don't need to explain it.Step 3: Transfer balances between your own entities to pump up valuations.Step 4: Payoff the accountants (or don't have a CFO at all!).Enron, WorldCom, Madoff Securities, FTX. All of these companies have had Icarus-like rises and collapses and they all followed the same playbook. Is it a coincidence that the man who returned $20 billion to Enron’s creditors will now oversee FTX through Chapter 11 bankruptcy? Today, Antonio Reza (Head of Finance for Google Cloud EMEA, ex-Microsoft Azure, ex-GE) joins James to discuss the greatest fall of them all, Enron, and its similarities to the recent plummet of FTX. Antonio's recent thread about Enron is a must-read and his Twitter account is full of similar insights.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/17/2022 • 59 minutes, 44 seconds
An American Tale | David Bellavia
"There's a consequence to everything you do on a chess board, there's a consequence to everything you do in a firefight."David Bellavia is an author, radio host, public speaker, and US Army veteran, known famously as the first and only living Medal of Honor recipient from Operation Iraqi Freedom.Today's double-length episode is a real treat.During the first hour, David recounts the events in the Iraq war leading up to the Second Battle of Fallujah and gives a play-by-play of the night in vivid detail.In the second hour, David recounts his years after retiring from the Army, his then-political ambitions for his home in Western New York, and the unexpected event when - 15 years after the fact - he was awarded the Medal of Honor. David's new book Remember the Ramrods is a page-turning read about Bellavia's Army unit, an infantry battalion known as the Ramrods—2nd Battalion 2nd infantry regiment, 1st Infantry Division.Enjoy the conversation, storytelling, and thoughtful discourse in this must-listen episode.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/15/2022 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 2 seconds
Paradigm Shifts & Parapsychology | Jesse Michels
"The extreme fringe of technology combined with mystery."Jesse Michels (ex-Google, Thiel Capital) wears many hats, his current favorite being his American Alchemy Youtube channel. Each week, Jesse converses with serious scientific professionals about UFOs, Psychic Powers, and probes the topics of human uncertainty. Additional Topics Include:Parapsychology (00:11:06)J. B. Rhine at Duke University (00:14:10)James' meeting with Uri Geller (00:30:34)Stanford Professor Gary Nolan's unearthly UFO crash remnants (00:33:16)The Half-Life of Facts by Samuel Arbesman (01:05:11)Graham Hancock (01:07:14)Jesse's father, Barry Michels, on the James Altucher Show (01:12:09)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/14/2022 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 30 seconds
Brain Washing (Not Brainwashing) | Marc Milstein, PhD
Brain researcher Marc Milstein, Ph.D. joins today's conversation to discuss The Age-Proof Brain: New Strategies to Improve Memory, Protect Immunity, and Fight Off Dementia. Dr. Milstein and James discuss good brain habits, the link between gut health and brain health, and strategies to lower your risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia.Additional topics include:Brain shrinkage after age 40 (00:06:43)How sleep aids affect the 'brain washing' process (00:12:04)Anxiety and depression's impact on dementia (00:17:15)How diet affects performance (00:35:48)Alpha GPC and nootropics (00:37:02)The gut-brain connection (00:40:21)The Seven Second Memory Rule (00:51:19)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/10/2022 • 56 minutes, 50 seconds
Waist Management & Hangry Customers | GrubHub's Mike Evans
GrubHub co-founder Mike Evans started the food delivery service in his apartment and left, 12 years later, after a $2.1 Billion IPO. Along the way, he's transformed the way consumers interact (or don't interact) with restaurants, learned the "real way" to apologize, and is focusing his efforts on providing salaries, benefits, equity, continuous training, and progressive career opportunities to folks entering the building trades. After the podcast, learn more about Mike's career and his 4,000-mile coast-to-coast bike trip in Hangry: A Startup Journey.Additional topics include:Grubhub's Chicago origin story (00:07:41)The efficiency issue with telephone orders (00:13:41)How GrubHub's customer service crushed the competition (00:23:33)Expanding markets and the Seamless merger (00:33:54)Fixer.com - a new path into the building trades (00:41:28)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/8/2022 • 48 minutes, 30 seconds
Three Traders Walk into a Chat Room... | WallStreetBets Founder Jaime Rogozinski
Jaime Rogozinski founded the WallStreetBets sub-Reddit in 2012 during the height of the #OccupyWallStreet movement as a response to how banks use the stock market like a casino. The community provides low-capital investors opportunities and information on how to leverage huge returns in opposition to 'traditional' investing which takes years to generate wealth via compound interest. During the pandemic, the forum exploded in notoriety when the group invested heavily in GameStop, AMC, and other 'meme stocks'. Today, Jaime dives into the history of the group he founded and divulges information on the new 'gamified investing' platform he's looking to launch in 2023!Additional topics include:The difference between WallStreetBets members and "traditional" Investors (00:04:13)The history and ethos of WallStreetBets (00:19:49)"Three traders walk into a chat room..." (00:22:17)The 2021 Gamestop and AMC stock explosion (00:33:28)What WallStreetBets experiments has Jaime run? (00:49:33)Jaime's concepts for the gamification of trading (00:52:21)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/3/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 49 seconds
Midterm Madness: Bets and Predictions | Phillip Stutts
Campaign manager and political operative Phillip Stutts returns - one week prior to the 2022 midterm elections - to help James finalize his bets on PredictIt.org. The pair examine how Phil's predictions from his September appearance on the show have played out and give updated predictions on specific competitive races. James also gives his initial impression of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, the upcoming Federal Reserve Board meetings, and how a divided government might boost the flagging stock market before the end of 2022.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/2/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 31 seconds
This Doesn't Make Any Sense! | Andrew Gold (Part 2)
The conclusion of last week's two-part two-hour conversation with Andrew Gold! This half of the interview centers around Andrew's experience as a world-traveling Brit experiencing different American cities for his first extended visit to the States. The two discuss "tipping culture" in America, corporations banning "wrong thought" for the sake of their own profits, and Andrew's surreal visit to Tim Pool's compound when being interviewed on his podcast.-----------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/1/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 48 seconds
Mr. Wonderful: Live in Las Vegas! | Kevin O'Leary at Web3 Expo
"Mr. Wonderful" Kevin O'Leary joins James for a 'fireside chat' in front of a live audience at this year's Web3 Expo in Las Vegas!The pair discuss Kevin's current venture, WonderFi, which "provides access to decentralized and regulated centralized crypto platforms and is focused on building the future of finance". The conversation also pivots to how federal regulation and the $USDC stablecoin will open investment opportunities to sovereign wealth funds and provide a much faster and cheaper replacement to the current EFT system.-----------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/28/2022 • 29 minutes, 5 seconds
Secondhand Smoke Causes Secondhand Coolness | The Onion's Scott Dikkers
Before there was "Fake News" there was the Fake News, and today's guest - The Onion co-founder Scott Dikkers - was the driving force behind the farce. Dikkers has been an editor-in-chief or General Manager of the newspaper and website for three spans between its founding in 1988 and 2014.Scott is also the bestselling author of over 20 humor books, including the lauded 3-book How to Write Funny series, and codified the '11 Funny Filters' that are used in almost every joke. ------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/27/2022 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 seconds
How Will the War in Ukraine End? | Brandon Webb
On October 3rd, SOFREP Editor-in-Chief Brandon Webb wrote an OpEd asking "Is The Media Edging us Closer to Nuclear World War Instead of Diplomacy in Ukraine?". Today, Brandon - a famous Navy SEAL sniper, military instructor, author, and entrepreneur - joins the show to discuss the war in Ukraine's past, present, and future from multiple perspectives.Additional Topics Include:How did the Iraq war boost Iran's influence in the Middle East? (00:07:23)Why does Putin want Ukraine? (00:09:32)How could Russia have a soft landing? (00:19:33)Brandon's prediction for the outcome in the next 6-months (00:37:52)What does AI think will end the war in Ukraine? (00:52:41)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/25/2022 • 56 minutes, 6 seconds
Modern Finance, Web3 & NFTs | James on 'The NFT Show'
At this year's Web 3 Expo, James sat down with @PioVincenzo_ for a special interview on The NFT Show YouTube channel.Topics include:The importance of product vs. services (00:07:17)StockPickr.com and Mike Lazerow (00:13:43)James' crypto ads plastered across social media (00:18:24)James' hedge fund days (00:30:54)James' take on the NFT space (00:36:47)Bitcoin vs Ethereum (00:47:34)Will corporations adopt Ethereum or use their own blockchains? (00:53:44)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/22/2022 • 57 minutes, 50 seconds
Is There Anyone You Wouldn't Interview? | Andrew Gold
"If there are three ways to win status: one is dominance, one is success, and one is virtue." Fan favorite guest Andrew Gold returns to the show for a 2-part, 2-hour meta-interview focusing on the thornier aspects of interviewing polarizing guests and how the public reacts.In recent years, Andrew Gold has hosted psychopaths, gang members, accused murderers, and cult members. James has taken an apolitical - or possibly anti-political - approach to the guests on his show. While Andrew has been relatively unscathed, James continues to receive backlash from both sides of the political spectrum when interviewing polarizing figures.Enjoy the show's first episode recorded in person at James' house in Georgia!Also make sure to check out his podcast with the link below:https://podfollow.com/on-the-edge-with-andrew-gold------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/21/2022 • 57 minutes, 7 seconds
The Making of a Customer | Home Depot Co-Founder Bernie Marcus
Whenever you need anything, why would you look anywhere else? Philanthropist and entrepreneur Bernie Marcus joins James on the show to coincide with the release of his new book, Kick Up Some Dust: Lessons on Thinking Big, Giving Back, and Doing it Yourself. One part chutzpah lesson, one part masterclass in charitable giving, our 93-year-old guest gives straight-ahead answers and personifies the concept of lifelong learning and finding out "how dumb we were yesterday".Additional topics include:Bernie's relationship with Sam Walton (01:50)"We want our customers to know, whenever you need anything, why would you look anywhere else?" (09:18)How do you build up a sense of what risks to take? (15:11)The Marcus Autism Center (17:25)Learning to handle and overcome failure (00:22:53)Philanthropy through The Marcus Foundation (00:34:32)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/18/2022 • 59 minutes, 8 seconds
A 'Make Me a Millionaire' Mentee's Musings | James' Interview on "The James Quandahl Show"
Today, former Make You a Millionaire mentee James Quandahl hosts James on his one-on-one podcast, "The James Quandahl Show". Below are the notes James Quandahl wrote to accompany the interview:This is a very special episode because I finally had a chance to record a conversation with someone who needs no introduction for the listeners of this show… my good friend and mentor James Altucher.During today’s episode, we discussed why James believes hosting a podcast is like taking classes from the best professors ever.The negative effect social media has on our focus, careers, life, etc.Why we have the tendency to do what is bad for us… even when we know it is bad.And how James feels it may be good to be a little anxious.We dig into why he doesn’t consider his writing or podcast to be in the self-help category, and instead how his books are a story of how he helped himself.Finally, we spoke about the ramifications of James’s viral article, NYC is Dead Forever, Here’s Why, and if James writes to be controversial.We discussed all of this and so much more in today’s episode, so please give it a listen and send me a message with your thoughts @JamesQuandahl on Instagram and Twitter… And if you’re enjoying the show please subscribe or follow and share this episode with a friend.Episode resourcesJames’s article on anxiety, I need a check for one million dollarsJames’s viral article, NYC is Dead Forever, Here’s WhyNotePd.com: Where you can write 10 ideas per day, join challenges, use AI to create images and ideas, and much much more.My podcast episodes with Robyn Altucher… Episode 1, Episode 2Cal Newport, So Good They Can’t Ignore YouDo The Work, by Stephen Pressfield------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/16/2022 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 4 seconds
Andrew Tate: The Most Googled Man in the World Refuses to be Cancelled
When the most powerful people in the world are trying to destroy you and you refuse to die, it starts to cross your mind, "What's coming next?" In 2015, Andrew was a world kickboxing champion known to James as the son of International Chess Master Emory Tate. The two started conversing in the wake of Emory's untimely passing and have sporadically kept in touch.Seven years later, Andrew - retired from competitive contact sports - has taken the internet's mantle as a self-proclaimed free speech advocate "embroiled in a battle against The Matrix". Having been de-platformed from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter despite multi-million followers on each site, James reached out to Andrew looking for clarity into his current situation as an impartial third party.What follows is an unfiltered hour of provocative and polarizing conversation.------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/13/2022 • 55 minutes, 29 seconds
The ABC's for Franchisees | Entrepreneur's Jason Feifer
By popular request, Entrepreneur editor-in-chief Jason Feifer returns for a follow-up episode devoted to the fundamentals of starting and building franchises, a pillar of the Entrepreneur ecosystem.Starting from the very basics, James peppers Jason with the critical few questions necessary to understanding how franchises operate, which types of business are suited to part-time operators, and what kind of financial returns a franchisee might expect based on their business.Additional Topics Include:Jason: "What is the minimum amount of me a job requires so that I can figure out how to expand myself in other directions?" (03:28)James: "You only learn something by doing that something" (04:55)James: "80% of the learning is doing what you have to do"Jason: "It is only to your benefit that people do things outside of what you're asking them to do." (07:36)Entrepreneur's evolution from within the franchise space to brand independence (09:49)How do you build wealth from a franchise? (27:38)Franchise Disclosure Documents (34:32)Franchise fees and revenue shares (39:14)What type of profit can a franchisee expect (42:57)What franchising success stories has Jason seen (47:25)Has Jason ever considered franchising? (52:41)Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/11/2022 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 2 seconds
How to Fail Up | 'On the Edge with Andrew Gold' Podcast
Recent guest Andrew Gold returns the favor this week by interviewing James on his own podcast, "On the Edge with Andrew Gold". Andrew claims his podcast's aim is to interview "fascinating minds & quirky outsiders"…we're still waiting to learn in which camp he places James!As Andrew's bio states, he's "a journalist and TV presenter who speaks 5 languages & lived in 6 countries, producing docs on bizarre and controversial subcultures. I battled an abusive exorcist, duelled with the Crazy Baby Lady and hunted UFOs. Working on a book and TV doc on paedophilia and spoke to a teen school head boy paedophile for pod episode six."After you enjoy today's interview with James, check out this curated list of episodes Andrew recommends to new listeners.Andrew Gold links:http://youtube.com/andrewgold1http://instagram.com/andrewgold_okhttp://twitter.com/andrewgold_ok------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/8/2022 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Ryan Holiday: Cynic in the Streets, Stoic in the Sheets
"The negative actually gives us information, the positive never gives us information"On the heels of his most recent book's release, author, entrepreneur, and (most recently) independent bookstore operator Ryan Holiday returns to the podcast. Discipline Is Destiny: The Power of Self-Control is the second book in Ryan's 4-book series on The Stoic Virtues, and this book "draws on the stories of historical figures we can emulate as pillars of self-discipline, including Lou Gehrig, Queen Elizabeth II, boxer Floyd Patterson, Marcus Aurelius and writer Toni Morrison"*Additional Topics Include:Book Soup owner's 3 keys to owning a bookshop. (04:27)Bookstores have been immune from the profit motive. (10:37)The social caste system in America. (13:22)"Freedom is the opportunity for self-discipline" (21:04)Jimmy Carter's moral dilemma: "Did you always do your best?" (26:57)"The negative actually gives us information, the positive never gives us information" (31:53)The Cynics vs the Stoics (41:18)The psychology of managing your goals through difficult public reactions. (58:38)Queen Elizabeth's magnanimous restraint (70:05)Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/6/2022 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 32 seconds
A Mercenary's Guide to Midterm Gambling | Phillip Stutts
Political operative Phillip Stutts, founder and CEO of political marketing company Go Big Media and corporate marketing company Win Big Media, joins the show to discuss James' 2022 midterm election bets and how & why the numbers on PredictIt may vary significantly from more tailored polling models.Additional Topics Include:The 'Shy' Trump voter, the 'Hidden' Trump voter, and the 'Submerged' Trump voter (13:14)Registered voters vs 'highly motivated' registered voters (22:19)The impact of the Roe v. Wade Situation in 2022 Midterms (36:00)76.8% of Americans identify as struggling to get by with basic necessities (40:22)2024 Presidential Nomination Contenders (47:24)Has the Fed gone overboard in "talking down" the economy? (66:27)Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/4/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 18 seconds
Entrepreneur's Paradise | Coolio (Redux)
After the unexpected and untimely passing of Coolio, we have decided to re-air this early episode of the podcast.From the original release notes:"Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum artist Coolio joins The James Altucher Show to share his story of success. With more than 30 million records sold globally, Coolio gives a side to his story that most people don’t know. Teacher? Psychologist? Author? There are many surprising career paths that Coolio he had interests in pursuing.You’ll hear how his love of music and his ability to understand and connect with people enabled him to create hip-hop poetry unlike anyone else. Something that most people don’t realize is that one of Coolio’s biggest hits, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” caused him some career conflicts, and here you get all the details.What is truly inspiring is his passion for life and his ability to choose himself. From a rough childhood and being bullied to creating his career from scratch, you get the exclusive details from Coolio himself.He is living proof that believing in yourself is a skill, one that everyone can master if they put their mind to it."------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
10/1/2022 • 56 minutes, 20 seconds
The Long Century: 1870-2010 | J. Bradford DeLong
"This is one of the best economic history books I've ever read."J. Bradford "Brad" DeLong, Berkeley economics professor, former Clinton-era Treasury official, and pioneering economics blogger* joins today's conversation on the heels of his latest book release, Slouching Towards Utopia: An Economic History of the Twentieth Century. Part history lesson, part economic theory discussion, Brad and James debate what DeLong has dubbed the "long twentieth century" from 1870 to 2010 where the "last three institutional blocks" fell into place: the industrial research lab, the modern corporation, and the modern globalized market.Additional Topics Include:How Westinghouse was able to utilize Nikola Tesla's genius (07:30)Reagan's experiment with "Trickle Down" theory (22:27)Do "the 99%" have more equal income distribution than in previous eras? (28:16)Public Colleges' funding model switch from taxpayers to attendees in the 1970s (35:28)Secular Stagnation in the Post-2010 Economy (50:40)"The people with the want don't have the money, and the people with the money don't have the want" (58:39)What the Federal Reserve should do over the next 18 months (01:05:03)Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/29/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 39 seconds
America in 100 Charts | Scott Galloway
"Loneliness will be the next cancer." - Scott GallowayBestselling author and NYU business school professor Scott Galloway returns for a blunt and fascinating discussion about America's current crossroads. In Professor Galloway's newest book, Adrift: America in 100 Charts, he demonstrates how crises such as Jim Crow, World War II, and the Stock Market Crash of 2008, as well as the escalating power of technology, an entrenched white patriarchy, and the socio-economic effects of the pandemic, created today’s perfect storm*The conversation ranges from the statistical problem with online dating to the commoditization of colleges that coerce students to "pay a Mercedes price tag for a Kia product."Additional topics include:Are we innovating ourselves into isolation? (09:01)Is China's rise an existential threat to the US? (18:42)What would Scott Galloway do to solve America's problems? (45:19)Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/27/2022 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 43 seconds
Unlock Your Potential | Jeff Lerner Interviews James!
"If you're not in the top 1% or striving to be the best you can be at whatever you love doing, you're not going to feel fully alive in the short amount of time you're alive."Friend of the show and Entre Institute founder Jeff Lerner returns, and the tables are turned this time. Today, we're pleased to share Jeff's interview with James on his Unlock Your Potential podcast, which focuses on three pillars:Humans have extraordinary potentialUnlocking our potential is part of our purposeHard things are worth doing if they make us betterThe interview focuses on James' Skip the Line process hacks to become part of the top 1% in your given field, and James explains why striving for the top 1% is much healthier than trying to be #1 in the world.Other Topics Include:What is James' method for digesting the universe? (06:47)Is James a 'Process Hacker'? (11:44)Being in the Top 1% (13:25)Mastering variety vs. Mastering one thing (24:16)Being #1 vs Being #15 (30:18)James' 25-year break from competitive chess (35:54)Is James afraid of achieving a 'best in the world' status? (42:18)"You rise to the level of your incompetence" (46:27)The Origins of NotePd.com and where it's headed (58:32)Capitalism vs "Innovationism" (68:00)Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/24/2022 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 28 seconds
Survival of the Richest | Douglas Rushkoff
"I thought I was a joke or a test!"Douglas Rushkoff was led into a room at a desert resort where five mysterious billionaires awaited him. They peppered the media theorist and author with binary questions: Bitcoin or Ethereum? Virtual reality or augmented reality? Alaska or New Zealand?This experience sets the stage for Douglas's newest book, Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires, which focuses on "The Mindset, a Silicon Valley-style certainty that they and their cohort can break the laws of physics, economics, and morality to escape a disaster of their own making—as long as they have enough money and the right technology."*Today's episode explores the derivative and meta focus of today's financial and technology industry, so much so that the New York Stock Exchange has been purchased by a derivates exchange and Facebook has changed its holding company's name to Meta.Additional Topics Include: Why Alphabet will survive and Meta will fail (05:18)Will new technologies replace human labor or just camouflage it? (12:02)The 2000 merger of AOL and Time Warner (18:14)Is a scorched earth mentality necessary? (20:32)Why do billionaires donate so inefficiently (27:07)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/22/2022 • 55 minutes, 54 seconds
Yelling Fire in the Movie Theater | Netflix, Redbox, & Movie Pass Exec. Mitch Lowe
Mitch Lowe has been a significant disruptor of Hollywood's distribution models over the past two decades, promoting all-you-can-eat subscription models on personal devices and at the box office. Netflix famously redefined consumer video distribution while Movie Pass infamously imploded in 2019. Today, Mitch speaks openly with James about why his companies ended up on their trajectories while describing the analytics that factor into their business plans.For a deeper dive into the dramatic evolution of the entertainment business, read or listen to Mitch's new memoir: Watch and Learn: How I Turned Hollywood Upside Down with Netflix, Redbox, and MoviePass―Lessons in DisruptionOther topics include:How Netflix's DVD queue saved the company (11:12)The genius of Netflix's auto-play feature (12:46)Content business models: ad sales vs. subscription (14:29)What led to Movie Pass' downfall? (17:46)Movie studios' stranglehold on movie theater pricing models (21:52)How Movie Pass used 'the float' in its business operations (29:22)The cost of acquiring digital distribution film rights (33:44)When does streaming become a commodity? (38:01)What will Netflix do to overcome the commoditization of the streaming market? (39:47)TikTok's algorithm vs streaming services (52:26)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/20/2022 • 1 hour, 29 seconds
Warren Buffett's Worst Trade Ever | Trung Phan
Trung Phan returns to the show for a third time to discuss Warren Buffett’s $18 billion miss on Disney - twice!He and James discuss the 92-year-old’s growth investment strategies focused on long-term stakes, reducing risk profiles, and increasing margins decade-over-decade.Additional topics include:Warren Buffett's 1966 Meeting with Walt Disney (03:56)How Warren Buffet became CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (13:50)Warren Buffett's relationships with Michael Eisner and Bob Iger (20:00)Buffett's willingness to invest in a company "late" (30:24)How did Buffett's investment style change over the decades? (40:20)The story of Rose Blumkin and the Nebraska Furniture Mart (45:50)James' trading strategy to piggyback Berkshire Hathaway's positions (52:42)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/16/2022 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
Did Hans Niemann Cheat: The Evidence! | IM Ken Regan
"It must be embarrassing for the World Champion to lose to me - I feel bad for him!" said Hans Niemann, after the defeat of Magnus Carlsen on September 5, 2022. Carlsen's subsequent withdrawal from the Sinquefield Cup - the first in his career - followed by a cryptic tweet suggesting Niemann cheated, have put the chess world on edge.Five days later, Chess.com - one of the largest online chess sites - banned Hans Niemann from its tournaments after accusations arose that Niemann had cheated in online chess tournaments. Adding to the political optics, Chess.com is in the process of acquiring Carlsen's company, the Magnus Group.Today, we are gracious to have IM Ken Regan on the podcast to help unravel this situation and discuss his methodology for detecting cheating in the chess world. When the chess world suspects someone of having cheated in a tournament, Ken Regan is the expert who gets the call.Using a database of tens of thousands of top-level games, Kenneth Regan, himself an international chess master, has devised a program that can help determine whether a player is playing like a human or like a computer.A member of the Anti-Cheating Committee of the World Chess Federation from 2013-14, he helped write and edit guidelines to prevent cheating in professional chess. He continues to serve as a consultant to the committee and previously served as an expert witness for the French Chess Federation, the Bulgarian Chess Federation and other governing bodies of chess.Additional topics include:How does the chess rating system work? (4:44)How does Chess.com's Cheating Analysis System Work? (11:14)How did the pandemic affect chess skills among youth players? (22:57)Can chess be "Moneyballed"? (1:26:20)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/14/2022 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 48 seconds
How to Invest: GOAT Edition | The Carlyle Group's David Rubenstein
David M. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest and most successful private investment firms. Established in 1987, Carlyle now manages $325 billion from 26 offices around the world. Rubenstein is Chairman of the Boards of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the National Gallery of Art. He is an original signer of The Giving Pledge and a recipient of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and the MoMA’s David Rockefeller Award.David returns to the show for a third interview with James to discuss his new book, How to Invest: Masters on the Craft, which pulls from his one-on-one interviews with the biggest names in finance, including Ray Dalio, Marc Andreessen, Stan Druckenmiller, Sam Zell, Mike Novogratz, Larry Fink, and Mary Callahan Erdoes.Topics include:What is the role of obsession in skill development? (04:03)Investment risk vs reputational risk (07:23)What are the most intriguing asset classes? (12:21)How much does an individual need to invest in distressed debt? (15:34)How important is the psychological component of investing? (21:26)Does the Federal Reserve actually know what to do about inflation? (25:19)Does the student loan forgiveness act counteract the Federal Reserve? (31:41)Value investing vs growth investing (35:41)How does David Rubenstein personally invest his money? (40:25)How do you protect downside risk? (51:36)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/13/2022 • 58 minutes, 29 seconds
Wall Street Insane! EP06: Scam and Fraud on Wall Street!
You can't believe some of the pitches that we heard during our hedge fund days! One of the funds that we managed almost got scammed out of 10's of millions of dollars! Also, do you think a hedge fund for crypto is possible?In this episode, Dan, Omid, and I talked about the craziest pitches we have heard, what it's like investing privately, and Omid's origin story into the crypto world after he quit!This will be the last episode of the Wall Street Insane, however, we will do another series on all the crazy stories like these!Listen to the episode and tweet at me @jaltucher or Jay, the producer, @jay_yow to let us know if you like this episode!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new books!Join the You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/10/2022 • 58 minutes, 39 seconds
My Life in 4 Trades | Maggie Lake Interviews James
Today, we're sharing James' recent interview on the RealVision podcast 'My Life in 4 Trades'.Hosted by Maggie Lake, My Life in 4 Trades is a weekly podcast featuring the brightest minds in the world of finance. Each guest shares insights on the extraordinary trades that transformed their careers and the trades that set them back.Here's how they describe their interview with James:"James Altucher has been to hell and back. On the morning of September 11, 2001, James was just three blocks away from Ground Zero when two hijacked airplanes flew into the Twin Towers. He was one of the few who witnessed both impacts, and that led to years of post-traumatic stress disorder. He also went broke and lost everything. But he rebounded and found new success. James talks to Maggie Lake about the importance of resilience and open-mindedness when it comes to trading and investing and why he writes down 10 ideas every morning."Topics include:James gives his trading background in 5-minutes (03:20)James discusses 9/11 and his trades in the ensuing weeks. (08:18)Preferred stock and arbitrage trading (21:36)Closed-end fund trading principles (24:04)James' debate with Nouriel Roubini on CNBC - July 4th, 2010 (28:40)The Choose Yourself Bitcoin store in 2013 (35:31)The importance of keeping an open mind (41:32)Mastery in investing techniques (45:15)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/8/2022 • 50 minutes, 8 seconds
Define Your Mission to Find Your Identity | Entrepreneur's Jason Feifer
“What is so deep in our core…that it’s unchangeable in times of change?” - Jason FeiferEntrepreneur EIC Jason Feifer takes James through the stories and philosophies that resulted in his new book Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your CareerIn this jam-packed episode, Jason shines a light on the tunnel vision that companies and employees force upon themselves and urges both to embrace the self-examination needed to thrive when market conditions change. Topics include:Who was the Emperor of San Francisco? (00:00:58)What are stories a more persuasive argument than data? (00:06:59)All about Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career (00:17:20)The most important question of self-examination: What is it for? (00:23:59)Why should you write a single sentence that defines your mission? (00:35:33)Why did Jason write Build for Tomorrow? (00:38:30)How is Jason using the Skip the Line "Spoke and Wheel" technique? (00:40:59)The 3 types of stories you need to tell for consumer engagement (00:45:48)What is the real story of the demise of Blockbuster? (00:47:55)How can Jason's method of adaptation take risk into account? (00:56:01)Three questions to ask when preparing for change: What do I have, what do I need, what's available? (01:01:54)What are Jason Feifer's current answer to the three questions? (01:05:11)What advice did Jim Quik give Jason while writing the book? (01:11:40)What are Jason Feifer's current blind spots? (01:15:02)The importance of recognizing pivot points before you're forced to do so (01:25:22)(Editor’s note: Topic times don’t account for sponsor ads and may appear a few minutes later in the episode on your podcast player)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/6/2022 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 32 seconds
Don’t Be Angry, Start a Business: Student Loan Forgiveness for Fun & Profit
“Politics makes people stupid,” says James, an outspoken critic against buying into skyrocketing college tuition fees. James attended Cornell and has finished paying back his loans. Robyn chose not to go to college and pursued an entrepreneurial lifestyle. The two of them now have five college-aged children. Jay went to a private college but, as a foreign national, wasn't eligible for federal student aid.Today, our non-partisan co-hosts dissect the Biden administration's decision to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loans for qualified individuals.Topics include:Robyn's new podcast: Moms and Stocks (04:54)Crypto fund fronted by Matt Damon accidentally refunds $10.5m to a woman instead of $100 (07:56)Is student debt forgiveness a moral hazard? (11:15)Is the taxpayer paying for the loan forgiveness? (13:40)Why Are Student Interest Rates Rising? - (18:01)Are colleges hedge funds with campuses? (19:19)Who is paying for the loan forgiveness? (21:29)Is the loan forgiveness fair or unfair? (23:25)Progressive vs. regressive taxation schemes (31:10)College enrollment rates based on household income (32:23)------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/2/2022 • 42 minutes, 46 seconds
Exorcism, Ghost, Cult and Psychics, Are they REAL!? With Andrew Gold
Cult dominated the news cycle a couple of years ago, and the government has been talking about releasing UFO footages, and psychics, are they even real?In this episode, I was joined by Andrew Gold, the host of the award-winning podcast, On The Edge, a BBC journalist, filmmaker, and TV presenter, to talk about some absurd and insane things that he has to do while chasing the cult story, UFO story, interacting with a psychopath, and exorcism!We talked about if Will Smith's apology is sincere, how Andrew thought he might get murdered by a cult's priest, is Amanda Knox guilty, and more! Listen to the episode, and tweet @ me @jaltucher if you think this episode is fascinating!Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book Skip the Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
9/1/2022 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 1 second
Wall Street Insane! EP05: Omid wrote a 10 pages letter just to quit James! The Rise and Fall of The StockPickr
You know, back in our hedge fund trading days, it was so stressful that Dan and I seriously thought about pivoting to selling Diet Pill on Television! after failing 9 of the other ideas, we eventually started StockPickr, which was eventually acquired by Thestreet.com. It is at that time, Omid wrote a 10-pages letter, and he quit me! We also talked about how we get connected to thestreet.com, how Jim Cramer crashed our website, how it was rebuilt and optimized, how Omid actually felt about the whole StockPickr and Thestreet.com's deal, and how I could never work in a corporate.Listen to the episode and tweet at me @jaltucher or Jay, the producer, @jay_yow to let us know if you like this episode!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/30/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 30 seconds
How to Trade if War Breaks out between China and Taiwan!
If you miss the conversation between General Spalding and me on the potential war that might happen between China, Taiwan, or the US, make sure you check out Episode 884: Will the US lose to China in the War!? with General Robert Spalding, it's one of the pemissitic episodes that I have done in years, and this episode is almost a sequel to the episode.In this episode, my business partner, Dan Kelly, and Omid Malekan joined me in this episode breaking down how we would trade and our strategy if the war actually breaks out between China and Taiwan, plus if somehow the US was involved.We also talked about how will Ethereum do after the merge, and if it will overtake Bitcoin at some point.Listen to the episode, and let me know what you would do if war between China and Taiwan breaks out!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/26/2022 • 22 minutes, 16 seconds
How I created a 3 million subscribers' YouTube Channel with curiosity! - Evan Puschak
Nerdwriter's YouTube channel has helped me through the lockdown. I especially enjoy the video where he breaks down Louis C.K.'s joke about playing monopoly with his daughter, and how his daughter learned a valuable adult lesson from the game! I have watched that video over and over, more than 10 times! In this episode, I am fortunate enough to have the creator of Nerdwriter, Evan Puschak, an American video essayist, and journalist on to talk about his new book, Escape into Meaning: Essays on Superman, Public Benches, and Other Obsessions!It's such a fascinating book! We broke down some of the videos from Nerdwriter, especially Louis C.K.'s video, Darth Vader, Jerry Seinfeld, and also How Donald Trump Answers a Question!! We also talked about what drove Evan to write this book, how he grow his YouTube channel, and what motivates him to keep creating content!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/25/2022 • 57 minutes, 2 seconds
Will the US lose to China in the War!? with General Robert Spalding
This might be one of the most pessimist episodes that I have done! The China-Taiwan tension has been rising every day since The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. The question is what is she doing there? Why is she there? What brought her to Taiwan?With all the questions that I have, I invited General Robert Spalding, retired United States Air Force brigadier general, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, this work focuses on U.S.–China relations, economic and national security, and the Asia-Pacific military balance, and basically asked him, will the US win if the war breaks out?We break down whether was it propaganda when the media says China is enraged at the US because Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. How much did China control? How much does the US rely on China in terms of Supply Chain? Could China have been sabotaging us all these years?Listen to the episode, and let us know what you think!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/23/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 21 seconds
Should we have 12 years old president?
This is a fun episode, so I didn't tell anyone this, but I am an Honorary Colonel in Kentucky! Before I get into the story of how I became an Honorary Colonel, we talked about some interesting current events, and also congrats to Jay for getting his new Tesla! However, I can never figure out how to work the door handle! Why do they have to change the door handle design!?Anyway, join me, Robyn, and Jay The Producer, to talk about my political journey when I was 12 years old, and how I got the Honorary Colonel Title in multiple states!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/20/2022 • 45 minutes, 19 seconds
How Sahil Lavingia created the multi-million dollar company, Gumroad.
Gumroad has been around 11 years and more, and people have made tens of thousands of dollars selling digital products on Gumroad! But do you know, how Gumroad was founded?In this episode, the founder and CEO of Gumroad, Sahil Lavingia who also invested in Clubhouse, Republic, and more, joined me to talk about his origin story and his road to creating Gumroad!Sahil's origin story is fascinating, he was young and wanted to buy some Xbox games, so he started learning how to build websites to make money on the side. He then fell in love with building sites and apps, and eventually landed as the number 2 employee on Pinterest.Like every great entrepreneur and inventor, Sahil built Gumroad because he had a problem selling his digital goods and services online, he saw the pain that the world need to be solved, so he took it upon himself and started Gumroad in hope to help others to help their product online! And then, the rest is history!Listen to this episode and find out more about Sahil!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/18/2022 • 48 minutes, 22 seconds
Adulting 101
I think there should be an Adulting 101 course out there!In this episode, my wife, Robyn, and I talked about why weren't some subject taught in high school. Like, as how to do laundry, how to take care or rent an apartment, how to cook for one person, and so on...Of course, Robyn has her own takes on those subjects! She thinks that parents should be the ones that teach the kids those skills as part of their parenting method! However, we both agree on high school should at least teach the kids about doing taxes, how to prepare for job interviews, and also teach basic probability and statistics! (A note from Jay the Engineer, we did learn those in our high school in Malaysia. Not taxes, but basic accounting.)Robyn and I also discuss how to have a healthy relationship with your spouse, and how having unique skills and/ or unique experiences can win you in life!Listen to the episode, and if you like episodes like these, make sure you give it a like, tweet at me @jaltucher, and leave a review!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/16/2022 • 53 minutes, 43 seconds
Wall Street Insane! EP04: I was so miserable, I just want to get out...
During my trading time, it was so miserable, I just wanted to get out! However, something kept me in the game during that time! In this episode, Dan Kelly, my business partner, Omid Malekan, and I realized we had so many insane stories because we have zero pedigree, and we came from a non-traditional background.We also talked about how Victor Niederhoffer, an American hedge fund manager, champion squash player, bestselling author, and statistician sort of putting us on the path, and how we ended things because of my writing!This episode also includes how I was miserable, I wanted to get out, the oil trade that Omid did back in 2008 during the pricing collapse, how we unintentionally got someone else fired, and how we made deal with thestreet.com.Listen to the episode and tweet at me @jaltucher or Jay, the producer, @jay_yow to let us know if you like this episode!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/14/2022 • 56 minutes, 17 seconds
I Was Afraid...
This is a fly-on-the-wall episode! I was hanging out in the yard with my wife, Robyn Altucher, and we started talking. The conversation goes so well, that I took out my phone, and started recording our conversation!In this fly-on-the-wall episode, we talked about colleges, whether is it justified to pay such high tuition fees for college, my fear throughout my adult life, and how dishonesty will destroy one's life.Listen to the episode, and if you like episodes like these, make sure you give it a like, tweet at me @jaltucher, and leave a review!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/11/2022 • 36 minutes
What really caused the Inflation and the use cases of cryptocurrencies with Tascha
Tascha, a macroeconomist and technology investor gave a great explanation of the outlook of the economy right now. She gave a bird's eye view of what caused the inflation and the "mild" recession, how long will that last, and what was her prediction for the future. On top of that, she explains web3 infrastructure to me, and breakdown how could crypto tokens and NFTs could be utilized, and she also breaks down some of the use cases for cryptocurrencies as well.If the episode (830) with Omid Malekan, educates you on what actually are cryptocurrencies, this episode with Tascha will be the one that educates you on the future and outlook of cryptocurrencies from a macroeconomist point-of-view.Visit Taschalabs.com to learn more about Tascha's work.Also, make sure to check out Episode 830 with Omid Malekan.Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/9/2022 • 59 minutes, 53 seconds
Julia Cameron gave me permission to Skip The Line (Re-Release)
What is going on with the world in the past 3 years, especially the past few weeks? There is news about inflation, the economy, and reports of big tech companies planning to lay off their employees.With the uncertainties looming, we need something to take our minds off the news and calm our anxiety. I remember the podcast that I did with Julia Cameron, an American teacher, artist, poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker, composer, journalist, and most of all, the author of "The Artist Way".In the episode, Julia talked about her morning pages, we discussed the 10,000 hours rules, and how can we use all the practices to help our creativity juice flow. Eventually, the episode led me into writing, Skip The Line, and then created the idea list website, notepd.com.Listen to the episode, I hope the conversation with Julia in this episode helps you as it helped me.If you want to see an example of what Notepd's list looks like, check out my post here: https://notepd.com/idea/the-ultimate-guide-to-becoming-an-idea-machine-317Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/5/2022 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 12 seconds
The important attributes to be successful in the modern world with Jeff Lerner
If you miss part one of the episode, make sure you check out the previous episode title: Jeff Lerner gave me the most practical business advice to start businessesIn this part two of the episode, Jeff Lerner, an American serial entrepreneur, mentor, speaker, influencer, and pianist, and I talked about the important attributes to be successful in the modern world! We talked about risk assessment, when to start, and what does it mean to be a millionaire in the United States? If you enjoy this podcast, make sure you leave a review or tweet me @jaltucher on Twitter!Also, make sure you check out Jeff's new book, Unlock Your Potential: The Ultimate Guide for Creating Your Dream Life in the Modern World.Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/4/2022 • 35 minutes, 45 seconds
Jeff Lerner gave me the most practical business advice to start businesses
Jeff Lerner, an American serial entrepreneur, mentor, speaker, influencer, and pianist, wrote an amazing business book. There are business books out there full of non-practical BS "WooWoo" advice, and this is not what happened to Jeff's book!Jeff's new book, Unlock Your Potential: The Ultimate Guide for Creating Your Dream Life in the Modern World is full of practical advices to start a business! We talked about Tai Lopez's stories, affiliate marketing, digital marketing agency and more! Listen to the episode to find out more!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
8/2/2022 • 35 minutes, 56 seconds
For Laughs: Life's Great Irony
For the past few weeks, there have been a huge amount of uncertainties, there are talks about recession, inflation, and even lay-offs! So, I think the world deserves some laughter. So I decided to do a fun episode to bring some laughter, just like what I did back in the 2009 crisis when I stood in front of the NYSE and handed chocolates out to everyone walking in! In this episode, Jay Yow, The Producer of The James Altucher Show, and I sat down and talk about life's great irony! Some of the ironies include climate change, productivity, newspaper headlines, and even some statistic that just doesn't make sense!Here's the irony list that I made on notepd.com: https://notepd.com/idea/online-business-models-i-wish-my-daughters-would-do-kyl18Make sure you check them out!Listen to the episode and find out more!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/30/2022 • 41 minutes, 39 seconds
From The Chess Experience Podcast: My Success Strategies for Adult Improvers
There are nitty-gritty ways to improve: like focusing on tactics or endgame study… But what about big picture improvement skills?Example: are there ways to speed up the learning process?How can you sustain motivation to get better at such a hard game?For some discussion on that, I brought National Master, James Altucher, who is also a successful author and entrepreneur…James has written several business & personal development books…Most relevant is Skip the Line, which teaches you how to improve at a skill faster than expected…Plus, on his podcast, The James Altucher Show, he talks with highly successful people about the lessons & strategies that helped them achieve so much…Including Garry Kasparov and Judit Polgar!Last month, I was invited onto The Chess Experience Podcast hosted by Daniel Lona, a chess-obsessed amateur from Chicago and the host of the podcast The Chess Experience. It was such a good episode, that's why I decided to feed drop into The James Altucher Show as well!In this episode, we talked about my chess origin and journey, why I decided to come back to chess after 20 years, how do I pick it back up from where I left off, and what did I do to prepare myself, to improve myself at the age of 54!If you like this episode, make sure also check out the other episodes from The Chess Experience here: https://www.adultchessacademy.com/thechessexperience------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My interview with James covers lessons he's learned from these experiences…And it’s a discussion of his journey as an adult improver, as James is taking a journey similar to our own (just at a higher rating level!)Some other exciting points in this episode:Why age is not holding you back from chess improvementHow to emotionally deal with losing in chessA must-know strategy for increasing your speed of improvementWhy your chess journey should be about more than getting better at the game itself>> Join my official FREE club for The Chess Experience on Chess.comMore From James Altucher:Book: Skip the LinePodcast: The James Altucher ShowJames’ WebsiteListen to the episode and find out more!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/28/2022 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 49 seconds
How to beat someone who's better and more equipped than you? with Wally Green
After sharing his origin story, how he went from being in a gang to the rising table tennis star. Wally Green, pro athlete and co-founder of Spin NY, taught me how to get into your opponent's mind, and win the mind game. He also shares that being forced into the corner during a game actually fires him up, and he also loves the feeling of beating someone who has had everything in life in terms of training, support systems, and money, while he has nothing to lose is the best feeling ever. That inspires him, and motivates him every day! Wally also shares some tips on how to grow his TikTok and Instagram! TikTok: @wallygreennyc_Listen to the episode and find out more!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/26/2022 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 41 seconds
Wally Green: From Gang to Pro Table Tennis!
Not everyone has the luxury of escaping their own childhood trauma, domestic violence, and being able to get out of a gang.Wally Green, pro athlete and co-founder of Spin NY, joined me on the podcast today to tell his origin story. How much abuse he had to endure from his stepfather, how was he betrayed by his own mother, how he was sent to Africa cause he was caught in possession of multiple guns, and how he managed to turn his life around!Listen to the episode and find out more!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/22/2022 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 56 seconds
The Villain's Journey of the Criminal Mastermind, Paul Le Roux with Evan Ratliff
How does one become a criminal mastermind? How does one turn into a villain? In this episode, I was joined by Evan Ratliff, an American journalist, and author, to talk about his book, The Mastermind, A True Story of Murder, Empire, and a New Kind of Crime Lord.What is fascinating about his book, and his reporting is that Paul Le Roux, is like the criminal and crime lord equivalent of Elon Musk, where he is tech savvy, and well-versed in technology, and engineering!And at the same time, he also fits into the "Villini's Journey Arc", where he was a genuine and kind-hearted guy, but due to some obstacles, he turned 180 and started falling into the path of the villain! At some point, Paul Le Roux also mentioned that he wanted to be the biggest criminal out there.Listen to the episode and find out more!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/21/2022 • 42 minutes, 57 seconds
Kitboga: I scam the scammers and they yelled at me!
Aren't you tired of all the robocalls? All the phone calls that claimed to be from IRS, student loan forgiveness, and especially those about the extended car warranty? In 2021, there are 59.4 million Americans have lost money to scam callers and lost a total amount of roughly $29.8 billion! Naturally, Jay The Producer also got the scam call claiming to be from Student Loan Forgiveness Program and the Extended Car Warranty Program (even though he did not own a car!) So much that he got frustrated and he called up Kitboga, an American Twitch streamer, and YouTuber whose content primarily focuses on scam baiting against scams conducted over the phone, and arguably one of the real-life superheroes, and invited him onto the podcast to talk about his origin story, the type of scam that's out there, how he bait the scammer into spending more time with him!In one of the scambaiting stories, he even has an on-again and off-again relationship with "President Joe Biden"! One of my favorite quotes from this episode is when Kitboga said, "An extra hour that I spend on the phone with the scammer, is an extra hour that this scammer not have spamming other people."Check out his website here: https://kitboga.com/Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/19/2022 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 56 seconds
Wall Street Insane! EP03: Betrayal of the decade!
Another episode of Wall Street Insane! This is probably one of the most stressful stories that I have told. Imagine a company just got offered 40 Million Dollars, MILLION, and the owner refused to sell it because he wanted to "grow and scale" the company. I told everyone this if someone offers you more than 100% of what your company is worth, take it!Dan Kelly, my business partner, Omid Malekan, and I also talked about the betrayal of the decade! The first betrayal that I have seen in my life on how money changes people's attitudes and breaks a 20-year-old friendship after obtaining a large amount of money, literally within days!We also talked about all the stressful things that I had to do, to make sure the deal close!Listen to the episode and tweet at me @jaltucher or Jay, the producer, @jay_yow to let us know if you like this episode!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/15/2022 • 34 minutes, 6 seconds
Tipper X: I broke the law, I wore body wire for FBI 52 times and then... with Tom Hardin
You have seen all the undercover cop's movies, and shows. However, do you know how is it like in real life?In this episode, Tom Hardin, codename, Tipper X, was once a junior trader in a hedge fund and was involved in insider trading. But, he got caught, and the FBI recruited him, and have him wear body wire as many as 52 times, to help them build all the cases around insider trading.Listen to this episode, where Tom shared his story on how he was involved in insider trading, how he got recruited as an FBI "Body Wire", and how he turned his life around after the FBI exposed him as TipperX on the front page of the newspaper!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/14/2022 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 3 seconds
Supply chain, inflation, recession, is everything collapsing? with Jim Rickards
Are you a pessimist or an optimist towards the state and the economy of the world? Do you think we are finally at the bottom, and we are slowly climbing back up? Or do you think the worst had yet to come? In this episode, I had a conversation/ mild debate with Jim Rickards, an American lawyer, economist, investment banker, speaker, media commentator, and author on matters of finance and precious metals about the state of the economy right now. We talked about what is the Fed doing about inflation, what causes inflation, and we talked about the supply chain issue, and when did the supply chain issue start? Did it really start with the Russian-Ukraine war? The Lockdown? Or did it actually start with the trade war back in 2019? Also, how does the physical supply chain works? On top of that, we also talked about the outlook of the recession! Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/12/2022 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 32 seconds
Almost Every Industry in the world is a Scam! with Dan Kelly and Omid Malekan
Before we were supposed to tape the third episode of Wall Street Insane (if you haven't listened to the new series, make sure you go back and check it out!), Jay Yow, The Producer of The James Altucher Show, was talking about how Uber is losing money, how come are they still around, and what would happen if Uber fall?So, Dan Kelly, my business partner, and Omid Malekan, author of Re-Architecting Trust: The Curse of History and the Crypto Cure for Money, Markets, and Platforms break down their business model, and we started talking about how almost every area in the financial industry are scams.We also talked about the entertainment industry, the sporting industry, and how VC is involved in almost all these industries as well!Listen to this episode, and let me know or tweet at me (or Jay) @jaltucher or @jay_yow07 on Twitter if you like this kind of round table conversation, and we might tape more of this kind of conversation!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/9/2022 • 30 minutes, 52 seconds
JeVon McCormick: Don't be common, be the modern leader instead.
JeVon McCormick has an unusual upbringing. Who gave him his first business advice? It was When he was nine years old, from his dad, who was a pimp!In this episode, JeVon McCormick, an American author, President, and CEO of Scribe Media told me his origin story, where he was working for his dad (a pimp), collecting money from prostitutes, did not go to college, and he rose up to be an extremely successful entrepreneur, and eventually became the CEO of Scribe Media, which was an excellent publishing company, and his new book, The Modern Leader.We also talked about what he had seen socially, learned as an entrepreneur, his biggest regrets, what he thinks about the state of the world should be, and what should do to make sure we have a better tomorrow.Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/7/2022 • 1 hour, 35 minutes
How to write a military thriller with Brandon Webb and John David Mann
People always put you in a box when you have become successful in "the" one field and one genre. Sometimes, when people do try something new, that didn't usually work out for them.However, this is not what happened to Brandon Webb, a former United States Navy SEAL, SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, and author, and John David Mann, an award-winning author.They both went on from being successful in writing non-fiction to, now thriller novel writers that not just have one book, but a sequel to the previous book as well, Cold Fear.So, naturally, I have to have both of them on, to ask them, how did they do it? How did they transition from writing non-fiction to writing a thriller, and also, how to write a thriller novel?Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/5/2022 • 1 hour, 8 seconds
Who Are You?: Joseph Harris: From stealing game accounts to a white hat hacker
What do people normally do when they were 12 years old? Learning, playing, and maybe surviving?Joseph Harris, a former black hat hacker and now a white hat hacker, and bug bounty hunter, at age of 12 started stealing other people's game accounts, using social engineering to trick the email providers or game companies to hand him the data that he needs to hack and steal other people's account!In this episode, Joseph told the stories of how he went from stealing simple gaming accounts, into sim-swapping, and stealing millions in crypto altcoins, which ultimately resulted in him being in jail.He also recounts all the techniques that he used to hack into people's accounts, exploiting bugs on service providers' websites like Verizon, Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, and more. Make sure you follow Joseph onYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdcuF5Zx6BiYmwnS-CiRAngTwitter: @AkaD0c (https://twitter.com/akad0c)Listen to this episode, and tweet at me @jaltucher and Jay @jay_yow07 if you like this series, and if you or you know someone with interesting stories!If you like this series, please leave a review, likes, and subscribes on any podcast player of your choosing!Follow Brian's journey on Instagram and Bandcamp:IG: @brianlawloredSpotify: Brian LawlorBandcamp: BrianLawlor.bandcamp.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usiTyS5bmtwVisit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
7/1/2022 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 10 seconds
The Redemption Arc of the Silicon Valley Porn Star with Jason Portnoy
No matter how successful you're, or how rich you are, everyone has their own personal struggle that they are dealing with or had dealt with. Sometimes your issues and addiction get magnified when you get wealthier!In this episode, one of the PayPal Mafia, Jason Portnoy, Entrepreneur, venture capitalist, one of PayPal's first employees, and author, came on to talk about his origin story, his time with PayPal, and his addiction to porn, and sex. We also explore, why as successful as he is, would result in an affair with other women? How did he reconcile with his wife, and his recovery journey with his life coach, Melissa?Did he manage to redeem himself? Listen and find out!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/30/2022 • 50 minutes, 15 seconds
The Relationship between Bitcoin, Money and Trust with Omid Malekan
Like Omid Malekan, the author of The Story of the Blockchain, A Beginner's Guide to the Technology That Nobody Understands has said, money is primarily a trust-building mechanism.In this episode, after teasing so long, finally, Omid Malekan, comes on to talk about his new book, Re-architecting Trust, The Curse of History and The Crypto Cure for Money, Markets, and Platforms. We talked about the evolution from the barter system to gold, to cash to bitcoin. We also talked about the relationship between trust and money, and how would that translate into Bitcoin and crypto!All and all, this is the 101 of Bitcoin, Crypto, Trust, and Money!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/28/2022 • 1 hour, 7 minutes
I Was Wrong(?) - College or Not College?
There are a couple of things that I have been religiously writing about since 2005, and college is one of them!I have been getting hate and lost friends over this topic, and the articles that I wrote about college! So, In this episode of I Was Wrong, I sat down with Robyn and Jay (The Engineer) to talk about was I wrong about colleges? Has my view shifted after all these years? What are the statistics on the salary of college graduates vs non-college graduates? What is happening in the gig economy? And so on...Listen to this episode and find out more! I am planning to do more of this series to show that, sometimes my opinion changes based on timing, research, and also reason!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/24/2022 • 52 minutes, 22 seconds
The conversation with Galileo Galilei with Dr. Brian Keating
Have you ever thought about why Galileo Galilei, an Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer willing risks his life to speak out about science against the will of the church at that time? How was science back then?So, our dear pod friend, Dr. Brian Keating, an American physicist, podcaster, and author, came on to talk about his project of making the first-ever audiobook that was written by Galileo Galilei, and we also brainstorm on how we could better monetize the projects and future projects!Download the first-ever audiobook by Galileo Galilei for your chance to win space dust here: https://BrianKeating.com/dialogueAlso, make sure you join Brian's mailing list and also have a chance to win space dust! briankeating.com/list Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/23/2022 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 18 seconds
Living by the Bushido Code with The Fury
Everyone on Twitter twitted at me and said, you have to have this guy on the podcast, you will love it! They kept tweet at me, and finally, I said yes! And I am curious, who is this "The Fury"? And how did he build such a loyal audience that would help him get what he wanted!So, I have The Fury on and yes! It was a fun conversation! In this episode, we talked about Bushido, how to build a loyal audience, how to manifest, and how to live your life to the fullest, and ultimately, how to choose yourself!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/21/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 24 seconds
How bad is the state of the world, and how can we build a better world order with Ian Bremmer
Is America facing another crisis on top of inflation, and gas prices? Will America gets divided into two based on political belief? Will Asia or China eventually takes over in terms of political advantage? Is the rise of social media dangerous and dividing the country?In this episode, Ian Bremmer, an American political scientist and author with a focus on global political risk came on to talk about his new book, The Power of Crisis: How Three Threats – and Our Response – Will Change the World.We also briefly talked about the state of New York City, and why we shouldn't blame the US President for the gas prices and inflation. Ian also talks about what should we do to be a better nation, and what should we do to build a better world order!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/18/2022 • 50 minutes, 44 seconds
What backs Bitcoin and do we trust Bitcoin? with Omid Malekan
Despite what is happening in the crypto world now, can we still trust Bitcoin? Last time, in Episode 830, we talked about why Bitcoin was invented, and how can it be used?In this episode, Omid Malekan, the author of The Story of the Blockchain, A Beginner's Guide to the Technology That Nobody Understands comes on again to talk about the trust in Bitcoin, where will Ethereum be in the crypto race. And we even compare some of the use cases with Uber! He also has a new upcoming book: Re-architecting Trust, The Curse of HIstory and The Crypto Cure for Money, Markets, and Platforms.Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/16/2022 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 9 seconds
The Crypto wonder, WonderFi with Kevin O'leary and Ben Samaroo
It has been doom and gloom for the crypto world in the past few weeks. However, I am still pretty optimistic about the future of crypto, because we are like Kevin O'Leary said in this episode, we are in the first inning of the crypto world, and they will be so much more real-world use cases comes up in the future!In this episode, Kevin O'Leary, nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful", is a Canadian businessman, entrepreneur, author, politician, and television presenter and Ben Samaroo, Co-Founder, and CEO at WonderFi joined me to talk about the future of crypto!Kevin and I talked about the current and future real-world use cases for crypto, how is Canada regulating the crypto, and why being compliant as a service in the crypto industry is important! He even shared some of his favorite coins such as USDC, Bitcoin, and some others.Also, Ben explained to me what is WonderFi, (Wonder.fi ), how it was used, how it could revolutionize the industry, and how it is different than all the other services and tech out there!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/14/2022 • 48 minutes, 22 seconds
Who Are You: Brian Lawlor defied drug addiction, stripped search, and now Back to Music!
Over the years, I have interviewed hundreds of guests that came on to promote their books or promote their self-help habits. Now, the series, Who Are You, is an experimental series where I just interview strangers, people that I never met before, (or maybe my producer, Jay has met and recommended.) to get them to tell their stories, their downfall, their recovery, their hero's journey!In this episode, I have on Brian Lawlor, a New Jersey-born musician, who was addicted to drugs when he was younger while still able to function. He told the stories where he got addicted, he was arrested, stripped search, tried really hard to get off drugs, but kept giving excuses and going back for it. He also told me about his bizarre adventure in China where he almost got detained!Listen to this episode, and tweet at me @jaltucher and Jay @jay_yow07 if you like this series, and if you or you know someone with interesting stories!If you like this series, please leave a review, likes, and subscribes on any podcast player of your choosing!Follow Brian's journey on Instagram and Bandcamp:IG: @brianlawloredSpotify: Brian LawlorBandcamp: BrianLawlor.bandcamp.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usiTyS5bmtwVisit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/10/2022 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 19 seconds
The Master of Hypocrisy: Zuby
Zuby, an independent rapper, author, podcast host, public speaker and creative entrepreneur, is back on the podcast again! I saw his recent tweet, "I'd rather be called influential person than an influencer", I knew I have to have him on again.Zuby is the Master of Hypocrisy, he sees it, he identifies it, and then he calls it out! Who spoke their own mind anymore nowadays, and especially if your opinion is not one side or another?In this episode, we talked about the state of the world, the hypocrisy of the world, his view on BLM, and of course his music!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/9/2022 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 22 seconds
The Life and Game of The Basketball Hall of Famer, Grant Hill: EP 855
How often that I can get a Hall of Fame Basketball on the podcast? I don't know a single thing about basketball, but when Grant's team reached out, I was so excited that I said YES right away!In this episode, Grant Hill, an American former professional basketball player who is a co-owner and executive of the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association came on to talk about his life journey, how he views talent vs hard work, how he maintain his relationship, and of course, we talked about his new book, Game: An Autobiography.Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/7/2022 • 48 minutes, 59 seconds
Wall Street Insane! EP02: - Madoff Investment Securities LLC
What the F--, Bernie Madoff told me off because he doesn't want his name appears on the front page of the Wall Street Journal!?In this episode of Wall Street Insane, we talked about the shady that goes down during our time in 212 ventures, not to mention that the FBI knocked on my door wanting to talk to me about Osama Bin Laden, and also the full stories on how I met Bernie Madoff, and subsequently being told that he will not invest in our fund, cause he doesn't want to appear on the front page of Wall Street Journal. Then, there is also, the aftermath of the Madoff Ponzi Scheme.Dan Kelly, my business partner, and Omid Malekan, joined me on this new series, Wall Street Insane, where we recount all the shady, and bat-sh*t crazy deals and people that we have to deal with! Listen to the episode and tweet at me @jaltucher to let me know if you like this episode!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/3/2022 • 35 minutes, 59 seconds
How do we harness the Power of One more with Ed Mylett
So you're working out, a routine set that you do every time you go to the gym. At the end of the set, do you say, okay, I have achieved what I came here for, or do you say to yourself, you know what? Let's do one more set, let's stay for another 5 to 10 mins, let's run one more mile, and do "one more"!In this episode, Ed Mylett, an entrepreneur, global speaker, author, and host of The Ed Mylett Show, comes on to talk about his new book, The Power of One More: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Success. We talked about Ed's origin story, what makes him "Ed"? What makes him great at being aware of surroundings, reading people, and what sparks him to write the book?We also talk about the benefit of one more, surprisingly the power of inconvenience, and also, what qualify you in doing anything, in helping people, and how do we fight the excuses that we constantly gave ourselves?Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
6/2/2022 • 37 minutes, 24 seconds
Why IQ doesn't matter? Howard Gardner breaks down the Multiple Intelligences Theory : 853
Does IQ matters? What is intelligence? How do you define if someone is intelligent? And if someone gets a high score on their IQ test, does that means they will be successful? In this episode, I was joined by Howard Gardner, an American developmental psychologist and the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Research Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, to talk about all things intelligence!We talked about how Howard get involve in the intelligence study, the different kinds of intelligence, and high IQ correlates to being successful, and we also talked about synthesizing intelligence!We try to break down the "internet mogul", Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates, and see how they synthesize their mind!Listen to the episode, and if you like this type of content, make sure you leave a review on Apple Podcast or any podcast platform that you're listening from!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/31/2022 • 55 minutes, 34 seconds
852 - How to be the world's greatest negotiator? With Rich Cohen
Negotiation is very important, and the first step of negotiation is to recognize the power differential in the negotiation? Who has more power, and how do use the power to your advantage?In this episode, I was joined by Rich Cohen, an American non-fiction writer, and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone came on to talk about his new book, The Adventures of Herbie Cohen: World's Greatest Negotiator!Rich tells the crazy stories about how his father, Herbie Cohen an American negotiation expert, realizes negotiating is a game, and how he enjoys playing it.Rich also talks about the technique that his father would use, and how he would find a way in the most unfavorable situation!Listen to this episode, and hopefully, you can apply some of the lessons in your negotiation, and even salary negotiation.Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/26/2022 • 1 hour, 28 seconds
851 - How to Make More Money Using Data About Millionaires with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
Do you know that the typical rich American is the owner of a regional business? And also, there's a study that has found that you can massively increase your odds (of being rich) by hustling?Once again, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, American data scientist, economist, and author, joined us to talk about his new book, Don't Trust Your Gut: Using Data to Get What You Really Want in Life. We also talked about what's the best industry to get into that could make you a millionaire, and also, is "sex business" really definite if you should enter the industry or business?Listen to the episode, and I hope you find the next venture that could make you a millionaire!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/24/2022 • 43 minutes, 46 seconds
Wall Street Insane! EP01: The Horror Stories Begins
This is a new show about the beginning and the origin story of my time on Wall Street. Insane stories, and nightmares that still haunt me to this day! Dan Kelly, my business partner, who is his first time being on any podcast, and Omid Malekan, joined me on this new series, Wall Street Insane, where we recount all the shady, and bat-sh*t crazy deals and people that we have to deal with! In this episode, we talk about the 9/11 incident, some people that we helped and immediately forgot about it, and some very shady deals that we have seen!Listen to the episode and tweet at me @jaltucher to let me know if you like this episode!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/21/2022 • 49 minutes, 43 seconds
850 - 12 Lessons to Save your life with Dr. Edith Eger and Dr. Marianne Engle
Such an inspiring story by Dr. Edith Eger, a psychologist practicing in the United States. Holocaust survivor and a specialist in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and her daughter, Dr. Marianne Engle, licensed clinical psychologist and a sports psychologist. In this episode, we talked about her new book, The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life, how she was able to keep her drive throughout the horrific experience, how does she move on from life, and what is self-love, and how to forgive.She gave one of my favorite quotes of hers when I asked her about explaining to her kids what happened to her, which is 'it's not my identity. It's not who I am. It's what was done to me. So I refuse to be a victim. I was victimized. It's not who I am. It's what was done to me. I'm still a good person, and I can choose my attitude, the way I not to react, but to respond to anything that comes my way'Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/19/2022 • 48 minutes, 41 seconds
849 - Is the Fed playing footsies with The Inflation? and What is TALENT? with Tyler Cowen
It's been almost 6 months now, what is The Fed doing? How should we tackle the inflation issue? Is there a recession coming?I had a theory about what is The Fed doing, and Tyler agrees with me!Tyler Cowen, an American economist, columnist, blogger, and author, was supposed to come on to talk about his new book, but before that, we had to talk about the pressing issues on hand. The Fed, the inflation, and possibly the recession! Of course, Tyler is cautiously optimistic about all of it!Then we went on and talk about his new book, Talent: How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World! What is talent, and how do we identify one? Talent is no longer just better at something than anyone else. Nowadays, talent is more than that! Talent is as Tyler put it, able to identify the social structure that you're in, and figure out how to fit in!Listen to this episode, and hopefully, you'll find the new definition of Talent!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/17/2022 • 53 minutes, 15 seconds
Emergency Crypto Update! What the H is happening to the crypto market!?
This is an Emergency Crypto Update!What the h*ll is going on in the crypto market? They are fear everywhere, they're talking about inflation everywhere, and they are talking about Fed everywhere as well.I have been closely following the market, and I have seen some fears and misinformation about the Coinbase, and crypto market. So I recorded an episode and send it out to my crypto newsletter reader, and I decided to release it on the show as an episode as well in the hope to educate the masses on what's going on.I explained the Coinbase issue, Luna's huge drop, and what happened in the stock market as well!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/14/2022 • 54 minutes, 4 seconds
848 - James plays skeptic on crypto... with Omid Malekan & Dan Kelly
In the past few days, there have been a lot of uncertainties in the crypto world, and also a lot of talks around Coinbase, and what happens if Coinbase goes bankrupt?I called up my friend Omid Malekan, who had come on the show before to talk about all things crypto, and also my business partner, Dan Kelly to talk about what's really going on with Luna, UST, and the crypto world. Most importantly, what will happen if Coinbase goes bankrupt? Omid explains all here, and also clear up some misconception too!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/13/2022 • 30 minutes, 17 seconds
847 - The Printing Press Moment of Bitcoin with Jake McCarthy and Jeff Bishop
Bitcoin has hit the lowest price point since 2021, and it's trading at $27,820 from $40,000 almost a month ago.What will happen to Bitcoin or Cryptocurrency in general?In this episode, I was joined by Jake McCarthy and Jeff Bishop to talk about the stories, the future, the use cases, and the optimism for Bitcoin.And we also talked about how NFT should be used rather than just a JPEG that anyone could screenshot anytime!If you like this episode, and you would like to hear and read more from Jake, you can visit https://join.ragingbull.com/james/ to get a free product from Jake, Coin Drop! Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/12/2022 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 5 seconds
846 - How to Make Your Romantic Life Better Using Data with Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
What is happiness? Are you happy in your relationship? Have you actually found the One? Did you meet your significant one in the online dating app? Or are you still single, and can't find anyone?In this episode, Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, American data scientist, economist, and author, joined us, to give Jay Yow The Engineer and Producer of The James Altucher Show, advice on how to find the "one" using data!Seth also talk about how to use data to gauge your happiness in the relationship, and he also debunked a list of Dating Myth using data as well. He also talks about how to make your romantic life better using the data that he found!Listen to the episode, and if you like this episode, Part 2 with Seth, How to Make More Money Using Data About Millionaires will be released next Tuesday! So stay tuned!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/10/2022 • 51 minutes, 46 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - Embracing Orthogonality
What does it mean by embracing orthogonality? When should you go against the crowd? And what are some of the things that you should go against the crowd?In this episode, Robyn, Paolo, Jay and I talk about one of the Notepd.com lists from one of our users, Random Roger Embracing Orthogonality!Check out the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/embracing-orthogonality-fr0unOr visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/6/2022 • 22 minutes, 21 seconds
845 - How to build with the iPhone Inventor, Tony Fadell!
Quoting Tony Fadell: 'The best products are painkillers. Why? Because people need them. People, some people buy vitamins because they think they're going to help they are as they might be placebos. Other people buy painkillers, when you have back pain, when you have a headache, you buy that to get rid of that pain. And that's the best kind of product is when this when the individuals that you're trying to the audience you're trying to target, they have the pain, and you have a real answer for that pain.'In this episode of The James Altucher Show! I was joined by the one and only, Tony Fadell, an American engineer, innovator, designer, entrepreneur, coach, active investor, author, inventor of the iPod, iPhone, and founder and former CEO of Nest Labs, to talk about his new book, Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making, and also the history of iPod, and iPhone!Of course, when you have someone with his credential, who has worked with Steve Jobs and invented the iPod and iPhone, we have to talk about the origin of both of the devices, and how it is working for Steve! Also, the origin of the Nest thermostat and Nest Labs!We also talked about what made a good product, and a good idea? His thought on AR, VR versus Metaverse, and his commitment to Futureshape, where he mentors and invest in engineer or scientist working on foundational technology to make the future a reality!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/5/2022 • 1 hour, 39 seconds
844 - How to find the right innovations in the challenging time with Former President of Nintendo Reggie Fils-Aimé
What does it takes to take the famous but underperforming (at that time) company, Nintendo, elevate them and create a whole culture following behind them? And how to take a food court brand, Panda Express, and make them a national chain restaurant?In this episode, I was joined by Reggie Fils-Aimé, is an American businessman best known for being the president and chief operating officer of Nintendo of America, the North American division of the Japanese video game company Nintendo to talk about his new book, Disrupting the Game: From the Bronx to the Top of Nintendo.We explore Reggie's origin story, what makes him take up his role in Nintendo, how he turns Pizza Hut and Panda Express into a national chain, what's his philosophy when he faces any challenges, and more importantly, why does he likes to take up task and roles that are in the most challenging situation!We also talked about how he became the meme man, and gaming community!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
5/3/2022 • 58 minutes, 43 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - Things You Should Ignore in 2022
The news cycle is moving extremely fast, and most of the news doesn't affect our daily life at all, especially if Elon Musk is buying Twitter or not, or the process of the trial of Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard!In this idea list of the day episode, we talked about the list that was created by Bill Bergemen on Things to Ignore in 2022!Check out the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/10-things-to-ignore-in-2022-2159Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/29/2022 • 29 minutes, 15 seconds
843 - How Feeling Melancholy Can Boost Your Creativity with Susan Cain
Are you the person that has to feel happy all the time? Were you ashamed of yourself if you were feeling down and melancholy? Or are you the person that has to pick back up every time you feel down?Well, a study has shown that it's okay, and sometimes it's better to feel melancholy than feel positive!I invited one of my favorite authors, Susan Cain, the author of the bestsellers Quiet Journal, Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts, and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, on to talk about her new book, Bittersweet, How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole.In the episode, we talked about why people are more drawn to melancholy music, the differences between sadness and melancholy, and the benefits of feeling melancholy that including elevating your creativity. We also talked about ways to cultivate the feeling of melancholy!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/28/2022 • 58 minutes, 16 seconds
842 - How to improve your critical thinking with Puzzles and Riddles with A.J. Jacobs
Are you obsessed with puzzles and riddles? When is the last time, you picked up the paper, and start doing the crossword puzzle in them? When is the last time someone ask you a riddle, and you solved it in seconds! In this episode, my good friend, A.J. Jacobs, an American journalist, author, and lecturer best known for writing about his lifestyle experiments came on to talk to me all about puzzles and riddlers and his new book, The Puzzler! He expresses his love for puzzles and riddlers, and how solving puzzles also helps him with his critical thinking! He also told me the stories on his journey of writing the book, including one of the crazies ones where he entered a puzzle competition along with 50 other people!Listen to the episode, and if you like the episode, tweet us on Twitter and let us know what you think!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/26/2022 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 11 seconds
841 - DIE WITH ZERO! with Bill Perkins (Re-Release).
The Tax Season has just ended! What would you do with your tax refund? Or if you had a couple of side hustles that have been making a ton of money, what would you do with all of your money?In this Re-Release Episode with Bill Perkins, an American hedge fund manager, film producer, and high stakes poker player, we talked about health vs wealth, cash vs experience, and why should you die with zero!? We also talked about his book, DIE WITH ZERO!-----------------------What the heck? Is that Dan Bilzerian in the background? Where are you? Dan said "Croatia". How did you get there? "When you're with Bill, you can get anywhere!" Bill Perkins lives life large and plans to DIE with zero. "Experiences pay dividends forever. You remember experiences. You tell stories. They can lead to other experiences. Money only pays a dividend once a year. Coming here with my family and friends will pay dividends forever." Like everything else he does. "If you die with money in the bank then you wasted all those hours you spent making that extra money instead of enjoying the things you love to do." Health, Time, and Money, is all we have and at each stage of our lives, we only have two out of the three. Use that to maximize doing what you love and dying with zero.----------------------Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/22/2022 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 6 seconds
840 - The most dangerous mental errors that you don't know you're making! with Sahil Bloom
Do you know there are some dangerous mental errors that you don't even know that you're making? They are many biases that we made every day, and to tell you the truth, it's almost impossible to avoid them! However, we can be made aware of them, to try our best for a better outcome in negotiation, debate, and sales! In this episode, I invited Sahil Bloom, entrepreneur, creator, and investor, back on again to talk about this new Twitter thread, The most dangerous mental errors (you don’t know you’re making).Read the full thread here: https://twitter.com/SahilBloom/status/1510249267352457223Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/21/2022 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 4 seconds
839 - The War Without Rules with General Robert Spalding
How did China become the second-largest economic power in the world? What is China's video in war, and how it is different from us? What role did China play and their reaction to the Russian-Ukraine war? Are they benefit from it?In this episode, I was joined by General Robert Spalding, a retired United States Air Force brigadier general, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, this work focuses on U.S.–China relations, economic and national security, and the Asia-Pacific military balance, to talk about his new book, War Without Rules, China's Playbook for Global Domination. I play devil's advocate throughout and he laid out this historical thing that's been going on about how China views wars, their idealogy, and how it's different from us! Also, we talked about why China is mostly exempt from environmental crisis discussion and so forth!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/19/2022 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 23 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - People I'd Like to Meet While Cruising The US
Do you have a list of people, famous or not famous, in the US that you would love to meet one day? Who would they be?In this idea list of the day episode, we talked about the list that was created by Younes via notepd.com on People that I would like to meet while cruising the US!Check out the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/03-03-from-tokyo-to-ny-10-people-i-would-like-to-meet-while-cruising-the-us-367Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/15/2022 • 19 minutes, 28 seconds
838 - Gilbert Gottfried: What to do when half of you want to please everybody!
It's really sad that Gilbert Gottfried, a great American stand-up comedian and actor, has recently passed away battling a long-time illness. I remember the first time meeting him, and talking to him on the podcast, I can feel his passion and love for comedy, and how he never gives up doing it!This is a re-release of the episode that I recorded with Gilbert where we talked about his passion for comedy, and how you can never please everybody in the world!-----------------------------------------------------Gilbert Gottfried started doing stand-up comedy when he was 15 years old. He dropped out of high school and within 10 years he was on Saturday Night Live. And he built his career up from there. But he's also been the center of a lot of controversies. People get upset at comedians for "going too far." But Gilbert does it for a reason... He said, "I remember, I did this show that was a tribute to Joan Rivers. It was right after there was that shooting at a gay nightclub. I started doing jokes about the shooting and the audience was laughing all the way through and you know, Joan Rivers has a large gay audience. One guy tweeted me and he said, ‘I never thought that I’d wake up crying and go to sleep laughing.'" It's easy to misunderstand people. And get upset. Whenever I'm made, I say to myself, "This means I'm not understanding something." So then I move that anger into curiosity. I kept asking Gilbert about his jokes. And we walked me through the humor. This episode will make you laugh and maybe uncomfortable but I promise the laughter makes it all worth it. The laughter is medicine for your day.-----------------------------------------------------Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/14/2022 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 9 seconds
837 - Pete Stegemeyer: The Great Heist!
Stockholm Art Museum robbed $4 million in artwork and 10 were under arrest! When you have this line at the top of the title of a book, you have to call the author up and find out every little detail about it!In this episode, a returned guest, Pete Stegemeyer, an award-winning comedian, writer, and physical and cyber security expert, came on to talk about his new book, Heist!Do you know smart thieves don't rob banks physically anymore? No one wants to carry a duffel bag full of cash! That's heavy and hardwork! So we talked about what are the craziest heists that Pete has seen, what, and how do thieves pull off a heist?Listen to this episode and find out more! Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/12/2022 • 57 minutes, 15 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - Japanese Concepts That Can Help with Self Mastery
Another Idea list of the day episode! Today's topic is The Japanese Concept that can help with Self-Mastery!We talked about Kaizen, Ikigai, Shin-Gi-Tai, and more!Check out the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/10-japanese-concepts-that-can-help-with-self-mastery-733Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/8/2022 • 26 minutes
836 - Trung Phan: The untold obstacles of 'The Godfather'!
Do you know that "The Godfather" almost didn't happen?In this episode, Trung Phan, a contributor for SatPost, and Bloomberg, and co-hosted the Not Investment Advice (NIA) podcast, came on to talk about the obstacles and challenges that were faced by "The Godfather", and even Hollywood during that time faces a lot of challenges itself too! We also talked about the origin of "The Godfather", how was it written, why was it written, and how did the casting go! Also, you can read his Twitter thread about The Godfather here: https://twitter.com/TrungTPhan/thread/1502687845831503872Also, make sure you follow him on his substack! https://trungphan.substack.com/Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/7/2022 • 55 minutes, 16 seconds
835 - Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.: The Five Levels of Attachment
Do you ever have a strong attachment to something that it's almost impossible for you to let go of? Well, this is the episode for you!In this episode, I invited the son (another) of don Miguel Ruiz, don Miguel Ruiz Jr., the author of the books: “The Five Levels of Attachment”, “Living a Life of Awareness”, “The Mastery of Self”, and “The Don Miguel Ruiz’s Little Book of Wisdom” on to talk about exactly that! We talked about my attachment to New York when I finally decided to leave, and he advised me on how to deal with it. Then talked about this origin story! How his father, don Miguel Ruiz, set up a situation for him, push him in that direction, and see what he can do, and his first-ever speaking gig, how he improved from that!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookSHOW CONTR
4/5/2022 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 19 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - The Most Influential People of All Time
Another idea list of the day episode! Today's topic is an interesting one, but tricky! Who are the most influential people in history?There are a lot of interesting suggestions or answers in the episode, however, how would you define influential? Is Elon Musk influential? Is Thomas Edison influential? If you're not from a region where Christianity is popular, then is Jesus influential?Check out the full list and posts here: https://notepd.com/challenge/posts/who-are-the-most-influential-people-in-history-109Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
4/1/2022 • 24 minutes, 13 seconds
834 - Don Jose Ruiz: The Fifth Agreement!
The Four Agreement is one of my all-time favorite and most inspirational books! In this episode, I am honored to joined by the son of the famous Don Miguel Ruiz, Don Jose Ruiz, the international best-selling author of The Wisdom of the Shamans and The Fifth Agreement, to talk about his journey, his origin story, his recovery from drug addiction, his belief, his practice and ultimately what led him to write one of the best selling books, The Fifth Agreement!Make sure you follow his Instagram account: @donjoseruizVisit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/31/2022 • 36 minutes, 27 seconds
833 - Trung Phan: Why are Doritos So Addictive!?
Who doesn't love Doritos, they have been around since 1964! In this episode, I invite Trung Phan, a contributor for SatPost, Bloomberg, and co-hosted the Not Investment Advice (NIA) podcast, to come on to the show to tell me the origin of Doritos, and why are Doritos so addictive? Is it the chemical that they used to manufacture these products? The Flavors? The Brains? Or it's all three?Listen to the episode to find out! Also, you can read his Twitter thread about the Doritos here: https://twitter.com/TrungTPhan/thread/1505575719211991040Also, make sure you follow him on his substack! https://trungphan.substack.com/Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/29/2022 • 49 minutes, 36 seconds
Idea List of the Day! Small Business Obstacles
Another idea list of the day episode! Today's topic is one of the close and dear to me, since I have started multiple companies, and I have been through all of these problems, if not more! I was joined by Jay and Paolo, and we breakdown the list that was created by Kieroniusrex on Notepd.com! I even added some more from my experience to the list as well!Check out the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/10-problems-you-may-face-when-starting-a-small-business-and-how-to-overcome-them-784Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/25/2022 • 29 minutes, 57 seconds
832 - Noah Kagan: Meth Zoom, how to get on Dark Web, and other ways to get out of your comfort zone.
Some enjoy being a CEO, some enjoy being an entrepreneur, and some enjoy being an employee.In this episode, I was joined by Noah Kagan, the Chief Sumo, CEO, and Co-Founder of AppSumo, to talk about his experience as CEO, what did he learn during the hiring process, and how some employees are having two or three full-time jobs, and potentially make millions!We also talked about zoom meth, how to get on the dark web, and how to get out of your comfort zone!Here's the article about Zoom Meth! https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/internet-meth-underground-hidden-in-plain-sight/index.htmlVisit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify
3/24/2022 • 49 minutes, 29 seconds
831 - Michael Uslan: Batman!
Imagine, it's the 70s, and you're 20+ years old, and you have a huge passion for comics, and especially Batman. What in the right mind would you march up to DC's office, and say, I want to buy Batman's movie and tv right.That is exactly what Michael Uslan, American producer of the Batman films and was the first instructor to teach an accredited course on comic book folklore at any university, did! His passion and wanting to bring Batman back to its root (after the downfall of Adam West's Batman in the '60s), led him to his decision!Michael talks about his passion, his method of having plans B, C, D, and more, and also his determination, and persistence that led him to become the successful Executive Producer that he is today.We also talked about his book, Batman's Batman: A Memoir from Hollywood, Land of Bilk, and Money, (which Mark Hamil also gave a testimonial), his journey of bringing Batman to the big screen, and the stories behind it!Also, here are the 10 things that I learned from Michael that I posted in Notepd.com: https://notepd.com/idea/what-i-learned-from-batmans-batman-525Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify
3/22/2022 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 10 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - THE UKRAINE DOOMSDAY PORTFOLIO
No one knows how long Ukraine and Russia's war is going to go for, and the stock market doesn't like uncertainty at all, especially with all the sanctions on Russia and vice versa, you must adjust your portfolio and position yourself to make sure you're not losing any money!In this episode, I was joined by Robyn, Paolo, and Jay, to talk about Robyn's recommendation on the stock market. What should we look at, and why should we look at those!Check out the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/the-doomsday-portfolio-384Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/18/2022 • 24 minutes, 14 seconds
830 - Omid Malekan answered all my questions about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency
What is Money? What is Dollar? Is money really dependable? Did the invention of Money actually let us better organize society and be more efficient? The short answer is NO. That's why there's the invention of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency.In this episode, I invited the author of The Story of the Blockchain, A Beginner's Guide to the Technology That Nobody Understands to talk about all things Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency! Omid Malekan, to talk about all things Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies. and his new upcoming book, Re-architecting Trust, The Curse of HIstory and The Crypto Cure for Money, Markets, and Platforms.This is an interesting episode. Before the podcast began, I told Omid that, even though I am bullish on Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies, I will be playing the skeptic here, so that he could answer all my questions!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify
3/17/2022 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 43 seconds
829 - Reinventing Josh Peck with Josh Peck!
Being famous early on in life doesn't necessarily mean you will do well from that point on, especially with so many shows being produced and developed, and also even more actors trying to be on the air!Another great choose yourself person, Josh Peck, an American actor, comedian, and YouTuber came on to talk about his origin story, how he started stand-up comedy at 11, him getting cast in Drake and Josh, and the obstacles and journey after the series ended!Immediately after Drake and Josh ended, how he reinvented himself by getting into social media's game, vine, and now tiktok!We also talked about his new book, Happy People Are Annoying!Visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/15/2022 • 59 minutes, 42 seconds
Make Me a Millionaire! - Jen Glantz EP11: Failure, is just you inching closer to success
Another episode of Makes You A Millionaire! In this episode, Jen Glantz, came on to catch up, and share some updates! She shared how she felt like a failure cause things didn't progress as expected, however, those failure means you're inching towards success! She also shared some of the updates for her Newly Wed Card Game, which had sold about 75% of the inventory! We also talked about some ideas that could spin out of the newly wed card game, new directions for the newsletter, and the most interesting ones, the Wedding NFT!Twitter: @JenGlantzIG: @jenglantzVisit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/11/2022 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 47 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - 10 Attributes of a Good Friend
This subseries: Idea List of The Day, was spun out of the new website that I envision, and built by Paolo, notepd.com.In this episode of the series, Jay, Robyn, Paolo and I discuss one of Robyn's idea list, Top 10 attributes that make you a good friend. We talked about gossip, honesty, trust, and more!Check out the list here: https://notepd.com/idea/top-10-attributes-that-make-you-a-good-friend-309Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/10/2022 • 23 minutes, 40 seconds
828 - Brad Meltzer: How to write the "Twist" in a Thriller Novel!
Do you know, some ongoing comic has no Act 3? Writing a twist in a novel and any kind of media is an art!In this episode, I was joined by Brad Meltzer, American novelist, non-fiction writer, TV show creator, and comic book author, to talk about his process of writing his new book, The Lightning Rod!A few of the lessons that I learned from Brad are, there was a secret group that the government hired 15 years ago to come up with scenarios terrorists could attack the US. Characters are the most important part of writing a novel, Negative Feedback is the ONLY feedback, and don't give up when people say "NO"!Read the full list here: https://notepd.com/idea/10-things-i-learned-from-thriller-writer-brad-meltzer-363The Idea Machine Website is in Beta! Come join us at notepd.com, where you could read and share your ideas! My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/8/2022 • 46 minutes, 50 seconds
Idea List of the Day! - 10 New Business Ideas
Another new subseries! This subseries: Idea List of The Day, was spun out of the new website that I envision, and built by Paolo, notepd.com.In this episode of the series, I talked about the new business ideas that I had, such as AI-based Insurance, Sabermetrics for Basketball, IPO your home, and more! Check out the list here: https://notepd.com/idea/10-new-business-ideas-feb-15-please-like-the-ideas-you-think-are-most-interesting-239 Or visit Notepd.com to read more idea lists, or sign up and create your own idea list!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/4/2022 • 44 minutes, 28 seconds
827 - Catching up with Dr. Brian Keating in 2022!
It's the start of 2020, and of course I have to catch up with my good friend, Dr. Brian Keating!In this episode, we talked about everything from Nobel Prize, to Sciences, to Galileo and to book publishing!You get to be the fly on the wall, listen to the conversation between two good friends!You can also subscribes to Dr. Brian Keating's podcast here: https://briankeating.com/podcast.php My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/3/2022 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 13 seconds
826 - Sahil Bloom: 22 mindset hacks that will make your life better
Everyone has a similar life hack that helps them through their life. However, Sahil Bloom, entrepreneur, creator, and investor has a Twitter thread and also in his newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle, titled: 20+ powerful razors (to help you cut through life’s noise). These are not the regular razors that you shave your beard with, these are life lessons and a mindset that could help you improve yourself, and achieve what you've been always dreaming of!Some of the razors include The Circle of Competence, Occam’s Razor, The Buffett Reputation Razor, and others!We also talked about the origin of Occam's Razor, and some interesting facts about Jared Leto!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
3/1/2022 • 45 minutes, 14 seconds
Good or Bad: Privacy!
In today's day and age, do you actually have privacy? And is it good, or is it bad to have privacy? In this episode, A.J. Jacobs and I are talking about the good and the bad about Privacy!Listen to the episode, tweet us at @jaltucher, and @ajjacobs, and tell us, what do you think about Olympics!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/26/2022 • 43 minutes, 40 seconds
825 - Marc Lore: The Rise of Telosa
There is a lot of discussions on cities. Should you live in one? Should a city be that expensive? And how should one built and find a new community?In this episode, I have Marc Lore, an American entrepreneur, businessman, investor, and NBA owner on to talk about his plan for his proposed new city, Telosa. We discussed the origin story of Telosa, how would he build a community, and how he would raise money for it!We also talked about his new ventures, which include Wonder, a new chef-driven approach to home dining, his new investment in e-VTOL, and his NBA venture!Listen to the episode, and maybe you would want to live in Telosa too! My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/24/2022 • 51 minutes, 7 seconds
824- Seth Stephens-Davidowitz: Uncover the World's Secret with Data
Do you know one of the most google searches in India is a man trying to get his wife to breastfeed him!? I was surprised too!Have you ever wondered what are the most searches on Google? What are the most ridiculous searches on Google? And Google probably has more data on you than any agencies out there!In this episode, I have Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, American data scientist, economist, and author, to talk about his book, Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are.We also breakdown what were the most google searches, how do people use the "secret" data to improve their business and/or their life!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/22/2022 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 26 seconds
823 - P.J. O'Rourke (Re-release): How The Hell This Happened? and Rest In Peace, P.J. O'Rourke
One of my favorite political commentators, author, and journalist, P.J. O'Rouke has recently passed away. So I decided to re-release an older episode with him, and may he rest in peace. ----Everyone’s favorite topic… Trump. I interviewed PJ O’Rourke back in May. But today (the day this show releases) is pretty much the one year anniversary of President Trump’s inauguration. And so I explore alternate realities with PJ, a 2x New York Times bestselling author, journalist, Irish Catholic hippie and a world of other contradictions.QUESTION: “What would the country be like if all the First Ladies ran the country?”ANSWER: “We’re out of slavery in 1800 because Sally Hemings would’ve abolished it.”(That’s a chapter in his book. PJ tells you how the world would be different. He gives you scenarios to dream up a new world.)He also asks you to vote differently… Hypothetically, who would you vote for if you picked the president based on who you’d go on a road trip with.Our conversation makes you think. And laugh. And wonder. Which are the three keys to a free mind.So I give you, PJ O’Rourke, author of “How The Hell Did This Happen: The Election of 2016”Links and ResourcesThe National Lampoon, PJ was the Editor in Chief in the 70’s (back in John Belushi days)“Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the Entire U.S. Government” by PJ O’Rourke“Give War a Chance” by PJ O’Rourke“On The Wealth of Nations” by PJ O’RourkeEzra Pound (poet)East Village Other (a competitor to The National Lampoon)The Village Voice (another popular magazine back in the 70’s)NPR’s debrief on BrexitMy interview with Ron Paul“The Art of The Deal” by Donald TrumpEisenhower’s Farewell AddressMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/21/2022 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 45 seconds
Good or Bad: Olympics?
It's the Olympic season! There's excitement and disappointment in Olympics! However, do you think there's good and bad about the Olympics? Not a particular year? Just in general!In this episode, A.J. and I sat down and discussed the good and the bad about Olympics!Listen to the episode, tweet us at @jaltucher, and @ajjacobs, and tell us, what do you think about Olympics!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/18/2022 • 42 minutes, 47 seconds
822 - Tony Robbins & Peter Diamandis: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life
Have you thought about reversing your "age" and being healthy again? Or thought about being able to live longer so that you could spend more quality time with your loved ones? In this episode, I was joined by Tony Robbins, an American author, speaker, and philanthropist, and Peter Diamandis, a Greek-American engineer, physician, entrepreneur, and author to talk about their new book, Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love!We also talked about how in the future, we could find a cure or a way to prevent Alzheimer's, save more life using gene editing, and potentially find a breakthrough medicine that could cure some uncurable disease!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/17/2022 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 18 seconds
821 - Amy Webb and Andrew Hessel: Is Rewriting Life via Synthetic Biology the future?
As the world population grows every day, and methods of transportation get safer and safer every passing minute, will we run out of food supply? And will the organ transplant waitlist get longer?I was joined by Amy Webb, an American futurist, author, founder, and CEO of the Future Today Institute, and Andrew Hessel, microbiologist, geneticist, and entrepreneur, to talk about their new book, The Genesis Machine: Our Quest to Rewrite Life in the Age of Synthetic Biology.In this episode, we talked about will the fusion of biology and computers can help us prevent a potential food hunger, the especially limited amount of organs that needed for an organ transplant, and also potentially editing the gene of your offspring, your descendants to make them either stronger or cure them of the genetic disease.However, all this also comes with a bigger question. The ethics. Is editing the gene of your soon-to-be-born baby ethical? Or are we going against the law of nature? Or using genetically engineered livestock for more food or organ for humans ethical?Listen to the episode, and tweet at me @jaltucher to let me know what do you think!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/15/2022 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 33 seconds
Good or Bad: Cars!?
Do you ever wonder about the good and the bad about the thing that you sees every day? Take cars for instance. Are cars, good? Or Bad? Just in general?In this episode, A.J. Jacobs, and I talked about the good and the bad about cars! Listen to the episode, and tweet us at @jaltucher, and @ajjacobs and tell us, what do you think about cars!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/11/2022 • 58 minutes, 55 seconds
820 - Lawrence Lewitinn: What would you do with a stolen 4 Billion dollars
What happened to the 2016 Bitcoin Bitfinex Hack? Who actually hacked the exchange? In recent news, it seems like Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan were accused of the hack? Did they do it? What do we know, and what do we not know?In this episode, I called up, Lawrence Lewitinn, the Managing Director at Coindesk, and ask him about the story. Did they actually do it? How did the hack happen? Who else did we suspect?Also, what would you do, if you have stolen 4 billion dollars?Are we all safe from hackers? Is it safe to leave our crypto on any changes? To quote Lawrence, not your key, not your bitcoin!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/10/2022 • 51 minutes, 54 seconds
819 - Todd Herman: How to turn into a Super Hero!
I have been going to Chess Tournament, I have had some wins and some losses. Now, I am thinking about how can I take my chess to the next level. How can I do better in the next chess tournament? I have been studying chess for at least 4 to 5 hours a day, analyzing my games, and been taking chess coaching sessions. And then it hit me, what about, The Alter Ego Effect!So I called up the author of The Alter Ego Effects, Todd Herman, to get a "Free" Coaching Session! That's why I enjoy doing podcasts! In the episode, we talked about how a kid took on the alter ego of Paul Bunyan, and then excel in baseball! We also talked about the techniques of looking for your own alter ego.Last but not least, all the advice that Todd gave me to search and take on my own alter ego, and let see if I could do better in my next tournament!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/8/2022 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 35 seconds
Good or Bad: Stories!
Is it possible to discuss the good and the bad of stories? What are the good and the bad of stories?In this episode, my good friend, A.J. Jacobs joined me to talk about the good and the bad of stories!Listen to the episode, and feel free to tweet at me @jaltucher, or AJ @ajjacobs and let us know what do you think about this new subseries?My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/4/2022 • 57 minutes, 24 seconds
818 - Amy Zegart: Spies and Lies
We all have seen a dozen of Spies movies, movies about intelligence, we read books about it, we knew who is James Bond, Mission Impossible and all. But the question is still out there, what are spies? What are the intelligence agencies? What are the covert intelligence agencies?In this episode, I am joined by Amy Zegart, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, a professor of political science, past co-director of Stanford’s Center for International Security and Cooperation, to talk about her new book, Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence.That book is like the textbook for spies and intelligence 101! Conversation with Amy was so fascinating as we touched upon the topics like, why do we need spies and intelligence, cyber security, cyber-warfare, which apparently we are at war all year round, and we even talked about how a commercial company like Google, Facebook, and others might have more data on us than the government agencies!Listen to the episode, and tweet at me @jaltucher if you like this episodes!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/3/2022 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 48 seconds
817 - Where should you live: What you absolutely need to know!
Most places in the United States have finally slowly opened up, people started to travel, some have been going back to work, and some stayed remote. However, what is the data on housing and relocation? In 2020, and 2021, around 9 million people around the US have moved out of their state, some temporary most of them were permanent.In this episode, Robyn, Jay, and I talked about the housing data, where should you live, and what you should absolutely know!Tweet at @jaltucher on Twitter if you like this episode!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
2/1/2022 • 38 minutes, 13 seconds
Good or Bad: Gambling!
I have launched a new subseries with my good friend, A.J. Jacobs!As the title mentioned, we discussed, the Good or the Bad of something. It could be anything from gambling, dogs, cosmetics, cars, and more! In this particular episode, we talked about the good and the bad of gambling! Is gambling all bad and no good, or there is actually some good in them?Listen to the episode, and feel free to tweet at me @jaltucher, or AJ @ajjacobs and let us know what do you think about this new subseries?My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookSHOW CONTR
1/28/2022 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 5 seconds
816 - What the H&LL happened to the Meme Stock Squeeze? With Spencer Jakab
In 2021, it's all about Covid, and then Gamestop Stock. Everywhere you go (or can't go), people are talking about Gamestop, AMC, Meme Stock, Wall Street bet, and Reddit!So, what happened? As I mentioned in the podcast, it's not that easy to short a stock, and sure as hell, it's not easy to pull off what Reddit had pulled off on Gamestop!Spencer Jakab, an award-winning financial journalist and a former top-rated stock analyst at Credit Suisse, came on to talk about his new book, The Revolution That Wasn't: GameStop, Reddit, and the Fleecing of Small Investors, and to share with us, what was going on behind the scene that made all this possible?Listen to the full episode, and tweet at me @jaltucher on tweeter to share your thought!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/27/2022 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 42 seconds
815 - Tom Quiggin: What the H&LL happened with Ukraine?
I woke up today and saw the news about Ukraine, Russia, and America, and I asked myself, What is going on? Is an invasion happening? What will happen to the economy?So I called my go-to foreign intelligence, and a fellow friend, Tom Quiggin, a former intelligence officer who served in Bosnia, he worked for the International War Crimes Tribunal, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and a court expert on terrorism, and invite him on to the podcast to talk about what he thought about the Ukraine issue, and what will likely to happen to Ukraine?On top of that, we also talked about what's the American Political Strategy, how will China react? What would NATO do in this situation?Listen to the episode, and hopefully, Tom answered all your questions and doubts!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/25/2022 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 12 seconds
814 - Clay Martin: Is there going to be a second Civil War in US and how to prep for it?
Will there be another Civil War here in the US? That has been the conversation that I've heard from either side of the political party? Looking that what happened in 2020 and last year, all the violence, protest, looting, and civil unrest has made me worry! So I invited Clay Martin, a retired US Green Beret, and author, on to the show to discuss how likely will there be a Civil War? And why has it been the topic in the past couple of months? Also, if there's one, what would be the reason that caused it?We also talked about, if there will be one, how should we prepare for it? On top of that, we also talked about his book, Prairie Fire: Guidebook for Surviving Civil War 2.My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/20/2022 • 55 minutes, 4 seconds
813 - How to be a Super Connector with Jen Gottlieb & Chris Winfield
Do you know someone that is like a super connector and just know everyone in the planet? Wouldn't it great to know more people other than your immediate social circle?In this episode, Jen Gottlieb, Actress, and co-founder of Super Connector Media, and Chris Winfield, entrepreneur, writer, coach and co-founder of Super Connector Media, came on to talk about the techniques and the benefit becoming a Super Connector! Jen also talked about the imposter syndrome that she had seen during her actress and hosting days, and how to overcome them. And Chris talked about how he made it to the top just by connecting with the right people, and networking!They also talked about the boot camp that they're organizing that will help with the "TV" skills, networking skills and all! They were so kind that they even created a special link for the listener @ beontvbootcamp.com/altucher and they're going to be something special waiting for the listener! Listen to the episode, and make sure you visit beontvbootcamp.com/altucher so you can get a special treat from Jen and Chris!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/18/2022 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 56 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - Jen Glantz EP10
Every entrepreneur and business owner out there is especially stressed during the end year. All you think about is, did you hit the end-of-the-year goal? How did you set a new goal for the new year? How can you make sure you hit the goal?In this episode, Jen Glantz, talk about the stress she was dealing with, the goal that she has to set, the obstacle and some legal issue that she was facing at that time! Twitter: @JenGlantzIG: @jenglantzMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/15/2022 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 59 seconds
812 - Michael Hearne: The Future of Crypto
It has been a wild ride in Crypto World in the past couple of years! There are kids and teenagers making million and million of dollars from NFTs, Crypto, and even metaverse! I was so fascinated by what's been happening in the Crypto world, I have Michael Hearne, The Founder of Decentral Publishing, and the host of Uncensored Crypto Podcast come on to tell me more about what happened in the past few years in the crypto world. He even made a 9 Parts docu-series called Uncensored Crypto which you can watch here: https://uncensoredcrypto.com/altucher to help you understand more about the future of Crypto!In this episode, we also talked about why NFTs? What is the future, and uses for NFTs? And also, what is Metaverse? Why are kids, and teenagers just sitting at home, making money in Metaverse? Remember to sign up to watch the 9-parts docu-series via https://uncensoredcrypto.com/altucher to learn more about the crypto space!It’s a free pass to the world premiere of Uncensored Crypto, a new docuseries featuring 56 industry insiders sharing their predictions for 2022 and beyond. And… They’re giving away $5k in Bitcoin to one lucky viewer… and another $5k in altcoins for people who take part in the world-premiere fun and games.To find out more and secure your free pass, go here before January 18th. https://uncensoredcrypto.com/altucherMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/13/2022 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 16 seconds
811 - Part 2: Doomer Optimisim with Tucker Max
Part 2 of Tucker Max's Doomer Optimism! If you missed Part 1, make sure you go back and check it out!In this episode, I was joined by Tucker Max, an American author, and public speaker, to talk continuing talking about his article, Doomer Optimism.We talked about empire, and if America is one, and what does the future hold for America. Will it be for the best or for the worst? Tucker also explained to me the power of community, and what does community means to him, also the town that he's building!We also talked about if people are starting to wake up that they don't get stuck at what they're doing, but they get to choose to do what they wanted to do and they don't have to be in 9 - 5 jobs anymore.And finally, Tucker also talked about what skill does he thinks would benefit the most in the future!Again, if you missed Part 1 of Tucker's Doomer Optimism, make sure you check out Episode 811My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/11/2022 • 38 minutes, 8 seconds
810 - Doomer Optimism with Tucker Max
Have you read or write an article that was somewhat controversial, people leave nasty comments? Or worse even, they try to get you kicked off the group that you were part of for a long time, or you founded the group? This happened to my friend, Tucker Max.In this episode, I am joined Tucker Max, an American author, and public speaker, to talk about one of his articles, Doomer Optimism.How I heard about this article is that I saw two people on the Facebook group were arguing insisting on kicking Tucker off the group because of the article!We also talked about human hierarchy, 2020 lockdowns, and why can't people recognize hypocrisy when there's one! Listen to this part 1 episode with Tucker Max, and Part 2 will be coming out soon!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/6/2022 • 41 minutes, 55 seconds
809 - Brandon Webb: The 2022 Prediction!
2019 was a normal year (for the most part), 2020 pretty much doesn't exist, and 2021 was a bit of a mess.Now as we stepped into 2022, what can we expect? Is anything going to change? Will the supply chain be better? Will we ever get out of the "Covid Lifestyle"?In this episode, Brandon Webb, a former United States Navy SEAL, and SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, also a founder of sofrep.com, came on to discuss his prediction for the year 2022! We discuss everything from US politics to the World Supply chain, to China's Politics, to as far as NFTs and Metaverse! Listen to the episode and let me know what do you think about the prediction!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
1/4/2022 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 40 seconds
808 - Kathryn Nicolai: The Most Exciting Boring Person
How often do you have a hard time falling asleep? For me, it's almost every day, until I found this podcast, Nothing Much Happens, which helps people fall asleep by telling soothing stories.So naturally, I invited Kathryn Nicolai, the creator of Nothing Much Happens Podcast, and the writer of the book with the same name, on to talk about the podcast's origin story, what inspired her to start the podcast, her approach to writing the stories, and also the neuroscience behind sleep!Listen to the episode, and find out more!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/30/2021 • 40 minutes, 4 seconds
807 - A.J. Jacobs: The Most Interesting Man in the World
Our "Pod" friend, A.J. Jacobs, an American journalist and author, has finally come out from his writing cave, and come onto the podcast once again! In this episode, AJ shared his experience while writing his upcoming new book, The Puzzler (coming out in April 2022), the interesting puzzles that he had come across, and the way he approaches the new book!We also talked about what is the difference between intelligence, and being knowledgeable. He used tomato as an example to explain the difference between the two! A.J. also told me about the "secret" conference that he had attended about how we should be thinking about the future!Listen to this episode, and listen to all the interesting conversations that we had!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/28/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 35 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - Annual Meeting 2021 with Jen Glantz, Paolo, James Quandahl, and Jay the Engineer!
It's the end of the year, so it's time to have an annual meeting with the "Millionaire's Series" candidates to look at their progress!In this episode, Jay Yow, The Engineer, has an annual meeting with James Quandahl, Jen Glantz, and Paolo. They talked about their journey, expectation, experience, and their obstacles that they faced during this whole journey!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/23/2021 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 45 seconds
806 - Are You Too Negative? Dr. Benjamin Hardy Helps Us Answer!
Have you had the feeling where you woke up one day, in a nice house, nice bed, turn on your new phone, look at social media, scroll through them, and you say to yourself, "My Life Suck!" Well, no more! In this episode, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, an organizational psychologist, and bestselling author sat down with me on Zoom, and we talk all about dealing with negativity and self-doubt.Of course, we also talked about his new book, The Gap and The Gain as well!Listen to the episode where Dr. Benjamin will share the techniques of improving your life by being grateful, and appreciative! Mentioned in the podcast: Dan Sullivan, Tucker Max, David GogginsMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/21/2021 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 48 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - Jen Glantz EP09: Monetizing and Birth of Newly Wed Card Game!
Another Makes You A Millionaire series with Jen Glantz! Now that Jen has "cleaned" her list, her newsletter open rate has gone up to almost 20%! Now that the open rate is up, we have to talk about monetization from sponsors to affiliate deals. Also, another new business venture/ idea for Jen, a Newly Wed Card Game, we talk more about how should the card game looks like, and what type of question should be included.Twitter: @JenGlantzIG: @jenglantzMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/20/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 33 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Paolo EP04: Scaling The App!
In this Make You a Millionaire Episode, Paolo is ready to publish his app, FastType! Now, we need ways to scale it, and potentially create more apps from the initial ideas! Also, in this episode, we also teased an idea that Paolo and I would potentially work on together one day!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/19/2021 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 9 seconds
805 - Andrew Warner: Don't Ask Stupid Questions
People said it's important to ask the right questions. However, the way you frame a question is equally important as asking the right questions!In this episode, Andrew Warner, an entrepreneur, author, and host of the hit startup podcast, Mixergy, came on to talk about this new book, STOP ASKING QUESTIONS.We also talked about a wide range of topics such as techniques of asking the tough questions, Andrew's origin story, why did he start the Mixergy Podcast, and also how to exploit the so-called "Motivated Moment" to book high profile guests, and also, how do we capitalize on the "speak up privilege" to get what we wanted!All these techniques don't only apply to podcasting, but day-to-day life, entrepreneurship, and even relationship!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/17/2021 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 25 seconds
804 - How to Write Books That Sell 160-Million Copies with Ken Follett
How does one write books that sell 160 million copies? What was the writing process looks like?In this episode, I have one of my favorite authors, Ken Follett, the author of thrillers and historical novels who has sold more than 160 million copies of his works, came on to talk about his writing process for his new book, Never. Some of the things that we talked about include, developing characters, what can we borrow from the real world in the writing process, and what's the best approach to writing current politics and current events!Listen to the episode and find out more!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/14/2021 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 16 seconds
803 - The 5 Worst & 5 Best Nobel Prize Recipients with Unni Turrettini
Is the Nobel Prize fair? Is anyone that won the Nobel Prize deserves, the Nobel Prize? Or is there anyone out there who deserves the Nobel Prize more?In this episode, Unni Turrettini, a writer, lawyer, citizen activist, and international speaker, who came on to talk about The History of the Nobel Prize, and loneliness, came on to discuss her 5 best and 5 worst Nobel Prize winners. And of course, I also talk about who should've won the Nobel Prize, and is the Nobel Peace Prize really for peace?Listen to the episode, and find out more!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/9/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 38 seconds
802 - Badass Habits with Jen Sincero
Have you developed new habits during the lockdown, or have you had any "Bad" habits that you knew, but can never shake off, or get rid of? In this episode, Jen Sincero, American Writer, Speaker, Success Coach, and the author of the "You Are a Badass" series came on to talk about getting rid of Bad Habits and cultivating new habits, how to deal with "friends" that are jealous of your success, and of course, her new book that just came out: Badass Habits: Cultivate the Awareness, Boundaries, and Daily Upgrades You Need to Make Them Stick.My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/7/2021 • 58 minutes, 43 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - Jen Glantz EP08: Cleaning The List!
Another Makes You A Millionaire series with Jen Glantz! The Human Billboard idea from previous episodes was a success! Now to maximize the potential of her newsletters, which include Odd Jobs Newsletter she has to do some "Spring Cleaning" to avoid being put on a blacklist! Also, we talked more about her card games idea and how to launch a successful Kickstarter for it! Twitter: @JenGlantzIG: @jenglantzMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/3/2021 • 48 minutes, 7 seconds
801 - Eric Schmidt: Is AI Going to Dominate the World?
I have been obsessed with AI for the past years and constantly talk about it in a couple of episodes, especially will AI turn out to be the "Terminator" that we would fear?In this episode, Eric Schmidt, American technology businessman, software engineer, and ex-CEO of Google, and author, came on to answer all my questions on AI! Will AI turn into the "Terminator", should we fear AI, can we use AI to actually help humanity?We also talked about his new book, The Age of AI: And Our Human Future, and how would AI change our future! My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
12/2/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 21 seconds
800 - Steven Kotler: Zero to Dangerous
I have quite a few Chess tournaments lined up, and I want to get better at it, be hyper-focused, and be in the flow state! So I called up the expert in Flow, Steven Kotler, an American author, journalist, and entrepreneur, and talk about how I can get into Flow State between games in the tournament! We also talked about his new course, Zero to Dangerous, and how it can help people reach the Flow State, and boost their productivity!Check out their course here: 1. Zero to Dangerous program: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/zero-to-dangerous/overview?utm_source=affiliate&utm_content=32521012. Z2D webinar: https://www.flowresearchcollective.com/lp?utm_source=affiliate&utm_content=3252101 My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/30/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 5 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - James Quandahl EP08: The Birth of PodPub
Another 'Make You A Millionaire' episode with James Quandahl! In this episode, we continue to navigate what's the best way to build new connections and bring in new clients. Also, I made a proposal with him to start a new venture! The PodPub!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookShare
11/29/2021 • 47 minutes, 21 seconds
799 - James' Chess Match of the Century with Henrik Carlsen
I have the honor to play 6 matches of Blitz Chess Game with the father of the famous chess grandmaster, Magnus Carlsen's father, Henrik Carlsen! It was such a great match. On top of that, he came on to the podcast to talk about the matches, adult learning, and how is it like to be the father of a great chess grandmaster! We also talked about how they built a chess learning empire as well!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/25/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 29 seconds
798 - COVID, Innovation, and Optimism with Matt Ridley
In Episode 796, we had Alina Chan on to talk about The Origin of Covid-19, and the new book that she co-authored, Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19. And in this episode, we have the other co-author of the book, Matt Ridley on to talk more about the purpose, and journey of writing the book. Should we still be optimistic about the pandemic, and will anything good come out of it? Also, why is it so hard for anyone to look for the origin of the virus?My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/23/2021 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 9 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - Jen Glantz EP07: The Start of Human Billboard!
Another Makes You A Millionaire series with Jen Glantz! Like I always said, she came on with a couple of lists that are full of ideas! One of the ideas that I find fascinating and creative is https://www.bemybillboard.com/. Essentially people can sign up, and be a human billboards for brands! So we sat down and talked about the ins and outs of the business, what can she scale from it, and how to optimize the business!Twitter: @JenGlantzIG: @jenglantzMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/19/2021 • 53 minutes, 8 seconds
797 - Polina Pompliano: Profiling the Profiler
During my burnout days, there is only a handful of newsletters that keep my days going. And The Profile Newsletter, written by none other than Polina Pompliano is one of the few that I read every week! In The Profile, Polina (like the newsletter's name) profile the world's most successful people, from Sara Blakely to Keanu Reeves, and more!In this episode, Polina and I broke down some of the similar traits of successful people, and also, I wanted to profile her! What inspired her to start the newsletter, what did she learn from all the people that she had profiled, and most importantly, what I can learn from Polina!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/18/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 44 seconds
796 - Alina Chan: Covid-19: What is the real truth? The Origin?
A couple of months back, I came down to a serious case of Covid-19/ Corona Virus, so I am really interested in the origin of the virus, why is Covid-19 different than the other flu-like disease, what was the origin, and what is the outlook for the future?So I have Alina Chan, a molecular biologist specializing in gene therapy and cell engineering at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, who came on to talk about a new book that he co-author with Matt Ridley, Viral: The Search for the Origin of Covid-19. She talked about her findings, what could be the origin of Covid-19, why is Covid-19 so much deadlier than the other flu-like diseases, and could it or could it not be engineered?We also talked about, what are the role of viruses in this world, could there be another virus that can eliminate the Covid-19 virus?Listen to this episode to find out!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/16/2021 • 1 hour, 27 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! James Quandahl EP07: The Importance of networking and building a personal relationship!
James Quandahl, a participant for Make You A Millionaire series came back from an Expo! He describes how he made a connection with the companies that he loves!On top of that, he came on to the podcast with more ideas on ways to accelerate and grow his Amazon agency business! My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/13/2021 • 51 minutes, 17 seconds
795 - Phillip Stutts (Part 2): What's Going On with This Crazy Economy & Election 2024 First Predictions
In this part 2 of the episode with Phillip Stutts, we went over what is happening with the current economy? What is his prediction for the future economy for the country, the states?Also, which social media platform is performing well than the rest? And who does Phill thinks will be running for the presidential election in 2024!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/11/2021 • 45 minutes, 10 seconds
794 - Phillip Stutts (Part 1): Moonshots and Why You Should Pursue One
Before the 2020 lockdown, Phillip Stutts, founder/CEO of Win BIG Media, founder/Exec. Chairman of Go BIG Media, Vet of 3 presidential wins, came on the podcast to talk about the 2020 presidential election. After the taping, he told me he is going to get surgery on his esophagus, and hopefully, things went well!Almost a year later, he came back on to share what he had learnt during the time, and why he did the moonshoot, and what could've happened if he didn't do it!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/11/2021 • 37 minutes, 28 seconds
I Was Wrong(?): Home Ownership
For the longest time, I was against buying and owning a home. I wrote about it, and also how I lost all my money and lost my home, twice! In this new, I Was Wrong, Sub-series, I sat down with Robyn, and Jay The Engineer, and talk about how my view has shifted especially during the past year! And also, why did I change my view? What made me change my view? Listen to this episode and find out more! I am planning to do more of this series to show that, sometimes my opinion changes based on timing, research, and also reason!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/10/2021 • 55 minutes, 44 seconds
793 - Jocko Willink: The Ultimate "Choose Yourself-er" Just Wrote His First Thriller
Jocko Willink, an American author, podcaster, and retired United States Navy officer are one of what I considered the ultimate Choose Yourself-"er" out there! When I saw that he wrote a new book, Final Spin, I thought it would be one of the leadership books that he had written before, but no! It was a thriller novel! I had him on to talk about why he choose to write a novel, and what inspired him to write a thriller novel. The stories that he shared were heartfelt fascinating. Of course, other than the book, I also asked his opinion on what's going on in America, and are we doomed? Listen to the full episode, and tweet at me @jaltucher on twitter to tell what you've learned in this episode!My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/9/2021 • 52 minutes, 36 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jen Glantz EP06: The Start of The Odd Jobs Newsletter
Another Make You a Millionaire episode with Jen Glantz!In this episode, Jen, Jay Yow The Engineer, and I were talking about the prospect of live streaming. How can we monetize twitch and even use twitch to build followers! We also talked about her new newsletter, The Odd Jobs Newsletter, and another possible fascinating idea and/or journey that she can take, making a card game!Listen to this episode, and find out where will the conversation lead her on her journey to becoming a millionaire! Twitter: @JenGlantzIG: @jenglantzMy new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotify Follow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook
11/5/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes
791 - Ben Sheehan (Part 1): Is the world getting stupider!?
Is the world getting stupider? Has social media influenced the way our brain works, or does social media just make it easier for us to see that?
In this episode, Ben Sheehan, a former award-winning executive producer at Funny Or Die and author, and I talked about how to come up with viral stories and videos during his time in Funny or Die, and his latest book, OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy is Supposed to Work!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/4/2021 • 39 minutes, 55 seconds
792 - Ben Sheehan (Part 2): OMG WTF Does the constitution actually say?
In Part 1 of the episode, Ben Sheehan and I talked about his time in Funny or Die, and his new book, OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy is Supposed to Work. We list some of the interesting and vague constitutions, and see if they're still relevant now?
In this part 2 of the episode, we broke down what does some of those constitutions actually meant, and if he were to make any changes to the constitutions, what kind of changes would he make?
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/4/2021 • 41 minutes, 13 seconds
790 - How To Get Anyone To Fall In Love With You
Another fun episode with Robyn, and Jay Yow The Engineer!
I have been fascinated by the intimacies of any kind, including romance, workplace relationships, friendship, and how to establish quick intimacy!
So in this episode, we did a set of questions from the experimental generation of interpersonal closenest done by multiple professors, and see where everyone stands, and also breakdown what each answer meant!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/3/2021 • 59 minutes, 1 second
789 - Ben Greenfield: 19 things Ben Greenfield told me to do to Supercharge
It's been 24 years since the last time I participated in a chess tournament, and it didn't go so well, unfortunately.
So I called up Ben Greenfield, a biohacker, nutritionist, physiologist, fitness coach, competitive athlete, and New York Times bestselling author of 13 books, to talk about how to supercharge myself physically and mentally to prepare for my next chess tournament! And this time I want to win!
However, the craziest part of this episode is not only all techniques and advice that he gave, but also, he was hiking while we were recording!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/2/2021 • 46 minutes, 9 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! James Quandahl EP06: How successful can a new agency be nowadays?
James Quandahl has been working hard on the idealists! In this episode, James pitched me a couple of business ideas and see which one would be successful!
Some of the business ideas include planning retreats for other people as a service, creating an agency that helps people with Amazon stores, and others!
Listen to the episode, and see if you could come up some ideas of your own!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/30/2021 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 19 seconds
787 - Chuck Palahniuk (Part 1): The Art of Writing
It's always fun when I have another fellow writer on, especially Chuck Palahniuk, an American freelance journalist and novelist, and the author of the famous novel/ movie, Fight Club!
In this episode, we talked more about writing, and what does he mean by, "Don't start by telling the most important stories?"
We also broke down and analyze some of the famous literature, and writing techniques out there.
On top of that, we also talked about his new book, People, Places, Things: My Human Landmarks, available exclusively on scribd.com
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/28/2021 • 48 minutes, 22 seconds
788 - Chuck Palahniuk (Part 2): People, Places, Things
In Part 1, Chuck Palahniuk and I broke down some of the writing techniques, and analyze some of the famous novels and literature out there.
In this Part 2 of the episode, we talked more about his new book, People, Places, Things: My Human Landmarks. We even analyzed why he wrote it the way he did, and what was his intention!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/28/2021 • 28 minutes, 21 seconds
786 - Can you get these Beatles' songs in less than 3 seconds
Sometimes, I like to have fun on The James Altucher Show! We have an idea, and we try it out, the interesting part is how to make it educational while having fun!
In this episode, I was joined by Robyn to guess these Beatles' songs in 3 seconds! I told Jay Yow The Engineer to pick out the songs, and we guess it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/27/2021 • 57 minutes, 58 seconds
784 - Robert Greene (Part 1): The 365 Laws of Mastery!
Have you ever thought about switching passion when you're older, learning new skills, or trying to get out of whatever job that you hate, and trying to break into a new "field"? Then you tell yourself, it's too late, it's too hard, and it's impossible? You're not alone!
In this episode, Robert Greene, an American author known for his books on strategy, power, and seduction, and has written six international bestsellers: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, and The Laws of Human, came on to talk about his new book, The Daily Laws: 366 Meditations on Power, Seduction, Mastery, Strategy, and Human Nature!
We talked about how to look for new passion, how to master new skills, and how to ignore all the nay-sayer and focus on what you love!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/26/2021 • 48 minutes, 1 second
785 - Robert Greene (Part 2): The 365 laws of Mastery
In Part 1 of the episodes, we talked about learning new skills, finding new passions, and mastering new power!
In this Part 2 of the episode, Robert Greene, an American author known for his books on strategy, power, and seduction, and has written six international bestsellers: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, and The Laws of Human, and I talked about how to connects dots from all the skills that you have learnt, borrow skills from other "field", and how to stay above the fray!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/26/2021 • 48 minutes, 15 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jen Glantz EP05: To be financially successful, you need multiple streams of incomes!
Another episode with Jen Glantz on the I Will Make You a Millionaire series! Jen is such an overachiever! We started talking about building an idea list 2 episodes ago, and since then, she has been coming up with new lists and new business ideas! Can she do all of them though? Should she be even thinking about starting a new business or a new newsletter given the busy schedule that she has!
Listen to this episode, and find out where will the conversation lead her on her journey to becoming a millionaire!
Twitter: @JenGlantz
IG: @jenglantz
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/22/2021 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 20 seconds
782 - What's the deal with BITCOIN with Anthony Pompliano (Part 1)
As of the release of this episode, Bitcoin is hovering around $65,000, and just weeks ago, it was only $35,000!
Seeing the price, I have to have one of my favorite newsletter writers, Anthony Pompliano, an entrepreneur, investor, and the founder of The Pomp Letter, which is about Bitcoin, finance, and technology, on to talk about what's the deal with Bitcoin. What is going on in the world, how is it different than ETH, SOL, and the stable coin?!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/21/2021 • 35 minutes, 18 seconds
783 - What will it take for BITCOIN to Hit A Million Dollars? With Anthony Pompliano (Part 2)
In this Part 2 of the 2 parts episode about BITCOIN, Anthony Pompliano, the writer of The Pomp Letter, after explaining the differences between Bitcoin, ETH, SOL, and other stable coins, we started talking about Defi, NFTs, regulation, and what will it take for Bitcoin to hit a Million dollars!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/21/2021 • 33 minutes, 15 seconds
781 - Would you take a McDonald's Franchise, or Go to Harvard University? with Robyn and Jay The Engineer
Years ago, a young man named Mark Zuckerberg was asked this question by his father: Would you choose to take a McDonald's Franchise (that I would purchase for you), or go to Harvard University for the degree of your choosing? And of course, we all know what he chose and what happened next, but it's an interesting question.
In this episode, I asked Jay Yow The Engineer, and my wife, Robyn, the same question. Listen to the episode, and see what were their choices, and how would they take it from there (whatever their choices are)?
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/20/2021 • 55 minutes, 11 seconds
779 - Dan Naturman (Part 1): The Life of a Comedian
In this episode, I have Dan Naturman, an American stand-up comedian, on to talk about his journey of being a stand-up comedian, the industry, and the time he appeared on America's Got Talent!
Now, as he heard from "someone" that one should have multiple source of income, so he went and wrote a book, Ira Spiro: Before Covid!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/19/2021 • 27 minutes, 5 seconds
780 - Dan Naturman (Part 2): From Comedian to Book Writer
In this Part 2 of the episode, Dan Naturman, talked about his adjustment as a stand-up comedian during the lockdown and pandemic. He also talked about why is always great to have multiple income streams whether if you're financially secured or not!
We also talked about his new novel, Ira Spiro: Before Covid. Is the book based on him, and the people around him?
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/19/2021 • 27 minutes, 3 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Paolo EP03: Taking on new challenges!
In this Make You a Millionaire Episode, Paolo came back on with more ideas for his apps! On top of that, I came up with a new challenge for Paolo, and see how far he could take the challenge!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/15/2021 • 59 minutes, 31 seconds
777 - Unni Turrettini (Part 1): How to battle loneliness?
Loneliness is a very real and terrifying feeling.
Loneliness doesn't necessarily mean that you're on an empty island or alone in an empty city. It could occur when you're in a new environment, or you feel like you're not "fitting in" in the new social group!
In this episode, I have Unni Turrettini, writer, lawyer, citizen activist, and international speaker, on to not talk about Nobel Prize Winner, but about loneliness. What is loneliness, and how to battle loneliness?
Unni was also kind enough to give our listener a deal to her course as well!
https://unniturrettini.simplero.com/purchase/133214-The-Fully-Connected-Method/coupon/JAMES
When using this link, you get the course at $197 (instead of the full price, which is $497).
Also, a FREE guide to get out to loneliness, which you can download at any time:https://courses.unniturrettini.com/loneliness-pdf
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/14/2021 • 48 minutes, 11 seconds
778 - Unni Turrettini (Part 2): Is Jay Lonely?
In this Part 2 of the episode, Unni and I talked to Jay The Engineer about dealing with the loneliness that he felt when he came all the way from Malaysia all by himself!
If you're interested, make sure to check out Unni's course using the link below:
https://unniturrettini.simplero.com/purchase/133214-The-Fully-Connected-Method/coupon/JAMES
When using this link, you get the course at $197 (instead of the full price, which is $497).
Also, a FREE guide to get out to loneliness, which you can download at any time:https://courses.unniturrettini.com/loneliness-pdf
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/14/2021 • 20 minutes, 53 seconds
775 - NFT (Part 1): All Things NFTs!
What are NFTs?
When I first saw NFTs, I thought they were all just a piece of art that you could screenshot and download. So my questions were, what are NFTs? Why were they worth thousands and millions of dollars? Was it a scam, if not, why am I not making them right now? So I called up my long-time friend, Tim Collins, a Contributor to TheStreet RM/RMPro, to tell me all about NFTs, what were their utilities, and why are people so excited about a piece of pixel art!?
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/13/2021 • 56 minutes, 48 seconds
776 - NFT (Part 2): The Future, and Ideas for NFTs!
After knowing more about NFTs, and what they can do, Tim Colins, Andy, and Josh talked about their NFT projects, Robo Rampage and MetaChamp.
On top of that, I even brainstormed multiple business models for NFTs!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/13/2021 • 37 minutes, 38 seconds
773 - Anna Powers (Part 1): Make Millions Sitting at Home with Copywriting
I once had a couple of CEOs told me if they were to reborn and start all over again, they would want to be reborn as a copywriter!
I have always talked about copywriting, and in last year's IG Live, I talked about it every other day! However, In this episode, I have Anna Power, a Conversion Copywriter and Online Business Mentor who helps her clients get paid to write copy through her Clickworthy Copywriting Certification™, to tell us what is Copywriting? And how much you can make as a copywriter!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/12/2021 • 27 minutes, 1 second
774 - Anna Powers (Part 2): How to be the Best Copywriter
In Part 1 of the episode, Anna Powers told us all about what is copywriter, and why you should be one!
In this part 2 of the episode, we talked about all the copywriting techniques, and some use cases as well!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
REF:
Clickworthy Copywriting Certification™ sales page
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/12/2021 • 28 minutes, 40 seconds
771 - General Stanley McChrystal (Part 1): How to prepare yourself for risk
This man has probably taken on more risks than anyone in the world, and his decision could've meant life or death in a certain situation!
General Stanley McChrystal, a retired United States Army General, and author came on to talk about his new book, Risk: A User's Guide, the stories that he had to essentially make life or death decisions while assessing the risk, and how can one prepare themselves to face the unforeseen future, and risks!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/7/2021 • 47 minutes, 15 seconds
772 - General Stanley McChrystal (Part 2): What were US's risks after the withdrawal from Afghanistan
In Part 1 of the episode, General Stanley McChrystal talked about how he manages risks during his time as United States Army General, and how he uses the techniques that he had learned during then in Businesses.
And of course, natural, the topic about the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan came up, and we get to talk about what happened with Iraq, Afghanistan, China. and Russia through his perspective, and also what were US's risks when we withdrew from Afghanistan.
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/7/2021 • 18 minutes, 13 seconds
769 - Peter Boghossian (Part 1): Was Peter Right to Quit?
September 8th, 2021. Peter Boghossian, an American philosopher, pedagogist, and author, thrown down his resignation letter as an educator for 10 years to the Portland State University.
Here's the open letter that Peter penned after his resignation.
https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/my-university-sacrificed-ideas-for
Now, as a friend of the pod, I naturally invited him back on again, and talk about why, does he feel the needs to quit, and did he ever have the impossible conversation with the university.
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/6/2021 • 35 minutes, 11 seconds
770 - Peter Boghossian (Part 2): How much would you stand up for what you believe in?
Peter Boghossian, an American philosopher, pedagogist, and author, had explained what happened to him for the past years, and why was he being investigated.
Now he explained why he choose to hand in his resignation letter, along with why he wrote the open letter to Portland State University. And how far would he go to stand up for what he believed in!
Now, ask yourself, how much would you stand up for what you believed in.
Ref: https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/my-university-sacrificed-ideas-for
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/6/2021 • 33 minutes, 11 seconds
768 - Michael Dell (Part 2): The future of Dell, and the future of technology
If you missed Part 1, make sure you listened to it before listening to Part 2!
Now that Dell is up and running, growing and scaling, Michael Dell walked us through the struggle that the company had faced, the negotiation with the late Steve Jobs, and what does Michael sees in anyone when he was looking for the right candidate for his CEO role.
He also talked about the future of Dell, the future tech that he's excited about, and his takes on cryptocurrency and bitcoin!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/5/2021 • 28 minutes, 13 seconds
767 - Michael Dell (Part 1): From a Tiny Dorm to Big Time Founder and Leader
We all have heard of Dell Computers, Dell Server, Dell Monitors, and everything Dell. However, what's the story behind Dell? How did it get started? Who has the idea of breaking apart computers, and put them back again?
In this part 1 (of 2 parts) episode, Micahel Dell, an American billionaire businessman, and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies, came on The James Altucher Show to talk about his new book, Play Nice But Win: A CEO's Journey from Founder to Leader. He also brought us all the way back when he was a student in a tiny dorm room, breaking apart computers, how the idea came to him, and how he brought the idea to life and eventually became one of the world's largest technology infrastructure companies!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/5/2021 • 24 minutes, 23 seconds
766 - How to Test if You're Rational with Robyn and Jay The Engineer
A couple of episodes ago, I have Steven Pinker, cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author, on to talk about this new book, Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters. And at the end of this book, there are quizzes to see if you're system 1 or system 2 in terms of Rationality.
Naturally, I have to try this quiz on people, so I have my wife, Robyn, and Jay The Engineer on to see how they do on the quiz! We also talked about some of the different biases.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/1/2021 • 36 minutes, 15 seconds
764 - Dr. Brian Keating (Part 1): Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner
Dr. Brian Keating, an American physicist, podcaster, and author, has a new project, new book, and even a new podcast, Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner! Naturally, I wanted to be a Novel Prize Winner myself, so I have him on to talk about the collective interview that he had done with all the Nobel Prize Winner, and maybe one day, I too can win a Nobel Prize myself!
The Kindle version is only 99 cents this week. Order it here https://amzn.to/2UPTxOI and tune into Brian’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 to watch his phenomenal interviews.
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/30/2021 • 50 minutes, 29 seconds
765 - Dr. Brian Keating (Part 2): Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner
In this Part 2 of the 2 parts episode with Dr. Brian Keating talking about his new book Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner, we discussed the trait of the Nobel Prize Winner, and what does it mean for them!
The Kindle version is only 99 cents this week. Order it here https://amzn.to/2UPTxOI and tune into Brian’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 to watch his phenomenal interviews.
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/30/2021 • 44 minutes, 43 seconds
762 - Steven Pinker (Part 1): Are you Rational or Irrational?
In 2020, things have been challenging! There are constant arguments on social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all the social sites that you can find on the internet!
In this Part 1 (of 2) of the episode, I have one of my favorite writers, and I have read countless of his book, multiple times, Steven Pinker, cognitive psychologist, linguist, and popular science author, on to talk about this new book, Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters. We talked about what is his definition of Rational, and to see if one is rational or irrational?
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/28/2021 • 30 minutes, 34 seconds
763 - Steven Pinker (Part 2): How to be more Rational?
In this Part 2 of the episode (make sure you check out Part 1), Steven Pinker, and I discussed how to be more Rational, and how to argue with yourself if you could understand the other "side" better? We also talked about all the biases that are associate with Rationality, and if you recognize them, can you change your behavior?
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/28/2021 • 26 minutes, 31 seconds
761 - Chess Grandmaster Judit Polgár: Learning how to learn with chess
Prodigy vs talent vs hard work. Is a prodigy born or made? How important is talent compare to hard work? What is the role of the educator nowadays compare pre-Google days?
In this episode, I am honored to have Judit Polgár, Chess Grandmaster, on to talk about her origin story, her take on the education system nowadays, how can chess be translated into education, how can an adult learn a new skill at a high level.
Towards the end of the episode, Jay The Engineer and I also talked about what we learned from the episode, and also discuss the techniques to learn a new skill as an adult.
If you're a chess player, or not, make sure you check out: https://www.globalchessfestival.com/
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/23/2021 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 47 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jen Glantz EP04: How do I gain more subscribers for my newsletter!?
I was totally blown away by Jen Glantz's idea lists! She didn't just send me one, but multiple idea lists and all of them are great!
In the last episode with Jen's, we talked about multiple ideas for newsletters that she could start. Sure enough, two weeks later, she started her new newsletters! Now, the next question, how can she gain more subscribers in a more organic and effienct ways!
Twitter: @JenGlantz
IG: @jenglantz
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/22/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 46 seconds
759 - Dr. Scott Gottlieb (Part 1): Uncontrolled Spread: Why COVID-19 CRUSHED Us
When did Covid-19 start to spread? How did it get spread globally so quickly? How is it different than all the other Flu-like diseases?
In this episode, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, an American physician, investor, Former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, and author, came on to talk about his new book, Uncontrolled Spread: Why COVID-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic. We also talked about how should The CDC have responded to the pandemic, how did the "6 inches" guideline came about, can we have another economic lockdown, and how and why is the current Covid-19 situation so much different than the plague or pandemic back in the day!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/21/2021 • 33 minutes, 34 seconds
760 - Dr. Scott Gottlieb (Part 2): Uncontrolled Spread: How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic
In this Part 2 of the episode (make sure you check out Part 1), Dr. Scott Gottlieb explained the role of the vaccine against Covid-19 in the current situation, vaccines vs drugs, the immunity against Covid-19, and also how soon could we have drugs that would work against Covid-19.
Also, I finally get to ask the question that I always wondered about my whole life (until now.) If someone has a terminal disease, why do we have to wait years, and billions of dollars spent, to have the drugs that could potentially save our lives!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/21/2021 • 24 minutes, 8 seconds
758 - Bill Jackson (Allied Van Lines) : Where are people relocating to?
In the past year during the lockdown, people have been relocating cause 1. They are working remotely, and they can be anywhere they want to, 2. They need a bigger space because they have kids or more family members, 3. Or they realize, they don't need to be in the city for what they do, and they could pay cheaper rent and cheaper income tax elsewhere!
In this episode, Bill Jackson from Allied Van Lines, comes on to the show, to talk about his experience of relocating people. How has the pandemic effect his business (in a good way), how many people has he relocated out of the cities, and generally where are people moving to!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/18/2021 • 41 minutes, 17 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: How to rock your Affiliate with Laura Sprinkle
In almost every Side Hustle Friday, and Make You A Millionaire series, I talked about building email lists, publish a book, and get affiliate deals constantly.
The question is, what is an affiliate deal? How does it actually work? On top of that, do you know, you can be an Affiliate Manager?
In this episode, Laura Sprinkle, affiliate partnerships strategist, came on to talk about how to become a successful affiliate manager, and how much money affiliate managers can make.
This is one of the episodes that I would want my kids to listen to!
Check out Laura's info here:
Website: laurasprinkle.com
Program: rockyouraffiliateprogram.com
Contact me for info on the next round of Affiliate Manager Certification: [email protected]
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/17/2021 • 42 minutes, 38 seconds
756 - Brandon Webb (Part 1): What actually happened in Afghanistan, what happened in Iraq?
What happened after 9/11? What happened in Afghanistan? What happened in Iraq? What were we doing in Afghanistan for 20 years? What have we achieved?
In this episode, Brandon Webb, author, former United States Navy SEAL and SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, with one combat deployment to Afghanistan and one to the Persian Gulf, joined me to talk about his time when he deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11. We also discussed why America has stayed in Afghanistan so long after we won the war?
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/16/2021 • 41 minutes, 40 seconds
757 - Brandon Webb (Part 2): Withdrawal from Afghanistan (Sequel): What went wrong, and what should've happened?
What exactly happened to the Withdrawal from Afghanistan? What went wrong? How should America has be more effective in the withdrawal? What should we do better in politics, in terms of foreign policy, and internally?
In this 2nd part of the episode, Brandon Webb, author, former United States Navy SEAL, and SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, with one combat deployment to Afghanistan and one to the Persian Gulf, talk about what should America do to be more effective in withdrawal, and how should the American politics and foreign policy be?
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/16/2021 • 34 minutes, 41 seconds
754 - Kai-Fu Lee (Part 1): AI 2041, Ten Visions for Our Future
How will AI evolve in the future? Can AI replace humans in the future? How much do we really understand AI?
In this episode (Part 1 of 2), my long-time friend, Kai-Fu Lee, computer scientist, businessman, and writer came on to The James Altucher Show to talk about his new book, AI 2041, Ten Visions for Our Future. Such an amazing book about the future of AI. Unlike all the other AI books out there, he forecasts the future of AI in an imaginative storytelling way!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/14/2021 • 31 minutes, 22 seconds
755 - Kai-Fu Lee (Part 2): AI 2041: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
In this part 2 (of 2), Kai-Fu Lee, computer scientist, businessman, and writer, explained The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly of AI's future. How a good intention, could lead to a bad or undesirable outcome. How does privacy come into play with AI? Are people comfortable with sharing their personal data with AI? Can we actually have the "Good" AI?
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and make sure you check out Part 1 if you missed it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/14/2021 • 30 minutes, 26 seconds
753 - Can you pass this sample US Citizenship Test?? with Jay The Engineer
After the podcast taping with David Rubenstein, about his book, The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream, there was a sample Citizenship Test at the end of the book. So naturally, I have to have Jay Yow, The Engineer comes on to take the test and see if he would pass the test!?
I am not going to lie, even I can't answer a couple of the questions! Can you answer all of them? Listen and find out how much do you know about the Citizenship Test, feel free to pause at any point to figure out the answer for each question, and find out if Jay passes the test!
I also shared some of the statistics regarding the Citizenship Test as well!
Tweet at @jaltucher and/or @jay_yow07 to tell us how did you do on the test!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/10/2021 • 32 minutes, 26 seconds
751 - Vanessa Bohns (Part 1) : You Have More Influence Than You Think, just ask!
Do you know you have more influence than you think? Do you know, when you have hard times asking for things that you want, it's also equally hard for someone else to say no, and reject you!
I have been fascinated by this topic as you know, I have Robert Cialdini on before to talk about this topic! In this episode, Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, and author, came on to talk about her new book, You Have More Influence Than You Think.
In this episode, Vanessa shared the studies she had done, and stories to show that sometimes people would likely do what you asked than rejecting you!
Listen to this Part 1 out of 2, and Part 2 will come out the same day too!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/9/2021 • 33 minutes, 3 seconds
752 - Vanessa Bohns (Part 2) : How to have more influence
In part 1 (of 2), Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University, and author, came on to talk about her new book, You Have More Influence Than You Think. and I spoke about the amazing power of "ask", and studies that were done on "Ask", and how successful usually an "Ask" is?
In this Part 2, Vanessa shared more stories and the exercises that increase the ability of "asking" on things that you are uncomfortable to ask for and the exercises to deal with rejection!
Listen to this Part 2 out of 2, and then Part 1 came out before this, if you missed that, make sure you check it out!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/9/2021 • 41 minutes, 10 seconds
749 - David Rubenstein (Part 1): Did The American Experiment Fail?
Is America still as great as it once was? And how the modern technologies have changed the county's development and politics?
In this episode, I am joined by David Rubenstein, former government official, and lawyer, who is a co-founder and co-executive chairman of the private equity firm The Carlyle Group, author, to talk about his new book, The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream. In this part 1 (of 2), we talked about the politics, the economy, and how we as Americans fair against China in a technological race!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/7/2021 • 27 minutes, 29 seconds
750 - David Rubenstein (Part 2): The American Experiment: The Future
Is America still as great as it once was? And how the modern technologies have changed the county's development and politics?
In this episode, I am joined by David Rubenstein, former government official, and lawyer, who is a co-founder and co-executive chairman of the private equity firm The Carlyle Group, author, to talk about his new book, The American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream.
In this part 2 (of 2), we talked about why people lost trust in the government(s), what are his prediction for the future for America, capitalism, why did he not invest in Amazon in the early days, and what other investments has he passed on!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/7/2021 • 37 minutes, 29 seconds
747 - Jason Feifer (Part 1): What good come from changes?
Our "Pod" friend, Jason Feifer, the editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine, a podcast host, book author, keynote speaker, startup advisor, and nonstop optimism machine, is once again on the show!
We started out troubleshooting his internet, router, and Google Mesh, then with my great segway, we segway into the conversation of what good can come from changes? And did or did the core consumers know what they need, and how should one recognize that?
Make sure you also check out Part 2 of the episode, where Jason and I talked about what is holding us back from the future!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/2/2021 • 41 minutes, 26 seconds
748 - Jason Feifer (Part 2): What is holding us back from the future?
Part 2 of Jason Feifer's episode! Make sure you check out part one!
In this episode, Jason takes us back to when the elevator is first invented, and how the public is reacting to the machine that goes up and down! We also talked about how the necessary skills had been evolved in the past thousand of years.
Jason also shared why did he change the name of his podcast, and how important it is to understand your consumer!
Make sure you check out Part One, and also follow Jason's Podcast, Build for Tomorrow!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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9/2/2021 • 45 minutes, 35 seconds
746 - How do you make decision that would drastically change your life and lifestyle? With Jen Glantz and Jay The Engineer
Have you ever need to make a decision that would change your life or lifestyle? I.E. Moving to another state? Or deciding if you should or if you want to move to another state, or another city?
In this episode, I gave guidance to Jen Glantz and Jay The Engineer, how should they go about making life decisions like that!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/31/2021 • 41 minutes, 18 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! James Quandahl EP05: When what you love intersect with what you good at, is Passion, When what you love intersect with what the world needs, is Mission!
Another series with James Quandahl! He has launched a new podcast, called The James Quandahl Show, everyone should check it out! This time around we talked about should you quit when you're so close to the finish line, and we also talked about how could you niche what you do, so you will get more audience! Sometimes, less is more!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/29/2021 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 36 seconds
745 - Sergey Young (Part 2): What technologies would help us "Grow" and stay young!
Who doesn't want to stay young, who doesn't want to grow younger? They are technologies today that would potentially help you grow younger, habits that help you stay young. However, how efficient are those technologies? How long before those technologies would be available to the masses?
In this episode (Part 2 of 2), Sergey Young talked about what he does to stay young, and what are the new technologies he's looking, and interested in! One day, we could all live to 200 years old!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/26/2021 • 41 minutes, 32 seconds
744 - Sergey Young (Part 1): The Evolution of The Science and Technology of Growing Young!
Who doesn't want to stay young, who doesn't want to grow younger? They are technologies today that would potentially help you grow younger, habits that help you stay young. However, how efficient are those technologies? How long before those technologies would be available to the masses?
In this episode (Part 1 of 2), Sergey Young, a longevity investor and visionary with a mission to extend healthy lifespans of at least one billion people, and author, came on to talk about his new book, The Science and Technology of Growing Young: An Insider's Guide to the Breakthroughs that Will Dramatically Extend Our Lifespan . . . and What You Can Do Right Now.
We talked about the technologies that are available to us, the future and evolution of the technologies, and the habits to keep us young!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/24/2021 • 49 minutes, 24 seconds
743 - How to be "Smarter"?
What is Smart? What is Intelligence? Does learning more vocabulary actually make you smarter? Does knowing a couple of mumbo jumbo terms, show that you're smarter than others?
My answer is NO. Being smart means, you're able to make new discoveries based on all the information that you've learnt, and you have given. Being smart also means, how well you can connect different dots from different knowledge! Listen to the episode, and find out, how you can "be smart".
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/19/2021 • 34 minutes, 29 seconds
742 - The One Philosophy James Lives His Life By!
During the lockdown, I have been thinking a lot about the different philosophies, especially Stoicism and Absurdism. In this episode, I broke down the 4 big philosophies: Stoicism, Existentialism, Nihilism, and Absurdism. I also talked about why I am adapting one of them and how that makes me happier!
(To know more about Stoicism, Ryan Holiday, author, and he wrote a lot about it, make sure you check out all his book and his podcast.)
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/17/2021 • 55 minutes, 54 seconds
The Companion Podcast Episode 06: Should you or should you not narrate your own audio book?
In this companion podcast! Jay, The Engineer, and Nathan, the post-production manager were supposed to talk about last month's episode and what have they learned.
However, they got sidetracked! They ended up talking about the process in a traditional book publishing company. What happened after you finished writing a book if you ever get a book publishing deal? Should you or should you not narrate the audiobook yourself? And if you do, what should you do and be mindful of when you narrate the book?
If you like this episode or The Companion Podcast, make sure you tweet @jay_yow07 or @jaltucher.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/13/2021 • 1 hour, 42 seconds
741 - You can't just be something, You have to do something! with Brandon Webb
Brandon Webb, former United States Navy SEAL, and SEAL Sniper course Head Instructor, New York Times bestselling author, Experimental aircraft pilot, and Entrepreneur, always wanted to be a fiction and novel writer. This time, he did it. He wrote a novel called Steel Fear: A Thriller, and he even manage to auction it off to Peacock TV! I am so impressed by this, so I decided to call him up, and asked him how he did it. How to write a non-fiction book, how to defy all the naysayers, and do what you wanted to do and believe in it! Listen to this episode, and see how Brandon made it all possible!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/12/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 9 seconds
740 - Finding the Next Exploding Topics with Brian Dean
I have been obsessed with newsletters, generally, they're accessible, and nowadays, they're tens of thousands of different newsletters with different topics out there. However, this particular newsletter, Exploding Topics, caught my eyes, and I have been reading it every time it hit my inbox!
In this episode, I have the writer and co-founder of Exploding Topics, Brian Dean, comes on to talk about the popular and the next trend in the world. We also talked about how to build new businesses and even start a new side hustle with the new trends!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/10/2021 • 39 minutes, 27 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jason Furst EP03: The Power for Newsletter!
Jason Furst is going to New York to interview for a manager position in the restaurant industry! In this episode, before going to New York for an interview, Jason is still looking for ways to solve the staffing issues. One thing I suggested to him is, Newsletter and List. That way, he can help with staffing, and also could help himself building a network that could come in handy in the future!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/9/2021 • 36 minutes, 41 seconds
739 - Are There Any "Good People" Left in the World in this Climate?
Jay and I were supposed to do a regular catch-up, but he asked me a very good question. Are there any "Good People" left in the world? What is "Good"? Is cancel culture good or bad? How will it affect people's lives? On top of that, Jay and I go through all 27 amendments to the Constitution and see if they make any sense?
Listen to the episode and let's find them out together!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/5/2021 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 49 seconds
738 - Stop Using These 3 Lazy Words! with Dr. Brian Keating
Do you use these 3 lazy words daily? Do you use these words when you tried to solve problems? Create businesses? Win a game?
Well, it's time to change that. I am joined by Dr. Brian Keating to talk about these 3 lazy words, and what's the meaning behind these words, and how can we change our mindset, and prevent ourselves from using these words!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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8/3/2021 • 23 minutes, 38 seconds
737 - To be successful, you have to do something that's unexpected with James Altucher
"Talented" is just a label. You can't be good or successful at something by just being talented! I have been plagued by brain fog ever since I am recovering from Covid, and my chess tactics are not as sharp as they used to be.
So I have been experimenting, how can still win knowing that I have brain fog. The answer is, do the unexpected. This can also apply to everyday life. Rather than sticking to what you know, and your routine. Break away from it, and experiment with the unexpected!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/30/2021 • 38 minutes, 47 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jen Glantz EP03: This is why you make 10 ideas a day's list!
In the last episode in the series, I urge Jen Glantz to start a "10 ideas a day's list". And sure enough, she did! She even overdid it and came up with a dozen of idealists, some relevant to her newsletter, and some are new ideas that she could venture into!
In this episode, we spend most of the hours discussing all the ideas list that she came up with, including some new newsletters that she could start, things that she could do to scale the bussiness!
Listen to this episode and see how we came up with even more ideas and execution ideas from the initial list!
Twitter: @JenGlantz
IG: @jenglantz
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/29/2021 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 31 seconds
736 - The possibilities of Extraterrestrial Life with Avi Loeb
Part two of Extraterrestrial Life! Professor Avi Loeb, Israeli-American theoretical physicist who works on astrophysics and cosmology, and author of Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, came back on again to talk about Oumuamua, how should confirm the state of the object, and what actually is the project! What can we do to better detect Extraterrestrial Objects?
If there's any billionaire listening to this episode, you know what you could put your money into good use!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/27/2021 • 50 minutes, 6 seconds
The Companion Podcast Episode 05: Jay got scammed in Crypto? Nathan told his love story and Jen Glantz crashed the live taping!?
It's another Companion Podcast for July 2021!
In this episode, Jay the Engineer tells his story about getting scammed buying a "meme" cryptocurrency. He doesn't listen to my advice, now he had to learn it the hard way!
In addition to all the episodes we broke down, involving the future of cities and cryptocurrencies, Nathan Rosborough tells us the story of how he & his wife met, and Jen Glantz crashes the live taping session! Jen does, however, give us a lot of thoughts about marriage & relationships in general!
If you like this episode or The Companion Podcast, make sure you tweet @jay_yow07 or @jaltucher.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/23/2021 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 2 seconds
735 - Fearvana: Embrace your fear and turn them into Health, Wealth and Happiness with Akshay Nanavati
Have you felt fear, guilt, anxiety, upset, frustration, and have no idea how to deal with it? Should you hide it? Should you embrace it? Should you let it out?
Akshay Nanavati, United States Marine veteran, speaker, entrepreneur, ultra runner, and author of FEARVANA: The Revolutionary Science of How to Turn Fear into Health, Wealth, and Happiness, has such destructive guilt when his buddy died in a war when he is not there. To make it worse, he wishes it was him that died and not his buddy. The guilt had haunted him for years and years until he realized he had to turn them into something positive, and his life changed.
Listen to Akshay's stories, his journey, and his journey of making a change for himself.
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7/22/2021 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 15 seconds
734 - Do You Know Who Rules The World? Ray Wang
Who actually rules the world? Is it the president? Is it the politician? Is it China? Or is it an unknown force that might shape like a spaghetti monster that rules the world?
In this episode, Ray Wang, Founder, Chairman, and Principal Analyst of Silicon Valley-based Constellation Research Inc., author of this new book, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, came on to talk about who exactly rules the world? It could be Facebook, Google, or Amazon! We also discussed the opportunity that presents in this time, multiple different business ideas that could potentially rule the world!
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7/20/2021 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 23 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jen Glantz EP02: Find what you're passionate about, and it's okay to say NO!
Jen Glantz clearly knows what she wants to do and what she doesn't want to do! And it's okay to say NO to ideas that you are not interested or passionate about even though you might be good at it!
In this episode, Jen Glantz bought a ton of idealists with her, and we started brainstorming all the things that she could do, from PR to agencies to newsletters. Along the way, she had said NO to a couple of the ideas that I brought up, but that's okay! Cause she knows what she's more passionate about, and she's willing to put in more effort to make sure she reaches her goal!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/16/2021 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 46 seconds
733 - How and Why did QAnon exist!? with Mike Rothschild
What is QAnon? How did the QAnon movement start? Why did no one stop the movement when it first started? And how did QAnon manipulate their frame, stories, and their believer?
In this episode, Mike Rothschild, a journalist focused on the intersections between internet culture and politics as seen through the dark glass of conspiracy theories, came on to the podcast to talk about his new book, The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became a Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy Theory of Everything, all thing QAnon, Hunter Biden, John McAfee and more!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/15/2021 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 29 seconds
732 - How to start a conversation with Strangers? with Joe Keohane
The past year probably are the loneliest year ever. There's a lockdown, people have to stay home, and you probably haven't seen any strangers in a year! So you might lose the muscle to start a conversation or talk to strangers! We have to bring the muscle back!
In this episode, I have Joe Keohane, writer, editor, and the author of his latest book, The Power of Strangers, on to break down the techniques on how to start and have a conversation with strangers!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/13/2021 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 51 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! James Quandahl EP04: When you're good at something, make a course out of it!
James Quandahl is back in the series again! He is great at being an Amazon Ninja! However, being great at something doesn't mean you have to stop there! In this episode, we broke down how he can transfer the skill into making a course, another spoke-and-wheel opportunity for him! Like any other episode, this is not a regular interview series, we also talked about chess, writing, and books!
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7/10/2021 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 33 seconds
731 - Crypto, Inflation, Housing, Cities and Talent with Tyler Cowen
What are the future states of the cities? Will Cryptocurrency like Bitcoin or Ethereum replace Fiat money? Is inflation happening, and how will it affect us? What is the future of housing? Is the South East the new West?
In this episode, Tyler Cowen, an American economist, came back on to answer all my questions. Will New York City come back? How can we save the city? What happened when the rent moratorium expired? Which tier 2 or perhaps tier 3 cities are people moving to? Is crypto here to stay (in what form or shape)?
Listen to this episode, and feel free to tweet at me (@jaltucher) and let me know what do you think?
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/8/2021 • 58 minutes, 16 seconds
730 - UFO, AI, Physics and How to become an Expert with Dr. Brian Keating!
Another episode, another great conversation with Dr. Brian Keating! All of our conversations have been thought-provoking! In this episode, we did an experiment, we turn on our phones, and went live on Twitter Space! The experience was great and possibly better than the clubhouse!
Our conversation started from, how to become an expert, to does UFO/ Aliens exist, to the state of AI, to finally, physics and unifying theory!
You can win a FREE copy of James Altucher's smash hit book, SKIP THE LINE courtesy of Brian Keating! Click here: https://kingsumo.com/g/0uh88f/win-a-copy-of-james-altuchers-smash-hit-book-skip-the-line
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/6/2021 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 1 second
Make You a Millionaire! Jason Furst EP02: How to overcome the staffing problem in the restaurant industry!?
It's been a struggle in staffing in the restaurant industry, people rather work other jobs, that being in the restaurant industry. In this Make You a Millionaire episode, Jason Furst and I talk about the struggle, and why no one wants to work in the restaurant industry. However, the answer still eludes us. The only thing that we can do is to brainstorming ways to attract people, and/or ways to find and hire more staff for the restaurant.
On top of that, we came up with different ideas on how can we combine the customer data, with the point of sales, and reservation systems to make the whole dining experience much more seamless!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/2/2021 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 55 seconds
729 - I gave advices to Tom Kelly on how to Skip The Line, and have "Quantum Leap" Moment!
Tom Kelly is a great comedian and TV personality! He has issues and needs advice. So I call him up and gave him advice on how to Skip The Line. We breakdown how he can have his "Quantum Leap" moment, how can he break out from his regular comedian stand-up role, his side hustle, how can he start newsletter services, and how to come up with more of his own ideas!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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7/1/2021 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 52 seconds
The Companion Podcast EP04: Breaking down the episodes that made me question everything!
Another Companion Podcast for May 2020 that hosted by Jay the Engineer and Nathan! This time was a Livestream episode! In this episode, they talked about our pick for The Make You a Millionaire Series, and who they think would be the first to reach millionaire status! They also broke the episodes with Unni Turrettini (EP 726), Robert Leonard (EP720), and Peter Boghossian (EP724)!
If you like The Companion Podcast, tweet at me @jaltucher and @jay_yow07!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/30/2021 • 47 minutes, 33 seconds
728 - The Ultimate Techniques to Cultivate Your Creativity with Josh Linkner
You want to write the best novel, best screenplay, come up with the best business idea, side hustle ideas, you need creativity. Know this, creativity is a muscle, everyone has it, some are stronger than others, in order to grow your creativity muscle, you have to practice it!
In this episode, I have on Josh Linkner, an American entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author, to talk about his new book, Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small, Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results Hardcover. We talked about how much is creativity nurture versus nature, the techniques to cultivate your creativity, and also in order to improve yourself, you have to come up with ways to put your "Older Self" out of business!
Listen to the episode and find out! Remember! Creativity is a muscle, you have to practice every day to have a stronger "Creativity Muscle"!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/29/2021 • 51 minutes, 2 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Paolo EP02: Now you have a great idea, What's Next!? Idea branching, and problem solving!
Paolo had a great idea, he decided to work on it! An app that helps people gain a social following by automatically commending other people's pictures!
However, along the way, we have to find a way to beat the "Bot Detection" Algorithm. And at the same time, we discussed how Paolo can branch off his initial idea, what business model he could use, and how to scale his idea on top of branching it.
Remember, always starts with what's the easiest and then branches off from there!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/25/2021 • 1 hour, 25 seconds
727 - Amanda Ripley: What kind of people survives disaster? Are you one of them?
Do you know that people that escaped the world trade center during 9/11, sat at their cubicle on average for at least full 6 minutes after the building was hit! The reason being, when you're in the moment, your brain tried to "normalize" the situation, and refused to believe some disaster has happened!
In this episode, I once again have Amanda Ripley, American Journalist, and Author, on to talk about one of her older books, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why. We breakdown the 9/11 stories, what are the trait of the people that can "function" during a disaster and intense situation, also what can we do to prepare ourselves for said situation.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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6/24/2021 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 40 seconds
726 - The Corruption Behind The Nobel Peace Prize with Unni Turrettini
Is The Nobel Peace Prize really about peace? What was the origin of The Nobel Peace Prize? Why are there so many controversies behind The Nobel Peace Prize?
I sat down with Unni Turrettini, a writer, lawyer, citizen activist, and international speaker, to talk about her book, Betraying the Nobel: The Secrets and Corruption Behind the Nobel Peace Prize. We break down what's the secrets behind The Nobel Peace Prize, why is President Obama being awarded one despite two weeks into his presidency? Why some of the people that went to war, ended up getting awarded one?
Unni is also on a mission to end loneliness and create a more connected society, which we also talked about in the podcast! She also offers a 3-day free course on Ending Loneliness - 3 Simple Steps For Deeper Connection, Meaningful Relationships, And Lasting Happiness.
Click here to join: https://UnniTurrettini.simplero.com/page/106047-list-signup-end-loneliness-in-3-steps-free-course
or visit here website here: https://unniturrettini.com/
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/22/2021 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 57 seconds
725 - Man-Made Odds vs Math-Made Odds with Jeff Lerner
The return of the podcast friend, Jeff Lerner, CEO / Founder at ENTRE Institute! In this episode, we talked about Jeff's ENTRE Institute, and most importantly what does it takes for someone to start a business!
How to choose yourself, what is "man-made odds vs math made odds? How to believe in yourself! Listen and I hope you learnt from Jeff as much as I do!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/17/2021 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 54 seconds
724 - How to Have Impossible Conversations when facts don't matter! Peter Boghossian
Facts Don't Matter! Over the past year, people are either on this side or another, and they're so into their own beliefs, it's almost impossible to have a reasonable and proper conversation with either side! Do you remember all the impossible conversations that you had with your family or friends? It's always unproductive and doesn't lead anywhere!
In this episode, I have Peter Boghossian, an American philosopher, pedagogist, and author, on to talk about the techniques of talking to people that he described in his book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/15/2021 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 4 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jen Glantz EP01: You can't scale yourself! How to turn your knowledge into a million dollar!?
The fourth candidate for Make You a Millionaire, Jen Glantz, The Bridesmaid for Hire, Author, and Podcast Host, has entered the ring!
What is a bridesmaid for hire? Why hire a bridesmaid? Why can't your friends do it? In this episode, we find out what, how, and why bridesmaids for hire? What's really going on at most weddings? Also, you can't scale yourself, so we talk about how to turn Jen's idea and knowledge into a million-dollar business!
Twitter: @JenGlantz
IG: @jenglantz
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/12/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 59 seconds
723 - What drives people to cult and conspiracy with Dan Cummins
I enjoy having people that are smart, knowledgeable, and good at telling stories on the podcast, sometimes I just enjoy discuss why some people do something! In this episode, I have Dan Cummins, the American stand-up comedian, and Timesuck podcast host, on to talk about Cult, Qanon, Conspiracy, and what superheroes ability that you rather have!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/10/2021 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 31 seconds
722 - How can CHIA solves Cryptocurrency's problem?! with Bram Cohen
Bram Cohen, the founder of BitTorrent and Chia Network, in 2004, realized the internet speed and bandwidth was slow, and even maybe a fraction of what we have today, so he came up with a peer-to-peer protocol called BitTorrent. If you're old enough, you might have used it to download movies, music, and even games at some point. Fast track 2017, he found a new interest in cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and Etherum, and saw that there's a problem with it. So he founded his own "Green" cryptocurrency in the hope of solving the issues that Bitcoin, Etherum, and other coins have!
If you have questions about Chia, and what is Chia, how can Chia solve the problem, and what problems exactly are we looking at? Don't worry, I do too, I ask all the questions that I am curious about and more! Check it out, listen, and to the moon!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/8/2021 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 11 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Paolo EP01: Idea Sex! Combining Passion, Knowledge and Skill!
The third candidate for Make You a Millionaire has entered the ring! This time around, I will follow Paolo's journey and guiding him to become a millionaire, or set him on the path! Paolo has a very interesting background, he majored in theoretical physics, however, he doesn't just want to become a professor, so he started getting into coding. During his past time, he would cook and take pictures of food, so he decided to combine his passion for food and his knowledge in coding, and came up with pretty interesting software. Listen, enjoy and follow Paolo's journey!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/6/2021 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 53 seconds
721 - Can psychedelics help with mental illness? with Calum Hughes
The suicide rate has been going up, more and more people are having some sort of mental illness, and the economic lockdown last year didn't help either! In this episode, Calum Hughes, Founder, and CEO of Allied Corporation came on and raise awareness on the mental health issue. We also talked about how psychedelic and cannabis/ marijuana can be used for the treatment of therapy-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/3/2021 • 59 minutes, 50 seconds
720 - How Sha Na Na Solves Murder - Robert A. Leonard, American Forensic Linguist and Founding Member of Sha Na Na
How does Sha Na Na solve a murder? This is probably one of the best transitional stories that I have ever heard! Robert A. Leonard, American Forensic Linguist and Founding Member of Sha Na Na, opened for Jimi Hendrix in Woodstock, toured with the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and even Bruce Springsteen opened for them!Then he gave it all up, went and finished his Columbia Ph.D. in Linguistics, and became one of the best Forensic Linguists in the world. He worked on cases like the murder of JonBenet Ramsay, the murder of Charlene Hummert, the Tennessee Facebook murders, and many more. He even represented Apple in the "App Store" case!Link: https://www.robertleonardassociates.com/
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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6/1/2021 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 18 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! Jason Furst EP01: Know your passion, and your field!
The second candidate for Makes You a Millionaire's series is here! In this episode/ series, we feature, Jason Furst, an up-and-coming restaurant manager! We talked about how's the restaurant business looks like in terms of staffing, reservation, and serving. What are the new methods and how a restaurant should adopt them in order to adapt to the post-pandemic Era? How can Jason start his journey to the million dollars!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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5/28/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 8 seconds
719 - John Lee Dumas: The Common Path to Uncommon Success
John Lee Dumas, author, and founder, and host of the award-winning podcast, Entrepreneurs on Fire, is probably one of my favorites Entrepreneurs in the world. In this episode, we have him on to talk about his new book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success. What I love about this book is that it has some very simple techniques that work about how to find your passion, how to find your niche, and then how do you become successful at it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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5/27/2021 • 51 minutes, 2 seconds
718 - Making Sense of the Quantum Revolution with Carlo Rovelli
I love doing podcasts, cause when the guest comes on, I get to ask all sorts of questions, and the guests are obligated to answer them! The same goes with this episode!
In this episode, I have Carlo Rovelli, an Italian theoretical physicist, and a writer, who also wrote the Seven Brief Lessons on Physics, which outsold the Fifty Shades of Grey, on to talk about his new book, Helgoland: Making Sense of the Quantum Revolution. We talked about the whole history of the Quantum Revolution and everything physics and science.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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5/25/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 31 seconds
Bonus Episode - 'Real Good' Podcast: Don't Get Lost In The Easy Conversation with Dr. Jonathan Shepherd
Once in a while, I will come across a show that's so good and relevant, I think the listener needs to listen to it, and here's one of them, Real Good Podcast. Real Good by U.S. Bank, hosted by Faith Salie (Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me, CBS Sunday Morning) and is a podcast about the stories of people who are truly making an impact, and the people whose lives are being changed by their efforts.
In this episode, which is the final episode of Season 2, they speak with Jonathan Shepherd, the President of the Board of Directors for the Black Mental Health Alliance about why the notion of those in black communities not wanting to seek care is a myth, why cost barriers are it inaccessible and how to stop getting bogged down in the easy conversations about care.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
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5/22/2021 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 40 seconds
717 - Exploring the God Equation with Dr. Michio Kaku
I love having Dr. Michio Kaku, An American theoretical physicist, futurist, and popularizer of science, and the co-founder of String Theory, on the podcast. He's such a science communicator and has great philosophy behind every idea and theory that he has. In this episode, Dr. Michio Kaku talks about his new book, The God Equation, and explains to me if it's possible to time travel.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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5/20/2021 • 56 minutes, 30 seconds
716 - Former World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov: How to be better at Chess!
The world is still crazy over chess! At one point last year, chess was the most view's stream on Twitch, and it even surpassed Fortnite, which once was the most viewed game on Twitch!
In this episode, I have, the Former World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov, on to talk everything about chess, and his new platform, kasparovchess.com. I asked him all sorts of questions that I have been pondering myself for the past few months as I was trying to improve my chess rating. Can you be good at chess if you just starting out as an adult, what's the difference between Number One in chess, and Number Two in chess? If you just started, what should you focus on?
We also talked about all the features on Kasparovchess, from masterclass to online video lessons, to puzzles, to podcast! Listen and enjoy!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
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5/18/2021 • 58 minutes, 20 seconds
The Companion Podcast EP03: From Discussing Conflicts, to Jobs Changing, to Pitching ideas, to Trusting Data, and to Influencing other people! What did we learnt this month!?
Companion Podcast for April 2021! Why are there so many conflicts out there? Do you lose any friends over a conflict? An argument? How the job industry has changed? How to successfully pitch a good idea? Why should you really trust data, and how do we influence other people? In this episode, Jay and Nathan explore what they have learnt from The James Altucher Show for the month of April 2021! If you missed any of the episodes, make sure to go back and revisit them!
Also mentioned: David Epstein, Jason Feifer, Robert Cialdini, Phillip Stutts, Amanda Ripley, Chuck Collins.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/15/2021 • 37 minutes, 45 seconds
715 - How to Win The Crowd!? with The Millionaire's Magician, Steve Cohen
This is a fascinating episode that I learned so much! I have on the Millionaire's Magician, Steve Cohen, who has performed for Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg, Barry Diller, Martha Stewart, Jack Welch, Michael Eisner, Stephen Sondheim, André Previn, Anne-Sophie Mutter, the Queen of Morocco, and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and also done more than 5000 shows around the world!
In this episode, we don't just talk about magic, we don't just talk about his journey of becoming the Millionaire's Magician, we talked about his book, Win The Crowd, and how we can use the misdirection techniques and influence techniques in our life!
One quick sneak peek, do you know that people are more willing to do what you ask if you give them two commands instead of one? Give it a try!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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5/13/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 48 seconds
714 - You're INVITED to The Art and Science of Cultivating Influence with Jon Levy
I remember a couple of years ago, one day when I was asleep, my friend woke me up in the middle of the night and "invite" me to a dinner party. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT! I have nothing better to do, so I went along. It turns out, it was the best dinner party that I ever have been, and was organized by the great organizer and influencer, Jon Levy!
In this episode, I have him on again to talk about his new book, You're Invited: The Art & Science of Cultivating Influence. We talked about what's the real meaning of being an Influencer? It's not about having a million followers on TikTok, Instagram, or whatever social media platform. Also, why does he set out to organize all this amazing dinner party that features famous people, and why does he like connect people? Listen and find out! You might get the Invitation to his next dinner party!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/11/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 31 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! James Quandahl EP03: Becoming more than an Amazon Ninja!
In the last episode of Make you a Millionaire with James Quandahl, we talked about spoke-and-wheel techniques. In this episode, we are putting that technique and mindset into practice. I started out asking James the ins and outs of setting up, and running an Amazon Seller account. And then we branch it out into making courses and other things for it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
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5/10/2021 • 56 minutes, 20 seconds
713 - Oscar Mayer Heir Chuck Collins: How Billionaires Pay Millions to Hide Trillions
Have you ever wonder how billionaires and millionaire, old or young, hide their rich? Specifically, what did they do, so that they can "hide" their money?
In this episode, we have The Heir to Oscar Mayer, Chuck Collins, on to talk about his book, Wealth Hoarders: How Billionaires Pay Millions to Hide Trillions. In the episode, Chuck talks about his take on passing down the wealth to the next generation, and also, all sorts of techniques that riches use to "hide" their wealth! From moving assets around, having trustees, to digital assets like cryptocurrency and all!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/6/2021 • 54 minutes, 48 seconds
712 - Robert Cialdini: How to use "Influence" to persuade anyone to give you anything
Once again, we have Robert Cialdini, the Regents' Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University and was a visiting professor of marketing, business, and psychology at Stanford University, as well as at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and also the author of the Marketing "Bible", Influence, on again to talk about the new and expanded version of the book, Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion.
As an avid listeners know, I constantly quote Robert's principles of persuasion, uses them all the time for my comedy, talks, and even debates! In this episode, Robert and I broke down all his 6 principles of persuasion, and his newly added principle, Unity.
Listen and enjoy!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
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5/4/2021 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 44 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! - James Quandahl EP02: Spoke-and-Wheel Techniques!
In the first Make You a Millionaire episode with James Quandahl, I showed him some of the interview techniques that I would use when I am interviewing people. We even did a couple of spontaneus interviews right there and then! In this episode, we broke down some of his idea lists, and use the Spoke-and-Wheel techniques from my Skip The Line book to come up with even more ideas, more ways to monetize his idea list!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/2/2021 • 1 hour, 29 seconds
My Favorite Things: How To Get Everything You Want!
You don't have to have good grades to get into Ivy League School, heck, you don't even need to go to college to be successful in life! In this episode, I recounted the times that I get what I wanted just to be the "Only One". To get what you want, you don't need to be the "better", you just need to be the "only one"!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why you should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/30/2021 • 36 minutes, 11 seconds
711 - Science VS Religion with Dr. Brian Keating
Another episode with Dr. Brian Keating! I always enjoy episodes like this, we were supposed to talk about a very specific topic, which is the beginning of the Big Bang! However, Jay and Dr. Brian started talking about religion and science before I got on, and when I got on, Dr. Brian and I went deep dive into Science vs Religion!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/29/2021 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 55 seconds
710 - Rethinking God, Sex, and Death in a World That's Lost Its Mind with Jamie Wheal
What a great title and subtitle for a book, Recapture the Rapture: Rethinking God, Sex, and Death in a World That's Lost Its Mind, by Jamie Wheal, author, Founder, and Executive Director at Flow Genome Project!
I have to say, the world has lost its mind. Just the past year, in 2020, the world rather argue on twitter about anything from epidemiology to politics, than doing things that are actually better for them. In this episode, Jamie talks about the critical issues with mankind, like how we think about them and how we use them could help us improve our mind, and get into the "Flow" state!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why you should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/27/2021 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 34 seconds
709 - Geek's Guide to the Galaxy: What Sci-Fi Can Teach You About Running a Business
This is the podcast that I did for Wired.com, Geek's Guide to The Galaxy. We explored so many topics including how sci-Fi movies changed my life, and also what Sci-Fi can teach you about running a business. Of course, we also talked about my latest book, Skip The Line.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why you should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/23/2021 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 59 seconds
708 - How to Pitch, Negotiate and Sell Using The Hero's Journey with Jason Feifer
The landscape of career nowadays has changed, it's no longer climbing the ladder, and you don't want to climb the ladder, It's too much effort, and more often than none, too little return. In today's world, you have to learn how to pitch quicker, negotiate better and sell more efficiently.
In this episode, I have on our pod friend, Jason Feifer, the editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine, a podcast host, book author, keynote speaker, startup advisor, and nonstop optimism machine, on to breakdown how to pitch, negotiate, and sell using the hero's journey method.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why you should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/22/2021 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 3 seconds
707 - The Undefeated Marketing System with Phillip Stutts
Is BETTER to have a bad plan than no plan at all! In this episode, I have on Phillip Stutts, founder/CEO of Win BIG Media, founder/Exec. Chairman of Go BIG Media, Vet of 3 presidential wins, to talk about his new book, The Undefeated Marketing System.
We talked about everything data, how to use data to come up with plans (either good or bad.) to help you in life, and in business! Phill also shared some of his "politic day's" stories, and his journey from losing one of his biggest clients to now helping some of the corporates with their marketing campaign using the strategies that he has learned during his time in politics!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why you should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/20/2021 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 38 seconds
Make You a Millionaire! James Quandahl EP01: The Skill of Interviewing
I Will Make You A Millionaire! A new series that has been in my mind for a while now, I pitched to TV executives, agents, and even mentioned it in the podcast a couple of times! This time, I am choosing myself, skipping the line, recording this series, and putting it in the podcast! In this series, I will work with a couple of people that will put them on the path of making a million dollars.
In this episode, I am mentoring James Quandahl, who was picked by me from Skip The Line book's contest, on how to execute his ideas, and most importantly, what are the skills to interview other people or entrepreneurs for his upcoming new book!
Special Appearance including Dave Kerpen and Bill Glaser!
Check out his website: Quandahl.com
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4/16/2021 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 11 seconds
706 - What is Metabolism and how can it affect your health? with Angelo Poli
What is Metabolism? We were thought in school that metabolism is the chemical reactions in organisms to convert food to energy, but are there any more layers to it, and how can we efficiently use metabolism to keep us healthy? In this episode, I have Angelo Poli, an internationally recognized expert in the field of body transformations and Founder of MetPro, on to break down all the ins and outs of Metabolism, and does it affect our health and fitness goal.
I also made a deal with Angelo and MetPro, if you visit: https://metpro.co/altucher, you can schedule an appointment with MetPro's specialist to learn more about Metabolism, and how they can help you with your health goal!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
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4/15/2021 • 59 minutes, 53 seconds
705 - "How-to" with David Epstein
The author of one of my favorite books: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, a #1 New York Times bestseller; and also The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance, David Epstein is now the new host of Slate.com's "How To!" Podcast. In this episode, I have him on to discuss his newfound experience in the podcasting world, and also some of the podcast topics like: "How To Survive In The Wild", "How To Fall Out of Love", "How To Start Over at 60" and so on...
Listen to this episode and also make sure you check out "How to!" Podcast:
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
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4/13/2021 • 56 minutes, 10 seconds
704 - Why are we attracted to HIGH CONFLICT situations & How do we get out from it? With Amanda Ripley
Do you feel like you had to keep engaging in an argument on Twitter without knowing who they are and what their agendas are? Do you ever lose friends or family members over a single argument and disagreement? What is High Conflict? What is Positive Conflict? How do we avoid it and get ourselves out from those conflicts?
In this episode, I have on Amanda Ripley, American journalist and author of the new book, High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out, to talk about all the stories about people are losing their minds over a single argument. And why now more than ever that we have more and more conflict every day?
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
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4/8/2021 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 30 seconds
703 - 13 Things Strong Kids Do (BUT really for Adults) with Amy Morin feature Robyn Altucher
Amy Morin, psychotherapist, mental strength trainer, international bestselling author, and a friend of the pod, is on again to talk about her new book, 13 Things Strong Kids Do: Think Big, Feel Good, Act Brave. However, I think this book is really for all adults and parents! In this episode, we discussed what did we do as a parent for our kids, and how could we even apply those methods that Amy suggested to ourselves (as an adult).
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/6/2021 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 26 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Sam Parr on How to Invest? What are the New Side Hustle Trend? What are ways to manage your personal finance?
In this episode, we have one of our pod favorites, Sam Parr, on to talk about his company, The Hustle, being acquired by Hubspot! And what is Hubspot? Now that he has, or will have "Sh*t Ton of Money", how does he manage his personal finance?
Also, what are the new side hustle trends out there that people can make money on? How big are chess.com and dictionary.com?
Find that all out in this episode of Side Hustle Friday!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/1/2021 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 12 seconds
IG Q&A - Better to be the "ONLY" than the "BETTER"!
It’s never too late to start, what’s next in the stock market, the importance of “I don’t know”...and much more. Robyn and I hope you like these. Please let us know or share with friends because it makes us happy.
If you have any questions, tweet at me @jaltucher on Twitter!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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3/30/2021 • 59 minutes, 27 seconds
The Companion Podcast EP02: Burnout, context switching, election, what have the lockdown done to us!?
Companion Podcast for March 2021! In this episode, Nathan and Jay were talking about what they learned in this month's episodes. Burnout is real, even Jay and Nathan were affected by it. Nathan explains the election's platform to Jay and Jay shared his burnout stories.
If you enjoy this episode, feel free to revisit the episodes again!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/28/2021 • 29 minutes, 58 seconds
702 - How to get what you want with The Soulful Art of Persuasion with Jason Harris
I always fascinated by the different persuasion and negotiation techniques, I even wrote a long article about them, and my experience with them. However, in this episode, I have on the author, president, and CEO of Mekanism Inc, Jason Harris, to talk about his new book, The Soulful Art of Persuasion: The 11 Habits That Will Make Anyone a Master Influencer, He has a very different perspective and techniques on persuasion. On top of that, we shared stories about the times we invested in something that we don't believe in, and that time Jason walked into Disney Headquater and more!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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3/25/2021 • 57 minutes, 18 seconds
701 - What is Burnout? And How to deal with one with Behavioral Economist Natalie Rachel
What actually is burnout?
August 2020, I wrote an article laying out why New York City is on the downfall with the hope of maybe someone would come up with the solution to save New York City. However, the backslash is real, the negative comments, losing friends, Friends losing friends, and even people that I used to be closed with, and Seinfeld wrote an article bashing me. It is then I truly felt the so-called "Burnout". I became less and less active on social media, and I will just play chess all day! However, I want to figure out how to get out of burnout, and what actually is burnout?
In this episode, I have the behavioral economist that specializes in burnout, Natalie Rachel, on to talk about what is burnout? How did it occur? And how should I deal with it? She also shared her very own personal "Burnout" story. It is Terrifying!
Mentioned: https://nomoreburnout.org
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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3/23/2021 • 56 minutes
700 - Skip (The Line) Into The Impossible Podcast with Brian Keating!
Another Episode with Dr. Brian Keating! This time, the other way around, I was being interviewed by him about my new book, Skip The Line, on the podcast, and also taking questions from Clubhouse, the first experiment that we did together!
In Skip The Line: The 10,000 Experiments Rule and Other Surprising Advice for Reaching Your Goals, James Altucher busts the 10,000-hour rule of achieving mastery, offering a new mindset and dozens of techniques that will inspire any professional—no matter their age or managerial level—to pursue their passions and quickly acquire the skills they need to succeed and achieve their dreams.
This episode is itself an experiment, as Brian onboards James to Clubhouse and uses it to interact with listeners live.
- Into The Impossible With Brian Keating
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/20/2021 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 4 seconds
699 - Masterclass on How to be The CEO with Jeff Immelt
How to be a good CEO? How do you judge someone's success? How to build a relationship? How does a work-relationship would affect a company?
In this episode, I talked to Jeff Immelt, the former CEO of General Electic, arguably one of the largest companies, on to talk about his new book, Hot Seat: What I Learned Leading a Great American Company. We also talked about his journey, how he became the CEO, and also a couple of strategic decisions that GE made, or did not make.
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/18/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 25 seconds
698 - The Energy Paradox: How to eat to MAXIMIZE your energy with Dr. Steven Gundry
How do you live a high quality of life? What should you eat so that you will have enough energy for you to focus on your task(s) at hand? In this episode, I sat down with Dr. Steven Gundry, a former cardiac surgeon, American doctor, and author, again to talk about his new brand new book, The Energy Paradox: What to Do When Your Get-Up-and-Go Has Got Up and Gone. We discussed, what should you do and eat to maximize your energy for the day, how does sugar affects your energy level. We also talked about how the health and food industry is flawed, and what makes Dr. Steven Gundry starts to write all his book! Also, as he mentioned in the podcast, "Fatigue is not your fate!"
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/16/2021 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 32 seconds
IG Q&A - Retail Investing "Masterclass"
IG Live is back! Back in March 2020 when the lockdown started, I started doing IG Live to translate what's going on in the news, the lockdown, the economy, the virus, and I also figured people needed some entertainment as well. But back in August 2020, there's rarely news about the economy, viruses, and I also experience social media burnt out as well, so I stopped doing them.
However, now IG LIVE IS BACK AGAIN! There was a lot of movement in the stock market, GameStop incident created a wave of new retail investor who has no idea what and how to invest and/or buying stock. In this episode, Robyn and I sat down to talk about the "What" and the "How" in retail investing!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/13/2021 • 57 minutes, 59 seconds
697 - Think About Probable Impossibilities with Alan Lightman
Another bucket list guest checked off my list! I have one of my idols, Alan Lightman, an American physicist, writer, and social entrepreneur, to talk about his new book, Probable Impossibilities, and also one of his older books, Einstein's Dreams. We also talked about Alan's constant self-reinvention. His best quote that stuck with me is, "People should reinvent themselves every 10 years."
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/11/2021 • 54 minutes, 4 seconds
696 - What are the Ethics of Rewriting the Genetic "Codes"? with Walter Isaacson on 'Code Breaker'
In this episode, we have one of my Bucket List's guests, author Walter Isaacson. He is the best biographer out there, and he wrote classic biographies of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, and more.
This time, Walter Issacson and I discussed his new book, The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race. Gene editing is probably one of the areas of science that will change all life, all society, the way we think about society and life! We also talked about the gene-editing company, CRISPR, and the ethics behind editing gene and the dilemma that come with it!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/9/2021 • 55 minutes, 17 seconds
695 - How to Run For President (2.0) from the Campaign Manager's POV with Phillip Stutts
Last month, I wrote an article about why I really want to Run For President in 2024, and Why You Should Run for President. I strongly believe that the two political party system is out of date, and everyone should have a platform and everyone should have a voice! To try to make this come true, and I have on the former Presidential Campaign Manager, Phillip Stutts, to talk about how do one runs for President, what should the narrative and platform be?
Life should be full of experiments, and this will be one of the experiments that I will be doing!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/8/2021 • 53 minutes, 41 seconds
694 - Steven Pressfield: How do you find the "CODE" that you want to live your life by.
"I sacrificed everything to do my writing" - Steven Pressfield said it in his first appearance on The James Altucher Show back in 2016, I didn't pursue the statement then.
And now, Steven Pressfield, an American author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays, and also the author of one of my favorite books, The War of Art, comes on again to talk about this new book/ novel, MAN AT ARMS! This time, I used this opportunity to pursue the statement that he made in 2016. What does he mean by sacrificed everything to do his writing? On top of that, we also talked about character writing, development, film, and also how do you find the "CODE" that you want to live by!
My new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/4/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 46 seconds
693 - A World without Email with Cal Newport
For the past year, I have been addicted to reading news even though I've promised myself years ago not to look at the news. However, the news nowadays doesn't portray the entire truth or sometimes flat out wrong, I felt like I have to translate them to the audience what was the real news. So because of that, I was reading the news a lot more, on social media a lot more, and even argue with the "keyboard warrior"! So much that I was burnt out, and completely stop all my social media activities, and that accidentally led to me not looking and not responding to my email as much!
Fortunate enough, Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University, also a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, came out with the new book, A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload. We talked about the data on how email affects day-to-day life, and what are the effective ways of using email without getting burnt out!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
Also, my new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/2/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 36 seconds
692 - 2021 Coronavirus Update with Dr. Peter Openshaw from Imperial College London: The Variant, The Vaccine, and What do we know now!?
Almost a year ago, I had Dr. Peter Openshaw from Imperial College on to talk about what we knew about the novel coronavirus. I especially loved his takes on the virus, because he was one of the few people that actually gave me the answer "I don't know", which was true because no one knew anything!
We now know a lot more about the virus, especially Dr. Peter Openshaw! This time, I have him on to talk about what we know about the variant, how it actually transmits, updates on the vaccine, how can we prevent and avoid the virus, and what would the world looks like post-coronavirus!
Also, my new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/1/2021 • 42 minutes, 43 seconds
691 - You Should Run For President (2.0)!
I am running for US President in 2024. I have filed with FEC and I am officially a US Presidential Candidate.
In the past 4 to 6 years, we have been through the most bizarre's election and presidential candidate. However, this shows that anyone, ANYONE, can be a president, or at least a presidential candidate!
In this episode, I break down why one should run for President! Why you should consistently do experiments, how to skip the line. What's the worst thing that could happen? The worst thing would be, you have a good story to tell!
Join You Should Run For President 2.0 Facebook Group, and we discuss why should run for president.
Also, my new book Skip The Line is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever you get your new book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/27/2021 • 39 minutes, 29 seconds
The Companion Podcast EP01: Learned from the BEST!
It's the new meta-show! 'The Companion Podcast' for The James Altucher Show, where Jay Yow, the Producer, and Nathan Rosborough, the Post-Production Engineer, sit down and talk about what they learned during the last past month from The James Altucher Show!
In this episode, we cover Cal Fussman's amazing Larry King stories, Angela Duckworth's Grit, Dr. Brian Keating's brilliant conversations, and more!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/26/2021 • 26 minutes, 2 seconds
690 - What does it mean to "Believe" in Science? Brian Keating
Another episode with my good friend Dr. Brian Keating. This time, we discussed what does it mean to "Believe" in Science? What does it mean politically, religiously, and individually? And Brian actually points that, it could be anti-science if you believe in science! Listen to this episode and find out why!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/24/2021 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 19 seconds
689 - Goodbye to Larry King with Cal Fussman (Part 2): Path to THE Storyteller
IF you're listening to this episode, make sure you also listen to Episode 688: Goodbye to Larry King with Cal Fussman (Part 1): 1 Step Back, 2 Steps Forward.
This is Part 2 of Cal Fussman telling his experience and stories with Larry King. In this episode, Cal describes how he went on his journey to become one of Larry King's close and best friends. From being invited to the breakfast table to writing a book for Larry. He also describes how he was encouraged by Larry, and become the great storyteller that he is today!
On a side note, Cal also did an obituary for Larry King on this podcast. It's called Larry King: The Great Farewell. Make sure you go check it out as well.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/18/2021 • 53 minutes, 34 seconds
688 - Goodbye to Larry King with Cal Fussman (Part 1): Every Step Back, Is a Step Forward
Cal Fussman, an American journalist, author, and the host of Big Questions Podcast with Cal Fussman, arguably one of Larry King's best friends, especially towards his later year. They have breakfast every morning for 13 years until the lockdown for Covid19 happened. Even then, Cal still tried to get together with Larry as much as he can.
Larry has done more than 60,000 interviews, and he's the legend of the Radio host. So when I heard about Larry's past away, I have to call up Cal, other than catching up with him, I also want to learn everything about Larry. His origin story, his life, and his storytelling style!
On a side note, Cal also did an obituary for Larry King on this podcast. It's called Larry King: The Great Farewell. Make sure you go check it out as well.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/18/2021 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 3 seconds
687 - Quiting your Job and Do what you love! with Joe Pompliano from Huddle Up
Why did The Weeknd not take any pay and he even put up 7 Million Dollars for the Superbowl Half-Time show? And who are the 2 luckiest people in the NBA? Also, how to create one of the most interesting newsletters out there! In this episode, Joe Pompliano, Founder of The Huddle Up, joined me to talk about The Weeknd on the Superbowl Half-Time Show. And he breaks down how and why he quit his day job to focus on and do something he loves!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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2/16/2021 • 42 minutes, 26 seconds
My Favorite Things: 5 Artists That Choose Themselves and Rejected Money!
I always fascinated by stories about artists who rejected thousands and millions of dollars so that they can keep their artist intergrity! In this episode, I discussed 5 artists/ entrepreneurs that rejected money to choose themselves and still come up top!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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2/15/2021 • 41 minutes, 14 seconds
686 - A Farewell Episode to History Hyenas
History Hyenas is arguably one of the best comedic history podcast out there! They have been doing it since 2018, and have tens of thousands of views on YouTube. However, in early 2021, they decided to end it, they wanted to end it on a high point! So I had to call up Chris Distefano and Yannis Pappas to ask them, why are they quitting?
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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2/11/2021 • 54 minutes, 52 seconds
685 - "WHAT are the future of the Nature?" Under The White Sky With Elizabeth Kolbert
Global Warming and natural disaster have been quite a "hot" topic these days with the rise of the hurricane, and the changes of temperature. WHAT do we know about carbon emission? Can we eliminate carbon emissions? Can we save species from going extinct? In this episode, I sat down with the American journalist, author, and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Elizabeth Kolbert to talk about her new book, Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future, and we break down exactly all the questions that I mentioned above!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/9/2021 • 43 minutes, 55 seconds
684 - Adam Grant: Why do you need to THINK AGAIN when you're thinking!
Do you always think you know more than you do? Have you ever go with your first instinct, but then you realize after, your instinct might not be the right now! In this episode, Adam Grant, an American psychologist, and the author of some of my favorite books including this new one that just releases, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know, even Bill Gates called this a must-read! Came on to talk about this new book, Think Again, and break down why should we re-think when we are thinking, and what leads to him writing this amazing book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/4/2021 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 33 seconds
683 - Fast This Way with Dave Asprey
Once again, we have Dave Asprey, an entrepreneur, creator of Bulletproof Coffee, and author on to talk about his new book Fast This Way: Burn Fat, Heal Inflammation, and Eat Like the High-Performing Human You Were Meant to Be. In this episode, we talked about what's the most efficient way to fast, and what are the essential F's you need to have a healthy lifestyle and boost your energy!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/2/2021 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 58 seconds
682 - Stock Lesson 101: WHAT happened to The GameStop Short-Squeeze and WHY?
In the past few weeks, GameStop and Hedge Fund have been dominating the news! You kept seeing the investing terms like "shorting the stocks" and "short squeeze". What really is actually going on? What does that mean? How does all that works? In this episode, I broke down what's really going on in the stock market? What does it mean to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and so on?
If you like this episode, tweet at me @jaltucher
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/29/2021 • 48 minutes, 55 seconds
681 - What are The ATTRIBUTES you need to have to be successful? With Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL Commander
What are the differences between Attribute, and Traits? What are the 25 key Attributes that you need to have to optimize your performance, how do you identify them within yourself, can you train your attribute, and were you or were you not born with it?
In this episode, Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL Commander, Owner/ Founder of The Attributes, and the author of this brand new book, The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance, came on and break down bits by bits of what are attributes, and how do you identify and then train them!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/26/2021 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 49 seconds
680 - Signs of Extraterrestrial life Beyond Earth with Avi Loeb
Avi Loeb, Israeli-American theoretical physicist who works on astrophysics and cosmology, and author of Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, claim that an alien object has visited our solar system in 2017! In this episode, I sat down with him and breakdown what was the possible explanations for the alien object, and are there any sign of alien out there that we've missed! How did he come to the conclusion that, IT IS an alien object!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/21/2021 • 55 minutes, 44 seconds
679 - How I Will Evolve Into 'James Plus' with Jay Yow
In this episode, Jay brought up a good question, How do you measure moral? Are moral and ethic measurable? And then we started talking about how did humans evolved themselves, how can you evolve to be the "plus" version of yourself. And also, how can you evolve yourself in a moral way!Enjoy! If you like this episode and this topic, feel free to tweet me at @jaltucher on twitter!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/19/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 36 seconds
678 - *Not* The James Alutcher Show: The History of The James Altucher Show by Jay Yow and Nathan Rosborough
This is a special/bonus episode that wasn't hosted by me but Jay Yow, The James Altucher Show Producer, and Nathan Rosborough, The James Altucher Show Audio Producer! By the time this came out, it would be the first time I am listening to this episode too! In this episode, Jay and Nathan talked about how Nathan started working on the show, how the show evolves, and what both of them learned from the show! If you like this episode, tweet at @jaltucher and @jay_yow07.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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1/18/2021 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 33 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Building a Food Empire with Bill Glaser
Another Side Hustle Friday! This time, I talked to my good friend, Bill Glaser, entrepreneur, CEO, and Founder of Outstanding Foods, about building a food empire. We talked about the origin of Outstanding Foods, and how he uses the advantage of "social media influencer" to promote his product, and how does he position Outstanding Foods during the pandemic time!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/16/2021 • 45 minutes, 24 seconds
My Favorite Things: My Favorite Books and Lessons I from them!
Another episode of My Favorite Things! In this episode, I talked about some of my favorite books that I've read in 2020! However, there are some rules! First off, It can't be books that I read for the podcast, which means, I have to look at it, pick it up, and read it casually. Secondly, the books that I recommend and talk about has to provide some sort of value or lesson when I read them! Those are the rules! Anyway, enjoy the list, and tweet at me @jaltucher and let me know if you like those books or if you have any list suggestions!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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1/14/2021 • 26 minutes, 58 seconds
677 - The Art of Impossible with Steven Kotler!
This was the book that I have been waiting for! I always read about "Flow", but I always confused about how anyone can get into the "Flow"! Finally, the wait is over, The Art of Impossible, written by Steven Kotler, American author, journalist, and entrepreneur. In the book, he describes every detail of how does one can get into the "Flow".
If you enjoy this episode, tweet at me @jaltucher and tell me how do you like this episode! Also, feel free to also share what did you learn in this episode! I will retweet it!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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1/12/2021 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 2 seconds
My Favorite Things: My Favorite Learning Techniques!
I recently have been obsessed with Chess, mainly chess is getting popular now (again) because of Queen's Gambit, and also I want to try to get back my strength!
In this episode, Jay The Engineer and I talked about what are new strength, and what mindset do you need to have in order to learn and improve yourself! We also breakdown some of my favorite learning techniques, and how can you apply them in day-to-day life and living! If you like this episode or series, make sure to tweet at me @jaltucher and let me know what other lists you would like to hear from me!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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1/9/2021 • 1 hour, 14 seconds
676 - That time Stephen Hawking... with Dr. Brian Keating
Part 2 of Fly on the wall podcast with Dr. Brian Keating! In this episode (Part 2), we talked about why Stephen Hawking wrote his best selling book, A Brief History In Time, and what are the stories behind the book!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/7/2021 • 30 minutes, 9 seconds
675 - Nobel Prize, Quantum Computing and ALIENS!? with Dr. Brian Keating Pt 1 of 2
Another fly on the wall episode with Dr. Brian Keating! As usual, we were supposed to record the final episode for the Big Bang series. However, we started out by working our ideas muscle together and bounce ideas around! In this episode, we talked about the Nobel Prize Community, Quantum Computing, and ALIENS! Have they visited us?
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/6/2021 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 45 seconds
How Did The Universe Begin with Dr. Brian Keating? EP04: The Simulation Hypothesis!
In this episode! Dr. Brian Keating and I talked about The Simulation Hypothesis!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/31/2020 • 34 minutes, 2 seconds
How Did The Universe Begin with Dr. Brian Keating? EP03: Religion, Seven Days of Creation and Chicken or Egg's Theory!
Dr. Brian Keating and I were talking about casually talking about religion before we start the podcast. However, we tied that into the alternate theories to The Big Bang! We talked about the metaphor of the Seven Days of Creation, relativity theories, chicken or eggs theory, and more!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/29/2020 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 59 seconds
My Favorite Things: How to Find Success No MATTER What Your Interest Is!
This episode is complimentary to the new My Favorite Things series! Jay Yow, the Producer and Audio Engineer for The James Altucher Show, and I talked about what success is, and how do you turn your "favorite" list and passion into a road map to success. More importantly, what is the road map to success? How do you identify your "success"? If you like this episode, make sure you tweet at @jaltucher and tell me what's your road map looks like!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/27/2020 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 10 seconds
How Did The Universe Begin with Dr. Brian Keating? EP02: Universe Inflation Model, Singularity...
In this episode of How Did The Universe Begin? Dr. Brian Keating and I talked about the Universe Inflation Model, Singularity, and all! What are the other alternate theories on how did the universe begin?
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/24/2020 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 40 seconds
674 - What is THE NUMBER? With Merrick Furst
What is the Number? Lately, during the lockdown and pandemic, I have been pondering on the question. What is THE Number? How do you define the number? How much money do you need (or want) to retire? I have my good friend, Merrick Furst (He appeared on Episode: What we can learn from the greatest investors of all time.), to talk about this matter. I started out with a formula that I came up with, but after answering a series of questions that Merrick proposed, I have changed my formula entirely! Enjoy the episode! If you have any questions or feedback, tweet at me @jaltucher
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/22/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 44 seconds
How Did The Universe Begin? EP 01: Alternate Theories to Big Bang with Dr. Brian Keating
In this episode of How Did The Universe Begin? Dr. Brian Keating and I talked about the Steady State, Quasi Steady State, Big Bang Theory, and more!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/21/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 15 seconds
My Favorite Things: 10 Life-Lessons I've Learned in 2020
Another Sub-Series on The James Altucher Show, My Favorite Things! In this series, I will talk about what are some of my top 10 within a certain topic. Could range from my favorite chess opening to books to movies and show!
In this episode, I talked about what are the 10 life lessons that I have learned in 2020. If you like this series, and if you have any topics that you want to hear about, tweet at me @jaltucher on Twitter!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/19/2020 • 45 minutes, 35 seconds
673 - GRIT Part 3: When Should You QUIT, 1% BETTER everyday and Road Not Taken with Angela Duckworth
When should I Quit? Do you quit when the goal gets tough when you're frustrated? How to be better just 1% every day? And what happens to the road that was not taken? Part 3 of the Grit series with Angela Duckworth, an American academic, psychologist, and popular science author, and the author of Grit. We talked about when to quit, and how to get better every day, and all the road that was not taken!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/17/2020 • 57 minutes, 36 seconds
672 - I Can Steal That! with Pete Stegemeyer
Scams and Con-mans' stories are always fascinating to me. Not that we should be doing it, but the stories always intrigued me! In this episode, I have Pete Stegemeyer, Comedian, Host of I Can Steal That Podcast, and author of HEIST, on to talk about the heist of the centuries, and Leonardo da Vinci tried to steal a river?
If you enjoy this episode, please tweet @jaltucher to let me know what do you think!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/15/2020 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 26 seconds
How did The Universe Begin? EP00: Plus Nobel Prizes & the Imposter Syndrome, with Dr. Brian Keating Part 2
This is Part 2 of the first episode on theories on how did the universe began with the podcast friend, Brian Keating! Before we started the podcast, Brian was telling me about this guy who won The Nobel Prize and then he had the imposter syndrome and I was surprised! So I was wondering, how did someone who won the Nobel Prize have the imposter syndrome, and how did he get over it.
After that, we dived into theories on how did the universe begin. From string theories to Multi-Verse and all! Enjoy! If you like this episode, make sure to tweet @jaltucher to let me know what do you think about this series!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/12/2020 • 49 minutes, 32 seconds
How did The Universe Begin? Plus Nobel Prizes & the Imposter Syndrome, with Dr. Brian Keating Part 1
The first episode (Part 1) on theories on how did the universe began with the podcast friend, Brian Keating! Before we started the podcast, Brian was telling me about this guy who won The Nobel Prize and then he had the imposter syndrome and I was surprised! So I was wondering, how did someone who won the Nobel Prize have the imposter syndrome, and how did he get over it.
After that, we dived into theories on how did the universe begin. From string theories to Multi-Verse and all! Enjoy! If you like this episode, make sure tweet @jaltucher to let me know what do you think about this series!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/12/2020 • 52 minutes, 33 seconds
671 - The End of Jobs with Jeff Wald
The End of Jobs! One of my most interested topics ever! In this episode, I have Jeff Wald, the founder of WorkMarket, an ADP Company, and the author of “The End of Jobs", on to talk about... You know it! The End of Jobs! He describes the jobs that we traditionally think about it are going away. He got the facts, the stats, and also what should we do about it! Listen to the episode, and arm yourself with the knowledge for when the time comes!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/10/2020 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 46 seconds
670 - Garry Kasparov on Chess, AI, and The World! With a special personal introduction by James Altucher
The Queen's Gambit is one of the most watch shows on Netflix right now, and a lot of people have asked me about the show and chess! So I decided to re-release the episode that I recorded several years ago interviewing the former World Chess Champion, Chess Grandmaster, writer, and political activist, Garry Kasparov. On top of the re-release episode, I also told my stories about chess and my passion for it! If you enjoy this episode, you can tweet me @jaltucher and if you're a chess player, tweet me your chess stories!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/9/2020 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 33 seconds
669 - People don't want the truth, they just want to be right! With Jordan Harbinger
Every time I have Jordan Harbinger, the Host of The Jordan Harbinger Show, on, we always have amazing conversation, and I learnt so much every time. We talked about who's a better interviewer, Larry King or Howard Stern, to how to avoid news and headlines, and we also came up with 4 amazing productivity hacks!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/8/2020 • 1 hour, 16 minutes
668 - 21 Persuasion Techniques by James Altucher
I had Scott Adams, Bill Beteet, Brendon Lemon, and more on the podcast to talk about persuasion and frame control. This time in this episode, I will breakdown the 21 powerful persuasion techniques that I personally used daily. Let's face it, we all want to convince other people that we are right! Also, guess what's Jesus view on taxes? Find out in the episode!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/7/2020 • 43 minutes, 59 seconds
667 - The Queen's Gambit with Jen Shahade
The Queen's Gambit is one of the best shows that's going on right now! It's just what we needed in 2020! In this episode, I talked to Jen Shahade, an American chess player, poker player, commentator, and writer, she is also a two-time United States Women's Champion and has the FIDE title of Woman Grandmaster, about all thing chess! We talked about her origin stories, our favorite opening, how's chess industry looking, and all!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/3/2020 • 57 minutes, 53 seconds
666 - GRIT Part 2: How to have GRIT with Angela Duckworth
Part 2 of the GRIT episodes with Angela Duckworth, an American academic, psychologist, and popular science author, and the author of Grit. We both have so much to talk about, and equally curious about how to find your passion, have do you get persistent, how to learn fast, and my favorite topic of all, What is the deal with 10,000 hours rules!? Can it be replaced by 10,000 hours experiment rules!?
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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12/1/2020 • 50 minutes, 39 seconds
665 - 10,000 Experiments Rule by James Altucher
Most things that you do, should fail. If you don't fail enough, means you're not doing enough experiments. The more experiment you do, the more interesting life, experience, and the more successful you'll have! In this episode, I share my stories on experiments, and how I learn from there, and where they all lead it too!
If you like this episode, make sure you tweet at me @jaltucher and let me know your feedback! You could even share some quotes from the episode. Best yet, if you're using overcast or player that can share clips, clips your favorite ones, and tweet at me!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/29/2020 • 33 minutes, 36 seconds
Side Hustle Friday - Making thousands by Ghostwriting with Joshua Lisec
Another Side Hustle Friday Episode! This time we are covering Ghostwriting with Joshua Lisec! According to Scott Adams, He is an expert on ghostwriting and getting published! Other than talking about ghostwriting, we also talked about Joshua's origin, and how he used the spoke and wheel approach with his ghostwriting business and build a career around it!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/27/2020 • 55 minutes, 21 seconds
664 - GRIT Part 1: The Power of Passion and Perseverance with Angela Duckworth
In this episode, Angela Duckworth, an American academic, psychologist and popular science author, amd the author of Grit, came on to talk about the concept of Grit is the combination of Passion and Perseverance, and also the power of learning, how to learn things quickly and efficiently.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/26/2020 • 42 minutes, 7 seconds
663 - Scott Galloway on Post Corona: From Crisis to Opportunity
Scott Galloway, professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business, and a public speaker, entrepreneur, and author of his latest book, Post Corona: From Crisis to Opportunity, has been correctly predicted the podcast every time he came on! This time, he comes on again to predict what would the Post Corona World looks like! We even discuss the future of New York City, and is the city dead! We also talked about the future of educations, cities, and also entreprenuership.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/24/2020 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 1 second
662 - The ABC of Online Sports Gambling with Marc Edelman
I wanted to learn more about Online Sports Gambling. So I bought on Marc Edelman, the founder of Edelman Law, and also a tenured Professor of Law at the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, City University of New York, to talk about online gambling sport and betting on fantasy sports. Also, I wanted to pitch him some ideas and see it will work! Plus I wanted to know what's the lay of the land in online gambling!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/23/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 33 seconds
661 - Quick Basic Economic Lessons by James Altucher
To create a Side Hustle Business, you need to know and understand the basic economic principles. In this episode, I gave quick basic economic lessons on Warren Buffet, housings, relationship, student loan, and gold vs bitcoin!
I hope this episode helps you understand the basic economy. If you have any question or feedback, tweet @jaltucher
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/21/2020 • 34 minutes, 58 seconds
660 - How to build a better Brain with Northeastern Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett
I am always curious about why does human has a brain, and what does a thought looks like in the brain? And what is a healthy brain? In this episode, I have the Northeastern Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Berrett on to talk about her new book, Seven And A Half Lessons About The Brain. We talked about, why do human have a brain, and where does it stand in-terms of evolutionary. The most important of all, how do we maintain a healthy brain!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/19/2020 • 47 minutes, 59 seconds
659 - An Abundance Mindset to Find Success in the New Abnormal with Peter Diamandis
There is so much complaining and whining out there these days, that's understandable given what was happening in 2020, It has been weird and hard. However, the world is getting more and more abundant, and it's important to have an abundant mindset in order to be an entrepreneur, to solve problems, to think of a better solution even in your personal life! So in this episode, I discussed the abundance mindset with Peter Diamandis, founder, and chairman of the X Prize Foundation, co-founder and executive chairman of Singularity University, and co-author of The New York Times bestsellers Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think. He also has a newsletter Futureloop, which provides the latest insights on exponential technologies and entrepreneurship.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/17/2020 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 21 seconds
658 - What I learnt from SEINFELD the show and Larry David's Leadership!
I was invited to a "Seinfeld" centric's podcast's called This Podcast Is Making Me Thirsty. We talked all things about Seinfeld, breaking down episodes, and different comedian's writing styles! One thing that fascinated me the most was Larry David's leadership on the show! Listen to me analyze how he manages the team, casts, and crew!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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11/14/2020 • 54 minutes, 57 seconds
657 - How would the Libertarian Party change the system? With 2020 Libertarian VP Candidate, Spike Cohen
It has been a little bit over a week since the election!
In this episode, we have the 2020 Libertarian Vice Presidential Candidate, Spike Cohen, on to talk about his view and his journey on the elections! We also talked about everything from what the Libertarian Party would do if they were in the government, taxes, health care, and even privacy issues!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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11/12/2020 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 14 seconds
656 - How to Make ANY Decision with Annie Duke
In this episode, I have Annie Duke, author and an American former professional poker player, on to talk about her new book, How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices. We started the podcast by just having a casual conversation, and we discuss everything from quitting, biases, decision making, and we even talk about her origin story! How did she become a professional poker player!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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11/10/2020 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 35 seconds
655 - The 15 Rules on How NOT To Go Broke
I have gone broke so many times and made so many mistakes that I've wished that I never made. But, I strongly believe those are the times that made me who I am, and I learnt my lessons. So, I made a checklist to prevent me from going broke. I called it, the 15 Rules on How NOT to Go Broke. I hope you learnt something from the checklist that I made. If you have any question or feedback, tweet at me @jaltucher or email me @ altucher @ gmail.com
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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11/8/2020 • 57 minutes, 31 seconds
Side Hustle Friday - How to make MILLIONS with affiliate marketing with Jeff Lerner
Starting from scratch, we describe with Jeff Lerner of ENTRE Institute a step by step breakdown of how to make money using affiliate marketing.
Also, go to https://millionairesecrets.com/jamesa to get the free book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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11/6/2020 • 51 minutes, 1 second
654 - How to Lucy with Darin Strauss
I LOVE LUCY! Lucile Ball is truly a choose yourself person, I even wrote about Lucille Ball in my upcoming book, Skip The Line, (Pre-Order it here: http://bit.ly/STHELINE. I have my friend Darin Strauss, a best-selling American writer, to talk about his new book, The Queen of Tuesday: A Lucille Ball Story, writing, the new trend in media, and all!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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11/5/2020 • 59 minutes, 55 seconds
653 - 13 Things Mentally Strong People Do When Their Candidate Loses! With Amy Morin
What Do I Do When My Candidate Loses??? 13 Things Mentally Strong People Do When Their Candidate Loses....with Amy Morin, author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do, and the host of Mentally Strong People Podcast: https://amymorinlcsw.com/mentally-strong-people-podcast/
Podcast Notes here: http://bit.ly/13ThingsCandidate
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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11/3/2020 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 18 seconds
652 - Days in the White House with Anthony Scaramucci, and The Future is What we Make it at Propelify 2020
I was invited to attend a Panel at Propelify 2020 with Anthony Scaramucci, an American financier who briefly served as the White House Director of Communications from July 21 to July 31, 2017, about The Future is What We Make It. However, I was curious about his days in the White House, so I asked him a bunch of questions about it!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/31/2020 • 47 minutes, 15 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Steal this business idea, cause I am going to do it! - Brian Keating
Another Side Hustle Friday! This time we feature my good friend again, Brian Keating! This is another one that we started brainstorming ideas, and I say, "Jay, hit record, this will be a Side Hustle Friday Episode!"
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/30/2020 • 25 minutes, 49 seconds
651 - How to write a great novel and all things writing with Chuck Wendig
Very excited for this episode! Chuck Wendig, has my dream career, he is an American author, comic book writer, screenwriter, and blogger. He even wrote one of the official Star Wars (post-Disney) canons, Star Wars: Aftermath! In this episode, we talked about all things writing!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/29/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 54 seconds
650 - Living with Eddie Van Halen! The weird way Craig became THE "impressions" guys. Going on tour with KISS, bouncing from the worst despair, and a special visit from Christopher Walken - Craig Gass.
Craig Gass, American actor, comedian, Voiceover artist, and impressionist is the most interesting person, and has to most interesting stories that I have ever known! He grew up around deaf parents and ended up learning an amazing impression skill! He shares the stories of how he got out of this addiction, that time he lived with the one and only Eddie Van Halen, and that time when he was touring with KISS! Also, a special visit from Christopher Walken and a surprise visit from a celebrity baby.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/27/2020 • 2 hours, 47 minutes, 35 seconds
649 - Brain Storming Session with Brian Keating
When we started recording, we were supposed to talk about 10 ways How The Universe Started with The Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences in the Department of Physics at the University of California, San Diego, Brian Keating but instead, we went right into a long brainstorming session, on how ways to write a book, marketing it, and how to monetize it! This is an episode where you could be the fly on the wall, and listen to how I brainstorm ideas with friends, family, and co-workers!
Brian Keating is the Chancellor’s Professor of Physics at UC San Diego. He hosts INTO THE IMPOSSIBLE (https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1), a podcast about science, leadership, and happiness, and is the is author of a bestselling cosmic memoir called “Losing the Nobel Prize“. You can also find his blog at https://briankeating.com/blog.php
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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10/24/2020 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 50 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: How to build your Amazing YouTube Channel and make Thousands from it! with Noah Kagan
Another Side Hustle Friday Episode! This episode did not go the direction that I thought it would go. It was supposed to be 5 businesses that you can start from YouTube, instead, it became an amazing guide on how to start your YouTube Channel so you can build any business from it, and how to have a successful life!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/23/2020 • 2 hours, 13 minutes, 49 seconds
648 - NO EXCUSES with Jocko Willink
Every time when I talk to Jocko Willink, an American Retired Naval Office, Author, and Podcaster, I learn a million lessons from him. This time is no different! This time we talked about not having any excuses when you're trying to archive any goal, and also, his new book (extended version of the previous book) Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual Mk1-MOD1. No excuse and start listening now! Enjoy!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/20/2020 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 35 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Monetize your podcast right now!
Part 2 on monetizing your podcast! In this episode, we talked about ways to monetize your podcast via merchandising, getting hired as a consultant through your podcast, speaking gigs, on and on! Also, enjoy Jay's episodic debut on the podcast! (Technically a second since this is a part of Friday's podcast!)
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/19/2020 • 43 minutes, 37 seconds
647 - I want to write a book that can sell more than 160 million copies with Ken Follett
Once again! I have the best selling author, Ken Follett, on to talk about his new book, The Evening and The Morning. I "sat" down with him, and I selfishly drill him on his approach and technique of writing a book! How did he do it? How did his book manage to sell more than 160 million copies? I have to know!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/17/2020 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 38 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Why should you START a podcast and MONETIZE your podcast through Ads and Patreon!
Another Side Hustle Friday! I sat down with Jay Yow, the Sound Engineer/ Producer of The James Altucher, to discuss ways to monetize a podcast, we spoke about why this is the best time to launch a podcast and our equipment set up for remote recording and interview. In this episode, we break down that's the different ways you can monetize through Ads, sponsors, affiliate deals, and Patreon! Part 2 will be coming soon Monday!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/16/2020 • 50 minutes, 7 seconds
646 - When music meet neuroscience, how music can make you better - Indre Viskontas
I always wanted to learn to play music, even now, I just bought the Jazz Piano Book, and try to learn it! In this episode, I have neuroscientist, operatic soprano, author of How Music Can Make You Better, professor and podcast host, Indre Viskontas, on to talk about the relationship between neuroscience and music, what music trigger which part of the brain! We also explored the 10 thousand hours rule of music learning! Enjoy!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/15/2020 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 39 seconds
645 - Conquering your comfort zone with Ed Latimore
Ed Latimore, professional boxer, chess player, author, influencer, social media guru, and even physicist! In this episode, I talked to him about Ed about how he looks at things differently, and what makes him want to dabble into different professions, learning different skills, and how does he get out of his comfort zone! Before the podcast ended, we also talked about the power of annoyance, which have proof effective in some scenario.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/13/2020 • 2 hours, 20 minutes, 10 seconds
644 - Explore the other side with Buck Sexton
I am a centrist, and I always try to have as many different sides on the podcast to talk about all the different issues from a different point of view, including Eric Adams, Andrew Yang, Dr. Jo Jorgensen, and more! In this episode, I have the former CIA officer, and conservative American radio host, Buck Sexton on to talk about the current issues, and the media. It's okay and important to open to ideas. There are more important issues in your life other than just politics, such as physical and mental health, creativity, and all.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/10/2020 • 58 minutes, 33 seconds
Side Hustle Friday - Make Thousands from your 30 days book challenge with Steve Scott
Another episode of Side Hustle Friday! What happens after you wrote your 30 days book challenge? Publish it, market it, sell it! I have recorded this episode with Steve Scott, back in 2017, and now I dusted it out and put it out there for you that have finished the 30 days book challenge, time to monetize it!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/9/2020 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 44 seconds
643 - Election Hacking and Fear of Change with Jason Feifer from Pessimists Archive
Why are people afraid of change, new technologies, and, right now, election hacking!? I talk with Jason Feifer about why people are always more pessimistic than they should be and that optimism and skepticism are powerful tools to set you apart from the masses and find real success. Plus, Jason shares some fun stories about wild pessimism throughout history
I realized during this pandemic that most people are "smart idiots". They come across as smart but then cognitive biases kick in and they start acting like fools. Which is why I asked Jason Feifer to come on the podcast and talk about election hacking (is it a real concern?), and other stories of mass pessimism and hysteria. If you understand the pessimism bias, that's the first step in choosing yourself for success.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/8/2020 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 15 seconds
642 - How should we take advantage of the future of e-commerce with Marc Lore!
Lockdown and social distancing are probably the best time for entrepreneurs out there! This episode, I have Marc Lore, President, and CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce, on to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur, the future of e-commerce, and how entrepreneurs should take advantage of that!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/6/2020 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 46 seconds
641 - Are we fascists, socialists or...other?
This is an important election. But forget about the personalities for a second. This is a step by step, a cocktail party guide to what all the relevant political philosophies are. Decide for yourself what you believe in, and what candidates, national, local, whatever, are most conducive to the philosophy you believe in. Also, now you armed yourself with the best cocktail party knowledge!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/3/2020 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 12 seconds
Side Hustle Friday - Podcast Advertising Agency with Dan Granger
Another Side Hustle Friday! This episode, I have Dan Granger, the CEO of the LA-based ad agency, Oxford Road, on to talk about the podcast advertising industry. We started out talking about Star Wars, and then we segway into the amazing overview of the media industry and the podcast industry! We also talked about how the polarization in the country affects the industry, also what we can help to avoid it.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/2/2020 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 53 seconds
640 - Dear Therapist with Lori Gottlieb & Guy Winch
What's better than one therapist? Two! I love having therapists on the podcast, it's like ME getting a therapy session rather than doing a podcast! This time I have Lori Gottlieb, psychotherapist and author of the New York Times bestseller Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and Guy Winch, Psychologist and three times TED Talks speakers, on to talk about their new podcast, Dear Therapists Podcast, which people come to them with their problems, and they give advice. And then, they will have them back to see if they take their advice, or if their life has improved in someway!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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10/1/2020 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 16 seconds
639 - How to deal with your problem with Stoicism with Ryan Holiday
I always learn when Ryan Holiday, author, and the founder of The Daily Stoic, is on my podcast. His new book, "Lives of the Stoics" is now THE book on how to apply Stoicism to make your every aspect of your life better, as well as learn the history of these great philosophers and the times they've lived in. I always learn something new when Ryan is on the podcast. Each of his prior books were bestsellers and we also plunge into the questions of what does society need right now?
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/29/2020 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 56 seconds
638 - The Fine Art of Baloney Detection
How to detect the "trillion dollars" worth of B.S. out there! People argue pretty much about everything, everyone has their own argument and there's no end to it! How do you call B.S. on it! This is an episode where I summarize a chapter in the book by Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World, and the chapter is called, The Fine Art of Baloney Detection. If you enjoy this or if you have any question, you can tweet at me @jaltucher
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/26/2020 • 35 minutes, 28 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Online Marketing Done Right with Anik Singal from Lurn.com
Another Side Hustle Friday episode! Online marketing changes every year, even every month! I want to learn online marketing from the best. So I called up Anik Singal, founder of Lurn.com and a digital marketing expert, to see what's the best tip, the best practice, and the most recent trend! He even created a special link for the listener to visit: www.lurn.com/altucher
Feel free to tweet at me @jaltucher to tell me what have you learned from the episode!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/25/2020 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 2 seconds
637 - Who is going to win the election and what should you do? With Phillip Stutts
After talking to Jim McKelvey, hearing what his data predicts for the election. I immediately called up my good friend, Phillip Stutts, to get an update on his latest data on the election. Phil has worked on campaigns for over 20 years. He knows the inside scoop. He surveys tens of thousands of people to find out what their top concerns are, what are they afraid of, what do they want, who will they vote for. He gives us the complete breakdown.
This episode is NOT only for you to understand what's going on in the political world, but also for people that own businesses. What should you look at, and what should your future strategy be to survive this lockdown.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/23/2020 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 22 seconds
636 - Conscious Leadership with John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market
Now is an interesting time, so I have the CEO of Whole Foods Market, John Mackey, on to talk about his new book, Conscious Leadership, and also his old book, Conscious Capitalism, which is also another must-read! We talked about all the up and down when he was starting Whole Food, the definition of capitalism, and what is considered as conscious capitalism, and how does it fair against socialism.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/22/2020 • 57 minutes, 29 seconds
635 - What is the State of US Economy with Jim McKelvey
It's time for another update on the state of US finance! After I wrote Why New York City is dead, doesn't seem like we have any solution for all the issue that I brought up in the article. So I called up my friend, Jim McKelvey, the founder of Square and the deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve, to ask him a bunch of questions. Will they bail out New York, what is the Federal Reserve doing right now to help the economy, and more!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/19/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 31 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Make millions with For-Pay Community with John Lee Dumas and Kate Erickson
I am always impressed by John Lee Dumas and Kate Erickson on their for-pay community, Podcaster's Paradise. I have them on to talk about their podcast, how to build from scratch, and their approach of running such a successful for-pay community!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/18/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 55 seconds
634 - State of the Planet 2020 with Ian Bremmer
What in the world is going on!? The media doesn't cover the news. They only cover the "opinion of the day". I want to know WHAT IS HAPPENING? So I called up Ian Bremmer, an American political scientist and author with a focus on global political risk, and also the president and founder of Eurasia Group, to figure out what's going on and what the future will be?
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/17/2020 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 52 seconds
633 - How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz has interviewed 100 of the greatest entrepreneurs in the world for his podcast and now his book, "How I Built This". This book is a must for EVERY entrepreneur's library. In this episode, Guy tells me some of the lessons and stories he's learned from the likes of the founders of Airbnb, Spanx, Ben & Jerry's, and dozens of other companies.
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9/15/2020 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 16 seconds
632 - All the Mistakes I've Made as an Entrepreneur
I have made mistakes my whole life as an Entrepreneur before I figured it out. Here are all the mistakes that I've made, and I hope you can avoid all of them and learn from them!
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9/12/2020 • 33 minutes, 48 seconds
Side Hustle Friday - Social Media Monetization with Daniel Snow
Another Side Hustle Friday! I have an idea to buy a lot of Instagram account with millions of followers and then point it to my account so I can do affiliate deals! And then I heard about, the Co-Founder of The Snow Agency, Daniel Snow! He did exactly that! Now he owns an agency and helped one of his clients from 30 thousand dollar revenue a month to 3 million dollars revenue a month in just 5 months! I can't wait to chat with him!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/11/2020 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 6 seconds
631 - Consciousness vs Morality with Sam Harris
Sam Harris, author, Neuroscientist, and the host of the Making Sense Podcast came back on to talk about his new book, Making Sense: Conversations on Consciousness, Morality, and the Future of Humanity. We talked about racism, consciousness versus morality and how do you define morality. What is the baseline for human morality! He also recounted his encounter with Ben Affleck!
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9/10/2020 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 41 seconds
630 - Blowing up in social media with Ryan Long
I have another Choose Yourself person on the podcast! Ryan Long, a comedian, a podcaster, and filmmaker came on the podcast and talk about the methods that you used to get blown up in social media and the comedy scene. He also talks about how to see things from a different perspective!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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9/8/2020 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 17 seconds
629 - Open Letter to Why I Wrote the Article
I wrote a viral essay on LinkedIn, which said that due to the Coronavirus's devastating effect on the city, NYC as we know it is dead, forever.
A few days later, I woke up to find that the piece had received intense criticism from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, who penned an op-ed against me in the NY Times, Mark Cuban, and even the mayor himself Bill DeBlasio—as well as millions of others.
While I included lots of factual data to back up my proclamation, outlining everything from the city's current real-estate crisis to a rise in unemployment and loss of culture, many were quick to assume I merely had given up on New York City altogether. This is far from the truth! Listen to this episode to learn more about why I wrote this piece, what that crazy experience was like, and what I believe needs to happen to save the New York City I can assure you I love so dearly.
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9/5/2020 • 43 minutes, 58 seconds
628 - Brooklyn President (and candidate for mayor) Eric Adams is BACK, and has some thoughts how to deal with the crisis.
Brooklyn Borough President (and possible next Mayor of NYC) Eric Adams is back on the show! I called him up and asked him, "How can we solve these problems? And how can ANY city solve the problems they are having now?" He took the challenge and shares solutions and his philosophy for running a city!
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9/4/2020 • 48 minutes, 12 seconds
627 - President Dr. Jo Jorgenson in 2020? - Dr. Jo Jorgensen
The Libertarian candidate for President got 5 million votes in 2016. This year their candidate is Dr. Jo Jorgensen. She came on the podcast and helps us solve all the issues.
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9/3/2020 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 20 seconds
626 - How not to go broke with Quint Tatro
We are coming out of the lockdown period, however, doesn't seem like there is an end in sight in the pandemic era. With this in mind, I call up my friend Quint Tatro, the host of DIY Financial and Managing director for Joule Financial, and ask him to come on to talk about how not to go broke, how to manage your debt, and also what's the best way of getting out of debt!
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9/1/2020 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 49 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Creating online courses with Brendon Lemon
People have no idea how much you can make with Online Courses! In this episode, I talked to my friend Brendon Lemon, a comedian and author, about creating online courses without expensive equipment!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/29/2020 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 20 seconds
625 - Skip the line edition: Learning Music with Jeff Lerner
Initially, I had Jeff Lerner to talk about building a digital agency on Side Hustle Friday. When I found out that Jeff used to be a professional pianist, I was intrigued by how he learns music at age 17, skipping the line, and became a professional pianist by age 20! So I had to find out how he skip the line, and I want to learn to play the piano too!
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8/28/2020 • 31 minutes, 53 seconds
624 - Building customer loyalty with principles! Bobby Hundreds
This episode, I have on Bobby Hundreds, Co-Founder of The Hundreds and bestselling author, “This Is Not a T-shirt” on, to talk about the principles of why the sub-cultures flourishes and it's attracted, teenagers and young adult. Those principles also can apply to different aspects of the business as well!
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8/27/2020 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 28 seconds
623 - Top Business Trend in this time with Sam Parr
Once again! We have our podcast favorite, Sam Parr back on again to talk about the top business trend right now! From non-alcoholic beverages to building lists, to newsletter to crate box and all! Enjoy, and build your own business!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/26/2020 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 27 seconds
Q&A: Optimism. Am I a “True” New Yorker? Biz Idea, Buying Book Rights of Old Books...
Optimism. Am I a “true” ny-Er, biz idea, buying book rights of old books,Post office, why I do more news stuff now, how to say goodbye to a loved one, biz idea of the week! Text me questions at 203-590-8607
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8/22/2020 • 56 minutes, 29 seconds
Side Hustle Friday: Start a digital agency from scratch in your spare time and build it to 7 FIGURES! with Jeff Lerner
Start a digital agency from scratch in your spare time and build it to 7 figures. We give you the step by step.
Also, go to https://millionairesecrets.com/jamesa to get the free book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/21/2020 • 56 minutes, 41 seconds
622 - Don't stir up so much trouble, Zuby!
Zuby, perhaps the nicest person on the planet, is a rapper, podcast host, author, and also, LET IT BE KNOWN, he has also broken the women's world heavy lifting record. Let him tell us the story. Meanwhile, he's also got advice about how to go viral on social media and why he might be the calmest person on the planet.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/20/2020 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 52 seconds
621: Control any narrative with The Frame Control Techniques! Bill Beteet and Brandon Lemon
Once again, I had Bill Beteet and Brandon Lemon on the podcast!
This time, we are talking about their new book, The Power Bible! We analyze how we can change the narrative using frame control through influence and persuasion. You can get their new book on Amazon!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/18/2020 • 2 hours, 51 seconds
620 - A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur: I bit off more than I can chew!
A special episode for today! Today, I will talk about how's my typical day looks like! And sometimes, because I do so many things, I always bit off more than I can chew! I talked about the books that I read, the writing that I have done, the business that I have been doing! Listen and enjoy!
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8/17/2020 • 52 minutes, 55 seconds
Q&A: Biden’s VP , Trump's EOs , Two Business Ideas, Kids and School?
Biden’s VP , Trumps EOs , TWO business ideas, kids and school?Please text me with feedback, questions, or topics 203 590 8607
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8/15/2020 • 42 minutes, 2 seconds
Side Hustle Friday - 30-Day book challenges The Sequel!
When I launched the first part of 30-day book challenge, everyone loved it, and I got a lot of great feedback. So I decided to do the second part, and finished up the rest of the 4 books that you should write!
If you do either of these challenges, I will retweet and talk about your book.
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8/14/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 29 seconds
619: Jevon "JT" McCormick: From the son of a pimp to The President and CEO of Scribe Media
I am always into Self Publishing, so when The President and CEO of Scribe Media, Jevon "JT" McCormick has a book, I Got There, came out, I had to have him to talk about his life journey!
He was the son of a pimp, and now he's the president and CEO of Scribe Media! He sticks to his core principle, and not letting his past pulled him down! Make sure to get his book, I Got There, on Amazon or anywhere you get your new book!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/13/2020 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 51 seconds
618 - Craig Stanland: How to climb back up from the Rock Bottom!
Craig Stanland stole hundreds of thousands of dollars and went to prison. He lost everything. He was in prison for two years and ordered to pay $834,307 in restitution.
Listen to the episode to see how he survived.
Also, help him write his memoir by helping his Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/craigstanland/the-blank-canvas-a-memoir so he could publish his story and help others reinvent themselves. He's an author, coach, reinvention architect. Prison was his trial by fire and he survived.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/11/2020 • 2 hours, 28 minutes, 57 seconds
617 - History Hyenas: Reality is just a SUGGESTION!
Once again, we have our podfriend, History Hyenas, Yannis Pappas and Chris Distefano on and chat about what really is reality? We also analyze if History Hyenas podcast has a cult-like follower and what does it mean to have one? Also, is Jay Yow, the producer a squeak? And also what IS NOT marxism? We will find out!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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8/8/2020 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 13 seconds
Side Hustle Fridays: How to write a book in 30 days and 12 books in a year
Why, how, and how much can you make with self-publishing. I share two "30-day book challenges" that you can use to create unique and interesting bestselling books in just 30 days.
How to write them, why they will be unique, how to self-publish, and why this strategy can build wealth. If you do either of these challenges, I will retweet and talk about your book.
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8/7/2020 • 58 minutes, 49 seconds
616: Tucker Max: You NEED To Write a BOOK!
Tucker Max: THE SEQUEL. Once we stopped ranting on "Gastliting" and "insanity", we finally went into our favorite topic: WRITING and Self-Publishing! Tucker helped me brainstorm ideas for my bestselling book, "Choose Yourself" and he is a founder of Scribe Media, a unique publishing company that has helped writers from Tiffany Haddish to David Goggins and more write their books. We looked into different genres of books, and why memoirs are the easiest, and often the most successful.
“No one reads your book to learn about you, they read your book to learn about themselves. But the way they learn about themselves is through your honest and vulnerable expressions of your emotions and experience.” – Tucker Max
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8/6/2020 • 40 minutes, 37 seconds
615 - Tucker Max - S*** is going to get CRAZY
Initially, I called up my good friend, Tucker Max to talk about publishing books and the industry. BUT, we got derailed right from the beginning, and started talking about all the insanity! I "Why are you being gaslit?" he asked me. I asked Tucker what he thought was going on in the world. An hour later we finished Part one of the podcast.
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8/4/2020 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 50 seconds
Q&A: Election Delays? Million Dollar Idea, 3D Thinking vs. 1D, 2D, and 4D...
Election delays?? Million-dollar idea,3D thinking, vs 1D 2D and...4D. What drugs would we take if we got the Rona. How would Robyn survive if she teleports to 900AD, puzzles, resources, and STUFF!
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8/3/2020 • 59 minutes, 49 seconds
Q&A: Marie Kondo, Demon Sperm, Experiments...
Marie Kondo, demon sperm, experimentsCan you buy an Instagram acct? Another great site to buy online stores? Are experiments fun? How do I experiment with relationships? Risk vs reward! And “demon sperm”
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8/1/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 10 seconds
SIDE HUSTLE FRIDAYS - The First Episode! Online Newsletters
One of the most profitable and easy businesses you can do: create your own online newsletter.
With a little help from David Newman, we cover every step to setting up your first newsletter and scaling it to a multi-million dollar business. After you listen to this, you can set up your first online newsletter five minutes later.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/31/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 32 seconds
614 - Sam Parr - More Side Hustle Idea
Every time I sit down with super-hustle-guy Sam Parr we just go back and forth, back and forth, non-stop business ideas. What will work, what's new, what's already working, how do I do this, what are you doing, what am I doing, REPEAT! In this episode I also slip a little and share the first startup I'm doing in over a decade. Now's the time!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/30/2020 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 3 seconds
613 - Andrew Yang Saves the Planet
I was really nervous for this one and giddy afterward. I've had a thousand questions for Andrew Yang, an American entrepreneur and former presidential candidate for the past year, and he answered all of them. We talk UBI, behind the scenes of the campaign, law enforcement, career advice, and the most frustrating parts of running for President. Plus, will he run again?
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/28/2020 • 57 minutes, 35 seconds
Q&A: Should You Have a Plan B? A New 30 Day Book Challenge...
Should u have a plan B, a new 30-day book challenge,What’s going to be in stimulus package, the worst mayor on the planet, my idea I pitched to Andrew Yang, how to argue in a relationship, should we let states secede...
Please text me at 2035908607 because I’d love to get your questions, feedback, topics, hellos. Thanks!
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7/27/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 21 seconds
Q&A: What is the REAL PRODUCT of Instagram?
More persuasion techniques, monetizing and building COMMUNITY! Portlandia, Warlord Skimasks, the real reason people hate each other, how to care less what people think.Please text me at 2035908607 because I’d love to get your questions , feedback, topics, hellos. Thanks!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/24/2020 • 1 hour, 26 seconds
612 - Bill Perkins - DIE WITH ZERO!
What the heck? Is that Dan Bilzerian in the background? Where are you? Dan said "Croatia". How did you get there? "When you're with Bill, you can get anywhere!" Bill Perkins lives life large and plans to DIE with zero. "Experiences pay dividends forever. You remember experiences. You tell stories. They can lead to other experiences. Money only plays a dividend once a year. Coming here with my family and friends and this will pay dividends forever." Like everything else he does. "If you die with money in the bank then you wasted all those hours you spent making that extra money instead of enjoying the things you love to do." Health, Time, Money, is all we have and at each stage of our lives we only have two out of the three. Use that to maximize doing what you love and dying with zero.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/23/2020 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 45 seconds
611 - Scott Adams - PERSUASION IN THE AGE OF HYPOCRISY (And...who will win the election?)
Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, and I were chatting about all the hypocrisy in the world, his latest persuasion techniques, and the question that he DESTROYED in 2016: who will win the election? He called it 18 months in advance for 2016. I want to know what he says now! And why? And I wanted therapy for dealing with social media.
So I called him and we did a podcast. Most importantly, we talked about how to turn the level of hypocrisy against the hypocrites. Surviving and thriving in the age of hypocrisy.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/21/2020 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 42 seconds
Q&A: Why and HOW I’m Buying a Mobile App. Red State vs. Blue State...
Why and HOW I’m buying a mobile app? Red state vs blue state? A biz idea!For weddings, the backstory of 50 Shades of Grey, and how you can do that? The one percent rule. Text me questions or feedback or topics at 2035908607 or ask them here.
Also, all of these are turned into podcasts at “The James Altucher Show”
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/20/2020 • 1 hour
Q&A: The Secret Writing Lessons of Jeffrey Epstein’s First Boss. How to validate
How to validate an idea. How to make and sell drones? Or perfume? GOOD NEWS! The skills you ABSOLUTELY NEED TO KNOW for the “Great Reset” we are in.
Text me at 2035908607 and ask more questions, give feedback, say hi, suggest topics, whatever.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/17/2020 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 1 second
610 - From a Navy Seal to a romance novel writer - Brandon Webb
My good friend, a former United States Navy SEAL and SEAL Sniper course Instructor, Brandon Webb has written a thriller romance novel, and even sold it to movie production studio to be adapted into a movie! How does he do it? From a Navy Seal to a romance novel writer!
I talked to him about his journey, how he decided to get into that category by looking into the market data, the format of a thriller romance novel, and more. We also talked about the current political issues, current business trends, and all!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/16/2020 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 50 seconds
609 - How to optimize your brain, sex life, and body with Ben Greenfield
I'm not going to inject stem cells into my penis. But I'm going to do everything else Ben suggests. I have interviewed more than a dozen people on this topic, however, this particular episode and book seems to sum up all of them! We have the Author of Boundless: Upgrade Your Brain, Optimize Your Body & Defy Aging, Ben Greenfield on the podcast! We talked about the benefit of monitoring your glucose count, vitamin B, micro-dosing, to the breathing practice, and his stem cell stories about sex!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/14/2020 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 46 seconds
608 - The Tao of Bill Murray! With Mark Malkoff
My good friend Mark Malkoff and I talk about all Bill Murray’s movies! Sometimes it’s okay to take a break from COVID and BS headlines!
In this podcast, we talk about how Bill Murray always lives in present, keeps the element of surprise and mystery in every part of his life, and doesn’t play the Hollywood games! We also talk about ... Meatballs! After this podcast, you will want to rewatch all Bill Murray’s movies!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/13/2020 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 7 seconds
Q&A: Three 30 Day Book Challenges, the Economics of Adultery...
Three 30 day book challenges, the economics of adultery,My idea list of the day. The diff between dopamine serotonin and oxytocin, how to be more productive.
TEXT ME questions topics and feedback at 203-590-8607
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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7/10/2020 • 53 minutes, 7 seconds
607 - The Ultimate Guide to Leadership with SEALFIT founder, Mark Divine!
Mark Divine, creator and founder of SEALFIT and The Unbeatable Mind Academy, and the author of Staring Down the Wolf: 7 Leadership Commitments That Forge Elite Teams, comes on to talk about how, more than ever, we all need to reach our potential and the techniques he learned in the SEALS, in the martial arts, and as an entrepreneur. Society has turned upside down. The true leaders will emerge and they will be the ones who can literally "stare down the wolf" while the rest are busy arguing mindlessly on social media.
We discuss things from the evolution of consciousness, to his daily practice, to how to directly turn pain into growth! Mark also talked about how he heard about the planned riots during the protest and what might be going on beneath the surface. Listen to the episode to learn from Mark Divine!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/9/2020 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 5 seconds
606 - No STUPID questions with Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth
My good friend Stephen Dubner, co-author of Freakonomics and host of the "Freakonomics Radio" podcast, has a new podcast called “No Stupid Questions” co-hosted by Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion. So I “sat” down with both of them, and discuss some of the “non-stupid” questions that they have asked on their podcast! For example, what’s common between Tom Sawyer and the founder of Duo Lingo, does all creativity comes from pain, and what does it mean to be a hard worker? Listen to the episode and find out!
Check out their new podcast, “No Stupid Questions” on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. Also on their website: https://freakonomics.com/nsq/
Social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/7/2020 • 49 minutes, 42 seconds
Q&A: More Frame Control Techniques, What’s a Reliable News Source...
More frame control techniques, what’s reliable news source, should...Should you do a podcast, is classical music racist? Should Hong Kong move to Wyoming...please text us questions, topics to talk about and feedback because we’d love to know
Ask me questions by texting me at 203-590-8607
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/6/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 14 seconds
Q&A: Congratulations on Getting Halfway Through the "2020 VR WORLD"!
Congratulations on getting halfway thru the “2020 VR WORLD!” And...10 million biz dollar idea of the week, stay at home mom biz idea, what does defund police mean? And the complete 2020 recap (what the heck happened to the Australian wildfires, murder hornets, etc) .
Text me at 203-590-8607 with questions.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/4/2020 • 1 hour, 55 seconds
Q&A: Andrew Yang, biz ideas for our daughter, how to...
How to validate an idea , how did The Rolling Stones go from worst to first, the secret of productivity, what’s up with the CHAZ, why does chicken have “flexible” rubber in it??? More!
Ask me questions by texting me at 203-590-8607
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/3/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 38 seconds
605 - How to Win a Nobel Prize While Figuring out how the ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS CREATED! With Brian Keating, Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences in the Department of Physics at University of California, San Diego
Or rather...how to lose one as well. And what happens when you come soclose...and then lose.
Brian Keating, Distinguished Professor of Physics at the Center for Astrophysics & Space Sciences in the Department of Physics at the University of California and author of Losing The Nobel Prize. answered all my questions that I have about the universe, from Big Bang, to how big is the universe! We also talked about what really is The Nobel Prize? What does it mean if you win...and if you lose?
Also, please subscribe to Brian Keating’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1
Find Brian Keating’s book, Losing the Nobel Prize here: http://amazon.com
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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7/2/2020 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 56 seconds
604 - There’s always a good reason and there’s a real reason - Jordan Harbinger
I "sat" down with my good friend, Jordan Harbinger to continue our conversation about networking from Episode 578.
We then talk about the secret agendas people carrying around: there’s always a good reason, and there’s a real reason. Then...why do people fall for extreme conspiracies? And what does it mean when a "guru" has a cult-like following? There's no such thing as half-way crooks!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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6/30/2020 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 31 seconds
Q&A: Why does Robyn look so upset? A NEW 30 day book challenge....
Why does Robyn look so upset? A NEW 30 day book challenge....
Dead people and stimulus, election update, time to buy silver, how many businesses are out of business, common mistakes for every business, etc. more Q AND A. Text me questions at 203-590-8607
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/29/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 26 seconds
Q&A: Can I take a CHAZ-Cation The BS NON-HEADLINE of the day...
Can I take a CHAZ-Cation? The BS NON-HEADLINE of the day, Two ten million dollar business ideas, making money going “meta”, can a social justice warrior make money?
Text me questions at 203-590-8607!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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6/27/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 36 seconds
603 - The New Way to Make Six Figures Working For Yourself Writing with Jon Morrow
Jon Morrow made half a million dollars WRITING in less than 9 months. Most people make $0 from writing in a whole lifetime. But Jon is proof that you can get rich writing. I went on his podcast not too long ago. It's called "Break Through The Noise.: And now I'm airing it here for you. We talk about how people can learn to make good money as a writer.
Here's a list of what we talk about.
But ALSO, I want you to know that Jon has a very special course available to my listeners right now. You'll hear about it in the episode. And if you like what you hear check it out at smartblogger.com/james
How to say something no one else is saying
How to turn vulnerability into courage
Why admitting something is so powerful and makes you more free in life
How to turn your life story into a personal brand
How to find your motivation
How to use your hobby to meet people and make friends
How to focus group your audience
How to speak from a core point of view
What it takes to tell a good story
How to tell fascinating stories
How to develop a strong sense of self
How to monetize AND why you're not selling out if you're selling
And more.
Again, remember you can learn directly from Jon. I know a lot of people are worried about the economy right now. But you don't have to be. Because money isn't disappearing. It's just shifting to a new kind of work. And if you're willing to make that shift, it's actually shocking how much money you can make. So go check it out at smartblogger.com/james
And learn how you can make money as a freelance writer with no boss all from your couch.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/26/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 51 seconds
602 - You Can Change Passions at ANY Point in your Life with Rich Roll
Rich Roll QUIT his job in his 40's. Then he started over completely. He went from lawyer to extreme athlete, bestselling author, podcaster, a speaker and more. I went on his podcast recently. And now we're airing it here. We talked all about this idea of giving yourself permission to switch passions (or follow the one you've always dreamed of). Because it's never too late. I've switched careers in my 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's. I'll keep reinventing until I die. That's how you stay alive. BUT you also don't want to have to be at the bottom when you start over. So we talk about that too.
Here's a list of things you'll learn about:
How to do what people told you you never could do
What to do when your fear of other people's opinion is bigger than your will to change your life
Why fear is IMPORTANT in reinvention
How to get the courage you need every day
My upcoming book, "Skip The Line" and my latest book "Think Like A Billionaire"
Rich's story of leaving his job in his 40's and starting over
How to transfer skills from one job to a new one
The importance of experimentation
How to believe in yourself
How to come up with ideas for reinvention (and how to know which ideas are good ones)
Goal setting (when NOT to do it. And when to do it)
Hot to discover what you actually like doing in life
ALSO, make sure you get yourself this snack for quarantine. I'm obsessed. It's OutStanding Foods "Pigless Pork Rinds" (aka it's vegan). It tastes delicious. And it's full of protein. So you can feel good about snacking on it. I worked out a special deal for you. Just go to think link PigOutWithJames.com
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/25/2020 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 46 seconds
Q&A: How to control people, how to avoid fb fights and ...
How to control people, how to avoid fb fights and ... Become a lawyer or romance novelist? What is ACommerce and why it could be a multi billion industry? Subscription sex kits, FaaS... and more!!
Ask me ANY question by texting my phone at 203-590-8607
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/24/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 19 seconds
601 - WHY Strategic Thinking is So Valuable (& how to do it) with Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova is a psychologist who studied her way into becoming a poker champion. She told me all the steps. And how this made her think better and more strategically about everything in life. She studied from scratch with one of the greatest poker players in history. Then she wrote a book about the experience, “The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win." But the book isn't just about poker. It's about chance, decision-making, measuring the likelihood of certain outcomes, cutting your losses, and more. And the game even taught her how to ask (and answer) some of life's big questions: "How do we figure out what we can control? How do we figure out what we can’t control? How do we learn the difference?"
Here's a list of topics we cover:
How to find the right mentor in life
How to get good at decision-making
How to master the skill of learning
How to leverage what you already know
Why it's more important to be curious than certain (and how to practice this daily)
The importance of removing your ego
How to always be one step ahead and think through outcomes
And more.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/23/2020 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 7 seconds
Q&A: Bitcoin? How to be creative when you don’t feel like it?
Bitcoin? How to be creative when you don’t feel like it?How to get a good divorce? And more!
TEXT ME QUESTIONS AT my phone number 203-590-8607 and I will answer!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/20/2020 • 57 minutes, 58 seconds
Q&A: How to do a cyberattack, new $10mm idea! , and..
How to do a cyberattack, new $10mm idea! , and..What IS the economic reality now , how to create a fashion line, the CHAZ travel agency, and MORE! Plus, special announcement in tomorrow’s IG LIVE. See you 2pm est tomorrow!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/19/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 6 seconds
600 - How to Become The Kind of Leader People Admire & Love with Randall K. Stutman, Ph. D.
Dr. Randall Stutman is the leadership coach for the most impressive CEOs, billionaires, hedge fund managers, etc. His list of clients just blows my mind. This episode is so valuable for understanding people, understanding leadership, being a good parent, growing as a person, developing your core values and so much more. I also highly recommend the course that Randall has been working on for two years. It's all about becoming "an admired leader." Which means you're somebody people admire. And love to follow.
You can check out at admiredleadership.com
Here's a list of more topics we talk about today:
How to develop your unique leadership style (and one that actually intrinsically encourages people to follow you)
How to develop your top three core values for leadership and apply them daily
How to develop a high-quality decision-making ability
Proof that everyone has the ability to become a valued leader in life
Where leadership REALLY comes from
The difference between motivation and inspiration
How to be more inspiring to people all the time
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/18/2020 • 1 hour, 49 minutes, 39 seconds
599 - Obama Speech writer gave the view of democracy, David Litt
Is the U.S. really a democracy? How does voting actually work? And who came up with these rules? I want to know who the f*** the electoral college is, why do they exist, and what democracy really looks like. And how to get there. So I called up David Litt, former speechwriter for Obama, among others. He says, “We have an electoral college for a number of reasons. And they’re all bad.” So you’ll learn about that. You’ll learn why the U.S. government technically isn’t really a democracy. And here’s a longer list of lessons:
Which parts of the country get overlooked in voting
Why swing states have the most power
How much say we “the people” really have in voting
The difference between the popular vote and electoral college
How much power the electoral college really has
The math behind WHY the electoral college currently favors Trump
How race plays a role in our current democracy
Why the number of swing states has decreases
The history of states becoming “red” or “blue”
How to find out if your state “matters” in the election
How property rights impact voting
How slavery impacts voting today
And more
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/16/2020 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 45 seconds
Q&A: What’s a cult? The $10mm biz idea of the week!! The hypocrisy of the day!
What’s a cult? The $10mm biz idea of the week!!
The hypocrisy of the day! $10mm biz idea of the week! The origin of Google/Backrub . Next time: NEW 30 Day book challenge!! And Q&A and....a new idea for the whole group!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/15/2020 • 1 hour, 28 seconds
Q&A: How to get hot wife? The google technique to be a human magnet, anger is...
How to get hot wife? The google technique to be a human magnet, anger is... Anger is fear clothed, what does the police do, don’t outsource self worth, and more!
Next Q&A : The ten million dollar business model of the week! And more questions and answers
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/13/2020 • 1 hour, 48 seconds
Q&A: Entrepreneur vs Employee? Book vs Podcast? Mentors?
Entrepreneur vs Employee? Book vs Podcast? Mentors?
And tomorrow ... the FOUR words you need to know for the new abnormal , business ideas, questions and answers ! Bring a friend !!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/12/2020 • 1 hour, 16 seconds
598 - Exactly What to Expect As the U.S. Reopens with Phillip Stutts
Everyone is trying to predict the markets, the economy, consumer behavior, etc. But what does the data say? I called up Phillip Stutts to find out. He just released a brand new report that reveals consumer behavior throughout the pandemic. It tells you exactly what to expect as the U.S reopens, how we'll spend money, what we'll care about, etc. The report is fueled by real data and current research (available at winbigmedia.com). In this episode, Phill and I talk about the report plus:
Consumer behavoir / How people spend money during lockdown vs. what will change post-lockdown in the long and short term
Why males care less now about helping others
Protests and being unheard
Why safety is becoming center in consumer marketing (and how businesses can do this successfully)
How commercial real estate is going to change
COVID19 vaccines
Why I’m not afraid to fly
How to measure the lifetime value of a customer
Google trends
Whether or not higher education is dead
The election and who to bet on (and how to bet on it!)
And more
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/11/2020 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 43 seconds
597 - How to Supplement Your Income From Home with Blake Hutchison
Blake Hutchison is the CEO of Flippa.com which is the #1 platform to buy and sell sites, stores, apps and digital properties. Blake told me some success stories. Including someone who turned $5,000 into half a million dollars. He talked to me about the nuances, what to focus on and how to make money that will allow you to potentially quit your corporate job and become your own at-home boss.
Here's what we talk about:
how to make money online
how to buy and sell digital assets
examples of people who successfully quit their job and sell sites online
how to enter the "passion economy" (i.e. how to build a passion-based business for yourself)
how to increase your return on investment
And more.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/9/2020 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 31 seconds
Everything Q&A: How I would sell copper pajamas! How to speed read, Riots vs the Beach, BS headlines, more..
How I would sell copper pajamas! How to speed read, Riots vs the Beach, BS headlines, more..
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/8/2020 • 1 hour, 14 seconds
Everything Q&A: The $10mm biz idea of week, why get married, how to find your passion...
The $10mm biz idea of week, why get married, how to find your passion... And a New 30 day book challenge on Monday plus biz ideas and Q and A!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/7/2020 • 1 hour
Everything Q&A: Are you safe? Reforms needed? Is the US losing its prosperity? Is NYC? Etc
Are you safe? Reforms needed? Is the US losing its prosperity? Is NYC? Etc
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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6/5/2020 • 59 minutes, 42 seconds
596 - What They're Not Telling You About the Protests with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
Eric Adams is the Brooklyn Borough President. He's also running for mayor. You probably remember the last time he came on. And talked about why he became a police officer... and how being physically beaten by the police inspired him to make change. Now, he's back on to explain the streams of the protests. Who's out there in peaceful protest? Who's disrupting it? Why are their professional anarchists robbing people of their chance to speak about injustice? And how do we move forward?
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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6/3/2020 • 43 minutes, 43 seconds
595 - How Less Government Leads to More Freedom with Vice President Elect Spike Cohen
Spike Cohen is the first anarchist AND the first millennial on the ticket for the upcoming 2020 election. He’s the Vice President Elect for the libertarian party (the third largest political party in the U.S.). He has a lot of compelling arguments about the federal reserve, inflation, freedom, centralized government versus decentralized government, etc. And you might be wondering, ‘Why does anyone run as a third party? What’s the point?’ I asked him this, too. But here’s the real reason to listen to this episode: you get to challenge the conventional ideas of politics. I’d like to hear what you think. Tweet me@jaltucher. And tweet Spike Cohen @RealSpikeCohen
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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6/2/2020 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 43 seconds
594 - How to Develop a Company that Gives Back with Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS and MadeFor
Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS shoes, known for its "buy a pair, give a pair" model. But when Blake started he knew nothing about shoes. Or building a company. “It was just a project,” he said. And yet it became a massively successful and has donated tens of millions of shoes to people in need. I asked Blake how he got the courage to start a company he knew nothing about. I also asked him about the business model, selling the company and building his new company, MadeFor, which is new wellness company that helps you learn how to have agency over your own health.
Here's a list of all the things we talk about:
The origin story of TOMS, their business model and how they took off
How to develop a company that gives back
How to find a cause you want to help
Blake's new company, MadeFor and how to have agency over your health (and what to focus on)
Healthy habits you can develop NOW
Hallucinogenics
Blake's advice for building a business during and after the pandemic
And if you go to getmadefor.com and type in MFJAMESALTUCHER then you get 20% off.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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6/1/2020 • 58 minutes
Everything Q&A: How to create a valuable newsletter! Scam industries!
How to create a valuable newsletter! Scam industries! ... The one biz leader I respect. Why Buffett is a punk! The contradiction in the constitution! Book suggestions.. and more! Tomorrow: my current favorite business idea and Robyn dishes the Actual DIRT on her former clients
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/29/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 22 seconds
593 - How to Be MORE Informed Than The Average Person with Jack Perry
People say not reading the news = being “uninformed.” I disagree. I read books (history books, biology books, evolutionary books, economics books, etc.). But now, we live in a new world. And yesterday's information can become outdated tomorrow. So that begs the question, how do you stay informed? I called up Jack Perry, CEO of Synback, which has its finger on the pulse of all media to learn WHERE real information will be sourced in the future. And how to stay in the know.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/28/2020 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 56 seconds
Everything Q&A: I asked Robyn Altucher (my wife) some very specific questions!
In this special episode, I asked Robyn, my wife, some very specific questions. What happened before we met, how we met, and how she overcome everything!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/27/2020 • 37 minutes
592 - How to Invent a New Industry in Uncertain Times with Matthew Berry, The First-Ever Fantasy Football Analyst
The world economy is full of uncertainties. People are furloughed. Or scared of being furloughed. Or fired. Or scared of losing their job. Security isn’t real right now. So we need other plans. I called up Matthew Berry, the first-ever Fantasy Sports analyst. Matthew basically invented a new industry and career entirely back in 2005. I wanted to learn the step-by-step process of starting over in uncertain times. And how we can apply these lessons today.
I don't know anything about sports (real or fake). But if you're a fan of Fantasy Football, then good news for you. You can watch Matthew Berry on "The Fantasy Show" on EPSN+. You can listen to him on the Fantasy Focus Football podcast and download the Fantasy Life app, which is 100% free and Matt says their alerts are the best in the business.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/26/2020 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 47 seconds
591 - How to Think Like a Rocket Scientist with Ozan Varol
Facts are only facts for a period of time. This is true in science, in history, in economics, everywhere. But sometimes we forget that information changes. We get stuck thinking it’s stagnant. And then WE become stagnant. But if you can look at facts and information from an alternate perspective (through the lens of a rocket science), you’ll know how to get unstuck, persuade better, deal with uncertainty, have creative breakthroughs and more. In this episode you’ll learn how Einstein (and other geniuses) learned to think differently). And why this will help you deal with the current fluctuation of facts and information.
Ozan Varol is a trained rocket scientist and the author of "Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life."
In this episode we talk about:
How Einstein learned to think differently
How to deal with unclear information and uncertain times
Where scientific (and creative) breakthroughs come from (and strategies to have them more often yourself)
How to embrace the unknown
What makes an idea groundbreaking
How to imagine beyond society's limits and create something new
How to re-imagine the status quo
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/25/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 49 seconds
Everything Q&A: focus, passion, pivoting, astral projection, and why I MARRIED....
Focus, passion, pivoting, astral projection, and why I MARRIED....Robyn just 62 days after our first date. Plus, how I would make money if I was 22 again.Tomorrow’s IG Q and A will be at 2pm est and, among other things, will discuss business ideas post lockdown , my ten ideas that got a meeting with Disney last week, and what, IF ANYTHING, I’ve learned from Robyn.
Ask me anything on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaltucher
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/25/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 13 seconds
Everything Q&A: Robyn, stocks, how I would start a biz if I were 22, and....our first kiss?
Robyn, stocks, how I would start a biz if I were 22, and....our first kiss?
Ask me anything on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaltucher
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/23/2020 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 38 seconds
590 - How to THINK like an Innovator with Matt Ridley
I promise this episode will make you smarter. I've wanted Matt Ridely on the podcast my whole life. He's a major influence on my brain. Every time I read his books, I physically feel my IQ increase. His new book is “How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom." And I'm already on my third read of it. Here's a break down of what we talk about:
How to think like an innovator
Why you don't need pre-approved credentials to have an attention-worthy point of view
How to develop evidence that backs your outlook in life
How to overcome credentials bias
How to overcome confirmation bias
How to measure if your point of view and create new arguments
The difference between scientists and innovators
Who's qualified to predict the future and who ISN'T
And more that will help you think critically, strategically and innovatively
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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5/21/2020 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 28 seconds
589 - How to Create REAL Intrinsic Value in a Crisis with Kickstarter founder Yancey Strickler
Yancey Strickler is hte founder and former CEO of Kickstarter. And he’s the author of a great new book, “This Could Be Our Future,” which gives a new values-driven way of looking at entrepreneurship. Which is particularly important in this day and age of lock-down when consumerism is beginning to change in a major way. In this episode, he spells out exactly how someone can create long-term value for customers that sustains your business in crisis (and not in crisis.)
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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5/19/2020 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 52 seconds
588 - How to Spot Trends & Capitalize in a Post-Pandemic World with Sam Parr, Founder of The Hustle & Trends.co
Business is changing. And so is investing. Risk is higher these days. And people want predictions. But no one really knows. You can’t predict something that’s never happened before... You can only look at what’s possible. So I called up Sam Parr. He founded The Hustle, an 8-figure company that started with an email. And NOW The Hustle has a new arm, which I'm really excited about: trends.co which tells you HOW trends are changing in real-time. It's run by a team of analysts and entrepreneurs who scour global markets for opportunities to help you make money and build businesses successfully.
Definitely check them out. And Sam surprised me at the end with a special gift for our listeners so I hope you enjoy.
Thanks,
- James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/18/2020 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 7 seconds
587 - Proof that You Can Create New Business in a Pandemic with Ray J and Matt Clayton
Everyone remembers Ray J from the song "One Wish." His voice is beautiful. And he's well known. But at some point, he took a turn. Music stopped being his main focus. " I felt like there was something else out," he said. In this episode, he talks about what he found to fulfill his creative and entrepreneurial itch. AND we also sit with Matt Clayton, CEO of LoopShare, LOOPShare is an electric transportation company moving goods, products and services. ALSO, you'll hear me talk about how much I love this business they're involved in called Scoot-E-bike. I put links below if you want to learn more.
Thanks
Enjoy the show
Scoot-E-bike www.scootebike.ca LoopShare - www.loopscooters.com
https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/LPPPF/news/LOOPShare-Provides-Corporate-Update?id=259142
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/14/2020 • 50 minutes, 23 seconds
586 - How to Optimize Your Brain to Be as Happy as Possible with Stanford Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman
Part of enjoying life is taking care of your brain. We're all starting to realize life is short. That's a side effect of this virus. So I wanted to invite Dr. Andrew Huberman (one of the world's leading neuroscientists) back on to tell us how to create happy chemicals in our brains (naturally) and feel good more often.
Here's a list of what we talk about:
how to optimize your brain to be as happy as possible, as energetic as possible and as smart as possible
how to create more happy chemicals
human evolution and why our brain functions the way it does
the purpose of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and how to create each of these daily
why gratitude helps us slow down and connect
different mental health drugs and supplements
the power of sunlight
cocaine
how to train your brain to focus
what causes good sleep
puberty
books we recommend
How to shake off the residue of the day
neotropics
and more
And if you want to learn more from Dr. Andrew Huberman, check out his Instagram account, @hubermanlab, which brings you new information directly from Stanford Medical School's Huberman Lab.
https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab/?hl=en
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/12/2020 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 54 seconds
585 - How Think For Yourself with John McAfee
John McAfee is a billionaire on the run from the government. He owes millions in taxes. And has strange and somewhat dangerous opinions on government, coronavirus, public safety, etc. (you’ll see what I'm talking about). But some of his insights are worth debating. You’ll hear what a totally insane person running from the government thinks about the current state of the world. And if you’re asking yourself why his name is so familiar, it’s because he started McAfee Associates, the anti-viral software you have on all your computers.
Here's what we talked about:
tax evasion
the wild west
running from your country
people who think for themselves vs. people who don't think at all
the media
coronavirus and quarantine
inflation
The French Revolution
And more.
Enjoy
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/11/2020 • 30 minutes, 28 seconds
584 - The Virus is a Wake Up Call with Congressman Tim Ryan
The government doesn't innovate. But Coronavirus is forcing it too. A lot of things have to change. Right vs. left. Voting stations vs remote voting. School lunches that lead to high rates of diabetes and sickness. Healthcare costs, and more. Congressman Tim Ryan is one of the few names I see proposing bills progressively in this time. He's sharp. And funny. And gets what people need. I asked him to walk us through what's broken and how this virus is helping to lead us to a better, reformed America.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/7/2020 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 20 seconds
583 - WHY Spartans Conquer and How to Think Like one with Joe de Sena
Joe De Sena worked for the mafia. He learned a lot from them. But then he realized you can make more money doing good. So he switched lives. Which is something a lot of people want to learn. I asked how he did it. (You’ll hear his process). And you’ll hear how he developed Spartan Race, the world's leading. obstacle race. He's also the author of "Spartan Up, Spartan Fit and The Spartan Way" and host of "Spartan Up!" podcast.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/5/2020 • 56 minutes, 36 seconds
582 - Mark Cuban on How to Reopen The Economy and Get People Back to Work
The White House called up Mark Cuban. They want him to help figure out how to open the economy back up. And give people their jobs, their income and access to opportunity. So I called him up to hear the plan. How will the U.S. government reopen to economy? And what should aspiring entrepreneurs do now?
Here are some of the questions I asked:
"Are you running for president?"
“How do we avoid a Mad Max situation?”
“What changes will we see in the near future? And down the road?”
“How do we protect people from coronavirus while still getting back to work? What precautions will businesses have to take?”
“Why did the fed give so much money to the airlines?”
“Why is the market going up?”
“What does innovation and entrepreneurship look like in the new normal?”
And more
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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5/4/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 32 seconds
581 - How to Innovate in Hard Times with Jason Feifer
Jason Feifer is the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and the host of “Pessimists Archive,” a podcast that shows you why people resist innovation. And how they come around. It also reveals where true innovation comes from. And not surprisingly, coronavirus is an example.
Plus we also go through a ton of historical examples of innovation. To learn by example.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/30/2020 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 35 seconds
580 - The Owner's Manual to Your Brain (How to Operate it For Success) with Brain Coach Jim Kwik
“When you know how to use your brain, your potential is infinite,” Jim Kwik says. He's a renowned brain coach, which means he teaches you how to use the power of the human brain. He's also the author of the brand new book, “Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life.” In this episode, Jim talks about the thoughts that "set the tone for your life," how to identify them and CHANGE them so they match your actual desires, purpose and passions.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/28/2020 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 25 seconds
579 - How to Make Money in The New Economy with Carl Allen
Having multiple steams of income is key to wealth. So I called up Carl Allen who has successfully set up hundreds of deals. And currently has 9 side hustles. I wanted to know how people listening can look for new opportunities to make money in this evolving economy. I also wanted to ask Carl about coronavirus. Because he had it. And survived.
AND if you like this episode and want to learn more about Carl's method to find new business opportunities and increase your cash flow. Just go to http://trainwithcarl.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/27/2020 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 34 seconds
578 - How 2 Minutes a Day of Networking Leads to New Opportunities with Jordan Harbinger
This is my networking hack: I dig through my inbox. Find an email chain from eight years ago (that I probably never responded to). Then I write back as if no time has passed at all. People love it. They forgive you for disappearing. And they're glad you got in touch. But that's my ONLY networking tip. Jordan Harbinger is the complete opposite networker than me. He's an expert at it. He's built thousands of relationships that have led to a top podcast, 6 million monthly downloads, speaking gigs, freedom to work for himself, be creative daily and more. In this episode, he tells me how he keeps track of people, build relationships, re-engages old, lost connections and what you can techniques you can use in your life starting now.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/23/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 46 seconds
577 - How to Navigate Uncertainty in Quarantine with Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman
Everyone says, “Flatten the curve.” But there are two curves. We all know the main one: the spread of coronavirus. The other curve is the spread of psychological viruses; fear, anxiety, worry and panic. We’re all experiencing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. We started out attacking each other for basic items like toilet paper, then we moved on to connection (Zoom calls and FaceTime), but how do we get to the top of the pyramid (i.e. self-actualization)? I called up Scott Barry Kaufman, a humanistic psychologist and author of “Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.” And he had a lot of practical advice. One of his tips: We don’t have to worry about finding our one true purpose. We just need to find a purpose right now and pursue it. This episode will help make a roadmap for finding your purpose and fulfillment while stuck in Quarantine. And after.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/21/2020 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 41 seconds
576 - Coronavirus Update: What The Stimulus REALLY Means for The Global Economy with Jim McKelvey, the Deputy Chair of the St. Louis Federal Reserve
Right now, the Federal Reserve is pumping trillions of dollars of stimulus into the economy. So what does this mean? How are small businesses doing? When will people go back to work? And how does this impact the economy? I called up Jim Mckelvey. He's the co-founder of the multi-billion dollar business, Square. AND, more importantly, he’s the Deputy Chair of the St. Louis Federal Reserve. He tells us how the stimulus works, what the risks are, what we should keep an eye on and more.
Jim is also the author of the new book, "The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time." It's a great guide book for today's entrepreneurs.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/20/2020 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 57 seconds
575 - How to Find Your New Purpose in the New Normal with Cal Fussman
People are losing their jobs. And schools have stopped functioning properly. The "normal" way of society is on pause. And we don't know for how long. So I'm posting this interview with Cal Fussman about reinvention. Because it's light-hearted. And helps you find your direction within. In this podcast, you'll hear creative ideas to learn and create and build success outside of the norm, which is exactly what we need to be doing right now.
Also, I highly recommend Cal's podcast called "Big Questions." He's a world-renowned interviewer and has with guests who will repeatedly blow your mind like Bruce Lee, Kobe Bryant, Larry King, me! And more. This episode is actually an episode from "Big Questions." So go check it out
https://www.calfussman.com/podcast
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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4/16/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 14 seconds
574 - Predictions For a Post COVID-19 World with Global A.I. Expert, Kevin Surace
AI used to be, what most people thought, was the biggest threat to our economic security. Now it’s coronavirus. BUT one of the side effects of coronavirus is an acceleration of our future. Meaning that what used to seem like a “potential” truth (like robots stocking shelves, factories being automated, remote work, and so on) is all here faster than we had thought. So I brought on Kevin Surace to talk about these previous “future” predictions and show how they’re happening now. AND we talk about what else we can foresee in a post coronavirus world.
Kevin’s been on the podcast before. He’s an expert in A.I. He’s built and sold AI companies and runs one right now. And he wrote this excellent article, “Our Post-COVID World,” which you can read here https://medium.com/@kevinsurace/our-post-covid-world-ec3a30dc30b9
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/14/2020 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 56 seconds
573 - 13 Myths That The Coronavirus Exposed
I don’t want to regret how I spend this time. But I also don’t want to pressure myself to reinvent or write a book or create a business. I want to find the medium ground. How can I give to people who are struggling? Stay safe? And not get lost in fear? One way is to tackle the myths. Myths = fear and stupididity. So I sat down with my wife, Robyn, to talk about 13 coronavirus myths (ranging from unemployment rates, death rates, the future of work, etc.). We talk about how these 13 myths are impacting our behaviors. And what we can do differently to get enough rest, calm our minds and help take care of each other.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/13/2020 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 9 seconds
572 - 5 Ways to Enhance Your Brain & Build Better Habits During Quarantine with Brain Coach Jim Kwik
We're in lockdown. And we don't know how long it'll last. And we don't know what will come next. Mini lockdowns? Personal lockdowns? More social distancing? We don't know. So I wanted to put together a framework for how I should act during this lockdown... So I ask Jim Kwik, a brain coach with praise from Will Smith, Alex Rodriguez, Stan Lee, Quincy Jones, Maria Shriver and so many more. He also has a new book coming out soon that outlines these lessons. And more called, "Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life"
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/9/2020 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 43 seconds
571 - Mental Health Tools During The Pandemic: 6 Things To Reduce Stress & Anxiety Stanford Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman
Dr. Andrew Huberman is one of the world's leading neuroscientists. He understands what causes anxiety, depression, stress, joy, freedom, love... And what we can do every day to reduce the chemical reactions that hurt us. And create more of the brain chemicals that help us. And you can trust his experience. Because his experience includes teaching Navy SEALs tools to manage chronic high-stress environments. And to make it all even more relevant, he explains the effects of isolation and social distancing AND how to start counteracting negative side effects to keep yourself in good spirits. And out of depression. Everyday.
If you want to learn more from Dr. Andrew Huberman, check out his Instagram account, @hubermanlab, which brings you new information directly from Stanford Medical School's Huberman Lab.
https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab/?hl=en
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/7/2020 • 1 hour, 58 minutes, 1 second
570 - Coronavirus Update: What Will The New Normal Be Like? with Professor Scott Galloway
We all want to know what the future looks like. "What's the new normal?" I asked Professor Scott Galloway, who's insights and research have been known to prove markets and trends for years. He said, "I would argue that this doesn't change any trends. It just accelerates them." So we talked about the changes happening NOW. And how they'll evolve over time. And if you like this episode, go check out his brand new podcast "The Prof G Show" now available wherever you get your podcasts.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/6/2020 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 3 seconds
569 - 5 Ways TO Increase Your Persuasive Abilities AND Change Anyone's Mind with Wharton Professor Jonah Berger
Other than eating and breathing, persuasion is the most important skill you could have. Because a pre-skill to persuasion is the ability to understand yourself and other enough to create a chain reaction of changes in life. Persuasion is what sets us up to have agency in the world. And there's a specific, 5-step framework that lets you understand how to be more persuasive in your everyday life. So I’m having Jonah Berger on the show. He’s a professor at Wharton, a bestselling author and now he has a new book, “The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone's Mind."
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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4/2/2020 • 50 minutes, 50 seconds
568 - You Don't Have to Be Qualified to Go After Your Dream with Dan Carlin Host of "Hardcore History"
Dan Carlin hosts the #1 history podcast, “Hardcore History.” It has a cult following. For a lot of reasons: 1. Dan has an incredible voice. 2. his research is so weird and extensive and detailed. And 3. Dan is known for breaking rules. He went around the standard path. And decided that he didn’t need to have a history degree or some pre-approved "credentials" to create the best history show out there. He just went ahead and did it. So I have him on today to find out how he gave himself permission to do what he loves. Despite all the reasons not to... So that we can give ourselves that same permission and start to do what we love.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/31/2020 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 25 seconds
567 - Coronavirus Economy Update: What’s Happening Right Now with Economist Tyler Cowen
People are starting to lose jobs. And gigs. And become uncertain. Uncertainty brings up fear. Which is a pandemic on its own. I keep saying, "Prepare. Don't Panic." And so do my guests. So today, I interview economist Tyler Cowen. I ask him about the stimulus package, the job market, inflation, deflation, supply and demand, what the world will look like if people keep losing work. How we can get back to work. When is it safe? Flattening the curve, and more.
And if you like this update, please let us know. So we can keep bringing you information that spreads peace. Over fear.
Thanks
- James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/30/2020 • 59 minutes, 35 seconds
566 - How to Show People You Appreciate Them for WHO They are with Lewis Howes
We could all use kindness all the time. But we need it now more than ever. I asked Lewis Howes for his advice. But we recorded this a few weeks back. Before the world's pandemic. I'm glad I'm releasing it now. Because it's the best time to remember how to love people. And then DO it.
And if you like this episode, make sure to check out Lewis' podcast, "The School of Greatness"
Also, I’ve been getting great feedback on how these episodes around the coronavirus are helping people make sense in a really confusing time. So thanks for your support.
Right now, the best way to support this show is to support your own nutrition by checking out this special offer from our sponsor, Athletic Greens. Learn more. This is for your health. Go to athleticgreens.com/james
Thanks. And stay well.- James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/26/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 53 seconds
565 - How Genetic Engineering and Today's Crisis Will Shape The Future with Jamie Metzl
Medicine is changing everyday. We're all seeing this unfold right now. In front of our eyes. Some of the changes seems unreal. So I called up the expert of genetic engineering, Jamie Metlz to tell us what’s a reality and what’s science fiction. I wanted to learn what immunities we can develop? How is the current pandemic reshaping the future of medicine? And beyond that we talk about our global responsibility to reshape society. A lot of people are going to lose their jobs. And a lot of people already have. So how do you find your way in this new world? What can we do to land on our feet when the dust settles?
I asked Jamie because he wasn't always a tech futurist or genomics expert. He started out as a writer. And switched careers because interest led him there. We have the opportunity to chase our interests now in a new way.
Also, I’ve been getting great feedback on how these episodes around the coronavirus are helping people make sense in a really confusing time. So thanks for your support.
Right now, the best way to support this show is to support your own nutrition by checking out this special offer from our sponsor, Athletic Greens. Learn more. This is for your health. Go to athleticgreens.com/james
Thanks. And stay well.- James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/24/2020 • 1 hour, 52 minutes, 46 seconds
564 - Coronavirus Update: How to Boost your Immunity in Times of Pandemic with Harvard Medical School Professor & Biologist David Sinclair
How do we know when something is wrong with us? I want to understand the testing process we have for COVID19. I want to understand "symptomatic" cases vs. "asymptomatic" cases. And who's data should we trust? So I called David Sinclair. He runs The Sinclair Lab at Harvard Medical School and is the New York Bestselling author of “Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To.”
I also want to know how do I build up my immune systems? What steps can I take RIGHT NOW? And how do I keep this going over time?
And what's going on with testing for COVID19? What are the numbers? And why are they off? David breaks this down. And he explains which coronavirus tests are bringing us into the future of science and biology. He'll also help you understand who's at risk (everyone). And how to protect yourself. AND how to protect others.
Because we're in this together.
Also, I’ve been getting great feedback on how these episodes around the coronavirus are helping people make sense in a really confusing time. So thanks for your support.
Right now, the best way to support this show is to support your own nutrition by checking out this special offer from our sponsor, Athletic Greens. Learn more. This is for your health. Go to athleticgreens.com/james
Thanks. And stay well.- James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/22/2020 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 51 seconds
563 - The GOOD News About Coronavirus (Let's Look at the Data) with Peter Diamandis, XPRIZE Founder & Futurist
I saw this line “How about some good news for a change.” It was the first line in an article by Peter Diamandis, Founder & Executive Chairman of XPRIZE. The article is on his website, diamandis.com and I highly recommend checking it out. I emailed him as soon as I saw it. “Come on my podcast.” And he did the next day. Because the world needs good news right now that can help us see the end of this pandemic, the truth in the numbers, and data and how to protect ourselves without panic.
Also, I’ve been getting great feedback on how these episodes around the coronavirus are helping you make sense in a really confusing time. So thanks for your support.
Right now, the best way to support this show is to support your own nutrition by checking out this special offer from our sponsor, Athletic Greens. Learn more. This is for your health. Go to athleticgreens.com/james
Thanks. And stay well.- James
P.S. You can get more news from Peter at futureloop.com/c19
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/20/2020 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 29 seconds
562 - THE ULTIMATE QUARANTINE GUIDE to "What do I do now?" with Morning Brew CEO Alex Lieberman
For better or for worse a lot of people are not working right now.
And that’s going to be a serious issue in the economy. So, for anybody listening, I really stress this one thing: focus on making the right investments everyday in YOURSELF. Right now, with all this extra time, we get to learn who we are again. We get to learn new skills online. And offline. We get to be curious about old passions, try new things, get close with our kids or parents or partners, rediscover your family, etc.
And if we look hard enough, we'll even find new business opportunities, or ways to help people, or get smarter. And more. So, for this episode, I called up Alex Lieberman, CEO and founder of Morning Brew, which is the only newsletter I read in the morning. I asked him about this excellent list he put together "THE ULTIMATE QUARANTINE GUIDE TO 'WHAT DO I DO NOW?'"
You’ll hear what’s on the list. And how to make the most of your time right now. I'd love to hear which suggestions you like the most. And how you choose to spend your time now.
Write me on twitter @jaltucher or on Instagram where I'm doing an IG LIVE everyday at 2pm EST while we get through this together.
If you like this episode, and want to learn more about making extra income right now, then listen to episode 553 - How to Make Money by Buying an Established, Profitable Business Using None of Your Own Money with Carl Allen
And Carl has a new book on this which you can get for 20% off at carlsbook.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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3/19/2020 • 49 minutes, 23 seconds
561 - How to Supplement your Income with Money Betting FOR or AGAINST Trump with PredictIt.Org Co-FounderJohn Phillips
Everyone believes their own opinion. Fact based. Or not. We're all (somehow) political "experts." But the truth no one really knows anything. It's all speculation. But you put your opinion to the test if you get skin in the game. Which is possible now thanks to John Phillips who co-founded the site PredictIt.org. I go on there to place bets on everything from how many tweets Trump is going to make on a particular day or around a specific news event to who will win the primary. And who will win the election.
The site is great because it lets you see how right you really are. And you can make real wealth if you’re right. It’s not just betting. It’s more like a stock market. You want to buy low. And sell high. So I asked John on the podcast if he’s ever seen people make $50,000 on the site. He didn’t flinch, “Oh yeah. People have quit their jobs.”
I want to help people understand what's happening in the world right now. We're all scared. But we don't have to be. Let's get the information. And go from there.
I called up John Hopkin's Dr. Marty Makary to get straight information on coronavirus.
He answered all my questions (many of which I get from you). So give it a listen.
And you'll start to feel (hopefully) more calm and capable. Here are the links
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-james-altucher-show/id794030859
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Tqw1AaZyrZ7kWnrNSgbNQ
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVwj3odtZ4Y
Also! A lot of you have been writing me and tweeting to say you love this episode with my friend Bill Beteet. Ep. 555 - How to Persuade Anyone of Anything with William Beteet III
He's giving my listeners a special deal to his new course and if you're stuck at home in isolation, now is the perfect time to let yourself learn or improve a skill.
So definitely take him up on the offer while you can. All the information is at www.framescholar.com/james
And here's the link to the episode
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/555-how-to-persuade-anyone-anything-william-beteet/id794030859?i=1000467302479
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Ko04h3dTu4xQAIPLUT4vz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u925CgWQgG4
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts
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3/17/2020 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 7 seconds
560 - Critical Coronavirus Update: The BEST and The WORST Case Scenarios with Johns Hopkins Dr. Marty Makary
"Don't believe the numbers you're seeing." This is Dr. Marty Makary's big message. The number of cases and deaths are radically underreported because a) we don't have tests, b) some countries are hiding their data, c) some people aren't showing symptoms yet, but have coronavirus and more.
But listen. This podcast is not about fear. It's about knowledge and awareness and action.
Right now, nobody really knows what's happening. Thew news and social media are giving us false predictions off "estimates" that don't even account for the thousands of people who can't get tested for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Amazon is out of toilet paper. People are signing their emails "Don't touch your face! Best, Joe." And I officially own two hazmat suits.
But how do we really "flatten the curve?"
This episode will give you the steps. And I also recorded a recap at the end to give you more of a summary. AND because this is so critical, I have a list of timestamps below. So you can rewind and fast-forward for the stats that you want to share with friends and loved ones the most.
So here you go: to keep on with the trend of providing ACCURATE information from reputable people, I called up, Dr. Marty Makary, a Johns Hopkins doctor and policy expert who also wrote the New York Times bestseller "Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won't Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Health Care" and "The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care--and How to Fix It."
6:50 GOOD NEWS: we can anticipate we’ll be clear in the summer. And more good news (for young people), you’re at less risk
7:00 - But who’s at risk? Let’s hear stats from Dr. Marty
9:34 - Which countries have given honest data. And which haven’t
10:58 - “Are we ready to see over a thousand Americans each day?” - Dr. Marty Makary
11:26 - Do we need a total lockdown?
12:18 - WHY there’s a major misconception around the actual number of cases and deaths around COVID-19 in the U.S.
15:13 - “The notion that this is somehow contained is a notion we need to abandon. This is everywhere.” - Dr. Marty Makary
18:06 - Is China lying about the number of deaths?
21:30 - HOW to get an accurate estimate based on REAL data everyday
24:13 - THESE behavior changes will reduce the societal transmission rate by 50%
25:25 - I ask Dr. Marty Makary about the data from the cruise ships and why only 27% of the people on board got coronavirus… and he explains why the data from the cruise ship is “the perfect case study”
29:35 - We talk about school shutdowns and travel bans
30:18 - “We need to break society down into two constructs: (1) essential and nonessential workers. And (2) high risk and low risk individuals.” - Dr. Marty Markary / Hear Dr. M break down both of these ideas to figure out what categories you’re in
31:50 - We explore The Hong Kong flu, which killed between 1.5 to 3 million people globally in 1968. And other global pandemics to compare the numbers… Dr. M says this “could be roughly 5-10x worse…” and explains why.
35 - We talk about the death rate for the flu
37:20 - Why there are no cures or medicines that slow down the virus
40:30 - Stay active. But don’t go to the gym
42:20 - Where the media has gone wrong… and what the responsibility is for doctors in connection with the media
48:30 - We talk about the food supply chain
50 - How Americans are taking care of each other
52:40 - The math on how to estimate the potential death rate in the U.S.
54:40 - Why it’s good to practice social distancing
56:00 - Will this come back in the winter?
59:17 - Will there be a second round of infection? Is it possible to become immune to COVID-19? And can the virus mutate?
1:02:50 - “This is a time for us to take care of each other, forget about these artificial, political boundaries and see the best in people.” - Dr. Marty Makary
1:50:20 - Why we need to stop relying on government leaders. And start taking care of ourselves
1:09:00 - What’s the long-term benefit of a lockdown?
1:11:00 - “Don’t panic. Prepare. We don’t want to create hysteria. There’s a lot you can do individually and this is one of the only things in healthcare ever, where what you do affects the rest of the country.” - Dr. Marty Makary
1:12:21 - Follow Marty on Twitter @MartyMakary
1:13:11 - I summarize what we heard and learned in the past hour
Also! A lot of you have been writing me and tweeting to say you love this episode with my friend Bill Beteet. Ep. 555 - How to Persuade Anyone of Anything with William Beteet III
He's giving my listeners a special deal to his new course and if you're stuck at home in isolation, now is the perfect time to let yourself learn or improve a skill.
So definitely take him up on the offer while you can. All the information is at www.framescholar.com/james
And here's the link to the episode
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/555-how-to-persuade-anyone-anything-william-beteet/id794030859?i=1000467302479
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Ko04h3dTu4xQAIPLUT4vz
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u925CgWQgG4
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
iHeart Radio
Spotify
Follow me on Social Media:
YouTube
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3/16/2020 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 55 seconds
559 - Square Co-Founder Jim McKelvey Reveals The One Trick to Build a Billionaire Dollar Business
Jim McKelvey is the co-founder of Square and the founder of Invisibly. I wanted to know HOW he got his direction. Because we all have ideas. But how do we know which ones to actually pursue and execute? How can we find the winners? The ones that will provide value. And profit. In this episode, Jim tells us which markets are underserved. And how to find executable business ideas that will give you a sizable return.
And he just wrote a book "The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time"
If you like this episode, you'll also like episode 553 - How to Make Money by Buying an Established, Profitable Business Using None of Your Own Money with Carl Allen
And Carl has a new book on this which you can get for 20% off at carlsbook.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
iHeart Radio
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Follow me on Social Media:
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3/12/2020 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 56 seconds
558 - EMERGENCY UPDATE: 5 Things You NEED to KNOW About Coronavirus & The Stock Market Today
What the hell happened yesterday? We saw the largest drop in history of the Dow Jones Index. It dropped over 2,000 points, which is more than 7%. So I'm doing an emergency podcast to break down:
⁃ A HISTORY OF MARKET CRASHES- THE MICRO AND MACROECONOMICS OF CORONAVIRUS⁃ WHY YOU SHOULDN’T BE SCARED OF MARKET CRASHES- WHY THE STOCK MARKET FELL...⁃ WHAT YOU NEED TO KEEP TRACK OF TO PREDICT THE MARKET IN A PANDEMIC- HOW THIS WILL IMPACT THE ELECTION
and more...
Also if you like this episode or have more questions tweet me @jaltucher
"Carl Allen has nine side hustles. He doesn’t work in any of them. They all just create cashflow for him. He’s been doing this for 27 years. And has done hundreds of deals. Now he’s teaching people how they can do it without investing your own money or having any experience at all. Consider this an introduction to a new, richer life.
Listen to episode 553 - How to Make Money by Buying an Established, Profitable Business Using None of Your Own Money with Carl Allen
And Carl has a new book on this which you can get for 20% off at carlsbook.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
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Follow me on Social Media:
YouTube
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3/10/2020 • 1 hour, 58 seconds
557 - The MOST BIZARRE story that I ever heard! - Brian McFadden
In this chaotic time, we need a bizarre story. - Jeffrey Epstein went to dinner with some old school comedians. He told them a story about Trump. The story could be false. But if it’s real, it’ll be the more bizarre story you’ve heard about Trump. Period. -
"Carl Allen has nine side hustles. He doesn’t work in any of them. They all just create cashflow for him. He’s been doing this for 27 years. And has done hundreds of deals. Now he’s teaching people how they can do it without investing your own money or having any experience at all. Consider this an introduction to a new, richer life.
Listen to episode 553 - How to Make Money by Buying an Established, Profitable Business Using None of Your Own Money with Carl Allen
And Carl has a new book on this which you can get for 20% off at carlsbook.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
iHeart Radio
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Follow me on Social Media:
YouTube
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3/9/2020 • 27 minutes, 9 seconds
556 - How 30-years of Passion Turns into a Business with Bill Glaser
The macro formula for building a business with meaning looks like this: real relationships + belief + combining experiences + fixing a problem + adaptability + (I could keep going). But these are just words. Bill Glaser, founder of Outstanding Foods and my new favorite vegan snack (pigless pork rinds) has stories. He’ll tell us how convinced a handful of strategic investors to say “yes” all at once, partnered with Snoop Dogg, found a hole in the market and turned it into an opportunity & more.
Guest quote:
“Belief doesn’t mean having tunnel vision. Belief means adapting” - Bill Glaser
Links and resources:
Go pig out! Bill is giving The James Altucher Show listeners a discount. Check it out at PigOutWithJames.com.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts
Stitcher
iHeart Radio
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Follow me on Social Media:
YouTube
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3/5/2020 • 59 minutes, 43 seconds
555 - How to Persuade Anyone of Anything with William Beteet III
Any effective leader in the world has learned the art of frame control aka these two skills: perception & persuasion. I decided to interview my friend Bill Beteet about this because he's studied this topic for years, put it into practice and now he's teaching people how to get the results they want in persuasion, perception and frame control.
Learn more www.framescholar.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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3/3/2020 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 11 seconds
554 - CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY UPDATE: I TALK TO TWO TOP SPECIALISTS
There are new Coronavirus updates! I was sitting at home, and I am nervous just thinking about them. So I called up the two doctors that focus on research on this disease, Dr. Stanley Perlman and Dr. Eric Ding (back to back).
I have to say, I feel so much better after the two interviews.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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3/2/2020 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 36 seconds
553 - How to Make Money by Buying an Established, Profitable Business Using None of Your Own Money with Carl Allen
Carl Allen has nine side hustles. He doesn’t work in any of them. They all just create cashflow for him. He’s been doing this for 27 years. And has done hundreds of deals. Now he’s teaching people how they can do it without investing your own money or having any experience at all. Consider this an introduction to a new, richer life.
And Carl has a new book on this which you can get for 20% off at carlsbook.com/james
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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2/28/2020 • 51 minutes, 46 seconds
552 - The One Factor that Will Decide The 2020 Election with Phillip Stutts
I'm not political. But I'm interested in studying human behavior, history, marketing, what drives decision making, the power of money, perception, persuasion... that's what an election is. It's a soup. So I brought Phillip Stutts back on the show to dissect what's going to define the 2020 election. He's worked on 3 winning presidential campaigns, several governor races, senate races, AND he’s also worked on losing campaigns. Which is important. Because that’s how you learn your field and get better.
---
I get a lot of emails from people asking how to make extra money. Or how to make a meaningful impact in life. Or both.
So I want to tell you where to go to learn how to tap into what you love the most and turn it into a profitable income stream. Go find out from my friends Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi. They have a course that I'm forcing my daughters to take. It's called "Knowledge Business Blueprint." And it's exactly that... a step-by-step blueprint that will teach you exactly how to turn your knowledge into a business. All the details are at jameskbb.com.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/27/2020 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 55 seconds
551 - How To Escape The Pain of Inner Conflict with Kamal Ravikant
Kamal went to Nepal to live with monks. But most people can't do this. So I had him come on to teach me what they taught him. I recorded this episode BEFORE Kamal's trip, though. So we can compare. Before and after. Here's the before.
Later, we'll hear how the monks taught Kamal how to feel less anxious. And escape the mental pain that comes from our daily inner conflicts.
So many of you listen to learn how to make extra money. Or make a meaningful impact. Or both. So I want to tell you where to go to learn how to tap into what you love the most and turn it into a profitable income stream. Go find out from my friends Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi. They have a course that I'm forcing my daughters to take. It's called "Knowledge Business Blueprint." And it's exactly that... a step-by-step blueprint that will teach you exactly how to turn your knowledge into a business. All the details are at jameskbb.com.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/25/2020 • 24 minutes, 5 seconds
550 - How to Find Your Passion: My Wife, Robyn Altucher, and I on How to Find Your Passion at Any Age and Stage of Your Life
I get these emails all the time, "How do I find my passion? Is it too late? Am I a failure?" Every age asks this. Because we all want to know what's next for us. We all want a second act. Or third. Or fourth. And it's possible. So I sat down with my wife, Robyn, and talked about the exercises that each of us have tried. What works. What doesn't. And where to start (over).
Also! The best place right now to discover your passion is to check out this course from my friends Dean Graziosi and Tony Robbins. It'll teach you what you care about most. And how to turn it into your job. Go check it out. And sign up for the free seminar at jameskbb.com.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/24/2020 • 54 minutes, 25 seconds
549 - PROOF You Can Conquer Your Biggest Fears: The World's Greatest Daredevil, Nik Wallenda Shares The Secrets He Uses to Successfully Defy Death Again and Again
Nik Wallenda is a daredevil. He’s broken 11 Guinness World Records and should be dead from all of them. But he’s not. His skill is unexplainable. It’s part acrobat. Part circus. Part mastermind… You might’ve seen him on a highwire. BLINDFOLDED. While crossing the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, between buildings in Time Square or Chicago and more. I wanted to know how Nik defeated fear... was it his childhood training? Was it his focus or ability to control his heart rate? And how does he get himself to keep doing the thing that could plunge him to death while the rest of us are scared to quit our 9-5s? Nik’s talent is unbelievable. But the method behind it is accessible. And something we can all look at as a form of possibility.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/20/2020 • 55 minutes, 53 seconds
548 - How to make Money doing what you Love - Dean Graziosi
If you ever catch yourself wondering how to work for yourself, this is the podcast for you. Dean Graziosi was making 1.8 million dollars at age 26. !!?? Can you imagine? When he said this, I thought, "I should’ve been more entrepreneurial." But I'm not too late. And neither are you.
In this episode, Dean breaks down how to turn your life experiences and knowledge into a 6 or 7 figure+ business. He gives real-life case studies from people who followed his new program, Knowledge Broker Blueprint. Which he created with Tony Robbins. They wanted to make it easy for people to find their calling. And actually commit to it.
I could say more. But I think you should do this instead. Sign up for Dean's free LIVE seminar. You'll learn how you can make more money, make an impact and tap into what you love doing. Go to jameskbb.com to sign up.
Trust me.
You'll be glad you did when you look back.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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2/19/2020 • 58 minutes, 32 seconds
547 - "The Bigger Family is the Human Race. It's The Most Important Family." Bishop T.D. Jakes on Race, Humanity, the Economy and How To Be In Service of Your True Calling
I love having Bishop T.D. Jakes on the podcast. This is his third time on the show. And each time, he teaches me something new about turning pain into promise. So what does that mean? It means you're not melting into the pain of life. Instead, you're aware that you're not alone. And that other people could use your help if you pull yourself out of that. And lend them a hand. That's what true entrepreneurship is. And it starts by realizing that you can help people. Click play to hear T.D.'s deeply thoughtful expression of how to turn your passions and pains into something that makes life better not just for you, but for the world.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/18/2020 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 33 seconds
546 - How to write a book in 30 days
Any one can write a book. And publish it. You don’t need a publisher. Or any gatekeeper to approve. You just need your own permission. And then you can do it yourself. So in this podcast, I walk you through how to pick your topic, how to find a unique angle to write about, how to outline your chapter, and so on. Think of this episode as a ready, fire, aim approach to writing and workshopping your own book in just 30 days flat.
And! If you really want to hear how successful someone can be with self-publishing their own book, go look at my friend Kamal Ravikant. He published a short book, 50 pages or so. And still makes money off of it today. It's just passive income. And he felt good writing it.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/17/2020 • 47 minutes, 7 seconds
545 - How To Think Like Sherlock Holmes: Bestselling Author & Professional Poker Player Maria Konnikova Reveals The Must-Know Mental Strategies For A Sharper Mind
Maria Konnikova is the New York Times bestselling author of several books, including "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It Every Time." And "Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes." Today's she's on the podcast to talk about mastering your mind. Basically, Sherlock Holmes, even though he's a fictional detective, is a mastermind. And there's a lot to learn from him: how to read people, how to know if you're being deceived, how to gain confidence, and more.
Also, let us know which tip or quote is your favorite! @jalutcher and @mkonnikova
- James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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2/14/2020 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 49 seconds
544 - "The Future Is Faster Than You Think:" XPRIZE Chairman and Futurist Peter Diamandis + Award-Winning Journalist Steven Kotler Explain How New Technologies Will Disrupt The Job Market (And at What Speed)
Peter Diamandis lives in the future. His life revolves around space research, understanding how humans and tech will fuse as one, and how this will impact job security, job creation, money, opportunity... everything. So I wanted to hear the A-Z. What does the future look like? And more than that... how QUICKLY do we need to adapt? Peter just wrote a new book with Steven Kotler, a Pulitzer Prize nominated and award-winning journalist. The book is called, "The Future Is Faster Than You Think: How Converging Technologies Are Transforming Business, Industries, and Our Lives."
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/13/2020 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 54 seconds
543 - Why We're Going to Fail as an Empire & Other Jokes Drawn From History: Comedians & History Hyenas Hosts Yannis Pappas and Chris Distefano Make Me Laugh For Hours
"Comedians Yannis Pappas and Chris Distefano are two cuties with smoothies who go WILD for history and nature." I didn't write this. It's on the website for History Hyenas, one of the most hilarious podcasts out there. We recorded this episode to just have fun. But it's also full of a lot of history.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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Hey! If you made it to the end of the episode, then you heard about the special contest I have going on right now. Here are the details for how to enter:
STEP 1: Text a friend with the link to this episode. And make sure to tell them WHY you think they’d get value from listening
STEP 2: Then take a screenshot of your text and email it to me at [email protected]
STEP 3: That’s [email protected]
And remember, you can increase your chances as much as you'd like. Every person you text about the episode is a new entry!
There’s no limit.
So thanks. And goodluck!
2/11/2020 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 13 seconds
542 - 2019 Coronavirus: What you NEED TO KNOW with Professor Peter Openshaw from Imperial College London!
Is the Coronavirus really a threat? I keep seeing headlines. But I don’t know what to think. So I called up Professor Peter Openshaw from Imperial College London. He’s a clinician, and a scientists specializing in lung immunology. In this episode, you’ll learn the science. And find out what we can do to prevent it from getting into our bodies.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/10/2020 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 14 seconds
541 - "Try to be the only one saying what you’re saying:" Video Producer & "WheezyWaiter" YouTuber Craig Benzine Shares The 4 Rules for Creativity
Craig Benzine went from being a waiter to a full-time content creator. His whole life is creative. And you can find it on YouTube when you search “WheezyWaiter”
I asked him about the process of quitting one thing you hate to start something you love. Plus I ask for tips that new creators can use today to get started including how to be authentic, how to find your creative purpose, what rules to follow and where to experiment.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/7/2020 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 23 seconds
540 - “Most terrorists are terrifyingly normal" and 15+ Other Surprising Secret Facts From Inside The Mind of Former Intelligence Officer Tom Quiggin
Tom Quiggin is a former military intelligence officer. And Canadian. And host of the Quiggen Report Podcast about "counter-terrorism in the age of identity politics." (i.e. how can you talk about a threat if you'll be call politically incorrect or worse racist if the threat itself happens to pertain to a certain culture?) I don't know the answer. And usually, I don't care. But I've had a lot of people come on the podcast recently and talk to me about the threat against free speech and comprise. You can take my privacy. I already know Alexa is listening. But free speech is another story. Because, if you look at history, speech is the first thing to disappear when countries collapse. Let's take a look. PLUS you'll also hear what counter-terrorism really looks like (interrogation tactics, interviews, the psychological states of a terrorist's mind and more.)
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/6/2020 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 25 seconds
539 - Why It's CRUCIAL To Learn How to Ask & Negotiate: I Talk to University of Michigan Professor Wayne Baker & Wharton Professor Adam Grant on How to Create More Opportunities & Make More Money
We're all scared to ask for certain things: a raise, permission to work from home, more vacation time, seed money, an introduction, whatever. You know what it is for you. So I invited Wayne Baker, author of All You Have to Do Is Ask: How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success" and Adam Grant, esteemed Wharton professor and best-selling author of "Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World" to come on and share which tactics are best for motivating people, negotiating, asking for difficult things and more.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/4/2020 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 20 seconds
538 - Why a 4-Day Workweek Makes Humans More Productive & Satisfied: Brendan Lemon and I Dig into The Research and Reasoning
I have a theory. And it’s backed by research… that if you have a 4 day work week, you’re more productive. Brendan Lemon and I dig into the psychology behind WHY.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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2/3/2020 • 28 minutes, 54 seconds
537 - "If you’re not thinking about money then you’re not making it:" Money Expert Nicole Lapin and Entrepeur Magazine Editor in Chief Jason Feifer on How to Have a Money Mindset
Money isn’t just about what’s in your account. There’s a power to money. But to really understand money and the influence it has in your life, you have to have a money philosophy. You have to think about HOW you think about money. So I interview Nicole Lapin, a financial expert, author, and host with Jason Feifer, the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur magazine. They both have their own money philosophies. And they'll teach you how to make be more strategic about how you use, make, grown and keep money.
Check out their podcast Hush Money.
https://megaphone.link/HSW2799622578
Where they talk about money — but not *boring* money!
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/31/2020 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 17 seconds
536 - How to Captivate Someone on a Gut Level: Renowned "Fight Club" Author Chuck Palahniuk Releases The Best Book on Writing I've Ever Read (And I've Read Them All)
Chuck Palahniuk is the author of Fight Club... a cult classic. And one of my favorite books. I felt so lucky getting to watch him breakdown storytelling. Because he does it in a way that goes beneath the surface. He takes you into what it means to be human. He makes you feel seen and like your life, as messy as it is, makes sense.
Now he has a new book called, "Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life after Which Everything Was Different." Which not only has all the best writing advice I've ever seen, it also has a list of recommended books in the back. Chuck and I read through the list. He asked me, "Have you read this one?"
And said the title. I said, "No."
He said, "I'm so jealous. It's like you're about to have sex for the first time."
I can't wait.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
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1/30/2020 • 2 hours, 4 minutes, 26 seconds
535 - "There's More to Life Than This.": Run-D.M.C.'s Iconic Rapper, Joseph 'Rev' Simmons & Wife Justine Simmons on "Old School Love," How to Do It & Why it Makes a Happier Love Life
Joseph ‘Rev’ Simmons is Run D.M.C.’s iconic rapper. He just wrote a book with this wife Justine Simmons called “Old School Love: And Why it Works.” I like this interview because they’re relationship is on full display here. You see they argue and work through it. You hear them banter and talk over each other the way real couples do. And then you see how caring they are for each other. So you’ll get the advice and the examples all at once. And in real-time. AND of course I asked Rev all about his rap career, fame, rising to the top, letting go of drugs, excess, gluttony and finding God.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/28/2020 • 1 hour, 3 seconds
534 - The Difference Between a Narcissist & a Sociopath: I Ask Psychotherapist & Bestselling Author Lori Gottlieb to Breakdown The Inside Baseball of Therapy
Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and the author "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone." In this episode, she tells me the inside baseball of therapy: what's the difference between a narcistist and a sociopath? How do you spot them (so you don't end up in relationships with them) / make sure YOU'RE not one. I also ask her how to deal with passive aggression, the benefits of therapy, and what ways she's personally seen her own client's lives improve.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/27/2020 • 36 minutes, 29 seconds
533 - We're Back! 'Question of the Day' Reunion LIVE! Freakonomics Host Stephen Dubner and I Talk Rules to Live By, How to Make Life An Experiment & More
Calling all "Question of The Day" fans! We’re back... For a one-time live reunion. I sit with my good friend and favorite backgammon opponent to comb through our burning questions including
how to make life an experiment
what makes work stand out from the crowd
when it's a good idea to steer from your plans
identity
economics
lies/truth/news
why we stopped doing QOD
The list goes on.
Join us for an episode of laughs. It's a fun one. And tweet us your questions (@jaltucher + @Freakenomics)
Thanks
James
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/24/2020 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 28 seconds
532 - How to Swap Planning for Permission. And Go After What You Actually Want in Life: I Tell Sean Kim on His Podcast "Growth Minds"
There’s a lot I want to accomplish in life. And I bet there’s a lot you want to accomplish, too. So what’s stopping us? Usually, in my own life, I can boil it down to one thing. It’s not focus. It’s not having some super-specific morning routine. Or 8 hours of sleep (although that’s important)… I accomplish things when I give myself permission to accomplish things. So what does that mean? It means I start doing and stop thinking about what it would look like to do something. So in this episode, you’ll hear Sean Kim, host of “Growth Minds” podcast interview me about how to swap planning for permission and go for what you actually want in life.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/23/2020 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 4 seconds
531 - The Secret to Being an Effective Leader: Retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink Shares How He Translates Military Leadership to Business Leadership
Jocko Willink is a NAVY Seal turned leadership coach. He says leadership is “the most complex of all human endeavors.” Because leadership is not just one skill. It’s a combination of hundreds: management, decision making, team building, teaching, disciplining, training... the list goes on. So he wrote a field manual. In this episode, we dig deep into what it looks like to translate military leadership skills into successful business skills.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/21/2020 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 18 seconds
530 - How to Stay Ahead of The Future: Tech Futurist, Jamie Metzl Reveals What You Can Do to Stay Sharp in A Rapidly Changing World
Everything is changing all the time. So how do we keep up? How do we learn to stay ahead of the future? That's what Jamie Metzl is here to tell us. Jamie is a tech futurist, self-taught genomics expert, economist and the bestselling author of "Hacking Darwin," which is all about genetic engineering and "the frontiers of biology." But what's most important here is that Jamie didn't go to school for genomics. He's self-taught. And he skipped the line by be self-taught AND a skilled sci-fi writer. Combining both made his book his #1. And opened the doors to new opportunities. That's what learning is about. So I ask Jamie to teach me how he learns. So we can be better learners, too.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series:
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1/20/2020 • 54 minutes, 6 seconds
What we can learn from the greatest investors of all time.
The “best” is not just a title. The “best” achieved something extraordinary. And that's really what this podcast is about. So today, I’m looking at the 5 best investors in the world, what they knew and what we can learn from them to live wealthier lives. And, with me today, I have my friend Merrick. He’s the professor who signed the letter that got me kicked out of grad school. So he’s a smart man.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/17/2020 • 53 minutes, 27 seconds
Live a Surprising Life: The Worlds Best Comedian Freestyle Rapper Chris Turner on How to Make the Most of Your Talents
Chris Turner is the best in the world at the INTERSECTION of freestyling and comedy. Combining two skills is the #1 way to get to the top. I ask him how he found his personal intersection (we all have one. Or many). And we find out how he discovered his talent. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/16/2020 • 2 hours, 1 minute, 12 seconds
How to Get Younger While Getting “Older:" Age-defying Actress and Author Suzanne Somers Reveals What The Best Doctors Know about Staying Young
"I'm 73. But I'm not old," Suzanne Somers said. She has sex all the time. She has her memory, her energy, her hair... and she's beat cancer multiple times (with the help of the most cutting-edge doctors on the planet). Now she's got a book, "A New Way to Age: The Most Cutting-Edge Advances in Antiaging." It'll teach you: - how to feel youthful - how to prevent memory loss - how to keep your sex drive as you age - how to have quality of life into your hundreds - how to access the lastest age-defying technology And more. And make sure to tweet out what you learned. Or share with your friends. Thanks - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/14/2020 • 46 minutes, 19 seconds
What I think about Star Wars, Avengers End Game, and Avatar!
I was suppose to go on Brendon Lemon's Podcast, The Madness Continues. Instead, we have a spontaneous discuss about Star Wars, Avengers End Game, and Avatar! There's a second part to the podcast! Go check out Brendon Lemon's The Madness Continues Podcast where you get your podcast! So here's the show and if you like it, please let us know. I read all the comments and tweets. And use them to make better and better shows in the future. Thanks -James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/13/2020 • 21 minutes, 23 seconds
The truth about AI, automation, and Andrew Yang - Kevin Surace
I sat that the world expert in AI, Kevin Surace to discuss if we should afraid of AI and automation or not, gene editing, and Andrew Yang! So here's the show and if you like it, please let us know. I read all the comments and tweets. And use them to make better and better shows in the future. Thanks James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/10/2020 • 50 minutes, 30 seconds
“If You’re Still Trying to Be Rational Now, You’re Crazy:” Comedian Tim Dillon on Being Informed vs. Being Ignorant
Being informed is getting harder and harder. Everyone has an agenda. Some help you. Some get you to stay tuned it. Others get you to question. I want to question. Because that’s we’re growth is. So I brought Tim Dillon on the show. He’s a stand-up comedian. Which means he does MORE than just comedy. It means he looks at the world with a different lens. He looks for the absurd. And points it out. So we can all see the hypocrisy in life, in history and in our own heads. Learning conspiracies and comedy can be entertainment. Or it can be a learning ground for questioning, discernment and curiosity. I choose the ladder. Here’s my interview with Tim Dillon.
I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.
Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts:
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1/9/2020 • 1 hour, 51 minutes
"Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It:" Best-selling Author Kamal Ravikant on How to Rebuild Yourself from Scratch
I've been waiting for this moment. For seven years. Because 7 years ago my good friend Kamal Ravikant SELF-published a book. He uploaded it to Amazon. And sold half a million copies. This was without a publisher. Or a marketing team. Or any advance money. He just did it on his own. And it was hugely successful. He was able to use this money to pay for his rent in San Fransisco and basically all of his living for years. The book is called, "Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends on It." And now he's rewriting the book. And expanding on it. Because he got a lot of questions about the mechanics of loving yourself. People understood from the first copy why it was valuable. But they hoped for more guidance on how to do it themselves. So that's what this podcast is about. It's how to love yourself like your life depended on it. Plus we also talk about the benefits of self-publishing, bypassing the gatekeepers, being creative, being reflective and more. So here's the show and if you like it, please let us know. I read all the comments and tweets. And use them to make better and better shows in the future. Thanks -James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/7/2020 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 15 seconds
Iran: Why Now? What Next? I talk with THE expert.
I sat down with the expert, Tom Quiggin from Quiggin Report, and ask him the big question. "Iran: Why now!? And what next!? Will be there another World War?" Tom analyzed and explained the situation to me. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/6/2020 • 51 minutes, 31 seconds
My breakdown of the Presidential candidates and their narratives!
What are strong narratives and what are weak narratives? I sat down with comedian Brian Scott McFadden and we broke down the narratives of all of the presidential candidates to discover what we can learn from each of them and how we might form strong narratives for ourselves. I also wrote an article about it: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/democratic-disaster-last-night-how-candidates-can-james-altucher/?trackingId=cOH9XPfBQVGug6qlU1GHTQ%3D%3D I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/3/2020 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 26 seconds
How to Change The Course of Your Life: Psychotherapist, Amy Morin Shares Proven Strategies to Train Yourself to be Mentally Strong
Amy asked a big question. She said, "Ten years from now when I look back at this decade of my life, am I going to be impressed with how I spent it?" She asks a lot of big questions. Because she's a psychotherapist and the author of the international bestseller, "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do." She's a regular on this show. Because we're friends. But also because I always learn from her. This time we talked about giving yourself permission to quit things that aren't right for you anymore, becoming mentally strong, learning how to use that muscle, and a lot of other things that promote healthy behavior and choosing yourself. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
1/2/2020 • 1 hour, 55 seconds
519 - How to Read People (and a Room) with Precision: Euny Hong Teaches The Ancient Korean Art of Nunchi
I want to know what people think. And feel. I want to be able to read a room. And then use that to either make more money, create relationships, have more success, make business deals, etc. So I found Euny Hong and invited her on the podcast. She is the author of “The Power of Nunchi: The Korean Secret to Happiness and Success.” Euny told me Steve Jobs was a master at this. You'll hear how he did it. And how to get started yourself. I write about all my podcasts. Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/31/2019 • 55 minutes, 5 seconds
518 - “You Don’t Get What You Deserve. You Get What You Negotiate.": Steve Cohen and James Share 10+ of The Best Negotiation Strategies to Increase Your Salary, Buy & Sell Businesses & Get More Vacation Time
I’ve been through almost every type of negotiation: salary negotiation, vacation time, buying businesses, selling businesses, getting equity, etc. The only negotiation I haven't tried personally is hostage negotiation. But I interviewed one from the CIA. And learned a lot to apply to other negotiations. So I decided to take all my best negotiation tips and put them into one podcast. Here’s me with Steve Cohen on the subject. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/26/2019 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 30 seconds
517 - What I Do Whenever I Want to Start Fresh, Set a New Direction & Skip The Line: Sachit Gupta interviews ME on The Conscious Creators Show
I'm a guest on The Conscious Creators Show. And I'm airing it here. Because I talk a lot about what I've learned from my podcast guests, how I've applied the lessons I've learned from them about choosing yourself and how you can apply it to your life today AND keep it going for the new year. And the new decade I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/24/2019 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 36 seconds
516 - How to Stand Out in a Crowded World: The Enigmatist, David Kwong, Shares His Secrets To Becoming a Master of Illusion
David Kwong is known for creating illusions. He’s a master. He’ll make you question your reality. I wanted to know his tricks. Because it's all developed from elements of persuasion. You'll also hear about his career. And how he used talent stacking to get ahead as a famous magician, illusionist and puzzle creator. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/19/2019 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 30 seconds
515 - Why People Become Conspiracy Theorists: Quillette Editor Jonathan Kay Explains How People Get Persuaded to Cross the Line of Logic
Who makes you think what? So many people come on my podcast and say, "Freewill is a myth." We've heard this from Yuval Harari who wrote "Sapiens." We heard it from Robert Greene, author of "The Laws of Human Nature." And now we're learning about it from a different perspective... Jonathan Kay wrote a book in 2011 called, "Among the Truthers: A Journey Through America's Growing Conspiracist Underground." He studied 9/11 conspiracy theorists, people who believe in UFOs, secret societies running the world and more. I wanted to know what makes someone cross the border from skeptical to radical. And he told me it has to do with a lot of elements... fear, control, desire to create hope and fight evil in the world. I was surprised to learn the psychology behind it. AND to learn how you can avoid the trap. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/17/2019 • 37 minutes, 2 seconds
514 - Have More Fun… It Helps You Become More Strategic in Business & Life: Jonathan Kay on How Game Playing Make You Sharper, Quicker & More Capable
I love games. I love chess. I love poker. I love anything that helps me be more strategic, prepared for negotiations. I like being able read people and build alliances. All of this comes from games. But I didn’t realize there are so many new games that also teach you about history, war, economics, statistics, the list goes on. I found out when I read Jonathan Kay’s new book “Your Move: What Board Games Teach Us About Life.” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/12/2019 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 29 seconds
513 - You Can Invent Something Life-Changing: Chief Don DeLuca Gives a Case Study of What it Takes to Go from Idea to Action
Someone sent me a video of a young 20-something-year-old getting tasered in the shower by a police officer. He was mentally ill. I thought, “This needs to change.” And it is. Thanks to Chief Don Deluca, Scott Cohen and the whole team behind BolaWrap, a new technology that helps officers restrain people without using extreme force. Their story is proof that problems in society don’t have to stay problems forever. You can look at something difficult that hasn’t changed in 20 years and say, “I’m going to do something about this.” And that’s what this episode will walk you through. You'll learn how to go from problem to idea to action. So you can feel empowered to make the changes you want to see, too. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/10/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 18 seconds
512 - You Could Be MUCH More Persuasive: Dilbert Creator Scott Adams on How to Avoid Loserthink & Be More Logical
We all make stupid arguments all the time. But we can get better. If we take the right steps. So I read Scott Adams new book and invited him on the podcast to talk about “Loserthink.” Loserthink is any kind of argument that’s baseless or lacking evidence. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/5/2019 • 1 hour, 42 minutes, 34 seconds
511 - What’s Valid Work?: Mike Rowe, “Dirty Jobs” Host on Where Dignity Comes From & How to Feel This In Your Life
Mike Rowe has been a TV personality for a long time. He’s best known as the host of “Dirty Jobs” where he shows the world what it’s like to do dangerous and disgusting jobs. Mike showed us that there’s dignity in work. Of all kinds. In this episode, I ask Mike what made him want to do that show. He told me, “Curiosity.” “It’s no less valid to wonder how a sewer works than how the Hubble works.” Mike shows that work is not about prestige. It’s about providing… something so many of us forget to recognize ourselves for. Even if we deserve to. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
12/3/2019 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 9 seconds
510 - How to Build a Community That Loves You: Jeannie Gaffigan Speaks About The Support That Came with Battling Brain Cancer
I’m jealous of Jeannie Gaffigan’s brain tumor. Not the tumor itself. Or the feeding tube. Or side effects. But I’m jealous of the community that came to her side. I told her, "I’m afraid that if this ever happens to me, I won't have the love and support that you've built up over the years." She had a mega support system... neighbors and family who got her the best doctors, plus friends and colleagues who worked with her when she wrote and produced "The Jim Gaffigan Show." She laughed. Because it's the weirdest thing to be jealous of. But she understood. And told me not to worry. "I had no idea I had this [support system]. It took this. You have it. You just don't know. Like me. I didn't know it." She wrote all about this in her new book, "When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People." Which you can also listen to on Audible. It'll make you laugh. And help you feel more connected. And more capable of handling life's hardest moments. Also if you want to know how to reshape your life, maybe start over, try a new career move, make a new income stream or whatever you need to feel refreshed, then I have a book for you. Go to www.reinventbook.net to claim your free copy of my book "Reinvent Yourself" I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/28/2019 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 18 seconds
509 - Be Big Enough to Change Your Circumstances: Eric Adams Shares How He Went From "Bad Kid" to Brooklyn Borough President
Eric Adams was beat by the police at age 15. “They kicked us in the groin over and over again. We were urinating blood for seven days.” So when Eric grew up, he became a cop. “I had no idea I was going to last for 22 years,” he said. “I thought I would be there a year. And then they’d say, ‘Get rid of this guy. This guy’s a trouble maker.” But that never happened. He got promoted. “I was driven. The plan was to go in there with a mission. The mission was to find ways to make communities safe without being in disgrace. How do you turn this noble profession into what it ought to be?” Later on, Eric became a state senator and now he’s Brooklyn Borough President with a new mission to become mayor. In this episode, you’ll hear Eric talk about his drive. And how he turns visions into missions. With real hope. And real possibility. -- New announcement. Free copies of my book "Reinvent Yourself" is available for my listeners to claim. Get yours here while you can. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/26/2019 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 59 seconds
508 - How the Human Body (Really) Works: Lessons From Trailblazing Dr. Steven Gundry on Which Foods Increase Energy, Brain Function & Extend Your Lifespan
I want to live forever. Or at least for as long as I feel like living. So I called Dr. Steven Gundry. He's changing the way we understand health by creating new food pyramids, busting myths about food fads, and helping us understand the underlying science that makes one food bad and another food good. Dr. Gundry is also the bestselling author of “The Longevity Paradox," “The Plant Paradox” & “The Plant Paradox Family Cookbook." And today I also have a special co-host, Dr. Dean Mitchell, who's a board-certified immunologist with valuable questions that will only help you get better and better at taking care of yourself longterm. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/21/2019 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 22 seconds
507 - Back from the Dead: Kamal Ravikant Shares How His Near-Death Experience Led to Inner Peace
Kamal Ravikant went to the hospital for a scheduled elective surgery. Everything went great. Until the stitches inside his body ripped. And he felt pain in his stomach. He asked the nurse for medicine. Soon his was spurting blood everywhere. One of the residents held him down to try to stop the bleeding. Kamal sat there in fear as he watched the inside of his liquids get all over this man. They had to get him back into surgery. But this time they didn't know if he'd make it out loud. Right before they put the oxygen mask on, Kamal told the doctor, "I'm scared." She held his hand. And he disappeared out of consciousness. Now he's back. He's alive. And he came on the podcast to share what it feels like to start dying. And how living... surviving brought him a new sense of knowing what matters. And what doesn't. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/19/2019 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 59 seconds
506 - How to Master Psychology in High-Stakes Situations: Jennifer Shahade Interviews Me About Negotiating, Crypto, Investing & More
It’s hard to practice psychology in high stakes situations. But it's necessary. I've been practicing this forever. I practice with chess, in business, in negotiating, in investing. Jennifer Shahade also practices this. Actually, no. She's mastered it. She's the U.S. Women's Chess Champion and a professional poker player. We've been playing chess together since we were kids. And I recently went on her podcast, "The Poker Grid." And I'm airing it here for you. We talk about crypto, diversifying your investments, side hustles, and negotiating. Plus, we talk about the psychology of poker, how to take in information and predict your opponent. Here's the show. I hope you enjoy. - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/14/2019 • 49 minutes, 39 seconds
505 - Find Your Point of View & Make Money Creating: Nas Daily on The Power of Consistency & Transparency
Nas had a great life. And a great job. He was making a ton of money as a software developer for Venmo. But he was too comfortable. So he started a creative challenge where he traveled around the world. And made a one-minute video every day for 1,000 days. He didn’t skip a single day. Which is not easy. So I wanted to have Nas on the podcast to learn how he got the courage to quit his job, travel the world and become a professional creator. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/12/2019 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 5 seconds
504x [Bonus] - Never Go Broke Again: Humble The Poet and I Talk About Our Biggest Investing Mistakes. And The 2 Changes That Helped Us Create Real Wealth
Humble The Poet was scared of going broke again. It was his biggest fear. So he made some necessary changes. And now he's sharing them with you. We recorded this as a quick minisode. It started by accident. We were just talking. And then I looked at my audio engineer. "Are you recording." Yes. Here's the clip. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/11/2019 • 20 minutes, 23 seconds
504 - The Most Authentic Way to Execute Your Life’s Vision: Humble The Poet on Process > Outcome
Humble The Poet was a teacher. He didn't like it. And he felt it. He had a different art inside of him. Part of it was rap, part of it was poetry, part of it was philopshy. It took time, but now Humble The Poet is a full-time artist. In this podcast, you'll learn how he gave himself permission to step off of the approved life paths and create his own. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/7/2019 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 32 seconds
503 - The Path to Stillness: Ryan Holiday on How to Develop Self-Discipline & Reduce Overwhelm
This is Ryan Holiday's 10th time on the podcast. In this episode, we talk about his new book, "Stillness Is the Key," which takes an allusive topic (stillness) and makes it applicable to everyday life. Ryan signed a bunch of copies for me to give away. You can learn how to enter by going to @Altucher on Instagram. - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
11/5/2019 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 18 seconds
502 - [Special Edition] - How To Find Your Fire & Fuel Your Brain with A Mindset That Actually Encourages You To Do What You Want in Life
This is Part 3 of my 500th podcast celebration. All three episodes have incredible clips from incredible guests. Here's the list of clips for Part 3. And let me know which clips you love. Or who you'd like to hear more from. And we'll bring it to you. Thanks. - James Clip 1 - Ep. 438 - Brad Meltzer: Our County’s Secrets (Untold Stories From the CIA & Secret Service) Clip 2 - Ep. 481 - Take Back The Power: Amy Morin on Toxic People, Setting Boundaries & Deciding What’s Worth Your Time Clip 3 - Ep. 460 - Jeff Garlin: Don't Give Yourself a Back Up Plan (Why Having No Net Leads to Greater Success) Clip 4 - Ep. 437 - John Maxwell: THE Master of Personal Growth Clip 5 - Ep. 424 - Byron Allen: How To Make History in Your Dream Industry (A Story About Outsmarting The Standards) Clip 6 - Ep. 451 - Eric Schmidt: Becoming the CEO of Google... Unlearn Arrogance & Become Your Greatest Clip 7 - Ep. 425 - David Rubenstein: The Importance of Having a Good 2nd and 3rd Life (Lessons From The Co-Founder of The Carlyle Group) Clip 8 - Ep. 473 - Jamie Metzl: The Future of Life on Earth: Threats, Opportunities, & Scientific Predictions You Never Saw Coming Clip 9 - Ep. 471 - Eric Weinstein: The Formula for Innovation (And How to Escape Your Own Restrictions) Clip 10 - Ep. 491 - Find Your Creative Calling: Chase Jarvis on How to Establish a Daily Practice & Make Time for What You Love I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/31/2019 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 45 seconds
501 - [Special Edition] - Why We Struggle to Bring Our Ideas to Fruition (The Truth About Human Nature) & How to Overcome It
Here's Part 2 of my 500th celebration! I'm releasing three bonus episodes. You can listen in any order. They all have a mix of clips that show you how to find what you really love in life, how to overcome the fear and self-doubt that plagues all of us, how to predict the future, get a new skill and more. I hope you enjoy. But most of all, I want to say thank you for supporting this show. I appreciate it. Everyone who works on this show appreciates you. And we really hope you get as much value from this as we do. Here's the list of clips for Part 2: Clip 1 - Ep. 455 - Bishop T.D. Jakes: How to Turn Unexpected Pain into Power Clip 2 - Ep. 403 - Robert Greene: The Laws of Human Nature... (Why We Are The Way We Are) Clip 3 - Ep. 412 - Kai-Fu Lee: Who Will Win In The Future? (AI, China, Capitalism and The New World Order) Clip 4 - Ep. 457 - Sam Harris: Why You’re Failing to Make Sense of Your Life Clip 5 - Ep. 422 - George Gilder: How to Think Like a Futurist Clip 6 - Ep. 406 - Howard Marks: Billionaire Investor on Market Cycles (How to Survive the Bad Days & Win the Good Days) Clip 7 - Ep. 413 - Danica Patrick: Finding Your Driving Force Clip 8 - Ep. 477 - Mike Love: Life as a Beach Boy (Memories, Lyrics, & A Behind The Scenes Look at The Band Who Gave Us "Good Vibrations") Clip 9 - 408 - James Frey: Breaking The Rules, Writing & Becoming Yourself Again Clip 10 - Ep. 426 - Gilbert Gottfried: Laugh Everyday (It's Medicine For Your Day) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/30/2019 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 58 seconds
500 - [Special Edition] - How to Revive Your Dead Dreams & Make Your Life Worth Living (It’s Not Too Late)
Consider this the new year. I'm releasing 3 episodes back-to-back with the greatest advice from 30 guests. Today you'll get 10 clips (I made a list of the guests and episodes below so yu can follow along). But here's what I'm thinking. Use these 3 episodes as a guide. Let them help you reinvent. I do this every 100 episodes. 500 is big. And it's hard to choose the clips. Because there are so many great ones. But I want to give you a good mix. So here's what you'll get in Part 1: Clip 1 - Ep. 421 - David Goggins: “Never Be Satisfied With Your Life… Find Your New 100%” Clip 2 - Ep. 474: Scott Galloway - Men's Health: "If You Continue To Do This, You're Going to Die Early" Clip 3 - Ep. 442 - Justice Sonia Sotomayor: Lessons From a Supreme Court Justice on How to Persuade & Convince Clip 4 - Ep. 407 - Charlamagne Tha God: Mental Health & Coping with Anxiety Clip 5 - Ep. 423 - John Paul DeJoria: Build A Self-Made Personality (How John Went From Homeless to Billionaire) Clip 6 - Ep. 494 - Talking About Depression & Mental Wellness: Gary Gulman on Using Comedy as Therapy Clip 7 - Ep. 411- Wyclef Jean: From Poverty to The World Stage (How to Dream a New Reality) Clip 8 - Ep. 463 - Humble the Poet: Unlearn The Lessons That Hurt You. So You Can Learn The Lessons That Help You Clip 9 - Ep. 441 - Steven Pressfield: It’s Not Too Late to Become the Hero of Your Journey (Listen to Your Gut) Clip 10 - Ep. 484 - The Best Tool To Unlock Your Creativity: Julia Cameron on "The Artist's Way" I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/29/2019 • 1 hour, 45 minutes
499 - Learn to Live in The Maybe: Tim O'Brien on War, Writing & Resting in The Unknown
Tim O’Brien is the bestselling author, “The Things They Carried.” Tim wrote this book as a veteran of the Vietnam war. He was drafted. Like everyone else in their 20’s at the time. “85, 90% of our casualties came from land mines,” he said. “Not gunfire. Not the typical battle you’ll see in movies. Landmines were the killing force.” Every step he took was a mystery. People died all around him. ““I’ll never know how close my foot was to a land mine,” he said. Now he's 73. And has a new book. It's called "Dad's Maybe Book." His son came up with the title. But I look at this book as a sequel to "Thinks They Carried." Because both books include the idea of "maybe." "Will I live another day?" "every day has maybe," Tim said. "But that’s true for everyone. We all write our maybe books. Maybe my dreams will come true. Maybe not. Maybe I’ll change my dream, amend them or qualify them..." This episode is about learning to get comfortable with the maybe. Settling in. And seeing the story unfold. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/24/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes
101 Rule for Starting Your Business: Steve Cohen and I Discuss The Psychology of Business
The rules of business are the same in 1800 and now. The times change. The products change. But the psychology of business stays the same. I'll tell you my stories. And lessons on being creative, executing your ideas, who to hire, giving yourself permission to make mistakes. And more. You can also check out my article here, "101 Rule for Starting Your Business." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/22/2019 • 55 minutes, 41 seconds
498 - How to Quit the Stable Job You Hate For Something Better: Mike Bullard on His Journey from Cop to Comic
Mike Bullard dropped out of school to become a cop. He wanted to solve murders. But no one really gets murdered in Canada. So he quit. And became a stand-up comedian. Then a talk show host and radio host. He’s since been named the greatest TV talk show host in Canadian history. I asked him about his decision to quit and turn toward a new (and harder) dream. Here’s Mike Bullard on how he made it to the top. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/17/2019 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 6 seconds
497 - The Cross Between Business & Elections: Phillip Stutts on What Good Marketing Campaigns Do & Don’t Do
I want to know who's going to win the election. And how. What marketing tactics will they use? How will the persuade? Is negative advertising good? I called Phillip Stutts. And he came back on the podcast to tell me his predictions. He’s gotten all sorts of political offices elected: presidents, senators, etc. But he's also worked for losing campaigns. And can speak to what DOESN'T win. And I'm giving away my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. Listen to find out how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Check Out The Altucher Book Club Series: Apple Podcasts YouTube Instagram
10/15/2019 • 52 minutes, 38 seconds
496 - What It Takes to Break a World Record: Aaron Berg on How to Play The Long Game in Comedy & Any Other Career
Aaron Berg is a world record-breaking comedian. He just shattered a comedy record by doing 25 sets. At 25 different clubs. All in one night. He filmed it all. And made a new special called "25 Sets." Which you can get on Amazon. Or iTunes. In this episode, I ask Aaron why he got into comedy, but we also talk about angry people, this new heightened level of outrage, and how to alchemize it into laughs. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/10/2019 • 59 minutes, 46 seconds
495 - Life is Happening Around You: T.J. Miller on Getting Out of Your Head, Ignoring Internet Mobs, Bitcoin & More
T.J. Miller is a stand-up comedian and actor. It's his second time on the podcast. We talked about his upcoming movie, "Underwater." But we also talk about the future of bitcoin, the changing media landscape, why people are so angry and the benefits of getting away from the screen. And joining real life. One more thing... I'm giving away my latest book, "The Side Hustle Bible." More details in the show. Thanks - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/8/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 6 seconds
494 - Talking About Depression & Mental Wellness: Gary Gulman on Using Comedy as Therapy
Gary Gulman is a comedian I love as a professional, a person and a friend. He first came on my podcast in 2016. When he was severely depressed. He could barely get out of bed. I admired him. Because he was really honest about it. He's doing better now. But there's no such thing as perfect when it comes to mental health. We all have our battles. Whether it's with self-doubt, fear of getting out of our comfort zone, wanting to be liked... or if it's the intense spectrum of clinical depression, which Gary brings light to. And laughter in his new HBO comedy special, "The Great Depresh." Hey. I'm giving away free copies of my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. Listen to find out how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/3/2019 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 16 seconds
493 - How to Protect Your Money & Your Identity: Frank Abagnale Gives Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Rip-off Artist
“Everyone in America has had their identity stolen already,” Frank Abagnale said. He would know. He’s a con artist. Well, used to be. He retired. But 50 years ago, Frank was one of the most wanted men in the U.S. And in 2002, Steven Spielberg made a movie about him called “Catch Me If You Can,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Now, Frank has a new life teaching people how to protect their identity. And avoid all kinds of scams (romance scams, go fund me scams, investing scams, etc.) And he wrote a book with all these tips called “Scam Me If You Can: Simple Strategies to Outsmart Today's Rip-off Artists”. Also (special announcement for my listeners), I'm giving away my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. Listen to find out how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/1/2019 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 14 seconds
492 - Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To: David Sinclair on The Science and Technology of Living Longer
Anti-aging technology is here. And David Sinclair is the biologist, researcher and genetics professor with the answers to all my questions about how to live longer, how to reverse your biological clock, age better, or even anti-age. He just wrote the book, “Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To.” And runs The Sinclair Lab at Harvard Medical School... But before you press play, I'll tell you the best part. We don't have to wait or be babies to take advantage of this technology. All we have to do is be alive. And I have an announcement for my listeners. I'm giving away free copies of my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible. This book is a collection of 177 proven ways to extra income. Make sure to click play to hear how you can claim a copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/26/2019 • 1 hour, 36 minutes, 12 seconds
491 - Find Your Creative Calling: Chase Jarvis on How to Establish a Daily Practice & Make Time for What You Love
Chase Jarvis is one of the best photographers in the world. He's the founder of Creative Live, the world’s largest online learning platform for creatives & entrepreneurs. And now, he's the author of the new book: “Creative Calling: Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World with Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life.” This book is the bible of creativity. In this episode, I ask Chase, "How do you start when it’s been so long," how to find time to be creative, how to turn off self-judgment and more. [Special announcement] I'm giving away my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's is a collection of 177 proven ways to extra income. And I'm giving it away for free. So listen to find out how to claim your copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/24/2019 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 18 seconds
490 - What It Takes: Steve Schwarzman, Founder of BlackStone, on How to Turn Your Vision into a Reality
I could ask Steve Schwarzman 5 more hours of questions. He's the Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder of the largest private equity firm on the planet, Blackstone. And now, he's the author of, "What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence." And (special announcement for my listeners), right now, for a limited time, you can claim a free copy of my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." I wrote this book because people ask me all the time, "How can I make extra income? How can I choose myself?" I put it all in this book, "The Side Hustle Bible." Which details 177 ways to make extra income. Learn how to claim your free copy in today's episode. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/19/2019 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 35 seconds
489 - The Art of Human Connection: Brian Grazer on How to Let Curiosity Lead You Forward
Brian Grazer is one of the top producers of all time in Hollywood. He's a producer of "Splash," "Apollo 13," "A Beautiful Mind," which he won the Oscar for Best Picture. He produced one of my favorite movies, "8 Mile," and another favorite movie, "Blue Crush." Plus, my favorite TV series, "Arrested Development," and other great TV series like "24," "Empire," and more. He's also the author of two book, "Face to Face, the Art of Human Connection" and "A Curious Mind." Listener giveaway alert: right now, for a limited time, you can claim a free copy of my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." I love this book for so many reasons. But mainly because it helps peopel choose themselves. In "The Side Hustle Bible" you'll learn how to make extra income. (I actually give you 177 ways in the book). Press play to hear how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/17/2019 • 59 minutes, 54 seconds
488 - How to Learn Anything Extremely Quickly: Scott Young on The Science of Ultralearning
Scott Young is the author of "Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career." And he's not just a researcher. He's lived this. Scott finished a four-year MIT degree in just one year. He's self-taught himself multiple languages, drawing, and a lot of other skills that take people decades to master. In this episode, you'll hear Scott's step-by-step approach for learning any difficult skill you have in mind. You'll also hear how you can claim a free copy of my brand new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. Listen to find out how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts. Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/12/2019 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 7 seconds
487 - In Honor & Memory... We Hear An Air Traffic Controller’s 9/11 Story: How Chris Tucker Saved Lives
Chris Tucker is a former air traffic controller. He was working in New York City on 9/11. And spent the whole day trying to keep the passengers of two hijacked planes safe. This episode is his story. It's heroic. And it saved lives. But Chris says, "I was just doing my job." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/11/2019 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 9 seconds
486 - Everything Doctor's & Hospitals are Afraid to Tell You: Dr. Marty Makary on How to Negotiate Your Medical Bills, Advocate For Yourself & Restore U.S. Healthcare
Healthcare is making people bankrupt. Doctors screw you. Hospitals scam you. They recommend surgeries you don't need. Or rob you based on what "network" you're in. Why? Because we're not informed. And Marty Makary is here to change that. "Every price on a hospital bill is negotiable," he said. Then he told me how. Here's why you can trust Marty. Because he's on the inside. He's a surgeon at John Hopkins, a health policy expert, professor and the author of "The Price We Pay: What Broke American Health Care--and How to Fix It" and "Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won't Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Health Care." Listen to this episode to hear how you can take charge of your personal healthcare. And how your friends and family can, too. Giveaway alert: claim a free copy of my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. Listen to find out how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/10/2019 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 5 seconds
485 - The State of Big Business: Tyler Cowen's Contrarian Economic View
Tyler Cowen is an economist and the author of "Big Business: A Love Letter to an American Anti-Hero." This book is meant to help calm your nerves. He says, "I think we're in a grumpy time period. People are upset at politicians, at Congress, somewhat at the church, the media, there’s a loss of faith in many institutions. There’s a sense that whatever is perceived as having power has to be taken down and I think big business is caught up in that... I thought I would just write down the things about big business that no one else was saying." It's sort of a contrarian book... "which ought not to be contrarian.” Also, I have a new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. And I'm giving it away for free to my listeners. You'll hear more in the podcast. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/5/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 49 seconds
484 - The Best Tool To Unlock Your Creativity: Julia Cameron on "The Artist's Way"
Julia Cameron is the author of "The Artist's Way." I've read and re-read this book for decades. It's THE #1 tool for when I need to clear out my self-doubt, fear, creative blocks, etc. And I'm not the only one. Countless of movie producers, actors, writers, and more have used this book to unlock their creativity. And build success. Listen to hear what it can do for you. Also (big announcement for listeners), I'm giving away my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible." It's a collection of 177 proven ways to make extra income. Listen to find out how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/3/2019 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 23 seconds
483 - Political Incorrectness: Brian Scott McFadden on The Disease of PC Culture in the Trump Era
Brian Scott McFadden is on a mission to make comedy funny again. He says, "You're a human being. And that's what comedy is supposed to be about... our shared humanity." You'll hear some really funny, thought-provoking bits. You'll hear classic impersonations. And you'll be given the chance to question the level of animosity, fear, anger, hypocrisy, etc. in the air. And determine if you've given up your ability to look at the bright side. Listen to have a laugh with us. AND if you listen, you'll hear a special announcement about my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible," which is a collection of 177 proven ways to extra income. I'm giving it away for free. So listen to find out how to claim your copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/29/2019 • 2 hours, 4 minutes, 7 seconds
Why People Fail (The Do's & Don’ts: What We Learned from 500 Peak Performers)
I'm getting ready to celebrate my 500th episode. So I'm relearning old lessons. And I want you to join me. Steve Cohen (podcast producer extraordinaire) says, "What's the best room in the house? The room for improvement." Listen to learn all our favorite lessons on WHY people fail. So you can start making your own incremental changes in your daily life today. Also, I'm giving away my new book, "The Side Hustle Bible" to listeners for free. Listen to hear how to claim your free copy today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/27/2019 • 1 hour, 10 seconds
482 - Unconventional Careers: How Tank Sinatra Turned an Obsessive Mind into a Profitable Online Career
Tank Sinatra was an alcoholic. He knew it early on. And quit drinking when he was 22 years old. "You know how people say they're going to go have 'A drink?'" he said, "I've never done that." He calls it an allergy. Because his reaction to alcohol is so abnormal. He told me how he quit. And how he turned his attention to the internet. He started making memes. Which got a lot of attention. Now he runs several meme accounts on Instagram. Including @tank.sinatra (1.8 million followers). He'll tell you how he left his job as a fence salesman and built one of the most sought after unconventional careers in modern society. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/22/2019 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 31 seconds
481 - Take Back The Power: Amy Morin on Toxic People, Setting Boundaries & Deciding What’s Worth Your Time
Amy Morin is a psychotherapist and the author of the international bestseller, "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do." She's seen firsthand how people change their lives. And coming on the show to help you take back the power in your own life. Just like she did. And just like her clients. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/20/2019 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 15 seconds
480 - Chris Gethard: How to Talk About The Hard Things In Life & Make it Funny
Chris Gethard makes issues like depression, anxiety & loneliness funny. He's a comedian, actor and the host of the podcast “Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People." In this episode, you'll hear Chris Gethard's top tips for inserting the funny into the difficult... I'll tell you why this is important. It will help you with sales, business, connecting with people, etc. Being funny isn't just for comedians. It's a business skill, a parenting skill, a life skill, etc. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/15/2019 • 1 hour, 56 minutes, 21 seconds
479 - Jackie Martling: Life as The Joke Man & Why Passion Isn't Enough
Jackie Martling is a professional joke writer. He spent 18 years writing jokes for “The Howard Stern Show.” He’s also had his own radio show about jokes on Sirius XM. And he’s the author of ‘The Joke Man: Bow to Stern.” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/13/2019 • 57 minutes, 20 seconds
478 - Tim Staples: The Psychology Behind Capturing Attention & Making Content Go Viral
Tim Staples makes content go viral. In this episode, he'll break down the psychology behind capturing attention. Which you can use in any area of life: sales, pitching a business, growing a following online, getting people behind you, crowdfunding, getting your kids to listen and care, etc. Everything comes from Tim's new book, "Break Through The Noise: The Nine Rules To Capture Global Attention." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/8/2019 • 52 minutes, 41 seconds
477 - Mike Love: Life as a Beach Boy (Memories, Lyrics, & A Behind The Scenes Look at The Band Who Gave Us "Good Vibrations")
Mike Love is a singer and co-founder of The Beach Boys. I did this interview LIVE in New York. (Come to a show sometime!) We talk about his legendary career and how The Beach Boys became a global sensation pre-internet. We also talk about writing music, being creative, what was happening in the 60’s and 70’s, how Mike is still able to go on tour at age 78 and more. Listen to this episode to join us in remembering the good old days. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/6/2019 • 49 minutes, 41 seconds
476: Andrew Schulz - How to Be Authentic Everywhere. All The Time.
Andrew Schulz is a comedian and host of “The Brilliant Idiots” podcast with Charlamagne Tha God and "Flagrant 2" with Akaash Singh and Kazeem Famuyide. In this episode you’ll hear all his marketing hacks for building an audience, becoming discoverable, growing on YouTube, etc. And he’ll also teach you his #1 skill: being authentic everywhere. All the time. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/1/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 47 seconds
475: David Bach - What Do You Need to Retire? (& How to Invest Money That Aligns with Your Values)
David Bach is the author of "The Latte Factor: Why You Don't Have to Be Rich to Live" and "The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich." He'll teach you about the financial anxieties we create in our head, why they're dead wrong, how to relax, save and get ready for the life you imagine for yourself. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/30/2019 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 51 seconds
474: Scott Galloway - Men's Health: "If You Continue To Do This, You're Going to Die Early"
Scott Galloway quit everything in 1999. He quit his job, his marriage. “I didn’t like my friends. I didn’t like myself,” he said. So he went out on his own. Two years later he felt like he was going to die. “I only left my loft for food, sex and to go to the ready-teller,” he said. "An instinct kicks in that if you continue to do this, you're going to die early." He did the research. And found that men who live alone die 8-10 years earlier than men who are engaged in a family. So he started to study what was happening in his head. What was it about isolation that made him vulnerable? You'll hear the science in this episode. You'll also hear about the psychology of money, how to use it to feel happier, the 3 types of love (and which is the most important to longevity), what memories in your life will solidify in your brain as your greatest moments in life, and more. All of this comes from Scott Galloway's newest book "The Algebra of Happiness." Which he wrote because he made a video about it, got 2 million views and realized "people need to hear this." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/25/2019 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 54 seconds
473 - Jamie Metzl: The Future of Life on Earth: Threats, Opportunities, & Scientific Predictions You Never Saw Coming
Jamie Metzl is a tech futurist, sci-fi writer, CIA think-tank participant, self-taught genomics expert, economist and more. His new book is “Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity” about the future of life on earth: the threats, the opportunities, the differences and predictions you'll never see coming (unless you click play). I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/23/2019 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 50 seconds
472 - Eric Weinstein: How to Question the World Around You & Find Your Core Theories (Part 2)
Eric Weinstein was going to drop out of college. But he got a degree... from Harvard. In mathematical physics. And now he’s the Managing Director of Thiel Capital (Peter Thiel’s investment firm). And he's the host of the new podcast "The Portal." In Part 1, we talk about his background. And in this episode (part 2), we talk about the hidden ways you're being suppressed, how to "unspin the world" and see it differently, what Eric recommends to practice "first principles" thinking and more. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/18/2019 • 56 minutes, 3 seconds
471 - Eric Weinstein: The Formula for Innovation (And How to Escape Your Own Restrictions) (Part 1)
Eric Weinstein is the managing director of Thiel Capital. He has a Ph.D. from Harvard in mathematical physics. (Meaning, listening to him WILL make you smarter.) I asked him how he learned to think so clearly. Because too many of us are in a fog or sleep-deprived or on an emotional stress-induced roller coaster. So how do you get off? Eric explains: try being an imposter, look for the core principle of any given problem, let history be your reference in life, build reliable mental models and more. He explains how in this episode. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/16/2019 • 1 hour, 21 seconds
470 - Ramit Sethi: Are You Building The Skills & Habits to Live a Rich Life? (Part 2)
Ramit Sethi's is the only person who will tell you exactly how to improve your behavior about money. He's direct. No BS. He's very honest about "the one thing you have to focus on to become a millionaire." You'll learn that in this episode. You'll also hear our heated debates about when and HOW to stop paying your credit card debt, what makes your 401K a (potential) scam, how to get rid of your financial stress, who should invest in crypto. And more. - Also check out part 1. You'll learn how to stop having so much fear around money. So you can embrace the possibility and opportunities you have to make and spend money in a way that actually makes you feel like you're living. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/11/2019 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 56 seconds
469 - Ramit Sethi: The New Rules about Money & Wealth + What You Don't Know About Achieving Financial Freedom (Part 1)
Ramit Sethi is the bestselling author and coach of "I Will Teach You To Be Rich," a book that tells you the biggest money mistakes you make, the exact words you should use in a negotiation, how to spend money in a way that actually makes you happy and light up. And more. We also did a part 2 (coming out soon) where we have such heated debates over when to stop paying your credit card debt, when 401Ks become just evil scams, then we yell at each other about cryptocurrencies, etc. So tune in. Here's part 1: The NEW Rules about Money & Wealth + What You Don't Know About Achieving Financial Freedom I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/9/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 1 second
468 - David Epstein: Proof That It’s Never Too Late to Master Something New
We've been lied to. All of our lives, we were told that the most successful people in the world started young. And focussed on just one thing. LIES! David Epstein just wrote about this in his book, "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World." This book is proof that there are shortcuts to mastery. (And I bet you're already doing at least one of the shortcuts). In this episode, you'll hear the formula for mastery, how to start something new at any age and you'll hear case studies of famous artists, athletes, investors and more... all who dabbled in life, tried different careers, moved around and still rose to the top. Oh! And if you like this episode, please remember to subscribe. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/4/2019 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 9 seconds
467 - Gabriel Weinberg: These 10 Biases Impact Who & What Influence You
I’m jealous of Gabriel Weinberg. He wrote the book I WISH I wrote. It’s called “Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models.” This book has hundreds of mental models, cognitive biases, ect. This is a book I'm going to keep out and re-read pretty regularly. Because it explains why we think the way we think. Here are a few you'll hear about in this episode: how to force yourself into thinking critically, how to stop jumping to conclusions, how to end arguments with people you love, how to improve your decision-making ability and more. And Gabriel is also the founder of Duck Duck Go, a search engine that gets over a billion searches a month. And focusses 100% of keeping you safe and searches private. You'll hear more about this, why I use it and how it can benefit you. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/2/2019 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 9 seconds
466 - Brad Thor: How to Start Carving Out Time For Your Dream
Brad Thor used to work in the TV industry. Then he got married. And his wife asked him, “If you were on your death bed, what would you regret not doing?" He answered right away. Without thinking. "Write a novel," he said. Now he's written 19. And he's one of my all-time favorite thriller writers. He told me how he carved out time for his dream, what it's like to work on secret projects with the government, how he got his book deals, the beats of a thriller and more. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/27/2019 • 55 minutes, 23 seconds
465 - Susie Essman: Bravery = Opening Yourself Up to Getting Rejected. Showing Who You Are. And Going For What You Want
People are scared to be brave. Not Susie Essman. She puts her guts out there. It's how she became a successful comedian and actor. And this is a serious model of success in any situation. Because you can't half-ass your business, your book, your life, your career. So I asked Susie "How do you get to that level of bravery?" "What should someone listening practice?" And she told me. - You can see Susie on HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Comedy Central's "Broad City," ABC's "Bless is Mess." And she has a novel coming out soon about a woman who has to clean out her mother’s apartment after she dies. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/25/2019 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 5 seconds
464 - Humble the Poet: Unlearn The Lessons That Hurt You. So You Can Learn The Lessons That Help You (Part 2)
This is part 2 with Humble the Poet. In part 1 we talk about how he quit his teaching job. And became an artist. In part 2, Humble tells me how he became an artist who serves a community AND profits. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/20/2019 • 49 minutes, 58 seconds
463 - Humble the Poet: Unlearn The Lessons That Hurt You. So You Can Learn The Lessons That Help You (Part 1)
Humble the Poet started out as someone who didn’t know what he wanted to do in life. Then he became a teacher. He was good with kids. But there was too much bureaucracy in the job. So he quit. I asked him a bunch of “how” questions. “How did you quit?” “How did you start your side gig?” “How did you know you’d make money? or be successful.” A lot of it was about following his intuition. And taking one step at a time. Which anyone can do. At any age. I'm going on a LIVE tour. Get your tickets! Los Angeles @ The Regent Theater - June 15 Boston @ Laugh Boston - June 18 Cleveland @ Hilarities - June 19 I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/18/2019 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 43 seconds
462 - Scot Cohen: Don't Stay Small. Build Real Businesses Using Just Your Network
Scot Cohen has made millions from networking. But he used to have a hard time figuring out who was toxic and who was actually a good connection. So I asked him how what flipped the switch? He told me how he went from miserable job to millions off networking. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/13/2019 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 30 seconds
461 - Ben Mezrich: Bitcoin Billionaires (And The Future of Crypto)
I believe in bitcoin. But not everyone understands it. It's confusing. So Ben Mezrich wrote about it. But not in the boring way you've seen over and over again. Ben Mezrich is a thriller writer. So he found the drama. And shows you bitcoin's dark history and its bright future. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/11/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 55 seconds
460 - Jeff Garlin: Don't Give Yourself a Back Up Plan (Why Having No Net Leads to Greater Success)
Jeff Garlin is an actor, known for playing Jeff Green (Larry David’s sidekick) on Curb Your Enthusiasm (my favorite show!). He’s also on The Goldberg and he’s been doing stand up comedy for 37 years. But he didn't start out knowing he'd be successful. He just gave himself no other choice. "Because I had nothing to fall back on," he said. "My dad always used to say, ‘Have something to fall back on.’ If I had something to fall back on and I liked it, I might’ve fallen back on it." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/6/2019 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 32 seconds
459 - Mike Reiss: True Stories: How To Survive a Horrible Boss, The Oscars, Make a Cartoon From Scratch & More
Mike Reiss had a horrible boss. He'd call him up just to say, "XYZ sucks." He'd hold group meetings just to put his insults on display. "He was impossible," Mike said. But he dealt with it. Which seems like something a lot of people don't know how to handle. Mike gave me his tips and then also told me what life is like now. He's a co-founding writer of "The Simpsons." And he still flies to LA once a week to work on the show. "I can make jokes. I can’t really do much else," he said. "And thank God it’s a job. I'm the luckiest man in the world.” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/4/2019 • 56 minutes
458 - Roger McNamee: Who’s Really in Control of Your Mind? These Are The Secret Ways You're Being Manipulated
He’s back! Roger McNamee is a Silicon Valley veteran who’s mentored everyone from Steve Jobs to Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg. And more. But he’s not here to talk about their success. He’s here to talk about the ways their success is crippling our freedom. And how to change that. Before it’s too late (also, I should say, I’m never a fan of "doom and gloom" marketing. This is not that. This is education. And knowledge. Which equals power.) This episode is the start of a privacy revolution. And you'll be glad to look back one day and say, "I remember how that got started." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/30/2019 • 47 minutes, 14 seconds
457 - Sam Harris: Why You’re Failing to Make Sense of Your Life
Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, meditation advocate, he's the host of the "Making Sense" podcast and the New York Times bestselling author of "The End of Faith" "Waking Up," "The Moral Landscape" and more. This episode is long. But you can listen to it in piece if thats easier. Here are some of the subjects we talk about: irrational vs. rational thinking, expectations, anxiety, “the effort of an examined life,” how cults think, how to win an argument, why no one likes to talk about climate change, human imagination, and more. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/28/2019 • 2 hours, 7 minutes, 21 seconds
456 - Rich Karlgaard: You Can Flourish Later in Life (It’s More Possible Now Than Ever)
Rich Karlgaard has done everything from dishwashing to running Forbes magazine. He was a late bloomer. And he wanted to hunt down other late bloomers. He gives a bunch of examples in this podcast. And wrote a book about this phenomenon titled, "Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/23/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 14 seconds
455 - Bishop T.D. Jakes: How to Turn Unexpected Pain into Power
Bishop T.D Jakes has served millions of people all over the world. He listens to their stories. And has learned this: "Pain always leaves a gift behind." And he wants to teach you how to find that gift. "Sometimes things happen to us that we did not choose," he said. This episode and T.D.'s new book, "Crushing" will help you deal with that truth. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/21/2019 • 45 minutes, 16 seconds
454 - Caroline Hirsch: Film Making, Art & Expression as Activism
Caroline Hirsch is the owner and founder of the iconic Caroline’s comedy club in Time Square New York. She’s worked with Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Tracy Morgan, Amy Schumer, and all the greats. She told me about the pattern that great performers go through. But we also talked about a new project: "Ask For Jane." It's a film about the activists who worked secretly to help women get safe abortions at a time when abortion was totally illegal. She said that even talking about abortion could be considered grounds for manslaughter. And the point Caroline wants to make is that these rights are at risk right now. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/16/2019 • 54 minutes, 2 seconds
453 - Pete Holmes: The Beauty of Healing Through Jokes
Pete Holmes wants to rearrange the molecular structure of your brain. NOT through science. He wants to do it through comedy. And masturbation jokes. "When my wife left me," he said, "I realized that comedy is noble. People are hurting and it’s a good thing to do. I know I’m being a little bit high-hoped about stand-up, but good comedy can alchemize pain into pleasure. And I’m getting emotional, but that’s f***ing beautiful.” Don't let these quotes fool you, though. This episode is as hilarious as it is philosophical. And if you like that, also check out Pete's new book "Comedy Sex God." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/14/2019 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 55 seconds
452 - Mark Manson: Everything Is F*cked (A Conversation About Hope)
Mark Manson is the best selling author of “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck.” And now, his new book is, "Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope." Mark started this book when he got depressed.He wanted to find out what hope is and how we can get more of it. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/9/2019 • 44 minutes, 48 seconds
451 - Eric Schmidt: Becoming the CEO of Google... Unlearn Arrogance & Become Your Greatest
Eric Schmidt is the former CEO of Google. Founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page hired him to gear Google up for the IPO. But something happened. They told him, “You need a coach.” Eric disagreed. He thought “I’m so great! You just hired me.” Arrogance kicked in. And he forgot about all the potential he had. We all do this. For different reasons: we're busy, we're tired, we think we know it all, ect. But there's no good reason to stop growing. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/7/2019 • 55 minutes, 9 seconds
Yesterday's "10 Ideas" List (Proof that BAD Ideas Lead to The Good Ideas)
I get this question a lot: “Did you start coming up with ideas because you were already successful?” I'll tell you WHY they ask this. Because people think "I need to pay my bills and THEN I'll change my life." That's backwards. I was dead broke and dead lonely when I started writing 10 ideas a day. It changed my life. Even the bad ones. So I still do it. Every single day. In this episode, I sit with Steve Cohen and go over yesterday's idea list ("10 Reality TV Show Ideas"). You'll see why ideas are infinite. And how bad ideas lead to the best ideas. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/2/2019 • 1 hour, 33 seconds
450 - Mark Malkoff: It's OK to Not Takes Yourself Seriously All The Time.
Mark Malkoff is a comedian who challenges himself to the impossible. And I don't mean medical miracles or anything like that. Everything he does is purely ridiculous. “I get super focussed when someone says I can't pull something off,” he said. This episode will teach how to become persistent. And it will teach you that it's ok to not takes yourself so seriously all the time. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/30/2019 • 2 hours, 57 seconds
How to Deal With Crappy, Toxic People
When I wrote “How to Deal with Crappy People” it became the most popular post on my blog. Everyone is dealing with crappy people. Since that post came out, the most common question I am asked is "What if the crappy person is your boss?" "Or someone you work with?" "Or someone you live with?" In other words, what if the person who is actively trying to harm you, who probably hates you to the core of your being, is someone you or forced to deal with every day? Steve and I talk about the different ways we deal with this, what works, what doesn't work, and some things worth trying out. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/25/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 39 seconds
449 - Chelsea Handler: Life Will Be The Death of Me (Stories About Grief, Healing, Cannabis & The Quest for Meaning)
Chelsea Handler is a comedian and the author of “Life Will Be The Death Of Me.” I interviewed her live at Stand Up New York (you can find out about upcoming live shows here). We talked a lot about trauma, comedy, death... and healing. Chelsea was only 9 years old when her oldest brother died. She felt abandoned. She thought “He went and got himself killed. He wasn’t even careful!” No one taught her how to grieve. So it followed her. Until finally, something else triggered her. Now Chelsea is using comedy (and cannabis) to help "take the edge off." And make the healing less taboo, more fun, and accessible for everyone. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/23/2019 • 50 minutes, 41 seconds
448 - Dave Barry: How To Have More Humor in Your Life
Dave Barry is a comedian and the author of “Lessons From Lucy: The Simple Joys of an Old, Happy Dog.” The book is really funny. I rarely laugh out loud while reading. I have Dave tell me about the inspiration for the book and some of the ways his life has changed (for the better) at age 70, including how to have more humor, more joy and feel an overall sense of satisfaction and goodness. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/18/2019 • 57 minutes, 42 seconds
447 - Hal Elrod: Decide What Has Power Over Your Life and Your Future (Using "The Miracle Equation")
Hal Elrod almost died twice. Actually, he did die. "I was clinically dead for 6 minutes," he said. He was hit by a car. And the doctors said he'd never walk again. Hal dealt with the news with a totally different mindset than most people. "I gave myself five minutes to upset about it," he said. "I accepted the worst case scenario. It has no power over me." Hal is a master at this. Over and over again, he decides what has power over him and what doesn't. In this interview, you'll hear how Hal created "The Miracle Equation," a practical, step-by-step guide to ceaate what you want in life. And go for it. Hal uses this equation everywhere from the most extreme (surviving cancer and learning how to walk again) to the every day (making money and living meaningfully). I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/16/2019 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 21 seconds
Don’t Follow Your Dreams. Age With Your Interests!
Sometimes our dreams hold us back from thinking about new possibilities. This is a 10-15 minute episode about why I don't believe in following your dreams. And why it's better to age with your interests. (Examples included!) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/11/2019 • 12 minutes, 53 seconds
446 - Lori Gottlieb: What to Do When You're Ready for a (Real) Change
Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and the author "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone." I asked her why therapists never tell you how to improve your life. Why won't they just give me the answers? And she said it's because people like to live where it's safe. Therapists know this. They know you won't take their advice. And that you have to figure out for yourself. In this episode, Lori says how talking to someone can help you see the changes you really need. Rather than living in the same decision-making that got you to where you are today. I like her message because it means we all have the chance to change. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/9/2019 • 43 minutes, 30 seconds
445 - Congressman Tim Ryan: The First Presidential Candidate Who Meditates!
Tim Ryan is running for president. He just announced it. I interviewed him five years ago. It was my 32nd podcast interview. I'm re-releasing it. Because it's evergreen. Tim talks about how he got into meditation, the science behind it, how it can help improve your personal health and how it can also impact the health of our country. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. I read all the reviews for my podcast. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/6/2019 • 50 minutes, 8 seconds
What I Learned When I Was Dead Broke
When I was broke, I thought my life was over. Then I made 4 changes. I talk about those 4 changes with Steve in this episode. But we also talk about investing, how to spot a scam (like Madoff), becoming an idea machine and more. Also, let us know what you think! I'm @jaltucher on Twitter. And if you've listened to the other episodes then you might have my phone number so you can text me, too. Thanks. - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/4/2019 • 20 minutes, 51 seconds
444 - Mike Van Cleave: A Conversation About Cancer & Learning How to Discard the Meaningless
This episode is from 2017. It's a beautiful conversation with lessons I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Rest in peace, Mike. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/2/2019 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 42 seconds
Problems = Business Opportunity. Here's 5 Major Problems I've Learned From Podcast Guests
I’ve interviewed 500 of the smartest people in the world. Many of them have discovered major problems in society. And when there are problems that also means there are opportunities for businesses. So Steve and I break down five problems, how they could(potentially) be solved if you tried. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/28/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 4 seconds
443 - Tero Isokauppila: What People Who Study Optimal Human Performance Know About Health That You Don't
Tero Isokauppila is the CEO and founder of Four Sigmatic, a company specialized in helping people reach optimal human performance through superfoods, functional mushrooms and adaptogenic herbs. It's an odd business. And that's why it works. Because Tero doubled down on everything he loves. This episode walks you through the health and business of mushrooms. And teaches you how someone combines interest and skill to successfully build a business. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/26/2019 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 54 seconds
The 2 Biggest Financial Risks You Could Make in a Lifetime
Steve and I were going to do this podcast on "The 10 Commandments of the American Religion." Which is an article I wrote (and got tons of hate mail about) back in 2016. But we only got through #1 and #2. Which happen to be about 2 worst financial risks you could take. Listen to find out what they are, how to avoid them, and why. Plus I'll show you all the money you COULD save if you avoid these two mistakes. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/21/2019 • 49 minutes, 5 seconds
442 - Justice Sonia Sotomayor: Lessons From a Supreme Court Justice on How to Persuade & Convince
Justice Sonia Sotomayor is on the US Supreme Court. I went to Washington for this interview. And asked her what makes someone persuasive and convincing? Is it voice? Is it confidence? And what makes a winning case? And how does someone become the type of person who gets recognized as true and good? I could tell why people look at Justice Sotomayor and say, "Ah, yes, I believe in you." She told me about her beginning. And the dead-ends she hit before making it to the top. She also told me about her new book for young adults called, "Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You." It's technically for 4th-10th graders. But I felt the sincerity and goodness in the lessons even at age 50. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/19/2019 • 42 minutes, 21 seconds
Q’s from Twitter: The Advice I Give My Daughter About Purpose, Books I Re-Read, Procrastination Decoded & More
I get a lot of questions on Twitter and Instagram. So this is an episode to scroll through and give out answers. Send me questions for the next episode @jaltucher. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/14/2019 • 36 minutes, 38 seconds
441 - Steven Pressfield: It’s Not Too Late to Become the Hero of Your Journey (Listen to Your Gut)
Steven Pressfield was a cab driver for years before becoming a best-seller author. He's taught me about following your gut and not letting time get in the way of who you’re supposed to become. Listen to Steven talk about the hero’s journey and how you can become the hero of your life (even if you feel like it’s too late, it’s not.) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/12/2019 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 10 seconds
Entrepreneur vs. Employee: They’re Both Great & They Both Suck. Here’s How to Make the Best of Both
We did this whole podcast off of my idea list for the day. I was in a Facebook group. And someone asked “What does entrepreneurship mean to you?” People had these corny answers like “value, freedom…” But when I started my first company in the 90’s, I cried everyday for 15 years. It’s stressful. Your business follows you everywhere. And eventually your employees are going to start having sex with each other. And a million things can take your dream down. That’s not to say entrepreneurship is always a bad idea. It’s not. I’m glad I did it. I feel like it made me stronger. But people can experience freedom and wealth and everything else from employeeship, too. So I wanted to explore that. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/7/2019 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 12 seconds
440 - Gretchen Rubin: How to Feel Calm & Get Rid of Mental Clutter
Gretchen Rubin is the bestselling author of “The Happiness Project” and “Better Than Before.” She just wrote a new book “Outer Order, Inner Calm: Declutter and Organize to Make More Room for Happiness." Gretchen will make you think about what happiness means to you, why it's individual and how to take steps that really make a difference in your life. And she'll give you new ideas. Which is always a good way to declutter old ways and make room for new. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/5/2019 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 10 seconds
439 - Eddie Ibanez: Data... Threat or a Means to Make Money?
Eddie Ibanez is the biggest cyber security hacker I know. He used to be contracted by the US government to find patters that could help identify various threats (terrorist threats, security threats, etc.) He tried to tell me what he could without going past the line. (He holds a lot of secrets). He'll tell you how you're being hacked, how to protect yourself, what threats are out there for individuals and countries, and more. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/28/2019 • 51 minutes, 36 seconds
438 - Brad Meltzer: Our County’s Secrets (Untold Stories From the CIA & Secret Service)
Brad Meltzer gets to call up the CIA and the secret service whenever he needs a new story. He’s written 11 best selling novels. They’re all history thriller novels. And now he’s written his first non-fiction book about the plot to kill George Washington. Which leads to the invention of the CIA, spies, and other conspiracies. Brad's fascination with history also leads to self-history. He did a TED talk on "How To Write Your Own Obituary." Which made me think, what history will I leave behind? I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/26/2019 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 8 seconds
437 - John Maxwell: THE Master of Personal Growth
John Maxwell changed my life in 2001. I read his book “Failing Forward” and then read all his books ever since. He’s the #1 go-to guy for leadership and personal growth. And he’s sold over 30 million copies of his books worldwide. His newest book is “Leader Shift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace.” I asked him how he found his passion so early in life, what leaders need to do differently, how to find a mentor, make friends in your industry and more. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/21/2019 • 57 minutes
436 - Todd Herman: When to Use Your Alter Ego
Todd Herman coaches CEOs, Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs (etc.) on how to reach their peak performance using 1 key trick… an alter ego. He says, “We’re all super multi-layered people.” But we block ourselves. We constantly use old narratives that we’ve outgrown or hold us back. And we force ourselves to be somebody we don’t want to be anymore. But if you use an alter ego, you can get out of your head. And perform the way you want to (at work, in negotiations, on the field, while networking, in relationships, anywhere.) He'll tell you success stories and how to get started. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/19/2019 • 58 minutes, 14 seconds
435 - Roger McNamee: Every Tech Billionaire's Mentor
Roger McNamee was Steve Jobs' mentor. And Bill Gates. And Mark Zuckerberg. Why is Roger so valuable to these people? What does he know that we don't? What did he have to offer the world's future billionaire visionaries? I also wanted to hear stories. What is Steve Jobs like? And Mark Zuckerberg? "When I met Mark he was different from everybody. But in a kind of cool, interesting way. I mean a little creepy too. But you have to keep in mind, tech entrepreneurs aren’t like you and me.” They're obsessed. And focussed. And sometimes equally underdeveloped as they are overdeveloped. One other thing about this interview: it'll change the way you think about technology. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/14/2019 • 50 minutes, 21 seconds
434 - Stephen Merchant: How to Live Through Your Life’s Awkward Moments… Build Your Ridiculous Muscle
Stephen Merchant is 2x GoldenGlobe-winning actor, writer and director. I’m a fan of everything he’s worked on (The Office, Office Space, Extras, Hello Ladies, etc.). And now he has a brand new movie coming out that I highly recommend called “Fighting With Family.” The Rock is in it. Stephen wrote and directed it. It’s based off of a real-life family who raised their kids to be professional wrestlers. And it tackles all of these real-life human experiences like the fear of not making it, the pressure to succeed, setting difficult expectations for ourselves and so on. This episode is both funny and totally relatable. Just like Stephen’s upcoming movie (coming out Feb. 14) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/12/2019 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 26 seconds
433 - 6 MORE of The Best One Minute Life Hacks
People don't talk about this enough... the life hacks that answer the bigger questions: "How can I make time for things I really love and enjoy?" "How do I get the most out of a day, a week, a year, ten years?" There are a lot of life hacks out there. But I wanted to do something different. I wanted to talk about the little tweaks I do personally to optimize my life and make it a little better bit by bit. Just 1% improvement a day compounds. And adds up to 3780% a year. So here are 6 more things you can try (that all add up) to improve your life. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/7/2019 • 48 minutes, 22 seconds
432 - Will Shortz: Proof that You Can Create Your Own Career Path & Keep Your Brain in Shape
"You’re the most disappointing guest ever," I said. "You’ve done everything you’ve ever wanted to do, you rose to the top…” Will Shortz is the crossword puzzle editor for "The New York Times." And he took probably the strangest path I’ve ever heard to get there… he figured out how to be in control of his career, do what he loves and make it all up as he goes along. This episode is going to give you tips to keep your brain young, smart and it'll also give you ideas about out the box careers. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/5/2019 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 46 seconds
431 - Gary Gulman: "I'm Not Suffering from Depression Anymore"
The first time Gary Gulman came on my podcast, he was totally depressed. He had difficulty speaking. He was hunched over. I almost felt bad for inviting him. But he was really candid. And I wanted to be his friend. He's likable and his comedy always makes me laugh. This is his third time on the show. And he's not suffering from depression anymore. He told me about the medical changes he's made, the support of his loved one, and (best of all) finding his way back to feeling normal. “I wasn’t myself for so long,” he said. “And now to be myself is so exhilarating.” But I realize a lot of people, even people without depression, don’t have the safe and secure feeling of being themselves on a daily basis. So this episode can help you if you feel stuck in some version of yourself that wants to grow and be different and be healthy again. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/31/2019 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 6 seconds
430 - The Best 1 Minute Life Hacks to Save Time & Enjoy More of Life
One time I was on a plane with an CIA officer. He told me a lot of stories. One thing he said stood out. It was a life hack that I adopted right away. And I've been doing it for years ever since. I try to collect one takeaway from every person I interview. But sometimes I get takeaways from my friends and even myself. And now they're all recorded in this podcast. Oh and one more thing. You can let me know your favorite by tweeting @jaltucher. Thanks. - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/29/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 35 seconds
429 - Garry Kasparov: The History of The Free World (And How to Gain Confidence in The Future)
Garry Kasparov is the best chess player in history. He was ranked #1 in the world for 20 years. And in 2007, he ran for president of Russia. Now he lives in exile. Going back to Russia is not an option for him. When I asked him, "Would you be in trouble?" he said, "Trouble is an understatement." He'd be arrested or worse because of his outspokenness and belief in democracy. He believes in America. And he's noticed a lot of young people don't seem to believe in America or its ideals. They don't realize the free world is always being threatened. Garry says, "We cannot separate ourselves from the world. We need to be more proactive. If you don’t want to be proactive you’ll be subject to manipulations." Use this episode as a chance to rediscover history, develop skepticism, become a sharper critical thinker and strength your ability to fight off manipulation online and in real life. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/24/2019 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 51 seconds
428 - Evan Carmichael: How to Shut Out the Negativity in Your Life and Maybe Get Huge on YouTube
Evan Carmichael has a YouTube channel with over 2 million subscribers. He didn’t have a master plan. He built it up from scratch. And just followed a few simple rules (which you’ll hear in this podcast). My favorite rule out of all of them is this: “Follow your momentum.” Evan didn’t know he’d be a huge success on YouTube. He just tried it and felt the momentum and followed it forward. Now he has 16 employees and gets letters from people who say “You believe in me more than anybody else in my life.” Because his videos are built to inspire. This episode breaks down how he got his success on YouTube, what you should do if you want to start today, and he also covers his top tips for running an online businesses, how to shut out the doubt and negativity in your life and replace it with the messages that will actually make you feel happy, healthy, confident, capable, and so on. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/17/2019 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 7 seconds
427 - Lori Gottlieb: When To See a Therapist (And When Not To)
Lori Gottlieb is a psychotherapist and the author of an upcoming book called "Maybe You Should Talk to Someone." She also writes a column in The Atlantic called "Dear Therapist." This episode is sort of a behind-the-scenes. Because Lori tells me what therapists really think about their patients, how they might deal with situation X vs. situation Y. And she also talked to me about things she's noticed about people in general. Like how we don't set high enough standards for ourselves. And what we can do to improve. This episode will make you reflect on the areas of your life that aren't working. So you can stop feeling stuck. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/15/2019 • 58 minutes, 18 seconds
426 - Gilbert Gottfried: Laugh Everyday (It's Medicine For Your Day)
Gilbert Gottfried started doing stand-up comedy when he was 15 years old. He dropped out of high school and within 10 years he was on Saturday Night Live. And he built his career up from there. But he's also been the center of a lot of controversies. People get upset at comedians for "going too far." But Gilbert does it for a reason... He said, "I remember, I did this show that was a tribute to Joan Rivers. It was right after there was that shooting at a gay nightclub. I started doing jokes about the shooting and the audience was laughing all the way through and you know, Joan Rivers has a large gay audience. One guy tweeted me and he said, ‘I never thought that I’d wake up crying and go to sleep laughing.'" It's easy to misunderstand people. And get upset. Whenever I'm made, I say to myself, "This means I'm not understanding something." So then I move that anger into curiosity. I kept asking Gilbert about his jokes. And we walked me through the humor. This episode will make you laugh and maybe uncomfortable but I promise the laughter makes it all worth it. The laughter is medicine for your day. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/10/2019 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 54 seconds
425 - David Rubenstein: The Importance of Having a Good 2nd and 3rd Life (Lessons From The Co-Founder of The Carlyle Group)
I got nervous because David Rubenstein is the co-founder and co-chariman of The Carlyle Group, which is the biggest private equity firm maybe in the world. They own hundreds of companies and have $200 billion in assets. He's also the chairman of a lot of other things: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Smithsonian and he also has his on show, "The David Rubenstein show," where he's interviewed so many brilliant people. His success could be intimating. But he doesn't want it to be. He said, "I'm 69. I didn't start Carlye until I was 37. Maybe people find what they love earlier. I found out later I life." Then he walked me through this. He told me how he stumbled into his new love for philanthropy and the careers he experimented with early on his life and how he learned how to develop new skills at different stages of his career (like motivation and persuasion.) David says this is all part of his third life. That's what this episode is about. The importance of having a good second and third life. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/8/2019 • 55 minutes, 41 seconds
424 - Byron Allen: How To Make History in Your Dream Industry (A Story About Outsmarting The Standards)
Bryon Allen has 3 rules in business: “Don’t let anyone come between you and the customer. Don’t run out of money. And don’t break rules #2 and #3.” But he didn’t know these rules when he got started. He says people weren’t betting on the young black boy born in Detroit… in the 60’s… to a 17-year-old teenage mother. But he defied the odds. And found his passion early on (age 12). This episode walks you through Byron’s success from comedian to writer to TV producer and distributor… all the way up to the top. Now, he owns “Entertainment Studios,” (the TV production company he started at his kitchen table). This is the story of someone who decides to make history. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/3/2019 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 19 seconds
423 - John Paul DeJoria: Build A Self-Made Personality (How John Went From Homeless to Billionaire)
John Paul DeJoria is a self-made billionaire and philanthropist who co-founded the Paul Mitchell hair line. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/1/2019 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 13 seconds
422 - George Gilder: How to Think Like a Futurist
George Gilder is a 79 year old super futurist. He’s the author of #2 book in China, “Life after Google The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy.” I had him on the podcast because he’s somehow been able to predict the future for decades. Steve Jobs read his book in 1990 and passed it around to friends. “So I believe I had some vague influence on the evolution of iPhone,” George said. Now he’s investigating the future of blockchain, bitcoin and more. And in this episode, I ask him to teach me how to think like a futurist so I can profit (financially, creatively intellectually and personally). I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Links and Resources: George's latest book, "Life After Google: The Fall of Big Data and the Rise of the Blockchain Economy" Ronald Reagan's favorite book from George, "Wealth and Poverty: A New Edition for the Twenty-First Century" "Life After Television: The Coming Transformation of Media and American Life" by George Gilder Follow George on Twitter Also Mentioned: Carver Mead Forbes ASAP Paul Romer Alibaba Tencent Baidu ByteDance Satoshi Nakamoto Hashgraph Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/27/2018 • 1 hour, 33 minutes, 6 seconds
421 - David Goggins: Never Be Satisfied With Your Life… Find Your New 100%
David Goggins went from being 300 lbs to becoming a Navy SEAL. He also ran a 100-mile race AND he set the world pull-up record at 4,030 pull-ups in 24 hours. I told him I don't want to do any of that. But... I do want to learn the mindset he developed to achieve all of this and get out of his comfort zone. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/25/2018 • 1 hour, 55 minutes, 18 seconds
420 - Amy Morin: 10 Mental Strength Tips That Will Make You Stronger (Part 2) "
This is part 2 of my interview with Amy Morin where we talk about 10 mental health strategies that will make you stronger. In part 1 of the interview, we talked about her article "5 Ways to Simplify Your Life to Make Room for Things that Matter Most.” Both parts have really great tips. Part 1 focusses on what not to do. And part 2 takes it into the positive because it shows you actionable steps you can start implementing today to be more mentally strong. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/20/2018 • 54 minutes, 39 seconds
419 - Amy Morin - The Power to Strengthen Your Own Mind (Part 1)
Amy Morin in a mental strength trainer. She started out a therapist. And then her husband passed away. And her mom. She was grieving. And tortured by the pain. Then she realized she had the power to strengthen her own mind. She wrote about this in her internationally bestselling book, "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do." Now, she's back on the podcast to talk about an article she just wrote called, "5 Ways to Simplify Your Life So You Can Make Room for Things That Matter Most." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/18/2018 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 2 seconds
418 - T.J. Miller: Don’t Take Yourself Seriously = Success
TJ Miller is a comedian and actor. You’ve seen him in Silicon Valley, Deadpool, Ready Player One, and more. I kept asking him about his success. And how he got there. He told me to stop trying “manufacture” it. I laughed. He kept cracking jokes. He’ll make you laugh. And think. Because he studies a lot of philosophy. That’s where a lot of his comedy comes from. Absurdism + philosophy + storytelling. This episode will probably make you laugh and question at the same time. One other thing... Even though TJ told me not to formulae his success, I still did. Here is it... don’t take yourself seriously + hard work = success. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: YouTube Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/13/2018 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 3 seconds
417 - Jamie Kilstein interviews Me About Escaping The Noise and Finding What Works For You
I went on Jamie Kilstein's podcast. And the conversation got intense. So I asked to publish it on my podcast, too. Here it is. I wanted to repost it because he told me what he does to make an impact in life. And how this has changed for him over time. I could relate. I used to waste energy on things that don't matter. Or stop me from progressing in a way that actually makes me feel better than I did yesterday. So we talk about that. But also, comedy, some books we like, Twitter Wars, why I'm bad with money, why I'm good with money and more. If you like hearing interviews where I'm the one being interviewed, please let me know on Instagram or Twitter. Thanks. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/11/2018 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 17 seconds
416 - Phillip Stutts: The Strategy To Win (Marketing in The Digital Age)
Phillip Stutts has been at the forefront of defining digital campaigning in politics. He has gotten presidents elected. He’s gotten senators elected. He’s gotten all sorts of political offices elected. I wanted to hear the strategy behind those wins. And how it can be applied to business. But I also wanted to ask Phillip about his rare, incurable disease. Because he set a goal to find the cure in 5 years. Even though he has absolutely zero experience in medical research or any of that, he felt inspired to “stop doing nothing.” So I ask him about that inspiration and drive, too. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/6/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 14 seconds
415 - Tom Bilyeu: Replace Excuses With Process (Part 2)
First, Tom Bilyeu created one of the fastest growing companies. Sold it. And made millions. Now he's running a super successful media company. Here’s a list of what we talked about: - WHY I’M TERRIBLE AT NETWORKING (AND WHAT MAKES TOM GREAT AT IT) - HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT ONLINE - USEFUL TECHNIQUES FOR STORYTELLING - FINDING YOUR PERSONAL NARRATIVE / CHANGING IT AND IMPROVING YOUR SELF-TALK And more. In part one, we talk about: - THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR - HOW TO FIND YOUR BLIND SPOTS - HOW TO BUILD A BUSINESS THAT STANDS OUT AND SELLS You don't have to listen in order. Both halves are great. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/4/2018 • 48 minutes, 45 seconds
414 - Tom Bilyeu: Anyone Can Create Impact (Part 1)
Tom Bilyeu grew his company 57,000% in just two years. His company was the second fastest growing company that year. Then he sold it. And overnight, became massively wealthy. Now he runs a media company called Impact Theory. And has a podcast with the same name. This episode will teach you about massive growth in business and everyday life. Also Mentioned “The E Myth” by Michael E. Gerber's “Principles” by Ray Dalio My interview with Ray Dalio “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss “Mindset” by Carol Dweck Freakonomics podcast with Stephen Dubner “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari Tom Bilyeu’s interview with Yuval Noah Harari Joseph Campbell Tom’s interview with Dean Graziosi I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/29/2018 • 47 minutes, 41 seconds
413 - Danica Patrick: Finding Your Driving Force
Danica Patrick is a top-level, professional racing driver, entrepreneur and one of the most well recognized female athletes in history. She started racing when she was 10 years old. And knew she'd make a career out of it. I wanted to know what drove her. And how she uses that same drive to fuel her clothing line, wine business, speaking gigs and more today. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/27/2018 • 59 minutes, 50 seconds
412 - Kai-Fu Lee: Who Will Win In The Future? (AI, China, Capitalism and The New World Order)
Kai-Fu Lee is an artificial intelligence expert, venture capitalist and he’s probably the reason we have “Siri” and “Alexa.” He ran all of Apple’s speech recognition back in the 90’s. Then went on to work with Google and Microsoft. He’s neck deep in innovation. So I had him on to show me the future. And to tell me who the winners will be. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/22/2018 • 55 minutes, 17 seconds
411- Wyclef Jean: From Poverty to The World Stage (How to Dream a New Reality)
Wyclef Jean is one of my favorite artists/rappers/creators. He came from the worst ghettos in Brooklyn. And before that, he came from Haiti. I wanted to know how he took the leap... because so many people are afraid to try. He would imagine himself singing in front of audiences when he was just singing behind the counter at Burger King. And eventually, that vision was reality. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/20/2018 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 14 seconds
410 - AJ Jacobs: How I Reduce Stress Daily
AJ Jacobs traveled all around the world to say “thanks” to all the people involved in making his morning cup of coffee. Then he wrote about it in his new book “Thanks a Thousand.” He thanked everyone from the farmers to the truckers and so on. Then I did my own gratitude experiment (during this podcast). I called the professor who signed the letter that got me thrown out of graduate school. And I said “thanks…” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/15/2018 • 1 hour, 32 minutes, 11 seconds
409 - Dan Schawbel: The Cure to Loneliness at Work AND How to Leverage Each Step of Your Career
Dan Schawbel has the ultimate life plan. He started as the youngest columnist at BusinessWeek, then he created his own personal branding blog, then he became an online contributor for Forbes, then Forbes Magazine (print edition)… He takes each thing he does and leverages it to get to the next level. Eventually, he’ll be a coach for c-suite executives. But for now (in this interview) I had him break down his life plan, tell me how to leverage each micro step further and further so you can get to where you want to go and I had him tell me about his new book, ““Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation.” He broke down the stats for me… and told me how we can stop being lonely and start being human. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Links and Resources Read Dan's books: "Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation" "Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success" "Me 2.0, Revised and Updated Edition: 4 Steps to Building Your Future" Visit Dan’s website Follow Dan on Instagram and Twitter Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/13/2018 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 49 seconds
408 - James Frey: Breaking The Rules, Writing & Becoming Yourself Again
James Frey is a controversial writer. On purpose. He wanted to be “the most notorious writer in the world.” He ran off to Paris to be a writer when he was 21. He published a bestseller 12 years later ("A Million Little Pieces"). That’s 12 years of failure. He told me about those 12 years, his writing style, how he developed a voice, rehab, addiction, depression… but mostly about learning how to become yourself again. Links and Resources: Read James' books: "A Million Little Pieces" "Katerina" "My Friend Leonard" "Bright Shiny Morning" "The Final Testament of the Holy Bible" "Endgame: The Complete Training Diaries: Volumes 1, 2, and 3 (Endgame: The Training Diaries)" "Endgame: Sky Key" "Endgame: Rules of the Game" "Endgame: The Calling" "Endgame: The Complete Zero Line Chronicles (Endgame: The Zero Line Chronicles)" I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/8/2018 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 21 seconds
407 - Charlamagne Tha God: Mental Health & Coping with Anxiety
Charlemagne got kicked out of two high schools. He was a class clown and his teachers said he was "disruptive." Now he gets paid to be disruptive and a class clown... on radio. "I took those so called flaws and made them my strength." And now he's the number one radio personality out there. He told me how he got there. And the anxiety he suffered from getting there. He just came out with a book about mental health called, "Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/6/2018 • 1 hour, 43 seconds
406 - Howard Marks: Billionaire Investor on Market Cycles (How to Survive the Bad Days & Win the Good Days)
Howard Marks is #374 on the Forbes richest list. He co-founded Oaktree Capital Management and is worth $1.9 billion. I asked, “Do you hate being introduced as a billionaire?” He said, “I do. I don’t think that how much money I have sums me up and I don’t think it’s the greatest thing about me.” And he’s right. He can’t teach you how to be a billionaire. He can only teach you what he knows: investing strategies, market cycles, philosophy, psychology, and how he used all of this to create freedom and wellbeing in life. He writes about this in his new book, “Mastering the Market Cycle: Getting the Odds on Your Side.” The book is as much about finance and market cycles as it is about personal cycles. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
11/1/2018 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 16 seconds
405 - John C. McGinley: When to Quit Your Dream & When to Go All In
John C. McGinley has been in 80+ movies, he’s been in six Oliver Stone movies and all nine seasons of “Scrubs.” And now, he’s celebrating the 3rd season of “Stan Against Evil,” where he’s acting AND writing. We talked about acting, improving, auditioning. We talked about the pressure and who should not get into acting… But then about 45 minutes in, I asked him about his experience parenting a child with down syndrome. Four days into his son’s life, John had to make life or death decisions about heart surgery. His life focus changed completely. It had to. And John rose up to it. This podcast really touches on all aspects of life... everything from having a dream to fulfilling it and then seeing your life rotate. Something I think a lot of people can relate to. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/30/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 47 seconds
404 - Noam Dworman: The Risk of Censorship…
I talk to Noam Dworman, owner of the Comedy Cellar about censorship, starting and running a small family-owned business, freedom of information vs. freedom of speech (which is more important?) and... Louis C.K.'s return to the stage. Some background: a few weeks ago, Louis C.K. showed up at the Comedy Cellar. Noam wasn't there. He got a text. "Louis's here." He saw it the next morning. Now everyone is asking Noam, "Where do you draw the line?" He's gotten death threats. I told Noam “When we were growing up no one had peanut allergies. A generation later, because we’ve disinfected everything, millions of kids have peanut allergies. And now, people are allergic to language. It doesn’t seem like this trend ever reverses. First, we were disinfecting our food. Now we’re disinfecting language. What’s next?" Links and Resources Comedy Cellar Also Mentioned Louis (tv show) Fat Black Pussy Cat Village Underground Cafe Wha? Bill Grundfest Gilbert Gottfried John Stewart Bill Marr Ray Ramano Larry David Michael Che Chapelle Allan Havey Malcolm Gladwell The Comedy Channel Jerry Seinfeld’s Documentary “Comedian” “Tough Crowd” Amy Schumer Chris Rock Dave Patel Joe Machi Gary Shandling Robert Kline Harvey weinstein Bill Cosby Aziz Ansari Fable: The Emperor’s New Clothes Jim Gaffigan Norm MacDonald Roseanne “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure” by Greg Lukianoff “1984" by George Orwell I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/25/2018 • 54 minutes, 46 seconds
403 - Robert Greene: The Laws of Human Nature... (Why We Are The Way We Are)
Robert Greene is one of my all-time favorite authors and brilliant thinkers. He just came out with a new book, “The Laws of Human Nature.” And I can already tell you this going to be one of my top recommended reads for the next 10, 20, 30 years. It’s the type of book that makes me feel like my IQ is actually going up while reading it. It explains all of this hidden science behind human behavior. It explains why we see so much irrational behavior around us and in ourselves. Then he tells you ways you can start to change your behavior. And actually feel like you’re becoming who you want to be. So enjoy this episode. - James P.S. You can enter to win a signed copy of Robert’s book, “The Laws of Human Nature.” Just go check out the details at instagram.com/Altucher I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/23/2018 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 50 seconds
402 - Jocko Willink & Leif Babin: How Navy SEALS Lead
Jocko Willink and Leif Babin are both Navy SEALS. They just came out with a new book “The Dichotomy of Leadership" where they break down all the mistakes leaders do, all the ways they get lost in ego, all the ways they forget to gain trust from their teams and lose. They do they so you can win. People fail at leadership everyday. I fail at leadership everyday. I needed this book because it showed me some of my nature. And how I can counteract it. So I can achieve more. And my team can too. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/18/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 8 seconds
401 - Chip Conley: Is Retirement Dead? How To Find Your Calling (Even When You're 50+)
Chip Conley is the Head of Hospitality for Airbnb. He started working there at age 52. And quickly realized he was double the age of everyone in the room, didn’t understand the tech lingo, and was not there for the reasons he thought he was. “So I decided, ‘Gosh the only way I’m going to survive here is to be as much of a curious learner as the wise sage,” Chip said. And that’s what he did. Six and a half years later he’s still an advisor to the (now) billionaire founders of Airbnb. This podcast is perfect for anyone trying to find their calling. Or anyone trying to stay relevant in a quickly changing economic landscape. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
400 episodes = 400 “yes’s” from my heroes. “Yes’s” from Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, Tyra Banks, Tiffany Haddish, Garry Kasparov, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tony Hawk, Arianna Huffington and the list goes on (by #392). But first, I had to say “yes.” And I'm glad I did. I hope this episode helps you find your next "yes." --- Part 2 features clips from my interviews with Tony Rock, Sherrod Small, Jocko Willink, Maria Konnikova, Steve Cohen, Ken Langone, Amy Morin, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Rob Corddry, Seth Godin, Roy Niederhoffer and Yuval Noah Harari. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Links & Resources: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing." This report will teach you all about how to successfully self-publish your own book. And how I created a new revenue stream for myself from it. All the tips are right here. Get your copy at jamesaltucher.com/publish
I’m celebrating my 400th podcast episode. With a GIANT episode. I took clips from the last 100 podcasts and talk about what I learned from each one. It was so hard to pick which clips to do. There was over 12,000 hours of audio to pick from. So it was hard. But I got it down to 20-something clips. Thanks for celebrating 400 with me. And keep an eye out for when you start to see me get close to 500. I’ll throw a party and invite you. Thanks for listening. - James One other thing. If want to go back to hear the full episodes with these guests, here are the links to each episode: Clip #1 - Dan Harris - Ep. 301: How to Mentally Train the Mind – Ten Minutes a Day Clip #2 - Aaron Carroll - Ep. 302: Aaron Carroll: It’s All Relative: Nutrition Myths Debunked Clip #3 -Kareem Abdul Jabbar - Ep. 307: Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court Clip #4 -Jordan Peterson - Ep. 312: 12 Rules For Life: A Solution to Suffering Clip #5 - Dr. Oz - Ep. 313: I Talk to THE #1 Health Guru in America Clip #6 - Annie Duke - Ep. 317: The Fastest Way to Become an Expert at Anything Clip #7 -Jim Cramer - Ep. 321: The Greatest Wealth Creator of All Time Clip #8 - Cal Fussman - Ep. 324: The Art of a Great Question Clip #9 -Wolfgang Puck - Ep 328: Knowing Your Calling is Step One. Following It is Step 2 (A Chef's Journey) Clip #10 -Sebastian Maniscalco - Ep. 329: How to Create an Authentic Word of Mouth Career Clip #11 - Michio Kaku - Ep. 338: What The Future Holds... (How to Use Physics to Predict the Future) Clip #12 -Tyra Banks - Ep. 339: How to Create New Opportunities & Gain Control of Your Destiny I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Links & Resources: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing." This report will teach you all about how to successfully self-publish your own book. And how I created a new revenue stream for myself from it. All the tips are right here. Get your copy at jamesaltucher.com/publish
10/11/2018 • 1 hour, 38 minutes, 41 seconds
399 - Neil deGrasse Tyson: What is The Truth? The Real Science of Inquiry
“If the world ends it's because people in power didn't listen to the warnings of physicists,” Neil deGrasse Tyson said. Neil is the world’s window into physics. And he just came out with a new book “Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military.” He told me how physicists think. And this kind of thinking can be used to make you a better communicator, help you to avoid conflict, make smart decisions, but he also told me odd stories. Like how Columbus used astrophysics to exploit power, why E = mc2 gave us atomic bombs, who the first trillionaire will be, why physics stops Neil from having normal fights with his wife and more. If you don’t think you "get" science, you’ll be a new person after this podcast. Links and Resources Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military by Neil deGrasse Tyson StarTalk radio (Neil’s podcast) Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson Death by Black Hole: And Other Cosmic Quandaries by Neil deGrasse Tyson Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution by Neil deGrasse Tyson Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey Also Mentioned "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing." This report will teach you all about how to successfully self-publish your own book. And how I created a new revenue stream for myself from it. All the tips are right here. Get your copy at jamesaltucher.com/publish The Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History Richard Holbrooke Key and Peele’s parody on Neil deGrasse Tyson My interview with Naveen Jain - Ep. 135 “The Billionaire Who Wants to Go to The Moon” Carl Sagan Scientific American I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/9/2018 • 59 minutes, 33 seconds
398 - Ryan Holiday [LIVE] - Are You Doing Your Best Work? [Part 2]
Links and Resources Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue by Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living & The Daily Stoic Journal The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work That Lasts by Ryan Holiday Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday Also Mentioned My free report: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing" which will teach you all about how to self-publish your book. And make money at it! I can honestly say self-publishing "Choose Yourself" has changed my life. So I put all my tips together. Sign up to get your copy jamesaltucher.com/publish Movie - China Town WestWorld Seneca The time I threw everything out My article on why you should quit your job Tim Ferriss Hunger Games Stoicism Transcendental Meditation Viktor Frankl’s concept: The existential vacuum” My interview with The Fonz Fight Club I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/4/2018 • 56 minutes, 42 seconds
397 - Ryan Holiday [LIVE] - How I Celebrated 5 Years of "Choose Yourself" [Part 1]
Links and Resources Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue by Ryan Holiday The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living & The Daily Stoic Journal The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work That Lasts by Ryan Holiday Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday Also Mentioned "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing." This is my free guide about how to self publish your book. It takes you from zero to published author. Sign up to get your copy jamesaltucher.com/publish Movie - China Town WestWorld Seneca The time I threw everything out My article on why you should quit your job Tim Ferriss Hunger Games Stoicism Transcendental Meditation Viktor Frankl’s concept: The existential vacuum” My interview with The Fonz Fight Club I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
10/2/2018 • 43 minutes, 18 seconds
396 - Michael Ovitz: The Most Cut-Throat, Competitive Business in The World… How He Changed Hollywood
My favorite movies wouldn't exist without Michael Ovitz. Think: Jurassic Park, Ghostbusters, Schindler's List! But he believes "great projects always surface." So I had him tell me about all the projects he worked with. And the talent (Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd and more). He told me how he left the mailroom of one talent agency to start his own. Which THEN became the biggest talent agency in Hollywood, Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Later on, Michael went on to become the #2 guy at Disney. Now, he has a bestselling book called, “Who Is Michael Ovitz?" Links & Resources: "Who Is Michael Ovitz?" by Michael Ovitz Follow Michael here: Instagram Twitter Facebook Also Mentioned: The Altucher Report GhostBusters Dan Aykroyd Schindler's List Jurassic Park Michael Crichton Steven Spielberg MGM Studios Gary Cooper Clark Gable Jennifer Lawrence Bill Murray Zoe Saldana The Hoffmans The Pacinos Robert Deniro Robert Redford Martin Scorsese Paul Newman Sidney Poitier Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid Al Pacino Heat Michael Mann Paramount Studios MCA Studios Universal Studios Columbia Pictures Bernie Brillstein Zero to One by Peter Thiel Meatballs Tom Cruise Paula Wagner Taps The Color of Money The Hustler William Morriss Hulu Netflix ABC Pictures Joanna Woodward Slapshot Buffalo Bill and the Indians Mash Sydney Pollack They Shoot Horses Three Days of the Condor Stanley Kubrick Newman’s Own Michael Eisner Disney Don Keough and Roberto Goizueta (Coka-Cola) Bob Daly and Terry Semel (Warner) Tom Murphy and Daniel Burke (Capital Cities) Tom Clancy Janet Jackson Bob Iger Pixar Marvel Lucasfilms Andreessen Horowitz Airbnb George Seurat I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/29/2018 • 55 minutes, 10 seconds
395 - Tucker Max: The Top 3 Rules for Writing [Part 2]
Tucker Max sold 3 million books to people who don’t read. He’s the first to go from blog to book to screenplay. And now that method of publishing is dead. But Tucker knows so many people want to write a book. And get it out there. So he started Scribe Media. So in this special part 2 of my podcast with Tucker Max, I ask him for his top 3 Rules of Writing. Links and Resources Scribe Media - scribemedia.com Tucker’s series of articles “Asshole to CEO” “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell” by Tucker Max “Assholes Finish First” by Tucker Max “Hilarity Ensues” by Tucker Max “Sloppy Seconds: The Tucker Max Leftovers” by Tucker Max Tuckermax.com Follow Tucker on Facebook + Twitter Also Mentioned My free self-publishing guide! "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing. I wrote this to help anyone who wants to write and self-publish a book. I always say the best times to start were 5 years ago and today. So if you have this dream, go get the free guide and see how it'll help you. Just sign up at jamesaltucher.com/publish Plato Gutenberg Press “Choose Yourself” by me, James Altucher My interview with Steven Pressfield Malcolm Gladwell author of “The Tipping Point” My interviews with Seth Godin 2018 + 2017 Tim Ferriss author of “The Four Hour Workweek” My interview with Tim Ferriss I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/27/2018 • 50 minutes, 23 seconds
394 - Tucker Max: Speak Your Truth or Be Silenced [Part 1]
I’ve known Tucker Max for 2 decades now. 20 years ago, he emailed me for advice. I told him to quit his job. And he did. He’s the bestselling author of “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell.” And I always tell people that if they want to study good writing, go read 10 pages of Tucker's books. “My stuff blew up... All I did was stand up and use my real name and tell my real stories about my real life.” So now Tucker wants to help other people get out there and tell their truth. This part 1 of my interview will tell you how to separate the truth from everything else. Then (in part 2), Tucker will tell you how to deal with fear, how to find your audience, and how to write. Links and Resources Scribe Media - scribemedia.com Tucker’s series of articles “Asshole to CEO” “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell” by Tucker Max “Assholes Finish First” by Tucker Max “Hilarity Ensues” by Tucker Max “Sloppy Seconds: The Tucker Max Leftovers” by Tucker Max Tuckermax.com Follow Tucker on Facebook + Twitter Also Mentioned: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing." This is my free guide for anyone who wants to write and self-publish their own book. I put together this guide to help you get started. Because, in my own experience, writing a book has lead to more opportunities than anything else. Get my guide today at jamesaltucher.com/publish Billions Rounders My interview with Brian Koppleman Hunter S. Thompson author of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” Nassim Taleb author of “Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder” My interview with Nassim Taleb Jordan Peterson author of “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos” My interview with Jordan Peterson The four great titans of psychological thought: 1. William James 2. Sigmund Freud 3. Carl Jung 4. Alfred Adler “The Courage to Be Disliked: The Japanese Phenomenon That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness” by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi “Tall Poppy Syndrome” “The Last Black Unicorn” by Tiffany Haddish My interview with Tifanny Haddish “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?” by Seth Godin Eric Weinstein Sarah Jeong Candice Owens “The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life” by Robin Hanson and Kevin Simler JT Mccormick - CEO of scribe media Alex Jones Karl Marx I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Beth Comstock was the Vice President of General Electric. And before that, she was President of Integrated Media at NBC. Both of those titles are proof that she figured out how to rise up in the most competitive corporate environments. She had to figure out how to spot trends, generate ideas, speak up, and so on. And she recently wrote about it all in her book, “Imagine It Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change.” Links and Resources “Imagine It Forward: Courage, Creativity, and the Power of Change" by Beth Comstock I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/22/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 45 seconds
392 - William Shatner: Live Long And ... Lessons from an Intergalactic Legend
Captain Kirk has always been one of my heroes. So when Steve told me I'd get to interview the intergalactic legend, I immediately teleported back to my 11-year-old self. Star Trek made it possible for people to look up at the stars and wonder what else is out there. So I brought William Shatner on and asked him everything. He told me about the brief period in his career when he lived out of his truck, he told me what he's doing to live so long (he's 87), and then we had a BIG surprise. Michio Kaku (one of the most brilliant physicists alive today) was in the audience. Halfway through the podcast, we invited him on stage. If you've ever wondered what else is out there... in space and in your own life, the possibilities of true fulfillment, then you have to listen to this episode. Links & Resources: WilliamShatner.com Live Long And . . .: What I Learned Along the Way by William Shatner “Why Not Me?” (William Shatner’s Country Album with Jeff Cook of the group “Alabama”) Shatner-Clause (William Shatner’s Christmas Album) The Wrath of Khan William’s One Man Show Also Mentioned: Aretha Franklin The Brill Building Captain Kirk Mitzi Shore Rampage Star Trek (tv series) There’s A Girl In My Soup Star Wars Star Trek: The Motion Picture Robert Wise Michio Kaku Stephen Hawking author of “A Brief History in Time” Edward Hubble The Hubble Space Telescope Jules Verne The Big Bang “Physics of The Impossible” by Michio Kaku Waze Presbyterian Buddhism "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing," which you can get for free right now by visiting jamesaltucher.com/publish. William Shatner just came out with his book at 87 years old. That's proof that you can write at any age. And I want to show you how. Because I strongly believe everyone has a book inside them. Trust me, writing it can lead to so many new opportunities (financially and creatively). I put all the details in this guide. Check it out by going to jamesaltucher.com/publish where you can sign up to get your free copy. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/20/2018 • 55 minutes, 20 seconds
391 - Yuval Noah Harari: Are You Imagining The Future Correctly?
This interview is probably the most thought-provoking interview I've ever aired. Essentially, Yuval Harari is the expert on human evolution. I've recommended his book "Sapiens" more than any other book in the past 5 years. And not only me: Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg's say it's their favorite book, too. And now Yuval has a brand new book, "21 Lessons for The 21st Century," which covers so many topics: "the myth of free will," perception, mental health, the rise of robots, algorithms, hackers, how "The Automation Revolution" will impact the economy, your job, your quality of life and so on. Plus he tells us what you start can doing now to feel more comfortable and prepared for all these changes. Links & Resources: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari Visit Yuval's website www.ynharari.com Yuval’s course on Coursera Also Mentioned: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing," which you can get for free right now by visiting jamesaltucher.com/publish. Everyone who listens to this show can benefit from writing and self-publishing a book because it leads to so many opportunities to make money and be creative. Trust me. I made this report to go into more detail and help you understand the huge benefit (financially, emotionally, mentally) to self-publishing your own book. Check it out by going to jamesaltucher.com/publish where you can sign up to get your free copy. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/18/2018 • 57 minutes, 41 seconds
The (Threatening) Promise of New Technology
This is a clip from my full interview with Yuval Noah Harari, a brilliant author and expert in human evolution. In this clip, Yuval talks about the 3 major threats to humanity. But he also says it's not all bad. “I mean there are some very positive scenarios ahead of us..." I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Links & Resources: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari Visit Yuval's website www.ynharari.com Yuval’s course on Coursera Also Mentioned: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing," which you can get for free right now by visiting jamesaltucher.com/publish Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/18/2018 • 5 minutes, 3 seconds
Someone Is Trying to Hack You
“Right now, there is somebody out there who is trying to hack you. And not just one," Yuval said. "Amazon is trying to hack you, Google is trying to hack you, Coca-Cola is trying to hack you, and the Russians, and the American government, and the Chinese, they are all trying to hack you right now." In this clip, Yuval explains the threat and what he says is "the best defense." If you like this clip, then you'll also like my full interview with Yuval Noah Harari. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Links & Resources: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari Visit Yuval's website www.ynharari.com Yuval’s course on Coursera Also Mentioned: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing," which you can get for free right now by visiting jamesaltucher.com/publish. This guide will tell you how I made money self-publishing, why I think everyone should publish a book (it can be 100 pages or 10 pages, doesn't matter), how this can help your career and help you financially and so much more. Check it out at jamesaltucher.com/publish Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/18/2018 • 7 minutes, 40 seconds
Are We Actually Better Off? Questioning Evolutionary History...
Everything in history has either a good or bad connotation. The Agricultural Revolution: good. The Rise of Big Data: bad. But what if we're wrong? Yuval gave me an example. And showed me just how wrong we might be about our own human evolution. (Also, if you like what you hear, make sure to check out the full episode with Yuval Noah Harari. Thanks - James). I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Links & Resources: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari Visit Yuval's website www.ynharari.com Yuval’s course on Coursera Also Mentioned: "The Ultimate Guide to Self Publishing," which you can get for free right now by visiting jamesaltucher.com/publish. This guide will tell you how I made money self-publishing, why I think everyone should publish a book (it can be 100 pages or 10 pages, doesn't matter), how this can help your career and help you financially and so much more. Check it out at jamesaltucher.com/publish Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/18/2018 • 5 minutes, 50 seconds
390 - Dan Roth: Do Your Skills Measure Up? I Ask LinkedIn
Dan Roth is the Editor and Chief at one of the largest social media platforms: LinkedIn. We talk about using LinkedIn to reinvent yourself, skill development, how to become a published writer, etc. Dan also knows the most obscure facts about people and the workplace that you'll want to hear. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Also Mentioned Dan Roth’s interview on ReCode My interview with Yuval Noah Harari (author of “Sapiens”) Lynda.com (acquired by LinkedIn) Dan’s article “LinkedIn Top Startups 2018: The 50 most sought-after startups in the U.S. (26-50)” Beth Comstock George Anders Reid Hoffman Quora “The Daily Rundown” on LinkedIn “The Martian” by Andy Weir My interview with Andy Weir https://jamesaltucher.com/2015/01/andy-weir-the-martian-how-to-go-from-self-published-to-six-figures/ Steve Case, founder of AOL Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia My interview with Ray Dalio “Principles” by Ray Dalio “Ace the Interview” series on LinkedIn by George Anders U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Sally Krawcheck Uber’s TV series with Spike Lee My top articles on LinkedIn: How To Quit Your Job the Right Way 10 New Reasons You Have To Quit Your Job Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/13/2018 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 45 seconds
389 - Brandon Webb: Mastering Fear (A Navy SEAL's Guide)
Brandon is a Navy SEAL. He’s experienced some of the most terrifying, life-threatening situations you can imagine. He’s also been through a divorce. So I like talking to him about that. And he also runs his own business (a media to commerce called the Hurricane Group). He’s not getting shot at anymore. But he still has to deal with fear: business fears, family fears, money fears, etc. “Fear is something we’re going to live with for the rest of our lives,” he said. So I had him break down his process in his new book, “Mastering Fear: A Navy SEAL's Guide.” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/11/2018 • 56 minutes, 19 seconds
Finding Your “Network of Wisdom”
I'm not alone in my problems. But it's easy to think I am. And that's scary. It's miserable. So, instead, I lean on my "network of wisdom." A group of people who I can call when I need to. I have my accountant, my doctor, my writer friends, my podcast producer and so on. For every fear, there's a person. -- This is a clip from my podcast with Brandon Webb, author of "Mastering Fear: A Navy SEAL's Guide" I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/11/2018 • 9 minutes, 29 seconds
My Biggest Fear Once Upon a Time
This is a clip from my interview with Brandon Webb, Navy SEAL and author of "Mastering Fear: A Navy SEAL's Guide." I like the book because the premise is really powerful. It's not about getting rid of fears. It's about learning practical tools to be able to handle fear... which is just part of life.
9/11/2018 • 10 minutes, 53 seconds
388 - Robert Cialdini [Anniversary Episode]: 7 Techniques To Influence Anyone Of Anything
Robert Cialdini is known as "The Godfather of Influence." People call him when they need to learn how to be persuasive & influential. And by "people" I mean some of the most powerful politicians, CEOs, and so on. The lessons Robert taught are still some of the most critical lessons I've learned on my podcast. So I'm excited to share it with you again one year later. Links and Resources Read Robert’s book, “Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way to Influence and Persuade“ Read his New York Times business bestseller book, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Revised Edition“ Visit his website: influenceatwork.com Follow Robert on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/6/2018 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 3 seconds
Retirement Goals
This is a clip from my interview with comedian Bert Kreischer about retirement goals and relationships. He brings up a question I've never thought of before, but really, it's something everyone should ask themselves. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/4/2018 • 5 minutes, 47 seconds
The Power of Perception - Bert Kreischer on "Finding Out He Was Fat"
Bert took his shirt off on stage. He did an hour special on Netflix called "Secret Time" and he's topless the whole time. Someone even wrote him a 5-page letter explaining why it offended her. Bert didn't care. But what I thought was even funnier than that is the fact that he says he didn't know he was fat. "I thought I looked good." Here's Bert on the power of perception. If you like this clip and want to hear more, subscribe and check out my full interview with Bert Kreischer. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/4/2018 • 19 minutes, 33 seconds
Create Something You Want to Create
This is a clip from my interview with comedian Bert Kreischer where we talk about being creative and not being afraid to post what you want online. If you like this clip, check out my full interview with Bert Kreischer. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/4/2018 • 6 minutes, 2 seconds
Dad Issues & Drinking Problems
Bert Kreischer told me about his relationship with his dad. And he makes it sound funny (because he's a comedian), but then Bert says, "We all have issues with our dad." Which may or not be true, but at least, I feel comfort in hearing someone else share what they go through. Plus, Bert makes it funny. So there's that comedic relief. If you like this clip, check out my full interview with Bert Kreischer. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/4/2018 • 10 minutes, 57 seconds
What's Your "Natural Personality?"
When Bert Kreischer was little, he did some cute little kid thing on the baseball field. But his dad didn't think it was cute. Or appropriate. And Bert says that "who that kid was" is the core of his "natural personality." Which mirrors the fact that we all grow up somehow. And we all stay the same, too. This is just one of many moments from my interview with Bert Kreischer. If you like this, then please subscribe and check out the full interview. Thanks, James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
9/4/2018 • 18 minutes, 44 seconds
387 - Bert Kreischer: Wanting to Be Liked & Learning How to Tell Hilarious Stories
Bert Kreischer is a comedian and storyteller. He said he had to learn how to tell stories because he wasn't "a hot chick." He needed a skill or a talent and then he'd be liked. So in the 9th grade, he started practicing. Now he's 45. And he's been doing stand-up for most of his life. In this interview, I ask him about his need for approval, what his dad thinks of his career, the changing landscape of TV and entertainment and how anyone can become a creative if they just use the right tools and lens. But I also split this episode up into smaller pieces, which you'll see on your podcast feed if you subscribe. Because the interview is so long (2 hours) I wanted to give you a chance to enjoy and learn and laugh without having to give such a big commitment to the show. And if you like it, hopefully, you'll come back and listen to the full episode or share the parts you like with your friends. Either way, thanks for being with me while I try something new today. -James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Links and Resources “Something’s Burning” Secret Time (streaming now on Netflix) The Machine Bert’s Podcast “Bert Cast” Also Mentioned Gary Vaynerchuk Ryan Seacrest My interview with Coolio Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off Guy Fieri Rachel Ray The Travel Channel Shannen Doherty Beverly Hills 902010 “Just Go Away” by Motley Crue Tracy Morgan Forbes review of Bert Kreischer Freddy Soto Sebastian Maniscalco Tom Segura Bert on “The Joe Rogan Experience” Will Smith The Gist Mike Pesca (host of The Gist) The Bonfire with Big Jay “Skanks for the Memories” from Mike Vecchione Brian Regan Demetri Martin Sam Kinison Dave Chappelle Dave Attell Ari Shaffir Hannah Gadsby’s special on Netflix “Nanette” “Shit My Dad Says” by Justin Halpern Rob Riggle Bert’s Tracy Morgan story on “The Joe Rogan Experience” Tracy Morgan’s Doug Flutie speech Wild West Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Norm Macdonald Louis CK Michael Ian Black Patreon Travelocity Casey Neistat’s podcast “Couple Therapy” with Candice and Casey H3 Productions Grace Helbig’s podcast “Not Too Deep” Jordan Peterson on Patreon First We Feast episode with Michael Cera Jim Gaffigan Kesha Lindsey Pelas
9/4/2018 • 2 hours, 3 minutes, 16 seconds
386 - Bassem Youssef: The Bravery to Speak Out (How He Risked Everything to Create An Impact)
Bassem Youssef risked everything to create an impact. He was living in Egypt. And a revolution was happening. Everyday, he would go to the streets of the protests and try to help the wounded. Then he’d go home. And watch the news. That’s when he saw how the media was lying to the people. So Bassem started a Youtube channel where he reported what was REALLY happening in his country. He did this with satire and comedy. He relieved the tension of the country. Egypt has 80 million people. And in weeks, 30 million were watching Bassem. And the weird part is he had no background in media. Bassem was a heart surgeon turned truth teller. And he was rewarded for it. In 2013, “TIME Magazine” named Bassem Youssef “one of the most influential people in the world.” This podcast is about the revolution in Egypt and Bassem’s journey through it. But it’s also about creating content people want and need. And telling a story that changes lives. Links and Resources Listen to Bassem’s podcast “Remade in America” “Revolution for Dummies: Laughing Through the Arab Spring” by Bassem Youssef Follow Bassem on Twitter Tickling Giants - the documentary about Bassem directed by Sara Taksler Also Mentioned The Daily Show Jon Stewart “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/30/2018 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 6 seconds
385 - How Failure Turned Me Into An Idea Machine
I have a trick to getting unstuck. I do it everyday. It works. And I’ve done it everyday for 16 years. I’ve written about and done talks. And then I went on Carolina Millan’s podcast, “Beyond the Hustle.” She read my book, “The Choose Yourself Guide to Wealth” and said it really changed her life. So I wanted to share the interview with you. So you can become an idea machine and start to create new opportunities for yourself too. Links and Resources The Choose Yourself Guide to Wealth by Me, James Altucher Also Mentioned Freelancer.com Daniel Craig Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L. James Simon Black Sovereignman.com My interview with Seth Godin I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/28/2018 • 44 minutes, 57 seconds
384 - Maria Menounos: Finding Wellness: A Battle With Brain Cancer
Maria Menounos has two stories. Her career story and her brain tumor story. I asked about both. She’s accomplished so much. You’ve seen her on E! News, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and the list goes on. “If i introduced you, it would take the full hour,” I said. And soon we were talking about her fight with cancer, her surgery, and taking time off to be well. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/23/2018 • 59 minutes, 28 seconds
383 - Rob Corddry: The Idea of Character Building
Rob Corddry is an actor and writer. He plays Joe in one of my favorite HBO shows, “Ballers.” He’s also been in “Hot Tub Time Machine,” and was a correspondent on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. This is where Rob developed his iconic character: the likable jerk. I wanted to understand how he created this character. Because he looks like he’s having so much fun being it. And I think there’s something to that… to learning how to like the character your living. Links and Resources HBO’s “Ballers” Also Mentioned “Entourage” “Sports Management” “Hot Tub Time Machine” “The Daily Show” Rob Huebel “Do You Want to See a Dead Body” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson “Childrens Hospital” ER Rob Corddy’s appearance on Ari Shaffir creator Steve Levinson (and his dad Papa Dave) Fantasy Football Ed helmes Upright Citizens Brigade “The Winners” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/21/2018 • 43 minutes, 25 seconds
382 - Joe Moglia: Double Reinvention: From Football Coach to CEO of TD Ameritrade & Back to Football
Joe Moglia completely reinvented himself. Twice… He went from college football coach to CEO of Ameritrade and then BACK to football (his first love). He was at the top of the corporate ladder. And decided to climb down for a coaching internship at the University of Nebraska. I wanted to know why he wasn’t afraid to change careers so drastically. And how he transferred the skills he learned from one industry to a completely different industry… creating a double reinvention. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/16/2018 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 16 seconds
381 - The Power of the Ask
Steve Cohen, my producer, emailed Taylor Swift’s publicist asking if she’d come on the podcast. He knew she was going to say “no.” But he still did it. Steve sends out 200 emails a day, knowing 100% will come back as a “no.” I’m fascinated by this. What’s the point? Where’s the line between annoyance and persistence? I brought Steve on to go over this. I wanted to know the nuances and the subtleties. Because this skill is good for anyone to study. Businesspeople, salespeople, building relationships, finding your mentor, and so on. This is the art of the ask. Links and Resources Taylor Swift Reverend Jesse Jackson Derek Jeter James Comey My Interview with Seth Godin My Interview with T.D. Jakes Omnicom Group Brian Grazer Conan O’Brien Marian Rivera Tyra Banks Bernie Madoff Choose Yourself by Me The Tim Ferriss Show The Moment with Brian Koppelman Richard Branson Marc Maron Barack Obama The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz Getting There: A Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal Spike Lee Jerry Seinfeld I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Also, sign up for a chance to win one of 100 signed copies of my bestselling book "Choose Yourself" at jamesaltucher.com/ChooseYourself Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/14/2018 • 43 minutes, 18 seconds
[Bonus - Part 2] - The Real Truth How James Chose Himself
This is the 5th anniversary of my book “Choose Yourself,” which I am so proud of. The book took off in ways that I could not have expected. I self published it thinking only my family would read it and a few friends and now it has over a million copies published in 20 different countries. Plus, I get emails and letters everyday from people like you who say it’s helped them either get unstuck or take a chance they were too scared to. Or anything. So I’m happy I get to celebrate it with you. There’s a special announcement waiting for you in this podcast. Enjoy! - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Also, sign up for a chance to win one of 100 signed copies of my bestselling book "Choose Yourself" at jamesaltucher.com/ChooseYourself Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/12/2018 • 49 minutes, 10 seconds
[Bonus] - The Real Truth How James Altucher Chose Himself
So, this is a very special podcast for me. Because it’s the 5th Year Anniversary of my bestselling book “Choose Yourself.” This book changed my life. And so I want to bring you into the celebration! All the details are in this podcast. Plus you’ll also hear the real truth behind why I published this book, how it’s lead to new opportunities everyday, the financial struggles I dealt with in the roughest time of my life, my family hardships, etc. It’s a real tell all. Writing it has helped me and now I hope you can use it to do something liberating and freeing in your own life. Thanks! And enjoy - James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Also, sign up for a chance to win one of 100 signed copies of my bestselling book "Choose Yourself" at jamesaltucher.com/ChooseYourself Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/11/2018 • 43 minutes, 39 seconds
380 - Henry Winkler: "The Fonz" On Finding Your Identity Again
I interviewed “The Fonz!” aka, Henry Winkler. Henry played the Fonz on “Happy Days” for ten years. But after Happy Days ended, he got stuck. “I didn’t have a plan b,” he said. “I just lived my dream for the last ten years. And I did not have anything to replace it with. I was psychically in pain. When you don’t know what you want, it literally hurts your head. I was sad. I didn’t know what to do, so I did nothing.” He went nine years without an acting job. “It was a rudderless time,” he said. So I wondered how he got out of that rut. Because he did escape that pain… He’s in “Arrested Development" and “Barry,” which is a new Emmy nominated comedy airing on HBO. Links and Resources Barry on HBO Also Mentioned Happy Days Paul McCartney HBOGo Shakespeare Yale School of Drama Arrested Development Adam Sandler Gary Marshal Mitch Horowitz Bill Hader Sarah Goldberg My Interview with Brian Grazer Sherri Thomas Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Arthur Miller Alec Berg Stella Adler Ron Howard Robin Williams MacGyver I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/9/2018 • 46 minutes, 5 seconds
379 - Lewis Howes: Where Do Breakthroughs Come From?
Lewis Howes is doing a TV show… he was told “no, not now” from Ellen Degeneres's team. And six months later told “yes” by Facebook. I wanted to know how he made it happen, what it’s about and WHY he pressed forward. (A hint: it has to do with energy). Links and Resources “Inspiring Life with Lewis Howes” “The School of Greatness: A Real-World Guide to Living Bigger, Loving Deeper, and Leaving a Legacy“ by Lewis Howes “The Mask of Masculinity: How Men Can Embrace Vulnerability, Create Strong Relationships, and Live Their Fullest Lives“ by Lewis Howes Visit Lewis’ website and subscribe to his newsletter Listen to his podcast “The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes“ Follow Lewis on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram Also Mentioned Comedian Steven Wright Jerry Seinfeld “Failing Up” by Leslie Odom Jr Ramit Sethi Gabby Bernstein Jay Shetty Gretchen Rubin Lewis on Ellen Degeneres Tom vs. Time (Tom Brady’s Facebook show) Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook show Tony Robbins Scott Adams’ “talent stack” theory Lewis’ podcast interview with Tony Hawk My podcast with Tony Hawk Uber’s collaboration with Spike Lee James Altucher Show animated podcast series (made possible thnks to Jon Briggs and FoodFight Studios) Access to my ebook “FAQ Me” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/7/2018 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 44 seconds
378 - James Altucher: Cal Fussman Asks Me About Experimenting with Minimalism & Lifestyle
Cal Fussman was the Editor at Large at Esquire for years where he got to interview Muhammad Ali, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Robert DeNiro and hundreds more. So he’s really known as an all star interviewer. He asks big questions. And now he’s interviewing me, which is also live on his podcast “Big Questions.” He named the episode “James Altucher on Reaching For Your Future and Letting Go of Your Past.” So, I guess that’s what this episode is about. He said, “I’d like to go to the start and see the arch of your life.” And I hope you let this episode be an invitation for you to explore your own story arch, too. Links and Resources Why Self-Help Guru James Altucher Only Owns 15 Things by Alex Williams The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo Esquire Amblin Partners - Steven Spielberg's Production Company Seamless Melanie Whelan - CEO of SoulCycle Guiness Book of World Records My interview with Wolfgang Puck I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
8/2/2018 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 13 seconds
377 - Roy Niederhoffer: Trading Against Your Instincts: How to Make Money in The Market
This is a must listen for anyone interested in money, wealth creation, investing strategy, crypto, psychology, economics, etc. Roy Niederhoffer is a super investor. And founder of a billion dollar hedge fund. He started earning six-figures at age 13! He taught himself how to code and then started a software company with his friends. He used the money he made to fund his education at Harvard, where he studied neuroscience. And now he applies what he learned about the brain and human behavior to the market. And it only gets more impressive when you find out that he really came from humble beginnings (his father was a cop). So, this interview will cover everything from investing strategy to the future of currency PLUS book recommendations, methods to stay motivated and more. Also Mentioned Monroe Trout Toby Cravel Paul Jones Space Invaders video game TSR-80 Pac-Man Ms. Pac-Man Scott Adams Beethovens’ Symphony No. 5 Daniel Kahneman author of “Thinking Fast and Slow” “The Blank Slate” by Steven Pinker Joseph Stiglitz “Antifragile” by Nassim Taleb I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/31/2018 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 10 seconds
376 - Seth Godin: Go Back to What Lights Your Heart on Fire: This is What Makes a Hit
Seth Godin is best known as marketer and an author. But I think of him as one of the great thinkers we have today. He doesn’t create for the masses. He creates for a core group of people. Seth says to imagine this (it’s the essence of his creation, his art and his business): “You have a microphone, what are you going to do with it? My formula is I wake up in the morning and think about the people I seek to serve. That’s all I do. And I don’t reverse engineer it. I make it so that I can actually do my work.” He asks himself, “What change am I trying to make here?” And he wants you to ask yourself this, too. Links and Resources “Purple Cow” by Seth Godin “Gracefully” by Seth Godin Akimbo (Seth’s new podcast) Seth’s blog "This Might Work" by Seth Godin Seth Godin’s online course Alt-MBA Also Mentioned Krista Tippett and her podcast “On Being” Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast “Revisionist History” The Davinci Code Gangnam Style Chris Anderson Kevin Kelly’s article “1,000 True Fans” “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm gladwell "Freakonomics" by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt Choose Yourself by me, James Altucher Jerry Seinfeld Sweet Green Howard Schultz (founder of Starbucks) Ayn Rand (author of “Atlas Shrugged” Zig Ziglar Warby Parker Wharton Business School Adam Grant author of “Originals” James Cook “The War of Art” by Stephen Pressfield Jiro Dreams of Sushi (a Netflix documentary) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/26/2018 • 51 minutes, 46 seconds
375 - Bishop T.D. Jakes: How to Evolve, Where to Go Next and What Step to Take
Bishop T.D. Jakes was not born with “Bishop” in his name. He’s a preacher. The first one on my podcast. But he’s ALSO an entrepreneur (His business is his church and he has an entertainment company called TDJ enterprises). Every week, Bishop T.D. Jakes gives sermons to tens of thousands of people on multiple platforms (online and off). And people watch from all over the country. So I asked him about that (building an audience, find what you love, pursuing it, etc.) And I asked about his business. He gave me so much knowledge about entrepreneurship. And his most recent book, “Soar!: Build Your Vision From the Ground Up” says how anyone (from beginner to expert) can adopt his principles. We packed so much valuable information into the hour we were together. Everything from reinventing the choices we make to “purpose over profit” to why failure is priceless. Links and Resources Soar!: Build Your Vision From the Ground Up by T.D. Jakes Woman, Thou Art Loosed by T.D. Jakes Identity: Discover Who You Are and Live a Life of Purpose by T.D. Jakes Destiny: Step Into Your Purpose by T.D. Jakes The Potter’s House Watch his youtube channel Also Mentioned My Interview with Ken Langone Tyler Perry I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/24/2018 • 55 minutes, 34 seconds
374 - Robert Greene: The Laws of Mastery: Know What You Want & How to Master It
Five years ago I interviewed one of my all-time favorite authors and brilliant thinkers. Now, I’m bringing this interview about mastery back to the surface. Before you can master something, you have to know what that “something” is. We all want to master something. And live to our full potential. That’s why we ask ourselves questions like, “What’s my passion?” and “What do I love?” Robert Greene told me his theory: find your voice, connect with your likes and dislikes. He digs into these strategies but also talks about seduction, manipulation, regret, writing and why he thinks everybody has creative potential. Links and Resources “48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene “Mastery” by Robert Greene “Art of Seduction: An Indispensible Primer on the Ultimate Form of Power” by Robert Greene Also Mentioned "FAQ ME" - a free ebook for my podcast listeners! You can access it at jamesaltucher.com/FAQ "11 Rings" by Phil Jackson "Influence" by Robert Cialdini Nicholas Tesla Y Combinator creator Paul Graham Steve Jobs Mozart Steve Jobs: A Biography by Walter Isaacson Leonardo da Vinci quote: “Just as a well-filled day brings blessed sleep, so a well-employed life brings a blessed death.” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/19/2018 • 35 minutes, 57 seconds
373 - Sasha Cohen: How to Relentlessly Pursue Your Dream
Sasha Cohen is a World Champion ice skater. She won silver in the 2006 Winter Olympics when she was just 22 years old. Which means she had to start early. I wanted to know how she figured out what her dream was. (Because I think that’s hard at any age.) And I wanted to know how she became one of the best in the world at her thing. Her pursuit is relentless. Her focus is obsessive. And now she's sharing how to chase your dreams. And then make it happen... Links and Resources Follow Sasha on Facebook + Instagram + Twitter Also Mentioned Morgan Stanley 60 Minutes Zig Kristi Yamaguchi Anders Ericsson Malcolm Gladwell Richard Feynman The Weight of Gold Documentary I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/17/2018 • 49 minutes, 3 seconds
372 - James Altucher [Part 2]: How to Go from Idea to Business, Build an Inner Circle...
This is Part 2 of my interview with Amy Morin where she interviews me on building a business, going from idea to implementation, learning new skills, some my personal investment philosophies, why I think I’m stupid, burnout, relationships and more. I’d also like to hear what you think of this episode. Tweet me at @jaltucher. Thanks - James Links and Resources 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success by Amy Morin 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do: Raising Self-Assured Children and Training Their Brains for a Life of Happiness, Meaning, and Success by Amy Morin “There Are Only 4 Times You Should Agree to Work for Free” by Amy Morin on Inc. Ep. 259 - Amy Morin: 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do Ep. 289 - Amy Morin: The Easiest Side Hustle You Can Start Right Now Also Mentioned My interview with Nell Scovell My Google talk “The Power of No” by me (James Altucher) “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno My latest book, “Reinvent Yourself” My interview with Richard Branson My interview with Judy Blume Parker Posey Judd Apatow Freelancer.com I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/12/2018 • 1 hour, 40 seconds
371 - James Altucher [Part 1]: Amy Morin Interviews Me (How to Say "No," Anxiety, Success & More)
I wanted someone to interview me. And Amy Morin was the perfect choice. She’s the author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do” and she’s been on the podcast twice before this. For Part 1 of this interview, we cover a lot... Here's a list: - WHY you should invest in yourself & how to diversify that investment - Why process is more important than goals - “Vulnerability hangovers” - Anxiety - Writing - Reinvention - How to say "no" (and when to say "yes") And more. Enjoy and you can let me know what you think on Twitter @jaltucher I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/10/2018 • 45 minutes, 33 seconds
370 - Garry Kasparov [Anniversary Episode]: The Mindset of a World Champion
Garry Kasparov is a World Champion Chess Master. He has made a name for himself through his unmatched intelligence and skill. In this special anniversary episode, I share my interview with Garry Kasparov from 2017. We talk about his mindset from the beginning of chess all the way to becoming a world champion. And drill down to get simple steps that anyone can use to improve their own mindset. Links and Resources: Read Garry’s newest book, “Deep Thinking: Where Machine Intelligence Ends and Human Creativity Begins“ Read “How Life Imitates Chess: Making the Right Moves, from the Board to the Boardroom” by Garry Kasparov Read “Winter Is Coming: Why Vladimir Putin and the Enemies of the Free World Must Be Stopped” by Garry Kasparov Read “Checkmate!: My First Chess Book (Everyman Chess)” by Garry Kasparov Check out Garry’s website Follow Garry on Facebook and Twitter I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/5/2018 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 23 seconds
369 - John McCaskill: Behind The Pot Industry Boom (Pros & Cons)
I went to Denver for research. Twenty-nine states + Canada have legalized marijuana in one form another. So what happened before the industry boom? And how can people profit today? I interview John Mc in this "pot-cast" about the changes he's seen develop in Colorado (economically, financially, culturally, etc.) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
7/3/2018 • 24 minutes, 58 seconds
368 - Mike Reiss: Yes! You Should Take Chances with Your Career
Mike Reiss started writing for The Simpsons because NO ONE else would take the job. They didn’t know they were passing up the opportunity work on what would soon become the #1 animated series on prime time TV. Mike has tons of stories about TV writing, comedy, and creating something people love. His secret: “We said, ‘No one’s gonna watch this so let’s just make this for us.” In this episode, Mike tells me why he took a chance, why he wasn’t afraid, and how it became the most fulfilling career move he ever made. Links and Resources Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons by Mike Reiss The Simpsons Follow Mike on Twitter My interview with Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson) The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson It’s Garry Shandling Show Not Necessarily the News National Lampoon Conan O’Brien James L. Brook Sam Simon Jake Hogan Carol Burnett The Flintstones The Critic Family Guy South Park Alf Itchy and Scratchy Aristotle Taxi (tv show) Chico and The Man Mary Tyler Moore Show Jim Brooks Louie Teen Angel Whoopi Goldberg Al Gene Mike Reiss’s speech at Havard Mark Twain quote “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter” Curb Your Enthusiasm Larry David Seinfeld Cheers Chevy Chase Richard Pryor Sabrina the Teenage Witch My interview with Nell Scovell Beavis and Butthead Frasier Psych Roseanne All In The Family Big Bang Theory Harvard Lampoon Rocky and Bullwinkle Citizen Kane Terms of Endearment Spotlight Thor Thomas Pynchon J.D Salinger Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon V. by Thomas Pynchon Tom Clancy Buzz Aldrin James Taylor Magic Johnson Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Veep Silicon Valley The Comedians Billy Crystal Josh Gad Poking the Dead Frog: Conversations with Today's Top Comedy Writers by Mike Sacks Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy by Judd Apatow Born Standing Up by Steve Martin Even This I Get to Experience by Norman Lear The Hitchhiker by Charlie Lee I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/28/2018 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 23 seconds
367 - A.J. Jacobs: Immerse Yourself in The Creative Process
AJ Jacobs is entertaining. I think that’s the first thing I should say before I also say that he’s a six-time New York Times bestselling author. All his books are funny. And they’re extreme. I’ll explain. AJ comes up with crazy ideas and then gives us his “normal” way of life to fully immerse himself in a new (but temporary) way of life. This time he’s traveling the world to thank a thousand people who all had a hand in making his daily cup of coffee. Links and Resources "Thanks A Thousand: A Gratitude Journey" by AJ Jacobs (you can pre-order it now) “Drop Dead Healthy: One Man’s Humble Quest for Bodily Perfection” by AJ Jacobs “The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible“ by AJ Jacobs “The Know-It-All: One Man’s Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World“ by AJ Jacobs “My Life as an Experiment: One Man’s Humble Quest to Improve Himself by Living as a Woman, Becoming George Washington, Telling No Lies, and Other Radical Tests“ by AJ Jacobs "It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World's Family Tree" by AJ Jacobs Visit his website ajjacobs.com Follow AJ on Facebook + Twitter Also Mentioned My interview with Dr. OZ 23 & Me Ancestry.com "Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress" by Steven Pinker Elisha Gray, he filed the patent for the telephone about 4 hours after Alexander Graham Bell My interview with Tom Papa Bill Gates Ted Kaczynski Jay R. Ferguson who plays AJ in “Living Biblically” Seinfeld Larry David Jerry Seinfeld Marlon Wayans who almost played AJ John Galecki The Big Bang Modern Family Louie (Louis CK’s show) CSI American Idol Tim Ferriss Gangum Style My YouTube channel Good Fellas Tom Hanks Karma Sutra (book) I, Pencil by Leonard E. Read I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/26/2018 • 56 minutes, 42 seconds
366 - Ken Langone: Billionaire Co-Founder of Home Depot
Ken Langone is a billionaire. He co-founded Home Depot and he’s also been on the boards of some of America's most renowned companies. Ken talked to me about capitalism, (his book is called “I Love Capitalism!: An American Story”), corporate governance, morality, and picking good people to invest in. But I also always say that this podcast is not just about business. I also got to learn from Ken about self-respect, death, having a good outlook on life and following your gut. His success is proof that you can live well and live true to yourself. That’s what I hope to keep learning for myself. Links and Resources I Love Capitalism!: An American Story by Ken Langone Also Mentioned My interview with Garry Kasparov My interview with Sara Blakely My interview with Arianna Huffington Seinfeld Amy Schumer’s SNL monologue Giuliani Pete Cunningham Frank Blake Sam Walton Jack Welch Bernie Madoff Home Depot NYU Langone Health Centers Robert De Niro Walmart The Bible GE Jeff Bezos Warren Buffet quote, “It takes a lifetime to build a reputation and you can lose it in 5 minutes.” The Wizard of Lies Bob Nardelli Ross Perot Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York Jim Kaplan who collaborated with Ken on his book Goldman Sachs Stanley Druckenmiller Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy Pam Goldman (Ken’s assistant) Castro Steve Easterbrook Jack Welch Strayer - Jack Welch Management Institute I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/21/2018 • 1 hour, 54 minutes, 40 seconds
365 - Steve Cohen & I Talk About Creativity, Culture and The Beatles
We're mixing up the format! You already know Steve Cohen (my podcast producer) from a recent episode. Well, in this episode, Steve and I talk about the impact of creativity, BUT we get really specific and focussed totally on one historic moment... just before The Beatles fell apart. Links and Resources Let It Be by the Beatles Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell Paul McCartney John Lennon George Harrison Yoko Ono Phil Spector - the producer of the album Let It Be Ringo Starr Jimmy Fallon The Roots Jay-Z Kanye West Behind the Music The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger Keith Richards Charlie Watts Richard Ben Cramer Brian Epstein Curious Mind by Brian Grazer The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - a documentary directed by Ron Howard Eye Contact by Brian Grazer Tom Bodett In Conversation: Quincy Jones Andy Warhol The Comedy Store Robin Williams Jay Leno David Letterman Spielberg on HBO James on Ice T’s podcast Break In - Ice T’s first appearance George Lucas Judy Blume Chronicles: Volume One by Bob Dylan American Pie Ep. 340 - Don McLean: Why You Should Follow Your Instincts Veep Cheers Ep. 343 - Tony Rock: The Process to Get ANY Idea Off the Ground I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/19/2018 • 32 minutes, 41 seconds
Special Ep: Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin
Hey! There's a new podcast out from my good friend Seth Godin. If you haven't had a chance to check out it, then here's your chance. I think you'll really enjoy it. It's called Akimbo.
6/18/2018 • 52 minutes, 38 seconds
364 - Tom Papa: Will You Put Your Dream to The Test?
Tom Papa was afraid to follow his dream (like everyone else). But he put it to the test. He went up on stage, got laughs, and kept going. Now he has 5 different income streams (all because he took that first leap). He’s got a new TV show coming up, a podcast, a radio show, live events and comedy tours, plus he also just wrote a book, “Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas.” These opportunities didn’t come to him over night. He’s been doing comedy for 25 years. He put his dream to the test. It was the scariest thing he’d ever done. I wanted him to share his story. And the courage. Links and Resources Read “Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas” by Tom Papa Watch Tom’s Specials, “Tom Papa: Human Mule,” “Tom Papa: Live in New York City,” and “Tom Papa: Freaked Out” Listen to Tom on the radio “Live From Here” Listen to Tom’s podcast “Come to Papa” Check out Tom’s website to see where he’s touring right now Follow Tom on Twitter Also Mentioned Seinlanguage by Jerry Seinfeld Tom’s interview on WTF with Marc Maron The Village Voice The Marriage Ref (tom hosted) created by Jerry Seinfeld The Informant! Greg Giraldo Paul Reiser Red Oaks Stephen Colbert Conan O’Brien Jay Leno Dave Chappelle Eddie Izzard Paul Newman Kevin Hart Jim Gaffigan Opie and Anthony (radio show) Larry Wilmore Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan Dad Is Fat by Jim Gaffigan Lenny Marcus Amy Schumer Inside Amy Schumer I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/14/2018 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 46 seconds
363 - Allison Task: How to Have a Personal Revolution
Allison Task is a businesswoman. She was in the dot-com industry for nearly a decade. But she didn’t want to run a tech business. She wanted a more creative career... cooking. So that’s what she did. First, she went to culinary school, then she worked for Martha Stewart. and now, Allison is a premier chef, life coach, TV personality and podcaster. She’s also the author of recent book, “Personal Revolution: How to Be Happy, Change Your Life, and Do That Thing You’ve Always Wanted to Do.” And that’s what she’ll teach you in this episode… how to have a personal revolution. Links and Resources Personal Revolution: How to Be Happy, Change Your Life, and Do That Thing You've Always Wanted to Do by Allison Task You Can Trust a Skinny Cook by Allison Fishman Cooking Light Lighten Up, America!: Favorite American Foods Made Guilt-Free by Allison Fishman Task Also Mentioned Yahoos Blue Ribbon Hunter Spam Jam Cook Yourself Thin Jean-Georges Martha Stewart Everyday Food Choose Yourself by James Altucher The Power of No by James Altucher Ep. 276 - Scott Adams: The Hardest Sell: Convincing Someone You’re Not What You Used to Be The Joe Rogan Experience I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/12/2018 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 37 seconds
362 - Dani Zoldan: Reflecting on Reinvention: Why Stand Up Saved My Life
I’d always been interested in comedy, but I was completely terrified to go up on stage. But now I’m obsessed. I interview as many of my favorite comedians on the show as I can, so I could learn from them. I want to know everything. Not just from comedians. But from everyone in the industry. And Dani Zoldan, owner of Stand Up NY, is the one who convinced me go on stage consistently. So I went up 6x a week. I got good. Stand-up comedy is by far the hardest skill I’ve ever wanted to learn. And now, I needed to reflect. I’ve been doing stand up close to 3 years now. I own part of a comedy club. I’ve gone all in. I wanted Dani to interview me because he was the person who encouraged me the most in the beginning. This is my stand up journey… Links and Resources Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J Dubner The Bell House Stand Up NY - go to standupny.com/thetightfive for a course to develop your best 5 minutes of stand up Ep. 316 - Aaron Berg: The Fearless Comedian (How He Find the Funny) Judah Friedlander Judah Friedlander: America Is the Greatest Country in the United States 30 Rock Ep. 325 - Godfrey: Flex Your Comedy Muscle Luna Lounge Marc Maron Aspen Laugh Festival Dave Chappelle Louis CK Ep. 343 - Tony Rock: The Process to Get ANY Idea Off the Ground Anthony Jeselnik Ep. 344 - Barry Michels: This Is What’s Really In Your Subconscious Mind The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity and Willpower–and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion by Barry Michels Brian Regan’s talk at Google Chris Rock Bo Burnham Amy Schumer Ep. 327 - Dante Nero: From Stripping to Comedy: How to Switch Careers Ep. 251 - Geno Bisconte: Let Yourself Laugh! Seinfeld Johnny Carson Seth Rogen Rodney Dangerfield Guys We Fucked Podcast Tuesdays With Stories! Race Wars Recode I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/7/2018 • 1 hour, 9 minutes
361 - Jesse Itzler: The $160,000 Lesson
Jesse doesn’t remember anything he learned from college except for ONE lesson. He calls it “the $160,000 lesson.” He almost breezed by it. I had to stop him. “What was the lesson?” It’s a strong lesson. And if I try to write the whole story in this box, it’ll lose it’s power. I wrote about it here. Or you can listen to the podcast now [it’s in the first 2 mins]. It’s worth it. Jesse is one of the most naturally motivating people I’ve ever met. And it’s contagious. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Show Notes: Living with the Monks: What Turning Off My Phone Taught Me about Happiness, Gratitude, and Focus by Jesse Itzler Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet by Jesse Itzler My first interview with Jesse Itzler: Ep.163: 6 Simple Steps to Becoming Self-Made Vanilla Ice (rapper) Marquis Jet (a company Jessie founded, which was then sold to NetJets) Zico coconut water (Jesse’s a partner) My interview with Shane Snow, author of Smartcuts [Ep. 355 - Make The Breakthrough You Need (With These “Smart Cuts”] President Obama Dwight Eisenhower John F Kennedy Lyndon B Johnson Richard Nixon Spanx (invented by Sara Blakely who Jesse is married to and who I got to interview on this podcast: Episode 211: How To Get a Billion Dollar Idea) Philip Roth who wrote “American Pastoral” a Pulitzer Prize winning book Steve Jobs Game of Thrones Monasticism Silent retreat Thich Nhat Hahn and his monastery which is Buddhist Jesse stayed with Orthodox Christian monks Vipassana (silent retreat) “Fit for Life” by Harvey Diamond and Marilyn Diamond Jesse turned some of the highlights from his book into an animated series. Check it out here Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
6/5/2018 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 54 seconds
360 - Joey Coleman: How to Relate to People (Customers, Partners, Bosses, Loved Ones and Cops)
Joey Coleman knows relationships. Business relationships, romantic relationships. “It’s all part of the human condition,” he says. He also got himself out of 76 traffic tickets. And it’s all because of this one trick: he goes a level deeper. And then another level and another. Anytime I've made money, it's because of this trick. Joey's book is called, “Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days” and I trust Joey. His book and his talks all offer some of greatest value you’ll find for relationships, friendships, entrepreneurship, friendships, solo-preneurship, being an employee. Anywhere and in every area. Links and Resources Never Lose a Customer Again: Turn Any Sale into Lifelong Loyalty in 100 Days by Joey Coleman Also Mentioned Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini My interview with Robert Cialdini Scott Adams Tucker Max Tim Ferriss Ryan Holiday Lewis Howes my interview with Barry Michels Mastermind Talks (created by Jayson Gaignard) Delta Airlines Amazon Attention Pays: How to Drive Profitability, Productivity, and Accountability by Neen James I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/31/2018 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 6 seconds
359 - Keith Hernandez: Talent & Obsession (A Formula for Grit)
Keith Hernandez is arguably one of the best baseball players of all time. He played first baseman for the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals the majority of his career. He won two World Series titles (one with each team). He’s now apart of the broadcasting team for the Mets. And he just wrote a new book, “I’m Keith Hernandez: A Memoir.” He’s multi-talented. But before there was broadcasting and books there was no plan B for Keith. Everything he did was baseball. And he was sent to the majors when he was only 2 and a half years out of high school. So I wanted to know what transformed him from being a talented, obsessed kid to one of the best players of all time. And what kept him there for almost 20 years. This is the Keith Hernandez story… Links and Resources I’m Keith Hernandez: A Memoir by Keith Hernandez Pure Baseball by Keith Hernandez and Mike Bryan If at First: A Season With the Mets By Keith Hernandez and Mike Bryan Shea Good-Bye: The Untold Inside Story of the Historic 2008 Season by Keith Hernandez and Matthew Silverman Also Mentioned Seinfeld The Science of Hitting by Ted Williams and John Underwood Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen Joe Medwick Peter Marshall Pete Rose Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis Moneyball (the movie) Bob Kennedy Andre Agassi Open: An Autobiography By Andre Agassi Ted Williams Lou Brock Dick Selma Larry Dierker Gene Tenace Dave Anderson Derek Jeter I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/29/2018 • 49 minutes, 16 seconds
358 - Heather Monahan: Create Confidence Up From Nothing
Heather Monahan told me that with every decision you make, you’re either going to be building confidence or chipping away at it. So I wanted to learn how to be building it more often than I am destroying it. Because according to Heather, author of “Confidence Creator,” confidence is not static. It’s a muscle. And you can work on it at any stage of life. She says, “It’s not a natural gift. It’s practice.” Links and Resources Confidence Creator by Heather Monahan Also Mentioned Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini My upcoming interview with Keith Hernandez (subscribe to the podcast to make sure you hear it) Compilation video of Eddie Murphy on David Letterman Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg The song “Glorious” by Macklemore The Honda Civic Effect My YouTube Channel which just launched I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/24/2018 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 5 seconds
357 - Jordan Harbinger: How to Keep Growing and Keep Moving Forward
Jordan Harbinger built a successful brand from podcasting for 12 years. He’s done close to 900 interviews with top performers. But something changed recently. He reached out to me via email. And I knew I needed to get him on the show right away. He told me that he didn’t like his brand anymore. He didn’t like what it was morphing into. “I was becoming disillusioned,” Jordan said. So he took a step back. And after what he thought was an amicable split from his partners, he and his team got fired. PAUSE. This is awful. I’ve been through my own terrible losses before. So I can say fully that what Jordan did next was the definition of a true entrepreneur. Links and Resources The Jordan Harbinger Show Also Mentioned PodcastOne Network Howard Stern Opie and Anthony Podcast Listeners Really Are the Holy Grail Advertisers Hoped They’d Be by Miranda Katz on WIRED Dan Harris Missing Richard Simmons Seth Godin Larry King Gary Vaynerchuk Jerry Seinfeld Talk Pages of Wikipedia Mike Rowe: The Way I Heard It (Episode 597) on The Art of Charm Advanced Human Dynamics Programs Friend of a Friend: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career by David Burkus Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts by Annie Duke Ep. 40: Annie Duke: How to Make Decisions Like A Poker Champ on the Jordan Harbinger Show Ep. 28: James Fallon: How to Spot a Psychopath on the Jordan Harbinger Show The Psychopath Inside: A Neuroscientist’s Personal Journey into the Dark Side of the Brain by James Fallon Charlie Rose On Being Hardcore History Serial Startup Cam Herrald Tim Ferriss Gavin de Becker I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/22/2018 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 50 seconds
356 - Steve Cohen: The Tao of Steve Cohen, A Shortcut to Wisdom
I hired Steve Cohen. He produces this podcast. And I wanted him to be on the show because he has a mutant superpower. All my guests do. But his superpower really blows me away. I can barely understand how it comes so natural to him. But it does. Steve is a friend to thousands and thousands of people. He knows everyone and their mom, their manager, their business. He’s built up genuine goodwill with so many people. And I look at that as a superpower because it’s not your typical “networking.” It’s more than that. It’s networking with meaning. Or as Steve says, “it’s friendship.” I wanted to interview Steve about how he got this talent. And he kept me laughing the whole way through. Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing: Steve Cohen! Also Mentioned Howard Stern Dan Rather Walter Cronkite 60 Minutes Madonna Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty: The Only Networking Book You'll Ever Need by Harvey Mackay Mother Teresa Matt Lauer J.B. Smoove Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 1 Seth Godin Wolfgang Puck The Wolf Of Wall Street Jordan Belfort My interview with Mike Posner James Taylor Rain Man Enter the Dragon (1973) featuring Bruce Lee The Last Dragon Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story Ava DuVernay Choose Yourself! by me My segment of Good Day New York (Steve’s show before coming to work with me on this podcast) The New York Times Article about me “Why Self-Help Guru James Altucher Only Owns 15 Things” A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life by Brian Grazer Michael Buffer Pat Croce Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant Ryan Holiday My most recent interview with Mike Massimino My interview with Kareem Abdul Jabbar Dumb and Dumber On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross My interview with Nancy Cartwright who did the voice of Bart Simpson Charlie Rose Gayle King The Psychology of Winning: Ten Qualities of a Total Winner by Denis Waitley Eric Andre who’s in The Internship and Man Seeking Woman Season Man Seeking Woman (the book) by Simon Rich The Eric Andre Show Hannibal Buress My interview with Wayne Dyer My interview with Richard Branson All the people contributing to make "James Altucher Show" possible: Pamela Rothenberg, Nathan Rosborough, Jay Wujun, Michelle Brown, Savannah Griffin, Matt Lazas and Doug Hill I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/17/2018 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 31 seconds
355 - Shane Snow: Are You Ideal to Work With? (What Makes a Good Team)
This is Shane Snow’s third time on the podcast. And we had a lot to cover. Shane is the author of, “Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success.” (An incredibly intelligent book.) And he’s also the cofounder of “Contently,” a content strategy company that helps businesses grow. Shane’s taught me a lot about solving problems in unconventional ways. And in this episode he teaches me about the 4 elements that make someone “ideal to work with.” See, he’s been studying teams. And just wrote a book about it (coming out in June) called “Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart.” Links and Resources Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success by Shane Snow Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart by Shane Snow Contently - the company Shane co-founded Take The Open Mindedness Test on Shane’s Website Also Mentioned Ep. 168 - Tony Hawk: Don’t Stand Still The Peekaboo Paradox by Gene Weingarten Alias Malcolm Gladwell The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin (how Shane learned to be a better writer) JJ Abrams John F. Kennedy Rizza of the Wu Tang Clan Malcolm X Martin Luther King Bayard Rustin 12 Rule for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan Peterson Lost The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership by Sam Walker Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life by Nassim Taleb Elijah Muhammad Hamilton the Musical Bob Dylan Elon Musk SpaceX I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/15/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 14 seconds
354 - Mike Massimino: You Can’t Control the Outcome, So Keep Doing What You Love
It took Mike Massimino 11 years to achieve his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. He was rejected 3 times. But he never stopped his pursuit to achieve his dream. He writes about it in his New York Times bestselling book “Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe”. This is Mike’s 2nd time on the podcast and I wanted to ask him all the questions that have stuck with me ever since that first interview. Like how he kept trying even after that 1st rejection. Links and Resources Spaceman: An Astronaut’s Unlikely Journey to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe by Mike Massimino Also Mentioned The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe The Right Stuff (the movie) Jurassic Park Science Channel Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Podcast, StarTalk Radio StarTalk on the National Geographic Channel The Planets and Beyond on Science Channel One Strange Rock on the National Geographic Channel The Big Bang Theory Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum Elon Musk Jeff Bezos Richard Branson I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/14/2018 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 41 seconds
353 - Maria Konnikova: How to Look at Life Like a Game and Make Better Choices Because of It
Maria Konnikova is a journalist. She’s written two New York Times best sellers. One about con artists and having the confidence to get away something. The other is about how detectives think. But now she’s immersed in poker (for her next book). And making big money (she made $200,000 in her first year playing). That WAS NOT the plan. She wanted to write a book about luck. Now, she’s on her way to play in the world series. She taught me about “game theory,” which is “when you look at the world like a game, where everyone has certain payoffs for certain decisions,” she said. Links and Resources The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time by Maria Konnikova Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova My first podcast interview with Maria Konnikova Also Mentioned Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players by Stefan Fatsis Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Josh Foer My interview with Josh Foer Doyle Bronson who said he could win without looking at his cards A Man for All Markets: From Las Vegas to Wall Street, How I Beat the Dealer and the Market by Edward Thorpe My interview Anders k. Ericson, author of “Peak” and the founder of the 10,000 hour rule Erik Seidel Rounders Brian Koppelman Youtube clip Erik Seidel playing Johny Chang Matt Damon Daniel Negreanu Bobby fisher Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen Poker Go (a site to watch poker) Nassim Taleb My interview with Tony Robbins My interview with Frank Shamrock Run It Once (poker strategy site) Phil Galfond Joseph Conrad (polish writer) Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by Annie Duke The story of the Polgar sisters Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games by László Polgár and Bruce Pandolfini Brad Mehldau I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/10/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 52 seconds
352 - Tony Hawk [Anniversary Episode]: The Key to Having Abundance in Life is Persistence
Tony Hawk is a professional skateboarder AND world champion for 12 years in a row. Every single day, since he was 11 years old, he’s done what he loves to do: skateboarding. I interviewed him at an event in 2016. And Tony was skating before the interview. It’s what’s most natural to him. But he also built a brand and an empire from his success. He’s sold over a billion dollars worth of video games with his name on it. Show Notes: Follow Tony Hawk on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat (username: tonyfrankhawk) Watch videos at TonyHawk.com Learn about The Tony Hawk Foundation Jason Gaynor’s Mastermind Talks Conference my interview with Freeway RickRoss I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/8/2018 • 54 minutes, 48 seconds
351 - Sherrod Small: The Benefit of Starting at The Bottom (You Get to Rise)
Sherrod Small is a comedian, all around personality, actor, writer, producer, podcast host of "RaceWars". He’s done everything. He grew up in the comedy clubs with his cousins, Chris Rock and Tony Rock. And he could’ve taken a shortcut, but he chose not to. "We wanted to start from the bottom of the bottom,” he said. “We wanted to know every aspect of this business. And we wanted to grow our own voice.” He told me his path to success. It’s applicable to more than just someone who wants to pursue stand-up. He talked to me about enthusiasm and experience. And why he recommends you skip taking shortcuts when you feel the excitement. Links and Resources: My interview with Tony Rock: Ep. 343 – Tony Rock: The Process to Get ANY Idea Off the Ground Greg Giraldo Lucian Hold who ran The Comic Strip Rick Newman owned The Catch Robbin Williams Rosie O'Donnell Some of Sherrod’s biggest influences: Richard Pryor, Lenny Bruce, Bobcat Goldthwait Michelle Wolf’s performance at the 2018 White House Correspondents Dinner Sherrod’s commentary on CBS as official correspondent for the White House Correspondents Dinner Todd Barry Dave Chappelle Chris Rock Jerrod Carmichael Sherrod’s podcast “RaceWars” Greer Barne’s bit on Colbert Godfrey Christian Finnegan The Real Real World Neal Brennon Sherrod’s show with Christian Finnegan called “Black and White” on A&E Jim Biederman My interview with AJ Jacobs My interview with Kevin Alloca Joe Rogan My interview with Sebastian Maniscalco Carrot Top Carl Ruiz (who Sherrod is working on a new show with) Guy Fieri Man vs Food Sherrod’s show, Men vs Food Louis episode “bang bang” Bonnie McFarlane Mark Norman Butter Alex guarnaschelli Kert Metzer (who used to write for “Inside Amy Schumer”) Stephen Colbert Jon Stewart Sherrod’s website smallworldcomedy.com Sherrod’s upcoming show Mi Familia: Part 1 - LIVE AT THE COMEDY CELLAR Sam Jay Michael Che Chris Redd Leslie Jones Drew Michael I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/7/2018 • 59 minutes, 3 seconds
350 - Mark Manson: The Origin of Hope (vs. Hopelessness)
You’ve heard of the book,“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life.” It’s the #3 most read book on Amazon and a “New York Times” bestseller. And the book, written by Mark Manson, is still skyrocketing. But ENOUGH. Mark is ready to move on. He’s been doing press for the book for over a year. And it’s pulling him back from getting to a place where his brain can look for new ideas. So I asked what he’s curious about. I wanted to know what’s next. “I’m fixated on this idea of hope and meaning right now,” Mark said. He broke it down. And revealed his opinion on why there’s so much hopelessness and meaningless now. Our conversation went deep. And we got into topics I haven’t talked about much on this podcast. And now… thanks to Mark, I have new ideas, too. Links and Resources The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson 6 Things People Should Give Fewer Fucks About by Mark Manson Check Out Mark’s website Follow Mark on Twitter + Facebook Also Mentioned Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World--And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress by Steven Pinker The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwartz Republic by Plato Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/3/2018 • 59 minutes, 17 seconds
349 - Jon Morrow [Anniversary Episode]: He Made Half a Million Dollars in 9 months. This is What Kept Him Motivated
There are very few times in my life that I am so incredibly grateful to meet someone. And this was definitely one of those top 10 moments for me. Jon Morrow has created several multi-million dollar businesses. He's the founder of Smart Blogger and written several viral articles including “On dying mothers and fighting for your ideas” and “How to quit your job, move to paradise and get paid to change the world.” Jon is the epitome of overcoming obstacle. He was paralyzed from the neck down at birth. That didn't stop him. It motivated him. Because he knew he could end up in a nursing home. And nothing scared him more. I asked him everything: how he built his businesses, consulting practice, how he wrote without being able to type. And with every question I asked, he had an answer. He had a story. Or experience to share. And I'm grateful I can share it with you. Show Notes: Jon’s website SmartBlogger.com Jon's most popular blogs that went viral: “On dying mothers and fighting for your ideas” and “How to quit your job, move to paradise and get paid to change the world” “How to accomplish big things even when you feel small” “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us” by Seth Godin Tribes: The Case Studies (which Jon was featured in) + it’s a free PDF Fight Club unstoppable.me Jon mentioned a few successes from his course: Danny Iny – Mirasee Jennifer Grisham – Everyday Bright Tommy Walker – (runs content for Shopify) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
5/1/2018 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 19 seconds
348 - Jocko Willink: How Having a Code to Live By Will Give You Strength
Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL. Jocko has taken what he learned from the military and is teaching others how to live their life the same way, including our kids. He lives by a code. A code that anyone can develop for themselves. Jocko holds himself to these standards everyday. This is the Way of the Warrior… He’s also written books about this code: “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” a book I loved and highly recommend. And most recently he published two books in his children’s series: “Way of the Warrior Kid: From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way” and “Marc’s Mission: Way of the Warrior Kid.” Links and Resources Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Way of the Warrior Kid: From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way by Jocko Willink Marc’s Mission: Way of the Warrior Kid by Jocko Willink The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (releasing September 25) Jocko Podcast (don’t miss his recently released 3 part series) Check out Jocko’s apparel company at originmaine.com Also Mentioned 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet by Lewis B. Puller Jr. 22 Kill - an organization to raise awareness to the veteran suicide epidemic and to educate the public on PTSD and other mental health issues. Factfulness: 10 Reasons We’re Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II by Iris Chang The Woman Who Could Not Forget: Iris Chang Before and Beyond the Rape of Nanking by Ying-Ying Chang I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/30/2018 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 37 seconds
347 - Jen Sincero: You Are a Badass at Making Money
Jen made $30k a year before she decided to get rich. Guess how much she made a year later? SIX FIGURES. “I was sick of living my life so small,” she said. So she made a BIG decision. Jen “decided” to get rich. She shifted her focus, incorporated positive thinking and made success her only option. There was no plan B... And that’s what she taught me in this interview. This episode will give you Jen’s best insights about making money and being positive from her New York Times bestselling books, “You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life” and (the 2nd edition of the series) “You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth”. Links and Resources You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero Follow Jen on Twitter + Facebook Check out Jen’s website Also Mentioned The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles Think and Grow Rich I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/26/2018 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 23 seconds
346 - Nell Scovell: From Old to Original: How to Take Tired Ideas and Make Them New
Nell Scovell had a dream career working in television. She’s worked on every classic I can remember. And she even created a show, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” She took tired sitcom plots and put them through what she calls a “magical blender.” And out came something original. She told me how her ambition to be a prominent female television writer gave her these amazing opportunities that us men can only dream of. And how being on the sidelines gave her the confidence to lead a team to success. Links and Resources Just the Funny Parts… And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys’ Club by Nell Scovell Follow Nell on Twitter + Facebook Also Mentioned Murphy Brown Monk It’s Garry Shandling’s Show The Muppets Charmed Late Night with David Letterman Sabrina the Teenage Witch, created by Nell 90210 Bewitched I Dream of Genie Coach with Craig T. Nelson The Simpsons Seinfeld Curb Your Enthusiasm A Thousand Clowns, the play by Herb Gardner The Cosby Show Newhart The Buttoned Down Mind of Bob Newhart I’m Dying Up Here: Heartbreak and High Times in Stand-Up Comedy’s Golden Era by William Knoedelseder Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin by Paul Feig Gilligan’s Island Freaks & Geeks Arrested Development The Office Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg’s TED Talk: Why we have too few women leaders NCIS I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/24/2018 • 1 hour, 4 minutes
345 - Aubrey Marcus: Human Optimization + Peak Performance (A Guide)
Aubrey Marcus is the CEO and founder of Onnit, a company dedicated to human optimization and peak performance. I like what Aubrey had to say because it’s not just what you’d typically think of when you hear the words “optimize” or “peak performance.” He says, “You gotta live a life that’s worth living. Live a life that’s well-rounded, balanced and includes the things like having a glass of wine or smoking a joint and making love to your lover, playing with your dog and hanging out, but also being extremely productive, also meditating, also eating right, also training like a beast." And his philosophy is backed up by clinical studies. He really has the science to prove his theories. So I'm testing them all. Show Notes Onnit Own the Day Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus Alpha Brain Also Mentioned The Joe Rogan Experience Kettlebells My interview with Rich Roll My interview with Freeway Rick Ross (the infamous drug dealer and now philanthropist) Alpha Brain Ginko Huperzia Serrata Acetylcholine system (responsible for memory, sharpness, focus) Gaba Dopamine Serotonin Boston Center for Memory (this is where Aubrey did his clinical trials for Alpha Brain) Aubrey’s interview with Tim Ferriss Aubrey’s interview with Gary Vaynerchuk Tim Ferris’ video working out with kettlebells Brody Miller Rodger Huerta The steel mace The steel club Zeitgeber (the external cues that help sync your circadian rhythm) The Human Charger (light emitting earbuds) Wim Hof method Norepinephrine Chronic stress Snus (a Swedish tobacco company) The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship: A Toltec Wisdom Book by Don Miguel Ruiz You Are the Placebo: Making Your Mind Matter by Dr. Joe Dispenza A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises From The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Island by Aldous Huxley Sex at Dawn by Cacilda Jethá and Christopher Ryan I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/23/2018 • 59 minutes, 48 seconds
344 - Barry Michels: This is What's Really in Your Subconscious Mind
Barry is taking Eastern/compassion meditation and westernizing it. He wrote a book about these “tools” that you can use to understand yourself better. And understand your reactions, your dreams, your disappointments. He’ll explain how your subconscious stores information and memories. So that you can take advantage of it. This episode is powerful. Barry Michels has knowledge (and experience) helping people like you and me through therapy and his books. I highly recommend you listen to this interview. Because Barry will teach you how to tap into the potential you didn’t know you had... Links and Resources Coming Alive: 4 Tools to Defeat Your Inner Enemy, Ignite Creative Expression & Unleash Your Soul’s Potential by Barry Michels and Phil Stutz The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity and Willpower--and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels Follow Barry on Twitter + Facebook Also Mentioned My Interview with Gary Gulman Choose Yourself by James Altucher I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/19/2018 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 40 seconds
343 - Tony Rock: The Process to Get ANY Idea Off the Ground
Tony Rock is a super stand up comedian. And he’s also Chris Rock’s brother. He stars in CBS’ newest comedy, “Living Biblically,” based on my good friend, AJ Jacobs’ book. Tony’s been working on his comedy muscle for 24 years, so I wanted to ask him about his process. And how anyone can adopt this process for their own projects or side hustles. These are Tony's techniques to bring your ideas from the drawing board to action. Links and Resources Watch Tony on CBS’ newest comedy, Living Biblically, based on AJ Jacobs book, “The Year of Living Biblically” Watch Tony on BET’s Shows Black Card Revoked + Apollo Live Watch Tony on NBA - The WarmUp Live on Twitter or on nbatv.com Follow Tony on Twitter + Facebook Also Mentioned Ep. 293 - AJ Jacobs: Why We Experiment (And Why You Should Also) Inside the NBA Patrice O’Neal: Elephant In the Room Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip Chris Rock: Tamborine Dave Chappelle: Equanimity & The Bird Revelation The Kevin Nealon Show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood Jay-Z Album - 4:44 Louis CK: Live at the Beacon Theater All of Us I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/17/2018 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 26 seconds
342 - Frank Oz: How to Create Something Original: Lessons from The Maker of Our Most Beloved Characters
Frank Oz is the puppeteer. He played Miss Piggy. Bert of “Bert and Ernie,” The Cookie Monster, and even Yoda on Star Wars. He just released a new documentary called “Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched.” It’s about the creation of the Muppets and the man behind it all, Jim Henson. He was a unique leader, with a “nothing is impossible” attitude. This is the untold story of the Muppet creators and the team that made it all possible. Links and Resources Watch Frank’s documentary: “Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched” only available on muppetguystalking.com for $10 Frank directs the off broadway production In & Of Itself playing at the Daryl Roth Theatre in NYC Sesame Street Star Wars The Muppets The Muppets Movie Trading Places (the 1983 movie) The Great Muppet Caper Touch of Evil Little Shop of Horrors Downton Abbey Steve Martin Orson Welles Jim Henson I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/16/2018 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
341 - Anders Ericsson [Anniversary Episode]: 7 Secrets of Mastery
Anders K. Ericsson discovered the “10,000” hour rule. I had him on my podcast in 2016 to talk about peak performance. (One of my favorite topics.) And he broke down the steps every individual should follow to learn and MASTER a skill. Links and Resources Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Dr. K Anders Ericsson and Robert Poole Also Mentioned Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell The Polgar SIsters (the 3 best female Hungarian chess players ever) Laszlo Polgar (chess teacher who raised 3 chess prodigies his daughters) The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance Mozart - considered the most talented prodigy in music history, Anders disputes this Magnus Carlsen - the best chess player in the world at age 12 Michelangelo Picasso - one of the best painters of his time Andy Warhol - in the 1950s he was a master illustrator The Boston Marathon I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/12/2018 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 36 seconds
340 - Don McLean: Why You Should Follow Your Instincts
Don McLean is a singer and songwriter best known for the song, "American Pie." But he’s so much more than just this one hit. He’s sold 40 platinum and gold records and he’s still touring(!). And now he’s kicking off his 2 year tour for his new album, "Botanical Gardens." Don has decades and decades of experience and he’s always had an instinct about what he’s wanted to do... what he wanted to create. He transforms nostalgia into music and art. And in this interview he told me how I think I was asking for every artist. Or anyone listening who still wants to become one Links and Resources Check out Don’s newest album Botanical Gardens Don’s Albums we talk about: American Pie Playing Favorites PrimeTime (Don’s worst selling album) Don’s Songs we talk about: Vincent Dreidel (on the top 20) Mountains O’Mourne (Don’s song that went to #1 in UK and Ireland) Castles in the Air Crying The Wrong Thing to Do When a Good Thing Goes Bad Drake sampled these two songs for his own song “Doing It Wrong” in 2011 Wonderful Baby Superman’s Ghost (the story of George Reeves) Check out Don’s website for tour dates Also Mentioned Steve Martin - Don told a story where he showed up on his doorstep in 1972 (before he was anyone) to talk about the banjo Penn Jillette - he came on the podcast! Larry Butler Buddy Holly The Weavers Steve Allen Pete Seeger Bob Dylan I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/10/2018 • 40 minutes, 49 seconds
339 - Tyra Banks: How to Create New Opportunities & Gain Control of Your Destiny
Tyra Banks booked 25 fashion shows her first year being an “unknown.” That’s unheard of. She climbed to the top of an industry and consistently created new opportunities for herself. When “they” said she was getting too fat, she switched from high-fashion to commercial modeling. When “they” said her idea for a TV show was stupid, she found someone else and got a “yes.” Then she produced one of the highest rated reality TV shows “America’s Top Model.” She excelled in 150 countries. And created 25 international versions, too. And what was most impressive was that Tyra had her hands in all of it. She’s a true entrepreneur. And I’m so lucky to have learned from her. Now you get, too. Links and Resources Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss by Tyra Banks and her mama, Carolyn London Modelland by Tyra Banks Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out by Tyra Banks and Vanessa Thomas Bush America’s Top Model Tyra Beauty (Tyra’s cosmetics line) Also Mentioned “Lean on me” (movie) Battlestar Galactica (movie) Star Trek “Against All Odds” (movie) Stand and Deliver (movie) Edward James Olmos James interview with Tony Robbins Cindy Crawford Heidi Klum Claudia Schiffer American Idol MTV’s The Real World Blackish Kenya Barris (creator of Blackish) Ken Bock I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/9/2018 • 55 minutes, 1 second
338 - Michio Kaku: What The Future Holds… (How to Use Physics to Predict the Future)
Michio Kaku is one of the most famous physicists out there. His new book, “The Future of Humanity” is a New York Times bestseller. It’s full of deep questions. “Every question has another answer, which begs more questions,” he said. “But that’s good. Because that’s what science is all about.” Michio talked to me about time travel, space travel, etc. And he PROVED that there’s a lot more possible than just what lies on the surface. The future is an exciting picture. Show Notes: “Physics of the Impossible” by Michio Kaku “Physics of the Future” by Michio Kaku “The Future of the Mind” by Michio Kaku “Einstein’s Cosmo” by Michio Kaku “Beyond Einstein” by Michio Kaku Albert Einstein Theory of Everything String Theory “The Theory of Everything” Quantum Theory Interstellar travel "Alice in Wonderland" Stephen Hawking Shakespeare's quote: “All the world’s a stage" Isaac Newton Einstein Rosen Bridge “Interstellar” (the movie) Singularity (theory) The Quantum Principle The Uncertainty Principle Hyperspace The 5th Dimension Quantum Entanglement The Matrix The Nation Science Fair Star Trek Harry Potter I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/5/2018 • 57 minutes, 50 seconds
337 - Robert Kurson: The Leap of Faith Everyone Needs to Take
Robert Kurson is the bestselling author of “Shadow Divers,” “Pirate Hunters” and his newest, “Rocket Men”. He writes about people and their explorations. And brings them to life. Before he became an esteemed author, he led a pretty conventional life. He went to Harvard Law School and carried out his degree in the field. But he dreaded every morning. So he started writing and took a huge leap of faith. This is his story… Show Notes: “Pirate Hunters” by Robert Kurson “Shadow Divers” by Robert Kurson “Rocket Men” by Robert Kurson Apollo 13 Machiavelli’s Advice for Nice Guys I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/3/2018 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 39 seconds
336 - Steve Case [Anniversary Episode]: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future
Steve Case founded AOL. He’s a self-made billionaire and author of the New York Times bestseller “The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future.” This is one of my most popular episodes from 2016. Because he has a great story (he turned down Bill Gates, when Gates wanted to buy AOL for millions). He saw a bigger future. And he held on to that idea. He learned how to master his own future. That’s what this episode is about. Enjoy and you can check out my full notes on my blog at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Show Notes: Steve Case’s New York Times bestseller, “The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future” Revolution (Steve is the founder) Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
4/2/2018 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 45 seconds
335 - Wynton Marsalis: How to Find the Jazz of Life: Embrace Your Creativity
Wynton Marsalis is one of the best and most well-known jazz musicians ever. I had him on to talk about creativity. He’s made over 80 albums, sold over 7 million records, and won 9 Grammys (all unbelievable). He even won the Pulitzer Prize in music, which is the 1st for jazz. Now Wynton’s the Managing Director & the Artistic Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Wynton’s whole life is about being creative. He’s learned how to transform art from its existing state into something entirely new. That’s a skill. And that’s what we’ll dive into in this conversation: how you, too, can become a master of your own creativity. Show Notes: Read Wynton Marsalis’ article in The New York Times, “What Jazz Is and Isn’t” And listen to some of his music on “United We Swing: Best of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Galas” Check Out Wynton’s Website Be part of Jazz at Lincoln Center Community via jazz.org Autobiography of a Yogi by P. Yogananda I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/29/2018 • 40 minutes, 57 seconds
334 - Brad Meltzer: Creating a Bestselling Novel (The Secret X-Factor Revealed)
Brad Meltzer is one of the most passionate writers I’ve ever met. He writes page-turning thriller novels. “The Tenth Justice”, “The Millionaires” and his most recent, “The Escape Artist”. The first book Brad wrote got 24 rejection letters. But he trusted his gut and kept fighting. He found what he loved: 1. Character creation and 2. writing. I wanted to find out the X-factor in his books… and how he pressed on to become the writer he is today. Show Notes: The Tenth Justice by Brad Meltzer The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer Brad’s Ted Talk: How to Write Your Own Obituary Jack and Bobby the TV Series The Godfather by Mario Puzo Games Magazine I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/27/2018 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 22 seconds
333 - Adam Perlman: ‘Billions’ Writer on The Internal Struggle that Comes With Changing Your Career
Adam Perlman is a TV writer, director and co-executive producer. We met on the set of Showtime's “Billions,” which I can now say I am a technical writer for. He's also written for some of my favorite shows like "The Newsroom" and "The Good Wife." Adam used to be a lawyer. But he went through this constant battle with himself on whether it’s “okay” to be an artist. Finally, the market collapsed. And there was no work for him in corporate law. So he spent his days writing and eventually landed a mentor, and a gig, and the story picks up from there. Adam Perlman’s a true example of the struggle a lot of us go through when we know we have some bigger dream... but don’t know if survival comes with that dream. So I look at Adam as living proof that it can be done. That you can have your dream and your wellness and your finance all at once. Show Notes: Some of the shows Adam Perlman writes for: "The Newsroom" "The Good Wife" "Billions" (on Showtime) My interview with Bill Cartwright My interview with Kareem Abdul Jabbar Bob Scanlan Samuel Beckett David Mamet David Rabe The Harvard Lampoon The Acting Company The Flea The New York Fringe Festival Aaron Sorkin’s shows: "The West Wing" and "Sports Night" "Seinfeld" (TV Show) by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld "Curb Your Enthusiasm" "Silicon Valley" "Veep" "The League" Michael Patrick King (Adam says Michael Patrick King was the major creative force behind "Sex and the City") t (the play Michael Patrick King worked on with writer Nancy Shane) Transport Group (the off broadway theater company that Adam Perlman was the literary manager for) "Sex and the City" (Movie) "Ugly Betty" "Law and Order" Gen Maynard (the first person to help out Adam in his TV career. Gen worked on “The Amazing Race,” “Survivor,” and later “CSI”) Josh Berman I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/26/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 55 seconds
332 - Jimmy Yang: Stop Being Bored at Work… Risk Stability & Find Your Next Career Move
Jimmy Yang veered into comedy not out of love, but out of desperation. He writes about this in his new book “How to American”. “I was picturing myself sitting behind a desk until I was 65 at the same job,” Jimmy said. He knew he had another skill to offer. So he googled “open mics.” And went. He Jimmy wasn’t very funny (at first), but what he found was a sense of purpose and a community of people just like him. He set himself on a journey towards a meaningful life. Show Notes: Silicon Valley “How to American” by Jimmy Yang Patriots Day Crazy Rich Asian Ha Ha Comedy Club Seinfeld The Wire Freaks & Geeks Beavis & Butthead Dr. Drew I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/22/2018 • 55 minutes, 24 seconds
331 - Ryan Holiday: Behind the Conspiracy: A Deeper Look at THE Most Surreal Conspiracy of Modern Day
Ryan Holiday had access a surreal conspiracy. Probably THE most surreal conspiracy of modern day. And he wrote about it in his new book, “Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue” It’s a narrative nonfiction, which is new for Ryan. And that’s what makes it the best book he’s ever written. In this interview, Ryan tells us how he unraveled a conspiracy and why it was the hardest book he’s ever written. He also quotes a handful of Stoics, something I’ll always appreciate about having Ryan on the show. Show Notes: “Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue” by Ryan Holiday "Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts” by Ryan Holiday “Ego Is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday “The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living“ by Ryan Holiday “The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph“ by Ryan Holiday “Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator“ by Ryan Holiday “Growth Hacker Marketing: A Primer on the Future of PR, Marketing, and Advertising“ by Ryan Holiday Also, I highly recommend Ryan’s reading list newsletter. And his daily email, which I read every day “The Daily Stoic” In the beginning, you'll hear me mention my interview with Amy Morin author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do: Take Back Your Power, Embrace Change, Face Your Fears, and Train Your Brain for Happiness and Success” My interview with Peter Thiel (Ep. 43 - "What The Future Looks Like") Zero to One by Peter Thiel Philosophy: the straw man argument vs the steel man argument My interview with Jordan Peterson - “12 Rules for Life: A Solution to Suffering” Peter Thiel’s “7 questions” (he wrote about these in his book, “Zero to One,” but you can also read about them here on Medium Eric Weinstein, President of Thiel Capital "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas Uber co-founder, Travis Kalanick "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene "Mastery" by Robert Greene Breitbart Peter Thiel’s speech at the Republican Convention (you can watch it on YouTube here) Ryan Holiday’s open letter “Dear Dad, Please Don’t Vote for Trump” Matt Levine (Bloomberg columnist who Ryan reads) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/20/2018 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 14 seconds
330 - Jon Ronson: Go Inside the Mind of A Psychopath
Jon Ronson writes about psychopaths. He created a test called "The Psychopath Test." And wrote about it. I had him on to learn what it means to be mad. He told me how to spot the signs (and how it starts to haunt you). He also told me stories. Lots of them. About kids trapped in mental hospitals. Secret cults planning to take over the world. His writing style is sort of humorist meets gonzo-esque journalism. He puts himself directly in the center of a conspiracy. That's where this episode will take you... into the mind of a psychopath. Show notes: Listen to Jon’s podcast “The Butterfly Effect” (season 1 was about the consequences of the tech takeover of the porn industry) "The Men Who Stare At Goats" by Jon Ronson The Men Who Stare at Goats (Movie) "So You've Been Publicly Shamed" (one of James’ favorite books) "The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry" by Jon Ronson "Them: Adventures with Extremists" by Jon Ronson Psychopathic Test (live show) "Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries" by Jon Ronson Justine Sacco (you can read about here in this New York Times article “How One Stupid Tweet Blew Up Justine Sacco’s Life” https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html "Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions" by Johann Hari R.D. Laing (the anti-psychiatrist who wrote “The Divided Self: An Existential Study in Sanity and Madness” NOT Artie Lange the comedian) The Bilderberg Group (the group that extremists Jon met said “run the world”) Alex Jones, a “conspiracy broadcaster” (who you might know if you’ve seen InfoWars) Bill Hicks (American stand-up comedian) Jim Tucker (the journalist who helped Jon Ronson uncover more details about the Bilderberg Group), he wrote a diary about it called, “Jim Tucker's Bilderberg Diary: Reporter's 25year Battle to Shine the Light on the world Shadow Government” Henry Kissinger AJ Jacobs, a good friend and bestselling author who wrote “The Year of Living Biblically” Broadmoor Ssylum for The Criminally Insane Albert Dunlap (one the CEO’s Jon and I discuss as an example used in The Psychopath Test) Okja (the popular Netflix movie written by Joon-ho Bong and Jon Ronson (here’s the trailer on YouTube) "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" (a TV show Jon recommends watching) Bari Weiss (the New York Times columnist who’s an example of someone who’s pushing back against online shaming) Emma Gonzalez, one of the high school student from Parkland who’s making waves in the movement to reform gun laws and one of the leaders of the March For Our Lives event "I Am, Unfortunately, Randy Newman" (a documentary Jon Ronson worked on) I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/19/2018 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 28 seconds
329 - Sebastian Maniscalco: How to Create an Authentic Word of Mouth Career
Sebastian Maniscalco's one of the most successful pure road comics, meaning he doesn’t have film crews following him around. He built himself up the old way. Through word of mouth. But I wanted to know what is "real" word of mouth? Not just social media posts. Paul's created real, authentic relationships with the people he wanted to connect with. And then turned it into a $50 million career. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/15/2018 • 47 minutes, 6 seconds
328 - Wolfgang Puck: Knowing Your Calling is Step One. Following It is Step 2 (A Chef’s Journey)
Wolfgang Puck is a famous chef who has successfully created an empire in food. At age 14, he worked in his first restaurant. A few weeks in, he was fired. And contemplating suicide. Fast-forward, and Wolfgang became the first “celebrity chef.” He’s expanded his love of food in every single way: restaurants, cookbooks, catering (he’s catered the Oscars.) Now he also has a MasterClass available online. “I always wanted to be in charge of my own destiny,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is what I was born to do.” I don’t fully understand destiny. So I wanted to know. How could he actually feel that? How could he know? How could anyone know? Show Notes Wolfgang’s MasterClass - "Build Your Cooking Techniques" We talk about some of his restaurants including: Cut Rogue (this one's in LA and only serves 10 people a night) Spago Eric Ripert (famous chef) Chef (a movie starring Jon Favreau) Le Cirque Billy Wilder (famous director) Ma Maison The Wall by Pink Floyd Serena Williams (tennis player) Frank Gehry (architecture) Picasso Four Seasons Freddy Rosen who started Ticketmaster I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/13/2018 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 50 seconds
327 - Dante Nero: From Stripping to Comedy: How to Switch Careers
Dante Nero was a male stripper for 10 years. And now he’s a comedian. He was always intrigued by comedy. But before he went up on any stage, he made sure his fundamentals were impeccable. And that’s key. This is what makes Dante Nero one of the greatest comedians still going 18 years later. Listen for your guide to the basic skills every comedian should know… Show Notes: The Beige Phillip Show - Dante’s podcast Dantenero.com Movies and Shows Dante’s appeared in: Fighting The Blacklist Ocean’s 8 Power on Starz Fringe Eddie Murphy’s Raw “Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life” by Steve Martin Stand Up NY I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/12/2018 • 1 hour, 58 minutes, 24 seconds
326 - Tony Robbins - [Anniversary Episode]: How to Be Fulfilled: Just Start Asking Yourself These 2 Questions
Tony's latest book "Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook" "MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom" by Tony Robbins "Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!" by Tony Robbins Tony's Netflix documentary about Tony “I Am Not Your Guru” produced by my good friend Brian Koppelman I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/8/2018 • 58 minutes, 9 seconds
325 - Godfrey: Flex Your Comedy Muscle
Godfrey’s 20 years old in comedy years. (Your age = your experience). He might’ve been born in 1969. But that doesn’t matter. He learned this from Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld asked Godfrey, “How long have you been doing comedy?” At the time, his answer was 9 years. And Seinfeld said back, “That’s your age in comedy.” And it’s true for most skills. Or any pursuit. It’s not true for riding your bike because we all started young and a lot of us haven’t cared to step on a bike in 10 years. But if you’re trying to perfect a skill and become a master at something, then years dedicated = your age. This perspective has helped me in more ways than one. And I wrote about it on my site (I write about all of my podcasts.) You can read it here, jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Enjoy the show. And thanks Show Notes: “Regular Black” (Godfrey’s special on ShowTime) Seinfeld’s joke that people would rather be in the coffin then giving the eulogy Soul Plane Zoolander Adam Sandler Eddie Murphy Saturday Night Live "On Writing" by Stephen King Jim Gaffigan Comedian (Jerry Seinfeld’s documentary) George Carlin Richard Pryor Jackie Gleason Johnny Carson Jonathan Winters Mantan Moreland Pigmeat Markham Slappy White Timmie Rogers George Burns Gracie Allen Laurel and Hardy Steven Wright (Godfrey’s example for a guy who demonstrates “energy” on stage) Tony Robbins - NLP (here’s a training video on it) Jean Perret (famous comedy writer) - he talks about “the law of 3’s” Godfrey’s yoga bit on “Just For Laughs” Comedy Cellar David Attell (Godfrey says he’s one of the funniest comedians living) Colin Quinn Dave Chappelle Mitch Fatel Mitch Hedberg RoseAnne Bill Cosby (in “The Cosby Show”) Tim Allen (“Home Improvement” “Last Man Standing”) Ray Romano (in “Everybody Loves Raymond”) Kevin James (in “The King of Queens”) The Chappele Show Kevin Hart Dane Cook Steve Harvey (Family Feud, The Steve Harvey Show, The Big Shots) Black Panther (in theaters now) Marlene Dietrich Greta Garbo Robert Mitchum Clark Gable Spencer Tracy Katharine Hepburn King Bach My interview with Amanda Cerny Zach Galifianakis (in “Between Two Ferns”) Greg Giraldo Patrice O'Neal Bernie Mac Collin Quinn I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: iTunes Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/6/2018 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 29 seconds
324 - Cal Fussman: The Art of a Great Question
Cal Fussman is one of the greatest interviewers of all time. He’s interviewed an estimated 500 iconic people. He asks the question no one else is asking. He gains respect. And gets the best answers. Cal knows how to connect with everyone. So how did he get the superpower of connection? Show Notes: Read Cal’s Esquire column -What I’ve Learned Listen to Cal’s podcast -Big Questions with Cal Fussman The Tim Ferriss Show Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson Ep. 211 - Sara Blakely: How to Get a Billion Dollar Idea Ep. 321 - Jim Cramer: Stocks - The Greatest Wealth Creator of All Time The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/5/2018 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 52 seconds
323 - David McCandless: Visual Storytelling: Transforming Data into Stories through Infographics
David McCandless is the #1 data visualization expert. But what is that? “Data visualization?” Simply: it’s a better way to tell stories. Show Notes: “Visual Miscellaneum: The Bestselling Classic, Revised and Updated: A Colorful Guide to the World's Most Consequential Trivia” by David McCandless “Knowledge Is Beautiful: Impossible Ideas, Invisible Patterns, Hidden Connections--Visualized” David McCandless Visit David’s website - informationisbeautiful.net Watch David’s TED Talk - The Beauty of Data Visualization - which now has over 2.5 million views These are a few of David’s infographics we talk about in the podcast (most have been updated) Snake Oil Supplements Left vs. Right (US) Which Fish are Okay to Eat? Top 500 Most Common Passwords Visualized International Number Ones The Billion Dollar-o-Gram 20th Century Death Based on a True True Story? Novels Everyone Should Read One of the first infographics from 1869 by Charles Minard depicting Napoleon’s March in Russia in 1812. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
3/1/2018 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 46 seconds
322 - Yuval Noah Harari [Anniversary Episode]: A Brief History of the Future
Probably the books I've recommended most in the past five years was "Sapiens" by Yuval Harari. And not only me: it's Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg's top recommendation. I’m releasing this episode because there’s so much to know about our past as humans. And our future. Show Notes: Read New York Times bestseller "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari Read "Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow" by Yuval Noah Harari I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/27/2018 • 54 minutes, 11 seconds
321 - Jim Cramer: Stocks - The Greatest Wealth Creator of All Time
Jim Cramer is one of the most well known financial experts on the planet. I’ve known him for 16 years. We worked together. I was a writer for TheStreet.com and he was doing “Mad Money” for CNBC. So we have history. And I wanted to check in with him. But I didn’t ask about his success or how his career is going. I wanted the hidden truth. “Are you happy?” That’s what I asked Jim Cramer. 22 years later… fame, money, success… “Are you happy?” And that’s what I found out... Show Notes: “Confessions of a Street Addict” by Jim Cramer My podcast interview with Dr. Oz: The #1 Health Guru in America “Only the Paranoid Survive: How to Exploit the Crisis Points That Challenge Every Company” by Andrew S. Grove I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/26/2018 • 52 minutes, 18 seconds
320 - Steve Scott: How to Make $50K a Month Writing From Your Couch
This podcast episode is action packed. It’s not philosophy. It’s action. It’s HOW to actually get to the top of Amazon’s best seller list, how to get an idea for your book, how to create daily writing habits, etc. Steve Scott has written 70+ books. And each one generates income. He makes 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars A MONTH! He’s been on the podcast before. And broke it all down. I brought him back again to give us more details. More inspiration. Because if you didn’t act then, it’s okay. You can act now. Show Notes: "Habit Stacking: 97 Small Life Changes That Take Five Minutes or Less" by SJ Scott Visit Steve’s websites: https://authority.pub/category/podcast/ https://www.developgoodhabits.com/ Steve Scott’s Facebook group “Authority Self-Publishing” Listen to my first interview with Steve Scott - Ep. 23 – How To Go From $0-$40,000 a Month Writing From Home "Deep Work" by Cal Newport "Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg My interview with Charles Duhigg pomodoro technique "The Accountability Manifesto: How Accountability Helps You Stick to Goals" by SJ Scott (the book he wrote that flopped) "Tools of Titans" by Tim Ferriss "Dictate Your Book: How To Write Your Book Faster, Better, and Smarter (Growth Hacking For Storytellers #4)" by Monica Leonelle HARO - helpareporterout.com "The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Be Quick, Be Interesting" by Patrick King (Steve says he’s a great example of copy writing / description for books) Blinkest A Thousand True Fans (brilliant article and idea by Kevin Kelly) You can also go listen to my interviews with Kevin Kelly (he’s been on twice): Ep. 173 - One Rule for Predicting What You Never Saw Coming… Ep 95 – Kevin Kelly: A Thousand True Fans "50 Shades of Grey" by E L James BookBub.com Amazon Ads (Scott uses this to micro-target readers) Pickfoo.com (this is the website Scott goes to get his titles reviewed and “ripped apart” before publishing) "Declutter Your Mind: How to Stop Worrying, Relieve Anxiety, and Eliminate Negative Thinking" by Steve Scott and Barrie Davenport "The One Thing" by Gary Keller Virtual Staff Finder (the site Steve used to find his virtual assistant) "Guerrilla Publishing: Dangerously Effective Writing and Book Marketing Strategy" by Derek Murphy "The Miracle Morning for Writers: How to Build a Writing Ritual That Increases Your Impact and Your Income (Before 8AM)" (The Miracle Morning Book Series) Honoree Corder, the project manager for “The Miracle Morning for Writers” I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/22/2018 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 31 seconds
319 - Cheryl Richardson: Personal Growth: How to Give Yourself a Radical Upgrade
Self-care. What does that even mean? I called the expert: Cheryl Richardson. She’s written several New York Times bestsellers and I owe her credit for helping me cultivate new thinking whenever I needed it. When I was most scared, I’d call Cheryl. And she’d say, “Your best thinking got you here, (to the worst situation of your life, to your complete bottom), so you probably need the thinking of somebody else.” She’s always been right. Show Notes: “Waking Up in Winter: In Search of What Really Matters at Midlife” by Cheryl Richardson “The Art of Extreme Self Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time” by Cheryl Richardson “Take Time for Your Life: A Personal Coach’s 7-Step Program for Creating the Life You Want” by Cheryl Richardson “Life Makeovers: 52 Practical & Inspiring Ways to Improve Your Life One Week at a Time” by Cheryl Richardson “Choose Yourself” by James Altucher “The Power of No” by James Altucher Hay House Publishing - Cheryl’s first publisher “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay Launchpad Venture Group - where Cheryl does her angel investing “Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples” by Harville Hendrix “The Secret of the Ages” by Robert Collier I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/20/2018 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 55 seconds
318 - Paul Mecurio: Scary, But Not Impossible… Leaving the Job You Hate for the One You'd Love
Wait! Before I say “comedian.” Let me tell you who Paul Mecurio really is. He’s a transformer. A true re-inventor. He started out at as a lawyer on Wall Street. Because it was logical. And he got used to making 2, 3… 4 million dollars a year (after bonuses vested). It was hard to give it up... at first.But he still made little efforts. And those efforts add up. Overtime Paul stopped taking notes in meetings. He wrote jokes instead. And then one day he got a chance to meet Jay Leno. And he started living a double life. If the senior partners knew what he was doing, they wouldn’t tolerate it. He’d be out. Immediately. This was a gamble. But it was worth it... Show Notes: Jay Leno The Daily Show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Stand up NY Comedy Cellar Paul Koestner - Louis CK’s cinematographer The Hudlin brothers (Warrington Hudlin and Reginald Hudlin. Reginald wrote “Black Panther: Power,” directed “Marshall” and produced “Django Unchained.”) Spike Lee (“25th Hour,” “He Got Game,” “Do The Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “She’s Gotta Have It”) Albert Brooks (his movies include “Taxi Driver”, “Finding Nemo,” "Finding Dory,” “Twilight Zone: The Movie,” “Private Benjamin,” “A Most Violent Year,” and so many more) Woody Allen (“Annie Hall,” “Manhattan,” “Love and Death,” “Bananas,”) David Letterman Robin Williams Luna Lounge Marc Maron Blowin in the Wind by Bob Dylan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWwgrjjIMXA Monologue: What Makes America Laugh Before Bed by Jon Macks My interview with Jon Macks: Ep. 190: Jon Macks – The Gut Decision That Lasts A Lifetime Jimmy Brogan (Jay Leno’s main writer) Louis CK Pete Holmes Gary Gulman Steve sweeney Don Gavin Movie: Chuck with Liev Schreiber I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/19/2018 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 23 seconds
317 - Annie Duke: The Fastest Way to Become an Expert at Anything
For two decades Annie Duke ranked as one of the top poker players in the world. Which means she won a lot. But she couldn’t win without losing. I’ll explain. It’s hard to learn when you win, I think. Because if you win, then you think you’re a genius, but if you lose you blame your opponent for being “lucky”. So how do you become a real master... Skip the 10,000 hour rule. There’s a hack. And Annie figured it out. Listen now. Show Notes: “Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts” by Annie Duke “Outliers: The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell “Every Hand Revealed” by Gus Hansen “Sick in the Head: Conversations About Life and Comedy” by Judd Apatow “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday “The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph” by Ryan Holiday “Choose Yourself” by James Altucher I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/15/2018 • 1 hour, 44 minutes, 47 seconds
316 - Aaron Berg: The Fearless Comedian (How He Finds The Funny)
Aaron Berg is “the fearless comedian.” And I think that’s a compliment. How would you like if someone call you “the fearless (whatever you are).” Fill in the blank. I wanted to learn that skill. And that’s what I think you’ll learn from this interview. Show Notes: “American Etiquette: Failing Upwardly in a Fox News Nation” by Aaron Berg “Mr. Manners: Proper Etiquette for the Modern Degenerate” by Aaron Berg Aaron Berg’s Albums: “Comedy Coltrane” & “Unscripted”, both available on iTunes or Amazon Aaron’s Radio Show “In Hot Water” LIVE Tuesdays at 2pm Stand Up NY Gotham Comedy Club LOL Comedy Club I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/12/2018 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 2 seconds
315 - Kevin Allocca: The Economics of Entertainment... This is What Makes Videos Go Viral
Kevin Allocca is "Head of Culture and Trends" at YouTube. He's been there for 8 years. So he knows how videos go viral. But more than that, Kevin knows the economics of entertainment. He told me how to get a message out (because no one reads books anymore. It's easier to get hits online than hits on Kindle.) So what's the first step? "You gotta start making something," he said. "Especially when you’re trying to establish what your voice is, what your perspective is... these things need to be sort of incubated in a way." Show Notes: Videocracy: How YouTube Is Changing the World . . . with Double Rainbows, Singing Foxes, and Other Trends We Can’t Stop Watching by Kevin Allocca Kevin’s TED talk “Why videos go viral” Ylvs’s videos: “What Does the Fox Say” and “What’s the Meaning of Stonehenge” GANGUM STYLE David after Dentist Charlie bit my finger The making of GANGUM STYLE The Star Wars Kid Chocolate Rain with Tay Zonday My interview with Erika Ender (songwriter of Despacito, which has 4+ billion views on YouTube) "Lazy Sunday" by Adam Samberg (an SNL Original short) Bo Burnham & Amanda Sings (people who started on YouTube and then made it into career) Ze Frank (created the video unit at BuzzFeed) "Friday" by Rebecca Black Tosh.O https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYJCulUgtmg I write about all my podcasts. Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Youtube Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Youtube Instagram
2/8/2018 • 1 hour, 51 seconds
314 - Sara Blakely [Anniversary Episode]: How to Get a Billion Dollar Idea
Sara Blakely is a self-made billionaire. She’s the founder and creator of Spanx. I interviewed her exactly a year ago. But all of her advice (learned directly from DOING) is still impacting me today. I had to re-listen. And I hope you do, too. I wrote an article "What I Learned From Spanx Founder Sara Blakely." Sometimes I re-read it to remind myself of everything she taught me. Some people are inspirations for life. Sara is one of those people. Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/6/2018 • 1 hour, 21 minutes
313 - Dr. Oz: THE #1 Health Guru in America
This podcast is all about getting in control of your food. Food is medicine. It's fuel. Listen to Dr. Oz, leading cardiac surgeon, featured health expert, host of The Dr. Oz Show and author of 8 New York Times bestselling books, including his newest, “Food Can Fix It: The Superfood Switch to Fight Fat, Defy Aging, and Eat Your Way Healthy”. Show Notes: Dr Oz’s 8th NYT Bestseller: “Food Can Fix It: The Superfood Switch to Fight Fat, Defy Aging, and Eat Your Way Healthy” “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari My interview with Yuval Noah Harari Dr. Oz's article on "The Pegan Diet" I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/5/2018 • 37 minutes, 36 seconds
312 - Jordan B. Peterson: 12 Rules for Life: A Solution to Suffering
Jordan thinks about things, people pay attention, and he gets paid for it. His YouTube channel has tens of millions of views. He’s a clinical psychologist, professor and author of “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.” Show notes: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson Jordan's popular YouTube channel and lectures "Tools of Titans" by Tim Ferriss Jordan’s interview with Joe Rogan on "The Joe Rogan Experience" Carl Panzram (the serial killer Jordan talks about) A quote from Carl Jung: "Modern people can't see god because they won't look low enough" I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
2/1/2018 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 31 seconds
311 - Todd Barry: Accidental Comedian: How to Stumble Into Your Calling
“It’s weird to do something that you didn’t really plan on doing,” Todd Barry said. He’s a comedian and actor. But he wanted to be a musician. “I didn’t go on stage with the conscious goal of pursuing comedy. In my mind, I still wanted to be in a band,” he said. “And at some point, I think it was like 8 months in where, I was like, ‘I guess I guess I’m doing this.’” I wanted to know what kept him going... It was simple. “Weirdly, I don’t think I ever said ‘I’m thinking about quitting…’ which I guess is pretty telling.” Maybe that’s how you find your calling… By not quitting what you don’t hate, you create skill. And skill becomes love. Show Notes: Read Todd's book, "Thank You for Coming to Hattiesburg: One Comedian's Tour of Not-Quite-the-Biggest Cities in the World" Listen to Todd’s podcast interview with Judd Apatow This is one of my favorite jokes from Todd Barry Watch Todd in “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” with Jerry Seinfeld I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/30/2018 • 59 minutes, 33 seconds
310 - Tim Larkin: Surviving the Unthinkable
We live in this society where there’s “rules of etiquette”... but there aren’t really “rules of etiquette” when someone’s trying to kill you. Sometimes violence is the answer. “This is a key mind shift people need to take for their own self protection,” Tim Larkin said. Tim’s an American self-defense expert, the founder of Target Focus Training, and author of the “New York Times” bestselling book “Surviving The Unthinkable.” And he’ll teach you how to save your own life. Show Notes: “When Violence Is the Answer: Learning How to Do What It Takes When Your Life Is at Stake” by Tim Larkin “Survive the Unthinkable: A Total Guide to Women's Self-Protection” by Tim Larkin “How to Survive the Most Critical 5 Seconds of Your Life” by Tim Larkin “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene “Abnormal Psychology” By Ronald J. Comer The 21-Foot Rule Pancho Villa Jason Bourne Movies The Sopranos A History of Violence Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/29/2018 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 41 seconds
309 - Loretta Breuning: The Science of Happiness: How to Hack Your Brain & Become A Happier Person
Happy chemicals = the key to happiness. So I interviewed Dr. Loretta Breuning, author of “Meet Your Happy Chemicals,” “The Science of Positivity,” “I, Mammal,” and “Habits of a Happy Brain.” Show Notes: “Meet Your Happy Chemicals” by Loretta Breuning “The Science of Positivity” by Loretta Breuning “I, Mammal: How to Make Peace With the Animal Urge for Social Power” by Loretta Breuning “Habits of a Happy Brain” by Loretta Breuning “Anxiety: What turns it on. What turns it off” by Loretta Breuning Check out Loretta’s site, Inner Mammal Institute - designed to helps people build their power over their mammalian brain chemistry. Also, if you like this interview, go back and listen to my first interview with Loretta Breuning I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/25/2018 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 49 seconds
308 - Erika Ender: Everybody Has Talent
Erika Ender was just nominated for “best song of the year.” She wrote "Despacito." (Which has 7billion+ views on YouTube.) I first interviewed her in October '17. And I wanted to re-release our conversation to celebrate her. She has so much wisdom and gave me so many powerful takeaways. But one of my favorites is “everybody has their own talent.” And when she says it, I believe her. I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/23/2018 • 32 minutes, 39 seconds
307 - Kareem Abdul Jabbar: Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court
NBA’s all-time leading scorer? Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Six-time NBA champion? Kareem Abdul Jabbar. 50 years of athleticism. THAT’S peak performance. Then he combined his career with activism, philanthropy (President Obama awarded him with “The Presidential Medal of Freedom,” the nation’s highest civilian honor.). He’s also collaborated with HBO documentaries to create the highest rated sports documentary in history. I don’t know anything about sports. But I’m grateful I got to learn from Kareem. (And now you do, too). Show Notes: “Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court” by Kareem Abdul Jabbar “Coach Wooden and Me: Our 50-Year Friendship On and Off the Court” by Kareem Abdul Jabbar becomingkareem.com Autobiography of Malcolm X I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/22/2018 • 32 minutes, 41 seconds
306 - PJ O'Rourke: The Celebrity President
PJ told me some unconventional ways to vote for president. “Who would you road trip with?” A lot of people might think they’d say Trump, “but think again,” he said. I didn’t vote. But I still wanted to know how it happened… (Also, this episode is airing just days before the one year inauguration of President Donald J. Trump.) Full show notes and links here. Show Notes: The National Lampoon, PJ was the Editor in Chief in the 70’s (back in John Belushi days) “Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the Entire U.S. Government” by PJ O’Rourke “Give War a Chance” by PJ O’Rourke “On The Wealth of Nations” by PJ O’Rourke Ezra Pound (poet) East Village Other (a competitor to The National Lampoon) The Village Voice (another popular magazine back in the 70’s) NPR’s debrief on Brexit My interview with Ron Paul - https://jamesaltucher.com/2016/05/ron-paul/ “The Art of The Deal” by Donald Trump Eisenhower’s Farewell Address Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/18/2018 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 48 seconds
305 - Bill Beteet: The Pursuit… Sacrificing Everything You Know for What You Really Love
It’s weird. Normally, the people I interview on this podcast are at the end of their career. Bill is just starting. He spent years in law school. And then made up his mind (after a day of fasting) that he’s going to be a comedian. I wanted to know why… “I calculated it out,” he said. “I figured I can out work a lot of these guys. I cultivated this really huge love for stand-up and it imbued my life with meaning the more I sacrifice for it and the harder I pursued it.” I feel this podcast is filled with lessons on commitment and confidence, but mostly, on being true to your pursuit. And really choosing yourself... Show Notes: “Choose Yourself” by me, James Altucher Bill’s Quora page Bill’s TED talk Bill’s Show “If You Feel like Killing Yourself, Call Me” WTF with Marc Maron Podcast Nick Ogle "The Hidden Tools of Comedy: The Serious Business of Being Funny" by Steve Kaplan Ari Shafer youtube talk - 4 hours long The Lazy Philosopher (Bill’s podcast) Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/16/2018 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 20 seconds
304 - Dov Davidoff: Vulnerability is Good. (It Can Set You Apart)
It’s easy to just be an entertainer, but it’s a lot harder to be an artist. Dov Davidoff is learning this. And he taught me how he’s figuring out how to use his vulnerabilities to his advantage. To set him apart. For him, humor is a way of telling the truth (in an odd sort of way). I’ll explain. The truth can be hard to hear. Even if it means trashing your wife on stage. This is Dov’s interpretation of comedy. And here’s how your vulnerabilities can be used to your advantage... Show Notes: “Road Dog: Life and Reflections from the Road as a Stand-up Comic” by Dov Davidoff The HBO Series, Crashing The NBC Series, Shades of Blue Dov plays characters on both shows! Also Mentioned Gotham Comedy Club Sanford and Son Stockholm Syndrome The 40 Year Old Virgin Freaks and Geeks The George Lopez Show Roseanne Cheers Friends The Comedy Cellar The Village Underground “Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging” by Sebastian Junger Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/15/2018 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 303 - Jeff Goins: Real Artists Don't Starve
Jeff is the bestselling author of “Real Artists Don’t Starve.” I’ve wanted him to come on this podcast for over a year. Because he knows the secret to become a “thriving artist.” “That’s somebody who makes money so they can make more art,” he said. The key is to combine your art with a business sense (even if it’s just the basics). Start with your natural talents. Turn those talents into skill (through practice). Develop a business sense (more on this in the podcast) and figure out “what does ownership” look like in your space. This is the guide to becoming a real artist. A wealthy artist. (You’ll even learn HOW to ask for money.) Show Notes: “Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into your Comfortable Life” by Jeff Goins “The In-Between: Embracing the Tension Between Now and the Next Big Thing” by Jeff Goins “You Are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)” by Jeff Goins “The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do” by Jeff Goins “Real Artists Don't Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age” by Jeff Goins “The 48 Laws of Power” by Robert Greene "Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah" by Richard Bach "Jonathan Livingston Seagull: The Complete Edition" by Richard Bach Full show notes here Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Aaron Carroll is a pediatrician and the author of “Bad Food Bible: How and Why to Eat Sinfully”. I threw every argument ever made about coffee, carbs, alcohol, MSG, BACON, antioxidants, the list goes on. He’s about to dismantle the rumors. And give you your control back. Show Notes: Read Aaron’s book “The Bad Food Bible: How and Why to Eat Sinfully” Aaron writes for the New York Times, read his articles here. “Awaken the Giant Within : How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!” by Tony Robbins “Giant Steps: Small Changes to Make a Big Difference” by Tony Robbins My podcast interview with Dr. Sanjiv Chopra - Ep. 174 - The Art of Wellbeing “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest” by Dan Buettner The Mediterranean Diet “A History of the World in 6 Glasses” by Tom Standage Brazil’s Nutritional Guidelines The Man Who Saved a Billion Lives - Norman Borlaug who won the Nobel Peace Prize for inventing Dwarf Wheat “Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life” by Richard Carlson Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/9/2018 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep. 301 - Dan Harris: How to Mentally Train the Mind - Ten Minutes a Day
He had a panic attack on air. Live. A meltdown in front of 5 million people. Dan was struggling with PTSD, which led to drug abuse and depression. Then he found meditation. Show Notes: “10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works--A True Story” By Dan Harris “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics: A 10% Happier How-to Book” By Dan Harris Download Dan’s App (10% Percent Happier) to Start Meditating today! Listen to Dan’s podcast (10% Happier with Dan Harris) Watch the ABC World News Tonight story about the inspiration for Dan Harris’ first book! Also Mentioned: The Ben Shapiro Show Pod Save America Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Youtube Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram Youtube
1/8/2018 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 33 seconds
[Special Edition]: I'm Celebrating 300 Episodes!
I’m celebrating my 300th episode. With a GIANT episode. I took all the best clips from years and years of podcast. And recorded some new “behind the scenes” thoughts and ideas about each clip (what I learned and why I loved this guest, how they helped me and how they can help you, too). You’ll hear advice and EXCLUSIVE stories from Mark Cuban, Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, Sara Blakely, Tim Ferriss, Ryan Holiday and the list goes on. THIS is episode 300! And I can’t thank you enough for listening.I’m celebrating my 300th episode. With a GIANT episode. I took all the best clips from years and years of podcast. And recorded some new “behind the scenes” thoughts and ideas about each clip (what I learned and why I loved this guest, how they helped me and how they can help you, too). You’ll hear advice and EXCLUSIVE stories from Mark Cuban, Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, Sara Blakely, Tim Ferriss, Ryan Holiday and the list goes on. THIS is episode 300! And I can’t thank you enough for listening. P.S. If want to go back to hear the full episodes with these guests, click below: Ep. 62 – Tony Robbins: Money Is Just A Game Ep. 217 – Tony Robbins: About The Time Tony Robbins Smashed The Podcast Table (and other things I learned) Ep. 211 - Sara Blakely: What I Learned From Spanx Founder Sara Blakely Ep. 204 - Mike Massimino: “I’m Not Good Enough” Probably Means You Will Get Good Enough Ep. 63 - Tucker Max: Tucker’s Surprise Announcement Ep. 133 - Tucker Max: Mate: Become the Man Women Want Ep. 221 - Tucker Max: The Difference Between People Who Succeed and People Who Don’t Ep. 226 - Jon Morrow: Do You Have A Gun To Your Head? Ep. 258 - Nancy Cartwright: Becoming Bart Simpson… How to Find the Artist Inside Yourself Ep. 288 - Mike Van Cleave: A Conversation About Cancer & Learning How to Discard the Meaningless Ep. 24 - Mark Cuban: Enough Said Ep. 290 - Ray Dalio: Principles for Investing in a Meaningful Life (Tested Strategies from 1 of the World's Wealthiest Investors) Ep. 263 - Naval Ravikant: The Largest Transfer of Wealth in Human History Ep. 28 - Kamal Ravikant: How to Become an Angel Investor with Only $1000 Ep. 202 - Kamal Ravikant: Maybe a Pilgrimage Can Save Your Life Ep. 227 - Garry Kasparov: Become The World’s Greatest at What You Love Most Ep. 216 - Yuval Noah Harari: The Next Step in Our Evolution Ep. 231 - Jim Norton: Dropout and Laugh (A Comedian’s Journey) Ep. 180 - AJ Jacobs: Four Words That Will Give You Ultimate Freedom Ep. 213 - AJ Jacobs: Podcasting, Then and NOW Ep. 261 - AJ Jacobs: The Intersection Between Discomfort and Curiosity Ep. 293 - AJ Jacobs: Why We Experiment (And Why You Should Also) Ep. 157 - Gary Vaynerchuk: How to Be Successful by Being Yourself Ep. 2 - Gary Vaynerchuk: Millionaire by Age 35 Ep. 260 - Gary Vaynerchuk: Set a Flag on YOUR Thing Ep. 22 - Tim Ferriss: Possibilities and Experimentation Ep. 109 - Tim Ferriss: The Tim Ferriss Experiment Revealed Ep. 196 - Tim Ferriss: Becoming a Titan & Overcoming Your Worst Weakness Ep. 281 - Tim Ferriss: Using a New Lens to Make Life Easier Ep. 150 - Daymond John: Do This When Success if Your Only Option Ep. 210 - Daymond John: How to Create Your Own Point of View & Build a Following Ep. 141 - Judy Blume: Stop Wondering “What is it all for?” Ep. 13 - Arianna Huffington: The New Way To Thrive Ep. 169 - Arianna Huffington: The Delusion We’re All Suffering From Ep. 18 - Ryan Holiday: Turning Trials into Triumph Ep. 108 - Ryan Holiday: Ryan Shares His Keys to Success Ep. 171 - Ryan Holiday: The Powerful Enemy of Your Success Ep. 222 - Ryan Holiday: The Essential Question: How To Live A Good Life Ep. 238 - Ryan Holiday: The Art of Making and Marketing Ep. 298 - Ryan Holiday: Competition is for Losers: Invent Your Own Category Ep. 59 - Brian Koppelman: Brian Ruined My Life Ep. 98 - Brian Koppelman: The Art of Super-Creativity Ep. 193 - Brian Koppelman: How to Deliver Every Single Time Ep. 139 - Cheryl Strayed: James’ Go-To Author Ep. 6 - Dr. Wayne Dyer: A Test to See If You Are Ordinary Ep. 129 - Dr. Wayne Dyer: Namaste Ep. 273 - Sheila Nevins: The HBO Producer Who Dawned the Era of the Human Experience Ep. 42 - Coolio: Entrepreneur’s Paradise Ep. 35 - Biz Markie: The Best and Worst Interview You’ll Ever Hear Ep. 159 – Derek Sivers: The Zen Master of Entrepreneurship Ep. 45 - Nassim Taleb: Why You Should Embrace Uncertainty Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Google Play Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/4/2018 • 3 hours, 50 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 299 - Paul Reiser: Find What You’re Drawn To, Even if It’s Hard
Why would anyone want to pursue a career in comedy? There are no benchmarks, no paychecks and definitely no guarantees. It’s too risky. Unless you have that pull... the one that tells you, "this is the right thing. This is what you're meant for." Paul Reiser knew. And never looked back. That’s what I want for everyone listening to this podcast. That's what I hope for you. Show Notes: some of Paul's work: "Stranger Things" "My Two Dads" "Mad About You" (Paul was in 160 episodes!) "Diner" Paul’s first appearance on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” in 1982! "There’s...Johnny!" (Paul wrote the Hulu Original Series) Paul also stars in the TV Series "Red Oaks," he describes it as Caddyshack meets "The Graduate" Read Paul’s Books: "Couplehood" "Familyhood" "Babyhood" Also Mentioned: "2000 Year Old Man Record"
1/2/2018 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 13 seconds
Ep. 298 - Ryan Holiday: Competition is For Losers: Invent Your Own Category
If I compete with you, I’m a loser. It means I’m not helping anyone in a new way. Ryan said, “Competition is for losers.” He was quoting Peter Thiel. Instead, you have to invent your own category… here’s how Show Notes: “Trust Me I’m Lying” by Ryan Holiday "The Obstacle is The Way” by Ryan Holiday “Ego is The Enemy” by Ryan Holiday “The Perennial Seller” by Ryan Holiday “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday “The Daily Stoic Journal” by Ryan Holiday A famous writing technique created and taught by Julia Cameron called “morning pages.” You can read about it in her book “The Artist’s Way” “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius A phrase from Ryan’s mentor, Robert Greene and author of “The 48 Laws of Power” (Ryan mentions “tactical hell” when everyone’s just reacting all the time) A quote from Peter Thiel, founder of PayPal and bestselling author of “Zero to One” (Ryan quotes him saying, “competition is for losers”) Ryan’s article “Uncommon Advice To Any Young Man Wanting To Become Insanely Successful (Or Get Something From Someone Who Is Successful)” “If You Have to Cry, Go Outside” by Kelly Cutrone Subscribe, Rate, and Review: Apple Podcast Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
1/1/2018 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 3 seconds
Ep. 297 - Rich Roll: Surrendering Does Not Mean Failure
“If you were on the outside looking in you’d probably think, 'This guy's got a really good life.' And on paper I did, but on the inside I felt like I was dying. I was depressed. I was unenthusiastic about my life because I knew I was in a career that was ill suited to me. But I just couldn’t see my way out of it,” Rich Roll said. He told be about the time he felt a tightness in his chest. He couldn’t walk up the stairs. He had to take a break halfway up the flight. Rich was 39 and dying. Rich and I talked about his story before... how he transformed himself from a depressed and overweight alcoholic to a plant based, vegan eating, mega athlete / bestselling author / podcaster / writer and total peak performer. But THIS time we dove even deeper. “I was trying to force this round peg into a square hole for most of my life," he said. I wanted to understand the switch that led him to himself... He told me his secret. And I believe him. "Surrender." He went to rehab. And got help for a problem he couldn't handle on his own. That's Rich's meaning of "surrender." Getting help when you need. But it's hard to know when it's the right time to get help. I probably need help right now. It's the first time I've felt physically sick in five years. My body is tired. And I'm trying to rest. But sometimes, I can't pull myself away from what I love. So I talked to Rich and then my friend Ryan Holiday. And then prepped for two more interviews. I like this interview with Rich for a lot of reasons. I'll tell you one though... It's because when he says something, it feels just confessing. He's sharing what's true for him. And helping you heal in the process. (You'll know what I mean if you start listening)
12/28/2017 • 1 hour, 31 minutes
Ep. 296 - Linda Papadopoulos: Validation: Why It’s Dangerous…
We all have vulnerabilities. And I exposed mine to Linda because it’s a free therapy session. She’s a well-known psychologist and bestselling author born in Canada, living in the UK. I had to ask her about all her theories. And all her books. But mostly these 2: 1. “What Men Say, What Women Hear” 2. “Unfollow: Living Life on Your Own Terms” Because I am still outsourcing my self-worth to new measures. First, it was money. So I gave up Wall Street (for many reasons). And then it became book sales and now podcast downloads or laughs when I’m on stage doing stand up. And so I asked Linda “why?” Why am I sacrificing my art for identity? “We create because it’s in,” she said. “We’re social beings and our identity is bound up in what we create. That identity needs to be confirmed by others, right? It’s an interesting thing: identity. It’s simultaneously what makes us different but it’s also what binds us with a group” Then she told me about the evolution of acceptance. “Years ago you’d have a much smaller group validating that. Now, you have people out there, James, that don’t have a vested interest in you feeling good about yourself. Actually, there are people out there that would find it interesting if you didn’t. And you’ve got to ask yourself, ‘Is the source not important?’” “What do you mean?” “It’s like a big bathroom door,” she said. All the comments on message boards or Facebook or Twitter… Think about this. You go to a public bathroom. And the door is covered in ink. Is any of it positive? Or even worth reading? That’s social media. (According to Linda.) She said, “Look at who’s giving you that validation and explore if it’s quality or quantity. And, maybe that’s that’s what we’ve sold our souls for... quantity.” Then she gave me tips. Really useful tips that I started practicing as soon as the podcast ended (like taking note of when I’m on social media, and how my mood is, and how much power someone else has). And then I asked her about women. She broke down all the reasons people get divorced. And the most common misunderstandings. And how to get rid of them for good. Because fighting hurts. It comes back to what Linda said about vulnerabilities. We all have them. And they’re impossible to forget. It’s like they put a mark on you. And follow you from place to place. Never letting you forget… (Linda gave me advice for that too.) “The vulnerabilities are there,” she said, “but the assets are the people that tell you it’s okay to have them…”
12/26/2017 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 18 seconds
Ep. 295 - Jon Alpert: Behind the Camera: How to Be the Catalyst for Social Change
“This guy tried to kill me. He had a gun to my head,” Jon said. “We were leaving the country. We got intercepted.” Wait. What? I was interviewing Jon Alpert. He was trying to smuggle controversial footage out of Iraq. “I was basically a complete failure up until the moment that I started making films,” Jon said. He was constantly trying to make his community a better place, but his attempts were always unsuccessful. “I want to make this country better. And I’m not a good soldier. And I’m not a politician. So I can’t go represent in Congress, but I can be a good reporter,” he said. He took two passions (camera and country) and combined the two to become creative in the intersection. His documentaries show aspects of social change that I’ve never seen anywhere else. There’s this undercurrent of a larger problem... an issue or a cause that people are fighting for. I feel like, in talking to Jon, that I want to be fighting for something too. Jon had a core. A direction. And a destination. All in one. “The camera is a license for me to go up to you and to invade every single part of your life,” he said. “The camera is a license to invade people’s personal space.” “And I’m doing it because I love my country and that’s how I believe I can be the best patriot.” He told me about his newest documentary, “Cuba and the Cameraman.” 45 years! It took him 45 years to make this. It’s his life work. He went through a thousand hours of footage. Editing took a year. And what resulted (what we finally get to see) is one of the greatest films about the Cuban Revolution. Ever. And this podcast is the story behind those stories. We hear about the leaders. The criminals. And what was inside their refrigerator. These are the war stories you don’t hear. This is the filmmaker's journey.
12/25/2017 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 38 seconds
Ep. 294 - Jackie Martling: The Joke Man... I Talk with Howard Stern's Former Lead Writer
I started to get really itchy. Inside my head. I didn’t know how to scratch it. So I avoided it. Until I broke out into hives and finally forced myself on stage. I think it started when I interviewed Gary Gulman, one of the greatest comedians ever. It was over two years ago. And even though he was deeply depressed, I was jealous. Because he was living my dreams. He was scratching my itch. So I started to interview more comedians. And writers of comedy. I had so many questions. I interviewed Jim Norton, Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson!) Fred Stoller, Chris Smith (who worked with Jon Stewart), Paul Shaffer (the famous band leader on Jay Leno), Bonnie McFarlane. The list keeps growing. And there are so many branches of comedy: Stand up, voice overs, writers, monologue performers, sidekicks. And each branch has its own microskills. That’s true for every skill. They all require you to learn hundreds of micro-skills. So getting started can be scary. Very scary. Some people die with itches unscratched. When I want to get better at something, I go underneath the skill. I imagine a small version of myself looking up at my dreams. If I can see how far away I am from greatness, I feel the desire to get there. That’s what this podcast is about. Picking apart greatness. Jackie Martling came to the studio. He was the lead writer at “The Howard Stern Show” for 18 years and now he’s the author of “The Joke Man Bow to Stern.” I don’t know anyone who’s looked at their crappy job and said “I’m going to do this for 18 years.” So I wanted to hear him talk about what it’s like to love what you’re doing with your life. To feel good and dedicated. That’s where I hope to find us help. (I say “us” because I’m still itchy). I still want to be a standup comedian. Not just “do” standup. Doing and loving leads to being. I’m still at “doing.” Because love comes from having a deep relationship with the skill. Jackie loves what he does. So I’ll keep scratching.
12/21/2017 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep. 293 - AJ Jacobs: Why We Experiment (And Why You Should Also)
I like the idea of experimenting for two reasons. A) widen comfort zone B) become a better person. I’ll tell you about A first then B. But first, let me reintroduce my good friend AJ. If you listen to this podcast then you already know who AJ is. But just in case, AJ Jacob’s is a professional at experimenting. All his books are experiments. Four are bestsellers. He told me about one he did with the comedian Jim Gaffigan. They looked up the oldest jokes in the world. From hundreds of years ago. And told them to live audiences today. Sometimes Jim bombed, some jokes he skipped (because a lot of jokes were about lettuce… lettuce used to be thought as an aphrodisiac), but others worked. And he didn’t know what to expect. That’s A) widening your comfort zone. So for this podcast, AJ and I came up with ideas to experiment with. And we want you to join us. You’ll hear what we’re testing right now. And what’s next. I found that if I do a new experiment a day or week, it becomes a micro step to creating a healthy life. For example, I told AJ that I try very heard not to say anything bad about anybody. And it’s hard because things come up throughout the day. But ultimately it makes me feel happier to not gossip. And I’ve been doing this now for about seven years. AJ tried it too. “It was fascinating,” he said, “because I realized 70% of my speech was trash talking and it made such a difference in my life when I cut that out because it made me more positive and happier.” And it’s true. Because we all know that eating trash makes you feel like trash. And it’s true for your brain too. These are the nuances hidden in experimenting. You have a secret with yourself. A promise to uphold. And you live up to some unknown potential sometimes. That’s B.
12/19/2017 • 40 minutes, 7 seconds
Ep. 292 - Tiffany Haddish: Stop Telling Yourself You're Not Good Enough
Got to interview one of my favorite comedians for the podcast, Tiffany Haddish, star of “Girls Trip,” her recent comedy special. "She Ready", and 20 years a stand up. I asked her what was the biggest change in her first few years of doing standup. (She's been doing it over 20 years). She said, "I learned to change the fear into fun". I think all of the above is great advice to achieve success in everything worth doing. I had a gift for Tiffany. It was a suitcase. I gave her a suitcase for the kids. Let me explain. Because a suitcase is an odd kind of gift. Tiffany was placed in foster care when she was 12 years old and stayed in the system until she was a legal adult. When she moved from home to home she didn’t have a suitcase or any kind of bag to put her clothes. They make the kids put all their belongings in trash bags. And it made her feel like garbage. “You’re garbage,” she said. “Garbage moved around from house to house.” “When I was 13, I said to myself if I ever get any sort of power, any sort of influence at all, I’m gonna figure out a way to make sure no kid feels like a piece of trash.” And she’s succeeding (and you can help). So she’s been collecting suitcases for kids through the Felix Organization. If you’re reading this and want to donate a suitcase, look up the Felix Organization. I wanted to know how she rose up from foster kid to superstar comedian. And the first black female to host Saturday Night Live. “I try to manifest what it is I want to be,” she said. And she told me her self talk… “You got divine order all over you,” she said. “Everything is happening in the order and the way it’s supposed to happen.You got this girl. Pull that energy from your uterus. You got it that’s where your soul at. Pull it up from your soul. You got this girl.” I couldn’t stop laughing. She said she tried to find the joy and the fun in everything she’s ever gone through. Here’s a quote from her new book, "The Last Black Unicorn": "In stand-up, you do need to be having fun up there like Richard Pryor said, but you have to know yourself well, too...You start learning and it's like playing a piano. You know exactly what keys to stroke, 'cause really with comedy, you're like fiddling with people's souls. You resonate on the same frequency as them, trying to greet them to relate…” “To do that, you gotta put yourself out there. And in order to put yourself out there, you've gotta have an idea who you are.” Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/12/tiffany-haddish/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
12/18/2017 • 48 minutes, 43 seconds
Ep. 291 - Stephen Tobolowsky: Write Your Own Story Because We're All Living On Borrowed Time
If you’re reading this, you probably don’t know the name Stephen Tobolowsky. But I’ll give you some hints. Ned Ryerson. (From “Groundhog Day”) Jack Barker. (From “Silicon Valley”) Sound familiar? Stephen Tobolowsky is one of the main characters and actors in one of my favorite TV Shows, Silicon Valley. He also plays the MOST annoying character in Groundhog Day. He’s been in 200 movies and a thousand other things including Seinfeld, Thelma & Louise, Heroes and the list goes on. But he did something weird. He wrote a book. And when I read it I thought, “who the hell is this guy?” There are only two ways someone could write this book…” My Adventures with God”. ONE: If they were incredibly broken as a human being somewhere in their lives and then they climbed back out of that hole by thinking all these intense and philosophical thoughts. TWO: They were just born this way... I still haven’t figured out which one. I have to admit I didn’t understand parts of Stephen’s book. And not because it was bad, (I loved it), but because I had to stop and think. His thoughts are so valuable and I really wanted to know what they meant. I was pretty happy he was able to come on my podcast. He taught me that we’re all writing and choosing our narratives to some extent... “Well I think on a personal level, we all end up developing narratives,” Stephen said, “Either it's instinct or sometimes it’s choice. I think we live in the dark so much of the time that we need metaphors to find our way. And I believe having a philosophy is only useful if it helps you see in the dark.” So I asked him how do we begin to take control of our own narratives? Because we to some extent, I can’t just surrender to the narratives that has been given to me. That takes away my freedom and ability to reinvent. Stephen told me this, “We’re all living on borrowed time.” This podcast shows you a window into a man’s desire to connect with the deeper meaning on time and what it means to be alive. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/12/stephen-tobolowsky/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
12/14/2017 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 290 - Ray Dalio: Principles for Investing in a Meaningful Life (Tested Strategies from 1 of The World's Wealthiest Investors)
I wish I could take everything Ray Dalio said and turn it into a book. But he already did that. It’s called, “Principles: Life and Work.” And I’m going to be re-reading it for the rest of my life. He defines principles as “ways of successfully dealing with reality to get what you want out of life.” And he’s revealing how he used these principles to build BridgeWater Associates, (which manages $150 BILLION in assets. Globally.) He told me story after story. How he went broke. How he started over. How he built a community within the walls of business. How he wrote his book. Love his family, teaches his students, learns from life… “I think you're faced with choices. Those are the times that test your values…” “Being successful is hard,” he said. “But it’s a lot harder to live a life you don’t want.” Then he said, “habit is the main controller of all of us.” And (for me) it all came down to one formula: He said, “Dreams + reality + determination = a successful life.” Show Notes: Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio Ray founded Bridgewater Associates, LP, a hedge fund that manages $150 billion in global investments. Listen to Ray’s TED Talk “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” by Joseph Campbell “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business” by Charles Duhigg (And you can listen to my interview with Charles - Ep. 161 – Charles Duhigg: Be Smarter, Faster, Better… And Most of All Be Free Also check out this video from Ray if you want to learn more about economics. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: iTunes Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram
12/12/2017 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep. 289 - Amy Morin: The Easiest Side Hustle You Can Start Right Now
You may remember Amy, she came on my podcast a few weeks ago. We discussed her book, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.” I asked her why is it a book about what people DON’T do instead of SHOULD do. It seemed counterintuitive to me. But her reasoning made sense. The book wasn’t written for other people. It was actually just a letter to herself at first. And then she put it online. And it became viral… that led to a book deal. The podcast was really popular. But I feel like you didn’t get the full story… Amy’s not just an author, therapist, social worker/mentally strong person. She’s also an entrepreneur. She was making money in her sleep... “I’ve always had some sort of a side hustle usually something fun or strange,” she said. I knew immediately I needed to have her back on the show. I wanted her to share this with my listeners. Because these are “choose yourself” ideas. Simple, easy to execute, and anyone can do it. “I had a friend who had a jewelry store,” Amy said, “so I knew the markup on jewelry was incredible, like 200 hundred or 300 hundred percent.” And she knew jewelry was fairly inexpensive to ship because it didn’t weigh anything. Over the years she and her husband thought about how they could turn this into something they could monetize. And finally they did it. I asked so many questions about how she pulled the trigger. And got the courage. I wanted to know how she made this business work. I also gave her ideas about how she could scale. I really believe this: anyone who listens to this podcast can start doing their own side hustle right now. “Over time it went from a few dollars to a few hundred and then before I knew it we were up to a few $1,000 dollars a month.” You could quit your job I told her. “That was the dream,” she said. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/12/amy-morin-2/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
12/11/2017 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 288 - Mike Van Cleave: A Conversation About Cancer & Learning How to Discard the Meaningless
I got a call from my friend Mike Van Cleave a year ago. He told me had cancer. We hadn’t spoken for years. “It’s like mold in your refrigerator,” he said. “All of a sudden you’re like, ‘What the hell happened? It’s only been a week.” You never know who’s going to call you out of the blue someday with cancer. It’s scary, but luckily we don’t live with these thoughts in our minds. We only think of ourselves. “Will I get cancer?” And that’s important. These selfish thoughts keep us alive. I’ve always admired my friend Mike. I felt honored to have him on this podcast. He told me the science of his cancer (thyroid cancer) and the ways he’s surviving every day. I’ll take emotional pain over physical any day. So my bones can keep typing. “Do you have pain in your bones?” I asked him. He did. And it went away. “I have no bone pain right now. So there’s a very good chance that all the bone metastasis is working,” he said. That takes away 80% of the “badness”. He spoke casually. And sometimes I laughed inappropriately. I guess I was scared. In 18 months, his medicine will stop working. The cancer will keep growing again. And he’ll be on a new drug. He told me about the success rate of his next drug (only 50% of people are helped and it only helps for 6 months). “What’s the best case scenario?” I asked. I cried afterwards. Not in front on him. Not there… But later, when I was alone with my fear, I cried for hope. He’s down to his second to last drug. The second to last hope. Unless they create a new medicine… “We’re look at a maximum of three years,” I said… “What happens next?” “Honestly, really bad things happen,” he said. Then he told me, “All of a sudden there was meaning... The desire to connect with meaning overwhelmed the time I had for the meaningless. In some ways, you can’t understand it. And the one thing I’ve come to understand completely is there’s only one thing in your life that matters and that’s the quality of your relationships. It’s such a cliche. You can look back at thousands of quotes from people who are old and dying and they always talk about the people in their lives. Nobody cares how much money you have when you die.” I stayed silent. I wanted to catch all his words. And learn from them. “Most of the things we sit around worrying about, you realize, at this stage, has no meaning. Now, it’s important. Maybe. Ya know, it’s important that I have a job, but the job itself only has the importance that you place in it.” I hope this podcast is a special moment for you like it was for me. I took it as a chance to step back from my life. And the problems I think about over and over again. This interview allowed me to care for a friend. And I hope it lets you care for a stranger. That’s something I want to do a little bit more each day. Until the day is full with selfless thoughts between selfish thoughts. Maybe that’s part of the medicine. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/12/mike-van-cleave/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
12/7/2017 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 18 seconds
Ep. 287 - Scott Galloway: How the Four Most Influential Companies on the Planet Took Over the Market and Changed Humankind
I don’t know where to begin. I’m a fan of Scott. I think he reminds me of someone I went to highschool with. He was bright and always cursing at the right time. I remember laughing. Because I felt close to being free. But he was the one with the ability to put himself in the middle of controversy. That’s something I (still) can’t do. He’d say eff this or eff that. Part of me felt compelled to egg him on. But he didn’t need it. He was comfortable being cynical and right. Scott Galloway does this with business. I watch his weekly “Winners & Losers” videos where he tells you things like “Brands are dying” and “Amazon will be broken up” Then he’ll dress up like Spock and I’ll lose my mind. I get these videos emailed to my phone. And I’m also subscribed to his YouTube channel. He came on my podcast to talk about his new book, “The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google.” But we also talked about his past: creating and selling companies. Being on the board of The New York Times, wanting to salvage the newspaper industry (his idea back then was brilliant). “I got laughed out of the room,” he said. “What was your idea?” “That the stupidest thing we did is buy into this bullshit lie that ‘information wants to be free.’” He’s right. I remember the beginning on the internet. We gave information away… And now they’re profiting off us. Scott called it “the hot girl effect” “Everybody wants to hang out with the hot girl,” he said. “So, to say you’re doing a deal with Google made you feel younger and more interesting.” They said “information wants to free.” So deals were made. He told me exactly how he would’ve turned it around. And I felt like I was listening to the possibility of new reality. That’s what Scott Galloway brings to the table. Beyond strategy or analysis. Beyond brilliance, he brings possibility. And teaches you that it’s not over. “The Four” are winning. But I told Scott nobody really cares. Nobody cares which one of these companies “wins.” I’m interested in is learning how to win too. I want to know HOW Amazon, Apple, Facebook & Google became influential. And disruptive. So I can be influential and disruptive, too. Scott said all Fortune 500 CEO’s have one thing in common... or at least “450 of them have one thing in common.” They’re likable. “Even the ones that are psychopaths?” I said. “Yeah…” He explained: ”During the day these people are Darwin and Darth Vader, make no mistake about it. They play full body contact business and they make very brutal decisions. They dominate markets. They put companies out of business. And they don’t put warning labels on your iPad even though your kid has a crack-like addiction to the thing.” He called them “wolves in sheeps clothing.” Zuckerberg, Jobs, Bezos, Page, Brin. But then he told me the principles they standby... There’s five in total. And we go through them all on this podcast. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/12/scott-galloway/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
12/5/2017 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 7 seconds
Ep. 286 - Dennis Woodside: How Do You Know When Something is The Next Big Thing (Advice from Dropbox’s COO)
Dennis Woodside left Google, for DropBox. Everyone thought he was crazy. DropBox was this little tiny company. What was he thinking? “So you ask why I would go from Google to Dropbox. Just play the movie forward. Where’s it going to be in ten years? It’s logical to me that the company that pioneered this notion of putting your files in the cloud is going to have all kind of opportunities and going to solve problems for everybody in the world. A lot of people don’t think that way. They think very linearly. That’s how we’re taught as kids. That’s how you’re taught in college.” (And that’s how Dennis was taught to think in law school. But he got out of that rut. More on that later…) “You have to rewire your brain a bit,” he said. You have to ask yourself, “What trends do I understand to be true?” And “If I extrapolate that trend to its logical conclusion, what does the world look like?” That’s what Dennis did. And that’s how he found Google. And later, Dropbox. He said Google was tiny when he first joined. “What year?” “2003” There were only a thousand employees. “When I joined Google everybody thought I was crazy because it was a little tiny company,” he said, “but I felt one of the most exciting things you can do with a career in Silicon Valley is to help grow a company. And be there early... There’s a lot of uncertainty. And competition is really hard. You have to figure everything out. That’s the hardest part, but the most rewarding.” Dennis is now the COO of DropBox. How did he go from lost lawyer to a leader in Silicon Valley? I wanted to know. “Ultimately, I realized I wasn’t going to be a great lawyer,” Dennis said. This is where his career path changed from one end of the spectrum to the other. He reinvented. He learned a whole new set of skills. And he adapted to an ever changing digital world. Most people are thinking about the next ten days, Dennis is thinking about the next ten years. He saw DropBox as a pioneer. And is vision paid off. DropBox is one of the fastest growing companies maybe ever. And there are billions of people who are signing up every month. I wanted to learn how to cultivate that same skill. The one that lets you have a vision. And believe in it. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/12/dennis-woodside/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
12/4/2017 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 285 - Ellen Fein & Sherrie Schneider: How to Get the Relationship You Deserve... Advice from "The Rules" Authors
I sat down with two women the other day. And I can't decide whether they’ve completely ruined my life or helped me. I decided they were going to help me decide before this podcast was over. Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider are the authors of the classic book, “The Rules”. I know this book inside and out. Every woman I ever dated back in the 90's and early 00's read "The Rules" AND were following them. I felt like I was talking to them on behalf of every single person I’ve ever dated. (And every man who’s ever been frustrated by a woman they’ve dated.) "The Rules" tell women how to date and WHO to date. But more than that, it teaches you to have self respect. How to bring the center of gravity back to yourself. And stop outsourcing your self-esteem to some other human or some idea of being with that human. I've been married twice. I told Ellen and Sherrie about both of my marriages, but I kept something things private, too. I told them I'm going to give their books to my daughters. I want them to read it. "But I don't know if I want my future girlfriend to read it," I said. Maybe that's because I'm a little lost. And I want her (whoever she is) to be a little lost with me. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/ellen-fein-sherrie-schneider/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/30/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep. 284 - Frank Shamrock: The Making of a Legend: How a Criminal Became a Champion
I asked Frank Shamrock, a living legend MMA fighter, “How many titles have you won?” “I think I won them all.” He calls himself a “super athlete.” So I told him he lacks humility... And we laughed. But he’s right. He IS a super athlete. He evolved the art form. And went one level deeper than any opponent. He didn’t just say “how do I crush this person?” He said “How is the body working? What is this machine? How can I use it optimize my performance?” “I was studying the biomechanics,” Frank said. “And how to maximize it… everyone else studied technical fighting.” But he wasn’t always a fighter. He found the sport in jail. He was 11. He left home and learned “crime was a tool to change your situation and protect you,” Frank said. His parents were abusing him. “I was an emotional basket case,” he said. “I couldn’t hold anything together for more than a few days, no sport, no activities I would just fall apart.” He escaped through crime. “ I actually threw rocks at a train and in California, that’s a felony. I went and did ten days in juvenile hall.” It was his first time away from his “family.” His abusers… He was hanging out with all the other kids in juvie. So he started to ask questions. “How do you deal with x, y and z.” He listed out all the abuse. They looked at him shocked and confused. And asked him repeatedly, “What are you talking about?” “You don’t get locked in the closet till they get home?” he asked. They couldn’t believe what they were hearing. That’s when this small 11-year-old realized he had to get out. “When things didn’t work out, I knew what to do: commit a crime, go back to juvenile hall, see my friends…” The cycle didn’t stop. He turned 17. Committed another crime and went to prison for 3 and a half years. “Because I was married and an emancipated minor, anything that I did illegally was charged as an adult.” THIS was Frank’s wake up call. It all fell on him. He had ruined his life. He had 20 felonies, no education, and a baby to support. “I know what the bottom is like,” he said. “I know what it’s like to have zero. You can always build up. But it starts by changing your mind and taking action.” This is a story about the making of a legend. It’s the story of a criminal turned champion. I want to take these lessons and apply them to my own life. I realized I don’t have to fight, but I can at least live with the mindset of a fighter. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/frank-shamrock/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/28/2017 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 6 seconds
Ep. 283 - Anthony Ervin: Overcoming Your Battles: How an Olympic Swimmer Transformed Tourette's Syndrome into Winning Gold
Anthony holds a lot of weird records. But the most interesting to me is the record for the biggest span between winning golds. SIXTEEN YEARS. But first, let’s start from the beginning. Anthony Ervin always had a gift for swimming. He had the talent. He had the coaching. And he had the success from an early age. But there was something else looming. Tourette’s. I asked him how it happened. “What was the first things you noticed about yourself when you developed Tourette’s?” “It was debilitating,” he said. “I felt a lot of nervous energy running through the body and that energy needs to find an exit.” It escaped through his eyes, his jaw, his neck. “It took a long time cause originally you want to fight this. You want to imprison this energy just to make it stop. But my eventual tactic for it was to take that energy and move it through my entire body. Specifically to move it into my swimming,” Anthony said. He used it as a weapon. He turned a negative into a positive. And it ultimately led to success in swimming. He first went to the Olympics when he was only nineteen. He won gold. But he wasn’t ready for the mantel of responsibility that came with winning. “I quickly fell off the mountain,” Anthony said. He battled with depression and addiction. He dropped out of college. He stopped competing. He self-medicated. And he kept this secret inside. He forgot all about his athletic success. I really wanted to understand why. What is the catalyst for a comeback? In this podcast, Anthony Ervin, 3 time Olympic gold medalist reveals how he did it… Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/anthony-ervin/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/27/2017 • 58 minutes, 49 seconds
Ep. 282 - Tyler Cowen: What the Future Holds: Stagnation or Innovation?
We’ve become too comfortable. We’re innovating less and watching Netflix more. When I think of a “complacent class,” (a group of people who don’t care to move forward or move at all), I think of this: Americans soaking high wages off the backs of more aggressive global economies. I picture us eating delivered food, never moving, only using the remote. And having drones deliver everything we need. I had to ask Tyler Cowen about this. He’s a personal computer that’s going to answer all my economic questions. He knows all about the “complacent class.” Because he wrote the book on it. It’s called, “The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream”. “Look at it this way,” he said. “We’ve had these incredible advances in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We take fossil fuels and powerful machines and combine them to do everything you can imagine (cars, airplanes, electricity, radios, televisions). We’ve had incredible booms spread to the middle class. Spread to the poor. We’ve done that. Now we’re waiting for the next wave of big things.” I have an idea of what the next big wave could be… I’ve written about it before. And I’ve interviewed the experts. But I wanted to know, will we be successful? “We’re kind of running a race,” Tyler said. “Will the next wave of innovations and productivity come before our debts do us in? Right now to me, it’s looking like the answers no.” What Tyler said next scared me. “America is losing its dynamism.” But Tyler makes two distinctions here. The future is built on A) Innovation and B) PRODUCTIVITY. It’s the persistence to do. I still feel we’re trying to hit the frontier. We’re exploring space. Improving biotech. Creating countless innovations. But is this progress coming from is only the 1%? Are the rest of us just sitting around? Waiting for the benefits? I wanted to hear the worst case scenario. I don’t know why. Maybe sometimes fear pulls me in. It’s like following a narrow path of light in a dark cave. I'm not interested in the dark. I'm following the light. But what he said next is a scary thought to consider… “The worst case scenario is that America’s allies realize we cannot make good on all of our commitments. So they start fighting more amongst themselves. Trusting us less. Maybe building their own nuclear weapons. The fiscal position of the United States government becomes more and more cramped. We stop being credible. The quality of our governance continues to decline. And, both internationally and at home, we have a mess with warfare and partial collapse of international order. And here we have a return of something like the 1970s with high unemployment, high inflation and stagflation,” Tyler says. So then what is our future? What can we depend on? In this podcast, I ask Tyler and he shows me how we can create a dynamic future… How we can keep reaching for the frontier. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/tyler-cowen/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/23/2017 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 49 seconds
Ep. 281 - Tim Ferriss: Using a New Lens To Make Life Easier
Tim’s doing a new experiment. (I’m not surprised.) He’s looking at people and asking himself one question... “What happened to this person?" He said, “Normal people are just folks you don’t know well enough yet, right? Nobody's normal. We’re so full of stuff and trauma and nonsense and silly beliefs. Everyone’s a work in progress and since you’re a work in progress, it’s very hard to know yourself.” He gave me an example. But didn’t name names. “There was this woman who had some very peculiar emotions. It turned out that she had watched her father beat her mother into unconsciousness on multiple occasions… knocked out, unconscious, on the floor. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.” She’s acting in response to her past. Not her present. I think that’s what Tim means when he said, “we're cause and effect collection machines.” And that’s really where advice comes from… the intersection between cause, effect, and hindsight. I feel Tim’s really mastered this new intersection. He’s embracing being “a work in progress.” That’s what makes his new book so relatable. It’s called “Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World.” He reached out to Matt Ridley, Stephen Pressfield, Dustin Moskovitz, Naval Ravikant, Patton Oswalt, Susan Cain, Ben Stiller, Annie Duke… the list goes on and on. (But don’t worry! I’m in the next book, “Tribe of ALMOST Mentors”). Each person in the book dissects their success. They slice it open, dig through the guts and give you the heart. They show you HOW they became a peak performer. And the best part is it’s all through Tim’s lens. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/tim-ferriss-3/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/21/2017 • 2 hours, 35 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 280 - Chuck Klosterman: From Yesterday to Today: Comparing How We Interact with Culture
I can’t just call Chuck a writer. He’s arguably one of the most successful pop culture critics. “Oh sure,” he said. “And I have a big advantage. Most critics want to be the first to write about something, I get to be the last person. And that puts me in a very good position.” “Why?” I asked. “I’m not just reacting to something,” he said. “I’m looking at all the other reactions.” He’s interpreting our interpretations. And defining the 21st century. They say Deja Vu shows us when we’re having the right experience at the right time. The other kind of “repeat experience” is monotony. The same “day-in and day out.” I think humans have a desire to look for newness. If you look down at your feet but forget to look at the sky and see a new day, is it a new day? The way to achieve newness is through interpretation. No song sounds the same to any two people. No business opportunity or investment looks as golden to two people. We see the world through ourselves. Chuck Klosterman analyzes Pop culture. He's the author of "Fargo Rock City," "Sex Drugs and Coco Puffs,"Kill Yourself to Live (85% of a True Story). (I love that “85% of a True Story”.) Last time he came on my podcast, we talked about his book "What If We're Wrong." And now we’re talking about his latest book is "X. " He told me about the age of Led Zeppelin… when artists performed for themselves. People always asked, "What's this lyric or that lyric mean?" And the artists would say, “You decide. ” But now we live in a 24/7 awake world. People don't want other people to have control over “their” creation. “The artists now have a desire for people to understand what they did," Chuck said. I wanted to understand why... And what I found out is that interpretation is a form of control. Or a form of freedom (depending on how you use it.) In this podcast, Chuck teaches you how to become an observer from the inside… how to change your view of yourself, your life, of the world. I think this podcast is about choosing to look each day the way you’d want yourself to... and then taking action that matches the rhythm of your heart. That’s how I make meaning out of anything and everything. This is what Chuck did. He’s created a micro category. He dives deep into every aspect of a niche category (pop culture.) And if you study how he thinks, you'll learn something very important. No one else thinks like him. And no one else thinks like you. The world changes because our thoughts change. Anytime I’ve been in the gutter, I told myself, “the world changes if my thoughts change.” Maybe nothing happens, except for the exchange of an old mindset for a new. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/chuck-klosterman-2/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/20/2017 • 1 hour, 32 seconds
Ep. 279 - Elizabeth Smart: How She Endured Tragedy, Survived and Created Her New Normal
I was really nervous for this podcast. Elizabeth Smart has been through so much trauma. And I’m sure everyone says that to her. Was she sick of hearing that after all these years? I wanted to learn how she survived. The kidnapper came through her window, held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. He said it was religion... God, that made him do it. But she saw through them and their evil. Elizabeth said, "From a very early age, my parents said, 'You'll know a person by their actions. If they're a good person, they'll be doing good things. If they're a bad person, they'll be doing bad things.' So despite the fact that my captors constantly said, 'God has commanded us to do this. We don't want to do this, but we have to,' it was always pretty easy for me to separate what they said from actual faith because they were hurting me." I asked her about escape... and how she rebuilt her life back. She was just fourteen when she was kidnapped. Now she's an advocate. She started by going to Washington with her dad. They spoke to congressmen about the "Amber Alert" we all get on our phones when someone is kidnapped. Now she has a two-part movie series on A&E called "Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography" and a new movie coming out on Lifetime called "I Am Elizabeth Smart." These movies help us discuss a terrible issue. 1 in every 4 women are sexually abused. And one in six men are sexually abused, too. "I can talk statistics," she said. "But for me, personally, those numbers did not sink in until I started meeting them and they started coming forward and saying, 'Elizabeth, I've never told anyone this before, but when I was your age..." I think that's what struck me the most about Elizabeth. Everyday she focused on the tiniest things to be grateful for. Even in the worst moments she never forgot that gratitude is often the key to meaning. This podcast is not about the horrific details of Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping. It’s about the endurance of a survivor. This is her story. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/elizabeth-smart/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/16/2017 • 54 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 278 - Floyd Landis: The Consequence of Exposing a Legend: Learning How to Take Your Life Back & Overcome Rejection
Floyd exposed Armstrong. He exposed the whole US cycling team for doping. In 2006, he won the Tour de France. He made it to the heights of the profession. And then he blew the whistle. “People see it as exercise, a healthy, endurance sport. It’s not that at all,” he said. “It’s war, and your body is a machine.” I don’t know if I’d be brave enough to be the whistle blower. I think I’d just quit the sport to avoid controversy. “Aren’t you afraid of letting down children?” I asked him? “At this point there’s enough information out there that if you’re able to read and you can think, you can see what’s happening. It’s obvious… what’s happening in profession sports.” He told me every detail. How he was bullied for being honest. Sent hate mail. He was depressed and turned to drugs. So how did he turn himself around? This is that story… The consequences of exposing a legend… overcoming rejection, and finally learning how to take your life back one and for all. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/floyd-landis/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/14/2017 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 277 - Griffin Dunne: Never Doubt, Just Do: How to Follow Your Gut
I wish they’d send Joan to space. She's a real writer... who wrote about true things. I want her to describe the feeling and the wonderment of what life would be like. But they don't send writers to space. Only scientists (for now). Joan Didion pioneered a new genre in writing: "creative nonfiction." Before her, storytelling and nonfiction never touched. They were separate. She's one of my all time favorite writers. And I spoke to her nephew, Griffin Dunne, a filmmaker, director, producer, actor... And now, he's a documentarian. “Every family has it’s tragedy," I said. "But not everybody dives into that tragedy decades later to re-explore it." The documentary is about his aunt Joan Didion. "Was it painful for you to go through every piece of tragedy in your life?” I asked. You don't usually see directors or documentary makers making a movie about somebody so personally close to them. “I think she knows that I love the people that we lost," Griffin said. "We’re the last two standing in the family. I think when she looks at me she sees someone who loved her husband and her daughter. And when I look at her, I see someone who adored my mother and adored my father. We grew up together. ” Her story's never been told. "Why'd she let you do it?" I said "I can only sort of guess what the reasons are," he said. Sometimes mysteries stay mysteries, but also become art. This is why Griffin was able to make the documentary. And make it beautiful, creative, and inspiring. He titled it, “The Center Will Not Hold”. This podcast is about so many things. Joan Didion’s writing. Griffin Dunne’s career. But most of all, I think he taught me about instinct. He told me about his daughter. She wants to be an actor (my daughter does too). He discouraged her a little bit. Encouraged her, but also told her about all the heart ache. But Joan told her, “Do what you want to do. Do what you feel and what you love. Forget everybody’s advice, follow your gut.” I think we all need a Joan. At least I do. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/griffin-dunne/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/13/2017 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 34 seconds
Ep. 276 - Scott Adams: The Hardest Sell: Convincing Someone You're Not What You Used to Be
It’s Scott’s 3rd time on the podcast. In the first interview, he was “the creator of Dilbert.” A famous cartoonist. The second time he was still “the creator of Dilbert” and a hypnosis/persuasion student. Now (appearance #3), Scott Adams is something new. He’s reinvented. And no longer standing on the footbridge between old self and new self. He’s the author of “Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don't Matter” and infamous for predicting Trump’s win… two years before election day. His prediction was spot on. Before Trump raced Hillary. Before he beat Ted Cruz in the primaries. And before he beat 18 other "more experienced" Republican candidates (Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Ben Carson, and the ones who’s names I can’t remember.) Scott could name each persuasion trick Trump was using. His tone, the stories he told, the way he made you remember him, his thoughts, plans, policies, tweets. And how he's still doing it to us today. I wanted to know how he knew. But I also wanted to know how he changes his career. And his life. “I came in through the side entrance,” he said. “Why?” ““Look how hard it is to change to fields. And so so dramatically. The hardest sell is convincing someone you’re not what you’ve been for decades… Or convincing them that you have more to offer,” he said. “Right.” And then I realized we hadn’t even talked about cartooning. And the interview was almost done. He taught me the most important rule for persuading anyone of anything: facts don’t matter. “What makes news and what makes people care is if you do something in a different way,” he said. New doesn’t matter. New and different matters. “In this case, I’m talking about politics, but I'm talking about persuasion. That was a different way. That immediately gets people’s attention. And they say, ‘Oh a new thing. Finally, there’s a new thing. Let’s talk about the new thing.” In this episode, Scott teaches you that it’s possible change someone's perspective of you. That you can break free of the titles and jobs you hold and become who you really feel you are. He’ll walk you through how he did it… how President Trump did it, and how you can do it, too. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/scott-adams-3/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/9/2017 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 275 - John C. McGinley: The Root of REAL Reinvention: Having The Right Attitude
He was trying out a role built for him. The screenwriter wrote the script with John in mind. He wrote his name in the margin. "A John McGinley type." "Did that give you high confidence?" I asked him. "No, they made me audition 5 times for a John McGinley type!” So I wanted to know how he landed so many incredible roles. He told me the secret. We either poison ourselves. Or we thrive. It's our choice. We make it every day. And usually one is our habit. “Actors usually bring one of two things with them into a room," he said. "They usually either bring in 'pigpen,' which is this cloud of dust." He gave me an example: You walk into an audition or an interview. You say, ‘My aunt died in Philadelphia last night so I had to take the train down there and I never got a chance to look at your script/proposal/offer.” That's pigpen. And you’re out before you gave anyone the chance to give you a chance. I asked John why people do that. Why do we pick poison? “Fear. We’re afraid. We’re afraid of our own shadows. Sometimes we come in and we impose our problems into the room. And that’s pigpen. And you’re dead." And it happens in every situation in life really. You can probably think of a friend who does this to themselves all the time. So what's the other choice? Elvis dust. “Elvis dust is when you come in with this strange combination of self-esteem meets homework meets right for the part meets the room. And when people bring in Elvis dust all we wanna do is get it on us." Al Pacino had Elvis Dust. So did Paul Newman. John worked with both of them. “What would you see in Al Pacino’s acting that was really above and beyond? What did you learn from him?” I asked. “He’s a magician," John asked him why he wanted to be an actor in the first place. Al Pacino said, “Johnny, see, I just want to be a storyteller.’" I asked John what he wanted to be growing up... his answer was the same as Al's. "I didn’t know what it would look like. But I knew I loved participating in any kind of storytelling process." Maybe that's what Elvis Dust is made of... You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/john-c-mcginley/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/7/2017 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 274 - Bill Cartwright: How to Gain the Confidence of an NBA All-Star
Bill Cartwright and I have nothing in common. He’s from the west coast and I’m from the east coast. He’s 7’1” and I’m not. When Bill got drafted to the NBA, they called him “Moses”. He held every important basketball title in high school AND college. But being tall and having talent are two very different things. I wanted to know the evolution of becoming a peak performer. So I asked him, “What made you want to be good?” It was obvious he was working really hard from a young age. So what was that driving force that pushed him over the edge? “Everybody wants to be good at something,” he said, "In sports everybody wants to be a good shooter. Or a great player. There are thousands of people who want to do that. So what’s going to separate them? Time. The time you’re willing to put in. It’s the sacrifices you’re willing to make.” Then he told me his WHY. “I liked it,” he said. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/bill-cartwright/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/6/2017 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep. 273 - Sheila Nevins: The HBO Producer Who Dawned the Era of the Human Experience
Before Sheila Nevins, no one cared about our human stories. “I felt that there could be performance in every man, that every man could perform his life or his situation or his trauma or his successes or his failure,” Sheila said. She's a 26 Academy Award winning HBO producer. She birthed the modern documentary. 1,700 of them in total. "I think everyone has something to offer," Sheila said. But not everyone realizes it. "Sometimes you're so embittered by life that you never can tell your story," she said. “I think in the best of all worlds everybody would respect their own story. They would feel that their life was worthy... that they had done the best they could... that they were the victim either of circumstance or the recipient of good luck." She sees people as picture. To Sheila, all life is either film uncaptured or captured. "I walked home last night," she said. "There were a lot of bag people out. Madison Avenue... pretty ritzy block. Fancy stores and a guy collecting cans. No one who threw that can in that garbage thought that someone could get five cents for it." Sheila made documentaries. But this podcast isn't only about that process. It's also about the lens she used. And how she inspired us to fall in love with ourselves, with human stories, and with the darkness of the human experience. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/11/sheila-nevins/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
11/2/2017 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 9 seconds
Ep. 272 - Lewis Howes: "The Masks of Masculinity": Why Men Wear Masks and How to Remove them to Live Your Best Life
Was Lewis Howes a bully? Is it possible? He set up the situation: When you’re young, you’re told to be kind, open, loving, helpful and generous. When you stand up to the bullies for treating someone badly, what happens? They shove you in a locker. Your mindset changes. And then you realize… maybe it doesn’t feel good to be open, kind and generous. So we put on these masks. We try to fit in. We try to protect ourselves. Lewis walked me through the masks: The athletic mask The material mask The sexual mask The know it all mask (and so on.) He writes about each one in his new book, “The Mask of Masculinity: How Men Can Embrace Vulnerability, Create Strong Relationships, and Live Their Fullest Lives.” And he gives a real-life example for each mask. I’m in the book. He put me in as the example for the “know it all mask.” So I asked him, “Why did include me in your book?” “Well, as I was writing it, I was trying to think of examples of men in my life who are a good representation of these masks," he said. "For example, the sexual mask was Tucker Max and Neil Strauss. For the material mask, I talk about Ty Lopez. I’m not trying to make any man wrong," he said. “They're just examples of men who have lead with these masks and got amazing results but also struggled." But I was still curious why he included me. I push. "I think to me, you’re just a brilliant guy who always knew how to build up businesses. You had the answers, you were smart in chess. You read a ton of books. You just had a lot of information," he said. But he also reveals my failures. And how I exposed myself through writing. I put my fear and the stories behind my fear out in the open. And that's what Lewis calls "the vulnerability hiding beneath the mask." It's what we lost when we were shoved in the locker, humiliated and afraid. We have to return to what was once lost. But be careful not to put a new mask on at the same time. I made this mistake. And I think I still make it. After losing everything and writing about it, I put on a new mask. “I think that became an addiction for me,” I told Lewis. I replaced the “know it all mask” or the “Wall Street” mask with a new, “self-deprecating mask.” I felt if I didn’t write a new self-deprecating story about myself every day, I’d disappear. And it goes back to Lewis’s point. Masks help us protect ourselves. But they also help us lose our sense of self. “Most of us don’t feel like people will still like us or love us if we’re not producing one of these masks…” he said. It’s scary to remove the protected mask layer. But Lewis says that’s part of growing into your true self. “Try to think, ‘How can I take off the masks that aren’t supporting my vision or the masks that are maybe hurting other people in the process?’” I’ve known Lewis a long time. And I wanted to learn from his new strengths. Not just the ones he’s mastered. I wanted to learn from the lessons he’s still trying to learn. So I asked him, “What if this book doesn’t do well? And you get the worst reviews?” Because he said winning was one of his old masks. “Here’s the thing, I’ve come to peace with it,” Lewis said. “I’ve thought about this. ‘If I didn’t get on the bestseller list how would I feel?’ My ego would be hurt. I’d be sad and frustrated because I worked so hard. But I’m focused on the vision, the process, and the message more than the result. I’m not defining my self-worth based on the result anymore. If I don’t hit the ‘New York Times’ list, it’s okay. It’s more important for me to get the message out than to get the result.” I believe in Lewis's message, too. It's helpful for men to understand themselves and for women to understand the men in their lives. Enjoy. And if you like this podcast, please subscribe and leave a review (it helps other people find the show, too). Thanks. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/lewis-howes/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/31/2017 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 14 seconds
Ep. 271- Dan Lyons: "Disrupted" Author on Loving Your Job, Losing it & Starting Over
Dan Lyons is kind of infamous. He was a journalist who loved his job and got fired when he was 52. “I loved what I did,” he said. And that’s rare. “I loved meeting people, talking to them, interviewing them, trying to figure out what’s a good story.” And then it was taken away from him. I feel like 52 would be the worst time to get fired. He moved to San Francisco and got a job at Hubspot, which lead to his book, “Disrupted.” He exposes the company. And exposes Silicon Valley. And then the TV writers for “Silicon Valley” invited him to write for their show. I wanted to know all about it. What’s it like on set? How much input did you give? And did they take? And then what happened when you went back to your job at Hubspot? That’s sort of where Dan’s story begins. Because as he shares in his book, “Disrupted” they started to push him out. Like high school kids bullying a kid out of their clique. I wanted to know how he survived. How he coped… And how he got back with his bestselling book.
10/30/2017 • 1 hour, 46 minutes, 39 seconds
Ep. 270 - David Litt: Obama’s Former Speechwriter: How to Write Speeches for the People of America
“[President Obama] knew who I was, but he knew who a lot of people were,” David Litt, a former speechwriter for the president, told me in this podcast. He wrote speeches for the president. Now he writes for “Funny or Die”. And before the White House, David wrote for “The Onion”. His style is satirical, humorous and self-deprecating. When Obama made you laugh, there’s a chance it was really David Litt. So I asked him, “What’s the funniest thing you wrote that you were happy the president said?” “Oh man, it doesn’t sound that funny when I say it, but, it got at a truth about politics that we probably could have expressed otherwise,” he said. The joke was told at the 2013 Correspondents dinner. Obama said, ‘I know Republicans are still sorting out what happened in 2012, but one thing they all agree on is they need to do a better job reaching out to minorities. And look, call me self-centered, but I can think of one minority they could start with." Humor helps us tell the truth. And it helps us remember the truth. And sometimes it just gives us a break from the chaos. Like the time Reagan needed surgery after getting shot. He said to the surgeon, “I hope you’re a Republican.” And everyone remembers that. “You don’t have to be the president’s right-hand man or woman to contribute to your country,” David said. “I mean, you certainly can be and those are important stories, but I wanted to write a book about this other side of public service.” So I wondered, could I do it? Could I write for a president? And how did he transition from “The Onion” to the Oval? “In America, your place in history isn’t determined for you,” David said. It’s not determined by where you’re born or who your parents are. “You make your own place in history as an American.” When Obama first became a senator, a reporter asked him, "What will be your mark in history?" The young Barack Obama laughed and said, "I haven't even sat at my desk yet." Then he repeated this story at a commencement speech in 2005. (I'm paraphrasing.) But he told the students, "You haven't sat at your desk yet… but you still have a choice." I wondered how he did that… how he connected this small part of his personal history to this larger idea of making your mark. “It’s called the ladder of meaning,” David told me. “I forget who coined the phrase, but at the bottom of the ladder are basic details and at the top of the ladder are big values.” “One of my favorite speeches is the speech Martin Luther King delivered the night before he was shot. He talks about surviving an assassination attempt. A deranged woman, stabbed him with a letter opener. It almost got to his heart. Doctors told him that if he sneezed, he would die. This got out in the press and he got a letter from a nine year old, white girl who said, ‘I just wanted to let you know I’m glad you didn’t sneeze.’” Then Martin Luther King gives his speech about the progress of civil rights. “He prefaces everything with saying, ‘I too am glad I didn’t sneeze because If I had sneezed I wouldn’t have been able to tell you all about a dream that I had.’” “He’s connecting this very meaningless moment (a sneeze) with these incredibly important national events.” It was beautiful. He used imagery. “I’ve been to the mountain top.” He used passion and love. He used the top of the ladder and the bottom. This episode isn’t about politics. It’s about how words make history. And with every new word, you can make your own history, too. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/david-litt/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/26/2017 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 2 seconds
Ep. 269 - Sir Richard Branson: How He Found a Gap in The Market and Became The Billionaire Founder of Virgin
Sir Richard Branson. End of notes. Enjoy. Just kidding. The advice from Richard is priceless. He's a self-made billionaire (BILLION!) who windsurfed across the English Channel with his kids, biked from Northern Italy to Southern italy with his whole family (they rode 100 miles a day). He's active everyday. Active in life, active in fatherhood, active in business. “My slogan is 'Screw it, just do it.' Why not just try these things? You may fall flat on your face," he said, "but you’ll have fun." That's part of "find your virginity." (The slogan based on his new book "Finding My Virginity: The New Autobiography") Then he told me how he applies this to Virgin, the multi-billion dollar empire he started on a whim... “A business is simply coming up with an idea that’s going to make people’s lives better," he said. That's why he's been in business for over 50 years. "If I hadn’t reinvented myself I wouldn’t be in business,” he said. "And if I see a situation where people’s lives are not as good as they could be, we’ll jump in. We'll try to improve people’s lives." I don't have an easy time saying "screw it." I usually overthink. And second guess myself. I want to change that. So I called Richard. And he told me how to change... he told me how to find my virginity. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/sir-richard-branson/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/24/2017 • 47 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep. 268 - Kellan Lutz: The Actor’s Guide to Building a Personal Blueprint and Following Your Spirit
I've never been a vampire. But Kellan has. He got his big break in "Twilight." This was an epic. Five movies back to back. It was a supernatural role in this made up fantasy world. And that's where he found his freedom. "With Sci-Fi, you have this freedom to create whatever world, whatever rules, you want. There’s nothing tell you what you can and cannot do," he said. "We’re playing these vampires that don’t breathe, don’t eat, so trying to portray human qualities was interesting." But now he's done with that series. He's taking on more challenging characters. And contributing his fame to charities he cares about deeply. He came to New York to support the Geoffrey Beene Foundation. (He's the brand ambassador for them). They had an event in New York, "Frame This Revelation." It's aimed "to uncovers the truth of cancer's ruthless and vicious assault by showcasing the work of artists who are battling this insidious disease – either for themselves or their loved ones." The campaign is raising awareness for new cancer research. And I felt lucky to learn about it directly from Kellan. "Children and animals just always get my heart beating. And when my good friend, Kim Biddle, created "Save the Innocence" an organization that deals with children being trafficked for sex out in LA..." I had to interject. Because I'm totally naive. “How big is this problem? Because on a day to day basis, you hear the words "sex trafficking," but you never see it." He told me about the problem. He told me how it's all around us in everyday life. And how we miss the signs. Because we're not educated. "When you’re educated, you see it first hand," he said. He told me how hard it is for girls to escape. And why they get trapped repeatedly. And he told me the solution to... building a case, getting law enforcement involved... "A lot of times, women don’t feel worthy... we have to give them hope," he said. And so I listened and I learned how we can give hope. You can learn more about the Geoffrey Been Foundation at www.geoffreybeene.com You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/kellan-lutz/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/23/2017 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 267 - Mike Posner: A One Hit Wonder's Comeback Story - How to Tap Into Your Own Authenticity
He thought he was going to be one of the lucky ones. "I knew statistically... and intellectually that every once in awhile an artist has a hit song. And they’re lucky... they’re even luckier if they get two. I felt like, I was different. My first song was a hit," he said. "So I thought all all of mine will be hits..." But he was wrong. “Each song I put out after that was progressively less and less popular. And I became progressively less and less popular, until I was left alone in a million dollar house in LA with an empty schedule and nothing to do,” Mike told me. He felt pathetic. And need to escape. He realized fame wasn't the "magic bullet." So he set out to find it. And his comeback story began... This podcast is that story. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/mike-posner/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/19/2017 • 1 hour, 22 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 266 - Amanda Cerny: The Secrets of Becoming a Social Media Influencer
Playboy wasn't part of the plan. "It wasn’t on my list of things to do in life," Amanda said. "What did you want to do?" I said. "Acting." But everyone told her "no." They told her "You're branded as a playmate, so that's what you are." She could've given up. She didn't. "One person says "no," then another person says "no"... but eventually, there’s that one person who believes in you and that can be yourself.” In this interview, Amanda tells me her secrets to becoming a social media influencer and the actor she's always wanted to be. She taught me how you can choose yourself. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/amanda-cerny/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/17/2017 • 47 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 265 - Mr. X: I Interview An Anonymous Guest on Hacking, Government, Bitcoin and Terrorism
The FBI went to his high school when the 15-year-old Mr. X hacked into the largest Internet company in the world and stole 90 million credit card numbers. "You are going to jail for a long time," they told him. The day after he stole them he sent them back to the company and explained what their cybersecurity flaws were. He thought they would thank him. The FBI came to arrest him. "I was scared to death," he told me when we first met. The head of the school, a three-star general, told them, "You guys better get out of here if you aren't writing this boy a check and saying thank you." They left. Then. Two years later when Mr. X graduated he got "the call". The call that meant he wouldn't go to college. The call that meant he would parachute into enemy fire, hack foreign governments, hack our own computers. "I've done so many things," he once told me. "You can't imagine." The call from a three initial agency. More than one. We met at a dinner. We were both obsessed with hacking and the latest flaws in computer security. We ignored every else and spoke for three hours. And we haven't stopped talking since. I don't mean this to be a conspiracy theory. There's already been rumors about "fake news", election hacking, etc. There are bot armies. There are hackers taking down electric grids every day. Every company in the Fortune 500 is completely hacked. Your computer is hacked. I've spent many years talking to people in the security space. The reality is: the war is on. And it's being fought with data. And it's being fought all over the world. And it's being fought every day. Not just on election systems. Or at big companies. But on your computer. And the war is not always being fought by the people you expect. The enemies we were always trained to believe. Mr. X spent time in special forces. Was in every overseas battle. Has been involved in more news stories than he likes to admit. He's also built and sold two companies using his hacking abilities. He lives a good life now and doesn't want his voice e or identity to be revealed. So we distorted it for the podcast. I asked him, "Do you still work for 'them' ". He turned away and said, "You never stop working for them." The goal of this isn't to scare people. Information is power. And this is some of what I've learned from Mr. X. 1. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A VOICE, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK “In the past, to go up against an institution, you need to be an institution.” Mr. X said. “Now more than ever, we need to stand up for what we believe in. We have these powerful, engaging tools to influence others, but we still leave it up to the powers that control us to influence us. If you believe something, share it. In other words, don't let the media "program" what you believe in. Don't let the online word "hack" into your brain. They already know more about you than you know about yourself. And they use that knowledge against you 24 hours a day. If you want to have a voice, YOU HAVE TO SPEAK. 2. POLICE YOURSELF We were talking about computer security. He told me all the ways you could be hacked… that you would never think of. “Let me ask yo, when’s the last time you updated your firmware on your router?” I had no idea. “If I'm going in, I'm going through the router,” he said. “The majority of the fortune 500 use the same router… So you either trust the government to police data OR you need to be that person.” And that was just one weakness. Next time you are on your phone check out how many apps on your phone have permission to turn on your video camera and start recording and transmitting what they record without you being aware. Don't think they aren't doing it. 3. HOW DID OSAMA BIN LADEN REALLY DIE? Was Osama Bin Laden really casually sleeping on the third floor of a building with no access out? Or was he a prisoner and we had lost our use for him? Mr. X: "he was our prisoner for years. Then we had no use for him." Always question everything the media and the government tells us. Always be a skeptic in a world where it's not in anyone's benefit to tell you the truth. This is not conspiracy theory. The only truth is to trust the people you love. The people who love you. This doesn't mean be irrational or paranoid or come up with crazy theories. This means practice being a skeptic every day on every issue. Practice skepticism. Not paranoia. 4. BE VULNERABLE TO GETTING SHUT DOWN I knew there were millions of questions I wanted to ask… but couldn’t. I asked anyway. “Are you still involved in the government?” “I can’t say that,” he said. “Well, which agency were you in?” “I can’t say.” “Do people know it?” “Yes, let’s just say it’s a well-known 3 letter agency.” Ask. Get shut down. Ask again. When I do an interview, I don't want to harass people for an answer. But sometimes if you poke and prod from various directions while you build rapport, you can get the answer. Not this time. 5. KNOW WHAT DRIVES YOU Mr. X started hacking when he was in military school. Everything was regimented: wake up first mess solute the flag go to class second mess second class change 15 minutes go to sports third mess after third mess, 2 hours of study hall, one hour of free time go to sleep do it all over again The school is isolated. And the students can’t leave campus. The only way Mr. X could talk to girls was if he found them online. “We were heavily confined,” he said. But he kept hitting firewalls. So he started hacking. He learned everything he could. Not because he wanted to "attack" websites. But because he didn't want to be alone. Always let the prison walls around you create your opportunities. Censorship created his curiosity. What frustrates you that can kickstart your curiosity. 6. LEARN YOUR PATTERNS Mr. X helped find one of the most well known serial killers in recent years and put him behind bars for life. Mr. X was paid to find patterns. He watched terrorists. The example: “a burn phone.” This is what criminals use to cover their call history. They buy a cheap phone. Call a few people, throw it away and buy a new one. So Mr. X wrote software. Someone calls you, then you call 3-4 people. Those 3-4 people call 3-4 more people. It’s a tree of calling. And if they follow the branches then can find the roots. He analyzed the trees of one billion phone calls a day. He had access to all of our calls. “Eventually, you realize that if a bunch of random numbers keep calling the same person that all those random numbers are the same guy,” Mr. X said. People are patterns. Those patterns become your fingerprint. He used that fingerprint to identify a notorious serial killer. Used GPS to track him down. Now the guy is in jail. He used those fingerprints to track terrorists. "There were a lot of attacks stopped." 7. INTERESTS PRECEDE EDUCATION He wasn't educated about hacking or even computers. But he was passionate about it and learned everything he could. “I found something I was interested in… and that was the best education I ever received.” Find an interest. List every day the things you were interested in as a kid. It's never too late to learn now. The one who loves what he does will always learn faster and better than the person who doesn't love it. The one in love will compete better against the one who doesn't. The one in love will be...happier. 8. TRUST THE INVISIBLE “You were saving lives,” I said. “No, I wouldn’t say that.” But I insisted. Because I feel we all have invisible threads of impact. We help and hurt people in ways we don’t know. We all have our special abilities. And abilities to help and hurt without realizing. Always be healthy enough to know the difference. Mr. X got married. Loves his family. Loves his work. "Some of my ex partners never escaped the mindset wer were programmed with." Reach for the positive when trapped in a negative. Love someone. 9. CHOOSE YOUR OWN NETWORTH Mr. X measures his net worth not by dollars, not by accomplishments or promotions. “My net worth is now in data," he said. He comes from hacker culture where the core belief is that information should be free. Too often, we accept what's been given to us. "The rules" we were told to live by. The standards were set for us... But Mr. X proved you can set your own standards. You can choose the measurement of your net worth. Rich in relationships, rich in people, rich in joy, rich in knowledge... 10. LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN Mr. X found a pattern in his own life. He realized he loved hacking. And he loved detecting patterns. He got the same joy from both. So he started reading books… and learned everything he could about computers, code, internet, backdoors and so on. He used those abilities to fight wars. Then to help law enforcement track down criminals. And then to build massive companies that he sold. I met Mr. X with his wife and daughters recently. I had never seen him so happy. Sometimes the best pattern is the smile of your daughter. At least I think so. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/mr-x/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/16/2017 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 264 - Erika Ender: "Despacito" Songwriter on Connecting With The World to Find Your Talent
"Everyone has their own talent," Erika said. "And my talent is expressing through writing songs and from singing them." She wrote “Despacito" - the fastest song to hit 3 billion downloads in the history of music. Now it’s past 4 billion. That’s half the planet. I asked how she did it. “Let’s say I want to write a song that gets 4 billion views," I said. "What should my first few steps be?” "You know what…" she said. “I don’t think about the numbers. I think the main thing is for you to connect with the world." She has a beautiful way of thinking. And it bleeds into her art. Often, my mind is full of fears and it clouds my creativity. So I asked if she’s afraid of losing. Or not topping herself. What if “Despacito” was it? Her peak? "Everyone asks me that," she said. "People are always asking, ‘Do you feel pressure? What are you going to do next?’ And I say, "You know what... this is such a gift. I’m not putting any pressure on myself because I think doing that is seeing life from the ego eyes. I'm not thinking I'm going to top this. I’m just going to keep doing quality work. I'm trying to evolve." That's the key to having an "abundance mentality." And the key to pursuing your talent. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/erika-ender/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/12/2017 • 35 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 262 - Bonnie McFarlane: Getting The Persistence to Do What You Love
Comedy is brutal. If the audience doesn't know you, they WILL judge you. That's true for most things (you can't walk down the sidewalk in New York City without being judged at least a hundred times). Bonnie said you have to know your audience. I wondered "how though?" I gave an example, "Okay so do you try to figure out how old the audience is, what gender they are, sexual orientation, race, how much they drank or didn't drink, etc.?" "No, I usually just think, 'Okay, blue collar, I'll do my marriage stuff." It was that easy. That's professionalism. That's professional judgement. That's comedy. And the path to likability. Bonnie has a joke about using the GPS. "In Brooklyn I'm not going to do driving material. I have a really funny GPS joke that I can't do in the city because nobody drives. "I'm so immature about it," she said. She makes fun of the audience... They didn't ALWAYS live in the city. "Sometimes it irritates me. I'm like I know you understand what GPS is, if you saw this in a movie you'd get it, so don't just sit there like 'oh not my experience'." I learned you can lose likability as quickly as you gain it, though. And that scared me. But Bonnie doesn't care. "I like when the audience is scared for you. If they don't laugh at something I think is funny, I lash out. Sometimes we start in a love fest, then I insult them and them maybe we still end in a love fest." Her process is her art. She has hundred of jokes. "The premises just come," she said. She takes from life. The premises are there all the time," she said. "I just write whatever happens to be in front of me." Right now she's working on a joke: "what if your therapist was a Syrian refugee?" I think I did more laughing than questioning in this interview. I hope you do too. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/bonnie-mcfarlane/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/9/2017 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 19 seconds
Ep. 261 - A.J. Jacobs: The Intersection Between Discomfort and Curiosity
AJ’s about to launch a TV show. A few months ago he started a podcast. He’s 49 years old. And it all started because he decided to write a book on a weird idea he had. “I wonder what it would be like to live the Bible.” It’s especially weird if you consider the fact that he’s Jewish. AJ is a living example that anyone at age 49 could've decided to do this idea. Anyone at ANY age could’ve done this idea. He told me to be curious about everything. "Even things you're not curious about." That didn't make sense to me. How do you do that? "Read books you don’t think are interesting," he said. Explore new podcasts, watch old movies. Then observe yourself. One of the original Saturday Night Live writers, Alan Zweibel, said you need to have two heads. "The head that's having an experience and the head that's observing.” That's how you find your next big idea or small step forward in your life. You peel back the layers crusted on top of yourself. You dig into fresh layers and discover something new. AJ calls is "Fun-comfortable" (it's the intersection between discomfort and curiosity). This episode teaches you how to find that intersection. Thanks for reading! Make sure to check out the show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/aj-jacobs-3/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/5/2017 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep. 260 - Gary Vaynerchuk: Set a Flag on YOUR Thing
"If you do not do what you love, that’s on you," Gary said. Years ago, no one believed you could choose yourself. You needed gatekeepers. Now we have YouTube, Instagram. “Now it’s the standard,” Gary said. If you cut out all the reason why you can't do something, then you cut out all the infrastructural and financial problems stopping you. "The only thing left is your f-cking head." Gary set up this example (and this podcast is full of them): Pokemon. Imagine this is your passion. First, you blog. Then it becomes a video blog. Then a podcast. “Let's say you become the foremost Pokemon gal, 'Sally the Pokemon Gal.' You’re owning it. You go to Comic-Con, you get random sponsorships on your blog. You’re getting by. And then, Pokemon-GO comes out. Now you're on CNN and FOX. You’re getting paid $5,000 to give a talk. The world has just walked in to you." That's key. "Everybody who’s listening right now is looking for trends. They’re trying to walk to where the world is now and by the time they get there, the world moved on. If you go to your thing and set a f-cking flag on your thing, the world comes to you." Read the full article (and top 10 lessons I Learned from Gary Vaynerchuk: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/gary-vaynerchuck/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/3/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 259 - Amy Morin: 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do
“Life is inherently risky. We make up all of these rules in life about what’s gonna keep us safe," Amy Morin told me. She's the author "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do." It was originally just a list she wrote for herself. Her husband died suddenly. Just after the three-year anniversary of her mom's death. “I thought my mission in life was to teach people how to be mentally strong, and I didn’t realize how much I was going to need mental strength," she said. This podcast teaches you the skills to become mentally strong. To practice every day. Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/10/amy-morin/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
10/2/2017 • 1 hour, 37 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 258 - Nancy Cartwright: Becoming Bart Simpson... How to Find The Artist Inside of Yourself
To me, Nancy Cartwright is the most unknown famous person. She's the voice of Bart Simpson. "When I went in for "The Simpsons", the audition pieces of Bart and Lisa were sitting right next to each other. Hers said 8-year-old middle child. His a ten-year-old, school-hating underachiever, and proud of it." Nancy's instict kicked in. "I’m like ‘Oh bam bam that’s it.’” She tried out for Bart. And got it. Her whole career is based off of instinct. "I read this book about writing and producing," she said. "It was an awesome book written a number of years ago. It said, 'Ride the horse in the direction that it’s going.'" Her career as a voice actor became real acting and she landed roles in "Cheers," "Richie Rich," "Twilight Zone." Now she has her own production company, "Spotted Cow." ANd just released "In Search of Fellini," a beautiful film about her search for the most influential artist in her heart. "This film was probably 75-85 percent true," she said. "It's mostly true." In this podcast, Nancy tells us how she traveled alone to Italy in her mid 20's. And followed her heart and instincts ever since. We speak about how this film really comes full circle for her and gives meaning to her life. This is the journey to find your authentic self. Also thank you to Audible for supporting today’s show. Audible content includes an unmatched selection of audiobooks, original audio shows, news, comedy, and more from the leading publishers, broadcasters, entertainers, and business information providers. You can read my show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/09/nancy-cartwright/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
9/28/2017 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 257 - Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins: TLC - The Biggest Girl Band in American History
“Life is tough…and it’s also miraculous.” T-Boz and TLC sold 70 million albums, becoming the bestselling girl band ever in America. Along the way they declared bankruptcy, she battled sickle-cell anemia, the death of one of their bandmates and best friends, a brain tumor, everything. She’s 47 today and beat two life sentences the doctors declared on her. People say, “Well, she sold 70 million albums! That’s success!” When you do your absolute best today, even though you know tomorrow everything can change – that’s success. I had T-Boz on the podcast to celebrate the release of her new memoir, “A Sick Life” which I highly recommend. REINVENTION IS EVERY DAY TLC sold 70 million albums and is the #1 selling girl band in America. But to stay creative, T-Boz and her bandmates, Left-eye, and Chili had to constantly develop music that stayed fresh and relevant. 15 years after they started, they released their 5th album REMEMBERING THE ABOVE I always say “Reinvention is every day” ever since my book, “Reinvent Yourself” came out. But I’ll be honest, just as hard is remembering every day that “reinvention every day”. The straight and narrow and supposedly easy path is constantly whispering to me to follow it. But don’t. IDEA SEX Other groups were R&B, other groups were rap, other groups were funk. How do you be the best? T-Boz (funk) + Left-Eye (Rap) + Chili (R&B) = TLC = 70 million albums PERSISTENCE Sickle-cell anemia is debilitating. You’re not supposed to live. The blood cells don’t want to deliver oxygen to the rest of your body. The pain is incredible. T-Boz’s brain tumor took three years to recover from. The death of her best friend and band-mate took 2 years to recover from. Going bankrupt after selling tens of millions of albums forced her to start from scratch. Reinventing in a constantly changing music business is the downfall of many artists. For their last album, TLC even used Kickstarted to fund it as opposed to a record label. Success is about reinvention and persistent every day. IF YOU’RE AN ARTIST, KNOW THE BUSINESS A lot of creatives don’t want to read the contracts or fine print. TLC didn’t read it as well and ended up making almost no money on their first 30 million albums. At one point they even held up music legend, Clive Davis, at gun point, asking, “Where’s our money”. They went bankrupt and had to start from scratch. Don’t outsource your financial well-being and the security of your family to others. SICKNESS AND PAIN No matter who you are, life is going to happen. “Life is tough”. T-Boz had painful sickle-cell anemia since birth and often had to be hospitalized mid-album, mid-tour, mid-whatever. “When I was seven they told me I wouldn’t live past 30. I’m 47 now.” “They told me I couldn’t have kids. I have two now.” “When they did brain surgery, they told me I might never sing again. I’m on tour now with our latest album.” Then she lost her best friend and band-mate, Left-eye, to a car crash. She was depressed for two years. Then she had a brain tumor that required surgery and three years of physical therapy to recover from. “I still can’t whistle,” she told me. “Try,” I said. So she did. She couldn’t whistle. “I can’t move the muscles on the left side of my mouth.” But throughout the podcast she laughed. “And I’m going back on tour tomorrow.” CREATIVITY HAS MANY OUTLETS T-Boz has written songs, performed them, did the choreography for TLC’s videos, conceived of the videos, written a book of poems, written movies, and now this memoir. People sometimes say, “I can’t be creative”. Or, “I don’t have the talent”. Or “I can do X, but not Y”. Not true. Creativity is a muscle. Find some small way to be creative every day and the muscle gets developed. For me, today is the first day I’m going to try to do standup in the same day at two different clubs. I’m scared. Find one thing scary and challenging and creative every day. What happens then? Everything. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN A lot of pop music today is created by people who have reverse engineered “the hit”. There’s even a book about it, “The Hit Factory”, about a group of kids in Sweden who have basically written most hits you’ve heard in the past year. But the key to TLC’s success was that they were always writing the songs that were important to them: “Unpretty” – about staying true to your looks and not trying to change them to fit another person’s desires. “Waterfalls” – about staying true to your dreams but not caving in to the shortcuts that destroy many lives. Hit after hit. “That’s the point of being an artist, right? You feel something and you have to get it out.” List today what your real values are. What do you believe in? What’s important to you? What’s scary to you? It’s a hard process to figure out who you are and what you stand for. But this unlocks the creative well and supercharges all of your relationships. Honesty with others begins with honesty to yourself. LIVE YOUR FULL LIFE TODAY The best way to live a full life tomorrow is to live the fullest life you can today. T-BOZ: “Life is tough. And for many years I’ve felt like I’ve worked to get sick and worked to get better, just to get sick again. I’m learning to find a balance and just live. You lose people and you fall ill and bad things can happen. “But it’s also really miraculous. You can have babies you were told you’d never have. You can bring joy to millions of people with your music. You can feel love and happiness and faith. “You can decide that you’re stronger than any obstacle and you can empower your- self to survive. I know things can get really dark, but you’ll always feel better if you hold on. The light always returns.” Make sure to read the full show notes here: https://jamesaltucher.com/2017/09/t-boz/ And don't forget to subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts!
9/26/2017 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 256 - Ken Follett: I Want to Write a Bestseller
Ken Follett is a well-known Welsh novelist who specializes in writing spy thrillers novels and has sold over 160 million copies worldwide. Before he became a novelist he was a reporter for the London Evening News and was a Deputy Managing Director for a small publishing house, Everest Books. In his spare time he wrote novels, but he wrote a dozen before finding success. Eye of the Needle, his eleventh book, was his first successful novel published in 1978. His novel The Pillars of the Earth was on The New York Times bestsellers list for 18 weeks in 1989. This novel has been so incredibly popular all over the world for many years. In 2007 it became the #1 most popular choice on the Oprah Winfrey Book Club and returned to The New York Times bestsellers list at #1. Follett’s newest novel, Edge of Eternity, is the final novel of his Century Trilogy and available today!
9/21/2017 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 57 seconds
Ep. 255 - Marcus Lemonis: The (Real) Key to A Profitable Business: People
Marcus Lemonis is a self-made millionaire, serial entrepreneur and the front man of CNBC’s popular series, “The Profit”. Since an early age Marcus has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and passion. When he was twelve he started his own lawn mowing business to generate enough money to open a candy store. After he graduated college, he started in automotive sales and managerial positions which ultimately led him to get involved in the camping and RV business. Today he is the CEO of Camping World, a company specializing in products and services for RV owners. On “The Profit” Marcus lends his expertise and experience to help struggling businesses get back on their feet. Since the show premiered in 2013, he’s invested $50 million of his own money into the businesses featured on the show. On each and every episode Marcus uses his 3P formula, People/Process/Product, to analyze the pitfalls and how to improve the product and process. Marcus’ charm, results driven attitude and passion for people has left an impression on the entrepreneurial industry that can’t be matched. Start watching “The Profit”, today!
9/19/2017 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 254 - Jim Kwik: Train Your Brain to Maximize Memory and Motivation
Jim Kwik is a leading expert in memory improvement, brain performance, speed reading and learning. But before he became the expert, he suffered a brain injury. And that made it really hard for him to learn. "If knowledge is power than learning is a superpower," he said in this conversation. He's figured out how to increase his brain power and memory. And now, you can learn the tricks that he's taught to high profile clients like Elon Musk, Nike, Virgin, Will Smith, and more. His online courses have helped students in over 100 countries. He’s the founder of Kwik Learning and host of "Kwik Brain" podcast. Unlock your brain's power NOW. And enjoy this episode.
9/14/2017 • 2 hours, 9 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 253 - Paul Shaffer: David Letterman's Legendary Band Leader on Making Music & Taking Your Shot
Paul Shaffer has lived through five decades of music. He got his first big break was he was hired on the spot by Stephen Schwartz to be the musical director in Toronto’s production of “Godspell”. The cast included Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin and Victor Garber. The show was a huge hit and launched Paul’s career. Paul was a featured performer and a musical composer for the first five years of Saturday Night Live. But he’s best known for being David Letterman’s sidekick and musical director on _The David Letterman Show_ for over thirty years. He got to play with some of the most popular musicians of our generation including Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and Ringo Starr. You can read his memoir _We’ll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives_ or listen to his newest album “Paul Shaffer & The World’s Most Dangerous Band”.
9/12/2017 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep. 252 - Brandon Webb: Getting Focussed (Lessons from a Sniper turned CEO)
Brandon Webb served as a Navy Seal for almost ten years. He decided to leave. He was burnt out and he wanted to watch his kids grow up. And he’s had a philosophy since he was thirteen, if he’s not enjoying what he’s doing he’s going to find something different. When he left the military he got into real estate, then he got four years into a business that failed and then after all that he got divorced. He had hit the bottom. But he learned how to pull himself back up. He started a blog as a passion project and turned it into a very profitable media company. Today, he is the CEO of the media and E-commerce business, Hurricane Group, Inc. which focuses on military news and entertainment and outdoor products and clubs. He is a New York Times bestselling author of The Killing School and The Red Circle. Look for his newest book, Total Focus that is now available.
9/8/2017 • 1 hour, 51 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 251 - Geno Bisconte: Comedy as the Cure... Let Yourself Laugh
Geno Bisconte is the most hilarious, high energy person I’ve ever met. He finds humor in almost every single sentence and he’s always in a good mood. He’s been a stand up comedian for more than fifteen years, headlining and hosting some of the most popular comedy clubs in New York City. He’s written for the Comedy Central Roasts, featured on multiple radio shows and was a cameo in HBO’s series Crashing. Every week he hosts his own podcast, In Hot Water with Aaron Berg on compoundmedia.com and his newest album, Uncle Geno Is Amazing is available to buy now on iTunes.
9/5/2017 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep. 250 - Alex Blumberg: The Shape of a Story: Building a Podcasting Empire
Alex Blumberg is the founder and CEO of Gimlet Media. Before this, he was an incredibly successful radio journalist. He won multiple awards in the industry. Alex hosted and produced popular NPR shows, "Planet Money" and "This American Life". When he saw the new industry of podcasting booming, he risked it all and reinvented himself. He started his own company. Today Gimlet Media oversees and produces multiple podcasts at one time. Visit gimletmedia.com to discover a variety of new podcasts you can start listening to today!
8/29/2017 • 1 hour, 39 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 249 - Chris Anderson: TED - Tricks to Mastering Public Speaking and Storytelling
After a long journalism career, Chris Anderson became the curator of the TED Conference in 2002. Since then he has expanded the conference to cover all topics including science, business and global issues. He introduced the TEDx initiative, giving licenses free of charge to local organizers who want to put together their own live event. In 2016, Chris published his book, “TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking”. It’s an insider’s guide to creating an unforgettable talk. Listen to thousands of free TED Talks on ted.com and follow Chris on twitter @TEDchris.
8/24/2017 • 1 hour, 28 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 248 - Noah Kagan: Stop Fighting What You Are Good At
Noah Kagan was fired from Facebook. He was employee #30. “I think they made the right decision to fire me," he said. "One of the big realizations I’ve had in the past few years is that people need to stop fighting their natural skill. My sweet spot is getting things going. My sweet spot is promoting products I love. That was the lesson learned. What I was strong at was not what Facebook needed anymore.” He wrote about it in his free ebook “How I Lost 170 Million Dollars: My Time as #30 at Facebook”. I asked him "how does the average person know what their strong at?" That's what we talk about in this interview. Today, Noah is the CEO of sumo.com, appsumo.com and kingsumo.com. I use these sites to grow and market my business. He also hosts a great podcast, “Noah Kagan Presents” and writes for his blog, okdork.com. 3 min - Noah first came on my podcast 2 years ago. He gave me a challenge: go to a coffee shop and ask for 10% off. The cashier was confused. “You want what?” “10% off,” I said. And I didn't give a reason either. My face was emotionless. She asked her Dad. “We don't do that,” he said. I could feel myself about to throw up. I was going against the normal social protocol. And endangering my life. Any time you step out of your comfort zone and risk being thrown out of the tribe, it signals a reaction in your brain: fear. But now it's much easier. I do challengers almost everyday. Noah does too. And he shared them on his podcast “Noah Kagan Presents.” We talk about more challenges you can do in this interview. 6 min - “I've been experimenting with habits and figuring out how to focus on the essentials,” Noah said. “That's where I'm really starting to explore.” He gave me an example. “Look at your phone right now. What apps have you not used in the last 6 months? Delete them.” He does this with relationships, business, everything. “It helps me realize what really matters,” he said. And appreciate more of the people and places and things he interacts with. I did a similar thing about a year ago, but in a much more macro level. I got rid of everything I owned. Except 15 items. Noah asked me what I miss. “Nothing,” I said. I lied (by accident). A few special things came to mind. But, more importantly, it’s been a year and I haven't replaced it rebought anything I threw away. 9 min - After I got rid of 40 years worth of stuff, I had nowhere to live, so I started another experiment. I threw myself at the mercy of my friends… 10 min - Noah says he doesn't want to hate his week so he did a week of nothing. “I had no meetings, I had no one to be around and I was alone for a week.” He started at point zero. And added back the essentials. “What things really matter in my life? What places? What people?” 11 min - I told Noah what I learned from getting rid of all my belongings… 13 min - “People think of dieting only in health, but can you have a diet in friendships? Look at all the things that are weighing on you,” Noah said, “and start having a diet.” 16 min - Noah was the 30th employee at Facebook. “Why were you fired?” I asked. He told me about the guy who fired him. “He's rich,” he said. “But I think they made the right decision to fire me. One of the big realizations I’ve had in the past few years is people need to stop fighting their natural skill. I call it their sweet spot and my sweet spot is starting out.” Facebook didn't need that skill anymore. So they got rid of him. I wanted to know how the average person finds out what their sweet spot is... 19 min - Noah recommends trying these two strategies to find what you’re really good at. 24 min - I tell Noah one of my signature jokes from my stand up comedy… 27 min - Noah told me about his mentor, Jonathan Coon. He founded 1-800-Contacts and funded the movie Napoleon Dynamite. He has a strategy to “reduce friction in his life.” He goes to the same restaurants and overtips the waiters. They know to seat him at the same table and give him the same meal every time. 29 min - We talk about tipping. Noah said that if he’s ever feeling down, he just tips someone well. It makes him feel good. I take it one step further… 30 min - Noah’s mentor got an Uber. “I want your house,” the Uber driver said. “I’ll tell you exactly how you can get a house like this,” Jonathan said. He was even willing to give the driver the money to start a business that day. Here’s what happened… 35 min - We talked about podcasting. When Noah first started his show, “Noah Kagan Presents” he was recording on his iPhone. Then he asked for feedback and found out his audio quality sucked. “I think anyone can do a podcast,” he said. “But number one: can they do it for 4 years? Probably not. Number two: can they get feedback? Candid, honest feedback from the right people. You can get the wrong feedback from the wrong people, which is not helpful. And then three: can you actually improve it?” He said the key is to always ask for feedback. 37 min - Why EVERYONE should start a podcast. 42 min - Noah put himself out there. “Everyone should get their prostate checked,” he said. “Are you okay?” I asked. He’s fine. We kept talking about health. And how you can A/B test to see what’s really working for you. 47 min - Noah said he tried the 5am challenge. Now he gets up at 6 or 7am. But the challenge is what got him to move the day up earlier. Don’t set goals. Set challenges. 50 min - Noah told me about his no apologies, “choose yourself” challenge. He said, “Don't apologize for who you are.” 52 min - How to say, “no.” 53 min - I started wondering how people can get back on track, because again, a lot of people veer away from what they really want in life. And they recognize this. They veered away early. But want to be happy again. It’s hard because they feel this obligation as part of their day. I know it. I used to feel it too. Sometimes, I still do. But it’s rare. And I think the key to choosing yourself is closing the gap between what you want to do and have to do. Little by little. Day by day. So I asked Noah, “How do you get back on track?” 58 min - We discuss “the elements of a good day.” 1 hour - Noah talks about how he built his business. "If someone told me how long it took to get successful, I may not have ever started,” he said. But that’s why it’s good to be ignorant sometimes. And to just focus on what’s in front of you. "I like to work on problems I have in my life and create things I want to see exist in the world,” Noah said. We unpack this and how it relates to other areas of our lives. 1 hour 2 min - Noah’s tried to learn a bunch of new skills: chess, Hebrew, podcasting. He hired a coach or found a mentor for each one. So I asked him what he’s learned about learning... 1 hour 5 min - We talked about “beginner’s mind.” The feeling you get when something’s new. Or when you’re starting over. Noah moved to Israel after we did this podcast. “Changing relationships or jobs or locations, generally improves life,” Noah said. “For me, what I’ve noticed is that when I live in foreign countries or different cities and do work there, my curiosity is elevated.” 1 hour 7 min - We talk about uncertainty. Noah said that if you’re uncertain about what you should be working on, look to your past. And remember what made you happy. 1 hour 8 min - Noah and I discuss the benefits to hiring a coach or teacher when you’re learning something new. 1 hour 11 min - I explain how I personally use Noah’s business, KingSumo, and how it’s helped my businesses grow exponentially. 1 hour 15 min - Before I ended the podcast I needed new challenges from Noah. He gave me three he’s working on right now and he explains how I can incorporate each into my life.
8/22/2017 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 13 seconds
Ep. 247 - Ramit Sethi: Challenge: Start Living Your Ideas NOW
Ramit Sethi is a bestselling author, personal finance advisor, entrepreneur and author of "New York Times" bestselling book, "I Will Teach You to be Rich". He’s taught thousands to manage their personal finances and how to become rich on his website, iwillteachyoutoberich.com. He’s been featured in ABC News, CNN and the WSJ.
8/17/2017 • 2 hours, 11 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 246 - Ramit Sethi: You Have Something People Would Pay For Right Now...
Ramit Sethi is a bestselling author, personal finance advisor, entrepreneur and author of "New York Times" bestselling book, "I Will Teach You to be Rich". He’s taught thousands to manage their personal finances and how to become rich on his website, iwillteachyoutoberich.com. He’s been featured in ABC News, CNN and the WSJ.
8/15/2017 • 1 hour, 45 minutes, 44 seconds
Ep. 245 - Mark Manson: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F---
Mark Manson is a writer, blogger and author of the "New York Times" bestseller, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F-ck". Visit his blog, markmanson.net, to read some of his best articles on self improvement, dating and relationships, culture and life choices. 2 mins - I tell Mark why I didn't initially want him in the show... and why I changed my mind 4 mins - Mark and I first met at a friend’s poker game. then I ran into him a few weeks later. But I didn't remember meeting. “Hi I'm James,” I said. Then I remembered. And I realized he was the guy from the poker game… the guy who's name I kept trying to figure out all night. “I just thought you were a chill guy,” Mark said. We laughed. That's how I'd like to start all new moments in life. With a laugh. 8 min - Mark says where he got the inspiration to write his bestselling book, "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck" 10 min - We talk about what “giving a fuck” actually means. And how to decide what's worthwhile. “I joke around with a lot of people,” Mark said. “I say I wanted to write a book about values...but I knew if I wrote a book about values no one would read it. So I put the F word everywhere. Because essentially what giving a fuck is is you are deciding what you care about. You are deciding what you value in your life.” 12 min - So then I ask Mark how you get started? 14 min - We talk about people pleasing. And self absorption. “It’s very common in the self help world to say, ‘Be true to yourself and follow your feelings.’ That’s nice and everything, but if I went out to 6th Avenue and started peeing on the corner just because I feel like it…” I interrupted. “Is that your true passion? Peeing in 6th Ave. That’s your truth?” “Yes this is my truth at the moment…” Then he got serious. “We live in a society. We’re inner-dependent on each other in many ways. So there’s tension between what you yourself want and what’s also good for the community around you. And that’s hard. I think a lot of people suffer because that balance has gotten out of whack too far one way or the other. Either their constantly people-pleasing or they’re constantly selfish and self-absorbed.” 15 min - I feel everyone starts out people pleasing. And adulthood is when you cross into being more independent. Not necessary self absorbed, but the part of your brain that works to increase your livelihood and sense of survival kicks in. And the struggle is to let go of the “people pleasing” aspect. The part of you that needs approval. I still struggle with this. “Choosing yourself” is choosing to give yourself the stamp of approval. I try this everyday. 17 min - Mark sold drugs when he was 13. Someone told the principal and he got kicked out of school. Six months later his parents got a divorce. 22 min - So I asked, “What do you think your parents could have or should have done differently in this situation?” 28 min - There's a trick to having a good relationship, he told me… it's sort of an equation. Or a scale. 31 min - He fell into a “bottomless pit” of approval. He chased every woman on campus. And learned the rules of attraction. He told me about the really sleazy pick up lines he'd use. “Does that stuff work?”I asked. “It attracts really insecure women,” he said. And that led to his dating theory: you end up attracting what you put out. 33 min - He took what he learned about dating to build a coaching business. 35 min - We talk about Tucker Max’s books and how they’re often taken the wrong way. 41 min - Mark started traveling and living off his online business. He got serious about his writing. 43 min - Mark explains the attachment theory 45 min - He read “The Four Hour Workweek,” by Tim Ferriss. And based his nomadic life around it. But traveling forced Mark into avoiding intimacy. He kept leaving friends behind. And later learned what he really wanted... 47 min - I asked Mark, “When did you start giving a fuck?” 48 min - He told me how he got back to his roots to see what made him happiest 50 min - Mark explains how new and exciting experiences start to fade as you get older... 53 min - And he told me why putting down roots and building a community was his newly discovered biggest value. 55 min - Then I wanted to learn the art of. It giving a fuck. There are a lot of subtleties. So I asked, “What steps do I need to take today to stop insecurities and not care as much?” 58 min - People always ask me how to find customers or readers or a marker. The first rule is this: if you make something that’s valuable, people will show up. 1 hour 2 minutes - We talk about constantly finding different metrics to measure your success by. 1 hour 3 minutes - We talk about a chapter in Chuck Klosterman’s book, But What If We're Wrong?: Thinking About the Present As If It Were the Past, on what survives and how it correlates with a chapter in Mark’s book. 1 hour 6 minutes - What is the subtle art, how do you do it? 1 hour 9 minutes - There are a few fundamental principles to stop giving time and energy into things that really don't matter to you. We break them down. 1 hour 12 minutes - Mark talks about starting to write his next book about relationships and how he’s already been comparing it to his first book… that's the death to all creativity. You need a free, unstressed mind to be creative everyday. Comparison is creativity’s heart attack. 1 hour 15 minutes - Every time you switch tribes, you switch the metrics of comparison. Pay attention to your tribes values. And disown any that don't matter to your heart. 1 hour 18 minutes - Your brain is always going to find a problem or a comparison, the trick it to figure out the game and trust it a little less.
8/10/2017 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 244 - Wally Green: He Was in a Gang at 13. Now He's Uniting The World Through Ping Pong
DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE, TO BUILD A LIFE WORTH LOVING "I was shot twice by the time I was 13," Wally told me. "I owned six guns. Everyone I grew up with then is dead," he said. He then walked back to his side of the ping pong table. He took out his iPhone. Using his iPhone as the racket, he served the ball. He beat me 11-0. "Ok," he said, "everything you are doing is wrong." ------ The way I held the racket was wrong. The way I stood with my legs was wrong. The way I hit the ball and then the way I followed through after the hit was all wrong. The angle of my wrist was wrong as I waited for the ball to come to my side was wrong. The way I held the racket at a slight angle to the table was wrong. My backhand was all wrong. The way I had grown up and lived my life was mostly wrong. He kept streaming shots at me non-stop. "No, no, no," he said. "No! Go up!...No!...Close the racket...No!...Use the other foot to shift weight...No! No!" So we stopped. He came over to my side of the table. He was looking down. I was afraid he was thinking, "why am I doing this?" He stood behind me and grabbed my arm and moved it up as if I were hitting the ball. "See!," he said. "Like this. Like this." I wanted to be friends. ---- I've been playing ping pong for 40 years. I had a table as a kid. My dad and I would play every night. We would play for hours. And during the day, my friend Jonathan and I would play matches up to 100 every day. I thought I was good. Now, after taking lessons for several months, I realized that 100% of what I had been doing for 40 years was wrong. Everything. I was good enough to beat people who grew up with a ping pong table. But I was really bad. "When I went to North Korea," Wally told me and then he started laughing, "those players were scary good." ---- Wally started playing ping pong. Someone saw his skill, and, as these things go, sent him away. In order to come back you have to go away. He went to Germany to study ping pong with pros. Pretty soon he was the best. "I've played every sport," he told me. "Wrestling, basketball, boxing, tennis, paddle tennis. Ping pong is the hardest. "You have to think of everything. For instance, there's 1000s of ways to serve. And there's so many things to think about when you return the ball. You have to think several moves ahead." Wally has seen me play chess. "It's EXACTLY like chess. But also physical." We were having a three hour lesson that day. It ended with me doing a backhand-backhand-forehand-forehand, then forehand at the other end of the table - then random. Then start over. He shot 100 balls at me one after the other. "Again! Again! Good! No! No! No! Close the racket! You're crossing over when you follow through. Just go up!" Ugh. I had too many bad habits. I kept doing them. How do I stop the bad habits? 40 years of bad habits are hard to get rid of. It's like being afraid to say "no" after 40 years of telling everyone "yes". We took a break. "Why did you go to North Korea?" "I like to do things that are BIG. Every year I want to make sure I do something really big. Really special. "I saw the North Koreans were listing a tournament so I applied and I got in! I was the only non-Asian there. "Once I got there they took my phone. I had no way of getting in touch with the outside world for ten days. Couldn't call my wife. If something happened there was no proof I was even there. "So I just played ping pong. And they were GOOD!" ---- "Not only were the better than me," he said, "but the entire crowd was cheering for them and booing constantly at me. "So I decided, forget this. Let's have fun with this. Let's make crazy shots. Let's jump up and down after every point. Let's get the crowd laughing and jumping with me. I focused on the crowd. "At first they were surprised. And then they started laughing with me. They were cheering me. I was losing but it didn't matter. We were all having fun. "Even the other North Korean players, they didn't know what to do. They were afraid to talk to me but by the end they were hugging me. "That was my big thing that year." "What about this year?" I asked ---- Wally made a movie. "The Tables" about the ping pong tables at Bryant Park. "No matter what is going on in your life," Wally told me, "You could be homeless, an office worker, a ping pong champ, it doesn't matter...everyone has a home at the tables in Bryant Park. It's home there." I watched the documentary. It's good. "It's winning awards everywhere," Wally said, "I have to go to LA this weekend because it's winning at a festival there." One year Wally and some friends threw a weekly party, "Naked Ping Pong". They invited everyone they knew to a friend's apartment in Tribeca that was big enough to fit a ping pong table and the few people they thought would show up. It got mobbed. So they pitched the idea of a ping pong club to Susan Sarandon and other investors. And the club, "Spin" was born. That's where Wally has been giving me the lessons. Now Spin has locations all over the country. After one three hour lesson I was exhausted. I didn't think ping pong could be so tiring. We went upstairs. "I'm going to Israel next week because one of my students is in a big tournament there." --- It's a cliche to say, "Life is short". It's a cliche to say, "You only have one life." But if you take one chance a year, something unexpected, something you love, you build a life worth loving. So many times I've spent years just struggling for money, thinking it will buy happiness. What a waste! We scheduled our next lesson. Then Wally showed me his unicycle Segway. I think it's called a Ninebot. "I have to head off to the tables," he told me. "I always like to play there every day." He stood on the Ninebot and he started weaving in and out of the crowd as he cruised down the sidewalk on his robotic unicycle. Then he was gone. I was exhausted, I went down into the subway to practice doing standup comedy again with an unfriendly crowd. I want to do my special thing each year. I want my life to compound into wonder. I went into the subway. I opened my mouth and started...
8/8/2017 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 243 - Shawn Stevenson: The ONLY Health Podcast You'll Ever Need to Hear
Shawn Stevenson, host of The Model Health podcast said, "In the lab, they found anti-depressants in the New York City water system." Anti-depressants! Ok, no problem. I'll drink tap water. Save on therapy costs. In NYC everyone has to go to therapy. It's a requirement. "This week my therapist said..." "There's also these other chemicals in water.." and he was about to list them for me. "No no no," I said. "Shhhh!" I put my hands on my ears. "I'm good. Don't need to know more." Shawn is obsessed with health. Every week he interviews the best people in the world on health. He's interviewed hundreds. And now I get to ask him for this BEST advice. Don't abuse what he tells you, James! Shawn was 200lbs overweight. He could barely get from room to room before collapsing with exhaustion and pain. He was diagnosed with an incurable spinal condition called degenerative disc disease. His spine was deteriorating to nothing. The way an old person leans over and over until they collapse dead. "You have the spine of an 80 year old," the doctor told him. "The doctors told me to wear a back brace. I kept getting worse. The doctors kept telling me nothing could be done. I was losing hope. Losing the will to live." So he chose himself. He CHOSE his health. He studied every aspect of health. He created the #1 podcast on health, The Model Health Show. He read everything he could. He changed his diet. His doctors told him don't bother. He exercised. His doctors said it won't help. "You're going to die of this." --- When he came on my podcast, he looked like a man in perfect health. He was muscular, glowed with health, had energy. He was something maybe I will never say. "I'm feeling great every day," he told me. And then he started dropping the most amazing health tips on me. I felt overwhelmed. Do I have the discipline to do all of this? I've had many health experts on my podcast. If you don't have physical health, it's 1000 times harder to be a success. The body feeds the mind and the heart. The body reduces stress. The body contains the basics for everything you want to do in life. You are alive in your whole body. Not just your brain. Not just in your bank account. The entire body has to be nourished and loved. For some strange reason he asked me to be on his show as well. I was really grateful he wanted to talk to me about how my own lifestyle improved my health. But more importantly, he came on my show and I was able to drill HIM with questions. Not that all doctors are bad. But I couldn't believe some of the things Shawn had to tell me. I list some of them on this infographic. I already thought I knew things about sleep, water, movement, exercise. I thought I already knew things about how health worked. About how health led to success. But he broke it down one step further. I needed that. I now live by it (we actually recorded this podcast about two months ago) and the results have given me enough energy to create new opportunities in my life that I would not have been able to do before. I have a formula now: 1% more health equals 100 more possible opportunities. Shawn! I'm grateful you broke your stupid hip when you were 20 and got Spinal Degenerative Whatever and gained 5000 pounds. I'm grateful the doctors told you you were going to rot and die. I'm so happy you collapsed, half dead, under the weight of your own bloated body. I'm really happy you almost died. Just don't do it again.
8/3/2017 • 1 hour, 43 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep. 242 - Shane Snow: The Smart Way to Succeed
Shane Snow is a well known journalist, entrepreneur, co-founder of the content technology company, Contently, and bestselling author of "Smartcuts: The Breakthrough of Lateral Thinking". You can find his writing in "Wired", "The New Yorker", and "Fast Company" and a dozen more top publications.
8/1/2017 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 241 - Jason Calacanis: How to Invest: The Guidebook from an Angel Investor Who Turned $100K into $100 Million
Jason Calacanis is an angel investor, serial entrepreneur, writer and blogger. He is the founder and CEO of inside.com. Listen to Jason’s podcast, "This Week In Startups", interesting stories from the world of entrepreneurship.
7/27/2017 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 48 seconds
Ep. 240 - Gary Gulman: This is Comedy: Gary Gulman Breaks Down the Best Joke in The World
When Patton Oswalt, one of the top comedians over the past several decades, was going through the worst experiences of his life this past year, he wrote an entire post about one joke Gary Gulman made. ONE JOKE. Oswalt starts off: “This is…so perfect.” I like the pause in there. LIke there are no words so he had to notch himself down even though it doesn’t express exactly what he wants to say: … “so perfect”. He analyzes Gary’s joke and why it’s so difficult to do a joke like this (nobody sees how the sausage is made, they only see the final joke after years of perfecting). Patton closes with: “Thank you Gary Gulman. I know a lot of my shit’s gonna get angry these next four years, but it’s stuff like what Gary’s doing that reminds me I gotta make sure it’s funny first. Angry doesn’t change shit. Funny disarms the horde.” Gary is one of the best in the world. And no matter what area of life you want to improve in, studying in detail someone who is among the best, will up your game. It ups my game. I am infinitely frail. I fall apart at the slightest resistance. I sometimes can’t handle it. I sometimes can’t handle failing. I don’t always believe you learn from failure. But studying the best, makes my brain feel good. Like it’s being nourished. And that often gives me the strength to persist. For the past five months I’ve been going up on a stage 2-3 times a week and performing standup comedy in front of an audience. Often the other performers are people who were on the Colbert Show the night before. Or just released an hour-long Netflix special. So I have to up my game all the time. I want to be “one of them”. And I don’t want people in the audience to be able to tell that I’m different. Plus, I get scared to death. I am honestly so scared I am about to cry every time I am about to go on stage. Even if I’m going on stage to perform just five minutes of jokes. Five minutes is an eternity. What I realized, and will save for a future post, is that there are at least 20 or 30 (and probably much more) “micro-skills” that I could not have possibly imagined when trying to get better at standup comedy. I’ve been public speaking for 20 years. Is it that different? Yes. Which is why I had to have Gary Gulman on the podcast. One of the best in the world. I said above “five minutes is an eternity”. Gary told one joke on Conan in 2016 that lasted six minutes. One joke where (and I measured it) he gets laughs every ten to fifteen seconds throughout. He uses every skill in the comic’s toolbox. And probably many more that I haven’t been able to understand yet. I printed up the joke. I gave it to Gary. I said, “I want to analyze this joke word by word.” The first thing he said is, “This almost depresses me”. “How come?” “It took years to write this joke. And the others that I came out with around then. It’s so hard. Sometimes I can’t’ even get up because it’s so hard to do this.” What follows is one of my favorite podcasts. We cover his career, the techniques he learned and how he learned them. We cover the depression and anxiety and fear that goes into building any career out of excellence. We cover the micro-skills. No matter what you do in life, the one who masters all the master skills of your field of endeavor will be the one who rises to the top. How do you identify those skills? How do you master them? And we analyze this joke. To see the joke, Google: “Youtube Gary Gulman Conan States”. It’s his 7/13/16 performance. Watch it first. Here are some things I learned: Part A) DELIVERY 1. COMMITMENT The whole joke is about the states and how they were abbreviated. Gary walks out on stage, “I just wanted to recommend a documentary to everyone and then I’m going to go.” Everyone laughs. No one believes him. But he’s totally COMMITTED to the joke. In the podcast he says, “I’m bragging, really. Because I know I have something in my pocket that I’ve polished so frequently over the years. Years and years have gone into this one joke. And I know they haven’t seen it. It’s almost like I’m say, ‘Wait till you get a load of me.’” A lot of comedians just pander for a laugh, especially in the beginning. Yes, fart jokes work. But GREAT comedy is art. Gary’s worked hard and he’s know it. This transcends more than just jokes. People won’t always know that what you have to offer is valuable to them. Until you show it. That’s how Gary builds rapport with the audience. They sense the commitment. They are in for the ride. 2. BUILD UP CAPITAL Audiences are terrifying. And often they don’t know you. Might be a business audience in a meeting. Might be a reader. Might be a listener or a crowd. Or a comedy club audience. They have to like you. Johnny Carson has said that this is the most important skill for a comedian. Likeability. Watch Gary’s clip and see how he becomes naturally likeable to the audience. These are techniques that can be used in every situation. But it’s also how you build up capital so now you can take chances, propose ideas they have never heard of, build rapport with each person listening to you, and perform the magic trick of transmitting what you see in your head, into the heads of all the listeners. I didn’t realize this was such an important skill at first. Again, I have another post about this. But, for me, the results were disastrous when I didn’t realize how important this was. 3. MOVE Gary uses movement. It’s almost like he’s acting out the joke. He points to the sky, everyone’s eyes move up. They’re with him. They’re in the story. “I need to keep their attention during that time because it’s a lull,” he said. You can’t just tell your joke. Or tell your story. Or tell your idea. Ideas, jokes, stories are three dimensional. Gary takes his joke and turns it from a premise into a three dimensional world we are suddenly all living in. Part B) WRITING 4. OBSERVE THE ABSURD Throughout my entire life, I’ve been abbreviating states. I’ve never thought, “Oh so many states start with the same two letters.” Who thinks of that? “What were you doing when you first thought of that?” I asked him. “I think the first time was when I was in 2nd grade and I got the arrow book of the states. I got it in 2nd grade but it must’ve been printed several years prior because the abbreviations was a new concept in this particular version of the Arrow Book of States. For whatever reason, I wanted to memorize the abbreviations. That’s when I noticed how difficult it was.” Thirty years later, he turned that difficulty into a joke. I notice this with comedians. They observe everything out of the ordinary. Seinfeld once said that a regular person goes into Bar Mitzvah and says, “nice buffett”. A comedian will go in and say, “why is there pork?” I’ve been working on a joke lately. The premise is that OJ Simpson made $2.7 million while he was in prison. The premise doesn’t have to be funny. Just quirky. The punchline can come after years of work. Not in my case but in the case of the best comedians, jokes, speakers, inventors. 5. PERSISTENCE AND DEPRESSION This is unique to Gary. He’s able to draw out jokes for 6 minutes. I asked how he’s going to get down to writing the next 6 minute bit. “It’s daunting,” he said. “How do you deal with the anxiety?” “I’ll say this, but it’s something that’s very personal to me. Hopefully it will help people. But I was in the hospital for a few nights because of my depression and anxiety. I was overwhelmed. It was a couple of months ago. I wasn’t suicidal. I just went to the emergency room and they admitted me and changed some medicines up, but it’s literally crippling.” “Did that help? The combination of medicine and them talking?” “Yeah…I’m in a better position now then I was then. I can function a little bit better and I’ve been able to get back on stage.” He said he had a fear of performing. Which was amazing to me because he’s so good at it. But I get it. I can’t go on stage without having a panic attack. And I know he’s been on stage 1000s of times. It’s hard. But once you say, “This is too hard”, that’s when you have to do it to get better. And improvement never ends. That’s why I wanted to learn from him. It’s easy for a comedian to tell crude jokes. Gary brings you into new territory. He told me that once he got a hold of the abbreviations joke, he held on. “I tried to strengthen it and lengthen it.” We kept dissecting. I wanted to get deeper into the toolkit. How did he make the joke stronger? 6. GO OFF ON TANGENTS He’s a few minutes into the joke. They’re talking about abbreviating the first state (Alabama). Alaska is next. But he had to take the audience away from the story. Or they’d lose interest. He sets the scene. The whole team of abbreviators is eating breakfast. And Gary says, “The omelette station had just been invented and was sweeping the nation.” “I’ve always felt uncomfortable with the omelette station,” he told me. I never thought about it before. Hidden truths surround us. Ghosts in a conversation. But saying them brings the discomfort into comfort. Makes the scary…funny. Or possible. Or gives us a new way of looking at things. “The omelette chef must hate us,” he said. And in the joke Gary says they wanted to be a “chef chef.” Not an omelette chef. The tangent diverts your attention away from the main plot. He adds another about the people who call Hollandaise sauce “holiday sauce.” This has nothing to do with the joke. But it’s funny and adds depth to the story. And does it have to do with the joke..? Maybe! And then brings it back to abbreviations. Alaska is right after Alabama. Both are AL. That’s when the “crack team of abbreviators” realize they’re in trouble. “Did we already use AL?” 7. BE SPECIFIC In one of his first lines, Gary tells you the documentary is 98 minutes. Not 90, not an hour. It’s 98 minutes. “Why 98?” I said. It had to do with the number of syllables. And the exactness. Words don’t tell a story. Details tell a story. And it ends on a “t”. Gary knows from 20 years experience what consonants will elicit a bigger laugh. Micro-skills. 8. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MEMORY LOSS The crack squad of abbreviations is made up of “nayer do wells.” I didn’t even know what that meant. “I like to use language that you forgot you knew,” he said. 9. PUT LAUGH LINES TOGETHER Gary quoted the late Richard Jeni, who said, “What you’re trying to do is put together as many laugh lines as close together as possible.” You don’t have to wait long to laugh again when you watch his act. Gary does this too. He makes a small reference. “I want to say it was 1973… So I will.” And the whole crowd laughs. At first, I couldn’t figure out why I was laughing. “It’s a cliche,” Gary said. He uses a cliche to make fun of cliches. He makes you take a second look at some statement everyone says, but no one realizes they’re saying. 10. SUBTRACT SELF-KNOWLEDGE The joke gets more and more ridiculous with each line. But Gary looks almost clueless. He’s going on and on about this documentary, their struggles and challenges. It’s almost like he crosses this invisible line where he’s no longer aware. He becomes part of the story. And his comedy turns from joke to performance. Everyone in the audience begins to see there’s no real documentary. Except Gary. He subtracts self-knowledge which adds to the laughter. Because now people not only can’t believe how ridiculous this documentary’s premise is, but they can’t believe how ridiculous Gary is. Adding knowledge makes a hero. Subtracting knowledge makes comedy. James Bond can get shot in the heart, perform surgery on himself, and then get the bad guy. He’s a hero. If Woody Allen is shot in the heart then….even picturing it makes me laugh. 11. TAKE RISKS Gary makes jokes out of difficulties, adds specificity, tangents, cliches and so on. He has his tool kit. Each element has a purpose. And they all take him to the edge. “That’s one of the reasons I’m moving to Boston,” he said. “I can take more risks.” “What does it mean to take more risks?” I said. “Just to go on stage with material that is not as worked out as the one we went over today.” He wants to test his joke in front of audiences, then record it and tweak it. If you can’t take risks, you won’t hit the edge. You won’t go beyond it. Beyond the edge is peak performance. The area few, if any, hit. Beyond the edge is success. Because people reward the ones who have mastered the risks beyond the edge. I always say I don’t like to hit “publish” on an article until I’m afraid of what people will think. That’s not quite true for this article. I’m proud to say Gary is one of the best there is. I’m happy I got a chance to take my absolute favorite joke and get the guy who told it to answer all my questions for an hour. I felt bad when Gary expressed his depression. His desire to continually improve and his fear of where that next improvement might come from. We’re all afraid. I wanted to tell him…sometimes when I feel that way, and I feel that way almost every day, I often know that something new is going to happen. Something that will push me forward. Afterwards, I felt bad I didn’t say that. I wanted to tell him how skilled he is. That he will push forward. But I didn’t say that either. I’m hitting publish here not because I’m afraid. But because I want everyone else to experience the pure joy I felt when I listened to this joke, listened to how he crafted it, and learned a bit more about how in any area of life I can strive to improve and be the best I can be.
7/25/2017 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep. 239 - Alex Berenson: How to Write a Page-Turner
Alex Berenson had the dream job. But he was unhappy. And perhaps it even scarred him in some ways. He switched it up. To his true dreams. To the dreams he had for himself since he was a child. I want to do this. First off, Alex has written 11 bestselling thriller novels. Alex knows how to get the reader to turn the page and ask, “What happens next?!” This is an unbelievably hard skill. But it’s not the most important skill when you are moving into your dream job. I will tell you the most important skill. And Alex explains more clearly how he did it when we are in the podcast. The most important skill is to have this weird sort of “active arrogance”. Here’s the gap: The best in your profession have skills, experience, and they know how to sit down and DO something every day. The beginners: they WANT to do something. They PLAN to do something. They SAY they will eventually do it. They THINK they have the skills they need. But they never do it. The ones who succeeed. They have the arrogance to think they can just simply sit down and do it. .Despite not having the skills. Despite being total amataurs. They simply sit down and DO IT. By doing it, you LEARN the skills, you DO the job [a first novel in Alex’s case], and you get better. DOING is the only way to succeed. Most poeple stop before this point. Alex didn’t. And thank god. Because his 11 bestsellers have been lifesavers for me. A way for me to dream. A way for me to escape. Here’s how Alex did it: [6:25] - Create your own universe “In 2003 and 2004, I went to Iraq for the paper,” he said (he worked at The New York Times). “The war had ended, supposedly… we deposed Saddam. Most reporters go during the ‘active phase,’ so The Times said any cub reporter could put their hand up and go. So I put my hand up.” Then he came back and realized he had stories. And John Wells was born. Alex has written 11 bestsellers. All page-turners. I wanted to know what made him start writing thrillers. I’ve always thought of writing fiction. I still wonder if that’s what’s next. Here’s what he told me, “In my universe, nobody lies to me. They can lie to each other, they can even lie to themselves, they cannot lie to me.” [11:00] - Some luck goes unnoticed “Coming back to the states was a shock,” he said. “The wastefulness of this country really smacks you when you’ve been away for a while, certainly in a place like that.” “What do you mean? What’s an example?” “I think the example that struck me is the electrical grid.” We take it for granted that the lights go on. And then use them like crazy. I live in NY. The lights are always on. It doesn’t matter what time. And I never think about it. “American is a place of abundance,” Alex said. “I guess that’s a good thing. It’s better to be rich than poor but realize that 80% of the world is never going to live in conditions anything like this. It really does just smack you in the face to realize how lucky we are and how little we realize that.” [12:00] - Choose yourself I asked Alex if he thinks we’re becoming complacent as a society. “Thats a real fear,” Alex said. There are two sides. One side is if you give people everything will they stop wanting to work? Will they say they have enough. And give up. But then the other side is you work so hard and go nowhere. “The flip side of that is if you make the system so unfair that nobody believes hard work can get you ahead, they’re not going to work either.” And I think that’s why work should be more than a paycheck. There has to be a vision. And following that vision is how you choose yourself. [15:00] - Have a little arrogance Alex said a lot of reporters want to write novels. He was one of them. But there’s something that separates those who write from those who don’t... “I did something arrogant,” he said. “I wrote a novel.” So I wondered if that’s part of the formula? Do all novelists have some arrogance to write something totally made up and think other people will want to read it? “Of course,” Alex said. “Are you kidding? It’s the craziest endeavor. ‘I’m going to create this world with these fake people and I want you to believe they’re real. And I want to make them come alive for you.’” [17:17] - Finding aspects of you I’m curious about the characters. Like dreams, where do they come from? Is it a manifestation of yourself? Of people you know? And who leads the story? Is it the writer? Some writers say the characters are so strong psychologically that they lead the story. Alex got his answer from his wife. She’s a psychiatrist. She says John Wells is a projection of Alex’s most idealized version of himself. “He’s strong, he’s very capable, he’s so tough. Women love him, men fear him, sheep want to be with him, ya know he’s tortured because he’s committed all this violence over the years, but he’s essentially a good guy.” I wonder what it would be like to create my own universe and then ask a doctor to read into me. But I only know what I create if I start creating. [19:22] - How do you survive? His books are 400 pages each. And that’s before everything gets cut down and reformatted. He used to write before work. Now it’s his full time job. “So how do you survive? How do you sit through it?” “Writing the books is mentally painful,” he said. “I make the characters suffer. Because I’m suffering.” [26:13] Who’s your hero? I wanted to know more about Alex’s hero. He could’ve made the everyman. But instead he chose a spy, someone who in danger. Maybe it’s a reflection of who we want to be. Someone with real freedom. Alex said. “When you have nothing to lose, when you don’t care if you live or die, you have incredible freedom.” Alex doesn't have that freedom. He told me how he was almost kidnapped in Iraq. “People thought I was spy,” he said. ““I had a very close call. I mean everyone has a close call, but I had a very close call” “What was your close call?” “Ya know, I don’t like to talk about it.” I couldn’t let this go. When someone comes on my podcast, I have one chance to ask them everything I want to know. “Could we please talk about it?” “I found a notebook that a Shia fighter kept… It was just a tiny green notebook. It was in the rubble of a building. And I took it.” “They saw you pick it up?” “No… I was dressed like a local. I had a goatee. I had my haircut shorter, but no one was going to be fooled into thinking I was Iraqi. No one who REALLY looked at me. And I didn’t speak arabic” People got suspicious of him. “The question was, ‘What are you doing? Why do you look like this? Why are you trying to pass… you’re not one of us. And once that happened, it just spiraled.” “So you reached a point where you got scared,” I said. “Oh, no no no no. It was much worse than that…” [34:16] - Get stories I wanted to know how Alex got back home. He was detained. And almost martyred. These experiences lead to his novels. Now, he had stories to begin fueling the John Wells series. [43:34] - Write everyday People ask Alex how he gets his inspiration. “I have a mortgage to pay and I have a contract. I can’t wait for inspiration.” He says he makes progress everyday. [44:30] - How do you get people to turn the page? Alex turned the tables. He asked if I wrote a page-turned. The answer’s no. I tried. I’ve tried for 20 years. He said one key is to let people read your work. I’ve never let anyone read my fiction. I want to know the beats. We broke them down. “I’m kind of the wrong person to ask about structure,” he said. “My books violate the normal structure of genre fiction.” But I find this is true with all peak performers. They can’t explain how they do so well. It comes natural to them. So getting into the finer nuances takes effort. I dug. And here’s what I found… [54:54] - Finding structure In the beginning, the main character is involved in something bad Then he solves it And he’s given a grace period of relief Then he goes through something worse… Alex said, “You have to have a mission and within that mission there has to be sub-missions.” It could get worse. “It depends,” Alex said. Sometime the main character gets help from somewhere else or a clue is revealed. Anything can happen. [58:20] - They key to a great ending... Eventually it ends… But here’s the key. You need a cool solve. So I asked, “What’s a cool solve?” This is another great example of an expert knowing his craft better than the inner workings of that craft… We went through a ton of examples. And finally landed on this: You have to build. “For Wells, there’s always tensions. Your always asking, ‘How far will this go?’ You just got me to explain it better,” Alex said.
7/20/2017 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 238 - Ryan Holiday: The Art of Making and Marketing
Ryan Holiday, stop writing books that are just for me! With “Perennial Seller” you just answered an obsessive question I’ve had for years: What makes something, someone, some product, some art, withstand the test of time? What is the magic sauce? The secret formula? What makes something sell a million copies a year (music, art, books, products, etc)… forever? I want to know. I’ll try my best to summarize our conversation and your book but people should buy the book for your 1000s of examples: BE COUNTERINTUITIVE If you write what everyone else is already thinking, then nobody needs to read your work, or use your product. They already have it. It doesn’t matter if you are 50% better than anyone else. Nobody understands how to judge that except the experts in your field. And those experts don’t care about you. They might even hate you. Create your own field. And be 1000% the best in that field. DON’T TRY TO COMPETE The 100th person who writes a “50 Shades of Grey” style book, or a disco pop EMD album can…MAYBE…get 1% of the audience. If you find an underserved audience, you can get 100% of it. There’s an important side effect of this: IF YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING FOR THE MONEY…YOU LOSE. Because the rest of the world is competing for that dollar. Money is a side effect of creativity, quality art, creating something unique, and building your marketing into that art. VALIDATE THE IDEA Test out sample chapters. Release songs on YouTube. Keep iterating. Keep digging for your authentic voice. In comedy, it took Louis CK 20 years of telling jokes before he found his voice when talking about dating and parenting. Don’t look for LOTs of fans at first. Look for the hard-core fans. The ones who will stick with you while you go on this crazy ride. The ones who will share. What my prior podcast guest, Kevin Kelly, calls “The One Thousand True Fans”. DON’T GIVE UP IF YOU DON’T WIN ON DAY ONE Ryan told me that “Smokey and the Bandit” beat “Star Wars” at the box office the same weekend they both opened. I did not know that! It almost seems like blasphemy to me. John Grisham only sold a few thousand copies when he first published “A Time To Kill”. Only much later did it sell millions. Catcher in the Rye had a slow start. Now sells a million copies a year. The best works of art and the best products have to fight the masses to find their right audience. But when they do, the audience will reward them. Write or create what is unique to you, find the 1000 true fans. The ones who are hard-core and love the value you bring. And serve that market over and over. That divides the winners from the non-winners. TELL A STORY THAT IS PERSONAL TO YOU “Choose Yourself” could have been another ranty personal development business book (“Blah!”). Instead I wove in a personal story of struggle and loss and pain. Pain that changed me and still does every single day to (hopefully) lesser extent. This is what makes a story both unique (it’s my story) and universal (everyone experiences pain, everyone wants to solve it). Too many people play a persona (“my life is perfect so let me teach it to you”) and that’s inauthentic. TELL A STORY THAT RESONATES WITH EVERYONE Star Wars is a perfect example. It’s the ‘arc of the hero’. A boy who struggles, encounters problems, faces them, lives forever. I.e. Jesus. Krishna. Buddha. Star Wars is a sci-fi western (great example of “idea sex”) where he innovated on the graphics but used a story that was basically “Focus grouped” for thousands of years. Thousands! So he stuck within the rules of a genre (actually several that he combined) but also made it uniquely his own. This is the key to successful art. Telling a story that is personal to you AND resonates with everyone is very difficult. It takes practice. It takes marketing. It takes listening. That’s why these are the items that become perennial sellers. It’s worth it to build that skill. How do you do it: - Understand the history of what you loveLearn from the best - Learn from the best - Practice over and over - Build marketing into your art. - Experiment, learn, repeat - Follow the rest of the advice in this article. ASK THE ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Ask yourself, “Who is this actually for?” Who is your fan?” “A lot of creators struggle with this,” Ryan said. “You make this great work and then you think the world is eagerly anticipating it, but they’re not.” You have to have a sense of honesty internally to know who your stuff is for. So you need to ask the right questions from the beginning. You have to connect strongly with those initial hard core fans. Combine your creative idea with the heart of another human being. The people who struggle with your struggle. The people who will be better off when they read your writing or use your invention. BE OK WITH PEOPLE HATING YOU If you do something new, people will not like you. SOMEONE will hate you. “When the moon landing happened,” Ryan told me, “It had 93% market share. That’s incredible. “But think about it. That means 7% of the audience turned on the TV, saw Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon and said, ‘oh, this is boring. I’m going to change the channel.” Be ok with that. Iron Maiden had a lot of people hating them. And yet they focused on their core audience and became one of the most popular rock bands ever despite playing music that would NEVER make it on the radio. The TV show, “Seinfeld” was on the verge of cancellation it’s first few years. But Jerry Seinfeld already had a hard-core following not only among fans but even among network executives. Having network executives as hard-core fans guaranteed him the runway he needed to succeed with the wider audience. The Beatles had a hard core following from 1957 on that, even when their label rejected them in 1962 (“Guitar bands are going out of style”), their hard core fans kept them afloat and a year later they were catapulted to success. Your hard core fans buys you “marketing capital” that you “spend” on expanding to a wider base. If you go for just the wider base, you face the competition too early and end up as an also-ran. And remember, the moment you first start – NOBODY at all cares about you. THE BEST ART DIVIDES THE AUDIENCE. I don’t hit publish unless I’m actually feeling physical fear about doing it. If you don’t want to divide the audience, don’t hit publish. MARKET YOUR IDEA Nobody really cares about you. Every industry is turning upside down. Everyone is worried about their own jobs and agendas. You can’t just be better than everyone else. There’s “infinite shelf space” as Ryan puts it. You’re competing against “Breaking Bad”, Google, Trump’s tweets, old episodes of Seinfeld, Harry Potter, etc. If you want to be out there and noticed. If you want your vision to succeed. If you want your product used…you need to talk about it. You need to represent it. You need to write about it. You need to be about it. The marketing has to be part of your art. Even the Beatles made entire movies (art and marketing at the same time) to support their true creativity (the music). Marketing is no longer about ad space. It’s another important outlet of your creativity. And if it doesn’t work. Move on. You don’t have one idea in you. You have 1000s. VALIDATE, REPEAT Most things fail. The ones who succeed, pick up from their failure, figure out what went wrong, figure out how to validate an idea better with an audience, and then go back and try again. They try over and over until they find that hardcore audience that will listen. Validation is a cure for stupidity. They go back again and again until their skills are refined. John Lennon and Paul McCartney met in 1958. They played and played and played and refined. In 1962 their label rejected them (“Guitar bands are on their way out”). The rest is history. Now you can create history. And Ryan, one final note. Please keep writing all-star books so you can keep coming back on the podcast. And keeping writing books that will make my life better. And then letting me ask you any question I want about them. Because the’s the way I roll. You’re a good guy and, of course, welcome any time but I’m really mostly interested in reading things that make my life better. So keep at it.
7/18/2017 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep. 237 - Scot Cohen: The Best Networker in the World. PERIOD.
Scot Cohen is the best networker on the planet. I have never seen anything like it. And he used that skill to make tens of millions of dollars, not only for himself but for many others. I wanted him to explain, in detail, how. But first: I’m sorry, Scot. I am really, truly sorry. I am horrified at my behavior. A year of bad behavior. Imagine: you owe someone a phone call and you say to yourself, “Ok, I’ll call tomorrow”. And then tomorrow you say, “Well, maybe tomorrow”. And then you delayed so much you feel awkward about calling. Because you know you have to apologize and you hate confrontation. Stupid, right? Let’s make this even worse: the person you have to call back has been incredibly generous to you. In fact, he let you stay in his apartment for three months for free. You’ve worked together for 14 years and he’s one of the most successful investors in NYC. And then you did this for no reason. I’m an idiot. --- The day I threw out all of my belongings and gave up my apartment I was sitting in a restaurant with my one bag and I called Scot Cohen. I said, “I’m just sitting in this restaurant.” “Where are you going to live?” “I have no idea yet.” I coudl’ve just stayed in a hotel. But for various reasons I was feeling a bit down. I just wanted to sit in the restaurant. I had no idea where I would live. “Come on over,” Scot said. “Stay here.” And so I did. For the next three months I stayed in one of Scot’s several apartments. I invested in Scot’s hedge fund in 2003. We’ve worked together on and off for 14 years. He’s one of the most successful hedge fund managers I know. He’s made tens of millions, invested in dozens of companies that went up 1000s of percent, and I am glad that, in my own small way, I was able to help him in several situations. . When you build your network over years, over decades, and your network is made up of good people, they help you out. They let you move in their apartment. You work on deals together to make money. You meet each others girlfriends who become wives. And then sometimes you let them down and you have to apologize. So I did. On the podcast. This is how stupid and awkward I am: I hadn’t seen Scot in a year. I had stupidly avoided his calls. And so I said, “come on to the podcast and that’s where I will apologize”. And then, I said, step by step we will break down and figure out 1. HOW YOU BECAME THE BEST NETWORKER I HAVE EVER SEEN 2. HOW YOU USED THAT SKILL TO MAKE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS Scot came to NYC with nothing. But he had a skill that is worth tens of millions at the highest level. It's networking at a level I've never seen before or since. ----- One time, a year earlier, I was sitting in his apartment. Scot rushed in, changed into a suit and rushed out. It was Sunday night, 8 o’clock at night. He was rushing from tennis with one hedge fund manager to the wedding of one of his investors. That’s how he made himself so successful. He networks seven days a week. I just sit around and fall asleep early. I asked him on the podcast how he did it. How can I do it? How can anyone do it? We broke down his story: 1. Self awareness “Do self-work,” he said. “Really try to dial in on who you are and where you want to go, because if you don’t have that right, you’re never going to be able to get off first base. “This is fundamental. It takes a while. You’ve got to have patience to play this out, so give yourself the time. You’re not going to get a quick fix. Nothing’s going to happen in three months, or a year. It’s going to take years. So get that fundamental work done on yourself first, and then you can start growing.” 2. Keep a diary Scot told me to write down where you want to go. “If you don’t write stuff down, how are you going to go anywhere? You’re not going to remember where you came from.” “I think it’s really important to be able to quantify what you’re doing during the day,” he said. “You’ve got to keep account of how you’re spending your time. That’s the most important thing.” 3. Meet people I asked Scot, “What else can they do? Should they start holding dinners? Should they start figuring out who’s good, and doubling down on those relationships? Should they start coming up with ideas to connect people? What should they do?” His advice was simpler than that… just plant seeds. “Surround yourself with great people. I don’t care if it’s a plumber. I don’t care if he’s a construction worker. I don’t care if it’s a teacher, a police officer, a guy in the gym, somebody that you met at the grocery store. It doesn’t matter, but just make sure they’re kind. Make sure they’re aligned with where you want to go...”
7/13/2017 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep. 236 - Farnoosh Torabi: Flipping the Mic - Farnoosh Interviews Me
She was my partner in crime. Farnoosh recently hosted her own show on CNBC. She also has a super popular podcast. And she’s a successful book author and all around writer. But to me she’s more than that. From 2006 to 2008 we did videos together every day. We would meet on Wall Street, a video guy would tape us talking about whatever we wanted to talk about, and then we’d send that video out onto the interwebs. The day the first iphone came out we went to the Apple flagship store near Central Park. We interviewed the people who were waiting on line all night. A homeless guy started to pick on Farnoosh. Not that I am so brave but I didn’t want to seem unmanly so I stood in between the man and Farnoosh and asked him to please go away. He lifted me up and threw me to the ground. And then he went away. That was a fun story that I wanted to share. But more...Farnoosh is a textbook example of how a career can be made and be a success. She had a fulltime job learning skills she loved and then mastered: financial markets, writing, video, multimedia, communication, and the business of business. While at the full time job, she wrote a book on the markets: YOU’RE SO MONEY. From that, she no longer needed thestreet.com and diversified her sources of income by writing for many outlets, going on various TV shows, starting her own show, writing more, starting a successful and profitable podcast, and many other activities. And ten years later, we still find each other doing videos together or podcasts, or articles, or whatever. Building a career is like knitting a tapestry. It’s small thread by small thread. It takes years. It becomes beautiful. And it’s something you can fall into when it’s done for comfort and security. That tapestry becomes your network. A career is not what you created today, but the networks you built up today that will create unexpected opportunities for you ten, fifteen, twenty years later. As an example: I just did a deal with a friend of mine I began working with twenty years ago. Every day I see these opportunities. And I’m horrible at networking. Farnoosh isn’t. But there’s another reason I wanted Farnoosh on my podcast. Farnoosh is great at interviewing. And I wanted her to interview me. I find when I am a guest on other people’s podcasts I always find new ways to say the things I want to express, new ways to say what I’ve learned from my guests and my experiences. Who better to interview me than the person who has been interviewing me for almost a dozen years. “I came prepared,” she told me. Because she wanted to find out what you don’t see on Google... Here’s what we talked about: The rise of entrepreneurship and the rise of “gurus.” Farnoosh asked me, “Who should people trust?” But really, it doesn’t matter. Anytime you “study” entrepreneurship, it means you’re not DOING entrepreneurship. It’s great to have ideas. And it’s fine to read one business books (TOPS), but then that’s it. Get in the mud and starting doing. - listen at 7 minutes Farnoosh asked me, “Do you remember the first time you used the internet?” It was before the web. I logged into a news group and could talk to people from Norway about Star Wars. Besides the phone, it was the first time I spoke to someone without being in the same room… It was 1986. And then the web started. Hypertext came in. And I thought it would be used for storytelling. But then it became huge for commerce. Then she asked me, “What’s next?” - listen at 19 minutes Mentorship and finding your inner circle - listen at 25 minutes Evolution, willpower and the access economy - listen at 36 minutes My daily schedule (the morning is my “maker” hours, in the evening I manage several businesses and at night I have fun. I do comedy.) - listen at 38 minutes Is it better to focus on one thing and enjoy the subtleties of what it takes to be the best in the world at something? Or diversify? I struggle with this. Farnoosh said she bought the book, “The One Thing.” Because she wanted to get focussed. “I bought it and never finished it,” she said. The irony… she got busy doing “other” things. But maybe the other things takes us off our path, out of our delusions and shift us into doing more fulfilling learning curves. - listen at 43 minutes The story of “lucky Lisa.” That’s Farnoosh’s nickname for the friend who helped me get rid of all of my belongings - listen at 53 minutes “What about dating?” Farnoosh wondered if dating is weird for me. Because I have no home. And then we talked about renting vs owning. I used to believe in renting. But now I just borrow. It’s part of the new access economy. We live in a world of access (and Airbnb). But I eventually answer her question about dating, too. - listen at 59 minutes Then we talked about money. “If you couldn’t pass on any money to your kids and all you could pass on was investment strategies, rules, a portfolio, what would it be?” - listen at 1 hour and 5 minutes “Do you like talking about politics?” she asked… - listen at 1 hour and 10 minutes “Did you vote?” No. And I don’t think it matters. Here’s why. Saying it’s your “civil responsibility” to vote is not true. I agree we all have a civil duty. I do mine by writing 300 articles a year, giving talks, doing 100 podcasts a year and giving it all away. You get to decide how you fulfil your this civil duty. If you choose voting, that’s fine. But I don’t. I don’t want to outsource my contribution. We started debating - listen at 1 hour and 11 minutes Hear the story of the time I went to Bernie Madoff and was turned away. He said, “The last thing I need is to see the name Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC on the front page of the Wall Street Journal” - listen at 1 hour and 19 minutes How to get into TV - listen at 1 hour and 22 minutes AND the “choose yourself” method for getting into TV (how to get past the gatekeepers) - listen at 1 hour and 27 minutes
7/11/2017 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 6 seconds
Ep. 235 - Tim Kennedy: A US Special Op's Reason for Serving - "Win Hearts and Minds"
“Have a spirit of adventure, the desire to learn something new, be an explorer and never get too comfortable.” ------- “Imagine this room is filling up with poisonous gas,” Tim said. He’s looking straight at me. “There’s two doors behind me, one window and one to either side.” He points exactly where everything is, even though he’s still looking straight at me. “We have several choices,” he said, “I can pick the locks of one of the doors. I can break down the doors. I can smash one of the windows and we can climb out. We have three minutes until we die. What do we do?” Tim is aware of everything around him. Which is probably why I started off the podcast with: “We have nothing in common.” “We’re 30 seconds into the interview and we’re already disagreeing,” he said. It’s a creative challenge to figure out how to relate with each person I meet… He’s a US Army Special Forces sniper. He’s been to Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s an MMA fighter. And has multiple black belts. I have zero black belts. I have negative black belts. I haven’t been to war. And I’m not trained to kill people. I can’t shove someone without looking funny. So we have different instincts. “I remember every moment of every gunfight I’ve ever been in,” he said. “And there are things that wake me up at night.” “Like what?” “In the movies, saving your friends and killing a bad guy is a high-five moment, right? No. You just took a human life. That is something that echoes with you through eternity.” He told me about the decisions he had to make every day. And how his dad’s words rang in the back of his head, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” There were four people in Tim’s unit. Each had a different job: communications, medicine, explosives, tactics. Tim was tactics. “Weapons tactic expert,” that was his job title. He constantly had to assess whether or not to fire. Because the situation was never clear. Innocent people could be in the same room as the man with the machine gun. “He was shooting at my teammates. He had a machine gun in the window.” And Tim didn’t know what (or who else) was on the other side... Then he asked me, “Do you throw the grenade?” I didn’t know. My instinct is to run. “Run? The bullets are 175 grain and travel at 2,800 feet per second. Do you run 2,800 feet per second?” He threw the grenade. “Did you ever find out what was behind that window?” “Yeah... the moment the grenade goes off and all you hear are women and children screaming and crying. I stayed up for a week with the women and kids that were in that room. We fight until the fight is over. But then we revisit and give them the best medical care that we can in the field and transport them to the best hospitals that we have access to. That’s the most beautiful thing about US Army Special Forces, ‘The Green Berets.’ We want to do everything by, with and through the indigenous people.” I can’t imagine. And not being able to imagine, is what we have in common. It’s when you try to find the bridge where two people can meet that I learn the most about the people around me. Here's what we talked about... Shortcuts: - [12:20] - We talked about his childhood. I wanted to know if fighting is inherent. He says it wasn’t. Although, he did learn how to fight when he was young. His brother and friends always threw him in the pool. “Were you traumatized?” I asked. Tim had the mindset that he could get stronger. And he planned to throw them in the pool someday. All 9 of them. But in between sports and horsing around, Tim’s Mom brought in balance. She enrolled him in piano lessons. I didn’t ask if he still plays piano. I don’t know if he still has this balance. But it’s worthwhile to try to create it in your own life. To lose your stresses in the concentration of a new art, a new practice. [27:12] - “War is horrible. Period. It’s where we see the most unimaginable horrors,” Tim said. So I asked him why he initially signed up to go to war. And He told me this, “Evil will prevail if good men stand back and do nothing.” He had to take action. I asked him another question. This is happening all over the world. We didn’t take action in Rwanda until it was too late. At what point do you start to take action against evil? [39:20] - Tim’s made mistakes. Mistakes that wake him up at night or prevent him from going to sleep. War takes a toll. He set up a scenario for me. A machine gun being stuck out a window, pointed at him and his team. Shooting. He throws a grenade through the window the machine gun is in. The grenade goes off. The moment it goes off he can hear the women and children screaming and crying. He had no idea who was in the building, but does he risk his own life to save the lives of the women and children inside? Listen for what happens after the smoke clears. [49:00] - “You don’t get to see who a person really is, until you strip them down,” Tim said. He’s talking about the Army Special Forces selection process. It’s one month of breaking the candidates down before the real training even begins. You don’t have a name. Just a number. You have no identity, no resume. They deprive you of sleep and your calorie intake is substantially inadequate. Then they find out who you really are at your core... [53:00] - Tim said, “Once you understand humanity, you understand right and wrong, you understand just and unjust. These are things that transcend language”. Tim was an expert at transcending language. It was part of his job. Because he had to adapt and assimilate into cultures around the world. So I asked him, “What are the tools? How do you became a “warrior ambassador?” [58:00] - I didn’t realize how much our army gets involved in all the world’s issues. They stop poachers, save animals from going endangered, they try to stop human trafficking and anything that touches the black market. I wanted to learn more about human trafficking .I know it’s a very real problem in the world, but I didn’t know enough. What does it mean? Are little girls being kidnapped and sold into slavery? And does that happen all over the place? “Yes,” Tim said, “It happens here in the United States, here in Austin, TX.” Then he told me how this black market industry is supporting terrorism all over the world. Listen here for Tim’s explanation of how we are trying to put it to an end. [1:08:50] - I asked Tim about mastery. He’s a peak performer in all areas of combat and martial arts. He also owns several businesses. So I asked, “How did you master all of these areas?” But he said, “There’s no such thing as mastery.” So I asked him what he thinks of learning. He told me this, “Have a spirit of adventure, the desire to learn something new, be an explorer and never get too comfortable.” Listen to our conversation to learn Tim’s perspective on how to regain your sense of exploration.
7/4/2017 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 39 seconds
Ep. 234 - Charlie Hoehn: Getting Past Anxiety and Learning How to Play Again
In my podcast Charlie and I talked half the time about getting past anxiety. And half the time about this: [14:00] - Charlie’s time working for Tim Ferriss, doing a virtual internship with Seth Godin, and marketing Ramit Sethi’s New York Times bestseller. He told me how he pitched his heroes (and how he suggests you can too) [23:00] - We talked about getting paid to do what you love (and how the first step usually means doing what you love for free). If you want a job you love, it (usually) has to start free. That’s how you build the skill. People in low-level jobs are essentially paid to move away from their dreams. It’s up to you to move toward your dreams. Charlie said, “You’re brought into school where your spontaneity and impulses are muted. You’re forced to work on stuff that is not that interesting to you… I think that’s why it is so important to work for free because you have to tap back into what matters to you.” [52:00] - Then we began talking about anxiety.
6/27/2017 • 1 hour, 31 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep. 233 - Fred Stoller: Five Minutes to Kill: A Story About "Making It"
You have five minutes to kill. That’s it. Those five minutes can make or break a career. I don’t think I would be able to handle the pressure. I’ve done a lot of public speaking. And now I’ve tried standup. For the past three months I’ve been going up once or twice a week. It’s difficult. I thought 20 years of public speaking would help me. It doesn’t. It’s the Hunger Games on that stage. So Fred Stoller is my hero. He was a standup comic 30 years ago, then he was a writer on Seinfeld, then he’s been a guest start on 60+ TV shows including Seinfeld, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Scrubs, and every other show I can think of. He’s sitcom history. And he wrote all about it in three excellent books, including his latest, “Five Minutes to Kill”, about his five minutes on the 1989 HBO Young Comedians Special and what happened to the specific performers of that show. So I asked, “If everybody thinks you’re so funny, then why didn’t you have your own show?” But I wasn’t the first person to ask Fred this… He asked himself the same question throughout his career. So did his mom. And it hurt his self-esteem. He said, “When I used to headline as a comedian, I’d feel sorry for the people lining up waiting to see me… like I was their weekend.” Now he’s entering a new world. He’s writing. And learning how to embrace “this weird guy that I am… who got lost finding this place.” He’s learning how to express himself with his own voice. He reinvented from standup to writing on the best sitcom ever. Then he reinvented again to appear on all the TV shows he’s been on. Now he’s 59, and he’s reinventing again. He’s a writer. His books are excellent. Reinvention is not something special people do. It’s not something for only a few. Fred has been frustrated and also exhilarated down every path he’s chosen. Reinvention IS the goal. Not a pathway to it. Reinvention is a habit. It’s what we do every day to bring out the fire inside that constantly wants to express itself. That’s why I wanted to speak to Fred. Not because he wrote “The Soup” episode of Seinfeld. But because he’s still doing what he loves to do. And what he loves to do is constantly changing.
6/20/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep. 232 - Jocko Willink: The Way of the Warrior
I was afraid before interviewing Jocko. I think it was instinctual. His body is seven times the size of mine. I pointed at the cover of his new book, “The Way of The Warrior Kid. “See this kid,” I said. “That’s me right now.” I like to overlap somewhere with my guest. Like a story we both can share and laugh about. With Jim Norton, for instance, we grew up together. With Garry Kasparov we were both chess players. And I also worked on Deep Blue for a while, the computer that would ultimately defeat him. But with Jocko…what? I felt intimidated. He was like this superhero that had conquered the world and everyone respected him and I felt like the nerdy little boy I was in junior high school. So I started talking. “I can’t do a pull up. And I’ve never been in the battlefield… obviously. Or I would look completely different. You were the commander of your SEAL unit and you had to make life and death decisions. But out of that, you cultivated all of these leadership lessons.” He listened. That was nice. Then I asked why he joined the military. (And stayed for 20 years.) But he flipped the question back to me. (He has a podcast, too. So he knows how to drive an interview.) “Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be in combat,” he said. “Why?” “Well… what did you want to do when you were growing up?” he asked. “I guess I wanted to write and interview people.” “Well, there you go.” I don’t think my brain fully realizes that I’m doing what I dreamt of doing as a kid. Jocko made it sound so simple. “Well, there you go.” We’re not all lucky with everything we do. Jocko is lucky. I am lucky. But some of his friends didn’t make it back from war. Doing is the step forward. But sometimes it worthwhile to just pause… long enough to hear the words. “Well, there you go.” We began the interview…
6/12/2017 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 231 - Jim Norton: Dropout and Laugh (A Comedian's Journey)
Jim Norton is the reason why I do podcasts. First, he’s a world-famous comedian, recently released a one hour special on Netflix, has been on shows like “Louie” and “Inside Amy Schumer” has written two New York Times bestselling books and has appeared on countless radio shows and podcasts. But just as interesting to me...we grew up together. The first day Jim moved into town we were in fourth grade. Rather than keeping his mouth shut like anyone else just moving into town he immediately started making everyone laugh. Day one we were laughing so hard I thought my stomach was going to break. We all said out loud that day (Jim doesn’t remember but I do), “you should be a comedian”. And he did. He did! I like when my podcast combines the personal and the professional. Combines my own story with the story of someone achieving peak performance in an area of life that I love. Comedy is not just about making people laugh. And being a standup comedian is not just about “standing up” in front of a crowd of people and telling jokes. Comedy is about observing the hidden truths in life that everyone knows but nobody has ever quite articulated. And standup is about how to articulate that truth in such a way that people feel momentarily unsafe and confused (the setup), and relieved (the punchline). But that’s only one theory of comedy. There are many. And so I wanted to try it for myself. I’ve been doing it now a few times a week for two months. It’s hard! It’s the most difficult thing I’ve ever tried to get good at. So I asked Jim, who has been doing it all of his life, to come on the podcast. Here are some things I learned: Make Mistakes - listen at [8:08] I told Jim I was afraid to bomb. To tell a joke and have nobody laugh. “Bombing is what we learn from the most,” Jim said. “It’s not about how to avoid bombing. You will fall flat all the time. It’s about getting up after that.” “I left myself no safety net,” he said. “I started when I was 21. I didn’t have a diploma. I got a GED three years after I got sober. I have no high school diploma... So I knew it was going to be this or nothing.” Sometimes to survive the biggest pains on the way up, you have to fly without a safety net. You have to fall. The way to hit the top tier in any area of life is to figure out where the line is, and go beyond that line. If you aren’t failing, then you aren’t trying to be unique. You aren’t going to be the top tier. Find Time to Laugh at Yourself - listen at [14:45] Comedy is about connection. You tell something about your life, something honest and true and usually uncomfortable. The comedians job is to transform your pain. Like an alchemist. “I make fun of myself,” Jim said. “I give my own personal examples, but I think if I’m doing that at least I’m being truthful and I’m not coming from a place of thinking I’m better than that guy… like who am I?” They laugh because it’s a safe way for people to experience their own demons. You can get close enough to the shadows of your life without the fear of being overrun by guilt or shame. It’s a chance for us all to be a little more human, a little more honest and a little more free. The Umbrella Theory - listen at [28:50] Jim just started writing another book. He’s on TV. He’s touring. He’s got a radio show (Jim Norton and Sam Roberts on Sirius), he has a podcast. He works with incredible talent. And is always looking for new material from his own life. “You can’t just be lazy,” he said. “I talked to Chris Rock recently and I know it sounds like I’m name dropping, but I’m not. “That’s a total name drop,” I said. “But I didn’t mean it like that…” We talked about Chris Rock’s career. He stopped touring. He hadn’t been on the road for seven years. But yet you still hear his name all the time. He’s hosting the Oscars, testing out material at clubs, etc. To succeed in any area, right now list all the things that are skills in that area. Make sure you spend some time trying to master all the granular parts of the field you want to be unique in. The ones who master the “umbrella” of their field are the winners. Is Your Heart In It? - listen at [1:06:40] I’m going on stage once or twice a week now. I’d love if you come. Most of the time, the audience doesn’t know me. It’s hard to set that foundation. I want us to all be in it together. I asked Jim what three things should I do? Write material everyday Tape your set you do and make yourself watch it Get on stage every night (or as much as humanly possible where you know your hearts really in it) / be willing to show up Number three is true for any dream… Catch the Cycles of Comparison - listen at [46:15] I don’t have a solution to every problem in my life. I think that’s why I’m still writing… seven years after starting this blog, I’m still confessing. Jim and I talked about comparing ourselves. I make this mistake daily. I look around and see who’s on the front-page of my dreams today. "I always want to achieve what I'm not achieving,” Jim said. "I never feel like I'm doing well." I think everyone has a tendency to wonder, “what’s next”. This is sort of the problem with goals. You achieve a goal and it always seems anticlimactic because now you have to work towards the next goal. I ask myself this because since 2003 I’ve written 18 books. I’ve done at least one, sometimes two books, every year since 2003. Until now. This is the first year I’m not working on a new book. I haven’t felt the urge so I won’t force it. But I have felt the desire to get better at other things and achieve other things so rather that keep to the routine of writing another book, I’m trying to achieve success in these other areas. --- Although Jim and I went to school from ages 10 to 18, I hadn’t seen him in 31 years until he walked into the podcast studio. What a pleasure to combine the deeply personal with my professional passions. The result is always so much better as well. Because we have the story and the rapport, and we can get right down to learning the topic I love best: how to achieve peak performance in any area of life. But seeing a friend for the first time in 31 years. That’s why I love to do this podcast.
6/6/2017 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep. 230 - R.P. Eddy: Why Warnings Matter (A Podcast About the Future)
HOW TO DISCOVER THE SECRETS IN LIFE The best things in life are born from coincidence. I am a firm believer in this. A year ago I was flying back from California. I started talking to the guy sitting next to me. Turns out he had worked in almost every branch of government related to intelligence and diplomacy. Now he runs his own private intelligence company. He has information about every government in the world. He is paid a lot of money to reveal and analyze that information. But when we were on the plane, for basically four or five hours I asked him everything I could and got the most incredible detail about the state of affairs in the world. I’m almost afraid to reveal what we spoke about on the plane. Everything from “how to catch a liar” to “What is the Nigerian government specifically doing about oil prices” to “Will Trump win?” (and his answer turned out to be stunningly accurate). Then...a lost touch with him. He was just a guy I sat next to on the plane for a few hours. We got off and went to live our separate lives. Until now. His new book is out: “Warnings” written with uber-diplomat Richard Clarke. What is he warning about? Everything. Where are the hidden potential catastrophes around the world. And how can we live with them. And how can we avoid them. And how can we figure out the warnings after these? He answers, he analyzes, he proves, and he does it from his 30 years of experience uncovering these things for the US government and now, through his company, for other governments and large institutions that can afford him. The key is: “that can afford him”. Because now he comes on the podcast and just like the coincidence of meeting him a year ago, he answers all of my questions again about his book. About the “Warnings”. I love when coincidence intersects real life. I saw his book, remembered him from our interaction, and we had the best time on the podcast. Read the book, listen to the podcast, and don’t ignore the coincidences in your life. (But he is.) R.P. Eddy is the CEO or Ergo, one of the greatest super intelligent firms in the world. Governments hire him and his firm to spy on other governments. “Hopefully, I wasn’t too indiscreet,” he said, referring to the time on his plane. I told him not to worry. “If you’re not arrested by the end of this podcast, then you’re okay.” In his book, “Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes,” R.P. covers all the major world catastrophes that could’ve been predicted and prevented: 9/11, Madoff, Fukushima, the financial crisis, AIDS, climate change. If we can learn to predict these, or at least learn how to figure out how the correct experts are, then a lot of pain can be avoided. Experts warned us. But no one listened to them. R.P. calls these people “Cassandras.” The name comes from greek mythology. Apollo (a god) wanted to sleep with Cassandra. She refused. So Apollo cursed her. “She could foretell any future disaster. She could see it in vivid color,” R.P said. But the curse was that no one believed her. So she burned to death in a terrible attack. (An attack she knew was coming…) These people exist in real life. And R.P. wants us to notice them. So R.P, and his coauthor, Richard Clarke, started “The Annual Cassandra Award.” They’re giving away cash prizes (up to $10,000) to motivate people to find and nominate a true “Cassandras.” This is the formula for spotting a “Cassandra…” How to detect a truth-teller (listen at [55:25]) The “Cassandras” featured in R.P’s book are experts in their field. They have been for years. He told me about Laurie Garrett, the head of global health for the Council of Foreign Relations. She’s the first person to ever win the Polk, the Pulitzer and the Peabody. “She foresaw the rise of HIV/AIDS when she was a radio reporter in San Francisco,” R.P. said. “She saw these men dying of a disease called ‘gay related immune deficiency,’ ‘GRID,’ or ‘gay cancer.’ They didn’t know what it was. Gay men didn’t think they had a transmissible disease. They thought they were sharing a cancer somehow, but just by looking at them and seeing the Kaposi sarcoma on their face, Laurie Garrett knew this was a contagious illness and started getting the media to pay attention.” This was during the time of Ryan White. He was a young, poor high school student dying of HIV caused by a blood transfusion. He was banned from school. People shot at his house. “Noted politicians called for gay people to be put in camps,” R.P. said. But Laurie could see how the pandemic was unfolding. And she came up with a plan for health care and surveillance networks to prevent the disease’s spread. The issue is that a lot of “Cassandras” are ignored. Because sometimes warnings are wrong… so how do you tell the difference between a “chicken little" and a “Cassandra.” “Cassandras” are data driven. “Everybody in our book who was right was a proven, technical expert on the topic they were speaking about,” R.P. said. “They are questioners by personality.” They ask hard questions and doubt what most believe. They have an off-putting personality (not always, but it’s common). They have a sense of personal responsibility. “When they walk into a restaurant and the fire alarm goes off, they’re the one who says to everybody, ‘Let’s get out of here,” R.P. Said. “These guys think of themselves as sheepdogs. Some people think of themselves as sheep (they probably don’t realize they’re sheep) and then we all know there are wolves out there. Sheepdogs, to some extent, think it’s their job to protect us.” They have high anxiety. “Let’s go back to our fire alarm example. These are the guys who look for the fire exits when they walk in. They’re the people who pull the fire alarm when they smell smoke. And when you think about personalities, a lot of people don’t do that.” Why we continue to let real threats slip by us: I asked R.P. why these people, “the Cassandras,” are ignored. Why aren't we trying harder to prevent terrible things from happening? “It comes down to our human biases,” he said. We pick sides. If we think someone is off-putting, we doubt them. If they confuse us (meaning they’re data goes over our head), we move on. And miss the warning. The same is true for our ideologies and belief systems. We’re quick to deny people who think differently. Madoff’s ponzi scheme is a perfect example. R.P. interviewed Harry Markopolos, a financial fraud investigator. “He knew within 45 seconds of understanding Madoff’s “hedge-fund” that it was a ponzi scheme,” R.P said. But the SEC didn’t listen to Harry’s warning because of his personality. They thought he was obnoxious. Even though he had hard evidence: Madoff claimed to trade 60 billion dollars worth of options. But that many options didn’t even exist in market. The math proves Harry right. Humans fail by emotions. I don’t know if there’s a solution. Maybe we have to unlearn. Maybe we have to judge our judgements. And ask more questions. Curiosity is a new world. And isn’t that what we want after all?
5/30/2017 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 229 - Brandon Webb: Becoming The Master of Your Own Fate
His platoon was counting on him. He couldn’t come back a failure. Brandon had been deployed to the Middle East four times. He’d seen the ugliness and destruction war had caused. And now he was being sent straight to sniper school. This is one of the most stressful jobs as a Navy SEAL. He would have to learn how to make quick decisions. Hard decisions. “The only easy day was yesterday,” he said. “That's our motto.” Brandon is one of the most accomplished sniper teachers of his time. He changed the system. And implemented positive reinforcement, which allowed him to see firsthand how having a good “mental mindset” propels people into success. In his memoir, “The Red Circle” and his newest book, a New York Times bestseller “The Killing School: Inside the World’s Deadliest Sniper Program,” Brandon shows you exactly how to train for a “champions mindset.” He uses mental management strategies: visualization, positive self-talk, solution-based thinking and so on. He is the master of his own fate. And now you can be too... -- Here's what we talk about: [6:08] - I don't normally do this. But this time I gave away the “table of contents” of what I wanted to discuss with Brandon Webb: - I wanted to cover Brandon’s ideas on war- discuss the issue of teaching people to kill people (to me, this is the elephant in the room)- Brandon was one of the first deployed to Iraq. So I wanted to ask about his ups and downs going to war, coming back and going to war again -“Obviously, I don’t want to learn how to be a sniper” I said, “but what I really want to talk about is peak performance.” Both of Brandon's books to talk about this, especially his section on “mental management.” I wanted to learn what tools and habits I need to do today to make myself a master of my own fate. That’s essentially what this show is about… becoming the master of your own fate. “Choosing yourself.” [30:16] - I needed to know. Islam itself. What is the fight? Is this really a fight of religions? I asked Brandon why radicalism has spread so quickly in the Middle East. He pointed out the economics and the gap between rich and poor. “The social and political situation is not very good… Saudi Arabia, for example, has a very elite royal ruling class but the working population is very poor.” He said people join the fight because they need a cause. They need to belong to something. A military is a tribe. I get this question all the time. “How do I find my purpose?” Some people find their purpose in a fight. In a mission. In a cause… Brandon explained that the people who join these radical groups, or any group, were probably suffering in life. And they wanted to fill a hole in their life. They wanted what any human wants: a feeling of belonging. That’s the powerful force pulling them in. When Brandon was 16, his dad threw him off a boat in Tahiti. Brandon had to find his way back. And eventually he joined the military, became a Navy SEAL and then became a special ops sniper. There were 23 of them and 220 tried out. The question he gets most often is one of ignorance, “How many people did you kill?” But that's not what it's about for Brandon. And maybe that's what separates good from evil. He continued to tell me how radical governments incentives people to join “the cause.” He said they pay you to become a martyr. I couldn't believe it. “Is that true?” I asked. “Yeah,” he said, “As a state sponsor of terror, Iran is funding and fueling the conflict in the Middle East, especially with Israel.” And the Internet makes it worse, too. Brandon tells me how... [59:03] - Brandon was training people to be peak performers in incredibly high stake situations. It wasn’t just target practice. Someone would be shooting back. He expected each and every one of his students to perform at a perfect level. Eighty and ninety percent was no longer acceptable. I wondered how you could teach someone to perform under these high standards. The key: visualization. [1:02:30] - “I’ve seen it,” Brandon says, “I’ve seen it while on the firing line. They think about it and then it transfers to behavior.” If someone says don’t flinch, they’re going to flinch. Brandon made up the ranks. His job was to train snipers. And he wanted to start by programming his students with good habits. So instead of focusing on the negative (don't flinch), he focused on the positive (keep your eyes on the target.) [1:03:52] - “I’ve always been pretty good at math,” Brandon says, but once he started his own business he started to doubt himself. The financial statements were too hard, he was no good at it. He started thinking he “can't”, but he caught himself. And change his self talk. Listen to how he did this in our interview. You’ll also hear how to create the narrative necessary to support it. [1:07:26] - Brandon left the Navy. And started his own company. But he didn't know when to let go. It wasn't working out. He lost everything. A month later his wife was asking for a divorce. And the kids went with her. “I had to have the conversation with all his neighbors: “Where'd your family go?" It was embarrassing. He said it was the first time he felt like he really failed in life. I asked how he bounced back. He told me this: “Failure is necessary to being successful in life. There's a big difference between quitting and failure.” [1:17:14] -We we're talking about gold medalists. And how they have a different mindset. He told me some of the expectations he holds for himself. And how you can create “the mind of a champion” with visualization tactics, hard work and confidence. (He also tells me how someone even gets confidence to begin with.) -- Also, if you like today’s show, subscribe! Then you won’t have to check back and you’ll be first to hear new episodes. Thanks! -James
5/23/2017 • 1 hour, 35 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 228 - Matt Barrie: Become a Skilled Freelancer in Today’s Marketplace
I almost changed forever the entire way people define relationships. The word "commitment" would have a new meaning. More babies would be born. I'm thinking BIG. Sometimes you want to try an idea and you don't let yourself think about money. If an idea is good, money is a side effect. Ideas are the real currency. I met a brand new couple for breakfast. J and K. They told me they just had the "going steady" conversation. "How'd you guys meet?" "J-Swipe". Or something like that. I forget. It was an online dating app. "What does 'going steady' mean when you are both in your 40s?" I asked. J was in his 40s. K wasn't. I wondered if 'going steady' meant that he gave her a ring or something. There's only so many more 'going steady's you have left in you at that age. They both pulled out their phones. They were looking at each other's phone and then showing me. "We deleted all of the dating apps on our phone," she said. But they were both peering at each other's firm. They needed confirmation. Hmmmm! Idea: The "Going Steady" App Both sides of the couple sign in to the app. Then they select the other person. Then when both sides select each other, the app deletes all the dating apps on their phone. If they ever download a dating app again, the other side gets notified by email. Or if they "de-select" each other from "Going Steady" then both sides get notified by email. Simple! Extras: - Notify FB and Twitter that they are "Going Steady" - Keep track of anniversaries, gifts, places they go, significant memories, etc. - Notify friends of anniversaries, etc. BOOM! The next day I wrote up the "spec", which was actually just similar to what I wrote above. I logged into freelancer.com. I opened a new project and cut and pasted my Spec in there. It was weird to read prior chats I had had on the site. Since the last time I had uploaded a project in there was in 2006. A customer service representative popped up a window and asked if I need help. I said, "Sure, why not?" Meanwhile, within ten minutes I had about ten people bid to do my project. I included in the Spec that they had to not only complete the app in 30 days but upload to the Apple store, the Google Play store, and do basic marketing for me. People were bidding from China, India, and Kenya. The average bid was $1000. I chatted with each one of them to make sure they understood what I was asking. My basic test was this question: can an app on Android and Apple detect and delete other apps on Android and Apple? The customer service representative recommended a developer as well. This developer cost more than $1000. More like $3500. That's ok. I just wanted a good job done. A small price to pay to change the future of evolution. I asked this developer the same question. Some of the developers would not upload to the stores or do any marketing. I crossed them off. Others didn't seem to understand my question about detecting other apps on the phone. I crossed them out. I didn't want any communication problems with people from the opposite side of the world. Finally, the recommended developer said, "I know you can do this on Android but not sure on Apple. Let me research." Five minutes later he came back. "It's impossible to do this on Apple." We tried to figure out a work-around. Like if the device owner gave permissions, etc. But there was no work-around. "Ok," I said, "thanks for your help." End of idea. End of project. Total time it cost me: 45 minutes, from writing the spec, logging into the site, creating the project, talking to the developers. Total money: I paid $29 to have a customer service representative help me. Success? Failure? Neither. It was an idea. I did the execution basics to see if I should pursue further. It didn't. But I learned a lot. What it would cost to make an app, I learned a bit more about the Apple store, and I went through the process of trying to find a developer. Do one "execution step" each day and it compounds into success. I wrote J. "Remember that idea we spoke about? Here's what I did." And I described. He wrote back. "That's the difference between you and me. We had an idea I was a lazy sack of s**t and you went ahead and tried do it." Meanwhile, he's produced some of the best TV shows of all time. But I almost changed the worldwide definition of "Going steady". I almost increased the world population. Some people say, "Almost doesn't count". But I say, " 'Almost' is is better than nothing. And 'Almost' every day eventually turns into Everything." -- Shortcuts - [24:20] - The top freelancers on the site are making seven figures a year. And the average job makes $166. Find out what skills they’re using. [23:28] - Freelancing is changing the way we make money. Now, anyone from any country can earn a living. Matt said, “If you have access to a computer and the internet, the whole world has opened up to you.” [30:03] - Matt told me the story of how he developed his company. He said he needed to figure out a simpler way how to resolve an annoyance in his gut. I think that’s true for all good businesses. [31:00] - In 2006, Matt failed. It was his first business (before freelancer.com). For six years he put all his heart and energy into it. “I walked out of that business a broken man,” he said. “I was devastated.” Matt was physically and mentally tired. He thought to himself, “What am I going to do with my life?” In the entrepreneurial journey, this is one of those dark moments. Listen to the story of how his dark moment turned into his most successful business endeavor. [36:00] - Matt had a "wow" moment. He realized what his next life would be. He figured out how he would reinvent himself. But he had a hard time asking friends for help. He was embarrassed. Hear what he did... [45:48] - Get Matt’s proven strategies and secrets to increase revenue [57:19] - AH-HA! This tip was brilliant. Matt told me how to find inspiration for new projects. This is important because inspiration always precedes reinvention. -- Also, if you like today’s show, subscribe! Then you won’t have to check back and you’ll be first to hear new episodes. Thanks! -James
5/16/2017 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 18 seconds
Ep. 227 - Garry Kasparov: Growing Your Talent, Working with Machines and Becoming the World Chess Champion
Shortcuts - [5:40] - I asked Garry, “What separated you from people just as talented?” He interrupted. Finally! I found my match! “Wait, wait wait, slow down,” he said. “‘As talented’ is a stretch.” He said he was lucky. His upbringing made him a champion. “I was born in a family where chess was part of the culture. My father and mother usually spent their winter nights looking at the newspaper chess sections, solving problems. Also, I was born in the Soviet Union so when my talent was discovered, I had an opportunity to be taught by semi-professionals. Then professionals. The framework for my talent to be discovered and to be polished was there.” He said, “You may call that luck, but the talent was quite unique.” That’s how you become a peak performer. You have to pursue your talent and get a little lucky. But it’s never just luck. “As soon as I discovered chess I started moving very quickly.” He beat the kids his own age and older. By age 12 he was the Soviet junior champion. Peak performance comes from talent, luck and an ability to move up in the ranks faster than your competition. How do you do that? [11:44] - I feel like I’m always trying to figure out my life. I’m always planning. Because I think if I subtract X from my life, add Y, and multiply by 100, I’ll be happy. Garry told me how he takes a step back. He said you need to see the big picture. That’s why he started drawing all his chess matches. After each game, Garry drew the board, he looked at what happened and he saw where he went wrong. “I could feel at at every game, I was getting better,” Garry said. “I was learning.” That’s why I write everyday. It takes my mind out of the equation. I get to see what I’m doing. And how my life is. I stop making moves. And I just breathe. Then I see clearly. The key is to create a ritual of reflection. Writing, drawing. Do something that let’s you see the board. See your life. [27:40] - Sometimes Garry had ten steps planned out. Other times, nothing. Garry said, “In the cases where you don’t have a clear preference, go with your natural instinct.” [34:55] - Garry was beat by Deep Blue, IMB’s “genius” computer. It was the first time a machine beat the human brain at chess. People said it was a revelation. And the end was near. The same thing happened when ATM’s were invented. Everyone thought bank tellers were going away. .And before that the elevator operator was eliminated. People went on strike. “This is a normal development of technology,” Garry said. “If you have something really disruptive, it means it kills jobs before it creates new jobs.” Sometimes jobs are replaced. Sometimes they’re not. As humans our biggest shortcoming is that we let our fear precede any real threat. Machines don’t have fear. But they also don’t have the ability to dream… “We all do have fears,” Garry said. “The question is how do we handle it… I want people to not be afraid of this progress because there are so many things we can bring back if we start dreaming again. By the way machines cannot dream. Even in sleeping mode.” -- Also, if you like today’s show, subscribe! Then you won’t have to check back and you’ll be first to hear new episodes. Thanks! -James
5/9/2017 • 1 hour, 8 minutes, 19 seconds
Ep. 226 - Jon Morrow: He made half a million dollars in 9 months. This is what kept him motivated
Jon is paralyzed from the neck down. He couldn’t crawl. “My mom noticed I was dragging my legs,” he said. The doctors said he’d die at age two. But he felt like he had something to contribute to the world. So he became unstoppable. He started writing for free. “I couldn’t be paid,” he said. If he earned a decent income, Jon would lose his Medicaid. His reputation as a writer grew. So he started consulting. And made 30,000 dollars in 24 hours. “At first, I charged $99. And 300 people signed up.” He raised his prices. Then built online courses that taught people how to guest-blog and started another “premium” consulting service. “I made half a million dollars in 9 months,” he said. The work lets him pay his own health benefits and live life for himself. Now, Jon Morrow is the CEO of SmartBlogger. He helps bloggers increase traffic, improve their writing, and make money. Jon believes any limitation can be overcome, although not easily. His story continues to inspire thousands around the world. Shortcuts - [23:00] - Jon told me how he developed a sense of self worth. Hear how he did it. - [26:25] - “When I got into kindergarten, another kid called me disabled, and I said, ‘What does that mean?’ And, he started laughing.” Jon’s teacher came over and said, “You don't know what that means?” He didn’t. So he asked his mom. She thought about it and said, “It means you can't do something as well as someone else. But it also goes the other way.” She said, “Everyone in the world can't do something as well as someone else…” So everyone in a sense is disabled. Jon focussed took inventory of his skills. Then he mastered them. Learn how you can hone your abilities, too. - [29:00] - Jon had twelve job offers after college. But he couldn’t accept any of them. He had to keep his medicaid. And if he exceeded $700 per month, the government would take it away. So he found a loophole. He worked for free. Then years, later Jon asked for favors and ended up making half a million dollars in just 9 months. Find out how he initially did it here. - [1:11:50] - Jon was paralyzed from the neck down. He needed to reconstruct his reality. “I can only move my facial muscles,” he said. He would’ve went crazy. But he made a new plan. “I started listening to audiobooks and podcasts 4-8 hours a day.” His goal was to spend more time listening to inspirational stories, than he actually spent in his own life. I needed to understand, “Why was that your goal?” He said, “If you spend the majority of your time in worlds where people are accomplishing incredible things, all of a sudden that started to seem normal to me.” Listen how Jon reconstructed his reality - [1:16:20] - Jon said, “A lot of people are under the assumption they can get whatever they want without trading something that they have. And that’s just not the case.” When he hears a success story, he looks for the price. What did they sacrifice? Money? Sleep? Time? Relationships? Everything has a price. But how do you know what price you’re willing to pay? Jon tells you how. -- Also, if you like today’s show, subscribe! Then you won’t have to check back and you’ll be first to hear new episodes. Thanks! -James
5/2/2017 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 29 seconds
[Bonus] - Ryan Deiss: How to Believe in Your Idea Enough to Take the First Step (and Other Business Advice)
I remember sitting at my cubicle job looking at people wondering, “Why? Why are you here? Why are you doing this?” I asked a friend once, “Don’t you think this job is meaningless?” He said no. And then I knew what I had to do. I had to quit. And I did (eventually). First I spent time building up my own business on the side. I don’t know if I’ve ever really believed in myself. I just knew I didn’t want the life I had. Sometimes believing in yourself just means you don’t believe in what you’re doing right now. And you have to change. Sara Blakey felt this way, too. She woke up one day, looked at her life and said, “I’m in the wrong movie.” Now she’s a self-made billionaire entrepreneur. But my friend Ryan Deiss said believing in yourself is possible. And I wanted to know more. He started his first business in college. And made $100K in revenue the first year. He sold eBooks online. “I had books on pretty much any topic,” he said. One was about baby food. Then he partnered with mommy bloggers and sold it to their readers. (That’s the formula for a great strategic partnership. Create something useful. Find someone with an untapped audience. Someone who’s talking to the people you want to talk to but who isn’t not offering what you have to offer.) Now, years later, he’s the founder and CEO of DigitalMarketer. He’s a transformer. He teaches people how to build profitable online businesses. He walked me through it. He told me about digital marketing. And how people use these skills everyday to start and grow their own businesses.. Here’s what he said..
4/27/2017 • 28 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 225 - Ryan Deiss: College is Irrelevant. THIS is How You Make a Better Future
Over the past five years, I've seen Ryan Deiss rise from a quality entrepreneur to one of the biggest names in Internet marketing. He's the founder and CEO of DigitalMarketer and anybody in the internet marketing space knows Ryan Deiss. He emailed me at 4am. He said, "I realized the promise that was made to millenials-- the same one that was made to me, and probably the same one that was made to you-- “Go to college. You’ll get a good job," simply isn’t true anymore." The old promise is no longer true. But there’s a new promise…. We're going back to a society where mastery matters. And grades don't. But still....most parents want to send their kids to college. Have them waste the four years, and even the money. Get into debt. “It will pay off,” they think, even though the data shows incomes for people ages 18-35 have been going straight down for 25 years. So how do you grow? Invest in yourself. Shortcuts - [7:42] - People say you go to college to learn how to be an adults. “The best place to learn to be an adult is to go and get a job,” he said. “You can socialize around peers in the workforce. I met my wife in college. I’m thankful for that, but I think to call your first couple of years college the place where you learn to be an adult is mildly absurd.” - [17:45] - Ryan told me the top two things he looks for when hiring a candidate... and it's not a college degree. - [18:07] - Learn how to add value and move up in any job. - [25:18] - Ryan has four kids. Sending them to college would cost over a million dollars. But he said he would do it. But he has a few conditions: they have to get a job or internship. They need to test the market. And see if that’s really the right fit for their lifestyle. Hear Ryan’s advice on how to go through college the right way. - [28:44] - “I think if we acknowledge that a college degree is not a prerequisite to success or happiness in life than we will not as parents, or as kids, or as educators, or as employers, determine that it is a necessary requirement,” Ryan said. We talked about the financial burden on kids and parents. It’s not the best decision to go to a “four-year-long summer camp to find yourself.” There are other options. - [32:21] - One alternative is an internship. Or apprenticeship. “I believe business owners like myself, like you, (people who hire people), I believe we should carry more of the burden of education on our backs,” Ryan said. “If we’re willing to make that investment, we’ll recruit and retain some of the smartest people in the world.” I was confused. “What do you mean by burden of education?” I said. “Will you take actual time and money to be part of someone’s educational process?” He said “yes.” -- Hey James here. Thanks so much for listening. If you like the show, subscribe! I have a new episodes every week.
4/25/2017 • 39 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 224 - Dave Asprey: Live Like a Biohacker (Activate Untapped Brain Energy, Work Smarter & Think Faster)
Dave Asprey is the creator and bestselling author of “The Bulletproof Diet.” He biohacks health. And discovers innovative ways to live longer, lose weight, increase brain function and evolve better. My brain isn’t hacked (yet). So I needed to talk to Dave. We did a podcast and I asked him “how do you evolve better?” Shortcuts: - [14:00] - Energy is scarce. We get tired. So I asked Dave what he does specifically to enhance his energy levels? - [21:40] - Aging is scary… Dave told me what he takes every day to slow down the aging process. This is importance because the environment is affecting how we age. We live in WIFI dense areas. We’re constantly stressed. Our diets fluctuate and so on. “We call it aging. Over time, your ability to power your body goes down, and that doesn't have to happen. It is within your control to fix it,” he said. “You can tell the battery in your body to recondition itself and you can give it a better power source. Or you can let it slowly grind down…” - [39:50] - I never know what to eat. Once time I went on an all fruit diet. Another time I fasted for three days and passed out while playing ping pong with friends. Dave told me what to eat and what to avoid. He even told me which foods are worse than cigarettes. - [44:40] - “I like to go all in,” Dave said. He told me exactly what he does from the moment he wakes up. - [53:00] - I asked Dave, “What do we do to evolve better?” He told me how to take charge of your body and manage stress. -- Hey James here. Thanks so much for listening. If you like the show, subscribe! I have new episodes every week.
4/18/2017 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 223 - Scott Steindorff: The Search For Your Own Authenticity
The cocaine made his throat close. “I was about to die”. He wanted to be an actor. He wanted to be creative. He had dreams. And working real-estate for his father wasn’t one of them. “I didn’t want to come down,” he said. “Why’d you do it?” “I really wasn’t happy with myself,” he said. “I believe it was because I wasn’t my authentic self doing what I really wanted to do in my life.” “Nepotism got me the job.” And it was killing him. He was suffocating. Now Scott Steindorff is the producer of “Empire Falls,” “Chef,” (one of my all time favorite movies), “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “Love in the Time of Cholera,” and more. He’s worked with Paul Newman, Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, the list goes on. The other day he called me, a few days after we shot the project, to tell me about brand new projects he was working on that were different than anything he had done before. He is constantly testing the limits of his creativity. I wanted to know how he became his “authentic self.” How did he go from being depressed and self-medicated to a successful and happy movie producer? I wanted to know because I don’t think we ever really know. I think part of self-awareness is never quite getting there but always moving (hopefully) in the right direction. And creativity is something that needs to be constantly reinvented. Once creativity stays the same, it is no longer creative. Scott found a way to constantly be creativity. I want to learn how. “It’s not easy at all,” he said. “You have to do the leg work.” “What’s the leg work?” I asked Here’s what he said: Step 1: FIND OUT WHAT YOU’RE CRAVING These are the two types of cravings: a) Depletion: Your body needs something. It can be water, a vitamin or mineral or a change. That’s where reinvention comes in. b) Addiction: I felt powerless. I was addicted to money. More was never enough. Then I left Wall Street. Because they were the supplier. Scott wanted euphoria. He craved it. “I grew up wanting to be a skier and an actor and here I was in an office making money,” Scott said. “I started craving that feeling of euphoria and excitement and passion for life.” So he started doing cocaine. “Nobody knew I had a problem,” he said. ” I would do it by myself. So when I checked into rehab, it was a shock to my family.” The patients had to drink some type of alcohol until they threw up. “By the second day, I said to the doctor, ‘This isn’t working for me. I’m a cocaine addict not an alcoholic.” He thought they’d try something new. He thought they’d help. No. “Well… leave,” the doctor said. “There was a shift in my consciousness. I went to my room. I cried uncontrollably for 24 hours. All the stress and pressure left me and from that moment on I haven’t used for almost 33 and a half years.” “What do you mean the stress left you?” I said. I couldn’t imagine. He told me it just left. No explanation. He just saw his own choice. And he took it. I think most people don’t know what they really want in life. We talked about adapting. And I said it seems like you have to surrender and be okay with the changes… even while you’re depressed. “Isn’t depression a lack of your expression?” he said. I never thought of it that way. Maybe I’m filling one need with sand when I really crave water. Step 2: ASK QUESTIONS I’m not in a 12-step program, but I want to understand who I am as my authentic self. So I asked what can I do right now? “Ask yourself questions,” he said. “How Am I feeling? How do I feel about myself, do I love myself, am I feeling less than? Do I feel guilt?” “But what if you’re lying to yourself?” “You can’t lie to yourself,” he said. “You’re just denying the truth. If you’re listening to this, it’s coming to the surface. Don’t push it down.” Step 3: ACT IT OUT It’s easy to come up with ideas. It’s harder to act on them. I always say, actions are more important than words, which are more important than thoughts. It’s not about one skill set. It’s about how you meld them together and act on them. Scott laughed and said, “I have very few skills in life…” I didn’t quite believe him. He had skills to do real estate. To make movies. To be creative. I have skills. But we always compare ourselves to what the “next level” is. And I can’t help it. I do it also. So, again, it’s the direction that counts. And fully engaging in the process. Scott would surrender. If an opportunity presented itself, and it excited his need for creativity, he would say “yes”. It never hurts to try the next steps in whatever endeavor presents itself. Try it on like you try an outfit to see if you want to wear it for the summer. See if it fits. See if you love it. And if you do, go all in. Scott’s story is not about movies, or addiction, or creativity, it’s about knowing the right direction to take the next step. Step 4: MAKE SMALL CHANGES EVERYDAY Scott quit his dad’s real-estate firm. “Was he supportive?” I asked. They didn’t talk for two years… Scott became a millionaire. He was still in real-estate, though. And unhappy. Then the market crashed. “It crushed me,” he said. Scott changed careers every five years or so. Now he’s 56. And he’s working on a Joan of Arc movie, a new TV series based in the Bahamas, and a script for “Station 11.” Any time he liked a book, he’d try to buy the movie rights. Then he’d try to get the movie made. Sometimes it would work. Sometimes it would be a massive success. But always he tried, starting with the simplest step. The story he told me was a combination of luck, learning skills, building a network, and acting on the intersection of all of the above. But more than anything, it’s being open to surrender. Surrendering to constant reinvention. Reinvention is a habit not an event.
4/11/2017 • 1 hour, 48 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 222 - Ryan Holiday: The Essential Question: How To Live A Good Life
I tried to ruin Ryan Holiday’s life. Fortunately, I failed. I told him to start an agency, build it up, sell it for 10 million dollars and THEN start writing books. “It’s a good thing you didn’t listen to me,” I said. But I was wrong. It turned out he took my advice. “It made me super unhappy and it cost me a bunch of friendships,” he said. “But it’s not your fault. I know there are a lot of things that could make me money, but what I really like is writing. That’s what I want my life to be.” “So what if you don’t know what you want your life to be?” I asked. “What should you do?” “That’s the essential question,” he said… A) SELF-WORTH IS NOT NET-WORTH Most writers die penniless. I can’t think of a profession where I can name as many suicides as writing. I’m jealous of the people who don’t write actually. Making business deals and going to work is so much more profitable than trying to tear your soul apart and put words on a piece of paper most people won’t read. There’s only one writer in history to become a billionaire. (J.K. Rowling, if you’re reading… come on my podcast!) So why does anyone do it? I don’t know. I do it because it’s what I would do if I had nothing again. It’s what I would do with everything. It’s the one thing that makes me feel like I am going places without moving. B) VICTIM OR HERO Everyone wants to be the hero of their own story. I do. But I chose victim for years. I lost everything and I wanted the world to pick me back up. I’m not mad at the world for leaving me on the floor. I’m grateful. Because it let me pick myself up. It let me choose myself. “Stoicism is a practical philosophy and it works,” Ryan said. “Define ‘works’.” “At its core, it says you don’t control the world around you. You control how you respond to the world around you.” He told me about the two most prominent practitioners of Stoicism. One was Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor. He had all the power in the world. His favorite Stoic was a slave, Epictetus, who was banished from Rome by a past emperor. “You have extreme wealth and power using the philosophy, and it’s helping them,” Ryan said. “And then you have extreme adversity, difficulty and powerlessness using the philosophy and it’s helping them. To me, that’s working.” C) LOOK FORWARD TO THE BAD THINGS People are losing their jobs. And they’re afraid. I asked Ryan if the Stoics have a practice for fear. He said, “The Stoics call that amor fati, which in Latin means ‘a love of fate…’ You look forward to the bad things because they were made just for you.” D) MAKE YOUR JOB IRRELEVANT This is the key to all advancement in life. Make your job irrelevant. Burn the bridges behind you. “You should be trying to make your job or your role irrelevant because what you’re actually proving is that you know how to do things, you know when something is working, and you’re able to come up with the next thing,” Ryan said. “When an employee comes to you and says, ‘I know my job was to run this marketing department, but over the last 6 months I’ve automated X and Y. I’ve hired someone who’s incredibly talented, sales are up X percent and I don’t have that much to do.’ Your boss doesn’t go to their boss and say, ‘Well how do we get rid of James?” They go, “James is f**king killing it.’” “That’s how you work through or up an organization,” he said. “No one says, ‘Your book was so amazing Ryan, we don’t need anymore books from you.’ They go, ‘What are you writing next?’” E) DON’T BE AN ADDICT I was listing the pillars of Stoicism. I wanted to know if I understood. So I said, - Integrity, (universal integrity, for example: never lie to get what you want) - Fairness (Help the people around you. Even if it hurts you. If it helps someone more than it hurts you, it’s just.) Then Ryan jumped in. “Temperance,” he said, which means don’t be an addict to some other force. Don’t be an addict to anything. F) CHOOSE THE APPROVAL YOU WANT “John Kennedy Toole killed himself because his book was rejected. That’s so sad to me because then the book won the pulitzer prize,” Ryan said. I’m always happy when a friend says they like my writing. But I’m exceptionally happy when a complete stranger writes to me and says they like my writing. I don’t know why this is. There’s still a piece of me that craves validation. So I asked Ryan, given that we still want people to like us, how can you be creative or if you don’t like your job, how can you persevere if you’re seeking other people’s approval? He told me how he judges his own success. “I’m trying to shrink the amount of people whose approval matters to me.” He gave an example. A U.S. Senator wrote him. He said he reads "The Daily Stoic" every day. “I really liked today’s entry,” the Senator said. “It’s exactly what I try to think about for my office.” That’s the approval Ryan chose. He’s not after 10 million views on Facebook. “I try to think less about if what I’m doing is popular and more about if what I’m doing is being proven right.” It’s the same for entrepreneurs. You just need to attract a core group. And offer them real value. Because marketing won’t matter if your product sucks. Know your scene, know how to help them, and ignore the rest. The Roman Empire was declining. And Stoicism was rising. “Things were bad,” Ryan said. “But they learned how to accept it.” They committed to high values and practiced self-reliance. I’ve become my own ruler a few times. Sometimes I was Marcus Aurelius, an emperor. And sometimes I was Epictetus, the slave. I don’t know what I am now. Maybe both.
4/4/2017 • 1 hour, 34 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 221 - Tucker Max: The Difference Between People Who Succeed and People Who Don't
“You and I both know what happened to you 18 months ago," he said. "If you don’t write about it, you will die as an artist.” Tucker's sold over 3 million copies of his books. I know I'm going to have to listen to him. Maybe later. ----- I’ve known Tucker many years. I can safely, say, I’ve been in the trenches with Tucker. We’ve both started businesses since then, published books, invested together, and cried (well, I did) together since we’ve met. In one of the worst personal disasters of my life, Tucker was there. He was there for the beginning, middle, and end. I always ask myself ‘who is in my scene’? What’s a Scene? I consider it: - the people I learn from - the people who I can count on - the people who challenge me to work harder and rise to my potential (and I can do the same for) - the people I can call when I am confused or troubled, and the people who are there for me no matter what. Ask yourself: Who is in your scene? --- Without a scene, it is much harder to succeed. Ask Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Jack Kerouac, Andy Warhol, Sara Blakely and many many others who have risen to the top of their fields throughout history. Tucker and a few others have been in my scene for years. So I visited him. Talked reinvention, writing, and his current business success. Here’s the top five things I learned: A) THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO SUCCEED AND PEOPLE WHO DON’T “No one has ever replicated anything I did because they looked at the surface. They didn’t actually understand the underlying input.” “What do you mean by input?” I asked. “People look at my writing and they say, ‘I get drunk, I fall down, I yell curses… I’m going to write really arrogant things. Then I’ll get the same attention Tucker Max gets.’ But that never works.” “I was opening my soul,” he said. “I was being honest. Anybody trying to mimic me forgot the honesty part.” That’s the work. That’s the input. “If you want to boil it down, people who succeed are worried about input. People who don’t succeed are worried about output.” ---- B ) DIFFERENT > BETTER Spaces are getting crowded. Anyone can blog. Anyone can make a youtube video. Self-publishing is growing. And they’re handing out podcasts at all the major international airports. More and more people are getting creative. More creativity = more competition. So how do you stand out? Micro-tribes. “I’m talking about being different, which is not the same thing as being better,” Tucker said. “When I started writing, I wrote emails for my friends and my only measurement for whether the emails were good or not was whether those nine guys thought it was funny. There was no arguing. If they did, it was good. If it didn’t, it was bad.” This reminded me of how Craig from Craigslist built his company. Started out with an email, with the sole intention of providing pleasure for his friends. Provide benefit for the few, and then you can scale to provide benefit for the many. Tucker found his micro-tribe. And it grew. Because his did this... --- C) TELL THE TRUTH People send me articles all the time, "Can you read this?". I read one the other day. “How to survive a breakup” But the author left out his story. Advice is autobiography. Don’t give me advice from the mountaintop. Tell me the story of the struggle. Of how you were the very reluctant hero, who was called into action for better or worse, who climbed the mountaintop, who now has the knowledge. Your story is the only test: Are you original? “I’ll give you a super simple trick to being original,” Tucker said. “Tell the truth. The hard truth that everybody thinks and nobody says.” --- D) ASK YOUR QUESTION Last week I did seven podcasts. I probably asked 1000 questions. So I asked Tucker, “What’s the skill? How does one become a good writer?” He had one answer: Self-evaluate. Tucker asks himself three questions: Am I what I think I am? Am I who I want to be? Am I good at this or not? It gave me food for thought. Sometimes the more I work hard at something, I realize the worse I am. I want to improve. --- E) WAS HE WRONG TO REJECT JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE? Tucker destroyed his own movie. "You will die as an artist," I said, laughing, "if you don't fully write this story." “I’ll never forget,” he said. “It was the night of my birthday… the night I knew the movie was a failure.” “Why’d you turn down Justin Timberlake for your movie?” “It’s embarrassing,” he said. I said, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. I'll never write about it. I promise." “I was convinced the Tucker Max character was going to be huge and I wanted it to be about me, not the actor.” He was sorry. But, listen, if only 30% of our decisions are correct, we will have very successful lives. At least, that’s how it seems to me. And it's how you take a bad decision and later convert it into wisdom that is the true test of future success. “The same thing that screwed up my movie, happened in my company. This time I recognized it early enough to see what I was doing.” He decided to step down from CEO of his company, Book in a Box. He still works there. Just not as CEO. “It was a really hard decision,” he said, “but I knew it was right because as soon as I made it, I felt a thousand pounds lighter.” ---- Since hiring his replacement as CEO, his business has grown 400% in the past year. “Book in a Box” takes non-writers and helps them get their first book out the door. It’s a great idea for a business. I wish I had invested. After the podcast I had the chance to meet the newest baby in his family. And after that I started to think about how I could avoid dying as an artist. I need to step up my game.
3/28/2017 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep. 220 - Matt Mullenweg: Do You Have Your Own Internal "Code"
I have a rule. After every podcast, I write down 10 things I learned. I don't know if anyone else does this. Do you do this? Some people make illustrations. They send me what they've learned. It's a creation of a creation of a creation. A drawing of a podcast of someone's life. But I broke my rule. It's been over a month. And my brain is digging for the lessons from my interview with the creator of Wordpress. I think I have Alzheimer’s. Matt was 19 years old when he started Wordpress. It was 2003. Now Wordpress.com gets more traffic than Amazon.com. The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times both use Wordpress. I use Wordpress. I wanted to know if it’s still worth the time and effort to make your own site. He said it is. That’s how you break out... "We're trying to revitalize the independent web,” Matt Mullenweg said. He’s 33 now. "It's not like these big sites are going anywhere. They're fantastic. I use all of them, but you want balance. You need your own site that belongs to you... like your own home on the Internet." This is part of Matt’s code. Not Wordpress’s “code.” Matt’s like a robot. I mean that as a compliment. There are many signs of this: language, ability, he’s very exact. I had to interrupt. He was talking in code. And it was my job to translate. He said, "If I send you a unit of work...” "I don't mean to interrupt,” I said. “I'm a little bit of an interrupter. So I apologize in advance, but you talk in a very code-like language… 'a unit of work.’ How about ‘a task?’ That works as well." He laughed. And thanked me for translating. The podcast continued. He told me about his personal code (again, robot). People have values. Geniuses and other advanced forms of life have “code.” So here’s Matt’s... A) Measure what’s important to you. Matt wrote a birthday blog. He does this every year to measure what’s changed. It lists how many books he’s read over the past year, countries he traveled to and so on. He’s very specific. It’s a measurement of his personal freedom. He can see where time went. And if he chose himself. “You cannot change what you don’t measure,” Matt said. So this year, I wrote a birthday blog. B) Own the work you do "Other sites provide space,” he said. “They provide distribution in exchange for owning all of your stuff. You can't leave Facebook or Twitter and take all of your followers with you." That’s why he recommends having your own website. It’s yours. Not Facebook’s. Not Business Insider’s or Huffington Post’s. It’s yours. When I first started jamesaltucher.com, I picked a template, posted a blog, shared a link on Twitter and within 3-4 minutes I had traffic. C) Ignore concern Matt dropped out of college and moved to San Francisco when he was 20. “Were your parents upset?” “They’ve always been supportive,” he said. “But they were concerned.” That didn’t stop him. He had direction. And when you know where you’re going, you don’t ask for directions. Sometimes I feel like I’m driving with the wrong address in my GPS. And Siri won’t stop re-routing. So what I learned from Matt: Reroute yourself as many times as it takes. Reinvent. Put someone else’s concern for your wellbeing on your gratitude list. But don’t let it stop you. Don’t let it get in the way of your code. D) The myth of loyalty When Matt moved and started his first job, he made more than his dad did. “I got an amazing salary,” he said. I kept wondering if his parents were upset. I don’t know why. “Were they upset?” He said no. Again. But then he explained. “Learning spreads organically.” And when he moved, it helped spark possibility for his dad. “He worked at the same company for 26 or 27 years. He more than doubled his salary when he left. It made me so sad. I never want anyone to be in the situation my dad was in,” he said. “He gave the loyalty of decades and they didn’t return that loyalty…” Why? Because they were following a different code. The “employee code” is not the same as the “employer code.” I don’t measure much. I try to let my life float by. And I hope to help people feel free enough to live by their own codes too. Like Matt and his dad. That’s how I measure what’s important to me. Am I supportive? Of myself and of others? If yes, then I’m a mix of creation and evolution. Robot and human. Code and DNA.
3/21/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep. 219 - Jessica Banks: Dare of The Day
She said, I am an introvert but had to develop tricks to fake being an extravert because of where I worked. I said, Do you think everyone in LA is an extravert? She said, I don’t know. Maybe they are all faking. We were at a party. I had been sleeping but a friend called me up and said “you have to go this party three blocks away from you.” So I did. Why? Because why not? Sometimes you know to say no. But to surrender to the moment, if nobody is getting hurt, sometimes you say yes. I went. It was crowded and I knew some of the people and some of the people I didn’t. I didn’t know her but we were introduced. “You have to ask her for [X} favor,” the introducer whispered to me. But I never got around to the favor. I said, can you tell me some of the tricks? I asked because sometimes I feel I don’t really know how to live and look like a normal person. Sometimes I like being home and writing and reading all day because that passes for human without me having to see, or touch, or talk to anyone. When I go outside, I often feel unhinged. Like I could float away. So I wanted to know. She didn’t tell me at first. Please. Ok, she said, sometimes I would do what I call a “dare of the day”. I would do something that I might be scared to do or was out of my comfort zone. I said, like what? She didn’t want to tell me. Please. She squinted her eyes at my face then touched my cheek and rubbed her fingers together as if pulling something off my face. I would go up to people, strangers, and pretend to pull a wisp of hair off of their face. That would freak me out, I said. Both doing it and having some stranger touch my face. I would do all sorts of things like that. Ok, I said, I want to try this. Start me off. Tell me more or tell me what I should do tomorrow. She said, I can’t. She made a motion with her fingers around her head the way people do when describing someone who is crazy. She said, Now that i’ve told you this your mind will start working on it. Tomorrow you will wake up and your body will know what to do. She told me the rest of her story, which was fascinating. Stay tuned for the podcast I hope she agrees to do. Then I went home. I woke up and I was upset about something that had happened earlier the day before. My friend Amy then had advice: go and eat pancakes and bacon and photograph it so I know you are eating. You have to prove it to me. I went. I ate. I photographed. Then my body knew what to do. I walked outside and there was a man and his daughter. I held up my hands with palms out, non-confrontational and said, “Good morning!” and they smiled and said good morning back. I started walking home. I saw a couple holding hands. Palms out, Good morning! And you [the girl] I love your blue hair. And you [the boy] I love your jacket. A pretty girl crossing the street. Good morning! She turned away and angled away from me as she walked past. I guess it might be taken the wrong way sometimes. Maybe it might not be attractive. I said to a guy opening up his store. Good morning! He smiled. Hey, good morning, guy. I said it all the way home. I got home. I didn’t feel down anymore. The sun was coming in. I started to write. First I wrote the girl from the party and told her what happened. She wrote back (i’m going to paraphrase), don’t record your dares. That’s why I was hesitant to tell you the dares I did. Ok, other than this one, I won’t. She said it will take a few weeks to figure out your boundaries on dares. Both personal and physical. She said, don’t dare anyone else to do this. I didn’t understand her reason. But maybe it would affect the way I did my own dares. SO DON’T DO THIS. I wanted to leave the party but I had one more question. What did you do after you were working in LA for so long as an assistant. She said, I went to get a PhD in Robotics at [best school in world for Robotics]. She laughed and I think she said, maybe that was a dare for myself also. I went home. I went to sleep. And she was right. My mind was going crazy that night. But in a good way.
3/18/2017 • 1 hour, 27 minutes, 9 seconds
Ep. 218 - Debbie Millman: Create Identity then Impact
Ben (of Ben & Jerry's) was in the room. He needed a logo. Debbie Millman just started her agency. She was competing against the best ad agencies in New York City. She lost. So she moved on to Burger King. "Why do you think you lost?" "We didn't have insurance," Debbie said. "We didn't have the big, global brand experience to show them." "I'll never forget this," she said. "When we got to Burger King headquarters, we got into a fairly small elevator with the Senior Vice President of Market Research. The door closes. He looks at us and says, 'Don't get your hopes up.'" This is important. Because Debbie Millman never describes herself as an entrepreneur. But she's the perfect example. Entrepreneurship is about putting your all into something, getting rejected and going back into the next room. Data is taking over. Data is replacing thinking and driving the direction of the future. Data sells confidence. And that's what the brands wanted. Burger King tried changing their logo 7 times in the decade leading up to Debbie's success. So she did focus groups. And studied eye-tracking on the original logo. "We wanted to know what people thought," she said. "We wanted to get a sense of why this was so beloved?" "People do not read first. First and foremost, they see color. Then they see numbers, then shape, and then, if you still have their attention and they understand what you put in front of them, then they will read." A logo is a message. Even if you don't read it. You can recognize logos visually without reading. Our brains know. Then we choose who we belong to. And that's our tribe. Debbie was changing the face of an iconic brand. And change causes fear, which strikes up all the stress hormones in our body. "In order for us to create an identity that was evolving from the original, we had to keep some of those iconic elements." You're original. As a baby, you were a blank canvas. No logo. No brand. No name. And no identity. Then you went to school and made friends and things happened to you. Someone asked me, "who will you always be? Who's James? When you're 4, 14, 24, 34, 44, 84, what parts of you will always be there?" That's what Debbie had to figure out with her brands. She did it with Tropicana, Star Wars, and eventually, she won Ben & Jerry's over too. But after all of this data, all of this color, all of this branding, at the heart of it is the essence of who you are. What is the logo of your heart. Debbie figured out hers. And created her life around it. Figuring out who we are is the key to having an impact all over the world. That's what Debbie taught me on this podcast. That's what I try every day to create in my own life.
3/14/2017 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 217 - Tony Robbins: How to Be Fulfilled: Just Start Asking Yourself These 2 Questions
Tony Robbins stopped by on his birthday. And then he started causing problems. Like he does. "I realize you're high energy," the audio engineer says, looking at Tony, "but when you bang the table it sounds like the whole room is shaking." In 220 podcasts, it's the first time the audio engineer had to interrupt in the middle. "Oh, ok, no problem," Tony says. "I don't want to stop the passion," the audio engineer says. "Don't worry, I'll be good," Tony says. Then the audio engineer went back outside. Tony kept slamming that table. Outside the room, people thought he was going to climb over the table and beat the S**t out of me. But it was all good. BUT... I felt like I had to keep the energy level high. So pretty soon we were both yelling back and forth. He was there because of his new book, "Unshakeable". But we spoke about maybe 1000 topics. Not just the financial world. So let's get right down to it. What did I learn? - EVERY YEAR (on average) THE STOCK MARKET WILL FALL 10% This is great for newspapers. They say, "The world is ending!" and they say it EVERY SINGLE YEAR. And yet it never does. It never did. Even in 2008. The world did not end. The market is at all time highs right now. The key with Tony's book is he shows these statistics not so you can make money off of them but so you DON'T PANIC. Markets move. Ignore the news. - BRING IT Before the podcast I said to Tony, "let's do a fun outtake". I wasn't sure he'd say "yes". We videotaped it (it's on my instagram). He BRINGS IT. It's so much energy I almost had to stutter out my planned line ("I can't see your face on Skype, only your chest"). And when we did the podcast, I felt like I had to yell and really UP my own energy level at least three levels higher just to keep pace with him. I don't know how he does it. SO....! I asked. How do you do it? I want that energy also. Please? - DON'T ASK HOW, INSTEAD ASK 'WHY!?' He finally said, "Enough with the 'how-to'. Don't ask 'how-to' questions". He said, "Ask What and Why?" What is the Result. Why is your purpose. "Why are you getting out of bed in the morning? And what are you going to do about it? "Motive matters and brings energy". He said, "I love lighting people up." That, he said, gives me the energy. When I later found out his schedule, not only was he booked every hour that day with different news sources (he started the day by ringing the bell at the Nasdaq) but IT WAS HIS BIRTHDAY. He brings it. - TRADE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR APPRECIATIONS This is critical for well-being. Don't expect the world to provide you with happiness. Every time you find yourself slipping into an expectation, change it in your head into an "appreciation". Find the things you appreciate. Then take ACTION. "It's like a practice," I said. He banged the table. "Exactly!" - MODELING I said, "how do you learn new things?" He said, "Modeling." I said, "Well, I imagine you look great walking down a runway at a fashion show but seriously." He laughed and said, "Look, when I went to write the Money book and then my new book, Unshakeable, I didn't just sit around reading the paper. "I went out with a video crew and interviewed 50 billionaires about how they invest. "I watch what they do. I study how they think. And I see if I can break it down into chunks so that anyone can follow their process." In my last podcast with Tony, two years ago, he described how he learned how expert Marines improve their firing skills even though he had never fired gun before. He described almost the same process then. For me, I know this works. When I want to write, I always read first. When I want to do public speaking, I watch standup comedians (and singers) first. I want to figure out how the best people in the world do something so I can do it 1/100 as good at the very least. When I need energy now, I picture Tony Robbins smashing the table and the audio engineer begging me to slow it down. Well too bad! - SURRENDER TO WHAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL "If your happiness requires other people to behave the way you want them to behave, then what are the chances you're going to stay happy in your life? "You'd have to limit yourself to a small number of humans... who you can control, which is not love." - DON'T WAIT FOR FREEDOM Learn how to deal with stress. That's the path to freedom. Not the other way around He gives many techniques. One of them is to learn to appreciate the things around you. But more than that, he says. Take, "Massive Action". Show people you appreciate them. Take steps forward in a career. Feed your mind. Help someone. Cultivate great thoughts. Strengthen your body. Participate. "You activate your body's chemistry." "Doing nothing, you learn nothing". How do you do this? Again, "How brings in fear". You have to have an emotional purpose. Something more than yourself. Purpose is "why?" Find a role model so that you realize that what you want is attainable for you. - DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR MIND He said to me, "what are the two things you are most worried about in life?" No problem. I didn't hesitate. "I constantly worry about going broke and that someone will cheat on me." He leaned forward. "EVERYBODY IS WORRIED ABOUT THOSE TWO THINGS!" he said. "That's not your worries. That's the mind's worries. It's in everyone's mind." Don't bother negotiating with your mind. It's there to protect you but it's used to the jungle from 50,000 years ago. Find things that are bigger than just you. Make those things your purpose. Your reason for living. They can change. But they will be the things that take you to freedom. Not your mind. And, he said, when I am afraid to do something, that's when I do it! - LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO SUFFER "I had mercury poisoning this past year. I also had a problem with my back that could have been critical. "But I did a ton of research. I spoke to many doctors and other people with similar problems. I worked on my own issues and did not let them bring me down." "I am responsible to choose my own happiness," he said. I think I'm paraphrasing. We spoke about so many things I can't remember everything. Sometimes when I prepare a podcast, i read so many books, watch so many interviews, jot down so many notes, and get so much nervous energy ready that I feel like it burns like a bright hot light for the entire podcast and then dims once it's over. - IT IS REALLY REALLY HARD TO INTERRUPT TONY ROBBINS! Man, it is hard. It's like trying to stop a tank. I think I my "interruption skills" greatly improved during this one hour. I simply couldn't do it at first. But finally I had to do it. He said, "And then President Clinton called me and..." I had to yell, "STOP!" "Will you finally tell me why the hell Presidents call you?" And he answered. After Tony left I had to go catch an airplane. About six hours later I finally felt like I was starting to calm down. At the airport I ran into someone on Tony's team. She said, Tony really enjoyed the podcast. I don't know if she says that to everyone. But I was happy. I know I enjoyed it. I know I learned a lot. I know it got me to start thinking again about why I get up in the morning, about what emotional purposeI want to have greater than myself. It changes every day. But it's there. It has to be. Today it was: Write this post. Oh, and run for Governor. But more on that later.
3/7/2017 • 59 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 216 - Yuval Noah Harari: A Brief History of The Future
My ancestor from 70,000 years ago was smarter than me. He knew every plant, mushroom, animal, predator, prey in a several mile radius. He knew how to make weapons. He knew how to capture something, make it edible. I can barely order delivery. And as far as weapons, they say “the pen is mightier than the sword” but I don’t think a tweet is. My ancestor also knew how to adapt to new terrains, how to handle strangers who could be threats, how to learn who to trust and who not to trust. I wish I had his skills. Not only that. Archaeological evidence says his brain was bigger than mine. And bigger is better. To make things worse, another animal made the entire human race its slave. Wheat domesticated us. It forced us to stick around for the harvest, horde up for years when the harvest might be bad, go from a life of a diverse diet to basically all carbs all the time. And it turned us from hunters to farmers. But it’s not all bad. And the news is actually very good. Probably the books I’ve recommended most in the past five years was “Sapiens” by Yuval Harari. And not only me: it’s Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg’s top recommendation. And now Yuval has a new book, “Homo Deus” – i.e. where are humans heading? If Sapiens explored the last 70,000 years of human history, “Homo Deus” takes the trends into the future. What will happen next? The answers are fascinating. And I had even more questions. I couldn’t believe I was finally talking to Yuval after reading “Sapiens” so many times and recommending it on every list and giving the book to all of my friends. And then finally reading “Homo Deus“. What made humans the only animal to spread across the entire globe? What was special about us? How did we go hundreds of miles into empty water to find Australia for instance? I would never take that risk! And then survive and flourish in a completely new ecosystem, just like we did in North America. “Fiction,” Yuval told me, and describes in his book. “We created elaborate fictions for ourselves: ‘nations’, ‘corporations’, ‘religion’, ‘crusades’, and perhaps the most successful fiction: ‘money’. So I could use a dollar and some stranger in China can use a dollar and we can trust each other enough to do a transaction.” So what’s next? “Homo sapiens are going to evolve again.” Yuval said, “Technology is taking us there and technology is evolving much faster than we are.” I still can’t believe I spoke to him. Five years ago I took his course on Coursera. I was thinking, “how did this guy get so smart?” And now I was talking to him. And, like I said, the news was not bad. Here’s what I learned: 1. The economy needs you to invest in yourself “There’s a change in the nature of the economy from a material based economy to a knowledge-based economy. The main assets in the past were material like gold minds or wheat fields,” Yuval said. “These are the types of things you can conquer through violence.” That’s how we got California. The US invaded and absorbed their wealth. But you can’t invade and absorb knowledge. China isn’t going to take over Silicon Valley and absorb all the wealth. “Today, the main asset is knowledge,” he said. The only good investment you can make for your future is the investment you make in yourself today. Hone your idea muscle, build a network and a library of mentors, make a commitment to do one healthy thing a day. Because the health of your body impacts the health of your brain. I try to improve 1% a day. That’s it. That’s how I invest in myself. 2. Explore Internal realities vs. External realities Resources today are different. They’re abstract. Yuval said, “The source of wealth in California today is knowledge, in the mind’s of engineers and technicians and CEOs. And you just cannot conquer it by force.” That’s one of the reason’s why Yuval says, “You see a decline in international violence.” The other reason: weapons are too powerful. “Nuclear weapons have transformed war between superpowers,” he said. War today is “collective suicide, which is why we don’t have such wars since 1945.” Terrorism is different. Their weapon is fear. Yuval calls it “psychological menace.” But he’s really concerned about them in our future. “Terrorists function by capturing our imagination, turning our imagination against us, and causing us to overreact,” he said. “In a way, a terrorist is like a fly that tries to destroy a china shop. The fly is so small and weak. It cannot move even a single teacup. So how does a fly destroy a china shop? The fly finds a bull, gets into the ear of the bull and starts buzzing. The bull becomes so enraged that it loses its temper and destroys the china shop. This is what happened in the middle east over the last 15 years,” Yuval said. “Al-Qaeda could never destroy Iraq by itself. It got into the ear of the United States and the United States went wild and destroyed the middle eastern china shop for Al-Qaeda. This is how terrorism functions. And if you want to fight terrorism you should start with your own imagination.” For me, this means understanding that ideas are currency. Becoming an idea machine, writing ten ideas a day, so you get the new ‘weapons’ of Sapiens, is the key. 3. We’re going from “humanists” to “data-ists” In 500 years we might not be dealing with humans at all. Look at Amazon for example. They tell us what to buy. We don’t ask our friends. We ask data. “Given the advances of bioengineering, brain-computer interfaces and so forth, I think it’s very likely that within a century or two homo sapiens will disappear and be replaced by a completely different kind of being,” Yuval said. He says bioengineering is just one possibility. Another is we start connecting brains and computers to create cyborgs. This isn’t science fiction. It’s already happening. I’m sort of scared and sort of excited. We went from tribes to villages to cities to kingdoms to empires to “isms” to…data that will unite us. The next step in our evolution. The final frontier.
2/28/2017 • 52 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep. 215 - Steven Kotler & Jamie Wheal: How Flow Helps You Step Outside Yourself and "Do The Impossible"
Imagine going on a swing as high as you can. Then going higher. Then going so high you loop around. I get scared thinking about it. Sergey Brin, the founder of Google, did it the first time he tried. Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal were training people at Google how to get into the state of FLOW. Sergey volunteered. What is Flow? The state where your brain and body loses all sense of time and you retreat into this perfect area of creativity and productivity. A state where Steven and Jamie have spent years trying to hack and re-create at will. And this is what they’ve done. I was talking to Steven Kotler, who’s been on my podcast a few times and Jamie Wheal. They co-authored “Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work.” It’s sort of a sequel to “The Rise of Superman” all about “flow” in action sports. Steven said. “It’s the moments of total absorption where you get so focussed on the task at hand that everything else just disappears, action and awareness merge, your sense of self disappears, time passes very strangely and all aspects of performance, mental and physical, go through the roof.” But when I read it I thought, “Where are the chess players?” Where are the creatives? Programmers get into flow. Musicians, athletes, artists, all sorts of people get into flow. The question was “how?” I am selfish. I wanted to know for myself: HOW? So I read “Stealing Fire.” It’s about all the ways you can get into flow and other “optimal states of consciousness.” It teaches you how to step outside yourself, have a 500% increase in your performance, functionality, creativity and have satisfaction. I had to find out, what are the triggers to get into flow? They said “risk.” “Life or death?” I asked. “You need risk, but it’s definitely not physical risk,” Steven said. “The brain can’t tell the difference between social fear and physical fear.” Steven and Jamie figured this out when they went to Google to experiment on Sergey Brin’s brain (Google’s founder). They built a swing that loops 360 degrees around and covered him in EEG sensors. You’d have to pump your legs and use all your strength to gain the physical and mental momentum to go in a full circle. “My ten year old daughter crushed it,” Jamie said. “She did 35 loops in 60 seconds, which is nudging the world record.” Only a few people actually made it all the way around. Sergey’s one of them. It takes intense focus. You have to overcome your fear and stay in the moment. You have to use risk to your advantage. “Anything that drives attention to the current moment drives flow,” Steven said. It’s not just swings. It’s not just “smart drugs” or “extreme sports”. On the podcast, Steven and Jamie give a range of techniques and ideas for how to get into flow. I want in. I want in ALL of the time. They have a quiz on their website (flowgenomeproject.com) that tells you your “flow profile.” Over 50,000 people have taken it. On the first company I started I once disappeared into my office and programmed for about 24 hours straight. Completing a month’s project in one day’s time. We kept that client for life, even when we sold the company. Flow not only feels good, creates increased productivity and brain function, it’s also a key skill to compete. I hope I can get back to that state again. Today.
2/21/2017 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 214 - Cass Sunstein: The World According to Star Wars
I want to be a Jedi Knight. The idea of surrendering to some “force” greater than oneself. The idea of being in touch with some essence that can bring out my full potential in way that I could never possibly understand. When Cass Sunstein, genius economist (author of “Nudge“, 40 other books, does Nobel-prize level research) wrote “The World According to Star Wars“, I knew I had to talk to him. I reached out to everyone I knew, found a way to get ahold of Cass, who wasn’t doing any interviews on the book, and managed to book some time with him. I’ve written many times before about the effect Star Wars has had on my life. But I was also interested in the phenomenon of Star Wars, a topic Cass writes about. In particular, why was it a hit? George Lucas is the living breathing manifestation of “idea sex”. He takes concepts that worked in the past, meshes them together, and knows the combination will work. For example: think of a blonde-haired young man who has to reluctantly save the world from an evil galactic empire, uses laser powered swords and blasters, and meets a beautiful princess along the way. If you think “Flash Gordon” you’d be right. What you might not know is that George Lucas tried to buy the rights to the old TV serial “Flash Gordon”. He wanted to make the movie. He was rejected so he made Star Wars. Or you might think Joseph’s Campbell’s “The Hero With a Thousand Faces”, which George Lucas studied religiously before writing the script to Star Wars. Or you might think…any of a dozen influences George Lucas had and meshed together. His idea: to take the familiar, provide his own twists, and release. If the old influences were hits and he just changed one aspect (make a Western a Space Opera) there’s a good chance he would have a hit. Cass Sunstein explores: what makes a hit? What makes a failure? What makes something a hit after it’s been dead for years (example: Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick” didn’t sell at all while he was alive and is now considered one of the best-written books of all time). This is a topic I am obsessed with. Combine that with the topic of “Star Wars” and now Cass Sunstein has written a book I am obsessed with. We found a room to hide in and we spent the next hour laughing and swapping notes on the relevancy of The Force in today’s world. We didn’t talk economics, world history, behavioral psychology or any of the topics he is one of the best experts in the world in: We talked about what makes stories go viral. We talked about how much we enjoyed this cultural hit that changed generations. We were two kids talking about our favorite movie.
2/16/2017 • 54 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep. 213 - A.J. Jacobs: How to Connect With The Greatest Network in The World
My first podcast is 24 minutes long. It’s just me. No guest. The topic: “Why College Is a Waste of Time.” Then I did one about my book “Choose Yourself.” One week later, I got 30 minutes with Robert Greene. Then an hour with Tucker Max, an hour with Gary Vaynerchuk, and an hour with AJ Jacobs. A month later I interviewed Dr. Wayne Dyer. Two months, Arianna Huffington. Six months, Mark Cuban. I didn’t have an editor or a microphone. Three years later everyone has (or should do!) a podcast. It connects me with people I never thought possible. Or in AJ Jacobs’ case, it connects people with family they didn’t know existed. That’s the theme of his new podcast, “Twice Removed.” “The good news is once you realize that everyone is family, you can just choose,” AJ said. “So you’re not stuck. You’ve got the whole world to choose from.” His first guest was Dan Savage, the sex columnist for “The Village Voice.” In the other room, AJ had a secret guest, a relative 41 degrees removed from Dan. Along the way, AJ unravels the 41 connections. He had Dan in tears. “We’re all connected,” AJ said. “People have called genealogy the museum of me. We all see the world through our own lens.” Here’s what I learned from AJ’s lens… 1. Start with X When I first started doing an interview podcast my audience size was X. Then I improved the quality and my downloads went to 3X. In the case of “Twice Removed,” “Start Up” and “Freakonomics” adding production makes it 10X. “For every minute that makes the air there are hours that don’t,” AJ said. “You can make 18 different shows using the same material.” The key is to do the best with what you have today. It cost $0 to make “The James Altucher Show.” And I got to do what I never dreamed possible for the first 40 years of my life. 2. Show the truth The arc of a good story starts with a problem. Luke Skywalker wanted to explore but he couldn’t until his aunt and uncle were killed by stormtroopers. Bruce Wayne’s parents were killed in the first few panels of Batman. You need a problem to kickstart an otherwise reluctant hero. “I love to tell my kids about my family's failures,” AJ said. “Honestly, I think they think I’m total loser.” AJ told me about an Emory University study. It showed kids adjust better when they’re told about their family’s failures. “There’s the narrative of ‘We were always successful’ or ‘We’re always losers.’ Families are oscillating,” AJ said. “You go through times where things are going well and times when it’s total failure. Tell your kids about the struggles your family has undergone and that you emerged ok… that you survived.” Give yourself permission to have an imperfect life. 3. Surprise Yourself AJ learned this from a writer at “The Daily Show.” “He talked about how important it is to surprise yourself and make yourself laugh,” AJ said, “which at the time I didn’t really understand.” So he tested it. “As you’re writing, take a left turn that your brain didn’t expect.” He does this in “Twice Removed.” And in our interview. He told me about an experiment he did with his wife. They filmed 24 hours of their day for weeks. Every argument was caught on tape. And they checked it frequently to see who was right. “It was bad either way,” he said. “Because if I was wrong I looked like an idiot, but if I was right she would just get angrier.” So they quit that experiment. And he started a new one: “Twice Removed.”
2/14/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 212 - Anna Koppelman: How to Find Your World... Where You Belong
Anna Koppelman is an angel. She’s the angel I wish I had looking over me back when I was being bullied. When I was a kid, it was “Lord of The Flies” on the playground. Nobody cared at all. Kids would kill each other at recess and whoever survived went back to class. But it’s different now. Bullying is a thing. It has a voice. And there’s a way out of the world of “you’re not good enough” and into the world where you belong… I read an article on Facebook that was going viral:"What I know Now As a Teen With Dsylexia." Anna Koppelman wrote it. Then she kept writing. When I read the article, I thought Anna was one of those alien millennials taking over the world. But even worse, she’s not a millenial. Ever since birth she’s been on the Internet. She’s an eleventh grader. Which makes her 17 or so. Generation Z… it’s a totally different animal. Anna started a charity when she was 12 years old. At 14, she asked the Huffington Post to publish her work. They said yes. Then she wrote about dyslexia, bullying, intelligence, her crushes, her rejections, and each article felt like it was going a level deeper. Her writings were read everywhere by teens who had been through similar experiences. I wish I had this as a kid. A world where I could talk to people going through what I was going through. A way to connect to my “tribe”. Or a way to reach out to people and we could all figure out we weren’t alone. “I couldn’t not say it,” she said. “I had this feeling at school and in my life of just not being able to connect with people… I had a feeling of isolation since first grade, like there was Saran wrap between me and the rest of the world.” Here’s what I learned from Anna Koppelman about finding out where you belong… 1. Figure out another way When Anna’s “friends” discovered she couldn’t read, they laughed. “You’re not smart enough to be our friend,” they said. She was pushed out of the tribe. But then she learned from a moose. “I was watching the children’s show, ‘Arthur.’ And there was this kid on there. He was a moose. He had dyslexia. So I turned to my parents and said, ‘I have dyslexia.’” “How did this moose exhibit the dyslexia?” “It was all just about the same feelings that I was feeling… where he was behind in his class, but he had all these great ideas he wanted to get out but couldn’t. And the feeling of being trapped because there’s something in your brain that’s processing differently.” But she found another way. And learned how to read. But kids kept making fun of her. For the next 10 years. “I just wanted to connect with people,” she said. “When I would write, I would be able to connect with people. When I would perform poetry, I would be able to connect with people.” “What do you mean perform poetry?” I was confused. Because it sounded like her life was miserable at school. And instead of going to school with the eye patch and going straight home, she’d head back out to go read slam poetry in front of a dozen+ strangers. “What made you do that?” “I knew that no matter how awful school was there was a world outside of school and I just needed to find that world.” 2. Use your skills Anna started out writing about her interests. People spend years writing about things outside themselves. I did too. But for years I was afraid to write about the things that really scared me, or drove me, or kept me up at night. I was afraid to write about the things that shamed me. Or I was afraid because I wondered what people would think. So I wanted to learn, what did Anna, at age 14, do differently? Start with craft. Write everyday. Use your brain. Develop your analytical muscle. Build your skills. Talent is the ignition in the car. Many people have talent. Many people never turn on the car. Many people never drive the car to get to their destination. Skills are just talent in its infancy. 3. Create from one layer deeper I asked Anna about courage. A lot of people want to change their lives. But few take next steps .And I feel that even fewer young kids, dying to fit into their close-knit world of school and popularity, take those next steps. I wanted to know what triggered that point. “How did you hit publish? Weren’t you afraid?” “I didn’t have any friends,” she said. “I was eating lunch alone pretty much everyday. I was just in a really sad place. And the kids in my grade were really mean to me. I just felt that there was no real happiness. But when I would sit down and eat lunch alone, I would start to write in my notebook or I would write on my computer.” She didn’t know the risk. And in a strange way, these horrible experiences helped her become the writer she is today. “The things that have happened in my life,” she said, “got me to a place where I have more of an ability and belief in myself…” The transition came when she revealed her scars. She showed the deepest sides of her struggle. And bled on paper. Only by taking risks can a person unleash the hidden talents inside. Vulnerability bleeds. And connects you to the world… your world. It connects you to where you belong. 4. Always be kind A boy at school tricked her. He was always mean. But she thought things could change. “I was throwing parties for children in need,” she said. “I had been doing it since middle school.” He said he wanted to throw a bake sale for Birthday Fairies. “And I believed him.” He got all the popular kids to “help.” “Then the day of the bake sale came. None of them baked anything and they all just kind of laughed.” “This is like Steven King’s ‘Carrie. Did you psychically spill blood all over them?” She didn’t… I guess angels don’t spill blood on people. Sometimes I wonder what it’s like to be a kid now. For my entire life since birth to be connected up to a much bigger world. I’m jealous of the kids born now. How they can turn to this global tribe to develop their talents. But it’s not connectivity that makes you a better person. Or connects you to better relationships. Or builds up your latent skills. Or helps you find your passions. No matter who you are, it’s taking those next positive steps, those first risks that turn talent into skill, those first vulnerabilities that connect you to others – this is the key to unleashing that bigger world, that brings you to a tribe bigger than who you are. This is what I learned today from Anna.
2/9/2017 • 36 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 211 - Sara Blakely: How To Get a Billion Dollar Idea
Sara Blakely is weird. I wish I could think like she does. I want to be weird like her. "I look at any object and try to think of any use it has other than what people had planned for it." And then she acts on it. She sees a pair of pantyhose, cuts off the feet (why not?) and creates a multi-billion dollar company, Spanx. She sees her 9 month pregnant belly and paints a basketball on it. And then inspires hundreds of other women to do the same. Creates a book out of it: The Belly Art Project, and donates the proceeds to charity. "All my life I was taught how to deal with failure," she told me. "My dad would ask us at the dinner table every night: how did you fail today?" HOW DID YOU FAIL TODAY? She got comfortable with failure at an age when every other kid wants to get an A+ at everything. She got comfortable embarrassing herself. For two years she tried to be a standup comedian. "I wasn't very good at it." Practice embarrassing yourself... Ready. Fire. Aim. She got a huge order from Nieman Marcus even though she didn't have the inventory or the production ready. She said, "YES!". Then she figured out how to get the order filled. Oprah listed Spanx as one of her "favorite things" of 2000. Oprah wanted to film her office. Sara had no office. She said, "YES!". Then she got an office and filled it up with people. Say YES! Then make things happen. Don't argue yourself into failure. Excuses are easy. Saying "yes" and then executing is hard. Get your thinking time. "It takes me five minutes to drive to work," she told me. "But I take 45 minutes. I use that time to think." It's important to think. To be creative every day. This is how she comes up with non-stop ideas to expand her brand, expand her products, and work on other projects. I suspect this is the secret for how she always sees things differently. Being creative is a practice. It's not lightening from above. It's taking the long route when you could've taken the short route. Purpose = Infectious salesmanship. While I was talking to Sara she used the word "empower" several times. Spanx clothes gives women more confidence. Empowers women. The Belly Art Project empowers pregnant women. It seems like there are three parts to a project that leads to master salesmanship. - the higher purpose for it. This gets people excited. - the actual product and its benefits. - execution Combine all three and people will get infected with your passion for your ideas. Sara was unstoppable. Don't volley. Don't engage with the people who want to argue with you. That's time wasted when you can be creative. Don't invite ego in the door. Once you've worked on your project, have passion for it, started it, be willing to take suggestions and listen to people. Ego can kill a project and close the door on good opportunities. Be aware of you mortality. Sara was selling fax machines for five years before fully launching Spanx. She could still be selling them if she never started. If she listened to all the people who tried to dissuade her. If she became afraid of the multi-billion dollar companies that could have easily squashed her. Except they didn't. She was one person and they were billions. But they lost. We are here only this precious small amount of time. Make every moment a work of art. Make every moment move you one step forward towards your dream and purpose. Invent a new undergarment even if you had never made clothes in your life. Get 100s of women to paint their pregnant bellies and then raise money for charity with the idea. "EVERYTHING IS A CANVAS," she told me. Which makes everyone a potential artist. What a great way to look at life. But I can't! Why not? For anything you want to do, for anything that excites you, take the time to figure out the next step. Ready. Fire. Aim. Just why not? Why not?
2/7/2017 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 210 - Daymond John: How to Create Your Own Point Of View & Build A Following
He is exactly one year younger than me, almost to the day. So we could've even grown up together. We had similar interests in music. He could've taught me sewing. I could've taught him how to play chess. But, to be honest, he worked harder than me. He stood on a corner and sold hats. Then he sold t-shirts. Then he would go to work at Red Lobster all night. Then back to school the next day. I was lazy as a kid. I couldn't work so hard. Six billion dollars later, Daymond John sits atop the FUBU fashion empire and I think to myself, "He's one year younger than me." Do you ever feel that: jealousy? Or if not jealousy, then maybe regret? Like there's so many things you could've done...if only... The good news is, "if only" has two answers: "You didn't do it then." And..."Start today." There's never any rush. If today is the day you can start enjoying something, start making money from it, start combining all of your interests into career that lasts one, five, ten years....then today is the day you should do it. I've interview Daymond before. We covered a lot of his background and how he started when I interviewed him about his book, "The Power of Broke." But on this interview I learned some new things. 1) DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB. Many people are unhappy in their jobs. I hear it every day from people. I get emails every day about it. But you can't start a business in a second, or a month, or even a year. Daymond worked at Red Lobster for SIX YEARS while he was getting FUBU off the ground. He didn't want to take a chance. Why not? One might ask. It's scary. If you leave a job for a new business and it doesn't work out, how will you pay your bills? I stayed at my job at HBO for 18 months after I started my first business before I would make the leap. I was really scared. You don't leap until you can take away as many of the risks as possible. 2) DON'T DO THE COOL THING While Daymond was working at Red Lobster and selling hats on the street, his friends were losing their lives selling drugs. I was reading recently about Charlie Munger, Buffett's #2 man at Berkshire Hathaway and one of the richest men in the world. He started a hedge fund in 1973. The worst time ever to start a fund. And, if I remember correctly (I refuse to Google), he was down 20-30% the first year. And then 20-30% the second year. And then he fought back and ended up making money for his investors. Another man, probably in a very similar situation, was Bernie Madoff. We don't know exactly what happened but the theory is that when he was down he was too ashamed to tell anyone and turned it into a massive fraud. Character is destiny. The choices you make today are your biography tomorrow. Daymond refused to let the opinions of others veer him off his path. He worked hard, stuck to his uncool job while he pursued his passion. And made it work. 3) COMMUNITY Critical to Daymond's success. Make the company more than just about you. Make it about the community. Then it has a life larger than "Daymond John." You create something people are willing to share. How did he do this? Name - "FUBU" means "for u, by us". BAM! Friends - Daymond got his friends to wear it. Then their friends wanted to wear it. And so on. That's real marketing. Don't even think of advertising your product unless PEOPLE ARE FIRST DYING TO SHARE IT. Authority - LL Cool J grew up down the street from Daymond. Daymond didn't know him but he started pursuing him, asking him to wear a FUBU product in one of his videos. LL probably didn't even know who this kid was. But then he saw other kids wearing the clothes. And he responded to the name. So he started wearing FUBU in his videos. BAM! Shows - Daymond started going to all the Hip hop fashion conventions. The Magic convention in Las Vegas. He met his peers in the clothing business. They didn't know him as a kid from Queens. They just knew his products. They knew that LL Cool J was wearing them. He built his network with his peers. Note that in all of the above he didn't spend ONE DIME on ads but he had millions of dollars worth of free advertising. This doesn't come out of luck. That comes from every day... 4) DOING WHAT YOU LOVE People mess this part up a lot. There's not one "destiny" that we are meant to figure out and do. Maybe Daymond John loved hip-hop music but wasn't a good musician. Maybe he loved clothes. Maybe he loved selling. Maybe he loved seeing LL Cool J wear a hat he made. We don't really know. There are too many factors. We do know, though, that once he got through the hard parts of the business and it was really starting to roll, that, as Warren Buffett would say, he "skipped to work every morning". 5) READY. FIRE. AIM. This is the most important factor. I've interviewed 200 successful people so far for my podcast, give or take, and this is the one factor they all have in common. Daymond got ready (he made the clothes, he saved money, he didn't quit his job, he built community). And then something happened that was game-changing. If you stick to something long enough and it's growing and you feel that people are loving what you do, then something game-changing will happen. Macy's placed a $400,000 order (at the MAGIC fashion show). Daymond didn't have the money. Now was the moment when you can take risk. He and his mom mortgaged his mom's house for $100,000. He had to make 15,000 items. He got the fabrics. He filled up his house with seamstresses, and he fulfilled the $400,000 order. Then he returned the $100,000 out of the profits. He quit his job at Red Lobster. He was in business now. He was in business for life.
2/1/2017 • 56 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 209 - Bobby Casey: Never Feel Broke Again and Travel the World (Forever)
I heard an eight-year-old kid tell another eight-year-old that he's not welcome in his home. He said "Trump or Clinton?" "Clinton." And that was that. They kept walking. Kept debating and I bet nothing happened. I bet they're still friends. Some people are either all talk or afraid. Or both. I try not to be either. I try to listen, come up with ideas, and be grateful. Because if I listen, I learn. And then I can say two sweet words, “thank you.” How many people said, "If Trump becomes president, I'm leaving the country." Or the other way around? There's only one reason why I’d ever even consider packing. And Bobby Casey spelled it out for me. "Americans don't understand how insanely expensive it is to live in the U.S.," Bobby said on my podcast. He sold everything he owned and left the country in 2009. Right after the market crashed. Now he works all over the world. And helps people get off the grid. I wanted to know how he did it. And why... "I hated my customers," he said. "I hated my employees, I hated my job, I hated my business." "But what made you think you could sell all your belonging and travel the world forever?" "Weren't you scared you would run out of money?" "I just knew I'd work it out," he said. "I'd make some money." I couldn’t do it. It’s easy to be uncertain when you’re level of unknown isn’t going to erupt your central nervous system. But Bobby had motivation. “My happiness and my quality of life is much more important than cashing out on a business,” he said. “I didn’t care. I wanted to be happy again.” So he got rid of everything. He gave away motorcycles. (He had 27). Then he bought two one-way tickets to Prague. One for him. And one for his 9 year old son. “We’d never been there.” The rest of his family moved a few weeks later. He has three kids. "What about friends? And school?" I asked. "My daughter, she's 20, she's a rapper in London. She did two years of virtual school. And she can make friends anywhere. It’s her personality type.” His other two kids enrolled with locals. I had 100 questions. "How'd you get the confidence? What type of freelance work did you do?" “How did you make ends meet?” He broke it down for me. And told me all the ways he saves money living abroad. “I did the math on this,” he said. "You won't believe this, but I pay $42 a year for a 10,000 euro deductible health insurance plan." Anything after 10,000 euros, he's covered. "I could get airlifted to John Hopkins if I wanted and that would be covered." "You can make about $150,000, tax-free, as an American living abroad." Here’s how Bobby explains it on the podcast... If you make $100K (gross) in the U.S, then you’re probably netting less than $60K. Abroad, you can make the same $60K (net), live tax-free (if you qualify for the “foreign earned income exclusion”), get a housing allowance, pay $42 a year for health insurance, and basically never feel broke again. I was getting depressed. Because I know I’m not going to move. It’s part of being human. Everyone I look up to, Scott Adams, Dan Ariely, Nassim Taleb, they all say the same thing: people are irrational creatures. Even the idea that we’re being rational, is irrational. Every time Bobby spoke, I had 10 new questions. I thought I'd never understand. But then he gave me his secret. And it answered all my questions. It was so simple. I couldn't believe it. Bobby and his son were walking around Estonia. They left Prague, bought a house and had no plans. Someone overheard them speaking English. “You’re American?” They started talking. “What are you planning to do for your kids for school?” Bobby had no idea. “I have a son who’s your son’s age. We found a really good school up the hill. There’s a meeting tonight for foreigners who want to enroll their kids.” That was it. Then Bobby told me his secret…“I figure it out as I go.”
1/26/2017 • 51 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 208 - Ken Kurson: What Will Trump Do As President? We Hear From The Expert
Social media is a bloodbath. Trump. Hilary. Walls. Genitals. Crooked this or Deplorable that. There's two things I know: 1) I choose whether I am happy with a situation or not. Whether I am "free" or not. Nobody else can choose that for me unless I give them permission. If a situation (call it X) happens that I don't like, I ask myself: is the world better with X and me in it. Or with X and "no me". All I can do is have impact on the people around me. And if it's worthwhile impact, if it's the sort of impact that helps people and creates positive change, then those people around me will share it with the people around them. That's how things get done. That's how one "votes" with their life every single day. No excuse. 2) I'm not the smartest person in the room. If a situation happens that I don't understand, I don't pretend to understand it. I don't go ahead and act like I understand it. I have no clue. So I ask the smartest person in the room. I ask the people who know more than me. I ask people I respect who might have opposing views. The world has many opposing views. And I admit that I don't understand all the facts. I ask people who have more facts than me. Who have studied more than me. Do I automatically agree with them? It doesn't matter. They feed my brain. I know they will because I already trust them to think carefully about an issue and I trust their years of experience. Then I think. Then I decide. Does it change what I do? No. I do what I do. I try to keep having impact in the way that I know best. I want to be a free person. This doesn't mean rich. Which often entangles me too much in the addiction of having more and more. Nor does it mean have everyone love me. Because that is also is something outside of me that is out of my control. Freedom means I can make choices. Freedom means I can make as many choices as possible to live the life I want to live. I wanted to learn more about what a Donald Trump presidency might mean. There is so much blood shed trying to force me to have one opinion or the other, I decided to call one of the smartest people I know. Ken Kurson shed some light for me on things that were confusing me. Do I have to agree with everything? No. I am free not to. But I learned. Which is always the best thing I can do.
1/24/2017 • 59 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep. 207 - Chris Smith: Did you ever wish you were them? Your Heroes?
“We all lived through it. But one fun or interesting realizations I came to in reporting the book was... Can we curse on your podcast?” “Yeah. Anything goes.” “... Is just how much shit happened in the world between 1999 and 2015.” Chris Smith is the author of The New York Times bestseller, “The Daily Show (The Book): An Oral History as Told by Jon Stewart, the Correspondents, Staff and Guests.” He interviewed 144 people, including the host Jon Stewart, Craig Kilborn, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee and so many other people. “You know, Jon Stewart’s a guy who had an upper-middle-ish class upbringing in New Jersey, went to William and Mary, came into comedy sideways. He wasn't sure exactly what he was going to do after college.” I needed to know how Jon Stewart did it. How he redefined Late Night. How he broke out and rose to the top of comedy. And how he used humor to disrupt it all — mainstream media, mainstream politics, the news. “He would wear the same thing in the office everyday: a pair of work boots, a pair of chinos, the same t-shirt, the same Mets hat. And well, they’d rag on him about being a slob. There was—and not to get cheaply psychological—something Jon was communicating… He was simplifying a lot of the extraneous stuff and getting to work.” Here’s what I learned from Chris Smith about comedy, change and the combination that changed the world: 1) Ask the right questions Jon showed up every day and asked, “What was in the news? What's funny about it? What's our point of view?” Everyday, I ask, “Who can I help today?” It keeps me open to the day. It gives me a fresh perspective. That’s part of reinvention. Always looking. Always starting over. Always asking, “What’s missing here?” And then filling that gap. 2) Change the format Jon did a “Bush vs. Bush” segment. First you see a clip of Governor Bush talking about Iraq and saying, “We're not here to nation-build.” Then you see Bush as president saying the complete opposite. "We're going to nation-build in Iraq." Jon didn’t point out the hypocrisy. He could’ve. But that wouldn't have been funny. Instead, he played dumb. He pretended he didn’t know it was the same person contradicting himself. That’s what made it funny. He removed knowledge from the situation. And got the attention of millions. Eventually, making real change. They even had an effect on some big issues. “They made an eight or nine-minute mock detective movie. They took one veteran and tried to trace his paperwork through the Veterans Administration. They kept running into ridiculous roadblocks, but it was also moving. It gave you a sense of how much this guy was going through to get medical care,” Chris said. “That ended up shaming the Veterans Administration and changing a lot of those rules and regulations.” He also transformed media. “Loosely,” Chris says. But, in old media you couldn’t find the truth like you can today. It would take weeks of research. Now with the Internet you can search and find anything. And turn it around in 24 hours. Chris talked to Anderson Cooper. He said the mainstream media world was always aware of “The Daily Show.” They didn’t want to get made fun… “And, inevitably, you did.” 3) Ignore the traps “You've got, in many cases, a lot of ambitious, competitive, eccentric people,” he said. “You put them in a room and give them a deadline and that can lead to a lot of clashes.” But Jon didn’t get stuck in the trappings of show business. Which is easy to do in any career. But if you use your idea of how things could be to fuel creation, you get a leg up. You get “The Daily Show.” 4) Live in two worlds “What about when you were writing the book? Did you ever wish you were them? Did you ever feel like, ‘I'm covering them, but I want to be them’?” I knew my answer. And Chris’s answer was more or less the same. “No…” “In some fantasy world... sure.” -
1/19/2017 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 206 - Steven Johnson: Why You Have to Replace Ambition with Play
I wish I was as smart as Steven Johnson. I asked him, “What is your one favorite thing that everybody thinks is bad for you that is actually good for you?” He didn’t want to tell me. “My kids might listen to this later,” he said. But he told me... He's the author of "Where Good Ideas Come From: The Natural History of Innovation," "Everything Bad is Good for you," and the recent "Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World"— how the idea of "play" more than anything else, is what created the modern world. “I regret saying this a little, but, the assumption that video games are just a terrible waste of time and that this generation is growing up playing these stupid games is really… it’s so wrong," he said. He was talking about using play for education reform. "If you think about it, we walk around with a bunch of assumptions of what a learning experience is supposed to look like: listening to a lecture, watching an educational video, taking an exam to test your learning." I was gonna puke. “I’ve been watching my kids play Battlefield 1, which is set in WWI. And it’s amazing.” “I sit and watch my kids play and ask what they’re thinking about. Because as a grown up who doesn’t play the game you can’t process it. There’s just so much going on in the world. They’re playing this multiplayer game, in this incredibly vivid landscape with a million data points streaming across the screen.” His doesn't understand it. And his kids don’t understand how he doesn’t understand it... “Didn’t you see the signal I got? And how this one piece of the interface was telling me to do xy and z?” “All I can see is there’s a gun and a Zeplin. I’m 48,” he said. We’re the same age. “Does that make me middle aged?” “We’re old." Kids are basically gonna destroy us. We’re the one’s who are going to end up in diapers. They started off there, we end up there. Unless… We play, too. So here’s what Steven found out. One would ask, that sounds ridiculous: how did "play" create the Industrial Revolution. Or all the wars of the past 500 years. Or all the innovations we've seen with the Internet, which was initially funded by the military. What does "play" have to do with it? Everything. And that's what makes Steven Johnson so infuriating. He'll take two concepts that seem like they have nothing to do with each other and he'll say, THIS caused THAT! And I'd shake my head and cry and ask, "How is that even possible?" And then he'll show me. Because he traces his curiosity. It’s like when you start clicking all the hyperlinks in a Wikipedia page. And seeing how everything is connected. Steven connects the dots and puts them in a book for you. If I were to recreate a robotic Steven Johnson (hmmm, actually, maybe he is a robot. Or at least has a Cylon brain or maybe Bradley Cooper's brain from Limitless) I'd have to feed in 10,000 books or so, and this ability to find every possible cross connection between every two ideas mentioned in the books. And then he spits it out in his masterpieces. As I told him in the beginning of the podcast: I enjoy a lot of books. A lot of books are great even. But your books and only a few others are among the only books where I read it and I feel like my IQ is going up. I made up a game in fact, based on his books. Maybe someone should make the card game for this. Here's two random concepts. Tell me how they are connected. Example: The lengthening of shop windows in London in the 1600s and the rise of American slavery in the 1800s. I’m not making this up. One really caused the other. Steven calls it “the hummingbird effect.” It’s different from the butterfly effect where the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can cause a hurricane. That’s chance. The hummingbird effect is traceable. “It has to be 2-3 steps removed,” he said. “And you have to be really rigorous about when it just doesn’t work.” You play to find the links. I told him this idea. He laughed and said, "I should do that." Example: The laugh of Sputnik, led direction to Tinder. In the podcast, we spoke about how humans have this evolutionary need not only for food and reproduction (Darwin's well-trodden theories), but also novelty. Example: Gutenberg in the 1400s led to the study of genomics. And that novelty and play gave us energy and initiative to produce discoveries ranging from the cotton gin, the steam engine, world exploration, and the Internet. Example: a tree used by the Mayans to make games led directly to car tires. What I really wanted to explore in the podcast was not only these insane connections. It was almost ludicrous how many fun ones I was coming up with, but what was it about Steven that allowed him to come up with all these connections. What does he do differently with his brain? Can I do it also? I wanted to learn. Example: The invention of the phonograph in the mid 1800s directly led to their being more boys than girls born in China this year.
1/17/2017 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 205 - Jairek Robbins: What To Do When You're Overworked, Tired and Can't Turn Off Your Mind
You know that game where you flip a card, see the face and turn it back over, then try to find the match? That's the game we're going to play... Write down your values. I told Jairek mine. I had three. Jairek is a life coach. And Tony Robbins is his dad. But that doesn’t matter. Because Tony didn’t invest in his son’s strengths. He invested in weakness. “I didn’t really have an understanding of what real hard work was,” Jairek said. So in college, Jairek went to Canada and stacked lumber. “You’ve known me a long time,” I said. “What’s a weakness I have that you think I can work through?” “I’ll tell you how we find those,” he said. Step 1: Review your values Jairek said, “Let’s do this right now. If I were to ask you what’s most important to you in life, what would you say?” “Humans…” That was number one. Connecting with people I care about. “Being an honest person who acts with integrity.” “And creativity.” So here’s the card game… Imagine you have all the cards face down on the carpet. Every card has a match. One shows your values. The other shows your time. You have to match them up to win. Because values = time. People say, “Time is money.” No. Time is values. But pretty much everyone struggles with this. I struggle with this. Jairek gave an example but it made me wonder maybe your brain's idea of values is wrong. Maybe your “values” are really your expectations… In my life, misery sinks in when expectations are higher than reality. I don't know. The example Jairek gave was a guy who spent all his time doing business. His values were family and God. So I asked Jairek, “Could your brain be wrong?” Maybe this guy’s calendar was right. Maybe he really valued business… I’m not in his head. I don't’ have a life coach. I have a therapist. So if you're reading this and thinking, "No he doesn’t," then you know what's true for you. Step 2: Find a match Log your time. Look at your day and your week. Jairek’s clients log their lives for seven days. But he also needs to know your thoughts. Which is harder to measure. “I don’t have a sensor for that yet,” he said. “It’s subjective.” Jairek has helped thousands of people. One client said, “Honestly, I wake up and the first thing through my head is, ‘Am I going to close that deal today?’ It’s always combing through my mind. Even at dinner. I’m thinking about the paperwork. My mind’s constantly turning. I’m not able to let go of what’s going on.’” His home life was suffering. So Jairek asked, “What’s your ritual to turn it off at the end of the day and walk away without having all those thoughts processing in your head?” Most people don’t have a ritual. That’s the problem. “You need to disassociate from work,” he said. “Get it out of your nervous system.” So here’s the formula: disconnect, then connect. Part A) Disconnect: “Some people go for a walk, other people breathe for 20 minutes. It’s different for everybody. You have to figure out the routine.” Sometimes I’m emailing about work at midnight. That’s how habits start. They creep in when my guard is down, when I’m not connected to anything I love. Part B) Connect Jairek switched his coaching methods a few years ago. He used to coach on performance. Now it’s relationships. Because it’s the relationships in our lives that increase our performance. “Right now, if you’re at work, and you think about your kids, your heart’s probably not gushing over them,” he said.” “No, usually they suck and I’m annoyed at them.” I had plans to see them in a few hours. Then Jairek hypnotized me. “What’s the most precious and beautiful moment you have with one of your kids?” he said. “Go back way in the distance. Remember one of your earliest moments with them that just lit your heart up. And as a dad made you prouder than you could have ever imagined.” He had me repeat the process. Catch a memory. Then another. You can do this about your spouse, family, someone who’s hurt your or you’ve hurt. Then combine memories with music. Or look at a picture. “If you combine the visual, auditory and the feeling of it, and reconnect with those memories, then by the time you get home, you’re less likely to pick up a business call. Because your head’s not thinking about all the deals.” I saw my kids that day. We laughed more than ever… And when I flipped the cards, I found a match.
1/12/2017 • 57 minutes, 43 seconds
Ep. 204 - Mike Massimino: The Ultimate Thrill Seeking Profession
Mike Massimino failed his PhD the first time. Failed the astronaut test the first three times. Failed to get the highest evaluation when he walked into space the first time. And almost destroyed the Hubble Telescope on the last attempt the US was going to make to fix it. But he did it. He did it all. Two things I noticed about him. One thing is he kept saying things to me like, “I wasn’t the smartest in X but…” He said that about his classmates. He said that about his neighbors. He said this about his fellow co-workers. He said this out in the middle of outer space. 350,000 miles away from home. In my podcast, years later, he was still saying that. He's a liar. He got his PhD from MIT in “robot arms on Mars”. He went into space twice. He fixed the Hubble telescope so now we can see images like this: By the way, he failed the astronaut exam because his vision wasn't good enough. He then figured out how to TRAIN HIS EYES TO HAVE BETTER EYESIGHT. I never even heard of that before. He passed his next exam with 20/20 vision. Clearly he was good enough. In fact, he is the best at everything he has ever done. Humility without negativity (negative might be: “I’m not good enough so I will give up.”) seems to be key. In other words: Humility With Forward Action. Second, he told me something very interesting. In his lab at MIT there were ten other students. Four of them became astronauts. Do you know how hard it is to become an astronaut? Out of the 1000s of people who used to apply each year, less than 10 would get in. These 1000s who applied were DESPERATE to get in. And they couldn’t. And yet FOUR from this one single lab flew into outer space. If he had been hanging out in a bar instead of a robotics lab, I doubt he could say, “Me and 3 of my friends went into space”. Life and it’s outcomes are contagious. Be where, and with who, you will inherit the greatest possibilities, the greatest encouragement, the greatest knowledge, the greatest joys and friendship These are the viruses you want to infect you. Those are the people and places that will propel you into outer space. And by “outer space”, in this one case I am talking metaphorically. Be the person the people around you expect you to be. I learned this from Mike because I was curious and I reached out to him and wanted to ask questions. Learning something from the people you admire is really the point here. If you do it just once a day you’ll learn 365 incredible things a year. This will make your life a dream. And then you’ll dream of things you never knew existed. .
1/10/2017 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 203 - Susan David: What Happens When You're Deeply Stuck In Your Job and Asking, "How Did I Get Here?"
It’s the most commonly believed lie. It will make you lose all your money. It’ll make you wake up in your 40’s or 50’s and wonder what you’re going to do about retirement. It will make you develop your worst possible habits. For me, it was drinking. And waking up face to floor. I was ugliest when I was unhappy. That’s true for everyone. Unless you hide it with plastic surgery and cocaine. The point is I care about myself now. And not a lot of people say that. But it’s important. I should care about me more than anyone else… even my daughters. But sometimes I mess up. Sometimes I love them more than me. Even on airplanes, they say, “Put your mask on before assisting others.” If you put a mask on your baby before you put a mask on yourself, your baby will never know who you could’ve been. If I don’t put my oxygen mask on first everyday, then my kids, my friends, everyone I meet, won’t know who I really am. They won’t know me at my best. They’ll know me passed out on the floor because I tried starving myself for three days (it was a fast. I was trying to detox my body. Again this goes back to caring about yourself. Molly, Josie, I swear, I had good intentions.) Let me get back to the most commonly believed lie. It’s called the sunk cost fallacy. This is when you stick to what you’re doing because you already invested your whole life in it. For example, you won’t quit your job (the job you hate) because that’s what you went to college for or because you’ve been doing it for 20 years and change is scary. I studied computer science. I went to graduate school for it. But now I do what I love. Because I gave up. I had to give up on life’s little stresses and jump head first into an even bigger stress. It took me one step closer to bottom. And one step closer to the lifeboat. I have a friend. She’s 52. Or 53, divorced. She has a “low-level” job. Or that’s what she says. She thinks her goals are out of reach. She says, “I can’t do it.” And she believes it. So I asked my friend Susan David, (she’s a Ph.D) “How can you help someone like that? How can you help someone struggling with life’s circumstances?” But I was asking the wrong question. Because she told me the stress people experience everyday isn’t (usually) caused by massive life events. “There’s a particular kind of stress that, in psychology, we call allostatic stress,” Susan said, “It’s the everyday stress.” I was interviewing her about her book, “Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life.” She gave 50 or 100 tips to do exactly what the subtitle of her book says, “Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life.” 1) Accept it “Accept that you aren’t where you want to be,” Susan said. “Be with those difficult emotions.” She said we get stuck in two ways. One is “bottling.” The second is “bruting.” Bottling is when someone traps emotions inside. They ignore their feelings. Bruting is when someone obsesses about emotions. And try to determine what happened and why… They both cause high levels of anxiety. So I had to stop asking, “Why?” 2) Choose “want-to” goals I have four main values. They’re in my daily practice. Values are the things you want to do versus the things you have to do. Because “have to” goals are less likely to be successful. So I asked Susan, “What if you don’t know what your values are?” “We often turn around and say, ‘How did I get here?’ “I was just going on with flow. I was just doing what everyone else told me to do. I went to college. I got a job. I got a house... How did I get her?’ This is a really difficult place for people to be” she said. “What’s really critical for all of us to realize is values are not some abstract idea. Values are ways of living, ways of being.” Figure out your values. Susan says, at the end of the day ask yourself, “What did I do today that was worthwhile?” I watched a plane move through the sky today. I held the door for someone. I smiled at someone who looked dangerous… someone who probably isn’t smiled at often. Those were worthwhile moments. I’m also writing… It’s a “want-to” goal that I hope to have for the rest of my life... but who knows, sometimes reinvention has new ideas for you. 3) Make “towards” moves There are two types of movements. Everything you do is either a “toward” or an “away” movement. “If I value my health, I can go downstairs and choose an ice cream, which is an ‘away’ move or I can make a choice that is healthier,” Susan said. 4) Watch for setbacks “When you have a setback you’re more likely to revert back to an old bias you falsely believe,” she said. I made an “away” move. I stopped writing my daily gratitude list. And then I started complaining. It was a domino effect. But I caught it early. Setbacks happen everyday to everyone. I just have to watch for them. I’m not immune. I asked Susan about her setbacks. I wanted to know what drove her to this study. “As you can hear from my accent, I didn’t grow up in the U.S.” “I thought that was a Brooklyn accent,” I said. “When I was growing up, your chances of learning how to read and write were lower than your chances of being raped,” she said. “So from a very early age, I became interested in how people were dealing or not dealing with the chaos that was going on around them.” Susan was 25 years old the first time she could safely go for a walk. She’s from South Africa. She lived there for 25 years. Then moved to New York. -- I’ve spent a lot of time trying to get rid of stress. But I spent more building it. The lie we all believe is that you have to stick with it. You can’t quit. You are what you are. But that’s not true. You are what you choose to be tomorrow. I chose to be a writer, podcaster, father, angel investor, interrupter, chess master. I chose not to be a computer scientist or to walk the streets of NY waiting for a coconut to save my life. Susan called it “the physics of willpower”… It’s when you finally decide your investments are failing you. A lot of people feel deeply stuck in their lives. I have, too. But the way out begins when you accept what you really want: reinvention.
1/5/2017 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 202 - Kamal Ravikant: How To Find Something Worth Doing… Something Worth Looking For
Kamal was totally lost. His father had died. His job over. His relationship gone. He felt adrift, depressed, broken. He was so lost he wandered the world trying to find his way back. Twenty years later he wrote the novel about what happened - REBIRTH. The novel is about how he discovered for himself the ancient art of the pilgrimage. How to be a wanderer. How to be lost in a world with too much GPS raining down. Would a pilgrimage, a wandering, solve his problems? I read Kamal's book. The book comes out today. I had him on my podcast (also out today). I wanted to find out how even in our daily lives we can go on a pilgrimage. Even if I'm in a cubicle, can I break free, can I become a wanderer Sometimes I also feel stuck. But I don't want to go away for months at a time. I want a pilgrimage in my life right now! From what I can gather from reading the book, REBIRTH, and talking with Kamal, a pilgrimage has several parts: A) SEEKING AN ANSWER Something happened. Something confusing. Something that wasn't in the plan. You have to get off the regular path. Try a new one. Try one that takes a bit of courage and discipline. To meet stranger along the way B) IT TAKES TiME I'm not a believer that you have to go to a far location. But take time for yourself each day to do something you've never done before. Think about things you never thought about before. Find the places in your life that you never looked before. They are there every day. The pilgrimage awaits. Do a dare you never would have dared to before. C) STRUGGLE Maybe some people find life easy. I don't. Life is filled with worries about money, about relationships, about (for me) kids, about decisions, about the people who hate you, who annoy you, who scare you. Anxieties, regrets. Every pilgrimage begins with the struggle. And every journey is a struggle. The struggle doesn't stop. It just changes. It changes into one where you are lost to one where you have vision. Where the struggle is not being trapped in the vision of others but for the unique impact that you want to create. D) BENEFITS OF A PILGRIMAGE: - You see more clearly: Everything you see on a pilgrimage is different from "normal life". Enjoy them. Learn from it. Even a single day, a single meeting, can be a pilgrimage. What is your takeaway from it. - You meet people. I like to pretend everyone has a fortune cookie to give me. A little bit stale, a little bit crunchy, with a folded message inside. Read it. - There's an end. We've made pilgrimages too easy. We can go to a museum and see 2000 works of art. It used to be that people would travel a 1000 miles to see one painting hanging up in a chapel. Then you can really appreciate what you see. The more you appreciate the people, the things, the emotions around you, the more you are a pilgrim. - Come back changed. A pilgrim doesn't just fly a plane from LA to NY. A pilgrim changes because of the journey. You do that by using your senses: listen more, see more, taste more, observe more. The convenience of modern society comes at a price. It's too difficult now to be a pilgrim because everything is two taps away on our phone. There is an "otherness" to being disconnected for a bit. To search. To wander. And finally, to give up looking. To surrender to the results. ---- It's freeing to give up, even for a few minutes, everything you ever knew. To become a Wanderer. To look around and see everything as if it were new. REBIRTH, by Kamal Ravikant, got me thinking about these things. He went on his pilgrimage. He met people. He went on an adventure, a journey, and reading his book showed me how. I need to leave. To struggle. To find an answer. And then to completely give up all hope of ever finding one. To find again the beauty of being completely lost. If I get lost enough, maybe I can find something worth looking for.
1/3/2017 • 58 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 201 - Ben Mezrich: Success after 190 Rejection Slips
“When I was a struggling writer, before I wrote my first book, I got 190 rejection slips.” He taped them to the walls like a serial killer. “My wallpaper was rejection slips.” “What was the worst one...,” I asked Ben Mezrich, a New York Times bestselling author. Over the past five or six years, I’ve probably read all of his books. He wrote “Bringing Down the House,” which became the movie “21”. He wrote, “Accidental Billionaires,” which became “The Social Network” where Jesse Eisenberg played a seemingly evil Mark Zuckerberg. The New Yorker sent him just a page with the most powerful word known to man. “It was just, ‘No,’” Ben said, “I was rejected by a janitor at a publishing house because I sent a manuscript to an editor who was no longer working there and the manuscript ended up in the trash can. A janitor took it out of the trash, read it and sent me a rejection letter.” That was his big chance. Not Ben’s. The janitor. “I’ve never wanted to write a book,” Ben said. “I wanted to write. I wanted to write a hundred books.” I was interviewing him about, “The 37th Parallel: The Secret Truth Behind America's UFO Highway.” They found these cows in the 70s. It looked like they were sliced with a laser. They had perfect slices of circles in their abdomens. Like pancakes. And they were completely drained of blood. The FBI investigated. There was no mess. No blood spill. Then pilots started seeing UFOs. Ben says if a pilot sees a UFO now, they’ll get fired for reporting it. So I asked him, “Isn’t there a freedom of information act?” “They’ve tried,” he said. “But they didn’t even admit Area 51 existed until a few years ago. So, no. They don’t have to release that information.” People lose their minds looking for answers. Questioning can be interrogative or art. Answers birth more questions. And the space between answer A and question B is just space. And that’s where Ben’s books are created. “I only go into the stories where it’s larger than life or something happens,” Ben said. “What leads up to that incredible moment? What leads up to Facebook being a billion dollar company or what leads up to a guy suddenly believing in UFOs?” I asked about his writing process. And selling process. “I write by page not by time,” he said. If he’s writing a 300 page book, he does this: Step 1: introduce characters Step 2: introduce love interest Step 3: introduce what they’re trying to achieve / their goal (You’re starting off with the obstacles.) That’s part 1. Step 4: “At the end of 100 pages something happens -- something that makes it very difficult for the characters to achieve their goal.” Ben said, “When I’m interviewing people, I’m thinking of their lives as chapters.” Interviewing is part of Ben’s writing, but it’s also part of his selling process. He won’t write a book that won’t sell. “How do you know?” I asked. “Usually, I speak to the main character enough to get a book proposal,” he said. “Then I do all that research. Then I do an outline (very specific, in fact, I know how many pages each chapter is. It’s like a skeleton. It’s very severe.)” My dreams don’t have skeletons. They usually look like boneless blobs or liquid sliding downstream. Direction over details. That’s what Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert told me. I get stuck because I want to do everything at once. I want to read every book, go for a walk, fly around New York City, interview Carly Simon, Edward Thorpe, Carrie Fisher (who I’m sad I missed sharing her stories with you… we were going to meet when she returned from the UK). I want to spend time with my daughters, begin and win at all my dreams, but I also want to do nothing. Sometimes I get so worked up dreaming of the millions of directions I could fly that I forget to take off. But it’s ok. Because I have something to write about. I have a connection with you. Something to share. Something that makes us the same kind of human: ambitious, terrified, curious. We want to be all in. We want to be creatures of resilience.
12/29/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 200 - Scott Adams: Subtly Hypnotizing Yourself And Everyone You Meet
How can you use mass hypnosis to control 60,000,000 people so they vote for you to become the leader of the world? Scott Adams, the creator of Dilbert, knows the answer and has known it for years. So I called him and asked. I needed to know. He told me how Trump won. And he told me how anyone can use these persuasion techniques to improve their lives. What if you can get people to do whatever you want just by using the right words and subtly hypnotizing everyone you meet? It sounds like a science fiction novel. But it's true. It's what happened, and it happens every day. Who are the victims? You're the victim. Scott Adams predicted in September 2015(!) that Donald Trump would become President because, "he is the best master persuader I have ever seen." Scott Adams trained as a hypnotist and master persuader for years. "Once you realize that everyone is completely irrational," Scott Adams told me, "your life gets a lot easier. "You can start to use the principles behind this to see why people really do things, as opposed to using rational facts, and then use that to your advantage. "Understanding that people are irrational has made my life a lot better." But how did he predict a year and a half ago that Trump would win? I needed to know how. And how I could do it. Trump was the unlikely choice to be President. Just like Scott was the unlikely choice to be one of the world's most popular cartoonists with Dilbert. But we can all learn the skills that Scott learned. Scott heard a story that made him want to change his life in his 20s. His mother had delivered birth to his sister without the use of anesthetics. She was hypnotized. "She felt no pain," Scott said. So Scott, in his 20s, learned all the techniques of hypnosis. "You mean," I said, "You can take a gold watch and swing it in front of their eyes and make them do what you want?" "That has never happened," Scott said, "Except in movies. "What you learn is that basically everything people do is completely irrational. And then they rationalize it later. "Like, they might say they voted for Trump because of his policies but this is just a rationalization. Everyone is irrational and everyone is subject to persuasion." Everything seemed against Trump. But somehow he beat 16 candidates in the primaries and one big candidate in the election. And, Scott says, all the theories as to why he won have been wrong. So I called him up and asked him what happened. And he told me: ----------------- - THE LINGUISTIC KILL SHOT "Trump described everyone using two techniques: - words that had never been used in politics before - words that were visual. So every time you looked at the candidate being described you would look for confirmation bias." Example: Jeb Bush he described as "low energy". "Low energy" had never been used to describe a candidate before so they stood out. And whenever you looked Jeb, unless he was jumping around, you would automatically look for clues that showed he was low energy. Trump systematically did this with everyone who was frontrunner against him, including "Crooked Hillary" which referred both to her legal troubles and the persistent rumors that she was sick. ------------------ - CHARISMA = POWER + EMPATHY Scott said, "Trump clearly had the Power part down. But he was low on Empathy. "So he used polling to figure out what the critical issue was for the most amount of people and came up with Immigration. By going with this issue he proved he had empathy with his base. "Expect him as President to try to show empathy to a much larger group of people." ------------------ - OVERSELLING THE STORY "Trump consistently oversold his point. For instance, 'Build a Wall'." He used hyperbole because it's the direction that counts. "It didn't matter that the facts didn't support him. His base was listening to the direction while all the media was getting bogged down in the weeds. "And in many cases, he would back down. He would recognize if he oversold too much and back down on it. "But again, the media would show his views for free because he was so outlandish and his supporters would note the direction, not the facts." I asked Scott: What would happen to Trump if a "Rick Perry" situation occurred like in 2012, where Perry couldn't name the 3 cabinet departments he wanted to eliminate and that destroyed his campaign? Scott said, "If Trump was stumbling to name the three he would just say, 'You know what? There are 10 cabinet positions I'd eliminate! You probably can guess the ones I'm talking about." "And then while everyone would be scratching their heads trying to figure out if there are even ten cabinet departments, his supporters would be just note the direction." -------------------- - AUDACITY Early on he would say things that were so audacious nobody could believe a Presidential candidate would be saying these things. But people got used to it. It got him free media coverage which allowed him to spend less than half of what Hillary spent. It allowed him to consistently say audacious and outlandish things throughout the campaign without upsetting his base. ----------------- - EMBRACE THE ARGUMENT If you just outright reject someone, they won't even pay attention to what you say. But with everyone he spoke with, he would start off agreeing with them and then start to turn people towards supporting his ideas. Even with Hillary, he would say: "She has great experience" before following it up with, "but after 30 years, what has changed?" --------------------- - TALENT STACK Scott said, "I'm not the funniest guy in the room. And I'm not the best at drawing. But I'm pretty good at both and that's where Dilbert comes from. "It's really hard to be the best in the world at one thing," Scott told me, "But if you are 'pretty good' at a bunch of things and use them together, you can succeed. "Trump has one of the best talent stacks I've ever seen. He's not the smartest guy in the room, but he's pretty good at public speaking, business smarts, humor, hiring and firing, politics, etc." Again, he didn't know as much as the other candidates about every political issue. "Expect him to get to know the facts that are important once he is President. But he was pretty good at knowing what was going on and combined that with the other "pretty good" things in his talent stack." ------------------- - BLAME OTHERS FOR PEOPLE'S SUFFERING "While Hillary was focusing on 'I'm With Her' and 'Let's make history with the first woman President', Trump was focusing on 'Draining the Swamp' and 'Let's Make America Great Again'. These were much more powerful persuasion messages." --------------- DID HILLARY HAVE A CHANCE? How could Hillary have fought better using her own persuasion techniques? "Hillary was running a strong persuasion game in the summer," Scott told me. "She might even have won if she stuck with it." " 'Dangerous Donald' was scary for people. But then her campaign leaked the Billy Bush video and even though it caused Trump to dip in the polls, it wasn't as bad as portraying him as a madman at the nuclear controls. Ironically, that bad news actually helped Trump." ---- My podcast with Scott comes out later today. I wanted to learn other things from him. Like how can I, or anyone, learn these persuasion techniques. What are the easiest techniques to learn? He told me on the podcast. Plus he was very honest and told me a trick he uses with the women he dates. ---- Does any of this mean Trump is going to be good or bad? This article isn't about that. It's just about what Trump, and all political candidates, do to win elections. Trump, according to Scott, was just particularly good at it. "The best I've ever seen". ---- Is it bad that people are irrational? That facts don't matter? Yes. But it's the reality. Our brains were built to hunt for food in scary and uncertain situations. In our more complex society, we still respond to primitive emotions even if they are now irrational. Do I want to be better at persuading so my life is better? Of course. The reality is: I'm easily influenced and have to constantly remind myself everyone has an agenda all the time. I don't think it matters who is President. There are too many forces at work to check and balance everything. But it does matter how I react, how I build my life day by day. It's my choice (I hope) whether or not I have a good impact on others. Or not. Maybe Scott hypnotized me into writing this. In which case, he did an excellent job. ------- Scott Adams Persuasion Books List: (this is from his blog) Chapter 1 - Things You Can Stop Believing The first chapter is designed to make you skeptical about your ability to comprehend reality. If you are already a hardcore skeptic, you can skip this chapter. - An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural - by James Randi - They Got It Wrong: History: All the Facts that Turned Out to be Myths Hardcover - by Emma Marriott [I have not read this book but anything in the genre of “wrong history” will work.] Chapter 2 - Stretching your Imagination These books are selected to open your mind for what follows. If you have experience with LSD or mushrooms, you might not need this chapter. (Yes, I am serious.) -Jonathan Livingston Seagull - by Richard Bach -God’s Debris: A Thought Experiment - by Scott Adams -Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah - by Richard Bach Chapter 3 - The Moist Robot Hypothesis The Moist Robot Hypothesis first appears in my book that is listed below. The idea is that humans are biological machines, subject to cause and effect. According to this view, free will is an illusion and humans can be programmed once you understand our user interface. With this chapter I ease you into the notion that humans are mindless robots by showing you how we are influenced by design, habit, emotion, food, and words. Until you accept the Moist Robot view of the world it will be hard to use your tools of persuasion effectively because you will doubt your own effectiveness and people will detect your doubt. Confidence is an important part of the process of influence. -The Design of Everyday Things - by Don Norma -What Every BODY is Saying - by Joe Navarro -The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business - by Charles Duhigg -Influence - by Robert B. Cialdini PhD -Thinking, Fast and Slow - by Daniel Kahneman -Salt Sugar Fat - by Michael Moss -Steve Jobs - by Walter Isaacson [The whole book is good, but look for the part where I appear on Jobs’ radar screen. That’s the part where you understand that hypnotists can identify each other by their tells.] -How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life- by Scott Adams -Free Will - by Sam Harris Chapter 4 - Active Persuasion This chapter gets into the details of how to influence people. My opinion is that you will be less effective with these tools if you do not have a full understanding of our moist robot nature introduced above. -Impossible to Ignore - Dr. Carmen Simon (NEW) -Trump: The Art of the Deal - Donald J. Trump -Win Your Case: How to Present, Persuade, and Prevail–Every Place, Every Time - by Gerry Spence -Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your ---Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial - by Tony Robbins -How to Win Friends & Influence People - by Dale Carnegie (Better yet, take a Dale Carnegie class near you. It will change your life. Trust me.) -How to Write a Good Advertisement - by Victor O. Schwab -The Secret to Selling Anything - by Harry Browne -The One Sentence Persuasion Course - 27 Words to Make the World Do Your Bidding - by Blair Warren -Reframing: Neuro-Linguistic Programming and the Transformation of -Meaning- by Richard Bandler , John Grinder (This is included for completeness. Much of the NLP field has exaggerated claims, but there is some strong reality at the base of it.) -How to Hypnotise Anyone - Confessions of a Rogue Hypnotist - by ---The Rogue Hypnotist -Hypnosis and Accelerated Learning - by Pierre Clement (This is the school of hypnosis I learned in hypnosis class. It comes from Ericksonian hypnosis. See next book on list.) -Speak Ericksonian: Mastering the Hypnotic Methods of Milton Erickson - by Richard Nongard, James Hazlerig (Erickson was the father of modern hypnosis. Any book about his methods would be interesting.) ----- How good is Scott at predicting things? The attached Dilbert cartoon he drew 26 years ago.
12/27/2016 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 38 seconds
Ep. 199 - Gretchen Rubin: Where Happiness Hides
“When did you decide to go from being a lawyer to a full-time writer?” I asked Gretchen Rubin. She wrote the #1 New York Times bestseller, “The Happiness Project.” It was 2001. “At the Supreme Court, I was surrounded by people who loved law. They were reading law on the weekends. They were talking about law at lunch time. They just loved, loved, loved law. And I knew that I didn’t.” I felt pain in my legs. That’s the feeling I had in my body the last time I didn’t love something. I couldn’t sit around anymore. I got up mid-meeting, walked straight to the elevator and left. “I think a lot of people want to leave what they’re doing, but they don’t know where to go,” Gretchen said. A) How to find where to go “I was looking up at the capitol dome,” Gretchen said, “And I thought, ‘What am I interested in that everybody in the world is interested in?’ That’s when she wrote her first book, “Power Money Fame Sex: A User's Guide.” Her first step was research. That’s also what she did for fun. “That’s a big tip-off,” she said. “What do you do for fun?” I loved talking to prostitutes at HBO. But if I stayed I wouldn’t have my own podcast. I couldn’t talk to anyone I wanted. I was limited to prostitutes. And it wasn’t their fault. I didn’t know if it was OK to want a better life. I kept waiting for people to notice the signs. I wanted them to worry about me and encourage me to do what I love. But each situation is different. And you can’t always ask for advice. Advice is what other people would do if they were you. Not what they actually do as themselves. We try guiding each other with good intentions… but it’s not the same as choosing yourself. B) Be you Gretchen has 12 commandments of happiness. And the first one is “Be Gretchen” so for me it’d be, ‘‘Be James.” But sometimes I feel really disconnected to myself. Gretchen’s suggestions involve knowing a lot about yourself. So I asked her, “What if I don’t know anything about myself?” “That is the great question of our lives. ‘What does it mean to be you? Who are you?’” “It seems so easy because you hang out with yourself all day,” she said. “But it’s so easy to get distracted by who you feel you should be... or who you wish you were. Or who other people expect you to be.” It’s almost like we outsource our personality to everybody around us. But it's OK to stop doing things that should make you feel good, but don’t. “I had this weird experience recently,” Gretchen said. “I was at a cocktail party. And some woman, very nice person, was saying ‘Oh I love going skiing with the whole family. It’s a great vacation.’” Gretchen said it seemed great. But skiing doesn’t appeal to her. At all. “I love the fact that my husband has a knee injury so I never feel like we have to go skiing.” The woman tried convincing her. She said it’s a beautiful adventure, great for the whole family and everything else. “Twenty minutes later she came back to me with this absolutely stricken expression on her face. And she said, ‘I just realized I don’t like skiing either…’” Here’s an easy, two-step formula for being happier: Step 1: Do less of what you don’t like doing Make a list: 10 things you do but don’t like doing. (Unless you don’t like lists…) Step 2: Do more of what you like doing Come up with all the things you daydream about. What have you always wanted to try but never had time for? BAM! Now you have time. And you’re you. C) Use envy Gretchen was looking through a magazine from her college. She read about the other lawyers. And felt mildly interested. Then she saw people with writing jobs. “I felt sick with envy,” she said. “Envy is painful, but it’s a very helpful emotion for a happy life. It’s a giant red arrow sign standing over someone’s head saying, ‘They’ve got something you want.’” I’ve learned there are three types of self-help books. One is you’re telling people what to do. The other is scientists are telling people what to do and the third is you’re telling people what you did. I’ve interviewed hundreds of people. I always ask how they knew what to do next. And how they knew where to find joy... But that's the myth of happiness. It's not knowable. It's not one idea.
12/22/2016 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 44 seconds
Ep. 198 - Dan Ariely: Where A True, Deep Sense of Accomplishment Comes From
Dan Ariely was burned all over his body. He lived in the hospital for years. He grew up there. Now he writes about pain. And irrationality. And meaning. He had nerve damage from the burns. And no skin to protect himself from pain. The nurses slowly peeled back his bandages. He begged them to rip them off. They wouldn’t. He wanted quick pain and fast relief. They did it slowly for peace of mind. Not his. Theirs. Dan calls this “irrational behavior.” He says, “being irrational are the cases where we think we will behave in one way, but we actually don’t. And the reason I care about this is because those are the cases in which people are likely to make decisions.” He helps predict behavior. So you can respond the way you’d expect you would… not the way you actually do. “It's an interesting conflict,” he says. We talked about his new TED book, “Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations.”
12/20/2016 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 38 seconds
[Bonus] - Steven Pressfield [Part 2]: The Meaning of Practice
Steven Pressfield wrote all of the greatest books for writers. He's a pro. And in part 1 he talks about turning pro. Now he talks about HOW to develop your skills. “I have a writing practice," he says. “And what that sort of means is you detach yourself from the outcome and you’re looking at the long picture. If somebody says to me, ’Steve you’re gonna live to be 97.8 years old. Are you going to be writing the last day of your life?’ I'll say, ‘Yes.’ And I don’t give a shit if it sells or not. I’m in it." Be in it. Because it's not just a habit... it's your life.
12/15/2016 • 39 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep. 197 - Steven Pressfield [Part 1]: How to Go From Amateur to Pro
HOW TO GO FROM AMATEUR TO TURNING PRO? I had a full time job. I was trying to run a business on the side. I was pitching two TV shows. And I was obsessively playing chess day and night and traveling to tournaments. And nothing was going well. My attention was scattered. I was unhappy. I felt stuck. One time I was talking to one of the partners in my side business, Randy Weiner. I said to him, "I'm reading this fascinating book about chess endgames". He said, "I don't care about that! Why are you even looking at those books? Chess is a game for kids. You should be working at this business full-time." The next day I quit my job. I joined the business full time. I never played in another chess tournament ever again. I stopped pitching TV shows. I went from being an amateur to being a pro. Which is why I'm glad the other day I spoke to Steven Pressfield, author of "Turning Pro", "The War of Art", "The Legend of Bagger Vance", "Do the Work", and more than a dozen other great books and novels. Sometimes it seemed like each new low was lower. And often the highs were higher. But I haven't had a job since. Ever since I made the decision to turn pro, I've been free. It took me two years of asking before Steven finally agreed to do the podcast. I've read all his books twice. But I was still scared to death right before the podcast. Steven and I spoke for two hours about turning pro, writing, how to improve, how to achieve peak performance in any field of life. I wanted to ask questions nobody else would ask him. Two hours later I feel good about it. The podcast is coming out later today. Here is some of what we spoke about: - HOW TO DEAL WITH THE DEMONS When I join a gym, I go until I stop going. Then it basically teeters off. I'm an amateur at going to the gym. Every single day I write. If I don't do it for two days in a row I feel physically sick. But so many times I feel bad about what I am working on. Or I feel unsure if I should work on the next book. or try the next new idea. The demons come up. I get blocked. I get frustrated or scared. Will I be a failure? Have I run out of ideas? Steven wrote several books about these very demons. Steven said, "those thoughts are 'the Resistance'. "Every time you want to go from a lower level to a higher level - becoming an entrepreneur., get in better shape, meditate, be an artist - the Resistance will ALWAYS attack. Every writer or entrepreneur feels the Resistance every day." Recognize each thought as it comes up, he said. Identify the thoughts that are the resistance. Say, 'that's the resistance". "There's no way to get rid of The Resistance. Be aware of it. Say to yourself, these thoughts won't help me achieve my dreams." - KEEP THE EGO OUT A friend of mine started a company once. It was clearly a bad idea. But he thought it was a homerun. This is a cognitive bias. We tend to believe that if we pour our heart and soul into someone (our personal "investment") then it's a good idea. When I do something I have to constantly stop and ask if I'm smoking my own crack. One time I made a website I thought was brilliant. It had an IQ test on it. And it was a dating site. And it would tell you if you were smart or stupid and you can then date people and know their intelligence. I thought it was brilliant! My six year old daughter told me, "Isn't this kind of mean?" My daughter refused to light my crack pipe. Steven told me he had to make sure with his most recent novel, the autobiographical "The Knowledge" that he had to keep his ego out of it. "I had to put some distance between myself and the writing because it was about my early struggles as a writer." - EVEN A PORN DIRECTOR CAN BE A MENTOR: Steven told me about how he switched from writing bad novels to going into screenwriting, to finally getting back to writing novels. It's important to keep switching around, to pursue every angle of an interest. To take away a lesson from every area. Along the way he met a director of porn movies that wanted Steven to write some scenes. "He told me two things: A) don't make a sex scene just about having sex. Make sure it advances the story. Like the detective is having sex with someone and spots a clue. B) Always have something else happening so they can cut back and forth. Like a wife is cheating with the carpenter but the husband is coming home and she doesn't realize and the camera cuts back and forth. That took me to a new level in my fiction writing." The porn director was a mini-mentor. Other writers he admired were virtual mentors. Editors, agents, other directors and writers also became mentors. Learn from everyone. - FEAR OF SUCCESS IS REAL I said, "I don't believe that 'fear of success' is a thing. Is it?" Steven said, "Absolutely. In fact, maybe it's the biggest fear people have that prevents them from turning pro. "To be successful you have to give up a lot. There's a lot of sacrifice. You are tied to what you dedicate yourself to, and you have to get better and better at it. There's no stopping." "What did you sacrifice?" "Everything," he said. "I write every day. I will write until the day I die." I asked him again what he had sacrificed. We were sitting in his home where he lives on his own. He looked out past me, looking out at the amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. "Everything." - EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE THE HERO IN THEIR STORY "The arc of the hero" is a structure that is at the heart of every story," Steven told me. "But it's also the arc of your own personal story. Pay attention to it in your life." The 'arc of the hero' is from work by Joseph Campbell and, earlier, from Jung, that is the primal structure of almost every story. It's the arc of Harry Potter, Star Wars, the story of Jesus, and every great story you can think of. "If someone is sitting in their office, wondering how to make use of the potential they know they have, this is their arc also." - the hero is feeling stuck, but feels he/she has a destiny - there is a call to action. An opportunity to become better and enter a new world. - a mentor (real or virtual) appears to help the hero enter the new world once he chooses to do so. - the hero meets new allies and even enemies. - problems get worse and worse until all seems lost - the hero gets what he wants - and, finally, the hero has to return home, a changed person, but this return home is also beset with challenges. We enjoy movies and stories best when they have this structure. But our lives are also stories. Make sure you become the hero of your story. You can have many stories in your life, not just one. We all feel stuck or frustrated at some point. Find a destiny, find mentors, meet your new friends, confront the obstacles, return home a changed person. Repeat. Now you are the pro. Now you are the hero.
12/13/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 3 seconds
[Bonus] - Tim Ferriss: [Part 2] Where Are You Not Replaceable?
I was very late and I was very upset at myself. I had flown three thousand miles. I moved into an Airbnb right next to where Tim was staying. I had written thousands of notes on ripped pieces of paper and stuck them all throughout the book. I had notes written up and around all the margins. I listened to dozens of his podcasts. And I've known him for years. All morning I had jotted down possible questions. And I was late to meet Tim for our podcast. Because the west coast is three hours a way in time travel from the east coast. That's how stupid I am. I rushed over and he was waiting. Tim follows his own advice. He was relaxed. No problems. I apologized, we spoke for awhile, and then started the podcast. Three hours later...not even close to done but we stopped. I want to be a better person in life. I want to be healthier. I want to be more creative. I want to find what is hidden inside of me, dig around, unleash it. I want to find the strength to do that. It's not an easy to thing to do. To scrape the dirt and dust that collects inside of ourselves. To explore. To wander. To create. Tim's book, "Tools of the Titans" is a guidebook for doing the above. And I had a lot of questions. ---- A few months after I started my podcast in 2014, Tim wrote me and said, "Can I call you and ask you some questions about podcasting". I said sure and he called and we talked for quite awhile. He called many podcasters during this period. Then he started his own podcast. He DOMINATED. All of his guests were amazing. He told me he was getting so much great advice from his guests it was overwhelming. The aftermath of a hailstorm where everything is just glowing and even the air you breathe seems cleansed. But that lasts only a short time until the atmosphere is filled with the everyday pollution of life. So he took a month off, re-listened to all his podcasts, and just for his own use he wrote down the advice he was hearing. "But it was too much," he told me. "I kept writing. It was clearly a book." It's not like any other book he's written. He steps out of the way in many cases, and let's these super-achievers do the talking. He curates their thoughts. They had found the hidden gems inside themselves, and long ago brought them up to share with the world to achieve their successes, and now they documented them with Tim. That's why I flew 3000 miles. I wanted the gems. I wanted answers. ---- I've had so many ups and downs I try to quantify what works on the way up. What goes wrong on the way down. I try to quantify: what are the steps for reinvention? I wonder: what makes someone break out of mediocrity? About seven months ago I threw out all of my belongings. I gave away or donated to the library about 3000 books. All of my books now are on my kindle. None of the answers were in my things. But now I have one physical book. Tim's. And I plan to keep it. Here are ten things (among many) I learned from the book and from our podcast: "ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP" I'm impressed how Tim did his work before starting a podcast. Starting something new is not about taking risks. Jumping into the unknown, getting out of the comfort zone, doing something scary. It's not about bravery. It's the exact opposite. You can only do so many "new" things in life. So do the work beforehand. He called people up. He learned the craft as much as he could. He talked to people ranging from me to people at Apple. He had initial guests lined up. He had a huge launch. And he told me the other day that he is persistent at getting his guests. One recent guest, he told me, took two years to book. Which was refreshing for me to hear since it often takes me that long or longer to book many guests. Comedian Whitney Cummings told him: "My work is not done on the night of a big standup special. My work was done three months ago. All I have do is show up." Even though I was late for our podcast, I'm glad I showed up. - DOING IS EVERYTHING Derek Sivers told him, "If all we needed was more information, then everyone would be a billionaire with perfect abs." It's the DOING that's difficult. I asked Tim: "there's 700 pages of advice here. How can anyone follow everything? How do you know what will work for you?" Just pick a few things. Pick what resonates with you. Start slowly. It doesn't matter what you do. Just start DO-ing. Dan Ariely once told me something similar. "If you say sorry to someone, even if you don't mean it, even if THEY KNOW you don't mean it, then you still have a better relationship with them a year later compared with people who never say sorry." DOING > THINKING. - BLEED From Morgan Spurlock, the director of "Supersize Me" and many other great documentaries. "Don't be afraid to show your scars". This is not a book about suicide. But Tim shares the time he was considering it. This is not a book about anxiety or depression. But Tim shares his battles with those demons. This book is not just a book of advice, it's a book of Tim's own journey as he tries to make his life better. In the section with Tony Robbins, Tony talks about how he wakes up every morning and writes about what he is anxious about. I find this is very helpful. Instead of complaining to the outside world, you reveal to your inside world what it is you are scared of. When I was talking to Susan David in another podcast, she told me how if you write down your vulnerabilities just ONCE for 20 minutes, then even up to six months later the experimental group showed less signs of stress than the control group. Be vulnerable, write down three anxieties a day. I can't be true to others if I'm not true to myself. - MORNING PAGES Julia Cameron writes about this in the classic book, "The Artists Way". Brian Koppelman, writer of Rounders, Ocean's 13, Billions, etc swears by this technique for increasing his creativity. Many of Tim's guests say the same thing. What are morning pages? Sit down in the morning, write in longhand three pages of garbage without stopping. This uncages the anxious "monkey mind" and puts it on the page. It unleashes any writer's block because you have permission to write total nonsense. It frees the mind for the creativity it needs to do that day. - THE DOUBLE THREAT GUIDE TO BEING SUCCESSFUL When Tim spoke to Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, Scott told him: "I always advise young people to become good public speakers". Anyone can do that, he says, with practice. "Suddenly you're in charge or maybe you are starting your own company. Capitalism rewards things that are both rare and valuable." If you are good at public speaking and one other skill, you make yourself more rare and valuable. Before Warren Buffett made one dime of money, he took a Dale Carnegie course on public speaking. After that, he made a dime of money. Or two. - DON'T BE AFRAID TO DO SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO Dan Carlin, host of the super-podcast "Hardcore History" told Tim this. Dan was not a historian, didn't have a PhD, but was fascinated by history. His mother(!) told him, "why don't you do a podcast about the stories you tell here at the dinner table." He told his mother, but I don't have a doctorate." His mother said, "I didn't realize you had to have a doctorate to tell stories". And now he has the most popular history-based podcast on the planet. Kamal Ravikant, a past and future guest on my own podcast, told Tim, "If I only did things I was qualified for I'd be pushing a broom somewhere." Schools, corporations, government, parents, friends, want to put you in their own boxes. They have a menu for you, with only very limited choices today. But if you don't choose your own themes in life, then someone else will do the choosing for you and the results won't be as good. - THE THOUSAND TRUE FAN THEORY....EXPANDED Kevin Kelly tells tim, "Success need not be complicated. Just start with making 1000 people extremely extremely happy," Three ideas from this: Kevin's idea is that if they are true super fans, you will be able to build a product, charge for it, and they will pay, making you a living. Build a product that makes their lives better. Second idea: Have direct contact with your fans. This gets rid of all the middlemen and turns your relationships into a tribe. Third idea: Not every fan is a super fan. But the super fans will help you communicate with the other people who would be receptive to your message. The key here being: have an important and unique message. One that helps people. One that is a vision that people can believe in. Start small. Focus on the people who really care about what you are doing. As Seth Godin even says, "Find Ten" if you have to. Because if t's a good idea then ten will tell ten who will tell ten. Book recommendation from this chapter: "Small Giants" by Bo Burlingham, about companies that choose to be the best rather than the biggest. - ASK DUMB QUESTIONS This is a common theme throughout the book. Tony Robbins tells Tim, "We are the quality of the questions we ask." And both Alex Blumberg (super podcaster) and Malcolm Gladwell talk about the importance of asking dumb questions. People sometimes criticize me for interrupting guests on my podcasts. I get it. But the reality is: if I don't understand something during the podcast, then when else will I get the chance to understand. Alex Blumberg gives some good ways to start dumb questions: "Tell me about a time when..." "Tell me about the day when..." "What were the exact steps that got you to...." "Describe the conversation when..." And then with a follow up to any answer like, "How did that make you feel?" -- NO COMPLAINING Tracey DiNunzio told Tim a great line which I underlined twice in the book: "When you complain, NOBODY wants to help you": If you only focus what is wrong, then you will bring the people around you down. Be a source of growth for the people around you, so that they can become a source of growth for you. It's the "Honda" theory. If you just bought a Honda, you will suddenly see Hondas all over the road. If all you do is complain, you will only see the scarcity everywhere. And the abundance will leave you in the dust. - DON'T BELIEVE IN ALL THE SELF-HELP BOOKS This is not quite what was said, but this is my personal takeaway. BJ Novak, a writer from "The Office" for it's entire run and a successful comedian told Tim, "I read the book Daily Rituals and I am demoralized by how many great people start their day early." Instead, BJ spends several hours getting in a good mood. Walking, playing, fooling around, reading newspapers, etc. Getting in a good mood was the surest way to get creative ideas. He takes his own path. BJ's podcast recommendation: "Intelligence Squared". Oh! VERY important lesson from Novak. I'm always stressed that I need to publish every day. I even asked Ice T once: if you stopped doing things, how long would it take for people to forget about you? And he scared me when he answered almost immediately, "Six months". But Novak's advice to Tim was the opposite: "Take as long as you want if you're talented. You'll get their attention again if you have reason to." BOOM! - SAYING NO This came up as a theme in many of Tim's podcasts (including one with me about my book, "The Power of No"). When you are young and getting started, say "Yes" to anything. Tim was talking to super-investor Chris Sacca who said, "I'd even show up at meetings where I wasn't invited." But ultimately, so many "inbound" requests come in for your time you have to say "no" to almost all of it. Tim says: "3 to 4 mornings per week I am in "maker" mode until at least 1pm" - creativity without allowing for ANY interruptions. - "WISDOM IS ABOUT FOLLOWING YOUR OWN ADVICE" Sam Harris (a prior guest on my podcast as well) told Tim this. I strongly believe this. For a few years I was writing about my "daily practice" that I had used many times when things were at their worst for me. Then in 2015, two really difficult things happened to me. One financial and one in my relationships. Right away I said to myself, "Ok, let's see if this still works". And every night I would check the boxes: Did I improve 1% today physically,, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Without this, I think I would have died or spun into massive depression both times. I followed my own advice. If you can't do this, then no advice will work. Advice is autobiography. ---- After the podcast was over, Tim and I spoke for awhile. He gave me advice about my podcast. He gave me advice about my next book. He told me some of the things that didn't make it into the book. Tim strives to increase his creativity. To experiment with new ideas, new formats, new ways to apply his creativity. "Try things as an experiment. Always give yourself an out. Then when something works, double down." I left his place and it was dark. I had spent the past week doing nothing but reading his book and preparing. The last thing Tim suggested, "Think about what advice your future self would give you right now." I thought about it. I went home. Had dinner. Thought more. This is what my 60 year old self should say if he could advise me right now: Care deeply about the work you do today. The future will take care of itself. Oh and, "Don't be late."
12/8/2016 • 1 hour, 19 minutes, 44 seconds
Ep. 196 - Tim Ferriss: [Part 1] Becoming a Titan & Overcoming Your Worst Weakness
I was very late and I was very upset at myself. I had flown three thousand miles. I moved into an Airbnb right next to where Tim was staying. I had written thousands of notes on ripped pieces of paper and stuck them all throughout the book. I had notes written up and around all the margins. I listened to dozens of his podcasts. And I've known him for years. All morning I had jotted down possible questions. And I was late to meet Tim for our podcast. Because the west coast is three hours a way in time travel from the east coast. That's how stupid I am. I rushed over and he was waiting. Tim follows his own advice. He was relaxed. No problems. I apologized, we spoke for awhile, and then started the podcast. Three hours later...not even close to done but we stopped. I want to be a better person in life. I want to be healthier. I want to be more creative. I want to find what is hidden inside of me, dig around, unleash it. I want to find the strength to do that. It's not an easy to thing to do. To scrape the dirt and dust that collects inside of ourselves. To explore. To wander. To create. Tim's book, "Tools of the Titans" is a guidebook for doing the above. And I had a lot of questions. ---- A few months after I started my podcast in 2014, Tim wrote me and said, "Can I call you and ask you some questions about podcasting". I said sure and he called and we talked for quite awhile. He called many podcasters during this period. Then he started his own podcast. He DOMINATED. All of his guests were amazing. He told me he was getting so much great advice from his guests it was overwhelming. The aftermath of a hailstorm where everything is just glowing and even the air you breathe seems cleansed. But that lasts only a short time until the atmosphere is filled with the everyday pollution of life. So he took a month off, re-listened to all his podcasts, and just for his own use he wrote down the advice he was hearing. "But it was too much," he told me. "I kept writing. It was clearly a book." It's not like any other book he's written. He steps out of the way in many cases, and let's these super-achievers do the talking. He curates their thoughts. They had found the hidden gems inside themselves, and long ago brought them up to share with the world to achieve their successes, and now they documented them with Tim. That's why I flew 3000 miles. I wanted the gems. I wanted answers. ---- I've had so many ups and downs I try to quantify what works on the way up. What goes wrong on the way down. I try to quantify: what are the steps for reinvention? I wonder: what makes someone break out of mediocrity? About seven months ago I threw out all of my belongings. I gave away or donated to the library about 3000 books. All of my books now are on my kindle. None of the answers were in my things. But now I have one physical book. Tim's. And I plan to keep it. Here are ten things (among many) I learned from the book and from our podcast: "ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP" I'm impressed how Tim did his work before starting a podcast. Starting something new is not about taking risks. Jumping into the unknown, getting out of the comfort zone, doing something scary. It's not about bravery. It's the exact opposite. You can only do so many "new" things in life. So do the work beforehand. He called people up. He learned the craft as much as he could. He talked to people ranging from me to people at Apple. He had initial guests lined up. He had a huge launch. And he told me the other day that he is persistent at getting his guests. One recent guest, he told me, took two years to book. Which was refreshing for me to hear since it often takes me that long or longer to book many guests. Comedian Whitney Cummings told him: "My work is not done on the night of a big standup special. My work was done three months ago. All I have do is show up." Even though I was late for our podcast, I'm glad I showed up. - DOING IS EVERYTHING Derek Sivers told him, "If all we needed was more information, then everyone would be a billionaire with perfect abs." It's the DOING that's difficult. I asked Tim: "there's 700 pages of advice here. How can anyone follow everything? How do you know what will work for you?" Just pick a few things. Pick what resonates with you. Start slowly. It doesn't matter what you do. Just start DO-ing. Dan Ariely once told me something similar. "If you say sorry to someone, even if you don't mean it, even if THEY KNOW you don't mean it, then you still have a better relationship with them a year later compared with people who never say sorry." DOING > THINKING. - BLEED From Morgan Spurlock, the director of "Supersize Me" and many other great documentaries. "Don't be afraid to show your scars". This is not a book about suicide. But Tim shares the time he was considering it. This is not a book about anxiety or depression. But Tim shares his battles with those demons. This book is not just a book of advice, it's a book of Tim's own journey as he tries to make his life better. In the section with Tony Robbins, Tony talks about how he wakes up every morning and writes about what he is anxious about. I find this is very helpful. Instead of complaining to the outside world, you reveal to your inside world what it is you are scared of. When I was talking to Susan David in another podcast, she told me how if you write down your vulnerabilities just ONCE for 20 minutes, then even up to six months later the experimental group showed less signs of stress than the control group. Be vulnerable, write down three anxieties a day. I can't be true to others if I'm not true to myself. - MORNING PAGES Julia Cameron writes about this in the classic book, "The Artists Way". Brian Koppelman, writer of Rounders, Ocean's 13, Billions, etc swears by this technique for increasing his creativity. Many of Tim's guests say the same thing. What are morning pages? Sit down in the morning, write in longhand three pages of garbage without stopping. This uncages the anxious "monkey mind" and puts it on the page. It unleashes any writer's block because you have permission to write total nonsense. It frees the mind for the creativity it needs to do that day. - THE DOUBLE THREAT GUIDE TO BEING SUCCESSFUL When Tim spoke to Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert, Scott told him: "I always advise young people to become good public speakers". Anyone can do that, he says, with practice. "Suddenly you're in charge or maybe you are starting your own company. Capitalism rewards things that are both rare and valuable." If you are good at public speaking and one other skill, you make yourself more rare and valuable. Before Warren Buffett made one dime of money, he took a Dale Carnegie course on public speaking. After that, he made a dime of money. Or two. - DON'T BE AFRAID TO DO SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO Dan Carlin, host of the super-podcast "Hardcore History" told Tim this. Dan was not a historian, didn't have a PhD, but was fascinated by history. His mother(!) told him, "why don't you do a podcast about the stories you tell here at the dinner table." He told his mother, but I don't have a doctorate." His mother said, "I didn't realize you had to have a doctorate to tell stories". And now he has the most popular history-based podcast on the planet. Kamal Ravikant, a past and future guest on my own podcast, told Tim, "If I only did things I was qualified for I'd be pushing a broom somewhere." Schools, corporations, government, parents, friends, want to put you in their own boxes. They have a menu for you, with only very limited choices today. But if you don't choose your own themes in life, then someone else will do the choosing for you and the results won't be as good. - THE THOUSAND TRUE FAN THEORY....EXPANDED Kevin Kelly tells tim, "Success need not be complicated. Just start with making 1000 people extremely extremely happy," Three ideas from this: Kevin's idea is that if they are true super fans, you will be able to build a product, charge for it, and they will pay, making you a living. Build a product that makes their lives better. Second idea: Have direct contact with your fans. This gets rid of all the middlemen and turns your relationships into a tribe. Third idea: Not every fan is a super fan. But the super fans will help you communicate with the other people who would be receptive to your message. The key here being: have an important and unique message. One that helps people. One that is a vision that people can believe in. Start small. Focus on the people who really care about what you are doing. As Seth Godin even says, "Find Ten" if you have to. Because if t's a good idea then ten will tell ten who will tell ten. Book recommendation from this chapter: "Small Giants" by Bo Burlingham, about companies that choose to be the best rather than the biggest. - ASK DUMB QUESTIONS This is a common theme throughout the book. Tony Robbins tells Tim, "We are the quality of the questions we ask." And both Alex Blumberg (super podcaster) and Malcolm Gladwell talk about the importance of asking dumb questions. People sometimes criticize me for interrupting guests on my podcasts. I get it. But the reality is: if I don't understand something during the podcast, then when else will I get the chance to understand. Alex Blumberg gives some good ways to start dumb questions: "Tell me about a time when..." "Tell me about the day when..." "What were the exact steps that got you to...." "Describe the conversation when..." And then with a follow up to any answer like, "How did that make you feel?" -- NO COMPLAINING Tracey DiNunzio told Tim a great line which I underlined twice in the book: "When you complain, NOBODY wants to help you": If you only focus what is wrong, then you will bring the people around you down. Be a source of growth for the people around you, so that they can become a source of growth for you. It's the "Honda" theory. If you just bought a Honda, you will suddenly see Hondas all over the road. If all you do is complain, you will only see the scarcity everywhere. And the abundance will leave you in the dust. - DON'T BELIEVE IN ALL THE SELF-HELP BOOKS This is not quite what was said, but this is my personal takeaway. BJ Novak, a writer from "The Office" for it's entire run and a successful comedian told Tim, "I read the book Daily Rituals and I am demoralized by how many great people start their day early." Instead, BJ spends several hours getting in a good mood. Walking, playing, fooling around, reading newspapers, etc. Getting in a good mood was the surest way to get creative ideas. He takes his own path. BJ's podcast recommendation: "Intelligence Squared". Oh! VERY important lesson from Novak. I'm always stressed that I need to publish every day. I even asked Ice T once: if you stopped doing things, how long would it take for people to forget about you? And he scared me when he answered almost immediately, "Six months". But Novak's advice to Tim was the opposite: "Take as long as you want if you're talented. You'll get their attention again if you have reason to." BOOM! - SAYING NO This came up as a theme in many of Tim's podcasts (including one with me about my book, "The Power of No"). When you are young and getting started, say "Yes" to anything. Tim was talking to super-investor Chris Sacca who said, "I'd even show up at meetings where I wasn't invited." But ultimately, so many "inbound" requests come in for your time you have to say "no" to almost all of it. Tim says: "3 to 4 mornings per week I am in "maker" mode until at least 1pm" - creativity without allowing for ANY interruptions. - "WISDOM IS ABOUT FOLLOWING YOUR OWN ADVICE" Sam Harris (a prior guest on my podcast as well) told Tim this. I strongly believe this. For a few years I was writing about my "daily practice" that I had used many times when things were at their worst for me. Then in 2015, two really difficult things happened to me. One financial and one in my relationships. Right away I said to myself, "Ok, let's see if this still works". And every night I would check the boxes: Did I improve 1% today physically,, emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Without this, I think I would have died or spun into massive depression both times. I followed my own advice. If you can't do this, then no advice will work. Advice is autobiography. ---- After the podcast was over, Tim and I spoke for awhile. He gave me advice about my podcast. He gave me advice about my next book. He told me some of the things that didn't make it into the book. Tim strives to increase his creativity. To experiment with new ideas, new formats, new ways to apply his creativity. "Try things as an experiment. Always give yourself an out. Then when something works, double down." I left his place and it was dark. I had spent the past week doing nothing but reading his book and preparing. The last thing Tim suggested, "Think about what advice your future self would give you right now." I thought about it. I went home. Had dinner. Thought more. This is what my 60 year old self should say if he could advise me right now: Care deeply about the work you do today. The future will take care of itself. Oh and, "Don't be late."
12/6/2016 • 1 hour, 18 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep. 195 - Joshua Foer: The Explorer's Code
The Explorer’s Code: I wanted to wake each morning, not anxious about my day anymore. Not worried about what so-and-so would say, or where my career was going, or what was I going to write today. My only job each day is to explore something new. So I called up Josh and asked him how I could be an explorer. He told me. - Have A Mission Every day, whether it’s “be creative today.” Or “go some place you’ve never been” or “talk to ten random strangers”, make a mission. Learn something new. Missions are for people who DO. Mission statements are for people who DON’T. -Uncomfortable Situation Try to put yourself in as many uncomfortable situations as possible. “For instance,” he said, “you should apply for a temp job. See what it’s like.” Or maybe one day you and a friend can make a bet: who can get the furthest out of town with just $100. The uncomfortable zone is where you find out who you are, the comfort zone is where you sleep. Task: make a list of uncomfortable situations. Stretch the idea muscle. -Partners/Team Josh has 100s of people who submit items to Atlas Obscura and atlasobscura.com. “There’s over 10,000 weird and obscure places on there now.” He also started it with two partners. Even superheroes need a team. Superman still needed the Justice League. Luke Skywalker still needed Han Solo and Princess Leia. Luke Cage needs Iron Fist and Jessica Jones. Who are on your team? Are they good people? Do you each have your super power? I am constantly looking for my team of fellow explorers. “Try to experience wonder every day,” Josh told me. A few months ago, my mission was to throw out everything I owned. What would it be like after 40 years of collecting things, to own absolutely nothing. And a few months before that, my mission was to track down someone who had disappeared from my life. I failed at that mission. But I experienced wonder along the way. And today, I’m going to change my life forever. I will text you about it.
11/29/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 194 - Seth Godin: How to Make What you Want For A Living
What does it sound like when you change your mind? That's the name of Seth Godin's next book. He only printed 5,500 copies. And he's not printing anymore. He doesn't just view a book as pages surrounded by two covers. He makes a 3-dimensional object that's beautiful to look at and read. "It's not new,” he said on my podcast. “It's the best of the last four years of my work. And it's illustrated with hundreds of photos by Thomas Hawk, who's the most prolific and talented internet photographer." The book weighs 18 pounds. And it's 800 pages long. I asked him about art and marketing... and he told me about life. A) START FROM THE BEGINNING "No business, no project, no novel ever started big," Seth said. It started with fear, uncertainty, excitement, possibility. Tons of “what if’s” that lead to real action. And real action halts the what if’s. The what if’s turn to what is. Seth said, “Instead of saying, 'I need to leap to the middle,' say, 'I'm going to start with people who want to engage with me.'" All successes start with one person. That's it. One person, then two, then three. Success is a curve. We all know it. Don't try to cheat the curve. B) KNOW YOUR WORLD I asked Seth, "How do you know what the world wants to hear?" "Well, first of all,” he said, “never the whole world. You pick your world." Where do you hurt? Where you do you feel a knot? Can you loosen it up and ease the pressure? Can you create something for the people who want to love what you want to love? C) WHAT DO YOU CARE ENOUGH TO SAY? We talked about Facebook. And the Lays Potato Chip guy who re-designed the bag. His job was to make it sound crunchier. Kids had slamming competitions. Who could slam a soda the fastest? So Coke-A-Cola created a bottle with a mouthpiece meant to maximize chugging efficiency. They sold product. But it's the message that matters. I always say: message over money. Invention happens at the edges. Between heart and lungs, breath and vocal chords is the message. It's the thing you want to say. The thing you’re afraid to say. "What really matters isn't what time you posted on Facebook," Seth said. "What matters is, what did you care enough to say? D) ANYONE CAN LEAD... "’Purple Cow' says, 'How do I sit in my office and make a thing that people talk about?'" "What 'Tribes' says is 'Now that anyone can stand up and lead (because anyone can have a media channel... because anyone can make connection) will you choose to lead? And if you're going to lead, who will you lead? How will you connect the people you're leading? That is marketing, but it's also life." E) CULTURE BEATS EVERYTHING "No one has a Suzuki tattoo," Seth said. "What's a Suzuki tattoo?" I asked. Then I got it. Harley Davidson makes half their revenue licensing their brand. T-shirts, jackets, etc. "If you're in the Harley tribe, you can't show up on a Suzuki," he said. "Tribes aren't about the alpha to the omega. Leaders always go away. The alpha person dies or moves on. But the tribe doesn't. The tribe persists. Because culture beats everything. Scenes have a culture. Tribes have a culture. It's culture that determines how an organization make its choices, how a nation will evolve." I've said this before. It doesn't matter who the president is. What matters is who you surround yourself with. Who's in your tribe? Who's in your heart? And if they're toxic to your creativity or well-being, detox now. "The Beatles didn't invent teenagers. I'm not saying we invent our tribe. We just show up to lead them." I didn't invent the choose yourself community. The cubicle job did. I'll never say what other people should do. I just say what I like to do. I say what gets me past just getting by. F) SHOW UP “Half my blog posts are below average,” Seth said. I asked if he feels bad. Intellectually, I understand failure. But it still hurts. It can turn your life upside down. I lost everything more than once. And maybe you’re reading this because you have to… or you're afraid of losing everything. “I’m talking about [creating] generous work with good intent... that didn’t work.” That’s the failure we need to show up for. “I show up,” Seth said. G) DON'T WRESTLE WITH INFINITY I didn't know what that meant. "I am almost done wrestling with infinity," he said. We had half an hour left in the interview. I didn't interrupt. I couldn't. I was captivated. My mind expands when I’m seconds away from hearing someone’s genius. My vision slows and the inside of my ears soften. It’s like my body is creating room. "I made the book I wanted." "I only printed 5,500 copies of the book. And there's not going to be a second printing. That's all there is.” He doesn't have to chase. He already broke even and the best part is he chose himself. "Now there's not an infinity of upside." He didn't need approval from publishers, his boss, a network… He didn’t write for a bestseller list. He was compelled. And he created. He made what he wanted to make. "Here's my definition of art,” he said. “Art is when a human being does something that might not work..." And my whole body nodded. He went on… changing my mind.
11/22/2016 • 59 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 193 - Brian Koppelman: How to Deliver Every Single Time
Brian Koppelman and his wife Amy Koppelman saved my life. Many years after he ruined my life. First off: when he wrote the movie “Rounders” I became obsessed with poker. I went to the same club he played at and played for 365 nights, including the night my first daughter was born (I was there for the birth though!) . I was an addict. But eventually I stopped in order to start another company. I wish I had never stopped because that other company cost me all of my money at the time. Then he wrote several of my favorite movies after that. I didn’t even know it was the same director until the first time I interviewed him here. Now he is writing and producing my favorite TV show, “Billions” on Showtime. About an aggressive hedge fund billionaire going after an equally aggressive US Attorney played by Paul Giamatti. Brian has been on the podcast several times but there’s always so much more to talk about in terms of creativity and inspiration and how to succeed as an artist / entrepreneur. Ditto for his wife Amy who has also been on this podcast and written three of my favorite novels. One of which was turned into a movie (“I Smile Back”) starring Sarah Silverman. But here is how they saved my life. Awhile back I had a personal emergency. Things were going haywire. Amy called me and said, “What’s going on?” I told her. She had me take a photo of every meal I was eating (“I want to make sure you are eating”) and a photo of everyone I was eating with (“I want to make sure you are around people”) and had me write to her every day what was going on in my head (“write!”) That was one time. Another time: I lost millions of dollars in a half hour while I was on the set of “Billions” watching it be filmed. I was called into an emergency board meeting by phone and found out the company was going to be shut down. It was a disaster. But 90% of how we feel about a situation is determined by our choice of how we will react. Only 10% is based on the situation itself. And since I was on the set of my favorite TV show being filmed, I decided to enjoy myself. Brian later said to me, “You lost what!? We couldn’t tell at all. You were making jokes, asking questions, and you were the last one to leave.” I used being on the set of “Billions” to change my reaction to an otherwise horrible event. This allowed me to easily change my 90% reaction into a positive one. So not only is Brian a creative genius, but he’s a good friend. I went up to his offices where they are writing season 2 of “Billions” and I had maybe 1,000 more questions about creativity, writing, the arc of his career, and of course, billions of dollars. But one thing stands out for me. Everyone always says, as if it were advice that has come down from heaven to all writers: “Write what you know”. Brian doesn’t agree with this. And this is the secret to his success. And the secret to all the great writers in history. Stephen King didn’t know what it was like to be a bullied teenage girl with psychic powers when he wrote “Carrie”. Ernest Hemingway didn’t know what it was like to be an old Cuban man who spent his life fishing. JK Rowling didn’t know what it would be like to be a boy attending Hogwarts Wizardry School. Brian Koppelman told me: “Don’t write what you know, write what fascinates you.” This is the key to all good art. In this podcast, we also talk about what it feels like to hit a dead-end. To be unsure how to move forward. To be scared that maybe the best was behind us. How do you move past that. Recreate yourself. Start the work again. Flourish. I ask. Brian delivers.
11/15/2016 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep. 192: Stephen Dubner - One New Habit To Change Your Life Forever
WHAT I CAN LEARN IN ONE MINUTE THAT WILL CHANGE MY LIFE FOREVER Stephen Dubner (Freakonomics) has a new podcast and it just hit #1 in the iTunes charts. "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" is the name of it and it's about to change my life. He came over to play backgammon and I asked him about it. He told me he became a journalist because it was an easy way to start talking to people. He said, "If I ask people to tell me something I don't know," then I often learn new things and it keeps the conversation going. My mind blew open. I'm tired of freezing up. Feeling too paralyzed to talk. I'm a shy introvert. This will help unfreeze me. For everyone I meet, I will try to learn something I don't know. I'll simply ask them. This will be my new habit. --- I listened to Dubner's first podcast of the new show. I learned something new from one member of the audience. First off, it's a hard podcast to create. Listen to it. There are three panelists. There's a fact-checker. And there's 100 people in the audience. I've never heard of a podcast like that. It's crazy to put that much work into a podcast! To be creative, go beyond what everyone else says is crazy. And to be crazy, go beyond what everyone else says is creative. Creativity is a lose-lose proposition. You're crazy and you're lost in the woods. But if you aren't creative, you're stuck in traffic with everyone else. Someone on the show said something I didn't know: when you sleep, the nerve cells in your brain constrict, allowing spinal fluids to wash right through and clean up the proteins that often attach to nerve cells in the brain to cause Alzheimers. I learned about five new things on that very first episode. I went to sleep that night in anticipation. Spinal fluids washing through my brain, giving my cells a much needed bath. --- If I can ask everyone, "Tell me something I don't know," I'm going to learn from everyone. It adds up. It compounds. It will give me more knowledge and help me be less shy. I hope. "Tell me something I don't know".
11/8/2016 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 38 seconds
Ep. 191 - Chip Conley: How To Find Your Calling
He died. He was giving a speech, sat down, and the next thing… he was dead. They called an ambulance. They got paramedics. They did that thing. They brought him back to life. But his body didn’t like living. He died again. Eight more times they used machines to convince the machine in his body that we call a heart, to come back to life. Please come back to life, the machines said to his heart. And finally his heart decided to stay. After that, things changed. Like they often do when we die at the age of 47. “There are three things,” Chip Conley, now the head of hospitality for AirBnB, told me, “a job, a career, and a calling.” “I had been building and running hotels for 20 years. It was my calling to be in the hospitality business. I built over 50 hotels. But it was starting to feel like a job.” “When I died, I realized I couldn’t do it anymore. I had to go back to my calling.” Within a few years he had sold his business. He had nothing left to do. “I had faith in my calling, though,” Chip said. “Something would happen.” And it did. It did. Adam wrote me. He was my Airbnb host. I’ve been in 4 different Airbnbs that Adam owns over the past three years. So we knew each other. I only live in Airbnbs and I know many of the regular hosts in New York City. “I’m having a special guest in the apartment right downstairs from you,” Adam wrote me. “He’s the head of all hospitality for Airbnb. Would you like to meet?’ Yes, very much so. I had spent 90% of my life in Airbnbs over the prior three years and just about 100% in the prior year. In 2014 I even wrote an article, “10 Ways to Improve Airbnb.” Adam made the introduction. Chip Conley, the man who had died a few years earlier and sold his hotel business, responded. “Should I bring a bottle of wine?” he said. He came upstairs and we started to talk. “Brian Chesky, the founder of Airbnb, called me and asked me if I wanted to be the head of hospitality. Airbnb was a tech company, it wasn’t used to being a hospitality company.” “When I ran 50 hotels, hospitality was my main focus.” “For each hotel, I had the hotel managers come up with five adjectives for what that hotel would be.” “Maybe the adjectives might be: funky, hip, modern, clean, rock & roll.” “Every employee, even the housekeepers, would keep those adjectives in mind in whatever they did. And, if possible, we even made sure the five senses the customers would experience in the hotels would match the five adjectives.” “This is a great idea,” I said, “You can even apply ideas like this to writing a book. Or even building a career for yourself. What five adjectives do you want your life, or the objects you create, or your relationships, be used to describe it.” “Absolutely,” Chip said. So he went to Airbnb to start creating an atmosphere of hospitality among the hosts. He had found his way back to his life’s calling. I had felt it. Since 2013, Now I live in them. Now they are home. All because Chip died. “How do you find your life’s calling?” I asked him. “What did you love doing when you were 6, 8, 10 years old,” he said. “Like I had one friend who even at 6 was making mudpies as if they were real pies. Then she became a lawyer but was always unhappy.” “So she quit being a lawyer and is now one of the biggest pastry chefs in the world.” “For me, I was always pretending to run a restaurant in my house. I always wanted to be in the hospitality business.” I thought back to when I was ten years old. I was writing short stories. And when I was 12 I even wrote an article in the newspaper interviewing politicians. You find your interests from back then and see how they age into the current day. “Find the thing you did where you lost all sense of time while you are doing it,” Chip told me. “Remember the equation from Victor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning‘,” he said. “Despair = Suffering – Meaning.” “Find the things that bring you meaning. Suffering is always there in this world. But if you have meaning, you will have less despair. “You will find your calling.” Sometimes even now I find myself doing things where I feel more ‘job’ than ‘calling’. I try to adjust where I can but it can be difficult. I guess a little bit at a time and eventually you can move your life into that calling. I said to him. “This is too good. Do you mind if I record the conversation?” He said, “Sure.” So I did. I’ve been recording conversations with people ever since I was ten years old. When I was 26, he said, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I found my first little motel and called it The Phoenix. “I knew that whatever I did, I wanted to be creative and to have freedom. I tell everyone to write down the two most important qualities about their calling and check back with it over the years. “Eventually I felt like what I was doing was the opposite of creativity and freedom.” “And that’s when I had that experience of flatlining. That was my body’s way of telling me I had to change. So I got rid of my hotels.” “What if you are sitting in a cubicle and listening to this and wondering how you can find that creativity and freedom for yourself – it all sounds good BUT – kids, responsibilities, age, etc. you feel are blocking you?” “Then get back to what you loved when you were younger. Start to brainstorm how you can bring that even a little bit into your life now. And a little bit more the next day. And so on.” “Try many things,” he said, “One thing I realized is that quantity = quality. People think it’s one or the other but it’s not. When you have a lot of quantity of ideas and things you are trying, you will find quality.” This reminded me of my approach to exercising my idea muscle. If you write down ten ideas a day, you have 3,650 ideas in a year. And maybe one or two will be good. I got excited about my ideas to improve Airbnb. I said, “Can I show you the ideas?” I had written the list in 2014 but maybe they would still apply. “Of course!” he said. We went through each one. For some of them he said, “Hold on! Wait for the announcement coming soon.” We lost track of time while doing the interview and eventually he had to go. “You know,” he said, “I saw something about you a few weeks ago and thought you would be a great speaker for our event in November – the Airbnb Open.” “And then Adam told me yesterday, by coincidence, you were staying in the apartment right above me.” “That’s funny,” I said. “I love it when serendipity happens,” he said, as he was getting ready to go. “You have to speak at the conference.” “I will!” After he left I thought about what I most wanted to do when I was a kid. I wanted to be a spy. On what? I don’t know. I just wanted to look at other people and follow them without them knowing. To observe and learn all of their secrets and then report back to “HQ”. It would be a little dangerous, I always thought. But I would survive. And save the world. Bit by bit I’m doing it. My calling.
11/1/2016 • 51 minutes, 48 seconds
[Bonus] Ryan Holiday: Trump & "The Benefit of Madness"
Ep. 190 - Jon Macks: How To Make A Gut Decision That Lasts A Lifetime
JOKE Last night I wrote down six things I wanted to do today. I kept number six blank. “JOKE” was just a reminder to start this post with a joke from Jon Macks… “If you live in Florida, ya know, God’s waiting room…” “If you’re Jewish, like me…” Those are just a few lines from my interview with Jon Macks. He was the top writer for “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. He wrote 100 jokes a day. That’s half a million in 20 years. He’s written jokes for President Obama, Bill Clinton, John Kerry and monologues for Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock… and wrote the book “Monogluge: What Makes America Laugh Before Bed.” But before comedy, Jon did political consulting. “I realized I could do one thing 300 nights a year: politics or perform. And I chose politics.” He somehow transitioned and reached the heights of a dream career in comedy. I wanted to know his secret. I also wanted to know how to be funny... 1. Association Joke: I asked Jon how to run for Congress. “Anti-Washington, anti-establishment is what’s working right now,” he said. I’m not running for Congress. But, the night of this interview, I went to an open mic. So I ran some headlines by Jon. And he wrote jokes on the spot. Headline: “Trump Refuses To Say He’ll Accept Election Results” Jon: “The Toronto Blue Jays lost yesterday. They’re refusing to accept the fact that the Cleveland Indians are going to the world series.” This is an association joke. You look at what else is happening. Then marry the two. 2. Rule of 3’s: This is Billy Crystals joke: “Donald Trump reminds me a lot of hurricane season. He starts out with a lot of hot air, spins out of control, by the first week of November he’s completely gone.” The rule of 3’s is this: Set up your joke. Start with a fact or an idea. Then expand on the idea by listing three qualities. The third is usually unexpected. That’s your punchline. 3. Look for the oddity Jon said, “Most normal people—and I put comics as ‘not normal’—most normal people walk into a room and go, ‘This looks like a great party.’” But a comic asks questions. “Who shouldn’t be here?” “Why are they serving bacon cheeseburgers at a Jewish event?” Go beyond business as usual. Look for the oddity… in contracts, your conversations, your habits. Try to find the light in life’s eccentricities. Or the bull... in shit. 4. Find “your kind of people” and bring them together Every day, I practice what I call “emotional health.” I spend time with people who lift me up. And I try to lift them up, too. Not with words. But with interests. We hold space for each other. And leave room for the juice in our brain to squeeze out. It’s a different kind of lemonade, but it’s ours. And we like it. That’s all that matters. Seinfeld calls comedians “his type of people.” As if they have different brains than everyone else. So I asked Jon, “What is it? What is the comedian?” He said, “A comic will go on stage and either say something we haven’t thought of, or something we all thought of in a way that is really unique, funny and brings us all together.” 5. Move forward Jon was traveling about 250 nights a year doing campaigns. His third kid was just born. And he had a choice: be a dad or “be someone calling in once a week.” Lots of people make this choice. Money is involved. Fulfillment is a factor. The stress of making the “right” versus the “wrong” decision. Jon went with his gut. “I figured I’d take a break from political consulting, and I never went back.” He had a 13-week contract with Jay Leno. That turned into a lifetime… Before podcasting and writing, I worked on Wall Street. When everything crashed, I fed people chocolate. I wanted to bring people together. Maybe that’s number six.
10/25/2016 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 44 seconds
Ep. 189 - Chuck Klosterman: The Illusion of Luck vs Skill
I can’t tell you the secret to selling half a million books. Or half a million anything… Every day, business changes, the world shifts on its axis and your skin peels off a little bit. New cells are generated and with each blink, your eyes are rehydrated. “I’ll admit, if there was some formula, I’d do it again,” he said. Without new experiences, your soul rots. And your book or product or whatever you’re trying to get rich quick off of smells like garbage. But people will buy garbage. Because we want new experiences. Ask any child. They’ll give you an honest answer of why they like coloring or skipping rope. “I don’t know... It’s fun?” People wonder what they love. Instead of loving to wonder. Chuck Klosterman grew up in a town of 500 people. He became the number one literary critique of pop culture… before the Internet. Now anyone can research anything. And you don’t have to own the Encyclopedia Britannica. Or wait for the library to be open. A lot of people I’ve interviewed say there’s a big luck factor to success... “But I don’t think that’s as true with you,” I told Chuck. He doesn’t believe in luck. “The biggest factor is chance,” he said. “What’s the difference between chance and luck?” Luck: “Luck almost implies like a leprechaun is, sort of somebody is making this happen.” “In many ways, it seems like certain people are luckier than others,” he said. “I think what that really means is that when they were given chances, they elected to pursue them, as opposed to step away from them. And that kind of creates the illusion of luck.” Luck is an open door. Chance is the willingness to step through. When I feel stuck, I don’t create a new business overnight. I begin with a pen and a waiter’s pad. I carve out a new perspective. I write 10 ideas. Whether the ideas are good doesn’t matter. Reinvention, freedom and success are the results of movements. Not the “right movements.” Just movements. Unattached, meaningless movements that hopefully fill your day and fuel your heart. “Everything I’ve liked, I liked in totality,” Chuck said. “I wanted to almost be inside of it.” Focus on nothing. Or everything. Let life reveal itself to you. Then you won’t need luck. Because you’ll have something much more valuable: perspective. Skill: When he started, Chuck needed motivation to write. Now he’s a dad. And he writes every day. “I make myself do it,” he said. His first job was with the local newspaper in Fargo. He wrote a 16-page insert called “Rage,” meant to address Generation X. “At the time, my hope was that, maybe, if I do a good job as a reporter and I put in the time, I’d be able to publish a book, or maybe two books in my 50s or something.” He thought he’d work as a reporter who might have the ability or the luck or the chance... Chance: “There were 23 kids in my graduating class. I remember the teacher would ask questions. And nobody would say anything,” Chuck said.But he knew the answers. He thought everyone knew. “I just assumed everyone growing up felt this way—everybody felt very singular and alone. You had this world inside your mind. And there was the world outside of yourself where you just kind of goofed around, talked to people, and made small talk, but in your mind you had your own kind of world.” Then Chuck went to college. “I was amazed to find a handful of people who were just like me, who listened to Mötley Crüe but also wanted to talk about it, and didn’t just want to say, ‘It rocked.’” Connection changes your mental identity from alone to alive. Chuck’s second book, “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs” sold half a million copies—more than his other eight books combined. “The only perspective I have is my own,” Chuck said. “There is the conscious experience, then there is the unconscious experience. Some of those merge when I’m writing.” Mystery... Chuck’s latest book asks a hypothetical question that no one will know the answer to for hundreds or thousands of years: “But What If We’re Wrong?” He explores art, music, science, physics, the nature of reality, and who will matter in the future. “Aristotle was one of the first people to have an idea about what gravity was. His idea was that rocks don’t float because rocks want to be on the ground, that they have agency. They long to be on the ground because they want to be at the center of the universe, and, at the time, it was believed that Earth was the center of the universe.” This was believed for roughly 2,000 years. Today’s idea of gravity is from Isaac Newton. Nearly 1,600 years ago. So… What if we’re wrong? About everything. Food, medicine, music, legacy… My idea of a life well lived could (and probably will) be untrue in 100 years or 10 years. That’s scary. Or not. The illusion is up to you.
10/18/2016 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep. 188 - Doug Casey: The Most Interesting Human in The Matrix
“I know you’ve made tens of millions of dollars in various areas of life,” I said. “Tell me how you did it.” “Hmm.” He scanned his memory for money. And landed in 1969. “I put all my possessions in the back of my Mustang and drove to Washington, D.C. I figured if I got $5,000, I could hitchhike my way through South America... but more importantly, Africa.” There are about 220 countries on the planet. Doug Casey has been to 160. “I believe in the Latin phrase, ‘Mens sana in corpore sano.’” “Sound mind, sound body…” “It means you actually have to go out and do this crap. You have to do it.” “Why?” “Because maybe you’ll find out the meaning of life.” A) Don’t be a plant “Unfortunately, most people are born in one place and then live in or near that place for the rest of their lives acting like plants, but I don’t think acting like a plant is a good survival strategy for a human.” B) Create your own currency Everybody says the Federal Reserve printed money. And devalued the dollar. Everybody’s wrong. I asked Doug, “What do people mean when they say the Federal Reserve printed money? I think there’s a common misconception around this.” His answer: they buy assets and credit back the banks. They don’t physically print money. And they don’t create value. Doug goes places, meets people, asks them to do things either with him or for him. He values the people he’s met, the money he’s made/lost and the lessons he’s learned. Honor your experiences. Money isn’t the currency of life. Living is the currency of life. C) Where do good ideas come from? They say you need to see/hear something at least seven times to remember it. I don’t know who said that. I wish I could say it was Ogilvy. I’ve talked about idea sex 100 times. Here’s 101. Good ideas are like babies. Each one is new to the world. (Unless we’re living in “The Matrix”… skip to [23:00] for this part of the interview… Even Elon Musk has thought about the likelihood of “reality” actually being “base reality.” The chances are “one in billions,” he said.) But for now, human babies come from human sex. Sex = creation. And it’s the same for ideas. Take two ideas. Combine them. Now you have a new idea. Repeat. This is idea sex. “I wanted to be a paleontologist,” Doug said. “Why? Dinosaurs! Every kid likes dinosaurs… But I took it seriously. So, geology background… Then I got interested in money. Put geology and money together and you’ve got the mining business—which is actually a better way to lose money than to make money—but the good news about the mining business is that they’re the most volatile stocks in the world. And still are…” D) Read science fiction “It’s a much better predictor of the future than any of the think tanks.” E) Try new things I’m writing a children’s book. Doug’s hobby is nothing I’ve ever heard of before. He tried taking over a country. “Oh yeah,” he said… as if he forgot. “How did I get started in that? Oh yeah, I know what it was.” Doug has had 50 lives. He’s dined with presidents, made millions, gone broke, wrote books, traveled to war zones, scuba-dived, practiced martial arts, he owns his own research company. And more. But the strange part is he seems to string them all along. Instead of switching from experience to experience, he piles them together. It’s not clean. It’s not organized. It’s human.
10/11/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 187 - Chris Voss: This Is What I Do In A Negotiation
“Terrorists have moms,” he said. Jeffrey Schilling was kidnapped in the Philippines and held hostage for 7 and a half months. The terrorists said they were torturing him. But Chris Voss didn’t fall for it. Chris is a former FBI hostage negotiator and the author of, “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It.” “Find a way to mention his mother’s concern for him,” Chris’ boss said. “I remember thinking, ‘That’s the dumbest idea I ever heard. A terrorist is going to care about this guys mother?’” “But my boss had great insight. And I didn’t see any downside to it. So in the middle of the negotiation I said, ‘Ya know Jeff’s mom is really worried about him.’” “What happened next?” I asked. “This murderous, sociopathic terrorist said, ‘His mother knows about this? You tell his mother he’s OK.’” Months later, Jeffrey came home. Some hostage negotiation tactics won’t work in business or with your wife. But these 5 tactics will… 1. Use the “hand-cuff method”: Use this line when someone yells at you: “I can’t hear you when you’re yelling at me.” The logic simple. People yell when they want you to listen. But if you eliminate their reward (being heard), then they have to comply. And you’ll never get yelled at again. 2. Push past threats: “People who make threats always leave themselves an out,” Chris said. But the truth is they need you. If you’re not talking, there’s no deal. They could lose out on a sale, a new employee, or millions of dollars. “The point of a negotiation is to find out how much money is on the table,” Chris said. “You have to push the other side as far as they’ll go… without insulting them.” 3. Gain the upper hand 100% of the time: “You can gain the upper hand by giving respect first,” Chris said. Which a lot of people are afraid to do... “But that’s exactly why you gain the upper hand,” Chris said. 4. Become less busy: Rest is the new hustle. “Anytime you slow down to do things more deliberately, you save time.” Chris calls this, “The delay that saves time.” 5. Show fearlessness Fear can be useful. But not in a negotiation. “Showing fearlessness is a great way to inspire confidence in you from the other side,” Chris said. Forget what you have to lose. And focus on the reward. I can’t afford to lose all my money again. So if you’re on this list… don’t listen to this interview: A) you’re related to me B) you work with me C) you want to sell me something Everybody else is welcome. The negotiation tactic used against Mark Cuban [49:36] Find out the negotiation tactic I use personally [42:08] How to avoid the most dangerous negotiation [4:58]
10/4/2016 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 186 - Jewel: From Homeless to Millionaire
Jewel was broke and homeless, but she still turned down a million dollar check when she was 19 years old. Jewel was broke and millions in debt after selling 30,000,000 albums, and built back from scratch when she was 30. Jewel has switched genres, written music from folk to pop to country to even children’s music. She wrote a children’s book. I love Jewel. Abused from the ages of 5 to 15. Moved out of the cold barn she was living in at 15 to live on her own. And three years later she was homeless. “I didn’t want to be a statistic,” she told me she was afraid when she was 15. “I looked around at other girls who were in my circumstances and things went from bad to worse” And yet… she ended up a statistic. She realized this when she was 18, living out of a car, and attempting to stuff a dress down her pants in a store so she could steal it. When I was 18 I feel I was privileged. I had no real worries. I was "suburban lucky". Luck ruined me and made me complacent. I never would have made the good decisions Jewel ended up making. That’s why I love her. That’s why I’m glad she came on my podcast. I’m sure she’s done 100s of interviews to promote her new book, “Never Broken”, an excellent book. But I wanted to break her down. I wanted her to laugh. She was so smart and serious. Trust me: I got her to laugh. A) HARD WOOD GROWS SLOWLY Why did a homeless girl who sang for pennies in a cafe turn down a million dollar offer? “Hard wood grows slowly,” she said. "I saw that as a kid. The soft trees would break. The hard trees would grow and live forever." She said: I knew I wanted to grow for a long time in this business. I also knew we were still in the grunge era and I was not grunge. If I took a million dollar deal, I read that I would have to pay it back. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to and I would be dropped by the label and that would be the end of my career. In fact, my album didn’t do well the first year. But then went on to sell over 10,000,000 copies. They didn’t drop me because I was just that girl they paid twelve dollars for. You have to think long-term instead of short-term always. —- She was 19. I do NOT think I would have made that decision. I think I would have made the wrong decisions. How does one take such a long term view at such a young age. I think it was the ten years she had spent developing her skills, singing in bars all over Alaska, preparing for this moment. Confidence is really difficult to develop. I don’t know if I have it even now. But I’m going to remember this lesson on the next business decision I have to make. B) REINVENTION IS NON-STOP Jewel has written children’s books, gone from folk music to pop to children’s to country. She’s been a rancher. She’s been homeless. I asked her, “You had the benefit of really cultivating your talent from ages 5 to 15. You sang with your dad at gigs every week. “Do you think someone starting from scratch at 50 can do this?” “Absolutely,” she said, “Reinvention never ends. It’s every day. Pursue what you enjoy and move towards it and there will be opportunities.” I look at my own life today. I’m about to finish a children’s book. I’m looking into TV. I’m working on a novel. I have other business things. I don’t know if any of them will work. But I know if I don’t keep trying I will slip back into whatever hole I constantly have to dig myself out of. There are two days to start something new. When you are five years old. And today. C) CREATE ART FOR YOURSELF I said these words: “So when you were talking to Neil Young…” What funny words to say to someone, I thought at the time and told her. Neil Young told her: don’t ever write for radio! Meaning: don’t write for the masses, write for yourself. I asked her, “isn’t there a tension there? Like what if you write for yourself and then nobody likes it? Don’t you want to write something that people like?” She said, “We all have common experiences. Ultimately when you write for yourself, you tap into that common cultural experience we all share.” That was eye-opening to me. If you put in the time to develop the skills, eventually you will burrow so deep inside yourself with your art that you will tap into that same vein of blood that runs through each of us. The key to good art is figuring out who you are. Writing for yourself, then, becomes the best way to write something that can be enjoyed by everyone. D) FORGIVENESS IS A GIFT YOU GIVE YOURSELF. But, still, a relationship has to be earned back. Around the time she was 30, Jewel had sold tens of millions of albums, was doing 700 shows a year, and had no money. In fact she was two million in debt. How could that be? She had given all control to her mother and her mother had destroyed it all. Since 2003 she hasn’t spoken to her mother. She made back the money eventually, and has been incredibly successful since then. “Will you ever talk to your mother again?” I asked. I forgive her, she said. But forgiveness is the gift I had to give myself. Forgiveness is not for others. She said: Everyone still has to earn back the relationship. Forgiveness is not the same as condoning something. E) WE ALL SELF-MEDICATE “I saw this at 8 years old,” she said, “Singing in bars. Everyone would be unhappy, they’d drink, and they’d get more unhappy. “I swore to never drink or do drugs. “But we all need ways to cope - to ‘medicate’ our issues. “I started writing every day. Journaling, writing the lyrics to what became my songs. “I found that every time I wrote, it reduced my anxiety, even when I was living in my car.” Writing music became the way she self-medicated. It worked. F) WATCH THE HANDS Fears and anxieties sneak up on us. Suddenly, we don’t know from where, but we panic and feel that constriction in our stomach. It’s hard to observe our thoughts before it’s too late. “So I watch my hands,” she said, “I started keeping a journal of what my hands were doing.” What do you mean? “Was I opening doors for more people? I’d count up the times I’d open doors for people, I’d shake hands with people, I’d be open with people instead of having my arms crossed.” Watching the hands taught Jewel when she was kind and had compassion and was less anxious. There’s a quote in her book, “Emotions are the shadows of thoughts.” I think also, Actions are then the shadows of those emotions. “Starve your negative thoughts,” she said. By being aware of them in any way possible (watch the hands), you can stop them from being obsessive, then you starve them of the attention they need from your brain. They stop growing, they disappear. You can go from homeless, to finding a cafe to play your music, to putting flyers around town, to getting an audience, to attracting music executives, to getting a million dollar deal. While living in your car. G) ACCUMULATE YOUR INFLUENCES While we were talking, Jewel mentioned: Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Loretta Lynn, June Cash. But not just music. She quoted Brene Brown’s book, “Daring Greatly”. She quoted philosophers. She spoke about physics, about the neuroscience of sea slugs. Getting influenced (through reading or listening) is the way to absorb another person’s entire life and learn from it. Then you can combine it, throw in your own art and skills. And now you are on your way to world greatness. Is it that easy? I have no idea. I hope it is. H) FAME MAGNIFIES WHAT YOU HAVE It doesn’t add to who you are. It just magnifies it. If you are a jerk, you will be a bigger jerk. If you are someone who wants to improve yourself, you’ll have more opportunities to improve yourself. You have to be content with yourself first. Before fame. I have to admit, i am probably the biggest idiot ever. And when I first made money it magnified it in every way. I try now to like myself better. It’s not like I wake up and say, “I love you” to myself. Well, maybe sometimes. I) NO ONE CAN KEEP YOU CAPTIVE. NO ONE CAN KEEP YOU UNHAPPY In 2014, she went through a divorce. “I wanted my son to have the kind of mother I wanted to be.” At each step we have to decide if we are content with where we are. We get to choose and nobody else does. Whether it’s a spouse, or a recordd executive or a parent or a friend or whoever. “We’re like a car,” she said, “And the brain is just the steering wheel. We’re outside the brain. We get to steer the car.” Events can be good or bad. But we 100% get to choose whether or not we will be happy. J) CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE EVERY DAY This wasn’t in the podcast. It was in her book. I wanted to ask her about it. But I forgot. I always forget at least half the things I intend to ask about. But I like the idea of change every day. Even a little bit of change. We always have to explore. I was just reading that Haruki Murakami has kept the same writing routine for 24 years. Every day he wakes up at 5am, writes, runs, eats, etc. I like that. I like routine. But I want to make sure every day I do enough change that I can learn from it. Only then do I get new things to write about and think about it and improve from If I didn't do these podcasts, I'd probably talk to nobody all day long. But doing them forces me out the door to meet and learn from incredible people. And hopefully, to change a tiny bit. —- I’m completely selfish. I get to call up these amazing artists and get them to come to my podcast studio and ask them whatever questions I want They have to answer. I feel like this brutish monster forcing them to talk to me. But I learn from each one. And I fall in love a little bit with each guest. They all seem so smart and accomplished and confident. I even find myself jealous that Jewel was homeless for a little bit. What a great story! We posed for a picture with her book, "Never Broken" between us. "I'm still broken," I said. And she laughed. Then the picture snapped and she left.
9/27/2016 • 41 minutes
Ep. 185 - Cal Newport: Become So Good You Can't Be Ignored
You’re either horrible or miserable. Woody Allen has this joke in “Annie Hall.” He says, “Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable. That’s the two categories. The horrible are terminal cases. You know? And blind people, crippled… I don’t know how they get through life… It’s amazing to me. And the miserable is everyone else. So you should be thankful that you’re miserable. Because that’s very lucky… to be miserable.” I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. We complain about getting older or not having a passion, etc. “In relatively recent history—we’re talking the 1980s and later—we got convinced into believing we all have a capital P ‘Passion,’” Cal Newport said. Cal’s a tenured professor at Georgetown. And majored in computer science. So did I. Fact: You can’t pre-test a fetus to see what its passion will be. Passion is not in your DNA. I wasn’t born to podcast. Or write. Or be a father. I was just born… And I have eyes. So I see what other people are doing. I have ears. So I hear who’s winning. And then my brain asks, “Why am I here?” “People believe if we look inside ourselves and discover what our passion is, we’ll be happy. I studied this question in the book and that’s not how it happens,” Cal said. “Passion comes later.” First you have to “become so good you can’t be ignored…” 1. Start with an interest Steve Martin reinvented stand-up. He told jokes without punchlines. And let the tension linger. He didn’t start with a passion for comedy. You start with an interest. I never thought, “Interviewing prostitutes at 3 a.m. is my passion.” But I got good at it. I was curious. And I’m still asking questions today. 2. Build career capital Cal did a study. He found a database developer who became too good to be ignored. And used that as leverage. “She got into the computer industry with no background. At every stage, she said, ‘What would be valuable here?’” Now she spends 4-6 months working in her cubicle job. And the other 4-6 months in Thailand. Acquire career capital. And leverage it. This is how you get autonomy in the workplace. “It’s what lets you get a sense of mastery,” Cal said. “It’s what makes you get a sense of impact, and this is where passion actually comes from.” 3. Focus on rare and valuable skills The first food truck was a pretzel stand. It had wheels and food. Now Michelin-star chefs have food trucks and pop-up shops. They didn’t learn how to make pretzels. Or follow the trend. They used rare and valuable skills to innovate the market. I built websites in the ‘90s. That was my first company. But as soon as I heard my eighth-grade sister was learning coding in school, I sold the company. Coding was no longer rare and valuable. And competition was about to explode. Control competition and you’ll control the market. 4. Get to the cutting edge of an industry Mastery leads to passion, not the other way around. You weren’t “born” to invent the next iPhone. Nobody was. Even the people inventing the next iPhone weren’t born to invent the next iPhone. “Innovations don’t come at the very start of your journey.” You have to get to the cutting edge, learn what’s missing, identify room for growth and innovate. 5. Do deep work Deep work is the process of becoming great. “It requires hard, hard focus and pushes your skill to its limit.” It’s what you do to become the best in your field. And discover holes in your organization. Or in the planet. It’s how you create ride-sharing, social networking, Google maps underwater. Cal says how at [16:04] 6. Or don't... I asked Cal, “Do you think most people actually want to be really good at something… Or do most people just want more time off to just do nothing?” I don’t set goals. Or evaluate my growth. If I can support the growth of other people, cheer them on, smile and say, “Congratulations on getting up today,” then the window gets bigger. Maybe success isn’t “being so good you can’t be ignored.” Maybe it’s being so good you can’t ignore others. This is what works for me. This is my deep work.
9/20/2016 • 47 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 184 - Robert Cialdini: The 7 Techniques to Influence Anyone Of Anything
If I can tell my children to read one post of mine, it would be this post. Influence is how they will navigate a world of uncertainty. Robert Cialdini is the most influential person in the world. And by that I mean, he wrote the book, "INFLUENCE", which sold 3 million copies and defines the six critical aspects of all influence. Now he has a new book, "Pre-Suasion", going 10x deeper into the concepts of persuasion. I got him on my podcast so I can ask the 1000 questions I have. Small story from the book: If you name a restaurant "Studio 97" instead of "Studio 17" people are more likely to tip higher. If you ask a girl for her phone number outside a flower store (triggering feelings of romance), she is more likely to give it to you than if you ask her outside a motorcycle store. And 500 other stories. The environment is just as important as what you say. Before the podcast began, I gave him a book as a gift: "The Anxiety of Influence", a history of poetry. What would poetry have to do with influence and marketing? In all art, since the beginning of time, artists have built on the work of the artists the generation before them. Beethoven depended on a Mozart to be a Beethoven. Picasso depended on a Cezanne. Without Michelson, there would be no Einstein. But poets, for some reason, would deny being influenced. "I never even read Ezra Pound," shouted one poet at a critic. Poets want to be seen as original. NOBODY is 100% original. This is the anxiety of influence. Almost all of our decisions and even creativity are outsourced to the people around us who influence us: peers, teachers, religion, parents, bosses, etc. Our personality is our own particular mishmash of influences. How we deal with that anxiety, how we RECOGNIZE the influences, learn from them, build from them, is the BIRTH of all of our creativity. Let me summarize the seven aspects of influence: - RECIPROCITY - if you give someone a Christmas card they will want to return the favor - LIKABILITY - make yourself trustworthy. For instance, outline the negatives of dealing with you. - CONSISTENCY - ask someone for a favor. Now they will say to themselves, "I am the type of person who does James a favor". - SOCIAL PROOF - if you are trying to get someone to do X, show them that "a lot of your peers do X". For instance, if you are at a bar and you are a guy trying to meet women, being your women friends and not your guy friends with you. - AUTHORITY - "four out of five dentists say.." - SCARCITY - "only 100 iPhones left at this store!" - UNITY - you and I are the same because: location / values / religion / etc I've used each of the above in business. They work. They will make you money. The entire purpose of language is to influence. We are not strong animals. We are weak. The language of influence saved us. Probably a word like, "Run!" was the first word spoken. A word of influence. And it worked. I'm still running from the things I fear. So speak to influence. Don't speak to call a flower yellow. Speak to breathe spirit into an idea, to be enthusiastic, to convey emotion, to influence. This is the only way to have impact with your unique creativity. I gave Robert the book as a gift ("reciprocity"), assuming we would have a great podcast. And we did. But then I thought later, I can't even remember how Robert got on my podcast. I highly recommended his book in the podcast and even in this post. As he got into his car after the podcast in order to go to his next interview, I started thinking, "Hmmm, who influenced who?"
9/13/2016 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 183 - Jenny Blake: Your Most Crucial Step... Pivot
I had to stop trying to get ahead. There are 8 million people in New York City. And 7 billion in the world. That’s 875 New York Cities. You can’t get ahead. Information is compounding. Technology is growing exponentially. Nothing is predictable—except maybe your expectations. But not your success. I used to complain. Now I pivot. “There is no try,” Yoda says. Hans Solo didn’t believe he could use the force. Trying is just a form of doubt. “Do or do not,” he said. When I was 23, I tried figuring out how long it would take me to make a million dollars. I just bought computer. It was the first thing I bought with “hard-earned money.” Fast forward 25 years and I’ve thrown all my stuff away. And I’ve stopped trying to get ahead. I want an F in effort. And an A in not giving a shit. I’m writing because I’m writing. Not because I’m trying to write. People make this mistake all the time. If you say, “James, what can I do to help you?” you’re doing two things right and one thing horribly wrong. Right: you’re good-intentioned (maybe) and you’re not hurting anyone (again, maybe). But here’s where you’re wrong… And I’ve done this before too. I’ve tried to be a good boss, a good employee, a good investor, but for all the wrong reasons. There’s only one good reason: you want to provide value. If you don’t want to add value, you’re not helping. You’re hurting. Growing up, when my family argued, I’d ask, “Can I say something?” “Will it help?” my father would say. I didn’t answer. Offering ideas is not valuable. You have to give the “how.” Say what you’re going to do and list the steps. That’s where your idea list comes in. I’ve started and ran more than 20 businesses. And I can tell you one thing for sure: when I did it for money, I failed 100% of the time. Here’s the test... before you do anything, ask yourself this one question: “Do I want to add value?” -- “That’s how I got Mark Cuban to come on my podcast,” I said. Jenny Blake started a podcast. She came on my show to ask what works. And what doesn’t. It would be brilliant strategy... Except it’s not a strategy. It’s genuine. And that’s why it works. She asked to interview me and provide value to you. Jenny’s an ex-Googler. I wrote a blurb for her book. So did Cal Newport, Seth Godin, and a few other people I owe return emails to. I wrote, "To pivot well is the difference between millions and failure. Former Googler and entrepreneur Jenny Blake (one of my favorite human beings) dissects the pivot, how to do it, and how to do it right." I can’t tell you the right way to pivot. I’ll leave that to Jenny. I went on her podcast as a guest host. And she came on mine to dissect my brain. Reorganize it, and give you all the milk. Listen now to learn how I make money, keep it and grow it [12:39], how I got Mark Cuban on the podcast [41:48] and more... - the exact steps I’m taking to pivot in my career right now [6:09] - if and when it’s the right time to pivot [8:29] - How I currently make money and diversify my portfolio [13:53] - How to do what you love everyday [16:16] - The 9 experiments I did before creating a stockpickr.com, which sold for $10 million [19:50] -The best and worst way to network [38:38] - What my day-to-day looks like [47:39]
9/6/2016 • 49 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep. 182 - Caleb Carr: The Curse of Knowledge
By the time you finish reading this, everything I’m about to tell you will already be over. What you choose to do with it is up to you. Caleb Carr was beaten as a child. His father, Lucien Carr, was an Ivy League boy, friends with Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. They were the rebels of society. Known as The Beat Generation. But Caleb reminded me of their other legacy… “My father gets arrested for murder. Jack gets arrested for accessory because he helped hide the weapon…” “And then Burroughs, of course, shoots his wife down in Mexico.” “My father’s murder case gave their movement a type of darkness and gravitas it wouldn’t have otherwise had.” --- “All of these cycles, all of these abusive things are cyclical,” Caleb said. His father didn’t get the help he needed. He didn't get the help he needed. “It's one of the reasons I never had children myself.” I didn’t understand at first. Caleb has the awareness. He understands the cycle. So I asked, “Don't you think if you had children, you would have been able to hold yourself back?” “I simply could not trust that,” he said. --- As adults, we look at our lives and question what happened and why? We pick at our scabs and then wonder why we’re bleeding. What’s done is done. And how you choose to live with it is your legacy. So Caleb writes. And between the intersection of abuse and history, he found relief. Caleb’s latest book, “Survivor, New York” begins with “The Curse of Knowledge,” It’s the idea that once you know something you can’t unknow it… pain, loss, grief. No pain heals without air. Eventually, the bandaid gets soggy. And the cut below turns green. That’s when I start reading. Caleb’s books are the air. Keep reading to learn three lessons from the brilliant, historical novelist, Caleb Carr. Two will give you relief. One will not... 1. History can save you. A lot of people write thrillers. But Caleb wasn’t sure how he’d set himself apart. But he found a simple solution. Training + Interest = Success Caleb is a trained historian. He has an interest in serial killer novels. And now he’s a bestselling author. He writes historical thrillers where characters like Theodore Roosevelt and Alexander Hamilton rescue neglected children from serial killers. 2. Pain reinvented is freedom. Caleb needed to write... (as all writers do). But he didn’t want to write a memoir like his father’s pack. He tried it once. “I found the experience incredibly creepy.” So he found fiction. Caleb said he’s not depressed but feels “intense melancholia.” “It’s a dark, dark place you go.” “Are you able to function with it?” I asked. “Oh yeah,” he said, “that’s when I work.” 3. Always end on a cliffhanger Every unresolved problem in my life is a cliffhanger.Cliffhangers keep the story going. They create chaos. So I just stay curious. Caleb told me the warning signs of a serial killer: childhood violence, torture against animals, fires. “I loved starting fires,” he said. “I set my house on fire when I was four years old. It was the only time my father didn’t hit me.” I later asked if he has sociopathic tendencies… “functional sociopathic tendencies.” “Ummmm…” He was thinking about it.
8/30/2016 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 6 seconds
[Bonus] One Good Story Can Save Your Life... (literally) featuring Jordan Harbinger
One good story can save your life... (literally). Jordan was taken, strapped to a chair and kicked around. First in Serbia and then again in Mexico. But you already knew this. Here’s what you didn’t know... I was taken too. Or at least it felt like it. Everyone reading this has talents. And you want to express those talents. Maybe you feel taken too. You want to choose yourself but you don’t know where to start. The first step is simple... get a teacher. I want to be that teacher. Why? I don’t know really. I’ve experience so many opportunities that bring me joy. And new ones still come up. When I got rid of my apartment, strangers all over the world offered me warm meals, friendship, places to sleep. And the emails still come in. They offer to feature me in their books, on their websites and podcasts. Jordan Harbinger says “Always be giving.” So that’s what I try to do. I want to give back. And hopefully you can experience some of the joys I’ve had too. So take my advice… Self-publish your story. Books are the new business cards. They create new opportunities and expand your mind. I became a bestselling author. Now I’ll tell you how you can too. That’s why I’m releasing a special bonus interview. You’ll hear how my friend Jordan charmed his way into a better life. And how you can too using my “ultimate checklist before self-publishing.” This is my personal checklist that I used to become a bestselling author. This is how I escaped. The cage is unlocked. It’s up to you to walk out. Listen now
8/27/2016 • 48 minutes, 1 second
Ep. 181 - Jordan Harbinger: The Mindset We All Want
You can learn a lot from a sociopath. How to be charismatic, charming, convincing... They know how you think. “That’s the mindset we want,” Jordan Harbinger said. He was kidnapped twice. Once in Serbia. Once in Mexico. He talked his way out both times. “We knew there was a problem,” he said. “The cop gets in my face and says, ‘In your country, can you walk around with no identification and no passport? Tell me the Goddamn truth.’” Jordan was in Serbia teaching refugees English. “Yeah, we don’t need any form of identification at all,” he said. The cop turned to his friend and in Serbian said, “I guess they really are free over there. I had no idea.” They didn’t know Jordan spoke Serbian. He ended up in a basement. Pipes were sticking out of the wall. There was no water for miles. Wires were everywhere. And Jordan was tied to a chair. They threatened to burn his eyes with a cigarette. The guard had a club and rakia, a homebrewed liquor. Jordan talked his way out of going blind and into having a drink with his kidnapper. I always say advice is autobiography. Now Jordan’s made a career teaching ultimate survival skills through his podcast, “The Art of Charm.” I asked him, “How can I be more likable?” “I think you’re very likable…” Later he said I have “an un-punchable face.” And I agreed. When Jordan was single, he saw a girl texting on the train. There was no cell service. I tried guessing what he said to her, “‘I didn’t get your text, can you re-send it?’” “No, no that’s a great, pick-up line, but I wanted to disarm her. So I said something like, ‘Are you gonna write the whole book on your phone?’” I asked him the top 5 takeaways from his podcast. He said everyone’s decision-making process is different. “Everyone gets to the top differently.” Jordan’s interviewed world leaders like General Hayden, the former head of the NSA and CIA, Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, and 500+ more. They all have stories. We all do. You could even self-publish yours. That’s what I did. My life changes every six months. Maybe yours will too. I even wrote a guide called “The Ultimate Checklist Before Self-Publishing.” You can get the checklist now (for free). Write a book. Sell it for 99 cents. And email me when you get your first sale. I’ll tell you even more about this on Saturday. I’m doing a special bonus podcast with Jordan. You’ll hear his two kidnapping stories and you’ll learn about the 20 steps I took to become a best selling author. (If you don’t want to miss it subscribe now.) But for now here’s Jordan’s top 5 takeaways from “The Art of Charm.”
8/23/2016 • 47 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 180 - A.J. Jacobs: Four Words That Will Give You Ultimate Freedom
I was at a restaurant with this beautiful, thick-cut bacon. The kind you use a knife and fork on. It had fat running through it. And I felt that feeling when you fall in love in junior high school. My friend AJ Jacobs is going to prove bacon is the the path to immortality. “I am very skeptical of health gurus,” he said. “You can find a study to support anything.” I want him to find that study so I can eat bacon three times a day. And live forever doing it. I’d spend the rest of my life experimenting. That’s how AJ lives his life. Every year, he does a new one. Then he writes about it. Most of our lives are lived in our head. Creation is when it leaks out. He’s written four New York Times bestselling books. And he’s the editor-at-large for Esquire. But you don’t need permission. These four words will give you ultimate freedom to do anything you want: “It’s just an experiment.” Forget the gatekeepers. Just play. AJ has done hundreds of experiments. He learns from them. So do I. Here are 3 lessons I learned from AJ’s hundreds of experiments: 1) Filter negative thoughts I believe in authenticity. But I don’t believe in saying everything you think. If all the pain we created was just an accident, misunderstandings wouldn’t need explaining. AJ stopped gossiping. He had to. It was part of an experiment. “There's a 1-800 number that Orthodox Jews have. It's like a suicide hotline, but for gossip.” “How many people call that number a year?” I asked. “I don't know. I called it and found it very helpful.” He said his brain is lazy. Mine is, too. I have to watch it. It takes a lot of effort to clear out negative thoughts. But when AJ’s brain realized certain thoughts were being filtered, it stopped generating those thoughts. “I started thinking more positively about people.” Some people don’t know they’re negative talkers. Or negative thinkers. Your brain is Jurassic Park occupied by predators. If you take care of yourself and filter them out, positive thoughts will filter through. Good people will want to be around you. The landscape will change. And new opportunities will come. But if you get the urge to gossip, call the hotline. 2) Practice radical positive honesty AJ and his wife ran into some of her college friends at a restaurant. They said, “Oh, we should all get together.” But AJ didn’t want to. He was doing an experiment where he was being radically honest 100% of the time. “I had to say what was on my mind, which was, ‘You guys seem nice, but I just have no desire to ever see you again.’ “How did they react?” “As you might expect, they were not overjoyed.” “Did your wife yell at you?” “Yes, absolutely, she yelled at me. In one sense it was effective because we’ve never seen them again.” “I don’t know how she stays married to you.” AJ laughed. And we still got lunch after the podcast. Now he believes in radical positive honesty. I told AJ I’d try it. “Give it a shot. You're very handsome,” he said. He was lying. 3) Don’t overlook anything One of the top 3 moments in AJ’s life was with Chrissy Teigen. I already knew the story because he called me immediately after interviewing her. They were talking about religion and she randomly asked if he read “The Year of Living Biblically.” She didn’t know he wrote it. “The Bible says you should say thanks all the time. I took it literally,” he said. It was one of his experiments. “I would press the elevator button and be thankful it came to the first floor. Then I'd get in and be thankful it didn't plummet to the basement and break my collarbone. It was a very bizarre way to live, but it was also wonderful because you realize there are hundreds of things that go right every day that we totally take for granted.”
8/16/2016 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep. 179 - Steve Kotler: Tomorrowland: The Future is Rich (in Possibility)
Beautiful women with laser boobs. If you asked me “What’s Playboy’s future,” that would’ve been my guess. But then I spoke to Steven Kotler. I asked him, “When are we going to start 3D printing houses and cars?” This was 7 or 8 months ago. But I was too late. China 3-D printed ten homes in two days. And they were cheap. $5,000 a home. Then they 3-D printed a mansion. And a five-story apartment complex. The future is rich in possibility. “We’re here,” Steven said. “It is really really real.” “Today, for the very first time in history, pretty much anyone can have a global impact,” Steven said on today’s podcast. So I asked him, “If I'm sitting in my cubicle or I’m driving to work and I'm listening to this, how can I improve my life?” He told me about a woman in her 30s who graduated from Harvard, lived with her parents and couldn’t get a job. So she disrupted the $256 million a year cosmetics industry. She combined a standard inkjet carton with a 3-D printer. With bio-degradable ink, she can print any type of makeup in any color. Then Steven told me how we’re colonizing space. “One of the reasons we're not in space yet is because it costs $10,000 a pound to get something out of Earth's gravity well. It's really expensive. We need to be able to print in space.” “My next book,” Steven said, “not the one I’m writing now, but the one after that will be about the 4 enormous exoduses that are happening in this century. One is in virtual reality. Another is gonna be in space.” “What’s the other two?” “One is gonna be climate change migrations.” “Meaning we’re leaving earth?” “I don’t think we’re leaving Earth.” “What’s the fourth exodus? “I actually think the fourth is into our own subconscious... in our own mind,” he said.” He called them “interior states of consciousness” or “inner-space.” Steven wrote some of my favorite books, including "Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World," which is also byPeter Diamandis, the Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation. Bill Clinton said it’s, “A visionary roadmap for people who believe they can change the world.” Steven also wrote Tomorrowland, which shows you all the ways science fiction is coming to life. So far no laser boobs. But anything is possible.
8/9/2016 • 58 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 178 - Jonah Berger: The Hidden Forces Shaping (and Destroying) Your Life
There was a time when the only word I said was “no.” I think that was the best time of my life. But I can’t remember it. My memory sucks. It was “the terrible twos.” A defining age. You tell your truth. But everyone says you’re a terrible person. And somewhere along the way you start listening to them. They make up rules. And send you to school, where girls wear white gloves and can’t blow their noses in public anymore. I guess that's why they think it’s cute when babies snot on themselves. Freedom. I went to Cornell, studied computer science, got a job at HBO, went back for remedial school because my degree wasn't up to industry standards. Then I tried another job. And another job. I ended up on Wall Street. I lived there. But that didn't stop me from losing everything. I had millions of dollars in debt. Not one million. MILLIONS. I thought my only option was to kill myself. Because I knew this for sure: I couldn’t obey any longer... Imagine talking to someone for years. And everything you say gets ignored. You’re going to hate that person. I ignored myself. So that’s who I hated... I ignored my gut. For 20 years. Your gut reveals itself every time you say how tired you are or some BS like “Happy Friday.” It’s asking you to sleep, quit your job, be creative. To say “no.” Information is power. So even if you make decisions off influences, don’t you want to know what the components of your decision are? I did. So I asked an expert... 1. What are the forces that influence me? 2. And how I can cleanse myself of the negative ones? I interviewed Jonah Berger about his research book, “Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior.” He’s a Wharton School professor, a New York Times bestselling author and social influence expert. Google is one of his clients. We talked about: - Mirror neurons - “The power of mimicry” - Why I won’t let my daughters win at checkers, chess or any game at all. Ever. - How to predict upcoming trends - What influences could be holding you back -And what steps you can take to be “one of the lucky ones…” I was picturing businessmen who ignore themselves everyday. Who don’t drink water when they’re thirsty. Who just do the same routine. They have no idea they’re on autopilot. And it’s killing them. They’ll get a heart attack one day and never know what hit them. That was me. Until I chose myself and started doing these three things: 1. Find out your influences What’s your day, week, year look like? And why? Jonah gives 20, 30, 40 examples in this podcast. He helps you figure out the positive and negative influences that are impacting your life. Things you’ve never even considered. 2. Check your gut Picture your insides. Your meaty heart. And the deep stream of blood keeping you alive. It knows the answers to your questions already… But you have to check-in. Because sometimes it’s so quiet. It’s used to being ignored. Listen and notice. 3. Then lean into it Start with small changes. Go to the bathroom when you need to. Stop eating when you’re full. Linger a little longer. Give yourself space. When your gut knows you’re listening, it gets louder. And more powerful. I’m still learning to choose myself everyday. And sometimes my gut disappears. But at least I know where to find it again. Listen now to hear how to identify the hidden forces shaping your behavior and create the influences in your life.
8/2/2016 • 55 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep. 177 - Ramit Sethi: What Happens When You Make $50,000 In One Month?
What you'll learn from today's podcast: [6:58] - Who should everyone be an entrepreneur? [9:12] - How do you decide what a “rich” life is to you? [19:43] - Make $50,000 in one month with a simple site [25:03] - How to attract the right audience/customer [34:00] - Get better than anyone else in your space [43:30] - How to test your idea… before it “tanks” [54:40] - Two marketing myths you need to know [58:58] - If you want to quit your job (and start your own business)... do this step first -- I try noticing when I’m having a hard time. And if I want to ask why. If I ask, “Why do I feel like this?” my thoughts seep further into my brain. And I can’t find them. “Where are you going? And why do I feel like this?” But “why” isn’t the answer. “You are not your feelings.” I’ve heard this before. It’s helpful to have a degree of separation. Negative pressures take away momentum. It makes me lazy. And hungry. I don’t think I’m ever really hungry. I’m just looking for a human excuse to get away from responsibility. But sometimes you have to admit where you really are. I don’t have advice for you. I have something better. I have Ramit Sethi, author of the New York Times bestseller, “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” and owner of iwillteachyoutoberich.com and growthlab.com. He’s been on my podcast before. Every time he’s on, people want to know this one thing: “HOW can I live a rich life?” I told Ramit, "The person listening to this doesn't want to hear that it's possible to get rich. Because that's what everybody says. I want to hear specific tactics.” And he’s giving them all away. “There’s story after story after story of people who have taken your courses and made money…” I said. “Not just made money. Yes. Of course, they made money. That's the least interesting part. A guy gets a $50,000 raise. That happens every day using my stuff.” “Tell me a story of someone who's made $50,000 in one month.” (Listen at [19:45]) I don’t believe 99% of the advice about entrepreneurship. Because that advice is what gets you out of your heart and into your head. It makes you lost. Because you try to sell out. You try to win. You try to get rich. And you stop giving. So Ramit and I talked about a rich life. What is it? We came up with this: I can’t tell you what a rich life is to you. I can only say what a rich life is to me. My “rich” life consists of four things. You just need to find what you’re OK at. Because if you are OK at one thing and OK at another thing then you can be the best in the world at the intersection. But I’m getting ahead of myself. And that’s how people fail. They focus on the wrong things, get lost, give up and never start again. They’re at negative zero. Everyone wants to be at 100. But that’s impossible. And wanting to be anywhere other than where you are right now is painful. Start by acknowledging where you are. And know that’s the only true thing about this moment. Then you’re out of the negative. And you have a starting place: you’re at zero. Zero is the best place to be. It’s where Mark Cuban, Arianna Huffington, every millionaire, billionaire, writer, rapper, author, athlete, and astronaut starts. It’s where you’ll start, too. And you can start right now. Just follow these two steps: 1. Acknowledge where you are 2. Trust that it’s the start And then you can launch a rich life. Whatever that means to you. Listen to my interview with Ramit Sethi to stop asking “why” and start asking “how?”
7/26/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 57 seconds
Ep. 176 - John Wallace: How to Get Your Next Big Win
He denied Bill Clinton’s phone call. He just lost the NBA finals championship. "I was inconsolable," John Wallace said on my podcast. “I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I didn’t want to talk to Bill Clinton. I didn’t want to talk to my mom..." "But doesn't that make you a sore loser?" "You show me someone who accepts losing and I’ll show you a loser," he said quoting Cam Newton. -- In the 90’s, I walked out of my job a loser. I didn’t stick with it. The stomach aches tasted like metal. I walked across the street. And played chess against a faceless man. I'll never forget him. I won that game. That's when I learned it's ok to lose. "What do you do?" Carpenter, author, server. “I’m in finance.” “I’m in fashion.” It's the one question we ask in New York. “What do you do?” I wander. I read. I spend time with people I love. I lost in the corporate world. But I'm winning at choosing myself. “It’s one thing to give your time. It’s another thing to give your money. And it’s a-whole-nother thing to give both consistently. That’s what I’ve been trying to do," John said about his philanthropy efforts. “Certain people won’t do business with you if you’re not giving back." I take care of myself everyday. Then I show up for other people. I ask them questions. And find out what makes them work...how they grew, shrunk, and then exploded into excellence. John said it best, "Humility turns to fire. And that fire turns to greatness." When I lost, I started over. Just like John. And now, if the president calls, I'm ready. -- Listen now to my interview with John Wallace to hear his “choose yourself” story : "From Carjacking to World Excellence." Then I hope you share yours. Email me at [email protected]
7/19/2016 • 44 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 175 - Rich Cohen: The Rolling Stones Guide to Reinventing Yourself for Success
Mick Jagger fooled around with Keith Richards’ girlfriend. I wouldn’t be able to work with someone after that. But maybe that’s why I’m author. And not a rockstar. The Rolling Stones became a new band every 5-7 years. They were “perpetual amateurs.” That’s one of the keys to staying alive as an artist. Or as an entrepreneur. Or staying alive at all… “Remain the same but different.” And be “open to influence,” Rich Cohen said. He wrote “The Sun & The Moon & The Rolling Stones,” an incredible book about the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band of all time, fate, creation, sex, influence and the art of reinventing yourself. It was “the gig of a century:” touring with The Rolling Stones the summer of ‘94. Then Rich worked with Mick Jagger on the HBO series “Vinyl.” But this story isn’t just about The Rolling Stones. It’s about creation, corruption and reinvention. And the 9 ways you can reinvent yourself today. Listen now to hear half a dozen more stories about rock ‘n’ roll, fate, influence and inspiration.
7/12/2016 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 174 - Dr. Sanjiv Chopra: The Art of Well-Being
The party at the apartment one floor up lit lanterns and watched them fly into the sky. It’s the type of lanterns you'd see in Asia. I heard her yell, "that's my journey right there! I'm going to be a mom and a doctor!" The lantern flew. "Angels! Angels!" She yelled She passed me a lantern from the balcony above. She must have laid on the ground to get her arm to reach mine. "Don't lose the wax. That's what makes it fly." My friends wrote down wishes, lit the lantern and watched it sink down to the floor 20 feet below. It burned to the ground. The ashes smelt like black popcorn. And my friends began to mourn their dreams. I left the party to read. Dr. Sanjiv Chopra gave me 5 ideas to experiment with. His brother is Deepak Chopra. They wrote the national bestseller, "Brotherhood: Dharma, Destiny and the American Dream." (highly recommended) Now Dr. Sanjiv just published, "The Big 5: Five Simple Things You Can Do to Live a Longer Healthier Life." Deepak called it "the lazy person's guide to health and longevity." I am the lazy person. When you listen to today's podcast you’ll learn: 1. How to rewire your brain [13:00] 2. Dr. Sanjiv's secret to never getting yelled at by his wife [10:14] 3. What exactly influences your health [38:15] She kept yelling, "Father!" "Angels, take them away." My head got heavy while reading. The party ended. But it was still on my mind. The burnt dreams, the way she moaned to God, the connection between strangers, the distance betweens strangers... From Sanjiv, I learned tricks to live longer. And from the party I learned one trick to live fully... Never depend on a lantern to carry your dreams. Unless you're the lantern.
7/5/2016 • 58 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep. 173 - Kevin Kelly: The One Skill Everyone Needs For The Future
I spoke to Kevin Kelly. He’s the founding editor of Wired magazine and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, “The Inevitable: Understanding the 12 Technological Forces That Will Shape Our Future.” He’s a futurist. There are only a few people I trust with predictions about the future. He’s one of them. “Tracking is coming. AI is coming. Robots are coming,” he says on today’s podcast. The future is here. “We can mold it to make it work for us, but we're not going to be able to stop it, or be afraid of it, or be scared of it.” On today's podcast, he tells you what to expect. He reveals “the inevitable.” And what to do about it now. This episode is not just about what we “know” is coming in the future. It answers the one question we’ll never stop asking: “Then what?” It’s the question that makes us panic until we find the playground. Or the right woman. We look around, worried, unable to see the small joys. Two men sharing photos of their families. A woman leaning forward to hear her friend better. She’s not alone. The trees shake and I’m breathing. Then what? More life. We trip someone by accident, make a small joke, they don't laugh and then the stock market crashes. listen to my interview with Kevin Kelly to hear 5 ways to be on the right side of the future and: Kevin Kelly’s techniques to predicting the future - [4:39] How to discover where there’s “a need” for innovation [16:16] Kevin Kelly’s predictions for 100 years from now… and 1,000 years from now [26:08] Learn how to create a business built around the latest innovations [47:00] Find out the next biggest platform [52:50] “One of the most valuable things you could do today…” [1:02:43] Plus my latest advice for getting 7 streams of income [1:05:05]
6/28/2016 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 49 seconds
Ep. 172 - Maria Konnikova: Am I a Con Artist?
I can’t imagine walking into a situation like that… handing over $20,000. “You have too much attachment to money. Let me hold this in a jar,” the psychic would say. “I'll give it back whenever you ask." Then of course you never get it back. “It's a slow building of a relationship, slow building of trust,” Maria Konnikova said on my podcast. “You have no idea how many times I've met people who said, ‘I do not believe in psychics.... except my psychic. My psychic is the exception to the rule.’" Maria’s a New York Times bestselling author, contributing writer for The New Yorker and a brilliant podcast guest. I read her book, “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time,” about the most common and dangerous con artists in history, what they plotted and how they got away with it. I got paranoid reading it. I thought she missed someone. Me. I kept thinking, “Am I a con artist?” There are 3 elements most people have in common with con artists. And a fourth element exclusive to con artists. It’s the difference between Benjamin Franklin and Bernie Madoff. But before I tell you what these 4 elements are, you need to know how millions of Americans are being scammed everyday. And if you’re one of them. Listen to my interview with Maria to find out the four elements of a con artist and never get scammed again.
6/21/2016 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 171 - Ryan Holiday: The Powerful Enemy of Your Success
“You used to be arrogant,” I said. He didn’t know. I later decided it’s arrogant to call someone arrogant on your podcast. Or anywhere else. I had a lot to learn. It’s a good thing we had 90 minutes left in the studio. And dinner plans after. “I'm sure other people must have told you that around that time,” I said, referring to when we first met a few years ago. My podcast guest, Ryan Holiday, dropped out of college at age 19. By age 22, he was the director of marketing for American Apparel. Twitter, YouTube, and Google all use his work as case studies. Now he’s 28, a writer and owns his own business. When I sold my first company, it completely destroyed me. I know where I went wrong. Ryan’s new book, "Ego is the Enemy," helped explain why. In this episode, I’ll tell you what I learned. And how you can avoid making the same common mistake. Consider this interview a cheat sheet. Listen now.
6/14/2016 • 1 hour, 29 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 170 - Gary Gulman: The Evolution of Talent
I was trying to cheer someone up. “The sun feels nice,” I said. “I don’t even notice those things,” he said. He was depressed. But I thought I could help. They say you can’t make everybody happy. But really, you can’t make anybody happy. I know this. But it doesn’t always stop me from trying. Six months ago, I did my first stand-up show. Now I have a new experiment. I take one photo a day. And I tell a story. But I haven't stopped thinking about stand-up. And I want to get better. So I interviewed Gary Gulman. He’s one of my favorite comedians. Top two. Him and Louis C.K. I’ll throw Amy Schumer into the mix. Top three. He started 23 years ago. And I’ve watched his Netflix series, “It’s About Time” twice (so far). The best way to learn anything is to study the masters. Studying Gary taught me there are two steps to developing talent in anything: Step 1: Start somewhere Gary first tried stand-up in 1993. But that’s not how he got started. Before that, he watched comedy. He repeated bits to friends and got laughs. That’s how all successes start. You just do it for fun. That’s how Derek Sivers started CD Baby and how AirBnB began. They were experiments. Gary only had five minutes on stage. “Back then I did impressions,” he said. He did one of Seinfeld and Kramer playing basketball. But “within a year, I had decided that my impressions were not very good.” That’s step 2: Evolve. Doubt is a leader. It can take you away from what you don’t love and into what you do love. “That’s how I got on the track I’m on now,” he says. If you’re “good,” you’ll just sit back. And someone who’s no good will get better. - They’ll get a mentor - They’ll reinvent themselves - They’ll practice for 10,000+ hours - They build a love for it If the “good” ones don’t evolve, they’ll remain just that… good. C) Tell your story “I have symptoms of depression,” he said. “I almost feel like I'm moving in slow motion. There doesn't seem to be any amount of sleep that satisfies me.” I can’t sugar coat it. It sounds miserable. But it’s also the source of his comedy. “I guess if I didn't have a depressive view of the world, I wouldn't have the premises to go off,” he said. “But at the same time, if I didn't have the depressive nature, I would have more confidence and more energy to write more and maybe expand into more acting or podcasting or writing a book.” It’s a balance. “On the days you get out of it, how do you get yourself out of it?” I asked. There was a long pause. “Or have you never gotten out of it?” I asked. I wanted to find out what works for him. And it came back to helping people. “Stand-up comedy gave me a lot of reward,” he said, “as far as making people feel a little bit better and forgetting about their problems for a short time.” He turns pain into humor, which morphs back into pain. That pain becomes a bit. And that bit becomes a laugh. You can’t make people happy. But if you tell your story, maybe you can make them laugh.
6/7/2016 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep. 169 - Arianna Huffington: The Delusion We're All Suffering From
The coffee pot at my cubicle job always smelled of fresh piss. It was probably rotting from the bright lights and manhandling. We all were. Maybe if I slept more, I would’ve quit my job (the right way). I would’ve chosen myself sooner. I’d leave the fog with clarity. That’s what sleep can do for you. “This moment is all we have, and my mother always used to say, ‘Don't miss the moment.’" "When you're exhausted, you miss the moment because you are just living in some fog, either of the past or the future,” said Arianna Huffington, who recently published “The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time.” In her latest book (and on my podcast), Arianna Huffington reveals the secret to being awake and living a “fully vital, fully present, fully joyful” life. Listen now.
5/31/2016 • 38 minutes
Ep. 168 - Tony Hawk: Don't Stand Still
I was getting good at saying, “no thank you” to certain thoughts. Sometimes it was just conversations I didn’t want to have. Like this one I’m writing. If I were sitting with you, I doubt I’d say any of what I’m about to. I guess that’s why I have questions. Because maybe you know something I don’t. Maybe I can learn from you. And I do. I always do. There’s a formula for loneliness and a formula for connection. No matter the gravity of your sinking, we are all just inches above the ocean. When I ask question, I watch people discover answers they didn’t know they had. And I feel them light up. They connect with themselves. But I pretend it’s me. I asked Tony Hawk about his career. We talked about falling a lot. But I’m avoiding the metaphor about “falling” and getting back up. Because then you’ll think I’m transitioning from falling to failing. And there’s already enough dirty, failure porn out there. So maybe, here’s something new…. 3 questions I asked Tony Hawk: (on my blog)
5/23/2016 • 53 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep. 167 - Greg Zuckerman: How to Rise Above Anything
You have a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. And you’ll hear a lot about overcoming difficulties in today’s podcast. But these are the steps: Step 1. Find out what’s different about you Step 2. Use your setback to create your skillset Step 3. Stop trying to figure it out Listen now and go to my blog for the full show notes.
5/17/2016 • 49 minutes, 18 seconds
Ep. 166 - Brian Grazer: How a Curious Mind Creates An Original Idea
“Imagine… If you had suddenly learned that the people and the places and the moments most important to you were not gone, not dead, but worse— had never been.” I was in LA at Imagine Entertainment. It’s Brian Grazer’s studio. He produced A Beautiful Mind, 8 Mile, a bunch of Jim Carrey movies. He’s worked with Eddie Murphy and produced my favorite TV series, Arrested Development. “I bought the book A Beautiful Mind with the thematic intention of trying to make a movie that would help de-stigmatize mental disability,” he said. So he created an alternate reality. And he’s done this in his own life. “You see, the nightmare of schizophrenia is not knowing what’s true,” the psychiatrist said in A Beautiful Mind. He was talking to John Nash’s wife as she watched her husband get electroshock therapy. She loved a schizophrenic man. A brilliant man. She let me him keep his delusions. They weren’t real. But what’s the harm? Nothing. Unless you almost drown your baby. He won the Nobel Prize. And I cried. His mind brought him delusions but it also brought him love. Between two realities, he chose himself. I don’t try to be everything I am. Because some of me is jealous. Some of me feels sad. Some of me ran out of things to say. So I become the rest of me. The side that practices difficult gratitude and improves just 1% a day. The part of me that listens. And flies to LA to be in an alternate reality. Brian Grazer says, “Curiosity propels storytelling. All stories, incidentally, need propulsion. It not only creates the story, but it gives life to energy, and energy is what stories need.” It’s what life needs. Or at least, my life. Brian also produced Apollo 13, another one of my favorite movies. He used his curiosity muscle to reframe the story. “People think it's about space. They thought it was about aerodynamics,” he says. “To me, it was only about human resourcefulness.” “Perspective is everything,” Brian said. “It's everything.” His perspective comes from curiosity. Which he wrote about in #1 New York Times bestseller, A Curious Mind: The Secret to a Bigger Life. I don’t know where my curiosity will lead me. I can only hope it helps you.
5/9/2016 • 50 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep. 165 - Dr. Ron Paul: Create Wealth and Freedom by Voting for Yourself
"You're scaring me now,” I said.
“Don't scare me.”
I was laughing. But I meant it.
The news, the doom and gloom, the fear, it makes fresh air turn
to vomit.
Chunky streams of acid.
I bet Ron Paul has thin stomach lining.
We were talking about freedom. And if there’s any left.
I usually ignore all the doom and gloom. That’s what works for
me. But we talked about opportunities, hope, trends, the
innovation economy.
And freedom.
“I don't even like politics. I did it only because I could get a
voice out there telling people what was going on, what you need to
do, and what the substitute has to be. Believe me, we're going to
have a chance,” Ron Paul says on today’s podcast.
Did you hear that?
“We’re going to have a chance…”
I like that.
If you pay attention, you’ll see the future is already
here.
What does that mean for you?
I don’t know. Maybe you’ll go to space or make millions
investing in robotics.
You have thousands of new opportunities to create your
own wealth and freedom.
And you can start right now.
I'll tell you how to make money off of rising trends in today’s
podcast. This is rare. But you’ll hear about my plan to profit
in this innovation economy.
I don’t want to choke on my own vomit. I’m choosing myself.
Voting for me.
Because if I don't nobody will.
5/3/2016 • 35 minutes, 7 seconds
[Bonus] How Minimalism Brought Me Freedom and Joy
I’m homeless. By choice.
I wrote about it. And it turned into a debate. Now I’m
sharing the discussion with you. My podcast listeners and
answering your questions.
“Does minimalism mean having no accomplishments?”
“Does minimalism mean not having a lot of possessions?”
“How do you deal with kids if you are a minimalist?”
“What’s the first step I should take? Should I throw things
out?”
This isn't something I usually do. Welcome to my experiment of
the day.
4/28/2016 • 52 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 164 - Steve Case: The Third Wave is coming... An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future
I would’ve taken the money. A couple hundred million.
He could’ve sold the business for a 100, 200 million
dollars.
Bill Gates wanted to buy it.
But he didn’t sell.
I wanted to know why Steve Case, co-founder and former CEO of
AOL said no to being a millionaire.
“The simple answer is I really believed in the idea of the
internet and believed in AOL and believed that it could change the
world,” he says on today’s podcast.
Investors said, “What are you talking about? This internet
thing? Why would normal people ever want to get connected to
this?”
People thought he was crazy crazy. But he could see the
future.
That’s the thing about the future. Nobody wants to see it
coming.
Back then, nobody wanted to connect to the internet.
They missed opportunities.
“It was a hard struggle for a decade before we finally broke
through,” he said. The future paid off for Steve Case. And now it
can pay off for you.
He believed they could change the world.
He was right. “Six, seven years later, [AOL] had gone from a few
hundred million dollars to tens of billions to then over 150, 160
billion.”
But he didn’t stop there…
The Third Wave is coming. Steve talks about it in his New York
Times bestselling book, The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's
Vision of the Future.
These are the opportunities you haven’t missed yet.
We’re offering you the future.
In my interview with Steve Case, you’ll learn about the first
wave (building the internet), the second wave (social media,
community, Facebook, Snapchat… all the billion dollar companies you
wish you thought of or invested in…)
And finally, the third wave. The future.
Listen now to learn how to master your future. Before it’s too
late.
And read what I learned from Steve Case at
jamesaltucher.com
“Everyday is a new day.” ...unless you have a routine.
Then it's just “eat, sleep, shit, repeat,” like they say in Billions.
"Don't you want to create memories? Don't you want to build your life resume and get as much out of life as you can?” Jesse Itzler said on my podcast.
He's the co-founder of Marquis Jets, owner of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, endurance athlete, former-rapper and now he's an author.
"I didn't have a resume," he says. "I didn't want to have a resume. I didn't want to work for anybody."
Jesse built his life.
"I had no background, no experience and I had no connections."
He's self-made.
I don’t know who’s in charge of my life. Maybe me. I chose myself.
And I still do. Everyday.
But I also lend my life out. At least once every 24 hours.
“We're constantly dodging arrows,” Jesse said. “Each arrow is time.”
“Routines are great, but they're also a rut,” he said.
“I thought wow, this is amazing. I have great balance. I have a great routine. I'm in my routine. Everything is my routine…”
And he needed to get out of it.
So he did something crazy, which you’ll hear on today’s episode.
And you’ll learn his tricks to becoming self-made.
Then you can enjoy your life. I hope. And forget your resume too.
Listen to my podcast with Jesse Itzler.
Or read my notes here: 6 simple steps to becoming self-made on jamesaltucher.com
4/18/2016 • 54 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep. 162 - Anders Ericsson: 7 Secrets of Mastery
You have no idea. None of us did. Until now.Everything I've done for the past two years is unfolding before me.I interviewed Dr. K Anders Ericsson. You know his work. He discovered the 10,000 hour rule.The rule that says if you do 10,000 hours of "dedicated practice" you can master a field. But what we’ve been lead to believe is false. And it's finally being corrected. Today.
Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise uses thirty years of research to reveal what we never knew before, including:What you're truly capable of, how you can achieve it, and where to start. I started this podcast two years ago. And I just realized what it’s actually about.
Everyone I interviewed has one thing in common: peak performance. They excelled in their field. They’re the smarter person in the room. They mastered their craft.
Go to jamesaltucher.com for 7 things I learned about how to become a PEAK performer
4/12/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 161- Charles Duhigg: Be Smarter, Faster, Better… And Most of All Be Free
Before writing this, I closed my eyes. I allowed myself to rest. I went from, “think, think, think” to nothing.
And nothing felt good.
Nothing worked.
Nothing is my success. Today.
I used to have another kind of success.
I was a hedge fund manager, web developer, producer, investor, corporate employee, CEO, writer.
I still do some of these jobs.
But not because “they” tell me to.
I look back and see desperation. I was desperate to secure my future. My income. My relationships.
There was always a risk of getting fired.
I knew my then-wife could decide she didn’t love me anymore. My kids could, too.
I was shrinking. Physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually shrinking.
I thought if I was miserable, “they” would help me.
They didn’t.
I bled out on the floor. And then I chose myself.
Now I do the daily practice.
I experiment. I find what works for me. And I write about it. Because advice is autobiography.
But something is still stopping me.
And, if you've read to here, I bet there’s something stopping you.
If you learn one thing today, I hope it’s this: experiment everyday.
The steps are:
Experiment. Pay Attention. Experiment
And if it doesn’t work out how you imagined, then you’ll have a better story.
I got evicted last week.
The same day, I did this interview with Charles Duhigg. You'll hear it in the podcast.
Charles is a Pulitzer Prize winner and the author of two New York Times bestselling books, The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business.
Renting doesn’t work for me. But I tried it. It was a successful experiment with a failed result.
I’m finding what works for me everyday. Charles says that’s what the most productive people do. They cycle through systems.
Charles cycled. He wasn’t always smarter, better, faster.
"I would come home every night and tell my wife, ‘If this is what success feels like, sign me up for failure.’ It was killing me,” he says.
“It’s very easy to lose sight of the ‘why,’” he says. “[We] lose track of why we’re doing something, how it links up to our deepest values or our biggest aspirations... what we actually want to do with our life.”
This interview might teach you something about experimenting, or focussing, or motivation.
Or it might teach you nothing.
But, nothing is a lesson, too.
4/5/2016 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep. 160 - Ashlee Vance: Elon Musk and the Quest to Save Mankind
He didn’t have permission.
But he did it anyway. And one day Elon Musk called him.
“He was either going to make life really horrible on me or he was going to cooperate with the book” said Ashlee Vance, author of the New York Times bestseller and Wall Street Journal’s “best books of the year,” Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future.
Ashlee did 200 interviews before Elon agreed, proving permission is not a starting place.
I wish I wrote the book. But I didn’t.
My “quest” is different.
Instead, I mastered curiosity.
I called people and recorded. I did a ton of research. I read every book, article, interview and watched every talk. I’ve spent 10,000 hours interviewing and more than 10,000 hours preparing.
I didn’t need permission. And neither do you.
Here are 5 ways to bypass the gatekeepers:
A) Master something
Like anybody, Elon is smart in some things and probably stupid in others. But he mastered his interests.
Mastery is learning 90% of everything you could learn about a subject. You can’t reach 100%. I hope that’s comforting.
Explore your interests. Combine them and you’ll find what works for you. Then improve 1% each day.
Along the way, you’ll master it.
B) Make your own decisions
Elon doesn't let people make decisions for him. They’ll choose wrong. And he knows it.
If you choose for yourself you will choose yourself.
C) Play for pay
I remember my childhood. Some of it. I read comic books and Dear Abby.
Now, at 47? 48? I search for “superhero” stories.
And I get to be Dear Abby.
“Ask Altucher.”
Every Thursday at 3:30 PM EST, I have a Twitter Q&A.
I answer texts and emails from strangers. 203-512-2161
I answer Quora questions and co-host a podcast with my friend, Stephen Dubner. He wrote the New York Times bestseller, Freakonomics.
I wonder if he read Dear Abby growing up, too. We answer questions with questions.
But before all of this, I worked in finance. I did what “they” wanted me to do. I got lost.
Elon did, too.
“He just got swept up in the internet for a little while,” Ashlee says, “and then once he made a ton of money (from PayPal), the light went on and he just said, ‘Now I can go chase everything I've ever wanted to go do.’”
“Elon appears to have some kind of calling to go save humankind,” Ashlee says. “When he was 12, he designed a video game that was exactly that concept.”
But at one point, he changed course. We all do. We forget play.
Now he’s saving humanity.
D) There are always problems
When I interviewed Derek Sivers last week, I said “You can always disappear from your problems.”
And you can.
He did. But then what?
Derek spends a lot time answering emails and giving advice. And Elon is exploring electric vehicles and life in space.
Everyday, I have a choice: find new problems or help others with theirs. Create problems or solve them.
When I help people with their problems, I forget about mine. Sometimes.
Elon sees extreme problems and extreme solutions. All his basics are covered. He’s doesn’t worry about his boss or the mortgage.
“The weird thing to me,” Ashlee says, “was that [when] you started talking [to Elon] about mankind being wiped out, he wells up with emotion.”
Suffering graces all life. There are always problems.
“What I saw with Elon is that he's very clear-eyed. He meditates on what he thinks is important and has a absolute devotion to pursuing these goals”
“He gives you a sense of urgency in your life. Maybe I'm just getting older,” Ashlee says, “When I finished doing the book, I sat back and I said, ‘I need to be much clearer about exactly what I want to do with my life.’”
I don’t have the same problem as Ashlee or see the same problems as Elon Musk. And I’m grateful.
E) Be on the right side of history
You only have a certain amount of energy each day. Don’t waste it fighting the inevitable.
“Going against Elon is the equivalent of going against Steve Jobs these days and you come out looking kind of foolish,” Ashlee says. Instead, focus on building your idea muscle. Do one thing everyday that makes you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy.
Elon Musk is changing the state of our future. Of all mankind. Who gave him permission? He did.
3/27/2016 • 58 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep. 159 - Derek Sivers: The Zen Master of Entrepreneurship
The most powerful currency in the world is not what you think.
Not anymore.
We're turning to a new economy with two powerful currencies.
And you have an opportunity, right now, to build a more fulfilling and rewarding life.
I'm going to tell you what these two currencies are and how to leverage them successfully. I'll tell you what works for me.
But before I do, I want to introduce you to Derek Sivers. He's an influential thinker, speaker, entrepreneur and the zen master of entrepreneurship writing.
If you're starting a business, you have to read his book, Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur. It's in my top three.
Derek built his business, CD Baby, around doing people favors. It became the largest seller of independent music online, with $100M in sales for 150,000 musicians.
Derek later sold CD Baby for $22M and gave the proceeds to charity. "If you focus entirely on others the world seems to reward you the most," he says.
That's one of the two most powerful currencies today: favors.
But there are limits.
"You have to serve others within the limits of what you're able to sustainably do. You can't do something that makes you absolutely miserable," he says.
That's choosing yourself.
I got a lot of ideas from interviewing Derek, which is the other currency: ideas. But you already knew that.
Derek moved to New Zealand. He takes 3-day hikes, spends 30 hours a week with his family, and answers thousands of personal emails asking for his advice.
He wrote a list of his priorities and said "I don't want to do anything else right now. (No more interviews or speaking at conferences until further notice.)" This is his last interview for awhile.
I'm grateful he chose me. Chose us.
And chose himself.
I encourage you to write him.
And listen to this interview. Share what you learned. I wrote a list -- 7 ways to a "make a killing" and master the new economy.
Because Derek quoted Kevin Kelly, futurist and founder of Wired. He said, "We should focus on making a living, not on making something huge."
Derek changed it to "It's about making a living, not making a killing."
To me, that's success in the new economy.
7 ways to a "make a killing" and master the new economy:
A) Leave in the cracks
Derek was listening to Sheryl Crow. But he didn’t know it was her. Her voice cracked. And she got his attention. "That little fault is what made me like her," Derek said.
B) Admit your faults
I know I'm bad at a lot of things. Derek gave an example. When I interviewed Ramit Sethi, I admitted I forgot to read something. And I wasn't totally prepared.
"To me it kind of seems like a brilliant way of asking the world to love you," Derek said.
And maybe it is.
Everyone wants love. How sad is it that we, as humans, contemplate hiding ourselves?
We have two choices: be yourself or fear being yourself.
C) You can always disappear from your problems
But do you want to? Did Kurt Cobain kill himself because he was too famous? Or because he got everything he wanted? And didn’t know what to do with it.
We always want things. Happiness, love, appreciation.
But then do we ask for the right things? Raises, promotions, more responsibility, less freedom?
You can choose f-ck you money and f-ck you problems. Or you can focus on happiness. That’s what Derek did.
He had a company, CD Baby. It’s basically the original iTunes. People said he’d get a lot of money with an IPO. But he didn’t do it.
"What's the point of making money?" Derek said, "It's to be happy."
"And if it would make me unhappy to have so much responsibility then I'd rather not make more money. I'd rather just focus on the happiness."
D) Do more favors
Anyone can do this.
Derek started by selling old CDs online.
He made money right away. So people asked for favors. Can you sell my old CDs?
He said yes. And it spread. Friends of friends asked. Then strangers and soon he had a profitable business.
But do it for yourself first. Learn the skill. Then, do it as a favor for someone else. See if more people ask. And then you have a business that cost you no money to create.
E) Answer asks
Derek didn’t offer to sell his friend’s CDs. They asked him.
"By doing favors for people it implies that people are asking you to do those favors and to me the key is the asking," he says. "Bluntly put, you shouldn't start a business unless people are asking you to."
F) Passion is poison
Only search for passion if searching for passion is your passion.
We're brainwashed to believe we're not alive. That we need a purpose. But you're alive.
Passion or no passion, you are alive.
Derek says, "Instead, just follow the little things that interest you. Just notice on a day-to-day basis what you're drawn towards."
G) Only have good goals
That's how Derek became "a writer, speaker, thinker kind of guy."
The idea came to him. And suddenly he was inspired. "I put so much work into this and then within nine months I was speaking at TED in front of Bill Gates, Larry Page and all these intimidating people."
He says, "A good goal is one that actually changes your actions in the moment. Goals are not about the future," he says. "Goals are about changing the present moment, changing your present actions."
Listen now to my podcast with Derek Sivers. And let us know what you think.
[email protected]
@jaltucher
Resources and Links:
Email Derek - [email protected]
Read his list of priorities. And get inspiration to write your own.
Read his book Anything You Want: 40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur
Follow Derek on Facebook & Twitter
Watch his TED talks: Weird or Just Different?, How to start a movement, Keep your goals to your self.
Also mentioned:
Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success by Shane Snow
Blue Microphones Yeti
Sponsor
Freshbooks - the #1 invoicing software for small businesses. I know and work with people who use Freshbook. It's a really easy service. If you're a freelancer or have your own business, I recommend Freshbooks for you. Go to www.freshbooks.com/james and let them know I sent you. Thanks.
3/22/2016 • 1 hour, 21 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 158 - Terry George: Hotel Rwanda and the Art of Suffering
If I didn't listen to my pain, I'd be dead.
I've interviewed hundreds of "successful" people. When they look back, they see two things: struggle and a story.
These are hero stories -- choose yourself stories.
Directed by pain, they found passion. Because they listened.
I was alone, on the floor, broke, desperate, hopeless.
I ignored the pain. I wanted to die. And then something shifted.
But you don't need to hit rock bottom to be successful.
You just need something that ignites you.
“There’s a moment, a chemistry, where people find a spark... something inside you triggers greatness,” said Terry George. He wrote and directed the award winning film, Hotel Rwanda, and the upcoming film, The Promise, about a love story during WWII’s genocide.
"I'm not interested in suffering,” he says. But he is. "I'm interesting in alleviating it.”
He grew up Catholic during Ireland's struggle for civil rights across a divided nation. “I got beaten up in playgrounds and shit like that. There was definitely a sense that you were not welcome to put it mildly."
"That was was my education," he says.
He never thought about turning something horrific into a movie.
But that's exactly what he did. Through film, he connects us to human frailty, vulnerability and fear. He calls it “a universal language."
That’s the art of suffering.
3/15/2016 • 50 minutes, 23 seconds
Ep. 157 - Gary Vaynerchuk: Be Successful By Being Yourself
Fifteen percent of you won’t like this interview.
“I like that,” he says, “I like being doubted.”
But I don’t doubt Gary Vaynerchuk.
And that’s why I’m giving away 100 copies of his brand new book, #AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur's Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness. The details are on my podcast.
Gary will be the first to admit that he doesn’t know everything.
But he knows everything about everything he knows.
“I talk emphatically and with enormous bravado about the things I know and understand,” he says, “and I hedge and punt things I don’t understand.”
Gary is transparent. Authentic. Self-aware. And successful.
So successful that I dont even like introing him.
He wants you to win. And I do, too.
“When you understand yourself, you’re able to navigate the world,” he says.
But navigating is hard.
I have more misunderstandings than understandings. That’s ok.
Because it allows me to be curious everyday, do this podcast, write and read three, four or five books a week.
“Self-awareness is the single best attribute anyone can be gifted with,” Gary says.
But people don’t know if they’re self-aware or not.
“Don’t live life hoping and wishing you were something. Start for the first time in your life actually deciding what you are and navigating around that,” he says.
Listen to my interview with Gary. Get to know him. And yourself. So you can navigate the world and get your intro. Whatever that may be.
Listen now for your chance to win his new book. I recommend it.
Resources and Links:
Read Gary's new book, #AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur's Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness
Get your morning motivation from Gary every monday. Sign up on this website www.garyvaynerchuk.com
Follow Gary on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Snapchat (garyvee)
Subscribe to his YouTube channel to watch The #AskGaryVee Show
Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook: How to Tell Your Story in a Noisy Social World by Gary Vaynerchuk
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk
The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
3/8/2016 • 57 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 156 - Barbara Corcoran: 5 Signs You're Meant to be an Entrepreneur
I never thought about sex with Barbara Corcoran. I still don't. But she brought it up.
We were talking about entrepreneurship.
And she said how old she was when she lost her virginity.
Twenty-three.
I wanted to know how she turned a thousand dollars into a five billion dollar company.
Then: $1,000.
Now: $5,000,000,000.
I wanted to know how she founded The Corcoran Group, the largest company in real estate.
And how you become the type of entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran chooses on Shark Tank.
I’m going to tell you how to get Barbara’s investment.
If that’s what you want.
But not everyone is meant to be an entrepreneur. According to Barbara. "I found a real difference between the superstars and everyone else," she says.
And I agree. That’s why I wrote The Rich Employee. Entrepreneurship isn’t everything.
But it can be.
Barbara reviews thousands of investment opportunities. And most hear "no."
She says you have to have "a nose for entrepreneurship." That’s how you get a "yes," from Barbara Corcoran.
But before you start doubting yourself, take the test.
You’ll find out how in this interview. Jump to [39:25].
It’s scary. She says, if you weren’t born with "it," (the nose for entrepreneurship, the "innate intelligence,") then "you shouldn't be an entrepreneur in the first place."
And you need specific characteristics:
A) Handle rejection.
You can't cry. Or feel sorry for yourself.
The top people in Barbara’s company made four million dollars a year in commissions. They took hits. Just as many as the others. Or more. "Because they were trying for more," she says, "But the real difference was how long they took to feel sorry for themselves."
Get over rejection. And try again.
B) Conserve energy.
Monitor yourself.
Just notice.
I feel tired. Why? I'm not motivated. I’m drained. Burnt out. Why?
Your energy leaks out. Through fear, regret, negative people, bad situations.
Conserve it. Refocus. And put it to good use.
C) You shouldn’t quit your job
I ran my side business for 18 months before quitting my full-time job.
I had eleven employees.
But I’m not special. Really. Because that’s what all of Barbara's "successful" entrepreneurs do. They keep their jobs.
D) You need to be "hungry, mean and insecure."
"That's been my track record with the businesses I've invested," she says. You need to have something to prove.
But nice is ok for me. I’ll take nice.
E) Daydream.
"Vision is daydreaming and seeing yourself in a role and seeing what your business is going to become," she says.
Picture it. Use your imagination. Escape into the dream.
She says, "I don't know any entrepreneurs who don't visualize."
Listen to today's episode. Are you really an entrepreneur?
Maybe you don’t know.
But after listening to today's podcast, you will.
Resources and Links:
Follow Barbara on Facebook & Twitter
Watch her on Shark Tank
Read her book Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business
3/1/2016 • 50 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 155 - Turney Duff: This is Wall Street
I’d rather be an alien.
I’d rather be myself. Than be liked.
It makes sense… why you’d want to be liked.
Think about it. From an evolutionary standpoint, when you’re liked, you’re safe.
You’re in the tribe. People protect you.
But now, I’d rather be an alien. I don’t want stress. I don’t want to worry, “Do I fit in?”
There are consequences to being liked.
You start compromising. You stop taking risks. You follow the herd.
You get stuck in a crappy job at a fluorescently lit cubicle. Where they can watch you.
You stop taking risks. You wonder, “Is this ok?”
Ok to who? Not you. Not the only person who matters.
I’d rather be an alien. If I’m an alien, I can act like I just landed here. And I’m not supposed to know if I fit in.
I’m forced to be myself. No trying. Just forced. I can surrender.
My guest today, used to be in a tribe.
I won’t say it’s the worst one. But it’s bad.
Turney Duff is the New York Times bestselling author of, The Buy Side: A Wall Street Trader's Tale of Spectacular Excess, where he tells the truth. He bleeds.
"Look, chances are people aren't going to like me after I tell the story, so at no point am I ever, ever, ever going to try to get the reader to like me,” Turney says.
But that wasn’t easy. Because he spent his whole life trying to be liked.
“I've always had this 'Nobody loves me' syndrome. I had this fear of ordinary, fear of being normal.”
On Wall Street, Turney was a trader.
But he wasn’t just trading stocks. He traded sleep, health, relationships, money. All of it for drugs.
He was afraid.
He’d go to hotel rooms and snort cocaine by himself.
But nothing was enough.
He made $2 million dollars a year. He thought, “If I could just make three million dollars a year, all of my problems would be solved."
But before that he said, “If I could just make fifty thousand dollars a year, all of my problems would be solved. All of them."
He wanted to be a journalist. But he traded.
A lot of people trade. Maybe you traded.
But it’s not too late. You can choose yourself.
There are three things you need to know to choose yourself.
And I got these from my interview with Turney. He’ll show you. He’ll prove to you it’s not too late.
I believe in you.
Three steps to (finally) choose yourself:
1) Don’t try to be liked.
When Turney wrote this book, he knew people would stop liking him. Or hate him.
He told it anyway. And it saved his life.
That’s what saved my life too. Bleeding on the pages. Telling my truth.
Listen at [2:35] to learn how to cure something in yourself too.
2) Want less.
Wanting more hurts. Because you trick your brain into believing you don’t have enough. And start feeling sorry for yourself. Instead of grateful for what you do have.
So I want less.
Listen at [6:28]. Turney explains why wanting more destroys you.
3) Build up your gut.
We have instincts. And our bodies speak to us. But we’re good at ignoring it. The pain.
We think stomach aches are just stomach aches. But it’s an accumulation abuse. Stress. Worry. Fear.
You have to listen to your body. Notice the pain.
Turney says, “I became successful on the trading desk because I had great instincts, and I used my gut. Along the way I lost that.”
Listen at [51:50] to hear how he got his gut back.
After everything, I ask him, “Has it worked out?”
“I'll tell you this...”
Listen here for my interview with Turney.
You’ll learn how to choose yourself.
And you’ll hear how Turney did it himself. How he turned his back on his tribe, his drugs, his money.
It took him most of his life.
But he did it. You can too.
2/23/2016 • 58 minutes, 9 seconds
Ep. 154 - Adam Grant: What’s Next - How to Turn Your Idea into a (Successful) Business
I don’t want to be afraid.
But I am.
I’ll explain why. But first, I want to introduce you to Adam Grant. He has the solution to my problem…
And maybe your problem, too.
Adam is the youngest tenured and highest-ranking professor at the famed business university The Wharton School, a writer for The New York Times, and the New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success.
In researching his new book, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, Adam met with today's most successful and innovative entrepreneurs.
Why? To get answers.
“We have a ton of guidance on how to generate ideas,” he says. But what about after? What do you do?
Originals teaches you how to bring new ideas into the world.
And really, there’s no grand theory on how to be "original." But there are tricks… And Adam discovered some patterns among today’s most successful entrepreneurs.
He spoke to Google’s co-founder, Larry Page, Warby Parker’s founders and CEOs, and thought leaders like the renowned writer, Malcolm Gladwell.
From Gladwell, Adam learned the most powerful technique to induce creativity. From Larry Page and the Warby Parker guys, he found a common thread. Hint: don’t quit your day job. But, more on that later.
I’m going to tell you the top three things to be “an original.” They might surprise you. But first, I want you to know what else you’ll get from today’s podcast:
How to get into a flow state (even during tasks you don’t like) [51:32]
Should you plan your procrastination? [25:20]
The most powerful techniques to immerse yourself and bring creativity into your life(including Malcolm Gladwell’s library trick) [20:06]
Why the hell Adam Grant didn’t invest seed money in Warby Parker and become a billionaire [8:38]
An ode to the idea muscle: why it’s more important to have quantity over quality ideas [28:19]
Ok so here they are. The top three things to become "an original:"
1) Induce creativity
First unlearn. Then learn...
We’ve all internalized things we need to question.
That’s what adults do. We make up rules and reasons. We draw lines instead of pictures… tell “facts,” not stories.
But why can’t we play with our food? Or stand on the counter?
Kids think. Kids create.
And we can get back to that too.
We just have to unlearn. And then re-learn.
“This comes back to our idea of broadening your experience and your knowledge,” Adam says. “You need to step outside of your field in order to see what you should be challenging.”
Immerse yourself in new domains. Go beyond work… beyond your office… beyond the usual.
Personally, I dabble in a lot of things. I play games. I write. I read. I'm involved in lots of businesses. And I recently tried stand-up comedy.
“I've just pursued things I'm curious about,” Adam says, “and then unexpectedly, they turn out to have bridges between them.”
That’s the key to learning. Do something new. Do a dare of the day. It’s good for your creative health.
2) Don’t quit your day job (yet).
Give yourself time to build your business. It worked for me. I tell why in this episode. Listen at [21:31].
And be conservative. It’s one of the best ways to be original.
“I was stunned actually,” Adam says. He read this a “nationally represented study of American entrepreneurs.” “People who did what you did, James, and kept their day job are 33% less likely to fail.”
3) Propel your ideas forward
Doubting your ideas can be paralyzing, so eliminate self-doubt. According to Adam, a lot of originals said, “Look, you could fail by starting a business that flops or you could fail by not starting a business at all, and I don't want to be in that second category." Listen at [22:09] to get actionable steps to fight self-doubt.
Listen now.
And let’s stop being afraid...
Together.
Resources and Links:
Read Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
Listen to my last interview with Adam Grant here
Read Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant
Follow Adam on Facebook, Twitter, & visit his website www.adamgrant.net to read his articles.
2/16/2016 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 2 seconds
Ep. 153 - Russell Simmons: How to Earn Your Worth
Ask the world this question, and you’ll drown in failure.
You’ll lose. Anything you take, anything you earn, will be foul.
I bet you’ve asked this question before. Maybe everyday. Maybe all your life.
“How can I get?”
How can I get rich? How can I get happy?
How can I get more?
There’s no return on getting.
It leave you with nothing. Or worse than nothingness. Emptiness.
But there’s another way. It’s simple. And it works for me
I’m going to tell you how to earn your worth. It works for me.
And it works for my podcast guest, Russell Simmons, “the third richest figure in hip-hop with an estimated net worth of $340 million.”
He gets.
He told me a story. “That was my first realization that hard work turned into something,” he says.
“I had never been on a plane. I had certainly never been out of the country, and landing in Amsterdam they're like, ‘Mr. Simmons what would you like?’
I'm like, ‘Oh shit Mr. Simmons.’
That was a revelation. I was a grown man I could get things I wanted.”
But not all his life.
He grew up in Queens. “Hollis, Queens and 205 Street. Frank Lucas was on our corner and so that was the heroin capital. The neighborhood went down very quickly,” he says.
"Obviously every kid took a lot of drugs.” He was 13. Joined a gang. Sold drugs, “had some experiences,” and escaped.
Now he’s the chairman and CEO of Rush Communications and the co-founder of Def Jam, the record label famous for spotting Beastie Boys, Jay Z, Kanye West, Rihanna and 100 others.
Since 1984.
I wanted to know how he got here. And how he became one of my heroes.
“I didn't discover hip-hop,” he says, “hip-hop discovered me.”
Opportunity found him. He was at the center of that universe.
He grew his opportunities. He spotted talent, formed partnerships, and became an entrepreneur.
He learned a lot. You might expect to hear “he hustled.” But mostly, he gave back.
“This idea that you have to trade with the world or manipulate the world to be successful is wrong headed,” Russell says.
Contribute. “If you look at your own history of success it's because you contributed to success,” he says.
It’s works for me too.
I give writing. I get readers.
I give interviews. I get advice, entertainment, a network, new friends, a memory, and experiences I would never get if I didn’t give.
And giving can be simple.
Write emails to people you admire. Surprise someone. Do something that makes someone else’s life better. Give ideas. Say thanks.
“You have to be comfortable in your seat, and life's only goal is to be happy and comfortable in your seat,” Russell says. “From that space the universe unravels and it attracts everything. You become a greater giver because you're focused on giving and you're not fearful of the world. You become a contributor.”
“Anyway I'm out of cocaine now. Just so you know I've been vegan and I've stopped taking drugs almost thirty years ago,” he says.
That’s why I got to have him on my podcast.
He wrote a book, The Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life. I got to go to his apartment to interview him.
It’s an incredible book. I learned a huge amount reading it. I'm not a vegan. But I'm strongly considering it.
Listen to today's podcast. You’ll get you ideas.
Ideas about how to change different industries (food, farming, the drug industry). And you can start giving.
You’ll learn how to contribute. Give. And why it’s important to your success.
“Good givers are great getters,” Russell says.
This interview will get you thinking.
You’re going to learn how to “get.” I’ll give you the starting step. Stop asking, “What can I get?” And start asking, “What can I give?” Listen now.
Resources and Links:
ReadThe Happy Vegan: A Guide to Living a Long, Healthy, and Successful Life by Russell Simmons
Read Success Through Stillness: Meditation Made Simple by Russell Simmons
Read Super Rich: A Guide to Having It All by Russell Simmons
Follow Russell Simmons on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
2/9/2016 • 43 minutes, 4 seconds
Ep. 152 - Dave Asprey: How to Bulletproof your Life
I don’t diet.
It’s a distraction.
My rule is simple. Don’t eat when you’re not hungry.
But that’s not always easy. Nothing is always easy.
With diet, you have an internal argument.
Willpower versus cravings.
So what do you do when the voice in your head won’t stop?
You struggle. Your mind plays ping pong.
Eat it. Don’t it. One bite. No. Yes. Ok. Damn it.
Only one side wins. Willpower or cravings.
I’m going to tell you how to make willpower win. How to make that voice go away.
And this will do a lot more for you than just help you lose weight.
It will give you better brain function. Make you pay attention better. Give you more energy. You’ll feel better.
I’ll tell you my secret. But before I do, I want to introduce you to a Silicon Valley investor and tech entrepreneur, Dave Asprey, who spent two decades and more than $300,000 hacking biology.
When hunger stops interrupting you, “then you have more capacity to make better decisions somewhere else in your life,” Dave says.
He hacked hunger.
And now he’s sharing his solution in Bulletproof: The Cookbook: Lose Up to a Pound a Day, Increase Your Energy, and End Food Cravings for Good. Which I’m giving away for free here
It works like this. But don’t quote me.
I’m not a doctor. Except I do play one on Twitter.
When your body burns fat or sugar, you get energy. But “We’re wired to only burn fat or only burn sugar,” Dave says.
One or the other.
If your body could burn both at the same time, you’d get double the energy. Or triple.
I don’t know exactly how much. But I felt like Superman. I wrote an entire book in one weekend.
And Superman felt like Superman, too. Brandon Routh, the guy who played Superman in 2006 wrote the foreword to Dave’s book.
Because it works. But we’re all different. What works for me might not work for you.
For me, the distraction is gone. The voice that says, “I’m hungry,” stops. So you don’t overeat.
Your satisfied. And focused.
“One of the three big urges that interrupt you all the time stops interrupting you,” Dave says, “and then you have more capacity to make better decisions somewhere else in your life.”
You have more energy to do what you love. To read, write 10 ideas, start a business on the side.
“I would happily weight 20 lbs more if I got better brain function, if I could pay attention better if I had more energy, if I felt better, but it turns out that when you eat to get enough energy into the body, you just effortlessly lose weight without willpower,” Dave says.
Get your brain back, your willpower and insane amounts of energy. Be like superman. Listen now.
Resources and Links:
Get Bulletproof: The Cookbook: Lose Up to a Pound a Day, Increase Your Energy, and End Food Cravings for Good
Read his first book The Bulletproof Diet: Lose up to a Pound a Day, Reclaim Energy and Focus, Upgrade Your Life
Follow Dave Asprey on Facebook & Twitter
Visit his website bulletproofexec.com
2/2/2016 • 57 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 151 - Dan Harris: The Pursuit of Happiness
He self-medicated.
He covered stories in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. He went to Iraq six or seven times.
When he got back, he was depressed. He was 32 years old and had never touched hard drugs before.
But it became the thing that made him feel better.
Millions of people were watching. The red light was on. And right there, in the middle of his live segment, he had a panic attack.
I’m going to tell you how to deal with stress. I’ll tell you what works for me. But first, I want to tell you about my guest, Dan Harris.
Dan is an anchor on "Good Morning America" and "Nightline." He's also the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story.
After the book came out people had questions. So he also created an app called "10% Happier." It teaches users easy “judo moves” to have more creativity, feel less stress, and be happier.
It helps you surrender. Be self-aware. Focused.
“The events that led up to my panic attack were a case study in mindlessness,” Dan says. “Going to wars without thinking about the consequences, getting depressed and not knowing it and blindly self-medicating.”
I wanted to know what pushed him over the edge.
“The one-word answer is cocaine,” Dan says. “The more complicated answer is I arrived at ABC News when I was 28.”
He was insecure. He worked with big names like Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters. He wanted to be successful.
“My Jewish father has this expression, ‘The price of security is insecurity.’ I really embraced that,” he says.
The pressure never let up. He demanded more of himself.
But why do we make it so hard for ourselves?
Many people have gone through this slow-motion panic attack. Including me. It's the stress of daily living.
Something bad happens to you. You lose a job or get a divorce. Everyday wear and tear picks at you.
Stress happens over time. And if you don’t notice it, it builds.
The voice in your head becomes meaner. Angrier. More resentful and regretful. Energy is wasted. Your creativity dies. Your idea muscle atrophies. And you’re at the bottom of the funnel dreaming about retirement.
But instead of imagining a better life later, retire. You can retire a little bit every day.
Breathe. Feel your chest fall. That’s retirement.
It’s a fantasy. I’m going to tell you how to make it real right now.
But before I do, let me tell you what you’ll get from today’s podcast:
a) Learn How to Have More Ideas
Dan says, "When you ask, 'What is boredom like? What does this feel like? Where am I feeling it in my body? What's the taste of it in my mind?’ That is curiosity.” Curiosity produces creativity. And ideas. You’ll learn how to make room for curiosity.
b) Distance Yourself From Stress
Dan teaches you how to notice stress and see your problems clearly. You’ll learn to separate yourself from it. And relax. Essentially, you're becoming a scientist of your own inner reactions. A scientist is not his experiment. The same way humans are not their reactions and emotions to things. Those are separate. You’ll learn how to separate yourself from stress.c) Be 10% Happier
“First of all, 10% is just a joke. You can't quantify happiness,” Dan says. “I came up with that as a bullshit answer to a friend.” But being a little bit happier is better than being a little bit miserable. But you have to practice. You're practicing becoming aware of the angry voice that comes up and reacts. So you can be calm.
Ok, now here’s Dan’s secret to dealing with stress: meditation
“Let me just say outright, because as soon as you bring that word up, some high percentage of your listeners are like, ‘All right, I'm done with this podcast. Meditation's bullshit. I don't want to do it,'" Dan says.
He thought that too.
“The book is really the story of me coming to terms with the fact that meditation is not what I thought it was. It's secular and scientifically validated,” he says.
People reject meditation. It’s a reflex. But there are a lot of benefits to it. It:
- Lowers blood pressure
- Boosts immune system
- Rewires parts of your brain
“Nobody continues to meditate because they feel like 'my pre-frontal cortex might be changing.' You continue to meditate because you're less of an asshole to yourself and others,” he says. “That's a huge value added.” And I agree.
Louis C.K., my favorite comedian, says, “It’s not up to you if you’re an asshole or not. That’s up to everybody else.” But you can be aware of it.
Louis says, “Self love is a good thing, but self-awareness is more important. You need to once in a while go ‘Um, I'm kind of an asshole.’ You have to have that thought once in a while or you’re a psychopath.”
Listen to this podcast with Dan Harris. You’ll learn how to relax, distance yourself from stress, turn boredom into curiosity and become some percent happier.
1/26/2016 • 53 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep. 150 - Daymond John: Do This When Success is Your Only Option
"I remember it like it was yesterday. It was Good Friday, 1989, at 3:30 in the afternoon. It was 37 degrees outside. I stood outside the Colosseum Mall, a mall in Jamaica, Queens. It's pretty popular. Just shivering with a bag of hats. I sold $800 worth of hats in an hour,” Daymond John tells me.
$800 an hour. That’s “the power of broke.”
Before FUBU (a $6 billion global apparel company), before Shark Tank, and before Obama chose him as the Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, Daymond John worked 18-hour days driving a delivery van. And he wasn't making money.
His paychecks covered overhead – the cost of his van, gas, and maintenance. He worked to make money, and he made money to work. “When I took that to FUBU, I started saying, ‘If we're not making money, it's not worth doing anything,’” he says.
It's not failure. It's experience.
"Other people call it failure. I won't call it failure. It's part of the process,” he says. You need to take every single "failure" and bring it forward.
You're on the floor. And broke.
Learn from it.
Money is the byproduct of energy, effort, and strategy.
"Before you have any business, you're supposed to take inventory of yourself," Daymond says. "Assets and liabilities can be time, energy, education, friends, location, way of thinking."
You have to take inventory of yourself.
His new book, The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage is not Daymond's story. It's your story. And mine.
It's about how you're going to get up, get experience, and get money. These are stories I learned from.
The power of broke is “the common thread between all of us,” Daymond says. It’s about how you can learn from your mistakes and profit off your potential. Take advantage of that.
Listen to my interview with Daymond.
Here are the top 3 things you can only learn by listening to today's podcast:
- “That is the most important thing about running a business,” Daymond says. “If you don't have that, I don't care how much money you have. You can't buy your way into it.” (at 5:35)
- I ask Daymond: What are the first steps? What if you’re listening and saying, "I got born at the wrong time," or "I'm in the wrong town”? What if you're hungry? And you want to hustle, and you've got the power of broke, but you don't know what to do with it? (at 21:59)
- How do you know when a business will be successful? Because it sounds too romantic – the power of broke. Find out how to leverage your resources for success. (at 32:51)
Listen now.
Resources and Links:
Read The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage by Daymond John
Read Display of Power by Daymond John
Read The Brand Within by Daymond John
Follow Daymond on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram and visit his website
1/19/2016 • 50 minutes, 9 seconds
Ep. 149 - Ramit Sethi: The (Stupid) Money Mistake Everyone's Making
I was always good at making money.
I was also good at losing it instantly. I always went broke… Now I know why.
What was I was doing wrong? I’ll tell you. Because I bet you’re making the same mistake.
But first, I’ll tell you how to make money. More money than you thought was possible.
Listen to this episode. You’ll hear tested and proven strategies to get rich from Ramit Sethi, the NewYork Times bestselling author and founder of iwillteachyoutoberich.com.
He grew his business from a dorm-room blog into a multi-million dollar online business.
And now he started a new company, GrowthLab, to teach you how to do the same thing—start and grow an online business.
Ramit is a trainer. He’ll make you hustle.
“It’s like looking up at a skyscraper and saying ‘How am I going to build one of those?’ Well you’re not. You’re going to start by walking in the lobby,” Ramit says, “That’s what you’re going to do on day one.”
You can’t get rich without putting in the work.
I’ve set goals. None of them came true. But five or six other amazing things that I never could have predicted happened instead.
Goals require plans.
You’re going to get rich. How?
You want to lose weight or start a business. How?
Ramit will tell you. He’ll turn your goals into achievements.
Actually, you'll do it, with his help.
Consider taking his courses… One teaches you how to triple your salary. Which is like heroin. According to one of my other podcast guests, Nassim Taleb.
Taleb said the three deadliest addictions are 1) heroin, I don’t remember the second one, and 3) a steady salary. How can you feel motivated when you’re prostituting yourself everyday?
What did I learn from Ramit? It’s less about what I learned, and more about what I feel capable of doing every time I listen to him.
Fear is a debilitating idea. Replace fear with motivation. You'll be amazed at the results.
I need motivation to eat well, write everyday, do the daily practice. And I start over everyday. Because motivation isn’t as constant as your to-do list.
But with Ramit’s plan, you'll get systems in place. Systems that manage your money and organize your time, and take care of all the things draining you dry.
"If you’re going to put in work, why not be positive, try to improve yourself, improve your relationship, make more money," Ramit says.
I haven’t taken his courses. But strangers email me saying they’re great. That they’ve tripled their income. I don’t know why they tell me that. I get a lot of strange emails from strangers. Skip to 40:12 on my podcast. You’ll laugh. Trust me.
You shouldn’t go a day without laughing anyway.
I’m going to tell you why I went broke. You’ll hear it in this episode. And you’ll learn how to clean up your life.
You’ll get systems... you’ll get a plan.
And, thanks to Ramit, you’ll learn how to be rich.
Listen now.
Resources and Links:
• Ramit is giving away his Ultimate Guide to Making More Money on his website
• If you're looking to start and grow your online business, go to GrowthLab.com
• Listen to my last interview with Ramit Sethi here and watch this video from 3 years ago where we talk about our hate mai
• Hear my last interview with Ramit Sethi here
• Follow Ramit on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram and follow I Will Teach You To Be Rich on Facebook
Read Ramit Sethi's New York Times bestselling book, I Will Teach You to Be Rich
1/12/2016 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 148 - David Levien and Brian Koppelman: How to Get Inside The Mind of Billionaires
For billionaires, every exchange has a winner and a loser.
That’s what producers David Levien and Brian Koppelman tell me. They've made some of my favorite movies: Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen, Solitary Man. Now, they’re coming out with 2016’s most talked about show: Billions on Showtime.
You can learn a lot from them. David and Brian are producers, creators and risk takers.
If you want to create, listen to today’s episode.
You’ll see how important it is to follow your curiosity.
That’s what David and Brian did. Sometimes starting something is that simple.
Since they were kids, David and Brian were fascinated by two things: power and wealth. They wondered, “What makes a billionaire unique?”
They had a question, an idea, and conviction. “We were all the f*ck in,” Brian says.
They had dinner with a bunch of billionaires. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun, but it wasn't. David and Brian were manipulated, belittled, and snubbed. But they were mesmerized.
I’ll give you one story. It’s to tempt you to download this episode. Because I really think you’re going to get a lot out of the interview. You’ll hear their stories - the behind-the-scenes of 2016’s most talked about show.
You’ll get motivation to write, build, and be creative. You’ll hear about how a partnership is born.
And you’ll learn why people knowingly make the wrong choices.
And maybe, you'll make the right ones. Whatever those are... the right choices for you.
Ok so one story before you press play:
Over dinner, David and Brian met with their first billionaire. It cost more than $2,000.
He racked up the price and made them suffer.
“There was clearly a power dynamic,” David says.
He acted like he wasn’t thinking, but “billionaires don't just accidentally stumble along and amass great fortunes,” David says, "He was showing us that he was no sucker. And we were.”
Before that night, "I've never thought, ‘Who's gonna win the dinner?’” Brian said.
If you’ve watched the trailer, you know what this guy did – “What’s the point of having f*ck you money if you never say f*ck you.”
And they felt it.
Morally, David and Brian believe in loyalty, honor, and ambition. And that you can balance these things. But not everyone does.
Some people believe nice guys finish last.
This interview reveals how to get inside the mind of billionaires. It might make you sick. Or it might make you hungry.
Listen now.
Resources and Links:
• Watch the trailer for Showtime's Billions here
• Check out my last interview with Bryan Koppelman here
• I also highly recommend Bryan's podcast The Moment
• Follow Bryan on Twitter and visit his website
• Also check out David Levien's book, Signature Kill and read an excerpt here
• Get my favorite movies: Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen, Solitary Man and The Girlfriend Experience
1/6/2016 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 147 - Neil Strauss: The Truth About Relationships
You can’t make everyone happy. Really, you can’t make anyone happy.
The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can let go of control, shame, or whatever your parents did to you, and start having sex. Or happiness. Whatever you're searching for.
I’ll explain.
My guest today, a seven-time New York Times best-selling author, Neil Strauss, has written books on Motley Crue, Marilyn Manson, and pornstar Jenna Jameson, before exploring the pickup artist scene.
Sex was all around him.
He was immersed in the seduction community, but Neil couldn't find love himself. No woman would kiss him. He grew up a loser, and couldn’t get a girlfriend for most of his life.
Now he’s happily married. But between marriage and being a loser, he had a lot of “pleasure fantasy experiences.” Meaning, he learned how to pick up women and started having crazy sex orgies. One after another.
And then he just stopped, and the sex parties ended.
I wanted to know why. What made him decide he couldn’t handle it anymore? But I’ll get back to this.
In his first book, The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists, Neil gives you easy tools you can use to have confidence. He teaches you how to feel like you're in control of a social situation.
Neil was so busy having sex, he didn’t have time to get back to his normal life.
Personally, I don’t think I’d like that. I would just constantly be jealous or insecure, to be honest.
But back to happiness. Which I don’t even like to talk about really… We put too much pressure on ourselves to be happy. You can’t be happy all the time. And when you are happy, it should be special.
But Neil had a good friend to help him refocus. “You need someone in your life who can reflect yourself back to you so you can see yourself a little bit,” he says.
His producer and close friend, Rick Rubin, said, “Look, you got everything you wanted in The Game. Why are you still not happy?”
That’s when Neil started looking for the truth.
In his book, The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships, Neil shows you how he gave up control. The book is about beliefs. ”It’s so hard to recognize your beliefs, let alone change them, because you’re living with yourself.”
But behaviors are easier to change. That’s what he teaches you in this episode. You’ll learn how to feel healthier emotionally.
When your personal life is together, you’re much more capable of achieving bigger things, accumulating wealth, and feeling less stressed and worried.
Neil says, “There’s always a reason for what you’re doing, and if you don’t know the reason, then maybe you’re living an unconscious life.”
And if you’re just curious about the sex, then there’s something here for you, too.
12/22/2015 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep. 146 - Gabriel Weinberg: 19 Ways to Sell Your Ideas and Scale
You know why I wrote Choose Yourself. But you don’t know how you got here. How did you get here, on my email list, my website, Facebook page, Twitter? Do you want to know why you're following me? I’m going to tell you.
I’ll tell you my secrets to building an email list, a customer base, an audience. I’m going to tell you how I got you here.
There are specific tactics I use. And you can use them, too, for your business or blog or anything. But I’ll get back to that.
First you need an idea. And there needs to be a demand for that idea.
Next, you should be wondering, “Is my idea any good?” Probably not. Or maybe it is. You could be much smarter than me. Most of my ideas don’t lead to anything. But a few have. Like StockPickr, the company I built and sold for millions before almost destroying myself and wanting to die.
If you’re an idea machine, you already know how to come up with ideas. Scaling an idea is more challenging. Results don’t just appear. You need traction. You need to grow and acquire new customers.
My guest today, Gabriel Weinberg, author of Traction: How Any Startup Can Achieve Explosive Customer Growth and CEO of Duck Duck Go, is the king of results -- search results that is.
That's what Duck, Duck, Go does. It is a search engine and it's stealing millions of customers from Google. It takes some sort of voodoo mastermind to figure out how to beat Google at their own game. Gabriel challenges the status quo. He’s part of that rare breed of people who believe nothing is impossible.
Now DuckDuckGo is pretty huge. But why would anyone want to challenge Google? That’s what I wanted to find out. And I’ll tell you why in a second.
But let’s get back to my secret. In 33 minutes and 22 seconds, you can know my preferred method to scaling your business. Or you can just skip to the 33:22 mark in today’s interview. You might be surprised to find out how I scaled Choose Yourself — how I got traction.
But if you're not looking for shortcuts, listen to the whole interview. You'll get an all-inclusive, complete breakdown on how to sell and scale your best ideas.
Gabriel goes over every marketing tactic, nineteen to be exact. If you're resourceful, you can use them to start building your wealth for the New Year.
And in his book, Gabriel and Justin Mares give you marketing tips from the masters, including Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, Kayak founder Paul English, and more than a dozen others.
Listen today to hear Gabriel break down the best tactics for every stage of your business. You’ll also hear why he wasn’t happy with Google, and how he started today’s superior search engine, in addition to how you and thousands of other people got here. And how you can start selling and scaling. Ready, set… (duck, duck) go.
12/15/2015 • 1 hour, 31 seconds
Ep. 145 - Mick Ebeling: I'll Teach You How to Do Impossible Things
I know a miracle worker. He’s an entrepreneur, marketing man, and film producer who gets companies like HP to say, “yes” to him.
You can learn a lot from him. I did.
One thing I learned is there’s more to choosing yourself. There’s a part two.
Part one is when you see things in your life that are absurd, decide you’re not going to stand for it anymore and quit. You decide to become physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy. That’s choosing yourself.
Part two is when you see what’s wrong with the world and say, “That’s absurd. Let’s change that. Let’s hack that. Let’s modify that so it’s affordable." That's what Mick Ebeling does-- founder of the Not Impossible Labs and the Not Impossible Foundation. Through these two entities, Mick figured out how build whatever he wants, and solve impossible problems.
Mick sees the world through his own lens. It’s the reason he’s successful.
He creates technology that solves absurd problems like having your arms blown off. No prosthetics, no solution. Or being paralyzed and unable to speak to your family ever again.
The technology to fix these problems does exist. But when you can’t afford it, you have an even bigger problem.
This is why Mick hacks. He disrupts the system, doesn’t wait for permission, and believes in impossible things. You can, too, but more on that later.
Let me tell you how he got started. Mick was just reading the paper. He read that thousands of people in the country of Sudan don’t have arms because of war injuries. And they just live with it. They can’t afford prosthetics, so they hand-feed each other, dress each other, and help each other with all the other daily necessities.
Mick decided to do something. He flew to Sudan with no plan and figured out how to create prosthetic arms using a 3D printer. This is someone with no experience in medicine or engineering. He’s just a guy with a big heart who decided nothing is impossible.
On the show, you’ll hear how he 3D printed arms for a boy named Daniel, and empowered an entire country to do this for thousands of other people missing limbs.
I wanted to know how it's done. How can people quit their jobs and do things that really matter? Mick tells you how on the podcast.
You’ll also learn how to think like today’s most successful innovators. “We’re not trying to create the next $700 pill,” Mick says, “We’re trying to create something that totally disrupts a particular fill-in-the-blank, maybe it’s a way of communication, a way of transportation.” This is the winning mentality today: Uber, Airbnb, Not Impossible Labs.
By making technology accessible, he’s solving global problems. “Help one, help many,” that’s Not Impossible Labs’ mission.
Then Mick’s team tells the story through videos that go viral and infect everyone with this bug- the not impossible bug.
Besides a miracle worker, Mick’s a story teller. “Each of our projects tells the story of a single individual. By helping one person, how many others can we help?”
Stories bridge the gap between helping just one person and helping many. Mick’s not just choosing himself… He’s choosing the world.
“Once you start to have the awareness of something you need, you start to see it.”
So how can you get the big idea, do the impossible, and become beautifully successful
“First of all, you can just start to believe in this mentality that nothing is impossible,” Mick says.
Try it.
Second, look for absurdities. They’re everywhere – when you read or watch TV. When something bothers you, think of solutions. Be an idea machine.
Third, disrupt. Don’t wait for big government or big business to give you permission. Forget bureaucracy.
Disruption starts now. We’re hacking the system.
Listen to today’s episode. You’ll hear Mick’s miracle stories, find out where he gets his big ideas and his money, and how you too can do impossible things.
Resources and Links:
• Not Impossible Labs' Website
• Read Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. by Mick Ebeling
• "Help one, help many." Tweet @MickEbeling and @NotImpossibleLabs how you're helping someone today
• Hear Mick's TED Talk
• Watch this video about Project Daniel or this Q&A
• Watch this video about Don's Voice
• Visit Not Impossible's YouTube channel for more videos
• Follow Mick on Facebook
• Follow Not Impossible on Facebook
12/8/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 52 seconds
Ep. 144 - Jane Swift: Who Failed You?
You can have power, but it comes with a lot of bullshit. When Spider-Man’s Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility,” he was trying to say that power comes with a lot of BS.
It’s a good warning. We want all of the power and none of the bullshit. And then you hear everyone complaining.
It’s hard to be a good guy.
My guest today, Jane Swift, is the youngest female governor in U.S. history turned CEO of Middlebury Interactive Languages. She’s a superhero. During her campaign, she was pregnant with twins. She also already had a daughter.
But that didn’t stop her. She gives and expects nothing in return. That’s what I do.
Think about your obstacles. Now imagine doing more and complaining less.
Sometimes, you might feel like you either have energy and no resources, or resources and no energy. Jane created both. And in today’s podcast, she'll teach you how.
I asked her what inspired her. “It’s really around the passionate belief that I could make things better,” she tells me. Her superpowers are her passion mixed with energy and focus.
She uses them to help others.
As governor, Jane was passionate about education. She says all children have gifts. And this is true for adults, too. Maybe someone failed you – the school system, or your parents.
And now you’re grown up. You’re at a point in your life where you feel you should know what you’re doing with your finances, your career, your family.
Maybe you’re feeling lost now.
If no one patted your back, told you you’re special, and helped you figure out what you’re good at, you may feel like someone is sitting on your chest. You are lying there with weight, pressure, a heaviness inside you that says, "I’m stuck here."
But it’s not too late to find out what you’re good at.
Jane’s goal was, and still is, to give kids opportunities in life. Don’t you wish someone wanted the same for you now? I do.
The difference is, you have to choose yourself.
Part of that is surrounding yourself with the right people. Who are the right people? Jane says, “Sometimes, depending on the issue, the right people around the table are folks who you know well and trust a great deal.”
Plainly, if you pick the wrong people, you’ll be stressed and you’ll waste energy. How you spend your energy is your choice. And that’s powerful.
The other resource we crave is money. Campaigning, Jane didn’t have that either. She hustled.
"I tend to outwork people,” she says. “As a working mother, I’ve learned to work hard and smart.” She raised $60,000 for her campaign.
Some people wrote checks to support her. Others baked brownies, and she had bake sales… That’s old school hustling.
Sometimes, to make things happen, you have to go back to the basics. You don’t become a superhero by trying to be a superhero. You become a superhero by overcoming whatever’s in your way. “I had to be really crisp and really convincing, and really think through my position on a number of issues to convince people that a 25 year old woman, a couple of years out of college, would be a better state senator than a 7 term incumbent,” she says.
Start small. Try to improve 1% a day. The people who baked brownies helped at least 1%.
That’s how you gain momentum. And that’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode. You’ll learn how to hustle, earn power, and, if you’re lucky, become a superhero, too.
12/1/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 4 seconds
Ep. 143 - Mary Karr: How to Start Anything
It won't be the idea that causes you to quit... it's fear.
It's the big idea that stops us—the idea of being a Google or a Facebook, a New York Times best-selling author, a guru, a YouTube sensation, a Mark Cuban or Kevin O'Leary.
Sometimes, it seems easier to forget you even had the idea to begin with. The idea of success. But if you give in, you'll end up quitting before you start.
It's a trap.
Think about how many people are on Earth. There are millions of attractive people I have never met because I didn't give myself the chance. I always thought, "She'd never have sex with me."I didn't even look. So I quit before I could start.
But staring at a girl is easy. And who knows what that leads to? If you want to achieve something, you need to make moves.
In today's podcast, you'll learn the steps you need to take to achieve anything.
My guest, Mary Karr, is an award-winning poet and best-selling memoirist with praise from Stephen King, among many other highly-esteemed writers. In the interview, Mary shares some easy techniques you can use to get started.
Number one, start with things that are easy or convenient, and build from there.
Identifying your interests is important, too. Mary started with reading. "Something about reading other people's life stories made me less lonely," she says.
Mary explains that it's often "the thing that happened to you that was very dramatic that maybe nobody else would find dramatic," that make the best stories.
These little moments give you insight. That's what makes you capable of doing whatever you put your mind to. No one has your experiences, the order of those experiences, your relationships, your perspective, your talents, and your drive.
These pieces make you capable of doing something nobody else can. You have to work with what you have.
"I start with very convenient ideas and convenient memories in which I always appear to be doing beautiful and nimble things," she says, "and then it turns out I was the one making a lot of the trouble." When it's your story, who knows what will turn out?
Your experiences shape what you're capable of. And they shape what you're on your way to becoming. "No one can tell me what the shape of my mind is like better than me," Mary says.
In addition to her literary success, Mary taught creative writing in jail. Why? "All of us who write are ultimately trying to make the world less lonely," she says.
If there's an impact you'd like to make, make it. Even if you're scared. "I'm never not scared," Mary says.
When I asked what she's scared of, I realized I've heard her list before. From myself. Scared of sounding like an idiot, being boring, "losing what little stature I've gained for myself."
If what you have is so little, then what is there to lose? That's how I picked myself up. I improved 1% a day. You can too.
Listen today for techniques to get overcome fear of failure. You'll learn to look around you and discover opportunities. You'll let yourself stare.
Resources and Links:
• The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
• Read her first memoir, The Liar's Club by Mary Karr
• Read her second memoir, Cherry by Mary Karr
• Read her third memoir, Lit by Mary Karr
• Follow Mary on Facebook & Twitter
• Read what Mary is re-reading: The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
• Stephen King praised Mary Karr in his book, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
• Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
• George Orwell's memoir Down and Out in Paris and London
• Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
• Jesus' Son: Stories by Denis Johnson
• Giving Up the Ghost by Hilary Mantel
11/24/2015 • 43 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 142 - Kevin O'Leary: Get Him to Invest
Everyone I’ve ever dated (before my second marriage) was just practice. Telling my second grade crush I was in love with her and getting laughed at – practice. Posing as a psychic on Craigslist to meet women – practice.
I could have chosen not to do those things. I could have been too embarrassed or said I don’t want to be “that guy." But then I would have been holding myself back.
Don't waste time and energy contemplating if you'll be successful. I get it. You're afraid. You don't want to get stuck or let go of a good thing. Recognize, though, that your fear won't generate wealth and freedom.
So how do you know what's right financially? My guest today, Kevin O’Leary says, "There's no guarantee. You have to try things.”
Before becoming a successful entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and millionaire shark, Kevin tried and tested different jobs. He picked up garbage. This wasn’t for him. He wasn't invested.
Sometimes the key to success is to say no. Not to invest.
If you aren't invested, you can keep trying new things. That's what Kevin did. He tried something else, which he talks about in today's interview.
He just kept going. The idea is to find something more fulfilling.
And even when you find it, keep an open mind. It might still be a test.
Kevin has a three-year rule. If something can't survive three years, then "take it behind the barn and shoot it," he says. Dump it. Quit it. Do not invest. "Unless it's a hobby and you don't mind losing money," he says.
This rule applies to dating, too. If you don’t see a future with someone, why continue? Consider how much you’re spending, or “investing,” in dating someone.
And think of it the other way around. Can you survive it for three years? Or three more years? Kevin waited six before marrying Linda. Now they’ve been married for 25 years.
In his new book, Cold Hard Truth On Men, Women, and Money: 50 Common Money Mistakes and How to Fix Them, and in today's interview, Kevin teaches you how to avoid making bad investments in your life with simple, easy-to-follow tips.
Smart investments require time. You need time to find out who and what you’re compatible with. And those things change. You change. So when you feel stuck or unfulfilled, don’t just cry about it. “There’s no room for tears,” Mr. Wonderful says. Do something.
Listen today to learn the best techniques to test a potential investment. You’ll also hear Kevin’s advice on how to successfully get people invested in you.
11/17/2015 • 38 minutes, 7 seconds
Ep. 141 - Judy Blume: Stop Wondering "What is it all for?"
If she told me to jump off a bridge, I just might do it. She was the only friend who would tell me anything, and I would do anything for her.
I think I love her.
Growing up, I wanted to know everything—sex, bullying, whether I was normal or not.
I was curious—confused really. Kids were mean and girls were pretty.
Judy Blume was the only one who would answer my questions.
I was asking, “What is it all for?” And she told me. I thought, maybe this is what finding God feels like.
She’s a No. 1 New York Times best-selling author with more than 85 million books sold. Successful? Yes. But it’s more than that.
“I represent childhood,” she says, “I think when somebody represents your childhood, that’s special. I’m lucky people tell me that.”
Her book, “Forever,” taught me about sex. “Blubber” explained bullying. I read Judy Blume’s books because I had questions and she had answers.
So where did she come from?
At age 25, a man took her on a date. He stayed the night and never left.
They got married, had two little babies, but Judy realized she had stories but no other outlets. “I wouldn’t say I had exactly grown up when I started to write, but I was in a grown-up situation.”
Sometimes, as grown-ups, we stop taking care of ourselves. We neglect our needs, health, relationships, and friendships. But if you’re open to living a better life, you’ll learn something from Judy Blume.
She used to feel stuck, too. Stuck and lonely. “I understand now how important friendship is in a life, no matter how happy you are with your family,” she says.
Do you feel a void, too? What’s missing here?
Judy realized she needed to take care of herself. “Before I started to write, I was sick all the time. I was always sick. I had one exotic illness after another, but once I started writing I was letting that bad stuff out and it didn’t have to make me sick anymore,” she says.
Writing helped her and it helped us, but we’re still wondering, “What is it all for?”
Uncertainty and darkness. “Would you say that’s the overriding theme of the book,” I asked.
“You’re interesting,” Judy says. “I’m a person who never knows the theme of her book.”
Her new book, “In The Unlikely Event,” is an opportunity for me, for you, for everyone “to be taken out of our own lives, to get insight into other people’s lives, as well as our own lives, and to learn new things.”
Listen now to Judy Blume. No bridge necessary.
11/10/2015 • 29 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep. 140 - Amy Koppelman: Write Something That Doesn't Suck
This is for the writers.
Write something that doesn't suck.
It's a simple goal.
With low stakes, Amy Koppelman wrote "I Smile Back," which was rejected at least 80 times. It was rejected because it resembled the truth too much. One publisher said, "This is the reason we got into publishing, but I can't sell this."
Now, Sara Silverman is starring in the movie. She's the main character, Laney.
I was scared for the Laney. The book bleeds.
Sometimes you have to feel sorry for someone else to stop feeling sorry for yourself.
Good fiction can do that. It's how you can escape.
They say you can't run away from yourself. But they lie all the time.
Amy wrote letters. She was depressed. She needed an escape. When she recognized sadness in someone else, she wrote him letters.
Years later, with a pair of scissors, she cut and pasted a story together. That's how she got her book. She wrote with scissors.
In today's interview, Amy reveals how you write great fiction.
I wanted to know about the sadness inside her. Does it come from a deeper, darker truth?
Amy says the best kind of writing understands you somehow without even knowing you.
It helps you understand yourself better. "All of us, whether we're writers, carpenters or teachers, we just want to be heard and understood," Amy says.
Whatever you're doing now, you don't know what it's doing for your future. That's why I recommend a daily practice.
Amy doesn't have a daily practice. She used to sit and wonder when she'd make coffee again.
Depression made instant coffee look impossible. Everything loomed over her. But one day she made coffee. And over the course of many small victories, she survived.
Listen to Amy Koppelman to learn how to write to survive. This is the master of fiction that bleeds.
11/7/2015 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 139 - Cheryl Strayed: James' Go-To Author
Do you have a favorite book you return to over and over again?
James does, and today the author of that book joins him on The James Altucher Show.
Many of you know James does a Twitter Q&A every Thursday. But what you probably didn't know is that before he jumps online he rereads one book...
He turns to Sugar for inspiration.
Sugar is the fictional character in Cheryl Strayed's book, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar.
Cheryl Strayed has had a rough life: sexual abuse, divorce, past drug abuse, and her mother's death. All this pushed her to do something radical with her life.
She decided to take a hike. Not your everyday hike; she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Coast Trail from the Mojave Desert through California, Oregon, and Washington – and she did it alone.
The hike finally healed her, and she turned it into her NY Times bestselling memoir, Wild. The book was then turned into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon.
Oprah loved the book so much she restarted her book club just to highlight it.
Cheryl's new book Brave Enough was just released in October. James asks her, "Why a book of quotes?"
As Cheryl says in the introduction of her book...
"I've always been a quote collector... From the comic to the profound, the simple to the complex, the sorrowful to the ecstatic, the inspiring to the stern, whenever I need consolation or encouragement, a clear-eyed perspective or a swift kick in the pants – which is often – quotes are what I turn to. They've been tacked to the walls of every home I've made. I've written them down in my journals and kept them on files in my computer. I've scribbled them on the back of ripped-open envelopes and drawn them across stretches of sand."
Now that they've met, James is almost sorry, as he'll not be able to steal from her so easily going forward.
Resources and Links:
Cheryl Strayed Website
Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed
Wild by Cheryl Strayed and Wild (the movie) starring Reese Witherspoon
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
Torch by Cheryl Strayed
Dear Sugar podcast
Oprah's 2015 Book Club
11/3/2015 • 54 minutes, 13 seconds
Ep. 138 - Lewis Howes: Lewis Howe's School of Greatness
Lewis Howes is great.
He has achieved Olympic level successful in many areas of his life and today with the launch of his brand new book, The School of Greatness, he adds Bestselling Author to the list.
On this episode, I ask Lewis what it takes to be great. Without hesitation, Lewis says that it all starts with a vision.
You have to visualize what it is you really want. You have to dream it.
Lewis says that before you can achieve greatness and success you have to understand what greatness and success looks like for you.
Take a notepad and a pen, go out into nature, lay there in silence and write down what your perfect day would look like.
Lewis says that everyone faces some type adversity in their life, but the ones who achieve greatness figure out a way to use the adversity to their advantage.
We discuss some amazing examples of people who have achieved greatness after adversity, like Kyle Maynard.
I hope you enjoy today’s episode as much as I did.
I know you can be great.
Links and resources:
The School of Greatness – Lewis Howes book that releases today!
Lewis’ website
Lewis’ Twitter
“You need vision if you’re going to reinvent yourself.” – Lewis Howes – click to tweet
10/27/2015 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep. 137 - Bryan Johnson, Braintree: Everyone Has Pebble in Their Own Shoe
If you’re running your own business, then you know by now that you have to care about what you’re doing if you want to be successful.
Making money can be a goal, but it can’t be your only goal. You have to work toward something greater than just turning a profit.
On today’s podcast I talk with Bryan Johnson, someone who knows full well how much you have to care if you want your investments to pay off, and he’s found the perfect balance between being financially successful and changing the world.
I talked with Bryan two years ago (and I actually put the interview in my book Choose Yourself!).
I invited him to that first interview because he had established Braintree, a payment platform for many online businesses and entrepreneurs, and it was immensely successful.
But I’m bringing him back this time around because a lot has changed in two years.
Bryan sold Braintree to Ebay for $800 million and has since used that money to start a venture capital fund for what he likes to call “save the world” sort of companies.
He’s looking for engineers, creators, and financiers who are creating platforms, companies, and businesses that could benefit the lives of billions of people.
He talks about what kinds of fields and platforms he’s interested in on today’s show, and he explains the passion that’s driving him.
“I have a burning desire to devote my life to improve the lives of people,” he says when I ask him what inspired his approach to business. “But I didn’t know what that meant at 21. So I decided I’d become an entrepreneur, retire by 30, and then spend the rest of my life with an abundance of time and money trying to do some good.”
That definitely explains why he sold Braintree, but he also gives insight into what made this first business venture of his so successful and how he used it to kick start his true goal for helping people.
Combining business with philanthropy is Bryan’s main focus, and he is actively seeking those who are creating the technologies people cannot find but desperately need, such as synthetic biology for combating diseases like Alzheimer’s.
On today’s podcast, Bryan goes into what it takes to get into what he calls the “ecosystem of contribution” and how you can contribute to his charitable cycle by:
Learning his unique three goals when it comes to running a successful business
Looking at our planet Earth as its own technological platform
Focusing on what makes you – and your business – happy and helpful
Leaning how to avoid snobbery in small business
If you’ve got a humanitarian approach to business like Bryan does and are actively looking to engage with the game changers of the world who are focusing their efforts on building a better world, then this podcast is geared at you.
Anyone can be successful for themselves, but being successful for the sake of others is truly admirable and Bryan’s approach will no doubt help you build a better business for yourself and your clients.
Resources:
Bryan Johnson
The OS Fund
Braintree
10/22/2015 • 59 minutes, 57 seconds
Ep. 136 - Ev Williams: A Co-Founder of Twitter Speaks
Today’s guest changed my life. Seeing as he helped to invent Blogger and Twitter, he probably changed your life too!
The Internet’s last decade and a half of development as a forum for writing has taken place in large part on platforms built in part by Ev Williams.
Evan “Ev” Williams is on the show today to talk about his new blogging platform, Medium, and how he worked his way up to the top spot he is now.
“I worked my whole life basically broke and in debt,” he tells me, and this may be a familiar situation for you.
Struggling to realize your dreams, working hard to create something new the public wants – we’ve all experienced these efforts in one way or another, and some of your attempts may have been more successful than others.
The hardest part about running your own business is not only having the confidence to take the risks, but also to pull yourself together if that risk should fail. Even success can come with its own stress.
Working to create Blogger and Twitter led Ev to a ton of success in media, but he talks about the strange kind of success Google brought him and how you don’t always necessarily know what to do with it.
In fact, he didn’t handle success very well at all the first time. As he said in an article in The New York Times “It wasn’t obvious to me that I wanted to sell my business,” he tells me when Google came asking for Blogger and absorbed him into the company. He was dedicated to seeing it become successful, but he did not know the rules and language of corporate success, and he ran into many roadblocks along the way.
Of course, we know from hindsight that whatever he did was right, but how can you be sure of the outcome when you’re just starting on the path?
Ev shares his answers to this difficult question, and his insightful advice on today’s podcast will teach you
- How to find product-market fit for your business
- How to monetize your web and media content in different ways
- How to use multiple media platforms to reach your audience
- How to use more than a website to get real interaction with your audience and clients
Evan Williams’ new site Medium, www.medium.com, is up and running right now. Connect with Twitter, Facebook, or Google to get started, and see how you can use this new, larger platform to market yourself and interact with your clients.
Resources:
Ev Williams Twitter - @ev
Ev Williams Medium here and here
10/15/2015 • 43 minutes, 57 seconds
Ep. 135 - Naveen Jain: The Billionaire Who Wants to Go To The Moon
Naveen Jain is the founder and CEO of one of the biggest companies from the dot-com boom era, and now he has set his sights on the moon.
His company, Moon Express, plans to send a rocket to the moon as a business venture to collect rare minerals and resources, and then bring them back to Earth. He also plans to make travel to the moon and other planets accessible to all of us at some point in the future.
Naveen is the founder of InfoSpace, the first company to develop services that were sold to other companies that then white-labeled those services on their own web sites. According to Naveen, InfoSpace was the first company to realize that people would eventually want to use the internet on mobile devices.
Naveen co-founded Intelius, the information commerce company that gives users access to basic information about people all on one site.
In 2010, Naveen started Moon Express with the goal of bringing rare minerals back to the Earth for use in a number of applications, such as energy uses. Going to the moon is not the only goal of Moon Express, and Naveen sees it as the start of developing a multi-planetary society.
Naveen explains how Moon Express will become both commercially viable and also sustainable as a company.
In addition to space, Naveen sees the medical diagnostics field as another big industry in which he sees potential large growth over the next five to ten years. Naveen says the biggest societal problems offer entrepreneurs the most opportunity.
Education is another field in which he sees a need to address training for current jobs that weren't around 20 years ago.
Also, another important area is looking for solutions for at-risk countries that do not have accessible, clean drinking water.
Naveen believes we need to first solve our own internal problems before we tackle the world's problems. He thinks being at peace with who we are, and finding our purpose and mission, are key factors to finding that solution.
He says the process of becoming more fluent in producing ideas lies in having intellectual curiosity, learning for the sake of learning, and getting basic fundamental knowledge in the areas that interest us.
As far as finding our own mission in life, Naveen says ask yourself "What would you do if you had a billion dollars?" He says do that career now, and you'll find a business around it.
Resources and Links
• Moon Express
• X Prize Foundation
• Singularity University
Thanks so much for listening!
10/8/2015 • 56 minutes, 24 seconds
AA Ep 339 - Cassey Ho: YouTube's Biggest Fitness Instructor, Tells How She Did It Her Way
Are you willing to disobey your parents?
Cassey Ho came from a typical Asian family. They gave her three choices for her career... doctor, lawyer or engineer.
She had to bring honor to her family.
But that wasn't Cassey's calling. She had the entrepreneurial spirit, and she just had to follow her dream.
Fast-forward to today, and Cassey has almost 2.5 million subscribers to her YouTube channel Blogilates TV, with one of her videos now approaching 7.5 million views.
And that was just the beginning. She has created a whole line of products that's growing quickly.
Listen here today as she shares with James how she advertises her "brand."
10/4/2015 • 38 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep. 134 - P. J. O'Rourke: Thrown Under the Omnibus!
This week I've got something important to say to every message board across the internet: "Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help mom with the dishes."
Sound familiar? That's PJ O'Rourke, world-renowned talking head and published author, whose political humor and commentary make him the butt of many an insult on message boards everywhere.
He's on the show today to talk about politics and why humor is always the best policy, especially if you want to really make a difference.
When it comes to being funny in politics, humor is your only option. "You really don't have a choice," PJ tells me. "To take it seriously is to indicate you're an idiot."
And the same applies to the way you run your business, so be careful! If you take yourself too seriously, you're only going to end up missing out on the important, finer details. Because even in business you are still involved in politics one way or the other.
Maybe you're the member of a committee, maybe you design your staff meetings as a form of democracy – either way, there is an election process, a conversation, and a show of hands that can represent your decision or point of view.
And you need to be educated in your field if you ever hope to find the humor in it. Because finding the humor in your point of view means you are much more likely to start the right kind of conversations to get people on your side.
Unlike politics though, comedy is hard. "I have more respect for comedians like Jay Leno and Chris Rock," PJ says, after I asked him if he respected them more than Joe Biden. And that's saying something.
Humor gives you the power to generate conversations, and PJ's quirky sense of humor lends this week's show some hilarious viewpoints on these conversation starters:
• The government's role in regulating capitalism and big businesses
• The time and place for politics
• How to find humor in high-stakes political situations
• How comedy can change the way the world sees a situation, especially through the lens of the internet
PJ's latest book, Thrown Under the Omnibus, comes out October 6
"Is that when it's coming out? No one told me!" says P.J.
The book touches on these themes, but his conversation with me on the show today is full of the kind of jokes you want to be able to tell at your next networking event.
So listen in and see how you can be the funny man (or woman) at your next business meeting.
To find out more about PJ and hear more of his work, head over to his column at The Weekly Standard.
Special Note: Both PJ and James will be presenting LIVE at next month's Stansberry Conference in Las Vegas. If you're interested in joining them and over 30 additional speakers for two full days click here.
This year's Conference will take place at one of the newest and most luxurious destinations on Las Vegas Boulevard -- the Aria Resort and Casino.
9/29/2015 • 56 minutes, 2 seconds
Ep. 133 - Tucker Max: Mate: Become the Man Women Want
This is my first threesome on the show! Tucker Max, Nils Parker, and Dr. Jeff Miller are all here to discuss their new book Mate: Become the Man Women Want.
But what does dating have to do with business?
Believe it or not, marketing yourself for social relationships is related to marketing your business for success. In fact, from Tucker's point of view, they're almost one in the same. "Dating and sex is [seen as] a battle between men and women, and that's totally wrong."
He says, "You want to create win-win relationships," a relationship where you and your partner(s), whether they be professional or romantic, both come out on top is exactly what you should be seeking.
When Jeff and Tucker met over a steak dinner to discuss Jeff's recent social and evolutionary psychology talk at a conference, it wasn't necessarily a romantic meal.
Jeff's point of view is not trickling down to the young men and women who could truly benefit from his kind of information, and both authors were worried about the perceived misconceptions regarding their work.
"I was appalled at how they misunderstood and misapplied it," Jeff says of his first book. "I wrote The Mating Mind a long time ago, '98/'99, and the science has moved on."
But even with a modern point of view that speaks distinctively with that fratire tone of voice, Tucker Max still experienced the same problem. "I assumed when I wrote the stories that everyone got the subtext," Tucker says. "[But] the guys didn't even have a basic foundational set of knowledge about life or about women or about social relationships that they could put my stories into context."
And this is why a deep understanding of social relationships is nothing but beneficial for your business.
I'm not telling you to marry your job, because it will never satisfy you in a way a romantic relationship ever could. But when you're networking and looking to build that client base, understanding what makes your brand attractive and utilizing those tools to attract new people is key to your success.
Tucker, Geoffery, and Nils took the initiative to update our knowledge banks and give us these tools, along with a few pieces of eye-catching advice regarding:
• How to adapt yourself and your business to cultural change
• How to seek win-win relationships where cooperation, communication, and coordination reign supreme
• How to network effectively through all of your social relationships in order to increase presence and popularity
• How to recognize and embody the key traits and behaviors both women and clients seek out in romantic and professional relationships
If anything, this book will be the confidence boost you need to initiate new and better sales.
Sell yourself, sell your product, or sell your services by paying attention to the clients (or the woman) in your life.
You're going to meet new people and you're going to talk to them, which – in Tucker's mind – will make you the most popular guy in the room because you'll be the one having the most fun.
Links and Resources:
Tucker Max websites (here and here), Twitter and Facebook
Mate: Become the Man That Women Want
The Mating Mind by Geoffrey Miller
The Mating Grounds podcast
Dr. Geoffrey Miller
Nils Parker
9/23/2015 • 59 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 132 - John McAfee: The Most Interesting Man in the Universe
How do you summarize a highly colorful life of an inventor, billionaire and philanthropist?
In this episode of The James Altucher Show, our guest is John McAfee. James and John talk about the high and low points of John's life.
Just days after this interview, John announced he is running for President of the United States.
Listen to John and see if you can decide if he's going to get your vote.
He is probably best known for McAfee antivirus software, which he created while working as a programmer for Lockheed Martin.
Even with extraordinary success, John never measured his self-worth with his net-worth. Rather, he saved more than $30 million since he began McAfee. After a time, he turned the reins of of his successful antivirus company to Bill Larson, former VP of IBM.
John has had a controversial career. He's spent his life on the run, has admitted to using and selling illegal drugs and has been arrested for illegal possession of firearms in the U.S.
Despite this, he still remains ever-relevant decades later. He is still the most influential authority on information security in the world and a widely sought speaker on that topic. So it did not come as a surprise that just recently he's come under fire for writing about the real culprit behind the Ashley Madison data brouhaha.
Episode highlights:
How he created the McAfee antivirus out of curiosity, never expecting it take off.
His unhappiness with the administrative aspect of running an enterprise and why he stopped running the company.
His life on the run, after experiencing threat and extortion from the government of Belize.
Reinventing his business and reorganizing his life after losing all his money when forced to leave Belize.
Talking about his natural antibiotics venture in Quorum sensing. His foray into biohacking is touted to be 15 years advanced in terms of research.
Problems confronting the Internet landscape nowadays, the loss of privacy and what he does to stop it.
Being rich and famous never bothered John McAfee, he stays true to himself and does what he knows best: being unreasonable even if the world doesn't agree with his opinions.
And there was the matter of losing all of his money and investments, hiding like a fugitive and finally getting extradited to the U.S. Also not a problem; John just continued to find ways to start another internet-security firm called Future Tense Central, the technology of which is leaning toward consumer mobile-device apps, company privacy, and security-sharing software.
His purpose nowadays is more focused on preventing the loss of privacy and warning against the evil of using gadgets, downloading convenience apps and storing information on the cloud because there are ways to 'spy' and fish for personal information.
Links and References Mentioned in this show:
Ashley Madison write-up
Future Tense Central: his security firm after Belize
D-Vasive: a mobile-privacy app he devised for anti-spying
Spy TV Series
9/16/2015 • 54 minutes, 39 seconds
Ep. 131- Hank Green: Redefining the Meaning of Cool
Hank is one half of the popular YouTube duo VlogBrothers. The show is co-hosted with his brother John Green, author of the New York Times bestselling book The Fault in Our Stars. The show boasts a loyal group following, amounting to around 2.6 million viewers.
The brothers are also the brains behind a fundraising campaign called "Project For Awesome," through which they're organizing the community to take over YouTube with charity work for a day.
Hank is well-known for being an Internet entrepreneur, article writer/contributor to a variety of publications like the New York Times, Scientific American and Mental Floss.
In addition to the successful Brotherhood 2.0 project, he's also produced science-based videos like the popular "SciShow" and "Crash Course."
He is also the inventor of 2D-Glasses for those who have trouble watching 3-D movies; this is his least successful business venture to date, by the way. Speaking of merchandise, he also owns DFTBA records, an online store he co-founded with his friends. He's also an Emmy winner for his web-series "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries," a modern adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.
Hank takes us into the creative process of producing a lot of successful video shows. The ideas and the content that he puts into each show shines with his dedication and passion for educating his followers and the deep relationships he has forged along the way.
He loves creating new things that encourage discourse and having fun and that simply entertain the audience until they learn something. The man does not want to stop giving back what he knows and he will continue to influence the next generation with new products or topics that liven up their lives.
Because of this, he is now redefining the meaning of cool by being 'on fleick' just the way he is.
Resources and Links
VlogBrothers YouTube videos
Crash Course
SciShow
VidCon
The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Don't Forget To Be Awesome
Project For Awesome
Dear Hank & John Podcast
Hank Green's 2D-Glasses
Hank's Tumblr
Hank's Twitter
Hank's Facebook
Hank's Instagram
9/8/2015 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 3 seconds
Ep. 130 - Penn Jillette: The Brilliant Idea Can Kill You
Penn Jillette is a famous magician – he's one half of the duo Penn and Teller. He has made a career out of sleight of hand and tricks. He credits Teller with getting him into magic. Penn's specialties are juggling, writing, and comedy. He suggests that when you choose a career you go into a field in which you know you can improve.
He continued his education at "clown college." He was "forced" into comedy, but he wanted to be a brooding French poet. While at clown college, he learned wire walking, juggling, and tumbling. Penn says card tricks are actually a form of juggling.
============
Special Note: Both Penn and James will be presenting LIVE at next month's Stansberry Conference in Las Vegas. If you're interested in joining them and more than 30 additional speakers for two full days click here.
This year's conference will take place at one of the newest and most luxurious destinations on Las Vegas Boulevard – the Aria Resort & Casino.
============
When he first began with Teller they went to bad magic shows and learned what they didn't want to do. They wanted to get away from illusions and focus more on tricks. All magic is about the perception of truth.
Penn says he didn't have a choice in magic. He was homeless when he started out, but Teller was from a very different background. The pair didn't like each other, but they felt they could do better together.
Other topics Penn discusses in this interview are:
•Find what you like and let it kill you.
•How dramatic weight loss has changed his act.
•His parenting skills.
•How journal writing has improved his daily routine.
•His biggest inspirations.
•The unwilling suspension of disbelief.
•Built-in biological love.
Resources and Links:
Kinky Freedman
Gary Panter and The ROZZ-TOX Manifesto
Clown College
Penn Jillette's books
The Cups and Ball Trick
Penn's Sunday School
Bob Dylan
Picasso
Miles Davis
If you want to learn more about Penn Jillette, check him out on Twitter: @pennjillette.
9/1/2015 • 32 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep. 129 - Dr. Wayne Dyer: Namaste
This weekend Dr. Wayne Dyer passed away.
James wants to recognize the influence Wayne Dyer has had on his life. We're very sad about his passing.
Here is one of the last interviews Wayne Dyer has done and it is with James...
During that interview James asked Dr. Dyer what he saw as the arc of his career. "What has your message been and how have you seen it evolve?"
Without hesitating, Dr. Dyer responded...
"Well, it's really been always about self-reliance, in one form or another. I've often said that I really feel that I had a conversation with God just before I showed up here on this planet in 1940 and I was asked, 'What would you like to do on this trip?' And I said, 'Well, I think I'd like to teach self-reliance.' And God said, 'You want to do that for an entire lifetime? Just teach self-reliance?'
"I said, 'Yes, that would be a great lifetime.' And he said, 'Well, then, we'd better get your little ass into an orphanage and we'd better let you have all of these different experiences, so that once people start to question that, you will never be dissuaded because you'll have the experience of it.' So everything in my life has been directed towards teaching people how to have self-reliance. It has shifted from psychology and an emphasis on psychological principles, to spiritual principles, and that's something that I really had nothing to do with personally; that was just the direction that I was destined to go."
They concluded their conversation with the following exchange...
Dr. Wayne Dyer:Think about your body, the body that you're in. You're in a male body, I'm in a male body. And I'm in a body that's about 6'2", it has blue eyes, it has no hair on its head, it has certain characteristics and so on, and inessence, that's why, for this incarnation, I'm doomed.
I'm doomed to live – I'm not gonna be in a female, 4'10" body. I'm not gonna be in any other – this is the body that I get, okay? Now, what kind of choices do I have to make within that context? Well, I can decide how healthy it's gonna be. I can decide whether I'm gonna exercise it or not.
I can decide actually how long it's gonna live.
There's many, many choices that I make about this body within the context of being doomed to live in this body and not any other body. Now, if you take this metaphor and you extend it to not just the physical body but to the rest of your life and all that you are, you are, in essence – you are given a dharma. You showed up here with a purpose. You showed up here with an energy that propels – and there's something that excites you, and it's like whether you want to be a falconer or whether you want to be a musician or whether you want to be a writer or whether you want to raise horses in Montana.
Whatever it might be, there's something that excites you. Now, you have been doomed; in other words, this is your dharma. This is what you're here for. But you're making choices.
And the choices that you make all along, all the course corrections that you make, involve,
"Am I willing? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make this come true?" I've always been willing.
"Are you determined?" That is, are you gonna not let anything interfere with it? Yes. You have to have that determination.
"Am I fearless?" In other words, am I gonna get the fear out of me and come from a place of love, from divine love?
"Am I using compassion?" Compassion for myself and compassion for others, and ultimately,
"Do I reach that state? " The highest rung on the ladder, if you will, when Rumi said, "When you are born, a ladder is placed before you to help you to escape from this world.' And so to understand that you're in this world but you're not of this world, and when you reach the top of the ladder, the top rung on that ladder of divine love, you realize that, yes, you are doomed. You have been. You're to be a writer, you're to do all these things, but you also make choices and course corrections along the way, just like the choice you make about how your body is going to be.
When you understand that, when you understand that you showed up here for a reason and a purpose and, "Now I'm gonna be willing, I'm gonna be fearless, I'm gonna be determined, I'm gonna be passionate," then you can live your life without regrets. I just read a book called The Five Regrets of the Dying, by a woman in Australia who is a hospice nurse, and she interviewed people every day who were dying, and asked them what were their regrets.
She wrote a book about it, and the number one regret of people who were under her hospice care, the number one regret of the people dying was, "I wish I'd had the courage to live my life the way I knew I should, rather than listening to other people tell me what to do." That's the essence of it all.
James Altucher: That's really important, because as you said, you're doomed to make your choices, but if you don't make your choices, you're even more doomed.
Dr. Wayne Dyer: Absolutely, absolutely.
James Altucher: 'Cause someone else is making the choices for you. And on that note, Wayne, I really appreciate you spending the time and on this interview. I really want recommend I Can See Clearly Now. It's a great book, it's inspirational. I also recommend all of the books that you referenced in the book and in this interview, because I think they're all transformational books, and again, once again, thank you for coming on this show and being interviewed.
Dr. Wayne Dyer: It's my pleasure. God bless you. Good luck to you, my friend.
James Altucher: Thanks, Wayne.
Dr. Wayne Dyer: Namaste
8/31/2015 • 56 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 128 - Josh Foer: Mastering Memory
Today James welcomes Josh Foer to the podcast. Josh is a U.S. Memory champion, award-winning journalist, and bestselling author of Moonwalking with Einstein, which details his journey to becoming a U.S. memory champion. ============ Special Note: Both Josh and James will be presenting LIVE at next month's Stansberry Conference in Las Vegas. If you're interested in joining them and over 30 additional speakers for two full days click here. This year's Conference will take place at one of the newest and most luxurious destinations on Las Vegas Boulevard -- the Aria Resort and Casino. ============ Taking some of the ancient memory techniques he learned during a yearlong trip to Europe, Josh was quickly able to master techniques that have not yet made their way across "the pond." Having this advantage over American competitors allowed him to become very successful in a short amount of time. Once he brought these European techniques back to the U.S. and started sharing them, the U.S. record for memorizing a deck of cards went from 1 minute 40 seconds to just 30 seconds. One concerning question that comes to mind for both James and Josh is whether some of the modern technologies in our current world are reducing our capacity to remember things. Is Googling making us less smart? And this is not a new question, it dates all the way back to the days of Socrates, and the advent of the written word. These concerns may be valid, but it often just means a change in both how and what we remember. One of the most common questions that Josh gets is about remembering people's names. For this he has a great memory hack: Create a secondary association with the thing you're trying to remember. For people's names this can be a funny association with the sound of their name. For prose, associate it with a song or rhyme. Anything you can do to give your brain another method of associating will help you better recall it later on. Resources and Links: Moonwalking with Einstein by Josh Foer TED talk – Feats of Memory Anyone Can Do The Obscura Society Sukkah City Nelson Dellis – Current US Memory Champion The Pridmore System for Card Memorization Get in Touch: To learn more about Josh and stay up to date with his newest book, check out joshuafoer.com. Josh is writing a second book on Hunter Gatherers, which explores how the oldest remaining tribe operates and compares to some of our more modern members of society. Sign up for his mailing list to learn more about it and when it is coming out. You can also connect with Josh on Twitter @JoshuaFoer.
8/27/2015 • 48 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep. 127 - James Hong: Hot or Not
James Hong is one of the founders of the infamous site Hot or Not. What started out as an innocent experiment turned into a cultural phenomenon and lucrative business.
Hot or Not was a website that allowed users to upload their photos to the site so that other users could rate them as "hot" or "not." Soon after, a dating site was added, and a new form of internet speed dating began.
Hot or Not was part of the dawn of social media, preceding Youtube, Facebook, and sites like Tinder.
James shares his observations of human nature and how the site proved age-old truths about attraction.
People who submitted the photos were, for the most part, confident enough to know the site was all in good fun. Others took it too seriously. In the long run, "hotter" people found the site and stayed based on the reaction to their photos.
James and his partner built the site as a side project that started out with an invite to friends – and grew to 30 thousand visitors.
Online source photos were used to begin the concept of the site. James estimates about 100 photos were used. Within 7 hours, the site was populated with real users wanting to be rated.
The instant success was a little overwhelming for James and his partner.
Machines and internet service were much more expensive in the early 2000s. So much so, the site was almost shut down because the equipment couldn't keep up with the site!
They moved Hot or Not to GeoCities, and changed the future of the site. They made a deal with Ophoto as an affiliate. The final step was a business deal with Rack Space, which hosted the site for an exchange of publicity.
Companies called, wanting to buy this new business, but James and his partner wanted to see where it was going.
James says that the first year was all hard work. The dating service was the first attempt at monetizing the site. The dating site was linked to Hot or Not, and to go on with the site required one participant to be a paid member.
James compares the success of Hot or Not to the early days of reality shows. Hot or Not has been credited with creating 5 to 10 marriages a day.
Hot or Not was eventually sold in February of 2008. With the financial crash of 2008, James and his partner decided liquidizing the company was the wisest move.
James has always considered the future of business to be entrepreneur-focused rather than capital-focused. Hot or Not is a prime example of how the internet can make this possible.
James's suggestion to the newcomers in this business would simply be:
"Just do it."
Concepts don't have to be complex to work.
If the interface works, then don't complicate it.
Resources and Links:
You can reach out to James directly on Twitter @JHong.
To learn more about Cakey, James' new app that helps parents find kid-friendly video playlists, head over to cakeyvillage.com.
8/25/2015 • 45 minutes, 25 seconds
AA Ep. 336 - Dominating a Room with Your Body Cues
What if someone told you that your behavior was controlled by a powerful, invisible force?
Nick Morgan, the author of Power Cues, joins James today to tell the fantastic story of how, after a serious concussion that left him in a coma for about 10 days, Nick lost the ability to read other people he knew.
He could no longer read their body language. He couldn't read the cues.
After a couple of months of agony, something switched back on.
That experience awakened in Nick a lifelong interest in body language, gesture, and voice, and a drive to understand how people really communicate with each other.
Listen here today as Nick relays some amazing stories about how you can take control of your communication.
Regards,
David Newman
P.S. For a very limited time, I want to send you a brand-new, hardback copy of my new book for FREE! All I ask is that you cover the shipping costs (just $5).
8/23/2015 • 41 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 126 - Casey Neistat: Beme
By its very nature, social media lends itself to users showing the highlights of their lives and sharing their best moments, but only after they've cropped, edited and refined those moments.
Casey Neistat, the prolific creator of YouTube videos that have made us look at our world a bit differently, thinks it's time we use social media to share the authentic moments of our lives.
His new app Beme allows for social media interaction to take on a new level of realness.
Casey Neistat, film director, producer, and YouTube creator, has gained a huge following. Millions of people look forward to his daily vlog on his YouTube channel.
Casey and I recorded a podcast back in January 2015 (Ask Altucher Ep 202). What brings us together this time is a new app that Casey co-founded that could significantly change how people view social media.
Named Beme, the app uses snippets of videos the user takes and then sends them to other Beme users. It does so without giving the user the opportunity to edit the video. Casey says that without scrutinizing the images of ourselves, we are able to bring honesty and authenticity to the things we send out as we share how we see the world.
As you use the app, your phone screens turns off and captures what you are seeing. Casey explains Beme has various discovery cells, with one that specifically focuses on strangers and includes the nearby stranger, the interesting stranger, and the faraway stranger.
Each discovery cell is a part of your social media network and allows you to look in on what it is seeing. Casey says Beme is built around a “platform of authenticity”.
Other highlights of our conversation include:
The effort Casey puts into each video he creates
The Make It Count Nike video that created a sensation
His process for what he decides to develop
How persistence is critical to anyone trying to achieve success in his field
Casey says what he does takes hard work and he paves his own way. He explains that in his process, he is beholden only to himself and his voice, and it's an incredibly liberating way to be.
Links and Resources:
To find sources for all the social media platforms Casey uses, go to Casey Neistat.
Casey posts his daily vlogs on his YouTube channel. You'll also find all his videos there too, including the Make It Count Nike video.
Learn more about Beme, Casey's new app.
Listen to Casey's previous interview with me here, Ep 202 Casey Neistat.
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode of The James Altucher Show, please leave a review or a rating on ITunes. I read every review and it helps to make the podcast better.
P.S. For a very limited time, I want to send you a brand-new, hardback copy of my new book for FREE! All I ask is that you cover the shipping costs (just $5).
P.P.S. This Thursday, August 20th James will be the featured guest on Product Hunt LIVE a place to chat with the world’s most interesting authors, artists, founders, investors, game creators, entertainers, and makers. For more information click here.
8/18/2015 • 26 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 125 - Rich and Julie Roll: Quit the Nonsense
Is it possible to transform your life on the eve of your 40th birthday, and experience meaning, vitality, and purpose like you've never before imagined?
Rich Roll is a wonderful example of how a person can transform his life.
Overweight and burdened by his own demons, on the eve of his 40th birthday, Rich began a transformation that resulted in him becoming an accomplished vegan, ultra-endurance athlete, wellness & plant-based nutrition advocate, and motivational speaker.
His wife, Julie Piatt, is an accomplished yoga teacher, chef, artist, and musician. Their recent book collaboration, The Plantpower Way, includes guidance, recipes, and outstand photography that is designed to guide the reader to long-term wellness in body, mind, and spirit.
Together they join Claudia and me for this episode that is in the spirit of a great chat around the dining room table with good friends.
Some of the topics we discuss over tea include:
Working together as a married couple and the relationship of the family
The positivity created by being vulnerable and feeling uncertain of what to do at times
The differences between divine love and human love
What happens in your life when you follow your childhood dreams
How doing podcasts benefit our lives
Challenging labels to expand your growth
Quieting the negative voice on your head by meditation and investing yourself into helping others
And letting go – surrender as a powerful tool
While that list may sound very serious, we also share a lot of laughs throughout the episode.
Rich and Julie are fascinating people on an interesting journey to wherever life takes them. It was great fun to share of bit of time with them.
Links and Resources
To find out more about Rich, and his books on fitness, health, and mindfullness, go to RichRoll.com.
The Rich Roll Podcast
I also highly encourage you to learn more about Julie Piatt. She has wonderful articles on meditation, yoga, nutrition, and family.
Julie's Jai Release Meditation Program
Julie's music (aka SriMati) on CDBaby
Rich and Julie just launched their new book about the benefits and approaches to a plant-based diet. The Plantpower Way is not only a beautiful book, but also packed with recipes, guidance on how to transition to a plant-based diet, and many of the benefits of following this type of nutrition plan.
Thanks so much for listening!
8/11/2015 • 1 hour, 41 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 124 - 2 Live Crew's Luther Campbell: The Book of Luke
The infamous Miami-based rap group 2 Live Crew caused quite a stir in the early 90s when its provocative lyrics and album covers caught the attention of Tipper Gore and the like.
Luther Campbell (once Luke Skywalker) of 2 Live, drove out of his way to talk with me about what it's like to work against the politicians and the money-making machine of the music industry.
His new book – The Book of Luke: My Fight for Truth, Justice, and Liberty City – drops on Tuesday (August 4), and he offers a few tips for us who are trying to change the game and re-invent the way we do business.
Luke calls me an innovative individual, but I am sincerely inspired by his ability to constantly stand out and re-invent himself. "I try to be a trendsetter," he says. "I never liked being a follower."
Take his new book, for example. It's not necessarily a fashionable thing for hip-hop artists to write and release books, but Luke wants to break down barriers and start a new conversation. In these pages he covers what it was like to be coming up on the scene in Miami and how he changed the game for the better.
It wasn't his original plan, but it's funny how things work out the way they're supposed to.
"I wanted to be a promoter," Luke says of his first career move. As a DJ in Miami, it was his job to play new tracks and bring in unknown artists to perform.
Finding labels for these artists was impossible. Without any labels in the South willing to sign, Luke created his own. He took his creative energy and his business smarts to help these artists sell their skills and see their success top the charts. But with this success came a bit of backlash from women's groups, politicians, and even fellow artists who did not respect his knack for sampling and reworking songs, film, and television into explosively sexy dance tracks.
That was all part of the game, though, and Luke was conscious of every business decision he made. His technique?
"I would plan my album releases alongside bigger album releases so people would see it in the store. My album covers would hook you in."
Tricks like this can lead you to success, but you have to be prepared for any criticism that comes your way – even one in the form of a lawsuit.
What Luke learned from his experience can apply to all of us who are struggling to start and succeed at our own business ventures.
I've noticed that successful people always have someone coming after them, and not necessarily in a good way. "We live in a world where all you have to do is get people to complain, then they'll target you," Luke says.
So how do you counteract this target?
Keep fighting...
That's why he put fight in the book title. "It is hard to beat the machine," he says. "But you can put some dents in it, and you can make people think. You can fight against the machine... [and] put the pressure on the machine to change."
Luther Campbell's experience through the ins and outs and ups and downs of the music industry is cataloged in his new book, and the way he performs under pressure is inspiring. What you can take away from this interview and his book is how important it is not to take orders from anyone but yourself. As you explore your own business techniques, remember Luke's words: "Never stand down for anything."
Links and Resources:
Luke Records
Uncle Luke TV
The Book of Luke: My Fight for Truth, Justice, and Liberty City
Winningthe Supreme Court case against Acuff-Rose.
Ray Orbison spoof
@unclelukereal1
P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.
8/4/2015 • 54 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 123 - Tom Rath: What Can You Do Better Than Anyone Else?
Tom Rath knows the secret to happiness. On today's show, I talk with him about his new book, Are You Fully Charged?, and with it, he offers key insights into finding the happiness and passion you need to feel fulfilled in your work and in your daily life.
With over 5 million copies of his books sold worldwide, Tom knows what inspires you and what hinders you. He also knows what you can do to overcome your own personal weaknesses to build a better and stronger business within yourself.
I had some specific questions to discuss with him during this show, and his practical answers and optimistic perspective will definitely kick start your quest for meaning in your life.
When it comes to finding meaning, the best place to start is a book. "I read a lot of books out there, especially in the business field," Tom says.
He recommends taking the information you find in books and applying it to your day-to-day business in order to stay grounded in the goals that matter.
By breaking down your goals into daily, achievable objectives rather than wide-ranging, extensive ideas, you are more likely to succeed and to learn more regarding your success.
And when you take charge of your own learning in this way, you take charge of your own motivation, which is the most powerful tool in your arsenal when it comes to achieving happiness.
Ultimately, Tom wants us to start living every day like we have to do something that will leave an impression long after we're gone.
In order to do this, we have to continue to seek new ways to be motivated.
Motivation and happiness go hand in hand, and that's Tom's secret. He shares more on his secret to happiness with me today, including:
•How to seek out ways to inspire fellow business partners, friends, and family
•How to seek out groups and peers that will continue to motivate you
•How to find a healthy balance between luck and talent that leads to success
•How to cover and hone your natural talents, whatever they may be
The last point is the topic we spend the most time discussing.
If you are worried that you have no unique talents, squash that fear immediately. "There is something you can do better than anyone else in the world," Tom states, and if you focus on grooming that talent, even in your spare time, you will find yourself much happier.
Tom Rath's points from his new book, Are You Fully Charged?, will help you recognize these talents and motivation in yourself, which in turn will help you find meaning in your work and in your life.
Links and Resources
Tom Rath.org
Tom’s books
Bounce by Mathew Syed
.
P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.
7/29/2015 • 54 minutes, 52 seconds
AA Ep. 313 - Get an MIT Education for 1% of the Price
Scott Young spent $2,000 and got a "degree" from MIT... And he never had to leave his house.
He calls it the "MIT Challenge."
Scott believes you might learn better without having to go to college for four years.
He spent four years getting a business degree and he still had a longing to learn computer science. But he didn't want to spend four more years of his life in school and accumulate all that debt.
He wanted the education, but not the school.
He has taken a few classes online before and thought, "If you can learn a class, why not an entire degree?"
But when he was done, would anyone hire him?
Listen today to find out.
Regards,
David Newman
P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.
7/25/2015 • 25 minutes, 2 seconds
Ep. 122 - Oliver Burkeman: The Positive Power of Negative Thinking
My guest today, author Oliver Burkeman, has a strong opinion on the power of positive thinking: he can't stand it.
In his book, The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking,Oliver writes in a humorous and thoughtful way about how self-help books are ineffective.
Oliver believes we should coexist with both our positive and negative thoughts, be attached to neither, and take the actions we need to take without giving into emotions.
His approach is partly Stoic: he believes that telling people that everything will work out doesn't replenish their optimism tanks. He also believes it can be paralyzing for people to think that whatever success they are seeking must be realized.
We talk a bit in-depth about one of Oliver's favorite quotes from Shoma Morita:
"Give up on yourself. Begin taking action now, while being neurotic or imperfect, or a procrastinator or unhealthy or lazy or any other label by which you inaccurately describe yourself. Go ahead and be the best imperfect person you can be and get started on those things you want to accomplish before you die."
Oliver and I discuss some of the books we enjoy like: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment byEckhart Tolle, and The Art of Taking Action by GreggKrech, among others.
We also take a look at the self-help books we don't find helpful.
Oliver's book is an insightful and creative look at the negativity of positive thinking.
Links and resources mentioned in the show:
Oliver Burkeman's website
Oliver's book, The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking
Susan Jeffers' book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
A Guide to Spiritual EnlightenmentbyEckhart Tolle
The Art of Taking Actionby GreggKrech
7/21/2015 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 34 seconds
AA Ep. 306 - Mac Lethal: The Path to Excellence
Mac Lethal (born David McCleary Sheldon) is another overnight success, 17 years in the making.
In November 2011, he released a video on YouTube of him rapping over the beat to "Look at Me Now" while he prepared pancakes in his kitchen.
The video became a viral hit and got millions of views in a matter of days, but he'd been practicing his craft for years and years.
As he tells James on the extended version of Ask Altucher, high school bored him so he started writing rap songs in study hall.
Rapping wasn't his passion, but it worked. As he became better at it he became much more passionate...
By 2011 he'd finally made it. Today he often spends hours listening to rappers and learning from them.
He tells James that he believes it takes 20 years to become a real master at your trade.
It takes you a couple of years to move past a beginner, and by year five you start to find your voice and stop mimicking others.
By year 15 you finally focus and become an authentic voice.
But he didn't stop there. He's written a book, Texts From Bennett that was optioned by FX.
Most things you try probably won't work, but keep trying and eventually one good idea will slip through... And no one will remember your prior mistakes.
This is a great interview and you'll want listen to the entire conversation.
Listen to today's show and you can find Mac here and here.
Regards,
David Newman
P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
A great new resource shows a clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.
7/19/2015 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 121 - Jim Kwik: Brain Coach and Superhero
A lot of people call Jim Kwik a brain expert. On today's show, he gives us a sneak peek into his seminars that teach people how to optimize their brains to be more productive and powerful every day.
"With great power comes great responsibility." Jim reverses the iconic saying to put normal people in control of their own accelerated learning: With great responsibility comes great power.
When you take control of your own learning techniques, you are capable of great things.
What if you were born with superpowers but nobody showed you how to use them? You may not feel like you can excel at accelerated learning, but that does not mean you aren't capable.
Jim reveals that even he experienced learning difficulties as a child after an accidental fall when he was in kindergarten.
"It took me two years longer to learn how to read," he says, and because of these difficulties, he was able to find new ways to learn and excel.
Your brain never stops learning.
You may have been told that your memory is fixed, like your shoe size, but that is not the case. Learning new things creates more brain cells and will help you live a longer life.
But how can you continue to learn new things? Jim breaks down a few of his techniques and key anecdotal lessons, including:
•How to distance yourself from your own self-talk and break the trance of "I can't."
•How to ask new and exciting questions in order to learn new things.
•How to take an active approach to learning in order to get the most out of your experiences.
•How to incorporate EFT, or emotional freedom techniques, into your learning style.
•How to improve memory through the location method.
Jim takes the time to share a few of his tricks and techniques for boosting charisma to improve your memory and conquer your fears of public speaking.
He reminds us to be present in the moment in order to find the motivation we need. This will also help us remember the new information and recall it from memory just as easily.
Unleash your cape...
Links and Resources
For free seminars on speed-reading and memorization, check out Jim Kwik's site www.freememoryseminar.com. The three videos will start you on your way to memory improvement.
7/14/2015 • 1 hour, 23 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 120 - Brett McKay: The Art of Manliness
Brett McKay is the founder of The Art of Manliness, a website dedicated to delivering inspiring, actionable, and life changing advice to both men and women. A lot of times men just need a little more help being organized and getting their lives together than women do. As James says, "Women just grow up faster."
Brett's wife Kate is also his business partner. While there are many advantages to having your spouse involved with your business, it also introduces the difficulty of separating work time from personal time. Even during dedicated work time it sometimes is hard to clearly define roles and responsibilities in the business. This is a theme that spans most business relationships, but generally your business partner isn't also the person you share a bed with each night.
Brett keeps it simple by living by the mantra that both you and your spouse should "Seek to Serve Each Other." This doesn't need to be an equal relationship all the time. Go out of your way to be generous and giving to your loved ones.
The Art of Manliness is currently publishing blog posts, podcast episodes, and videos about how to live well as a man in the modern world. As opposed to many of the existing Men's publications, The Art of Manliness is geared toward slightly older, professional men, and isn't focused on how to have six-pack abs or toe-curling sex for 5 hours every day. There are professional tips, parenting tips for men, and what some may call "Old Fashioned" advice that men can take to live a better, more fulfilling life.
The site is currently experiencing revenues in the high six-figures-per-year range, and has been publishing consistently this entire time. As James has recounted before, it often takes 4 or 5 years to change your life, "Choose Yourself," and create the reality that you want.
Brett gives advice on how to grow a site like he has with today's social media and sharing tools. He is a big advocate of "Guest Posting" on other blogs as a way to increase your reach online. The age of the solo blog is slowly going away. Today, sites like The Art of Manliness, with guest contributors, allow for a diverse set of voices and perspectives that one single person could never give. To make it easier on the site you're looking to guest post on, do most of the work for them. This includes image formatting, sizing, tagging, and including a scope of what type of post you would like to submit for that site.
Digging into some of the more popular posts on the site, James and Brett discuss a few key topics:
•Regarding Minimalism, Brett and James discuss how trying to be minimalist often leads to an obsession with the things you do have. Instead of just focusing on having things, even if it's fewer things, both advocate spending your time and money on experiences. This has been scientifically proven to increase happiness and is a great way to parent, as well as live your life if you don't have children.
•The concept of Antifragility applies not only to the financial markets, as originally described by Nasim Taleb, but also to many aspects of everyday life. Health, fitness, engineering, women's health and vitality, and even society in general all experience aspects of Antifragility. We can all do things today to increase our Antifragility and be less susceptible to the trials of life. The redundancies in our lives can also increase Antifragility.
•The Art of Manliness closely mirrors a lot of the topics that James has written about time and time again, including Integrity. Until very recently the term Manliness meant not only physical strength but to be a man of virtue. This theme holds true through all of Brett's website, and is helping to bring back a better way of life for men.
•Bringing back some of the older-style manly characteristics includes being decisive and leading in relationships. Gender roles can often get complicated by stereotypes and social norms but the fact remains that in most relationships there needs to be a leader. And many times modern women are looking for the men in their lives to be that leader.
In parting, the one piece of information that Brett thinks that women need to know about men is that most men are very attuned to status. How people perceive men is something very important to many, regardless of what they may say.
You can reach out to Brett directly on Twitter @ArtOfManliness or check out TheArtOfManliness.com for much more of Brett's writings.
Resources:
Brett McKay: The Art of Manliness Book Collection
Nassim Taleb: Antifragile
Scott Eyman: John Wayne The Life and Legend
Regards,
James
P.S. Recently, James caught up with New York Times best-selling business author (and former guest) Mark Ford. The two had dinner and batted around ideas. One idea in particular, had James excited. He calls it "the fastest legal way to make a fortune in America." It has nothing to do with stocks or conventional investments. Click here for James' full write-up.
7/12/2015 • 1 hour, 17 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep. 119 - Michael Singer: The Surrender Experiment
Surrendering to what the universe has put in front of you, being able to set aside fears, and living in the moment sounds like an awesome way to go through life.
Today's guest, Michael Singer, has written two books that say it is entirely possible to do that.
His first book, New York Times No. 1 bestseller The Untethered Soul, was released in 2007. In The Untethered Soul, Michael explained ways to find inner peace. He also found himself on the other end of a phone call from Oprah, who loved the book and wanted to interview him on her show.
He never thought of giving an interview.
He made it a point not to.
When The Untethered Soul came out, he paid for marketing but said he would not do interviews... That is, until Oprah called him directly.
They talked on the phone for 45 minutes and he went to Chicago. That was his first and only "in-person" interview.
The "second in-person interview" was... You guessed it, the one with Claudia and me, "because there was something there."
Claudia and I both e-mailed separately and a bunch of coincidences made our name stand out. One woman who lives on the grounds had read Claudia’s yoga book. Another woman tweeted with me.
And so here it is.
Michael just released a second book, The Surrender Experiment, which details his journey following his spiritual awakening as events unfolded in front of him, including running a multibillion-dollar company and finding himself embroiled in a lawsuit.
Michael, who also goes by the name Mickey, founded the Temple of the Universe in Florida in 1975. It's a nonprofit organization established as a yoga and meditation center where, according to the site, people of any religion or set of beliefs can come together to experience the inner peace Michael talks about.
The Temple of the Universe is where Claudia and I caught up with him.
On the day of the interview, Michael took us to all the sites he mentions in the book.
He took us to his house, which came to him when God called on the phone (an amazing story in the book). It has a meditation pyramid on the third level. I kid you not.
It was the first house built on the property with all glass on the front... It was where he was staying when the guy dressed in Egyptian clothes (a story that is not in the book but is on the podcast) helped him grow by bothering him.
He took us to the temple, of course, where we sang devotional songs ranging from the Gayatri Mantra to a Hebrew devotional song to the Our Father prayer to the Gita... and on and on...
He also showed us the huge five-building office space that "him getting out of the way" co-created while he was a CEO. It's a beautiful place of which he calls himself "the groundskeeper."
In the interview, we talked with Michael about his books, the inner awakening he experienced, and how it has affected him personally and professionally. He explained how we can all achieve a similar state of being. He broke down some of the ways to do that, including:
•Quieting the noise in our heads, which keeps us from achieving a high level of awareness
•How fear affects us
•Allowing events to unfold and how to deal with them as they do
•Letting go of personal preference
•How to live harmoniously rather than in a state of mental chaos
Michael stated that it's important to relax and be in the moment and that our inner state is meant to be healthy. He said we need to surrender to the unfolding of the universe, and by doing so, we will flourish and life will become phenomenal.
The Surrender Experiment is Michael's journey as he applies it to his life and the results he found from living in a state of surrender to the universe.
Hope you enjoy,
James
Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
Michael's website can be found at untetheredsoul.com. Here you can read more about Michael, his books, audio lectures, and get on his mailing list.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
The Surrender Experiment
For more information about Michael's nonprofit organization, head to the Temple of the Universe.
7/7/2015 • 54 minutes, 30 seconds
AA Ep. 294 - Hal Elrod: How to Win the Day
Hal Elrod was dead for six minutes. The car he was driving crashed head on into a truck. His girlfriend, sitting next to him, was unscratched.
The roof of the car sliced open his head, causing brain damage.
Bones in his face, his arm, all over his body were broken and he was in a coma for six days (during which time his girlfriend broke up with him). When he woke from his coma the doctors told him he might never walk again.
You are the alchemist of your life. The universe, perfect for 14 billion years, has given you everything you need to thrive.
And yet...we often want to forcibly change the universe to fit our own selfish needs.
What idiots!
I'm sure Hal did not want to hit that car. Did not want to be told he might not walk again. Did not want to go through years of therapy and misfortune as a result of this single event.
This is where alchemy comes in. We're all given this chance at some point in our lives. We're all given the tools to turn misfortune into gold.
15 years later Hal is a father, runs a successful business, and is a bestselling author of the book "The Miracle Morning".
Why I love to podcast is because I can just call Hal up and say "Can I talk to you about this book?" So I did on "Ask Altucher" a few weeks ago. What a great scam podcasting is!
The universe is a contradiction. It is infinitely open and yet we can't escape it. It is 99.9999% empty and yet is filled with everything. Atoms bounce around totally randomly and yet defined by the most precise equations.
Einstein said "God doesn't roll dice" and yet...every moment is unpredictable.
We'll never understand the contradiction and we shouldn't try. Trying has led to myths, to misconceptions, to wars, to anguish
Hal didn't fight what the universe had dealt him. He turned the fear and the pain and crushed it down into a diamond.
The diamond he now calls his "miracle morning" routine that he put together bit by bit to save his life. And now by he uses that same routine to save the lives of thousands of others.
I like his routine because it fits perfectly into what I call "The daily practice" of choosing yourself: striving to improve every day 1% across physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
After I spoke to Hal I put together this infographic describing his method.
Different parts of our brain are activated when we read facts as opposed to when we read poetry. Because facts we try to remember... and poetry we try to unravel a mystery of words mixed with art.
We're so ignorant and lonely and overwhelmed by this vastness - this story that tells everything but reveals nothing. And yet we're all in it together.
What if every moment we turned the facts of our lives into poetry. To give up trying to assign meaning and turn all of our periods into question marks.
Doing these daily practices, or miracle morning routines, is how we begin to unravel that mystery.
Maybe this one thing is the only thing I really believe in. The rest...I'm wide-eyed and just born and want to learn.
My grandfather used to say to me when I was little, "if the universe had an end, what's on the other side?" He'd keep repeating it, because we both were trying to figure it out.
My brain hurt trying to think about it. Because there's no answer but it begs for one.
I've never died like Hal. Maybe it's irrational but I'm kind of jealous of that he did. People who die have a story for the rest of their lives.
This morning I'm going to get ready to die. And this morning that's how I'm going to live.
7/4/2015 • 38 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep. 118 - Steven Kotler: Tomorrowland: No Matter How Hard You Try You Can't Get Out Of Its Way
If you want to see into the future, and live longer, healthier and happier then you must tune into today's podcast.
It may scare the hell out of you but there is no holding it back.
The future is here and you can't get out of its way.
Steven Kotler, the best-selling author, journalist and entrepreneur joins James for today's show.
Steven's books include Abundance, The Rise of Superman, Bold, and his newest release, Tomorrowland: Our Journey from Science Fiction to Science Fact.
Tomorrowland offers an optimistic look into the future, but at the same time it is a bit scary.
With an introduction of, "The future is here," Steven's book outlines the rapid pace that technology is and will continue to define us in every way imaginable.
Some of the highlights from the book include:
Strap-on bionics that reverse the aging trend and put force back into our bodies.
Extending life using stem cells to swap out old body parts for new ones.
Artificial vision that restores what was lost.
With all these advancements, questions are raised. Steven asks how these things will affect religion and our thoughts about theoretical mortality in the face of technological immortality.
They discuss having the ability to move our short-term memories to a place in the brain where long-term memories are stored. On the scary side of this is synthetic biology where customizable diseases can target a specific person without them knowing.
Criminals could potentially exploit this but the use of microsensors could be a way to fight back.
Steven believes the greatest opportunities are in virtual reality, a field that will be exploding in three to five years.
He thinks even our jobs will move into the virtual world and we will be spending more and more time there.
According to Steven, internet-sized opportunities exist in this because:
Technology is progressing at a rapid rate.
Economic possibilities have been proven.
Deeply meaningful experiences can be created.
Links and Resources Mentioned In The Show:
To learn more about Tomorrowland and Steven's other books and articles, head to Steven's website.
Steven is the co-founder and director of research for the Flow Genome Project. While you're there check out the free flow profile.
Also, Steven writes a blog for Forbes.com, it's called Far Frontiers: www.forbes.com/sites/stevenkotler
Follow Steven on Twitter at @kotlersteven
Regards,
David Newman
Executive Producer
PS. There's only 2 days left to enter for your chance to win James' 30 favorite books.
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When you enter, you'll also discover how to significantly increase your odds at winning this valuable bundle.
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6/30/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 36 seconds
Ep. 117 - David Bach: How to Live Your Best Life
Today I'm very pleased to welcome David Bach to the show. David is the author of several books on achieving your financial goals, and doing so while reducing stress along the way. With titles including Automatic Millionaire, Smart Women Finish Rich, and Smart Couples Finish Rich, David has become an absolute authority on choosing yourself first. Or as he says, "Pay yourself first."
With financial troubles being the leading cause of friction and divorce amongst couples, David has found several key ways that families can manage their finances easier. Steps couples can take to improve their financial lives include:
•Talking about small purchases more often.
•Twice a year, work with your spouse or a financial advisor to monitor your personal financial statement.
•Have a vision for your financial future. This clarifies every decision you make in your financial life.
David is a big advocate of "The Latte Factor" and doing small things to save money every day. This helps people overcome the biggest obstacle to better financial behaviors: getting started.
Whether you're an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur, the thing you can do that will have the most effect on your financial path is to increase your income. For entrepreneurs, this means increasing your rates. If your services are indispensable to current customers, they will gladly pay a higher rate. If you're working within a company, getting a raise on a regular basis is the way to go. Be valuable to your employer and they will gladly reward you.
The digital economy and the passing recession have given us a unique opportunity to reinvent ourselves. While many people are having to do this at an older age, David has a few key actions people can take to get on this road, even if it's later in life:
•Spend Less.
•Setup an automatic saving plan. Pay yourself first and allow compounding to do its magic.
•Meditate regularly.
•Journal immediately after you meditate.
•Focus on what is making you unhappy, AND what you can do to help make you happier.
Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
•To access more of David's insights on how to be successful at managing your finances, head to Smart Couples Live- Enter coupon code "tour"
•You can learn more about David and his works on FinishRich.com
•Follow David on Twitter at @AuthorDavidBach
If you're looking for a financial planner, David and his team at Edelman Financial Planning can help you reach your goals
6/23/2015 • 42 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep. 116 - Robert Kurson: A Life's Obsession With No Way Out
If you're into hunting for buried pirate treasure then this is the show for you. Today I'm very happy to welcome bestselling author Robert Kurson to the podcast.
Robert has just released Pirate Hunters: Treasure, Obsession, and the Search for a Legendary Pirate Ship. This is the second book featuring John Chatterton and is about his quest with John Mattera to find the ship of the infamous pirate Joseph Bannister. Bannister, a gentleman and business owner working with shipping companies in the Caribbean, one day turned pirate and stole a boat named The Golden Fleece, setting off on a pirate's adventure for years.
Treasure hunting may seem like a romantic, childish notion, but most treasure hunters are often seeking adventure, encountering huge adversity in their search and often risking all to solve the mysteries they encounter beneath the water. Chatterton (a police officer) and Mattera (a commercial diver) worked all week, used their savings, and spent every free minute of their time searching for this long lost ship.
Shadow Diverswas Robert's first book featuring Richie Kohler and John Chatterton on their quest to solve the mystery of a WWII German U-boat found off the New Jersey coast in 1991 and how the questions surrounding this discovery would haunt these men, their marriages, and ultimately challenge every aspect of their lives.
In Robert's first book, Crashing Through, he tells the story of Mike May who was blind from the age 3 and regained his vision at age 46 via a rare stem-cell transplant procedure. May had lived a very fulfilling life as a blind person, and actually delayed doing this procedure for over a year.
Robert learned the lesson of storytelling early on. Growing up he was regularly brought out of school, sometimes for extended periods of time, to travel the country. By age 8 he had visited all 48 continental United States. This time away allowed him to get a first-hand sense of the power of storytelling. This unconventional upbringing also empowered Robert to discover and follow his passion from an early age.
Robert recounts how he found himself utterly miserable living the life of a typical day-job employee. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he feels lucky that he was miserable enough to have the courage to do something as daring as leaving a high-paying, comfortable job to pursue his passion, just like John Chatterton did years ago.
Robert and James agree that a good barometer of your happiness in a job is how you view the people you work with. If you enjoy the people you're working with then you can be happy at your job. If you don't enjoy being around attorneys, for example, then there's virtually no chance you'll be happy at work every day as an attorney.
Thanks so much for listening
Regards,
David Newman
P.S. Have you entered yet? Here is YOUR CHANCE to WIN a year's worth of James Altucher's favorite books from The James Altucher Show podcast.
P.P.S. If you enjoyed this episode of The James Altucher Show, please leave a review or a rating on iTunes. I read every review and it helps to make the podcast better.
6/16/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 40 seconds
Ep. 115 - Rick Ross: How to Manage Your Employees When They're All Carrying Guns
"I'm the kind of person who is embarrassed to lie," says "Freeway" Rick Ross. Not the words you would expect to come from a convicted felon.
Rick built an empire, a drug empire that is, the notorious Los Angeles crack-cocaine empire.
But the man who built this empire is not an evil man as you might suspect. He is charitable, a teacher, and an ideal leader. "I always knew I was going to jail," he tells me.
So why did I interview him?
First off, his story is the kind that creates curiosity. It is so foreign to me – a good, Jewish boy. It's thrilling.
Second, our stories have a common theme: How do you pick yourself up when you're at rock bottom?
His rock bottom was finding out he was sentenced to life in prison. How do you stay motivated after discovering your entire future will be in a cage? How do you not run away? Can you "choose yourself" here?
Yes.
Before bottom, Rick was illiterate. He picked himself up by improving every day. He read 300 books, the Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and more all before he was granted bail.
He was given a sentence, but he changed his destiny. You can, too.
Rick also has expert advice on how to resolve conflicts. In his business, he had power and guns but chose peace over force time and time again. His story is a good example of how to build loyalty. You can use his experience to create loyal teams and partnerships in your life and work, too.
The moral of the story here is not how you find success. It's what you do with it that matters. During his rise to the top, Rick gave back to his community. He gives back today by advocating literacy and speaking in schools.
After listening, you could write a "10 ideas" list on how you can give back to your community today. If nothing else, I hope this interview inspires you to improve your destiny and others.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
•How to resolve conflicts
•How to build loyal relationships
•Examples of strong work ethic
•Why literacy is important
•How to gain clientele and use word-of-mouth marketing
•Plus much more...
Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
•Read "Freeway" Rick Ross' inspiring book, Freeway Rick Ross: The Untold Autobiography.
•Follow "Freeway" Rick Ross on Twitter.
•Check out Jayson Gaignard's conference, MastermindTalks, which is where I interviewed Rick Ross.
•My article, "What I learned about leadership when I interviewed the biggest drug dealer in history."
Thanks so much for listening!
6/9/2015 • 53 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 114 - Matt Barrie of Freelancer.com: How to Get Paid Doing What You Love
What are you best at? Whatever it is, you should do it more often and get paid for it, too. Do you know the ultimate site to choose yourself (besides jamesaltucher.com)? It's Freelancer.com. It's "a global market for services" and "the eBay for jobs." My guest today, Matt Barrie, is the genius who founded it. This site changed my life. And in today's interview, you'll hear how I used the site to build a business and sell it for millions of dollars eight months later. I've interviewed hundreds of successful people. Matt, on the other hand, watches people become overnight successes in real time. He is an encyclopedia of success stories. You will feel motivated and empowered after hearing these extreme entrepreneur success stories. Have you heard of giantflamingo.com? This guy outsourced manufacturing on Freelancer.com and created an entire pool toy empire. Now, he's a multimillionaire. You'll hear his full story and realize you have the same potential. If starting a business isn't for you, that's OK. You can still make money from the site. "Everyone on the site is there to make money," Matt says. Here's what you have to do: use the site to look up projects. Projects can supplement your income or even replace it. This way you'll get paid to do what you're good at all the time. Let me know what you find. I love to hear stories about how you choose yourself. In This Episode You Will Learn: •How to make money using Freelancer.com •How to use Freelancer.com to start and build a business •How to use Freelancer.com to get projects so you can quit your job •How Matt Barrie came up with the idea of an "eBay for jobs" Plus much more... Links and Resources Mentioned In The Show: I've said it before and I'll say it again: Freelancer.com A collection of essays by Matt Barrie Giantflamigo.com Singularity University Thanks so much for listening!
6/2/2015 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 113 - Neil Strauss: Go Do You
Neil Strauss and James never had met before this interview but you'd think they've been best friends forever.
And that's why Neil has been so successful writing about the undercover world of pickup artists.
He's a really nice guy.
They dive right into some of the techniques that Neil talks about in his best-seller, The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists, and he asks James to let his listeners "know him."
So James becomes the patient today and Neil does a quick analysis.
A lot of what Neil talks about is how you can get out of you comfort zone.
Too often people fake it… but to honestly get out, you may need a friend to push you way out of your comfort zone.
James asks Neil what's next and Neil tells him...
Don't be trapped in what you've done before.
"All people know of what you've done from what you've done before. They don't know what you're going to do next."
Go do you.
Regards,
David Newman
Senior Producer of Stansberry Radio
P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.
-------------------Additional Resources-----------------------
Neil Strauss "Picks Up" on Jessica Alba- Jimmy Kimmel show
The Game by Neil Strauss
Robert Greene – How to Become a Master of What You Love
Satan is Real by The Louvin Brothers
5/26/2015 • 55 minutes, 2 seconds
AA Ep. 272 - How to Make 7-Figures a Year on YouTube
I think I'm in love with Mimi Ikonn. Oh, and also her husband Alex Ikonn. Don't want to confuse anyone!
When I was a kid I didn't think I would be happy unless I was a "millionaire". Some kids in my school said they were millionaires and they would make fun of anyone who wasn't.
I asked my dad what he was worth. He said $2. Maybe that scarred me so much that I always make sure to have wads of $2 bills on me at all times.
A year or so later his company went bankrupt. So he wasn't worth the same anymore. In his mind, he was worth ZERO.
For the rest of his life he sat in the living room, depressed, and listened to music. When he was a little boy he loved music and won an award.
At some point we all return to what we loved as a child. I suppose that means I will return to comics, Judy Blume, and spying on people.
A few weeks ago I met Mimi Ikonn and Alex Ikonn. I was insanely curious about them.
How come? Because Mimi makes videos of herself, delivers real value to people, and then makes over a million a year because of those videos.
I don't know how old Mimi is. She's much younger than me. She's much younger than my father ever was when I was alive. He would've liked to live her life.
So Claudia and I asked Mimi and Alex if we could interview them.
Because they seemed very happy also. The podcast comes out later today but here's the summary.
This is a simple post. How to make a million.
I am absolutely sure the same techniques that worked for Mimi and Alex can work for anyone. I had them lay it out step by step.
A) EMOTIONS
Mimi became obsessed with beauty and hair. She and Alex watched before and after videos of women who were getting hair extensions.
"They seemed much happier after getting extensions," Alex said. "Whenever there are strong emotions about something you know there is an opportunity."
So Mimi started making videos of herself discussing hair and beauty and hair products.
"I never thought I would get more than 1,000 views," Mimi said. "But I loved doing the videos. And I wanted to share my love for the topics with as many people as possible."
Now she has had a quarter of a BILLION views on her videos with 2.7 million subscribers.
B) HUB AND SPOKE
People ask: "How do I get traffic to my blog". Or "how do I get buyers of my book." or "How do I get people to follow me on Twitter."
A lot of it is about loneliness. We sit in our house writing blog posts and then hit Publish. We want family to love them. We want friends to love them. And then we want the world to love them.
I'm really just talking about myself. I know when people enjoy things I do, I feel as if I have a family. I'm happy. At least until the next post.
Mimi loved making the videos but needed traffic.
So they did the only two-step technique that gets traffic online for anything you want to do. Well, make it a three-step technique.
1) Love
Know more, love more, express more, bleed more, than anyone else. Was Mimi the only one doing videos on beauty and hair? No. But maybe she put more passion into it.
2) Spread the Love
Alex would take images and posts and links to her videos and spread them on Pinterest, Instagram, blogs, other sites and have them all point back to her YouTube channel.
I call this "the Hub and Spoke" approach. Youtube was the hub, with a dozen or so spokes reaching out to popular sites that all would link back to the hub.
3) Make more Love
No matter what you do - some will be good and some will be bad. Not every video or post is going to have views. So you do more.
When you do more, several things happen:
a. More people find you
b. You rank higher on search
c. You improve
d. People who find you start clicking on your older videos so now they start to get more views.
The "Make More Love" technique always works.
Michelle Phan did 54 YouTube videos before she made a massive hit.
Hugh Howey had already ten novels before he published "Wool" which became a massive bestseller. Clayton Christiansen applied for NASA for 18 years in a row before they accepted him.
Make more love.
C) 1000 PEOPLE
Note she said she only thought she was going to get 1000 viewers. The number 1000 keeps coming up with people who have HUGE audiences.
Kevin Kelly wrote about this in a great post called "1000 True Fans". He writes about it kk.org. He also talks about it on my podcast.
Tim Ferriss talks about how every one of his posts he makes sure he's going to deliver value to at least 1000 people.
Of course he delivers much more value than that. But 1000 seems to be the right number that people who know seem to focus on.
Keep focusing on delivering value for a 1000 and then they tell 2 friends and so on and next thing you know you have a quarter of a billion views, five bestsellers, movies being made about you, you go into space, your own makeup lines, and on and on and on, depending on what it is you love.
D) BUY LOW, SELL HIGH
Alex and Mimi noticed that many of the other beauty videos were talking about a specific brand of hair extensions for women. So they went to my favorite place in the world - the mall.
"We saw these products were priced at $500," Alex said. "So then we went on Ali Baba and saw the same products being sold for $100. We then went to the manufacturers and saw we could buy directly for $50. The exact same products that were being sold for $500."
They borrowed from mom. Borrowed their full amount off of their credit cards. And they placed an order. Then, I imagine (they did not tell me this) they prayed.
E) SOFT SELL
Mimi talks about many products on her videos. She expressed a radiant, confident personality and talks about everything she is wearing, what her habits are, what products she uses. She NEVER sells anything.
But underneath the video is just a link. www.luxyhair.com.
The orders came in one at a time. Then 100 at a time. They sold out of their inventory, paid everyone back, and bought more.
In their very first year (2010) they had over a million in revenues. Ever since then they've had more than a million a year in profits. Never once using the words "buy this" anywhere.
F) QVC-A
The most successful people have a model for their success. I think that's why I enjoy Peter Thiel's "Zero to One" book so much. Or Peter Diamandis's "Bold". Or Marcus Lemonis's TV show "The Profit".
Each book has a different, but very very simple, model for how to achieve success or how to judge which companies are successful.
Mimi and Alex developed their own model, they stick with it, and have used this simple model to keep jumping from success to success.
Alex explained it to me:
Q - Quality
Everything they do is quality. The cameras they use for videos ("But not overdoing it, because this is YouTube and not television," said Mimi). The setting they use and how it fits their message.
The products, etc
V - Value
Mimi is not trying to sell anything in her videos. She explains what she does and how she does it. She does the research and believes in the products. Rather than asking, she is giving.
"When you give a billion dollars in value," Alex said, "you get a billion dollars or more back."
C - Consistency
I read a book about television once by TV mega-executive Grant Tinker. He was Mary Tyler Moore's husband, ran NBC for awhile, and then ran MTM productions producing such shows as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show", "Bon Newhart", and a dozen other super hit TV shows.
I only remember one thing in the book.
He said, "whenever they changed the time or date of a show, then that show would die. If you moved a show from Tuesday at 8pm to Thursday at 8:30pm then you just lost your whole audience."
Mimi said, "if you are going to put out a video once a week, put it out once a week. Put it out the same day each week if you can. Don't do once a month. Don't do random. Your audience starts to anticipate and look forward to your shows and knows when to expect them."
A- Authenticity
Mimi only talks on the videos about what she believes in. There's no fluff. There's no pitch. She's exuberant and it shows on each video.
H) LESS
Mimi and Alex were working 80-100 hour weeks. They had the money in the bank. They had achieved their goals. They loved what they were doing but when you hit a lifelong goal you start to ask, "is that it?"
They got depressed.
Goals are a myth. Our ancestors for 200,000 years didn't have goals. Every day started from scratch: hunt, forage, eat, sex, sleep, wake up to a new day.
Then we were told to find our "goals". And now everyone asks, "I'm 17 years old and feel like I've accomplished nothing in life. What should I do?"
Learning to find happiness with less is true wealth. Claudia and I recently got rid of most of our belongings, for instance. Then we started cancelling most meetings that I had set up. Sometimes it was hard. I had agreed to an event and then I would cancel.
Ultimately we are the sum of our experiences and not the sum of our belongings. There is nothing wrong with making money but it is only one small part of living a life of comfort, of compassion, of calm.
Mimi and Alex started to focus more on the other things that were important in their lives. "And you know what happened?" Alex said. "The more we did that, the more money we made."
– – –
I really enjoyed talking to them. I am always curious how people made money through a channel like YouTube. Now I know and I think it can be replicated by anyone who is willing to do all of the above.
I'm afraid I don't have a face for YouTube. Or Instagram. And I'm not even sure I have a face for podcasting. But I think I love doing what I do.
And I like having the time to explore other interests and ideas.
And then sometimes I like doing nothing at all. There's nothing wrong with that also.
– – –
P.S. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
Great new resource shows clever way to start a business, get a new job, find a retirement career, publish a book, make extra money in your spare time, and more.
5/24/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute
Ep. 112 - Scott Adams: How To Go Viral
They pick up where they left off... Talking about being obligated to continue doing what brought you success.
Success can be a trap, but it's better than the alternative.
Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip and author of How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about his career and how it landed him exactly where he wanted to be.
Click here to listen to today's episode.
He shares with us the story about he became "super fit" and how that changed his life.
He and James dive into what makes a blog posts go viral. It may not be what you think.
Scott loves to experiment with what it takes a post to go viral. Is it the title, the content, the angle you choose to take, the target you choose... Or could it be something else.
Scott's been doing some Twitter testing. What's the ideal amount of characters, where should you place your hashtags?
What he's discovered is that when he mocks a group his tweet becomes popular because everyone thinks he's talking about someone else.
They also veer off into a quick conversation about how to stop ISIS.
Listen, and decide if you agree.
They finish up today with a bunch of new video ideas featuring Scott creating Dilbert.
James says he'd watch that every day.
So would I.
Regards,
David Newman
Senior Producer of Stansberry Radio
-------------------Additional Resources-----------------------
What Makes Stuff Go Viral
Science's Biggest Fail
Dilbert
Plus, if you want to learn more about Scott's new start-up, click here.
5/19/2015 • 50 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 111 - Col. Chris Hadfield, Astronaut: Make the Impossible Possible - The Power of a Space Oddity
Don't give up on your dreams. "Giving up on your dreams doesn't come for free," says Chris Hadfield, astronaut extraordinaire. Chris followed his dreams for 33 years before they became a reality.
Children dream. Children explore. Adults talk. And adults do. "We get the ability to explore way before we get common sense or perspective on how anything works," Chris says. If you stopped exploring, start again.
In today's interview you learn how to live the life you want. Take it from Chris. He's an astronaut so he really has an outside perspective.
Chris says, "When you're floating at the window of the space station and you go around the world every 92 minutes, you see the world in its completeness."
Chris lived his dreams because he explored his curiosity. That's the secret. You need to explore. No matter how impossible they seem, your dreams deserve exploring. That's the other secret. You need to believe in the impossible. Chris made the impossible possible and became the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space.
That doesn't mean he's never failed, though, which we talk about, too. "You will not reach the potential you're capable of – which to me is the ultimate risk, the ultimate loss – if you let yourself be minimized by fear," Chris says.
Believe in possible. Be curious. Explore.
I'm excited for you to listen to today's episode and regain confidence in your dreams.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
What it takes to make the impossible possible
How to anticipate problems and lead through them
How giving up on your dreams comes at a cost
Advice on selecting a supportive partner to "point out the beauties of life" with
How to recover from disappointments and failures
The importance of celebrating small successes
The power of sharing the human experience online
How technology becomes the limit of success
Plus much more...
Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
Chris' book, which I highly recommend! An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
Chris' famous video singing Space Oddity by David Bowie
Video of Chris brushing his teeth in space
Other Links and Resources:
Read Chris' hilarious "about" page on his website
Chris' official Canadian Space Agency biography
5/12/2015 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep. 110 - Stephen Dubner of Freakonomics: When to Rob a Bank
I'm a freak. I'm a freak for a lot of things: comic books, podcasts, my wife. But none of that matters today (sorry Claudia).
I had the pleasure, no, the honor, of interviewing my good friend Stephen Dubner today. This is like being the best man at his wedding. It's a big day for Stephen.
Today, he's releasing his new book, When to Rob a Bank. What a great title, right?
In today's podcast, Stephen and I take some of our offline debates online.
We debate everything from who is most likely to try to kill you (hint: it's not strangers), to why the New York Times moderates comments – which according to Steven Levitt, coauthor of When to Rob a Bank, is because "there are too many people out there who don't know how to think about the world."
If you haven't read Freakonomics, SuperFreakonomics, and the whole lot of Stephen Dubner's books, then I highly recommend you do.
But first, read his new book. This book is made up of the 132 best stories, thoughts, and discoveries from Stephen's 85,000 blog posts over the past decade.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
•How to get to know your blog community
•How to pick a title
•The criteria of a good blog post and choosing a topic
Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
•Stephen Dubner's New York Times bestselling book Freakonomics
•Stephen Dubner's New York Times bestselling book SuperFreakonomics
•Stephen Dubner's blog
Also checkout:
• My first interview with Stephen
•My blog on "The 5 Reasons Freakonomics Was a Bestseller"
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode of The James Altucher Show, please leave a review or a rating on ITunes. I read every review and it helps to make the podcast better.
5/5/2015 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 109 - Tim Ferriss: The Tim Ferriss Experiment Revealed
Tim Ferriss has a life-changing surprise for you.
It was expensive. I mean, it was expensive for him. It cost him a couple hundred thousand dollars to get. It also wasn't easy. He fought for a year and a half to get it.
This is going to change our lives. Yes, both of us.
Let me ask you this: What's the one skill you always wanted and don't have?
Is it Brazilian jiu-jitsu? Flirting? Playing poker? How to get out of a hostage situation? Whatever it is, you can learn it.
You just need to know how to learn. Learning is a skill.
Tim Ferriss did a bunch of experiments and mastered learning. In today's show, he reveals the secret to gaining any skill you ever wanted.
He FINALLY got digital rights to his TV show, The Tim Ferriss Experiment. It's about how to conquer fear in any skill at 10 times your learning speed. Think of it as MythBusters meets Jason Bourne.
"My job is to get people from zero percent to the top five percent in six months or less," he says, "The skill I'm refining is meta-learning. It's the toolkit."
The best part is that he filmed all 13 experiments. Now it's a show. It's "MythBusters meets Jackass." Clearly, a must watch.
I'm going to make my daughter binge-watch it today. Even if she has homework. This is more important. And more valuable.
The best part? He's releasing all 13 episodes "House of Cards-style" today.
They're available at iTunes.com/timferriss.
In The Tim Ferriss Experiment, Tim goes around trying to learn the most difficult skills in the world.
Sometimes, he's successful. Other times, he has to pull himself out of having an anxiety attack.
In today's interview, Tim reveals why we suck at learning new skills. The best part is that it's not your fault. You can do anything you want. Think about it. People with no legs can run.
Listen today to hear how to choose the best teacher, find an unorthodox mentor, alter your technique, and much more.
In this episode, you will learn:
•What's holding you back from learning the skills you want
•How to present yourself in the best way possible
•How to find unorthodox mentors and teachers
•How to identify outliers
•How to learn to learn
•What examples you should study when practicing a new skill
Links and resources mentioned in the show:
Tim Ferriss Book Club: http://fourhourworkweek.com/category/tim-ferriss-book-club/
Extra footage from The Tim Ferriss Experiment: http://fourhourworkweek.com/tv/
Resource to choose the best photo online: https://www.okcupid.com
Thanks so much for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode of The James Altucher Show, please leave a review or a rating on ITunes. I read every review, and it helps to make the podcast better
4/28/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 27 seconds
Ep. 108 - Ryan Holiday: Ryan Shares His Keys to Success
If you slept on the floor last night, you're off to a great start. Ryan Holiday started on the floor. I guess that's where we all start. The difference is we want to stand on the floor, not sleep on it. But maybe you should stop thinking that way. Maybe you should sleep on the floor.
Ryan Holiday didn't even sleep on his own floor. He slept on someone else's floor. Even better, it was his boss's floor. Maybe give that a try tonight. Sleep on your boss's floor. That's how you choose for yourself. Work with people whose floor you want to sleep on.
Ryan went from the floor to director of marketing of American Apparel. Now he runs his own creative consulting firm. He landed five clients on the New York Times bestseller list in one week. I'm one of Ryan's clients. He does great work. That's why I interviewed him a second time.
Tucker Max and Tim Ferris are his clients, too. And because no one is born a New York Times bestselling author (or maybe they are, I don't know), listen to Ryan's tips for aspiring authors.
He also reveals the most common reasons authors and entrepreneurs fail. Tip: you need to stop loving your ideas. Love for your ideas sets you up for failure. Hear why and hear the solution.
You might have heard me say, "85 percent of all businesses fail." Today, I share how to reduce your risk of failure to only 20 percent.
If nothing else, try sleeping on the floor.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
•The most common mistakes of aspiring authors and entrepreneurs
•The key to success behind Ryan Holiday's "meta-campaigns"
•How Ryan Holiday landed jobs with clients including Tucker Max, Tim Ferris and James Altucher
•Ryan's keys to success behind building "meta-campaigns"
•Examples of how to "lean into problems instead of running away from them"
•The best way to spread your ideas as widely as possible
Links and Resources Mentioned in the Show:
www.RyanHoliday.net – sign up for his book recommendations
Check out both of Ryan Holiday's books on Amazon
James first interview with Ryan Holiday
James interview on CBCN
Books Recommended in this Episode:
Trust Me, I'm Lying by Ryan Holiday
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Mastery by Robert Greene
Shadow Divers by Robert Kurson
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day by Matt Kepnes
Money by Tony Robbins
Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World by Peter H. Diamandis and Steven Kotler
Thanks so much for listening!
4/23/2015 • 59 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 107 - Rich Roll: What Happens When You Turn On Your Inner Addict?
Rich Roll was having a heart attack on his staircase. He was fat. He hated his work. He was unhappy.
A few years later, he ran, swam, and biked 703 miles in seven days when he was 45 years old.
When he was 40, he had a job he hated, but he was still trying to live the American dream: the two cars, the beautiful family, the partnership at a law firm.
"I thought I was having a heart attack on the staircase," he said. "I was 50 pounds overweight. I was working 80 hours a week. I wasn't happy. I was going to die."
That moment on the staircase was one of three or four turning points in Rich Roll's life that forced him to say: "I have a small window to change for the better." And then he did it.
But what's interesting to me is that Rich Roll is an addict. I'm an addict. Many people I know are addicts. Many addictions are bad for you. When I was younger, I was addicted to just about everything that could possibly be harmful to me.
Rich Roll, when he was 31 years old and a high-priced lawyer, had to check himself into a 100-day rehab center after he was drunk driving the wrong way down a one-way street.
While in rehab, he noticed something interesting. "At first it felt really horrible, and then it felt better."
When he was 40, he wasn't drinking, but he threw those obsessions into his NEXT unhealthy addiction.
"I was living on the window diet" – if you can drive up to a window and order the food, then that's what he would eat. Like three Wendy's cheeseburgers.
He threw himself into the lifestyle of top lawyer, 80 hours a week, eat whatever you can. But that moment on the stairs made him realize, with heart disease in his family, that he was at risk.
So he started a seven day cleanse. All juices.
"In the first three days I felt horrible, but I knew from my experience in rehab that it would get a lot better."
And it did. At the end of the juicing, he felt incredibly energetic and cleansed.
This was his third addiction. Gradually he went from juicing to a "junk vegetarian" style (pizza, etc.) to real plant-based vegan lifestyle.
"I had so much energy, I couldn't stop moving. Even sitting at rest I couldn't stop tapping my leg."
So one day he went for a run. He ran 24 miles. His biggest run prior that was 8 miles!
And that was 22 years earlier. Sorry, Rich, if I'm getting the numbers slightly wrong.
After that, he realized this was some latent ability that was coming out so he started to train.
He trained every day. He started running in Iron Man competitions. Then the competitions got more and more intense until he did his 700 mile Hawaii run. Five Irons Mans in seven days.
This was his fourth addiction.
He was named one of the 50 fittest men in the world.
But he was still a lawyer part-time and training part-time.
He wrote a book about his lifestyle. He started giving talks for free and going to conferences.
Spreading the word on this healthy lifestyle that had changed his life invigorated his relationships and catapulted him to become one of the healthiest people in the world.
This was his fifth addiction. He couldn't stop spreading the word about what was happening to him.
"It was hard at first," he said. "I wasn't getting paid and I was traveling everywhere." Gradually he started making a living at his new career and he gave up his job as a lawyer.
His book The Plantpower Way" is about to come out, describing his lifestyle even more.
Rich and I are one year apart in age. I can't even run down the block, although I try to live a healthy lifestyle.
People always demonize addiction. It's bad! Don't be an addict!
But there are positive addictions.
"Well-being" is being addicted to three things: competence, positive relationships, autonomy. And maybe one more thing: Growth every day in all three of those areas.
If you do those things, I can tell you that you will feel well-being today, no matter what else is going on in your life.
The first few days or weeks or months are really hard, but then, as Rich says, "suddenly it gets better."
When I was talking to Rich for an upcoming podcast, he would use the same language often when describing a bad addiction and a positive addiction:
•"I noticed I had to change."
•"It was hard at first to get over it but I knew it would get better."
•It was all-consuming for him and obviously, negative or positive, he loved the lifestyle.
•His family and friends were super-supportive and those were the people he gravitated toward.
•When he went from negative to positive in his life, he also suddenly went from AMBITION to MEANING.
There are a lot of great books about habits and developing positive habits. A positive habit might be: brush your teeth twice a day or make your bed in the morning.
What's the difference between a habit and an addiction? I think there is a gray area here but roughly – a habit you can control. An addiction feels out of your control.
I bet that if Rich didn't exercise for a week, he would feel physically ill. I bet exercising and health are addictions for him.
---
What happened to Rich Roll?
He told me that during his time in rehab, someone asked him, "are you a human being having a spiritual experience or a spiritual being having a human experience?"
He said the question threw him off. He had never even thought in those terms before.
It was always the straight line: school, law school, lawyer, partner, family, two-car garage, retirement.
What does that question even mean?
The truth is: it doesn't have to mean anything. It just has to make you think. It has to give you a little bump off the straight line.
It has to tear you apart a little inside so you realize there's a world outside the one you've been living in.
---
I try to turn on my inner addict every day. I look at what I'm doing and I try to be competent, have good relationships, and have the freedom to do what I want. Or I try to grow toward those things.
Maybe it means meeting new people. Or to be creative in some way. Or to try to get better at something. Or to start saying "No" more to the people who are trying to direct my life in ways good for them but not for me.
If I do that, I know I will get excited and my inner addict will turn on. And everyone's inner addict is different. I will NEVER run 100 miles. Or even one mile.
But every six months, my life has changed almost 100% as a result.
It's a gradual process. You can't be a "positive addict" overnight.
But when you "invest in yourself" as Rich told me he started doing, the universe conspires to help you find the right answers to questions that have no meaning.
I'm an addict and proud of it.
Regards,
James
P.S. Hi David here. As you can tell, James is fiercely committed to helping people lead happier, wealthier, and more fulfilling lives.
That's why he's working on a new project – one that introduces you to life-changing ideas, secrets, and techniques you have never heard of before. It's the perfect guidebook for succeeding in a rapidly changing America. Read here to learn more.
4/16/2015 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 106 - Jon Acuff: Self-Sabotage Done Right
Jon Acuff, the author of five books, writes from the trenches.
Today he talks with James about a few of the self-sabotage practices he used to follow. Jon also talks about the fear he had of creating an email list, instead using Twitter to make believe he was communicating with his readers, and his fear of self-promoting his books while not wanting to be one of those "extreme self-promoters."
Jon wrote his first book while working at AutoTrader.com, doing interviews from his car during lunch and giving talks on weekends when he could slip away. He'd get up early before work to write his blog, and he'd read everything he could find about becoming a better writer.
James and Jon also talk about the negative feedback you will get when you put yourself out there, and that no one is really trying to eat you (you'll have to listen here to understand).
Jon spent a few years working with Dave Ramsey and his organization, and wrote his best seller, Do Over,after he left. He knew he needed to find his dream job and that it was the right thing to do, but it was also an extremely difficult decision. For six months before and after, sleep was fleeting.
Bravery is often very difficult...
Taking a dive into what it means to Do Over your life, Jon says, "You have the power to give yourself a fresh start."
This is one of my favorite interviews. I didn't know Jon's work prior to the interview, but I'm now a huge fan.
Listen and let us know if you agree.
Regards,
David Newman
Senior Producer of Stansberry Radio
P.S. As you can tell, James is fiercely committed to helping people lead happier, wealthier, and more fulfilling lives.
That's why he's working on a new project – one that introduces you to life-changing ideas, secrets, and techniques you have never heard of before. It's the perfect guidebook for succeeding in a rapidly changing America. Read on here to learn more.
4/14/2015 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 105 - Dan Buettner: How to Live to be More Than 100 Years Old
Dan Buettner ruined James' life, and in today's podcast, you'll find out why.
Today, they talk about The Blue Zones, Dan's new book. It's a fascinating topic completed in conjunction with a 10-year project with National Geographic.
It's not about just making it to 100; it's all about being healthy and active at 100, still enjoying life, and contributing.
As Dan says, "they are repositories of wisdom and human experience, and that's an asset that is frequently diminished in our society and really celebrated in Blue Zones."
If you want to live to 100, you should really learn the lessons of those who have lived to that age.
Is it biology? Is it the environment, diet, attitude, or something else, or is it a combination of all of the above?
"A long, healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits. If you adopt the right lifestyle, experts say, chances are you may live up to a decade longer.
"The recipe for longevity, Buettner has found, is deeply intertwined with community, lifestyle, and spirituality. You won't find longevity in a bottle of diet pills or with hormone therapy. You'll find it by embracing a few simple but powerful habits, and by creating the right community around yourself."
In Blue Zones, age is celebrated, but here in the U.S., we warehouse our old people.
If you're interested in living to a healthy and happy 100 years young, then I suggest you read Dan's new book, The Blue Zones, and listen here to this podcast.
Regards,
David Newman
Senior Producer of Stansberry Radio
P.S. Hi, James here...
My new book is finally out! It has taken me a year to put together all the skills I think are needed to create abundance in this new economy. I hope you write me with feedback and questions. I have more books coming.
Here's what the initial reviews on this book have said:
"James Altucher did it again. I just finished and have to say it was a great read. Great insight into the future of wealth."
"I couldn't wait for this book to come out. It was well worth the wait! Very short and jam-packed with good ideas and advice for the budding entrepreneur. A must read!"
"This is the road map out. Very specific ideas to get you unstuck and to thrive in the 21st century. If you follow the ideas in this book your will receive 1000% or more in return on your investment."
I'm really grateful for the response I've received so quickly. I feel we are quickly building a strong community of people who are deciding to "choose themselves."
If you want to get the book exclusively in hardcover, plus several other special reports and a subscription to my brand-new newsletter, which is essentially the equivalent of two additional chapters every month, claim your copy here.
4/9/2015 • 52 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 104 - Nick Megalis: How to Make Six Figures in Six Seconds
What an interview...
This one will go down in the archives as one of our best. Nick Megalis is a true artist in every sense of the word
And he moves to the beat of his own crazy drum.
Today Nick allows James to ask him anything. He's willing to tell us why his work is so important to him.
It's a very funny interview but it goes deep. Nick says he's extremely fortunate that people like what he does and that Vine came along when it did.
His Vine loops have been played more than 500 million times and he has made about a "trillion dollars" because of them (you'll have to listen to get the joke).
When James asks him about his fans, he gets serious. He believes that anyone who watches his videos deserves a personal reply. And while he can't reply to all of them, he tries to every day.
James asks him what's next... he lets us in on what's new and exciting and just may be the next big thing.
Listen here.
Regards,
David Newman
Senior Producer of Stansberry Radio
P.S. Hi, James here...
My new book is finally out! It has taken me a year to put together all the skills I think are needed to create abundance in this new economy. I hope you write me with feedback and questions. I have more books coming.
Here's what the initial reviews on this book have said:
"James Altucher did it again. I just finished and have to say it was a great read. Great insight into the future of wealth."
"I couldn't wait for this book to come out. It was well worth the wait! Very short and jam-packed with good ideas and advice for the budding entrepreneur. A must read!"
"This is the road map out. Very specific ideas to get you unstuck and to thrive in the 21st century. If you follow the ideas in this book your will receive 1000% or more in return on your investment."
I'm really grateful for the response I've received so quickly. I feel we are quickly building a strong community of people who are deciding to "choose themselves."
If you want to get it exclusively in hardcover, plus several other special reports and a subscription to my brand-new newsletter, which is essentially the equivalent of two additional chapters every month, claim your copy here.
4/7/2015 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 46 seconds
Ep. 103 - Part 2 with Mark Ford: The Man Who Built 100 Businesses
We sent you Part 1 of this amazing interview with Mark Ford on Tuesday and today we're releasing Part 2. If you've not listened to Part 1 click here to start there.
Make sure you go to markfordbook.com and learn how you can claim your free copy of Mark's book, Living Rich: How to Live as Well as a Billionaire on a Middle-Class Budget.
4/3/2015 • 54 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 102 - Part 1 with Mark Ford: The Man Who Built 100 Businesses
Today, we have a very special show for you.
I recently hopped on a plane and headed to Palm Beach, Florida, where I recorded this two-part show from this gentleman's waterfront mansion. The man is a true legend in the field of entrepreneurship and investing, having started more than 100 companies, most of which have been successful.
My guest today is New York Times best-selling author Mark Ford. You might recognize Mark by his pen name, "Michael Masterson," but I also wouldn't be surprised if you've never heard of him. Unlike other business and financial "gurus," Mark is intensely private and has deliberately kept a low profile over the past 30 years. He has been a silent force behind the careers and ideas of many of the smartest people in investing and entrepreneurship.
Mark's accomplishments are as impressive as they are varied: he has built more than 100 businesses... amassed a fortune in the high eight-figure range... climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, speaks four languages... is a best-selling author of nearly 20 books... and at 64, he still wears his Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt five times a week as he spars with men half his age.
But before you check out the interview, we forgot to include an important piece of information during the show. Mark agreed to give away one of his most popular books to my listeners.
We start out today talking about what Mark calls, "becoming an intra-preneur." Not everyone can quit his or her job tomorrow. As an intra-preneur, you have to become the most valuable or one of the most valuable people within the company where you work.
Mark then tells me about two very different negotiation techniques that he has learned from two of his mentors. They couldn't be more different.
Mark talks today about the three sides of every business and which one you want to be a part of.
And as Mark says, "You have to promote yourself."
Plus, this is only part one of this amazing interview.
Make sure you go to markfordbook.com and learn how you can claim your free copy of Mark's book, Living Rich: How to Live as Well as a Billionaire on a Middle-Class Budget.
Regards,
James Altucher
3/31/2015 • 53 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 101 - Moises Naim: The End of Power
As James and Moisés dive into this conversation, they talk about a shift in power from West to East and North to South, from presidential palaces to public squares, from corporate giants like Microsoft to Google, to today's unknown startups.
In The End of Power, Moisés argues that power is not merely shifting and dispersing, it is also decaying. Those in power today are consistently at risk of losing it faster and easier than ever before.
Populations are shifting to cities… This is the youngest population in the history of the earth and more people than ever have joined the middle class. Because of this, Moisés explains to James today what he calls the three revolutions that we are currently going through. The More, the Mentality, and the Mobility.
When you listen to today's podcast, you'll understand why Mark Zuckerberg chose this as his first book on his new project to read one book a week in 2015.
Regards,
David Newman
Senior Producer of Stansberry Radio
P.S. Hi, James here...
My new book is finally out! It's taken me a year to put together all the skills I think are needed to create abundance in this new economy. I hope you write me with feedback and questions. I have more books coming.
Here's what the initial reviews on this book have said:
"James Altucher did it again. I just finished and have to say it was a great read. Great insight into the future of wealth."
"I couldn't wait for this book to come out. It was well worth the wait! Very short and jam-packed with good ideas and advice for the budding entrepreneur. A must read!"
"This is the road map out. Very specific ideas to get you unstuck and to thrive in the 21st century. If you follow the ideas in this book your will receive 1000% or more in return on your investment."
I'm really grateful for the response I've received so quickly. I feel we are quickly building a strong community of people who are deciding to "choose themselves."
If you want to get it exclusively in hardcover, plus several other special reports and a subscription to my brand-new newsletter, which is essentially like the equivalent of two additional chapters every month, claim your copy here
3/26/2015 • 31 minutes, 3 seconds
Ep. 100 - T. Harv Eker: Secrets of the Millionaire's Mind
We all have what Eker calls your "money blueprint." You've been taught to think the thoughts you think.
If you were taught bad habits, then you may be programmed to continue to follow with bad habits throughout your life.
And when you realize this, you can make a profound change in your life.
From a very early age, Eker wanted nothing more than to become a millionaire. He tried so many different businesses to try to get there.
Every one of them failed.
What he eventually realized was that he had to focus on what he loved. He borrowed $2,000 on his credit card and started one of the first retail fitness stores. His vision wasn't one store; it was a chain of stores.
"Create a model, systemize it, and then duplicate it."
He finally found success and sold this business to a much larger company.
But as fate often has it, the skill set that he had to grow the business was not the same skill set he needed to manage his millions.
He realized he still needed to grow. There was something missing.
So the research began and it all begins with awareness.
Listen today to a great story of someone who realized that he had to "reprogram" his mind and how you can do the same.
Plus, Eker is giving away his Life makeover system for free to James' listeners. Go to www.Registerlms.com.
P.S. Hi, James here...
My new book is finally out! It's taken me a year to put together all the skills I think are needed to create abundance in this new economy. I hope you write me with feedback and questions. I have more books coming.
Here's what the initial reviews on this book have said:
"James Altucher did it again. I just finished and have to say it was a great read. Great insight into the future of wealth."
"I couldn't wait for this book to come out. It was well worth the wait! Very short and jam-packed with good ideas and advice for the budding entrepreneur. A must read!"
"This is the road map out. Very specific ideas to get you unstuck and to thrive in the 21st century. If you follow the ideas in this book your will receive 1000% or more in return on your investment."
I'm really grateful for the response I've received so quickly. I feel we are quickly building a strong community of people who are deciding to "choose themselves."
If you want to get it exclusively in hardcover, plus several other special reports and a subscription to my brand-new newsletter, which is essentially like the equivalent of two additional chapters every month, claim your copy here
3/19/2015 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 99 - Dave McClure: 500 Startups
Note: I want to apologize up front for the sound quality on this episode. We tried everything we could to get it as clear as possible but we thought this interview was so good we didn’t want to discard it.
Thanks in advance for struggling though – I promise it will be worth it.
Dave McClure has taken a slightly different path towards the funding of startups. He gets in early in a lot of company’s and expects about a third to fail.
He didn’t start investing as a venture capitalist until a little later in life and wasn’t sure if he was already too old.
Dave’s story runs through some of Silicon Valley’s best companies Facebook, PayPal, Mint.com, Simply Hired and others. So how did he deal with the fact that many of the people he worked side by side with wound up becoming billionaires?
By being so well connected and knowing so many people opens the door to a lot of opportunities but that doesn’t always mean your smart enough to pick the right ones.
Dave tells James the story of how he passed on being one of the first investors in Uber. He passed on the investment and that decision has probably cost him millions.
He tells James why he’s taking his company 500 Startups global. Valuations around the world are often cheaper outside the US but the real benefit may be to find companies that no one else is looking at.
Listen today to a great story of someone who may have started a little later in life but has built an amazing company
P.S. Hi James here…
My new book is finally out! It's taken me a year to put together all the skills I think are needed to create abundance in this new economy. I hope you write me with feedback and questions. I have more books coming.
Here's what the initial reviews on this book have said:
"James Altucher did it again. I just finished and have to say it was a great read. Great insight into the future of wealth."
"I couldn't wait for this book to come out. It was well worth the wait! Very short and jam-packed with good ideas and advice for the budding entrepreneur. A must read!"
"This is the road map out. Very specific ideas to get you unstuck and to thrive in the 21st century. If you follow the ideas in this book your will receive 1000% or more in return on your investment."
I'm really grateful for the response I've received so quickly. I feel we are quickly building a strong community of people who are deciding to "choose themselves".
If you want to get it exclusively in hardcover, plus several other special reports, and a subscription to my brand new newsletter, which is essentially like the equivalent of two additional chapters every month, claim your copy here.
3/17/2015 • 50 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 98 - Brian Koppelman: The Art of Super-Creativity
Brian Koppelman joins James again today to answer all those questions that James was kicking himself for not asking during their first interview back in November.
Writing the super hit, Solitary Man, was a challenge different than any other Brian had yet taken on. And he tells James that he "got stuck." Fear would set in; he would see his limitations and get sidetracked.
Up until that time, Brian had been able to lean on his creative partner, David Levien, to help him find the way to power through the moment after his initial creativity wore off.
But when he was writing Solitary Man and showed it to Dave, he told him that it was clear Brian had to write this one himself. He had the character right, he had the voice right, and he had the tone down.
This was really the first time Brian had to complete a major work himself. Growing up with ADHD made this a real challenge for Brian. Dave had always been there in the past to push them through, but not this time.
So to help him move past his fears, Brian decided to do stand-up comedy. Not just going up on a stage once, but taking this on as a serious craft. He found that getting rejected helped him push through his writer's block.
Brian practices his craft in every medium every day. He hosts a podcast, produces hugely successful Vine video clips, and he's currently shooting a new TV pilot, Billions.
3/13/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 58 seconds
Ep. 97 - Gretchen Rubin: Creating Your List of Happiness
Gretchen Rubin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project. After reading her book and applying some of her practical ideas, James was hooked. For example, he discovered that after six seconds of continuous hugging, the body releases oxytocin – the feel-good juice. He decided to try this on Claudia the other day during a little argument they were having, and it totally worked.
The Happiness Project was born out of a realization that disregarding happiness can lead to a lack of appreciation for life. Gretchen dedicated an entire year to being happy and she talks with James about how the results of that decision have completely changed her life
One of the ways Gretchen and James are similar is that they both like to make lists. For him, it was about becoming an idea machine – by coming up with 10 new ideas every day and for Gretchen, is was about finding happiness by figuring what made her happy and unhappy.
Start your own happiness project right now by making a list from these two questions:
How could I be happier?
What could I do that would make me happier?
Gretchen says, "Happier people are more interested in the problems of others." "By being happy ourselves we are able to turn outward and focus on the needs of others."
Discover the two main factors of developing a happier life from one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on habits and happiness. Gretchen also has a new book coming out on March 17 called Better Than Before and it's about mastering the habits of our everyday lives.
Official website: gretchenrubin.com.
Follow Gretchen Rubin on Twitter and Facebook.
In this episode:
Strategies for how to look for happiness
The happiness challenge
The habits we need to form in order to find happiness
The importance of boosting energy and vitality
Triadic closure
Why habits make everything easier
How extreme personalities can thrive
Why some people are scornful of those who exude unusual amounts of happiness
How thinking about others can spark happiness
Why selfish people are unhappy
The downward spiral of rumination
Removing anxiety by taking action
Appreciating life and the small things
Importance of self-command
How The Happiness Project began
Habit – a concrete action that is observable.
How to sit down and figure out what makes you happy
The importance of a sleep routine
Overcoming excuses
The correlation of happiness and growth
3/5/2015 • 47 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 96 - Jairek Robbins: Learn it. Live it. Give it.
Performance coach and bestselling author of Live It, Jairek Robbins, talks about his journey in the life coaching business and how he and James met through an ongoing competition on Amazon.
Jairek reveals how his father, Tony Robbins (Tony Robbins podcast), encouraged him to find his life calling through a simple process of learning, living, and giving. He explains how his father's one rule about money gave him the opportunity of a life time.
Jairek now owns and operates his own performance coaching firm (jairekrobbins.com) where he thrives on helping clients reach their full potential. He believes so deeply in the message ofLive It that he waited 10 years to publish the book so that he could first live out the principles of the text.
This episode is full of great tips and practical examples that explain why performance coaching is a hot topic in today's culture. Find out how a good life coach can identify small changes that yield big results.
In this episode:
Alkalizing your body
Five questions that could change your life
Why Live It took 10 years to complete
The characteristics of a good life coach
Defining the ideal day
Case study: How a law firm corrected a major time-management dilemma
The difference between individual coaching and business coaching
Importance of identity
Transitioning from a practice to a business
Listen as James and Jairek have a little idea sex
Tony Robbins' only rule about money for his kids
Making the transition from ambition to meaning
Conquering the the main opponents to success
How to pick habits that improve your life
3/3/2015 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep. 95- Kevin Kelly: A Thousand True Fans
Kevin Kelly is Senior Maverick at Wired magazine. He co-founded Wired in 1993, and served as its executive editor from its inception until 1999.
He is also editor and publisher of the Cool Tools website, which gets half a million unique visitors per month. From 1984-1990, Kelly was publisher and editor of the Whole Earth Review, a journal of unorthodox technical news.
He co-founded the ongoing Hackers' Conference, and was involved with the launch of the WELL, a pioneering online service started in 1985. He authored the best-selling New Rules for the New Economy and the classic book on decentralized emergent systems, Out of Control.
Kevin dropped out of college to pursue his real interests, and they are varied.
James and Kevin talk about Kevin's idea that "if you have 1000 True Fans then you have a business."
This is a wide-ranging conversation about the past, the present, and the future.
Kevin's extremely bullish on the future of artificial intelligence, yet he says there is no extinct technology... none.
And they talk about a few of his books, Cool Tools and The Silver Cord.
Listen here if you want to see into the future.
2/27/2015 • 1 hour, 11 minutes, 6 seconds
Ep. 94 - A. J. Jacobs: A. J. Returns with a Family Reunion Update
A.J. Jacobs is creating the world's largest family reunion. You may remember A.J. from his first interview on The James Altucher Show a year ago.
If you know A.J., you'll know why this is the one event you don't want to miss. He's a master at creating a huge media splash.
The Global Family Reunion is set for June 6, 2015 at The New York Hall of Science, on the grounds of the World's Fair.
James is a featured speaker along with George H.W. Bush, Dr. Oz, and too many others to list here... plus Morgan Spurlock ("Supersize Me") will be creating a featured documentary of the entire event.
James and A.J. talk today about world peace and why when someone is part of your family, you tend to be much more tolerant of them.
"Delusional opportunism is a wonderful thing and sometimes it pays off."
A.J. is a master at marketing and he tells James some of the hacks he's using to get the word out.
This entire experiment will eventually become a book. They talk about their personal writing styles and techniques. AJ says that even if he's stuck, he'll just start typing. It's important to get the movement of your fingers over the keyboard. You can throw out those first 20 minutes, but it's key to get going.
They talk about the origin of the human race and how closely we are related to Neanderthals.
2/24/2015 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 45 seconds
Ep. 93 - Peter Diamandis: Bold - A Story of Progress and Hope
Peter Diamandis, CEO of the XPRIZE and co-chairman of Planetary Resources and Steven Kotler, the cofounder and director of research for the Flow Genome Project aswell as being author of "The Rise of Superman," a New York Times bestseller, and previous guest on The James Altucher Show, came together to co-write Bold, about building companies using exponentially growing technologies like 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and synthetic engineering.
They join James today to talk about the prevalent doom-and-gloom media that saturates us with negative news over and over again. Peter says he believes that people need an alternative and hear the good news.
They go through the six D's outlined in the book: Digitalization, Disruption, Deception, Demonetization, Dematerialization, and Democratization
Peter says, "Bold was written as the roadmap for entrepreneurs to get us to this abundant future with the realization that the world's biggest problems are the biggest business opportunities."
It's a great story...
2/19/2015 • 49 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 92 - Andy Weir: The Martian - How to go from Self Published to Six Figures
Andy Weir followed his dream. Ever since he was a small boy he wanted to be a writer, but it took him a long time to find success.
His first short story, The Egg brought him a bit of notoriety. This thousand-word story got passed around on blog sites and people began to follow him.
The Martian, Andy’s new hit book was first published as a serial, one chapter at a time on his website. He had just a only few thousand readers.
He eventually self published this as a book and it sold about 35,000 copies on Amazon. Suddenly Random House came calling with a big pile of money.
They talk about his daily writing habits and the books and authors Andy is a fan of and James digs in a bit to find out what’s next.
He tells James that he’s still afraid of being a one hit wonder. James asks him what advice he would give to aspiring writers
1.Write. It’s easy to daydream about your story but you have to sit down and write.
2.Resist the urge to tell your story to your friends and family
3.This is the best time in history to be a writer. Today, you can bypass the gatekeepers
Listen here its great story
2/18/2015 • 53 minutes, 25 seconds
AA Ep. 210 - Ari Whitten: The Low Carb Myth
ames and Claudia talk with Ari Whitten, author of the book The Low Carb Myth,to talk aboutwhy people get fat and get unhealthy.
Do carbohydrates make you fat?
His conclusions are surprising.
He disagrees strongly that we get fat because we are lazy and eat too much. Rather than being due simply to gluttony, sloth, and conscious decisions around how much we eat or move.
If you've been on a low- or no-carb diet or are just looking for an alternative to eating healthy, listen here.
2/15/2015 • 26 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep. 91 - Brad Feld: The Ideal Entrepreneur
Brad Feld, an extremely successful early stage investor and serial entrepreneur, opens up to James about the struggles he has faced, both physical and mental.
He has struggled with depression and being an introvert in an extroverts' world. And he has learned the best ways to deal with it.
"Understanding yourself is extremely important."
Today, physical interaction is not nearly as important as it used to be. Today, you can interact in a meaningful way without having to go to a prospect's location.
As a venture capitalist, a partner at Foundry Group, and as someone having to deal with numerous businesses at the same time, Brad realized that just physically being somewhere does not solve the problem.
He understands that he's not able to just fly in like a hero and solve a problem. That takes a team of people.
James asks Brad what he looks for in an ideal entrepreneur and Brad tells him that he and his partners at Foundry Group have gone back to their original methods from the mid-'90s.
They stay focused on the themes they know best and only invest in companies that answer all of these questions correctly.
1. Is the product interesting?
2. Are the entrepreneurs obsessed with their product?
3. Do these entrepreneurs want to be long-term partners with them and do they want to be long-term partners with the entrepreneurs.
They finish up today's conversation by talking about Foundry's new publishing company FG Press and why they decided to start it.
2/12/2015 • 35 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 90 - Jack Canfield: Success in the Face of Obstacles
Chicken Soup for the Soul, his first book, consisted of inspirational, true stories about ordinary people's lives.
As a high school teacher in an inner-city school, Jack Canfield was looking for a way to motivate his students. Asking them what they wanted to be and how they could get there seemed to resonate.
He helped them set goals; understand the importance of taking action, how to visualize their dreams, and how not to be afraid of rejection.
Life's not fair, it's just life...
"Most people to get through life before death happens."
These techniques, combined with his ability to tell a great story, eventually became the Chicken Soup Series.
After a tough divorce, Jack had to completely rebuild himself and his career. From that low point came his new book series, The Success Principles.
They talk about mentors, mastermind groups, fear, and The Rule of Five.
As Jack tells James... Just never forget to follow your joy.
You'll love the stories.
2/10/2015 • 58 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 89 - Maria Popova: A Museum of the World
Maria Popova, avid reader, writer hunter-gatherer, and curious mind-at-large joins James today on The James Altucher Show.
James tells her he reads only one blog religiously and it's Maria's blog Brain Pickings.org.
It started as an e-mail to a few friends with a couple of links to things that interested her.
They forwarded those on to friends and before she knew it, she was writing a blog.
It's a fantastic conversation, and I know once you hear it, you'll be forwarding it on to your best friends.
If you've never read Maria's blog, you must. You'll be amazed by her journey.
2/5/2015 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 23 seconds
Ep. 88 - Lewis Howes: Lewis' School of Greatness
James was recently in New York and caught up with his good friend and fellow podcaster Lewis Howes
They decided to drop into the studio and record a podcast for The James Altucher Show and another for Lewis's podcast, The School of Greatness, one of James' favorite shows.
Lewis' bio is simply amazing and way too long to rewrite here, but if you want to grow your business, improve your personal life, and live the live you've always dreamt of, then click here to learn how.
They jump right in and catch up since Lewis was last on The James Altucher Show (Episode 5).
Lewis plays handball for the U.S. National Team Handball. You'll hear James laugh as Lewis explains this style of handball. It's like the combination of every other sport.
They begin the podcast there.
Lewis decided he wanted to make the U.S. National Team and, as you'll hear, he did whatever it took to get selected.
James tells Lewis he's going to steal everything from all his best podcasts. They start with Lewis podcast with Yuri Elkaim and the benefits and hacks to a great night's sleep. Here's a hint...
Buy a snake plant.
Next up was Lewis' amazing interview with Jim Kwik on how to master your memory.
Lewis then offers up his "common lessons of greatness"...
1. A clear vision.
2. Learning how to master and overcome adversity and turning adversity into an advantage.
3. Surround yourself with really positive people.
4. Giving yourself time to be in your messy place and being OK with it.
5. Getting clear on what you want next and having a support team and a coach to help you get there.
6. "Feeling the need to be heard when things are not going your way can go a long way."
They transition into the business of podcasting. Lewis just celebrated two years and he and James talk about why you just have to be there right now.
If you're not already there or you're not a big name, then you may be too late to the game.
And Lewis lets us all in on a project he's getting ready to launch.
It's a pleasure to listen to two very successful, good friends share so many secrets.
2/3/2015 • 48 minutes, 59 seconds
AA Ep. 202 - Casey Neistat: How to Get to 13 Million YouTube Views
Casey Neistat is an American film director, producer, and creator of popular YouTube videos.
While he has worked in almost every aspect of video making, he tells James that YouTube is his absolute passion.
He chose to leave mainstream media for YouTube, which is the opposite of most YouTubers' aspirations.
They talk about creative "ideas." Casey tells James that ideas matter very little – it's execution that matters.
They talk about risk, too, and Casey has a great take on it. He tells James, "The most dangerous lifestyle anyone can live is the lifestyle where you play it safe."
Casey probably disagrees with James more than anyone else James has ever interviewed.
1/31/2015 • 39 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 87 - Tim Larkin: Necessary Violence
Tim Larkin talks with James today about pro-victim rights and personal safety.
As a former military intelligence instructor who helped America's elite Navy Seals develop their hand-to-hand combat techniques, Tim has spent two decades learning about violence.
He tells James the story of how he got accepted to the Navy Seals program.
He exposed their problem and offered them a solution...
This is an episode like no other we've brought you.
Listen today. You'll be amazed by Tim's stories. I was.
1/29/2015 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 86 - Seth Godin: It's Your Turn, Now What?
Seth tells James that he had to write his new book What To Do When It's Your Turn because he had no choice.
It's about what's holding you back, that voice in your head that pushes you to be mediocre or pushes you to hide.
"It pushes us to dig deep inside so we can do better work and impact the things we care about."
They talk about the industrial age and how it changed everything.
"We invented public school to train children to sit still long enough to work in a factory."
But now that we're in the postindustrial age, it's all leftover and everything has changed.
They talk about why it's so important get out of your comfort zone. Seth tells James about when he realized that he was hiding from the big projects.
How he was just playing it safe.
Through a fortunate meeting, he realized that by speaking his truth, standing for something instead of just trying to fit in, is what gets you noticed.
They transition into a great discussion about writing every day. Constantly putting yourself out there is critically important.
Dance with your fear.
And read more books.
1/27/2015 • 50 minutes, 18 seconds
AA Ep. 195 - Jayson Gaignard: Uncommon Commonalities
Building connections and building relationships are how you bring real value to the world around you.
Jayson Gaignard is a super-connector. He's two degrees of separation from anyone you want to meet.
Broke and $250,000 in debt, Jayson thought about an idea that nobody else was doing after getting a free ticket to hear Seth Godin speak, connecting entrepreneurs over an intimate dinner.
He paid for this himself by going even further into debt with no expectations of ever making money on these. Mastermind Dinners launched and Jayson’s new venture was off and running.
Entrepreneurship often takes an unyielding belief in yourself, and Jayson definitely believes.
Listen today to hear the story of someone who bet everything he had on an idea.
His new book, Mastermind Dinners Build Lifelong Relationships by Connecting Experts, Influencers and Linchpins is a fantastic read and he hosts a podcast, Mastermind Talks you really need to subscribe to.
Ask a question at Askaltucher.com.
1/25/2015 • 28 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 85 - David Levien: I Just Have To
James and David Levien talk about the art and the science of writing books and screenplays, producing and directing movies, plus making this your full-time career.
Eventually he teamed up with his longtime best friend Brian Koppelman (Episode 59) but the road to success was tough.
Like most screenwriters, he moved to Hollywood to launch his career. He started as an assistant to a talent agent hoping to get the contacts in place when he had his script ready.
But over the couple of years he was there, he read thousands of scripts which left him very little time to work on his own. He made contacts but they didn't see him as a screenwriter.
His dream just wasn't happening...
He was stuck, so he just quit and for the next six years he was just another obscure writer living in N.Y.
He and Brian finally reunited and decided they'd join forces to try writing a screenplay together. They had no idea what they were going to write about but they just kept at it.
As luck would have it, Brian was invited to The Mayfair Club for a game of poker. He immediately called David and said, "This place was amazing. We can make the movie about this."
And they did...
Rounders was picked up, made into the movie, and David's career took off.
But success never slowed him down. He knew he had more to give.
Listen here as he talks about how he wrote City of The Sunwhile he commuted every day on the train.
Plus, he tells James about his new book Signature Kill.
Listen today… It's a great conversation
1/22/2015 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep. 84 - Ben Mezrich: The Art and Science of Being a Successful Author
James and Ben Mezrich dig deep into the art and science of writing books as a full-time career.
His parents gave him two years to make a go at it, but secretly he gave himself five.
As Ben tells James, he never wanted to do anything else. After college, he locked himself in his apartment and wrote nine novels. He got rejection letter after rejection letter, about 190 in all.
Eventually he found an agent and finally sold his first book, then his second and his third.
But as he says...
Nobody was reading them, until he finally got his break.
Ben has now authored fifteen best-selling books. His book, The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal – debuted at #4 on the New York Times list.
The book was adapted into the movie The Social Network – written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by David Fincher – and was #1 at the box office for two weeks, won Golden Globes for best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay, best score, and was nominated for eight Oscars, winning three.
They also talk about his new book, Q.
"The real information superhighway isn't in your computer it's in the sewer system."
Q is the story of a regular cop, Benjamin Grady, who suddenly finds himself on the front line of an unyielding, terrifying epidemic. His job is simple- to quarantine the Probables- those most likely to be carrying a deadly disease. But Grady quickly learns that no amount of training, no amount of lectures from the experts at the CDC or the military infectious disease specialists can prepared him for a society on the verge of losing the war to a microscopic, unrelenting scourge.
Plus, He breaks a secret on the show today and tells James about his next book.
1/20/2015 • 50 minutes, 20 seconds
AA Ep. 191 - Claudia Azula: Become an Idea Machine
How do you transform your life?
The answer is simple. Come up with 10 ideas a day. Every day. It doesn't matter if they are good or bad; the point is to exercise your idea muscle, to make it sweat.
Today James talks with Claudia about her brand new book,Become an Idea Machine: Because Ideas Are the Currency of the 21st Century.
People say ideas are cheap and execution is everything, but that is NOT true. Execution is a consequence, a subset of good, brilliant idea. And good ideas require daily work.
As Claudia explains, coming up with 10 ideas a day is very important.
Ideas may be easy if you are only coming up with one or two, but if you try to produce more than three, you will feel a burn, scratch your head, and you will be sweating and working hard. There is a turning point when you reach idea number six for the day, when you still have four to go, and your mind muscle is getting a workout. By the time you list those last ideas to make it to ten, you will see for yourself what "sweating the idea muscle" means.
When you practice every day your life will transform...
Life changes for the better when we become the source of positive, insightful, and helpful ideas.
Challenge yourself to try it for 180 days and see your life transform, in magical ways, in front of your very eyes.
When you exercise your idea muscle every day, you become an idea machine, you are unstoppable
1/17/2015 • 26 minutes, 9 seconds
Ep. 83 - Simon Rich: Man Crush
James has a man crush and he admits it on today's podcast.
Simon Rich again joins James today for a very special episode. Simon's new TV show, Man Seeking Woman, debuted last night on FXX.
Man Seeking Woman follows Josh Greenberg (a stand-in of sorts for Rich himself, played by the excellent Jay Baruchel) as he navigates a fantastical nightmare world of millennial dating.
When Simon was last on James show, (episode 52) they talked about an inside look at his writing technique and routines... his very own daily practice. There is an art to Simon's writing and you can feel his passion while listening to him talk about his work.
On today's show they dive deep into his new TV sitcom, what a day is like creating a TV show, his biggest fears, and how he finds his inspiration.
James asks Simon how you can get found. Simon says, just make something great.
Don't try to write it to get a TV job, just make it great. Whether it's a 10-minute standup comedy routine or a short play you perform with your friends.
Whatever it is, get it up on YouTube...
No matter what happens, whether the show is picked up for another season or not, and of course Simon says he hopes it is. "It's been the best year of my life." He has a huge list of other projects he is currently working on.
Listen in today. You'll be glad you did.
1/15/2015 • 33 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep. 82 - Amanda "F'ing" Palmer: Lead With The Truth
Talk about choosing yourself, Amanda Palmer has always blazed a path that pushes the boundaries of what most of us would be comfortable with.
Her latest project is a book called The Art of Asking, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help that explores the fear most of us experience.
Why is it so hard to ask for something from those who are closest to you?
Amanda tells James that it's those who are so close to us that are the ones who can hurt us where it really counts, down deep. Yet, you have to accept the fear and lead with the truth.
Amanda and James also dig deep into the problem many of us have, how do you charge for your art, and how much is it really worth?
People value things they purchase.
If you believe in your art, then don't be afraid to ask.
1/13/2015 • 36 minutes, 51 seconds
AA Ep. 186 - Credit Card Debt
"I lost my job and I've piled up a huge amount of credit card debt. I just got a new job but I'm only making $11/hr. What should I do?"
James says – Stop making any payments on your credit cards you can't afford to pay.
I know this goes against what everyone else is telling you but James explains today why this individual shouldn't pay.
He can't...
Get prepared for the calls and the harassment but don't worry.
Listen here today as James explains why.
If you have a question that you would like to ask James, you can either:
Ask a question at Askaltucher.com.
E-mail it to [email protected].
Or, text James at 203-512-2161.
1/12/2015 • 13 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 81 - Astro & Danielle Teller: Sacred Cows
Today James goes through therapy. As a father of two young children, he felt he was going to ruin his kids by going through a divorce.
He felt he was a loser, believing that divorce is a personal failure and that married people are better than divorced people.
Astro and Danielle call this The Holy Cow.
In their book, Sacred Cows, and on today's podcast they talk about the promise we all make when we get married.
"I'll love you forever"
We make this unreasonable promise to each other, yet we can't know how we're going to feel in the future.
No one can know.
This is a fascinating interview as they dive into the effects on the children, the social norms of today, and the reasons people get married in the first place.
Invest in yourself and listen here today.
I promise you, you won't be disappointed
1/8/2015 • 49 minutes, 59 seconds
Ep. 80 - Tucker Max: Tucker's Brand New Million-Dollar Business
James asks Tucker Max back to talk about the book publishing business and his new hugely successful new venture, Book in a Box.
Almost everyone would love to write and publish a book but the amount of work involved is daunting. So it just never happens.
Until now...
Tucker and his team have come up with the perfect solution and he's willing to give away all his secrets on today's show.
This is a fascinating interview and the ideas fly fast. It's destined to be a must-listen-to episode.
Invest in yourself and listen here today.
I promise you, you won't be disappointed
1/6/2015 • 53 minutes, 46 seconds
AA Ep. 183 - Online Dating - Is It Worth it?
"Online dating doesn't seem to be working. Is there anything wrong with me?"
James says there's nothing wrong with the woman who asks this question. Online dating has reduced the value of a relationship just due to the sheer volume and the unlimited supply.
Claudia mentions how you have to be clear and set a few parameters and preferences, but you also have to be flexible.
Don't only rely on online dating to meet your match. Take dance lessons, go to entrepreneur meet-ups or whatever interests you.
But don't rely solely on online dating clubs.
1/5/2015 • 10 minutes, 43 seconds
Ep. 79 - Dick Yuengling: President of America's Oldest Brewery
Pennsylvania brewer Dick Yuengling, president of D.G. Yuengling & Son, has seen a lot of change since its founding in 1829.
One of the most amazing things is that after five generations, it's still family-owned and two of his daughters are being groomed to take it over.
Dick has always wanted to be involved in the brewery business and from an early age had the desire to modernize it. He left the company in 1973 because he couldn't get his father to modernize operations. He returned in 1984 as the company was beginning to rebound and took over the next year.
He's rewritten the family storyline from one of surviving to one of thriving.
James asks Dick how the company could survive for so long. The brewery survived prohibition by opening an ice cream manufacturing company that survives today.
Dick says you branch out and do what you have to do to survive.
Listening to Dick, you'll soon realize why he's been so successful. He knows who he is, where he wants to take the company, and most importantly, what the company isn't
1/2/2015 • 37 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep. 78 - Sam Shank: The Story of a Serial Entrepreneur
Sam Shank originally thought he wanted to be a Hollywood film director so he moved out to California to find his fame. He managed to get a job with the legendary director Wes Craven and worked on the now famous movie Scream.
Quickly he learned that his reality wasn't anything like his dream. He spent most of his time running errands just like 99% of the others with the same dream.
His entrepreneurial spirit kicked in quickly and he decided to create his own destiny so he moved to the center of the dot-com world, San Francisco.
Sam knew he wanted to start a technology business, but knew he wasn't ready yet. So he decided to try to learn everything he could. He knew he was ready when, as he says, "You're ready when it feels just uncomfortable enough that you can bear starting a company because it's hard, it's intimidating, it's going to be a total grind, it's brutal, it's the hardest thing you're ever going to do. So you have to go in knowing that." He says, "The best way to learn about starting a business is to start a business" and he's an advocate of starting early in your career.
He knew he wasn't ready until about 10 years ago when he started TravelPost, which wasn't a great business model so he pivoted and broadened the business model.
He suddenly found success. It wasn't perfect, and he learned a lot from this move that he would use for his next company, Dealbase.com.
Running Dealbase gave him the knowledge he needed to create HotelTonight. He has raised over $80 million so far and they're opening offices around the world.
Listen in as James asks Sam about a few ideas he has for HotelTonight. Sam loves them, and offers James a job as a product consultant.
It's a great interview and a great app. If you need a last minute room for the holidays, why don't you give HotelTonight a try?
12/30/2014 • 43 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 77 - Jason Calacanis: Luck Comes To Those Prepared
The world of startups is extremely exciting. One of the few people who has been able to put himself right in the middle of it is James' longtime friend Jason Calacanis.
He knows everyone...
Today, James and Jason talk about Jason's early startups, Silicon Alley, Mahalo, his podcast This Week in Startups, and his newest venture, Inside.com
They talk about the past, present, and future of technology.
Tune in, and you'll get the inside track into Silicon Valley's best ideas.
12/26/2014 • 51 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 76 - Sally Hogshead: How Are You Different? How Does the World See You?
How do people perceive you?
Sally Hogshead, CEO of Fascinate, Inc. discovered a new way to measure how people perceive your communication.
"You're either adding value or your taking up space."
Sally tells James, that if you're nervous or uncomfortable in a conversation then you'll make your listener feel nervous and uncomfortable. When you feel relaxed and confident than your listener is more likely to feel confident in you.
Find out what's really authentic about you and let that part of you stand out.
How are you different than everyone else?
Sally doesn't recommend trying to change who you are. Instead, you should become more of who you are.
Sally explains to James her – 7 ADVANTAGES OF FASCINATION
•Innovation
•Passion
•Power
•Prestige
•Trust
•Mystique
•Alert
And tells him where he falls within these triggers.
Think about those times when you've had great success. What was similar about them and how can you use it to you advantage.
To get a free assessment Sally has set up a special page for all our linters. Just go here and type in the promo code: James.
Sally can help you unlearn how to boring.
It's a fascinating conversation.
12/24/2014 • 58 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 75 - Jay Jay Franch: Twisted Sister - The Price One Pays for Their Life is Enormous
Jay Jay French, guitarist, manager, and producer is most famous for his role as the founding member and one of the guitarists of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister
Long:
Jay Jay French explains Twisted Sisters long-term success like it's an iceberg. What you see on the surface is only 10% of what's really there.
They've continually reinvested in themselves. Whenever they'd make a little money, instead of just spending it, they'd roll the dice and plow it right back into the group.
As Jay has written, "Whether you are an artist or an entrepreneur, your story usually begins with passion, a moment that goes something like this: 'The first time I either witnessed, touched, smelled, felt, heard [this object of passion], I just knew that I would do anything, risk anything to be a part of this life...'"
That Big Bang moment truly defines you. Most people can tell you the exact date and time that this tsunami of inspiration and passion washed over their brain cells, rendering them helpless to the immutable forces that drive the human spirit.
My Big Bang happened on February 9, 1964 at 8:03 p.m.
That night, I (and 73 million other Americans) saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show. I was 11 years old, but I emphatically told my mother that I wanted to be a rock 'n' roll star on that very night. Over the next couple of weeks, after reading every Beatle magazine that appeared magically the day after the Sullivan show, my actual goal started to crystallize: I wanted to make great rock 'n' roll music, play to screaming girls, get a gold record, and be a millionaire!
Like many entrepreneurs who are first starting out, I had no idea how any of this was going to happen. I just knew that it had to happen. But achieving your goals not only takes passion, it takes patience.
I did finally get that gold record. It happened in July of 1984, 20 years and five months after I set my goal. It was a long journey, but it taught me every lesson that I ever wanted (and didn't want) to learn, including how to market a brand, how to negotiate deals, how to handle a crisis, and how to manage some big personalities. But without passion, without that Big Bang, I would have never had the drive to get started – or to keep going.
Not only is he the lead and rhythm guitar player for Twisted Sister, but he backs up Dee Snider's lead vocals and is the owner of the Twisted Sister trademark. He is the manager of the band's affairs and recently celebrated 40 years as a member.
Listening to this interview, you'll understand why they've lasted so long.
"Do what you say you're going to do."
If you follow that commandment, you stand a good chance of succeeding.
12/22/2014 • 57 minutes, 49 seconds
Ep. 74 - Drew Fark: It's Not News - It's Fark
15 years young, Fark.com is still alive and growing.
With 45 million monthly downloads and 3 million unique visitors per month, it has an extremely loyal fan base.
Drew Curtis, the founder of Fark, has chosen a different path from most web startups. He shuns most advertising and is not interested in selling Fark and cashing out.
He just loves his lifestyle.
Journalists have gotten lazy with the advent of social media. ""Hey look what so and so said on Twitter' has got to be the laziest form of journalism ever," he says.
BuzzFeed, UpWorthy, Daily Beast, and Slate and sites like them have news-jacked the media, Fark is different. They like to put a comedic spin on the headlines.
Here are a couple of Fark headlines vying for headline of the year:
•300 gallons of orange juice leaks into swamp after truck accident. Yeah, that's one screwed driver
•Obama launches air strike on Iraq, cementing his record as Nobel Peace Prize winner with the most confirmed kills
•Fight between family members at a golf course leaves a hole in one
•Here are Rolling Stone's five most dangerous guns in America. I'm betting they list Kurt Cobain's shotgun as #1, because they always have to have Nirvana at the top of their lists
•Jim Brady dies at age 73, will be buried after a five-day waiting period
Now, Drew has a new idea for a company that destroys patent trolls.
Plus, James asks Drew for his top five business tips.
Listen here as Drew tells all.
12/19/2014 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 73 - Adam Grant: Are You a Giver, a Taker, or a Matcher?
Adam Grant, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School's youngest tenured professor, and author of one of the best books of 2013 – Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success – joins The James Altucher Show today.
Helpfulness is Adam's message.
James asks Adam how he got into a topic that resonates so much with people. He says it all started in his early life when he was a diver. He started giving pointers to his competitors, and eventually one of those he helped ended up beating him in the state finals.
This got him thinking...
Is giving a zero-sum game? If he wants to win, do other people have to lose?
Do you have a hard time asking people to help you? Adam talks about the huge difference between taking and receiving.
Some interviews James does make you think hard about yourself. This one takes that to the extreme
12/17/2014 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep. 72 - Daniel O'Brien of Cracked.com: How to Fight Presidents
Daniel O'Brien's love of presidents started early. As he recounts the story in his hilarious book, How To Fight Presidents, it all started when his American Government professor said on his very first day of class, "Not one of you is ever going to grow up to be president of the United States."
He never wanted to be president but when that professor told him he couldn't even if he wanted to, something triggered inside him and he thought...
"Oh, yeah? I'll show you. I'm going to be president. I'm going to be president all over this country and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."
On today's James Altucher Show, James and Daniel talk about our "badass" presidents and which ones Daniel thinks he could beat up.
In 2007, while still in college, Daniel wrote an article that he thought might work on Cracked.com. They bought it and a bunch more. He's now Head Writer and Creative Director of Video having written more than 200 articles to date and his article "The 5 Most Badass Presidents of All-Time" has been downloaded almost 11 million times.
James asks Daniel his favorite comedians and immediately he answers, Bob Newhart (and here). He also likes John Mulaney, Bo Burnham's – what, and Tim Minchin (careful, these two are X rated).
They cover their favorite comedy books, TV shows, and movies. James' favorite is SuperBad.
If you like comedy, then this show is for you. Their list of must-watch shows is almost endless.
12/15/2014 • 57 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 71 - Sam Harris: Is Sam Harris the Smartest Person Alive?
Sam Harris, a brilliant and often controversial author and lecturer, joins James today to talk about science, religion, spirituality, and Ben Affleck.
Ted.com has said of him...
"Questions of good and evil, right and wrong are commonly thought unanswerable by science. But Sam Harris argues that science can — and should — be an authority on moral issues, shaping human values and setting out what constitutes a good life."
Sam is willing to take on the topics that most run from. Today he and James dive into all of them.
What is consciousness? How does something as simple as a thought take over you?
You have an angry thought and suddenly you're angry. How can a happy thought make you happy?
Is this controllable and should you want to control your thoughts?
Sam says yes...
The energy of anger can be very useful. There are times when you want to convey anger. Detaching yourself from passion can become a huge liability and often unhealthy.
This is an amazing interview. Open your mind and allow some of Sam's ideas to force you to think deeply.
12/12/2014 • 1 hour, 20 minutes, 19 seconds
Ep. 70 - Dave Berg: Behind the Curtain – An Insider's View to Jay Leno
Dave Berg spent 18 years as Jay Leno's co-producer of The Tonight Show.
Everyone knows The Tonight Show; say the name and you immediately get an image to pop into your mind. But what was really going on behind the scenes?
Today, Dave gives us all some great insight...
You'll hear in his voice how much love and respect he has for Jay, who he called the hardest-working man in all of show business. The inside stories are fantastic, Dennis Rodman (the get), Bill Clinton (the get he never got), and the one person that took him six years to finally get on the show.
Who were Dave's favorite guests? I bet you'll never guess his first response. Dave talks about what makes for a great show and who were the greatest guests.
Click here to listen to Dave's stories.
And in his new book, Behind the Curtain: An Insider's View of Jay Leno's Tonight Show, Dave reveals what it's like to produce a hit late-night entertainment show.
12/10/2014 • 56 minutes, 46 seconds
Ep. 69 - Alex Blumberg: Startup, More Art Than Science
Podcasting's future is here and this time it's for real.
We've been podcasting for years now and we've grown a very successful business doing it, but we did it behind the scenes.
Alex Blumberg thought, why not invite the audience in and let them follow him build a podcasting company. He was never sure that idea would work and spent hours and hours editing the first few episodes before launch.
He took the leap of faith, the stars aligned, and Startup – Alex's first podcast – has become a huge success.
There's real value in running a podcast network. Alex raised $1.5 million to start Gimlet Media, his network of high-quality narrative podcasts, and just launched his second podcast, Reply All.
Alex and James talk today about the difference between running a for-profit vs. a non-profit company. What are you willing to give up for money; equity, lifestyle, family life? This is a tough question for every new entrepreneur to answer and Alex is still trying to figure it all out.
So far he's off to a great start.
12/8/2014 • 57 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 68 - Loretta Graziano Breuning: Meet Your Happy Chemicals
Your ups and downs are caused by brain chemicals inherited from earlier mammals.
What's exciting about that is, you can enjoy more happy chemicals if you learn how to manage your mammal brain.
Loretta writes a fantastic blog on her website Inner Mammal Institute where she digs deep into human emotions and the chemistry behind them.
She and James talk today about some of our happy chemicals: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphin.
"Reaching a goal triggers dopamine. That feels great, but the spurt soon ends. Then you become who you were before the spurt. If you're not comfortable with that, you can get caught up in endless efforts to stimulate more dopamine with more goal seeking."
"Unhappy chemicals evolved to alert you to survival threats. They feel bad because that gets your attention. Sometimes we can relieve unhappy chemicals by fixing the underlying problem, like eating when you're hungry or sleeping when you're tired. But some unhappy chemicals will always be there to remind you that life is finite and you're not the boss of the world."
In this a fascinating interview, James and Loretta open up and talk about their own real-life experiences.
12/5/2014 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 67 - Dave Asprey: Body Hacking and The Bulletproof Diet
Biohacking is the art and science of taking control of your own biology and Dave's revolutionary diet will make you question everything you thought you knew about raw, vegan, paleo, and every other diet out there.
Dave, a Silicon Valley investor and technology entrepreneur, has spent 15 years and over $300,000 to hack his own biology.
Today you'll hear his story as he tells James why he has devoted his life learning to do those things that previously seemed impossible. The first weekend James drank Bulletproof Coffee, he wrote 170 pages for his new book.
Consistently sick as a child, constantly losing his focus as an adult, Dave decided to see if he could rewire his mind and his body.
His brand-new book, The Bulletproof Diet, is now available.
Listen here to this podcast and tell us what you think.
Often many of the key people who help create great companies work behind the scenes, out of the publicity spotlight.
Mitch Lowe is one of these people.
As fate often has it, Mitch was working to develop another idea. While displaying at a trade show, he met Marc Randolph who happened to stop by his booth. After a long talk about DVDs Marc started to walk away. Mitch grabbed him by the back of his backpack and said, "Wait a minute, we should talk some more."
That "grab" changed his life, and Netflix was born.
James asks Mitch three things he's learned from building one of the most successful companies created in the last decade.
Mitch gives huge credit for the growth of Netflix to another of the original founders, Reed Hastings.
#1) Focus. Find that one thing you know you can absolutely be the best at and force yourself to drop all the others.
#2) Use analytics to make decisions. Use analytics directionally; don't worry about if they're 100% sure. Just use them to point you in a direction.
#3) Pour your money into those things that are working best. Cut medium to poor performers, whether that's people or ideas.
James asks Mitch why he left Netflix. You'll hear a story about a passion that he just couldn't let go of and felt he had to pursue.
From Netflix to McDonalds to Quarterly.co, Mitch has quietly helped many of today's best companies continue to grow.
You don't always have to be the "name" that most people associate with growing companies to be super-successful
12/1/2014 • 53 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 65 - Carol Leiffer: The Woman Who Wrote for Seinfeld
Carols’ new book, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Crying offers great tips and tricks for getting ahead.
Not everything in life is going to work in your favor but your attitude on how you deal with this can set you apart.
Carol tells James, you can set you sights on – “This is The Thing”, but if you don’t get that all important “thing” you can stand often stand in your own way of success.
They talk about creating a comedy-writing career. Pitching a concept is a job and you have to treat it serious and Jay Leno’s “Rule of Ten”.
Do you the best you can and don’t have an attitude, as it can often get in your way.
11/28/2014 • 29 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 64 - Dan Ariely: Dishonesty, Irrationality, and Money
Emotions evoke an action, often an irrational one.
Irrationality is not all bad. Dan examines some of the positive effects irrationality has on our lives and offers a new look on the irrational decisions that influence our personal lives and our workplace experiences.
In this interview, Dan gives James some great examples.
Money is a relatively new invention. What's the real value of anything? Money is all about opportunity costs. You buy one thing, you give up the opportunity to spend that money on something else.
Why will you spend more money for the exact same thing if a great story is attached to it?
Dan describes what really drives us. We're driven not by reason but by reaction. Social proof is a herding invention.
This is a fantastic interview with a brilliant thinker. Listen here to the stories Dan tells. They'll change the way we see our actions, others, and ourselves.
Tucker Max, New York Times best selling author of I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell promised James that he would talk about his private life publicly first on The James Altucher Show.
And he sure doesn’t disappoint.
You’ll have to tune in to find out what he reveals here first…
11/24/2014 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep. 62 - Tony Robbins: Money is Just A Game
James lands an interview with arguably the ultimate "Choose Yourselfer "and greatest modern-day motivational speaker, Tony Robbins.
Tony talks with James about his soon-to-be-released book MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom. This might be his best book yet. Tony interviews the 50 most successful people to learn what it takes to be financially secure, independent, and free.
Tony tells the story about the time he sold a two-star Army general on how he could take any training program they had and cut the time in half. The general didn't think Tony could succeed. After interviewing many soldiers, he discovered the key to success. It's the same key anyone can use to achieve financial freedom.
You'll also hear how Tony was forced to start over at the age of 39. He believes his newest book will help everyone that's in a similar position. Whether you're well off or trying to figure out how you're going to pay this month's rent, this episode has something for you.
He tells James why he considers money a game and why you should start looking at it this way.
James calls this the Tony Robbins Method
In the interview James says, "Ok, I figured it out. You use "the Tony Robbins Method'".
Which I defined as,
1) At first you don't know anything.
2) You find five people who are the experts in the world.
3) You extensively interview them.
4) You figure out the simplest things they have in common with each other.
5) You do that simple thing over and over and over and over (repetition).
And that's how you succeed.
11/18/2014 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 43 seconds
Ep. 61 - Trip Adler: Overnight Success - 7 Years in the Making
One of Forbes recent 30 under 30 Trip Adler is a real life success story.
Growing up in Palo Alto and graduating with a biophysics degree from Harvard, it seemed a given that he'd create a successful startup.
But locking in on the right idea wasn't easy. He contemplated a ride-share service, a social-media site, and as luck often has it, the best idea came out of solving a family problem. He tells James his startup story.
In full disclosure, James is a small investor in Scribd, and as such, asks Trip if it would be OK if he pushes him a bit.
In true Trip fashion, he answers "Sure, it sounds like fun."
Listening to this interview, you'll hear the success story of a young startup company run by someone who admittedly doesn't have all the easy answers.
The early years were challenging. Hiring the right team, instilling the right culture, and focusing in on the right strategy have been crucial keys to Scribd's success.
Trip tells James, "The main reason why companies fail is because they give up." As you'll hear in this interview, Trip will never give up.
11/14/2014 • 50 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 60 - Jim Lucerno: Star Wars – The Podcast Awakens
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the Force may just be against you.
Jim Luceno author of three Star Wars novels and a couple of feet of other books joins James today to talk about careers and everything Star Wars.
Sometimes hard work isn't enough. Often you need to look for out-of-the-box solutions...
You have to stick with it... you may get lucky.
They dive deep into the blockbuster Star Wars franchise. They go over all their favorite backstories and talk about their anticipation about what's coming next. James tries to get a little insight into the newest movie but Jim gives him nothing. You can hear his disappointment.
James and Jim geek out as they talk about Jim's newest book Tarkin and some future Star Wars movie ideas.
If you're a Star Wars fan then this show is a must-listen.
11/11/2014 • 51 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 59 - Brian Koppelman: Brian Ruined My Life
James and Brian, although having never met before, instantly bond. They both, albeit at different times, played poker at the legendary Mayfair Club and relive some of those great stories.
As Brian says, "You'd leave early in the morning either with a gangsters roll in your pocket or knowing you'd just lost… but somehow as you'd walk out, four, four-thirty, five in the morning and get into a gypsy cab... something just felt right in the world..."
The Mayfair Club was Brian and his writing partner David Levien's inspiration for the hit movie Rounders starring Matt Damon.
Brian attributes a lot of his success to his ADHD. He's able to laser focus in things that fascinate him. When he came across the singer-songwriter Tracey Chapman, he was hooked. She had something very special and he "knew it." But "knowing it" and getting her to believe he knew it and that he could help her took years of hard work. She originally said no a hundred times in a row.
You’ve got to listen to Brian's story about Phillip Roth and the elevator... It's a classic.
They dive deep into the question of how can you turn off that voice inside you that tells you that you suck.
Put some kind of practice into your life; walk, exercise, meditate, whatever… as long as it works for you, do it.
This is a great interview… one of James' all-time best.
11/7/2014 • 48 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep. 58 - Clayton Anderson: Dream, Persevere, and Succeed
Clayton Anderson is the definition of a person who persevered and "chose himself." He applied 15 times before NASA finally selected him to enter the astronaut program in 1998.
He talks about the importance of never giving up on a dream. It wasn't easy and he admits he couldn't have done it without the support of his family. He tells James, "sometimes sacrifice is required to achieve your dreams." He provides valuable advice any entrepreneur can apply to their lives.
Clay also talks about the importance of setting goals and working toward them. Even though he wanted to be an astronaut, he knew he would have to take whatever job he qualified for and work his way up.
Veteran astronauts have a mantra, "Keep your head down and keep coloring"... In other words, don't stand out and keep grinding on the task at hand.
James and Clayton also talk about why being slightly above average and consistent can land you the opportunity of a lifetime. You don't have to be the best in order to be extraordinary.
This is an excellent episode for anyone feels like they may never achieve their dreams.
11/4/2014 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 57 - Daniel Roth: How to Make the Most Out of LinkedIn
In the Choose Yourself era, there's no better resource than LinkedIn for connecting to new people and searching for fresh starts.
This episode of the James Altucher Show features Daniel Roth, the Executive Editor at LinkedIn. Daniel has been called the "most powerful business journalist on the Internet" by Business Insider.
Daniel and his team recently launched the Influencer program. He wanted to create a platform for original and curated content from 500 of the world's top thought leaders. They wisely reached out to James to become one of their hand-picked writers.
You'll hear James and Daniel discuss the inner workings of writing a great post. They talk about why you should consider writing posts on LinkedIn versus your own blog. They make a very compelling case that you'll want to hear.
If you're currently in search of a new career or are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, start by listening to this podcast.
10/31/2014 • 50 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep. 56 - Shane Snow: Hacks To Fast Track Your Business
Most people will tell you there are no shortcuts when it comes to achieving success as an entrepreneur.
Shane Snow, author of the book Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success, will tell you differently. Shane set out to study entrepreneurs that successfully fast tracked their businesses.
He interviewed many successful people and found nine patterns that can be learned by anyone to help accelerate their businesses or personal careers.
Shane believes "paying dues" is an archaic practice. Shane and James break down case studies for listeners that show how quickly companies can grow by hacking the system.
Shane defines what an entrepreneurial success and failure look like. You'll learn the characteristics winning entrepreneurs have.
As usual, James brings his own unique insights to this interview.
You don't want to miss what they have to say.
10/29/2014 • 1 hour, 7 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 55 - Jimmy Wales: The Man Who Created Wikipedia
Type almost anything into Google and you'll notice that often the first or second search result is a Wikipedia page.
Wikipedia has become the world's encyclopedia. It's written collaboratively by the people who use it, and because of that, it has gone viral.
Jimmy Wales no longer runs the day-to-day operations of Wikipedia, instead he spends his days traveling the world giving talks on free speech and Internet freedom. Although, he still spends an inordinate amount of time interacting with and thinking about the community.
Today, Jimmy shares his secret origin with James.
History is usually written by the winners. Wikipedia has changed that, and now everyone has an equal say.
James asks Jimmy what the real "hot button" topics are, and which cause the most arguments. I think you'll be surprised by his answers.
As usual, James' mind is always thinking of new business ideas. During the interview both he and Jimmy toss out a few that are just waiting for someone to grab up and run with.
10/27/2014 • 44 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep. 54 - Gabriel Weinberg: The Man Who is Fighting Google
Are you interested in startups? Have you thought about creating one or have already started your own?If so, then you will be happy to hear that today's guest reveals all his secrets to launching a successful business.Gabriel Weinberg, the founder & CEO of DuckDuckGo and author of Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers, joins The James Altucher Show to break down business traction.Today Gabriel shares with James how he was able to start his own search engine and the reason he was driven to create a secure, private search engine for his users...Something that was extremely important to Gabriel was being able to create something that was different from all other sites and emphasized protecting searchers' privacy and avoiding any personalized search results.If you are looking for real customer growth and looking to create real traction for your startup, then his book is one of the best resources you can find.With so many components and moving parts involved in creating a company, it's sometimes difficult to focus on the most important aspects. That's things like content marketing, website traffic, email marketing... and so much more.But today, you have two brilliant entrepreneurs breaking down the most important steps that need to be in place to launch a successful company.If you have the drive and passion to create something, then don't let anything stop you...Most of the tools for success are free, and today James and Gabriel show you how to use what you already have access to...
10/23/2014 • 54 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep. 53 - Ted Leonsis: Six Secrets to Achieving Happiness and Success
James calls him one of the most inspirational people that he knows and has followed his career forever.Growing up in a family that was not financially successful, he was able to turn his luck around completely... At the age of 26 he had already sold his first company and made $70 million.Today, Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, majority owner, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about how he has found success and happiness.Ted explains, "There are very few things that define in best practice how to become happy and self-actualized."In his book, The Business of Happiness, he reveals the six secrets to achieving true happiness... and how they make success almost inevitable.Find out what these six secrets are and how Ted has put them to use in his own daily routine.Some of the most successful and happy people have used these techniques and created their very own practice... could these be the techniques you have been searching for?
10/21/2014 • 1 hour, 10 seconds
Ep. 52 - Simon Rich: The Story Behind the Youngest SNL Writer Ever
He is one of James' favorite writers... At just 30 years old, he has already written six books, two of which are being made into movies... one by Seth Rogen.He is also one of the youngest writers ever hired on Saturday Night Live.Simon Rich, author and screen writer, joins The James Altucher Show to not only talk about his process of writing, but also what it takes to really be funny.You'll get an inside look to his writing technique and routines... his very own "daily practice."Plus, you'll get exclusive details on his new sitcom that will be featured on FXX.There is an art to Simon's writing and you can feel his passion while listening to him talk about his work.He has created shortcuts and methods that have molded his writing ability... From reinventing previous works to getting inspiration from The Simpsons. If you are looking for inspiration or just some good reads... take some notes, because Simon discloses his favorite books and authors that have been huge motivators to his career.
10/17/2014 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 56 seconds
Ep. 51 - Marcus Lemonis: The Profit
One of James' favorite shows starts its new season TONIGHT!We don't know how he did it, but he has somehow convinced the star of the show to be today's guest.Would you ever invest your time and money into a business that is basically going under with no hopes of recovering?What if the entire process were filmed and broadcast to millions of people?That might sound crazy, but that is exactly what today's guest does for a living.Marcus Lemonis, CEO of Camping World and star of the CNBC all-new reality series, "The Profit," joins The James Altucher Show."The Profit" is a television show where struggling small businesses are offered cash and expertise in exchange for a percentage of ownership in their company.Marcus has a real passion for helping others and making businesses successful.For him, it's more than just business plans, numbers, and formulas... "Business success is always about the three P's: People, Process, and Product".What Marcus really enjoys is finding out what makes people tick, what motivates them, and how they can reinvent themselves as well as their business.Have you ever considered starting your own business? How about taking one out of bankruptcy? Marcus just bought Crumbs Bakery and James wants to know why. What does Marcus see in this bankrupt company that nobody else does?Marcus explains that Crumbs was a great business but its product line was just too niched. He wants to sell more than cupcakes so he'll sell products from his other brands, like Mr. Green Tea, Matt's Cookies, and Sweet Pete's candies."You can't run a business on just cupcakes," he said. "When we reopen, we're going to have a diversified offering."This podcast is an exclusive interview with one of the most successful business minds that ever existed, and you won't get these detailed suggestions anywhere else!He even reveals some of the most overlooked business secrets... including how to improve your business with zero cost...James asks Marcus which businesses from seasons one and two have been the most successful and which have been the least. You may be surprised at his answers.Plus, he gives James a sneak peek into season three which premieres TONIGHT on CNBC at 10 p.m. ET/PT...
10/14/2014 • 58 minutes, 21 seconds
Ep. 50 - Dr. Geoffrey Miller: An Expert's Guide to Sex & Dating
Relationships, sex, dating... no matter who you are, these are concepts that affect you at some point in your life.Do you ever seek advice about these topics? Browse the internet or self-help books?Today, we have a special treat for those that show interest in human sexuality.Dr. Geoffrey Miller, a world-famous evolutionary psychologist and co-host of the Mating Grounds podcast, joins The James Altucher Show to break down the dating hierarchy.Dr. Miller and Tucker Max co-host a podcast that provides listeners with actionable information and advice on evolutionary psychology, human sexuality, behavior genetics, and animal communication.It's a show about more than just sex... It's full of thought-provoking theories and will completely change the way you view our species.
10/10/2014 • 1 hour, 15 minutes, 1 second
Ep. 49 - Kevin Harrington: The Greatest Salesman Ever
Have you ever found yourself suckered into an infomercial... maybe even thinking, "Why didn't I come up with that?"What if you could have? What if you could turn any idea you had into a million-dollar idea?That is exactly what our guest today is known for. He is the inventor of the infomercial and was one of the original sharks on "Shark Tank."Millions of products have been become household names thanks to his insightful vision and creative sales techniques.Today, Kevin Harrington, one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time joins The James Altucher Show to talk about how you can create success from almost anything.Being able to spot a problem or recognizing when a product or service could be improved is the first step to becoming an entrepreneur.More than likely, you are already full of great ideas and don't even know it.Here, you will learn to embrace new ideas... because you never know when that million dollar one will surface.
10/7/2014 • 42 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 48 - Marni Kirney and Kristen Carney: What Women Really Want
Today we have two special guests that decipher the Rubik's cube of the dating scene on a daily basis... Marni Kinry and Kristen Carney, hosts of the Ask Women podcast, join The James Altucher Show to talk about dating, sex, and comedy.Besides their podcast, Kristen and Marni also participate in comedy, giving them a unique interpretation of the world of dating.James also asks them to comment on public speaking and how they have mastered confidence while doing stand-up comedy.If you have ever experienced stage fright, then you know how horrible it can be. So today, you get to hear from two experts on how to avoid the fear of speaking to an audience.This same approach can be applied to mastering the dating scene. It's a show that will unveil what you value in others that you may have been ignoring.Prepare to get in touch with not only what you want, but what you need in a partner.
10/3/2014 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 47 - Scott Adams: The Secret to Dilbert's Success
Have you ever been bored at work or in school and doodled on a notepad?Imagine if that doodle was your ticket to success? Well, it was for today's guest.Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip and author of How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about his career and how it landed him exactly where he wanted to be.He shares with us the real story to his cartoonist career. From a boring corporate job to getting paid to just doodle at home... he shares how this rare scenario developed.What might be a complete surprise is that much of his success is due to failure... In fact, Scott has failed at more things than probably anyone you've ever met or heard of.It makes you wonder if your own personal path to victory is be mapped out by your own mistakes.There is a unique combination of talent, luck, hard work, and trial and error that Scott has found to be the foundation to his idea executions.Is the best way to get to good ideas through bad ideas?Listen and decide for yourself...
9/30/2014 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 46 - Chris Guillebeau: How to Find Your Life's Quest
Our guest for today is one of the most extraordinary people that James has ever encountered.By the age of 35 he had already reached his goal of visiting every country in the world... Today, American entrepreneur, nonfiction author, blogger, and speaker Chris Guillebeau, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about his most recent book, The Happiness of Pursuit and his passion for seeking life-changing experiences. He shares intimate details and insight to his travels that have not been revealed anywhere else.How did his quests affect his relationships, goals, career, and self-image?What challenges did he encounter?Nothing is off limits!We feel it's one of the best interviews yet. His stories and vision of the world will open your eyes to endless possibilities.His words of wisdom are a reminder to listeners that yesterday will never come again... but you have today!
9/26/2014 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep. 45 - Nassim Taleb: Why You Should Embrace Uncertainty
Nassim Taleb, author of Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about technology and how different systems handle disorder.Just as humans evolve, technology is constantly being upgraded and replaced with new concepts and ideas.Today, we use technology in almost every aspect of your lives. But do we really understand the advantages and disadvantages to constantly being computerized?In Nassim's book, The Black Swan, he highlighted for readers the unusual and unpredictable events that underlie almost everything about our world. Now with his book, Antifragile, readers are presented with why we should embrace these uncertainties.The ideas and concepts that Nassim presents today for our listeners are beyond anything you have heard before.Nassim and James talk about several ways that disorder in your life will actually make you stronger. As Nassim tells James in the interview, "If you don't have variability in your life, you are not human."The key is to take these shocks and disruptions and become, as Nassim says, antifragile, in turn making you stronger, more creative, and better able to adapt to each new challenge you face.Nothing is certain in this world, and this episode will have you questioning everything you thought you knew.
9/23/2014 • 1 hour, 40 minutes, 57 seconds
Ep. 44 - Jason SurfrApp: $1 Million Selling My Identity
Jason SurfrApp (formerly Jason Headsetsdotcom & Jason Sadler) is as unconventional a marketer and entrepreneur as you'll find anywhere. He's an idea machine who knows how to execute his ideas.
He created IWearYourShirt, a company that used sponsored t-shirts to promote businesses on social media, and in 2012 and 2013, he auctioned off his last name to the highest bidders.
James and Jason dive into what it takes to really build a buzz, and talk about whether traditional PR companies are worth the money they charge.
Jason has found a better way...
He just asks. That may seem easy, but it's really a huge amount of work to do it right.
Do you have a "trust circle"? James and Jason talk about how important it is to have one.
Frustrated by the confusing landscape of book publishers and book agents, Jason chose himself by self-publishing and raising over $75,000 through sponsorships in his book Creativity For Sale before a single word was written or a single copy of the book sold.
9/19/2014 • 1 hour, 25 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep. 43 - Peter Thiel: What the Future Looks Like
If you listen to only one podcast this year than this has to be the one.
James and Peter talk about Peter’s brand new book Zero To One, which James says is the best business book, he’s read in a long long time…
But they cover so much more.
Where is the next technological innovation?
How to utilizing the 10x rule
What characteristics of PayPal led to the PayPal mafia?
Why working with your friends OK
What did peter see in Mark Zuckerburg?
What it was like turning down a billion dollars
The Chinese refrigerator rule
Will Über be a success?
Where would Peter put his retirement money?
“I think that when people come out of super successful companies like a Google or a Microsoft, they’ve often experienced business as too easy, and then they’re set up to fail, whereas if you come out of a company that’s completely blown up and failed, you often learn to set your sights lower and your expectations lower, and so I think failure is also somewhat overrated in our society because, you know, it actually does damage people.
So I think PayPal was this intermediate case where people learned that it was hard but possible to build a great business. A lot of great friendships were forged and these were the bases for starting these new companies.”
9/16/2014 • 1 hour, 16 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep. 42 - Coolio: Entrepreneur's Paradise
Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum artist Coolio joins The James Altucher Show to share his story of success.With more than 30 million records sold globally, Coolio gives a side to his story that most people don't know.Teacher? Psychologist? Author? There are many surprising career paths that Coolio he had interests in pursuing...You'll hear how his love of music and his ability to understand and connect with people enabled him to create hip-hop poetry unlike anyone else.Something that most people don't realize is that one of Coolio's biggest hits, "Gangsta's Paradise," caused him some career conflicts... and here you get all the details.What is truly inspiring is his passion for life and his ability to choose himself. From a rough childhood and being bullied to creating his career from scratch, you get the exclusive details from Coolio himself.He is living proof that believing in yourself is a skill, one that everyone can master if they put their minds to it.
9/11/2014 • 55 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 41 - Marina Franklin: The Secret No Comedian Will Ever Admit
Our guest this week has been featured on shows like NBC's Last Comic Standing and The Jay Leno Show.She has also worked with comedians like Amy Schumer, Keith Robinson, and Jim Norton.One of the hottest performers in the comedy scene, Marina Franklin, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about her successes, struggles, and life lessons.In more ways than one, comedy is all about timing...From her early childhood, to the start of her comedy career, to her dating life, you get to hear the real story behind Marina Franklin.You'll hear how she started out in acting, but quickly realized that her true passion was for comedy. Find out what drove her to pursue it to the fullest.Like many other professions, failure is something that most comedians face.How do you come back from failure? How do you move on and figure out your future?Today, Marina shares her personal struggle with failure and how she was able to overcome the "moments" and move on to a successful future.Her story is proof that we should never be afraid to fail because some of the most important parts of life tend to not be about the triumph, but rather the struggle.Sometimes it takes conflict to reveal the real opportunities in situations.If you want to hear more from Marina, you can check out her podcast, Friends Like Us.And don't forget – Follow Marina @marinayfranklin
9/9/2014 • 1 hour, 26 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 40 - Seth Gold - Hardcore Pawn
If you are familiar with TruTV and their hit show Hardcore Pawn, then you already know todays guest.Seth Gold, a fourth generation pawnbroker joins The James Altucher Show to share his insight into the pawn business.Have you ever walked into a pawn shop?If you have, you probably didn't think of the establishment as a bank. But that is exactly what they are. They are banks for people that don't have bank accounts and Seth breaks down why the business is so lucrative.Could this be the industry for you to start a business in?Here you get the real story behind one of the most successful businesses out there.Today Seth demonstrates the art of negotiating in a way that you won't hear anywhere else.Starting at the very bottom and going on to be named the 2013 National Pawnbrokers Association Pawnbroker of the Year, you get to hear the real success story straight from the source.Seth is living proof that if you do what you love, and put in the time and effort, success will follow.
9/4/2014 • 37 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 39 - James Manos: Dexter and The Sopranos - Enough Said
Have you ever wondered who the brilliant minds are behind some of the biggest hits in the entertainment industry?Well, today we have a special treat for you...Today one of the masterminds behind several hit series including, "The Sopranos," "The Shield," and "Dexter," James Manos, joins The James Altucher Show.For the most part we can all say that we have enjoyed the "happily ever after" stories... But something has happened to the American culture that has altered the way we view entertainment.One event that has caused such a fluctuation to our culture according to James Manos was 9/11.You'll hear how reality has made a huge impact on the creativity behind the entertainment industry.HBO is known to have some of the best series... how do they acquire these "big hits"?Here, the truth behind one of America's favorite cable networks is revealed...Plus, if you have ever wanted to know how some of these successful writers were able to create such amazing careers?Well... look no further.James shares how all of his previous careers and experiences have molded him into a unique success.
8/28/2014 • 40 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 38 Jim Cramer and James Finally Talk
James' guest this week not only wrote his favorite investment book, Get Rich Carefully, but has been a colleague and close personal friend for many years.Host of Mad Money & Co-Anchor of CNBC's Squawk on the Street, Jim Cramer joins The James Altucher Show, and displays a side of himself that many people never get the opportunity to see.If you are familiar with and enjoy Jim's commentary on finance and investing then get ready to hear an interview that reveals his confessions and successes in many different fields... James and Jim have not even talked to each other in about five years before doing this interview... so there is plenty to un-hash and dig out of the dark.It's all revealed and laid out for listeners... We hope you are ready because you won't get this kind of energy and enthusiasm about stocks and investments anywhere else!
8/21/2014 • 22 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 37 - Wendy Simmons: What's Really Going On in North Korea?
The stories and headlines that we hear and see about North Korea could be enough to keep anyone from traveling to the country.Or even the simple fact that Americans are generally NOT welcomed would be a clear warning to never travel there.But for our guest this week, that only enticed her more.This week, Wendy Simmons, professional photographer and worldwide traveler of over 85 countries, joins The James Altucher Show to share what is really going on in North Korea.From the moment she entered the country to the day she left, she was assigned a handler to escort her every move.With a "military-first" policy and the basic idea that nobody has free will... It's hard to believe that anybody would venture willingly into such a country.Here you will hear Wendy's first-hand experiences and the truth of what she has encountered.Forget most of what you think you know... because in this interview, everything about the world's most militarized society is revealed in a new light.
8/19/2014 • 1 hour, 5 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 36 - Ramit Sethi: I Will Teach You to Be Rich
If you are tired of living in the dark, being lied to, and sick of wasting your time… then this is the show you have been waiting for... Ramit Sethi, author of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, joins The James Altucher Show, to share his personal success story and how he has made a living out of doing what he loves most... inspiring others to find their passion.The workforce is being bombarded by recent college graduates that are materially ambitious yet financially clueless... Millions of jobs applications are filled out every day, but once you fill out that online application, what's next?Are you being proactive? Do you have control of your future? Have you even considered what other actions and responsibilities you should be doing in the meantime?HINT: There are MANY things that you should be doing.Ramit's book, I Will Teach You to Be Rich, has proven to be a practical and detailed approach on personal finance, banking, saving, budgeting, and investing. And today, you get to hear straight from the source what basic skills you need to acquire in order to be successful.If you are looking for wealth-building ideas to pursue your entrepreneurial idea, Ramit has all the answers that you are seeking.
8/15/2014 • 1 hour, 12 minutes, 14 seconds
Ep. 35 - Biz Markie: The Best and Worst Interview You'll Ever Hear
James says it's his worst interview ever and that he has never felt more awkward or embarrassed.We think it could be one of the best yet!We decided to play off of the awkwardness and embarrassing moments in the interview and bring to you something we know you haven't heard anywhere else.Enter, Biz Markie, hip-hop legend and James' hero.If you are familiar with the hit song "Just a Friend" then you already know at least one of his many hits.From making it as one of the top names in hip-hop to "choosing himself" and losing 150 pounds... Biz shares it all!Most of people don't know about the many careers that Biz Markie has been able to master. He has gone from rapping to DJ-ing to acting to managing a business.But what is really remarkable about him is his attitude... doing what he loves and not worrying about making millions. Money should just be a side effect of doing what you are truly passionate about.For Biz, that is his many business ventures... He chose himself by having multiple sources of income to support all of his interests.This interview gives listeners insight into his whole career inside and out. Was he a one-hit guy? Did he resent other rappers that went on to make millions later on? How did he reinvent himself to succeed in other careers?How hard do you actually have to work and how many years of practice does it take?If you ever wondered how the hip-hop industry works, and what it takes to make it in a highly competitive field, then this is the show for you.With all of his success and opportunities that he has had over the years, James asks Biz if he has any regrets. His answer is truly one to admire and one that a lot of individuals would not be able to say.
8/8/2014 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 40 seconds
Ep. 34 - James Altucher's Life Story
Each week, we get to hear little snippets of James Altucher's life, but we never get the full story.Today that changes. Today, Claudia turns the tables on James and interviews HIM. If you know James, you have heard him say that he has lost and made millions back and at times mention that he felt as if he was going to die.So Claudia jumps right into the questions that so many of us want to know more about. "Why were you going to die?""People lose money every day... how many millions did you lose?""How did you lose it? How did you make it back again?" James reveals all the mistakes that led to his darkest moments... times where he thought he would never see the light again.Divorced, no job, completely broke, millions have been lost. When you feel that your children would be better off with your life-insurance policy instead of you... how do you come back from something like that?And... James reveals a HUGE secret that nobody else knows... not even Claudia.He has always been open and honest with his listeners and followers of his blog, twitter, and Facebook. But today EVERYTHING is revealed... absolutely nothing is off the table.He was able to completely turn his life around... something that most individuals in the same type of situations would not be fortunate enough to do.His success, triumph, and passion are truly admirable and could be inspiration to use toward your own life.It is the ultimate "choose yourself" episode... Enjoy.
8/6/2014 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep. 33 - Noah Kagan: What It's Like to Lose $100 Million at Facebook
Noah Kagan, an American Internet entrepreneur and founder of AppSumo, joins The James Altucher Show.Noah gets asked the same question every time he gives an interview... "Why were you fired from Facebook?"But today... he shares it all with James and you get to hear the real story.Noah shares two secrets that he hasn't ever told in an interview before.He was fired as one of the first employees of Facebook and he left probably $100,000,000 behind if he had stayed.He tells James exactly what happened. Why he was fired. What he did afterwards. And... what he's doing now (its genius).Then... the interview veers in a different direction that changes James' life and maybe it will change yours as well. Noah tells James that one of the first steps to success is to get over your fears.Noah presents James with a challenge. It may sound simple, but he encourages all of the listeners to go out and try it as well.IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE.Going outside the comfort zone will put you in THE ZONE. THE ZONE is much bigger than the comfort zone. And James has found that he wants to live in THE ZONE even though it's scarier.You'll see that life is full of rejection, but what you learn from the experience is what will change your life for the better.
8/1/2014 • 1 hour, 30 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 32 - Tim Ryan: The Congressman Who Meditates
Tim Ryan, U.S representative for the 13th district of Ohio and author of A Mindful Nation, joins The James Altucher Show.When you think of politics and Congress, meditation is not usually something that jumps out in your mind.But today, that is precisely the case. Tim joins The James Altucher Show to talk about how cutting stress… Being mindful and aware of others is the number one way to create a less chaotic nation.Just like James, Tim has created a daily practice for himself to exercise his idea muscle and figure out alternative routes to everyday problems.Tim presents listeners with a simple strategy that when applied and practiced can help with any problems that you may have... We live in a world where there is a pill for any problem. Do we want to live in a society where our children, politicians, teachers, family, and friends are heavily medicated?Or are there more effective and natural ways to heal our bodies and minds?James and Tim go through several techniques that everyone can use to better their lives with minimal amount of effort.
7/30/2014 • 51 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 31 - Jim Norton: The Art of Comedy
Today, James interviews his close friend and author of Happy Endings: The Tales of a Meaty-Breasted Zilch, Jim Norton.You may know Jim from his various appearances on shows or even his own stand-up routines. But what you don't know is the process behind all his achievements.Here is where you meet the real Jim Norton. You'll learn how he overcame the darkest part of his life and decided to rise above it all and "choose himself."Just like James, Jim found it difficult to perform in front of an audience, but he shares his strategy for connecting and building a quick rapport with a crowd.He gives several other tactics that have helped him overcome the anxiety and doubt that builds during his shows. His examples could be approaches that help you cure your own stage fright.Something that James and Jim both believe in is honesty. An audience responds to honesty and it's what will always work in your favor.Not only will it free you from guilt and stress, it will protect you if the truth is ever questioned in the future. To have a true connection and respectability with your fans, you need to hide nothing from them.Get ready to see a side of comedy that is not revealed very often...Enjoy!
7/25/2014 • 53 minutes, 57 seconds
Ep. 30 - Iron Chef Judy Joo: How She Quit Wall Street To Choose Herself
In today’s interview Judy Joo tells us how she went from being a high-paid Wall Street analyst to a low-paid chef.
7/22/2014 • 44 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 29 - Adam Braun: How To Quit Your Job And Do What You Love
This week, Adam Braun, New York Times bestselling author and the founder of the charity Pencils of Promise, joins The James Altucher Show.
Today you will hear how Adam found his purpose in life and what near-disaster made him realize he was meant to live doing what he loved.
"When you are pushed to your limit and you are faced with your own mortality, it's the expectation, almost knowledge that you have something more to live for." This is how Adam describes the moment that changed his life forever.
You probably haven't had a near death experience, but today you will learn that there is more than one way to find your purpose in life – Adam describes three.
Adam has backpacked around the world, risked his life, and gained knowledge that led him to start an extraordinary charitable organization. This leads James to ask him... "Was it worth it to go to college, given that a lot of the impactful things that happened to you happened outside the classroom?"
You won't want to miss Adams response. You'll also find out where he says he learned the most.
This is the show that gives you the knowledge and tools that will lead you to a successful and significant life... and make it a story worth telling.
Enjoy!
7/19/2014 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 27 seconds
Ep. 28 - Kamal Ravikant: How to Become an Angel Investor with Only $1000
This week, Kamal Ravikant, a serial entrepreneur and author of Live Your Truth, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about the secret to his success.Today's interview will reveal a side to Kamal that many people have not seen before. He shares his past... from his time in the military to the time he was bed-ridden. There are many life lessons and hardships that he has risen above... and it's here that you get the exclusive details.His experiences will remind listeners that everything can change in the blink of an eye. No matter how good or bad a situation is, it will change.Part of Kamal's success is his skillful investing techniques, and now you will hear what he specifically looks for when picking these enterprises.James asks Kamal to share the trends in the technology sector he is excited about (that nobody else knows about yet). Find out why he is excited about what he calls "the new Internet." He describes it as having no government, no private company, no middle man; it will be communication without central authority.And you won't want to miss this... James and Kamal talk about what could be a tipping point in the BitCoin community. It just takes one country... Find out why they are looking closely at Argentina.Then, James asks Kamal to talk about the success he has seen from his books. You'll hear the real secret to Kamal's success. He explains, "The key is really simple: Create something of value that's more about giving to others than to yourself and then put it where people are."Just like James, Kamal believes in being completely honest and transparent with your audience so that they can have the opportunity to relate to you and your writing.Get ready because this is the interview that gives you great insight from a truly unique entrepreneur.
7/11/2014 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep. 27 - Seth Godin: Guts and Glory
This week, Seth Godin, founder and CEO of Squidoo.com joins The James Altucher Show to talk about some of the ideas behind his many bestsellers. He'll also share how he got started on his entrepreneurial path.James starts the interview by asking Seth to introduce a side of himself that many people might not know about.You'll hear how his summer as a camp instructor was where he really discovered his passion for helping people. This time of his life also is where many of the themes of his books originated.Discover which two books were most influential to James while he was starting his internet business... they could be the inspiration that you have been looking for, as well.Then, James asks Seth to talk about what the first real big push into success was for him. It was a highly successful company that you have probably never heard of.You'll find out which company it was and why Yahoo was so impressed they decided to buy it.Just like James, Seth believes in the power of storytelling. You'll hear him break down how his newest book All Marketers Are Liars embodies the importance of storytelling and the role it plays in the marketing of everything.It's a fantastic interview, where Seth really opens up, shares his path to success, and discusses what he would have done differently if he were given the chance.Enjoy!
7/3/2014 • 29 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 26 - Claudia Alzula: The Power of No
Today's show is a little different. Aaron is out so James asked his wife, Claudia, to join as his co-host to talk about their new book, The Power of No.How many times have you heard yourself saying "yes" to the wrong things – overwhelming requests, bad relationships, time-consuming obligations? How often have you wished you could summon the power to turn them down?James and Claudia talk about how this book is a practical guide that helps you take back that power – and shows that a well-placed "no" can not only save you time and trouble... it can save your life.Drawing on their own stories as well as feedback from their readers and students, James and Claudia clearly show that you have the right to say no to:• Anything that is hurting you• Standards that no longer serve you• People who drain you of your creativity and expression• Beliefs that are not true to the real you"It's one thing to say no," the authors explain, "it's another thing to have the 'Power of No.' When you do, you will have a stronger sense of what is good for you and the people around you, and you will have a deeper understanding of who you are. And, ultimately, you'll be free to say a truly powerful 'Yes' in your life – one that opens the door to opportunities, abundance, and love."This is like a chance to sit down with the authors and get the inside scoop.If you Pre-order NOW, before July 15, 2014, you can get THREE FREE GIFTS1. Bonus Audio Chapter: "The Opportunity Cost of NO"2. Bonus Audio Chapter: "What to Do When Someone Says NO – To YOU"3. Free PDF Copy of The Choose Yourself StoriesClick here to get the details on how you can pre-order.We hope you use The Power of No and the bonus materials to live your best "Yes!" life.Enjoy!
6/27/2014 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 25 - Adam Carolla: The Next President of the USA
This week, Adam Carolla, American comedian and host of The Adam Carolla Show, joins The James Altucher Show.You probably know Adam best from his show on Comedy Central, The Man Show. But what you might not know is how the show actually originated.Today, Adam reveals the secret to the show that may shock many listeners.Like James, Adam chose a more unconventional path in life.He was a college dropout who tried every job in the book. But with perseverance, he was able to go around the gatekeepers of the industry that he wanted to pursue. You'll hear all the struggles and hurdles that got Adam to where he is today.A humbling side of Adam is revealed as he shares the story of his first consistent paying job where the little things meant so much to him. Things as simple as sitting in air conditioning and getting paid to interview people... He says he just could not fathom the idea of it.Even when his ideas were shut down, he found incentive to move forward and continue building his idea muscle... Here, you'll learn that you have to break out of your comfort zone to really succeed.Plus, you won't want to miss this, Adam discusses his newest book President Me: The America That's in My Head. It's your chance to sit down and have a one-on-one with the author himself.James and Adam discuss the general entitlement that people seem to have across America, as mentioned in his book.And for anyone seeking advice or wisdom on starting a podcasting career... listen up, because Adam has several priceless suggestions.You'll also hear all about what Adam calls his "patent troll," opening up about a recent lawsuit his podcast is facing...
6/20/2014 • 41 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep. 24 - Mark Cuban: Enough Said
e is all over the media... but this is an interview you won't get anywhere else!Having started out with no money, living with six guys in a three-bedroom apartment, while sleeping on the floor, it's kind of hard to believe that this person would be able to retire by age 30.But this isn't just any person, it's Mark Cuban... and that is exactly what he did. His first passion in life was getting rich, and today you get the real story about his success.It was more than just aspiration – Mark says it was about putting in the time and the desire to be self-employed and an entrepreneur that really drove his passion.What started as the motivation to simply survive his monthly bills turned into a life he could not have imagined.From his first college bar to MicroSolutions (the first company that he sold), you'll get the inside scoop on how his business ventures started and then soared to epic proportions.Plus, Mark goes into detail about his recent case with the SEC, and talks about the influence that the case had on the creation of Cyber Dust.It will surely make you think twice about sending your next text, email, tweet, or any communication over the internet.
6/13/2014 • 55 minutes, 7 seconds
Ep. 23 - Steve Scott: How To Go From $0-$40,000 a Month Writing From Home
Divorce, success, failure, struggle... are these excuses or stepping stones?Today's guest has been through many situations similar to our host, James Altucher.Like James, Steve Scott has made his passions a reality by going around the gatekeepers of industries and finding a way to "choose himself."Steve has written a variety of books that deliver step-by-step strategies you can immediately implement to improve your life and business strategies.You'll quickly learn that what separates Steve from many others is his unique ability to break down barriers and explain complex topics in a no-nonsense, straight forward way.You would think that having a failed marriage, losing his house, and moving back in with his parents would have slowed his success and willpower. However, for Steve, that is simply not the case... in fact, it has only pushed his drive and focus even further.Here is your shortcut in life... There is no holding back in this interview. Steve shares all the secrets and shortcuts that have brought him success.This month alone he is already set to make $40,000... all from the comfort of his home and at his own leisurely schedule.There are two strategies that Steve follows, and he explains why there is no need for any others... It could be your new business philosophy.Enjoy!
6/6/2014 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 22 - Tim Ferriss: Possibilities and Experimentation
This week James hosts his good friend and best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss.Before every interview, James spends hours reviewing his guest's work so he can come up with something different and something very special.This interview proved to be the most difficult in regard to preparation, so far. Not because Tim Ferriss doesn't have anything interesting to talk about (quite the opposite), but because James didn't want to ask him the same old questions he gets asked on every interview. "Can you really only work 4 hours a week?" "Did you really do the things you wrote about?" "Is it actually possible to get the results that you did?" Blah, Blah, Blah.Tim Ferriss has done many different, interesting things besides writing his "4 hour series," and James explores many of those passions on this podcast.And don't worry, this isn't "The 4 Hour Podcast." But almost.
5/30/2014 • 1 hour, 47 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 21 - College is a Scam
We are doing something a little different this week. There isn't a guest, but there will be a heated debate between James and Aaron.It's a sensitive topic for many individuals, so get ready...Kids that are graduating high school right now are beginning to apply for college. Unfortunately, they could be making one of the biggest mistakes of their lives.Hundreds of dollars of student debt, little to no job opportunities – these are the realities of today's college graduate.James takes some of the most popular arguments for why kids should go to college and turns them on their head.It's the American religion that kids should go to college... but is it necessary?What are the reasons for going to college? Is it to network and meet people?Couldn't you do the same by taking a year off and traveling? Not only would you get to see the world, meet people from all walks of life, but you would be gaining knowledge and experiences that could NEVER be taught in a classroom.Will you make more money if you go to college?Do you want to be a writer? Why not write a book for free and self-publish?There are many ways around almost every gate-keeper out there... Why not get a head start on your fellow "classmates" and skip the debt process?Sure you learn certain things in college, but the real question is, "what are you NOT learning?"...Whether you are a student or the parent of a student, listening to this episode is a must...And even if you are neither, these children are the future of the country and they will affect the direction this country goes.It's a fantastic show that will certainly have you rethinking your goals in life.
5/23/2014 • 1 hour, 24 minutes, 56 seconds
Ep. 20 - Stephen Dubner: How to Think Like a Freak
This week, James asked one of his favorite guests, Stephen Dubner, to join the show and talk about his newest book, Think Like a Freak.Just like his previous bestseller, Freakonomics, you'll hear James and Stephen talk about how his new book also infuses the power of storytelling... If you don't already know the secret purpose, you'll hear it here!Stephen's newest book gives practical advice on how to think outside of the box and how to solve problems from an economic perspective.He explains to our listeners that "in order for a piece of writing to be successful, you have to be really good at both logic and rhetoric." What Stephen has to share will certainly have your idea-muscle breaking a sweat... His recipe for greatness is revealed. and you'll get incredibly valuable behind-the-scenes knowledge.Get ready, because once again, James has found another completely unconventional guest to deliver priceless knowledge and information that you just can't get anywhere else!It's rare to come across an individual that sees the world so differently than anyone else.Here is where you will learn how to think a bit more productively, more creatively, more rationally, and most importantly, a bit unusual... Do you have what it takes to Think Like a Freak?
5/16/2014 • 1 hour, 48 seconds
Ep. 19 - Austin Kleon: How To Be A Creative Genius
This week, Austin Kleon, New York Times bestselling author, joins The James Altucher Show.James and Austin start the show with a discussion on embracing influence, which is the main theme in his book, Steal Like An Artist.This will truly open up your creativity and tap into your artistic side.Austin believes that you should open yourself up to influence and accept a mash up of what you let into your life.James and Austin both express the importance of following your interests and generating ideas... They tell you how you can be unique by just reinventing ideas of others.They encourage you to "choose yourself" and get rid of any hurdles that are keeping you from success.And... It's a question that many of us have asked... "How do I find purpose in life?" It's different for everyone, but Austin tells you how to look at the world to figure that out.Throughout the day, is there time that you are not using efficiently? Find out how to utilize those moments you might have been overlooking. It's a fantastic show that you won't want to miss out on.Enjoy!
5/9/2014 • 53 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 18 - Ryan Holiday: Turning Trials into Triumph
Feeling stuck, frustrated, or faced with unbearable situations?Do you find it difficult to live in the present moment?If any of those apply to you, then this is the show to listen to!Ryan Holiday joins The James Altucher Show to talk about his brand-new book, The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph.You'll hear how you can build resilience in your life to help protect yourself from any difficulties that may cross your path.There is a discipline in perception that needs to be put in place... and James and Ryan walk you through the process.His book depicts several examples of individuals that were faced with impossible situations and were able to thrive past any limitations they thought would have held them back.A lot of us are stuck, stymied, and frustrated – working to make the best of the financial crisis or unemployment or personal problems. But it needn't be this way. There is a formula for success that has been followed by the icons of history – from John D. Rockefeller to Amelia Earhart to Ulysses S. Grant to Steve Jobs – a formula that let them turn obstacles into opportunities. The Obstacle Is The Way contains that formula and will be your manual for facing adversity and turning it into the triumphs we all seek.If you can't handle the minor obstacles, how are you going to handle the major dilemmas?Here is your chance to get an inside look from the author himself... There is a formula to turn negative situations into positive ones and James and Ryan reveal the secret.James asks Ryan, why this book and why now?"I believe that you write the book that you have to write. This is that book for me. I first discovered the Stoic exercise of turning obstacles upside down when I was 19 years old. Since then, it has been seared into my brain regardless of what I've done, and I've always tried to think about my problems and opportunities in life through that frame. It has helped me become successful, just as it helped countless people before me. The Obstacle Is The Way reveals that framework for the first time – and shows you how to turn your trials and tribulations into opportunities."
5/2/2014 • 42 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 17 - Chris Brogan: Are YOU a Freak?
Willpower is pointless!
Do you agree? If you do then you will love this interview with Publisher and CEO of Owner Magazine, Chris Brogan.
James brings Chris on as a guest to talk about his new book, The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth: Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators.
He breaks down what willpower really is... just our brains' programming language.
Just like James does in his upcoming book, The Power of No, Chris discusses how to use discipline with our willpower and to learn that smarter no's lead to better yesses...
How do you avoid getting stuck in "plan-ville?" How will you launch these great ideas that have inspired you?
James and Chris talk about how to turn your passions into businesses...
Are you still playing it safe? Scared to take that plunge and trust your ideas?
This is an excellent "Choose Yourself" episode that gives you that nudge of reassurance that you need to go after whatever it is that you are hesitant about.
Enjoy!
4/25/2014 • 51 minutes, 43 seconds
Ep. 16 - Paul Oyer: Mastering Online Dating!
How can you make yourself stand out in a crowd?
Are you catching the right person's attention?
Well, here is the show where you can figure that out. Our guest this week is Paul Oyer, author of Everything I Ever Needed to Know about Economics I Learned from Online Dating.
Like our host James, Paul is an interesting guy who has found success by thinking outside the box.
Paul shares his discoveries about the online dating world that he found to stem from economics.
After more than 20 years of marriage, Paul found himself swimming in the deep sea of the online dating scene...
Sure he was out of the game for some time – older than the last time he was single – but he did have an edge on the dating market... his economist's point of view.
He talks about his experiences in the online dating world that helped him learn how to stand out. It's all about signaling...
Paul explains how he came to realize that the sites available out there are no different from the markets that he had spent a lifetime studying.
You'll hear how you can relate these ideas to your everyday life.
Enjoy!
4/18/2014 • 1 hour, 52 seconds
Ep. 15 - Tom Shadyac: The Man Who Gave Away 50 Million Dollars and Moved Into a Trailer Park
Tom Shadyac, one of the most prolific comedy directors in Hollywood, joins The James Altucher Show.
4/11/2014 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 48 seconds
Ep. 14 - Gabrielle Bernstein: Miracles
This week, Gabrielle Bernstein, New York Times bestselling author, joins The James Altucher Show to give us an exclusive look into her new book Miracles Now, which is being released today!James starts the show off by asking Gabrielle how she started her media empire. She takes us back to the very beginning and her first career in public relations promoting night clubs.Believe it or not, by the time Gabrielle was 25 years old, she was already in a dark place and had hit rock bottom. She was in the party scene, stressed, overwhelmed, and over-worked.You'll hear how she overcame all and was able to resurrect her life.James and Gabrielle talk about those moments in life when you do feel most stressed and she offers up some tools that you can use to eliminate those frustrations. They talk about how to look at your moments of panic, depression, and emotional thoughts with a new perspective. It is up to you to reach for positive thoughts and solutions.Gabrielle's new book, Miracles Now, presents you with the life-changing techniques that will melt away fear, channel your inner strength, and bring you inner peace.Here is your chance to get the inside scoop from the author herself!Enjoy.
4/8/2014 • 57 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 13 - Arianna Huffington: The New Way To Thrive
This week, Arianna Huffington, president, and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about her new book, Thrive. Are you stressed over work, relationships, or your environment?Is stress causing you to miss out on certain activities or events?Are you losing your connection with what really matters? In today's show, James and Arianna go through it all and much more... They talk about what it really means to be successful in today's world and the stress that is caused from the constant strives for perfection.You will hear Arianna break down the baby steps that helped her make her transformation to a more successful and less stressful life.It could be something as simple as adding 30 minutes of sleep to your schedule... It's what she calls the miracle drug!Find out why she no longer multi-tasks... It could be a change that you need to make in order to "choose yourself."Something that we need to do is bring joy back to our daily life... James and Arianna tell us how we can make that possible.There is a shortcut to happiness, and you heard it here first.It's a powerful and eye-opening episode... Enjoy!
4/4/2014 • 34 minutes, 1 second
Ep. 12- Dan Harris: How To Be 10% Happier
This week, Dan Harris, co-anchor of ABC News' weekend edition of "Good Morning America," joins The James Altucher Show to talk about his new book, 10% Happier.Do you have 5 minutes to dedicate to your health?In that little bit of time, you could lower your blood pressure, relieve stress, and even rewire your brain. Some people might cringe at the thought of the first topic that we cover... meditation. But maybe they don't understand exactly what can be considered as meditation.In today's show, you'll hear just how useful this tool can be and how easily it can be incorporated into your daily life routine. Everybody has time to better themselves... it's just a matter of "choosing yourself" and making it a habit.Then, Dan Harris breaks down all barriers and shares it all.You'll hear about how he suffered panic attacks as a result from his drug addiction and how his experiences had led to the creation of his book, 10% Happier.Dan shares with our listeners the secrets that he has stumbled upon that have led to his success in life.They talk about the "Don't be a jerk" theory and the true power of compassion in the business world.You will learn how to be successful, happy, improve your focus, build stronger relationships, and how to live in the moment.Enjoy!
3/28/2014 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 37 seconds
Ep. 11 - Ken Kurson: Who Will Be the Next President of the United States?
Ken Kurson, editor of The New York Observer, political consultant, journalist, and author, joins The James Altucher Show"You've created a 'Choose Yourself Career.'" Nobody could have just given you the career you've had. You've had to go and hunt for that career. You had to kill for that career. You made it up yourself as you went along.This week, Ken Kurson, editor of The New York Observer, political consultant, journalist, and author, joins The James Altucher Show to talk about who will be the next President of the United States, the future of the media, and Ken's million-dollar deal that's still out there for the right entrepreneur to grab and run with."Green was my one great idea in my life." There really is room, in my opinion, for a legitimate inheritor to the Greenmantle." James and Ken then jump right into what it was like to work with America's Mayor, Rudy Guilliani. You'll get a firsthand look at what it's like running for President of the United States and what it takes to win.James asks Ken who he thinks the 2016 Republican and Democratic front runners are right now. You might be very surprised by his picks.They talk about getting rid of our two-party system because, as James says, "It doesn't seem to work at all. The candidates are very similar. I mean, in very rare cases, can I tell a difference in policy, actually, between Obama and Bush. It just seems like the two-party system and the lack of democracy, as you mentioned, is just a total failure."But Ken disagrees… "Yeah, I don't agree. I think the two-party system is a disaster except for all the other systems that have tried democracy which is an inversion of the old democracy is terrible except for all the other systems."And so James offers up a brand-new, high-tech system that he believes could really help.Plus, James asks Ken "So what's next in the media industry?" I think you'll be very surprised by Ken's answer... "I don't think Twitter is the end of news. I believe we're kind of in a golden age of attention span. There's never been a time where people would watch 13 hours of beautifully written television in a row; the same show. I think it's really the beginning."Hope you enjoy.
3/26/2014 • 46 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 10 - Steven Kotler: How to Be a Super-Human
This week, Steven Kotler, an American bestselling author, journalist, and entrepreneur joins The James Altucher Show to talk about his new book The Rise of Superman: Decoding the Science of Ultimate Human Performance.They break down the term "flow," an optimal state of consciousness in which we perform and feel our best, and Steven shares his fascination with the term.His book focuses on extreme athletes who partake in phenomenal situations that are impossible to train for and experience "flow" that bridges their ability gap.Steven calls them "flow" hackers... and discusses how he has used them as case studies to figure out how they trigger and harness their euphoric state.You will learn how to activate your own state of flow and unleash your creativity.Time will stand still allowing opportunities and possibilities that you never even imagined to open up.It's a great "Choose Yourself" tool to master.
3/21/2014 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 9 - Hugh Howey: Is Self-Publishing the Next Gold Rush?
This week, Hugh Howey, author of the New York Times bestseller Wool, joins The James Altucher Show.If you have ever wanted to write a book or any piece of literature... this is the show for you.Hugh explains how self-publishing is breaking down the walls to the literary world. This is creating more genres that people actually want to read rather than what general publishers assume the public wants to read.You'll hear him break down his creative process and the steps that he took to self-publish his books.Just by cutting out a few activities a day made it possible for him to accomplish his writing goals.It will prove that you are the only one standing in the way of your success.Taking a day off will only snowball... you have to stick with it.You have to "Choose Yourself!"
3/14/2014 • 1 hour, 14 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep. 8 - Anxiety: How to Deal with It
On this week's show, James and Aaron discuss the Stansberry Society Conference that was held this past weekend in Miami.James shares with Aaron the nervousness that he felt about speaking at the conference and how he was able to overcome that anxiety. It's something useful to anyone that has to do public speaking.Then James interviews Charlie Hoehn, author of Play It Away: A Workaholic's Cure for Anxiety.There is truly no holding back for Charlie... How do you pull yourself out of an emotional slump?He shares with James and our listeners the lowest points he has experienced in life, and the one book that changed it all.Then, they talk about something that all of us have done as kids but maybe have forgotten the importance of... How to play and let yourself have guilt-free fun.James and Charlie discuss the many ways they take time for themselves to play, generate ideas, and how it jump starts different parts of their brain.You will hear how planning time for yourself can cure many things... Plus, find out how Charlie was able to have his book edited for free... and turn out 10 times better than if he had gone through a traditional publisher.So we hope you are paying attention because here is your chance to have a better life, make more money, have more fun, and accomplish your dreams by ignoring conventional wisdom.And... Don't miss this! We debut our first-ever "Ask Altucher" segment... Enjoy!
3/7/2014 • 1 hour, 6 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 7 - Matthew Berry: How to Create Your Fantasy Life
This week, Matthew Berry, Senior Fantasy Sports Analyst at ESPN, joins the show to talk about his New York Times bestseller, Fantasy Life.The world of fantasy sports is huge, and still growing, Matthew gives us an inside look to this niche subculture that has become a national pastime. You will hear him talk about his success as a writer and the different career paths he has experienced along the way.And... there is no holding back!Divorce, hate mail, business deals gone bad, disappointing celebrity idols... Matthew shares it all.Find out his secret to happiness.Plus, don't miss out on the special promo code to use at rotopass.com.Enjoy!
2/28/2014 • 1 hour, 53 minutes, 11 seconds
Ep. 6 - Dr. Wayne Dyer: A Test to See If You Are Ordinary
It's a question many of us are too afraid to answer..
"Is this as good as it gets?"
Perhaps you feel that way from time to time. You get stuck in an unfulfilling job. You get stuck with a mortgage you can barely pay, in a house that didn't make you any happier than your previous home. You get stuck in a negative relationship. And you wonder if things will ever get better.
James Altucher knows the feeling well. And in the latest episode of his radio show, he shows you exactly how to get "un-stuck" by making your negative life experiences work for you instead of against you.
The type of unconventional ideas you'll hear on his show made James a millionaire... and many of his guests have done the same.
This week's guest is no exception..
Dr. Wayne Dyer has seen plenty of obstacles in his life... but his attitude and belief in the power of self-reliance have earned him the title "father of motivation" by his fans.
A hard worker since his first paper route at age 9, Dr. Dyer says, "There's never been a moment when I was unemployed, ever."
He was an orphan, served in the military, taught at a prestigious university, had eight children of his own, and made a comfortable life for himself in Hawaii.
To say he is influential is an understatement.
His first book, Your Erroneous Zones, was not only a New York Times bestseller, but it sold more than 100 million copies in 47 languages... and was even smuggled to readers living behind the Iron Curtain of the 1980's.
He is one of the most prolific writers of our time. In fact, he has authored 40 books.
But like we mentioned earlier, some people really struggle with the feeling that their life is ordinary and unimportant...
James and Dr. Dyer explain why getting "un-stuck" is so important.
Dr. Dyer explains "If you're feeling stuck, your stuckness is going to have a physical impact on you... You're gonna get sick if you stay stuck."
More importantly, he shows you exactly how to get un-stuck, and live the life you were meant to lead.
The tips and ideas Dr. Dyer discusses in the show are wide ranging.
From how to side-step fights with your wife... to avoiding the most common regret of the dying... Dr. Dyer's advice is well worth listening to.
We’ll be the first to admit this was an intense show.
But Dr. Dyer is one of the most inspirational speakers in the world... And when combined with James' fascinating, original take on the world, the result is riveting.
Enjoy!
2/21/2014 • 56 minutes, 20 seconds
Ep. 5 - Lewis Howes: The Millionaire Who Couldn't Read
You've heard the stories about college dropouts who go on to become billionaires... like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerburg...
And you might even know that 20% of America's millionaires never stepped foot on a college campus.
But how many guys have you heard of who read at a second grade level... yet go on to be millionaires?
My guess is none... but you're about to meet one.
His name is Lewis Howes, and he's this week's guest on the James Altucher Show, a radio show we recently helped to launch.
Lewis Howes' story is nothing short of amazing...
At age 10, he was 6'3". He described himself as a "gangly, skinny, ugly, acne kid, who couldn't read or write or do anything."
In the eighth grade, he could only read at a second-grade level. He cheated on every test in high school because he says that's the only way he could pass.
But Lewis' life changed dramatically after talking his way into college. He wanted to become a football player... and despite a series of major setbacks and injuries, he became a two-time All-American.
Thing is... when it came time to leave college, the NFL didn't want him. He had no other skills. He was broke and depressed.
By now, you might be wondering how listening to a former semi-pro football player can help you become more successful and wealthy.
Turns out, a lot more than you'd think... Howes figured out an ingenious way to make a fortune. At one time, he was making an incredible $60,000 per hour.
This week, you'll hear the amazing story of Lewis Howes, who now travels the globe teaching people exactly how they can achieve their dreams.
Schools can't prep you for success anymore.
Today's millionaires prove that if schooling and traditional employment does not work for you, then you must figure out how to connect with people on a different level.
And Lewis teaches you exactly what you need to do to get there.
He reveals the secret thing that people should never, ever do when they're trying to get ahead. I was shocked because it's usually the first thing people think they SHOULD do!
He also reveals the question that he always asks during networking sessions. Lewis explains, "That simple question opened the door" to his future as a millionaire.
Like James Altucher, Lewis Howes is a quirky, interesting guy, who's become a huge success by thinking outside the box.
2/19/2014 • 1 hour, 13 minutes, 23 seconds
Ep. 4 - Ylon Schwartz: A Poker Champion's Secret Revealed
On this week's show, James and Aaron Brabham chat with Ylon Schwartz: poker champion, chess master, and gamer extraordinaire.
He is without a doubt one of the most intriguing characters you're ever likely to encounter...
College Dropout Who Has Never Had a Real Job Wins $8 Million in Cash at the Poker Table...
If you watched the 2008 World Series of Poker, you may remember Ylon Schwartz and his trademark curly locks...
The day before the championship, Ylon was drowning in debt and in trouble with the law back in his hometown of New York City. From rock bottom, he redirected years of frustrations about money and women, channeling it towards winning the game...
... and walked out of the Las Vegas Rio Casino with a cool $3.7 million in his pocket.
In fact, Ylon has won an estimated $8 million in cash, just from playing poker. Not bad for a college dropout who has never held a job.
Today, he's one of the most widely recognized and well-respected poker players in the world.
2/14/2014 • 1 hour, 9 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 3 - A. J. Jacobs: A Biblical Experiment
On this week's show, James' special guest is A.J. Jacobs, a journalist, lecturer, self-described human guinea pig and author of four New York Times bestsellers.
In this episode, he shares life-changing tips about how to improve your business, become healthier, and live better.
You see, A.J. has spent years conducting the wackiest "experiments" we've ever heard of to see what he could learn.
You won't believe the crazy things he has done!
James and A.J. discuss how to generate great ideas... and the importance of exercising the "idea muscle" in your brain. The very act of generating 40 different ideas literally made A.J. millions of dollars.
Other things you'll learn when you listen to this show include:
** One simple exercise that will make you feel more confident and optimistic. George Washington used this tip to create an aura of authority...
** How to reframe the boring parts of your job as something creative. If you aren't satisfied living in a cubicle, you need to hear this...
**What you should do within the first three seconds of meeting someone to overcome shyness...
** Why overthinking is a problem... and how you can stop your brain from ruling your life...
** A.J.'s proven technique for using Facebook to fix almost any problem...
** How he's using genetic testing, of all things, to grow his business...
Like James Altucher, A.J. Jacobs is a quirky, interesting guy, who has become a huge success by thinking outside the box.
2/7/2014 • 56 minutes, 6 seconds
Ep. 2 - Gary Vaynerchuk: Millionaire by Age 35
On this week's show, which you can now access free of charge, James covered several interesting, unique, and useful topics... which I guarantee you won't hear anywhere else.
For example...
*He shares his idea of the absolute best place to meet women... and how to avoid feeling embarrassed if she says no to your invitation.
*He discusses the 2 reasons traditional jobs are a scam... why he tries to avoid working in the workplace... and the ways you can avoid having a regular ho-hum job...
*And he explains why there has been such a dramatic change in the way we interact with total strangers... how that impacts the way we sell our goods... and how to use this change to your benefit...
Altucher has an interesting take on this subject and you won't want to miss it!
Then James brings on his special guest...
James' good friend Gary Vaynerchuk, author of a New York Times best-selling book: Jab, Jab, Jab, Right
Hook.
1/31/2014 • 55 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep. 1 - Tucker Max: Buckle Up, We've Launched
On James' very first show, he covers several really interesting, unique, and useful stories, which I guarantee you won't hear anywhere else.
Then James brings on his special guest for Show #1...
Maybe you've heard of Tucker Max. Maybe not.
Tucker is an entertaining guy, who figured out a way to basically reinvent the entire book-publishing industry.
1/23/2014 • 53 minutes, 27 seconds
Robert Greene: How to Become a Master of What You Love
Robert Greene, best-selling author of Mastery, joins The James Altucher Show.
1/13/2014 • 34 minutes, 35 seconds
Greg Zuckerman: The Future of Fracking
This week, James Altucher interviews Greg Zuckerman, author of .The Frackers
1/13/2014 • 37 minutes, 38 seconds
James Altucher & Marc Eckō: Secrets to Success
This week, we have James Altucher interviews with Marc Eckō, author of the new best-seller, Unlabel: Selling You Without Selling Out.
1/13/2014 • 53 minutes, 35 seconds
James Altucher and Ryan Holiday: Let’s Make the News Up
This week, James Altucher interviews the bestselling author of Trust Me I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator Ryan Holiday.,
James and Ryan talk about what makes a book a best-seller, and how to market yourself and your work. Ryan tells us what it means to be a media manipulator. In a world where blogs control and distort the news, his job was to control blogs – as much as any one person can. And he does this better than anyone else...
1/10/2014 • 57 minutes, 2 seconds
Taking Back America
James, the editor of the widely read letter, , and author of the new blockbuster hit, Choose Yourself,talks with Glenn “Kane” Jacobs.The Altucher Confidential
1/10/2014 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 31 seconds
James Altucher Live and Unplugged
James Altucher talks about his new best-selling book, .Choose Yourself
1/10/2014 • 22 minutes, 15 seconds
The Best Guest Ever
James Altucher proves to be one of our best guests as he and Porter Stansberry break down the markets.
1/10/2014 • 38 minutes, 57 seconds
Why College Is a Waste of Money
On James Altucher’s first visit to Stansberry Radio, recorded back on August 9, 2012, he sets the stage for what’s to come.
For the very first time to give our audience a look into why we consider James one of the most interesting people we know.
In this first show, he talks about why he believes college is a real waste of money.
His analysis will get you re-thinking what you though you knew.