The James Altucher Show

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

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 creativ

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 a

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 f

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, N

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 discipl

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

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

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

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 h

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 p

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, illustra

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,

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 relationsh

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 De

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

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 pr

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

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 ex

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