The James Altucher Show

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

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 o

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 -  b

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'.

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

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

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

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

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

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 Accoun

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

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 no

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

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

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 del

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]:

"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:Impo

 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

 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 yo

 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