The James Altucher Show

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

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 politi

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 cort

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 w

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

"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 reali

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 Wr

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 th

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

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 yo

"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 som

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™ -

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 o

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 YO

"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

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 ou

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 do

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,

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 y

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:/