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. Thanks so much 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 ------------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
Notes from James:
I?ve been seeing a ton of misinformation lately about tariffs and inflation, so I had to set the record straight. People assume tariffs drive prices up across the board, but that?s just not how economics works. Inflation happens when money is printed, not when certain goods have price adjustments due to trade policies.
I explain why the current tariffs aren?t a repeat of the Great Depression-era Smoot-Hawley Tariff, how Trump is using them more strategically, and what it all means for the economy. Also, a personal story: my wife?s Cybertruck got keyed in a grocery store parking lot?just for being a Tesla. I get into why people?s hatred for Elon Musk is getting out of control.
Let me know what you think?and if you learned something new, share this episode with a friend (or send it to an Econ professor who still doesn?t get it).
Episode Description:
James is fired up?and for good reason. People are screaming that tariffs cause inflation, pointing fingers at history like the Smoot-Hawley disaster, but James says, ?Hold up?that?s a myth!?
Are tariffs really bad for the economy? Do they actually cause inflation? Or is this just another economic myth that people repeat without understanding the facts?
In this episode, I break down the truth about tariffs?what they really do, how they impact prices, and why the argument that tariffs automatically cause inflation is completely wrong. I also dive into Trump's new tariff policies, the history of U.S. tariffs (hint: they used to fund almost the entire government), and why modern tariffs might be more strategic than ever.
If you?ve ever heard that ?tariffs are bad? and wanted to know if that?s actually true?or if you just want to understand how trade policies impact your daily life?this is the episode for you.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Tariffs and Inflation
00:47 Personal Anecdote: Vandalism and Cybertrucks
03:50 Understanding Tariffs and Inflation
05:07 Historical Context: Tariffs in the 1800s
05:54 Defining Inflation
07:16 Supply and Demand: Price vs. Inflation
09:35 Tariffs and Their Impact on Prices
14:11 Money Printing and Inflation
17:48 Strategic Use of Tariffs
24:12 Conclusion: Tariffs, Inflation, and Social Commentary
What You?ll Learn:
Quotes:
Resources Mentioned:
Why Listen:
James doesn?t just talk tariffs?he rips apart the myths with real-world examples, from oil hitting zero in COVID to Canada?s insane milk tariffs. This isn?t your dry econ lecture; it?s a rollercoaster of rants, history, and hard truths. Plus, you?ll get why his wife?s Cybertruck is a lightning rod?and why he?s begging you to put down the key.
Follow James:
Twitter: @jaltucher
Website: jamesaltuchershow.com
Notes from James:
What if I told you that we could eliminate the IRS, get rid of personal income taxes completely, and still keep the government funded? Sounds impossible, right? Well, not only is it possible, but historical precedent shows it has been done before.
I know what you?re thinking?this sounds insane. But bear with me. The IRS collects $2.5 trillion in personal income taxes each year. But what if we could replace that with a national sales tax that adjusts based on what you buy?
Under my plan:
And boom?we don?t need personal income taxes anymore! You keep 100% of what you make, the economy booms, and the government still gets funded.
This episode is a deep dive into how this could work, why it?s better than a flat tax, and why no one in government will actually do this (but should). Let me know what you think?and if you agree, share this with a friend (or send it to Trump).
Episode Description:
What if you never had to pay personal income taxes again? In this mind-bending episode of The James Altucher Show, James tackles a radical idea buzzing from Trump, Elon Musk, and Howard Lutnick: eliminating the IRS. With $2.5 trillion in personal income taxes on the line, is it even possible? James says yes?and he?s got a plan.
Digging into history, economics, and a little-known concept called ?money velocity,? James breaks down how the U.S. thrived in the 1800s without income taxes, relying on tariffs and ?vice taxes? on liquor and tobacco. Fast forward to today: the government rakes in $4.9 trillion annually, but spends $6.7 trillion, leaving a gaping deficit. So how do you ditch the IRS without sinking the ship?
James unveils his bold solution: a progressive national sales tax?5% on necessities like food, 15% on everyday goods like clothes, and a hefty 50% on luxury items like yachts and Rolls Royces. Seniors and those on Social Security? They?d pay nothing. The result? The government still nets $2.5 trillion, the economy grows by $3.7 trillion thanks to unleashed consumer spending, and you keep more of your hard-earned cash. No audits, no accountants, just taxes at the cash register.
From debunking inflation fears to explaining why this could shrink the $36 trillion national debt, James makes a compelling case for a tax revolution. He even teases future episodes on tariffs and why a little debt might not be the enemy. Whether you?re a skeptic or ready to tweet this to Trump, this episode will change how you see taxes?and the economy?forever.
What You?ll Learn:
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Trump's Plan to Eliminate the IRS
00:22 Podcast Introduction: The James Altucher Show
00:47 The Feasibility of Eliminating the IRS
01:27 Historical Context: How the US Raised Money in the 1800s
03:41 The Birth of Federal Income Tax
07:39 The Concept of Money Velocity
15:44 Proposing a Progressive Sales Tax
22:16 Conclusion: Benefits of Eliminating the IRS
26:47 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Resources & Links:
Want to see my full breakdown on X? Check out my thread: https://x.com /jaltucher/status/1894419440504025102
Follow me on X: @JAltucher
A note from James:
I love digging into topics that make us question everything we thought we knew. Fort Knox is one of those legendary places we just assume is full of gold, but has anyone really checked? The fact that Musk even brought this up made me wonder?why does the U.S. still hold onto all that gold when our money isn?t backed by it anymore? And what if the answer is: it?s not there at all?
This episode is a deep dive into the myths and realities of money, gold, and how the economy really works. Let me know what you think?and if you learned something new, share this episode with a friend!
Episode Description:
Elon Musk just sent Twitter into a frenzy with a single tweet: "Looking for the gold at Fort Knox." It got me thinking?what if the gold isn?t actually there? And if it?s not, what does that mean for the U.S. economy and the future of money?
In this episode, I?m breaking down the real story behind Fort Knox, why the U.S. ditched the gold standard, and what it would mean if the gold is missing. I?ll walk you through the origins of paper money, Nixon?s decision to decouple the dollar from gold in 1971, and why Bitcoin might be the modern version of digital gold. Plus, I?ll explore whether the U.S. should just sell off its gold reserves and what that would mean for inflation, the economy, and the national debt.
If you?ve ever wondered how money really works, why the U.S. keeps printing trillions, or why people still think gold has value, this is an episode you don?t want to miss.
What You?ll Learn:
Timestamp Chapters:
00:00 Elon Musk's Fort Knox Tweet
00:22 Introduction to the James Altucher Show
00:36 The Importance of Gold at Fort Knox
01:59 History of the Gold Standard
03:53 Nixon Ends the Gold Standard
10:02 Fort Knox Security and Audits
17:31 The Case for Selling Gold Reserves
22:35 The U.S. Penny Debate
27:54 Boom Supersonics and Other News
30:12 Mississippi's Controversial Bill
30:48 Conclusion and Call to Action
Who's better than you? That's the book written by Will Packer, who has been producing some of my favorite movies since he was practically a teenager. He produced Straight Outta Compton, he produced Girls Trip with former podcast guest Tiffany Haddish starring in it, and he's produced a ton of other movies against impossible odds.
How did he build the confidence? What were some of his crazy stories? Here's Will Packer to describe the whole thing.
Will Packer has made some of the biggest movies of the last two decades. From Girls Trip to Straight Outta Compton to Ride Along, he?s built a career producing movies that resonate with audiences and break barriers in Hollywood. But how did he go from a college student with no connections to one of the most successful producers in the industry? In this episode, Will shares his insights on storytelling, pitching, and how to turn an idea into a movie that actually gets made.
Will also discusses his book Who?s Better Than You?, a guide to building confidence and creating opportunities?even when the odds are against you. He explains why naming your audience is critical, why every story needs a "why now," and how he keeps his projects fresh and engaging.
If you're an aspiring creator, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with lessons on persistence, mindset, and navigating an industry that never stops evolving.
[01:30] Introduction to Will Packer?s Journey
[02:01] The Art of Pitching to Will Packer
[02:16] Identifying and Understanding Your Audience
[03:55] The Importance of the 'Why Now' in Storytelling
[05:48] The Role of a Producer: Multitasking and Focus
[10:29] Creating Authentic and Inclusive Content
[14:44] Behind the Scenes of Straight Outta Compton
[18:26] The Confidence to Start in the Film Industry
[24:18] Embracing the Unknown and Overcoming Obstacles
[33:08] The Changing Landscape of Hollywood
[37:06] The Impact of AI on the Film Industry
[45:19] Building Confidence and Momentum
[52:02] Final Thoughts and Farewell
You know what drives me crazy? When people say, "I have to build a personal brand." Usually, when something has a brand, like Coca-Cola, you think of a tasty, satisfying drink on a hot day. But really, a brand is a lie?it's the difference between perception and reality. Coca-Cola is just a sugary brown drink that's unhealthy for you. So what does it mean to have a personal brand?
I discussed this with Nick Singh, and we also talked about retirement?what?s your number? How much do you need to retire? And how do you build to that number? Plus, we covered how to achieve success in today's world and so much more. This is one of the best interviews I've ever done. Nick?s podcast is My First Exit, and I wanted to share this conversation with you.
In this episode, James shares a special feed drop from My First Exit with Nick Singh and Omid Kazravan. Together, they explore the myths of personal branding, the real meaning of success, and the crucial question: ?What's your number?? for retirement. Nick, Omid, and James unpack what it takes to thrive creatively and financially in today's landscape. They discuss the value of following curiosity, how to niche effectively without losing authenticity, and why intersecting skills might be more powerful than single mastery.
I've done about a dozen podcasts in the past few years about anti-aging and longevity?how to live to be 10,000 years old or whatever. Some great episodes with Brian Johnson (who spends $2 million a year trying to reverse his aging), David Sinclair (author of Lifespan and one of the top scientists researching aging), and even Tony Robbins and Peter Diamandis, who co-wrote Life Force. But Peter just did something incredible.
He wrote The Longevity Guidebook, which is basically the ultimate summary of everything we know about anti-aging. If he hadn?t done it, I was tempted to, but he knows everything there is to know on the subject. He?s even sponsoring a $101 million XPRIZE for reversing aging, with 600 teams competing, so he has direct insight into the best, cutting-edge research.
In this episode, we break down longevity strategies into three categories: common sense (stuff you already know), unconventional methods (less obvious but promising), and the future (what?s coming next). And honestly, some of it is wild?like whether we can reach "escape velocity," where science extends life faster than we age.
Peter?s book lays out exactly what?s possible, what we can do today, and what?s coming. So let?s get into it.
Peter Diamandis joins James to talk about the future of human longevity. With advancements in AI, biotech, and medicine, Peter believes we're on the verge of a health revolution that could drastically extend our lifespans. He shares insights from his latest book, The Longevity Guidebook, and discusses why mindset plays a critical role in aging well.
They also discuss cutting-edge developments like whole-body scans for early disease detection, upcoming longevity treatments, and how AI is accelerating medical breakthroughs. Peter even talks about his $101 million XPRIZE for reversing aging, with over 600 teams competing.
If you want to live longer and healthier, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.
"I have been dying to understand quantum computing. And listen, I majored in computer science. I went to graduate school for computer science. I was a computer scientist for many years. I?ve taken apart and put together conventional computers. But for a long time, I kept reading articles about quantum computing, and it?s like magic?it can do anything. Or so they say.
Quantum computing doesn?t follow the conventional ways of understanding computers. It?s a completely different paradigm. So, I invited two friends of mine, Nick Newton and Gavin Brennan, to help me get it. Nick is the COO and co-founder of BTQ Technologies, a company addressing quantum security issues. Gavin is a top quantum physicist working with BTQ. They walked me through the basics: what quantum computing is, when it?ll be useful, and why it?s already a security issue.
You?ll hear me asking dumb questions?and they were incredibly patient. Pay attention! Quantum computing will change everything, and it?s important to understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. Here?s Nick and Gavin to explain it all."
Quantum computing is a game-changer in technology?but how does it work, and why should we care? In this episode, James is joined by Nick Newton, COO of BTQ Technologies, and quantum physicist Gavin Brennan to break down the fundamentals of quantum computing. They discuss its practical applications, its limitations, and the looming security risks that come with it. From the basics of qubits and superposition to the urgent need for post-quantum cryptography, this conversation simplifies one of the most complex topics of our time.
So we have a brand new president of the United States, and of course, everyone has their opinion about whether President Trump has been good or bad, will be good and bad. Everyone has their opinion about Biden, Obama, and so on. But what makes someone a good president? What makes someone a bad president?
Obviously, we want our presidents to be moral and ethical, and we want them to be as transparent as possible with the citizens. Sometimes they can't be totally transparent?negotiations, economic policies, and so on. But we want our presidents to have courage without taking too many risks. And, of course, we want the country to grow economically, though that doesn't always happen because of one person.
I saw this list where historians ranked all the presidents from 1 to 47. I want to comment on it and share my take on who I think are the best and worst presidents. Some of my picks might surprise you.
In this episode, James breaks down the rankings of U.S. presidents and offers his unique perspective on who truly deserves a spot in the top 10?and who doesn?t. Looking beyond the conventional wisdom of historians, he examines the impact of leadership styles, key decisions, and constitutional powers to determine which presidents left a lasting, positive impact. From Abraham Lincoln's crisis leadership to the underappreciated successes of James K. Polk and Calvin Coolidge, James challenges popular rankings and provides insights you won't hear elsewhere.
Probably no president has fascinated this country and our history as much as John F. Kennedy, JFK. Everyone who lived through it remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated. He's considered the golden boy of American politics. But I didn't know this amazing conspiracy that was happening right before JFK took office.
Best-selling thriller writer Brad Meltzer, one of my favorite writers, breaks it all down. He just wrote a book called The JFK Conspiracy. I highly recommend it. And we talk about it right here on the show.
Brad Meltzer returns to the show to reveal one of the craziest untold stories about JFK: the first assassination attempt before he even took office. In his new book, The JFK Conspiracy, Brad dives into the little-known plot by Richard Pavlik, a disgruntled former postal worker with a car rigged to explode.
What saved JFK?s life that day? Why does this story remain a footnote in history? Brad shares riveting details, the forgotten man who thwarted the plot, and how this story illuminates America?s deeper fears. We also explore the legacy of JFK and Jackie Kennedy, from heroism to scandal, and how their "Camelot" has shaped the presidency ever since.
So, I?m out rock climbing, but I really wanted to take a moment to introduce today?s guest: Roger Reaves. This guy is unbelievable. He?s arguably the biggest drug smuggler in history, having worked with Pablo Escobar and others through the '70s, '80s, and even into the '90s. Roger?s life is like something out of a movie?he spent 33 years in jail and has incredible stories about the drug trade, working with people like Barry Seal, and the U.S. government?s involvement in the smuggling business. Speaking of Barry Seal, if you?ve seen American Made with Tom Cruise, there?s a wild scene where Barry predicts the prosecutor?s next move after being arrested?and sure enough, it happens just as he said. Well, Barry Seal actually worked for Roger. That?s how legendary this guy is. Roger also wrote a book called Smuggler about his life. You?ll want to check that out after hearing these crazy stories. Here?s Roger Reaves.
Roger Reaves shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a farm to becoming one of the most notorious drug smugglers in history. He discusses working with Pablo Escobar, surviving harrowing escapes from law enforcement, and the brutal reality of imprisonment and torture. Roger reflects on his decisions, the human connections that shaped his life, and the lessons learned from a high-stakes career. Whether you?re here for the stories or the insights into an underground world, this episode offers a rare glimpse into a life few could imagine.
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