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 e...
Dec 05, 2023•56 min
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 writi...
Nov 30, 2023•1 hr 20 min
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-dis...
Nov 28, 2023•59 min
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 an...
Nov 25, 2023•40 min
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 te...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 18 min
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 ...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 27 min
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...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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 p...
Nov 09, 2023•2 hr 24 min
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 turne...
Nov 07, 2023•50 min
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 ...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 33 min
?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...
Oct 31, 2023•49 min
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 th...
Oct 26, 2023•51 min
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...
Oct 24, 2023•21 min
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 th...
Oct 20, 2023•22 min
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 qui...
Oct 19, 2023•53 min
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.S...
Oct 17, 2023•45 min
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 podc...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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.Shane Parrish is the entrepreneur and wisdom seeker behind Farnam Street and the host of The Knowledge Project Podcast, where he focuses on t...
Oct 12, 2023•44 min
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 q...
Oct 10, 2023•46 min
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 ...
Oct 05, 2023•1 hr 20 min
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 fran...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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 L...
Sep 28, 2023•59 min
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 practi...
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr 48 min
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 rol...
Sep 22, 2023•30 min
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 strat...
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 8 min
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 ...
Sep 19, 2023•40 min
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 c...
Sep 16, 2023•39 min
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...
Sep 14, 2023•1 hr 3 min
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 hij...
Sep 12, 2023•1 hr 41 min
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 ...
Sep 07, 2023•1 hr 12 min