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385: How to Become Competent, Confident & Dangerous – Matt Smith
The conventional path for young men is breaking down. College is more expensive than ever, jobs are disappearing faster than degrees can keep up, and an entire generation is being pushed into debt, confusion, and dependence before they’ve even had a chance to build real-world skills. More parents and young men are starting to ask a hard question: “If this system is failing, what actually works?”
In today’s episode, I am joined by entrepreneur, rancher, and author Matt Smith to discuss The Preparation, his new book co-written with my friend and mentor Doug Casey. We break down how real competence creates confidence, why character matters more than credentials, and how skill acquisition, mentorship, and responsibility can shape capable, independent individuals inside a system designed to produce the opposite.
Enjoy!
IN TODAY’S EPISODE
- Listen in to hear why the traditional college path is failing young men
- Learn why exposure to risk and responsibility builds judgment that schools never teach
- Hear why character and responsibility matter far more than credentials
- Finish this episode with a clear alternative to raising dependent boys in an increasingly unstable world
STAY IN TOUCH!
Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”
WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026
Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Prices go up after January 2nd, and space is very limited, so reserve your tickets right away.
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382: Doug Casey’s Crystal Ball for 2026: The One Conversation You Can’t Afford to Miss
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289: Lessons From Homeschooling Five Children Overseas - Joshua Sheats
Mentioned in this episode:
No Plan-B Without the Language
If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.
Story Learning Courses
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
Governments Hate This Trip
Paraguay doesn’t make headlines—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. No wealth tax. No global tax. No chaos. This year, I’m leading a private group into the heart of Latin America’s best-kept secret. You’ll get boots-on-the-ground access to lawyers, investments, and a second residency most people don’t even know exists. Governments hate this strategy—and that’s exactly why it works. If you’re serious about a real escape plan, go to ExpatMoney.com/Paraguay.
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
No Plan-B Without the Language
If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.
Story Learning Courses
View all episodes
By Mikkel Thorup
4
173173 ratings
The conventional path for young men is breaking down. College is more expensive than ever, jobs are disappearing faster than degrees can keep up, and an entire generation is being pushed into debt, confusion, and dependence before they’ve even had a chance to build real-world skills. More parents and young men are starting to ask a hard question: “If this system is failing, what actually works?”
In today’s episode, I am joined by entrepreneur, rancher, and author Matt Smith to discuss The Preparation, his new book co-written with my friend and mentor Doug Casey. We break down how real competence creates confidence, why character matters more than credentials, and how skill acquisition, mentorship, and responsibility can shape capable, independent individuals inside a system designed to produce the opposite.
Enjoy!
IN TODAY’S EPISODE
- Listen in to hear why the traditional college path is failing young men
- Learn why exposure to risk and responsibility builds judgment that schools never teach
- Hear why character and responsibility matter far more than credentials
- Finish this episode with a clear alternative to raising dependent boys in an increasingly unstable world
STAY IN TOUCH!
Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”
WEALTH, FREEDOM & PASSPORTS CONFERENCE, MARCH 6-7, 2026
Join us in Panama City from March 6-7, 2026, for our second annual in-person event, the Wealth, Freedom and Passports Conference! Prices go up after January 2nd, and space is very limited, so reserve your tickets right away.
RELATED EPISODES
382: Doug Casey’s Crystal Ball for 2026: The One Conversation You Can’t Afford to Miss
378: Why Dropping Out of School Was the Best Investment I Ever Made
289: Lessons From Homeschooling Five Children Overseas - Joshua Sheats
Mentioned in this episode:
No Plan-B Without the Language
If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.
Story Learning Courses
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
Governments Hate This Trip
Paraguay doesn’t make headlines—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. No wealth tax. No global tax. No chaos. This year, I’m leading a private group into the heart of Latin America’s best-kept secret. You’ll get boots-on-the-ground access to lawyers, investments, and a second residency most people don’t even know exists. Governments hate this strategy—and that’s exactly why it works. If you’re serious about a real escape plan, go to ExpatMoney.com/Paraguay.
This Is Your Invitation to The Hub
This isn’t for tourists. This is for serious freedom-seekers. The Hub—our private membership for expats and investors—is now open. Inside, you’ll get $2,000 off every trip, direct access to my offshore Rolodex, and exclusive calls with the sharpest minds in the game. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies for real sovereignty. We only open this a few times a year—and spots fill fast. Go to ExpatMoney.com/go.
Join The Hub - Our Paid Members Only Community
No Plan-B Without the Language
If you’re planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn’t optional. It’s protection. It’s access. It’s power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.
Story Learning Courses
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