Jack Weatherford is a renowned anthropologist and bestselling author, best known for his groundbreaking book on Genghis Khan, hailed by Elon Musk as one of his all-time favorites.

In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan’s grandson, and how he conquered and united China to establish the Yuan Dynasty. Weatherford unpacks the turbulent civil war between Kublai and his brothers, the cultural clash between Mongols and Han Chinese, and how Kublai’s leadership turned conflict into cohesion.

We also dive into the leadership lessons behind his rise, how he managed power, adapted to new cultural norms, and led one of the most diverse empires in history.

📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life: https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Buy Jack’s book about Kublai Kahn here: https://amzn.to/4jbDCQe

00:00 – Intro

01:21 – What motivated Jack to research Kublai Khan?

04:26 – Childhood of Kublai

09:58 – Using religion to his advantage

17:29 – Rise to the throne

25:22 – Civil war between two brothers

31:22 – Conquering the Song dynasty

1:07:20 – The challenges of a new massive empire

1:19:33 – The death and legacy of Kublai Khan

#kublaikahn #mongolempire #mongol #chinesehistory #genghiskhan #jackweatherford

Donald J. Robertson is a psychotherapist and author specializing in Stoic philosophy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. His works include How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and Stoicism and the Art of Happiness.

In this episode, Robertson delves into the Stoic approach to understanding and managing anger, drawing upon the teachings of Seneca and other Stoic philosophers. We explore practical strategies for cultivating emotional resilience, the distinction between healthy and unhealthy anger, and how Stoicism's timeless wisdom can be applied to navigate modern emotional challenges.​

Our conversation also examines the psychological underpinnings of anger, the importance of cognitive awareness in emotional regulation, and the Stoic practices that promote inner tranquility and rational response over emotional reactivity.​

📚 100 history books that’ll make you smarter than 99% of people (and yeah, I’m giving them away for free) https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Chapters:

00:00 Stoicism in the red pill community

09:20 The history of psychotherapy

16:33 Is all anger unhealthy?

26:08 Anger in a relationship

29:42 Anger as temporary madness?

34:11 The dangers of low-level anger

39:00 Anger as a coping strategy, not an emotion?

47:04 Seneca on how to deal with anger

1:01:15 Society’s view on the psychology of anger

1:16:42 How Donald handles anger

Ambrogio A. Caiani is a historian and author specializing in Revolutionary France and Napoleonic Italy. A Senior Lecturer at the University of Kent, his works include Louis XVI and the French Revolution and To Kidnap a Pope: Napoleon and Pius VII. His latest book, Losing a Kingdom, Gaining the World, explores the Catholic Church’s struggle with modernity.

In this episode, Caiani takes us inside the dramatic story of To Kidnap a Pope, unraveling Napoleon’s audacious seizure of Pope Pius VII and the high-stakes battle between empire and faith. We discuss the pope’s defiance, Napoleon’s shifting attitudes toward religion, and the diplomatic chess game that shaped Europe.

Our conversation also explores the psychological and political dimensions of Napoleon’s actions, the pope’s resilience in captivity, and the long-term consequences of this extraordinary clash between temporal and spiritual power.

👉 To Kidnap a Pope by Ambrogio A. Caiani: https://amzn.to/4kODGXB 📚

Chapters:

00:00 The Dechristianization of France During the French Revolution

06:58 The Early Lives of Pope Pius VII and Napoleon

12:02 Napoleon’s Religious Beliefs: Was He an Atheist?

14:56 Pope Pius VII’s Rise to Power

23:08 Napoleon’s Ascendancy: From General to Emperor

27:44 Intense Negotiations Between France and the Holy See

36:45 Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor: A Historic Moment

47:53 The Breakdown of the Pope-Napoleon Relationship

52:00 The Kidnapping of Pope Pius VII

01:04:41 The Fall of Napoleon: The End of an Era

Great people don’t just learn from experience—they study those who came before them.

That’s the essence of this channel: Study the greats and become greater.

Charlie Munger called it "making friends with the eminent dead.”

Here, I’ll introduce you to those friends—generals, emperors, entrepreneurs, artists, and more—so we can break down their mindsets and strategies.

How did they solve problems? Stay inspired? Communicate, study, and even manipulate their way to success?

To answer these questions, I bring in world-class experts—authors who have spent years researching history’s most brilliant minds.

Instead of reading thousands of pages, you can absorb their insights in just 1 to 2 hours, from the comfort of your home.

If you’re serious about achieving greatness, you’re in the right place.

Danny Fingeroth is an author, historian, and former Marvel Comics editor, known for his work on Superman on the Couch and Disguised as Clark Kent. His latest book, Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin, explores the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald.

Jack Ruby remains an enigma—was he a mob-connected hitman, a patriotic vigilante, or just a desperate nightclub owner seeking attention? In this episode, Fingeroth takes us through Ruby’s life, from his rough Chicago upbringing to his ties with law enforcement and organized crime, leading up to the moment that made him infamous.

We explore Ruby’s complex psychology, his fears of antisemitic backlash after JFK’s assassination, and his shocking decision to kill Oswald on live television. Our conversation also examines his rapid mental decline in prison, his conspiracy claims, and the lingering question: Did Jack Ruby know more than he admitted?

Danny's book on Jack Ruby: https://amzn.to/4bmzgTO 📚

Chapters:

00:00 Why write a book about Jack Ruby?

08:46 Ruby's gangster side

20:07 The bond with his family

25:24 Frank Sinatra plays a role in this story?

28:33 The assassination explained

41:10 Jack's trial

48:23 The psychology of Jack Ruby

53:23 Conspiracy theories

Michael Broers is a British historian specializing in Napoleonic Europe. A professor at the University of Oxford, he has authored several acclaimed works on Napoleon, including Napoleon: The Decline and Fall of an Empire, 1811–1821.

In this interview clip, we discuss what lessons future politicians can learn from Napoleon Bonaparte. Despite being one of history’s greatest leaders, his downfall offers important warnings for those in power today.

Napoleon’s relentless ambition led him to stretch his empire too far, ultimately making it unsustainable. His rigid approach to diplomacy and refusal to compromise created unnecessary conflicts, turning potential allies into enemies. A more measured approach might have allowed him to maintain his rule and secure lasting stability.

#napoleonbonaparte #politics #donaldtrump

Saladin didn’t just defeat the Crusaders, he united a divided Muslim world to do it. Faced with internal rivalries and political chaos, he forged alliances, used diplomacy, and inspired a shared cause that turned fragmented factions into a powerful force.

His ability to balance military strength with strategic negotiations allowed him to bring together rival leaders under a common goal. From Egypt to Syria, his vision of unity reshaped the Islamic world and changed the course of history.

How did he achieve this, and what challenges did he overcome along the way? Watch to find out.

#Saladin #Crusades #IslamicHistory #MedievalWarfare

Tsuyoshi Hasegawa is a historian specializing in Russian and Soviet history. A professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara, he has written acclaimed works on the Russian Revolution, Stalin, and World War II.

In this interview clip, we explore the fatal mistakes of Tsar Nicholas II—errors that Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince, warned rulers never to make.

Nicholas II’s downfall was not just a result of bad luck or external pressures; it was a failure of leadership. He alienated his allies, ignored the shifting political landscape, and refused to adapt when his rule was threatened. Machiavelli argued that a ruler must be both feared and respected, but Nicholas inspired neither. His indecisiveness, misplaced loyalty to a crumbling autocracy, and inability to crush opposition at the right moments made his fall inevitable.

#romanovfamily #romanovdynasty #tsarnicholasii

Tsuyoshi Hasegawa is a historian specializing in Russian and Soviet history. A professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara, he has written acclaimed books on the Russian Revolution, Stalin, and World War II.

In this interview, we explore the dramatic fall of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty. In 1917, amid war and social unrest, Nicholas abdicated, marking the collapse of Imperial Russia. But was his downfall inevitable? Or was it the result of poor leadership and an unyielding belief in autocracy?

Drawing from newly uncovered archives, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa reveals how Nicholas II’s resistance to reform doomed the monarchy. We examine the power struggles within the Russian elite, the Tsar’s fateful missteps, and the political chaos that paved the way for the Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union.

What were the crucial mistakes that sealed Nicholas’s fate? Could the Romanovs have survived with different leadership? Together with Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, we uncover these answers and explore the forces that shaped Russia’s turbulent transformation.

Tsuyoshi's book on Nicholas II: https://amzn.eu/d/6AHdN83

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction02:03 Why is understanding the abdication important? 04:28 The start of Nicholas's reign06:41 Nicholas II broke Machiavelli’s rules16:06 Abdication drama22:55 Nicholas II breaks the succesion law29:28 Bonapartism in Russia30:22 What happened after Nicholas II resigned?36:38 Relationship with his family40:20 Lesson for future politicians

#russianhistory #romanovs #romanovfamily #tsarnicholasii

Michael Broers is a British historian specializing in Napoleonic Europe. A professor at the University of Oxford, he has authored several acclaimed works on Napoleon, including Napoleon: The Decline and Fall of an Empire, 1811–1821.

In this interview clip, we explore a fascinating historical question: why didn't Napoleon Bonaparte escape to America after his defeat at Waterloo? Despite his ambitions, several factors prevented him from seeking refuge in the United States.

After his defeat in 1815, Napoleon considered fleeing to America, and his brother Joseph successfully made the journey. However, Napoleon chose not to board the ship with him, fearing that his fame would make escape impossible and put Joseph at risk. Additionally, the British Royal Navy’s blockade of French ports left him with few options. Hoping for leniency, he surrendered to the British, only to be exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he remained until his death in 1821.

What do you think... Could Napoleon have successfully escaped to America, or was his capture inevitable? Join the discussion in the comments!

#napoleonbonaparte #frenchhistory #Napoleon