The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

As global finance strains under shifting power structures, author and fintech thinker Emmanuel Daniel, founder of TAB Global, argues that the real disruption isn’t technological - it’s personal. This episode explores finance as a geopolitical arena where identity, data, and sovereignty reshape who holds leverage. What happens when individuals, not institutions, become the organizing unit of the monetary system? And how does that rewire cross-border power, trust, and risk? A provocative look at the future architecture of money.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:15) - Emmanuel Daniel's Book and Key Insights

(02:44) - The Ice Metaphor in Finance

(03:22) - The Evolution of Finance and Personalization

(10:11) - Impact of Financialization on the Economy

(25:31) - Cryptocurrencies and the Future of Finance

(30:59) - The Spectrum of Tokenization

(31:31) - Information as the Ultimate Token

(32:44) - The Digital Nature of Money

(33:40) - The Durability of Bitcoin and Ethereum

(38:06) - The Role of AI and Open Source in Tokenization

(42:23) - The Future of National Debt and Financialization

(48:37) - The Impact of Financialization on Global Economies

(58:48) - The Role of the US in Financialization

(01:00:56) - The Tension Between Personalization and Intermediaries

(01:03:38) - Concluding Thoughts and Future Implications

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Referenced in the Show:

Emmanuel's Website: https://www.emmanueldaniel.com/biography/

TAB Global - https://tab.global/

The Great Transition - https://www.emmanueldaniel.com/the-great-transition/

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

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Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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Tariffs promise protection but unleash deeper shocks - reshaping demand, distorting prices, and testing the resilience of an already-strained economic system. Rob Larity and Jacob unpack the widening gap between political narratives and material reality, probing how erratic policy, volatile markets, and institutional guardrails collide. They ask whether the U.S. is entering a new era of economic fragility, what signals truly matter beneath the noise, and how global outliers like Chile reveal the stakes of navigating a fractured, multipolar world.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:46) - Discussion on San Francisco Fed Paper

(05:14) - Historical Context of Tariffs

(14:11) - Mechanics and Impact of Tariffs

(18:26) - Political and Economic Realities

(26:22) - Market Reactions and Volatility

(30:03) - Election Aftermath and Voter Priorities

(30:59) - Moderation and Economic Focus in Politics

(31:58) - Scott Bessent and the Trump Administration

(36:43) - US Institutions and Economic Policies

(40:37) - Chile's Political Landscape and Economic Potential

(48:29) - Global Energy Dynamics and Future Outlook

(01:01:08) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Referenced in the Show:

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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China’s rise is often framed as a geopolitical contest, but Kaiser Y Kuo, host of the Sinica Podcast, pushes us to confront something deeper: what if China’s transformation exposes the West’s blind spots about modernity, power, and progress itself? Jacob and Kaiser wrestle with uncomfortable parallels between America’s Gilded Age and China’s present, the myths we cling to about innovation and identity, and the way global narratives harden into self-soothing fictions. It’s a challenge to rethink both China - and ourselves.

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Referenced in the Show:

Kaiser's "Great Reckoning" Article - https://www.theideasletter.org/essay/the-great-reckoning/

Sinica Podcast - https://www.sinicapodcast.com/podcast

The China Project - https://thechinaproject.com/series/sinica/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:31) - Starting the Conversation with Kaiser Kuo

(02:44) - Discussing 'The Great Reckoning' Essay

(04:27) - China's Learning from the West

(06:43) - Comparing Historical Growth: US and China

(09:46) - Role of the State in China's Growth

(12:01) - Innovation and Perceptions of China

(20:09) - Environmental Consciousness in China

(22:59) - China's Global Ambitions and Comparisons to the US

(28:17) - The Current US-China Relationship

(31:58) - Shifting American Perceptions of China

(32:33) - Chinese Public Opinion on the U.S.

(34:00) - G2 vs. Multipolar World

(36:16) - Marxism in Modern China

(40:56) - China's Economic Strategies

(45:14) - Xi Jinping's Centralized Power

(01:01:36) - China's Cultural Influence

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

--

The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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Aging quietly shapes everything - our economies, our politics, our families, and the horizon of what nations can become. Jacob and longevity expert Dylan Livingston, founder of the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (A4LI), take a dive into the emerging science that treats aging not as fate, but as a solvable biological problem with staggering geopolitical consequences. The two explore how extending healthy human life could transform productivity, rebalance global power, upend healthcare economics, and challenge long-held assumptions about decline. At its core is a question: what happens when longevity becomes a public policy frontier, not a personal fantasy?

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:21) - The Importance of Longevity

(02:48) - Personal Journey into Longevity

(04:48) - Historical Quest for Immortality

(10:02) - Modern Longevity Science

(13:13) - Challenges and Societal Implications

(19:53) - A4LI's Mission and Achievements

(27:38) - Policy and Future Goals

(32:51) - FDA Guidance and Incentives for Therapeutics

(34:01) - Supply Chain Concerns and American Manufacturing

(35:32) - Political Perspectives on Longevity

(37:13) - Bipartisan Efforts and Advocacy

(41:55) - Challenges and Opportunities in Longevity Research

(52:28) - Economic and Demographic Implications of Longevity

(01:01:45) - Closing Remarks and Future Conversations

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Referenced in the Show:

A4LI - https://a4li.org/

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

--

The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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Technological revolutions rarely unfold the way we imagine. From the steam engine to AI, each wave reshapes who creates value - and who gets left behind. What if artificial intelligence isn’t a revolution at all, but a late-stage innovation like shipping containers - transforming efficiency without changing the underlying system? Jerry Neumann joins the Jacob Shapiro Podcast and questions whether openness still drives progress, whether innovation can survive without risk, and why the next great leap forward might not be digital, but something we haven’t yet learned to see.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:17) - Jerry Neumann's Background and Career Journey

(07:40) - The Evolution of Technology and Job Markets

(12:52) - Impact of AI on Future Jobs

(17:14) - Geopolitics and Technological Innovation

(26:28 Comparing Historical and Modern Technological Revolutions

(29:48) - Debating the Future of Innovation in Open Societies

(31:35) - The Rise and Skepticism of Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency

(35:11) - AI and the Next Technological Revolution

(40:53) - The Impact of Containerization on Global Trade

(52:17) - Speculating on Future Technological Innovations

(57:18) - The Importance of Nurturing Innovation

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Referenced in the Show:

AI Will Not Make You Rich - https://joincolossus.com/article/ai-will-not-make-you-rich/

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

--

The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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As the Supreme Court takes up one of the most consequential trade cases in decades, former Biden administration official and Yale-trained lawyer Peter Harrell joins Jacob L. for a real-time breakdown of what’s at stake. Together, they cut through the legal jargon to reveal how a 1977 emergency powers statute became the foundation for Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff regime—and why the Court’s decision could reshape U.S. trade, markets, and global power. A crash course in law, economics, and political brinkmanship.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:45) - Supreme Court and Tariff Legality

(05:09) - Understanding IEPA and Its Implications

(15:30) - Potential Outcomes and Impacts

(22:24) - US-Mexico-Canada Trade Relations

(26:27) - Mexico's Trade Challenges

(26:35) - Trump Administration's Legal Battles

(27:49) - Supreme Court's Role in Tariff Decisions

(28:20) - Foreign Governments' Reactions

(30:36) - Impact of US Elections on Trade Policy

(34:46) - Historical Context of Tariffs

(38:25) - Trump's Trade Deals with Cambodia and Malaysia

(43:24) - Future of US Tariff Policy

(48:39) - Implications for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

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Referenced in the Show:

Peter Harrell - https://carnegieendowment.org/people/peter-harrell?lang=en

Twitter - https://x.com/petereharrell

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

--

The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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South Korea stands at the crossroads of global power - caught between China, the United States, Japan, and its unpredictable neighbor to the north. Jacob Shapiro and Professor Jeffrey Robertson unpack how a nation long described as “the shrimp among whales” has learned to navigate the world’s toughest geopolitical waters. From shifting alliances and nuclear restraint to the economic promise of unification, this episode reveals how Korea’s pragmatism may shape the future of Asia.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(01:45) - Professor Jeff Robinson

(02:08) - Jeff's Background and Experience in South Korea

(02:55) - South Korea's Rapid Changes and Current Events

(04:54) - US-South Korea Relations and Historical Context

(12:43) - South Korea's Domestic Politics and Policy

(16:51) - South Korea-Japan Relations

(19:59) - South Korea's Perception of China

(24:05) - South Korea's Stance on Taiwan and Nuclear Deterrent

(25:48) - Nuclear Deterrence on the Korean Peninsula

(27:40) - North Korea's Current Status and International Relations

(29:10) - Prospects of Korean Peninsula Unification

(37:57) - South Korea's Economic and Demographic Challenges

(41:56) - Australia-South Korea Relations

(48:27) - Impact of US-South Korea Relations on Education and Future Prospects

(50:42) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Referenced in the Show:

Jeffrey Robinson's Website: https://junotane.com/

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

--

The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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When U.S. aircraft carriers appear off Venezuela’s coast, it’s not just saber-rattling - it’s a mirror held up to a century of empire. Jacob and LatAm analyst Elohim Monard dissect what’s really driving Washington’s renewed aggression in the Caribbean, from Trump and Rubio’s internal power struggle - to the shadow of China, the lure of oil, and the global rise of hard-line politics. Together, they trace the fault lines connecting Venezuela, Argentina, Peru, and the United States... and ask whether a new “right-wing international” is already reshaping the Americas.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:29) - Halloween Anecdote and Personal Updates

(01:16) - Coca-Cola and American Empire

(02:53) - Venezuela and US Foreign Policy

(04:35) - US Military Movements and Implications

(10:53) - Internal US Politics and Foreign Policy

(20:37) - Historical Context and Neoconservatism

(35:06) - US Strategy in Latin America

(35:41) - China's Influence and Russia's Role

(36:43) - US Military Presence and Economic Interests

(42:22) - Historical Context and Legal Justifications

(44:25) - Emerging Right-Wing Politics in Latin America

(48:07) - Comparative Analysis of US and Latin American Politics

(56:02) - Future Implications and Concluding Thoughts

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Referenced in the Show:

Conversando de Política - https://conversandodepolitica.com

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

--

The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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When a Brazilian payment system threatens U.S. credit-card profits, it exposes a deeper fracture in the global economy: sovereignty versus rent-seeking, innovation versus control. Jacob and Rob trace the fight over PIX from Brasília to Washington and beyond -into currency wars, trade tantrums, and the strange new politics of the Western Hemisphere. What does it mean when the world’s “rules-based order” starts punishing countries for building better systems?

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction and Podcast Overview

(00:50) - Halloween in Paris vs. New Orleans

(01:40) - Current Events and Volatility

(02:36) - Introduction to Pix Payment System

(03:25) - How Pix Works and Its Impact

(05:58) - US Investigation into Pix

(08:35) - Geopolitical Implications and US-Brazil Relations

(13:30) - Privacy Concerns and Central Bank Control

(17:23) - Credit Card Companies vs. Pix

(22:25) - Brazil's Political Landscape and Economic Outlook

(28:08) - US-Argentina Relations and Economic Policies

(30:25) - Discussing Currency Strategies

(31:16) - Argentina's Currency Swap and US Involvement

(32:49) - US Banks and Argentina's Financial Crisis

(35:55) - US Military Buildup in the Caribbean

(36:48) - US-Colombia Relations and Regional Tensions

(42:22) - Impact of Cocaine Production on Latin America

(48:35) - Currency Discipline and Global Financial Stability

(54:27) - The Future of Global Currencies

(01:00:19) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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Japan rewired its politics: a power shift, a woman at the helm, and a minority government forced to bargain for every vote. What follows when high approval collides with hard math - aging demographics, weak yen, and defense budgets racing past old taboos?

Analyst Tobias Harris, author of The Iconoclast and writer of Observing Japan, joins The Jacob Shapiro Podcast to unpack the country’s most surprising election in years - one that produced its first female prime minister and a government held together by negotiation. Expect sharper debates on security, energy, food, and China ties, with South Korea and Washington watching. Is this real generational change or a new face for old factions? The stakes: whether Japan can act before events act on it.

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Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:25) - Challenges in Understanding Japanese Politics

(01:05) - Recent Japanese Election Overview

(02:00) - Unexpected Election Results and Political Shifts

(05:45) - Historical Context and Political Fragmentation

(07:29) - Farewell to Shigeru Ishiba

(12:31) - Rise of Japan's First Female Prime Minister

(22:57) - Public Perception and Future Prospects

(27:46) - Understanding Political Longevity

(28:30) - Policy Expectations and Challenges

(32:49) - Economic and Fiscal Policies

(37:39) - Foreign Policy and Relations with China

(43:15) - Japan-South Korea Relations

(48:55) - Japan-US Relations and Defense Strategy

(55:45) - Concluding Thoughts on Leadership

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Referenced in the Show:

Tobais' website: https://observingjapan.com/

Observing Japan Substack: https://substack.com/@observingjapan

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Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com

Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416

Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap

Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe

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The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com

--

Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.

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