Episode Description:

This second installment of “From the Archive” returns to James’s early, unfiltered conversation with Tim Ferriss. They unpack how to market by creating newsworthy moments (including a frigid book-launch fiasco turned lesson), how to learn anything using Tim’s DISS framework (Deconstruction, Selection, Sequencing, Stakes), and why “possibility is negotiable” when you seek outliers and test assumptions. Tim explains fear-setting, slow-play networking that leads to real mentors, and the origin story of BrainQUICKEN → BodyQuick, including direct-response tactics, offline ads, and early UFC sponsorships. The through-line: run small experiments, protect your best energy, and stack skills to raise your odds.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to engineer “newsworthy” launches and recover from execution misses without losing momentum.
• The DISS method for rapid learning (Deconstruction, Selection, Sequencing, Stakes) you can apply to languages, poker, or
• Fear-setting, not goal-setting: define worst-case scenarios, prevention steps, and recovery plans to make bolder moves.
• Mentors without asking “be my mentor”: add value first, build loose ties, and let a few relationships compound.
• From side-hustle to exit: repositioning, channel selection (including print/radio), and why out-of-fashion inventory can be a bargain.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [02:20] A launch-day disaster in 10° weather—and the customer-recovery playbook.
• [05:00] “Possibility is negotiable” vs. the default “probable” path.
• [06:57] Finding mentors by learning before earning: the slow-play relationship strategy.
• [10:00] Optionality: the angel-investing analogy for career and mentors.
• [14:00] The DISS framework for learning anything.
• [18:50] Hunt the outliers: why “who shouldn’t be good at this—but is?” unlocks technique.
• [24:30] Fear-setting: risk = likelihood of an irreversible negative outcome.
• [26:20] Micro-experiments to de-risk big transitions.
• [27:24] Secret origin: BrainQUICKEN → BodyQuick; from nootropics to non-stimulant pre-workout.
• [31:55] Repositioning, targeted niches, and early UFC placements.
• [33:13] Don’t ignore “old” channels: print and radio as arbitrage.
• [33:55] Burnout, one-way ticket to London, and systems that led to a sale.
• [40:36] Title testing (and red herrings) in publishing.
• [46:16] The 4-Hour Workweek started by accident
• [52:14] Publishing myths: how “impossible” ideas become inevitable
• [01:07:58] TV vs. podcasting: control, constraints, and creative freedom
• [01:31:34] Investing: bet on people (the beer test + mall test)

Additional Resources:

• Tim Ferriss — official site/podcast hub: tim.blog • The Tim Ferriss Show
• The 4-Hour Workweek (Expanded & Updated): Amazon listing
• The 4-Hour Body — official site: fourhourbody.com
• The 4-Hour Chef — official site: fourhourchef.com
• The 4-Hour Workweek — official site: fourhourworkweek.com

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A Note from James:

Data is oil. Data is the gold of this AI revolution. Imagine you have an AI that has all of everybody’s thoughts also—so it’s not just learning on tweets and texts, it’s learning on the 60,000 or so thoughts that 8 billion people think each day around the world.

This sounds like amazing science fiction and magic and everything that one could ever have dreamed of… or it could be the end of the world.

Episode Description:

In this solo episode, James breaks down a recent AI development that made him pause for the first time: OpenAI’s investment in a brain-computer interface startup called Merge Labs. He explains why data is the core asset in AI—and why the next frontier isn’t better chatbots, but higher-bandwidth access to human intent, attention, and ultimately thought.

James compares Merge Labs’ approach with Neuralink, then walks through the practical upsides: medical breakthroughs, hands-free control of devices, and AI-assisted cognition in everyday life. But he also explores the uncomfortable implications: privacy, influence, and the risk that “thought data” could become the most valuable—and most dangerous—resource on Earth.

What You’ll Learn:

• Recognize why “data is oil” is still the most important frame for AI power
• Understand what brain-computer interfaces are, and how they differ across companies
• Think through real use cases (medical, device control, communication) before the hype takes over
• Identify the privacy line: what “training on your thoughts” could actually mean in practice
• Pressure-test your own optimism about AI by asking: “Once data is shared, can it be unshared?”

Timestamped Chapters:

• [02:00] Data is oil: why AI is really a data arms race
• [02:40] Utopia vs dystopia vs “newtopia”
• [03:16] The optimist’s argument: tech usually helps more than it hurts
• [04:39] The news: OpenAI invests $250M into Merge Labs
• [05:29] Why the Sam Altman overlap matters (and why it’s unusual)
• [06:02] What brain-computer interfaces actually do
• [06:22] Neuralink explained: reading intent from neurons
• [07:44] Writing signals back to the brain: the scary part (and the helpful part)
• [09:39] Merge Labs’ approach: engineered neurons + ultrasound
• [12:47] Controlling devices by thought: the “thermostat from bed” future
• [14:35] Telepathy as technology: brain-to-brain messaging
• [16:17] Influence risk: persuasion and “writing” thoughts
• [18:45] The real moat: not software—data
• [19:55] The next dataset: 60,000 thoughts/day × 8B people
• [21:36] The irreversible trade: once data is handed over, it’s gone
• [22:17] Why this kind of news is accelerating

Additional Resources:

• OpenAI — “Investing in Merge Labs” (official announcement)
• WIRED — coverage of OpenAI’s investment and Merge Labs’ BCI approach
• TechCrunch — reporting on the Merge Labs seed round and valuation
• Neuralink — official site

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A Note from James:

You know, I’ve known Scott Adams for probably 12 or 13 years. He was one of the first guests on this podcast, and he’s the creator of Dilbert, which was my favorite cartoon strip for decades. But then, starting around 2013, he started writing about his life, his opinions, his approach to life, and what made him a success. The first book he did in this genre was How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. He also wrote another book that was very influential, called Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter. Both of these books are must-reads.

Win Bigly is the best book ever about real-world persuasion. And Scott Adams himself was kind of an—I don’t want to say he’s an amateur hypnotist, but really more like a professional—in terms of how he used hypnotism techniques for persuasion. And How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big...when this comes from the very first podcast I had with him—how his story of how Dilbert became a hundred-million-dollar success… he was failing constantly. And the story of the success of Dilbert, which he tells in this episode we’re going to show you now, is just amazing.

Scott Adams has more recently become known for his political musings. He had a daily podcast, Coffee with Scott Adams, which I regularly listen to. I would say over the past decade—or 13 years, 12 years—he has not only become a great friend, and even somewhat of a mentor to me, but we’ve talked a lot, on and off the podcast—his podcast, my podcast—and he really helped me out through some times when I was a little upset about different things. He really knew how to reframe problems so that they would become successes.

And when I first heard he was sick—this was last June—I was devastated. And of course, he prepared us all that he was going to pass away, which he did a few days ago. It was really upsetting.

And, you know, I hate when people kind of take advantage of someone’s death by saying, “Oh, I knew him great. He was my best…” blah, blah, blah. I just want to tell you: listen, put aside all your opinions. He was a great artist. He was a great storyteller. He had opinions you may or may not agree with, but he really knew a lot about the DNA of success and the real mechanics of persuasion—no BS, no academic stuff—just really how to do it.

I would really encourage you: you could better your life if you read his books.

I love this guy. I’m really sad he passed away. I’ve learned so much from him, and I want to share a little bit of that in this episode. Maybe we’ll even do another one at some point. But, you know, rest in peace, Scott Adams. And please, if you haven’t learned from him in the past—or even if you have—we had a great time whenever we talked. And here’s a piece of that.

Episode Description:

Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) explains why he thinks goals can actually make you worse off—and why systems, energy, and probability are the real tools for building a career that lasts.

He tells the story of how he broke into syndicated cartooning after repeated rejection, and how a small nudge from a stranger kept him from quitting too early.

James and Scott talk about writing with “danger,” why people can’t reliably judge good ideas, and how persistence becomes easier once you stop expecting a perfect plan.

They also get into the emotional side of “making it”—including why success can feel disorienting when you hit a milestone you thought would solve everything.

What You’ll Learn:

• Build systems instead of chasing goals, because the target will move before you get there
• Increase your odds by trying many small bets, rather than staking everything on one “perfect” plan
• Write with an element of risk—if you’re not at least a little scared, it’s probably too safe
• Don’t trust friends (or investors) to recognize a good idea on sight—nobody can predict outcomes reliably
• Protect your energy and schedule your hardest creative work when your brain is actually sharp

Timestamped Chapters:

• [03:04] A Note from James: why Scott mattered, and why this still holds up
• [06:50] Scott’s new book, Dilbert, and why “systems beat goals”
• [12:26] Scott’s daily routine and how he actually creates cartoons
• [15:22] The real Dilbert origin story: rejection, Jack Cassidy, and persistence
• [22:12] “Danger” in writing: why safe content gets ignored
• [25:01] The strange downside of success: when purpose evaporates
• [30:09] Passion is overrated: why momentum beats motivation
• [33:02] The math of luck: a thousand 10% chances becomes a near guarantee
• [34:45] Talent stacking: combine mediocre skills into a rare advantage
• [37:03] Energy as the real multiplier: sleep, food, exercise, and timing
• [41:53] People can’t judge ideas: why “bad ideas” still have value
• [45:13] The Spider-Man problem: responsibility after you’ve “made it”
• [46:01] CalendarTree: solving a small scheduling problem well
• [52:42] Why James’s biggest opportunities came from writing that felt risky

Additional Resources:

• Scott Adams — Coffee with Scott Adams (official community site)
• How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big — Scott Adams (Amazon)
• Win Bigly: Persuasion in a World Where Facts Don’t Matter — Scott Adams (Amazon)
• Dilbert (official site)

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Episode Description:

To launch our “From the Archive” series, James revisits his candid talk with Sara Blakely about turning fear into fuel, reframing failure, and selling a simple product with language and grit. You’ll hear the bathroom demo that won Neiman Marcus, the three-part courage engine she still uses, and how to protect the thinking time that sparks real ideas. 

What You’ll Learn:

• A usable framework for courage: how gratitude, mortality, and mission help you act when you’re anxious.
• Cold-call tactics that open doors: lead with humanity, humor, and a clear benefit; remove “doubt language.”
• Naming and language as strategy: why one word, cadence, or sound (“K”) can change response and recall.
• Prototype → proof → order: how to create momentum before the back office exists—and survive it.
• Idea hygiene: protect thinking time, keep an “idea log,” and test small, real-world demos fast.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [02:13] “What did you fail at this week?” — redefining failure at the dinner table.
• [03:13] Why this conversation outranked a big news assignment.
• [04:25] Mission beyond profit — Belly Art Project and maternal health.
• [06:17] Empowering women: the through-line from day one.
• [08:00] Gratitude and anxiety — learning courage in real time.
• [10:12] Mortality as perspective; the loss that changed her trajectory.
• [12:19] Purpose larger than self—doing the scary thing anyway.
• [14:50] The Warren Buffett premiere pep talk: “Get over yourself.”
• [17:08] Stand-up as training for product storytelling.
• [19:00] Seven years of cold calling: rejection as reps.
• [21:33] Wayne Dyer and “how to think” vs. “what to think.”
• [26:16] The “fake commute”: protecting thinking time.
• [30:00] “Are you my idea?” — from cut-off pantyhose to a canvas under clothes.
• [33:00] The value of a word: comedy, cadence, and copy.
• [34:03] Why she bet on a name with a hard “K.”
• [42:52] The Neiman Marcus call, the in-person pitch, and the bathroom demo.
• [49:31] “We don’t have crotches” — surviving ops chaos on the first big order.
• [52:00] Tears in Office Depot and learning the bill of lading.

Additional Resources:

• SPANX — official site. https://spanx.com/
• The Belly Art Project (book). https://www.amazon.com/Belly-Art-Project-Moms-Supporting/dp/1250121361
• Belly Art Project — official site. https://www.bellyartproject.org/
• Every Mother Counts — a nonprofit founded by Christy Turlington Burns. https://everymothercounts.org/
• Sara Blakely Foundation — mission overview. https://www.spanxfoundation.com/about/
• Sara Blakely — Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/sarablakely/

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A Note from James:

One of my favorite conversations on this show was with Peter Thiel. Yes—PayPal, Facebook, Palantir, and a dozen other hits. I first ran this episode years ago, and the advice still holds up. The same stories, the same frameworks—and the same challenge to think from first principles. Here’s Peter Thiel, one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time.

Episode Description:

In this redux, James pressure-tests the core ideas from Peter Thiel’s Zero to One—why competition is for losers, how real monopolies are built, and why starting “narrow” is often the only path to something huge. They cover Facebook’s early moat (real identity), PayPal’s network-effect wedge on eBay, and the “10x or nothing” bar for proprietary technology. Peter shares a contrarian read on bubbles, why biotech’s slump may be opportunity, and how to hire, divide roles, and keep teams from fighting. The through-line: seek secrets, combine disciplines, and make something so different that it becomes its own category.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to pick markets the Zero to One way: start with a “small, winnable monopoly,” then expand in concentric circles.
• The four classic moats—and which to favor first: proprietary tech, network effects, economies of scale, and brand (with a bias toward real tech).
• A practical rule for virality vs. network effects: growth is a tactic; enduring value comes from the network that forms once users arrive.
• Team design that prevents internal warfare: make roles uniquely owned; if two people own the same thing, you’re paying for a fight.
• How to hunt “secrets”: believe they exist, look where consensus is stale, and borrow from adjacent fields to see what specialists miss.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [02:00] A Note from James — Why this conversation still ranks among the best.
• [03:00] Zero to One, in one line — “Do something new, different, fresh, strange.”
• [05:17] Competition vs. Capitalism — Why perfect competition kills profits; aim for uniqueness.
• [07:28] Facebook’s original edge — Real identity as the breakthrough vs. MySpace’s alt-persona culture.
• [09:14] Bits vs. Atoms — Stagnation outside software and how biology could become an information science.
• [12:05] Personality and perseverance — Why mild contrarian wiring helps founders ignore status games.
• [15:21] “10x or nothing” — The technology and/or experience must be an order of magnitude better.
• [17:00] Monopoly thinking, ethically done — Create abundance by creating something truly new.
• [23:30] The PayPal pre-history — Why long-running trust among teammates births more companies.
• [30:10] Early Facebook investment logic — College-only looked “small,” which was exactly the point.
• [32:03] Turning down $1B — The boardroom debate, optionality, and founder conviction.
• [36:23] Moats in practice — Picking the right advantage (and why brand alone is shaky).
• [37:06] Network effects ≠ virality — How value compounds after growth.
• [39:54] PayPal’s wedge — eBay power-sellers and the $10 incentive as a growth accelerant.
• [41:22] Beware the “Chinese refrigerator” TAM slide — Start small, win big.
• [42:01] Uber vs. Airbnb — Investor bias and why some models get over- or undervalued.
• [44:18] Bubbles and the public — What changes across tech, housing, and today’s “government bubble.”
• [48:00] War on cash & credit — Why Peter favors unlevered, opaque innovation over fixed income.
• [51:10] Biotech headwinds (and upside) — Regulation, Eroom’s Law, and why sentiment can misprice breakthroughs.
• [53:50] Secrets — If you assume they exist, you’ll be the one to find them.
• [57:56] Interdisciplinary bets — CS × biology; CS × transportation; why university silos miss the action.
• [59:51] Silicon Valley on HBO — The “Peter Gregory” caricature and what the show gets right.

Additional Resources:

• Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future (book) — Amazon hardcover. Amazon
• Founders Fund — Peter Thiel profile (bio & portfolio highlights). Founders Fund
• “PayPal Mafia” overview (alumni companies: YouTube, Yelp, LinkedIn, Tesla, SpaceX, Palantir, Yammer). Wikipedia
• Yahoo’s 2006 $1B offer for Facebook (background reporting). Business Insider
• Eroom’s Law (pharma R&D productivity; Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). Nature

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A Note from James:

Tim Dillon is crazy—in the best way. Not “institution” crazy. Crazy smart. Years ago he told me things about Epstein, hustle culture, and how the world really works that felt outlandish then and obvious now. He’s quirky, honest, and usually right about what to pay attention to. Also, he’s flat-out funny. Let’s bring Tim back and see how much of that old conversation still hits today.

Episode Description:

This redux revisits James’s conversation with comedian Tim Dillon on narratives, media incentives, and why “it’s all a game.” Tim argues that most public debates are programmed like a TV network—stars, storylines, and predictable reactions—while the real action is off-camera. They examine why certain stories (Epstein, “suppressed” segments, political theater) catch fire and others vanish, the line between authenticity and performance in comedy, and how creators can actually build careers without gatekeepers. It’s a practical episode about staying sane—less who’s right, more how to think.

What You’ll Learn:

• A “game” heuristic for news and politics: spot the incentives (access, ads, algorithms) before you react to the headline.
• An authenticity filter for creators: why work rooted in your own experience connects—and how to test if a bit or idea is “real enough” to spread.
• A simple media-diet protocol: cross-reference sources and avoid getting “programmed” into outrage cycles.
• Platform strategy 101 for comics and solo creators: post consistently, control distribution, and stop waiting for gatekeepers to bless you.
• Career anti-fragility for uncertain times: ignore hustle theater; build repeatable systems that survive algorithm and industry swings.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:02] A Note from James — Why Tim’s “crazy smart” observations aged well.
• [03:09] Ignorance vs. Happiness — “If you learn how the world works, you won’t be happier—unless you make it fun.”
• [06:21] News Is a Bridge to the Next Ad Break — Access, scoops, and why some stories never see daylight.
• [08:25] History You Don’t Hear About — Smedley Butler, coups, and how missing chapters change the plot.
• [10:28] The Epstein Loop — From wall-to-wall coverage to silence—and what “access journalism” rewards.
• [15:38] How to Be Informed Without Going Insane — Cross-checking and opting out.
• [24:03] Rage, Class, and the Party at the Top — Why “difference” wins in politics and comedy.
• [38:04] UBI, Automation, and Fear Narratives — What’s real risk vs. campaign theater.
• [01:24:14] Owning Your Distribution — Algorithms, streaming “cartels,” and why your social feed is your venue.
• [01:30:08] From Garage to Millions of Views — The Megan McCain sketch and shipping scrappy work.
• [01:49:57] Authenticity Over Everything — Why “true to you” outlasts polished but hollow.

Additional Resources:

• Tim Dillon — Official site / podcast hub: https://timdilloncomedy.com/
• The Tim Dillon Show (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/2gRd1woKiAazAKPWPkHjds
• Tim on Instagram (@timjdillon): https://www.instagram.com/timjdillon/
• JRE #1251 — Tim Dillon (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/episode/12jteiLJyQaD85ynvJQBk9
• JRE #1390 — Tim Dillon (episode info): https://ogjre.com/episode/1390-tim-dillon
• ABC hot-mic / Epstein backstory:
• Axios recap — https://www.axios.com/2019/11/05/abc-news-jeffrey-epstein-amy-robach-project-veritas
• The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/nov/06/abc-news-leak-raises-questions-about-unaired-interview-with-epstein-accuser

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James brings back astrophysicist Brian Keating for a practical takedown of moon-landing conspiracy claims—and a wider lesson in how to reason when everyone has a microphone. From the Van Allen belts to “the flag waving,” Keating separates physics from folklore, explains what evidence actually looks like (hello, laser retroreflectors), and gives a playbook for engaging friends who’ve gone down the rabbit hole—without losing your mind.

MAKE SURE TO WATCH: Brian Keating's Video Debunking the Moon Landing Conspiracy Theory

What You’ll Learn:

• A simple framework for arguing well: define the claim, demand specific evidence, check physics and history, and compare against competing explanations.
• Why the Van Allen belts don’t “fry” astronauts and how Apollo minimized exposure (trajectory + speed + shielding).
• How we still verify Apollo today (lunar laser ranging off Apollo-placed mirrors).
• How to spot trope-based arguments (appeals to vibes, selective papers, “we haven’t gone back, therefore it never happened”).

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Opening: “What’s up with Candace Owens?” Setting the table: Bart Sibrel, viral platforms, and why this matters.
• [02:30] Rogan, Jesse Michels, and the megaphone effect. Platforms amplify doubt; why it sticks.
• [04:20] Thiel salons & the culture wars around ‘science.’ Belief, institutions, and physics “stagnation.”
• [06:15] The debate that never happened. Why Sibrel refused; what counts as a real debate.
• [15:45] Physics 101: Van Allen belts. Charged particles, trajectories, dose vs. time.
• [23:10] “We haven’t gone back” ≠ “we never went.” South Pole analogy; politics, cost, and program shifts.
• [30:00] Flag shadows, cameras, and remote control. Why the photo/camera myths fail basic engineering.
• [35:05] Apollo 1, the ‘lemon,’ and what actually happened. Tragedy, design fixes, and conspiratorial leaps.
• [44:10] Keating’s NASA work. Aviation safety, non-destructive evaluation, and why ‘NASA is useless’ is unserious.
• [57:10] Hard evidence you can measure: Apollo retroreflectors, seismographs, and international confirmations.

Core references:

• Van Allen radiation belts — NASA overview. NASA Science
• Lunar laser retroreflectors (Apollo 11/14/15) — NASA & background. NASA
• Soviet Luna 15 crashed during Apollo 11 (context on USSR verification/competition). NASA

People, platforms, and episodes mentioned:

• Buzz Aldrin vs. Bart Sibrel (2002 incident) — background. HISTORY
• Bart Sibrel — Danny Jones episode featuring Charles Duke (context). YouTube
• Jesse Michels on The Joe Rogan Experience (recent appearance). YouTube

Historical context:

• Apollo 1 fire & the “lemon” (hung on a simulator, not the flight capsule). Space

Cultural notes referenced in-episode:

• Celebrity moon-hoax chatter (recent coverage of the Kardashians’ comments). People.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we're sharing the recent episode of the Digital Social Hour Podcast by Sean Kelly. James Altucher joins the show to break down why the 10,000-hour rule is a myth, how to cheat your way into the top 1%, why obsession matters more than talent, and how AI is now the greatest mentor of all time.

From entrepreneurship and failure… to mental health, chess mastery, comedy, and why losing millions hurts more than being broke — this episode goes deep.

If you're chasing mastery, reinvention, or clarity in your career… this is the one.

📘 What You’ll Learn

🧠 Why the 10,000-hour rule is outdated and how to shortcut mastery

🔥 How to reach the top 1% by combining skills instead of grinding years

🤖 How to use AI as your mentor, therapist, teacher & coach

💭 Why thinking can’t fix depression — but action can

💰 The 3 money skills: making it, keeping it, growing it

🧩 How to rebuild identity after losing everything

📈 The real mindset behind entrepreneurship & risk

🎤 Why stand-up comedy teaches business better than business books

♟️ Chess strategy that applies to life, business, and competition

💡 How writing 10 ideas a day can change your brain & life

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – The 10,000-Hour Rule is BS

02:30 – How to Enter the Top 1% Faster

04:00 – AI as the Ultimate Mentor

05:20 – Mental Health, Depression & Real Recovery

07:00 – Losing Millions & Rebuilding From Zero

09:20 – Idea Muscle: How Writing 10 Ideas Saved His Life

12:00 – Entrepreneurship Reality (Not the Instagram Version)

14:45 – Risk, Failure & Business Heartbreaks

17:10 – Bitcoin, Wealth, and Why It’s Going to Millions

19:40 – Politics, Social Media & the New Attention Economy

23:00 – Comedy, Skill Stacking & Becoming World-Class

26:40 – Chess, Mindset & Mental Toughness

30:20 – Why Gen Z Might Be the Most Talented Generation Ever

35:00 – Pressure, Self-Doubt & Finding Your Identity Again

🎧 LISTEN ON

🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXa...

📸 Sean Kelly Instagram: @seanmikekelly

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A Note from James:

Tye Sheridan is one of my favorite actors. You might know him as Cyclops in the X-Men movies (Apocalypse, etc.) or as the lead in Ready Player One—which is not only a great movie but also one of my favorite sci-fi books. One of his first films was Mud with Matthew McConaughey.

What I didn’t realize: since 2016, while still acting, Tye has also been a serious AI entrepreneur. He and Nikola Todorovic co-founded AI-powered VFX/CGI company, Wonder Dynamics, now an Autodesk company, that built AI tools to make visual effects more accessible.

I wanted them both on to talk about how AI will change filmmaking—potentially letting someone like me make a movie that would normally cost hundreds of millions because of VFX—and, just as important, how Tye balanced being a movie star and an entrepreneur at the same time. I also wanted Nikola’s take on where AI is going and whether it will take jobs. Fascinating conversation ahead—here are Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic.

Episode Description:

James sits down with actor–founder Tye Sheridan and VFX director Nikola Todorovic to unpack how their company’s AI tools (now part of Autodesk) are changing what small teams can pull off—and what that means for studios, budgets, and actual stories. They trace the path from stitching 360° GoPro rigs and a VR proof-of-concept… to a first demo for Steven Spielberg… to a platform that lets indies do big-look work without big-studio burn. You’ll hear clear, non-hyped answers on where text-to-video fits, why they focus on editable 3D over black-box 2D, and a candid take on the only moat that still matters: writing something people care about.

What You’ll Learn:

• A workable cost model for VFX-heavy projects: where 10× savings can come from—and where they can’t.
• How to run “lean” on real productions: recruiting cross-disciplinary talent and sequencing funding without chasing hype cycles.
• 3D pipelines vs. text-to-video: why pros need full control of lighting, camera, and performance—and how Sora-style tools can still complement the workflow.
• Story first, always: the audience forgives limited budgets—not lazy scripts.
• A pragmatic future for studios and indies: expanding voices without erasing human actors or craft.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:02:00] “Hollywood is nervous”: James frames the AI anxiety he’s hearing in studio rooms.
• [00:03:01] A note from James: why Tye’s career (from Mud to Ready Player One) made him the right guest—plus Nikola’s VFX roots.
• [00:06:03] Tree of Life to tech startup: meeting on set, Chivo’s influence, and early curiosity about tools.
• [00:13:46] DIY 360° & the Spielberg audition: the VR demo, a $10k experiment, and a first product pitch to Steven.
• [00:20:12] The question everyone asks: will AI erase studio jobs—or expand what smaller teams can make?
• [00:24:00] Distribution changed—financing didn’t: presales, streaming, strikes, and why a bigger shift is still coming.
• [00:27:12] Reality check on budgets: VFX vs. SFX, and how a $100M effects bill could land near $10M.
• [00:36:02] Running lean + real backers: Founders Fund, MaC VC, Horizons; hiring for overlap (CV/ML/VFX/eng).
• [00:37:44] From waitlist to workflows: who used the platform first, and a TV case where weeks became days.
• [00:42:12] Sora vs. 3D pipelines: where text-to-video fits—and why pros avoid black-box 2D for final shots.
• [01:00:45] “A decade of procrastination”: the founders joke about building a company to avoid writing their own film—then set sights on making it.

Additional Resources:

• Tye Sheridan — filmography and roles (Ready Player One, X-Men). Wikipedia
• Nikola Todorovic — Co-founder, Wonder Dynamics (Autodesk company). linkedin.com
• Autodesk acquires Wonder Dynamics — press release (May 21, 2024). Autodesk News
• Autodesk Flow Studio (formerly Wonder Studio) — product page & docs. Autodesk
• Ready Player One (2018). Wikipedia
• The Card Counter (2021). Wikipedia
• The Tree of Life (2011) & Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki. IMDb

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Episode Description:

James sits down with astrophysicist Brian Keating for a candid, useful tour through three hot zones: how to think about AI (and where it actually helps), what’s broken in higher ed and admissions right now, and why outsourcing your mood to politics is a losing strategy. You’ll hear first-hand stories (from UC San Diego classrooms to New York City politics), specific ways James and Brian really use AI daily, and a simple framework for protecting your attention and happiness—even when everything feels polarized.

What You’ll Learn:

• A practical AI workflow you can copy today (research prompts, personal “style” bots, and where LLMs fail at original insight).
• A filter for political noise that keeps 99% of your happiness anchored in health, family, friends, and work you control.
• What the UCSD admissions/placement findings really mean for preparation and standards (and why “remedial” can mask deeper gaps).
• A simple admissions/common-sense principle: standards matter; “portfolio” evaluation shouldn’t ignore basic skills.
• How to use AI without losing your own voice—James’ test for “write it in my style” and why generic outputs still fall short.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [02:00] Loft event stories, comedy beats, and setting the tone for a heavy topic.
• [05:00] NYC politics, leadership, and the “why would they vote for him?” question.
• [07:32] Slogans vs. reality: chants, charters, and what words actually imply.
• [09:30] Economics that sound nice vs. incentives that ruin cities.
• [12:00] “Don’t outsource your happiness to politicians.” A sanity reset.
• [20:48] Inside UCSD’s placement data: how did calculus passers miss first-grade algebra?
• [30:02] Standards, SATs, and what “remedial” hides (plus grade inflation).
• [77:49] How James and Brian actually use AI; “mad-bot disease” and why voice still matters.

Additional Resources

• Brian Keating's "Monday M.A.G.I.C." Newsletter
• Brian Keating — personal website
• Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science’s Highest Honor by Brian Keating
• Into the Impossible: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner by Brian Keating
• Into the Impossible Volume 2: Focus Like a Nobel Prize Winner
• University of California, San Diego — Brian Keating faculty page

Topics & Documents Mentioned

• UC San Diego Admissions/Placement Working Group report (PDF). UCSD Senate
• Coverage of UCSD preparedness findings
• Hamas charters (1988; 2017 update) & “Intifada” context
• Matt Wolfe — AI tutorials (site & YouTube)
• Book.sv - AI book recommendations based on books you've read.

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