A Note from James

There’s always been debate about whether college is worth it. But what if there’s a better alternative—one that actually prepares you to become the person you want to be? My good friend Matt Smith just wrote a book with Doug Casey called The Preparation. It’s not theory—he’s been putting his own son through it as a real-world experiment. Instead of college, Maxim has spent the past two years learning skills like EMT training, firefighting, building houses, working cattle, and even launching a business. This is a practical roadmap for turning those years of 18–22 into a hero’s journey. I loved this conversation, and I’m sending the book to all of my kids.

Episode Description

James talks with entrepreneur and writer Matt Smith about his new book The Preparation, co-authored with Doug Casey. The book lays out a four-year alternative to college built around “cycles”—three-month intensive experiences designed to build practical skills, personal codes, and real-world wisdom. From earning an EMT license to fighting wildfires, training in Muay Thai, or running a small business, these cycles are designed to help young people become independent, capable, and resilient. James and Matt discuss why the traditional college path often fails, how to build a personal code of values, and why the future belongs to “expert generalists” who know how to learn across disciplines.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “be, do, have” is a more powerful framework for life than chasing possessions or credentials.
• How creating a personal code builds self-respect and identity.
• Why intergenerational relationships matter more than peer validation.
• How cycles of hands-on learning—from EMT work to entrepreneurship—prepare young people better than a classroom ever could.
• Why becoming an expert generalist is the best hedge against a future dominated by AI and automation.

Timestamped Chapters

• [00:00] A Note from James: College vs. alternatives
• [01:00] Introducing Matt Smith and The Preparation
• [03:00] Origins of the book and Doug Casey’s vision
• [05:00] Writing the book for his son Maxim
• [06:00] Why homeschooling replaced high school
• [07:00] “Be, Do, Have” explained
• [09:00] Stacking cycles vs. stacking skills
• [10:00] Why the book focuses on young men (and how women can adapt it)
• [11:00] How to build your own cycle
• [13:00] Why traditional education fails to prepare people for real skills
• [14:00] Establishing a personal code
• [16:00] Examples of personal rules for self-respect
• [18:00] Practicing courage and choosing virtues
• [20:00] Skills Maxim has gained so far—EMT, chess, horses, firefighting
• [22:00] Adventures with Doug Casey and small-country nation building
• [24:00] Maxim’s cycles: EMT work, ranch apprenticeship, wildfire EMT
• [27:00] Structure, resistance, and learning by doing
• [28:00] Shelter Institute and learning to build a house
• [29:00] Entrepreneurship cycle: precision agriculture with drones
• [31:00] Lessons from entrepreneurship
• [32:00] Muay Thai training in Thailand
• [33:00] Cooking school in Florence
• [34:00] Travel with purpose vs. aimless wandering
• [36:00] James on biographies and meaningful decisions
• [37:00] Preparing for AI and the future of work
• [39:00] Why being an “expert generalist” matters
• [41:00] Learning how to learn across environments
• [42:00] The problem with peer-only education
• [44:00] Intergenerational relationships as mentorship
• [45:00] What comes after the preparation
• [47:00] Why the program can work for adults too
• [49:00] Rethinking retirement as another cycle of preparation
• [56:00] Matt’s personal growth through writing and learning new skills
• [58:00] Designing The Preparation as a beautiful, interactive book
• [59:00] Closing thoughts and sending the book to the next generation

Additional Resources

• Matt Smith & Doug Casey — The Preparation
• Doug Casey’s Take (Podcast): YouTube Channel
• Doug Casey’s Official Site: internationalman.com
• The Shelter Institute (Learn to Build a House): shelterinstitute.com
• Muay Thai Training in Thailand (Example School): Santai Muay Thai Gym
• Florence Cooking School Example: Apicius International School of Hospitality
• Stripe Press (Books mentioned by Matt): stripe.press
• Doug Casey’s Classic Book — Crisis Investing: Amazon

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Episode Description

James sits down with Case Kenny, author of The Opposite of Settling and host of New Mindset, Who Dis?, to talk about how our expectations around relationships shape the way we date and commit. Case shares the research, stories, and mindset shifts that helped him go from avoiding commitment in his twenties to finding fulfillment in a relationship that amplifies his independence. This episode challenges old narratives about “settling down” and offers a practical framework for building relationships that energize rather than diminish.

What You’ll Learn

• Why “settling down” is the wrong framework for love—and how to reframe it as “settling up.”
• How the liking gap skews our perception of how others see us, and what that means for dating.
• The importance of dating to be seen instead of dating to be liked.
• Why non-conforming traits (your “weirdness”) can actually make you more attractive.
• How playfulness and humor serve as the foundation for strong, lasting relationships.

Timestamped Chapters

• [00:00] Rethinking independence in relationships
• [01:00] James introduces Case Kenny and The Opposite of Settling
• [02:00] Why the phrase “settle down” shaped Case’s early resistance to commitment
• [05:00] Letting relationships fade: what Case learned from avoidance
• [07:00] Meeting Emily and the power of a “slow burn”
• [09:00] Timing vs. compatibility in finding a partner
• [11:00] The “liking gap” and how it affects dating behavior
• [13:00] Performance mode vs. being present
• [14:00] Dating to be seen, not just to be liked
• [15:00] The value of non-conforming traits in attraction
• [17:00] From introversion to self-expression through podcasting
• [20:00] Knowing yourself before you can know what you want
• [21:00] The peak-end rule and distorted memories of relationships
• [23:00] Appreciating past relationships without villainizing them
• [25:00] How the brain can reinforce unhelpful dating patterns
• [27:00] The case for showing up fully on first dates
• [29:00] Learning from rejection and getting clarity fast
• [31:00] Why regret often comes from the wrong relationship, not from being single
• [33:00] Playfulness as the true purpose of relationships
• [35:00] Humor and “bids for connection” as relationship foundations
• [37:00] The importance of noticing your partner
• [38:00] Why James listened to standup comedy before dates
• [39:00] Wrapping up with Case Kenny

Additional Resources

• Case Kenny — The Opposite of Settling: PenguinRandomhouse.com
• Case Kenny — Single Is Your Superpower: New Mindset, Who Dis?
• New Mindset, Who Dis? (Apple Podcasts): Apple Podcasts
• The Gottman Institute — “Bids for Connection” (overview): Start paying more attention to bids. Gottman Institute
• Research — “The Liking Gap” (Boothby et al., 2018, PDF): Yale Clark Relationship Lab. Clark Relationship Lab
• Explainer — Peak–End Rule: The Decision Lab
• Case Kenny on X (Twitter): @thecasekenny

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Episode Description:

Hosted by James Altucher (serial entrepreneur, bestselling author of "Choose Yourself," podcaster, hedge fund manager, chess master, and investor in over 20 companies, with expertise in crypto and AI) and Joseph Jacks (founder and general partner of OSS Capital, the world's first VC firm dedicated to commercial open-source software; early-stage investor in AI and open-source tech, previously Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Quantum Corporation).

In the premiere episode, James and Joe explore Bittensor's decentralized AI ecosystem, contrasting it with centralized giants like xAI's Grok 4. They discuss subnets providing GPUs, datasets, and models; proof-of-useful-work mining; building custom AI agents; and Bittensor's potential to outpace Big Tech in achieving superintelligence.

Plus, tokenomics, real-world apps, capitalism parallels, and bold predictions on TAO's future value.

Key Timestamps & Topics:

• 00:00:00 - Intro: Podcast overview, AI/crypto news (Grok 4, Bitcoin ATH), centralized vs. decentralized AI.
• 00:09:00 - Proof of Useful Work: Mining datasets, models, inference on Bittensor.
• 00:10:00 - Subnet Deep Dives: Dataverse (13) for data scraping; building trading models.
• 00:16:00 - Chutes (64): Cheap AI inference, e.g., Bible chatbot at 1/50th OpenAI cost.
• 00:23:00 - Agentic AI: Building owned agents, avoiding Big Tech biases/control.
• 00:28:00 - Scaling & Future: Decentralization's infinite potential; Bitcoin compute parallels.
• 00:33:00 - Superintelligence Path: Bittensor faster than Elon; energy/chip challenges.
• 00:34:00 - Bittensor's Early Stage: Like 1990s internet, needs better user interfaces.
• 00:38:00 - Chutes Economics: 10T+ tokens served, 4.4K H100 GPUs, user growth.
• 00:50:00 - Valuation & Growth: Subnets as companies; TAO potentially 5-10x Bitcoin.
• 01:02:00 - Bittensor as Pure Capitalism: Incentives for supply/demand; upgrading equity models.
• 01:09:00 - Centralization Risks: Elon/Meta control; Bittensor's global solution.
• 01:13:00 - Wrap-Up: Teasing future episodes on subnets, AI ventures.

Key Takeaways:

• Bittensor incentivizes ~20-100K GPUs permissionlessly, rivaling xAI at zero CapEx.
• Subnets like Chutes (inference) and Dataverse (data) enable cheap, owned AI models for anyone.
• Decentralization democratizes AI talent/compute, potentially building AGI faster than centralized efforts.
• Quote: "Bittensor is the most expressive language of value in the history of languages of value." – Joseph Jacks

Resources & Links:

1. Bittensor Official: bittensor.com
2. Taostats (Explorer/TAO App): taostats.io
3. Subnet 64 (Chutes): taostats.io/subnets/64
4. Subnet 13 (Dataverse): macrocosmos.ai/sn13
5. Akash Network: akash.network
6. xAI: x.ai

Follow Hosts: @jaltucher & @josephjacks_ on X

Subscribe for more on Bittensor subnets, AI building, and crypto trends! Leave a review and share your thoughts. #TheTaoPod #Bittensor #DecentralizedAI #TAO

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A Note from James:

"Anatomy of a Con Artist. The 14 red flags to spot scammers, grifters, and thieves". This is a book—an amazing book—by Johnathan Walton.

Check out his podcast Queen of the Con, and his new one Cocaine Air. We talk about both in this episode. But his book, Anatomy of a Con Artist, is just dead on.

Johnathan shares how he got conned out of nearly $100,000 by someone posing as an Irish heiress. He breaks down not only that story but others—showing how all these professional con artists use the same tricks. The red flags are universal.

And honestly, I’ve felt conned before. Reading this book really opened my eyes. The stories are incredible, and Johnathan’s a fantastic storyteller. You’ll hear it for yourself.

Episode Description:

James talks with Johnathan Walton—TV producer turned con artist hunter—about the psychology, tactics, and red flags of professional scammers. After being conned out of nearly $100,000 by someone posing as an Irish heiress, Walton went public, brought his scammer to justice, and began investigating other cases.

Together, they unpack how emotion—not intellect—is the con artist’s favorite tool, and how even smart, skeptical people can be taken in. Walton explains the 14 red flags every scammer throws up, why victims rarely report what happened, and how shame and silence help cons thrive.

Plus: the untold story of Walton’s family losing millions to a Jamaican Ponzi scheme, how Satanists helped him track a fugitive scammer, and why AI will never replace the twisted brilliance of the human con.

What You’ll Learn:

• How professional con artists emotionally manipulate even intelligent people
• The 14 red flags common to nearly every scam
• Why victims often stay silent—and how scammers exploit shame
• How “beak-wetting” creates false trust in investment scams
• Why AI can't replicate the improvisational storytelling of real-world con artists

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] A con artist doesn't outsmart you—they outfeel you
• [01:00] James introduces Johnathan Walton and his work
• [02:00] Behind the HBO show “Wahl Street” and producing during COVID
• [04:00] AI in storytelling: potential and limitations
• [07:00] Johnathan’s $100K con: the fake Irish heiress and inheritance scam
• [10:00] Red Flag: TMI—“too much information” and the psychology behind it
• [14:00] The trap of emotional vulnerability
• [17:00] How scammers build false intimacy
• [20:00] Johnathan’s early career and his resilience to shame
• [24:00] How she drained him slowly: death by a thousand cuts
• [25:00] The first lie that blew everything open
• [28:00] Uncovering her global scams and getting her arrested
• [30:00] Scamming Satanists and extradition to Northern Ireland
• [32:00] Psychopathy vs. regular criminals: how con artists differ
• [34:00] Why she targeted him: the do-gooder trap
• [36:00] Breaking down the red flags from his book
• [41:00] Ponzi schemes and beak-wetting in his own family
• [47:00] Wealthy victims who never go public
• [49:00] The story of NFL QB Eric Kramer and the con-woman wife
• [52:00] Talking victims out of suicide
• [53:00] Johnathan’s own mother was conned—by a family friend
• [55:00] The isolation technique and divide-and-conquer
• [57:00] How to protect yourself: background checks and gut checks
• [59:00] Spotting con artists in real life
• [01:01:00] Cocktail party con: the OnlyFans couple from Arizona
• [01:02:00] Final thoughts and how to follow Johnathan’s work

Additional Resources with Working Links:

• Book: Anatomy of a Con Artist by Johnathan Walton
• Available on Apple Books: Anatomy of a Con Artist
• Also listed on Penguin Random House: Anatomy of a Con Artist

• Podcast: Queen of the Con by Johnathan Walton
• On Apple Podcasts: Queen of the Con (Apple Podcasts)

• Podcast: Cocaine Air by Johnathan Walton
• On Apple Podcasts: Cocaine Air (Apple Podcasts)

• Movie: Sharper (Neo-noir thriller) streaming on Apple TV+
• Watch directly on Apple TV+: Sharper (Apple TV+)
• About the film and release details: Sharper (Wikipedia page)

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A Note from James:

I was honored to be on the Smart Humans Podcast. I’m a big fan of the show, and I was happy they asked me on—especially since I got to talk about things I don’t usually cover here.

We discussed my specific predictions for investments like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tau, and stablecoin-related tokens like Curve and Aave. We also explored AI’s role across industries, habits that have helped me build and sell companies, and bad habits that cost me millions.

This episode is packed with my thoughts on investing, crypto, AI, and the lessons from going broke—twice. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Episode Description:

In this special crossover episode, James Altucher joins Slava Rubin on the Smart Humans Podcast to talk investing, entrepreneurship, and the habits that make (and lose) fortunes. James shares his journey from early internet entrepreneur to hedge fund manager, bestselling author, and crypto investor—and the times he lost it all along the way.

They dive into today’s hottest investment themes, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tau, stablecoins, and the intersection of crypto and AI. James also explains why he avoids bonds and real estate, the power of his “10 ideas a day” practice, and the economic trends he’s watching over the next three years.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why James predicts Bitcoin could reach $250K by next year and $1M by 2027
• The case for Ethereum, Tau, Curve, and Aave in the next wave of crypto growth
• How AI is transforming productivity—and why that’s bullish for the economy
• The “10 ideas a day” method for rebuilding creativity and opportunity
• Why avoiding certain asset classes can be as important as picking winners

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] A Note from James: Why This Episode Is Different
• [02:00] James’s Journey: From Web Pioneer to Investor
• [06:00] Selling for $15M and Losing It All
• [10:00] Rebuilding Through “10 Ideas a Day”
• [14:00] Private Investing and Early-Stage Bets
• [17:00] The Crypto–Equity Crossover Trend
• [21:00] Why James Avoids Bonds and Real Estate
• [23:00] Stablecoins as the Biggest Use Case for Crypto
• [27:00] Picks and Shovels: Curve and Aave
• [31:00] Ethereum’s Potential vs. Bitcoin
• [34:00] Economic Outlook: AI, Productivity, and Growth
• [39:00] Risks, Inflation, and the Money Supply
• [42:00] Tau: The Decentralized AI Play
• [44:00] Doing > Reading for Real Expertise
• [46:00] Three-Year Predictions: Public and Private Picks

Additional Resources:

• Smart Humans Podcast with Slava Rubin: Website
• James Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucher
• Choose Yourself by James Altucher – Amazon
• Curve Finance (CRV) – curve.fi
• Aave (AAVE) – aave.com
• Ethereum (ETH) – ethereum.org

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A Note from James:

We kept recording because the conversation wasn’t done. Part 1 was about writing and honesty. Part 2? It’s about consequences—what happens when people believe their own hype, when we confuse being loud with being right, and when storytelling gets weaponized. Ryan Holiday has written about ego, stillness, and obstacles. But this part of the conversation gets at something deeper: what happens when power and narrative collide. And how do we live with integrity when the tools we use to create can just as easily be used to manipulate?

Episode Description:

In Part 2 of their conversation, James Altucher and Ryan Holiday explore the darker side of influence—how public figures lose their grounding, how movements become cults, and how audience validation can steer creators away from their original purpose.

They discuss RFK Jr., Jordan Peterson, and Tucker Carlson—not as political figures, but as case studies in how public personas evolve under the pressure of attention. Along the way, they wrestle with their own roles as communicators: when to speak, when to hold back, and what it really means to be useful in a world full of noise.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why creators are vulnerable to audience capture
• The line between healthy skepticism and conspiracy thinking
• What separates honesty from manipulation in public discourse
• Why power often comes at the expense of self-awareness
• How James and Ryan each wrestle with responsibility as public thinkers

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Continuation from Part 1
• [01:00] How Personas Get Distorted Over Time
• [02:00] The RFK Jr. Conundrum
• [04:00] Audience Capture and Dopamine Loops
• [06:00] When Truth Becomes Optional
• [08:00] Jordan Peterson and the Burden of Symbolism
• [10:00] Platform Power vs. Message Integrity
• [11:00] What Happens When You Start Believing Your Own Brand
• [12:00] The "Edge" as a Career Strategy
• [13:00] The Slippery Slope from Insight to Grift
• [15:00] Building a Philosophy Business
• [16:00] How Stoicism Can Be Used or Abused
• [17:00] Tucker Carlson, Outrage, and Narrative Control
• [19:00] Being Useful vs. Being Loud
• [21:00] When You’re More Known Than You Are Understood
• [23:00] The Fear of Changing Your Mind
• [24:00] When Silence is the Most Ethical Choice
• [25:00] Creating in Public Without Losing Yourself
• [27:00] The Most Powerful Words: “I Don’t Know”

Additional Resources:

• Ryan Holiday’s website: ryanholiday.net
• Ego Is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday: Amazon
• James Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucher
• The Daily Stoic podcast: Daily Stoic

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A Note from James:

Ryan Holiday is one of the few writers I consider a peer—not just because of the work he’s done, but because of the choices he's made along the way. We’ve both published a lot of books. We've both dealt with audiences, platforms, and the weight of having a “point of view” in a world that increasingly wants you to pick a side. This episode wasn’t meant to be a debate or an interview. It was just two people trying to make sense of the tension between creativity and truth, honesty and influence, and why sometimes the best thing you can say is nothing at all.

Episode Description:

In this candid and far-ranging conversation, James Altucher sits down with bestselling author Ryan Holiday to talk about the changing nature of creativity, writing, podcasting, and personal ethics in a polarized media landscape.

They discuss the illusion of having to weigh in on every issue, the danger of algorithmic thinking, and how to stay true to your voice without becoming a prisoner to your audience. Whether you're a writer, a creator, or just trying to think more clearly in chaotic times, this episode offers real insight into the forces shaping our thinking—and how to resist them.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why sharing too early can kill creative momentum
• How social media shifted from expression to algorithm worship
• Why long-form podcasts might be bad for your brain
• How writing differs from other art forms in its tension and permanence
• The tradeoffs between artistic freedom, platform growth, and audience expectations

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Writing Without Talking About It
• [01:00] Why Book Ideas Need Time in the Dark
• [02:00] Creative Compulsion vs. Discipline
• [03:00] Stand-Up, Dopamine, and Daily Feedback
• [05:00] Point of View in a Binary World
• [06:00] Silence, Ethics, and Speaking Up
• [07:00] Noise as a Form of Violence
• [09:00] Political vs. Philosophical Disagreements
• [10:00] Social Media’s Shift to Opinion Farming
• [11:00] The Algorithm as Audience Puppet Master
• [12:00] When the Audience Has You
• [13:00] Podcasting’s Algorithm Problem
• [14:00] Are Podcasts Dangerous?
• [16:00] Podcasting vs. Books: Tension and Craft
• [18:00] The Rise of the Longform Grifter
• [20:00] RFK Jr., Bad Ideas, and No Fact Checks
• [22:00] Why Audiobooks Outperform Podcasts
• [23:00] Can the Medium Save Us?
• [25:00] When Podcasts Work (And When They Don’t)
• [27:00] Music and the Emotional Power of Simplicity
• [29:00] Songs vs. Culture War Commentary
• [30:00] Great Lyrics, Great Feelings
• [32:00] Bono, Stoicism, and Making You Feel Seen
• [34:00] The Parasocial Magic of Fame
• [35:00] Acting, Politics, and Emotional Truth
• [37:00] Writing as the Hardest Artform
• [39:00] Why Great Writing Still Matters

Additional Resources:

• Ryan Holiday’s website: ryanholiday.net
• The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday: Amazon
• James Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucher
• Ryan Holiday’s books on Amazon: Author Page
• Olivia Rodrigo – “Drivers License” (YouTube): Watch here
• Led Zeppelin lyrics and discography: ledzeppelin.com
• U2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday”: YouTube

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A Note from James:

When I first said that college was a scam, people thought I was joking—or worse. But I wasn’t. If you’re 18 and listening to this, don’t go to college. And if you’re a parent, don’t send your kid without doing the math. College doesn’t guarantee a better life anymore. In fact, it could cost you years of freedom, tens of thousands of dollars, and saddle you with debt you can’t escape. In this episode, Doug Hill and I talk about why the traditional path of “get a degree, get a job, live happily ever after” no longer holds up.

Episode Description:

In this second installment of the Crazy Finance series, James Altucher and Doug Hill challenge another major financial assumption: that college is necessary for success. James argues that skyrocketing tuition, guaranteed student loans, and outdated curricula make college a bad financial decision for most people. Doug, who sent four kids to college, shares his own experience and ultimately agrees—except in a few key professions.

From alternative education paths to trade school opportunities, this episode breaks down the economics and psychology behind one of the most expensive decisions families ever make.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why student loan debt is structurally predatory and practically inescapable
• How government-backed loans have inflated tuition for decades
• Which professions still require college—and which don’t
• Why trade schools and alternative education may offer better returns
• How personal development can happen outside the college system

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Don’t Go to College (Seriously)
• [01:00] Why “Personal Finance” Advice Feels Generic
• [02:00] College as a Scam, Explained
• [03:00] When College Is Actually Worth It
• [04:00] Do Doctors Really Need 8 Years of School?
• [06:00] The Business Degree: What Did It Even Teach?
• [07:00] Entrepreneurship vs. Education
• [08:00] The Myth of Higher Earnings
• [09:00] Remedial Programming After Grad School
• [10:00] Why Tuition Keeps Rising
• [11:00] Government Guarantees = No Risk for Colleges
• [12:00] The Hidden Costs and Opportunity Costs
• [13:00] Who Actually Benefits From College?
• [14:00] Trade Schools and Skilled Labor
• [15:00] Electricians, Mechanics, and the Real ROI
• [16:00] Useless Courses, Forgotten Skills
• [17:00] Dropping Out and Getting Ahead
• [18:00] Sales Skills vs. College Classes
• [19:00] AI and the Future of Professional Work
• [20:00] Socialization: Real World vs. Campus
• [21:00] Google Certificates and Online Education
• [22:00] James Insults His Alma Mater (Again)
• [23:00] Who Really Wins in the College System?

Additional Resources:

• James Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucher
• James’s article archive on college: Altucher Confidential – Why College is a Scam
• Coursera Professional Certificates (Google, Meta, etc.): coursera.org
• Khan Academy (Free Education): khanacademy.org
• U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard: collegescorecard.ed.gov
• Trade School Info & Averages: Trade-Schools.net
• Federal Reserve Report on Student Loans: federalreserve.gov

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A Note from James:

Owning a home has been sold to us as the American dream. But what if it's actually a financial nightmare? In this episode, I talk with my friend Doug Hill about why I think buying a house is a bad idea—not just a little bad, but one of the worst investments you can make. Doug and I disagree on some points, and that's the fun part. This isn't about being contrarian for the sake of it. It's about questioning assumptions that most people never even stop to think about.

Episode Description:

In this premiere episode of the Crazy Finance series, James Altucher and Doug Hill take on one of the most sacred cows in personal finance: home ownership. James argues that buying a house isn’t the milestone of success it’s made out to be—it’s an expensive, illiquid, and overrated investment. Doug offers a counterpoint rooted in emotional and lifestyle value. Together, they break down the numbers, psychology, and cultural narratives that shape the decision to rent or buy.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should buy a house—or regret that you did—this conversation challenges the conventional wisdom with real numbers and uncommon insight.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why owning a home may be one of the least financially sound decisions you can make
• How homeownership locks you into inflexible geography and limits job mobility
• The hidden costs of maintenance, property taxes, and lost opportunity
• Why emotional security often drives people to buy homes, not financial logic
• How rental life can be financially and psychologically freeing

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Homeownership Is a Scam?
• [01:00] Introducing the Crazy Finance Series
• [02:00] James’s 11-Item Airbnb Life
• [03:00] Why Freedom Costs Less Than You Think
• [04:00] The Myth of "Throwing Away" Rent
• [06:00] What Makes a House a Bad Investment
• [07:00] Real Estate vs. Diversified Assets
• [08:00] The Illusion of Home Equity
• [09:00] Historical Returns on Housing
• [10:00] "Found Money" and Forced Savings
• [11:00] When You Never Truly Own Your Home
• [13:00] Renting vs. Buying: Lifestyle Tradeoffs
• [14:00] James vs. Doug: Dominican Property Math
• [16:00] Renting as Freedom, Not Failure
• [17:00] The 40-Year Trap of the Down Payment
• [18:00] Recession Horror Stories
• [19:00] Emotions vs. Economics
• [20:00] Getting Stuck (Just Like Factory Towns)
• [21:00] Why James Still Owns a Home (Kind Of)
• [22:00] Gender, Culture, and Nesting Instincts
• [23:00] Listener Homework: Is It Really a Good Investment?

Additional Resources:

• James Altucher on Twitter: @jaltucher
• U.S. Housing Returns Historical Data: Case-Shiller Home Price Index via FRED
• Mortgage Interest Rates: Bankrate.com
• U.S. Property Tax Statistics: Tax Foundation – Property Taxes by State
• Choose Yourself by James Altucher – Amazon

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A Note from James:

So Chef Curtis Duffy—he’s won Michelin Stars, a James Beard Award. He’s been on Netflix’s Iron Chef, was a judge on Top Chef season 21, and he’s even shown up in The Bear. He runs the Chicago restaurants Ever and Grace, and he wrote this incredible memoir called Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef.

I could list all the accolades, but what really got me was his story—it's one of the most intense and heartbreaking I’ve ever read. The kind of story that stops you in your tracks. We talk about all of it—the trauma he lived through, the discipline he built, and what it takes to truly be great at anything. If you're chasing excellence in any part of your life, this episode will hit hard.

Episode Description:

James sits down with acclaimed chef Curtis Duffy for a raw and powerful conversation that goes far beyond the kitchen. From the trauma of losing both parents in a murder-suicide to earning multiple Michelin stars, Duffy shares the personal and professional disciplines that shaped his life. This isn’t just a story about food—it’s about resilience, focus, and the high cost of mastery. Whether you're building a business, learning a craft, or rebuilding your life, Curtis’s story offers something rare: clarity on what it really takes.

What You’ll Learn:

• The difference between discipline and motivation—and why only one sustains greatness.
• How Curtis transformed personal tragedy into a lifelong drive for excellence.
• What separates a 2-star Michelin restaurant from a 3-star—and why consistency matters more than you think.
• Practical ways to develop expertise, even in everyday tasks (like boiling an egg).
• The importance of emotional control and quiet leadership in high-pressure environments.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Intro: Why Curtis Duffy’s story matters
• [01:45] Chef vs. metalhead: Black Sabbath and personal intensity
• [04:50] The family tragedy that shaped everything
• [10:30] Processing the unimaginable: police, negotiation, and aftermath
• [13:00] What Curtis wishes he had heard from his mother
• [15:45] Breaking the cycle of abuse
• [19:00] Leadership in the kitchen: discipline, not yelling
• [22:00] Hiring red flags and building the right team
• [26:00] The value of obsession and sacrifice
• [30:00] Curtis’s first spark of culinary creativity
• [32:00] What makes great chefs great
• [34:00] The science of boiling an egg—and why it matters
• [36:30] Developing "chunks" of expertise over decades
• [38:00] Talent vs. skill: what really wins
• [41:00] The role of discipline and why most people stop short
• [43:00] Going from chef to restaurateur and media personality
• [47:30] The pressure of competition shows vs. real kitchens
• [49:00] How to train consistency into a restaurant culture
• [52:00] Where restaurants are headed next
• [53:00] James gets BLT advice from a Michelin-starred chef
• [56:00] What makes a perfect baguette—and why most are awful
• [58:00] Final thoughts and how to connect with Curtis

Additional Resources:

• 📖 Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef by Curtis Duffy
• 🍽️ Ever Restaurant – Chicago
• 🍷 Grace (Curtis Duffy’s former restaurant)
• 🥁 Charlie Benante – Drummer for Anthrax

Our Sponsors:

• Elevate your workspace with UPLIFT Desk. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/james for a special offer exclusive to our audience.

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