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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A Note from James:

Are UFOs real or not? For 80 years there have been credible whistleblowers saying the government recovered craft—and even bodies. That’s why I wanted Kent Heckenlively on, the author of Catastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth. I’m not here to decide for you. I want to hear the best evidence, ask the obvious questions, and have you help me figure out if we actually got closer to the truth. Let’s find out together.

Episode Description:

n this episode, James sits down with Kent Heckenlively—attorney, journalist, and coauthor of Catastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth—to stress-test the most serious UFO claims on the table right now. Kent argues that humanity is on the brink of a “catastrophic disclosure” moment where long-hidden crash retrieval programs, nonhuman technology, and even bodies will be forced into the open. James plays the role he knows best: friendly skeptic who wants receipts, definitions, and clear thinking.

Together they walk through recent congressional hearings, whistleblower testimony, the Yemen orb video, and those strange Peruvian mummies that look either like a bad hoax… or like something we truly don’t understand. They talk about how many people would have to keep secrets for decades, why the best deceptions are mostly true, and how scientific projects like Colossal Biosciences’ “de-extincted” dire wolves show both the promise and the hype of cutting-edge genetics.

The result isn’t a verdict on whether aliens are visiting us. It’s a framework. James and Kent map out a way to think about uncertainty, spin, and incentives—whether you’re trying to decide what you believe about UFOs, pandemics, financial crises, or any other story where the truth lives behind NDAs, classified briefings, and very human motives.

What You’ll Learn:

• James’s 85/15 rule for extraordinary claims—stay open without getting swept up.
• What makes the pilot/whistleblower testimony compelling—and what still doesn’t add up.
• How definitions and bureaucracy shape the narrative (e.g., how agencies say “not alien” without proving “explained”).
• A quick due-diligence checklist for wild stories (videos, “mummies,” pressers): provenance, incentives, cross-discipline sanity checks.
• Why institutional spin and media incentives matter—and how to discount them without becoming cynical.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Cold Open — “If big institutions lie once, what else are they hiding?”
• [02:00] Kent’s stance: 85% “probably real,” 15% “maybe psyop—or brain glitches”
• [03:00] A Note from James — from skeptic to curious agnostic
• [04:16] Campfire confessions: trusted friends and the triangle in the Texas sky
• [06:29] From CIA exposes to UFOs: why this book took two years
• [07:00] 2023 hearings and “catastrophic disclosure” (vs. “controlled disclosure”)
• [10:06] Who is David Grusch? Why his language puzzles lawyers and persuades believers
• [12:32] Congress vs. intel: Burchett, Luna, oversight, and stonewalls
• [13:50] 25 investigations and a “mushroom cloud” excuse—when reports insult your intelligence
• [16:06] Firsthand witnesses: Dylan Borland and triangle craft near a NASA hangar
• [19:15] The hair-split: “real programs, correct personnel—just not alien”
• [23:30] Definition games: why “not alien” can still leave you with anomalies
• [25:06] Peru’s three-fingered “mummies”: scans, DNA claims, and what science would need next
• [30:43] Where the bodies are (allegedly) stored; who’s gotten access
• [33:42] Genetics sanity check: bananas, chimps, and why 70% similarity is strange here
• [34:05] Secrets and scale: could thousands keep quiet for 80 years? Greer’s 700 accounts
• [39:55] Before Sputnik: “vanishing stars” and odd plates in old sky surveys
• [42:53] NDAs, treason clauses, and why real whistleblowers are scared
• [44:25] James’s middle path: optimistic skeptic, not a cynic
• [48:28] The “Yemen orb” footage: multiple sensors, a Hellfire, and unanswered physics
• [50:30] Contact across a tech gap: Aztecs, galleons, and cell phones in 1025 AD
• [52:22] Nukes, Trinity, and why someone might be watching our arsenals
• [53:29] Quantum wormholes or “witches’ spells”? The story vs. the proof
• [55:27] Living with real unknowns and resisting team-sports thinking
• [55:59] Lightning round: the 100,000-year alien road-trip question

Additional Resources:

Guest & Book

• Catastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth — Amazon listing. Amazon
• Kent Heckenlively author page (Amazon). Amazon

Hearings, Pilots & Whistleblowers

• Cmdr. David Fravor’s written statement to House Oversight (Tic-Tac). House Oversight Committee
• Ryan Graves — testimony & org. Congress.gov
• House UAP proceedings (hearing materials hub). Congress.gov

New Footage Referenced

• CBS News recap of Rep. Eric Burlison presenting the “Yemen orb” video. CBS News

Projects & People Mentioned

• Dr. Steven Greer — Disclosure Project site. Dr. Steven Greer
• VASCO Project (Vanishing & Appearing Sources). Vasco Project
• Colossal Biosciences — Dire-wolf project (and scientific explainer). Colossal

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

A Note from James:

Wisdom Takes Work is Ryan Holiday’s fourth book exploring the Stoic virtues, and this time he’s taking on the big one — wisdom. His earlier books on courage, temperance, and justice were all great conversations, but this one hit me personally. I’ve often thought I had wisdom, only to realize later that I didn’t — or at least not as much as I thought.

Ryan’s writing blends ancient Stoic philosophy with modern life in a way that feels both practical and timeless. We talked about how wisdom isn’t something you possess; it’s something you practice. It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about asking better questions, learning through experience, and staying humble enough to admit what you don’t know. Ryan’s back on the show — probably more than any other guest — and each time, I walk away seeing the world differently.

Episode Description:

James sits down with bestselling author and Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday to discuss Wisdom Takes Work, the newest addition to his series on the cardinal virtues. Together they unpack what “wisdom” really means — not as a static trait, but as an ongoing practice of curiosity, humility, and doing hard things.

The conversation ranges from the limits of AI (“great at knowledge, terrible at wisdom”) to the importance of reading history, counting names on a plaque instead of trusting bad data, and learning by doing. Ryan also shares new insights from his upcoming biography of Admiral James Stockdale, and how the act of challenging himself as a writer mirrors the Stoic pursuit of wisdom itself.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why wisdom isn’t about knowing — it’s about learning, questioning, and doing.
• How AI amplifies knowledge but can’t replace human judgment or discernment.
• Why experience, pain, and humility are necessary ingredients for growth.
• How Ryan’s research on Admiral Stockdale is changing his approach to writing and life.
• Practical ways to cultivate wisdom — from reading and travel to mentoring and open-mindedness.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [00:00] Introduction: The difference between knowledge and wisdom
• [02:54] A Note from James — Why wisdom is the hardest virtue
• [05:37] AI’s limits and the danger of overconfidence
• [08:57] “Wisdom takes work”: Stoic principles in action
• [11:35] The verbs of virtue — acting with courage, justice, and discipline
• [13:12] Ryan’s AI experiment and the Naval Academy plaque
• [16:10] Knowing what you don’t know — humility as wisdom
• [18:30] Parenting, ego, and learning to argue less
• [22:00] Why age doesn’t guarantee wisdom
• [25:10] The trap of resisting change and staying “the smartest person in the room”
• [27:00] Adapting to new generations and ideas
• [31:00] Is wisdom a talent or a learned skill?
• [34:00] How books and mentors shape a wise mind
• [37:00] Raising curious kids in the age of MrBeast and AI
• [40:20] Teaching curiosity and lifelong learning
• [42:25] Practicing wisdom: reading, travel, and mentorship
• [47:00] Learning by doing — the pain and reward of hard work
• [50:20] Writing, research, and the lesson of David McCullough
• [53:07] Why Ryan’s next book is his hardest yet — Admiral Stockdale’s story
• [55:50] Finding new mentors and growing past your comfort zone
• [57:14] Living the Stoic life — success, service, and perspective

Additional Resources:

• Ryan Holiday – Wisdom Takes Work
• Ryan Holiday’s other Stoic virtue books:

Courage Is Calling

Discipline Is Destiny

Right Thing, Right Now

• Admiral James Stockdale – U.S. Naval Academy Biography
• Robert Caro – Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing
• David McCullough – Truman and John Adams
• Ryan Holiday’s The Daily Stoic Podcast – Spotify

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A Note from James

Tupac Shakur—one of the greatest rap artists ever—was shot and killed almost two decades ago. What else is there left to say about him? What new things can be said?

Well, Jeff Pearlman’s new book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, takes on that challenge. In our conversation, we talk about what Jeff uncovered in his research, why he wanted to write another Tupac book, and what made this one different.

But first, a little story. Back in the ’90s, I was running a company that built websites. Around 1997 or ’98, Tupac’s mom wanted to release a new album of his music and build a website around it. I went in to pitch the project—$90,000, which would’ve covered payroll for another month. I needed that deal.

So I show up, ready to impress. Tupac’s manager says, “Okay, here’s my computer. Show me what you’ve got.” And I realize—I’ve never used a Windows machine in my life. I’d only ever used Macs. I couldn’t even figure out how to turn it on.

I had a computer science degree. I was a software engineer. I’d been running this company for years. But in that moment, I had to admit: “I don’t know how to use this machine.” He laughed me out of the room. Literally.

That was the day I learned that even the smartest pitch can fall apart if you forget to check which operating system you’re using.

Anyway—what else is there to talk about with Tupac Shakur? Jeff Pearlman and I figured it out.

Episode Description

In this episode, James sits down with bestselling author and journalist Jeff Pearlman (The Last Folk Hero, Showtime, Sweetness) to talk about his latest book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.

Pearlman explores the contradictions, brilliance, and tragedy of Tupac’s life—how a performing arts kid from Baltimore became the poetic voice of West Coast hip hop, and how his complex identity was shaped by the Black Panther movement, celebrity culture, and the rise of gangsta rap.

James and Jeff unpack Tupac’s evolution from Digital Underground hype man to solo artist, his influence on music and film, and the deeper meaning behind songs like Brenda’s Got a Baby. They also trace the events leading up to his death, separating myth from reality, and reflect on what Tupac’s legacy might have become if he’d lived.

What You’ll Learn

• Why Tupac’s “gangster” persona was more performance than reality
• How his upbringing under a Black Panther mother shaped his worldview
• The untold story behind Brenda’s Got a Baby—and how Pearlman found the real “baby” years later
• The truth about Tupac’s relationship with Biggie Smalls and the events that led to both of their deaths
• Why Tupac might have gone on to become a political or cultural leader, not just a rapper
• How hip hop evolved from the storytelling of the ’90s to today’s more fragmented sound

Timestamped Chapters

• [00:00] Introduction – James shares his connection to Tupac’s world
• [02:43] A Note from James – The web pitch that went wrong
• [05:00] Why Jeff Pearlman wrote a Tupac book
• [07:00] The challenge of writing outside his comfort zone
• [09:00] Tupac’s background and the myth of the “gangsta” image
• [11:00] The evolution of rap from the ’80s to now
• [16:00] What made Tupac’s art different from his peers
• [18:30] Tupac as a natural actor—and how he almost won an Oscar
• [21:00] Was his “gangster” side authentic or performance?
• [23:30] The night Tupac was killed—what really happened
• [26:00] How the East Coast–West Coast rivalry became fatal
• [30:00] The origin of Brenda’s Got a Baby and the real-life people behind it
• [35:00] Tupac’s literal storytelling and emotional honesty
• [36:30] How he might have evolved as an artist—or politician
• [38:00] The conversation that inspired a future Newark city councilman
• [40:00] Hip hop’s intelligence, legacy, and misunderstood brilliance
• [45:00] From Ice-T to Death Row: how labels, power, and politics shaped the scene
• [49:00] Wrapping up with gratitude—and a little hair envy

Additional Resources

• Jeff Pearlman – Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur
• Jeff Pearlman’s Official Website
• Tupac Shakur – Brenda’s Got a Baby (Official Video)
• Digital Underground – Same Song (Tupac’s first verse)
• FBI Case File: Death of Tupac Shakur
• Film: Juice (1992), starring Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps

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A Note from James

Oh my gosh—I was scared after this one. In this episode, I learned about what’s really on the dark web… and the even scarier stuff on what’s called the deep web.

Eric O’Neill—who, by the way, is the former FBI agent who brought down Robert Hanssen, the biggest double agent in U.S. history—joined me for this conversation. Hanssen was the FBI’s top analyst on the Soviet Union, and at the same time, he was secretly working for the Soviet Union—for twenty-two years. Eric was the one who caught him. There was even a movie made about it—Breach (2007).

Now Eric has written a book called Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime: Cybersecurity Tactics to Outsmart Hackers and Disarm Scammers. And honestly, it’s terrifying what’s out there right now—the dark web, the black markets, the cyberattacks, the scams that most of us have no idea are happening in the background of our digital lives.

I’ll let Eric tell the stories.

Episode Description

In this episode, James talks with Eric O’Neill—former FBI counterintelligence operative and the man who captured the most notorious spy in U.S. history—about the unseen cyber battlefield shaping our world today. O’Neill explains how hackers, state actors, and scammers exploit human psychology far more than technology, and why every one of us is a potential target.

From the lessons of his undercover work tracking Robert Hanssen to the rise of ransomware and AI-assisted phishing, O’Neill offers both a chilling reality check and a practical guide for staying safe in the digital age. He and James break down how modern espionage has moved online—and what ordinary people can do to protect themselves before it’s too late.

What You’ll Learn

• How Eric O’Neill captured Robert Hanssen, the most damaging spy in FBI history
• Why modern cybercrime depends more on human manipulation than hacking code
• What really happens on the dark web and how it fuels global criminal networks
• How AI is changing the speed and sophistication of digital attacks
• Simple but critical steps you can take right now to protect your data and identity

Timestamped Chapters

• [00:00] Introduction — James sets the stage for a chilling conversation
• [02:15] Who is Eric O’Neill? The story behind capturing Robert Hanssen
• [07:45] The day Hanssen was caught — inside the FBI sting
• [13:10] From spycraft to cybercrime — how espionage went digital
• [17:30] The real difference between the dark web and the deep web
• [22:00] Why hackers target people, not systems
• [27:40] Social engineering and the psychology of manipulation
• [32:15] AI and the next generation of scams
• [37:55] How to recognize phishing and digital traps
• [44:20] Why cybersecurity starts with self-awareness
• [49:10] Lessons from the field — how espionage teaches us to think critically
• [54:05] The future of cyber warfare and personal protection
• [59:00] Final thoughts — the cost of complacency

Additional Resources

• Eric O’Neill – Spies, Lies, and Cybercrime: Cybersecurity Tactics to Outsmart Hackers and Disarm Scammers
• Eric O’Neill – Gray Day: My Undercover Mission to Expose America’s First Cyber Spy
• Film: Breach (2007) – starring Ryan Phillippe and Chris Cooper
• FBI Official Case Summary – Robert Hanssen Espionage Case
• Eric O’Neill Official Website

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

A Note from James

I first got really impressed with Steven Pinker when he wrote The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. He basically shows that over the past 10,000 years, every single century has been less violent than the one before it. You might think, “That can’t include the 20th century,” right? We had World War I, World War II, atomic bombs, the flu pandemic of 1920, Vietnam—all these massive wars. But when you look at violent deaths per capita, the 20th century was actually less violent than the 1800s, which were less violent than the 1700s, and so on. It’s a beautiful, data-driven argument for optimism.

But it’s his latest book that really fascinated me: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life. That subtitle alone—“common knowledge and the mysteries of money, power, and everyday life”—you can’t just skip past that. You have to know what it means.

Take poker, for example. If someone bluffs you, you have to think: are they bluffing? Or are they making me think they’re bluffing, but they’re not? Or do they know that I think they’re bluffing, so now they’re actually not bluffing at all? That kind of circular reasoning—what philosophers call “common knowledge”—shows up in real life all the time.

Like when you ask someone up for “a cup of coffee” after a date. You’re not really talking about coffee. But you’re also not saying what you actually mean. You’re hinting. You’re creating a safe, ambiguous space where both people know what’s being suggested without anyone having to say it outright. The same thing happens when you ask your boss, “Can we discuss taking on more responsibilities?” instead of saying “I want a raise.” We give partial information all the time, because being direct can change the relationship—or close off possibilities.

Steven and I talked about why we communicate this way, how shared knowledge shapes everything from flirtation to power to money, and what happens when that balance breaks down.

And by the way—if you’ve never seen Steven Pinker—he looks exactly like what you’d imagine a Harvard professor to look like. Long white hair, sharp blue eyes, and this kind of wild genius energy. Jay and I joked that he looks like Einstein meets Jimmy Page meets Beethoven. He’s the best-looking academic I’ve ever seen.

Anyway, here’s our conversation on When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, with my good friend Steven Pinker.

Episode Description

In this conversation, James and Steven Pinker explore how much of life runs on signals, innuendo, and the unsaid. Pinker explains how “common knowledge”—what everyone knows that everyone else knows—shapes everything from romantic attraction to political polarization to financial panics.

They discuss why laughter matters, how game theory explains social awkwardness, and why being “brutally honest” all the time can destroy relationships. From Seinfeld to poker tables to the stock market, Pinker shows that our most human moments depend on the subtle art of leaving things unsaid.

What You’ll Learn

• Why subtle hints and shared assumptions keep relationships, negotiations, and societies stable
• How laughter creates “common knowledge” and strengthens social bonds
• The role of game theory and “recursive thinking” in everything from dating to diplomacy
• Why total honesty isn’t always a virtue—and how “rational hypocrisy” preserves relationships
• How stock market behavior, toilet paper hoarding, and bank runs all reflect the same hidden logic

Timestamped Chapters

• [00:00] Introduction – When everyone knows that everyone knows
• [03:00] A Note from James: Why Pinker’s optimism matters
• [08:00] The hidden rules of communication and “weasel words”
• [10:00] Why we hint, wink, and avoid blurting the truth
• [13:00] “I love you” and the creation of common knowledge
• [16:00] How humor and laughter level the playing field
• [20:00] Politics, laughter, and social signaling
• [27:00] Bluffing, poker, and recursive thinking
• [31:00] Negotiation, honesty, and the limits of directness
• [38:00] Rational hypocrisy vs. radical honesty
• [42:00] Stock markets, speculation, and public knowledge
• [47:00] The toilet paper paradox: when panic becomes reality
• [56:00] Why intimacy can’t be legislated
• [01:00:00] Trade-offs, awareness, and flexible social norms
• [01:01:00] The “Sagan Curse” and being a public intellectual
• [01:04:00] The logic behind life’s unspoken rules

Additional Resources

• Steven Pinker – When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life
• Steven Pinker – The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined
• Steven Pinker – Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters

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A Note from James

I’ve always loved books where a journalist gets so deep into a subculture that they become part of it. Magic Is Dead by Ian Frisch is one of those. He starts out covering a secret society of magicians—“The 52,” named for the cards in a deck—and ends up becoming one of them.

It reminded me of other favorites like Word Freak (Scrabble), The Game (pickup artists), and Moonwalking with Einstein (memory champions). I love that genre of participation—when curiosity turns into obsession and then into mastery.

Ian’s journey pulled me right in. He didn’t just report on the world of magicians; he lived in it, practiced card tricks until his hands hurt, and learned how obsession, storytelling, and performance shape every great craft. Talking to him made me think about how every one of us could benefit from being part of more than one “world”—to have different lives, different subcultures where we’re known and respected for something unique. That’s real diversification. Not just financial, but personal.

Episode Description

In this episode, James talks with journalist and author Ian Frisch about his book Magic Is Dead: My Journey into the World’s Most Secretive Society of Magicians and what it means to go all-in on obsession.

They explore the underground network of modern magicians reinventing the art for the social-media age—tattoos, streetwear, viral videos, and all—and what these creative subcultures can teach the rest of us about mastery, storytelling, and risk.

It’s a conversation about transformation: how curiosity becomes discipline, and how the principles behind sleight of hand apply to persuasion, business, and everyday life.

What You’ll Learn

• Why obsession—not balance—is often the key to getting great at something
• How social media reshaped the art and culture of modern magic
• The real psychology behind deception, storytelling, and human connection
• How magicians build trust with skeptical audiences (and what leaders can learn from it)
• Why belonging to multiple “worlds” or subcultures creates resilience and happiness

Timestamped Chapters

• [00:00] Introduction — Obsession as a superpower
• [03:00] A Note from James — The journalist who became a magician
• [06:00] Participatory journalism and the power of total immersion
• [10:00] What makes this genre work: transformation and obsession
• [11:30] Discovering the new generation of social-media magicians
• [14:00] From top hats to tattoos: how magic reinvented itself online
• [18:30] The challenge of trust when magic meets video editing
• [20:30] The return of live magic and the human reaction
• [23:30] Subcultures, hierarchies, and belonging
• [26:00] Magic as a social tool for outsiders
• [29:00] How magicians train for a decade to master their craft
• [37:00] Ian’s own training: learning sleight of hand as an adult
• [40:00] The poker connection and card control secrets
• [44:00] Why mystery matters more than the trick itself
• [47:00] Storytelling, psychology, and reading people
• [52:00] Applying magician skills to real-world persuasion
• [54:00] Comedy, showmanship, and performance overlap
• [55:30] The secret societies of magic and “The 52”
• [58:30] Competition, creativity, and the economics of exclusivity
• [01:00:40] How Ian earned his place as the “Two of Clubs”
• [01:03:00] Inventing a new trick and becoming part of the story

Additional Resources

• Magic Is Dead: My Journey into the World’s Most Secretive Society of Magicians by Ian Frisch
• Ian Frisch's Website

Related titles discussed:

• Word Freak by Stefan Fatsis
• Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
• The Game by Neil Strauss
• The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova

Mentioned magicians:

• Chris Ramsay
• Daniel Madison
• Laura London
• Doug McKenzie

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A Note from James

I’m such a fan of this guy. I loved The Psychology of Money — it felt like he was writing directly about me. I’ve made a lot of money, lost it all, made it again, lost it again. Over and over. And Morgan gets it.

His new book, The Art of Spending Money, hits even deeper. It’s not just about being rich; it’s about freedom, simplicity, and contentment — the real returns of life. Every word of this conversation is a reminder that money is never about money. It’s about independence.

Episode Description

In this episode, James sits down with bestselling author Morgan Housel (The Psychology of Money, Same as Ever, The Art of Spending Money) to explore how wealth, happiness, and identity intersect.

They talk about why most people spend money to impress strangers who aren’t even paying attention, why saving isn’t “delayed gratification,” and why independence is the ultimate luxury.

Housel and Altucher go beyond finance — into psychology, meaning, and what happens when your identity gets tied up in your success. This is one of the most personal and useful conversations you’ll hear about money this year.

What You’ll Learn

• Why the goal of money isn’t happiness — it’s contentment.
• How to “purchase independence” instead of possessions.
• The hidden trap of social signaling and lifestyle inflation.
• How to build a healthy “psychology of money” that lasts through boom and bust.
• Why compounding memories might be more valuable than compounding interest.

Timestamped Chapters

• [02:00] “Saving is purchasing independence.”
• [02:29] Happiness vs. contentment — why wealth brings fewer bad days, not more good ones.
• [03:00] A Note from James: how Morgan’s books mirror his own financial rollercoaster.
• [04:01] The social trap of spending for admiration.
• [05:19] Why signaling is universal — and why we overestimate who’s watching.
• [06:29] The three skills of money: making, keeping, and growing it.
• [07:02] Saving as joy, not sacrifice: how independence is pleasure in the present.
• [09:08] Why wealth means fewer bad days, not more good ones.
• [10:00] The quest for the simple life — why simplicity equals freedom.
• [11:04] James’s minimalist experiment: life with one backpack.
• [12:00] The billionaire’s regret — Harvey Firestone and the mansion paradox.
• [14:15] The psychology of downgrades and why people can’t go back.
• [15:40] Who are you trying to impress? The six people who actually matter.
• [17:21] Money as a tool vs. money as a scoreboard.
• [18:35] Why the desire for status falls when you find meaning elsewhere.
• [21:30] The fear of losing freedom — and how it drives bad decisions.
• [23:00] Even billionaires worry about losing it all — why fear never goes away.
• [25:11] Are we wired to worry about money? Nature vs. nurture in financial behavior.
• [27:39] Envy as outsourced thinking — how jealousy hijacks your decisions.
• [30:00] The five-minute rule: happiness never lasts, contentment does.
• [32:00] Saving in your 20s — when it matters and when it doesn’t.
• [33:51] The habits that stick: why early saving teaches independence.
• [35:29] Why the best memories come when you have the least money.
• [37:07] Scarcity, gratitude, and why effort creates value.
• [38:35] Wiping the slate clean: how to escape identity traps.
• [40:00] Retirement, identity loss, and why former athletes struggle.
• [42:25] “Keep your identity small.” — lessons from Paul Graham and Tim Ferriss.
• [45:00] When obsession fuels creation — how James moves between identities.
• [49:22] Sticking with one thing vs. exploring many — the range paradox.
• [51:25] The barbell of wisdom: compounding stability vs. compounding experiences.
• [53:27] The compounding of memories — why they may outlast wealth.
• [55:15] Simplicity, location, and the emotional geography of memory.

Additional Resources

• 📖 The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
• 📖 The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• 📖 Same as Ever by Morgan Housel
• 📰 MorganHousel.com

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A Note from James:

Bill O’Reilly’s new book, Confronting Evil, is both a history lesson and a warning. It’s a study of the most destructive figures in human history—from Hitler, Stalin, and Mao to Genghis Khan, Caligula, and even modern evildoers like Putin and the cartels.

When I first picked it up, I thought it would be about the past. But after reading it, I realized it’s really about right now—about how evil mutates, reappears, and spreads when we stop paying attention.

We talked about the psychology of evil, how it manifests differently in modern life, and why we all need to look inward at how we process fear and anger. The episode ends on a note of hope—but only if we’re willing to face what’s real.

Episode Description:

In this episode, James sits down with legendary journalist and author Bill O’Reilly to discuss his new book, Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst. Together, they explore how history’s darkest figures—Hitler, Mao, Stalin, Putin, and others—reflect modern patterns of violence, polarization, and moral decay.

O’Reilly draws from decades of reporting and war correspondence to explain the difference between “personal evil” and “collective evil,” and why societies collapse when good people stop paying attention.

The conversation also looks at free speech, mental illness, the internet’s role in radicalization, and why mercy for the guilty so often becomes cruelty to the innocent.

What You’ll Learn:

• The 15 most destructive figures in world history—and why their patterns are repeating today.
• The two types of evil: personal vs. collective.
• How technology and echo chambers amplify hatred.
• Why ignoring small evils allows larger ones to grow.
• How to recognize and contain evil in a free society.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [02:00] A Note from James: Introducing Confronting Evil
• [02:39] Are we living in a new age of violence or just a repeating cycle?
• [03:39] On partisanship, anger, and how fear disguises itself
• [04:57] Bill joins: marketing a book in the age of distraction
• [05:51] Why O’Reilly wrote Confronting Evil and how it differs from his “Killing” series
• [07:16] Putin, October 7th, and the eerie timing of the book’s release
• [08:20] Why today’s evil feels more personal than historic evil
• [09:39] Personal encounters with evil: chasing Ted Bundy
• [11:01] Witnessing atrocities: from El Salvador to Belfast
• [12:24] Could Hitler have been reasoned with? The psychology of the irredeemable
• [14:27] “Mercy to the guilty is cruelty to the innocent” — justice and accountability
• [15:36] The internet’s role in radicalization and digital “clubs for evil”
• [17:00] Echo chambers, hate speech, and how the free world handles extremism
• [19:02] Why confronting evil matters in a “free” but apathetic society
• [20:00] The October 7th attacks and why O’Reilly opens his book there
• [21:22] “Queers for Palestine” and the IQ of modern activism
• [22:00] How ignorance and apathy breed delusion
• [23:00] When does “necessary evil” cross the line into tyranny? Augustus and strongmen
• [25:10] The psychology of dictators: no remorse, no redemption
• [26:11] The Constitution as an anti-authoritarian framework
• [27:50] Polarization, Portland, and the fight over federal authority
• [29:00] How democracies correct themselves—eventually
• [31:31] Data over ideology: why extremists are still a minority
• [32:04] Can AI detect future Hitlers?
• [33:28] Why people cheer for evil—and how to walk away
• [34:46] The 15 who made the cut: why some evildoers were left out
• [35:36] The drug cartels as modern-day mass murderers
• [36:29] O’Reilly’s warning: mobilize the 85% before it’s too late
• [36:54] Ending on hope—why good still outnumbers evil

Additional Resources

• 📖 Confronting Evil: Assessing the Worst of the Worst by Bill O’Reilly & Josh Hammer
• 📚 BillOReilly.com – Official Site
• 🎧 Related: The James Altucher Show – Charles Duhigg on Super Communicators

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