So we have a brand new president of the United States, and of course, everyone has their opinion about whether President Trump has been good or bad, will be good and bad. Everyone has their opinion about Biden, Obama, and so on. But what makes someone a good president? What makes someone a bad president?

Obviously, we want our presidents to be moral and ethical, and we want them to be as transparent as possible with the citizens. Sometimes they can't be totally transparent—negotiations, economic policies, and so on. But we want our presidents to have courage without taking too many risks. And, of course, we want the country to grow economically, though that doesn't always happen because of one person.

I saw this list where historians ranked all the presidents from 1 to 47. I want to comment on it and share my take on who I think are the best and worst presidents. Some of my picks might surprise you.

In this episode, James breaks down the rankings of U.S. presidents and offers his unique perspective on who truly deserves a spot in the top 10—and who doesn’t. Looking beyond the conventional wisdom of historians, he examines the impact of leadership styles, key decisions, and constitutional powers to determine which presidents left a lasting, positive impact. From Abraham Lincoln's crisis leadership to the underappreciated successes of James K. Polk and Calvin Coolidge, James challenges popular rankings and provides insights you won't hear elsewhere.

Probably no president has fascinated this country and our history as much as John F. Kennedy, JFK. Everyone who lived through it remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated. He's considered the golden boy of American politics. But I didn't know this amazing conspiracy that was happening right before JFK took office.

Best-selling thriller writer Brad Meltzer, one of my favorite writers, breaks it all down. He just wrote a book called The JFK Conspiracy. I highly recommend it. And we talk about it right here on the show.

Brad Meltzer returns to the show to reveal one of the craziest untold stories about JFK: the first assassination attempt before he even took office. In his new book, The JFK Conspiracy, Brad dives into the little-known plot by Richard Pavlik, a disgruntled former postal worker with a car rigged to explode.

What saved JFK’s life that day? Why does this story remain a footnote in history? Brad shares riveting details, the forgotten man who thwarted the plot, and how this story illuminates America’s deeper fears. We also explore the legacy of JFK and Jackie Kennedy, from heroism to scandal, and how their "Camelot" has shaped the presidency ever since.

So, I’m out rock climbing, but I really wanted to take a moment to introduce today’s guest: Roger Reaves. This guy is unbelievable. He’s arguably the biggest drug smuggler in history, having worked with Pablo Escobar and others through the '70s, '80s, and even into the '90s. Roger’s life is like something out of a movie—he spent 33 years in jail and has incredible stories about the drug trade, working with people like Barry Seal, and the U.S. government’s involvement in the smuggling business. Speaking of Barry Seal, if you’ve seen American Made with Tom Cruise, there’s a wild scene where Barry predicts the prosecutor’s next move after being arrested—and sure enough, it happens just as he said. Well, Barry Seal actually worked for Roger. That’s how legendary this guy is. Roger also wrote a book called Smuggler about his life. You’ll want to check that out after hearing these crazy stories. Here’s Roger Reaves.

Roger Reaves shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a farm to becoming one of the most notorious drug smugglers in history. He discusses working with Pablo Escobar, surviving harrowing escapes from law enforcement, and the brutal reality of imprisonment and torture. Roger reflects on his decisions, the human connections that shaped his life, and the lessons learned from a high-stakes career. Whether you’re here for the stories or the insights into an underground world, this episode offers a rare glimpse into a life few could imagine.

A Note from James:

"Couldn't believe it was possible. I thought the reality show of Election 2024 could not be beat, but it turns out that was just season one, and season two is incredible. Right now, I don't know whether this is insane or the smartest thing possible. So we're going to figure this out right now. Trump just announced that he wants to buy Greenland and so many things to unpack there. The deeper I go, the more of a rabbit hole it became, and the deeper I went."

Episode Description:

In this episode, James Altucher delves into former President Donald Trump's recent announcement to buy Greenland, exploring the strategic and economic reasons behind the move. The discussion revisits Trump's initial interest in purchasing Greenland in 2019 and examines the geopolitical significance of the island, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and oil reserves. The episode also considers China's control over rare earth minerals and the potential ramifications for U.S. national security. Despite Denmark's refusal to sell, the analysis suggests that acquiring Greenland could benefit both the island's residents and the strategic interests of the United States. 

What You'll Learn:

Timestamped Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction: The Unbelievable Reality of Election 2024

[00:21] Trump's Greenland Ambition: A Recap

[00:50] Crowdfunding Greenland: A Personal Journey

[01:37] Strategic Importance of Greenland

[06:25] The Rare Earth Minerals Dilemma

[14:35] Historical Attempts to Buy Greenland

[18:55] Modern Geopolitical Implications

[21:02] Conclusion: The Future of Greenland 

Additional Resources:

The world's completely changing. Young people, including my five kids, are no longer planning on that one-job, one-career trajectory where you start at General Motors or Procter & Gamble and retire 45 years later with a gold watch. Instead, they’re hustling. They're building side hustles, working from home, and finding ways to make money while traveling.

And where do all these opportunities come from? Micha Kaufman, the founder and CEO of Fiverr, joins me today. Fiverr has created millions of jobs and revolutionized the gig economy. It's not just about freelancing—it’s about how you can leverage platforms like Fiverr alongside AI to create opportunities. This conversation could change your life. Let's get into it.

In this episode, James Altucher chats with Micha Kaufman, the visionary founder and CEO of Fiverr. Micha shares how Fiverr reshaped the freelance marketplace by making talent accessible to anyone, anywhere. They discuss how the gig economy has evolved, the role of AI in freelancing, and why adaptability is the key to thriving in the modern workforce. Micha’s insights reveal the strategies that made Fiverr a global platform connecting millions while changing how businesses access talent.

Eric Jorgenson’s story with Scribe Media is one of the rare second chances in business. In this episode, James sits down with Eric to discuss how he saved Scribe from its dramatic downfall, brought it back to stability, and is leading it into a promising future. Eric shares the inner workings of the acquisition, the lessons learned from Scribe’s collapse, and how the company is redefining professional self-publishing.

Together, they also explore why self-publishing is a vital option for authors, the evolving publishing landscape, and how to create meaningful books in today’s digital age. This episode is packed with actionable insights for authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of business and creativity.

Money GPT. I mean, we've all heard about the incredible potential of AI, and I’ve shared my optimism about its future in many episodes. But today, we have Jim Rickards back on the show, and he’s here to offer a more skeptical perspective. You might remember our earlier discussion where Jim laid out a masterclass on the economy, its history, and what might unfold over the next few years. Now, he’s back with insights from his new book, Money GPT, diving into what we should watch out for when it comes to AI and its impact on the economy. Let’s get into this compelling discussion with Jim Rickards.

In this episode, James Altucher welcomes back bestselling author Jim Rickards to discuss his latest book, Money GPT. Jim delves into the transformative power of AI, highlighting both its immense benefits and the potential risks it poses, particularly to the global economy and financial markets. Drawing on his experience building AI models for the CIA, Jim explains how AI is reshaping industries and warns of its unintended consequences. The conversation spans the accelerating role of AI in finance, its vulnerabilities, and its parallels with nuclear decision-making processes. Whether you're optimistic or cautious about AI, this episode will challenge your perspective with fresh insights and historical context.

A Note from James:

If my kids asked me, "What is the one podcast we should listen to to create financial security, wealth, whatever?"—this is the one I’d recommend. Codie Sanchez is so smart, thoughtful about business, and open about her journey to success, including the failures she's overcome.

Her book, Main Street Millionaire, highlights how the most boring businesses—laundromats, car washes, and other everyday enterprises—are the true wealth creators. Codie shares her strategies for buying these businesses for little to no money down and scaling them for massive success. This episode is packed with actionable insights, so take notes, and if you have questions, hit me up on Twitter. Here’s Codie Sanchez.

Episode Description:

James sits down with Main Street Millionaire author Codie Sanchez to explore the art of building wealth through "boring" businesses. Codie explains why chasing trendy industries like AI and crypto might not be the best path to financial freedom, and instead focuses on buying, scaling, and profiting from existing small businesses. They discuss why these overlooked enterprises can be goldmines and how to find, evaluate, and acquire them—even with minimal upfront capital. This episode is a roadmap for anyone dreaming of stepping off the corporate treadmill and building sustainable wealth.

What You’ll Learn:

Timestamped Chapters:

Additional Resources:

"Over a billion people play chess. Even if you’re not into it, think about this: two armies on a board, going to war. It’s the game of kings, and back in the day, kings played chess to strategize without any bloodshed. Although, if you’ve ever lost a chess game, you might feel like someone just wiped you off the board. I’ve been there—sitting for hours, putting your whole brain into it, and then losing. It feels like death. People cry. I’ve cried.

But here’s the thing: it’s also the safest way to practice losing and bouncing back in life. That’s why chess is part of our culture—from TV shows like The Queen’s Gambit to the background of every smart character in movies. Chess has helped me in ways I can’t even measure. It got me into college, helped me land jobs, and taught me how to deal with failure.

In this episode, I sat down with Peter Doggers, an incredible chess journalist and author of The Chess Revolution. We talked about how chess is taking the world by storm, why it matters so much today, and what makes it more than just a game. If you play chess, know someone who does, or even just want to understand the cultural and intellectual explosion of chess right now, this conversation is for you. Let’s get into it."

Chess isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural revolution. In this episode, James talks with Peter Doggers, chess journalist and author of The Chess Revolution, about the global chess boom, AI’s role in shaping modern chess, and why the game has captivated everyone from kids to CEOs. They discuss everything from the addictive nature of chess to its impact on careers, mental resilience, and even Hollywood. Whether you’re a grandmaster or a beginner, this conversation uncovers why chess is more relevant than ever.

• How The Queen’s Gambit and the pandemic reignited global interest in chess.
• The role of AI in transforming the way chess is played and understood.
• Why losing in chess feels so personal—and what it teaches about resilience.
• The ongoing battle against cheating in chess and the challenges of AI-driven deception.
• How chess can boost your career and cultural standing.

• [01:30] The cultural explosion of chess.
• [03:08] The addictive nature of the game.
• [05:47] Meeting Peter Doggers: From journalist to chess master.
• [10:20] AI and the future of chess.
• [17:28] The drama and history of chess rivalries.
• [22:15] Why chess players keep coming back for more.
• [30:50] Can adults still improve at chess?
• [40:47] The impact of streamers on chess popularity.

• Peter Doggers' book: The Chess Revolution: Understanding the Power of an Ancient Game in the Digital Age
• Peter Doggers' Web Site

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