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

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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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A Note from James

Miesha Tate is one of my favorite people in the world. She’s an incredible athlete—the ultimate fighting champion of the planet at one point—but more than that, she’s someone who’s turned struggle, discipline, and excellence into wisdom.

I was honored when she asked me to be on her podcast, Built for Growth. We talked about surviving turbulence in life, doing hard things, and why obsession can be both a gift and a curse. What I loved most was how different our paths have been, yet how much we connected.

Episode Description

In this crossover episode, James joins former UFC champion Miesha Tate on her podcast Built for Growth. They talk about the “idea muscle,” the myth of the 10,000-hour rule, how to teach kids outside traditional schooling, and why fulfillment—not money or titles—should be the ultimate goal.

James opens up about losing everything, rebuilding from scratch with nothing more than a waiter’s pad, and why experimenting is often the shortcut to mastery. Miesha shares her journey through fighting, parenting, and building a new kind of education for her kids.

This episode is about creativity, resilience, and the courage to experiment with life.

What You’ll Learn

• How to strengthen your “idea muscle” with the 10 ideas a day practice.
• Why obsession can be the deciding factor in becoming great at something.
• How experiments can shortcut the 10,000-hour rule.
• Why traditional schooling fails kids—and how learner-driven models work.
• The difference between happiness and fulfillment, and why fulfillment matters more.

Timestamped Chapters

• [02:00] A Note from James: honored to be Miesha’s guest
• [03:10] Hair, insecurity, and how childhood shapes identity
• [05:00] Role reversal: Miesha puts James in the hot seat
• [07:00] Doing hard things: lessons from wrestling and life
• [08:17] The 10 ideas a day practice—why the brain “sweats” after idea #7
• [10:19] Goals vs. ideas: learning through lists
• [11:20] The struggle of doing less and finding presence
• [13:00] Why obsession fuels mastery and resilience
• [17:20] Building and losing a company, then starting over
• [19:22] How the idea muscle pulled James out of depression
• [22:00] Miesha on homeschooling, creativity, and unschooling
• [25:00] Why school fails—and what kids really need to learn
• [27:00] The college debt scam and alternative paths
• [33:00] Risk-taking, love vs. logic, and experimenting with ideas
• [35:00] Standup comedy: a bad idea that changed James’s life
• [38:20] Money, family, and creating financial stability while experimenting
• [41:25] Miesha’s dream: starting a homeschool business in Boise
• [44:33] Why you don’t need 10,000 hours—just experiments
• [49:22] From Star Wars to the Fosbury Flop: innovation through combination
• [51:00] School, grades, and why James only did what he loved
• [52:46] Happiness vs. fulfillment: the real goal of success

Additional Resources

• 📖 Choose Yourself by James Altucher
• 🎧 Built for Growth with Miesha Tate
• 📖 Reinvent Yourself by James Altucher

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

This might be the most insane chess story I’ve ever heard—not even really a chess story, but a cult story. It’s wild, intense, and ultimately inspiring. Danny Rensch grew up in a cult in Arizona. At just 10 years old, the cult leader noticed his chess ability, took him away from his parents, and he wouldn’t see his mother again for a decade.

I first heard Danny’s story when we met at Norway Chess a year and a half ago. Over dinner, he told me pieces of what would become his book Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life. I worried later that I’d pushed him into podcast mode before he was ready, but Danny said he was actually grateful for the chance to practice sharing his story out loud. Now, with his book out, he’s ready to open up fully.

Episode Description

Danny Rensch, Chief Chess Officer at Chess.com and author of Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life, shares the extraordinary story of how growing up in a cult shaped his childhood, his chess career, and his path to resilience.

From being separated from his mother at age 10, to navigating indoctrination, hierarchy, and trauma, Danny explains how chess became both his prison and his salvation. This conversation is about more than chess—it’s about control, identity, purpose, and how to reclaim your life from the stories others force on you.

What You’ll Learn

• How a cult leader used chess as propaganda—and how Danny reclaimed the game as his own.
• The three pillars of cult life Danny experienced: like vibration, the process, and purpose.
• Why vulnerability and storytelling can be healing—but also how they can be weaponized.
• The psychological toll of being told your “purpose” at age 12—and how to build a new one.
• What Danny learned about resilience, family, and community after leaving the cult.

Timestamped Chapters

• [02:05] A Note from James: introducing Dark Squares
• [02:34] Danny’s childhood in a cult and separation from his mother
• [03:40] How Danny first shared his story with James in Norway
• [05:09] Learning to talk about trauma without fear of judgment
• [07:00] The challenge of context—why cult stories get misunderstood
• [08:20] Headline version: growing up in the Church of Immortal Consciousness
• [10:18] Cult hierarchy, trance teachings, and the Shelby School chess team
• [12:12] Was it spiritual belief—or a scam?
• [14:15] The role of Trina and Steven Camp, cult leaders and channelers
• [17:00] How hierarchy and “like vibration” destroyed marriages and families
• [23:00] The three pillars: like vibration, the process, and purpose
• [32:28] “The process”: group confession, alcohol, and weaponized vulnerability
• [41:54] “Purpose”: how chess became Danny’s imposed destiny
• [46:41] What it meant to be told at 12 that chess was his life’s purpose
• [50:18] Family secrets, hidden paternity, and the dangers of indoctrination
• [55:20] Processing trauma as an adult and writing Dark Squares
• [02:05] A Note from James: introducing Dark Squares
• [02:34] Danny’s childhood in a cult and separation from his mother
• [03:40] How Danny first shared his story with James in Norway
• [05:09] Learning to talk about trauma without fear of judgment
• [07:00] The challenge of context—why cult stories get misunderstood
• [08:20] Headline version: growing up in the Church of Immortal Consciousness
• [10:18] Cult hierarchy, trance teachings, and the Shelby School chess team
• [12:12] Was it spiritual belief—or a scam?
• [14:15] The role of Trina and Steven Camp, cult leaders and channelers
• [17:00] How hierarchy and “like vibration” destroyed marriages and families
• [23:00] The three pillars: like vibration, the process, and purpose
• [32:28] “The process”: group confession, alcohol, and weaponized vulnerability
• [41:54] “Purpose”: how chess became Danny’s imposed destiny
• [46:41] What it meant to be told at 12 that chess was his life’s purpose
• [50:18] Family secrets, hidden paternity, and the dangers of indoctrination
• [55:20] Processing trauma as an adult and writing Dark Squares
• [63:28] Early aptitude signs: multiplication tables and ADHD focus
• [65:22] Childhood acting dreams and practicing “the eyebrow lift”
• [72:24] The most painful mother–son conversation: loyalty to the cult vs. family
• [73:39] Giving away belongings before leaving home—grieving his mother alive
• [87:31] Medical breakdown, ears exploding, and a failed chess career
• [88:16] Bedridden but discovering the internet: early lessons in tech and online chess
• [89:16] Buying domains, teaching online, and meeting Eric and Jay
• [114:25] On Magnus Carlsen: confidence, health, and the “Great White Shark” mindset
• [116:20] Chess.com and the post-COVID boom: making a living beyond world championship

Additional Resources

• 📖 Dark Squares: How Chess Saved My Life by Danny Rensch
• 🌐 Danny Rensch on Chess.com
• 🎥 Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993 film)

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A Note from James

I’m really concerned about the level of discourse in this country. It’s almost a cliché to say that now, but especially after the Charlie Kirk assassination, the division feels overwhelming. I even got invited to speak at the Oxford Union—the most prestigious debate society in the world—but ultimately declined because I didn’t like how the whole situation was being handled.

I can’t stand when anyone celebrates a death. Regardless of politics, it disturbs me. And every day, my social media feed is filled with more division and hatred. So I wanted to talk with Charles Duhigg. He wrote Super Communicators (now out in paperback) about how to actually connect with people in a world that seems torn apart. Even in a short conversation, I learned so much from him—things that made me think in new ways.

Episode Description

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg (Super Communicators, The Power of Habit) joins James to explore how we can talk to each other in an age of polarization. From tragic political violence to everyday disagreements with family and friends, Charles explains why humans are wired for connection, how to ask better questions, and what it takes to turn conflict into understanding.

This episode is a practical guide to becoming a better communicator—especially when the stakes are high.

What You’ll Learn

• The three types of conversations—emotional, practical, and social—and why mismatched conversations cause breakdowns.
• How to ask “deep questions” that uncover values and experiences, not just surface facts.
• Why mirroring, looping, and listening carefully make people feel truly heard.
• How to handle anger and cliches with curiosity instead of combat.
• Why disagreements don’t destroy democracy—bad communication does.

Timestamped Chapters

• [03:08] James on division, Oxford Union, and why he turned down an invitation
• [06:06] Why James brought Charles Duhigg on the podcast
• [07:00] Political violence, polarization, and clashing conversations
• [10:42] What made Charlie Kirk an effective communicator
• [12:21] Communication as connection, not just information
• [13:21] Do both sides have to want connection?
• [15:20] Congress, partisanship, and performative politics
• [19:36] How “deep questions” build trust and reveal values
• [21:10] James on why he podcasts—and Charles’s analysis
• [23:39] Social reciprocity and feeling closer through vulnerability
• [24:23] History shows the value of disagreement done right
• [26:00] Why we reward bad behavior—and how to stop
• [27:09] James on gun control neutrality and frustration
• [29:00] Parenting lessons applied to political disagreements
• [30:00] “When you’re furious, get curious”
• [31:53] Moving past cliches by asking about personal experiences
• [33:08] Admitting confidence levels in arguments
• [34:19] Is Charles optimistic about America’s communication future?
• [34:50] A challenge for listeners: ask someone you disagree with “why does this matter to you?”
• [36:09] Closing thoughts: Super Communicators now in paperback

Additional Resources

• 📖 Super Communicators by Charles Duhigg
• 📖 The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
• 🌐 Charles Duhigg’s 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

This is a crazy story. Martin Suarez holds the record for the longest continuous undercover assignment in FBI history. He went undercover as a cartel drug lord—smuggling billions of dollars’ worth of cocaine while posing as “Manny.” At one point, the story even starts with a gun to his head, convinced his cover was blown.

The book Inside the Cartel: A True Crime Tale of Espionage, Undercover Operations, and a War Against Billionaire Drug Lords—co-authored with journalist Ian Frisch—captures it all. Martin’s voice may be difficult to catch at times because he’s been battling ALS, but every word is worth hearing. Ian also joins to help tell the story. This conversation had me on the edge of my seat.

Episode Description

Former FBI agent Martin Suarez spent more than a decade living undercover inside Colombian cartels. Known to the underworld as “Manny,” he laundered money, smuggled cocaine, and survived assassination attempts—all while secretly working for the U.S. government.

In this episode, James sits down with Suarez and his co-author Ian Frisch to explore how an ordinary Navy veteran became the FBI’s ultimate undercover agent, why deception works in high-stakes negotiations, and what lessons from cartel infiltration apply to everyday life.

What You’ll Learn

• The psychological techniques Martin used to maintain his cover for years inside violent cartels.
• How undercover work creates “alternate realities” to control narratives and shift blame.
• Why confidence and self-belief are critical in negotiation, business, and personal life.
• The role of deception and patience in both undercover work and real-world persuasion.
• How Martin and his family managed the risks and sacrifices of a life lived undercover.

Timestamped Chapters

• [03:00] A gun to the head: the moment Martin thought his cover was blown
• [07:00] Surviving a cartel hitman
• [10:00] From Navy to FBI: the start of an undercover career
• [12:00] Why Martin was the “perfect” undercover agent
• [14:00] Smuggling versus intelligence gathering: the FBI’s strategy
• [16:00] How to move cartel shipments without breaking cover
• [18:00] The art of deflecting blame and creating alternate realities
• [22:00] Cartel power and control in Colombia
• [23:00] U.S. government ties and the Iran-Contra era
• [25:00] Using FBI agents as “girlfriends” to gather intelligence
• [27:00] Facing long-term risks—and the bigger battle with ALS
• [30:00] Marriage, trust, and sacrifice during undercover life
• [32:00] Art theft undercover operation in Europe
• [36:00] Fooling even the CIA with a perfect legend
• [41:00] How legends are built in the digital age
• [44:00] Negotiation, seduction, and cartel psychology
• [45:00] Ian’s lessons on confidence and self-convincing
• [47:00] Applying undercover strategies to everyday life
• [49:00] The role of greed in cartel decision-making
• [50:00] Marriage, grounding, and long-term support
• [51:00] Are cartel leaders truly evil—or just highly educated?
• 
  

Additional Resources

• 📖 Inside the Cartel by Martin Suarez and Ian Frisch
• ✍️ Ian Frisch’s journalism and other work

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