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A Note from James:
So the question is, I really feel that in order to get not good at something, but great at something, you have to be obsessed. You can't just wake up and decide to be obsessed—it has to be deep, almost irrational. Obsession is like addiction. It throws your life off balance, and yet... there’s this insane joy when you enter the subculture of your obsession and get better at it.
I’ve seen this recently in crypto. I saw it in chess in Norway, commenting on what might’ve been the best chess tournament ever. And I felt it again when I sat down with Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam from New In Chess.
We didn’t just talk about chess. We talked about obsession, aging, failing at something you love, and trying to find your place in a subculture that’s moved on without you.
If you care about learning, obsession, or just love chess, you’re going to get something out of this episode. Dirk and I recorded this in Stavanger, Norway. I hope you love this conversation as much as I did being a part of it.
Episode Description:
What does it mean to return to your first love after nearly 30 years away? In this special crossover episode, James Altucher sits down with Dirk Jan ten Geuzendam, editor of New In Chess magazine, to reflect on his lifelong (and recently rekindled) obsession with chess. They explore how obsession shapes mastery, why wisdom sometimes trumps raw skill, and what it’s like to try and reclaim an old identity as an older version of yourself.
James opens up about losing games to kids half his age, obsessively chasing improvement, and why it still might be okay to fail—as long as the journey is honest. From teenage blitz tournaments to dinner with Garry Kasparov, from neuroscience to narrative writing, this episode is as much about how to live as it is about how to play.
What You’ll Learn:
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A Note from James:
Michael Dell. Founder of Dell. I remember in college, hearing about this kid who was building computers in his dorm and making millions. I thought it was a myth. It wasn’t. He’s the real thing—and he just kept going.
I wanted to understand what drove him, what it felt like to deal with Carl Icahn trying to wrestle his company from him, and what success feels like after decades of being in the game. Also: I had to ask why Dell didn’t invent Google. That, plus how he’s now thinking about AI, cancer, and what “focus” really means.
Episode Description:
James Altucher sits down with Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, to trace the entire arc of Dell's career—from building computers in a college dorm room to defending his company against Carl Icahn and taking it private. In this candid conversation, Dell shares how early obsession with tech and business turned into a multibillion-dollar global enterprise, the lessons he’s learned about leadership, and how he’s positioning for the future with AI, cybersecurity, and gene tech on the horizon.
This is more than a business story. It’s about risk, conviction, reinvention—and knowing when to walk away from Steve Jobs.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamped Chapters:
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Notes from James:
Most people get stuck at the idea stage. That’s why I’m sharing frameworks—so you’re not staring at a blank screen. These techniques have helped hundreds of people (including me) go from idea to published book in just 30 days.
Episode Descriptions:
In Part 5 of my 30-day writing series, I unveil four of the most powerful book-writing frameworks I’ve ever used or taught—and they’ve helped hundreds of people write their first book in just a month. These aren’t theoretical. They’re real-world, repeatable methods that have led to bestsellers, media appearances, consulting gigs, and new careers.
From the "101 List Technique" to the "Jesus Diet" method, each framework simplifies your creative process, helps you structure your ideas fast, and shows you how to turn your interests into income. I even share how you can write a book using past podcast interviews or unreadable academic research.
If you’ve ever thought, “I have an idea, but I don’t know how to turn it into a book,” this episode gives you the blueprint—four times over.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Excitement
00:17 Bonus Framework: The Podcast Technique
04:43 Framework 1: The 101 Technique
13:30 Framework 2: The Habits Technique
18:30 Framework 3: The Jesus Diet Technique
27:37 Framework 4: The Academic Research Technique
33:00 Conclusion and Encouragement
P.S. Want to go deeper? Check out my full course on Udemy or visit chooseyourselfacademy.com: How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days – available now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode Description:
James reconnects with entrepreneurs Michael and Kass Lazerow, whose journey spans selling Golf.com for $24 million, launching and pivoting Buddy Media into a $700 million Salesforce acquisition, and now investing in breakout brands like Liquid Death. This episode isn’t about startup clichés—it’s about emotional resilience, firing with kindness, how marriage can (barely) survive co-founding, and how to spot a trend before the world does.
They break down their “Go Gauge,” the six-part test they use before investing in a company. They talk about the trauma of being betrayed by family. And they reveal the surprisingly simple cheat codes they’ve used to keep building—and keep loving each other—across decades of risk. Whether you're building a business, looking for one good idea, or wondering what failure really feels like behind closed doors—this episode will give you a few new answers.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamped Chapters:
Additional Resources:
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Notes from James:
Let’s be honest: most people who write a book never make money from it. Why? Because they stop at the last page. I want you to go further. In this episode, I show you how I turned my books into speaking gigs, consulting work, investment deals, and more. You don’t need a big publisher or a massive budget—just the right strategy.
Episode Descriptions:
In Part 4 of my 30-day writing series, I tackle one of the biggest questions aspiring authors face: Should you self-publish or go the traditional route? I’ve done both—some of my books were published by big-name houses, others I put out myself. This episode breaks down the pros, cons, and misconceptions of each approach—and how to make the smartest decision for your goals.
You’ll also learn exactly what to do after the writing is done. I cover how to market your book, build buzz, land media, grow your audience, and ultimately make your book work for you—financially, professionally, and personally.
Whether you're writing your first book or your fifth, this episode lays out the modern publishing roadmap and how to turn your words into real-world results.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamps
00:00 Traditional vs. Self-Publishing: The Debate Begins
00:41 The Evolution of Self-Publishing
01:10 Benefits of Traditional Publishing
03:17 Challenges with Traditional Publishing
06:58 The Power of Self-Publishing
15:09 Steps to Professionally Self-Publish
16:34 The Importance of Audiobooks
21:15 Marketing Your Book: An Overview
21:53 Building and Utilizing an Email List
24:48 Leveraging Online Platforms for Book Promotion
27:08 The Power of Podcasts and Public Speaking
32:31 Maximizing Social Media for Book Sales
38:47 Final Thoughts on Book Marketing
P.S. Want to go deeper? Check out my full course on Udemy or visit chooseyourselfacademy.com: How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days – available now.
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:
Well, you can't get more information about tariffs and the economy than what I just got and you're about to listen to. Wilbur Ross, who was Secretary of Commerce under the first administration of Trump, just came on the podcast. I got to ask any question I wanted—about tariffs, the economy, everything.
Don't forget, in Trump’s first administration, we saw steel and aluminum tariffs, and there were all the same concerns—about the economy, inflation, political blowback. Wilbur Ross was right at the center of it. And now, he’s giving me the full picture on what’s happening today and where it’s all heading.
This is a guy who built entire industries, served in the Cabinet, and is worth billions. He’s also the author of Risks and Returns: Creating Success in Business and Life, which I highly recommend. He’s an economic and business inspiration. I learned a lot from this conversation—I’m sure you will too.
Please share this episode with anyone who wants to better understand what’s really going on with tariffs and the economy. Enjoy!
Episode Description:
James sits down with Wilbur Ross, former Secretary of Commerce and seasoned investor, for a candid and highly detailed discussion on tariffs, China, inflation, pharmaceutical policy, and the state of the U.S. economy. Ross offers a firsthand look at the economic strategies being proposed for a possible second Trump administration—explaining why blanket tariffs might make sense, what’s really going on with China and rare earths, and how executive power is being used to bypass bureaucratic gridlock.
Listeners will get a rare window into how economic policy is being formed, the political forces shaping it, and what it all means for growth, inflation, and American manufacturing.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamped Chapters:
Additional Resources:
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:
So I’ve been podcasting for, gosh, 11 years—over 1500 episodes. And through that whole journey, PodcastOne always stood out to me. They recently went public, and today I’ve got Rob Ellin and Kit Gray joining me. What’s the future of podcasting? If you're thinking about starting a podcast—or wondering how to grow one you already have—this episode's for you. These guys helped shape the entire industry, and they're sharing what works now, what doesn't, and how creators and networks can stay ahead.
Episode Description:
James Altucher sits down with Kit Gray and Robert Ellin, the powerhouse duo behind PodcastOne, to explore where podcasting is headed next. From YouTube’s dominance to AI-driven analytics, they dissect the changing landscape of content creation, monetization, and brand-building. They also discuss PodcastOne’s public market journey and how creators can turn niche ideas into multi-platform empires. Whether you're a podcast listener, creator, or investor, this episode gives you a real look at how podcasting is evolving from bedroom hobby to billion-dollar business.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamped Chapters:
Additional Resources:
This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/james
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Notes from James:
This is where a lot of people quit—but you won’t. This episode is about pushing through the dip that comes when writing gets tough. I give you tools I’ve used across 25+ books to keep going, stay motivated, and write better.
Episode Descriptions:
This is Part 3 of my 30-day writing series—and we’re getting into the real tools that will make your writing not just better, but publishable. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page and felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure of where to go next, this is the episode that will break that wall down.
I walk you through the “6 U’s” that every chapter—and especially your book introduction—must follow to grab readers, hook them emotionally, and sell the value of your book. You’ll also learn the “Warren Buffett 5/25 Rule” and how it helps you figure out exactly what to write about, plus a little-known editing tool (the Flesch-Kincaid score) that will instantly improve your writing’s clarity.
If you’ve hit writer’s block, feel stuck mid-draft, or need structure to keep going, you’ll find every tool you need right here.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/JAMES and get on your way to being your best self.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamps:
00:00 Crafting a Compelling Book Introduction
01:58 The Six U's of Selling Your Book
07:52 Applying the Six U's to Your Writing
09:34 The Warren Buffett 5/25 Rule for Focus
22:01 The Importance of Readability: Flesch-Kincaid Score
28:27 Introduction to Overcoming Writer's Block
28:54 Nine Techniques to Overcome Writer's Block
36:33 Additional Writing Techniques and Tips
47:57 The Importance of Storytelling in Writing
51:07 Frameworks for Writing and Publishing Your Book
P.S. Want to go deeper? Check out my full course on Udemy or visit chooseyourselfacademy.com: How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days – available now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Notes from James:
The biggest lie about writing is that it takes years. I’ve written multiple books in less than a month—including bestsellers. With the right system, anyone can do this.
In this episode, I break down how to structure your first book and why your life experience, not your grammar, is your superpower. You’ll also hear my take on AI writing, and why your personal story is something no algorithm can ever replicate.
Episode Highlights:
Yes, you really can write and publish a great book in 30 days. In Part 2 of this writing series, I walk you through the actual systems that make it not only possible—but repeatable.
You’ll learn four powerful “meta-outline” frameworks you can use to organize any non-fiction book quickly and clearly. I’ll show you how I wrote Think Like a Billionaire in under 30 days using one of these frameworks, and how authors I know have launched entire careers with similar methods (some even in just three days). I also dive deep into one of the most important—but most overlooked—parts of writing a book: your first sentence. You’ll hear legendary first lines from some of the world’s best authors and learn why they work.
This episode is a blend of process and artistry—because writing a great book requires both.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.
Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/JAMES and get on your way to being your best self.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction: Writing a Book in 30 Days
00:54 The Four Frameworks for Writing
02:03 Example: Think Like a Billionaire
05:10 Overcoming Writing Myths
13:14 AI and the Future of Writing
20:47 The Power of a Strong First Line
23:51 Exploring the Opening Lines of Iconic Novels
24:14 Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man: A Civil Rights Era Classic
25:04 Jack Kerouac's On the Road: A Journey of Rediscovery
27:23 Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 100 Years of Solitude: A Nobel-Winning Masterpiece
30:54 Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five: A War Story with a Twist
34:20 Jennifer Egan's Welcome to the Goon Squad: A Pulitzer Prize Winner
35:25 Charles Bukowski's Post Office: A Tale of Mistakes and Realities
38:57 William Gibson's Neuromancer: The Birth of Cyberpunk
40:16 The Importance of First Lines in Storytelling
42:36 Crafting Relatable and Vulnerable Narratives
P.S. Want to go deeper? Check out my full course on Udemy or visit chooseyourselfacademy.com: How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days – available now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Notes from James:
I’ve written 25 books—some huge hits, some total flops—and what I’ve learned is this: anyone can write a book, but not everyone gives themselves permission to start. This episode is the foundation. I break down the mindset, motivation, and structure you need to go from blank page to published book—even if you’ve never written a word before.
So you want to write a book. Where do you even start? In this kickoff to my new series on writing and publishing a book in just 30 days, I walk you through everything you need to know before you ever touch the keyboard.
This episode isn’t just for aspiring authors—it’s for anyone who’s ever wanted to turn an idea into something real, something lasting, and maybe even something that launches a new career. I’ll tell you exactly why writing a book is more important (and more achievable) than ever, and how your book can become a business card, a personal legacy, and a gateway to new opportunities—even if you’re not a “writer.”
I also introduce the one structure that every great story (fiction or nonfiction) follows: the arc of the hero. It’s the single most powerful tool for crafting stories that actually move people.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.
Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/JAMES and get on your way to being your best self.
What You’ll Learn:
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction: The Power of Writing a Book
00:37 Why Write a Book?
01:18 My Journey as an Author
03:39 The Importance of Knowing Your 'Why'
08:46 Common Myths About Writing
15:39 The Arc of the Hero in Storytelling
19:35 Star Wars: A Hero's Journey
22:17 The Timeless Tale of Moses
28:16 Walt Disney's Heroic Arc
32:52 The Arc of the Hero in Nonfiction
35:25 Romance Novels: Love's Heroic Journey
P.S. Want to go deeper? Check out my full course on Udemy or visit chooseyourselfacademy.com: How to Write and Publish a Book in 30 Days – available now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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