This week, there’s a lot happening with Iran. Some strategies the U.S. has tried with them are just mind-boggling. My guest, Ken Timmerman, says it best: Iran is the biggest issue we face right now, and the closest we’ve been to World War III. What went wrong? What could go wrong next?

Ken has been covering Iran and terrorism for 40 years. In this episode, we unpack his early days as a hostage of terrorists, the state of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and some downright shocking conclusions. I challenge Ken on some of his points, but his insights are hard to ignore. His new book, The Iran House, is a must-read for anyone wanting to understand the history and future of this volatile situation. Here's Ken Timmerman, terrorism expert and author of The Iran House.

James sits down with investigative journalist and war correspondent Ken Timmerman to discuss the ongoing threat posed by Iran and its nuclear ambitions. From being held captive by terrorists to winning a $6 billion court judgment against Iran for their involvement in 9/11, Ken’s experiences provide unparalleled insights into Middle Eastern politics. The episode explores why Iran’s regime remains a global threat, the role of U.S. policy in shaping the region, and what’s needed to empower the Iranian people toward meaningful change.

1. Why Iran’s leadership is considered the most significant threat to global security today.
2. Ken’s personal story of surviving 24 days as a terrorist hostage and how faith shaped his outlook.
3. How Iran funds terrorist organizations across Sunni and Shia divides to destabilize the region.
4. The real impact of U.S. policies, from Obama’s nuclear deal to Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign.
5. How empowering the Iranian people can lead to regime change without military intervention.

• [01:30] James’ introduction: Why Iran matters now more than ever.
• [02:58] Ken’s harrowing experience as a hostage in Beirut.
• [12:27] How Iran’s funding spans both Sunni and Shia terrorist groups.
• [18:00] The controversy of U.S. policies toward Iran: Obama vs. Trump.
• [39:54] Non-violent warfare: Empowering Iranians for change.
• [55:16] Iran’s nuclear capabilities and global implications.
• [01:07:23] Final thoughts: A hopeful path forward for peace.

• Ken Timmerman’s latest book: The Iran House: Tales of Revolution, Persecution, War, and Intrigue.
• Ken’s memoir: And the Rest is History: Tales of Hostages, Arms Dealers, Dirty Tricks, and Spie
• U.S. Victims of State-Sponsored Terrorism Fund information
• A history of Iran’s nuclear ambitions from the International Atomic Energy Agency

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Oh my gosh. I always feel like my IQ goes up when I talk to Jim Rickards. He has so much knowledge about so many things, but particularly, he's been there, done that when it comes to all things in the economy. Some of his stories about what he's personally seen and done are tied to some of the most famous events in the economy over the past 50 years.

Anyway, he wrote a new book, Money GPT, which is about the financial aspects of AI and how it could affect the economy. But we started off with the basics. I just wanted to ask him: What do you think is going to happen in this economy? And we go deep. So, we divided this into two parts.

Part one covers everything you need to know about the current state of the U.S. economy. This was a real education for me, and I read a lot about this stuff. So, I’m excited to share it with you. The second part, which will come out later, is all about AI and its effects on the economy.

Here's my friend Jim Rickards. I'm sure you're going to enjoy this as much as I did. And, as always, if you have any comments or questions, let me know. And, please, subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already.

In this episode, James Altucher sits down with renowned economist and author Jim Rickards to break down the complexities of today’s economy. With decades of experience and a front-row seat to some of history’s most pivotal financial events, Jim delivers sharp insights into the forces driving economic cycles. This discussion dives into historical parallels, the impact of policy decisions, and what lies ahead for the U.S. economy under potential future administrations.

Jim also shares his take on how recession cycles play out, the legacy of interest rate hikes, and why both borrower and lender psychology matter more than Federal Reserve actions. Packed with valuable lessons, this episode offers a rare look at economic trends from a perspective few can match.

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

Oh my gosh. I always feel like my IQ goes up when I talk to Jim Rickards. He has so much knowledge about so many things, but particularly, he's been there, done that when it comes to all things in the economy. Some of his stories about what he's personally seen and done are tied to some of the most famous events in the economy over the past 50 years.

Anyway, he wrote a new book, Money GPT, which is about the financial aspects of AI and how it could affect the economy. But we started off with the basics. I just wanted to ask him: What do you think is going to happen in this economy? And we go deep. So, we divided this into two parts.

Part one covers everything you need to know about the current state of the U.S. economy. This was a real education for me, and I read a lot about this stuff. So, I’m excited to share it with you. The second part, which will come out later, is all about AI and its effects on the economy.

Here's my friend Jim Rickards. I'm sure you're going to enjoy this as much as I did. And, as always, if you have any comments or questions, let me know. And, please, subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already.

In this episode, James Altucher sits down with renowned economist and author Jim Rickards to break down the complexities of today’s economy. With decades of experience and a front-row seat to some of history’s most pivotal financial events, Jim delivers sharp insights into the forces driving economic cycles. This discussion dives into historical parallels, the impact of policy decisions, and what lies ahead for the U.S. economy under potential future administrations.

Jim also shares his take on how recession cycles play out, the legacy of interest rate hikes, and why both borrower and lender psychology matter more than Federal Reserve actions. Packed with valuable lessons, this episode offers a rare look at economic trends from a perspective few can match.

1. The historical parallels between Reagan-era recessions and today’s economic landscape.
2. Why low interest rates aren’t necessarily a stimulus and the real drivers of economic growth.
3. How borrower and lender behavior impact recessions more than Federal Reserve policies.
4. The role of government and corporate partnerships in shaping modern economies.
5. What could catalyze a shift from stagnation to growth in today’s economic climate.

• [00:01:30] Introduction to Jim Rickards and his new book, Money GPT
• [00:02:17] Overview of the U.S. economy’s current state
• [00:03:16] Historical parallels: Lessons from Reagan-era recessions
• [00:07:02] Interest rates: Stimulus or symptom of deeper issues?
• [00:10:14] Depression vs. recession: How the definitions shape our understanding
• [00:18:33] The psychology of lending and borrowing in recessions
• [00:27:20] Modern banking, bail-ins, and the Silicon Valley Bank collapse
• [00:34:21] The Fed’s limits: What really moves the economy
• [00:45:21] Government-corporate partnerships: Are we living in a new era of fascism?
• [00:58:22] Can Trump’s policies truly drain the swamp and drive economic growth?

• Jim Rickards’ book: Money GPT
• Jim Rickards’ previous works: The Death of Money, Aftermath

------------

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A Note from James:

"So in a few hours, as I am saying this. The election of 2024 will begin. I'm doing this podcast on Monday evening, and I wanted to address a couple of important issues that people don't seem to know about in terms of how a presidential election in the United States works. And in particular, there are a couple of loopholes where I think it is possible to legally cheat in this election, and I'm not talking about either candidate but the big question that has been on my mind and on many people's minds, is it possible to quote-unquote, legally cheat in an election?"

Episode Description:

In this episode, recorded on the eve of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, I dive deep into the complexities of the U.S. electoral system and explore potential legal loopholes that might allow for what I call 'legal cheating' in an election. I clarify that this discussion is unbiased, focusing neither on Democrats nor Republicans specifically. I explain how the U.S. Constitution and state legislatures play key roles in the election process, the distinctions between a popular vote and the electoral college, and historical precedents that could impact the integrity of the election. We also explore scenarios where state legislatures could manipulate the process, the implications of Trump's impeachment for insurrection, and how these factors play out in a tightly contested election. While shedding light on these potential loopholes, I emphasize their improbability but underscore the importance of understanding them. Tune in to get informed about the intricacies and safeguards within the U.S. election system.

00:00 Introduction to the 2024 Election

00:05 Understanding Legal Cheating in Elections

02:34 The Electoral College vs. Popular Vote

05:39 Historical Examples of Electoral College Outcomes

09:28 Mechanics of the Electoral College

18:54 Potential Loopholes and Legal Cheating

33:22 Impeachment and the 14th Amendment

39:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

------------

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• My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!
• Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.
• I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com

------------

Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: 

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"That was insane. Kevin Shipp, 17 years with the CIA, then, he had some wild experiences that led to him leaving the CIA. He wrote, just published a book that he published without the CIA's permission. It's called Twilight of the Shadow Government. And I got almost scared during this interview that maybe I shouldn't even release this podcast episode. I don't want to say anything. He didn't say anything that was like crazy or off the deep end. I just got scared. And when you listen to the episode or, and read the book, you'll see why. So I'm just going to go right into it. And I'd love to hear your comments. Here it is. Twilight of the Shadow Government about the CIA."

In this episode, former CIA officer Kevin Shipp sits with James Altucher to unravel secrets and operations that rarely see the light of day. With over 17 years in the CIA, Shipp shares personal experiences that highlight systemic issues, unexplained cover-ups, and the often unchecked influence of intelligence agencies on public policy and global events. The discussion spans decades and touches on topics from high-profile events to shadow government operations, all detailed in Kevin's book Twilight of the Shadow Government. This episode dives into the real-world implications of intelligence, secrecy, and the inner workings of the CIA.

1. The Inner Workings of the CIA: How operations are conducted behind the scenes and the influence they wield over government decisions.
2. Shadow Government Dynamics: Shipp explains what he calls the "shadow government" and its implications on U.S. foreign and domestic policy.
3. The Cost of Speaking Out: Hear about the personal risks and consequences Shipp faced after publishing his book and coming forward with his experiences.
4. Critical Events in U.S. History: Insight into high-stakes moments, from the Kennedy assassination to 9/11, and the CIA's possible involvement.
5. Reforming Intelligence Agencies: Shipp's views on necessary changes within intelligence organizations to restore accountability and transparency.

• [00:01:30] - Introduction to Kevin Shipp and his background in the CIA.
• [00:03:01] - Media, government, and intelligence connections.
• [00:06:48] - Reflecting on personal experiences with DEI within the CIA.
• [00:14:02] - Strange intelligence operations and moments of disillusionment.
• [00:24:15] - Dangerous assignments and shocking security oversights.
• [00:36:33] - The recruitment and "elite" culture within the CIA.
• [00:47:04] - Distinguishing the "shadow government" and the deep state.
• [01:01:26] - CIA's historic influence on global and national events.

• Twilight of the Shadow Government by Kevin Shipp and Kent Heckenlively

------------

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• Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!
• My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!
• Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.
• I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com

------------

Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: 

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A Note from James:

“Oh my gosh. What a podcast with Naveen Jain. I first had Naveen on in 2014 or 2015, and he remembered it perfectly. That conversation was so fun, I still remember it like it was yesterday. It’s crazy because I’ve done over 1,500 episodes, but that one stuck with me.

Back then, we talked about Moon Express and his journey building rockets to the moon. Now, almost ten years later, Naveen has built several other companies, including Viome, which uses cutting-edge technology to analyze your microbiome and help people live longer healthier lives. Today, we’re talking about his new book, The Youth Formula: Outsmart Your Genes and Unlock the Secrets to Longevity.

At first, I’ll admit, I was tired of hearing about longevity—everyone seems to be saying the same thing—but Naveen has such a unique take on it. We got into everything: from the role of microbes in our health to fecal transplants (yes, really) and how bacteria can influence personality traits. It was fascinating. We even talked about how changing your microbiome could literally alter your personality.

There’s so much in this episode that it’s going to blow your mind. I hope it’s not another ten years before we get Naveen back on the show. I’m definitely going to take him up on some of his suggestions, and maybe I’ll have some results to share in a few months. Here’s Naveen Jain.”

In this episode, James Altucher is joined by serial entrepreneur Naveen Jain to explore the cutting-edge science of longevity, gut health, and human potential. Naveen, the founder of Viome and author of The Youth Formula, dives deep into how the microbiome shapes our health and even our personality. He explains why genes aren’t destiny, how microbes may play a more important role in our health than DNA, and what steps we can take to live longer healthier lives. James and Naveen also discuss the surprising science behind fecal transplants, the future of personalized nutrition, and why finding purpose might be the ultimate key to longevity.

• How the microbiome plays a crucial role in your overall health—and might even affect your personality.
• Why DNA isn’t as important as you think when it comes to disease and longevity.
• The latest research on fecal transplants and their impact on treating various diseases.
• How personalized nutrition can help you optimize your health based on your unique biology.
• The connection between purpose, community, and living a longer life.

• [01:30] Introduction: Reconnecting with Naveen Jain after 10 years
• [02:44] The Youth Formula and Viome: Outsmarting your genes
• [03:17] Microbiome’s role in health: 99.999% of your body is microbes
• [04:02] Fecal transplants and personality: Can you inherit personality traits?
• [06:00] Personalized nutrition: Why “healthy” food isn’t healthy for everyone
• [12:00] The power of purpose: Why having a reason to live is crucial for longevity
• [21:32] Changing the microbiome to treat disease: Fecal transplants and immunotherapy
• [29:24] How microbiomes affect mental health: Serotonin and gut-brain connections
• [39:51] The role of AI in personalized health recommendations at Viome
• [46:00] Stress and the sympathetic/parasympathetic modes: Modern stressors vs. ancient survival instincts
• [48:01] The role of exercise: Why 30-45 minutes of movement is enough
• [49:00] Sleep and health: The importance of quality over quantity
• [56:58] Entrepreneurial insights: Why a smooth life isn’t what you want as an entrepreneur
• [58:07] Long-term vision: How Viome is focused on extending life by improving microbiome health
• [65:00] Wrap-up: James’s thoughts on the future of health and Naveen’s closing remarks

• The Youth Formula: Outsmart Your Genes and Unlock the Secret to Longevity
• Viome: Learn more about personalized nutrition and microbiome analysis.
• Naveen Jain's Official Website

------------

• What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!
• Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!

------------

• Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!
• My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!
• Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.
• I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com

------------

Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to “The James Altucher Show” wherever you get your podcasts: 

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