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Bret Easton Ellis Podcast

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John Carpenter and Bret Easton Ellis discuss #OscarsSoWhite, The Revenant, writing music and the function of a screenplay.

The James Altucher Show
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00:26:59 2/15/2015

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Employees unlock up to ?1,000 tax free with a new options card digital gift card. With options card, there's no fees and no fuss. Your full balance is yours for up to 5 years. Shop your favorite brands and see your balance at all times in your mobile wallet. It's simple to buy and simple to use. Send instantly by email. No admin, registration or forms required. You can even regift and share your options card with family and friends. Buy now at optionscard.au. Don't let the mysteries of life scare you away. Instead, ask Altice. Here's James Altice. So, Claudia, this is another Ask Algature, but I really wanna get down to the truth about diets. We've been doing paleo for how long now? 2 years and then it goes on and off because I miss French toast. I have to say it. I just miss it. And then my yoga teacher says no. No French toast. And I'm just going crazy. I I there's no joy in my life if I don't eat bread, and and I know bread is no good. Do you have an expert that we can talk to? Well well, also, I just wanna mention also, we've been doing, we did for a while Tim Ferris' slow carb diet, which has a cheat day on Saturdays. But we would eat so much bread on Saturdays that we would be sick, like, till Tuesday. Or we would travel to Thailand and then off he goes. You gotta have that tie in Thailand. A tie. So, yeah, I do so so, Ari Winn, welcome to the show. Thank you. Happy to be here. You are the author of the book, The Low Carb Myth. And before I ask you of the low carb myth, I saw your photo on, like, your Gmail thing. You're totally, like, ripped. So clearly, like, eating carbs is not hurting you if that's what you're truly doing. Yeah. It it is indeed what I'm truly doing. So so so what's the story? Like, can I eat carbs? You you most definitely can eat carbs. Yeah. Yeah. Kinda. Basically, the the point of this book and and the reason I wrote it is because there are just so many myths and misconceptions around carbohydrates, around sugars, around how they affect our our physiology, that have been perpetuated for so long that I really wanted to just write something that was comprehensive and address the science on it from from every angle and and debunked all of the myths and and really get down to what is the real science of what makes us fat, what doesn't make us fat, what makes us lean, and and really get clarity on all those issues. Well, can I can I start off by asking you a question? So so eating a piece of bread, this is maybe maybe this is myth number 1. That converts to sugar. Right? Like, isn't bread the same as sugar? Well, it's it's not that it's the same as sugar. First of all, there are actually lots of different kinds of sugar, but eventually, every carbohydrate that you eat essentially breaks down into what's called glucose in your bloodstream. And you probably heard of blood sugar? Yeah. Well, that's that's basically blood glucose. Okay? So those sugars in one way or another, they eventually get turned into blood glucose or blood sugar. Okay. So so so, one quote that I heard was that eating a piece of bread is like pouring molasses on on the keys of a piano. I don't even know what that means. I guess it means that the pan all the keys would get stuck so the piano player can't can't play the piano anymore. Okay. Well, I mean, there are if if you look online, different articles, videos online, there are a 1,000 different articles that you can find. Actually, probably more like, you know, a 100,000, with 500 different myths about sugar that have absolutely no basis in science. And and they just, you know, sugar is toxic, sugar makes you fat, sugar causes diabetes, sugar poisons your liver, sugar, you know, shrinks your brain and make you makes you stupid. I mean Okay. Okay. But honestly though, isn't that all true? Well We just read yesterday that that carbs causes Alzheimer's. Let let me put it this way. You know, I I mentioned blood sugar before. When when we talk about blood sugar, what we're really talking about is the fact that you, me and everybody else has millions of sugar molecules floating around in their bloodstream day and night every single day. So the question to ask yourself then is, if sugar is inherently bad for you, why is it that we have millions of sugar molecules floating around in our blood? And by the way, we have those sugar molecules floating around in our bloodstream regardless of what we eat in our diet. Even if we eat a zero carbohydrate diet, we have millions of sugar molecules floating around in our bloodstream all day and all night because our body is manufacturing sugar. So the question is, if sugar is harmful, why would our bodies be designed to constantly manufacture sugar molecules and have those available in our bloodstream constantly? Well, maybe it's the maybe the eating carbs puts it out of balance so it's too much sugar. Well, and and that's a scientific claim that we can actually address through science, and we have addressed that claim. We we have done those experiments on every angle of this imaginable, and we know the answers. So, do carbohydrates make you fat? You know, for example, you know, one of one of the the low carb myths that's perpetuated in a lot of, paleo communities is the idea that carbohydrates spike insulin, insulin is a fat storing hormone, and therefore, carbohydrates make you fat. This is this is called the carbohydrate hypothesis of obesity. Now we this is a scientific claim. We can actually test this. How do we test it? Well, there's a bunch of different ways. One is we can look at different populations around the world who eat higher or lower carbohydrates and see if there's any reliable relationship between populations that eat more carbs being fatter. If we do that, we find that there's absolutely no relationship whatsoever. There are tons of populations around the world that eat way more carbohydrates than Americans eat and are lean and don't have an obesity epidemic. Right? So that's one one example, one way of testing the hypothesis. Another way, more, rigorously scientific would be to literally put people in a metabolic ward. So, you put people in a hospital, and you completely control their diet. Okay? So you take one group of of people, and you put them on a diet that say 80% carbohydrate and 5% fat. You take another group and you put them on 70% fat and 0% carbohydrate, and you match those 2 diets for calories. Okay? So they're both consuming the same exact amount of calories every day, and you control every single thing about their activity levels and their calorie intake perfectly. Okay? And you measure what happens after 6 months, and we've done these experiments. Obesity scientists have done these experiments, and we know that at equivalent amount of calories, body weight does not change. Body fat percentage does not change. It doesn't matter whether your diet is 70% fat and 5% carbohydrates or or 70% carbohydrates and 5% fat. Body weight remains the same. So, you know, like I said, these are these are scientific claims and we have to look to the science to get those answers. So that's very interesting when it comes to the weight, situation. But when it comes to, for example, I I've read that eating 2 slices of whole wheat bread is the same as having a Coke, because the bread the way that that is processed today, it includes something like the I think it's gliasein, gliasein, or something like that, that is terribly for you. And so, for example, choosing a certain type of bread like the Ezekiel bread that is mostly, sprouted is is is a choice that will not cause that chemical to enter your brain that, that acts as as a glue. Is this true? Well, I mean, there there are certain claims around gluten and various effects on the body, and and that's really not related to carbohydrates per se. I do. That's something that's specific to gluten and and gluten containing grains. And, the science around that is very controversial. There are obviously some people, you know, the author of Grain Grain or Wheat Belly who are, demonizing gluten. And there are lots of other people that have debunked the notion that gluten is harmful and have pointed out that gluten is really only specifically harmful to people who are gluten intolerant. So that's that's interesting. Population. That's interesting because we she was basically just quoting Wheat Belly. So that was that's his stance. So what you're saying is we can eat carbohydrates, but a certain kind. So for example, that, large population that you talked in the world, I'm I'm guessing it refers to Asia where they eat rice. Yeah. The whole the whole continent of Asia has been eating huge amounts of rice and a starch based diet for, 100 or 1000 of years. There are also numerous hunter gatherer populations, like the Kitapans in South Pacific, like the Okinawans who are renowned for having, you know, extremely high longevity. They're one of the, blue zones. Basically, every blue zone population that's known for for living very long is a carbohydrate based diet. We have tons of other hunter gatherer tribes, the u tribe, the Hadza, you know, on and on and on, who eat diets that are predominantly root vegetables, fruit, honey, some of these tribes eat absolutely massive amounts of honey, which is pure sugar. Right. And they are without exception extremely lean, not insulin resistant, and healthy by all measures. So for example, if I had a bowl of Kellogg's with raisins, the brand Kellogg's with raisins, that would be a carbohydrate that is probably not so good because it's not plant based and rice. Is is is there where's the line? So so here's the deal. We can we can do lots of different experiments like the ones I described to you, like metabolic word studies where you measure calories perfectly and you, you know, you take elements, you know, you take for example, let's do this one diet that has higher in starch. Let's do this other diet that's higher in fat. Let's do one diet that's higher in sugar, you know, and you can you can test the effects of those different diets. Mhmm. Different kinds of carbohydrates even sugars, when they match them for calories, there aren't significant differences in fat gain or fat loss. Now that's when they're matched for calories. So in the in the real world, it's what's called ad libeum, which means eating at your pleasure. And most of us are really in this state of eating at our pleasure, eating how much we want and when we want. Now when you're in that kind of environment, things change a little bit. And the reason why they change is certain kinds of foods impact our brain in such a way that we start eating more or start eating less. Okay? And this is this is known as what's called food reward. And and what that reward term implies is it's referring to the reward or pleasure center of your brain. So, we can look at how palatable and rewarding different kinds of foods are. And, you know, to what extent we derive pleasure from those foods and they light up the pleasure scent of our brains and we go, oh, wow. You know, this tastes amazing. Right. Right? Okay. Now when you introduce those kind of elements to it, when you have very highly palatable, highly rewarding foods, then things change a little bit, especially in the context of an environment where people are allowed to eat whenever they want and however they however much they want. And the reason they change is the science is very clear that highly palatable, highly rewarding foods drive up overall calorie consumption and tend to drive fat gain, at least in the the part of the population that's susceptible to it, which is a is a pretty significant, percentage. So if I so yeah. So if I love pasta, I'm gonna want a second serving. Exactly. Yeah. Now now the real question here is, what kinds of foods are highly palatable and highly rewarding? And the answer is, it's not carbs, it's not fat, it's not sugar per se. What it is is specific kinds of foods that are usually highly processed and a very densely packed with a combination of sugars and fats together. That's when you really get something that's called a hyper rewarding stimulus, something that is unnaturally intense for that pleasure center of the brain, and it tends up to dry it tends to drive up what's called the reward threshold in very much the same way that drugs, addictive drugs, dot drive up that reward threshold. And what that means is, we end up needing or wanting to consume more of that substance in order to feel a given amount of pleasure. Like caramel popcorn, for example? That that would be one example. Yeah. Cake that's covered with cream, so you get a a real dense combination of sugars with fats together, that is a hyper rewarding stimulus. Now when you do that kind of thing very frequently, it starts to drive up the overall amount of calories that you consume. So in other words, it's affecting your pleasure center of the brain in such a way that it's interacting with the appetite regulation center of the brain and changing how often you feel hungry and how much you wanna eat. Does that make sense? Yeah. Yeah. It does. So so, when I've seen people go on like Atkins style diets, it does seem to me, and and I noticed this for myself when I started going on the paleo diet, that there was initial, loss of weight and better metabolism. Everything seemed a little better other than the fact that I was hungry all the time. Doctor. Well, you know, basically what I told you as far as those metabolic word studies that match for calories, with different diets that vary in carbohydrate fat percentage, those diets have conclusively proven that the carbohydrate to fat percentage of the diet just is not a significant factor in how fat or lean we are. So it could it could be that maybe, because I was avoiding carbs, I was just simply not snacking throughout the day like I might have normally done. Well, so so the the question is and and you bring up a a very good point here. The question is if what I'm saying is true that the carb to fat percentage of the diet doesn't matter, then why do people go on a low carb paleo diet or an Atkins diet or a vegan diet? Say, a very high carb vegan diet. Why do people frequently go on those diets and lose weight? Is it because of the carb to fat percentage? And and actually, it's not. It really has nothing to do with the carb to fat ratio of the diet. Here's what it does have to do with. It has to do with protein intake, number 1. So when people transition for from a typical, you know, standard American diet to say they go low carb paleo, one of the big shifts they make is they increase their protein intake. What does protein do? It increases satiety, and we know from the research that it drives down overall calories consumed. Okay? Spontaneously. Without the person trying to eat less, they end up eating less. Okay? So protein intake is a big reason why low carb paleo diets work. Another reason is That's interesting. Another reason is when people transition to a lot of these diets, whether it's low carb paleo, whether it's vegan, whether it's anything else, they typically remove lots of processed, highly rewarding, highly palatable foods from their diet and replace them with whole foods. Okay? So you reward you lower the overall reward and palatability value of the diet, and that again, just just as with protein intake, further drives down overall calories consumed. Again, without the person actually trying to eat less, they end up eating 100 of calories less. Right. Okay. So those are the the two main factors. Another one is anytime you remove any macronutrient or any major food groups from the diet, generally, that will cause, again, people to eat less overall calories. And it doesn't matter whether you go on a a low carb diet or a vegan diet where you're removing animal foods or a, a low fat diet and you're trying to get all the fatty foods out of your diet. Invariably, whenever you remove any macronutrient, regardless of what it is, you'll end up eating less food and you'll lose fat. That's very interesting. Can can I ask you what did you eat yesterday? Yeah, like what's your typical diet? Well I'll tell you what I just had for breakfast, I had, Pancakes? I had 4, whole eggs, with the yolks. I'm not a fataphobe either. And I had purple sweet potatoes with a dollop of sour cream on them. And Nice. What else did I have? That's it actually. Oh, I had a little cheese, yeah, 2 2 purple potatoes, 4 eggs, and a little cheese. That was my breakfast this morning. Okay. And so so that's high protein, right? But no but you did not a lot of carbs, like just 2 potatoes? There's a lot of carbs in 2 huge purple sweet potatoes. There's, this morning and and most typical breakfast for me, I have at least a 100 grams of carbs on most days. Usually, I'll have a bowl of of sometimes I'll have a bowl of either oatmeal or teff with some, some yogurt, some goat milk yogurt or something like that. But, yeah, usually breakfast, 75 to a 150 grams of carbs, somewhere in there. And what about lunch? Lunch, usually, I will have, potatoes or, let's see. Just like a platter of potatoes. I love potatoes. Well, oftentimes, I make french fries. So I'll, and and not not real french fries, but I, I I have a french fry cutter, and usually I'll just throw them in the oven and and bake them. I won't fry them. So what kind of oil do you use in the when you put them in the oven? I rub them down with a little coconut oil and then salt them a little bit. Okay. So I'll have something like that, and then maybe I'll have, some tuna or some scallops, sometimes white rice, things like that. Okay. Okay. And and Do you eat bread? I do. I I do have some sour bread, sauce. Excuse me. I have some sourdough bread, every once in a while, and, yeah, I I I enjoy sourdough. I I'm not a a huge fan of bread. I I find that I do better with, with root vegetables like potatoes and and fruit, and I base my diet around those more than grains or bread, but, you know, I certainly have, bread or pasta occasionally. So so what about for dinner? For dinner, usually, I will have, well, after my workouts, usually, I'll have a giant thing of, either white rice or French fries or, baked, you know, fruit smoothie or something like that. And So so not a huge oh, sorry. Go ahead. And and a significant protein source or I'll have, you know, a really giant bowl of white rice with raisins and milk and, and maple syrup, something like that. So not not a huge dinner though. It's not like you're gonna have, like, a porterhouse steak and then french fries. I I eat a lot. I mean, to give you an example, in in any one of my typical meals, I might eat, as as much as, you know, as many carbs as some low carb people eat in an entire day or an entire week. Now my overall calorie intake each day is is somewhere in the neighborhood of probably 45 100 calories. So So that's about double what, like, the the recommended calorie intake is. Why do you think your your metabolism can handle that without gaining weight? Well, there's no universal recommended calorie amount. There is an average calorie amount that's taken in by Americans who are generally pretty sedentary. If you look at elite athletes, say, Michael Phelps, he eats over 10,000 calories a day. Wow. Now so, you know, why isn't Michael Phelps gaining weight? But he he swims, like, 20 miles a day. Well, that's that's the point is that's what happens when you're a more active person and you're using your muscles actively during the day. The the more active you become, the higher the baseline level that you're regulating what's called energy flux, which is calories in calories out. But it it seems like you have to exercise a lot though. Like, let's say you do an hour of exercise, you might only be burning off a 100 calories, you know, not that much. Well, an hour of exercise depending on what you do might burn 4 or 500 calories. But I actually agree with you, unlike probably a lot of people in the industry. I I happen to agree with you that exercise by itself is not enough. I'm a big advocate of something called NEAT, which stands for nonexercise activity thermogenesis, which in in simple terms is really just making efforts to be active with gentle movement, you know, not not hard exercise or anything, but just gentle movement throughout the day. As an example, I work at my computer writing a lot throughout the day. I have a little mini stair stepper, at my standing desk. And just throughout the day, I'll do, you know, little bursts of stepping on my little stair stepper for, you know, 20 or 30 seconds every now and then. And at the end of the day, little efforts like that can actually make huge differences. It can be the difference between, depending on how active you are, it can be the difference between a 1000, 1500, or even 2,000 calories a day. You know, I I really agree with that because I I remember when I when I moved from New York City to, about 60 miles north of New York City. In New York City, you walk around all the time. Everywhere you go, you walk to meetings and there's you could walk miles a day. And once I moved to a place where I wasn't walking around from building to building, I did gain weight. I had to completely change my eating style to avoid gaining weight. Yeah. And and there's a slippery slope here because, oftentimes people will experience something like that, and they notice they're gaining weight and then they respond to it by thinking, oh, I need to eat less. I'm eating too much. Okay? And so they start eating less, and then as a result of eating less, you probably feel lower energy, and you have even less of a drive to go out and be active. And if you keep going down that, you know, that that cycle, that slippery slope, eventually, you train your body into regulating energy flux, that calories in calories out. You train it into regulating that at lower and lower levels. Okay? Now think of that in contrast to what I just told you about Michael Phelps. Right? This is somebody that's regulating energy balance at a very, very high level. Okay? So 10,000 calories in every day, but the guy's got abs. Right? He's very lean. He's not fat. Okay? So in other words, what what you do when you kind of go down that slippery slope of becoming less and less active, trying to eat less and less in response to it, is you're doing the opposite of what athletes do. Athletes train their body to take in more and to burn more fuel and be more active. Right? And a lot of people make the mistake of going in the opposite direction. Mhmm. So so how's like how many how many hours of sleep do you do a night? Because that also seems to be regulated, correlated with, you know, weight gain or supposedly. It absolutely is, and it's not just sleep, it's actually circadian rhythm in general, and I and I'm a huge advocate of of circadian rhythm as a big, big factor in the obesity epidemic. I get personally, usually about 8 hours of sleep at night, but there are other elements that are important to address here. Circadian rhythm isn't just how many hours you sleep. It's actually your the light exposure patterns that are entering your eyeballs and feeding back into that circadian rhythm regulation center of the brain. And in turn, when circadian rhythm gets disrupted, for example, when you're staying up late, you know, at 11:30 at night, staring into a computer screen and making lots of blue light or a TV or texting or looking at your iPad, that disrupts circadian rhythm. And when that gets disrupted, that actually feeds back into the appetite regulation center of the brain, and it changes those hunger and satiety signals. So we know, for example, that, when people have disrupted circadian rhythm, they tend to eat more overall food, and they specifically tend to crave very sweet and very fatty foods. Wow. Okay? So having disrupted circadian rhythm actually changes that calories in calories out equation in very profound ways. Right. Wow. This is so fascinating. So, Ari, I'm gonna read the book. I haven't read the book yet, but we just met over email yesterday. Yeah. We're getting now. Ari Whettin, w h I t t w h I t t e n, the low carb myth. This has been really fascinating. Thanks so much for for joining us. Yeah. Thank you guys so much for having me on. Excellent. I'll talk to you soon, Ari. Bye. Okay. Bye. Now that's what we call done. Visit Stansbury Radio choose yourself.com to download our free report called the choose yourself stories and check back daily for more Ask Altitude.

Past Episodes

Notes from James:

I?ve been seeing a ton of misinformation lately about tariffs and inflation, so I had to set the record straight. People assume tariffs drive prices up across the board, but that?s just not how economics works. Inflation happens when money is printed, not when certain goods have price adjustments due to trade policies.

I explain why the current tariffs aren?t a repeat of the Great Depression-era Smoot-Hawley Tariff, how Trump is using them more strategically, and what it all means for the economy. Also, a personal story: my wife?s Cybertruck got keyed in a grocery store parking lot?just for being a Tesla. I get into why people?s hatred for Elon Musk is getting out of control.

Let me know what you think?and if you learned something new, share this episode with a friend (or send it to an Econ professor who still doesn?t get it).

Episode Description:

James is fired up?and for good reason. People are screaming that tariffs cause inflation, pointing fingers at history like the Smoot-Hawley disaster, but James says, ?Hold up?that?s a myth!?

Are tariffs really bad for the economy? Do they actually cause inflation? Or is this just another economic myth that people repeat without understanding the facts?

In this episode, I break down the truth about tariffs?what they really do, how they impact prices, and why the argument that tariffs automatically cause inflation is completely wrong. I also dive into Trump's new tariff policies, the history of U.S. tariffs (hint: they used to fund almost the entire government), and why modern tariffs might be more strategic than ever.

If you?ve ever heard that ?tariffs are bad? and wanted to know if that?s actually true?or if you just want to understand how trade policies impact your daily life?this is the episode for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Tariffs and Inflation

00:47 Personal Anecdote: Vandalism and Cybertrucks

03:50 Understanding Tariffs and Inflation

05:07 Historical Context: Tariffs in the 1800s

05:54 Defining Inflation

07:16 Supply and Demand: Price vs. Inflation

09:35 Tariffs and Their Impact on Prices

14:11 Money Printing and Inflation

17:48 Strategic Use of Tariffs

24:12 Conclusion: Tariffs, Inflation, and Social Commentary

What You?ll Learn:

  • Why tariffs don?t cause inflation?and what actually does (hint: the Fed?s magic wand).  
  • How the U.S. ran on tariffs for a century with zero inflation?history lesson incoming!  
  • The real deal with Trump?s 2025 tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and chips?strategy, not chaos.  
  • Why Smoot-Hawley was a depression flop, but today?s tariffs are a different beast.  
  • How supply and demand keep prices in check, even when tariffs hit.  
  • Bonus: James? take on Cybertruck vandals and why he?s over the Elon Musk hate.

Quotes:

  • ?Tariffs don?t cause inflation?money printing does. Look at 2020-2022: 40% of all money ever, poof, created!?  
  • ?If gas goes up, I ditch newspapers. Demand drops, prices adjust. Inflation? Still zero.?  
  • ?Canada slaps 241% on our milk?we?re their biggest customer! Trump?s just evening the score.?  
  • ?Some nut keyed my wife?s Cybertruck. Hating Elon doesn?t make you a hero?get a life.?

Resources Mentioned:

  • Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) ? The blanket tariff that tanked trade.  
  • Taiwan Semiconductor?s $100B U.S. move ? Chips, national security, and no price hikes.  
  • Trump?s March 4, 2025, tariffs ? Mexico, Canada, and China in the crosshairs.
  • James' X Thread 

Why Listen:

James doesn?t just talk tariffs?he rips apart the myths with real-world examples, from oil hitting zero in COVID to Canada?s insane milk tariffs. This isn?t your dry econ lecture; it?s a rollercoaster of rants, history, and hard truths. Plus, you?ll get why his wife?s Cybertruck is a lightning rod?and why he?s begging you to put down the key.

Follow James:

Twitter: @jaltucher  

Website: jamesaltuchershow.com

00:00:00 3/6/2025

Notes from James:

What if I told you that we could eliminate the IRS, get rid of personal income taxes completely, and still keep the government funded? Sounds impossible, right? Well, not only is it possible, but historical precedent shows it has been done before.

I know what you?re thinking?this sounds insane. But bear with me. The IRS collects $2.5 trillion in personal income taxes each year. But what if we could replace that with a national sales tax that adjusts based on what you buy?

Under my plan:

  • Necessities (food, rent, utilities) 5% tax
  • Standard goods (clothes, furniture, tech) 15% tax
  • Luxury goods (yachts, private jets, Rolls Royces) 50% tax

And boom?we don?t need personal income taxes anymore! You keep 100% of what you make, the economy booms, and the government still gets funded.

This episode is a deep dive into how this could work, why it?s better than a flat tax, and why no one in government will actually do this (but should). Let me know what you think?and if you agree, share this with a friend (or send it to Trump).

Episode Description:

What if you never had to pay personal income taxes again? In this mind-bending episode of The James Altucher Show, James tackles a radical idea buzzing from Trump, Elon Musk, and Howard Lutnick: eliminating the IRS. With $2.5 trillion in personal income taxes on the line, is it even possible? James says yes?and he?s got a plan.

Digging into history, economics, and a little-known concept called ?money velocity,? James breaks down how the U.S. thrived in the 1800s without income taxes, relying on tariffs and ?vice taxes? on liquor and tobacco. Fast forward to today: the government rakes in $4.9 trillion annually, but spends $6.7 trillion, leaving a gaping deficit. So how do you ditch the IRS without sinking the ship?

James unveils his bold solution: a progressive national sales tax?5% on necessities like food, 15% on everyday goods like clothes, and a hefty 50% on luxury items like yachts and Rolls Royces. Seniors and those on Social Security? They?d pay nothing. The result? The government still nets $2.5 trillion, the economy grows by $3.7 trillion thanks to unleashed consumer spending, and you keep more of your hard-earned cash. No audits, no accountants, just taxes at the cash register.

From debunking inflation fears to explaining why this could shrink the $36 trillion national debt, James makes a compelling case for a tax revolution. He even teases future episodes on tariffs and why a little debt might not be the enemy. Whether you?re a skeptic or ready to tweet this to Trump, this episode will change how you see taxes?and the economy?forever.

What You?ll Learn:

  • The history of taxes in America?and how the country thrived without an income tax in the 1800s
  • Why the IRS exists and how it raises $2.5 trillion in personal income taxes every year
  • How eliminating income taxes would boost the economy by $3.75 trillion annually
  • My radical solution: a progressive national sales tax?and how it works
  • Why this plan would actually put more money in your pocket
  • Would prices skyrocket? No. Here?s why.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Trump's Plan to Eliminate the IRS

00:22 Podcast Introduction: The James Altucher Show

00:47 The Feasibility of Eliminating the IRS

01:27 Historical Context: How the US Raised Money in the 1800s

03:41 The Birth of Federal Income Tax

07:39 The Concept of Money Velocity

15:44 Proposing a Progressive Sales Tax

22:16 Conclusion: Benefits of Eliminating the IRS

26:47 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Resources & Links:

Want to see my full breakdown on X? Check out my thread: https://x.com /jaltucher/status/1894419440504025102

Follow me on X: @JAltucher

00:00:00 2/26/2025

A note from James:

I love digging into topics that make us question everything we thought we knew. Fort Knox is one of those legendary places we just assume is full of gold, but has anyone really checked? The fact that Musk even brought this up made me wonder?why does the U.S. still hold onto all that gold when our money isn?t backed by it anymore? And what if the answer is: it?s not there at all?

This episode is a deep dive into the myths and realities of money, gold, and how the economy really works. Let me know what you think?and if you learned something new, share this episode with a friend!

Episode Description:

Elon Musk just sent Twitter into a frenzy with a single tweet: "Looking for the gold at Fort Knox." It got me thinking?what if the gold isn?t actually there? And if it?s not, what does that mean for the U.S. economy and the future of money?

In this episode, I?m breaking down the real story behind Fort Knox, why the U.S. ditched the gold standard, and what it would mean if the gold is missing. I?ll walk you through the origins of paper money, Nixon?s decision to decouple the dollar from gold in 1971, and why Bitcoin might be the modern version of digital gold. Plus, I?ll explore whether the U.S. should just sell off its gold reserves and what that would mean for inflation, the economy, and the national debt.

If you?ve ever wondered how money really works, why the U.S. keeps printing trillions, or why people still think gold has value, this is an episode you don?t want to miss.

What You?ll Learn:

  •  The shocking history of the U.S. gold standard and why Nixon ended it in 1971
  •  How much gold is supposed to be in Fort Knox?and why it might not be there
  •  Why Elon Musk and Bitcoin billionaires like Michael Saylor are questioning the gold supply
  •  Could the U.S. actually sell its gold reserves? And should we?
  •  Why gold?s real-world use is questionable?and how Bitcoin could replace it
  •  The surprising economics behind why we?re getting rid of the penny

Timestamp Chapters:

00:00 Elon Musk's Fort Knox Tweet

00:22 Introduction to the James Altucher Show

00:36 The Importance of Gold at Fort Knox

01:59 History of the Gold Standard

03:53 Nixon Ends the Gold Standard

10:02 Fort Knox Security and Audits

17:31 The Case for Selling Gold Reserves

22:35 The U.S. Penny Debate

27:54 Boom Supersonics and Other News

30:12 Mississippi's Controversial Bill

30:48 Conclusion and Call to Action

00:00:00 2/21/2025

A Note from James:

Who's better than you? That's the book written by Will Packer, who has been producing some of my favorite movies since he was practically a teenager. He produced Straight Outta Compton, he produced Girls Trip with former podcast guest Tiffany Haddish starring in it, and he's produced a ton of other movies against impossible odds.

How did he build the confidence? What were some of his crazy stories? Here's Will Packer to describe the whole thing.

Episode Description:

Will Packer has made some of the biggest movies of the last two decades. From Girls Trip to Straight Outta Compton to Ride Along, he?s built a career producing movies that resonate with audiences and break barriers in Hollywood. But how did he go from a college student with no connections to one of the most successful producers in the industry? In this episode, Will shares his insights on storytelling, pitching, and how to turn an idea into a movie that actually gets made.

Will also discusses his book Who?s Better Than You?, a guide to building confidence and creating opportunities?even when the odds are against you. He explains why naming your audience is critical, why every story needs a "why now," and how he keeps his projects fresh and engaging.

If you're an aspiring creator, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with lessons on persistence, mindset, and navigating an industry that never stops evolving.

What You?ll Learn:

  • How Will Packer evaluates pitches and decides which movies to make.
  • The secret to identifying your audience and making content that resonates.
  • Why confidence is a muscle you can build?and how to train it.
  • The reality of AI in Hollywood and how it will change filmmaking.
  • The power of "fabricating momentum" to keep moving forward in your career.

Timestamped Chapters:

[01:30] Introduction to Will Packer?s Journey

[02:01] The Art of Pitching to Will Packer

[02:16] Identifying and Understanding Your Audience

[03:55] The Importance of the 'Why Now' in Storytelling

[05:48] The Role of a Producer: Multitasking and Focus

[10:29] Creating Authentic and Inclusive Content

[14:44] Behind the Scenes of Straight Outta Compton

[18:26] The Confidence to Start in the Film Industry

[24:18] Embracing the Unknown and Overcoming Obstacles

[33:08] The Changing Landscape of Hollywood

[37:06] The Impact of AI on the Film Industry

[45:19] Building Confidence and Momentum

[52:02] Final Thoughts and Farewell

Additional Resources:

00:00:00 2/18/2025

A Note from James:

You know what drives me crazy? When people say, "I have to build a personal brand." Usually, when something has a brand, like Coca-Cola, you think of a tasty, satisfying drink on a hot day. But really, a brand is a lie?it's the difference between perception and reality. Coca-Cola is just a sugary brown drink that's unhealthy for you. So what does it mean to have a personal brand?

I discussed this with Nick Singh, and we also talked about retirement?what?s your number? How much do you need to retire? And how do you build to that number? Plus, we covered how to achieve success in today's world and so much more. This is one of the best interviews I've ever done. Nick?s podcast is My First Exit, and I wanted to share this conversation with you.

Episode Description:

In this episode, James shares a special feed drop from My First Exit with Nick Singh and Omid Kazravan. Together, they explore the myths of personal branding, the real meaning of success, and the crucial question: ?What's your number?? for retirement. Nick, Omid, and James unpack what it takes to thrive creatively and financially in today's landscape. They discuss the value of following curiosity, how to niche effectively without losing authenticity, and why intersecting skills might be more powerful than single mastery.

What You?ll Learn:

  • Why the idea of a "personal brand" can be misleading?and what truly matters instead.
  • How to define your "number" for retirement and why it changes over time.
  • The difference between making money, keeping money, and growing money.
  • Why intersecting skills can create unique value and career opportunities.
  • The role of curiosity and experimentation in building a fulfilling career.

Timestamped Chapters:

  • 01:30 Dating Advice Revisited
  • 02:01 Introducing the Co-Host
  • 02:39 Tony Robbins and Interviewing Techniques
  • 03:42 Event Attendance and Personal Preferences
  • 04:14 Music Festivals and Personal Reflections
  • 06:39 The Concept of Personal Brand
  • 11:46 The Journey of Writing and Content Creation
  • 15:19 The Importance of Real Writing
  • 17:57 Challenges and Persistence in Writing
  • 18:51 The Role of Personal Experience in Content
  • 27:42 The Muse and Mastery
  • 36:47 Finding Your Unique Intersection
  • 37:51 The Myth of Choosing One Thing
  • 42:07 The Three Skills to Money
  • 44:26 Investing Wisely and Diversifying
  • 51:28 Acquiring and Growing Businesses
  • 56:05 Testing Demand and Starting Businesses
  • 01:11:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Additional Resources:

00:00:00 2/14/2025

A Note from James:

I've done about a dozen podcasts in the past few years about anti-aging and longevity?how to live to be 10,000 years old or whatever. Some great episodes with Brian Johnson (who spends $2 million a year trying to reverse his aging), David Sinclair (author of Lifespan and one of the top scientists researching aging), and even Tony Robbins and Peter Diamandis, who co-wrote Life Force. But Peter just did something incredible.

He wrote The Longevity Guidebook, which is basically the ultimate summary of everything we know about anti-aging. If he hadn?t done it, I was tempted to, but he knows everything there is to know on the subject. He?s even sponsoring a $101 million XPRIZE for reversing aging, with 600 teams competing, so he has direct insight into the best, cutting-edge research.

In this episode, we break down longevity strategies into three categories: common sense (stuff you already know), unconventional methods (less obvious but promising), and the future (what?s coming next). And honestly, some of it is wild?like whether we can reach "escape velocity," where science extends life faster than we age.

Peter?s book lays out exactly what?s possible, what we can do today, and what?s coming. So let?s get into it.

Episode Description:

Peter Diamandis joins James to talk about the future of human longevity. With advancements in AI, biotech, and medicine, Peter believes we're on the verge of a health revolution that could drastically extend our lifespans. He shares insights from his latest book, The Longevity Guidebook, and discusses why mindset plays a critical role in aging well.

They also discuss cutting-edge developments like whole-body scans for early disease detection, upcoming longevity treatments, and how AI is accelerating medical breakthroughs. Peter even talks about his $101 million XPRIZE for reversing aging, with over 600 teams competing.

If you want to live longer and healthier, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

What You?ll Learn:

  • Why mindset is a crucial factor in longevity and health
  • The latest advancements in early disease detection and preventative medicine
  • How AI and biotech are accelerating anti-aging breakthroughs
  • What the $101 million XPRIZE is doing to push longevity science forward
  • The importance of continuous health monitoring and personalized medicine

Timestamped Chapters:

  • [00:01:30] Introduction to Anti-Aging and Longevity
  • [00:03:18] Interview Start ? James and Peter talk about skiing and mindset
  • [00:06:32] How mindset influences longevity and health
  • [00:09:37] The future of health and the concept of longevity escape velocity
  • [00:14:08] Breaking down common sense vs. non-common sense longevity strategies
  • [00:19:00] The importance of early disease detection and whole-body scans
  • [00:25:35] Why insurance companies don?t cover preventative health measures
  • [00:31:00] The role of AI in diagnosing and preventing diseases
  • [00:36:27] How Fountain Life is changing personalized healthcare
  • [00:41:00] Supplements, treatments, and the future of longevity drugs
  • [00:50:12] Peter?s $101 million XPRIZE and its impact on longevity research
  • [00:56:26] The future of healthspan and whether we can stop aging
  • [01:03:07] Peter?s personal longevity routine and final thoughts

Additional Resources:

01:07:24 2/4/2025

A Note from James:

"I have been dying to understand quantum computing. And listen, I majored in computer science. I went to graduate school for computer science. I was a computer scientist for many years. I?ve taken apart and put together conventional computers. But for a long time, I kept reading articles about quantum computing, and it?s like magic?it can do anything. Or so they say.

Quantum computing doesn?t follow the conventional ways of understanding computers. It?s a completely different paradigm. So, I invited two friends of mine, Nick Newton and Gavin Brennan, to help me get it. Nick is the COO and co-founder of BTQ Technologies, a company addressing quantum security issues. Gavin is a top quantum physicist working with BTQ. They walked me through the basics: what quantum computing is, when it?ll be useful, and why it?s already a security issue.

You?ll hear me asking dumb questions?and they were incredibly patient. Pay attention! Quantum computing will change everything, and it?s important to understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. Here?s Nick and Gavin to explain it all."

Episode Description:

Quantum computing is a game-changer in technology?but how does it work, and why should we care? In this episode, James is joined by Nick Newton, COO of BTQ Technologies, and quantum physicist Gavin Brennan to break down the fundamentals of quantum computing. They discuss its practical applications, its limitations, and the looming security risks that come with it. From the basics of qubits and superposition to the urgent need for post-quantum cryptography, this conversation simplifies one of the most complex topics of our time.

What You?ll Learn:

  1. The basics of quantum computing: what qubits are and how superposition works.
  2. Why quantum computers are different from classical computers?and why scaling them is so challenging.
  3. How quantum computing could potentially break current encryption methods.
  4. The importance of post-quantum cryptography and how companies like BTQ are preparing for a quantum future.
  5. Real-world timelines for quantum computing advancements and their implications for industries like finance and cybersecurity.

Timestamped Chapters:

  • [01:30] Introduction to Quantum Computing Curiosity
  • [04:01] Understanding Quantum Computing Basics
  • [10:40] Diving Deeper: Superposition and Qubits
  • [22:46] Challenges and Future of Quantum Computing
  • [30:51] Quantum Security and Real-World Implications
  • [49:23] Quantum Computing?s Impact on Financial Institutions
  • [59:59] Quantum Computing Growth and Future Predictions
  • [01:06:07] Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Additional Resources:

01:10:37 1/28/2025

A Note from James:

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.

Episode Description:

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.

What You?ll Learn:

  • The key qualities that define a great president beyond just popularity.
  • Why Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as the best president?and whether James agrees.
  • How Franklin D. Roosevelt?s policies might have extended the Great Depression.
  • The surprising president who expanded the U.S. more than anyone else.
  • Why Woodrow Wilson might actually be one of the worst presidents in history.

Timestamped Chapters:

  • [01:30] What makes a great president?
  • [02:29] The official duties of the presidency.
  • [06:54] Historians? rankings of presidents.
  • [07:50] Why James doesn't discuss recent presidents.
  • [08:13] Abraham Lincoln?s leadership during crisis.
  • [14:16] George Washington: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
  • [22:16] Franklin D. Roosevelt?was he overrated?
  • [29:23] Harry Truman and the atomic bomb decision.
  • [35:29] The controversial legacy of Woodrow Wilson.
  • [42:24] The case for Calvin Coolidge.
  • [50:22] James K. Polk and America's expansion.
01:01:49 1/21/2025

A Note from James:

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.

Episode Description:

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.

What You?ll Learn:

  1. The true story of JFK?s first assassination attempt in 1960.
  2. How Brad Meltzer uncovered one of the most bizarre historical footnotes about JFK.
  3. The untold role of Richard Pavlik in plotting to kill JFK and what stopped him.
  4. Why Jackie Kennedy coined the term "Camelot" and shaped JFK?s legacy.
  5. Parallels between the 1960 election and today?s polarized political climate.

Timestamped Chapters:

  • [01:30] Introduction to Brad Meltzer and His New Book
  • [02:24] The Untold Story of JFK's First Assassination Attempt
  • [05:03] Richard Pavlik: The Man Who Almost Killed JFK
  • [06:08] JFK's Heroic World War II Story
  • [09:29] The Complex Legacy of JFK
  • [10:17] The Influence of Joe Kennedy
  • [13:20] Rise of the KKK and Targeting JFK
  • [20:01] The Role of Religion in JFK's Campaign
  • [25:10] Conspiracy Theories and Historical Context
  • [30:47] The Camelot Legacy
  • [36:01] JFK's Assassination and Aftermath
  • [39:54] Upcoming Projects and Reflections

Additional Resources:

00:46:56 1/14/2025

A Note from James:

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.

Episode Description:

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.

What You?ll Learn:

  • How Roger Reaves became involved in drug smuggling and built connections with major players like Pablo Escobar and Barry Seal.
  • The role of the U.S. government in the drug trade and its surprising intersections with Roger?s operations.
  • Harrowing tales of near-death experiences, including shootouts, plane crashes, and daring escapes.
  • The toll a life of crime takes on family, faith, and personal resilience.
  • Lessons learned from decades of high-risk decisions and time behind bars.

Timestamped Chapters:

  • [00:01:30] Introduction to Roger Reaves
  • [00:02:00] Connection to Barry Seal and American Made
  • [00:02:41] Early Life and Struggles
  • [00:09:16] Moonshine and Early Smuggling
  • [00:12:06] Transition to Drug Smuggling
  • [00:16:15] Close Calls and Escapes
  • [00:26:46] Torture and Imprisonment in Mexico
  • [00:32:02] First Cocaine Runs
  • [00:44:06] Meeting Pablo Escobar
  • [00:53:28] The Rise of Cocaine Smuggling
  • [00:59:18] Arrest and Imprisonment
  • [01:06:35] Barry Seal's Downfall
  • [01:10:45] Life Lessons from the Drug Trade
  • [01:15:22] Reflections on Faith and Family
  • [01:20:10] Plans for the Future 

Additional Resources:

 

01:36:51 1/7/2025
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