The James Altucher Show

• Being Authentic as F*ck with Sun Yi

  A Note from James I had such a great conversation with my good friend, Sun Yi on his podcast, called Authentic as F*ck, and I felt like I had to say the full name of the podcast because I wanna be authentic. Authenticity is complex, and being yourself isn't always straightforward. With friends, I'm different than when giving a talk or doing a podcast. But authenticity involves knowing who you are in different contexts and what you value. Sun Yi and I explored this in-depth, discussing why being truly authentic often means embracing controversy, taking risks with your content, and understanding that the truth of who you are can change based on the context. Episode Description James speaks with Sun Yi, host of Authentic as F*ck, about the nuances of personal branding, vulnerability, and authenticity. This candid conversation explores why true authenticity can lead to both rejection and opportunity, emphasizing the importance of publishing ideas that genuinely scare you. Listeners will learn why radical openness about successes and failures can be both costly and rewarding, and how traditional perspectives on success and failure often overlook essential lessons about humility and resilience. What You’ll Learn: How authenticity can lead to controversy but also open new doors. Why publishing content that genuinely scares you is crucial for meaningful impact. The surprising benefits—and real costs—of being fully transparent about your experiences. How traditional ideas about success and failure can be misleading. Understanding the complexities behind creating content that truly resonates and why some content unexpectedly goes viral. Timestamped Chapters [00:00] Introduction to Authenticity and Personal Branding [01:10] The Complexity of Being Yourself [02:35] Building a Personal Brand Naturally [04:06] The Importance of Vulnerability and Authenticity [05:14] Challenges of Being Authentic [08:29] Niching Down vs. Broad Interests [10:29] Controversial Opinions and Their Impact [18:32] The New York City Article Controversy [23:23] Handling Negative Reactions [37:02] The Value of Authentic Writing [41:03] Deep Dive into Favorite Authors [41:55] Balancing Podcast Topics and Growth [45:17] Understanding Success and Failure [45:22] The Importance of Networking [47:50] Testing Business Ideas [50:56] Learning from Failure [56:16] The Role of Humility in Success [01:00:21] The Journey to Becoming a Writer [01:13:09] The Dot-Com Boom and Bust [01:14:58] Reflecting on the Early Days of Web Design [01:15:47] The Evolution and Current State of AI [01:17:59] AI's Role in Creative Fields [01:32:52] The Future of AI in Healthcare and Other Industries [01:40:18] Political Polarization and Historical Context [01:42:32] Closing Thoughts and Optimism for the Future Additional Resources: Sun Yi's Podcast: Authentic as Fuck Khan Academy Coursera – Online Education Platform

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• The Truth about Tariffs: The Ultimate Guide to Busting Inflation Myths

  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,...

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  27:14
• How The US can Immediately Eliminate the IRS and get rid of personal income taxes

  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...

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  29:25
• Is Fort Knox Empty!? | News You Might Have Missed

  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

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  33:28
• From Dreamer to Doer: Who Better Than You? Movie Producer, Will Packer on How to Build Success and Resilience in life.

  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: Who’s Better Than You? by Will Packer Will Packer on IMDb Essence Festival Girls Trip (Film)

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  55:05

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