Ep. 256 - Ken Follett: I Want to Write a Bestseller

"If this idea... the idea of overcoming one fear a day scares you, then keep reading."I wrote this line three years ago.I was doing a photo challenge. I asked Chase Jarvis, one of the best photographers in the world and the founder of Creative Live, "What should I do?"I wanted to know how to take a good photo.He asked me what I liked.I said, "Sad people."So he told me to shoot through the lens of "connection." So I went inside. And looked for my inner compass.I went to eat.Then I saw the man. He was a balding guy in his 60s waiting to be served. He told me he just arrived after a 17-hour trip from Italy. He said, "I am tired."And I shot him.I shot him before my daughter left for college. Before I became a stepdad. Before stand-up comedy. Before Trump. Before #metoo. Before phone addiction (sort of). Before a lot of things."That photograph is evidence," Chase said. "It's evidence that we're all creative... Wildy."But not everyone believes that.Because they've blocked it for too many years.But you can get it back.Chase explains how in his book, "Creative Calling: Establish a Daily Practice, Infuse Your World with Meaning, and Succeed in Work + Life."And he explains the DNA of creativity on my podcast. Here's a list of everything we talk about. Including quotes from Chase and tips on how to start your daily creative process today:I introduce Chase Jarvis, one of the best photographers in the world and founder of Creative Live - [3:35]How Chase helped me hone my creative muscle three years ago - [4:32]"We're all creative, wildly" - Chase Jarvis - [8:18]The wrong way to think about creativity - [8:48]"When you're in your purest element of creativity, you're not judging. You can't be creative and judging at the same time." - Chase Jarvis - [10:20]Three key principles of Chase's book:1. Everyone is creative2. Creativity is not a skill. It's a habit. It's a process, not a product.3. Creativity is a muscle. - [13:08]How creating in small ways every day leads to the habit of creativity - [15:29]The myth of creativity: some people are creative and some people aren't. Chase explains where this myth came from - [16:49]Proof that we are "self-expression machines." And proof that society makes us scared to be creative - [19:11]I ask Chase about mastery - [21:19]Chase tells us what Creative Live is and what kind of classes they have available for you - [23:56]I ask Chase about fear and self-doubt- [24:51]How to get to know the things you're supposed to be doing in this world. And how Chase figured this out for himself, too - [25:25]I ask Chase if building a business made him fearful of losing his roots in photography -[27:22]How to know if something is the right path for you - [28:05]Know when to shift directions. How to know if you're following the flame in your life. Or not - [29:45]Why you're loved ones don't support your dreams and want you to do what's safe...- [30:14]"Now is the riskiest time in human history to do the thing that has always been safe. Because the world is changing so fast. If you don't have a life and connection and a passion for what you're doing, you're going to be isolated. You're going to be lonely. You're going to be sick. It's not safe to do what everybody else wants. The safest thing, in your journey, is to be inexcusable unapologetically you." - Chase Jarvis - [31:00]We look at how Chase combined two passions and became the best in the world at the intersection of his two passions - [32:22]Why society doesn't teach us to be creative - [34:01]The power of experimentation - [35:21]I ask Chase how he initially started developing his internal flame and love for photography - [36:00]Why Chase doesn't give The A-Z steps to find your path... because everyone's path is different and unique. - [39:40]How a teacher killed Chase's dreams. And shift led to his identity. - [42:00]How Chase rediscovered his creativity 20 years after... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 Dec 20231h 24min

One of our favorite guests, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, has authored a new book titled "Moonshot: A NASA Astronaut's Guide to Achieving the Impossible" and is back to talk all about it. "Moonshot," a follow-up to his bestselling memoir, offers an insightful look into the mindset required to overcome challenges and achieve ambitious goals. Massimino distills his experiences and lessons learned at NASA into an actionable guide designed to help readers accomplish their biggest goals. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance, leadership, problem-solving, and adapting to change. In today's interview, the pair discuss some of James' favorite stories from the book and talk about some of the  ten key lessons that Massimino has gleaned from his career in spaceflight and other life experiences. These lessons include principles like "One in a Million Is Not Zero," encouraging readers to pursue their goals despite the odds, and "The Thirty-Second Rule," which focuses on learning from mistakes.James and Mike's conversations are always full of wit and heartfelt enthusiasm. Enjoy this conversation and pursue your "moon shots"!-----------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 jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------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: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------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: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

5 Dec 202356min

James welcomes renowned author Robert Greene back on the show to discuss the intricacies of power, strategy, and human nature, as explored in Greene's bestselling book, "The 48 Laws of Power." The episode kicks off with James sharing his journey to reclaim his old chess ranking, a challenge that's not only about the game but also about rediscovering and harnessing personal strengths and strategies. This journey has inspired James to pen a book, and the conversation naturally flows into the writing process and the lessons learned from such endeavors.The spotlight then turns to the special 25th Anniversary edition of "The 48 Laws of Power." James and Robert discuss the significance of a book's packaging, emphasizing how the design and presentation of a book can frame the story within, creating an immersive experience for the reader. This new edition is not just a repackaging but a celebration of the book's timeless lessons. As they explore the content, Robert explains his unique approach to writing, focusing on the multitude of historical examples and stories that form the backbone of each chapter. He shares his reasoning for not including personal anecdotes in his books, preferring to draw from rich historical contexts.The discussion deepens as they delve into some of the most compelling examples from "The 48 Laws of Power." They explore how figures like Napoleon's chief diplomat, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, navigated the treacherous waters of successive revolutions with astute power plays. The story of Victor Lustig's audacious con of Al Capone, and the tale of the advisor who cunningly manipulated Genghis Khan through his self-interest, are dissected to reveal the intricate workings of power and influence. Throughout, James and Robert unravel the fascinating question of how Robert, at 38 and without direct experience of power, managed to write such a compelling and enduringly popular book, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the mind of a master strategist.-----------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 jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------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: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------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... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

30 Nov 20231h 19min

Today, James is joined by Robyn and Jay the Engineer to talk about romantic and business relationships. They share personal stories of moving from friends to being in love and discuss how intimacy works in different kinds of relationships, including those at work and in the community. A key focus of our discussion is the intriguing idea of moving from the 'friend zone' to deeper, more meaningful connections. We delve into the importance of sustained, escalating, reciprocal, and personal self-disclosure in building intimacy. This exploration is anchored by insights from the research paper "The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness," which sheds light on the patterns essential for developing close relationships.  Below is the full list of 36 questions for "closeness-generating", taken from the paper:1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? 2. Would you like to be famous? In what way? 3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why? 4. What would constitute a "perfect" day for you? 5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else? 6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want? 7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die? 8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common. 9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful? 10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be? 11. Take 4 minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible. 12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be? Set II 13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know? 14. Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it? 15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? 16. What do you value most in a friendship? 17. What is your most treasured memory? 18. What is your most terrible memory? 19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why? 20. What does friendship mean to you? 21. What roles do love and affection play in your life? 22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of 5 items. 23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's? 24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother? 25. Make 3 true "we" statements each. For instance 'We are both in this room feeling ... " 26. Complete this sentence: "I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... " 27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know. 28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time saying things that you might not say to someone you've just met. 29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life. 30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself? 31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already. 32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about? 33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet? 34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why? 35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why? 36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner's advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Nov 202359min

20 years ago, I used to make a living by statistically analyzing the behavior of stocks. I would make a trade when my statistics would show I would have a certain advantage in different types of trades. The system worked for a really long time, and eventually, I created a career out of this.Imagine if you could do things like this with sports, which is a much more inefficient market.This is what David Beaudoin - better known as "Professor MJ" - has been doing for 20 years: using statistics to analyze sports bets...and he's never had a losing year.Several years ago, he retired from being a statistics professor and dedicated his time to beating the sports books and he also shares his picks!Here's how he does it and how his life has changed by doing it.Smart sports betting - Professor MJ - Sports InvestorMJ PicksProfessor MJ on YouTube-----------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 jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------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: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------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: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Nov 202340min

Everybody wondering how to build wealth should listen to this episode with Codie Sanchez. Codie is a mastermind in turning 'boring' businesses into profitable ventures. She explains the allure of investing in everyday businesses like laundromats and car washes, showcasing how these often-overlooked opportunities can be lucrative. She also reveals her top strategy for increasing sales in small businesses, a hack that has proven pivotal in her success.We then shift to Codie's unique acquisition technique, a method influenced by Amazon's business strategies. She provides valuable insights into this approach, demonstrating how it can be applied to various business models for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, Codie shares her perspective on the burgeoning legal cannabis market, offering her thoughts on its current state and future potential.In the final segment of today's episode, Codie and James discuss her "Contrarian Thinking" course and newsletter, which embody the essence of challenging conventional wisdom and investing in unconventional ideas. Codie elaborates on the core principles of the course, emphasizing the importance of 'investing in yourself,' a philosophy that resonates deeply with the themes of James' book "Choose Yourself." This episode is not just about investments and strategies; it's about the mindset and resilience required to excel in the world of business.The FREE Contrarian Thinking Newsletter | Free your mind. Build your bank account.Contrarian Thinking CoursesCodie Sanchez's 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 jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------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: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------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: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Nov 20231h 18min

Jim Kwik is my brain guru. He literally has superpowers. After a childhood injury gave him some brain damage, he became dedicated to turning his brain into a super machine, exercising his brain until he could use it to as full a capacity as possible:Super Memory Speed ReadingWhat it takes to keep building his neuroplasticity, so we keep learning things quickly and on and on.The results can be found in his excellent book:Limitless came out 10 years ago and sold millions of copies, but now he has an expanded edition with a lot more information, a lot more stories, and a lot more useful advice based on research and his own practices in the past few years. Jim also has an online academy for all this, and he's even gone out to Hollywood to teach actors including the stars of the X-Men movie franchise (which he talks about on the podcast)!We welcome Jim back again to celebrate the Limitless Expanded Edition, to discuss its contents, and to help James improve his brain.-----------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 jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------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: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------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: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Nov 20231h 27min

I bet you always wanted to know how to make a few billion dollars.Well, I wanted to know too, so I read the book "How to Make a Few Billion Dollars" by Brad Jacobs.But, I had questions...Luckily for us, Brad agreed to come on the show!  Brad has founded seven companies?all billion-dollar or multi-billion-dollar corporations?completed approximately 500 M&A transactions, and raised $30 billion of debt and equity capital through private and public offerings, including three IPOs. He began his career at age 23 when he founded Amerex Oil Associates, followed by Hamilton Resources, both privately held. He subsequently created five publicly traded companies?United Waste Systems, United Rentals, XPO, and XPO's two spin-offs, GXO Logistics and RXO.I asked my questions, some related to making billions of dollars, but also stuff that had completely nothing to do with it. Although...maybe it *does* have something to do with making billions of dollars after all...-----------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 jamesaltucher.com/podcast.------------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: Apple PodcastsStitcheriHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on Social Media:YouTubeTwitterFacebook ------------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: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

14 Nov 20231h 1min