315 - Kevin Allocca: The Economics of Entertainment... This is What Makes Videos Go Viral

Brad Feld, an extremely successful early stage investor and serial entrepreneur, opens up to James about the struggles he has faced, both physical and mental. He has struggled with depression and being an introvert in an extroverts' world. And he has learned the best ways to deal with it. "Understanding yourself is extremely important." Today, physical interaction is not nearly as important as it used to be. Today, you can interact in a meaningful way without having to go to a prospect's location. As a venture capitalist, a partner at Foundry Group, and as someone having to deal with numerous businesses at the same time, Brad realized that just physically being somewhere does not solve the problem. He understands that he's not able to just fly in like a hero and solve a problem. That takes a team of people. James asks Brad what he looks for in an ideal entrepreneur and Brad tells him that he and his partners at Foundry Group have gone back to their original methods from the mid-'90s. They stay focused on the themes they know best and only invest in companies that answer all of these questions correctly. 1. Is the product interesting? 2. Are the entrepreneurs obsessed with their product? 3. Do these entrepreneurs want to be long-term partners with them and do they want to be long-term partners with the entrepreneurs.   They finish up today's conversation by talking about Foundry's new publishing company FG Press and why they decided to start it. ------------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.

12 Feb 201535min

Chicken Soup for the Soul, his first book, consisted of inspirational, true stories about ordinary people's lives. As a high school teacher in an inner-city school, Jack Canfield was looking for a way to motivate his students. Asking them what they wanted to be and how they could get there seemed to resonate. He helped them set goals; understand the importance of taking action, how to visualize their dreams, and how not to be afraid of rejection. Life's not fair, it's just life... "Most people to get through life before death happens." These techniques, combined with his ability to tell a great story, eventually became the Chicken Soup Series. After a tough divorce, Jack had to completely rebuild himself and his career. From that low point came his new book series, The Success Principles. They talk about mentors, mastermind groups, fear, and The Rule of Five. As Jack tells James... Just never forget to follow your joy.   You'll love the stories. ------------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.

10 Feb 201558min

Maria Popova, avid reader, writer hunter-gatherer, and curious mind-at-large joins James today on The James Altucher Show. James tells her he reads only one blog religiously and it's Maria's blog Brain Pickings.org. It started as an e-mail to a few friends with a couple of links to things that interested her. They forwarded those on to friends and before she knew it, she was writing a blog. It's a fantastic conversation, and I know once you hear it, you'll be forwarding it on to your best friends.   If you've never read Maria's blog, you must. You'll be amazed by her journey. ------------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 Feb 20151h 12min

James was recently in New York and caught up with his good friend and fellow podcaster Lewis Howes They decided to drop into the studio and record a podcast for The James Altucher Show and another for Lewis's podcast, The School of Greatness, one of James' favorite shows. Lewis' bio is simply amazing and way too long to rewrite here, but if you want to grow your business, improve your personal life, and live the live you've always dreamt of, then click here to learn how.  They jump right in and catch up since Lewis was last on The James Altucher Show (Episode 5). Lewis plays handball for the U.S. National Team Handball. You'll hear James laugh as Lewis explains this style of handball. It's like the combination of every other sport. They begin the podcast there. Lewis decided he wanted to make the U.S. National Team and, as you'll hear, he did whatever it took to get selected. James tells Lewis he's going to steal everything from all his best podcasts. They start with Lewis podcast with Yuri Elkaim and the benefits and hacks to a great night's sleep. Here's a hint... Buy a snake plant.  Next up was Lewis' amazing interview with Jim Kwik on how to master your memory.  Lewis then offers up his "common lessons of greatness"...  1.    A clear vision.  2.    Learning how to master and overcome adversity and turning adversity into an advantage.  3.    Surround yourself with really positive people. 4.    Giving yourself time to be in your messy place and being OK with it.  5.    Getting clear on what you want next and having a support team and a coach to help you get there.  6.    "Feeling the need to be heard when things are not going your way can go a long way."  They transition into the business of podcasting. Lewis just celebrated two years and he and James talk about why you just have to be there right now. If you're not already there or you're not a big name, then you may be too late to the game.  And Lewis lets us all in on a project he's getting ready to launch.  It's a pleasure to listen to two very successful, good friends share so many secrets.   ------------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.

3 Feb 201548min

Casey Neistat is an American film director, producer, and creator of popular YouTube videos. While he has worked in almost every aspect of video making, he tells James that YouTube is his absolute passion. He chose to leave mainstream media for YouTube, which is the opposite of most YouTubers' aspirations. They talk about creative "ideas." Casey tells James that ideas matter very little - it's execution that matters. They talk about risk, too, and Casey has a great take on it. He tells James, "The most dangerous lifestyle anyone can live is the lifestyle where you play it safe." Casey probably disagrees with James more than anyone else James has ever interviewed.     ------------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.

31 Jan 201539min

Tim Larkin talks with James today about pro-victim rights and personal safety. As a former military intelligence instructor who helped America's elite Navy Seals develop their hand-to-hand combat techniques, Tim has spent two decades learning about violence. He tells James the story of how he got accepted to the Navy Seals program. He exposed their problem and offered them a solution... This is an episode like no other we've brought you.   Listen today. You'll be amazed by Tim's stories. I was. ------------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.

29 Jan 20151h 30min

Seth tells James that he had to write his new book What To Do When It's Your Turn because he had no choice. It's about what's holding you back, that voice in your head that pushes you to be mediocre or pushes you to hide. "It pushes us to dig deep inside so we can do better work and impact the things we care about." They talk about the industrial age and how it changed everything. "We invented public school to train children to sit still long enough to work in a factory." But now that we're in the postindustrial age, it's all leftover and everything has changed. They talk about why it's so important get out of your comfort zone. Seth tells James about when he realized that he was hiding from the big projects. How he was just playing it safe. Through a fortunate meeting, he realized that by speaking his truth, standing for something instead of just trying to fit in, is what gets you noticed. They transition into a great discussion about writing every day. Constantly putting yourself out there is critically important. Dance with your fear.   And read more books. ------------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.

27 Jan 201550min

Building connections and building relationships are how you bring real value to the world around you. Jayson Gaignard is a super-connector. He's two degrees of separation from anyone you want to meet. Broke and $250,000 in debt, Jayson thought about an idea that nobody else was doing after getting a free ticket to hear Seth Godin speak, connecting entrepreneurs over an intimate dinner. He paid for this himself by going even further into debt with no expectations of ever making money on these. Mastermind Dinners launched and Jayson's new venture was off and running. Entrepreneurship often takes an unyielding belief in yourself, and Jayson definitely believes. Listen today to hear the story of someone who bet everything he had on an idea. His new book, Mastermind Dinners Build Lifelong Relationships by Connecting Experts, Influencers and Linchpins is a fantastic read and he hosts a podcast, Mastermind Talks you really need to subscribe to. Ask a question at Askaltucher.com. ------------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 Jan 201528min