Episodes

James talks with David Epstein about why constraints—not unlimited freedom—often produce the best creative work. From Pixar and Dr. Seuss to Bach, jazz, writing, parenting, and AI, this episode shows how the right limits can unlock better ideas.

James talks with former Navy SEAL and SOFREP founder Brandon Webb about what may happen next in Iran. Brandon breaks down regime instability, the Strait of Hormuz, proxy warfare, and why he thinks this conflict looks less like Iraq—and more like a new model of military and intelligence pressure.

James talks with Ring founder Jamie Siminoff about being rejected on Shark Tank, building through doubt, and selling Ring to Amazon. Jamie shares why obvious ideas are often the best ones, how to think about simple pain points, and why AI makes building easier—but not entrepreneurship itself.

James talks with Amy Morin about practical tools for anxiety, stress, worry, and emotional overwhelm. Amy shares simple “plays” you can use right away—from scheduled worry to pizza breathing—to think clearly and act better when life gets hard.

James talks with Peter Diamandis about AI, fear, and the future of abundance. From job disruption to exponential growth, this episode explores how mindset—and using AI as a partner—will determine who thrives in the next decade.

James talks with Cal Newport about why focus—not hustle—is the real competitive advantage. Learn how deep work, deliberate practice, and eliminating distractions can help you build rare skills and create a career that stands out.

Notes from James: I wish I had been Kolin Jones when I was 18 years old. When Colin was 19, during COVID, he set up his own private jet brokerage out of a college dorm room. No investors. No jets. No connections. Just a GoDaddy website, an email address, and an obsessive willingness to send 2,500 co...

James talks with Yuval Noah Harari about the hidden force behind civilization: shared belief. Learn why money, nations, and even modern technology depend on stories—and what that means for the future.

James talks with Kiana Danial about what the Iran conflict could mean for markets, what she believes ordinary Iranians actually want, and why real wealth comes from compounding skills, income, and investments together. It’s a smart mix of geopolitics, market psychology, and practical financial strat...