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...

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

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.

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.

• 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.

[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

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

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:

• Nick Singh and Omid Kazravan's Podcast: My First Exit
• James Altucher's Book: Choose Yourself
• Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein: Read Here
• Tony Robbins’ Events: Official Site

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.

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.

• 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

• [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

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:

• BTQ Technologies Website

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.

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:

• The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
• Clint Hill's Memoir, Mrs. Kennedy and Me
• The Life Magazine Camelot Interview
• Watch the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon Debates