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This Conversation Will Make You Rethink Everything You Create | James Altucher (PT. 2)

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Jul 19, 2025

Guest

James Altucher

James Altucher, a podcast host and investor known for his insights in emerging tech, joins Ryan for an engaging conversation. They discuss the intricacies of creativity and the art of storytelling, emphasizing the value of historical narratives over personal anecdotes. Altucher reflects on reigniting his passion for chess, confronting the complexities of aging and identity. The two also explore the importance of mentorship and connections in personal growth, while contrasting joy in engagement versus competition.

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Episode notes

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ADVICE

Initiate Connections Proactively

Reach out to people when inspired by their work; it can change your life and build relationships.
Most get no reply, but persistent contact can create valuable mentorships over time.

insights

INSIGHT

Historical Stories as Persuasion Tools

Using historical stories lends a weight and significance that personal stories often lack.
Selecting historical examples can be a strategic way to persuade readers of stoic principles.

insights

INSIGHT

Crafting Impactful Books

Writing a lasting book requires selecting the most powerful, illustrative stories for your core argument.
Condensing vast research into concise, targeted narratives is the craft behind impactful books.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Power of Connection and Mentorship

02:05 • 5min

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Navigating the Art of Storytelling

06:42 • 5min

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The Power of Personal Narratives and Modern Solutions

12:10 • 5min

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Jesus and Stoicism: A Philosophical Paradox

16:55 • 9min

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The Art of Historical Storytelling

25:31 • 8min

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Embracing the Journey of Aging and Creativity

33:41 • 11min

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The Joy of Engagement: Finding Meaning Beyond Competition

45:09 • 2min

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Trust Me, I'm Lying

Confessions of a Media Manipulator

Ryan Holiday

In 'Trust Me, I'm Lying,' Ryan Holiday exposes the inner workings of the online media system, detailing how rumors and false information can quickly spread from low-level blogs to major news outlets. The book highlights the role of marketers and media manipulators in this process, driven by the toxic economics of the news business. Holiday shares his own experiences as a media manipulator and provides insights into the social science behind why this system is so vulnerable to manipulation. He also offers advice on how to spot and combat these manipulative tactics.

The Odyssey

Homer

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.

Old in Art School

A Memoir of Starting Over

Nell Irvin Painter

Following her retirement from Princeton University, Nell Irvin Painter surprised everyone by returning to school in her sixties to earn a BFA and MFA in painting. In 'Old in Art School', she recounts her journey from Newark to the Rhode Island School of Design, finding meaning in the artists she loves and struggling with the balance between artistic pursuit and the demands of life. The book delves into how women and artists are judged by their age, looks, and race, and how these factors influence our conceptions of beauty, value, and difference.

Liar's poker

Michael Lewis

Liar's Poker is a non-fiction, semi-autobiographical book that details Michael Lewis's three-year tenure at Salomon Brothers, one of Wall Street's premier investment firms in the 1980s. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the culture of bond traders, highlighting the frat-boy camaraderie, killer instincts, and high-stakes games of bluffing and deception. Lewis describes the creation and use of mortgage bonds, the excessive bonuses, and the ruthless competition among traders. The narrative also touches on the author's disillusionment with the industry, leading to his resignation and transition into financial journalism.

Choose Yourself

James Altucher

In 'Choose Yourself,' James Altucher argues that the traditional paths to security such as college, employment, and retirement are no longer viable. He advocates for individuals to take control of their own lives, focusing on building physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. The book provides actionable steps for personal growth and creating a fulfilling career and life on one's own terms. Altucher emphasizes the importance of doing what you enjoy, surrounding yourself with positive people, and continually expanding your horizons to achieve success and happiness.

The 48 laws of power

Robert Greene

In 'The 48 Laws of Power', Robert Greene and Joost Elffers synthesize three thousand years of the history of power into 48 laws. These laws are derived from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of influential figures such as Henry Kissinger and P.T. Barnum. The book provides tactics, concepts, and lessons on how to achieve and maintain power, emphasizing prudence, confidence, and self-preservation. Each law is illustrated with historical examples and is designed to help readers understand and navigate the dynamics of power in various aspects of life, including work, social hierarchies, and politics.

James Altucher and Ryan return for Part 2 to talk about creativity, aging, and why most ideas don’t last. Ryan explains why he avoids personal stories in his Stoic Virtues series, a research skill he learned while working for Robert Greene, and what most writers get wrong. James opens up about his renewed obsession with an old passion and the painful truth of chasing a past version of yourself.

James Altucher is the podcast host of The James Altucher Show , an investor, venture capitalist, writer, and an expert in emerging technologies like crypto and AI.

Follow James on Instagram @Altucher and X @JAltucher

Watch Ryan's latest interview on The James Altucher Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTe49rKcAEA

📚 Grab signed copies of James’ book Choose Yourself! at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.com/

📖 Preorder the final book in Ryan Holiday's The Stoic Virtues Series: "Wisdom Takes Work": https://store.dailystoic.com/pages/wisdom-takes-work

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