2026 is not about opportunity or danger — it’s about avoiding one catastrophic mistake.

64 snips

Jan 6, 2026

As 2026 looms, challenges like global instability, soaring debt, and AI disruption define our future. Tom Bilyeu reveals how cognitive overload can lead to disastrous financial choices. He illustrates how stress impacts decision-making using the Air France Flight 447 incident. To thrive in chaos, he suggests mastering biology, employing first-principles thinking, and applying resilient investing strategies. Practical tips like sleep and meditation can help maintain clarity. This insightful discussion tackles how to dodge catastrophe and seize real opportunities amidst turbulence.

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INSIGHT

Systemic Convergence Overwhelms Decision Making

A convergence of geopolitical, economic, and AI disruptions will overwhelm decision-making.
When complexity stacks, people suddenly lose the ability to reason and make catastrophic financial mistakes.

INSIGHT

Working Memory Limits Break Reasoning

Working memory is tiny and complexity can abruptly collapse performance.
Social media and global markets constantly saturate that limited mental space, degrading choices.

ANECDOTE

Air France 447 As A Cautionary Example

Tom recounts the Air France 447 crash to show executive function failure under stress.
Pilots fixated and stalled the plane despite warnings because cognitive control collapsed.

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On this episode of Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu delivers a no-nonsense deep dive into the overwhelming financial and psychological challenges we’re all facing as 2026 approaches. With global instability, mounting debt, political turmoil, and the rise of artificial intelligence changing the landscape faster than most people can adapt, Tom Bilyeu explains how a unique convergence of psychological traps could trigger catastrophic money mistakes for millions. Instead of doom and gloom, though, you’ll learn exactly how to keep your head when everyone else is losing theirs—mastering your biology, thinking from first principles, and relying on time-tested investing heuristics. If you want to avoid becoming another cautionary tale and instead spot real opportunities in turbulent times, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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