

John Arnold
Built his fortune in energy trading and now applies analytical rigor to philanthropy through Arnold Ventures. Known for his success as an energy trader and his focus on evidence-based philanthropy.
Top 10 podcasts with John Arnold
Ranked by the Snipd community

450 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 1h 5min
John Arnold on Trading, Energy, and Evidence-Based Philanthropy
John Arnold, a former energy trader turned philanthropist, shares insights from his remarkable journey. He discusses his transition to philanthropy, revealing that changing human behavior is tougher than forecasting energy prices. Arnold explores the complexities of shifting from coal to solar energy and the importance of a diverse energy mix. He reflects on the culture at Enron and contrasts trading with philanthropy, advocating for reforms in the U.S. tax code and social policy to drive meaningful change.

142 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 2h 36min
#818: John Arnold with Dr. Peter Attia — The Greatest Energy Trader of All Time on Lessons Learned, Walking Away from Wall Street, and Reinventing Philanthropy
Join John Arnold, a former energy trading mogul turned philanthropist, and Dr. Peter Attia, a physician dedicated to longevity, as they dive into impactful topics. Arnold discusses his transition from Wall Street to philanthropy, focusing on criminal justice reform and education. They explore the intricacies of nonprofit funding, the challenges of systemic change, and the emotional weight of philanthropy. Listeners will also savor insights into effective strategies for social impact and the complexities of the healthcare system, all presented with engaging storytelling.

19 snips
Jun 20, 2024 • 50min
John Arnold on Why It's So Hard To Build Things in America
John Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures, shares his insights on the struggles of building in America. He explains how red tape and permitting challenges are stifling infrastructure projects and housing development. The discussion highlights the complexities of public-private partnerships and the need for bipartisan solutions. Arnold also emphasizes the importance of philanthropy in effecting policy change, exploring ways to streamline approvals and navigate community concerns for effective construction and development.

5 snips
Apr 1, 2022 • 1h
TIP435: Why the Youngest Billionaire Walked Away from Wall Street w/ John Arnold & Michael Faye
In this engaging discussion, billionaire philanthropist John Arnold, a former head of Enron’s natural gas trading desk, and Michael Faye, co-founder of GiveDirectly, share their transformative journeys. They delve into the emotional toll of Wall Street, Arnold’s pivot from trading to philanthropy, and how cash transfers can revolutionize poverty alleviation. Faye explains the importance of direct assistance, highlighting the immediate impact of their work. Together, they illuminate innovative strategies to rethink philanthropic efforts and address global challenges.

Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 17min
How Billionaires Think About Philanthropy
Laura and John Arnold, co-founders of Arnold Ventures, discuss their unique approach to philanthropy focused on evidence-based policy to tackle societal issues. They highlight the significance of measuring charitable impact and the challenges in American healthcare reform. The duo delves into the complexities of lobbying in higher education and advocates for individualized educational paths. Despite these challenges, they maintain an optimistic outlook for philanthropic efforts, encouraging engagement in local causes.

Mar 25, 2024 • 43min
#1332 John Arnold | Bitcoin Is Eating The World
John Arnold, Principal at Ten31, discusses the total addressable market for bitcoin, financial returns, capital placement, and industries built around bitcoin. The podcast also explores the innovative concept of PropyKeys, an application minting home addresses on blockchain for affordable homeownership. Various collaborations of Propy, including with Coinbase, are highlighted. Pomp's daily letter and Supra's early integration program for price feeds across blockchains are also mentioned.

Jan 24, 2024 • 1h 44min
#475: Bitcoin Is Eating The World with John Arnold
John Arnold discusses Bitcoin's total addressable market, tech stock returns, why Bitcoin is eating the world, replacing the incumbent system, venture capital not recognizing, and the fun of Bitcoin.

Jun 4, 2022 • 51min
78. Giving It Away
In this engaging conversation, billionaire philanthropist John Arnold shares his transformative journey from wealth accumulation at Enron to prioritizing impactful giving. He discusses the intricate challenges of philanthropy, including personal motivations and the psychological barriers to charitable action. Arnold also delves into controversial topics like monetizing organ donations and the complexities of influencing public policy through philanthropy, ultimately advocating for a culture of generosity that drives societal change.

Aug 24, 2020 • 2h 28min
#125 - John Arnold: The most prolific philanthropist you may not have heard of
John Arnold, renowned as the greatest natural gas trader, transitioned from Wall Street to philanthropy, focusing on criminal justice, healthcare, and education reform. He discusses his strategic approach to giving away nearly half a billion dollars annually and emphasizes addressing root causes of social issues. Arnold shares insights from his time at Enron, the significance of adaptability, and the importance of collaboration in philanthropy. He highlights initiatives aimed at systemic change in K-12 education and the criminal justice system, advocating for innovative and evidence-based solutions.

Aug 27, 2018 • 1h 2min
Episode 48: The Incomparable John Arnold, from the King of Natural Gas to Agent of Social Change
John Arnold, former King of Natural Gas at Enron, discusses his decision to retire, the evolution of the natural gas market, Enron's online marketplace, and his transition to philanthropy with the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. They also explore efforts to address rising pharmaceutical costs and promote value in healthcare.