The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

Hamidreza Azizi, an Iranian security analyst and Substack writer, guides a rapid deep dive into Iran today. He outlines Iran’s domestic turmoil and the IRGC’s political role. He maps likely military responses, proxy options, and regional ripple effects. He also explains internal power struggles shaping Tehran’s decisions.

Dr. David Kohl, agricultural economist and educator with decades advising farmers and agribusiness, joins to explore farmland, debt, and rural change. He discusses falling row-crop profits, institutional land buyers, and generational farm transitions. They examine export dependence versus domestic markets, tech and robotics easing labor strains, and the macro risks reshaping rural America.

Andrey Sizov, a Black Sea agricultural markets analyst and founder of Sovicorn, dives into the complexities of global grain trade influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He reveals why disruption fears haven’t fully materialized yet but are changing with recent attacks on shipping. The discussion explores Turkey's crucial role in the region, implications for U.S. agriculture, and insights on the sunflower market. Sizov also touches on how geopolitical dynamics affect global food security and the intertwined destinies of agriculture and international relations.

Economist Mike Konczal, a Senior Director of Policy Research at the Economic Security Project, dives into the political pressure mounting against the Federal Reserve. He discusses the implications of tariffs and immigration policy on inflation and the economy, and analyzes the fragile state of the labor market beneath optimistic headlines. Mike also shares insights on the potential risks of expanding presidential control over the Fed and offers a cautiously optimistic outlook despite the uncertainties facing U.S. economic policies.

Parag Khanna, founder of AlphaGeo and a leading geopolitical strategist, engages in a fascinating discussion about resilience over dominance in today's world. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability amidst global disruptions, using examples from Venezuela and Greenland. Parag explores how Asia is cultivating self-reliance and contrasts instability in Latin America with North Korea. He also offers insights into Africa's integration challenges and proposes a provocative view that devolution might foster peace more effectively than democracy.

Elohim Monard, a keen commentator on Latin American politics, shares his insights on Venezuela’s turbulent landscape. He highlights U.S. actions as not just regime change but an assertion of dominance, making Venezuela a potential resource colony. The conversation dives into ideological divides in the region, questioning whether recent moves indicate a shift towards chaos or a peaceful transition. Monard also discusses implications for surrounding nations like Peru and hints at Cuba being next on the U.S. radar.

Jacob takes on the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro and what it reveals about American power, imperial strategy, and hemispheric priorities. This was less about China or narco-trafficking and more of than a blunt assertion of control over resources and geography. Venezuela is a test case, possibly a rehearsal, for deeper U.S. intervention in the Western Hemisphere, especially Cuba, and a sign of Washington consolidating power closer to home as its global leverage erodes. --Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction and Emergency Episode Announcement(00:49) - Background on US-Venezuela Relations(01:44) - The US Attack on Venezuela(02:55) - Implications for Venezuela and the Region(04:16) - Historical Context and US Imperialism(05:51) - Forecasting Future Geopolitical Moves(06:33) - Cuba as the Next Geopolitical Target(15:50) - China's Influence in Latin America(18:39) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts--Subscribe to our Substack to hear more of Jacob's thoughts on the US's capture of Maduro and takeover of Venezuela.Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap--The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com--Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--

What if the money in your pocket wasn’t a tool for freedom, but a mechanism for control? Inflation, surveillance, and financial exclusion actively shape who can save, speak, or participate in the global economy. Alex Gladstein joins the show to examine money as a human-rights issue, exploring how new digital tools are being used in places where traditional financial systems fail or are weaponized. Alex reframes money as a human-rights issue - tracing how digital currencies are reshaping power at the margins: enabling dissidents, protecting savings, and creating escape hatches from broken systems. It’s not about speculation or hype... it’s about sovereignty, repression, and what freedom actually looks like in a digitized global economy.--Timestamps:(00:00) - Introduction(00:17) - Bitcoin as Freedom Money(01:46) - The Need for Freedom Money(04:04) - Global Financial Repression(10:12) - Bitcoin's Resilience and Privacy(20:00) - Case Studies and Real-World Impact(23:03) - Bitcoin and the Future of Nation States(25:01) - The Cost of War and National Debt(25:36) - The Role of Banks in Government Spending(27:06) - Bitcoin's Potential to Empower People(27:36) - Dictators vs. Bitcoin(28:51) - The Rise of Stablecoins(29:43) - Bitcoin vs. Altcoins(38:13) - Ethereum's Flaws(40:39) - Bitcoin's Impact on Oppressed Nations(44:43) - The Future of Bitcoin and Dictatorships--Referenced in the Show:Alex Gladstein: https://alexgladstein.com/Freedom Money Essay – https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/why-bitcoin-is-freedom-money/--Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.comJacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShapJacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe --The Jacob Shapiro Show is produced and edited by Audiographies LLC. More information at audiographies.com--Jacob Shapiro is a speaker, consultant, author, and researcher covering global politics and affairs, economics, markets, technology, history, and culture. He speaks to audiences of all sizes around the world, helps global multinationals make strategic decisions about political risks and opportunities, and works directly with investors to grow and protect their assets in today’s volatile global environment. His insights help audiences across industries like finance, agriculture, and energy make sense of the world.--

Elohim Monard, a Spanish-language geopolitical analyst and host of Conversando de Política, dives deep into the rising right-wing politics sweeping Latin America. He discusses how a 'Trumpian' approach is reshaping alliances and creating a practical ideology focused on security and economic pragmatism. The conversation explores the upcoming elections, Brazil's precarious political landscape under Lula, and the implications of U.S. strategies toward Venezuela. Monard warns of a looming low-intensity war against non-state actors, demonstrating Latin America's surprising return to global significance.

Van Jackson, a Professor of International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington, critiques the latest U.S. National Security Strategy's contradictions. He discusses how ideology mixes with military ambition and the implications for global relations. Jackson highlights the document's imperialistic undertones, especially regarding Latin America and Venezuela, and examines the challenges of military interventions in defeating cartels. The conversation reveals the complex dynamics of U.S. foreign policy amid rising tensions with China and shifting geopolitical landscapes.