The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

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.

Barbara Demick, a journalist and author renowned for her narrative nonfiction on East Asia, dives deep into the harrowing effects of China’s one-child policy in her book, *Daughters of the Bamboo Grove*. She explores the heart-wrenching stories of separated twins, illustrating their contrasting lives—one grows up in Texas, the other in hiding. The conversation touches on the emotional turmoil of reunification, the complexities of international adoption, and the cultural dissonance faced by families torn apart by policies that aimed for societal control.

Emmanuel Daniel, founder of TAB Global and a fintech author, delves into the evolving landscape of finance where personalization takes center stage. He argues that the true disruption in finance stems from individuals rather than technology, reshaping trust and power dynamics globally. Daniel explores the impact of financialization, the role of cryptocurrencies, and the tension between personal ownership and intermediaries. He emphasizes the importance of data sovereignty in navigating this new monetary architecture, making for a thought-provoking discussion.

In this discussion, market and geopolitical analyst Rob Larrity shares his insights on the impact of tariffs on demand and prices, challenging conventional narratives with complex economic realities. They explore the widening gap between political platitudes and material truths, highlighting the risks of economic fragility in the U.S. Amidst these discussions, Chile's evolving political landscape and its potential advantages in a shifting global economy are also examined. Larrity emphasizes the importance of understanding market signals over political spin.

Join Kaiser Kuo, a commentator on Chinese affairs and host of the Sinica Podcast, as he dives into pivotal discussions about China's rise and its lessons for the West. He explores the intriguing parallels between America's Gilded Age and China's current trajectory. They analyze the unique role of the state in China's growth, challenge stereotypes about innovation, and debate whether China aims for global hegemony. Kuo also sheds light on China's environmental strategies and public perceptions of the U.S., making the conversation a thought-provoking reflection on progress and modernity.

Dylan Livingston, founder of the Alliance for Longevity Initiatives (A4LI), discusses the transformative potential of longevity science. He delves into how treating aging as a solvable issue could reshape economies, global power dynamics, and healthcare. The conversation covers the historical quest for immortality and how modern medicine aims to extend not just life, but healthy life. Livingston also shares insights on bipartisan policy advocacy, fundraising for research, and the economic impact of longer, healthier lives.