The James Altucher Show

Nell Scovell had a dream career working in television. She's worked on every classic I can remember. And she even created a show, "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." She took tired sitcom plots and put them through what she calls a "magical blender." And out came something original. She told me how her ambition to be a prominent female television writer gave her these amazing opportunities that us men can only dream of. And how being on the sidelines gave her the confidence to lead a team to success.   Links and Resources Just the Funny Parts... And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking into the Hollywood Boys' Club  by Nell Scovell Follow Nell on Twitter + Facebook   Also Mentioned Murphy Brown Monk It's Garry Shandling's Show The Muppets Charmed Late Night with David Letterman Sabrina the Teenage Witch, created by Nell 90210 Bewitched I Dream of Genie Coach with Craig T. Nelson The Simpsons Seinfeld Curb Your Enthusiasm A Thousand Clowns, the play by Herb Gardner The Cosby Show Newhart The Buttoned Down Mind of Bob N

Aubrey Marcus is the CEO and founder of Onnit, a company dedicated to human optimization and peak performance. I like what Aubrey had to say because it's not just what you'd typically think of when you hear the words "optimize" or "peak performance." He says, "You gotta live a life that's worth living. Live a life that's well-rounded, balanced and includes the things like having a glass of wine or smoking a joint and making love to your lover, playing with your dog and hanging out, but also being extremely productive, also meditating, also eating right, also training like a beast." And his philosophy is backed up by clinical studies. He really has the science to prove his theories. So I'm testing them all.  Show Notes Onnit Own the Day Own Your Life by Aubrey Marcus Alpha Brain   Also Mentioned The Joe Rogan Experience Kettlebells My interview with Rich Roll My interview with Freeway Rick Ross (the infamous drug dealer and now philanthropist)  Alpha Brain  Ginko Huperzia Serrata  Acetylcholine system (respo

Barry is taking Eastern/compassion meditation and westernizing it. He wrote a book about these "tools" that you can use to understand yourself better. And understand your reactions, your dreams, your disappointments. He'll explain how your subconscious stores information and memories. So that you can take advantage of it. This episode is powerful. Barry Michels has knowledge (and experience) helping people like you and me through therapy and his books. I highly recommend you listen to this interview. Because Barry will teach you how to tap into the potential you didn't know you had...   Links and Resources Coming Alive: 4 Tools to Defeat Your Inner Enemy, Ignite Creative Expression & Unleash Your Soul's Potential by Barry Michels and Phil Stutz The Tools: 5 Tools to Help You Find Courage, Creativity and Willpower--and Inspire You to Live Life in Forward Motion by Phil Stutz and Barry Michels Follow Barry on Twitter + Facebook Also Mentioned My Interview with Gary Gulman Choose Yourself by James Altu

Tony Rock is a super stand up comedian. And he's also Chris Rock's brother. He stars in CBS' newest comedy, "Living Biblically," based on my good friend, AJ Jacobs' book. Tony's been working on his comedy muscle for 24 years, so I wanted to ask him about his process. And how anyone can adopt this process for their own projects or side hustles. These are Tony's techniques to bring your ideas from the drawing board to action.    Links and Resources Watch Tony on CBS' newest comedy, Living Biblically, based on AJ Jacobs book, "The Year of Living Biblically" Watch Tony on BET's Shows Black Card Revoked + Apollo Live Watch Tony on NBA - The WarmUp Live on Twitter or on nbatv.com Follow Tony on Twitter + Facebook Also Mentioned Ep. 293 - AJ Jacobs: Why We Experiment (And Why You Should Also) Inside the NBA Patrice O'Neal: Elephant In the Room Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip Chris Rock: Tamborine Dave Chappelle: Equanimity & The Bird Revelation The Kevin Nealon Show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood Jay

Frank Oz is the puppeteer. He played Miss Piggy. Bert of "Bert and Ernie," The Cookie Monster,  and even Yoda on Star Wars. He just released a new documentary called "Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched." It's about the creation of the Muppets and the man behind it all, Jim Henson. He was a unique leader, with a "nothing is impossible" attitude. This is the untold story of the Muppet creators and the team that made it all possible. Links and Resources Watch Frank's documentary: "Muppet Guys Talking: Secrets Behind the Show the Whole World Watched" only available on muppetguystalking.com for $10 Frank directs the off broadway production In & Of Itself playing at the Daryl Roth Theatre in NYC Sesame Street Star Wars The Muppets The Muppets Movie  Trading Places (the 1983 movie)  The Great Muppet Caper  Touch of Evil Little Shop of Horrors  Downton Abbey Steve Martin Orson Welles Jim Henson I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at ja

Anders K. Ericsson discovered the "10,000" hour rule. I had him on my podcast in 2016 to talk about peak performance. (One of my favorite topics.) And he broke down the steps every individual should follow to learn and MASTER a skill. Links and Resources Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Dr. K Anders Ericsson and Robert Poole Also Mentioned Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell The Polgar SIsters (the 3 best female Hungarian chess players ever) Laszlo Polgar (chess teacher who raised 3 chess prodigies his daughters) The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance Mozart - considered the most talented prodigy in music history, Anders disputes this Magnus Carlsen - the best chess player in the world at age 12 Michelangelo Picasso - one of the best painters of his time Andy Warhol - in the 1950s he was a master illustrator The Boston Marathon I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podca

Don McLean is a singer and songwriter best known for the song, "American Pie." But he's so much more than just this one hit. He's sold 40 platinum and gold records and he's still touring(!). And now he's kicking off his 2 year tour for his new album, "Botanical Gardens." Don has decades and decades of experience and he's always had an instinct about what he's wanted to do... what he wanted to create. He transforms nostalgia into music and art. And in this interview he told me how  I think I was asking for every artist. Or anyone listening who still wants to become one   Links and Resources Check out Don's newest album Botanical Gardens  Don's Albums we talk about: American Pie Playing Favorites PrimeTime (Don's worst selling album) Don's Songs we talk about: Vincent Dreidel (on the top 20) Mountains O'Mourne (Don's song that went to #1 in UK and Ireland) Castles in the Air Crying The Wrong Thing to Do When a Good Thing Goes Bad Drake sampled these two songs for his own song "Doing It Wrong" in 2011 Won

Tyra Banks booked 25 fashion shows her first year being an "unknown." That's unheard of. She climbed to the top of an industry and consistently created new opportunities for herself. When "they" said she was getting too fat, she switched from high-fashion to commercial modeling. When "they" said her idea for a TV show was stupid, she found someone else and got a "yes." Then she produced one of the highest rated reality TV shows "America's Top Model." She excelled in 150 countries. And created 25 international versions, too. And what was most impressive was that Tyra had her hands in all of it. She's a true entrepreneur. And I'm so lucky to have learned from her. Now you get, too. Links and Resources Perfect Is Boring: 10 Things My Crazy, Fierce Mama Taught Me About Beauty, Booty, and Being a Boss by Tyra Banks and her mama, Carolyn London Modelland by Tyra Banks  Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out by Tyra Banks and? Vanessa Thomas Bush  America's Top Model  Tyra Beauty (Tyra's cosmetics line) Also Mentioned "Lean

Michio Kaku is one of the most famous physicists out there. His new book, "The Future of Humanity" is a New York Times bestseller. It's full of deep questions. "Every question has another answer, which begs more questions," he said. "But that's good. Because that's what science is all about." Michio talked to me about time travel, space travel, etc. And he PROVED that there's a lot more possible than just what lies on the surface. The future is an exciting picture.   Show Notes: "Physics of the Impossible" by Michio Kaku "Physics of the Future" by Michio Kaku "The Future of the Mind" by Michio Kaku "Einstein's Cosmo" by Michio Kaku "Beyond Einstein" by Michio Kaku Albert Einstein Theory of Everything String Theory "The Theory of Everything" Quantum Theory Interstellar travel "Alice in Wonderland" Stephen Hawking Shakespeare's quote: "All the world's a stage" Isaac Newton Einstein Rosen Bridge "Interstellar" (the movie) Singularity (theory) The Quantum Principle The Uncertainty Principle Hy

Robert Kurson is the bestselling author of "Shadow Divers," "Pirate Hunters" and his newest, "Rocket Men". He writes about people and their explorations. And brings them to life. Before he became an esteemed author, he led a pretty conventional life. He went to Harvard Law School and carried out his degree in the field. But he dreaded every morning. So he started writing and took a huge leap of faith. This is his story... Show Notes: "Pirate Hunters" by Robert Kurson "Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson "Rocket Men" by Robert Kurson Apollo 13 Machiavelli's Advice for Nice Guys   I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.   Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltuc

Steve Case founded AOL. He's a self-made billionaire and author of the New York Times bestseller "The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future." This is one of my most popular episodes from 2016. Because he has a great story (he turned down Bill Gates, when Gates wanted to buy AOL for millions). He saw a bigger future. And he held on to that idea. He learned how to master his own future. That's what this episode is about. Enjoy and you can check out my full notes on my blog at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.   Show Notes: Steve Case's New York Times bestseller, "The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future" Revolution (Steve is the founder) Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill

Wynton Marsalis is one of the best and most well-known jazz musicians ever. I had him on to talk about creativity. He's made over 80 albums, sold over 7 million records, and won 9 Grammys (all unbelievable). He even won the Pulitzer Prize in music, which is the 1st for jazz. Now Wynton's the Managing Director & the Artistic Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Wynton's whole life is about being creative. He's learned how to transform art from its existing state into something entirely new. That's a skill. And that's what we'll dive into in this conversation: how you, too, can become a master of your own creativity. Show Notes:  Read Wynton Marsalis' article in The New York Times, "What Jazz Is and Isn't" And listen to some of his music on "United We Swing: Best of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Galas" Check Out Wynton's Website Be part of Jazz at Lincoln Center Community via jazz.org Autobiography of a Yogi by P. Yogananda I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jam

Brad Meltzer is one of the most passionate writers I've ever met. He writes page-turning thriller novels. "The Tenth Justice", "The Millionaires" and his most recent, "The Escape Artist". The first book Brad wrote got 24 rejection letters. But he trusted his gut and kept fighting. He found what he loved: 1. Character creation and 2. writing. I wanted to find out the X-factor in his books... and how he pressed on to become the writer he is today. Show Notes: The Tenth Justice by Brad Meltzer The Millionaires by Brad Meltzer The Escape Artist by Brad Meltzer Brad's Ted Talk: How to Write Your Own Obituary Jack and Bobby the TV Series The Godfather by Mario Puzo Games Magazine   I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Med

Adam Perlman is a TV writer, director and co-executive producer. We met on the set of Showtime's "Billions," which I can now say I am a technical writer for. He's also written for some of my favorite shows like "The Newsroom" and "The Good Wife." Adam used to be a lawyer. But he went through this constant battle with himself on whether it's "okay" to be an artist. Finally, the market collapsed. And there was no work for him in corporate law. So he spent his days writing and eventually landed a mentor, and a gig, and the story picks up from there. Adam Perlman's a true example of the struggle a lot of us go through when we know we have some bigger dream... but don't know if survival comes with that dream. So I look at Adam as living proof that it can be done. That you can have your dream and your wellness and your finance all at once. Show Notes: Some of the shows Adam Perlman writes for: "The Newsroom" "The Good Wife" "Billions" (on Showtime) My interview with Bill Cartwright My interview with Kareem Abdul Ja

Jimmy Yang veered into comedy not out of love, but out of desperation. He writes about this in his new book "How to American". "I was picturing myself sitting behind a desk until I was 65 at the same job," Jimmy said. He knew he had another skill to offer. So he googled "open mics." And went. He Jimmy wasn't very funny (at first), but what he found was a sense of purpose and a community of people just like him. He set himself on a journey towards a meaningful life. Show Notes:  Silicon Valley "How to American" by Jimmy Yang Patriots Day Crazy Rich Asian Ha Ha Comedy Club Seinfeld The Wire Freaks & Geeks Beavis & Butthead Dr. Drew   I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.   Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Insta

Ryan Holiday had access a surreal conspiracy. Probably THE most surreal conspiracy of modern day. And he wrote about it in his new book, "Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue" It's a narrative nonfiction, which is new for Ryan. And that's what makes it the best book he's ever written. In this interview, Ryan tells us how he unraveled a conspiracy and why it was the hardest book he's ever written. He also quotes a handful of Stoics, something I'll always appreciate about having Ryan on the show. Show Notes:  "Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue" by Ryan Holiday "Perennial Seller: The Art of Making and Marketing Work that Lasts" by Ryan Holiday "Ego Is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday "The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living" by Ryan Holiday "The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph" by Ryan Holiday "Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator" by Ryan Holiday "

Jon Ronson writes about psychopaths. He created a test called "The Psychopath Test." And wrote about it. I had him on to learn what it means to be mad. He told me how to spot the signs (and how it starts to haunt you). He also told me stories. Lots of them. About kids trapped in mental hospitals. Secret cults planning to take over the world. His writing style is sort of humorist meets gonzo-esque journalism. He puts himself directly in the center of a conspiracy. That's where this episode will take you... into the mind of a psychopath. Show notes: Listen to Jon's podcast "The Butterfly Effect" (season 1 was about the consequences of the tech takeover of the porn industry) "The Men Who Stare At Goats" by Jon Ronson The Men Who Stare at Goats (Movie) "So You've Been Publicly Shamed" (one of James' favorite books) "The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry" by Jon Ronson "Them: Adventures with Extremists" by Jon Ronson Psychopathic Test (live show) "Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries" by Jo

Sebastian Maniscalco's one of the most successful pure road comics, meaning he doesn't have film crews following him around. He built himself up the old way. Through word of mouth. But I wanted to know what is "real" word of mouth? Not just social media posts. Paul's created real, authentic relationships with the people he wanted to connect with. And then turned it into a $50 million career.   I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast. Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question o

Wolfgang Puck is a famous chef who has successfully created an empire in food. At age 14, he worked in his first restaurant. A few weeks in, he was fired. And contemplating suicide. Fast-forward, and Wolfgang became the first "celebrity chef." He's expanded his love of food in every single way: restaurants, cookbooks, catering (he's catered the Oscars.) Now he also has a MasterClass available online. "I always wanted to be in charge of my own destiny," he said. "I thought, 'This is what I was born to do." I don't fully understand destiny. So I wanted to know. How could he actually feel that? How could he know? How could anyone know?   Show Notes Wolfgang's MasterClass - "Build Your Cooking Techniques" We talk about some of his restaurants including: Cut  Rogue (this one's in LA and only serves 10 people a night)  Spago  Eric Ripert (famous chef) Chef (a movie starring Jon Favreau) Le Cirque Billy Wilder (famous director) Ma Maison The Wall by Pink Floyd Serena Williams (tennis player) Frank Gehry (architectu

Dante Nero was a male stripper for 10 years. And now he's a comedian. He was always intrigued by comedy. But before he went up on any stage, he made sure his fundamentals were impeccable. And that's key. This is what makes Dante Nero one of the greatest comedians still going 18 years later. Listen for your guide to the basic skills every comedian should know... Show Notes: The Beige Phillip Show - Dante's podcast Dantenero.com Movies and Shows Dante's appeared in: Fighting The Blacklist Ocean's 8 Power on Starz Fringe Eddie Murphy's Raw "Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life" by Steve Martin Stand Up NY   I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltucher.com/podcast.   Thanks so much for listening! If you like this episode, please subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" and rate and review wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts Stitcher iHeart Radio Spotify   Follow me on Social Media: Twitter Facebook Linkedin Instagram ------------What do YOU think of t