Geopolitical Cousins

Jacob Shapiro & Marko Papic
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Geopolitical Cousins throws together analysts Jacob Shapiro and Marko Papic for some of the most in-depth, off-the-wall geopolitical analysis in the world.

  1. 7 HR AGO

    Mailbag!

    You've been writing us questions, thoughts, prayers, and lambasting criticism for months - so today we're finally taking a dive into the inbox. Holy crap there's a lot here. Y'all mentioned The Wire, TDSDS, starting careers in geopolitical analysis, tech nationalism, the balkanization of the internet, and sooooo much more. Tune in to hear it all :) Thanks y'all. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (02:33) - The Wire (05:25) - Media Consumption and Bias (06:46) - Trump Derangement Syndrome and Strategic Thinking (16:16) - Effective Media Consumption Strategies (28:23) - Balancing Realism and Idealism in Humanitarian Work (35:28) - Navigating Career Dissonance (35:56) - Breaking into Geopolitical Analysis (37:16) - The Value of Mentorship (39:39) - Building Expertise in Geopolitics (41:27) - Creating and Sharing Content (43:18) - The Importance of Learning and Adaptability (44:59) - Geopolitical Decisions in Various Careers (53:53) - Shadow Fleets and Oil Markets (01:00:28) - Multipolar vs. Unipolar World Conflicts (01:06:42) - Balkanization of the Internet (01:09:25) - The Rise of Nationalism in Software (01:10:36) - The Tension Between Tech Companies and Governments (01:12:46) - The Impact of Snowden's Leak on American Tech (01:13:26) - Trump's Influence on Tech Nationalism (01:18:30) - Trump's Strategy for the Midterms (01:29:53) - The Geopolitical Importance of the Midwest (01:37:12) - The Future of Geopolitically Mundane Places -- Referenced in the Show: -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/ Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic Marko’s Macro...

    1h 40m

  2. 3 FEB

    The New Rules

    The old playbook is dead. Iran isn’t collapsing quietly, Europe is finally admitting unanimity is a fantasy, Japan may be waking up politically and financially, and the UN is drifting toward irrelevance. Macro is no longer about central banks and spreadsheets... it’s about power, coercion, and political risk. If you’re still reading FOMC minutes to understand the world, you’re missing the point entirely. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction (00:47) - Current Events (02:00) - US-India Trade Deal Analysis (04:58) - Iran-US Tensions and Potential Conflict (38:45) - Germany's Push for a Two-Speed Europe (49:04) - The Strategic Importance of Spain (49:42) - Immigration and Economic Growth in Europe (53:05) - Hungary and Serbia's Political Dynamics (55:04) - Debunking Demographic Myths (01:01:14) - The Decline of the United Nations (01:07:29) - Japan's Political and Economic Future (01:26:22) - The Role of the Federal Reserve -- Referenced in the Show: -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/ Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic Marko’s Macro & Geopolitical Research at BCA: https://www.bcaresearch.com/marketing/geomacro

    1h 37m

  3. 28 JAN

    Bias (The Sequel)

    The lads pick up where they left off in last week's episode with bias, plus a break down a chaotic global moment. Jacob and Marko unpack Mark Carney’s Davos speech and Canada’s sudden geopolitical assertiveness, arguing it marks a clean break from the rules-based order. They connect Canada’s stance to Trump’s tariffs, U.S. domestic unrest, China’s internal turmoil, and mounting Middle East tensions—framing the week as evidence that power politics, not norms, now define the global system -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction and Episode Overview (01:08) - Current Global Events and Updates (01:55) - Mark Carney's Geopolitical Moves (03:09) - Analysis of Carney's Speech at Davos (03:58) - Comparative Historical Speeches (04:57) - Canada's Strategic Position and Response (07:09) - Realpolitik and Global Power Dynamics (08:56) - Implications for Future Geopolitical Strategies (16:22) - The Role of Morality in International Relations (29:10) - Underdogs and National Struggles (34:23) - Pragmatic Foreign Policy Approaches (35:23) - The Dangers of Morality in Foreign Policy (36:17) - Critique of Mark Carney's Speech (38:45) - Canada's Bold Moves Against Trump (49:29) - The Iran Situation and Oil Prices (53:33) - Domestic Issues: Minnesota and ICE (01:07:14) - Grizzly History and Modern Comparisons (01:07:50) - Personal Experiences and Political Commentary (01:09:04) - Republican Backlash and Political Dynamics (01:15:25) - Midwest Musings and Listener Feedback (01:19:32) - China's Internal Dynamics and Geopolitical Risks (01:26:05) - Taiwan Tensions and Future Predictions (01:33:34) - Closing Thoughts and Future Plans -- Referenced in the Show: -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 37m

  4. 21 JAN

    Against Punditry

    A chill manifesto against lazy thinking. A low-key diatribe about our preconceptions. Marko and Jacob take a second, amidst all the chaos of January 2026, to tear into the core failure of most geopolitical analysis - Bias. Real analysis means stripping away emotion, nationalism, and ego, then stress-testing your views until they break. From Trump and Canada to Russia, markets, and personal discipline, the point is simple: if you can’t argue the other side convincingly, you’re not an analyst—you’re a fan. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Today's word is.... (00:39) - Listener Feedback and Basketball Metaphors (03:18) - Trump's Tariff Threats and Greenland (05:25) - Canada's Strategic Partnership with China (19:08) - Geopolitical Analysis and Bias (43:26) - Dealing with Hate Mail and Identity (43:55) - The Problem with Being Right (44:09) - Kobe Bryant's Shot Chart and Analysis Integrity (44:57) - Buddhism and Nihilism in Analysis (45:37) - Finance and Objectivity (47:29) - Bias in Finance and Politics (52:12) - Physical Fitness and Analysis (01:01:03) - Frameworks and Methodologies (01:12:15) - Humor and Passion in Analysis (01:15:02) - Final Thoughts on Being an Analyst -- Referenced in the Show: -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/ Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic Marko’s Macro & Geopolitical Research at BCA: https://www.bcaresearch.com/marketing/geomacro

    1h 21m

  5. 16 JAN

    The Rot of Iran

    Iran isn’t on the brink of some cinematic collaps - it’s rotting in place. Kamran Bokhari joins the boys to address the lazy “regime survives vs. regime falls” binary and looks at the reality of regime change: elite infighting, military power, succession chaos, and the slow erosion of state authority. Kamran lays out why decay, not revolution, is the base case - and why that mess matters far beyond Iran’s borders, reshaping regional power from Israel to Central Asia. -- Timestamps: (00:49) - Introducing Kamran and the Iranian Context (01:43) - Iran's Political Landscape and Regime Stability (05:03) - Historical Context and Regime Evolution (09:06) - Internal Dynamics and Military Influence (12:36) - Potential for Change and Succession (16:40) - Geopolitical Implications and Future Outlook (24:52) - Economic Interests and Sanctions (33:58) - Regional Influence and Strategic Interests (45:10) - US Geostrategy and Burden Sharing (46:08) - National Security Strategy and Spheres of Influence (46:56) - Iran's Regional Influence and Internal Dynamics (49:11) - Potential Civil War in Iran (56:21) - Historical Context and Ethnic Composition of Iran (01:02:19) - Geopolitical Implications of Iran's Situation (01:11:39) - Monetary Policy and Central Bank Independence (01:24:33) - Final Thoughts and Broader Geopolitical Issues -- Referenced in the Show: -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/ Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic Marko’s Macro & Geopolitical Research at BCA: a href="https://www.bcaresearch.com/marketing/geomacro" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 27m

  6. 10 JAN

    Weapons Grade Stupid

    Look, if you’re still scrolling Twitter for shitty takes on why the Arctic is "strategic," do yourself a favor and put down your phone (after you hit play on this episode). It's a choke point for ICBMs and the GIUK gap, not a brand new new real estate discovery. Tada :) The real story isn't about rare earths or buying ice - it’s about the raw power disparity between a superpower and a NATO ally that’s historically had to swallow American sovereignty on its own soil. Meanwhile, in Tehran, the "analytical trap" is to dismiss the protests as just another 2009. But with oil sub-$50, no off-ramps, and a regime showing actual cracks, the question isn’t if things change - it’s whether the IRGC is ready to trade an 87-year-old Supreme Leader for a seat at the table. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Intro (00:57) - Iran's Economic Crisis and Protests (02:49) - US-Iran Relations and Potential Outcomes (11:57) - Historical Analogies and Regime Change (17:21) - Greenland's Strategic Importance (24:37) - US-Denmark Relations and Sovereignty Issues (34:49) - Denmark's Historical Significance and WWII Heroics (35:36) - The Stupidity of Invading Greenland (35:54) - Republican Senators' Opposition (37:44) - Senator Kennedy's Southern Charm (40:34) - Trump's 19th Century Worldview (41:31) - The Importance of NATO and Denmark's Role (41:58) - Greenland's Resources and American Interests (42:37) - Europe's Response to Trump's Greenland Obsession (49:37) - Geopolitical Realities and American Ignorance (01:01:34) - The Complexity of Geopolitical Analysis -- Referenced in the Show: Greenland Breakdown - https://jashap.substack.com/p/greenland -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 8m

  7. 7 JAN

    The Worst Takes on Venezuela

    The Cousins™ dismantle the lazy myths swirling around Venezuela, U.S. power, and the idea that every successful strike is a reusable template. This is about oil, incentives, and why markets consistently misunderstand force until it’s already been applied. Most importantly, this episode is a warning against one of the most dangerous impulses in geopolitics: assuming yesterday’s clean win guarantees tomorrow’s easy one. When credibility is tested and restraint looks optional, the real risk isn’t chaos - it’s overconfidence. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction (04:55) - Discussion on Venezuela and US Foreign Policy (06:20) - Saudi Arabia's Economic Strategy and Oil Market Dynamics (15:11) - Potential Geopolitical Moves: Iran, Cuba, and Greenland (33:10) - Trump's Trolling Tactics (33:26) - Venezuela's Impact on Trump's Strategy (34:18) - Trump's Liberal Tendencies (35:07) - Greenland and NATO Implications (36:03) - Legal Constraints and Political Realities (38:00) - Republican Party Dynamics (39:09) - Geopolitical Myths and Realities (50:27) - US Intervention History (01:00:50) - Rare Earths and Global Strategy (01:02:12) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts -- Referenced in the Show: -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/ Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic Marko’s Macro & Geopolitical Research at BCA: https://www.bcaresearch.com/marketing/geomacro

    1h 3m

  8. 3 JAN

    The Chuck Norris Premium (US invades Venezuela)

    Welcome to another normal week in geopolitics - on your left, you'll see the Trump administration (allegedly) flying into Caracas at 1am and walking Nicolás Maduro out the door. No moral sermons, no democracy talk, just raw power politics, naked and unapologetic. Jacob and Marko unpack what this moment says about American empire, hypocrisy fatigue, regime change fantasies, and why history, from Panama to Iran, keeps repeating itself. -- Timestamps: (00:00) - Introduction and Emergency Podcast Announcement (00:31) - US Attack on Venezuela: Initial Reactions (02:11) - Historical Context of US Foreign Policy (03:12) - Trump's Hypocrisy and US Foreign Policy Consistency (03:49) - Marko's Perspective on the US Operation in Venezuela (05:37) - Conspiracy Theories and Military Operations (07:42 Implications of the US Operation in Venezuela (11:56) - Potential Regime Change in Venezuela (16:54) - Cuba as the Next Geopolitical Target (27:42) - Latin America's Political Landscape and US Influence (41:03) - Global Power Shifts and Resource Relevance (41:45) - China's Influence in South America (43:41) - Challenges of Economic Development in Latin America (46:20) - Geopolitical Tensions and Regime Changes (48:49) - The Chuck Norris Premium and Oil Prices (01:04:28) - Middle Eastern Conflicts and Rivalries (01:14:27) - Geopolitical Movies and Historical Events -- -- Geopolitical Cousins 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. Jacob Shapiro Site: jacobshapiro.com Jacob Shapiro LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jacob-l-s-a9337416 Jacob Twitter: x.com/JacobShap Jacob Shapiro Substack: jashap.substack.com/subscribe -- Marko Papic is a macro and geopolitical expert at BCA Research, a global investment research firm. He provides in-depth analysis that combines geopolitics and markets in a framework called GeoMacro. He is also the author of Geopolitical Alpha: An Investment Framework for Predicting the Future. Marko’s Book & Newsletter: www.geopoliticalalpha.com/marko-papic Marko’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marko-papic-geopolitics/ Marko’s Twitter: https://x.com/Geo_papic Marko’s Macro & Geopolitical Research at BCA: a href="https://www.bcaresearch.com/marketing/geomacro" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    1h 21m
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About

Geopolitical Cousins throws together analysts Jacob Shapiro and Marko Papic for some of the most in-depth, off-the-wall geopolitical analysis in the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob Shapiro & Marko Papic
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jacob Shapiro & Marko Papic
  • Show Website
    Geopolitical Cousins

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