The James Altucher Show James Altucher, Jay Yow

Drugs, chess, and rock and roll—Brian Lawlor has seen it all. I didn’t include the sex part because I don’t know, but he's been to jail. We talk all about that: how, why, when. But I was concerned—how did he survive? Interestingly, part of the way he survived was through chess.

Brian's story is riveting and valuable, touching on survival in general. We played a bunch of games. I’m not including the games in the podcast, but he surprised me with his skill. We’ll do a video on that later. But for now, here’s Brian Lawlor.

James sits down with Charlie Hoehn, the self-publishing maestro who has helped best-selling authors like Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin bring their book ideas to life. Charlie shares his unique approach to self-publishing, offering insights that go beyond the traditional publishing route. He discusses the power of crafting compelling book titles, the importance of building a personal brand through your writing, and how to market your book effectively without a massive budget. Whether you're an established author or just starting, Charlie's strategies will help you rethink the entire book creation process and achieve self-publishing success.

In this compelling episode, James converses with Sebastian Junger, acclaimed author and war reporter, about his harrowing near-death experience and his exploration of the afterlife in his latest book, "In My Time of Dying." Junger shares the profound and mystifying moments he faced at the brink of death, challenging his atheistic beliefs and scientific understanding. This episode isn't just about a personal encounter with mortality but dives into the larger implications of consciousness, the mysteries of the human mind, and what it means to truly live after facing death.

James talks with Hikaru Nakamura about his extraordinary journey in the world of chess. Hikaru shares the ups and downs of his career, detailing how he went from being the second-best chess player in the world to falling out of the top 20. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hikaru pivoted to streaming chess online, which not only revitalized his career but also brought him back to the top echelons of the chess world. Hikaru's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability, offering insights that are valuable for anyone aiming to excel in their field.

In this riveting episode of "The James Altucher Show," James welcomes back futurist Jamie Metzl to explore the groundbreaking themes from his new book, *Superconvergence: How the Genetics, Biotech, and AI Revolutions Will Transform Our Lives, Work, and World*. Tune in to understand how these technological advancements will affect your health, the environment, and the global economy.

Join James and Ryan Holiday as they explore timeless stoic wisdom for modern peak performance. Discover how to turn obstacles into opportunities and live a life of virtue and success.