Study The Greats

Charif

Michael Jackson famously said, "Study the greats and become greater." On this podcast, we do just that, exploring the influential moments and figures that have shaped history. Through interviews with historians and solo episodes, we dive into the lives and legacies of history’s most impactful people, unpacking their stories and the events that defined their eras.

  1. 07-06-2025

    I Spent 100 Hours Studying Arnold Schwarzenegger, Here’s What I Learned

    What happens when you study Arnold Schwarzenegger for 100 hours? This video is the result. I read every book. I watched every interview. I dissected his mindset, routines, and strategies. Then I built a blueprint that you can use to upgrade your own life. Arnold transformed himself from a poor farm boy in Austria into Mr. Olympia, a Hollywood icon, and the Governor of California. How? He mastered eight timeless lessons that anyone can apply, especially if you are an ambitious entrepreneur or high performer looking to win. This video is for people who want more from life. People who are not satisfied with average. If that’s you, this breakdown will give you the mindset and playbook to think bigger, execute sharper, and stay disciplined over the long term. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:50 Study the greats & become greater 07:55 Reinvent yourself 14:11 Learn the money game 25:35 Have a clear vision + goals 35:35 Care about the details 40:00 Always be selling 43:13 EXTREME repetition 47:38 Forget plan B 📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life: https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🎯 Download the free Arnold Schwarzenegger blueprint here - https://shorturl.at/eSMP9

    52 min.

  2. 20-05-2025

    How Roosevelt And J.P. Morgan Saved America From Collapse

    📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life: https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe In this conversation with Gerard Helferich, author of An Unlikely Trust, we explore the high-stakes relationship between President Theodore Roosevelt and financier J.P. Morgan. One was the most powerful man in America. The other ruled Wall Street. What happened when their worlds collided? Helferich breaks down how a moral crusader and a financial titan, two men with fundamentally different values, managed to put aside their differences to save the American economy from collapse. Their collaboration during a time of financial panic was not just unlikely, it was essential. We dive into how their uneasy alliance reshaped the balance between government and big business, and what their story reveals about duty, leadership, and how power can be used in moments of national crisis. 📘 Get An Unlikely Trust by Gerard Helferich - https://amzn.to/434R4jJ Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:40) Similarities between Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan (12:00) The genius of Roosevelt (16:15) Roosevelt attacks J.P. Morgan railroad company (20:07) The 1902 coal strike, their first collaboration (36:15) The panic of 1907 – when J.P. Morgan saved America (49:15) The powerful personality of J.P. Morgan (55:30) They covered each other’s weaknesses (57:48) Misconceptions about Roosevelt and J.P.

    1 u 1 m

  3. 13-05-2025

    Alexander the Great Used Religion Like a Weapon | F.S. Naiden

    In this conversation with Professor F.S. Naiden, author of Soldier, Priest, and God: A Life of Alexander the Great, we delve into how Alexander the Great utilized religion to consolidate and maintain control over his vast empire. Naiden presents a compelling portrait of Alexander not just as a military genius but as a figure who adeptly engaged with the religious customs of the diverse cultures within his empire. From performing ceremonies to be recognized as pharaoh in Egypt to adopting local deities and rituals, Alexander's strategic use of religion played a crucial role in legitimizing his rule and unifying his subjects. We discuss how Alexander's religious policies were integral to his governance, influencing both his successes and challenges. Naiden's insights shed light on the often-overlooked spiritual dimensions of Alexander's leadership, offering a nuanced understanding of how religion and politics intertwined in his quest for empire. 📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life – https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe 📘 Get Soldier, Priest, and God by F.S. Naiden – https://open.spotify.com/show/4Rd4FkQFa3tiheM5hNsoYX?si=89886068dc4244fb 🎧 Listen on Spotify – https://amzn.to/4mlKA7N Chapters: (00:00) Intro (00:56) The cult of the companions (06:34) Did Alexander see himself as the son of Zeus? (10:28) Acceptance of other religions (14:10) Cyrus the Great and the Quran (18:36) Alexander as pharaoh (25:42) Honoring the gods before and after battle (32:57) Did Alexander ever anger the gods? (34:11) The link between finances and religion (42:00) Persian king coronation ceremony (46:48) Alexander and the Jews

    52 min.

  4. 06-05-2025

    Elon Musk vs Peter Thiel: The War That Built PayPal | Jimmy Soni

    🎁 Giveaway: Jimmy is giving away a few copies of The Founders to podcast listeners. To enter, just send him an email: jimmyasoni@gmail.com 📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life - https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribeJimmy Soni is an award-winning author and biographer known for his deep research into the stories of groundbreaking innovators. One of his books, The Founders, tells the explosive true story of PayPal’s rise and the fierce rivalry between Elon Musk’s X.com and Peter Thiel’s Confinity, revealing how a group of ambitious entrepreneurs reshaped the future of money and Silicon Valley itself. In this episode, Soni takes us deep into the chaotic, high-stakes world of PayPal’s early days. We explore how Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and their teams battled for dominance with bold strategies, extreme marketing tactics, and a relentless mindset that earned them the name "PayPal Mafia." We dig into the rivalries, the cutthroat business tactics, and the visionary ideas that turned a scrappy startup into one of the most influential tech companies of the 21st century. Soni reveals how PayPal’s founders built a culture of risk-taking and innovation that set the stage for companies like Tesla, SpaceX, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Palantir. 📘 Read The Founders - https://amzn.to/3SjfWxR Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:06) Why it took 4 years to write the book (11:40) The founding of Confinity (25:50) The founding of X.com (37:30) How to hire A-players (53:00) The world domination index (1:00:30) The viral affiliate marketing strategy (1:04:15) How eBay helped the rise of PayPal (1:07:57) The original business model of PayPal (1:11:40) How they distinguished robots from humans (1:21:00) The merger of Confinity and X.com

    1 u 28 m

  5. 29-04-2025

    Socrates: From Warrior To Philosopher | Armand D’Angour

    Armand D’Angour is a British classicist, musician, and professor at Oxford University. He specializes in ancient Greek culture, literature, and music and is known for his groundbreaking work in reconstructing ancient Greek music. He is the author of several books including Socrates in Love, which reimagines the early life of Socrates and the woman who may have inspired his philosophy. In this episode, D'Angour takes us into the hidden life of Socrates, exploring how love, ambition, military service, and personal tragedy shaped one of history’s greatest thinkers. We uncover a side of Socrates rarely discussed, not just the public philosopher but the private man driven by powerful emotions, battlefield experience, and deep relationships. We explore Socrates’ early years, his role as a courageous soldier in the Peloponnesian War, the influence of Aspasia and other key figures, and the deep personal motivations that may have fueled his later teachings. D’Angour reveals how the familiar image of the detached rational Socrates leaves out a vital human story of passion, courage, and profound transformation. 📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life - https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe 📘 Read Socrates in Love - https://amzn.to/3RFKrOk 🎧 Armand D’Angour's podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/699aJNCCGFlLXERFLWW3lT Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:00) Sources for the early life of Socrates (06:00) The relationship between Alcibiades and Socrates (16:28) Socrates as a soldier (23:10) The woman who taught Socrates about love (37:10) Socrates tries to protect Aspasia’s son (41:52) Socrates was involved in elite circle (54:30) Socrates heard a voice in his head (59:05) Socrates stood still for an entire day and night (01:03:11) The trial and execution of Socrates

    1 u 20 m

  6. 26-04-2025

    Sigrid Schulz: Hitler's Most Feared American Journalist | Pamela D. Toler

    Pamela Toner is a historian, writer, and lecturer specialising in the overlooked figures of World War II, with a particular focus on women. In this episode, Toner uncovers the gripping true story of Sigrid Schulz, a Chicago-born correspondent who risked her life inside Nazi Germany to expose Hitler’s regime to the American public. Reporting for the Chicago Tribune, Schulz became the first U.S. woman to run a major foreign bureau — and one of the few journalists with deep access to the Nazi inner circle. Interviewing figures like Adolf Hitler and Hermann Göring. We explore Schulz’s coded dispatches, her network of covert sources, and the psychological toll of reporting the truth while under constant surveillance. Toner reveals how Schulz used silence, strategy, and language to outmaneuver censorship and deliver hard truths to American readers — even as the Gestapo closed in. We dig into how Schulz: - Penetrated Nazi propaganda from within Berlin - Became a trusted voice to policymakers in Washington - Disguised her political views to keep her cover - Witnessed early signs of genocide — and reported them - Balanced moral courage with tactical survival📘 Learn more about Sigrid Schulz – https://amzn.to/3YEYuaX

    59 min.

  7. 23-04-2025

    George Washington's 7 Rules For Greatness | David O. Stewart

    What made George Washington the one man everyone followed — in war, in politics, in life? In this episode, I sit down with presidential American author David O. Stewart to extract 7 powerful, practical lessons from Washington’s life. Stuff you can apply *right now* to lead better, live better, and think long-term like a founder of nations. We dig into:- How Washington weaponized silence to command respect - Why he was obsessed with public image (and how it built massive trust) - His genius move to walk away from power — twice — and why it 10x’d his influence - The real reason he never stopped learning, even as president- And way more! This isn’t about worshipping a statue, it’s about learning strategy from a stone-cold operator who beat the world’s biggest empire and then built a country from scratch. Washington didn’t just fight battles, he played the long game. And if you want to win in life, you need his rules. 📘 Read David O. Stewart's book "George Washington" – https://amzn.to/44ytwokChapters: Chapters: (00:00) – Intro (00:57) – Why should we study George Washington? (07:46) – Lesson: quest for self-mastery (10:50) – Lesson: don't share your opinions too quickly, be sure of them first (17:10) – Lesson: his extreme work ethic (27:50) – Lesson: reinvent yourself (33:55) – Lesson: lead from the front (42:15) – Lesson: don't make false promises (45:46) – Lesson: George's people-reading skills (57:58) – Lesson: invite criticism 📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe

    1 u 5 m

  8. 15-04-2025

    Historian Uncovers Nazi Letters From The Eastern Front | David Stahel

    David Stahel is a world-renowned historian, lecturer, and author specializing in Nazi Germany and the war on the Eastern Front. Based at the University of New South Wales in Canberra. He has published ten books, six with Cambridge University Press.In this episode, Stahel takes us inside the private letters of Nazi Germany’s Panzer generals, revealing correspondence never intended for public eyes that uncovers the hidden mindsets, fears, and contradictions behind the German war effort.We explore the shocking truths behind Blitzkrieg, the myth of Guderian, the obsession with personal image and propaganda, and how these private letters expose a system collapsing under its own illusions. Stahel reveals how Germany's war machine was powered not only by tanks and strategy, but also by ego, denial, and fractured leadership. We dive into the emotional unraveling of generals on the Eastern Front, the brutal reality behind logistics and attrition, and how rivalry, misinformation, and fear shaped military decisions.We also confront the staggering human cost often left out of Western narratives. Over 28 million Soviets and 20 million Chinese died during World War II, yet their stories are rarely front and center. 📘 Read David Stahel's books - https://amzn.to/3E9CPAD 📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe

    1 u 28 m
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Michael Jackson famously said, "Study the greats and become greater." On this podcast, we do just that, exploring the influential moments and figures that have shaped history. Through interviews with historians and solo episodes, we dive into the lives and legacies of history’s most impactful people, unpacking their stories and the events that defined their eras.

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    Charif
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    © Charif
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    Study The Greats