Michelin Stars, Tragedy, and the Discipline to Be Great | Chef Curtis Duffy
A Note from James:So Chef Curtis Duffy—he’s won Michelin Stars, a James Beard Award. He’s been on Netflix’s Iron Chef, was a judge on Top Chef season 21, and he’s even shown up in The Bear. He runs the Chicago restaurants Ever and Grace, and he wrote this incredible memoir called Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef.I could list all the accolades, but what really got me was his story—it's one of the most intense and heartbreaking I’ve ever read. The kind of story that stops you in your tracks. We talk about all of it—the trauma he lived through, the discipline he built, and what it takes to truly be great at anything. If you're chasing excellence in any part of your life, this episode will hit hard.Episode Description:James sits down with acclaimed chef Curtis Duffy for a raw and powerful conversation that goes far beyond the kitchen. From the trauma of losing both parents in a murder-suicide to earning multiple Michelin stars, Duffy shares the personal and professional disciplines that shaped his life. This isn’t just a story about food—it’s about resilience, focus, and the high cost of mastery. Whether you're building a business, learning a craft, or rebuilding your life, Curtis’s story offers something rare: clarity on what it really takes.What You’ll Learn:The difference between discipline and motivation—and why only one sustains greatness.How Curtis transformed personal tragedy into a lifelong drive for excellence.What separates a 2-star Michelin restaurant from a 3-star—and why consistency matters more than you think.Practical ways to develop expertise, even in everyday tasks (like boiling an egg).The importance of emotional control and quiet leadership in high-pressure environments.Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Intro: Why Curtis Duffy’s story matters[01:45] Chef vs. metalhead: Black Sabbath and personal intensity[04:50] The family tragedy that shaped everything[10:30] Processing the unimaginable: police, negotiation, and aftermath[13:00] What Curtis wishes he had heard from his mother[15:45] Breaking the cycle of abuse[19:00] Leadership in the kitchen: discipline, not yelling[22:00] Hiring red flags and building the right team[26:00] The value of obsession and sacrifice[30:00] Curtis’s first spark of culinary creativity[32:00] What makes great chefs great[34:00] The science of boiling an egg—and why it matters[36:30] Developing "chunks" of expertise over decades[38:00] Talent vs. skill: what really wins[41:00] The role of discipline and why most people stop short[43:00] Going from chef to restaurateur and media personality[47:30] The pressure of competition shows vs. real kitchens[49:00] How to train consistency into a restaurant culture[52:00] Where restaurants are headed next[53:00] James gets BLT advice from a Michelin-starred chef[56:00] What makes a perfect baguette—and why most are awful[58:00] Final thoughts and how to connect with CurtisAdditional Resources:📖 Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef by Curtis Duffy🍽️ Ever Restaurant – Chicago🍷 Grace (Curtis Duffy’s former restaurant)🥁 Charlie Benante – Drummer for AnthraxOur Sponsors:Elevate your workspace with UPLIFT Desk. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/james for a special offer exclusive to our audience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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How UFC Champion Miesha Tate Overcame Rock Bottom with a Resilient Mindset
A Note from James:Miesha Tate—at first, I’ve got to admit, I didn’t know much about UFC or MMA. But Miesha was the World Bantamweight Champion, and she fought Ronda Rousey—probably the most famous female fighter in the sport. I watched one of their fights, and honestly, I don’t know how I’d survive even a quarter of a second.But the conversation we had wasn’t what I expected. Miesha opened up about the mindset behind championship success, the weight of public expectations, and how depression can still hit even after you’ve reached the top. We talked about how personal growth sometimes means burning down everything and rebuilding. This wasn’t just about fighting—it was about resilience, reinvention, and figuring out what matters when the title belt doesn’t solve your problems.It was raw, honest, and eye-opening. I look forward to talking with her again.Episode Description:What happens when you reach the top of your field—and it still doesn’t fix what’s broken inside?Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate shares the brutal truth about chasing success, surviving toxic relationships, and rebuilding her life from rock bottom. In this candid conversation, Miesha and James explore the psychology of high performance, the danger of tying self-worth to achievement, and how to know when it's time to walk away—even from something you love.She tells stories from her early wrestling days to her UFC career, opens up about depression, and explains why learning to fail—and rebuilding—might be the most important skill of all.What You’ll Learn:Why reaching your ultimate goal might make you feel worse, not betterThe hidden costs of high achievement and fameHow to identify toxic environments and take back controlWhy learning to “rebuild your metaphorical home” is essential to resilienceHow Miesha used mindset—not just physical training—to fight through adversityTimestamped Chapters:[00:00] The Broken Nose That Started It All[03:00] High School Wrestling with the Boys[06:00] Early Lessons in Grit and Gender Barriers[08:00] From Wrestling to MMA: Embracing the Unknown[11:00] Chasing the Win, Fearing the Loss[13:00] Building the Metaphorical Home[17:00] Blood, Grit, and the First Amateur Fight[21:00] Getting Knocked Out and Coming Back[27:00] The Problem with Thinking Winning Will Save You[34:00] Fighting Ronda Rousey: Lessons in Obsession[39:00] Training for the Unexpected[45:00] When Success Doesn’t Fix Anything[50:00] Rock Bottom and a 10-Day Drive to Nowhere[55:00] Rebuilding from Scratch[59:00] Miesha’s Life Today: Mindset, Family, and HomesteadingAdditional Resources:Miesha Tate on InstagramMiesha Tate’s Podcast: Built for GrowthUFC Fighter Profile: Miesha Tate“The Weight of Gold” HBO DocumentaryOur Sponsors:Elevate your workspace with UPLIFT Desk. Go to https://upliftdesk.com/james for a special offer exclusive to our audience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Secret of Dave Barry’s Humor: Class Clown Memoir and Florida Tales
A Note from James:One of the funniest guys I’ve ever spoken to—Dave Barry. I always love talking to him. He’s been America’s top humorist since the early ’80s with a syndicated column in 500 newspapers and a long list of bestselling books. This is his third time on the podcast, and his latest book, Class Clown: Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass, is out now.We get into everything—his process, his adventures, and his signature style of humor that’s made him a legend. It’s always fun with Dave.Episode Description:James sits down with Dave Barry to explore the surprising journey behind his new memoir, Class Clown. Dave shares how his humor evolved from playful everyman columns to a more personal, story-driven style. They talk about his outrageous adventures, from picking up his son in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile to getting booed by telemarketers and dedicating a sewage station in his honor. They also break down the shifting landscape of writing, how syndication shaped Dave’s career, and why modern humor feels trapped in political silos.This is a rare chance to hear how one of America’s greatest humorists built a career by doing things to write about them—and why his readers became his closest allies.What You’ll Learn:Why Dave Barry was initially reluctant to write a memoir.How performing outrageous stunts became central to his writing.The critical role of reader engagement in building the success of his humor column.How the writing industry—and the path to building an audience—has radically changed.Dave’s candid perspective on modern political humor and why neutrality feels impossible today.Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Dave Barry[01:00] Writing a Memoir: The Journey Begins[02:00] The Humorist’s Approach: Balancing Persona and Reality[03:00] Adventures in Journalism: Creating Stories by Living Them[05:00] Tactical Humor: Rivalries, Stunts, and Getting Involved[08:00] When Humor Becomes the Story: Telemarketers and Public Reaction[12:00] Building a Community: How Dave Engaged His Readers[17:00] The Syndication Era: How Writing Used to Pay[23:00] The New Writing Economy: Substack and the Digital Shift[28:00] Assault Humor and the Loss of Neutral Comedy[31:00] What’s Next: Substack, Slowing Down, and Florida’s Wild Identity[35:00] Writing Novels vs. Columns: Dave’s Fast-Paced Storytelling Style[41:00] Stand-Up Comedy and the Influence of Nate Bargatze[44:00] Comedy Club Lessons: James on Bombing and Recovery[46:00] Criticism: Dave’s Approach to Bad Reviews[47:00] Farewell: Dave’s Thoughts on Humor, Writing, and LegacyAdditional Resources:📖 Class Clown: Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass by Dave Barry📖 The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini🎤 Nate Bargatze Official Website🎤 Jim Gaffigan Official Website🎤 Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail ’72🎤 P.J. O'Rourke’s Official Website (archived)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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How Chess Saved Danny Rensch’s Life: From Cult Roots to Chess.com’s Success
Notes from James:I had no idea this conversation would go where it did. I thought we’d talk chess. Instead, we talked about life, trauma, manipulation, redemption… and how one of the world’s most popular games can be both a tormentor and a savior.Episode Description:In this raw and powerful episode, I sat down with Danny Rensch—International Master, Chief Chess Officer of Chess.com, and author of the upcoming memoir Dark Squares—to uncover a story that’s anything but a typical chess tale. Raised in a spiritual cult obsessed with chess, Danny’s path to mastery involved trauma, isolation, and resilience. We go deep into the psychological aftermath of cult life, the beauty and torment of the game that saved him, and how he helped turn Chess.com into a global phenomenon with over 200 million users.This isn’t just an episode about chess. It’s about survival, identity, and how to turn pain into purpose.What You’ll Learn:How Danny’s obsession with chess began inside a controlling cultThe complicated relationship between talent, trauma, and identityHow being taken from his family at age 12 shaped his worldviewHow Chess.com exploded from 100k subscribers to millions after The Queen’s GambitWhy cheating in chess is a growing threat—and how they’re fighting itWhat the Hans Niemann scandal revealed about the future of the gameHow to build resilience and purpose from even the darkest beginningsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction: A Unique Upbringing and Chess Obsession00:43 The James Altucher Show: Welcoming Danny Wrench00:58 Danny Wrench's Journey: From Chess Prodigy to Business Success03:19 The Dark Side of Chess: Cult Life and Personal Struggles12:38 Chess.com: Growth and Success14:34 The Impact of COVID-19 and The Queen's Gambit20:30 Cheating Scandals and Controversies in Chess26:26 Future of Chess: Technology and Cheating31:14 Conclusion: Living the DreamOur Sponsors:Pack up and go even further with the Defender 110. Learn more at LandRoverUSA.com/DefenderHead to rugiet.com/JAMES and use code JAMES to get 15% off today!Secure your online data TODAY by visiting ExpressVPN.com/ALTUCHERSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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The Stoic Capitalist: How Rational Thinking Creates Success | Robert Rosenkranz
A Note from James:Man, what a fascinating career Robert Rosenkranz has had—multi-billionaire, involved in virtually every part of finance and American industry. He wrote a book called The Stoic Capitalist, and what really stands out is how he's actively applied stoic principles to achieve immense success throughout his career. Even from a young age, stoicism played a crucial role, guiding him through critical business decisions. It's a real pleasure speaking with Robert—an American icon.Episode Description:James welcomes Robert Rosenkranz, author of The Stoic Capitalist: Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious, to discuss how applying stoicism's timeless principles helped him navigate pivotal career decisions and financial challenges. Robert candidly shares his experiences—from early high-stress deals to launching a private equity firm where he risked his entire net worth—and explains why stoic philosophy remains essential for rational decision-making in business and life. The conversation highlights how embracing uncertainty and questioning assumptions can lead to clarity and resilience in a constantly changing world.What You'll Learn:How to differentiate between rational risks and emotional fears in critical decisions.Strategies for recognizing and overcoming cognitive distortions like catastrophizing.Practical applications of stoicism in modern investing and entrepreneurship.Insights into adapting to rapid technological changes, particularly AI.The importance of spousal support and personal relationships in career success.Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Robert Rosenkranz[02:00] The First Major Deal and Stoic Principles[05:00] Risk and Rational Decision Making[09:00] The Role of Biographies and Early Influences[12:00] The Importance of Spousal Support[28:00] Stoicism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy[34:00] Exploring Financial Trends and Technology[35:00] The Impact of Artificial Intelligence[36:00] Addressing Fears and Job Displacement[37:00] Adapting to Technological Change[44:00] The State of the US Economy[48:00] Investment Strategies and Market Behavior[54:00] Stoicism and Its Influence on Investing[57:00] The Role of Social Media in Society[63:00] Reflections on Public Service and Education[67:00] Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAdditional Resources:The Stoic Capitalist by Robert RosenkranzHow to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald RobertsonThe Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday"The Smoot-Hawley Tariff and the Great Depression" - The EconomistOpen to DebateOur Sponsors:Pack up and go even further with the Defender 110. Learn more at LandRoverUSA.com/DefenderHead to rugiet.com/JAMES and use code JAMES to get 15% off today!Secure your online data TODAY by visiting ExpressVPN.com/ALTUCHERSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
James Altucher interviews the world's leading peak performers in every area of life. But instead of giving you the typical success story, James digs deeper to find the "Choose Yourself" story - these are the moments we relate to... when someone rises up from personal struggle to reinvent themselves. The James Altucher Show brings you into the lives of peak-performers: billionaires, best-selling authors, rappers, astronauts, athletes, comedians, actors, and the world champions in every field, all who forged their own paths, found financial freedom and harnessed the power to create more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
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