logo
episode-header-image
Jun 25
1h 8m

The Stoic Capitalist: How Rational Think...

James Altucher
About this episode

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 Thoughts


Additional Resources:


Our Sponsors:


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Jul 8
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 k ... Show More
1h 15m
Jul 1
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, a ... Show More
49m 58s
Jun 28
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 a ... Show More
33m 24s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 28
The Savings Expert: They're Lying To You About Buying A House! Tariffs Are About To Skyrocket Cost Of Living! Here's The Truth About America Collapsing!
Is buying a house the biggest financial mistake you could make right now, and will the next Great Depression hit even harder? Morgan Housel reveals the real story. Morgan Housel, partner at Collaborative Fund and bestselling author of ‘The Psychology of Money’ and ‘Same As Ever’, ... Show More
2h 15m
Apr 7
The $6.6 Trillion Sell-off
Scott and Ed dig into the rubble of the record breaking $6.6 trillion sell-off following Trump’s tariffs announcements. They break down how Trump determined the tariff rates, what the tariffs will do to company earnings and the real economy, and offer advice on how to deal with t ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 2024
Interest rates, inflation and the American consumer
The Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates this week for the first time in four years. It would be a major milestone in the central bank’s long fight to get inflation under control. The Fed changes interest rates to keep inflation in check. But inflation is a complex p ... Show More
28m 53s
Dec 2024
251. The Gold Standard: Saifedean’s Next Book!
Saifedean introduces his next book, The Gold Standard: an alternative economic history of the twentieth century, where fiat money died in 1915. What would the world look like if we had a gold standard in the twentieth century? What would life be like with constantly appreciating ... Show More
33m 2s
Feb 2025
CPA Shares Tax Tips to Lower Your 2024 (Yes, 2024) Taxes
2024 may be long gone, but it’s NOT too late to lower your taxes for the previous year. If you have real estate or retirement accounts, you already hold the key to minimizing your taxable income and owing less to Uncle Sam. But how do you do it? We’re sharing 2024 and 2025 top ta ... Show More
47m 48s
Mar 2025
Tariffs Are Screwing Your Wallet—Here’s How to Fight Back
Everything is getting more expensive, and it’s not just inflation. The U.S. just slapped massive tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, and that means your grocery bill, your next car, and even your favorite bottle of tequila are all about to cost way more. But why is this happeni ... Show More
31m 3s
Apr 9
BTC229: Trump Tariffs, Market Chaos, Bitcoin Impact w/ James Lavish
 Wall Street veteran and macro expert, James Lavish, and Preston Pysh have a candid back and forth about the Trump tariffs and what the impact in game theory looks like moving forward.They also talk about how it's impacting fixed income, equities, and Bitcoin. Plus how the U.S. m ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2024
Prof G Markets: Takeaways from the Second Debate + Does the US Need a Sovereign Wealth Fund?
Follow Prof G Markets: Apple Podcasts Spotify  Scott and Ed open the show by discussing recent inflation data, Oracle’s earnings, Wall Street’s decision to curb working hours for young bankers, and Open AI’s newest model. Then Scott shares his reactions to the President debate an ... Show More
54m 31s
Sep 2024
The Harsh Truth About Our Economic Future | John Rubino on the Dollar Crisis, Wealth Gap & More
In the third episode of our miniseries 'It's Not What They Told You', Mo Gawdat speaks toJohn Rubino (https://rubino.substack.com), a former Wall Street financial analyst and author or co-author of five books, including The Money Bubble: What to Do Before It Pops and The Collapse ... Show More
1h 19m
Sep 2024
Peter Schiff: Act NOW to Avoid Debt and Dollar Debacle
Crushing government debt. A deepening recession. A collapsing US dollar. Chaos in the financial markets. It could soon be headed your way. But all is not lost, either. Target the right commodities, stocks, and markets, and you won’t just come out relatively unscathed. You’ll have ... Show More
21m 36s