The second half of Nietzsche's life, and his teachings about the superhuman (ubermensch) the last man, and the will to power.

October 8, 2025

1:18:00

This episode covers the first half of Friedrich Nietzsche's life, his concept "the death of God" and master vs slave morality.

September 22, 2025

58:01

For centuries, Rome grew unchecked, until one man was able to reverse their fortunes, and free his country.

August 22, 2025

50:16

Is Roger Federer the greatest tennis player of all time? Despite not being the winningest player, many people make exactly that argument. What is it about Federer that inspires such admiration, and why can he rightly be called the greatest of all time?

August 11, 2025

1:10:57

Alex Petkas joins to discuss the great Roman general Scipio Africanus, his relationship with Hannibal, his strategic military victories, and his legacy.

July 15, 2025

1:09:58

How Joan of Arc went from a small peasant girl to determining the fate of nations, and what it tells us about the power of belief.

July 10, 2025

1:22:20

Jefferson rebounds from his disastrous and governorship and personal loss to create a political legacy that would define a nation.

July 4, 2025

55:30

How did Thomas Jefferson overcome failure after failure to become the most significant politician of the early American Republic?

July 3, 2025

52:56

Hannibal Barca was Rome's greatest enemy. What was it about his strategies and leadership style that allowed him to haunt Romans' nightmares for centuries?

June 27, 2025

1:11:42

Hannibal Barca was Rome's greatest enemy. What was it about his strategies and leadership style that allowed him to haunt Romans' nightmares for centuries?

May 27, 2025

1:03:05

Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the great composers of all time. What stands out is not only how great his music is, but how much of it he wrote.

May 19, 2025

1:24:55

Francois de la Rochefoucauld, was an infamous aristocrat who was always scheming, seducing, and fighting. He was equally infamous as a philosopher, a forerunner to Nietzsche with a cynical wit.

May 2, 2025

37:45

David Senra of the Founders podcast joins to discuss the most important attributes of great founders, how to find purpose, whether chicken fingers is a worthy dream, and much more!

April 29, 2025

1:58:03

Jesus of Nazareth was the son of a carpenter. He never traveled further than 150 miles from his home in his adult life. So how did the movement he founded come to dominate the world, bringing in billions of followers?

April 20, 2025

1:39:06

Polaroid founder Edwin Land is one of the most innovative inventors to have ever lived. Steve Jobs considered him one of his greatest heroes.

April 10, 2025

57:41

Despite an incredibly challenging childhood, Coco Chanel revolutionized women's fashion. The episode delves into her humble beginnings, her rise to fame, her relationships, the launch of her fashion empire, and of course, the strategies she used to accomplish it all.

March 26, 2025

1:01:03

Donald Trump: real estate mogul, master marketer, and the most polarizing figure of our time. How did he go from a brash young developer in Manhattan to the most powerful man in the world?

March 13, 2025

1:25:49

Captain Cook was one of the greatest explorers of all time. And he also lived on of the most adventurous, exciting lives ever.

February 26, 2025

1:40:53

The name of Machiavelli is synonymous with deceit, oppression, atrocity, and naked power. But his legacy is much more complicated than that. His thinking shaped the world we live in, and his advice can help anyone get further on their journey to taking over the world.

February 13, 2025

1:20:53

Top lessons from 100 lessons of How to Take Over the World and more than 100 biographies on the great leaders of history. Wright's Law Great Leadership Always Wins Vision Demand Excellence Eat Light (Be Obsessed) Pain Is Where the Progress Is Charisma Is In The Eyes Halley's Law Set Simple Goals Two Weeks Can Change Your Life

February 4, 2025

29:48

Isaac Newton was one of the great geniuses in human history. He established the basic laws of physics, discovered the laws of gravity, invented calculus, and refined the scientific method.

January 30, 2025

1:02:13

Charlemagne was a king, emperor, conqueror, reformer, and the father of a united Europe.

January 6, 2025

1:18:07

Lee Kuan Yew took a crowded, dirty, poor port town, and turned it into one of the world's great cities. How was he able to lead such an incredible transformation of Singapore?

December 24, 2024

1:14:36

John Williams is the brilliant composer behind film scores like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, and more.

December 7, 2024

42:08

My takeaways and endnotes from the life of Augustus Caesar. Plus a conversation with Alex Petkas, and a review of Gladiator II!

November 27, 2024

39:48

How does one go about creating the Roman Empire? That is exactly what Caesar Augustus did, and

November 15, 2024

1:38:07

Who was Vlad Dracula, and how did he go from Romanian ruler to blood-sucking monster?

October 31, 2024

1:10:45

How did Grigory Rasputin become a close personal advisor to one of the most powerful people on earth, despite having no education, no money, and no accolades whatsoever?

October 25, 2024

1:05:18

What was it about Christianity that allowed it to grow from a few dozen believers to a global religion with billions of adherents?

October 18, 2024

36:40

Constantine the Great united the Roman empire, founded one of the world's great cities, oversaw the creation of Christianity's most famous creed, and laid the groundwork for the widespread adoption of Christianity throughout Europe and the Middle East. How was he able to accomplish so much in one lifetime?

October 10, 2024

49:33

Simon Peter was Jesus's top guy. But he also denied him three times, and constantly got in trouble for misunderstanding Jesus's message.

October 1, 2024

2:10

Jesus of Nazareth was the son of a carpenter. He never traveled further than 150 miles from his home in his adult life. So how did the movement he founded come to dominate the world, bringing in billions of followers?

September 25, 2024

1:16:05

The story of how John Wooden won ten national championships on the way to becoming the greatest coach of all time.

August 30, 2024

1:11:12

The story of how Phil Knight founded one of the great companies - and brands - of all time.

August 6, 2024

59:20

"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something, but I can't accept not trying. I can't accept it." Michael Jordan is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He's also a great entrepreneur, business owner, and Olympian.

July 25, 2024

1:03:05

"Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful. When I run, I like to make people stop and say, ‘I’ve never seen anyone run like that before.’ It’s more than just a race, it’s style. It’s doing something better than anyone else." Steve Prefontaine is one of the great legends of the running world.

July 18, 2024

34:07

"When I was a child, my mother said to me, If you are a soldier, you will become a general. If you are a monk, you will become the pope. Instead, I was a painter And became Picasso." What made Picasso such a great artist? And what made him such a legend both in his own time, and since his death?

July 11, 2024

59:29

On this mini-episode, I talk about my combined takeaways from the founding father of the United States - Franklin, Hamilton, and Washington - and what the secret was that allowed them to be so successful. Happy Independence Day to all of my American followers!

July 4, 2024

22:19

Topics on the Franklin Guide to taking over the world include: How to convince someone of your viewpoint Why Franklin almost started a swimming school Franklin's love life Was Benjamin Franklin a shallow person? + much more!

July 3, 2024

7:43

Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest scientists, writers, diplomats, and statesmen of all time. How does one man accomplish so much in one life? Well, he was also the first self-help guru of all time.

July 1, 2024

1:07:40

The ten-step guide to being Alexander Hamilton. In the endnotes section, I also discuss: My review of Hamilton the Musical (👎🏻👎🏻) Whether Hamilton was right-wing or left-wing If Hamilton was gay His family life His relationship with Angelica + more!

June 26, 2024

16:17

Alexander Hamilton was the greatest and most indispensable of the American founding fathers.

June 20, 2024

1:37:03

Alexander Hamilton was the greatest and most indispensable of the American founding fathers. (At least that's my contention).

June 13, 2024

56:27

In this conversation with Alex Petkas of the Cost of Glory podcast, we talk about one of Washington's great inspirations in life: Cato The Younger. We discuss why he was so taken with his life, what it means to be a modern day Cato, some of out top takeaways from the life of Cato and Washington, and more. Enjoy!

June 2, 2024

1:08:42

What was the key to George Washington's success that made him such a beloved president and leader? On this subscriber-only episode, we dive deeper into his playbook and go through the endnotes - more interesting side stories and random information about Washington and his life.

May 25, 2024

8:41

How did George Washington shape the future of the United States of America as its first president?

May 20, 2024

1:00:55

George Washington is one of the most celebrated and beloved leaders of all time. What was it about Washington that made him such an effective leader?

May 10, 2024

1:07:29

George Washington is one of the most celebrated and beloved leaders of all time. What was it about Washington that made him such an effective leader?

May 3, 2024

1:07:57

What was the key to Ernest Shackleton's success that made him "the greatest leader that ever came on God's earth - bar none?" On this subscriber-only episode, we dive deeper into his playbook and go through the endnotes - more interesting side stories and random information about the journey of the expedition.

April 24, 2024

11:02

When Ernest Shackleton's ship is trapped in Antarctic ice, he and his crew must figure out how to survive and make their way home.

April 22, 2024

1:10:26

AMA #1 - I answer questions about obsession vs discipline, where my intro music came from, who is coming up next on the podcast, and more. At the end of the episode I also give my review of Dune 2 and explain why I think Denis Villeneuve tried unsuccessfully to undermine his own movie.

April 5, 2024

14:13

Why is Julius Caesar one of the greatest men to have ever lived? What made him so remarkable? And how was he able to accomplish what he did? We unpack his playbook

March 31, 2024

1:00:56

How did Arnold Schwarzenegger train? What was his approach to failure? Why did he just make things up during interviews? Find out on this endnotes episode!

March 27, 2024

10:20

Bodybuilder. Actor. Governor. Arnold Schwarzenegger has managed to make his way to the top of three wildly different games.

March 21, 2024

59:21

Want to take over the world? Well, how about we start with a country? On

March 15, 2024

25:57

Was John Rockefeller a good man or a bad one? What did he do after he retired? How do his charitable contributions affect us to this day? Find out on this endnotes episode.

March 1, 2024

11:03

How did John D Rockefeller become the richest man of all time, and leverage that wealth into unparalleled influence?

February 25, 2024

1:00:39

More of my takeaways about obsession, cloning yourself, keeping a schedule, and more.

February 15, 2024

8:46

To watch this episode on YouTube, tap here: https://youtu.be/xlwwhAeknkA

February 8, 2024

1:06:45

In this endnotes episode, I cover Napoleon's psychology, his leadership style, his love life, his children, why France accepted an emperor so soon after ejecting their king, and much more. If you are interested in a

February 1, 2024

12:51

Part 2 covers the reign and eventual fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, starting shortly after his crowning as emperor, tracing his victories over his enemies, and ending with his defeat at the hands of the British and their allies. We explore the strategies, tactics, and work habits he used to administer one of the largest empires ever created. Also, check out my new website at TakeOverPod.com

January 27, 2024

1:19:47

Part 1 covers the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, tracing his journey from a modest beginning on the island of Corsica to his coronation as the Emperor of France. We explore the remarkable transformation of a young, ambitious artillery officer into a master strategist and charismatic leader. We uncover Napoleon's strategies, tactics, work habits, and leadership style. Also, check out my new website at TakeOverPod.com

January 16, 2024

1:45:01

My review of the Ridley Scott directed movie, Napoleon. I go through what I liked and didn't like, some of the historical inaccuracies, and how the movie could have been better.

November 28, 2023

31:55

TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE (AND ALL FUTURE BONUS CONTENT)

November 22, 2023

24:46

TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE (AND ALL FUTURE BONUS CONTENT)

November 9, 2023

10:52

Part 2 covers the the triumph of the Wright Brothers - how they achieved human flight for the first time - and popularized it.

October 31, 2023

56:34

Part 1 covers the the rise of the Wright Brothers, and how they went from frontier bicycle salesmen to aviation researchers. This episode covers some of their early insights into flight, and how their ability to frame the problem of flight differently led to their unparalleled success.

October 22, 2023

42:33

TO HEAR THE FULL EPISODE (AND ALL FUTURE BONUS CONTENT)

October 12, 2023

11:12

Part 1 covers the awe-inspiring ascent of Genghis Khan, the legendary conqueror. Discover how he overcame adversity to become a unifying force among fragmented tribes. Our episode delves into his military brilliance and innovative strategies, offering timeless insights into leadership, adaptability, and strategic thinking.

September 14, 2023

1:04:17

Part 2 covers the creation Genghis Khan's empire. It dives deeper into how he led, the strategies he used to win his battles, how he consolidated his empire, and what motivated him.

October 5, 2023

46:58

What did the movie Oppenheimer get right? What was historically inaccurate? Did they manage to capture the true spirit of all the characters involved? What does J Rober Oppenheimer's life ultimately mean? I answer all of these questions and share some of my unused notes about the life of J Robert Oppenheimer.

August 23, 2023

52:45

Learn the true story behind the father of the atomic bomb. This episode explores not only his groundbreaking achievements as the inventor of the nuclear bomb but also the profound lessons his life and work offer. From his relentless pursuit of knowledge to his remarkable ability to assemble and lead brilliant scientific minds, Oppenheimer's story serves as a case study on the complexities of leadership, scientific discovery, ethical responsibility, and the perils of human ambition.

August 16, 2023

1:14:51

Admiral Horatio Nelson's achievements and victories, including The Battle of Copenhagen and the battle of Trafalgar.

July 19, 2023

51:01

The early life and the dramatic rise of Admiral Horatio Nelson, a naval hero of Great Britain. Episode one takes us from his origins up through the battle of the Nile.

July 1, 2023

1:05:20

Thoughts on Sir Humphrey Gilbert and his motto "Quid Non" and Benjamin Bloom and his famous "two sigma problem."

June 17, 2023

15:32

My notes and takeaways from Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in his own words.

June 6, 2023

51:56

The second half of the life of Leonardo Da Vinci - artist, inventor, scientist, writer, playwright, and genius.

May 30, 2023

35:55

The second half of the life of Leonardo Da Vinci - artist, inventor, scientist, writer, playwright, and genius.

May 23, 2023

46:10

The early life and career of Leonardo Da Vinci - artist, inventor, scientist, writer, playwright, and genius.

April 19, 2023

39:35

The rise of Williams Randolph Hearst as a politician, the expansion of his media empire, the creation of Hearst Castle, and more.

March 26, 2023

47:43

The rise of Williams Randolph Hearst, founder of the Hearst Corporation and the first media magnate.

March 11, 2023

54:59

Hey everyone - next week I'll be back with a normal episode but in the mean time please enjoy this conversation with Alex Petkas about the power of biography, lessons from ancient Greece, and more. Rome retreat: http://ancientlifecoach.com/retreat

March 2, 2023

26:20

Joan of Arc's legacy, her greatest attributes, theories on the voices in her head, and more. Please consider supporting this episode's

February 24, 2023

27:59

Joan of Arc goes from being a peasant girl, to leading one of the greatest armies on earth in less than four months. Please consider supporting this episode's

February 24, 2023

1:05:47

The life and times of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, as told by Alex Petkas on The Cost of Glory. Find more episodes of The Cost of Glory at https://ancientlifecoach.com/ or wherever you get your podcasts. If you are looking to start a podcast, check out PodRamp.io.

February 7, 2023

1:14:36

An interview with Dr. John Turner, professor at George Mason University and biographer of Brigham Young, about his legacy, what made him so special, and more. If you are looking to sell a company, check out Tiny.com. If you are looking to start a podcast, check out PodRamp.io.

February 4, 2023

53:41

Brigham Young leads his people on a journey into the wilderness and builds a new kingdom in the desert.

February 3, 2023

1:21:22

The life and times of Elizabeth II, the late queen of the United Kingdom.

October 4, 2022

39:09

How Brigham Young rose from abject poverty to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

September 9, 2022

1:08:59

Vladimir Putin: Modern day czar, KGB man, billionaire, reformer, autocrat. In part 1, we examine his rise to power. This is an updated version with a new introduction and a few minor additions.

May 27, 2022

1:05:14

Walt Disney's rise to greatness, including his creation of Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Disneyland, and more. Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

March 31, 2022

1:08:01

Walt Disney's childhood, adolescence, how how he got his start in animation, and his first successes. Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

January 20, 2022

43:25

John Wooden was known as one of the greatest coaches of all time. So why he did he have shorter practices than any of his contemporaries, and what can it teach us about greatness?

January 8, 2022

11:11

The story of St. Nicholas, plus listener questions!

December 25, 2021

21:34

How exactly was Napoleon able to accomplish so much in such a short period of time?

December 14, 2021

26:24

Everything you didn't know you needed to know about Alexander the Great. Topics include a brief review of the 2004 movie by Oliver Stone, Alexander's love life, what made Alexander so great, why did Alexander have blue eyes if he was Greek, and more.

December 8, 2021

35:21

Alexander the Great took his father's kingdom and made it the greatest empire the world had ever seen. Part two covers the apex of his powers, plots against his life, the unification of his empire, and more.

November 19, 2021

52:15

Alexander the Great took his father's kingdom and made it the greatest empire the world had ever seen. Part one covers his childhood, education, rise to power, and early conquests.

October 25, 2021

54:29

Recently, I was interviewed on the podcast "If I Was Starting Today" by Jim Huffman. He has graciously allowed me to play that audio in full. We talk about a lot, including: * How I came up with the name and concept of his podcast * Traits you need to have to take over the world * The energy of the people who are the best in their fields * How to maximize where energy goes * The function of charisma * What it means to be half-insider and half-outsider * An unexpected common trait among leaders * Half-baked startup ideas ...and much more.

October 6, 2021

46:04

Is there a formula for genius? One man thinks that he has found it - and he used it to raise all three of his daughters to be world champion chess players.

September 17, 2021

30:40