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
📚 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.
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
🎁 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
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
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
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
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
Scott Shane is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and acclaimed author, best known for his gripping new biography Flee North, which brings to life the astonishing story of Thomas Smallwood, an abolitionist, satirist, and unsung American hero who named the Underground Railroad.
In this episode, we uncover the electrifying journey of Thomas Smallwood, a formerly enslaved man who bought his own freedom, teamed up with a young white activist, and helped orchestrate daring mass escapes from slavery in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, all while ridiculing slaveholders in biting newspaper columns.
Shane takes us deep into Smallwood’s world of resistance and risk, revealing how he battled the brutal slave trade with strategy, courage, and satire, and why his legacy was nearly lost to history.
📚 Buy Flee North by Scott Shane here - https://amzn.to/4lr5xO3
📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life - https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:47 - The challenge of telling this story
7:54 - Who was Thomas Smallwood?
23:44 - The alliance: Smallwood and Torrey
35:55 - Building the underground railroad
44:10 - Mocking slaveholders in print
51:21 - The true origin of ‘Underground Railroad’
57:57 - The escape to Canada
1:00:45 - Erased from history. Buried without a marker.
Paige Bowers is an award-winning journalist and acclaimed author, best known for her powerful biography General Niece, which uncovers the extraordinary life of Geneviève de Gaulle, niece of French leader Charles de Gaulle.
In this episode, we explore the incredible story of Geneviève de Gaulle, a young woman who joined the French Resistance, was arrested by the Gestapo, and survived the horrors of the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Bowers takes us through Geneviève’s transformation from a quiet student into a fearless resistor, her brutal imprisonment, and how she emerged as a lifelong advocate for justice and dignity.
We also dive into the broader impact of her story—how she shaped postwar France, fought for human rights, and left behind a legacy of courage and compassion that still resonates today.
📚 Buy General Niece by Paige Bowers here: https://amzn.to/3FYjC5f
📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life: https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Jack Weatherford is a renowned anthropologist and bestselling author, best known for his groundbreaking book on Genghis Khan, hailed by Elon Musk as one of his all-time favorites.
In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of Kublai Khan, Genghis Khan’s grandson, and how he conquered and united China to establish the Yuan Dynasty. Weatherford unpacks the turbulent civil war between Kublai and his brothers, the cultural clash between Mongols and Han Chinese, and how Kublai’s leadership turned conflict into cohesion.
We also dive into the leadership lessons behind his rise, how he managed power, adapted to new cultural norms, and led one of the most diverse empires in history.
📚 My list of 100 history books that will change your life: https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Buy Jack’s book about Kublai Kahn here: https://amzn.to/4jbDCQe
00:00 – Intro
01:21 – What motivated Jack to research Kublai Khan?
04:26 – Childhood of Kublai
09:58 – Using religion to his advantage
17:29 – Rise to the throne
25:22 – Civil war between two brothers
31:22 – Conquering the Song dynasty
1:07:20 – The challenges of a new massive empire
1:19:33 – The death and legacy of Kublai Khan
#kublaikahn #mongolempire #mongol #chinesehistory #genghiskhan #jackweatherford
Donald J. Robertson is a psychotherapist and author specializing in Stoic philosophy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. His works include How to Think Like a Roman Emperor and Stoicism and the Art of Happiness.
In this episode, Robertson delves into the Stoic approach to understanding and managing anger, drawing upon the teachings of Seneca and other Stoic philosophers. We explore practical strategies for cultivating emotional resilience, the distinction between healthy and unhealthy anger, and how Stoicism's timeless wisdom can be applied to navigate modern emotional challenges.
Our conversation also examines the psychological underpinnings of anger, the importance of cognitive awareness in emotional regulation, and the Stoic practices that promote inner tranquility and rational response over emotional reactivity.
📚 100 history books that’ll make you smarter than 99% of people (and yeah, I’m giving them away for free) https://charif.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Chapters:
00:00 Stoicism in the red pill community
09:20 The history of psychotherapy
16:33 Is all anger unhealthy?
26:08 Anger in a relationship
29:42 Anger as temporary madness?
34:11 The dangers of low-level anger
39:00 Anger as a coping strategy, not an emotion?
47:04 Seneca on how to deal with anger
1:01:15 Society’s view on the psychology of anger
1:16:42 How Donald handles anger
Ambrogio A. Caiani is a historian and author specializing in Revolutionary France and Napoleonic Italy. A Senior Lecturer at the University of Kent, his works include Louis XVI and the French Revolution and To Kidnap a Pope: Napoleon and Pius VII. His latest book, Losing a Kingdom, Gaining the World, explores the Catholic Church’s struggle with modernity.
In this episode, Caiani takes us inside the dramatic story of To Kidnap a Pope, unraveling Napoleon’s audacious seizure of Pope Pius VII and the high-stakes battle between empire and faith. We discuss the pope’s defiance, Napoleon’s shifting attitudes toward religion, and the diplomatic chess game that shaped Europe.
Our conversation also explores the psychological and political dimensions of Napoleon’s actions, the pope’s resilience in captivity, and the long-term consequences of this extraordinary clash between temporal and spiritual power.
👉 To Kidnap a Pope by Ambrogio A. Caiani: https://amzn.to/4kODGXB 📚
Chapters:
00:00 The Dechristianization of France During the French Revolution
06:58 The Early Lives of Pope Pius VII and Napoleon
12:02 Napoleon’s Religious Beliefs: Was He an Atheist?
14:56 Pope Pius VII’s Rise to Power
23:08 Napoleon’s Ascendancy: From General to Emperor
27:44 Intense Negotiations Between France and the Holy See
36:45 Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor: A Historic Moment
47:53 The Breakdown of the Pope-Napoleon Relationship
52:00 The Kidnapping of Pope Pius VII
01:04:41 The Fall of Napoleon: The End of an Era
Great people don’t just learn from experience—they study those who came before them.
That’s the essence of this channel: Study the greats and become greater.
Charlie Munger called it "making friends with the eminent dead.”
Here, I’ll introduce you to those friends—generals, emperors, entrepreneurs, artists, and more—so we can break down their mindsets and strategies.
How did they solve problems? Stay inspired? Communicate, study, and even manipulate their way to success?
To answer these questions, I bring in world-class experts—authors who have spent years researching history’s most brilliant minds.
Instead of reading thousands of pages, you can absorb their insights in just 1 to 2 hours, from the comfort of your home.
If you’re serious about achieving greatness, you’re in the right place.
Danny Fingeroth is an author, historian, and former Marvel Comics editor, known for his work on Superman on the Couch and Disguised as Clark Kent. His latest book, Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin, explores the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald.
Jack Ruby remains an enigma—was he a mob-connected hitman, a patriotic vigilante, or just a desperate nightclub owner seeking attention? In this episode, Fingeroth takes us through Ruby’s life, from his rough Chicago upbringing to his ties with law enforcement and organized crime, leading up to the moment that made him infamous.
We explore Ruby’s complex psychology, his fears of antisemitic backlash after JFK’s assassination, and his shocking decision to kill Oswald on live television. Our conversation also examines his rapid mental decline in prison, his conspiracy claims, and the lingering question: Did Jack Ruby know more than he admitted?
Danny's book on Jack Ruby: https://amzn.to/4bmzgTO 📚
Chapters:
00:00 Why write a book about Jack Ruby?
08:46 Ruby's gangster side
20:07 The bond with his family
25:24 Frank Sinatra plays a role in this story?
28:33 The assassination explained
41:10 Jack's trial
48:23 The psychology of Jack Ruby
53:23 Conspiracy theories
Michael Broers is a British historian specializing in Napoleonic Europe. A professor at the University of Oxford, he has authored several acclaimed works on Napoleon, including Napoleon: The Decline and Fall of an Empire, 1811–1821.
In this interview clip, we discuss what lessons future politicians can learn from Napoleon Bonaparte. Despite being one of history’s greatest leaders, his downfall offers important warnings for those in power today.
Napoleon’s relentless ambition led him to stretch his empire too far, ultimately making it unsustainable. His rigid approach to diplomacy and refusal to compromise created unnecessary conflicts, turning potential allies into enemies. A more measured approach might have allowed him to maintain his rule and secure lasting stability.
#napoleonbonaparte #politics #donaldtrump
Saladin didn’t just defeat the Crusaders, he united a divided Muslim world to do it. Faced with internal rivalries and political chaos, he forged alliances, used diplomacy, and inspired a shared cause that turned fragmented factions into a powerful force.
His ability to balance military strength with strategic negotiations allowed him to bring together rival leaders under a common goal. From Egypt to Syria, his vision of unity reshaped the Islamic world and changed the course of history.
How did he achieve this, and what challenges did he overcome along the way? Watch to find out.
#Saladin #Crusades #IslamicHistory #MedievalWarfare
Tsuyoshi Hasegawa is a historian specializing in Russian and Soviet history. A professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara, he has written acclaimed works on the Russian Revolution, Stalin, and World War II.
In this interview clip, we explore the fatal mistakes of Tsar Nicholas II—errors that Niccolò Machiavelli, in The Prince, warned rulers never to make.
Nicholas II’s downfall was not just a result of bad luck or external pressures; it was a failure of leadership. He alienated his allies, ignored the shifting political landscape, and refused to adapt when his rule was threatened. Machiavelli argued that a ruler must be both feared and respected, but Nicholas inspired neither. His indecisiveness, misplaced loyalty to a crumbling autocracy, and inability to crush opposition at the right moments made his fall inevitable.
#romanovfamily #romanovdynasty #tsarnicholasii
Tsuyoshi Hasegawa is a historian specializing in Russian and Soviet history. A professor emeritus at UC Santa Barbara, he has written acclaimed books on the Russian Revolution, Stalin, and World War II.
In this interview, we explore the dramatic fall of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov dynasty. In 1917, amid war and social unrest, Nicholas abdicated, marking the collapse of Imperial Russia. But was his downfall inevitable? Or was it the result of poor leadership and an unyielding belief in autocracy?
Drawing from newly uncovered archives, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa reveals how Nicholas II’s resistance to reform doomed the monarchy. We examine the power struggles within the Russian elite, the Tsar’s fateful missteps, and the political chaos that paved the way for the Bolsheviks and the Soviet Union.
What were the crucial mistakes that sealed Nicholas’s fate? Could the Romanovs have survived with different leadership? Together with Tsuyoshi Hasegawa, we uncover these answers and explore the forces that shaped Russia’s turbulent transformation.
Tsuyoshi's book on Nicholas II: https://amzn.eu/d/6AHdN83
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction02:03 Why is understanding the abdication important? 04:28 The start of Nicholas's reign06:41 Nicholas II broke Machiavelli’s rules16:06 Abdication drama22:55 Nicholas II breaks the succesion law29:28 Bonapartism in Russia30:22 What happened after Nicholas II resigned?36:38 Relationship with his family40:20 Lesson for future politicians
#russianhistory #romanovs #romanovfamily #tsarnicholasii
Michael Broers is a British historian specializing in Napoleonic Europe. A professor at the University of Oxford, he has authored several acclaimed works on Napoleon, including Napoleon: The Decline and Fall of an Empire, 1811–1821.
In this interview clip, we explore a fascinating historical question: why didn't Napoleon Bonaparte escape to America after his defeat at Waterloo? Despite his ambitions, several factors prevented him from seeking refuge in the United States.
After his defeat in 1815, Napoleon considered fleeing to America, and his brother Joseph successfully made the journey. However, Napoleon chose not to board the ship with him, fearing that his fame would make escape impossible and put Joseph at risk. Additionally, the British Royal Navy’s blockade of French ports left him with few options. Hoping for leniency, he surrendered to the British, only to be exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he remained until his death in 1821.
What do you think... Could Napoleon have successfully escaped to America, or was his capture inevitable? Join the discussion in the comments!
#napoleonbonaparte #frenchhistory #Napoleon
