How to Take Over the World
History
About
Anyone who has achieved greatness has, in part, patterned themselves after those who came before. Napoleon learned from Charlemagne, Charlemagne learned from Caesar, and Caesar learned from Alexander the Great. This podcast analyzes the lives of some of the greatest men and women to ever live. By examining their strategies, tactics, mindset, and work habits, How to Take Over the World helps you understand the great ones, so that you can follow in their footsteps.
Episodes
- Adolf Hitler (Part 3)
Part 3 of the series on Adolf Hitler details his path from European conquest to eventual defeat. The episode covers key events such as the Reichstag Fire, the Night of the Long Knives, rearmament, the Berlin Olympics, territorial annexatio…
- The Mind of Hitler (Mein Kampf Review - Premium)
This episode reviews Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf (Parts I and II) and his unfinished second book to explore his worldview and how it influenced his actions.
- Adolf Hitler (Part 2)
This episode details Adolf Hitler's ascent to total power in Germany, following his movement-building efforts. It covers key events such as the Beer Hall Putsch, his trial, the writing of Mein Kampf, and the legislative actions that ended…
- Adolf Hitler (Part 1)
This episode of "How to Take Over the World" details Adolf Hitler's ascent, from his bohemian youth to becoming a significant 20th-century figure. It covers his family background, artistic aspirations, time in Vienna, homelessness, develop…
- Stanford's Most Controversial Professor on Why Power Is Good For You | Jeffrey Pfeffer
Jeffrey Pfeffer, a Stanford Graduate School of Business professor, outlines his 7 rules for gaining power. The discussion suggests that power can be beneficial.
- The Crowd Whisperer: The Psychologist Who Gave Hitler His Playbook
This episode explores the thought of Gustave Le Bon was a French researcher and writer whose seminal work, The Crowd , greatly influenced Adolf Hitler and was partially responsible for teaching him how to be a great speaker at mass rallies…
- Top 10 Lessons from 2025
In this episode of How to Take Over the World , I do something a little different. Instead of breaking down one life, I share my top 10 leadership lessons drawn from every episode I released in 2025. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:19 C…
- Andrew Carnegie (Part 2)
Andrew Carnegie names his price. J.P. Morgan accepts. In a single moment, a poor Scottish immigrant becomes the richest man in the world. But that is just the beginning of Andrew Carnegie's story. 00:00 The Historic Deal: Carnegie and Morg…
- Andrew Carnegie (Part 1)
The rise of Andrew Carnegie from a poor Scottish weaver's boy to becoming an American millionaire. 00:00 Introduction 03:00 Carnegie's Early Life and Inspirations 07:50 Coming to America 12:00 The Power of Self-Education 28:15 Becoming a C…
- Ernest Shackleton (Remastered)
Description This episode explores the extraordinary life of Ernest Shackleton and the impossible challenges he faced at the edge of the world. Through his failures, decisions, and unbreakable resolve, we uncover timeless lessons on leaders…
- Cleopatra (Part 2)
The latter half of Cleopatra's life, from the death of Caesar until her own death. 00:00 Cleopatra's Fall from Power 04:15 Meeting Mark Antony 11:00 Cleopatra and Antony's Alliance 21:40 The Birth of a New Dynasty 29:00 The Donations of Al…
- Cleopatra (Part 1)
Cleopatra took over a kingdom, expanded it, captured the heart of the world's most powerful man, and lived one of the most iconic and controversial lives of all time. On this episode, we explore how she did it. 00:00 Caesar's Egyptian Dile…
- Lee Kuan Yew (Video Version)
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? 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Early Life and Education 12:00 The Jap…
- Zero to One
Thoughts on Peter Thiel's Zero to One . ----- 00:00 Why this episode 05:15 Horizontal vs. Vertical Progress 09:19 The Importance of Startups and Monopolies 23:33 Definite Optimism vs. Indefinite Optimism 37:10 Power Laws and Their Impact 4…
- Nietzsche and Eternal Recurrence (Part 3)
This episode explores Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy on how to live a life worthy of eternity. It delves into Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence, where one's life would have to be lived over and over again, and asks if such a life…
- Nietzsche and the Superhuman (Part 2)
The second half of Nietzsche's life, and his teachings about the superhuman (ubermensch) the last man, and the will to power. 00:00 Nietzsche's Radical Response to the Death of God 02:20 Nietzsche's Life and Career 06:00 Nietzsche's Views…
- Nietzsche and the Death of God (Part 1)
This episode covers the first half of Friedrich Nietzsche's life, his concept "the death of God" and master vs slave morality. 00:00 - Nietzsche's Radical Philosophy 01:20- The Life of Friedrich Nietzsche: Early Years 04:00 - Nietzsche's A…
- Arminius: The Man Who Defeated Rome
For centuries, Rome grew unchecked, until one man was able to reverse their fortunes, and free his country. On this episode, we take a look at the story of Arminius, and what it teaches us about how to overcome an unstoppable force. 00:00…
- Roger Federer
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…
- Lord of the Rings
This is an episode of Becoming the Main Character, which you can find wherever you get your podcasts. ---- Sponsors: - The Classical Society.com - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - Gai…
- Scipio Africanus (with Alex Petkas)
Alex Petkas joins to discuss the great Roman general Scipio Africanus, his relationship with Hannibal, his strategic military victories, and his legacy. 00:00 Introduction and Special Announcement 03:00 Scipio's Background 12:30 The Captur…
- Joan of Arc
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. 0:00 Was Joan a visionary of a schizophrenic? 03:00 Setting the Stage: France in Turmoil 07:00 The English I…
- Thomas Jefferson (Part 2)
Jefferson rebounds from his disastrous and governorship and personal loss to create a political legacy that would define a nation. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 02:30 Jefferson's Role as Ambassador to France 08:00 Jefferson's Return and Pol…
- Thomas Jefferson (Part 1)
How did Thomas Jefferson overcome failure after failure to become the most significant politician of the early American Republic? On this episode we examine his habits, tactics, approach, and life up until his service in the Washington adm…
- Rome's Revenge: Hannibal Part 2
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? 00:00 Introduction to Hannibal's Legendary Campaign 01:40 Sponsor Message: Gains in…
- The Rise of Hannibal (Part 1)
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? 00:00 Hannibal's Blood Oath 02:00 Why Hannibal? 05:45 Carthage - A Brief History 17…
- JS Bach
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. On this episode we look at his story as well as his habits, strategies, and tactics to see ho…
- The Gangster Philosopher: Francois de la Rochefoucauld
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. In this episode, we explore is adventurous li…
- “You Couldn’t Pay Me to Stop” — David Senra on Obsession and Great Founders
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! 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Church for Entrepreneurs 06:45 Th…
- How To Be More High Agency & A Political Plan for Taking Over the World (Free Preview)
On this premium subscriber I talk about how to be more high agency, including how to frame problems, design solutions, and take action. Then I talk about my recent travels to the Bay Area and some thoughts that spurred about a concrete way…
- Jesus Revisited
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? On this episode, we e…
- Edwin Land (Polaroid Founder)
Polaroid founder Edwin Land is one of the most innovative inventors to have ever lived. Steve Jobs considered him one of his greatest heroes. On this episode we explore the methods and strategies he used to build the beautiful products tha…
- From Orphan to Icon: The Life and Legacy of Coco Chanel
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 sh…
- Donald Trump
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? In this episode of How to Take Over the World, we…
- Captain Cook
Captain Cook was one of the greatest explorers of all time. And he also lived on of the most adventurous, exciting lives ever. On this episode we break down his discoveries and the strategies that allowed him to accomplish and discover so…
- Niccolo Machiavelli
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 jour…
- Top 10 Lessons from 100 Episodes of How to Take Over the World
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…
- Isaac Newton
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. On this episode we take a look at how he was able…
- Charlemagne
Charlemagne was a king, emperor, conqueror, reformer, and the father of a united Europe. On this episode we look at how he forged the Holy Roman Empire and built the foundations of western civilization as we know it. --- Sponsors: HTTOTW P…
- Lee Kuan Yew
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? --- Sponsors: HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and…
- John Williams: The Greatest Film Composer of All Time
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. On this episode, we take a look --- Sponsors: https://www.costofg…
- Augustus Endnotes and Gladiator II Review
My takeaways and endnotes from the life of Augustus Caesar. Plus a conversation with Alex Petkas, and a review of Gladiator II! ---- Come join us at the Austin Cost of Glory Retreat - Use code Takeover for $200 off. Subscribe for the full…
- Augustus
How does one go about creating the Roman Empire? That is exactly what Caesar Augustus did, and on this episode, we dive into the strategies, tactics, and approaches that made it possible. --- Sponsors: https://gainsinbulk.com/pages/ben - U…
- Dracula (Vlad the Impaler)
Who was Vlad Dracula, and how did he go from Romanian ruler to blood-sucking monster? On this episode we dive into the strategies and tactics that Dracula used to take power, how he became a legend, and what we can learn from him. ----- Sp…
- The Rise and Fall of Rasputin: Savior or Sorcerer?
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? On this episode we dive into the strategies and tactics that Rasputin…
- How Christianity Took Over the World
What was it about Christianity that allowed it to grow from a few dozen believers to a global religion with billions of adherents? On this episode, we go through how Christianity became a global religion and what attributes enabled its ris…
- Constantine the Great
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…
- Peter (Free Preview)
Simon Peter was Jesus's top guy. But he also denied him three times, and constantly got in trouble for misunderstanding Jesus's message. In this episode we dissect what eventually made him a great follower, and leader. ----- This is a subs…
- Jesus
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? On this episode, we e…
- The Greatest Coach of All Time: John Wooden
The story of how John Wooden won ten national championships on the way to becoming the greatest coach of all time. ----- Sponsors: Gains In Bulk - Use code Ben for $20 and a free shaker. How to Take Over the World Premium - For all endnote…