The Jacob Shapiro Podcast
Business & Finance
About
Hosted by Jacob Shapiro, the Jacob Shapiro Podcast is long-form exploration of geopolitics, markets, crypto, agriculture, macro-finance, commodities, ForEx, and much much more! Tune in biweekly for interviews with experts across the globe, and weekly for roundups of global financial and geopolitical events!
Episodes
- Warp Speed for Everything
Jacob Shapiro and Dror Poleg discuss how AI is reshaping work, value, and the economy. They explore AI as a medium, the shift to intangible assets, and how show business dynamics now influence various industries.
- Gross Diplomacy
This episode of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast explores Peru's political and economic challenges, including its controversial attempt to purchase F-16s amidst internal instability. The discussion also covers the country's foreign policy as it n…
- Fertilizer 101
Josh Linville and Jacob discuss the global fertilizer crisis, including supply dominance by the Middle East, challenges for the US, at-risk crops and regions, and farmer strategies.
- The Off Ramp Is Right Now
This episode of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast features Josef Schachter of Schachter Energy discussing the global oil markets before and after recent conflicts. They examine the impact on oil prices, supply, and the global economy, including Ca…
- The View From Delhi
Kabir Taneja joins the podcast to discuss India's perspective on the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Topics include economic anxieties, India's non-alignment policy, ties with Gulf states, and the need for Iran's security buy-in for regional…
- Soft Power is Underrated
Jacob Shapiro and Chase Taylor discuss the Iran War and its ripple effects on global markets, military strategy, and U.S. geopolitical standing. They also cover U.S. competitiveness, energy policy, education investment, human capital, and…
- Renegade Scottish Economics
Jacob Shapiro and Laurie McFarlane discuss Scotland's economic situation. They cover topics such as Scotland's economic agency within the UK, North Sea oil, and the renewable energy transition.
- Firepower Is Not a Strategy
Jacob Shapiro provides analysis on the Third Gulf War and reflects on his incorrect prediction regarding its onset. He identifies key factors that influenced his analytical framework, including political dynamics, inflation risks, and shif…
- An Imminent, Underreported War
Jacob Shapiro and journalist Jody Ray discuss a potential war in Ethiopia and Eritrea. They cover factors such as Red Sea access, Cold War rivalries, and ethnic divisions.
- Escape from Tel Aviv
In this episode, Jacob Shapiro's high school friend, Avi Swerdlow, describes his experience in Tel Aviv when the new Gulf War began. He recounts waking to sirens, sheltering with his mother, and his journey to return home amid closed airsp…
- Who's Running Tehran?
Hamidreza Azizi and Jacob Shapiro discuss Iran's strategy concerning the Strait of Hormuz, including potential actions against US radar systems and energy infrastructure. They also examine who holds power in Tehran, the involvement of Chin…
- Decapitation Strike
Kamran Bokhari joins Jacob Shapiro to discuss a US/Israeli joint strike on Iran. They analyze whether it signifies regime change or coercion, considering the "Venezuela model" and potential regional consequences such as Kurdish mobilizatio…
- Healthy Climate Skepticism (?)
Daryl Ritcheson joins The Jacob Shapiro Podcast to discuss climate forecasts, including the transition from La Niña to El Niño and its agricultural implications. The conversation also explores sea level rise, extreme weather trends, and cl…
- The Cold War That Wasn’t
Louis-Vincent Gave joins The Jacob Shapiro Podcast to discuss a world that may be quietly reordering itself. He explores U.S.–China relations, Latin America, Canada, Europe, energy prices, and investor risk.
- Takaichi's New Japan
This episode of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast discusses Sanae Takaichi leading Japan's Liberal Democrats to an election victory. The episode explores Takaichi's vision for Japan, including rebuilding industry, rearming, and self-reliance.
- War With Iran
Hamidreza Azizi joins The Jacob Shapiro Podcast to discuss the current state of Iran amidst escalating tensions with the United States. The episode examines the potential for conflict, Iran's internal politics, and the role of the IRGC.
- Land, Debt, and Decline
Jacob Shapiro and agricultural economist Dr. David Kohl discuss agricultural economics, including farm profitability, globalization, labor shortages, and economic resilience. They also examine how technology, demographics, and financial fr…
- The Black Sea Isn’t Quiet Anymore
Andrey Sizov joins Jacob Shapiro to discuss the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on global grain trade and Black Sea exports. They examine recent shipping attacks, the delicate balance of exports, and the potential ripple effects of escala…
- Fed Under Fire
Economist Mike Konczal discusses the Federal Reserve, inflation data, and their implications for the U.S. economy. Topics include the Trump administration's approach to the Federal Reserve, the effects of tariffs and immigration policy on…
- Measuring Risk
Jacob Shapiro and Parag Khanna discuss how states and societies adapt to disruption. They explore resilience, adaptation, and the capacity to recover from shocks, referencing current events and geopolitical landscapes.
- For My Friends, Everything; For My Enemies, The Law
This episode of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast discusses the situation in Venezuela. Topics include US involvement, historical context, and potential future scenarios for the region.
- Bye Bye Maduro, You Gone Now
In this episode, Jacob Shapiro discusses the U.S. seizure of Nicolás Maduro. He analyzes what this event reveals about American power, imperial strategy, and hemispheric priorities, with a focus on Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere.
- Money and Control
This episode of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast features Alex Gladstein discussing how money is a human-rights issue. They explore how new digital tools are used in situations where traditional financial systems are ineffective or exploited.
- Right Wing Ascendant
Elohim Monard discusses the geopolitical landscape of Latin America on The Jacob Shapiro Podcast, focusing on right-wing political shifts and regional integration. The conversation covers security, economics, and the evolving dynamics with…
- The Return of Imperial Strategy
Van Jackson and Jacob Shapiro discuss the US National Security Strategy, examining its pursuit of dominance and its implications for international relations. They cover topics including culture war thinking in grand strategy, potential mis…
- The Geography of a Missing Daughter
Journalist Barbara Demick joins The Jacob Shapiro Show to discuss her book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove. The discussion focuses on China's one-child policy, its impact on families, and the cultural implications of twins separated by adop…
- The Geopolitics of Personalized Money
This episode features author and fintech thinker Emmanuel Daniel, who explores the concept of personalized money and its impact on geopolitics. The discussion covers how individual identity, data, and sovereignty are reshaping financial le…
- Demand Shock
Rob Larity and Jacob Shapiro discuss tariffs and their impact on demand, prices, and the economic system. They explore the gap between political narratives and material reality, examining policy, volatile markets, and institutional guardra…
- "What the West Should Learn from China"
Kaiser Kuo and Jacob Shapiro discuss what the West can learn from China, examining China's transformation and its implications for Western perspectives on modernity, power, and progress. They compare historical growth between the US and Ch…
- “The Longevity Dividend, or, Why You Shouldn’t Bathe in the Blood of Virgins”
Jacob Shapiro and longevity expert Dylan Livingston discuss the science of aging. They explore how extending healthy human life could transform productivity, rebalance global power, upend healthcare economics, and challenge assumptions abo…
- “ChatGPT is so mid”, or, Why AI Won’t Change the World
Jerry Neumann joins The Jacob Shapiro Podcast to discuss whether AI is a true revolution or a late-stage innovation. They explore how technological advancements, from the steam engine to AI, redefine value creation and job markets, and exa…
- The Legality of Trump’s Tariffs and U.S. Trade Power
This episode discusses the legality of Donald Trump’s tariffs and their potential impact on U.S. trade, markets, and global power. Former Biden administration official Peter Harrell joins Jacob L. for a breakdown of the Supreme Court case…
- The Shrimp Among Whales
Jacob Shapiro and Professor Jeffrey Robertson discuss South Korea's geopolitical strategy. They explore the nation's navigation of global powers, including its relationships with China, the United States, Japan, and North Korea, as well as…
- The Rightist International
Jacob Shapiro and LatAm analyst Elohim Monard discuss US involvement in Venezuela, the role of internal US politics, and the influence of China. They also explore the rise of hard-line politics in the Americas, connecting Venezuela, Argent…
- Sovereignty vs. Swipe Fees
Jacob and Rob discuss the conflict surrounding Brazil's PIX payment system, examining its impact on global economics, currency, and international relations. The discussion covers geopolitical implications, US-Brazil relations, and the futu…
- A Wild New Era of Japanese Politics
This episode of The Jacob Shapiro Podcast discusses the recent Japanese election, which led to a new political era and the country's first female prime minister. Analyst Tobias Harris joins the podcast to analyze these unexpected political…
- Leverage on Leverage on Leverage
This episode discusses gold prices, private equity, and data centers. It explores how these elements relate to liquidity, stability, and growth in the global economy.
- The Government Is Coming For Your [insert asset here]
Matt McClintock discusses Bitcoin's evolution from a digital experiment to a geopolitical force. The conversation explores Bitcoin's role in challenging governments, redefining sovereignty, and reshaping how value moves globally.
- Techno-Feudal Estates
Jacob Shapiro and Matt Pines discuss the convergence of Bitcoin, AI, geopolitics, and energy. They explore how technological change impacts infrastructure, national security, and economic stability.
- Alone in the Insane Asylum
Jacob Shapiro and Chase Taylor discuss US competitiveness, focusing on factors like electricity costs, labor shortages, and industrial policy. They explore how power demand, grid fragility, and demographic decline may affect America's futu…
- Youth Against Government
Prasansha Rimal discusses Nepal’s democracy and youth-led protests, highlighting the role of social media and underlying frustrations with corruption. She shares her insights into the country’s political transformation.
- “Bitcoin is a Miracle”
Jacob Shapiro and Rob discuss global events and markets, including parallels to the 1920s, AI's slowdown, labor shortages, the electricity crunch, and Bitcoin's place in geopolitics.
- Deterrence by Punishment
Jacob Shapiro and Jacek Bartosiak discuss Russia’s drone incursions into Polish airspace and their broader implications. They cover NATO's role, the rise of an Intermarium bloc, and Ukraine's military innovations, exploring how Poland, Ukr…
- Soft Dictatorship, Big Tariffs
Jacob Shapiro and Elohim Monard discuss the transactional nature of U.S.–Latin America relations, debating the region's place in a declining American empire and how leaders like Claudia Sheinbaum and Lula navigate Washington’s policies. Th…
- Pissing in the Public Pool
Jacob and Rob discuss Trump's firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, exposing the political theater surrounding government data. They explore labor hoarding, CPI distortions, and the fragility of public statistical institut…
- Fiscal Reality and Financial Repression
Jacob Shapiro and Luke Gromen discuss AI disruption, the U.S. fiscal outlook, global power dynamics, Europe’s strategic weaknesses, the U.S.-China rivalry, and supply chain vulnerabilities. They also explore financial repression of bondhol…
- The White Nationalist Social Democracy
Jacob Shapiro interviews Dr. Van Jackson, an international relations scholar, to discuss US foreign policy, geopolitical dynamics, and potential US troop withdrawal from South Korea, outlining a "win-win-win" scenario for all parties invol…
- Our Post-Neoliberal Moment (w/ Mike Konczal)
Jacob Shapiro welcomes economic policy expert Mike Konczal for a conversation on American capitalism, industrial policy, and the evolving role of the state. They examine how the Biden administration’s economic agenda challenges neoliberal…
- Our Currency, Your Problem
Jacob Shapiro and Rob Larity discuss US interest rates, focusing on Jerome Powell, presidential criticism of the Fed, and the political and market forces affecting rate decisions. They examine Fed mechanics, historical precedent for presid…
- Unpacking the U.S.-Pakistan Reset (with Fahd Humayun)
Jacob Shapiro and Fahd Humayun discuss shifting geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and the Middle East, including U.S.-Pakistan relations, the Iran-Israel conflict, and India-Pakistan tensions. They also explore China's role in regional a…