The James Altucher Show

• How AI Will Change Hollywood Forever: Tye Sheridan & Nikola Todorovic on AI, VFX, and the Future of Filmmaking

  A Note from James:Tye Sheridan is one of my favorite actors. You might know him as Cyclops in the X-Men movies (Apocalypse, etc.) or as the lead in Ready Player One—which is not only a great movie but also one of my favorite sci-fi books. One of his first films was Mud with Matthew McConaughey.What I didn’t realize: since 2016, while still acting, Tye has also been a serious AI entrepreneur. He and Nikola Todorovic co-founded a VFX company—Wonder Studio—that built AI tools to make visual effects more accessible.I wanted them both on to talk about how AI will change filmmaking—potentially letting someone like me make a movie that would normally cost hundreds of millions because of VFX—and, just as important, how Tye balanced being a movie star and an entrepreneur at the same time. I also wanted Nikola’s take on where AI is going and whether it will take jobs. Fascinating conversation ahead—here are Tye Sheridan and Nikola Todorovic.Episode Description:James sits down with actor–founder Tye Sheridan and VFX director Nikola Todorovic to unpack how their company’s AI tools (now part of Autodesk) are changing what small teams can pull off—and what that means for studios, budgets, and actual stories. They trace the path from stitching 360° GoPro rigs and a VR proof-of-concept… to a first demo for Steven Spielberg… to a platform that lets indies do big-look work without big-studio burn. You’ll hear clear, non-hyped answers on where text-to-video fits, why they focus on editable 3D over black-box 2D, and a candid take on the only moat that still matters: writing something people care about. What You’ll Learn:A workable cost model for VFX-heavy projects: where 10× savings can come from—and where they can’t. How to run “lean” on real productions: recruiting cross-disciplinary talent and sequencing funding without chasing hype cycles. 3D pipelines vs. text-to-video: why pros need full control of lighting, camera, and performance—and how Sora-style tools can still complement the workflow. Story first, always: the audience forgives limited budgets—not lazy scripts. A pragmatic future for studios and indies: expanding voices without erasing human actors or craft. Timestamped Chapters:[00:02:00] “Hollywood is nervous”: James frames the AI anxiety he’s hearing in studio rooms. [00:03:01] A note from James: why Tye’s career (from Mud to Ready Player One) made him the right guest—plus Nikola’s VFX roots. [00:06:03] Tree of Life to tech startup: meeting on set, Chivo’s influence, and early curiosity about tools. [00:13:46] DIY 360° & the Spielberg audition: the VR demo, a $10k experiment, and a first product pitch to Steven. [00:20:12] The question everyone asks: will AI erase studio jobs—or expand what smaller teams can make? [00:24:00] Distribution changed—financing didn’t: presales, streaming, strikes, and why a bigger shift is still coming. [00:27:12] Reality check on budgets: VFX vs. SFX, and how a $100M effects bill could land near $10M. [00:36:02] Running lean + real backers: Founders Fund, MaC VC, Horizons; hiring for overlap (CV/ML/VFX/eng). [00:37:44] From waitlist to workflows: who used the platform first, and a TV case where weeks became days.[00:42:12] Sora vs. 3D pipelines: where text-to-video fits—and why pros avoid black-box 2D for final shots. [01:00:45] “A decade of procrastination”: the founders joke about building a company to avoid writing their own film—then set sights on making it. Additional Resources:Tye Sheridan — filmography and roles (Ready Player One, X-Men). WikipediaNikola Todorovic — Co-founder, Wonder Dynamics (Autodesk company). linkedin.comAutodesk acquires Wonder Dynamics — press release (May 21, 2024). Autodesk NewsAutodesk Flow Studio (formerly Wonder Studio) — product page & docs. AutodeskReady Player One (2018). WikipediaThe Card Counter (2021). WikipediaThe Tree of Life (2011) & Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki. IMDbSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• AI That Helps, Schools That Don’t, and How Not to Go Crazy with Prof. Brian Keating

  Episode Description:James sits down with astrophysicist Brian Keating for a candid, useful tour through three hot zones: how to think about AI (and where it actually helps), what’s broken in higher ed and admissions right now, and why outsourcing your mood to politics is a losing strategy. You’ll hear first-hand stories (from UC San Diego classrooms to New York City politics), specific ways James and Brian really use AI daily, and a simple framework for protecting your attention and happiness—even when everything feels polarized.What You’ll Learn:A practical AI workflow you can copy today (research prompts, personal “style” bots, and where LLMs fail at original insight). A filter for political noise that keeps 99% of your happiness anchored in health, family, friends, and work you control. What the UCSD admissions/placement findings really mean for preparation and standards (and why “remedial” can mask deeper gaps).A simple admissions/common-sense principle: standards matter; “portfolio” evaluation shouldn’t ignore basic skills. How to use AI without losing your own voice—James’ test for “write it in my style” and why generic outputs still fall short. Timestamped Chapters:[02:00] Loft event stories, comedy beats, and setting the tone for a heavy topic. [05:00] NYC politics, leadership, and the “why would they vote for him?” question. [07:32] Slogans vs. reality: chants, charters, and what words actually imply. [09:30] Economics that sound nice vs. incentives that ruin cities. [12:00] “Don’t outsource your happiness to politicians.” A sanity reset. [20:48] Inside UCSD’s placement data: how did calculus passers miss first-grade algebra? [30:02] Standards, SATs, and what “remedial” hides (plus grade inflation). [77:49] How James and Brian actually use AI; “mad-bot disease” and why voice still matters.Additional ResourcesBrian Keating's "Monday M.A.G.I.C." NewsletterBrian Keating — personal websiteLosing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science’s Highest Honor by Brian KeatingInto the Impossible: Think Like a Nobel Prize Winner by Brian KeatingInto the Impossible Volume 2: Focus Like a Nobel Prize WinnerUniversity of California, San Diego — Brian Keating faculty pageTopics & Documents MentionedUC San Diego Admissions/Placement Working Group report (PDF). UCSD SenateCoverage of UCSD preparedness findingsHamas charters (1988; 2017 update) & “Intifada” contextMatt Wolfe — AI tutorials (site & YouTube)Book.sv - AI book recommendations based on books you've read.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Kent Heckenlively on Catastrophic Disclosure: UFO Whistleblowers, Government Spin, and James’s 85% Rule

  A Note from James:Are UFOs real or not? For 80 years there have been credible whistleblowers saying the government recovered craft—and even bodies. That’s why I wanted Kent Heckenlively on, the author of Catastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth. I’m not here to decide for you. I want to hear the best evidence, ask the obvious questions, and have you help me figure out if we actually got closer to the truth. Let’s find out together. Episode Description:n this episode, James sits down with Kent Heckenlively—attorney, journalist, and coauthor of Catastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth—to stress-test the most serious UFO claims on the table right now. Kent argues that humanity is on the brink of a “catastrophic disclosure” moment where long-hidden crash retrieval programs, nonhuman technology, and even bodies will be forced into the open. James plays the role he knows best: friendly skeptic who wants receipts, definitions, and clear thinking.Together they walk through recent congressional hearings, whistleblower testimony, the Yemen orb video, and those strange Peruvian mummies that look either like a bad hoax… or like something we truly don’t understand. They talk about how many people would have to keep secrets for decades, why the best deceptions are mostly true, and how scientific projects like Colossal Biosciences’ “de-extincted” dire wolves show both the promise and the hype of cutting-edge genetics. The result isn’t a verdict on whether aliens are visiting us. It’s a framework. James and Kent map out a way to think about uncertainty, spin, and incentives—whether you’re trying to decide what you believe about UFOs, pandemics, financial crises, or any other story where the truth lives behind NDAs, classified briefings, and very human motives.What You’ll Learn:James’s 85/15 rule for extraordinary claims—stay open without getting swept up. What makes the pilot/whistleblower testimony compelling—and what still doesn’t add up.How definitions and bureaucracy shape the narrative (e.g., how agencies say “not alien” without proving “explained”). A quick due-diligence checklist for wild stories (videos, “mummies,” pressers): provenance, incentives, cross-discipline sanity checks. Why institutional spin and media incentives matter—and how to discount them without becoming cynical. Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Cold Open — “If big institutions lie once, what else are they hiding?” [02:00] Kent’s stance: 85% “probably real,” 15% “maybe psyop—or brain glitches” [03:00] A Note from James — from skeptic to curious agnostic [04:16] Campfire confessions: trusted friends and the triangle in the Texas sky [06:29] From CIA exposes to UFOs: why this book took two years [07:00] 2023 hearings and “catastrophic disclosure” (vs. “controlled disclosure”) [10:06] Who is David Grusch? Why his language puzzles lawyers and persuades believers [12:32] Congress vs. intel: Burchett, Luna, oversight, and stonewalls [13:50] 25 investigations and a “mushroom cloud” excuse—when reports insult your intelligence [16:06] Firsthand witnesses: Dylan Borland and triangle craft near a NASA hangar [19:15] The hair-split: “real programs, correct personnel—just not alien” [23:30] Definition games: why “not alien” can still leave you with anomalies [25:06] Peru’s three-fingered “mummies”: scans, DNA claims, and what science would need next [30:43] Where the bodies are (allegedly) stored; who’s gotten access [33:42] Genetics sanity check: bananas, chimps, and why 70% similarity is strange here [34:05] Secrets and scale: could thousands keep quiet for 80 years? Greer’s 700 accounts [39:55] Before Sputnik: “vanishing stars” and odd plates in old sky surveys [42:53] NDAs, treason clauses, and why real whistleblowers are scared [44:25] James’s middle path: optimistic skeptic, not a cynic [48:28] The “Yemen orb” footage: multiple sensors, a Hellfire, and unanswered physics [50:30] Contact across a tech gap: Aztecs, galleons, and cell phones in 1025 AD [52:22] Nukes, Trinity, and why someone might be watching our arsenals [53:29] Quantum wormholes or “witches’ spells”? The story vs. the proof [55:27] Living with real unknowns and resisting team-sports thinking [55:59] Lightning round: the 100,000-year alien road-trip question Additional Resources:Guest & BookCatastrophic Disclosure: The Deep State, Aliens, and the Truth — Amazon listing. AmazonKent Heckenlively author page (Amazon). AmazonHearings, Pilots & WhistleblowersCmdr. David Fravor’s written statement to House Oversight (Tic-Tac). House Oversight CommitteeRyan Graves — testimony & org. Congress.govHouse UAP proceedings (hearing materials hub). Congress.govNew Footage ReferencedCBS News recap of Rep. Eric Burlison presenting the “Yemen orb” video. CBS NewsProjects & People MentionedDr. Steven Greer — Disclosure Project site. Dr. Steven GreerVASCO Project (Vanishing & Appearing Sources). Vasco ProjectColossal Biosciences — Dire-wolf project (and scientific explainer). ColossalSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Wisdom Takes Work: Ryan Holiday on What AI Can’t Teach You

  A Note from James:Wisdom Takes Work is Ryan Holiday’s fourth book exploring the Stoic virtues, and this time he’s taking on the big one — wisdom. His earlier books on courage, temperance, and justice were all great conversations, but this one hit me personally. I’ve often thought I had wisdom, only to realize later that I didn’t — or at least not as much as I thought.Ryan’s writing blends ancient Stoic philosophy with modern life in a way that feels both practical and timeless. We talked about how wisdom isn’t something you possess; it’s something you practice. It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about asking better questions, learning through experience, and staying humble enough to admit what you don’t know. Ryan’s back on the show — probably more than any other guest — and each time, I walk away seeing the world differently.Episode Description:James sits down with bestselling author and Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday to discuss Wisdom Takes Work, the newest addition to his series on the cardinal virtues. Together they unpack what “wisdom” really means — not as a static trait, but as an ongoing practice of curiosity, humility, and doing hard things.The conversation ranges from the limits of AI (“great at knowledge, terrible at wisdom”) to the importance of reading history, counting names on a plaque instead of trusting bad data, and learning by doing. Ryan also shares new insights from his upcoming biography of Admiral James Stockdale, and how the act of challenging himself as a writer mirrors the Stoic pursuit of wisdom itself.What You’ll Learn:Why wisdom isn’t about knowing — it’s about learning, questioning, and doing.How AI amplifies knowledge but can’t replace human judgment or discernment.Why experience, pain, and humility are necessary ingredients for growth.How Ryan’s research on Admiral Stockdale is changing his approach to writing and life.Practical ways to cultivate wisdom — from reading and travel to mentoring and open-mindedness.Timestamped Chapters:[00:00] Introduction: The difference between knowledge and wisdom [02:54] A Note from James — Why wisdom is the hardest virtue [05:37] AI’s limits and the danger of overconfidence [08:57] “Wisdom takes work”: Stoic principles in action [11:35] The verbs of virtue — acting with courage, justice, and discipline [13:12] Ryan’s AI experiment and the Naval Academy plaque [16:10] Knowing what you don’t know — humility as wisdom [18:30] Parenting, ego, and learning to argue less [22:00] Why age doesn’t guarantee wisdom [25:10] The trap of resisting change and staying “the smartest person in the room” [27:00] Adapting to new generations and ideas [31:00] Is wisdom a talent or a learned skill? [34:00] How books and mentors shape a wise mind [37:00] Raising curious kids in the age of MrBeast and AI [40:20] Teaching curiosity and lifelong learning [42:25] Practicing wisdom: reading, travel, and mentorship [47:00] Learning by doing — the pain and reward of hard work [50:20] Writing, research, and the lesson of David McCullough [53:07] Why Ryan’s next book is his hardest yet — Admiral Stockdale’s story [55:50] Finding new mentors and growing past your comfort zone [57:14] Living the Stoic life — success, service, and perspectiveAdditional Resources:Ryan Holiday – Wisdom Takes WorkRyan Holiday’s other Stoic virtue books: Courage Is Calling Discipline Is Destiny Right Thing, Right NowAdmiral James Stockdale – U.S. Naval Academy BiographyRobert Caro – Working: Researching, Interviewing, WritingDavid McCullough – Truman and John AdamsRyan Holiday’s The Daily Stoic Podcast – SpotifySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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• Jeff Pearlman on Tupac Shakur: The Myths, the Music, and the Man Behind the Legend

  A Note from JamesTupac Shakur—one of the greatest rap artists ever—was shot and killed almost two decades ago. What else is there left to say about him? What new things can be said?Well, Jeff Pearlman’s new book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur, takes on that challenge. In our conversation, we talk about what Jeff uncovered in his research, why he wanted to write another Tupac book, and what made this one different.But first, a little story. Back in the ’90s, I was running a company that built websites. Around 1997 or ’98, Tupac’s mom wanted to release a new album of his music and build a website around it. I went in to pitch the project—$90,000, which would’ve covered payroll for another month. I needed that deal.So I show up, ready to impress. Tupac’s manager says, “Okay, here’s my computer. Show me what you’ve got.” And I realize—I’ve never used a Windows machine in my life. I’d only ever used Macs. I couldn’t even figure out how to turn it on.I had a computer science degree. I was a software engineer. I’d been running this company for years. But in that moment, I had to admit: “I don’t know how to use this machine.” He laughed me out of the room. Literally.That was the day I learned that even the smartest pitch can fall apart if you forget to check which operating system you’re using.Anyway—what else is there to talk about with Tupac Shakur? Jeff Pearlman and I figured it out.Episode DescriptionIn this episode, James sits down with bestselling author and journalist Jeff Pearlman (The Last Folk Hero, Showtime, Sweetness) to talk about his latest book, Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac Shakur.Pearlman explores the contradictions, brilliance, and tragedy of Tupac’s life—how a performing arts kid from Baltimore became the poetic voice of West Coast hip hop, and how his complex identity was shaped by the Black Panther movement, celebrity culture, and the rise of gangsta rap.James and Jeff unpack Tupac’s evolution from Digital Underground hype man to solo artist, his influence on music and film, and the deeper meaning behind songs like Brenda’s Got a Baby. They also trace the events leading up to his death, separating myth from reality, and reflect on what Tupac’s legacy might have become if he’d lived.What You’ll LearnWhy Tupac’s “gangster” persona was more performance than realityHow his upbringing under a Black Panther mother shaped his worldviewThe untold story behind Brenda’s Got a Baby—and how Pearlman found the real “baby” years laterThe truth about Tupac’s relationship with Biggie Smalls and the events that led to both of their deathsWhy Tupac might have gone on to become a political or cultural leader, not just a rapperHow hip hop evolved from the storytelling of the ’90s to today’s more fragmented soundTimestamped Chapters[00:00] Introduction – James shares his connection to Tupac’s world [02:43] A Note from James – The web pitch that went wrong [05:00] Why Jeff Pearlman wrote a Tupac book [07:00] The challenge of writing outside his comfort zone [09:00] Tupac’s background and the myth of the “gangsta” image [11:00] The evolution of rap from the ’80s to now [16:00] What made Tupac’s art different from his peers [18:30] Tupac as a natural actor—and how he almost won an Oscar [21:00] Was his “gangster” side authentic or performance? [23:30] The night Tupac was killed—what really happened [26:00] How the East Coast–West Coast rivalry became fatal [30:00] The origin of Brenda’s Got a Baby and the real-life people behind it [35:00] Tupac’s literal storytelling and emotional honesty [36:30] How he might have evolved as an artist—or politician [38:00] The conversation that inspired a future Newark city councilman [40:00] Hip hop’s intelligence, legacy, and misunderstood brilliance [45:00] From Ice-T to Death Row: how labels, power, and politics shaped the scene [49:00] Wrapping up with gratitude—and a little hair envyAdditional ResourcesJeff Pearlman – Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives of Tupac ShakurJeff Pearlman’s Official WebsiteTupac Shakur – Brenda’s Got a Baby (Official Video)Digital Underground – Same Song (Tupac’s first verse)FBI Case File: Death of Tupac ShakurFilm: Juice (1992), starring Tupac Shakur and Omar EppsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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