Loading...

PODCAST

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast is a modern geopolitics podcast that wades deep into the machinery of our global systems. We explore not just what happened this week, but why it happened, and what it means for markets, money, and the people living through it. Geopolitics is the intersection of geography and politics. Each episode, geopolitical analyst Jacob Shapiro sits down with economists, strategists, scientists, journalists, and people on the ground to follow one story to its roots: the US-China

government politics

All Episodes

01:01:58

The Government Is Coming For Your [insert asset here]

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/10/07

What if money could make you freer instead of more dependent? Matt McClintock joins the pod to dive into Bitcoin’s evolution from digital experiment to geopolitical force - a technology challenging governments, redefining sovereignty, and reshaping how value moves across the world. Matt and Jacob explore what “freedom money” really means, why personal sovereignty now collides with state power, and how the struggle between fiat and crypto reveals the future of economics, trust, and control in a

en

01:03:44

Techno-Feudal Estates

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/09/30

Jacob Shapiro is joined by Matt Pines, Executive Director of the Bitcoin Policy Institute, to discuss the accelerating convergence of Bitcoin, AI, geopolitics, and energy. Pines argues that technological change is happening faster than existing frameworks can manage, pushing once-fringe ideas into mainstream policy debates. They explore how AI and Bitcoin are straining U.S. infrastructure, particularly the electrical grid, and what this means for national security and economic stability. The

en

01:06:34

Alone in the Insane Asylum

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/09/24

Jacob Shapiro reconnects with Chase Taylor (of Pinecone Macro) for a wide-ranging conversation on U.S. competitiveness. The two dig into why electricity costs, labor shortages, and weak industrial policy matter far more than endless chatter about tariffs or rate cuts. They trade scenarios on how soaring power demand, grid fragility, and demographic decline could shape America’s future against China. Along the way, they touch on robots, nearshoring to Mexico, farm policy, and why simple, obvious

en

46:56

Youth Against Government

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/09/22

Jacob steps away from his usual roster of experts to bring listeners a first-person account from Kathmandu. Law student and human rights scholar Prasansha Rimal reflects on Nepal’s fragile democracy, its youth-led protests, and the deeper frustration with corruption and stagnant politics. She describes how social media both sparked dissent and revealed inequality, while broader grievances fueled unrest. Jacob underscores the courage of her testimony, noting that her perspective adds invaluable, if

en

01:13:36

“Bitcoin is a Miracle”

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/09/19

Jacob and Rob reunite after a long break, tracing the threads between a dizzying run of global events and markets that seem strangely calm. Jacob frames the conversation with parallels to the 1920s, questioning whether today’s mix of political volatility, speculative fervor, and rapid technological change echoes past cycles of boom and fracture. Alongside Rob’s market perspective, he explores AI’s slowdown, labor shortages, and the looming electricity crunch, before pulling the discussion toward

en

55:47

Deterrence by Punishment

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/09/15

Jacob Shapiro sits down with Jacek Bartosiak, founder of Strategy&Future, to discuss Russia’s drone incursions into Polish airspace and their broader implications. From Warsaw’s perspective, deterrence has failed, pushing debate toward a “politics of punishment.” Bartosiak outlines the fracturing of NATO credibility, the rise of an Intermarium bloc from the Baltics to Turkey, and Ukraine’s surprising military innovations. Together, they explore how Poland, Ukraine, and regional allies may

en

01:15:46

Soft Dictatorship, Big Tariffs

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/09/09

After a month-long hiatus recovering from illness, Jacob Shapiro returns to the podcast joined by recurring guest Elohim Monard. Together, they examine the transactional nature of U.S.–Latin America relations, debating whether the region is part of a declining American empire and how leaders like Claudia Sheinbaum and Lula navigate Washington’s shifting policies. Their discussion ranges from Brazil’s geopolitical role to Venezuela’s fragility, highlighting the Latin Americanization of U.S. politics

en

56:29

Pissing in the Public Pool

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/08/08

Jacob and Rob dig into 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 institutions in a polarized, AI-saturated world. The conversation spans historical context, philosophical takes on truth and data, and the coming war for proprietary information. They close with a baffling shift in U.S.-India trade policy—and a call for help understanding

en

01:02:24

Fiscal Reality and Financial Repression

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/07/29

Jacob Shapiro sits down with Luke Gromen for a wide-ranging discussion about AI’s disruption, the U.S. fiscal outlook, and global power dynamics. Jacob noted that AI is rapidly commoditizing data and could upend white-collar industries, but he and Luke agreed that intuition and discerning quality data points remain critical. They dug into Europe’s strategic weaknesses, the U.S.-China rivalry, and vulnerabilities in supply chains like rare earths. On the U.S. fiscal front, Luke argued that the

en

01:09:16

The White Nationalist Social Democracy

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/07/18

Jacob interviews Dr. Van Jackson, an international relations scholar specializing in East Asian and Pacific security. They discuss the accelerating pace and volatility of U.S. foreign policy, characterizing Trump-era actions as part of a broader counter-revolutionary, oligarchic project. Van critiques both major U.S. parties and highlights the risk of diversionary wars as legitimacy crises grow. They explore the geopolitics of Iran, Israel, and China, and conclude with insights on North Korea and

en

52:31

Our Post-Neoliberal Moment (w/ Mike Konczal)

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/07/11

Jacob welcomes economic policy expert Mike Konczal for a wide-ranging conversation on American capitalism, industrial policy, and the evolving role of the state. They explore how the Biden administration’s economic agenda challenges decades of neoliberal orthodoxy, discuss the implications of increased public investment, and examine what it means to have a “pro-worker” economy. Konczal brings deep insight into the politics and pragmatics of economic reform, offering a nuanced look at the shifting

en

01:09:44

Our Currency, Your Problem

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/07/04

Jacob and Rob Larity dive deep into U.S. interest rate dynamics, focusing on Jerome Powell, Trump’s criticism of the Fed, and the potential political and market-driven forces affecting rate decisions. They explore Fed mechanics, historical precedent for presidential interference, and potential appointments like Scott Bessent. They also examine the inflationary impact of trade policy, tariff theatrics, and global economic slowdown signals. The episode concludes with Rob’s investment outlook—bearish

en

54:08

Unpacking the U.S.-Pakistan Reset (with Fahd Humayun)

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/30

Jacob Shapiro speaks with Fahd Humayun about the shifting geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and the Middle East. They discuss Pakistan’s perspective on the Iran-Israel conflict, U.S.-Pakistan relations under a potential second Trump term, and the strategic implications of Pakistan’s recent military and diplomatic moves. The conversation also explores India-Pakistan tensions, the lowering threshold for military escalation, the role of China in regional alliances, and the internal political

en

49:51

The Largest Standing Army In Europe

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/27

Jacob Shapiro and Rob Larity discuss the recent Israel-Iran conflict and its geopolitical impacts, including President Trump's ceasefire announcement. They analyze the muted market reactions, particularly oil's price drop, despite heightened tensions. The conversation then explores significant shifts in U.S.-Japan relations, highlighting Japan's rising outward investments as indicative of strategic realignments. Finally, Jacob and Rob reflect on navigating uncertainty, advocating long-term strategic

en

47:26

Latin America's Moment in Global Chaos

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/20

Jacob Shapiro sits down with Facundo Robles, Program Coordinator at the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program, for a wide-ranging conversation on how the Israel-Iran conflict intersects with Latin America’s geopolitical and economic realities. They unpack why Latin America remains relatively stable amid global volatility, and how rising oil, fertilizer, and agricultural prices might impact countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. The conversation weaves through U.S.-China competition,

en

48:17

Tariffs, Trust, and Tokyo

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/18

In this episode, Jacob speaks with Japan analyst Tobias Harris to unpack rising tensions in U.S.-Japan trade relations amid the Trump administration’s tariff blitz. They explore how Japan—historically a close U.S. ally—is reacting to unclear demands, internal U.S. policy chaos, and the potential collapse of trust in American economic leadership. Tobias breaks down the limits of personal diplomacy, the legacy of Shinzo Abe, and why Japan is quietly building plan B trade alliances. They also cover

en

33:03

Israel Strikes Iran P2: Analyst Kamran Bokhari

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/13

Jacob Shapiro is joined by Middle East expert Kamran Bokhari to analyze the rapidly unfolding Israeli military strikes on Iran. They discuss the strategic implications of Israel’s targeted attacks on IRGC leadership, the potential for regime instability in Tehran, and the calculus behind Washington’s response. Bokhari introduces the concept of “evolutionary regime change” and outlines scenarios ranging from internal coups to regional realignment. Together, they explore whether Israel’s aim is

en

29:03

Israel Strikes Iran P1: Security Expert Hamidreza Azizi

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/13

Jacob Shapiro speaks with Iranian security expert Hamidreza Azizi to unpack Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran. They explore the strategic implications of Israel’s multi-phase assault, including the assassination of top IRGC commanders, the targeting of nuclear and missile infrastructure, and the collapse of Iran’s proxy network. Azizi outlines Iran’s limited options—from potential retaliation to a pivot toward nuclear armament—and discusses the psychological warfare at play. With U.S

en

01:16:06

Stablecoins and the Geopolitics of Trust

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/09

Jacob and Rob respond to listener feedback about negativity by focusing on positive trends, including declining violent crime and drug overdose rates in the U.S. They then dive into a high-level exploration of stablecoins—what they are, why they matter, and the potential risks and geopolitical implications of their rise. They compare the U.S. approach to stablecoins with the digital currency strategies of China and the EU, unpack the difference between innovation and systemic risk, and ask whether

en

53:12

Ukrainian Drone Attack and the Future of War

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast ·

2025/06/06

Jacob welcomes Sim Tack, a military analyst at Force Analysis, to break down the shifting battlefield dynamics in Ukraine. Together, they unpack Ukraine’s evolving tactics, Russia’s slow but grinding advances, and the logistical and manpower challenges both sides face. Jacob pushes for a bigger picture: what this phase of the war tells us about the future of U.S. involvement, Europe’s strategic posture, and why the world should be watching Eastern Ukraine more closely. Sim offers clarity without

en

361 results

Similar Podcasts

The Government Technology Insider Podcast

Government Technology Insider

The Jacob Shapiro Podcast

Jacob Shapiro

Live From America with Jeremy Herrell

Jeremy Herrell

Best of News Talk 590 WVLK AM

NewsTalk 590 WVLK | Cumulus Media...

America, Actually with Astead Herndon

Vox Media