So, I’m out rock climbing, but I really wanted to take a moment to introduce today’s guest: Roger Reaves. This guy is unbelievable. He’s arguably the biggest drug smuggler in history, having worked with Pablo Escobar and others through the '70s, '80s, and even into the '90s. Roger’s life is like something out of a movie—he spent 33 years in jail and has incredible stories about the drug trade, working with people like Barry Seal, and the U.S. government’s involvement in the smuggling business. Speaking of Barry Seal, if you’ve seen American Made with Tom Cruise, there’s a wild scene where Barry predicts the prosecutor’s next move after being arrested—and sure enough, it happens just as he said. Well, Barry Seal actually worked for Roger. That’s how legendary this guy is. Roger also wrote a book called Smuggler about his life. You’ll want to check that out after hearing these crazy stories. Here’s Roger Reaves.

Roger Reaves shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings on a farm to becoming one of the most notorious drug smugglers in history. He discusses working with Pablo Escobar, surviving harrowing escapes from law enforcement, and the brutal reality of imprisonment and torture. Roger reflects on his decisions, the human connections that shaped his life, and the lessons learned from a high-stakes career. Whether you’re here for the stories or the insights into an underground world, this episode offers a rare glimpse into a life few could imagine.

• How Roger Reaves became involved in drug smuggling and built connections with major players like Pablo Escobar and Barry Seal.
• The role of the U.S. government in the drug trade and its surprising intersections with Roger’s operations.
• Harrowing tales of near-death experiences, including shootouts, plane crashes, and daring escapes.
• The toll a life of crime takes on family, faith, and personal resilience.
• Lessons learned from decades of high-risk decisions and time behind bars.

• [00:01:30] Introduction to Roger Reaves
• [00:02:00] Connection to Barry Seal and American Made
• [00:02:41] Early Life and Struggles
• [00:09:16] Moonshine and Early Smuggling
• [00:12:06] Transition to Drug Smuggling
• [00:16:15] Close Calls and Escapes
• [00:26:46] Torture and Imprisonment in Mexico
• [00:32:02] First Cocaine Runs
• [00:44:06] Meeting Pablo Escobar
• [00:53:28] The Rise of Cocaine Smuggling
• [00:59:18] Arrest and Imprisonment
• [01:06:35] Barry Seal's Downfall
• [01:10:45] Life Lessons from the Drug Trade
• [01:15:22] Reflections on Faith and Family
• [01:20:10] Plans for the Future

• Roger Reaves’ book: Smuggler
• Information about Barry Seal: Barry Seal Wikipedia
• The movie American Made: IMDb Link

A Note from James:

"Couldn't believe it was possible. I thought the reality show of Election 2024 could not be beat, but it turns out that was just season one, and season two is incredible. Right now, I don't know whether this is insane or the smartest thing possible. So we're going to figure this out right now. Trump just announced that he wants to buy Greenland and so many things to unpack there. The deeper I go, the more of a rabbit hole it became, and the deeper I went."

Episode Description:

In this episode, James Altucher delves into former President Donald Trump's recent announcement to buy Greenland, exploring the strategic and economic reasons behind the move. The discussion revisits Trump's initial interest in purchasing Greenland in 2019 and examines the geopolitical significance of the island, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and oil reserves. The episode also considers China's control over rare earth minerals and the potential ramifications for U.S. national security. Despite Denmark's refusal to sell, the analysis suggests that acquiring Greenland could benefit both the island's residents and the strategic interests of the United States.

What You'll Learn:

1. The historical and strategic significance of Greenland for the U.S.
2. Why President Trump announced plans to buy Greenland, citing strategic necessity.
3. The importance of rare earth minerals and Greenland's substantial reserves.
4. China's control over the global supply of rare earth minerals and its potential impact.
5. The strategic military value of Greenland for the U.S., especially regarding rare earth minerals, oil, and gas.
6. Specific mining rights in Greenland and their control by Chinese companies.
7. The geopolitical implications of the U.S. owning Greenland and countering China's influence.
8. The importance of public figures like Ken Howery and Elon Musk in these discussions.
9. The rationale behind Trump’s repeated interest in purchasing Greenland.

Timestamped Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction: The Unbelievable Reality of Election 2024

[00:21] Trump's Greenland Ambition: A Recap

[00:50] Crowdfunding Greenland: A Personal Journey

[01:37] Strategic Importance of Greenland

[06:25] The Rare Earth Minerals Dilemma

[14:35] Historical Attempts to Buy Greenland

[18:55] Modern Geopolitical Implications

[21:02] Conclusion: The Future of Greenland

Additional Resources:

• James Altcher: Greenland - Let's buy it!
• James Altucher's Blog

The world's completely changing. Young people, including my five kids, are no longer planning on that one-job, one-career trajectory where you start at General Motors or Procter & Gamble and retire 45 years later with a gold watch. Instead, they’re hustling. They're building side hustles, working from home, and finding ways to make money while traveling.

And where do all these opportunities come from? Micha Kaufman, the founder and CEO of Fiverr, joins me today. Fiverr has created millions of jobs and revolutionized the gig economy. It's not just about freelancing—it’s about how you can leverage platforms like Fiverr alongside AI to create opportunities. This conversation could change your life. Let's get into it.

In this episode, James Altucher chats with Micha Kaufman, the visionary founder and CEO of Fiverr. Micha shares how Fiverr reshaped the freelance marketplace by making talent accessible to anyone, anywhere. They discuss how the gig economy has evolved, the role of AI in freelancing, and why adaptability is the key to thriving in the modern workforce. Micha’s insights reveal the strategies that made Fiverr a global platform connecting millions while changing how businesses access talent.

1. How Fiverr revolutionized freelancing by creating a catalog-based marketplace and simplifying the hiring process.
2. The impact of AI on freelancing—how it’s creating new opportunities and enhancing productivity for creatives and businesses alike.
3. The future of the gig economy and why adaptability is crucial in a rapidly evolving job market.
4. Fiverr’s viral growth strategy and what entrepreneurs can learn about building a two-sided marketplace.
5. The role of human creativity in the age of AI, and how freelancers can maintain their edge.

• [01:30] Introduction and Overview of Fiverr
• [03:42] The Birth of Fiverr: Inspiration and Early Challenges
• [05:56] Fiverr’s Unique Approach to Freelancing
• [10:18] The Gig Economy and Fiverr’s Impact
• [13:36] Adapting to Market Needs and Growth
• [20:48] Fiverr’s Viral Growth Strategy
• [25:49] AI’s Impact on Jobs and Services
• [32:23] Freelancers and AI Tools
• [40:46] Fiverr’s Evolution with AI
• [46:16] Going Public: Fiverr’s Journey
• [49:53] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

• Fiverr - Official Website
• The Gig Economy by Diane Mulcahy
• Micha Kaufman on LinkedIn
• James Altucher’s Blog