A Note from James:

Probably no president has fascinated this country and our history as much as John F. Kennedy, JFK. Everyone who lived through it remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated. He's considered the golden boy of American politics. But I didn't know this amazing conspiracy that was happening right before JFK took office.

Best-selling thriller writer Brad Meltzer, one of my favorite writers, breaks it all down. He just wrote a book called The JFK Conspiracy. I highly recommend it. And we talk about it right here on the show.

Episode Description:

Brad Meltzer returns to the show to reveal one of the craziest untold stories about JFK: the first assassination attempt before he even took office. In his new book, The JFK Conspiracy, Brad dives into the little-known plot by Richard Pavlik, a disgruntled former postal worker with a car rigged to explode.

What saved JFK’s life that day? Why does this story remain a footnote in history? Brad shares riveting details, the forgotten man who thwarted the plot, and how this story illuminates America’s deeper fears. We also explore the legacy of JFK and Jackie Kennedy, from heroism to scandal, and how their "Camelot" has shaped the presidency ever since.

What You’ll Learn:

1. The true story of JFK’s first assassination attempt in 1960.
2. How Brad Meltzer uncovered one of the most bizarre historical footnotes about JFK.
3. The untold role of Richard Pavlik in plotting to kill JFK and what stopped him.
4. Why Jackie Kennedy coined the term "Camelot" and shaped JFK’s legacy.
5. Parallels between the 1960 election and today’s polarized political climate.

Timestamped Chapters:

• [01:30] Introduction to Brad Meltzer and His New Book
• [02:24] The Untold Story of JFK's First Assassination Attempt
• [05:03] Richard Pavlik: The Man Who Almost Killed JFK
• [06:08] JFK's Heroic World War II Story
• [09:29] The Complex Legacy of JFK
• [10:17] The Influence of Joe Kennedy
• [13:20] Rise of the KKK and Targeting JFK
• [20:01] The Role of Religion in JFK's Campaign
• [25:10] Conspiracy Theories and Historical Context
• [30:47] The Camelot Legacy
• [36:01] JFK's Assassination and Aftermath
• [39:54] Upcoming Projects and Reflections

Additional Resources:

• The JFK Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
• Clint Hill's Memoir, Mrs. Kennedy and Me
• The Life Magazine Camelot Interview
• Watch the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon Debates

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