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The James Altucher Show

The Stoic Capitalist: How Rational Thinking Creates Success | Robert Rosenkranz

The James Altucher Show

James Altucher

Society & Culture, Talk Radio, Writer, Philosophy, Comedy, Chess, How To, Entrepreneurship, Jay, James, The James Altucher Show, Altucher, Author, Jay Yow, Education, Jay The Engineer, Business, James Altucher

4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 25 June 2025

⏱️ 72 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

A Note from James:

Man, what a fascinating career Robert Rosenkranz has had—multi-billionaire, involved in virtually every part of finance and American industry. He wrote a book called The Stoic Capitalist, and what really stands out is how he's actively applied stoic principles to achieve immense success throughout his career. Even from a young age, stoicism played a crucial role, guiding him through critical business decisions. It's a real pleasure speaking with Robert—an American icon.


Episode Description:

James welcomes Robert Rosenkranz, author of The Stoic Capitalist: Advice for the Exceptionally Ambitious, to discuss how applying stoicism's timeless principles helped him navigate pivotal career decisions and financial challenges. Robert candidly shares his experiences—from early high-stress deals to launching a private equity firm where he risked his entire net worth—and explains why stoic philosophy remains essential for rational decision-making in business and life. The conversation highlights how embracing uncertainty and questioning assumptions can lead to clarity and resilience in a constantly changing world.


What You'll Learn:

  • How to differentiate between rational risks and emotional fears in critical decisions.
  • Strategies for recognizing and overcoming cognitive distortions like catastrophizing.
  • Practical applications of stoicism in modern investing and entrepreneurship.
  • Insights into adapting to rapid technological changes, particularly AI.
  • The importance of spousal support and personal relationships in career success.

Timestamped Chapters:

  • [00:00] Introduction to Robert Rosenkranz
  • [02:00] The First Major Deal and Stoic Principles
  • [05:00] Risk and Rational Decision Making
  • [09:00] The Role of Biographies and Early Influences
  • [12:00] The Importance of Spousal Support
  • [28:00] Stoicism and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • [34:00] Exploring Financial Trends and Technology
  • [35:00] The Impact of Artificial Intelligence
  • [36:00] Addressing Fears and Job Displacement
  • [37:00] Adapting to Technological Change
  • [44:00] The State of the US Economy
  • [48:00] Investment Strategies and Market Behavior
  • [54:00] Stoicism and Its Influence on Investing
  • [57:00] The Role of Social Media in Society
  • [63:00] Reflections on Public Service and Education
  • [67:00] Conclusion and Final Thoughts


Additional Resources:


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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

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0:53.6

it's about keeping about keeping the lights on. It's about keeping

0:54.4

everything secure. Man, what a fascinating career Robert Rosencrantz had. Multibillionaire has basically

1:06.7

been involved in every part of the finance industry and really American industry.

1:14.2

And he wrote a book, The Stoic Capitalist.

1:16.8

And what I really like about this, he's not just being philosophical about stoicism.

1:21.6

And I like those books, too.

1:22.7

And I like seeing the historical examples about stoicism and stuff.

1:26.3

But he shows from an early point in this career how he actively used the principles of

1:31.8

stoicism to have great, great success.

1:36.6

And he's written about it in the book of the Stoicapalist, and we talk about how even at a young

1:41.5

age, stoicism, and the principles Stoicism were so important to him,

1:45.8

and he explains it. So really great talking to Robert, a real pleasure, kind of an American

1:50.9

icon, and again, author of the book, The Stoic Capitalist.

1:56.7

This isn't your average business podcast, and he's not your average host.

2:02.0

This is the James Altasier Show.

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