A Note from JamesThere’s always been debate about whether college is worth it. But what if there’s a better alternative—one that actually prepares you to become the person you want to be? My good friend Matt Smith just wrote a book with Doug Casey called The Preparation. It’s not theory—he’s been putting his own son through it as a real-world experiment. Instead of college, Maxim has spent the past two years learning skills like EMT training, firefighting, building houses, working cattle, and even launching a business. This is a practical roadmap for turning those years of 18–22 into a hero’s journey. I loved this conversation, and I’m sending the book to all of my kids.Episode DescriptionJames talks with entrepreneur and writer Matt Smith about his new book The Preparation, co-authored with Doug Casey. The book lays out a four-year alternative to college built around “cycles”—three-month intensive experiences designed to build practical skills, personal codes, and real-world wisdom. From earning an EMT license to fighting wildfires, training in Muay Thai, or running a small business, these cycles are designed to help young people become independent, capable, and resilient. James and Matt discuss why the traditional college path often fails, how to build a personal code of values, and why the future belongs to “expert generalists” who know how to learn across disciplines.What You’ll Learn<ul><li>Why “be, do, have” is a more powerful framework for life than chasing possessions or credentials.</li><li>How creating a personal code builds self-respect and identity.</li><li>Why intergenerational relationships matter more than peer validation.</li><li>How cycles of hands-on learning—from EMT work to entrepreneurship—prepare young people better than a classroom ever could.</li><li>Why becoming an expert generalist is the best hedge against a future dominated by AI and automation.</li></ul>Timestamped Chapters<ul><li>[00:00] A Note from James: College vs. alternatives</li><li>[01:00] Introducing Matt Smith and The Preparation</li><li>[03:00] Origins of the book and Doug Casey’s vision</li><li>[05:00] Writing the book for his son Maxim</li><li>[06:00] Why homeschooling replaced high school</li><li>[07:00] “Be, Do, Have” explained</li><li>[09:00] Stacking cycles vs. stacking skills</li><li>[10:00] Why the book focuses on young men (and how women can adapt it)</li><li>[11:00] How to build your own cycle</li><li>[13:00] Why traditional education fails to prepare people for real skills</li><li>[14:00] Establishing a personal code</li><li>[16:00] Examples of personal rules for self-respect</li><li>[18:00] Practicing courage and choosing virtues</li><li>[20:00] Skills Maxim has gained so far—EMT, chess, horses, firefighting</li><li>[22:00] Adventures with Doug Casey and small-country nation building</li><li>[24:00] Maxim’s cycles: EMT work, ranch apprenticeship, wildfire EMT</li><li>[27:00] Structure, resistance, and learning by doing</li><li>[28:00] Shelter Institute and learning to build a house</li><li>[29:00] Entrepreneurship cycle: precision agriculture with drones</li><li>[31:00] Lessons from entrepreneurship</li><li>[32:00] Muay Thai training in Thailand</li><li>[33:00] Cooking school in Florence</li><li>[34:00] Travel with purpose vs. aimless wandering</li><li>[36:00] James on biographies and meaningful decisions</li><li>[37:00] Preparing for AI and the future of work</li><li>[39:00] Why being an “expert generalist” matters</li><li>[41:00] Learning how to learn across environments</li><li>[42:00] The problem with peer-only education</li><li>[44:00] Intergenerational relationships as mentorship</li><li>[45:00] What comes after the preparation</li><li>[47:00] Why the program can work for adults too</li><li>[49:00] Rethinking retirement as another cycle of preparation</li><li>[56:00] Matt’s personal growth through writing and learning new skills</li><li>[58:00] Designing The Preparation as a beautiful, interactive book</li><li>[59:00] Closing thoughts and sending the book to the next generation</li></ul>Additional Resources<ul><li>Matt Smith & Doug Casey — <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preparation-Become-Competent-Confident-Dangerous/dp/B0FLRKYCCP/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Preparation</a></li><li>Doug Casey’s Take (Podcast): <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DougCaseysTake" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a></li><li>Doug Casey’s Official Site: <a href="https://internationalman.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">internationalman.com</a></li><li>The Shelter Institute (Learn to Build a House): <a href="https://www.shelterinstitute.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shelterinstitute.com</a></li><li>Muay Thai Training in Thailand (Example School): <a href="https://muay-thai-santai.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Santai Muay Thai Gym</a></li><li>Florence Cooking School Example: <a href="https://apicius.it/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apicius International School of Hospitality</a></li><li>Stripe Press (Books mentioned by Matt): <a href="https://press.stripe.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stripe.press</a></li><li>Doug Casey’s Classic Book — Crisis Investing: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Investing-Douglas-R-Casey/dp/0671426788/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amazon</a></li></ul>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.

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