The James Altucher Show

Episode Description:To launch our “From the Archive” series, James revisits his candid talk with Sara Blakely about turning fear into fuel, reframing failure, and selling a simple product with language and grit. You’ll hear the bathroom demo that won Neiman Marcus, the three-part courage engine she still uses, and how to protect the thinking time that sparks real ideas. What You’ll Learn:A usable framework for courage: how gratitude, mortality, and mission help you act when you’re anxious. Cold-call tactics that open doors: lead with humanity, humor, and a clear benefit; remove “doubt language.” Naming and language as strategy: why one word, cadence, or sound (“K”) can change response and recall. Prototype → proof → order: how to create momentum before the back office exists—and survive it. Idea hygiene: protect thinking time, keep an “idea log,” and test small, real-world demos fast. Timestamped Chapters:[02:13] “What did you fail at this week?” — redefining failure at the dinner table. [03:13] Why this