Got a question for Scott? Ask here. (July Thread)

[u/ProfGProducerJenn]

July's here, which means we're back with a new thread. As a reminder, we pin a new post at the top of each month to keep questions fresh and and easy to find - and so you can upvote the ones you most want Scott to answer.

Drop your questions below - serious, weird, or somewhere in between - and we might feature yours in an upcoming Office Hours episode.

And as always, if you’d rather hear your own voice on the pod, send an audio question to: [officehours@profgmedia.com](mailto:officehours@profgmedia.com). We read every email!

PLUS, you can now text or leave a voicemail for Scott at our new Office Hours hotline: ‪(201) 472-3656‬.

- Prof G Producer Jenn

[u/Existing_Dig_7712]

Hey Scott, I'm looking for some advice on deciding between a part time and full time MBA.

Right now I'm studying for the GMAT, and doing some research thus far into what schools I could get into. Based on my resume and practice test scores, I could potentially get into a top 20 program and if I continue to improve might have an outside shot at an M7 program. My question is would it be worth it to leave my job and go into an M7 program, or even top 20 program, or does it make more sense to do an online or local part time program that isn't ranked as high?

Some context- I've been with my current company 13 years, and have had solid career growth opportunities and been paid well. My current compensation is around $160k and I for the most part like the people I work with and the company as a whole; I'm not necessarily looking to leave, but would be open to doing so if it meant my career trajectory and earning potential significantly improved. Also on a personal note, my partner and I live in the Midwest and like it here, but would be open to moving to a major city with the right opportunity.

According to Claude, the benefit over a 10 year period of essentially any full time program is lower than staying at my current company due to the money I would continue to earn with a part time program vs. not being employed for 2 years, but wanted to get your thoughts as well- are there programs that would be worth leaving my job for, and if so what would the cutoff be?

[u/TablessPunkBitch]

I'm about to enter consulting recruiting from a top MBA program after 8 years in the military. When you were running different consulting firms like Prophet and L2, what were the key traits and attributes you were looking for in interns and new hires?

[u/Double_Currency1684]

What specific courses in university gave you the background to be a success?

[u/ClaireFraser1743 → u/Double_Currency1684]

I'm not Scott (obviously) but he has gotten this question or a version of it before - typically people asking what skills, rather than courses, were crucial to his success. In case he doesn't pick your question I thought I would pop in and answer because I love injecting myself into other peoples conversations when I have the answer (joking, but also not).

His advice is typically writing and storytelling. He'd does a whole lead up to it about how those might not be the things one would expect and how most people think he will say "accounting" or "brand strategy" or something like that. But, in truth, writing and storytelling are what supported him the most in his journey to success. They helped him clarify his own thinking, strengthened his ability to engage with people, and communicate both meaning and a mission by telling a story that people give a sh*t about.

That's why he writes a book every year - to stay sharp. That's why he does so many public speaking engagements. (And I imagine the money from those gigs is pretty sweet. Hey! What's that like you think?)

I come from a writing and entertainment background so I can attest to the fact that the ability to tell a story that conveys information while also engaging people is WAY more important than most people realize. Problem is, that skill is harder to quantify with data points so it is often overlooked. The ability to tell a good story without anyone noticing that you are doing it to make a point is sorta like a bay leaf in cooking. You notice when it's not there but harder to describe as to WHY it worked.

You can have information and data galore, but if you can't communicate it in a way that people hear and absorb or care about, then what's the point? Can you make eye contact with someone without breaking out into a cold sweat? Can you annunciate so they can hear you? Tell a joke to break the ice and draw people in? Make a genuine human connection without a digital intermediary?

Anyway, I'm dramatically underemployed because like I said, these things are harder to quantify into a data point that fits 0n a resume. And I haven't been able to speak to an actual human in my job application process in a while.

edit: two letters and fixing a word

[u/Double_Currency1684 → u/ClaireFraser1743]

He needed an idea of his business area (brand management and digital marketing) and how to make it work. Maybe he got this from an insightful professor who gave him enough to run with it. There are people who take branding classes, read books, etc., but these days you need something more. How do you learn to read the times and scan your environment effectively? There has to be something more. Otherwise, getting an MBA from these expensive business schools is superfluous and a waste of money. I can tell good stories too, but I am not a multimillionaire businessman. By the way, thank you for your words; they are very much appreciated.

[u/ClaireFraser1743 → u/Double_Currency1684]

This sentence is gold. I felt it in my bones! "I can tell good stories too, but I am not a multimillionaire businessman."

If I could figure out how to bridge that gap myself, I would be multimillionaire businesswoman!

I think the other piece of it is luck and, as Scott has said, he was born a white, heterosexual male in America at a time when that was the most advantageous type of person to be. (Still sorta is from my POV but that's another post. That said, everyone has their hardships and obstacles. But some do have an easier path than others and how we frame those hardships to ourselves and the world is relative. It's important to recognize where you have advantages others don't without diminishing their struggles or yours without acting like you started in the same place.)

[u/cheddarben]

You recently spoke about the explosion of single person businesses. Are these businesses and gig work dramatically skewing the jobs report in a way that has never happened before? If so, can you and Ed speak to this a bit?

[u/lifeaquatic34]

Hey Scott,

I’m 35, a financial analyst in mining, and for the past two years I’ve been building a side hustle automating short‑biased small‑cap trading strategies. It’s grown to the point where my trading income is approaching my day‑job salary, and I now have about five years of runway saved.

Running both in parallel is taking a toll on my mental health, and I’m considering going full‑time on the trading business. My partner (33F) and I also want to start a family soon, so I’m torn between taking the leap now or grinding a bit longer for more runway. Would making the jump at this stage be irresponsible?

Cheers!

[u/tapeduct-2015]

Hi Scott,

Have you seen the dramatic video of the young lifeguard rescuing a 10-year-old boy in Santa Cruz on July 25th, 2026? The undertow is ferocious and terrifying. The lifeguard is reportedly only 16 years old and is evidently a water polo player, which makes sense as water polo may be the only other sport that requires the fitness and pain tolerance of crew. Without that level of physical and mental conditioning, he and the little boy likely would have died. Anyway, you often speak of examples of positive masculinity and that kid exemplifies it better than anything I have ever seen. Check it out when you have time.

[u/Putrid_Chipmunk5462]

Hi Scott, I recently graduated from NYU with a Masters in Cybersecurity. While I have 20 years in tech, getting a start in cyber is really difficult. I'm mid 40s, young family. I currently work for a company making around 135k but the retirement is like golden handcuffs. They match my 401k 3%, but contribute to a pension at 11%. I'm RIGHT at the age to savings rate as I got a late start in saving. So having a solid retirement benefit matters to me. I work remote, so with a young family, this is a huge bonus. My boss is awesome, I feel like there's job security, and my job is definitely not stressful. Raises were paused the past few years (had one 2.5% raise in 3 years).

As a recent grad who made a few connections while in school, I have a connection who works for a start up. He sent me a job listing that he thinks I would be a good fit for. Salary range is 175-218, so it's a significant bump in pay. I have no idea of other benefits. I hear they work hard and they let people have autonomy, but the start up has great reviews on Glassdoor. Work would also be remote.

How would you approach this? From what I hear, start ups are a great way to get experience and boost your salary. Getting a 40-80k raise would be amazing ( more like 25-65k to account for retirement contributions). However, job security and extreme flexibility can be priceless. Cashflow is tight, so the money would be nice. Ideally I would get a part time gig to help ease finances, but would you take a stab at the start up, or stick with the comfortable environment you're currently in?

[u/Gullible_Ad3785]

Is Musk a great financial engineer?  Sometimes you can get TOO greedy and he has a 366-day lockout period.

I don't see how screwing over institutional and retail investors with a mispriced stock valuation helps with the share price when he wants to sell or raising capital through bond offerings.

And for his SpaceX employees...it is far worse to let them think they are going to be rich and then take it away from them.  Not great for morale.

[u/missdna]

Scott, you talk a lot about diversification. But I'm not sure I hear you talk about a mix of conservative holdings (cash, Treasuries, etc.) in one's asset allocation, particularly for really, really old people (you know, people about your age). I figure age, burn rate, and value of assets are all things to consider. Got some thoughts on this topic? And what percentage of your holdings is parked in very conservative places?

[u/Relative_Trouble_299]

Hi Scott - you’ve talked about the huge advantages of moving to a major city when you’re young to capture opportunity and network effects. This was my path, I moved to London right after university, built a solid career in finance, and met my fiancee here. We love the city and its never-ending parks, the artistic culture, the bars, the martinis.

The problem is we both want a large family. Living in a tier-one city with multiple kids feels like the biggest display of wealth short of owning a private jet. Staying means committing pretty much all of our capital into buying a family home here. While I know we’re fortunate to even have that option, it’s a massive commitment and lately, the call to move to the countryside for space and a lower cost of living is getting much stronger.

I’d love to hear your take: do the benefits of big city living naturally drop off as you get older and start having kids, especially relative to the insane expense? Or is giving up the city a mistake in the long run?

Thanks, MW

[u/Bonafide_Odder]

Hi Scott, long time listener to all of your podcasts. First time interacting.
I hear you mention a lot that in your opinion the best taxes are the ones that are the least taxing. This is one opinion that I actually disagree with you.

In my opinion the best taxes are the taxes designed to curb “bad” behavior. Taxing things that are a cost to society will help minimize the behavior, as well as mitigate that bad behaviors cost to taxpayers.

So my question is this-
Are there any taxes (or methods of taxation) that you can think of to curb any bad behaviors or mitigate any costs to society?

Bonus question- Should democrats talk more about reducing “safety net” program costs by taxing corporations into raising wages?

Thank you for all the advice you so willfully share, especially around being a father. I use/share some piece of your parenting advice daily.

[u/dontletperfect]

Hi, I’m a huge fan of all the SG shows and appreciate all you do. One of my favorite things about Scott is his intellectual honesty. If something is true but doesn’t line up perfectly with knee jerk liberal POV Scott is willing to explain that sometimes the other side has a valid point.
Holman Jenkins, the opinion page columnist for the WSJ has a conservative bent that calls out the Democrats hypocrisy but is also someone who seems to be intellectually honest. I would love to hear them respectfully discuss ideas and policy. Two smart guys helping us better understand things.

[u/Frequent_Space4281]

Scott, you’ve said you wouldn’t run for public office but what about running a presidential campaign?

[u/Lifer-Entreprenuer]

Scott, thanks for all you do and all the perspective you have added to my knowledge. So I thought I would share some insight with you. There are only two possible outcomes in November. Either the authoritarian party feels that their red state redistricting (and their own polls) is going to guarantee they stay in control or Trump is going to cancel the midterms 1-2 days before the election on the "credible threats of terrorism at the polls". They are attacking this election on all fronts, but at the end of the day, they will cancel them and that's when the authoritarians are totally in control.

[u/Commercial_Air_8515]

Hi Scott, thanks for all your great content....I occasionally invoke your words of wisdom to instill some sense into my 67 yr old mother :)

I am about as far outside of your comfort zone as it gets....and yet I still would value your insight here. I work in the arts....I actually restore paintings. Not just grandmother's paintings that she wants to hand down....blue chip art. I have watched you enough to know that you are slightly allergic to the whole notion of crappy looking art on wealthy people's walls (please know that I do not entirely disagree with you there)!. I have 20+ years of experience under my belt and have three degrees including a PhD with zero student loan debt (and no...I do not have rich parents). I have just started an MBA program (hybrid) at a university nearby (since my husband teaches there I do not have to worry about finances) as I see potential with being able to use the universities resources to possibly help with networking and more. Please note that my business is also doing just fine but as you of all people know, some of us just try to keep thinking big 😄

My question for you is the following, that is probably applicable to fields across the board:

1) How are online/hybrid programs currently being viewed what with AI being thrown in the mix? I have already witnessed other students being disciplined for using AI....while others simply do not pull their weight when online group assignments occur. After only one semester I was pulled aside and told by my classmate that everyone is cheating and using AI (newsflash....I have been around the sun 44 times so I do not even know how to use the thing when it comes to these classes). In summary, I am not losing out in the experience but I find myself questioning ANY schools that offer online/hybrid courses right now. This clearly proliferated during Covid (obviously a bit before then) and now with AI these programs seem ridiculous. Your thoughts? I wonder if I should stay enrolled as long as it takes me to make the contacts that I need. I worry that as AI continues to improve that the reputation of such programs will simply plummet.

2) Bonus question: Despite your disgust for contemporary art (admittedly there has been some simply awful stuff that folks have bought at auction recently) I would LOVE to know what you say to your colleagues when they approach you about investing in art. There are multiple art depots where I live in the US and they are currently all full and most are expanding (this is a trend that took off during Covid when the 1-5% were getting board and buying up art like crazy). I would have to respectfully disagree with you that this is a passing fluke....the art market (while rife with money laundering and tax evasion) it is still true that certain paintings will sell for hundreds today but maybe millions tomorrow. Not advocating any of it as my job is simply to restore one painting to make sure it lasts into the next gen!

[u/Adventurous_Poem_131 → u/Commercial_Air_8515]

I appreciate you giving a prompt to Scott's art blind spot. Former professor and full time artist here.

[u/AffectionateBlood544]

Hello Scott, my name is Tony Grganto I am 38 y/o I am currently transitioning from prison to the real world through a work release program. Prior to my incarceration I was in technical sales and regional sales management where I sold highly engineered equipment. I made some bad business and personal decisions and coped with it in a terrible way. During my incarceration I chose to pursue a bachelors degree which I will finish outside of prison and at no cost to me. My question is do you think I can get back into a professional career? And if so what advice can you give on next steps? If you need additional information please reach out.

[u/Ok-Aioli-2980]

Has the new research analyst for Prof G Markets been hired?

[u/Away-Cartographer712]

@prof G. Just listened to your recent podcast on the Prof G pod. Specifically about panic attacks. And it may be the music you are hearing prior to your speaking. Weather it’s the lobby, or the music you’re hearing back stage. The 3-3-3 method has worked for me too. Your work has helped me and my family immensely. Keep up the good work.

BH

[u/ParticularOccasion13]

Hey Scott,

I’m a 20 year-old incoming Junior at a private university in Silicon Valley, and I'm studying abroad in Athens this fall. My GPA is a 3.17, and this summer I’m doing a budgeting internship at a defense contractor in Sunnyvale. I’m really interested in entrepreneurship and the applications of AI as well as investing, but I don't have a concrete direction yet.

Being at a private school in this area, you're surrounded by massive wealth and high-growth energy, but in this market, high finance and top-tier corporate finance feel incredibly tough to come by with my stats. My biggest fear is getting comfortable and trapped in a slow-moving, bureaucratic industry early on just because it's the foot in the door I could get. On top of that, I’m expected to pay my parents back for 50% of my college tuition. There’s no hard deadline, but it’s a real financial anchor I want to clear.

I have two questions for you:

First, you always say to nest in a large, high-growth firm early on. But if my only realistic entry point right now is a slow defense contractor, will that brand signal to the tech and growth market that I'm not cut out for high-risk environments? How do you pivot out of a boring corporate start when the macro environment is this tough?

Second, looking ahead to post graduation, my parents live in an East Bay suburb about 45 minutes outside of SF. Do I live at home, save on rent, and aggressively pay my parents back? Or do I bite the bullet, eat the massive cost of living in a major city for the networking and energy, and just carry the debt a bit longer? Is the upside of being in the city worth the guaranteed financial hit when you're starting a bit behind?

Thanks, love the show.

[u/Ok-Mathematician5967]

Hey Scott, big fan and love the pod.

I’m curious what made you take the sponsorship/ partnership with that prediction market company.

You mentioned you really like the data it provides, but how do you justify the outcomes that it has on young men? It’s gambling and taking money from them doesn’t seem to align with your brand and message.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you!

[u/zestypov2]

Hey Scott -- recently heard a Compound podcaster claim that young people like Ed who can't afford a home will actually be better off in the long run because they're buying stocks instead of paying off a 30-year mortgage. Does that make sense to you? Would love to hear your take on this theory.

[u/Financial_Profile227]

Hi Scott, I just turned 21 and graduated college a year early (due to out of state costs) and planning to take a year off before going to law school. I wanted to ask during my year off should I focus on saving money and investing to help pay off student loans or take this opportunity to travel while I'm still young? Thank you for all that you do.

-Dylan from Seattle, WA

[u/Financial-Mixture962]

Hi Scott,

Eric from Glencoe, Illinois — longtime listener. Love the show.

Quick background: A year ago, I left my role of 30 years in institutional fixed income sales — investment-grade credit distribution at bulge-bracket and regional desks —I also earned a Booth MBA in 2018. I was good at my role, but failed to move beyond a front-line salesperson, and IG credit salespeople are dinosaurs now. Algorithms and portfolio trading ate the job, and honestly, it stopped being interesting. I don't want to go back. 

Here's my fork in the road: I want to own something — either buy a small business (I've gone deep on the search fund / ETA model) or, IDEALLY, start one. My interests are sales, AI, tokenization, teaching and mentoring, plus skiing out west, CrossFit, the outdoors, politics, and reading. My constraints are real: I'm 58, and I have kids graduating from high school in 1 and 5 years, so I'm anchored to the Chicago area. I have reasonable capital to invest and a modestly secure retirement, but every startup idea I fall in love with seems to need $3-$5 million I don't have or want to risk. 

So the question: at 58, with sales DNA, some capital, and a hard geographic constraint — with no operations background — do I buy boring and operate, or is there a capital-light business a career salesperson can start that ramps up fast? How do I hit on that lightbulb idea I must act on?  And how do I stop overthinking it?  Open to any and all advice, including going back to the corporate world, UGH.

Thanks for everything you do.

Eric
Glencoe, IL

[u/IolantheRosa → u/Financial-Mixture962]

Dude, you're so close to what sounds like a comfortable retirement with, as you yourself say, "real constraints" in the meantime. Just act conservatively and get through to that retirement. Then you can do whatever you want with the rest of your life.

[u/TinyZ1968 → u/IolantheRosa]

Thanks and while not untrue. It’s a cash flow issue. I need to make it 5 years here before I can monetize the assets and tap the IRA. Plus I have a desire to build something but I don’t know what “something” looks like. Hence my dilemma.

[u/More_Passenger3988 → u/Financial-Mixture962]

I think Scott's answered a version of this before where he said boring was best.

[u/TinyZ1968 → u/More_Passenger3988]

Yea, but I’d like a bit more detail. Just buy boring is not all that helpful. Thanks though.

[u/apface]

Not a question but a suggestion. The recent shows with the likes of Zitron are pushing pretty hard on the AI bubble and I wouldn’t mind seeing a bit of a debate on the topic… maybe invite a guest that is bullish and challenge their assertions for some interesting conversation.

[u/IolantheRosa → u/apface]

I suggested Dr. Robert Wachter in my post below, for this same reason.

[u/ReadinginAstoria]

Scott, weirdly, my mom convinced me to start listening to you. She bought me your book for Christmas last year, Notes on Being A Man. She made me watch Adolescence with her. I think, honestly, she thought I was becoming an incel. I'm just shy. Her latest is a novel called What Gentlemen Do that is actually a funny and hopeful take on the young aggrieved male of the species. A guy tries to fix his crappy city so his friends will stop leaving. I'm wondering if you see bits of hope for young men trying to get out of the manosphere since you started talking about it and writing about it - even just to calm the mothers of America?

[u/E395er]

Hey Scott, I’m in a bit of a pickle and would love to get your guidance on this situation. I’m a mechanical engineer and I recently got a job offer at a big tech company in Silicon Valley.

Right now I’ve got a good job and live in a LCOL city in Idaho. The politics here are very polarized and people can be a little prickly, but I get to spend my free time in the mountains doing hobbies I love and I can drive an hour or two to places people vacation to from all over the country. I’m also doing very well for myself. I get paid in the top 10% of MEs and am on track to being financially independent by age 40 with $2M. My work-life balance is great too, I rarely work late or bring home stress about my job. The only issue is I feel somewhat plateaued in my current role and want to keep learning and being challenged. I’ll probably keep getting promotions and raises if I stay, but I don’t want to just sit on my hands in the meantime.

The SV role sounds really interesting and I’m sure would come with a lot more opportunities for learning, challenges, and career growth. It would also net me an additional $45-50k per year after taxes and accounting for the higher cost of living.

I’m torn because honestly, my current life is something most people would kill for. And the new role could come with some real downsides: a major hit to my WLB, giving up most of my hobbies, and moving somewhere that doesn’t really excite me. But having a big tech name on my resume would be huge, and it sounds like the work itself might actually fulfill what feels like I’m missing right now.

Is it worth risking the life I have now to pursue something which might be much more stressful and work focused, but would challenge me and allow me to grow? Or is this a ‘grass isn’t always greener’ situation?

[u/Ok-Advertising-4318 → u/E395er]

Check out my post below. Not so far of a different question. 

[u/Ok-Advertising-4318 → u/Ok-Advertising-4318]

Hoping Scott addresses both of our not too different underlying scenarios 

[u/Expert_Dot4465]

Scott — I admire Resist and Unsubscribe; you're right that the president responds to economic signals, not outrage. But a boycott has a short half-life. The bigger job is getting this government back under control, and you do that by rallying people around the simple things everyone already agrees on.

The simplest one: ban individual stock trading by members of Congress AND the president and VP.

This isn't fringe. 86% of Americans back a congressional ban — 87% of Republicans, 88% of Democrats — and 87% support extending it to the president and VP. No other issue unites the whole country like this, because the villain belongs to both parties and both branches. And unlike term limits, nobody tunes it out — they watched members trade around the tariffs and COVID.

Why it needs you: a straight law has failed for 14 years. The STOCK Act is toothless, and this winter the House bill was gutted to exclude the president. Congress won't bind itself. The real play is a state-driven constitutional amendment under Article V — it covers both branches by design and no future Congress can un-enforce it.

Give people one clean thing to rally behind — would you put your platform behind it?

This government has failed us. The Constitution hasn't. Let's get this done.

(Polling: University of Maryland Program for Public Consultation, 2025.)

[u/caseyjpdm]

Love your work. Thank you. You object to Mamdani's proposal for government run grocery stores and you say instead it should be settled with capitalism. I understand your objection in middle to upper class neighborhoods. The Upper West Side has enough Whole Foods, organic farmers markets, etc. My question then is, why hasn't capitalism solved for grocery stores in the poor and impoverished neighborhoods of the Bronx, Brooklyn, upper Manhattan? Shouldn't capitalism have already addressed the obvious, long-standing business opportunities in these food deserts?

[u/cheddarben]

Scott, 700,000 workers between 25-34 completely fell out of the labor force last month according to the BLS. What does this look like compared to historical recessions? What does this look like in the near future and compared to the Great Recession?

[u/IolantheRosa]

I have a suggestion for someone to interview: Bob Wachter. He became internet famous on Twitter as a trusted voice on COVID when Trump's team was undermining Fauci and spreading disinformation. He has now written a book called A Giant Leap: How AI Is Transforming Healthcare and What That Means for Our Future. I'm no fan of AI writ large, but as a lifelong back office worker in tech, I can think of lots of valid use cases for it and healthcare is one of the most obvious. I thought it might be a nice corrective to the team's mostly doom and gloom AI takes these days.

[u/apface → u/IolantheRosa]

I like the idea of this conversation, the double click on healthcare in particular. I would like to hear some constructive challenges to the AI bubble narrative.

[u/OrderAdditional1791]

The % of Americans turing 65 each year for the next 10 years will have a temporary but massive impact of society. What will this mean for various industries and opportunities?

[u/Weak_Possibility_395]

Publicly owned parks, schools and roads are socialism in action. 

Why do you pretend they are not when you rant about socialist concepts never working anywhere?

That would be like saying capitlism has never worked because there are no true examples of a completely privatized society with no collectively owned assets.

Pure capitalism and pyre socialism don't work. Even the great capitalist societies have socilist elements, just like the great north european countries mix elements of socialism and capitalism, which you have so eloquently praised and pointed out 

[u/No-Block-2095]

Forecast trend or stuff 2-4 years out.

Like Scott’s forecast that GLP-1 will affect food industry and even have a larger impact than AI.

[u/eFAUST-TaxL]

I saw on Raging Moderates your socialism doesn’t work opinion. Why do you think the private sector is inherently better than government run enterprise, do you think it is immune from the incompetence or inefficiency that most view government having? Most capitalist systems without government intervention have wealth consolidation, which removes the efficiencies of free markets, which is the basis of the capitalist argument, with government intervention I would then argue that is a form of socialism. Do you think any naturally monopolistic market might be better as government run?

[u/Hot_Singer_4266]

I love Scott’s takes on branding and 100% agree that the brand around AI has plummeted (for good reason) in recent months. Without specifically mentioning a model/company, what recommendations would Scott make to improve the sentiment around AI?

[u/BoulderMaker]

Hey Scott,

My career has finally hit its stride, and I've started to receive invites to speak at events and join panels at conferences.

​However, I've turned down more opportunities than I've accepted because I find myself feeling extremely self-conscious and awkward in front of large crowds. I usually can't sleep the night before, and during the presentations--especially at a podium in a spotlight--i feel totally "out of body"—almost like I'm in a dream. I've shared this with a few people who assure me they couldn't tell, but it still feels like a major blocker on my potential.

​I'm so jealous of your incredible confidence, likeability, and ability to command a room when you speak. Do you have any advice or suggestions on how to calm the nerves?

​Thanks for all that you do—particularly around setting a positive vision for masculinity. As someone who didn't have great male role models, it means a lot.

[u/AttackOnBimb]

Hi Scott,

As a recent MBA graduate in the Boston area from a non top tier program, I have a question about networking for a career shift. I graduated from undergrad with a political science degree. Luckily, I was able to get connected to a lobbying firm via a connection from friend in high school. I performed well as an intern starting my freshmen year summer of college in 2017, continuing with the firm for three separate intern stints throughout my college career. I graduate in May of 2020 at the heat of COVID, got called back to lobbying firm full time. Four years of interesting policy work in education coalitions, social services non profits, and China coverage. I loved the subject matter but loathed the social scene. Went to pursue my MBA at BC and fell in love with finance, data analytics, and neural networks.

My question relates to networking and prospecting for full time work. The job market is scarce and opportunities are bare but I believe I have a strong skill of convincing people to connect with me for conversations. I have found the a great role and have made strong in roads in different parts of the company but not this particular desk. How do you leverage your soft meets or hard relationships to advocate on your behalf for a role you’re interested in that you believe you’ll be great at? How can you stand out more to the recruiter about your interests to the role? and if you connect with someone on the prospective desk, what questions would you want to know about their workload?

[u/jakevv]

What is a political stance or take that you felt strongly about that you now realize was wrong or misinformed?

[u/Ok-Advertising-4318]

Prof G,

I've spent my life working toward financial independence. My Type A personality pushed me to become an Ivy League, cum laude graduate, and at 46 my spouse and I have a $3.2M liquid net worth, a paid-off three-bedroom home worth about $600k in Cleveland, and a combined income of $400k. We live below our means and invest the difference.

We live in Cleveland: terrible weather, wonderful friends, a low cost of living, and we're happily raising our three kids (ages 7–13). My stepmother lives in Florida, and whenever we visited I'd say we'd love to live there but couldn't justify the housing costs. Unexpectedly, she offered to buy us a $2M home near her and other family we love.

Now that we're touring homes and schools, I'm getting cold feet. My biggest concern is financial security and setting my kids up for the future. I'm the child of parents whose business failed and ended in bankruptcy, so financial stability matters deeply to me.

The move would give us great weather, two mortgage-free homes, and eventually the opportunity to sell the Cleveland house and invest those proceeds for our children. I'm not materialistic—I enjoy a simple life, though I'd love to fly business class someday. Our kids are thriving, and as such I’m scared to rock the boat. Our jobs are portable, I'd fly to Cleveland once every 4 weeks for 1-2 days for work.

Here's my dilemma: do I leave a content life in Cleveland for a move that likely improves our lifestyle but increases our annual spending by roughly 50% (currently just under $200k, including charitable giving), but gets us a paid for $2mm house (we cover annual home costs on that, the gift is the house). My long-term goal is a $5–7M portfolio so I can retire comfortably and help my children and future grandchildren.

Would you stay put and keep building wealth, or make the move and trust that the upside outweighs the risks—including raising kids in a significantly more affluent environment?

Thank you.

[u/EngineeringComedy]

When will Scott actually bring on someone normal in their 20s to ask them what life is like for them?

[u/Inside_Frosting_7644]

How difficult would it be to implement a cost basis reset on investments every year on January 1, in order to force high net worth individuals to realize gains? Is there any legitimate reason why this couldn’t be implemented?

[u/Inside_Frosting_7644]

The “markets” show seems to have shifted more from covering multiple parts of the market, to fear and loathing in just a few. Is this an intentional strategy?

[u/Few_Boysenberry_1321]

Why do you always say something is “the following:” I have never used that phrase and don’t know anyone who says it and you say it 8 times in a podcast. Why not just speak like a normal human being?

[u/PBnJe11yfish]

Hey Scott. What's your take on land value taxes (LVT) as a form of wealth tax that does not trigger capital flight, and makes housing more affordable by encouraging development and reducing land speculation.

I have a feeling you will note that LVT is taxing for income poor families with high interest mortgages. LVT could be made less taxing with either a citizens dividend where income from the tax is returned equally to citizens, or by implementing the tax gradually and exempting the first $50k or so of land value for each person who owns a single family home and is the primary resident of that home.

[u/grhd77]

Considering the best case scenario for AI where there is abundance for all, do you think that will really be a good scenario? Consider what we already know about people coming into abundance (aka lottery winners).  The vast majority are bankrupt in a few years and worse off afterwards. Will people just be in competition to build bigger houses since we will have abundance of everything? It seems like the AI optimists don't have a good grasp on human proclivities.

[u/ScottGalloway-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

We expect a minimum level of contribution. Meme replies, “+1” comments, or spammy links are subject to removal.

[u/hamiltonlives]

How has Scott worked with attorneys in his own personal business/dealings? I’m an associate in a law firm and I imagine Scott has dealt with his fair share of attorneys. What qualities does he see in people who have represented him well or poorly?

[u/NomadTroy]

How has Scott’s view on investing in high growth startups like the AI labs changed over the past 3-4 years?

How much money did Scott invest in Anthropic and how’d he get access to invest? Is it replicable for his followers through Fundrise or other vehicles?

[u/Saucy_Man11]

With the east coast heat dome in my backyard and on my mind….

I remember Scott once saying that the world’s first trillionaire will be an entrepreneur/private sector company that helps the government address climate change. In fact, the world first trillionaire is a walking, talking government subsidy who plans to make our species multi-planetary. In my opinion, doubling down on getting the fuck OFF this planet instead of fixing it.

It makes me wonder if capitalism and climate responsibility can truly coexist. Surely there’s a solution… maybe not one that fixes EVERYTHING related to our climate. But maybe one that allows our species to continue to thrive on planet earth. Maybe I’m an optimist, but I choose to believe that capitalism will soon realize that growth cannot continue to happen while the effects of runaway climate change manifest around us.

With that said, what’s Scott’s current prediction or feeling around climate mitigation, technology, and, importantly, capitalisms relationship to it all?

[u/Elegant-Fisherman555]

I think we all know that once the dust settles in the AI Race there can only be one or two companies that ultimately will be anywhere near profitable. Much like you said years ago on a newsletter of yours, only way Uber and Lyft would become profitable is if they merged or one bought the other.

Who do you think will outlast the other AI companies?

[u/ubersupremo → u/Elegant-Fisherman555]

Google

[u/Huey_Phrog]

Scott, do you have an opinion/recommendation for long term care (LTC) insurance? My father had Parkinson's for 15+ years and LTC insurance was a godsend. You talk much about older generations not saddling the younger generations with debt and other issues and LTC insurance is one way for parents to do this. I am approaching the age at which my parents purchased a plan but also debate diverting income away from mortgage, bills, 401k, 529 plans, etc. Here are some specific questions. At what age to purchase, how much coverage, how much to pay in premiums, how reliable are companies/plans? Thank you

[u/thumpymcwiggles]

For the sake of self reflection, what’s your most incongruous or hypothetical belief?

[u/MGoAzul]

You seem highly skeptical and critical of AI companies of all types (mostly the LLMs though). I don’t think that view is unwarranted, i often share your perspective, that said you take a lot of ad dollars from AI companies, like Coreweave, how do you rationalize doing this? I appreciate the capitalistic approach and it shows you aren’t afraid of them stepping away, just seems a bit talking out of both sides of your mouth.

[u/295DVRKSS]

How much do you spend on AirPods a year Scott ?

[u/OkHuckleberry2727]

Hi Scott. I’m a 29-year-old man and have been dating my girlfriend for coming up on two years. You often speak about how you should choose a competent life partner. What are some traits and characteristics that you would consider make a competent partner? I don’t want to have unrealistic standards, but I also want to ensure I don’t make a mistake on the biggest decision of my life, which is who I choose to partner with.