A Note from James There’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 Description James 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 Why “be, do, have” is a more powerful framework for life than chasing possessions or credentials. How creating a personal code builds self-respect and identity. Why intergenerational relationships matter more than peer validation. How cycles of hands-on learning—from EMT work to entrepreneurship—prepare young people better than a classroom ever could. Why becoming an expert generalist is the best hedge against a future dominated by AI and automation. Timestamped Chapters [00:00] A Note from James: College vs. alternatives [01:00] Introducing Matt Smith and The Preparation [03:00] Origins of the book and Doug Casey’s vision [05:00] Writing the book for his son Maxim [06:00] Why homeschooling replaced high school [07:00] “Be, Do, Have” explained [09:00] Stacking cycles vs. stacking skills [10:00] Why the book focuses on young men (and how women can adapt it) [11:00] How to build your own cycle [13:00] Why traditional education fails to prepare people for real skills [14:00] Establishing a personal code [16:00] Examples of personal rules for self-respect [18:00] Practicing courage and choosing virtues [20:00] Skills Maxim has gained so far—EMT, chess, horses, firefighting [22:00] Adventures with Doug Casey and small-country nation building [24:00] Maxim’s cycles: EMT work, ranch apprenticeship, wildfire EMT [27:00] Structure, resistance, and learning by doing [28:00] Shelter Institute and learning to build a house [29:00] Entrepreneurship cycle: precision agriculture with drones [31:00] Lessons from entrepreneurship [32:00] Muay Thai training in Thailand [33:00] Cooking school in Florence [34:00] Travel with purpose vs. aimless wandering [36:00] James on biographies and meaningful decisions [37:00] Preparing for AI and the future of work [39:00] Why being an “expert generalist” matters [41:00] Learning how to learn across environments [42:00] The problem with peer-only education [44:00] Intergenerational relationships as mentorship [45:00] What comes after the preparation [47:00] Why the program can work for adults too [49:00] Rethinking retirement as another cycle of preparation [56:00] Matt’s personal growth through writing and learning new skills [58:00] Designing The Preparation as a beautiful, interactive book [59:00] Closing thoughts and sending the book to the next generation Additional Resources Matt Smith & Doug Casey — The Preparation Doug Casey’s Take (Podcast) : YouTube Channel Doug Casey’s Official Site : internationalman.com The Shelter Institute (Learn to Build a House) : shelterinstitute.com Muay Thai Training in Thailand (Example School) : Santai Muay Thai Gym Florence Cooking School Example : Apicius International School of Hospitality Stripe Press (Books mentioned by Matt) : stripe.press Doug Casey’s Classic Book — Crisis Investing : Amazon See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
