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Welcome to The Tom Bilyeu Show! In this episode, I sit down with my co-host Drew to tackle some of the most urgent and complex issues facing our world today. We kick things off with the explosive news of Ukraine’s successful drone strike deep inside Russian territory—a move that Russia is calling its own “Pearl Harbor”—and unpack what that really means for global stability and the escalating rhetoric surrounding nuclear threats.
From there, we don’t pull any punches as we dig into America’s controversial “big beautiful bill.” I break down why inflation and deficit spending isn’t just political theater but the backbone (and Achilles’ heel) of our entire economic system, and why both sides of the aisle seem trapped by its logic.
But we don’t stop with geopolitics and economics. Drew and I analyze everything from alleged Chinese bioterror plots on U.S. soil to the ethics of wartime escalation, how tech giants like Meta and Microsoft are playing the long game by locking down access to nuclear power, and even ask the big philosophical questions around morality, politics, and the way social media spins the narrative.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand how power, strategy, and human psychology intersect on the world’s biggest stages—or if you’re just looking to make sense of the madness behind modern headlines—you’re going to want to strap in for this conversation.
Let’s get into it!
00:00 INTRO
01:26 UKRAINE STRIKES, RUSSIA TO RETALIATE
17:06 SPENDING BILL
A DISGUSTING
ABOMINATION
33:50 COLORADO
MOLOTOV'S
46:00 CHINESE COUPLE SMUGGLE DEADLY FUNGUS
51:29 META BUYS ITS OWN NUCLEAR PLANT
56:20 CORY BOOKER HITS THE NAZI SALUTE
59:48 HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LIVE
Ukraine drone attack, Russian Pearl Harbor, Russia-Ukraine war escalation, Dmitri Medvedev, Putin territorial ambitions, NATO expansion, nuclear doctrine Russia, Europe support Ukraine, US involvement Ukraine, Trump NATO stance, Operation Spiderweb Ukraine, AI in warfare Ukraine, peace talks Ukraine Russia, US federal deficit, congressional spending bill, inflation and debt, Federal Reserve, central banking, entitlement cuts, government spending, Medicaid and SNAP cuts, defense spending, climate change/energy, Meta nuclear power deal, Microsoft energy investments, Tesla solar power, China power production, biosecurity/bioterrorism China, Fusarium fungus smuggling, Israel-Palestine conflict, Cory Booker Nazi salute.
Welcome to the Tom Bilyeu Show Live prep. Reminder Superchats will be read at the bottom of the second hour, unless over a threshold of 19.99.
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On this episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu, we take a deep dive into the shadowy world of global intelligence, power, and leverage with former CIA officer Andrew Bustamante. Together, Tom and Andrew unpack the real stories behind headlines like Jeffrey Epstein, the release of classified files, and notorious geopolitical events—from spy balloons to the intricate power plays in Russia, China, and the Middle East.
Andrew reveals the hidden strategies intelligence agencies use to shape public perception, control narratives, and wield secrets as weapons of influence. They explore the uncomfortable truth about “moral flexibility” at the highest levels—how governments and power brokers sidestep good and evil in favor of outcomes and leverage. You’ll hear jaw-dropping real-world examples, from possible government involvement in historical events like the Lusitania, to how modern conflicts are manipulated behind the scenes.
Expect hard-hitting dialogue about mass psychology, the deception of appearances, and how nation-states navigate today’s powder keg of global crises. Andrew’s insights force us to question what we believe, whether we’re living inside illusions, and how much our own sense of morality is actually shaped by the systems around us.
If you want to learn how the world really works—and why the truth is often too useful to reveal—don’t miss this eye-opening, thought-provoking episode.
00:00 - Intro
01:00 – Epstein Files: The Leverage Game
07:49 – Power Isn’t Moral—It’s Predictive
13:33 – Why Morality Doesn’t Run the World
16:43 – Did Churchill Bait the US Into War?
24:03 – How Governments Weaponize Groupthink
28:21 – Sacrificing Civilians for Strategic Wins
34:23 – Why Global Outrage Is Just Leverage
42:50 – Land, Blood, and Power: No Rules
47:43 – Would We Use Bioweapons? The Real Question
49:49 – COVID, Gain-of-Function & Global Power Games
53:45 – China’s Ruthless Population Strategy
01:00:54 – The New Axis of Power: US vs China
01:08:59 – How China and Russia Could Split NATO
01:15:06 – China’s Long Game Against the West
01:17:28 – Why Russia Is Winning the Tech War
01:20:46 – China’s Quiet Takeover of the Americas
01:29:27 – NATO’s Unspoken Weaknesses
01:31:45 – Trump’s Geopolitical Gambit: How Far Will He Push?
Epstein files, kompromat, intelligence agencies, leverage, JFK files, secrets, timing of information release, China spy balloon, UFOs/UAPs, government transparency, moral flexibility, CIA, national security, democracy vs strongman leadership, Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Palestine conflict, South Africa racial tensions, propaganda, mass psychosis, constitutional oath, global power dynamics, manufacturing in China, US-China relations, central banking, economic warfare, supply chain disruptions, rare earth minerals, Belt and Road Initiative, Iran proxies, shift in world order, Porter's Five Forces
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In today’s thought-provoking deep dive, Tom tackles a provocative question: What if the very things we’ve been told are destroying our system – waste, fraud, and abuse – are actually the glue holding it all together? Using compelling analogies and referencing both modern monetary theory and historical perspectives from Machiavelli, Tom reveals the foundational flaws in America’s economic and political system. He explores why deficit spending isn’t just common, but required, and exposes how our reliance on debt has created a cycle that keeps the rich getting richer and the poor falling further behind.
From biblical wisdom to the hidden mechanics of the Federal Reserve, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about power, politics, and the economy. Tom dissects the real reasons behind recent political theater — including the rise and fall of Doge and Elon Musk’s controversial moves — and warns about the dangerous cliff our system is heading toward. If you want to understand the true motivations driving politicians and what it will really take to change the system for the better, don’t miss this episode. Strap in for a mind-bending journey down the rabbit hole with Tom Bilyeu.
Welcome to the Tom Bilyeu Show Live prep. Reminder Superchats will be read at the bottom of the second hour, unless over a threshold of 19.99.
And as always:
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Welcome back to The Tom Bilyeu Show! In this episode, I dive into a whirlwind week of global headlines with my co-host Drew, dissecting everything from the political circus to the latest tremors in the financial world. We kick things off discussing Elon Musk’s attempt—and ultimate step back—from government reform, explore the viral moment of Macron getting checked on camera by his own wife, and take a closer look at why politics often feels like a game of power rather than progress.
I also unpack why moves like Ron DeSantis making gold and silver legal tender in Florida could be more seismic for our monetary system than most people realize. Drew and I wade deep into Bitcoin’s run towards new all-time highs, the warning signs flashing from the Japanese yen, and even the unsettling rise of AI systems that are starting to scheme and strategize on their own—sometimes even working to outwit their creators.
Later, we reflect on a viral video of a Starbucks employee breaking down after a tough shift, sparking a raw conversation about resilience, generational attitudes toward hard work, and what it really takes to build mental toughness in today’s world.
This episode is a fast-paced, honest, and sometimes hilarious journey through the real stories driving the news—and what they mean for your future. If you want to get a handle on the deeper forces shaping economics, technology, and culture—and how to protect yourself and thrive—don’t miss this one.
00:00 – Intro
01:00 - RIP DOGE
03:36 – Macron SLAPPED — What It Really Means
07:22 – Saylor’s Bitcoin Vision: End the Fed?
10:25 – The Movement to Kill the Fed
13:38 – One Man’s Wild Scheme to Fix Debt
17:13 – Is a Financial Crisis Already Here?
21:56 – War, Banks & The Iron Mountain Files
22:48 – Is This the Smartest Conspiracy Theorist?
26:50 – Bitcoin’s Real Purpose: Hardening the System
30:16 – Japan’s Quiet Economic Time Bomb
34:17 – The Next Stock Market Crash?
37:58 – AI Learned to Lie to Survive
41:51 – Union Chaos Is Just the Beginning
44:15 – Fulfillment Only Comes Through Struggle
48:26 – Why Modern Parenting Is Failing Us
49:28 – Toughness: The Key to Thriving in Chaos
To make real progress, and be held accountable, you need clear and present danger.
You need to be chased by a lion.
In a business, that lion is payroll. If you don't make a good product, that serves a real need, for a large customer base... you won't make money and be able to pay your team.
Welcome to the Tom Bilyeu Show Live prep. Reminder Superchats will be read at the bottom of the second hour, unless over a threshold of 19.99.
And as always:
Do you need my help?
STARTING a business: join me here inside ZERO TO FOUNDER (https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder)
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Aviron Active: Thanks to Aviron for sponsoring today's video! They have their best prices of the year on right now and you can get an additional $50 off all of their products when you use code IMPACT50. Visit https://avironactive.yt.link/7d4QA9P
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On this episode of Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu welcomes tech entrepreneur and investor Joe Lonsdale for a riveting discussion about the future of America’s competitiveness on the global stage. Joe unpacks why, over the last several decades, the U.S. has traded merit for fairness—and the devastating consequences this has had on its institutions, government, and ability to innovate. He candidly explores how China’s long-term strategy and relentless focus on building infrastructure, technology, and military capacity have left the West dangerously unprepared.
Tom and Joe dive deep into the inner workings of America’s defense sector, the rise of defense tech companies like Palantir and Anduril, and how bureaucratic bloat and the decline of merit-based systems threaten national security. Joe shares insights from his own journey as a tech founder, his firsthand experiences in both Silicon Valley and China, and his efforts to foster the next generation of courageous, high-achieving leaders through his new university.
If you care about America’s future, national security, and the role of true excellence in shaping our trajectory, this is a must-listen conversation. Get ready for bold ideas, behind-the-scenes stories, and a call to action on rebuilding the American spirit of innovation and merit.
00:00 Intro
01:00 Immigration or Invasion? The Cultural Fallout
13:07 Want Better Leaders? Start With This Test
17:31 China’s Biotech Blitz: No Rules, Just Results
24:16 How Palantir Helped Win a War
31:55 What Building a Bridge Should Look Like
35:27 Crime, Chaos, and the Cost of Leniency
37:31 Can Tolerance Go Too Far?
45:37 The Geopolitical Blunder No One Talks About
47:43 Why Biomanufacturing Could Decide Our Future
53:39 USAID: Corruption or Competence?
01:02:19 AI, Robots, and the End of Jobs?
01:07:02 The Ancient Ideas That Could Save Us
01:10:49 Leadership Lessons You’ve Never Heard Before
China, US defense technology, meritocracy, government bureaucracy, Palantir, Anduril, drone warfare, autonomous ships, university founding, intelligence (IQ), affirmative action, civil service exams, government hiring practices, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), software innovation, Silicon Valley, military-industrial complex, supply chain, rare earth metals, biomanufacturing, FDA regulations, corporate espionage, US manufacturing, immigration, Islamism, Russia, system of deterrence, political polarization, AI (Artificial Intelligence), US-China rivalry, leadership courage
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Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In today’s deep dive, Tom tackles one of the most controversial questions of our age: Who should we trust in a world full of “experts”? From doctors once promoting smoking to authorities assuring us about weapons of mass destruction, Tom unpacks the complicated and sometimes dangerous relationship society has with expert opinion.
He walks us through history’s long pattern of elites wielding expertise to enforce conformity—what he calls “the problem with experts.” Drawing on examples from ancient philosophers, Nobel Prize winners, and groundbreaking scientists who faced ridicule, Tom argues that while we need experts, blind faith in their authority can be disastrous.
This episode explores why expertise often becomes a tool for control, how our very nature makes it easy to overestimate our own knowledge, and—crucially—why independent thinking, open debate, and a willingness to challenge the status quo are essential. By the end, you’ll see why Tom believes true progress demands not just expertise, but the courage to question it.
So, if you’ve ever wondered who to believe in an era of misinformation—or how to think for yourself even when the “experts” seem certain—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Let’s get into it.
experts, misinformation, trust, scientific method, censorship, authority, conformity, cognitive bias, dogma, COVID, food pyramid, cancer treatment, vitamin C, Barry Marshall, ulcers, germ theory, Semmelweis, mental slavery, elites, oligarchy, control, power, narrative, social media, freedom of speech, propaganda, World Economic Forum, Lusitania, conspiracy theories, innovation
Connexion
