Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu! In this episode, Tom and Producer Drew dive into a dynamic conversation covering everything from unexpected dinner stories with hip-hop legends and comic creators to deep reflections on global politics, commerce, and the future of technology. Tom and Drew break down Trump’s recent deals, cultural realism in foreign policy, the impact of commerce as a global connector, and the blurred lines between healthy capitalism and exploitative systems. SHOWNOTES 00:00 Middle East's Self-Led Transformation 07:39 Cultural Collisions and Misguided Interventions 31:44 Eugenics: Dark Historical Perception 44:36 "Trump's Strategic Move on Drug Pricing" 01:01:45 "Reforming Loan Structures & School Funding" 01:23:07 "Critique of Money Printing Policies" 01:35:17 "Understanding Manipulation in Economics" CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ [https://www.vitalproteins.com] and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511. ButcherBox: New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive their choice between steak tips, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year + $20 off their first box at ⁠https://butcherbox.com/impact⁠ [https://butcherbox.com/impact] Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ [https://monarchmoney.com] for 50% off your first year! CashApp: Download Cash App Today:⁠ https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl⁠ [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl] #CashAppPod iRestore:Give yourself the gift of hair confidence this year. For a limited time only, our community is getting a HUGE discount on the iRestore Elite when you use code IMPACT at ⁠https://irestore.com⁠ [https://irestore.com] iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠ [https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu]  Jerry: Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance - download the Jerry app or head to ⁠https://jerry.ai/impact⁠ [https://jerry.ai/impact] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

In this urgent and thought-provoking episode of "Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu," Tom and co-host Drew dive headfirst into some of the most consequential geopolitical and domestic events unfolding right now. The conversation kicks off with escalating tensions in the Israel-Iran conflict, speculation about U.S. involvement, and global reactions to the prospect of another major war in the Middle East. With the world watching as superpowers and regional players clash over nuclear ambitions, Tom and Drew provide a nuanced and unflinching analysis of the moral dilemmas, double standards, and historical context driving events on the ground. Together, Tom and Drew untangle the complicated web of alliances, power imbalances, and ideological clashes between democratic West and theocratic regimes. They also examine the rise of anti-Semitism, the evolving narrative around Israel’s actions in Gaza versus Iran, and the hypocrisy surrounding nuclear proliferation. The stakes are high, and the intense back-and-forth ensures listeners come away with a deeper understanding of the forces shaping today’s headlines and tomorrow’s future. SHOWNOTES 00:00 Israel-Iran Conflict Heats Up: US and Global Stakes 00:33 The Danger of Nuclear Escalation 01:00 Real-Time Reactions on Social Media 01:13 Strikes on Population Centers and the Shift to War 01:25 Timeline and Origins: How Did We Get Here? 01:57 The Global Opinion Turn Against Israel 02:22 The Moral High Ground and Western Bias 03:22 "Head of the Octopus": Iran’s Influence and Middle Eastern Backdoor Diplomacy 04:16 Secret Alliances and Shifting Tone in the Region 05:08 Separating Critique from Anti-Semitism 06:12 Israel’s Nuclear Program Versus Iran’s: Double Standards and Transparency 07:29 Power, Morality, and the Responsibilities of Hegemony 08:05 Rebuilding After War and American Exceptionalism 10:10 Theocracy, Ideology, and the Coming Collision of Global Value Systems 11:25 The Internal Strength (or Weakness) of the Iranian Regime 11:58 US Politics: Trump’s Base Divided Over War and Foreign Policy 13:41 Principles for Chaos: Should America Join Another War? 14:20 The Threat of Religious Extremism and Nuclear Weapons 16:18 The Calculus for War: Risks, Opportunities, and Entrepreneurial Mindsets 17:35 How Should Americans Process This? Is Panic Warranted? FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ [https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en] Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu [https://twitter.com/tombilyeu] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu [https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ [https://www.vitalproteins.com] and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511. ButcherBox: New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive their choice between steak tips, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year + $20 off their first box at ⁠https://butcherbox.com/impact⁠ [https://butcherbox.com/impact] Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ [https://monarchmoney.com] for 50% off your first year! CashApp: Download Cash App Today:⁠ https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl⁠ [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl] #CashAppPod iRestore:Give yourself the gift of hair confidence this year. For a limited time only, our community is getting a HUGE discount on the iRestore Elite when you use code IMPACT at ⁠https://irestore.com⁠ [https://irestore.com] iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠ [https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu]  Jerry: Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance - download the Jerry app or head to ⁠https://jerry.ai/impact⁠ [https://jerry.ai/impact] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Picking up where we left off, Part 2 of this fascinating episode with Rizwan Virk and Tom Bilyeu dives even deeper into the boundaries between science fiction and scientific reality. The discussion moves beyond simulation as a hypothesis and into the territories of time travel, alien intelligence, and the recurring patterns that mystics and religious traditions have long wrestled with. Rizwan opens up about the research behind his updated Simulation Hypothesis book, laying out how modern AI, quantum computing, and ancient spiritual wisdom might all be converging to update humanity’s operating system. Tom challenges Rizwan on the reliability of self-reported mystical experiences and probes the intersection where memory, psychological illusion, and technological overlap might reveal a deeper structure to reality. Together, they dissect why we may be “meant” to learn certain lessons, what meaning and purpose look like if we’re avatars with storylines, and how intuition and dreams might be signals from outside the “game.” SHOWNOTES 55:59 Simulation Saves, Replays, and Alternate Histories 01:10:56 Can We Access the Rules? Acting on Patterns, Glitches, and Branches 01:13:13 Ethical Frameworks: Commandments, Karma, and Replay of Deeds 01:14:34 Mystical Practice, Yogic Breathing, and Altered States 01:15:48 Enjoying (and Suffering) Through the Rules of the Game 01:16:28 How To Play The Game Well: Purpose, Challenges, and Self-Discovery Pre-order Rizwan's Upcoming Book, "The Simulation Hypothesis":https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774523/the-simulation-hypothesis-by-rizwan-virk/ FOLLOW RIZWAN VIRK: Website: https://zenentrepreneur.com [https://zenentrepreneur.com] Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/RizStanford [https://twitter.com/RizStanford] Instagram: https://instagram.com/RizCambridge [https://instagram.com/RizCambridge] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ [https://www.vitalproteins.com] and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511. ButcherBox: New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive their choice between steak tips, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year + $20 off their first box at ⁠https://butcherbox.com/impact⁠ [https://butcherbox.com/impact] Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ [https://monarchmoney.com] for 50% off your first year! CashApp: Download Cash App Today:⁠ https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl⁠ [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl] #CashAppPod iRestore:Give yourself the gift of hair confidence this year. For a limited time only, our community is getting a HUGE discount on the iRestore Elite when you use code IMPACT at ⁠https://irestore.com⁠ [https://irestore.com] iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠ [https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu]  Jerry: Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance - download the Jerry app or head to ⁠https://jerry.ai/impact⁠ [https://jerry.ai/impact] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What if reality is not what it seems? In this mind-expanding episode of Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu sits down with entrepreneur, MIT grad, investor, and bestselling author Rizwan Virk, known for his work on simulation theory and the intersection of technology, consciousness, and spirituality. Together, they explore profound questions about the nature of existence, consciousness, and whether our universe might be a sophisticated simulation. Virk shares insights from his personal experiences and research, referencing everything from quantum mechanics and near-death experiences to religious metaphors and the immersive power of video games. Tom and Rizwan navigate the philosophical and scientific landscape—debating the nature of the soul, the mysterious coherence of near-death accounts, and the possibility that ancient wisdom might have been trying to communicate truths later echoed by modern technology. SHOWNOTES 04:56 The Nature of the Soul: Debate or Dialogue? 13:49 Religious Metaphors: Book of Deeds, Karma, & the Golden Rule 22:58 Why Do We Forget Past Lessons? Immersion and the “River of Forgetfulness” 37:04 Psychedelics, Altered States, and Perception—Without the Trip 49:46 The Three-Body Problem, Sci-Fi as Philosophy, and the Concept of “Sophon” 55:19 Multiple Histories, Quantum Physics, and Branching Paths https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/774523/the-simulation-hypothesis-by-rizwan-virk/ FOLLOW RIZWAN VIRK: Website: https://zenentrepreneur.com [https://zenentrepreneur.com] Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/RizStanford [https://twitter.com/RizStanford] Instagram: https://instagram.com/RizCambridge [https://instagram.com/RizCambridge] CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com [https://www.vitalproteins.com] and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511. ButcherBox: New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive their choice between steak tips, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year + $20 off their first box at https://butcherbox.com/impact [https://butcherbox.com/impact] Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at https://monarchmoney.com [https://monarchmoney.com] for 50% off your first year! CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl] #CashAppPod iRestore:Give yourself the gift of hair confidence this year. For a limited time only, our community is getting a HUGE discount on the iRestore Elite when you use code IMPACT at https://irestore.com [https://irestore.com] iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu [https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu]  Jerry: Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance - download the Jerry app or head to https://jerry.ai/impact [https://jerry.ai/impact] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Welcome to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu! In this episode, Tom takes us on a gripping, fast-paced deep dive into the AI revolution—a force that’s speeding toward us faster and more radically than any technological shift in history. From jobs and relationships to economics and warfare, Tom breaks down how artificial intelligence is set to transform every aspect of our lives in the next two years—and why the changes will be more intense than anything we’ve seen before. Drawing parallels to game-changing moments like the invention of the printing press, the dawn of electricity, and the birth of the Internet, Tom explores why this moment is different: the world's superpowers are locked in an AI-driven arms race, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. He uncovers the potential chaos and opportunities of this new era, explains how history’s lessons on disruptive technology can guide us, and shares five essential steps you can take to not only survive but thrive—no matter how wild the ride gets. SHOWNOTES 00:00 Navigating AI's Rising Dominance 03:51 AI-Reprogrammed Life and Love 07:28 Printing Press: Catalyst for Conflict 11:41 AI Cold War Emergence 15:04 AI Race: US-China Strategic Competition 17:09 AI: The Future of Warfare 21:03 Approaching the Technological Singularity 24:17 "Navigating the AI Revolution" 27:50 Opportunity in Crisis: The Fringe Edge 31:37 "AI Revolution: Adaptation or Rejection?" CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to https://www.vitalproteins.com [https://www.vitalproteins.com] and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Allio Capital: Macro investing for people who want to understand the big picture. Download their app in the App Store or at Google Play, or text my name “TOM” to 511511. ButcherBox: New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive their choice between steak tips, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year + $20 off their first box at https://butcherbox.com/impact [https://butcherbox.com/impact] Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at https://monarchmoney.com [https://monarchmoney.com] for 50% off your first year! CashApp: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl [https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl] #CashAppPod iRestore:Give yourself the gift of hair confidence this year. For a limited time only, our community is getting a HUGE discount on the iRestore Elite when you use code IMPACT at https://irestore.com [https://irestore.com] iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu [https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu]  Jerry: Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance - download the Jerry app or head to https://jerry.ai/impact [https://jerry.ai/impact] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]