Tom Bilyeu's Impact Theory

ITU: Ready to break through your biggest business bottleneck? Apply to work with me 1:1 - https://impacttheory.co/SCALE
Sign up for my AI Masterclass: https://tombilyeu.com/ai-masterclass?utm_campaign=TBS-Livestream&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social
Welcome back to the Tom Bilyeu Show Live, where we break down the world’s biggest stories and examine how they’ll impact you.
On today’s episode, Tom Bilyeu dives straight into the heart of global instability, discussing the dangerous escalation in the Ukraine war—including provocative moves from Russia and signals that NATO may be increasingly tested.
We’ll also look at fears within the AI industry, as major tech leaders call for unity and urgent action in the face of rising cybersecurity risks. Plus, with Meta’s massive settlement reshaping how kids use social media, we’ll explore whether big platforms can actually create safer spaces for the next generation.
Along the way, we’ll cover food security concerns fueled by global conflicts, cultural clashes emerging across Europe, and the explosive anticipation for GTA 6—an entertainment phenomenon reflecting our society’s technological leaps. Get ready for hard-hitting analysis, candid takes, and a look at why culture and politics are more intertwined than ever.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod
*Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosure.
Quince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpod
Whatnot: Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order.
Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription order
Ethos: Get a free quote at https://ethos.com/impact
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact
ATT Business: Switch to AT&T Business at https://business.att.com
Pique: 20% off at https://piquelife.com/impact

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What's up, guys? Today I'm hitting you with a truly essential conversation featuring Andrew Bustamante. This guy's not just a former covert CIA intelligence officer—he's become one of the most sought-after experts on modern espionage, national security, and global power. With everything that’s exploding right now between the U.S., Iran, China, and Russia, I could not wait to get his perspective.
Andrew is breaking down how the new world order is shaping up in real time—why China’s playing a long, strategic game, what the real stakes are in the U.S.-Iran conflict, and how economic warfare and public perception matter more than ever. If you've ever wondered what global power really means today, or how to navigate a world that's changing at crazy speed, this episode will give you the frameworks and mental models you need to make sense of it all.
I hope you guys get as much out of this episode as I did recording it with Andrew. If you find it valuable, please drop us a review—it’s the best way to support the show and make sure we continue to bring bold, unfiltered conversations right to you. I'm Tom Bilyeu, and welcome to Impact Theory.

00:00 - Welcome and intro: Why meeting with Andrew Bustamante was urgent with global tensions
00:20 - What China Learned While US Fights Iran
05:24 - The global scramble: How 157 countries are hedging against US dollar and US tech; why the “portfolio split” just got real
09:06 - The “Suez Canal moment” for the US: Why losing grip in the Strait of Hormuz is historic
19:15 - How global perception shifts when threats (“economic D-Day”, anyone?) become empty—China’s new confidence in resisting American pressure
31:08 - From American Dream to “Red Dream”: How Xi Jinping’s CCP is remaking global aspirations, and the chilling influence on wavering democracies
40:45 - Why China WANTS conflict close to its home turf (South China Sea)—and what happens if the US ever takes the bait
53:21 - Does China see itself in decline? The real calculus behind demographics, technology, and whether they’re just waiting for the world to come back to them

What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here:

Want my help starting a business? Join me here inside Zero To Founder

Sign up for my AI Masterclass: AI Masterclass

FOLLOW TOM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu

Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod

*Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosure.

Quince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpod
Whatnot: Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order.
Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription order
Ethos: Get a free quote at https://ethos.com/impact
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact
ATT Business: Switch to AT&T Business at https://business.att.com
Pique: 20% off at https://piquelife.com/impact

Order Andrew's new book 'Outsmart Everyone' TODAY and get IMMEDIATE ACCESS to your ‘Operators Guide to Outsmart Everyone’ before Andrew's book hits the shelf:

- Step 1: Visit the official site for Andrew's book by clicking here https://outsmarteveryonespy.com/
- Step 2: Purchase the hardcover, audiobook, or eBook.
- Step 3: Send the receipt for your purchase to Andrew's team at: info@everydayspy.com
- Step 4: A real-life human being will respond to your email with a personal link to download your ‘Operators Guide to Outsmart Everyone!’
- BONUS STEP: For those who want to celebrate with Andrew personally, if you BUY 5 COPIES of the book, you’ll get a PRIVATE INVITE to JOIN ANDREW on LAUNCH DAY for an EXCLUSIVE LIVE VIDEO CALL! Just send your receipt and highlight that you bought 5 copies (or more!) of the book.

Want to learn more from Andrew?
- Find your Spy Superpower: https://yt.everydayspy.com/ImpactTheory082026
- Follow Andrew on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Andrew-Bustamante
- Explore Spy School: https://everydayspy.com/
- Support Andrew's sponsor: https://axoltbrain.com/andy

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ITU: Ready to break through your biggest business bottleneck? Apply to work with me 1:1 - https://impacttheory.co/SCALE
Sign up for my AI Masterclass: https://tombilyeu.com/ai-masterclass?utm_campaign=TBS-Livestream&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social
Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of the Tom Bilyeu Show Live, where no subject is too spicy or uncomfortable to tackle head-on.
In today’s episode, the conversation focused on some of the most polarizing issues making headlines, from viral true crime cases stoking cultural tensions to international economic showdowns and political controversy. The discussion explored the public reaction to Lindsay Clancy’s tragic familicide, delving into themes of empathy, personal responsibility, and society’s sometimes fraught relationship with medicalization and criminal justice.
Other key topics included major economic maneuvers to preserve the dollar’s dominance, Canada’s declining economic policies and shifting alliances, the precarious relationship between the U.S. and Russia, and the dangers of overlooking the realities of authoritarianism in global powers like China. Several points were raised, including society’s tendency to let feelings override facts, the consequences of leading with unchecked compassion, and the urgent need for critical thought in navigating both culture and policy.
Whether you’re here for deep dives into news, cultural analysis, or high-stakes economic strategy, this episode challenges you to reconsider what it means to balance care with accountability in a world teetering between chaos and order.
Sponsors:
Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod
*Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosure.
Quince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpod
Whatnot: Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order.
Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription order
Ethos: Get a free quote at https://ethos.com/impact
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact
ATT Business: Switch to AT&T Business at https://business.att.com
Pique: 20% off at https://piquelife.com/impact

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I take you on a deep dive into why China’s decline—not its rise—could be pushing the world toward inevitable conflict. I unpack the real numbers behind China’s looming demographic crisis, explain how flawed incentives and authoritarian policy like the one-child law have triggered an irreversible population collapse, and why that matters for both China and the global economy. We'll draw historical parallels to show why peaking powers are often the most dangerous, examine what China’s desperation means for Taiwan, and explore the broader impact on everything from global supply chains to AI innovation. I’ll also tackle tough questions about falling birth rates, the impact of women’s education, and whether automation can save aging societies. Get ready for a challenging and eye-opening journey into the realities shaping the future of the world.

What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here:

Want my help starting a business? Join me here inside Zero To Founder

Sign up for my AI Masterclass: AI Masterclass

FOLLOW TOM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu

Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod

*Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosure.

Quince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpod
Whatnot: Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order.
Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription order
Ethos: Get a free quote at https://ethos.com/impact
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact
ATT Business: Switch to AT&T Business at https://business.att.com
Pique: 20% off at https://piquelife.com/impact

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to another jam-packed episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. Today, Tom dives deep into the market chaos triggered by wild movements in the bond market and looming economic maneuvers from key players like Bessent. We break down soaring long-term bond rates, the ripple effects of the U.S. debt crisis, and the complex financial strategies being deployed to stabilize the economy. Shifting gears, Tom unpacks Canada’s bold decision to walk away from a major U.S. trade deal, explores the escalating tensions between the U.S., China, and Canada, and reveals the larger story behind global deglobalization.
We then journey into the geopolitics of the Middle East, analyzing shifts in the Strait of Hormuz and what rising maritime traffic could signal for Iran and the broader region. Finally, Tom tackles the explosive debate over Israel and Palestine, as highlighted by Mark Ruffalo's viral tweet, dissecting the cultural, political, and religious forces driving this divisive global conversation. Stay tuned for a thought-provoking, wide-ranging discussion that unpacks the news behind the headlines and what it means for the future.

What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here:

Want my help starting a business? Join me here inside Zero To Founder

Sign up for my AI Masterclass: AI Masterclass

FOLLOW TOM:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu

Cash App: Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod

*Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosure.

Quince: Free shipping and 365-day returns at https://quince.com/impactpod
Whatnot: Download the Whatnot app today and get free shipping on your first order.
Ketone IQ: Visit https://ketone.com/IMPACT for 30% OFF your subscription order
Ethos: Get a free quote at https://ethos.com/impact
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact
ATT Business: Switch to AT&T Business at https://business.att.com
Pique: 20% off at https://piquelife.com/impact

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.