How to Take Over the World
Ben Wilson · Benjamin Wilson
Show overview
How to Take Over the World has been publishing since 2017, and across the 9 years since has built a catalogue of 139 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 120 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 35 min and 1h 9m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language History show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 7 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 40 episodes published. Published by Benjamin Wilson.
From the publisher
Anyone who has achieved greatness has, in part, patterned themselves after those who came before. Napoleon learned from Charlemagne, Charlemagne learned from Caesar, and Caesar learned from Alexander the Great. This podcast analyzes the lives of some of the greatest men and women to ever live. By examining their strategies, tactics, mindset, and work habits, How to Take Over the World helps you understand the great ones, so that you can follow in their footsteps.
Latest Episodes
View all 139 episodesAdolf Hitler (Part 3)
The Mind of Hitler (Mein Kampf Review - Premium)
Ep 133Adolf Hitler (Part 2)
In part 2, we look at how Hitler went from building a movement to taking total power in Germany. 00:00 - How Tyrants Take Power 01:30 - Beer Hall Putsch Begins 08:00 - Hitler Sways the Crowd 12:50 - The Coup Collapses 23:30 - The Trial of the Century 38:30 - Writing Mein Kampf 44:00 - Lebensraum Vision 51:20 - The Great Reunification 58:00 - Bamberg Power Play 01:03:17 - 25 Point Program 01:08:04 - Anti-Clericalism 01:21:14 - Building For the Future 01:29:24 - Weimar System Primer 01:33:49 - Hitler Runs For President 01:36:22 - Refusing Vice Chancellor 01:43:34 - Hitler Strategy Doing Nothing 01:59:00 - Enabling Act Ends Democracy 02:05:48 - Reichstag Fire Crackdown 02:11:22 Four Lessons Wrap Up Sources: Hitler: A Biography by Ian Kershaw Hitler: Beyond Evil and Tyranny by RHS Stolfi Hitler: A Global Biography by Brendan Simms In His Own Words: The Essential Speeches of Adolf Hitler by CJ Miller Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler (New Ford Translation) ----- Sponsors: The Classical Society David Senra Podcast Zodl (The new Zashi wallet) Speechify
Ep 132Adolf Hitler (Part 1)
How did Hitler rise from being a shiftless, borderline-homeless bohemian, to creating one of the largest mass movements of the 20th century? And what can we learn about building a movement from him? 00:00 Hitler Finds His Voice03:15 Why Study Hitler06:20 Birth and Family Roots12:00 School and Artist Dreams17:00 Vienna Bound26:00 Homelessness and Hustle33:00 Steve Jobs Comparison34:30 Conversion to Antisemitism48:30 Habsburg Multicultural Backlash52:55 Munich Move and Draft Dodge01:00:00 World War 101:08:50 Gas Attack and Defeat01:16:15 Spying on German Workers Party01:24:15 Hitler Becomes Party Star01:33:45 Rhetoric Tools and Practice01:39:00 Controversy Marketing Tactics01:42:00 NSDAP Growth and Branding01:46:40 SA Formation and Power Grab01:53:15 Crisis and Coup Planning02:00:38 Beer Hall Putsch02:02:30 Closing Quotes and Next Steps-----Sources:Hitler: A Biography by Ian KershawHitler: Beyond Evil and Tyranny by RHS StolfiHitler: A Global Biography by Brendan SimmsIn His Own Words: The Essential Speeches of Adolf Hitler by CJ MillerMein Kampf by Adolf Hitler (New Ford Translation)-----Sponsors:The Classical SocietyDavid Senra PodcastZodl (The new Zashi wallet)Speechify
Ep 131Stanford's Most Controversial Professor on Why Power Is Good For You | Jeffrey Pfeffer
Stanford GSB professor Jeffrey Pfeffer breaks down his 7 rules for taking power. --- Sponsors: David Senra Podcast Zashi Wallet Speechify The Classical Society Premium Version
Ep 130The Crowd Whisperer: The Psychologist Who Gave Hitler His Playbook
This episode explores the thought of Gustave Le Bon was a French researcher and writer whose seminal work, The Crowd, greatly influenced Adolf Hitler and was partially responsible for teaching him how to be a great speaker at mass rallies. ----- Subscribe for the full episode: TakeoverPod.Supercast.com Join the Classical Society: TheClassicalSociety.com
Ep 129Top 10 Lessons from 2025
In this episode of How to Take Over the World, I do something a little different. Instead of breaking down one life, I share my top 10 leadership lessons drawn from every episode I released in 2025. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:19 Communicate Clearly at Scale 06:17 Define Your Myth 10:12 Seize Your Moment 13:28 Be Alone to Think, Collaborate to Build 16:33 Antis Inspiration 18:58 Make Extreme Decisions Quickly 24:31 Decision-Making Frameworks 28:06 Going a Little Too Far 31:20 The Power of Knowing What You Want 34:58 Being Competitively Playful --- Sponsors: David Senra Podcast Zashi Wallet Speechify The Classical Society Premium Version
Ep 128Andrew Carnegie (Part 2)
Andrew Carnegie names his price. J.P. Morgan accepts. In a single moment, a poor Scottish immigrant becomes the richest man in the world. But that is just the beginning of Andrew Carnegie's story. 00:00 The Historic Deal: Carnegie and Morgan 02:50 Introduction to Part Two: Carnegie's Early Success 08:00 Navigating Recessions and Strategic Acquisitions 14:28 Labor Relations and Strikes 22:32 Carnegie's Reputation and Industry Dominance 30:39 Carnegie's Philanthropic Beginnings 31:45 The Sale to JP Morgan and US Steel Formation 40:54 Carnegie's Efforts for Peace and Anti-Colonialism 45:39 The Impact of World War I on Carnegie 47:33 Key Takeaways from Carnegie's Life 50:50 Conclusion ---- Sponsors: David Senra Podcast Zashi Wallet Speechify The Classical Society ---- Sources: Autobiography of Andrew Carnegie Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw
Ep 127Andrew Carnegie (Part 1)
The rise of Andrew Carnegie from a poor Scottish weaver's boy to becoming an American millionaire.00:00 Introduction 03:00 Carnegie's Early Life and Inspirations 07:50 Coming to America 12:00 The Power of Self-Education 28:15 Becoming a Capitalist: The Adams Express Investment 36:30 Rapid Rise in the Railroad Industry 42:15 Carnegie's Role in the Civil War 50:30 Carnegie's Business Philosophy and Networking 56:15 Final Reflections and Takeaways----Sponsors:David Senra PodcastZashi WalletSpeechify----Sources:Autobiography of Andrew CarnegieAndrew Carnegie by David Nasaw
Ernest Shackleton (Remastered)
Description This episode explores the extraordinary life of Ernest Shackleton and the impossible challenges he faced at the edge of the world. Through his failures, decisions, and unbreakable resolve, we uncover timeless lessons on leadership under extreme pressure. 00:00 The Endurance's Final Moments02:19 Introduction to Ernest Shackleton05:32 The Nimrod Expedition and Beyond14:15 Setting Sail and Early Challenges24:27 The Endurance is Crushed35:10 Shackleton's Leadership and Shared Hardships39:01 Launching the Boats to Elephant Island47:17 Reaching Elephant Island52:47 The Treacherous Voyage to South Georgia01:05:27 Rescue and Return01:07:05 Lessons from Shackleton's Expedition ---- Sponsors: Zashi for Z Cash Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium Founders Podcast Coaching ---- Stay in touch:Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets Instagram: @HTTOTW Email me: [email protected] ----Sources: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible VoyageSouth!: The Story of Shackleton's Last ExpeditionShackleton by Ranulph Fiennes
Ep 126Cleopatra (Part 2)
The latter half of Cleopatra's life, from the death of Caesar until her own death.00:00 Cleopatra's Fall from Power04:15 Meeting Mark Antony11:00 Cleopatra and Antony's Alliance21:40 The Birth of a New Dynasty29:00 The Donations of Alexandria35:00 The Final Civil War of the Roman Republic38:00 The Battle of Actium43:00 The Aftermath of Actium and Antony's Despair47:38 The Tragic Deaths of Antony and Cleopatra56:30 Cleopatra's Legacy and Final Reflections---- Sponsors:Zashi for Z Cash GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium Founders PodcastCoaching---- Stay in touch:Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets Instagram: @HTTOTW Email me: [email protected]: Plutarch's Life of Marc Antony Cassius Dio Volumes V and VI Cleopatra: A Life
Ep 125Cleopatra (Part 1)
Cleopatra took over a kingdom, expanded it, captured the heart of the world's most powerful man, and lived one of the most iconic and controversial lives of all time. On this episode, we explore how she did it. 00:00 Caesar's Egyptian Dilemma 02:40 Introduction to Cleopatra 04:30 Cleopatra's Early Life and Education 14:40 Cleopatra's Rise to Power 24:00 The Encounter with Julius Caesar 31:00 The Siege of Alexandria 34:00 Cleopatra's Strategic Moves 49:00 Cleopatra's Public Relations in Rome 54:00 Key Takeaways from Cleopatra's Story --- Sponsors: HTTOTW Premium - For part 2, all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episodes, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium Zashi for Z Cash GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium Founders Podcast Coaching --- Stay in touch: Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets Instagram: @HTTOTW Email me: [email protected] Sources: Plutarch's Life of Marc Antony Cassius Dio Volumes V and VI Cleopatra: A Life
Ep 124Lee Kuan Yew (Video Version)
Lee Kuan Yew took a crowded, dirty, poor port town, and turned it into one of the world's great cities. How was he able to lead such an incredible transformation of Singapore? 00:00 Introduction 03:50 Early Life and Education 12:00 The Japanese Occupation and Its Impact 17:30 Post-War Singapore and the Road to Independence 24:45 The People's Action Party and Early Governance 37:30 Operation Coldstore and the Fight Against Communism 40:00 Ethnic Tensions and Operation Cold Store 41:15 Formation of Malaysia and Rising Tensions 42:30 Singapore's Expulsion and Independence 43:50 Lee Kuan Yew's Emotional Address 46:40 Building a Defense Strategy 51:20 Lee Kuan Yew's Ideology and Governance 59:00 Economic Growth and Development 01:06:20 Social Progress and Urban Development 01:15:00 Conclusion and Legacy --- Sponsors: Zashi for Z Cash HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium Founders Podcast Coaching --- Stay in touch: Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets Instagram: @HTTOTW Email me: [email protected] Sources: No Man Is An Island: A Portrait of Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew by James Minchin Lee Kuan Yew: The Grandmaster's Insights on China, United States, and the World by Graham Allison, Michael McConnohie, et al. From Third World to First by Lee Kuan Yew Singapore: A Modern History by Michael D Barr --- Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.
Ep 123Zero to One
Thoughts on Peter Thiel's Zero to One. ----- 00:00 Why this episode 05:15 Horizontal vs. Vertical Progress 09:19 The Importance of Startups and Monopolies 23:33 Definite Optimism vs. Indefinite Optimism 37:10 Power Laws and Their Impact 45:58 The Importance of Company Foundations 46:51 Building a Strong Company Culture 50:47 The Role of Vision 51:47 The Cult-Like Nature of Successful Startups 53:21 The Necessity of Sales and Marketing 55:25 The Paradox of Founders ----- Sponsors: - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more - Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium - Founders Podcast - Zashi - Coaching - Buy Zero to One ---- Stay In Touch - Sign up for the newsletter at takeoverpod.com - Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets - Instagram - @HTTOTW
Ep 122Nietzsche and Eternal Recurrence (Part 3)
This episode explores Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy on how to live a life worthy of eternity. It delves into Nietzsche's concept of eternal recurrence, where one's life would have to be lived over and over again, and asks if such a life would be fulfilling and self-justifying.00:00 Introduction: Measuring a Good Life03:30 Eternal Recurrence: Thought Experiment or Truth?08:30 Nietzsche's Moment of Affirmation13:00 Instinct vs. Reason: Nietzsche's Perspective17:00 The Singular Vision: Striving for Greatness21:15 Understanding the Higher Self22:00 Defining Yourself by Your Best Moments22:40 The Importance of Mastering a Craft26:45 The Metaphor of Dance in Life34:35 Nietzsche's Life Advice-----Sponsors:- Austin AI Lab- GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more- Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium- Founders Podcast----Stay In Touch- Sign up for the newsletter at takeoverpod.com- Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets- Instagram - @HTTOTW
Ep 121Nietzsche and the Superhuman (Part 2)
The second half of Nietzsche's life, and his teachings about the superhuman (ubermensch) the last man, and the will to power. 00:00 Nietzsche's Radical Response to the Death of God02:20 Nietzsche's Life and Career06:00 Nietzsche's Views on Nationalism and Antisemitism17:00 Nietzsche's Personal Struggles and Relationships19:00 Nietzsche's Major Works and Philosophical Contributions33:00 Debating the Cause of Nietzsche's Death38:00 The Philosophy of the Superhuman51:00 The Aristocratic Society57:30 Will to Power: Nietzsche's Core Doctrine01:07:30 Nietzsche's Philosophy Summarized01:15:00 Nietzsche's Popularity and Misinterpretations ----- Sponsors: - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - Austin AI Lab - GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more - Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium - Founders Podcast ---- Stay In Touch - Sign up for the newsletter at takeoverpod.com - Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets - Instagram - @HTTOTW
Ep 120Nietzsche and the Death of God (Part 1)
This episode covers the first half of Friedrich Nietzsche's life, his concept "the death of God" and master vs slave morality. 00:00 - Nietzsche's Radical Philosophy 01:20- The Life of Friedrich Nietzsche: Early Years 04:00 - Nietzsche's Academic Journey 08:30 - The Influence of Schopenhauer and Wagner 18:30 - Nietzsche's First Major Work: The Birth of Tragedy 25:39 - The Controversy and Criticism 30:00 - Nietzsche's Non-Systematic Approach 32:10 - The Death of God 37:30 - The Origins of Morality 40:45 - Christianity and Slave Morality 47:45 - Nietzsche's Critique of Modern Europe ----- Sponsors: - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - Austin AI Lab - GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more - Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium - Founders Podcast ---- Stay In Touch - Sign up for the newsletter at takeoverpod.com - Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets - Instagram - @HTTOTW
Ep 119Arminius: The Man Who Defeated Rome
For centuries, Rome grew unchecked, until one man was able to reverse their fortunes, and free his country. On this episode, we take a look at the story of Arminius, and what it teaches us about how to overcome an unstoppable force. 00:00 Battle of the Teutoburg Forest 03:00 Introduction to Arminius 05:40 Understanding the Germanic Tribes 13:00 Arminius' Early Life and Roman Service 21:00 The Rebellion Begins 25:00 Varus's Leadership in Germany 27:23 The Battle of Teutoburg Forest Revisited 31:30 Aftermath and Roman Reaction 34:20 Arminius' Legacy and Influence 46:20 Lessons from Arminius' Life ---- Sponsors: - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more - Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium - Founders Podcast ---- Stay In Touch - Sign up for our newsletter at takeoverpod.com - Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets - Instagram - @HTTOTW
Ep 118Roger Federer
Is Roger Federer the greatest tennis player of all time? Despite not being the winningest player, many people make exactly that argument. What is it about Federer that inspires such admiration, and why can he rightly be called the greatest of all time? 00:00 Introduction: The Enigma of Roger Federer 01:00 Federer's Unique Playfulness 03:45 Early Life and Childhood 05:00 Adolescence and Early Tennis Career 07:30 Struggles and Triumphs in Junior Tennis 22:00 The Turning Point: Peter Carter's Influence 33:00 The Federer Era 40:00 The Rise of Rafael Nadal 50:00 Federer's Late Career Resurgence 56:00 The 2017 Australian Open Comeback 01:06:40 Federer's Final Years and Retirement 01:08:30 Reflections on Federer's Career and Legacy ---- Sponsors: - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more - Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium - Founders Podcast ---- Stay In Touch - Sign up for our newsletter at takeoverpod.com - Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets - Instagram - @HTTOTW
Lord of the Rings
This is an episode of Becoming the Main Character, which you can find wherever you get your podcasts. ---- Sponsors: - The Classical Society.com - TakeoverPod.Supercast.com - All premium content for just $7/month - GainsInBulk.com/ben - Use code Ben for 20% off instantized creatine and more - Speechify.com/ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify premium - Founders Podcast ---- Stay In Touch - Sign up for our newsletter at takeoverpod.com - Twitter/X - @BenWilsonTweets - Instagram - @HTTOTW