App Store

Google Play

Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

Step into an infinite world of stories

Listen and read

Ben Wilson | QCODE

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.

How to Take Over the World

John Williams is the brilliant composer behind film scores like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List, and more. On this episode, we take a look 
---
Sponsors:
https://vanman.shop/discount/TAKEOVER - Use code TAKEOVER for 10% off your order
https://www.vesto.com/ - All of your company's financial accounts in one view
https://www.costofglory.com/cog-retreats/texas-retreat - Austin Retreat with the Cost of Glory. Use code TAKEOVER for $200 off.
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
Sources: 
Music By John Williams on Disney Plus
John Williams Always Settles The Score - Vanity Fair
John Williams: The Force Is With Him - uDiscoverMusic
The Force Is Still Strong with John Williams - The New Yorker
An Interview with John Williams - Symphony.org
---
Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.

John Williams: The Greatest Film Composer of All Time

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?
---
Sponsors:
https://www.costofglory.com/cog-retreats/texas-retreat - Austin Retreat with the Cost of Glory January 23-26. Use code TAKEOVER for $200 off.
https://vanman.shop/discount/TAKEOVER - Use code TAKEOVER for 10% off your order
https://www.vesto.com/ - All of your company's financial accounts in one view
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
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.

Lee Kuan Yew

Charlemagne was a king, emperor, conqueror, reformer, and the father of a united Europe. On this episode we look at how he forged the Holy Roman Empire and built the foundations of western civilization as we know it.
---
Sponsors:
https://www.costofglory.com/cog-retreats/texas-retreat - Austin Retreat with the Cost of Glory January 23-26. Use code TAKEOVER for $200 off.
https://www.vesto.com/ - All of your company's financial accounts in one view
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
Sources: 
Two Lives of Charlemagne by Einhard and Notker
Charlemagne From the Hammer to the Cross by Richard Winston
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne by Janet Nelson
---
Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.

Charlemagne

Isaac Newton was one of the great geniuses in human history. He established the basic laws of physics, discovered the laws of gravity, invented calculus, and refined the scientific method. On this episode we take a look at how he was able to accomplish so much by analyzing his strategies, tactics, and work habits.
---
Sponsors:
VanMan.Shop - Use code TAKEOVER for 10% off
https://www.vesto.com/ - All of your company's financial accounts in one view
Speechify.com/Ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify Premium
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
Sources: 
Isaac Newton by James Gleick
---
Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.

Isaac Newton

Top lessons from 100 lessons of How to Take Over the World and more than 100 biographies on the great leaders of history.

Wright's Law

Great Leadership Always Wins

Vision

Demand Excellence

Eat Light (Be Obsessed)

Pain Is Where the Progress Is

Charisma Is In The Eyes

Halley's Law

Set Simple Goals

Two Weeks Can Change Your Life

---
Sponsors:
Speechify.com/Ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify Premium
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
---
Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.

Top 10 Lessons from 100 Episodes of How to Take Over the World

The name of Machiavelli is synonymous with deceit, oppression, atrocity, and naked power. But his legacy is much more complicated than that. His thinking shaped the world we live in, and his advice can help anyone get further on their journey to taking over the world.

04:25 - The biography of Niccolo Machiavelli
34:30 - Advice from Machiavelli's works
01:05:30 - How to start a philosophy or movement that takes over the world
---
Sponsors:
Gains In Bulk - Use code BEN for 20% off
VanMan - Use code TAKEOVER for 10% off
Vesto
Speechify.com/Ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify Premium
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
---
Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.

Niccolo Machiavelli

Captain Cook was one of the greatest explorers of all time. And he also lived on of the most adventurous, exciting lives ever. On this episode we break down his discoveries and the strategies that allowed him to accomplish and discover so much.

00:00 - Introduction
09:00 - Early Life
14:00 - Cook in Canada
26:20 - First Voyage
1:14:00 - Second Voyage
1:25:30 - Third Voyage
1:30:00 - Takeaways
---
Sponsors:
Gains In Bulk - Use code BEN for 20% off
VanMan - Use code TAKEOVER for 10% off
Vesto
Speechify.com/Ben - Use code Ben for 15% off Speechify Premium
HTTOTW Premium - For all endnotes, takeaways, and bonus episode, subscribe to How to Take Over the World Premium
---
Stay in touch:
Twitter/X: @BenWilsonTweets
Instagram: @HTTOTW
Email me: Ben@takeoverpod.com
---
Writing, research, and production by Ben Wilson.

Captain Cook

Donald Trump: real estate mogul, master marketer, and the most polarizing figure of our time. How did he go from a brash young developer in Manhattan to the most powerful man in the world? In this episode of How to Take Over the World, we break down the strategies, mindset, and raw ambition that fueled his rise.

-----

00:00 - Introduction: The Farce and Reality of Donald Trump
02:40 - Who is Donald Trump?
03:55 - Polarizing Figure: Love Him or Hate Him
06:06 - Fred Trump: The Formative Influence
08:56 - Young Donald: Aggression and Military School
14:53 - College Years and Avoiding the Vietnam War
18:31 - Early Real Estate Ventures
25:41 - The Grand Hyatt: A Major Success
35:40 - Trump Tower: Controversy and Prestige
43:45 - Trump's Wollman Rink Success
45:36 - Television City: A Bold Vision
48:01 - The Cringe Factor: Embracing Failure
51:12 - Recap of Trump's Early Success
54:24 - The Downfall Begins: Casinos and Distractions
01:01:35 - Trump's Desperate Measures
01:08:34 - The Apprentice: A Turning Point
01:11:22 - Understanding Trump: The Deal Maker
01:19:24 - Final Thoughts and Controversies

-----
Sponsors: 

HTTOTW Premium - Sign up to get all endnotes and special episodes
Gains In Bulk - Use this link and use code Ben for 20% off
VanMan - Use code TakeOver10 for 10% off
Founders Podcast
Speechify.com - Use code Ben for 15% off

Donald Trump

Despite an incredibly challenging childhood, Coco Chanel revolutionized women's fashion. The episode delves into her humble beginnings, her rise to fame, her relationships, the launch of her fashion empire, and of course, the strategies she used to accomplish it all.

00:00 Introduction to Coco Chanel
01:45 Coco Chanel's Humble Beginnings
03:17 The Power of Self-Creation
07:40 Coco's Early Career and Rise
12:21 The Birth of Chanel's Fashion Empire
22:10 Chanel No. 5: A Perfume Revolution
25:50 The Little Black Dress and Beyond
30:07 Coco Chanel and Great Leadership
31:46 Coco Chanel's Rise in the Fashion Industry
32:29 World War II and Controversial Allegiances
39:11 Post-War Challenges and Strategic Moves
43:59 Chanel's Comeback and Fashion Philosophy
47:44 Final Years and Legacy
48:52 Key Takeaways from Coco Chanel's Life
59:44 Closing Remarks
---
HTTOTW Premium - Sign up to get all endnotes and special episodes
Gains In Bulk - Use this link and use code Ben for 20% off
VanMan - Use code TakeOver10 for 10% off
Founders Podcast
Speechify.com - Use code Ben for 15% off

From Orphan to Icon: The Life and Legacy of Coco Chanel

Polaroid founder Edwin Land is one of the most innovative inventors to have ever lived. Steve Jobs considered him one of his greatest heroes. On this episode we explore the methods and strategies he used to build the beautiful products that he did.

00:00 The Eureka Moment: Birth of the Polaroid Camera
04:30 Early Life: High Agency Behavior
07:00 The Obsession with Polarization
09:30 From Harvard to Independent Research
16:40 Founding Polaroid: The Early Struggles
28:00 Wartime Innovations and Contributions
30:30 Maintaining The Vision
34:10 The Birth of the Instant Camera
37:00 Polaroid's Marketing Genius
38:30 The SX-70: A Revolutionary Camera
42:30 PolaVision: A Catastrophic Flop
45:50 Edwin Land's Legacy and Lessons
46:00 Final Takeaways and Reflections
---
HTTOTW Premium - Sign up to get all endnotes and special episodes
Gains In Bulk - Use this link and use code Ben for 20% off
VanMan - Use code TakeOver10 for 10% off
Founders Podcast
Speechify.com - Use code Ben for 15% off
---
Email me with feedback: Ben@Takeoverpod.com
Need a speaker for your next event or corporate retreat? Email speaking@takeoverpod.com

Edwin Land (Polaroid Founder)

All of my Edison notes that didn't make it into Part 1 & Part 2, including:

Edison vs. Tesla

Edison vs. Elon Musk

Puritanism and Edison

How Edison Went Deaf (Maybe)

Sources:
Edison by Edmund Morris
The Wizard of Menlo Park by Randall Stross
The Thomas A Edison Papers - Rutgers University
Empires of Light by Jill Jonnes

Thomas Edison (Part 3)

Listen and read

Other podcasts you might like ...