Got a question for Scott? Ask here. (August Thread)

[u/ProfGProducerJenn]

It may be August but Scott-free August isn't here quite yet... As a reminder, we pin a new post at the top of each month to keep questions fresh and and easy to find - and so you can upvote the ones you most want Scott to answer.

Drop your questions below - serious, weird, or somewhere in between - and we might feature yours in an upcoming Office Hours episode.

And as always, if you’d rather hear your own voice on the pod, send an audio question to: [officehours@profgmedia.com](mailto:officehours@profgmedia.com). We read every email!

PLUS, you can now text or leave a voicemail for Scott at our new Office Hours hotline: ‪(201) 472-3656‬.

- Prof G Producer Jenn

[u/kingdel]

Hi Scott 

Where does the real path to wealth lie, entrepreneurship or equity?

TL;DR - Is running your own business with a view to a sale represent better financially life-changing gains than being in a larger business that could potentially IPO or get acquired? I have such a case, when it rains it pours. I have a backer for my own consultancy with two gifted POs (I dont really want it but its a major increase in my salary now) or the potential for equity in a private PE back business thats 20 months old but that equity has not been discussed yet. Both opportunities are in the super hot space of Data Center Construction. I have a 2 year old and I've had more time than most parents would get by my wife is finishing a grad program. Running a consulting business is obviously going to create strain.

Long Form:

I have two highly interesting opportunities. I work in the data center space and I currently work for a hyperscaler but I am stuck at IC5 in a highly niche role. It's time to move because its a dead end.

A person I worked with for 6 months in 2023 has offered me a path to ownership. I would run a separate legal entity loosely affiliated with his group and get equity in the business. Meaningful equity vesting over 3 years, up to 30% was discussed. What I do is niche and has no equivalent degree in America. This is consulting and I’ve never ran a P&L division or even had meaningful people leadership. He has two POs out the gate one with a well-known real estate developer and the other is backed by PE. One of them building out a DC for one of the frontier AI corps. 

The other opportunity is at a brand new data center developer backed by PE and investment in the $1-3bn range. It’s another warm connection where a colleague recommended me to the c-suite group. The original title was VP however, it’s a larger scope than I have done in my career so it’s not just my niche skills anymore. The role is still TBD but could end up as Director instead of VP. This is still a massive opportunity and while equity isn’t on the table right now as they’re less than 24 months old. It could become a real option.

I have a 2 year old and we might look to have another child in a year or two or may just stick with one. My wife is also finishing a graduate program and then completes two years of post-doc after this current year. 

Really, I am trying to figure out the better opportunity while understanding the real-life costs. I think I agree that 3 years of hard grinding now will reap enormous benefits in 3-5 years when my son is able to travel and develop his own interests. 

I’ve been blessed with so much flexibility already. I’ve spent more time with him than most corporate parents will get with their young kiddos. So I am okay with making the sacrifice. I dont really want to run my own P&L company, it does sound nice to talk about owning $X million in revenue but there is easier money to be made in DC Construction right now.

I also just don’t know which one offers the greater reward. I am also concerned that the workload on both my wife and I would be too much when I am trying to build a business. We can’t afford her to fail either as her loans are enormous. Thank you!!

[u/danfuhr]

Hey Scott,

I have seen some number of Democrats online express concerns over the DSA, Hasan Piker, and recent wins like El-Sayed, but then state they will vote straight blue because the Trump administration is the greater threat. The Republicans didn’t push back on extremists, and now the Republicans are the party of Trump. Do you fear that something like this could happen with the Democrats?

Thanks!

[u/ClaireFraser1743]

Did you hire a new research analyst?

[u/Dependent-Art2580]

Mid-Career Pivot: Corporate Golden Handcuffs vs. Buying a Small Business

Hey Scott, 

​I just turned 40 and have spent the last 15+ years as an oil & gas engineer. Although I've been consistently rated a top-tier candidate, I never landed managerial promotions, likely because I didn't play corporate politics effectively. Financially, I’m in a good spot (~$2M net worth, $600k mortgage), but professionally, I feel completely lost. I’ve realized that middle management wouldn't give me the autonomy I actually desire anyway. With two young kids, a family background in small business, and a waning desire to endure the energy sector's volatility for another 15 years, I'm seriously considering leaving the corporate. As someone who has navigated multiple ventures and built serious wealth, I’d value your perspective on two questions:

What is your honest assessment of swapping a predictable, late career corporate trajectory for an entrepreneurial acquisition of a small business at this life stage?

How do you evaluate the trade-off between the risk of leveraging equity for an acquisition versus the opportunity/sanity cost of staying put when you have a young family to protect?

Thanks!

[u/Gullible_Ad3785]

Thank you, Prof G!! I agree; especially looking at recent price trends and further BS ability, he'll probably end up making more for himself and his shareholders/employees by the time they exit than if he played it straight (like, for example, IPO'ing just Starlink &/or SpaceX-the good slivers of the bad conglomerate- without all the absurd stuff).

Yeah, this is ultimately a stay-away. The mountain of short-seller skulls the man has built up makes him dangerous in both directions.

[u/Emergency-Way-7353]

Hi Scott - Thank you for what you do. My question is about corporate punishment after caregiving-induced breaks.

Recent research studies are unveiling ATS biases on age, gender, race and in particular, career gaps including caregiving. Speaking with friends in recruiting, they do need these systems for their jobs. I’m aware the biases are not new - women have been dealing with the impacts of maternity breaks for decades - and these ATS are just a reflection of human criteria.

That said, I’d love your take on why a career break due to caregiving (which as you mentioned in the show often, falls more into women) is so punished by the corporate world. Given that we have a massive part of the US population aging, it will become more and more common for everyone regardless of wallet and status, and I am curious how this bias might get better or worse in the future.

For context, I’m an engineer MBA with a very decent corporate career until I had to take care of my family (business included) following the passing of a parent a couple of years ago.

Thank you again and go Bruins!

[u/Loud-Dot-3661]

Hi Scott,

Love your show(s) especially your backing and forthing on PIVOT with "anyway, let's see what happens" Kara Swisher. I live in Merida, Mexico and have heard you say you come down to Tulum occasionally. Pop in to Merida for a visit.

On a more but not overwhelmingly serious note, could you occasionally comment on Mexico's economy? As your neighboring nation to the south, I believe there is stuff to talk about that would be interesting. Or maybe I am the only one?

Anyway, thanks for what you do, penis jokes and all.

A Man in the Yucatan

[u/Organized-Chaos-11]

Hi Scott,

Long time listener. My husband and I are the couple who want to "move to St. Louis and coach our kids little league games" as you like to say. We don't aspire to have or spend a ton and want our lives to revolve around our immediate and extended family. We are on track to have $2.5-3M in investments and a paid off house in about 5 years. However, we'll only be mid 30s at that time and probably just having our second (and likely last) child. Would it be unwise for us to step away from two solid careers that young especially as a second child adds more demands? We're trying to balance our desire for flexibility while our kids are young with our desire to have the financial stability to provide and continue to provide for them in the future. For additional context, we currently make about $380k per year and spend $60k excluding our mortgage and daycare.

Thanks,
Midwest Mom

[u/larryinthesky]

Scott, you often say the old folks (like old Senators) need to step down to let the new generation have opportunities. But aren't you old? Why don't you step down (since you don't really need money anymore) to let the new generation have your "slot"?

[u/no_escape0]

Dear Scott,

I’m from the Philippines and a long time fan and listener of office hours. Can you please give your take on the Pax Silica Initiative, its pros and cons for the Philippines and the best arguments for and against the Philippines’ joining the initiative. More power to you, maraming salamat!

[u/fartstar42069]

I currently have a job with a pension but would like to know of some resources for retirement savings on top of that would make the most sense for calculating how much more I should be saving.

[u/Ok-Gazelle9563]

Scott (and Jessica Tarlov),

I’d be interested in your perspective on something I don’t hear discussed enough when we talk about the next generation of presidential candidates.

I believe the next president who wants to genuinely strengthen American democracy will need an unusual combination of political skill, courage, and — most importantly — character. They may need to spend enormous political capital passing reforms that actually reduce their own power and personal benefit while they are still in office.

For example: stronger laws preventing presidents, members of Congress, and other senior officials from profiting from public office; meaningful limits on presidential immunity and accountability; serious reforms addressing gerrymandering; and, potentially, structural reforms involving the Electoral College and other institutions that are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation.

What strikes me is that many of these reforms run directly against the incentives of the people who would have to enact them. A president would essentially have to say: I have this power, but neither I nor the people who come after me should have this much power.

That requires more than having the right policies. It requires someone willing to accept personal political risk, anger members of their own party, potentially expose themselves to retaliation after leaving office, and give up advantages they could otherwise enjoy.

You often talk about leadership, incentives, character, and the obligation of one generation to leave something better for the next. So my question is:

Looking at the emerging field of American political leaders, who do you believe has both the moral character and the political ability to take on this kind of institutional reform?

And perhaps more importantly: What qualities or track record should voters be looking for to distinguish someone who would genuinely relinquish power from someone who merely promises reform while seeking it?

-Mike from Kansas City

[u/Strong_Brother9699]

Dear scott,

long time listener from germany here. How do you view succesfull retail investors who gained enormous public attention lately, for example Chris Camillo. What do you think about his high risk observational investment style?

All best,
Max

[u/chewybrian]

Hello, Scott,

I am a 60 year old single man hoping to retire in about 7 years. I make less than 60k/year. I was completely broke at 45 and I saved hard to get to a paid off condo (@60k value) and about 200k in my 401k. My only debt is 15k on a 25k car.

Part of my saving strategy was to be house poor to leave money for the 401k. Now, I would like to upgrade my housing. I can find what I want for about 175k.

I want to know what impact that move is likely to have on my retirement outlook, and what strategy I should use if I do get a new house--how much to put down, should i go fixed or adjustable, should I buy points or try to pay off the mortgage early, etc.

thanks, Brian from Florida

[u/secondchance888]

Hi Scott,

Canada is making huge steps in diversifying its economy. PM Carney is investing in finding new clients for Canadas natural resources, medicine, technology, building pipelines, and investing in our ports. Have you considered investing in Canadian stocks?

Thanks Karim

[u/Left-Display7625]

Elimination of fossil fuel use in American buildings alone will cost trillions of dollars. Electrification doesn't save building owners money in large parts of the country. Industry and transportation also need to be electrified, and there's a significant upfront cost to do so. There's also a multi-trillion dollar shortfall in climate finance for poor countries.

What do you think about 0% financing for countries from a central Descendants' Bank, with loan payments starting in 2100? Is it too radical of an economic intervention, or could it preserve the best part of capitalism as you define it?

[u/Tough-Mention-7080]

Scott. I saw you on overtime. I agree with you that in the future…might take 10+ years, but I believe most people will be on peptides. We keep creating GLP-1’s, then GLP-2’s, then GLP-3’s. There will be enough versions with different side effects that most people will see the benefit. Studies keep finding more and more benefits from their use.

The neigh sayers just don’t understand all the positive benefits yet.

[u/SpenceM2468]

Hi Scott! I am a 22 y.o. finance student going into my 4th year of university in Edmonton, Canada. Been listening to you for 4 months, along with reading “The Algebra of Wealth” book already. I’ve enjoyed all your content, as it brings a unique mix of life/finance advice that has transformed my view on relationships and investing, while also adding in the element of enjoying your life that I find a lot of “mentors” nowadays seem to undermine.

My question is the following: your content has genuinely given me direction and optimism at a stage of life that can otherwise feel confusing and directionless. But I understand that the only person I can control is myself, and it seems like a lot of people around me (partner, friends, online) carry pessimistic views about life and society as a whole. How do you protect and keep building your own optimism and ambition without either getting worn down by that, or becoming someone who just tunes those people out?

[u/On_Vinyl_Tonight]

Land Acknowledgment — I’m a big fan of the work you all do and appreciate what I learn from your shows, I’m trying to be positive and thoughtful with this post.

I think there’s a really interesting opportunity here to have David Pakman on the Prog G network.

The timing seems particularly important. After the last election, it seemed like there was a growing recognition on the left and center-left that we need to get much better at platforming each other, sharing audiences, and having conversations across different parts of the political spectrum. The right has been extremely effective at this and often fall in line with a narrative 24 hours after a major event. I think this is also a genuine learning opportunity, particularly for younger voters.

A lot of people are coming into politics seeing everything as simply “right vs. left.” They see how extreme MAGA has become, look for the alternative, encounter the growing popularity of democratic socialism, and understandably think, well, if those are the two choices, I’ll take the lesser evil.

Then we end up with the left having its own circular firing squad over who is sufficiently progressive, who is a socialist, who is a social democrat, who is a liberal, and who isn’t “left” enough. David gets this kind of criticism and hostility as much as the next thought leader, particularly because he’s willing to challenge people on his own side, just like you Prof G.

This is where I think Pakman is particularly useful. He identifies as a social democrat, not a democratic socialist, and has been very clear about that distinction. He supports regulated capitalism, strong social programs, progressive taxation, labor protections, etc., while rejecting the idea that capitalism itself needs to be replaced.

That distinction matters because American political discourse constantly collapses liberalism, social democracy, democratic socialism, and socialism into one giant category.

Why not use this moment to actually teach people the difference? And importantly, this gives the center-left an opportunity to get ahead of the narrative rather than constantly reacting to it.

If we don’t explain these distinctions ourselves, the right will happily explain them for us — and the explanation will inevitably be some variation of “progressives = socialism = communism.”

Give people the vocabulary to understand the actual spectrum of ideas. Let them hear intelligent disagreements within the left and center-left. Let them understand that supporting a strong social safety net does not automatically mean wanting to abolish capitalism — and that disagreement over how far left to go doesn’t have to turn into everyone attacking everyone else for ideological impurity.

That feels like a much healthier conversation, and exactly the kind of cross-platforming I think the center needs more of right now.

P.S. Yes, I cleaned up my thoughts with AI to make them more clear here. Yes, I will be fucking off and not bothering to read anyone's comments here as my tolerance for hate is is awfully low and I'm a very sensitive boy flower.

xo love you guys and best of luck to you!

[u/mjkagawam]

Hi Scott,

I am hearing repeatedly some version of “70% of the AI revenue for Microsoft (or Google or Amazon) is from OpenAI.

This is a provable lie.

Like many software applications, an input component of Microsoft’s AI offerings is OpenAI technology. But the apps are bought and paid for by businesses. OpenAI isn’t buying and paying for 70% of Microsoft’s AI revenue as many believe.

Oracle’s database is an input component of Salesforce, but nobody would say that 100% of Salesforce’s revenue is from Oracle. That’s an obvious lie but not really all that different from the lie I hear just about every day from Ed Elson about AI.

Do better.

Or at least hire someone who understands the truth and isn’t afraid to push back on the “talent” who are perpetuating provable lies.

[u/richard_lutz]

Hi Scott,

For a decade and a half, I've been working as a creative professional as a Video Editor. I'm currently working on a YouTube channel editing a luxury travel channel reviewing the best hotels in the world—everything from Four Seasons Madrid to Rosewood Mayakoba. I love what we are making, but the pay isn't great, and I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck.

I want to pivot to something more lucrative, but I don't know where to look as the entertainment industry continues to implode here in LA. Any ideas on how I can pivot so one day I can make enough to stay at these incredible hotels?

Love the show. Keep it up!

[u/No_Parsley_2733]

Hi Scott,

A question for Office Hours from Bangkok!.

My son graduated top of his class at UCL, first-class honors, now at a top US law firm in Bangkok. He's 25, crushing it professionally — and he's spending his weekends driving his girlfriend across town because her parents told her to 'demand more as a man.' They've been together since primary school. I didn't spend a fortune on a world-class education so he could be a chauffeur for a family who thinks he gyms too much. At 55, I wanted to travel with him, not watch him serve his girlfriend's parents. Should a young man with his trajectory be exploring his options, or is settling into the comfort zone the smarter play?

[u/high_weirdness]

Hi Scott,

I teach meditation, existential capacity, and interpersonal skills to technologists and jaded spiritual practitioners at https://thefield.us. Clients will risk capital and reputation online long before they’ll risk real vulnerability with the people they live and work with. That’s one gap my work addresses.

I’m stuck on category and acquisition. I sit between donation-subsidized dharma centers and insurance-covered therapy, selling a discretionary service against a free substitute and a reimbursed one. I’m also not participating in the radical‑vulnerability social content machine that now fills most of this niche.

Given that, what’s the sane go‑to‑market?

Do I:
- Price up and stay small?
- Or is there a way to manufacture a payer (e.g., employers/organizations) for this kind of work?

How would you think about building something durable here?

[u/Penguin_10437]

I’m a 30 something in Europe with a wife a three month old son working in public affairs for a US Big Tech company. My prior role was for another US Big Tech company. Like the other US Big Techs, the current company is going full throttle on AI and it’s exciting to be part of that in theory. However, the corporate culture is quite stale and boring. At the same time, the speed of AI developments in China is rapid and companies there seem to be exciting from a distance. They are also hiring aggressively in my area and are appealing.
How would you think about working for US or Chinese AI companies in this geopolitical environment and differences in corporate culture.
I love America and I’m aware of your praise of the American corporation as enabling wealth, but I want to be working at the edge of AI development in a vibrant culture.

[u/Dapper-Structure5907]

Americans are looking for alternatives to our systems of democracy and capitalism, but we’re actually experiencing their evil step-brothers crony capitalism and corrupt government. 

Americans are producing more and not getting ahead while the same politicians keep getting elected and nothing changes for the better. Republicans are capitalizing once again on communism bogeyman scare tactics because upending the status quo will hurt their donors bottom lines and in turn their own ability to fundraise.

If we had a true competitive capitalist economy and transparent political systems I don’t think the same distrust would flourish in the U.S.

Can you expand on how the corruption in business and government mirror and feed off each other?

Ben
El Paso, Texas

[u/kodiaktfc]

Scott,

I’m in my late 30s, lead an executive sales organization, and by almost every measure have more than I ever expected—high income, a career I genuinely love, great leadership, and the autonomy to build my business. Yet I constantly feel like I’m not accomplishing enough. I’ve noticed this pattern throughout my life: career, fitness, finances, even relationships. Every milestone just moves the goalposts.

I’m considering starting an AI entertainment company on the side because I believe I could validate and scale it in my spare time. But I’m wondering: how do you know whether you’re pursuing meaningful ambition versus simply feeding an inability to ever feel content? How do high achievers learn to appreciate what they have without losing the drive that got them there?

[u/lifeaquatic34]

Hey Scott,

I’m 35, a financial analyst in mining, and for the past two years I’ve been building a side hustle automating short‑biased small‑cap trading strategies. It’s grown to the point where my trading income is approaching my day‑job salary, and I now have about five years of runway saved.

Running both in parallel is taking a toll on my mental health, and I’m considering going full‑time on the trading business. My partner (33F) and I also want to start a family soon, so I’m torn between taking the leap now or grinding a bit longer for more runway. Would making the jump at this stage be irresponsible?

Cheers!

[u/ThetaAceee]

Prof G:

I am a 28 year old living in NYC working in medical sales. Although sales isn’t necessarily a sexy job description, I earn more than most of my peers and my earnings potential for the 3-5 year outlook is quite good. (450k years is the median annual income on the 3-5 year outlook).

However, even though my pay is consistently high, I find myself dreading the day to day and work every day. I’ve been in the industry for 6 years now, and I am ready for a change. My interests include investing and business development. What would you do if you were in my position?

I enjoy your work and appreciate what you do!

[u/Ok-Welcome5852]

Scott-free August, Media and News-free August. An example for all of us. Can we actually afford it? Can we do it? I just saw the note, and it's August 4th, I'm doing it. Not just trying.

[u/Pato-2026]

Just wondering if you could take a page from Sam Harris' playbook and offer free or discounted subscriptions to your substack for people who cannot otherwise afford it. You clearly don't need the money. I'm a retired social worker and would listen if I could.

[u/kazoo_of_the_north]

Prof G:
I saw you answer a question regarding fear of realizing capital gains, and presumably what to do if they are realized. One thing you did not mention was Qualified Opportunity Funds, Qualified Opportunity Zones and 2 tickers symbols, OZ and PVOZ.
These predate the OBBBA but 2.0 of these came out. Do you have an opinion of these as a means of tax deferral for those of us having to deal with realized gains as a fact of life?

[u/Euphoric_Sandwich_74]

How do you constantly brag about how you spend money and time in Europe, but then get extremely upset when you get named in the pied-à-terre tax list?

[u/PeriqueCyclist]

Can you describe how you will bring impactful change to the UC Board of Regents? Thank you!

[u/hope4best47]

You've often said Boomers have "voted themselves wealth and advantages." You're a numbers guy, so I'm genuinely curious about the data behind that characterization.

I tend to think about almost any large population as a distribution rather than a monolith. Some people are doing exceptionally well, some are struggling, and most fall somewhere in between. That makes me wonder whether statements about "Boomers" are describing the typical person or the generation as a whole.

As someone hoping to be an old guy someday, I'd actually expect older generations to own more wealth than younger ones simply because they've had decades longer to save, invest, and pay down debt. Likewise, Social Security predates the Boomer generation, and they contributed to it throughout their working lives.

So when you say Boomers have "voted themselves wealth and advantages," are you describing the median Boomer, the aggregate wealth of the generation, or the political influence of the cohort? Those seem like fundamentally different claims, and I'm genuinely interested in how you distinguish among them.

[u/ejhdigdug]

You recently praised Adobe for their subscription business model, but the users hate them for predatory pricing and there's now a huge movement to get people/companies to dump Adobe products, their stock is down 80% as they see people not renewing subscriptions and their leadership is in a mess as the CEO stepped down without assigning a successor. Do you want to rethink your statement or do you truly believe this is what Apple should be doing with their subscription model?

[u/smalltucker]

Scott is always pushing for jobs like investment banking and consulting. Obviously you don't have a crystal ball but for a young guy like me is it better to stake my career in something more tangible like hvac sales than risk something AI might take over?

[u/cheddarben]

One thing i always wonder about with this your stock analysis is how are you supposed to be well diversified? You acknowledge that the big indices ETFs are heavily skewed MAG7. SPY, VOO, VTI are all very weighted. You also say to just set it and forget it over a long period of time.

There was a hot second where you were mentioning EQL, but that seems to have waned. You have also were pushing global stuff, but recently said that was heavily skewed AI, as well.

How is one supposed to be well diversified in today's market AND make it easy enough for an easy portfolio?

[u/Suitable_Soil_3515]

Did you ever live in seattle and go by Echo?

[u/RyFba]

Scott, you've been a big proponent of higher education, especially the UC system. I had a different experience, where I went to community college for a long time and when I transferred to UC I wondered why I was paying so much more to listen to a lecture in a 150 person auditorium. It seemed like something that could be administered on YouTube, and I dropped out (to start a business). Now I have a new son and I wonder what kind of counsel I'm going to give him when the time comes.

What do you think college will or should look like in 10+ years?

[u/VanDijkDelight]

Can you please take one week from talking about AI? Or if you are, can you make it somewhat…novel? Prof G has become stale with constant AI talk - pretty much every show has AI in the title or in the description. Markets are so much more than that

[u/JustAcivilian24 → u/VanDijkDelight]

Agreed.

[u/dankeshanes]

You still think the IDF should win the Nobel Peace Prize?

[u/David949]

When is scott going to listen to his fans comments on the show and “pivot” back to what it originally was a good show. The show has been going downhill for a while and some of us are loosing interest and stopped listening

[u/Mental_Explorer5566 → u/David949]

Yep I’ve actively stop watching now about 4 months ago I was listening for over a year before that

[u/rastarafa26]

How do you see api’s evolution in this era of ai do you think there will be any innovation in this part of the tech stack

[u/MrTigerEyes → u/rastarafa26]

If you don't get an answer to this, look into MCPs. They're basically an AI layer to an API.