Podcast Summary: Doug Casey's Take – About Our New Book

Podcast: Doug Casey’s Take
Hosts: Doug Casey & Matthew Smith
Episode: About Our New Book
Release Date: August 20, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on Doug Casey and Matthew Smith's new book "The Preparation." The book offers a radical, hands-on alternative to the conventional college path, focusing on transforming young men into capable, independent, morally grounded individuals—what Doug terms a “universal man.” Doug and Matt discuss their motivations, the book’s structure, and why such a guide is essential in today’s rapidly changing world.

1. Setting the Stage: Why “The Preparation”?

Motivation & Intentions

• Roots in the Renaissance Man Ideal:
  Doug wanted a book that would guide young men to become well-rounded (“not just a polymath... but the intellectual plus, the physical plus, the moral.” – Doug, 01:41)
• Title Change Rationale:
  The term “Renaissance man” would not connect with modern youth; “The Preparation” is more accessible and directly confronts the inadequacy of college as genuine preparation.
  “College in no way prepares you for the future... it doesn't make you responsible. It doesn't make you independent.” – Matt, 04:18
• A New Path:
  The book is framed as an answer to the limitations and failures of college, trade school, and military paths—all of which focus on economic output ("having") but not on deeper personal growth ("being" and "doing").

2. Key Concepts: Be, Do, Have

The Three Critical Verbs

• Core focus:
  “The three most important verbs in every language are be, do, and have.” – Doug, 06:07
• Doug’s Philosophy:
  • Have (material gain) is a byproduct—not the main goal.
  • Do (action) is about creation, skill, and impact.
  • Be (character) is the highest aim—developing a personal moral code and wisdom.

Modern System Shortcomings

• Education Should Qualify the Whole Man:
  Modern institutions don't foster wisdom or practical readiness. College is portrayed as a “halfway house for kids today... four years where you can mature... but you're still not ready because you don't know anything.” – Doug, 14:37
  • TAs, apathetic professors, and “moral cesspools” are called out (09:17)
• Mainstream Path Is All About Ladders:
  Life becomes about continually climbing, never arriving.
  “That whole climbing ladder thing is a lie... the most successful people I know did not climb any ladders.” – Matt, 21:06

3. The Book Structure: An Alternative Curriculum

Two-Part Structure

1. Disabusing Conventional Notions

   • The first part dismantles cultural myths about success and the necessity of college, military, or trades for a meaningful life.
   • Focuses on the development of a personal code and the formation of identity as the key question for young men.

2. Practical Four-Year Plan: "16 Cycles"

   • A hands-on, quarter-based curriculum as an alternative to college or traditional career routes.
   • "It's not just a theoretical thing... we've broken the four years down into 16 quarters, emphasizing 16 things." – Doug, 25:55

What the Cycles Contain

• Anchor Course: A primary, hands-on skill each quarter (e.g., becoming an EMT, pilot training).
• Academic Program: Online, often free, robust courses from top professors across disciplines (“It’s far superior and much cheaper than going to class…” – Doug, 28:40)
• Reading Program: Both fiction (e.g., Louis L’Amour novels) and nonfiction to broaden perspective and shape character.
  • “Reading is a big part of it… I think fiction is super important, especially for helping a young man shape their character.” – Matt, 32:50
• “Doing Fun Shit:” Hobbies and diverse activities (skydiving, instruments, chess, martial arts) to spark curiosity, confidence, and well-roundedness.
• Reflection Element: Regular writing and self-assessment to reinforce learning and self-discovery.

4. Sample “Cycles”: Key Experiences

Doug and Matt describe several of the 16 hands-on “cycles”:

• EMT / Medic: Gain emergency medical skills; high practical and job value.
• Pilot: Train for a private pilot’s license—expensive, but transformational.
• Cowboy, Builder, Chef: Live and learn on a ranch, build a house, study Italian cooking in Florence.
• Heavy Equipment Operator & Welder: Learn blue-collar skills with lasting value or even career potential.
• Fighter: Muay Thai training in Thailand—a blend of adventure, practical skill, and cross-cultural immersion.
• Sailing: Offshore training, like crewing around the Falkland Islands.
• Survivalist: Intensive outdoor survival school; real-world self-reliance.
• Farmer: Work on a regenerative farm; learn agriculture and food systems.
• Entrepreneur & Investor: Build and launch a business; learn investment fundamentals.
• Hacker & Maker: Hands-on with technology and fabrication.

“Once you have the capability of understanding... you start to look at the world with totally different eyes. Not the eyes of a consumer... but what I can do in the world, how I can shape the world around me.” – Matt, 50:27

5. Inculcating Moral Character & Agency

Personal Code & Reflection

• Moral Code: “The most important thing is the moral part... the rules that we create for ourselves.” – Matt, 21:06
• Rite of Passage:
  The cycles function as modern rites of passage, filling a void in society (“In a culture today where there is no rite of passage for young men, that’s a big part of what this is all about.” – Matt, 45:43)
• Hero’s Journey:
  The structure calls explicitly for each reader to take their own hero’s journey (24:20)

6. Breaking Free from the System

Critique of Traditional Education

• Colleges as Outdated and Corrupt:
  "Going to college today is not a positive value... it's a negative value because it's corrupting." – Doug, 09:17
• Trade School and Military:
  “Honorable” but focused only on economic survival, not broader experience or development.
• Alternative Metaphor:
  “Instead of climbing ladders... you should be building a web.” – Matt, 21:06

7. Relationships & Mentorship

Importance of Intergenerational Connections

• Patron-Client vs. Mentor-Mentee:
  “The better relationship... is the one that they had in ancient Rome... the patron-client relationship. It was a binding force of society.” – Matt, 59:59
  • True learning and upward mobility come from these cross-generational bonds.
• Peer Group Limitation:
  “Peer group separation I think is very damaging to our society... their peer group is not necessarily the healthiest group for them.” – Matt, 58:23

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Be–Do–Have Framework

“The three most important verbs in every language are be, do, and have.” – Doug (06:07)

On College

“Today, most of the professors are Marxists and socialists... Going to college today is not a positive value. It's a negative value because it's corrupting.” – Doug (09:17)

On Rites of Passage

“Rites of passage and hero's journey—these are elements that our society is missing and it really suffers from it.” – Doug (46:15)

On Practical Action

“We're trying to put the bug in kid's ears... learn the basics and then pursue them or not, depending on what you like and what you find you're good at.” – Doug (53:31)

On the Web vs. Ladder

“We offer a different metaphor... building a web. By engaging in lots of novel activities... create opportunities to meet new people and build a reputation as a person who can deliver.” – Matt (21:06)

9. Accessibility, Audience & Next Steps

Who Is It For?

• Primarily for young men (adapted for boys’ psychology and needs), though applicable to those in “midlife crisis,” or anyone feeling lost after college or job loss.
• Addresses a frequent question: “What about the girls?” There may be a future adaptation.

Availability & Formats

• Kindle ($19.99)
• Softcover ($29.99)
• Hardcover ($99): “This book is actually beautiful... it will catch their eye... the odds of them reading it are substantially higher.” – Matt (66:11)
• Audio version & PDF for workbook elements coming

10. Final Thoughts

Doug and Matt are candid that this project isn’t about making money, but providing a life-changing resource.

“I sincerely feel that the thoughts and actions that we put forth in this book can really improve the world.” – Doug (63:46)

Their final pitch is not just to parents, but to anyone who cares about the future of young men—offering a real, detailed path toward self-sufficiency, wisdom, and a rewarding life.

Key Segment Timestamps

• Intro & book origin: 00:52–03:42
• Renaissance man to “Preparation” explanation: 01:41–06:45
• Be–Do–Have Framework: 06:07–09:17
• Critique of higher education: 09:17–14:37
• Ladders vs. Webs metaphor: 20:29–21:06
• Moral code & personal development: 21:06–24:20
• “16 Cycles” structure details: 25:55–28:40
• Sample cycles’ discussion: 29:13–51:52
• On rites of passage & hero’s journey: 45:05–46:15
• Mentorship & patron-client: 58:23–63:07
• Availability/Q&A: 66:11–70:18

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a deep dive into a bold, actionable alternative to conventional education for young men, guided by the hard-won wisdom of Doug Casey and practical application via Matt Smith and his family. If you’re seeking meaningful guidance for a young man—or yourself—on how to lead a life of significance, capability, and real independence, The Preparation and this conversation are a must.