Prof G Markets – "Ask Me Anything: Figma, Dirty Jokes, Running for Office & More"

Date: December 22, 2025
Hosts: Scott Galloway (‘A’), Ed Elson (‘D’), Claire Miller (‘E’)

Episode Overview

In this lively year-end "Ask Me Anything" episode, Scott Galloway, Ed Elson, and producer Claire Miller respond to listener questions—ranging from Scott’s investment habits and cooking skills to the future of dirty humor on the show, financial analysis processes, and even whether Prof G himself might consider running for office. The episode is rich with irreverent banter, career advice, authentic personal stories, and sharp financial takes, all in the ruthless-yet-humorous Prof G Markets spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cooking Skills and Personal Habits

• Scott’s Cooking Confession ([04:24]):
  • Scott is “totally incapable of cooking,” resorting mainly to a minimal kitchen stocked with drinks and granola.
  • Anecdote: Lived off “top ramen, bananas, and milk” during college (“You can literally live—and I did this for an entire summer…” [05:41]).
  • Cites his odd relationship with food, rooted in childhood experiences:
    • “If someone doesn’t remind me to eat, I don’t eat... I could drop... I don’t really enjoy food.” ([07:12])
  • Ed enjoys cooking and finds food central to happiness: “I feel like dinner is, like, the one thing that should be like, the good, fun, nice part of your day. And if it sucks... well, that’s depressing.” ([08:19])

2. Book Recommendations

• Scott:
  • Loves revisiting classics, especially John Irving’s The World According to Garp and Cider House Rules—“...those books gave me so much confidence... when I saw how weird people are and how weird life is...” ([09:44])
  • Favorite author: Stephen King, with a shoutout to The Dead Zone.
• Ed:
  • Recommends Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World (Jack Weatherford):
    “If you’re interested in power... in what it takes to succeed... this book is required reading.” ([11:02])

3. Investment in Latin American Soccer Team

• Scott’s Update ([13:20]):
  • Team rebranded as Inter Bogota; Scott has already recouped his initial investment through recapitalization.
  • Remarks on the celebrity investor phenomenon, and plans for a team trip: “Prof G is going to do a trip to go see the new Inter Bogota team play.” ([15:06])

4. Personal Indulgences & What They Reveal

• Ed: Splurges on travel (“I want to feel and act like a baller... travel and nice restaurants” [15:51])
• Scott:
  • Admits to spending "$150,000 a month on a plane,” connecting it to insecurities and desires for status: “It says that I am deeply insecure, have an enormous fear of death, and want to impress people who don't care about me.” ([16:18])
  • Both agree experiences (not things) bring more happiness.
• Claire:
  • Splurges on travel and art from small/local artists—“It makes my life feel a little bit richer...” ([17:19])

5. Handling Dirty Jokes and Workplace Humor

• Claire On Tolerating Scott’s Humor ([18:17]):
  • “More than 450 episodes... I’ve heard more than 450 of these jokes, and they’ve just lost all meaning for me at this point.”
  • “They’ve never really bothered me... it’s kind of bonkers that we are having these [conversations]...”
  • Listeners have mixed views, but most want to keep the humor; team is reassessing for broader appeal.
• Scott’s Philosophy ([20:15]):
  • Aims to reclaim “irreverence and humor” for the progressive left.
  • “If you can make someone laugh, for a brief moment, they’re receptive to new ideas. It’s also authentic. I am truly a vulgar and profane person.”
  • Highlights economic empowerment for women in his companies, tying his professional actions to progressive values ([22:45]).

6. Analysis and Conviction in Investing

• Ed (Keynesian Beauty Contest framework) ([27:48]):
  • True conviction = evaluating what you actually believe, not just copying “consensus.”
  • “If you are saying something just because someone else said that... that’s not conviction. That’s group think.”
• Scott:
  • Tries to detach emotion from decision-making, recognizing bias: “I find my emotions... backfill the analysis based on what I’m hoping... The hardest part is figuring out a way to objectively look...” ([30:40])

7. Figma Stock Discussion & IPO Dynamics

• Ed: Reviewed Figma’s price movements and the team’s prior recommendation ([31:49]):
  • “We said Figma was a buy at $33 because that was the IPO price... but we did not say buy at over $100 a share.”
  • Sees strong revenue growth and potential; would wait for the lockup period to end before a new buy.
• Scott: Likes Figma for its product and adoption among design grads; would hold it long-term:
  • “I generally don’t buy stocks unless I’m willing to hold them for three or five years... I want to be seen as a long-term investor...” ([35:52])

8. Personal Relationships & Family Dynamics

• Listener asks Scott about repairing relationships with his father ([37:13])
  • Scott empathizes with holding anger due to loyalty to his mother, but encourages reflecting on parental flaws/humanity.
  • “At some point, if he thinks okay... The bottom line is I probably wouldn't have [reconnected with my father]... But what I did do... is recognize my dad was better to me than his father was to him. And that he did try.” ([41:50])
  • “Try and imagine after your parents are gone how you wish you had behaved...”
• Emphasizes forgiving, being emotionally generous, and expressing love before parents are gone:
  • “After your parents are gone, you're not going to regret having erred a little bit to the upside in terms of generosity and being emotional with them.” ([44:04])

9. Balancing Ambition, Self-Investment, and Relationships (Career Advice)

• Question for Ed ([46:08]):
  • Both Ed and Claire feel the “right” relationship makes you “more focused and ambitious”—not a hindrance.
  • “If you’re in a relationship, you're going to spend a lot less time going out, getting drunk, trying to meet people... It’s a virtuous cycle where you get more focused, you end up working harder.”
• Scott:
  • “I think having a partnership makes you a better person because you know someone is watching...”
  • Warns that “relationships that are a lot of work is a sign, especially when you’re young, of maybe not a great relationship.” ([48:39])

10. Running for Office & Leadership

• Scott on a potential candidacy ([54:08]):
  • Considers it fleetingly but concludes: “I think the best thing... that we can do at Prof G Media, is bring attention to great Democrats.”
  • “I just don’t... I feel like I’m fairly self aware and... I consider myself a patriot... [but] everything points to... [using] my time, treasure and talent to get amazing young Democrats elected.”
  • Shares past approaches: “Several months ago, a group of people called me and said, if I put in $10 million, they’ll put in $10 million... They said, it’s not about winning. We want you to help shape the conversation...” ([56:03])
  • Ed promises to convince Scott to run for office (“My promise to the audience: I’m gonna convince Scott to run. The Prof. G legacy must continue.” [59:08])
  • Lighthearted mentions of a Galloway-Elson 2028 ticket.

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• Scott on indulgence:
    > "I spend $150,000 a month on a plane, which says that I am deeply insecure, have an enormous fear of death, and want to impress people who don't care about me." (16:18)
• Claire on workplace humor:
    > "They’ve just lost all meaning for me at this point. You’ve worn me down. I don’t even hear it anymore." (18:17)
• Scott on humor and progressivism:
    > "The left used to own irreverent humor. And then the left became so worried about safety... that we became fucking humorless. And I want the left and progressives to take back irreverence and humor." (20:17)
• Ed on book rec:
    > "A lot of people... you have to read 'Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World'... the most interesting thing about him, which I'm just fascinated by... is an incredible understanding of people and how to network..." (11:02)
• Scott on investment philosophy:
    > "The hardest part for me is figuring out a way to objectively look at a situation without having my emotions... my biases..." (30:40)
• Scott, on running for office:
    > "If you’re a patriot, you’re going to figure out what weapon you’re best to command and how you can best be a warrior in the fight... I’m going to bring a ton of attention and... get an amazing group of young Democrats elected. That is absolutely the best use of my time and skills." (57:04)
• Ed, on relationships:
    > "If you're in a relationship, you're going to spend a lot less time going out, getting drunk, trying to meet people... it's a virtuous cycle where you get more focused, you end up working harder." (47:20)

Important Timestamps (for Key Segments)

• [04:24] Scott confesses his non-existent cooking skills
• [09:44] Scott and Ed’s 2025 book recommendations
• [13:20] Scott updates on his Latin American soccer investment
• [15:14] Discussion: "What do you splurge on?"
• [18:17] Claire on enduring Scott's dirty jokes
• [20:15] Scott’s philosophical stance on irreverent humor
• [27:48] Ed explains the Keynesian Beauty Contest in investment analysis
• [31:49] Figma IPO & valuation deep dive
• [37:13] Listener letter about father-son relationships
• [46:08] Balancing ambition and relationships
• [54:08] Will Scott run for office?

Tone & Takeaways

The episode stays true to the Prof G Markets style: unfiltered, humorous, and direct, veering from heartfelt to irreverent. It’s packed with honest answers to questions that are as much about personal growth and relationships as they are about markets and money. The interplay between Scott’s self-deprecating bravado, Ed’s earnest insights, and Claire’s dry wit creates a uniquely engaging year-end wrap-up.

Listeners will leave with:

• Sincere career, investment, and relationship advice
• Insight into the team’s philosophies—on both money and life
• Reassurance that even titans of industry forget to eat, overshare, and question their relationships (with food, families, and the public)
• A few laughs, and possibly a new book or stock to check out