The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Episode: Trump and Canada, How ‘Resist and Unsubscribe’ Affects Scott’s Investments, and the Power of Focus
Release Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this Office Hours episode, Scott Galloway addresses listener questions on three major topics: Donald Trump’s focus on Canada and trade deals, the paradox of advocating for “Resist and Unsubscribe” while holding Big Tech investments, and the career power of focused attention over multitasking. Galloway mixes sharp business analysis with his signature candid, irreverent style, providing practical advice and broader commentary on U.S. politics, economics, and personal development.

Key Discussions & Insights

1. Trump’s Obsession with Canada and Trade Policies

[01:43–17:51]

• Reasoning Behind Trump’s Canada Critique:

  • Trump’s focus on Canada is described as stemming from proximity and perceived leverage. Galloway speculates:
    • “Because they're close or because it's like that movie on Wall Street…‘because it was breakable.’” (Scott Galloway, 01:55)
    • Canada is a major U.S. trading partner; perceived bilateral imbalances in sectors actionable to Trump’s “real America” voter base.
  • Trump’s trade strategies target sectors like dairy, autos, lumber, steel, and aluminum, with rhetoric appealing to farmers and industrial workers.

• Canada–U.S. Trade Dynamics:

  • Proximity is a key driver: 80-90% of nations' largest trading partners are neighboring countries.
  • Trade between U.S. and Canada is mutually beneficial, but with significant asymmetry favoring the U.S.:
    • “We sell into them iPhones, chips, digital services, banking…things that have exceptionally high margins…If there’s been any asymmetry in trade, it’s been towards us.” (Scott Galloway, 05:04)

• Trust and Leverage:

  • Canada’s trust in the U.S. (“Canada fucked up. It trusted us…”) gives the U.S. political and economic leverage, leading to Trump’s bullying tactics.
  • “Trump said, ‘Oh, we have leverage. Maybe they're our friends, but we have real power and I can bully them and push them around...’” (Scott Galloway, 08:32)

• Canadian Perspective:

  • Prime Minister Carney’s pushback signals Canada’s independence: “Canada's not going to be bullied.”
  • Paul Krugman’s tongue-in-cheek analysis: “Trump hates Canada because it's a fundamentally decent place.” (Scott Galloway quoting Krugman, 12:16)

• Broader Trade Philosophy:

  • Galloway challenges Trump’s notions, highlighting that free global trade has uplifted American living standards and fueled middle-class expansion.
  • American nostalgia for manufacturing is contradicted by actual employment preferences: “Americans have a fetish with [manufacturing]...but only 20% want to work in manufacturing.” (Scott Galloway, 15:22)
  • Dave Chappelle’s joke sums it up: “We don’t want to make Nikes, we want to wear them.” (Scott Galloway, 13:36)

2. “Resist and Unsubscribe”: Cancel Culture & Scott’s Investments

[17:52–21:09]

• Scott’s Unsubscribing Campaign:

  • Actively canceling recurring subscriptions (Uber, Amazon Prime, etc.), both as protest and for self-discipline.
  • Describes the realization of how much he spent on Uber:
    • “I have been spending, no joke, $35,000 a year on Uber…you don't realize how much money you're spending on these things because they raise their prices...” (Scott Galloway, 19:50)

• Investment Dilemma:

  • Galloway candidly discusses holding Big Tech stocks (Apple, Amazon):
    • “If I'm going to walk the walk, do I really want to finance these companies?...I am contemplating selling down or selling my positions in these companies. I’ve not done it yet…” (Scott Galloway, 30:00)
    • Balancing ideals and personal finance — large tax liabilities complicate exiting positions.

• Market Impact of Canceling Subscriptions:

  • Explains the outsized impact of SaaS and digital subscriptions on company valuations:
    • “Every dollar that goes to ChatGPT results in about $130 in market value.” (Scott Galloway, 35:15)
    • One ChatGPT Pro unsubscribe ≈ the market impact of five households eliminating all grocery spending.

• Call to Action:

  • Invites listeners to join “resistandunsubscribe.com” for tools and guides on unsubscribing from major tech services:
    • “If you're interested in joining us, please go to resistandunsubscribe.com...We've tried to make it really easy...” (Scott Galloway, 40:45)

3. The Power of Focus vs. Multitasking

[21:10–End]

• Question from Listener:

  • Listener asks about balancing ambition (multiple projects) versus focusing on one thing for outsized impact.

• On Side Hustles:

  • Galloway is blunt:
    • “I hate side hustles. If you’re spending a lot of time on side hustles, it means you need to find a different main hustle.” (Scott Galloway, 22:43)
  • Success comes from extra effort and relentless focus:
    • “Success is in the last 10%...the person who works a bit harder...but also a little bit more focused.” (Scott Galloway, 23:30)

• Career Advice:

  • In your 20s, focus on developing world-class competence in a single area, not “finding your passion”:
    • “Your job in your 20s is not to find your passion, but to find something you’re really good at and then double down on it...” (Scott Galloway, 23:45)

• Academic Example:

  • Academics who specialize narrowly (e.g. “pharmaceutical companies in Portugal”) become the top experts and command influence and high incomes.

• Scott’s Own Focus:

  • He’s doubled down on “storytelling” — content creation via podcasting, books, courses, all using the same raw material and scaling via a focused, specialized team:
    • “I’ve basically gone all in on one function and leveraged a superpower...entertaining and educational content.” (Scott Galloway, 25:00)

• Advice on Saying “No”:

  • Emphasizes disciplined time allocation and regular auditing of where your efforts go.
    • “‘No’ is the sexist word in the English language. The problem most people have is not what they say yes to, but what they say no to.” (Scott Galloway, 26:00)

• Actionable Steps:

  • Build a “kitchen cabinet” of trusted advisors to audit your focus.
  • Identify where you can become top 10% and eventually top 1%.
  • Outsource, drop, or say no to everything else.
  • “At some point you should be totally focused on one thing…and then success is a series of small acts of discipline every day.” (Scott Galloway, 28:50)

Notable Quotes

• On Trade & Trump’s Views:

  • “His views on trade are just batshit crazy.” (Scott Galloway, 10:03)
  • “The greatest unlock economically, in terms of prosperity, over the last 80 years has been NATO and the Marshall Plan, and turning enemies into allies…” (Scott Galloway, 13:55)

• On Investment and Activism:

  • “Do I really want to finance these companies?…At the same time, I need to walk the walk.” (Scott Galloway, 30:30)
  • “I am going to do something involving my stocks and my capital to try and send a signal to these companies…” (Scott Galloway, 41:32)

• On the Power of Focus:

  • “The specific crowds out the general.” (Scott Galloway, 23:58)
  • “What I would suggest is you just do an audit and have some friends help you…and then you’re going to get really good at saying no…” (Scott Galloway, 27:55)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Trump, Canada, and Trade (01:43–17:51)
• Subscription Protest & Personal Finance (17:52–21:09)
• Focus Versus Multitasking Advice (21:10–End)

Memorable Moments

• Scott's admission of spending $35k/year on Uber Lux and the shock of seeing cumulative totals during his mass-unsubscribing project.
• Candid acknowledgment that emotional investing decisions during Trump’s inauguration cost him millions (30:54).
• The “Dave Chappelle summarizes it perfectly” riff: America wants to “wear Nikes, not make them.”
• Listener family meeting anecdote: “My boys rolling their eyes and me lecturing at them…” (Scott Galloway, 32:22)
• Scott’s transparency about leveraging a large, focused team to scale his content — he doesn’t draw his own sketches!

Summary

This Office Hours episode is a cross-section of Scott Galloway’s worldview: pragmatic, sometimes profane, deeply analytical, and always urging listeners to be more intentional—whether it’s in their politics, wallet, investment portfolio, or personal ambitions. He brings nuance to the trade war narrative, unpacks the moral tension of profiting from companies one is actively protesting, and delivers actionable career advice on how true success comes from focus and saying “no.” Suitable for listeners seeking both a business roadmap and a philosophical nudge.