Sean Jacobs
Sean Jacobs
Latest Posts
3.2 Lessons Learned On The Way To 32
Edging my way into my thirties I thought I’d reflect and share some of the lessons from my recent book Winners Don’t Cheat: Advice for young Australians from a young Australian (Connor Court Publishing, 2018). A slow start out of high school, and not being able to get into university after eleven attempts, certainly refined my appreciation for adversity. But I worked through my international relations degree and things began to turn around. I had gone from a very poor writer with virtually no skills or experience to working under three prime ministers at the Department of the Prime Minister […]
Continue reading→A margin of skill at the right time can be all you need
Listening to a recent chat between Russ Roberts – host of Econtalk – and Ryan Holiday – bestselling author and stoic expert – I noticed a great career message for young people, echoing messages in my new book Winners Don’t Cheat. While the discussion focuses on Holiday’s new book Conspiracy, documenting the billionaire Peter Thiel’s long-run campaign to take down the sensationalist publication Gawker, there’s a brief exchange on the anonymous 26-year old who first approached Thiel about the idea. The youngster’s daring approach – basically pitching to a billionaire co-backer of Facebook – opens up a wider discussion on […]
Continue reading→How identity politics programs for failure
My first piece published in the Spectator, arguing that stronger individuals, self-agency and improving one’s self can clash with identity politics. Please enjoy the read.
Continue reading→Episode 11 – Could a Hawke, Keating or Howard survive today?
From social media to our need for 24 hour news, we know that the world has changed. But how would past leaders survive today? And do we put our current political leaders under so much pressure, despite being able to do only so much? Talking through these topics with me is professional economist William Witheridge and Whig Capital’s Jordan Shopov. A special thanks to Sam Muller for his help in producing this episode! Jordan’s point that institutions should be our focus, instead of leaders themselves, is inspired by a Nobel Lecture from the late James M. Buchanan: https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economic-sciences/laureates/1986/buchanan-lecture.html And links […]
Continue reading→Episode 10 – Individuals, Resilience and Staying Safe
My interesting discussion with Stephen Foote on public safety and staying resilient in a complex world. Steve is a co-founder of the International Safer Institute at www.saferinstitute.org.au.
Continue reading→Episode 9 – Australian Exceptionalism with Professor David Flint
How unique is Australia’s past? From the rule of law to civil society, and from Australia’s first Governor to the slim prospects of the Australian Republican movement, Professor Flint and I look at the benefits of Australian history.
Continue reading→Episode 8 – This Bitcoin Thing?
Like most I don’t understand or really get Blockchain? Or is it Bitcoin? Join Jordan Shopov and I as we discuss (in basic terms) what it is, how it works and if the hype is all worth it.
Continue reading→Episode 7 – ‘The Uber of Tutoring’ with Sam Robertson
Joining me on this episode is my long-time friend from water polo Sam Robertson, founder of Scooter Tutor, who talks about his Australia-wide start-up and his thoughts on education, persistence and sharing ideas.
Continue reading→Episode 6 – Building Wealth In Your 20s
Not all about less avocados! After a quick Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) Day debrief we move into the idea of shares over real estate, the concept of stocks and the important idea of values and wealth.
Continue reading→Episode 5 – Andrew Cripps
Andrew Cripps is a former Minister for Natural Resources and Mines in the Queensland Government. He shares his motivations for getting involved in politics at a young age, approaching policy, and staying principled in a challenging world.
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