Stanford's Most Controversial Professor on Why Power Is Good For You | Jeffrey Pfeffer

Stanford's Most Controversial Professor on Why Power Is Good For You | Jeffrey Pfeffer

Author: Ben Wilson February 20, 2026 Duration: 1:06:03
Stanford GSB professor Jeffrey Pfeffer breaks down his 7 rules for taking power. --- Sponsors:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠David Senra Podcast⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zashi Wallet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Speechify⁠⁠ ⁠The Classical Society⁠ ⁠Premium Version * This episode is brought to you by Helix Sleep. Go to HelixSleep.com/TakeOverPod for 20% off your purchase. * This episode is brought to you by Incogni. Go to Incogni.com/takeover for 60% off. -----

What does it take to leave a mark on history? How to Take Over the World, hosted by Ben Wilson, isn't about literal conquest but about decoding the timeless principles behind extraordinary lives. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific figure, from ancient rulers to modern innovators, dissecting the choices and methods that propelled them. You'll hear detailed explorations of their strategies in moments of crisis, the daily habits that sustained their efforts, and the particular mindset that allowed them to see opportunities others missed. This podcast operates on a simple, powerful idea: greatness often learns from what came before. The thread connecting Alexander the Great to Caesar, or Charlemagne to Napoleon, is one of studied emulation and adaptation. By unpacking these historical and biographical narratives, the show provides more than just stories; it offers a practical lens. Listeners gain a clearer understanding of how formidable wills were shaped and how legendary projects were executed, all framed in a way that feels relevant to ambitious projects today. It’s for anyone curious about the mechanics of legacy, who enjoys history not as a series of dates, but as a repository of human potential and actionable insight. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that connects the past’s most impactful lessons to your own path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

How to Take Over the World
Podcast Episodes
The Mind of Hitler (Mein Kampf Review - Premium) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55
In this premium-only episode, we take a deeper look into the mind and philosophy of Adolf Hitler. Drawing from Mein Kampf (Parts I and II) and his unfinished second book, we examine how he saw the world and how that worl…
Adolf Hitler (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:22:56
In part 2, we look at how Hitler went from building a movement to taking total power in Germany. 00:00 - How Tyrants Take Power 01:30 - Beer Hall Putsch Begins 08:00 - Hitler Sways the Crowd 12:50 - The Coup Collapses 23…
Adolf Hitler (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11:14
How did Hitler rise from being a shiftless, borderline-homeless bohemian, to creating one of the largest mass movements of the 20th century? And what can we learn about building a movement from him? 00:00 Hitler Finds Hi…
The Crowd Whisperer: The Psychologist Who Gave Hitler His Playbook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:41
This episode explores the thought of Gustave Le Bon was a French researcher and writer whose seminal work, The Crowd, greatly influenced Adolf Hitler and was partially responsible for teaching him how to be a great speak…
Top 10 Lessons from 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:45
In this episode of How to Take Over the World, I do something a little different. Instead of breaking down one life, I share my top 10 leadership lessons drawn from every episode I released in 2025. 00:00 Introduction an…
Andrew Carnegie (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
Andrew Carnegie names his price. J.P. Morgan accepts. In a single moment, a poor Scottish immigrant becomes the richest man in the world. But that is just the beginning of Andrew Carnegie's story. 00:00 The Historic Deal…
Andrew Carnegie (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:05
The rise of Andrew Carnegie from a poor Scottish weaver's boy to becoming an American millionaire.00:00 Introduction 03:00 Carnegie's Early Life and Inspirations 07:50 Coming to America 12:00 The Power of Self-Education…
Ernest Shackleton (Remastered) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:45
Description This episode explores the extraordinary life of Ernest Shackleton and the impossible challenges he faced at the edge of the world. Through his failures, decisions, and unbreakable resolve, we uncover timeless…
Cleopatra (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:57
The latter half of Cleopatra's life, from the death of Caesar until her own death.00:00 Cleopatra's Fall from Power04:15 Meeting Mark Antony11:00 Cleopatra and Antony's Alliance21:40 The Birth of a New Dynasty29:00 The D…
Cleopatra (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:52
Cleopatra took over a kingdom, expanded it, captured the heart of the world's most powerful man, and lived one of the most iconic and controversial lives of all time. On this episode, we explore how she did it. 00:00 Cae…