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Geopolitical Cousins

Jacob Shapiro & Marko Papic
Iran
United States
Israel
China
Ukraine
Russia
Venezuela
Geopolitics
Trump Administration
Strait Of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia
NATO
Tariffs
Multipolarity
Foreign Policy
Donald Trump
Canada
Regime Change
Middle East
Office Of Net Assessment

Geopolitical Cousins throws together analysts Jacob Shapiro and Marko Papic for some of the most in-depth, off-the-wall geopolitical analysis in the world.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes58Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & CultureInvestingBusiness

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Artwork for Geopolitical Cousins

Latest Episodes

Recorded late at night from New Orleans and Montreal, Jacob and Marko dig into the Iran-Hormuz standoff as oil prices climb and the ceasefire holds... for now. They debate who bears the blame, whether China's patience has limits, and what a US-China ... more

YouTube

Oil analyst Rory Johnston joins Jacob and Marko to break down why energy experts are alarmed by the Strait of Hormuz closure while markets remain at an all time high. Like wtf. Rory explains the 13 million barrel-per-day supply hole, the math on stra... more

YouTube

China isn't losing the energy war with America, it's not even flinching. Jacob and Marko break down why the "choke China's oil" thesis is economically illiterate, why the US and China actually want the same thing (cheap oil), and why Trump is more vu... more

YouTube

Marko and Jacob dig into the Iran ceasefire - is it real, or theater? Marko argues Trump's bombing campaign materially set back Iran's nuclear program, making even a JCPOA-style deal a net win. They also cover the erosion of the petrodollar system, b... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Rory Johnston
Oil markets analyst and energy expert
Commodity Context / Oil Ground Up Podcast
Episode: The Supply Hole
Matt Gertken
Guest analyst contributing geopolitical analysis
Geopolitical Futures
Episode: Epic Heat Check
Ed Richardson
Shipping industry expert
Shipping industry expert
Episode: Why Hormuz Matters
Kamran Bokhari
Expert on Middle Eastern geopolitics
New Line Institute
Episode: The Rot of Iran

Hosts

Jacob Shapiro
Co-host and primary geopolitical analyst with a focus on markets, strategy, and risk, frequently articulating a constraints-based framework.
Marko Papic
Co-host and distinguished geopolitical analyst, known for constrained-based reasoning and insights into policy and markets.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 179 ratings
  • The episode on Iran is so disappointing

    I just listened to your podcast about Iran, and it completely misrepresented our culture and people. As an Iranian, I was shocked by how much misinformation you shared. You claimed that Iranians are hostile toward Jews, which is completely untrue — we have a long history of friendship and respect for Jewish people, and many of us even refer to Bibi Netanyahu fondly as “Bibi gol.” The parts about Ahmadinejad and Larijani were also confusing and inaccurate. And the moment at the end, when you sugg... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sasapash
    Hong Kong2 months ago
  • Glad this is free

    …because Marco was completely lost in the sauce on the 12 Feb episode, tap dancing around the expected result of the midterms and the causes. Likewise, Jacob could not push back on Marco chasing his tail.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Embrasurea
    Norway3 months ago
  • The ultimate tour of the world pod

    Erudite without being pedantic, funny without being comedic, insightful without being pedagogical, dialogue without derision, youthful energy without being naive, global without being globalist. MAGA fans can be assured this one is approved for high blood pressure. Love these 2 cousins. This pod is my new fav.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bertometer
    United States3 months ago
  • Wow just wow

    So this was exactly what I was looking for an honest, emotionless and holistic view of the world using culture and peoples motivations and general human nature as a guide. The depth of content is incredible. Well done guys. So damn impressive.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chomczuk
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Best geopolitical pod on the court

    The educational depth across the global history of geopolitics, current happenings, and niche hoops references keep me tuned in for every episode. Love the no holds barred takes, honesty, and fun that Marko / Jacob have each episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MQ19_
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Accessible, entertaining, and consistently thoughtful.
Chemistry between hosts is compelling and informative.
Great banter with real depth on geopolitics and markets.
Insightful without feeling biased toward any one viewpoint.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Supply Hole
Q: What would reopening look like and how would prices respond in the near term?
Immediate traffic would likely cause a short-term price drop as supply resumes, but then prices could rebound as deficits manifest in inventories, with the trajectory depending on how quickly spare capacity and reserves can fill the gap.
The Supply Hole
Q: How important is the Strait of Hormuz in the global oil market?
It's a critical choke point that has historically controlled a substantial share of crude flows; its closure rapidly tightens markets, forces reroutes, and tests inventories and strategic reserves, with the potential to push prices sharply higher.
Why Hormuz Matters
Q: What realistic steps could alter the current dynamics—could a major policy move or alliance shift unlock capacity or confidence?
Any move would need to reestablish confidence and create a credible path to risk allocation, possibly through allied shipbuilding or regional logistics realignments; unilateral actions by a single country are unlikely to be sufficient without broader political and economic support from key stakeholders.
Why Hormuz Matters
Q: Let me ask you, insurance, tanker insurance—why is it not the main blocker in moving ships through Hormuz right now?
Insurance is important but not the fundamental constraint; shipowners are reluctant to take risk because the financial math doesn't pencil out under current high-risk conditions, and even with insurance, the exposure is too large given potential losses and downtime.
Mailbag!
Q: Do you think the balkanization of the internet is likely to happen?
Yes, as local governments strive for autonomy from U.S. big tech, influencing how global tech runs could change significantly and affect their profits.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Geopolitical Cousins

What is Geopolitical Cousins about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two geopolitical analysts discuss global power dynamics through a practical, constraints-based framework, mixing rigorous analysis with candid banter. Episodes rotate between deep dives into regime stability, great-power competition, and macro-market implications, often tying in current events with historical parallels. The format blends sharp insights with entertaining, bar-talk chemistry, and frequently challenges conventional narratives, making complex topics approachable for listeners in finance, policy, and strategy who want clear signal amid noise. A standout is the unflinching, no-nonsense take on sensitive topics, balanced by humor and real-world applicability for decision-makers.

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Which podcasts are similar to Geopolitical Cousins?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Geopolitical Cousins:

1. The Jacob Shapiro Podcast
2. The Market Huddle
3. Monetary Matters with Jack Farley
4. Forward Guidance
5. Macro Voices

How many episodes of Geopolitical Cousins are there?

Geopolitical Cousins launched a year ago and published 58 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Geopolitical Cousins?

Recent guests on Geopolitical Cousins include:

1. Rory Johnston
2. Matt Gertken
3. Ed Richardson
4. Kamran Bokhari

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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