#732: The Iran War Escalation with Mel Mattison

Mel Mattison joins Marty Bent for a Q1 2026 quarterly update on markets and geopolitics, framed amid U.S. escalation into war with Iran. Mattison opens vulnerably about his lifelong struggle with alcohol—a "cunning, baffling, and powerful" addiction involving years of sobriety, AA, and relapses—apologizing for recent erratic posts and committing to recovery before deeper damage occurs. The discussion pivots to the Middle East conflict's origins, military realities, and cascading effects on oil, inflation, and assets like Bitcoin and gold.

Personal Recovery Amid Turmoil

Mattison recounts falling into a "bad phase" after a strong period during the pandemic and his book's release, triggered by complacency. He stresses addiction's chronic nature: most face ongoing battles rather than one epiphany, with relapses common during weak moments. Support from followers aids his reset, avoiding rock bottom. He ties this to broader themes, noting how overconfidence—like his own or policymakers'—leads to poor decisions, such as U.S. strikes on Iran despite lacking a viable military path.