[Intro Music]
Joe Dimino:
Welcome to a new edition of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino. On this episode, we talk with business and finance professor, author, musician, and global macro hedge fund manager John Cousins.
John has worked to create innovations that reduce educational inequalities globally. As a professor, he leverages smart correlations for reliable financial gains through effective hedge fund techniques. He has authored over 60 books and believes big wins come from taking risks and targeting market inefficiencies across asset classes like AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies.
Having founded 12 companies in alternative energy, life sciences, and technology, John served as a public company CEO and CFO for 15 years. He’s full of wisdom and great stories.
Enjoy!
Joe Dimino:
Let’s jump right in. I know we’re all tired of talking about COVID, but it was such a big deal that changed so many things. How did you navigate that period, and how has it changed the way you operate?
John Cousins:
Well, that’s a great question, Joe. Honestly, I weathered it surprisingly well. I didn’t get COVID, which I know wasn’t the case for everyone. Did you?
Joe Dimino:
Yeah, early on—November 2020.
John Cousins:
Wow, that must have been tough. Back then, everything felt uncertain—masks, lines at Trader Joe’s, the fear. We were watching dystopian movies about pandemics, thinking, “Is this real life?” It was a remarkable time.
For me, though, the disruption was minimal. My career has been this arc—engineer to entrepreneur, then investor, back to entrepreneur—and by 2020, I was fully in the solopreneur lane. I had no bricks-and-mortar business or employees to manage. Everything I do is digital, automated, and scalable.
In fact, COVID boosted my business. People suddenly had time to upskill and explore new opportunities online. My courses and books on business, finance, and skill-stacking were exactly what people needed.
Joe Dimino:
It sounds like you were already well-prepared for that shift.
John Cousins:
Absolutely. The tools were there—Zoom, online platforms, automation tools, and digital content delivery. If COVID had happened 20 years earlier, it would have been devastating. But technology let us adapt quickly—biotech breakthroughs, digital communication, the works. I feel fortunate.
Joe Dimino:
You’ve had an incredible career. Let’s go back. When you were a kid, what did you want to be?
John Cousins:
That’s a great question. I grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, in an idyllic time—60s suburbia. Kids ran wild, no helmets, no supervision, just freedom.
I didn’t have a specific career dream. I was drawn to music, though. Rock music hit me like a freight train in seventh grade, and I dreamed of being a guitar hero.
Joe Dimino:
What was the first concert that blew you away?
John Cousins:
Grand Funk Railroad at Shea Stadium in 1971. I still remember their names—Mark Farner, Don Brewer, Mel Schacher. Tickets were $2.50. I was hooked.
From there, I saw everybody. Boston jazz clubs, New York venues—you name it. Music became a massive part of my life.
Joe Dimino:
It’s fascinating how you moved from music to business. What’s been your proudest achievement?
John Cousins:
Right now, it’s MBA ASAP.
I realized during my teaching career that students were overwhelmed with 800-page textbooks and zero context. They couldn’t see the forest for the trees. So I simplified it:
• Focus on the essentials.
• Teach business and finance skills fast and affordably.
Today, MBA ASAP has over 30,000 students in 165 countries—India, Africa, Southeast Asia, South America. I provide practical, actionable tools for people who can’t afford or access a traditional MBA.
Whether they’re prepping for a degree, running a bakery, or learning how to talk to their accountant, my courses give them a skill stack to level up quickly.
Joe Dimino:
You’re solving real problems for people. That’s incredible.
John Cousins:
Thank you. For me, it’s about helping ambitious people remove obstacles. If I can give someone a tool that changes their life, that’s the ultimate reward.
Joe Dimino:
So, at the end of the day, what’s your perception of yourself?
John Cousins:
I’m a generalist—a jack of all trades. I’ve never been narrowly focused, and I’m proud of that. I believe creativity comes from connecting disparate ideas.
I follow my instincts, pursue my interests, and have built a life that lets me do what I love. Whether it’s writing, teaching, investing, or playing jazz piano—I’ve learned to follow through.
I’m also proud of eliminating bad habits, staying healthy, and continually striving to be better than my past self.
Joe Dimino:
That’s such a refreshing perspective. Where can people find you and learn more?
John Cousins:
The easiest way is my website: mba-asap.com.
You’ll find my courses, my email list—where I send out a weekly newsletter called Blueprints for Success—and my Substack newsletter.
You can also connect with me on:
• Twitter/X: @jjcousins
• LinkedIn: John Cousins
• Amazon: I have 61 books available as paperbacks, Kindle e-books, and audiobooks.
Joe Dimino:
John, this has been an incredible conversation—so refreshing and insightful. Thank you for sharing your story and wisdom with us.
John Cousins:
Thank you, Joe. I really appreciate the opportunity. Keep doing the good work!
Joe Dimino:
Thanks for tuning in to Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino, where we cover the world of art, literature, business, spirituality, music, and more.
If you want to hear more interviews, visit the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino channel on YouTube, or find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Until next time, take care.
[Outro Music]
This version is polished, clean, and follows a clear structure while maintaining the original conversational flow.