RECENT EPISODES
Tue 22 SeptRebranding in a war zone, with Prosper Global (formerly Mercy Corps)In this episode, Jada McKenna discusses the rebranding of Mercy Corps to Prosper Global, emphasizing a shift from traditional aid to empowering individuals in crisis zones. The conversation highlights the differing perspectives on this change, particularly between global north staff and local teams. McKenna also addresses the challenges of misinformation about humanitarian needs in the U.S. and outlines Prosper Global's innovative strategies, including support for farmers in Ukraine and a venture capital fund aimed at fostering community resilience.Thu 17 SeptBrené Brown & Reid Hoffman on the skills every leader needs nowIn this episode, Brené Brown and Reid Hoffman discuss essential leadership skills in today's rapidly changing environment. Brown emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and the need to confront fear-driven protective behaviors that hinder effective leadership. Hoffman highlights the necessity for leaders to create time amidst urgency and to respond intelligently to challenges.Tue 15 SeptLet’s Kill Sh*t: Axios CEO on simplifying your work-life in the AI eraIn this episode, Axios CEO Jim Van De Heis discusses the importance of simplifying work processes in the fast-evolving AI landscape to boost productivity. He highlights the challenges of traditional planning in an era where AI technology is rapidly changing, urging companies to embrace AI to stay competitive. Van De Heis also addresses cognitive fatigue from overwhelming communication and suggests that streamlining management structures can alleviate this issue, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency.Sat 12 SeptRapid Response: On's 16-year overnight success: Zendaya, Federer, and outrunning competitionIn this episode, explore how On has evolved from a startup to a nearly four billion dollar brand in just 16 years, driven by its innovative CloudTec technology and strategic celebrity partnerships with figures like Zendaya and Roger Federer. The discussion highlights On's commitment to sustainability and its ambitious growth strategy, including plans to expand into new sports and open over 80 retail stores. Tune in to understand how On aims to outrun competition in the dynamic athletic footwear market.Thu 10 SeptFrom high school dropout to CEO, with Autodesk’s Andrew AnagnostIn this episode, Andrew Anagnost, CEO of Autodesk, shares his remarkable journey from high school dropout to tech leader, highlighting the importance of support and early exposure to startups. He discusses his strategic focus on transitioning Autodesk to software-as-a-service and the critical role of communication in leadership, especially during times of change. Anagnost also emphasizes the necessity of mastering AI for future success, predicting a divide between companies that adapt and those that do not.Tue 8 SeptNFL Kickoff: the science gets more damning, but the money keeps growingThis episode delves into the troubling statistics surrounding CTE, revealing that one in four NFL players who died between 2016 and 2021 had the condition, raising serious concerns about player safety. Despite these alarming findings, the NFL continues to thrive financially, generating over $20 billion annually and seeing franchise values soar.Thu 3 SeptAngela Duckworth on why grit isn’t enoughIn this episode, Angela Duckworth explores the limitations of grit, emphasizing the importance of both internal drive and external circumstances in achieving success. She illustrates her points with the example of Cody Coleman, who strategically positions himself in growth-oriented environments. Duckworth also discusses the impact of social connections on personal development and warns against the isolation of remote work, advocating for physical co-location to enhance collaboration and idea generation.Thu 3 SeptAngela Duckworth on why grit isn’t enoughIn this episode, Angela Duckworth explores the limitations of grit, emphasizing that success is shaped by both personal effort and external circumstances. She illustrates her points with the example of Cody Coleman, highlighting how strategic positioning can enhance potential. Duckworth discusses the importance of social connections and empathetic leadership in fostering workplace well-being, while also addressing the challenges of remote work on collaboration. She advocates for incremental change and the pursuit of meaningful goals as essential for long-term happiness.Tue 1 SeptWhen AI agents do your shopping, everything changes, with Shopify’s Jess HertzIn this episode, Jess Hertz from Shopify explores how AI is revolutionizing entrepreneurship by streamlining the shopping experience and enabling rapid business launches. She highlights the success of River, an AI tool that has significantly reduced transaction costs and improved operational efficiency. Hertz also discusses the shift towards a merchant-centric approach and the evolving employee profile needed to navigate the complexities of modern commerce, emphasizing Shopify's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in a dynamic market.Tue 1 SeptWhen AI agents do your shopping, everything changes, with Shopify’s Jess HertzIn this episode, Jess Hertz from Shopify explores how AI is revolutionizing entrepreneurship by lowering barriers to starting a business. She highlights the effectiveness of AI tools like Sidekick in enhancing merchant sales and improving conversion rates. Hertz also discusses the shift in workforce dynamics due to AI, emphasizing the need for individuals with diverse skill sets. With Shopify's robust infrastructure, the platform supports a wide range of merchants, driving significant growth and retention.Sat 29 AugPioneers of AI: Designing AI for people and the planet, with Aza RaskinIn this episode, Aza Raskin explores the intersection of AI design and human experience, emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in technology development. He warns against the potential negative societal impacts of AI, such as fostering harmful dependencies and undermining human relationships. Raskin also discusses innovative projects like the Earth Species Project, which aims to decode animal communication using AI, highlighting the importance of understanding interspecies interactions as we navigate the future of technology.Sat 29 AugPioneers of AI: Designing AI for people and the planet, with Aza RaskinIn this episode, Aza Raskin explores the transformative potential of AI, emphasizing its role in enhancing human experience while cautioning against the risks of poor design and exploitation. He discusses the Earth Species Project, which aims to decode animal communication, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations in AI development. Raskin warns of the competitive race in AI between the U.S. and China, advocating for responsible design that prioritizes both human and environmental well-being.Thu 27 AugChicago Fed President on inflation, recession, and Trump’s attacksIn this episode, Chicago Fed President Austin Gulsby addresses the challenges of managing inflation and employment amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. He warns that unanchored inflation expectations could necessitate a deep recession, complicating the Fed's dual mandate. Gulsby also discusses the potential economic impact of artificial intelligence, cautioning against a possible stock market bubble driven by AI hype, while emphasizing the importance of central bank independence in the current political climate.Thu 27 AugChicago Fed President on inflation, recession, and Trump’s attacksIn this episode, Chicago Fed President Austin Goolsbee addresses the complexities of inflation and recession amid geopolitical tensions and trade issues. He discusses the Federal Reserve's dual mandate of stabilizing prices and maximizing employment, highlighting the challenges posed by tariffs and the potential for a self-fulfilling inflation cycle. Goolsbee also explores the impact of artificial intelligence on productivity and job markets, cautioning about the risks of tech overvaluation and its implications for economic stability.Tue 25 AugFord's Jim Farley on beating China, and the storm nobody sees comingIn this episode, Jim Farley discusses Ford's resilience in the face of a declining Chinese automotive market and the company's strategic focus on affordable electric vehicles. He highlights the significance of the Universal Electric Vehicle platform, likening it to the Model T, and emphasizes Ford's commitment to distinctive vehicles.Tue 25 AugFord's Jim Farley on beating China, and the storm nobody sees comingIn this episode, Jim Farley discusses the competitive threat from China's automotive industry, which has the capacity to dominate the North American market. He highlights Ford's shift towards affordable electric vehicles in response to rising prices and changing consumer preferences. Farley also addresses workforce challenges in essential jobs, emphasizing the need for proactive measures in education and training to ensure Ford's success and the broader economic future.Thu 20 AugHow Barnes & Noble made a comeback, with CEO James DauntIn this episode, CEO James Daunt shares his insights on revitalizing Barnes & Noble and Waterstones, emphasizing the importance of personal engagement and curation over data-driven strategies. He discusses the challenges of cultural change within bookstores and the need to empower local stores to enhance customer experiences. Daunt also highlights the significance of authentic relationships between booksellers and authors, predicting that while AI may impact certain book categories, the demand for genuine literary connections will persist.Thu 20 AugHow Barnes & Noble made a comeback, with CEO James DauntJames Daunt, CEO of Barnes and Noble and founder of Daunt Books, joins the show to explain how he applied the same decentralized turnaround playbook he used at Waterstones to rescue a chain he described as really awful and getting worse.Tue 18 AugWhat the jobs report isn't telling you about AI & the workforce, with Upwork’s Hayden BrownIn this episode, Hayden Brown discusses the evolving relationship between AI and the workforce, highlighting the necessity for professionals to master AI tools to remain competitive. He notes a significant rise in freelancing, particularly among knowledge workers, and reveals that clients are increasingly shifting tasks back to human workers due to AI's limitations.Tue 18 AugWhat the jobs report isn't telling you about AI & the workforce, with Upwork’s Hayden BrownUpwork CEO Hayden Brown argues that standard monthly jobs reports miss the most consequential labor market dynamics unfolding right now, pointing to a recent report showing 23,000 jobs lost while unemployment simultaneously fell as evidence that headline figures are structurally incomplete.Sat 15 AugPioneers of AI: Why AI conversations are always one-sidedIn this episode, Rana El-Kalyubi and Charles Juhig delve into the limitations of AI in fostering genuine conversations, highlighting how interactions with AI often lack the emotional depth and reciprocity found in human communication. Juhig discusses the complexities of human connection and the importance of recognizing destructive communication patterns to enhance dialogue quality. The episode emphasizes that while AI can simulate conversation, it ultimately serves as a tool for information discovery rather than a substitute for authentic emotional exchanges.Sat 15 AugPioneers of AI: Why AI conversations are always one-sidedCharles Duhigg and Rana El-Kalyubi explain why conversations with AI like ChatGPT, which has roughly 900 million monthly active users, function as sophisticated one-sided exchanges rather than genuine dialogue. Because people do not believe their words change anything in the system, the reciprocal emotional echo that defines real connection disappears entirely.Thu 13 AugKnow which rules to break, with MTV co-founder Tom FrestonIn this episode, Tom Freston, co-founder of MTV, explores the groundbreaking rules that were challenged during the network's rise, particularly through the iconic "I Want My MTV" campaign. He shares personal experiences that shaped his understanding of innovation and the importance of empathy in business.Thu 13 AugKnow which rules to break, with MTV co-founder Tom FrestonTom Freston, who co-founded MTV after losing a multimillion dollar garment business in India and Afghanistan when Jimmy Carter's embargo wiped him out at age 33, joins the show to discuss knowing which rules to break.Tue 11 AugRapid Recap: Google’s exodus, Spider-Man’s odyssey, Taco “Hell”, and moreIn this episode, we explore the significant departure of four key members from Google's AI team, who are launching a nonprofit research lab, raising concerns about the company's talent retention amid rising AI costs and the need for regulatory oversight. We also discuss Spider-Man's record-breaking box office performance, surpassing Avengers: Endgame, and the backlash against the Grammys' new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category from the K-pop community.Tue 11 AugRapid Recap: Google’s exodus, Spider-Man’s odyssey, Taco “Hell”, and moreThis rapid recap covers a wide range of business and culture stories, with Google's loss of four top AI researchers including Jeff Dean to a new non-profit called Discovery Loop raising questions about competitive positioning at a moment when open source Chinese AI models are undercutting US alternatives on price.Thu 6 AugAlways be the challenger, with Savannah Bananas founder Jesse ColeIn this episode, Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas, shares insights on the importance of adopting a challenger mentality in business. He emphasizes prioritizing fan experiences over revenue, showcasing innovative events that have helped sell out venues like Fenway Park. Cole discusses the necessity of continuous innovation driven by fan feedback and the transformative power of joy in enhancing business performance, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs across various sectors.Thu 6 AugAlways be the challenger, with Savannah Bananas founder Jesse ColeJesse Cole turned a minor league baseball team with $268 in the bank and over $100,000 in annual losses into a touring operation selling out Fenway Park to 37,000 fans, with no marketing budget and ticket prices held at $40 to $60 despite secondary market averages above $200.Thu 6 AugAlways be the challengerJesse Cole built the Savannah Bananas from a minor league team with $268 in the bank and over $100,000 in prior-year losses into an organization performing in 75 stadiums across 45 states, funded entirely by ticket sales with no outside capital raised at any stage.Tue 4 AugThe new rules of brand building, with Wieden+Kennedy CEOIn this episode, Neil Arthur, CEO of Wieden+Kennedy, discusses the evolving role of brand building, emphasizing that CEOs must now connect meaningfully with consumers. He highlights the importance of addressing current consumer problems while maintaining authenticity, as seen in Nike's emotionally driven campaigns. Arthur also warns that companies failing to adapt to AI will face challenges, advocating for ongoing consumer engagement and a clear brand narrative to navigate today's dynamic market landscape.Tue 4 AugThe new rules of brand building, with Wieden+Kennedy CEOWieden+Kennedy CEO Neil Arthur joins the show to explain why brand building has become a CEO-level responsibility rather than a CMO's domain, arguing that advertising now represents only a small fraction of how a brand manifests itself across social platforms, influencers, and in-store experiences.Thu 30 JulHow to beef up your business, with ButcherBox CEO Mike SalgueroIn this episode, Mike Salguero, CEO of ButcherBox, discusses the company's impressive growth trajectory, aiming for $650 million in revenue this year. He shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including the challenges of securing funding and the importance of bootstrapping. Salguero emphasizes the significance of customer retention and innovative marketing strategies that propelled ButcherBox from $5 million to $100 million in just three years, while also addressing the need for transparency in the meat industry.Thu 30 JulHow to beef up your business, with ButcherBox CEO Mike SalgueroButcherBox CEO Mike Salguero explains how he built a bootstrapped direct-to-consumer meat subscription business to roughly 600 million dollars in annual revenue without ever taking venture capital, a deliberate choice shaped by his prior company CustomMade.com burning through 30 million dollars in VC funding before failing.Tue 28 JulSerena Williams on winning in businessIn this episode, Serena Williams discusses the importance of hard work and mentorship in achieving success in business. She shares her commitment to inclusivity, with 70% of her investment portfolio focused on women and people of color as founders. Williams emphasizes her profit-driven investment strategy and highlights the potential for billion-dollar companies to emerge from underrepresented demographics. Additionally, she addresses the significance of health and wellness, particularly in women's health, as a key area for her ventures.Tue 28 JulSerena Williams on winning in businessSerena Williams discusses rebranding her venture firm from Serena Ventures to Starfire Ventures to build an identity larger than her personal name while retaining the SV initials used internally. The firm has backed roughly 16 unicorns, with approximately 70 percent of portfolio companies founded by women or people of color, a focus she frames as correcting subconscious investor bias rather than philanthropy, while insisting every investment must return the fund.Sat 25 JulPossible: Satya Nadella on making human and token capital compoundIn this episode, Satya Nadella explores the critical interplay between human and token capital as AI becomes integral to business operations. He discusses the importance of safeguarding tacit knowledge within organizations and anticipates transformative changes in AI supply chains. Nadella introduces the concept of the Agentic Development Environment, emphasizing the need for trust and security in AI ecosystems while advocating for strategic management of resources to foster human prosperity and address global inequalities.Sat 25 JulPossible: Satya Nadella on making human and token capital compoundSatya Nadella argues that AI represents the future of the firm itself, not merely a technology layer, and that most CEOs have failed to recognize this by settling for press releases and a few agents instead of genuine strategy.Thu 23 JulAuthor Jim Collins on unlocking your potentialIn this episode, Jim Collins delves into the journey of unlocking personal potential, emphasizing that discovering one's purpose can happen at any age. He discusses the importance of engaging in activities that align with one's durable capacities and challenges the idea of a rigid life plan for success. Collins also highlights the significance of relationships over transactions and encourages a mindset of gratitude, illustrating how these elements contribute to a fulfilling and evolving life.Thu 23 JulAuthor Jim Collins on unlocking your potentialJim Collins joins the podcast to discuss his new book, What to Make of a Life, which extends his data-driven research methods from companies to extraordinary individuals. The conversation centers on his concept of encodings, durable capacities within a person that must be discovered through experience rather than planned for, and how life works best when someone is doing work they are deeply encoded for rather than merely skilled at.Tue 21 JulDelta's Ed Bastian on spiking fuel, summer travel, and a blunt reality check on AIIn this episode, Ed Bastian discusses the impact of rising fuel costs on Delta Airlines and how the company has managed to pass on about 60% of these costs to customers. He highlights a shift in consumer preferences towards premium travel experiences, which is reshaping Delta's revenue streams. Bastian also shares his cautious perspective on artificial intelligence, emphasizing its role in enhancing decision-making rather than replacing human jobs, while advocating for ethical considerations in its application within the airline industry.