Joining the conversation is Robert Smith, the Founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a leader in software-focused investments. He dives into the untapped opportunities in enterprise software and the critical role of understanding customer churn for revenue assessment. Smith highlights how capital cycles shape both traditional and tech industries, stressing the need for disciplined investment practices. The discussion also touches on the importance of nurturing LP relationships and the impact of innovation across the software landscape.

Robert F. Smith, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, dives deep into the world of enterprise software investment. He shares insights on the characteristics of enterprise software and strategies for target screening. Their discussion spans operational versus financial leverage and the importance of management teams. Smith reflects on personal mistakes, the role of philanthropy in his life, and unique experiences that shape his leadership, including the value of community and transformative support for institutions like Morehouse University.

Don’t be lucky. Be good. Manufacture your own luck with the right kind of preparation for an interview. We hear from Zoe Chace, Robert Smith, Ira Glass and Jenna Weiss-Berman on how to research, prepare, and execute an interview that will provide exactly what you need. Plus we talk to New Yorker staff writer Larissa MacFarquhar about her interviewing technique and her new book.

In this engaging discussion, Robert Smith, a seasoned professor of Christian preaching with over 25 years at Beeson Divinity School, shares his remarkable journey of recording the entire ESV Bible. He reflects on the emotional challenges and joys of reading scripture aloud, particularly the profound experience of recording Revelation's last verses. The conversation delves into the importance of storytelling in African American preaching and encourages listeners to cultivate a fresh hunger for scripture, approaching it with the curiosity of a child.

Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, share their remarkable journey in creating one of the world's largest support networks. They discuss the pivotal meeting that started it all and the challenges they faced with the initial low success rates. The significance of the '12 steps' in recovery and its lasting impact are explored, alongside the rising trend of mindful drinking among millennials. They also touch on the intriguing cocktail that ensnared Wilson and the evolving habits of younger generations in their relationship with alcohol.