

POWERS
Chris Powers
POWERS brings you inside the minds of world-class leaders who have built, battled, and succeeded at the highest levels.POWERS digs beyond the surface with questions driven by curiosity, uncovering stories and insights rarely shared publicly. Each episode delivers timeless wisdom and hard-earned lessons that apply across business and life.The show has earned a reputation for asking the right questions at the right moment. The focus is on timeless principles, proven through years of discipline and risk, not on shortcuts. Each conversation is direct, deliberate, and designed to leave listeners sharper than when they arrived. The aim is simple: to deliver insights that matter and can be carried into business and life.Since its launch, POWERS has drawn a high-caliber audience of builders, investors, and decision makers. Past guests have represented companies such as Starwood Capital, JLL, Hillwood Capital, Chick-fil-A, Morning Brew, Founders Podcast, Tiny Capital, Permanent Equity, Fort, Matthews REIS, Bonobos, and ConvertKit.At its core, POWERS is a celebration of leadership, of work that matters, and of the American spirit that makes it possible.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 23min
#397 - Wiley Curran - Co-Founder @ CPC - Building A Perpetual Holding Company Of Lower Middle Market Businesses
In this insightful conversation, Wiley Curran, co-founder of CPC, shares his journey transforming a family chemicals business into a perpetual holding company. He highlights the importance of long-term ownership, seeing it as superior to short-term strategies. Wiley dives into the "five key battles" framework that guides business evaluation and improvement. He also discusses the significance of customer intimacy and how CPC integrates new businesses while promoting employee satisfaction. Learn valuable lessons on management alignment and sustainable growth!

14 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 22min
#396 - Jason Illian - Co-Founder @ Highmount Capital - Eternal Thinking
Jason Illian, co-founder of Highmount Capital and champion of family-focused media, dives into faith, fatherhood, and leadership. He emphasizes turning home and sports into everyday ministry, teaching values to children amid social pressures and technology. Jason discusses the significance of leading with biblical principles and how to shift focus from building empires to creating lasting legacies. He also highlights the positive cultural impact of family-friendly media like Dude Perfect and the importance of desired truthfulness in today's world.

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 18min
Fearless Decision Making - Jamie Winship - Replay
In this engaging conversation, Jamie Winship, a former law enforcement officer turned peacebuilder, shares insights from his extensive experience in high-conflict zones. He delves into discovering one's true identity and contrasts separation and connection worldviews. Winship recounts his unique strategies for fostering trust in the Middle East, including bringing militants to a Christian men's retreat—a transformative encounter that led to significant changes. His work demonstrates the power of forgiveness and authenticity in resolving societal conflicts.

12 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
#395 - Scott Arnoldy - Founder & CEO @ Triten RE Partners - Scaling to $1.5B+ Across Multiple Cycles and Asset Classes
Scott Arnoldy, Founder and CEO of Triten RE Partners, shares insights from building a multi-vertical investment firm with ~$2B in volume. He discusses lessons from the 2008 financial crisis and how they shaped his risk mindset. Scott highlights the shift from opportunistic projects to scalable business structures, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in capital raising. He explores opportunities in industrial outdoor storage and multifamily markets amid current economic uncertainties, providing a compelling perspective on navigating today's real estate landscape.

32 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 1min
#394 - Alex Robinson - Co- Founder & CEO @ Juniper Square - The New Survival Code for GPs (Private Markets Are Rapidly Being Disrupted)
Alex Robinson, Co-founder and CEO of Juniper Square, discusses the rapidly changing landscape of private markets and the urgent need for adaptation. He dives into how rising interest rates uniquely impact private credit, real estate, and venture capital. Alex highlights the increasing influence of retail investors and the challenge of liquidity for GPs. He emphasizes the transformative role of AI in reshaping fund operations and the strategic mindset necessary to thrive in this evolving environment.

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 5min
#393 - Alex Nyhan - CEO @ First Washington Realty - $9B Portfolio: How Neighborhood Centers Became the Most Resilient Asset in Real Estate
In this insightful discussion, Alex Nyhan, CEO of First Washington Realty, shares his expertise on the resilience of grocery-anchored shopping centers, managing a $9 billion portfolio. He delves into the impact of demographics and education on long-term value, revealing the crucial role of tenant relationships in the leasing process. The conversation also highlights strategies for navigating supply constraints and adapting to e-commerce challenges, underscoring the importance of human connection in enhancing consumer experiences in retail.

18 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
#392 - Jason Baxter - Co-Founder @ Fostr AI - What Elite CEOs Know About AI That Others Don’t
Guest Jason Baxter, Co-founder of Fostr AI, dives into the pivotal role of clean data in AI adoption. He elaborates on knowledge graphs as tools for compounding company knowledge, emphasizing that elite CEOs must consider AI as infrastructure, not just a tool. The conversation reveals how messy data hampers progress and outlines Fostr's innovative approach to resolving data issues. Additionally, Baxter shares insights on the future of Fostr as it prepares for wider implementation, reinforcing the importance of structured data management in unlocking AI's full potential.

32 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 6min
#391 - Chad Lavender - President of Capital Markets, North America @ Newmark
Chad Lavender, President of Capital Markets, North America at Newmark, shares his journey in commercial real estate, starting during the 2008 financial crisis. He reveals how he built a leading senior housing brokerage and navigated tough markets through persistence and long-term relationships. Chad discusses the rise of alternative assets like senior housing and data centers, plus insights on the current real estate landscape, including the resurgence of office spaces and growth in build-to-rent housing.

38 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 6min
#390 - Barrett Linburg - Founder @ Savoy Equity Partners - Big Beautiful Opportunity Zones
Barrett Linburg, the founder of Savoy Equity Partners, dives into the fascinating world of Opportunity Zones and their evolution. He shares how he built his firm around these tax-incentivized investments and discusses the transformation of Dallas neighborhoods, including the redevelopment of Bishop Ridge. Listeners will uncover key insights about the shift from Opportunity Zone 1.0 to 2.0, the strategic expansion into property management, and the importance of building relationships in the community to drive successful developments.

17 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 55min
#389 - Imran Khan - Founder @ Proem Asset Mgmt - Investing In The Fourth Industrial Revolution
Imran Khan, founder of Proem Asset Management and former top-ranked Wall Street analyst, shares insights from his remarkable career. He delves into the critical role of gross margins in assessing business health and reminisces about leading Alibaba's record IPO. The conversation also explores Snap's innovative vision and offers criteria for spotting high-quality companies. Imran discusses the shifting dynamics in private market investing and the competitive AI landscape between the U.S. and China, shedding light on future investment strategies.


