Masters of Scale

Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani, is an immigrant entrepreneur focused on community upliftment, while Ryan Gellert leads Patagonia, renowned for its environmental activism. They dive into the importance of aligning business with values. Hamdi shares his immigrant story and commitment to community hiring, while Ryan discusses Patagonia's mission to fight for environmental causes. Together, they explore the balance between growth and purpose, and the influence of young leaders in promoting sustainable practices. Their insights offer a hopeful outlook on merging commerce with activism.

Andrew Ross Sorkin, a renowned journalist and author for The New York Times, dives into the intricacies of today's market dynamics. He argues we may be in an AI bubble, drawing parallels to the 1929 crash from his new book. Sorkin explains how leverage and speculation have historically fueled market booms and busts. He stresses the need for balancing innovation with regulation in light of government interventions. Ultimately, he highlights how crises can spark innovation and urges a cautious yet optimistic approach to recovery.

Meredith Kopit Levien, President and CEO of The New York Times, discusses the resilience of independent journalism amidst challenges from tech giants and political pressures. She explores how lifestyle offerings, like games and recipes, complement core journalism and strengthen the business model. Meredith argues that credible reporting is essential not only ethically but also economically. Additionally, she addresses the complex role of AI, balancing its risks with opportunities to enhance journalism while fighting for fair compensation from tech companies.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Brené Brown, renowned researcher and best-selling author, joins Reid Hoffman to explore the essence of courageous leadership. She emphasizes that courage can be taught and measured, advocating for vulnerability and self-awareness as key skills. Brené discusses the importance of emotional granularity for resilience and highlights compassion as a brave action vital for today's leaders. They also delve into strategic thinking amidst disruption and the need for leaders to create time for reflection and anticipation in their decision-making.

Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, shares insights on real-world connections in a digital age. He emphasizes the importance of belonging, explaining how Airbnb aims to combat loneliness. Chesky discusses the expansion of Airbnb Experiences into local entertainment, and contrasts the human elements of hosting with the rise of AI. With a focus on design as a strategic advantage, he advocates for principled decision-making in business while stressing the need for responsible AI development to create a better future.

Daymond John, the founder of FUBU and star of Shark Tank, shares his journey from humble beginnings in Hollis, Queens, to building a billion-dollar brand. He emphasizes the importance of authentic partnerships, recounting how he convinced LL Cool J to wear a FUBU shirt, which skyrocketed the brand's credibility. Daymond also discusses innovative marketing tactics, like guerrilla advertising and seeding music videos, that drove demand. His mother’s advice on finding strategic partners ultimately helped secure significant deals, turning challenges into opportunities.

Ben Goodwin, co-founder and CEO of OLIPOP, shares insights on the prebiotic soda brand's booming success as consumers flee sugary drinks. He delves into the science behind functional soda, revealing how OLIPOP differentiates itself with claims of health benefits. Goodwin discusses navigating competition from giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, validating the category. He emphasizes the importance of product quality over marketing hype and recounts his journey from formulator to a leader facing the challenges of rapid growth and public visibility.

Rashid Ali and Pete Maldonado, co-founders of Chomps, transformed a side hustle into a booming snack brand focusing on healthy meat sticks. They share how a pivotal call from Trader Joe's led to fulfilling a staggering order of 1.1 million sticks. The duo discusses lessons from past failures, their strategic pivot to target health-conscious women, and the challenges of rapid growth. Key insights on fundraising, building a brand, and the importance of transparency during crises make this conversation invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma, discusses the design platform's explosive growth following a failed Adobe acquisition, leading to a remarkable IPO at nearly double its value. He emphasizes how design has evolved into a core business differentiator and contrasts Figma’s focus on product design with competitors like Canva and Adobe. Field shares insights on AI’s transformative role in design workflows and the necessity for human refinement. His unique leadership style, shaped by his design background, also highlights the importance of problem-solving in today’s tech landscape.

Join legendary film executive Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, and ChenLi Wang, a partner at WndrCo and former Dropbox leader, as they explore the transformative power of storytelling in business. Katzenberg shares insights on why personal narratives resonate with investors and consumers alike. ChenLi discusses innovative AI-driven projects, like coordinated drone storytelling and video ads with Creatify. The duo also dives into the role of AI in enhancing creativity while highlighting important cybersecurity challenges in the digital age.