In Search Of Excellence

Sarah Friar learned about the power of community from an early age. Growing up in Northern Ireland during a time of tremendous violence showed her the importance of finding common ground and taught her how to create resilience from within, both of which are lessons that she continues to live by today. Even in moments of fear and despair, Sarah was able to find her resilience and take risks throughout her career.After checking all the boxes that she thought would lead her to become a partner at Goldman Sachs, Sarah received the news that she wouldn’t be getting the promotion she had been striving for. She could have stayed at Goldman, but her husband said something to her that she couldn’t shake — losing the promotion has set her free.From there, Sarah considered what she’s good at, what she’s passionate about, and what the world needs, which ultimately led her to her current role. As the CEO of Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods, Sarah is now working to strengthen the power of community — a reflection of her lessons learned early on.In this episode, Randall and Sarah discuss how curiosity and resilience are the keys to finding your path; how finding common ground can unlock social capital that allows you to get things done in the world; advice to women today who are working in a sexist environment; what to do when you aren’t passionate about your work but are making good money; why searching for an emotional connection helps to build stronger companies; why you should be taking risks in your career frequently; the role politics has in the workspace; how to use moments of failure to help you rise; and more… Topics include: -The power of community-Why it’s necessary to do the nitty-gritty work-Why it is important to learn both inside and outside of the classroom-The importance of finding purpose at work-How to use your fears to spur you into action-Whether or not you should have a plan B-Why extreme preparation matters -Prioritizing mental health-Why job hopping is a red flag-How to strike the right work-life balance-The secret side of philanthropy-Why having a diversity of experience is advantageousPrior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as the chief financial officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30 billion in market capitalization.Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar.Resources mentioned:NextdoorBooks mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,  by David EpsteinCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Sarah Friar learned about the power of community from an early age. Growing up in Northern Ireland during a time of tremendous violence showed her the importance of finding common ground and taught her how to create resilience from within, both of which are lessons that she continues to live by today. Even in moments of fear and despair, Sarah was able to find her resilience and take risks throughout her career.After checking all the boxes that she thought would lead her to become a partner at Goldman Sachs, Sarah received the news that she wouldn’t be getting the promotion she had been striving for. She could have stayed at Goldman, but her husband said something to her that she couldn’t shake — losing the promotion has set her free.From there, Sarah considered what she’s good at, what she’s passionate about, and what the world needs, which ultimately led her to her current role. As the CEO of Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods, Sarah is now working to strengthen the power of community — a reflection of her lessons learned early on.In this episode, Randall and Sarah discuss how curiosity and resilience are the keys to finding your path; how finding common ground can unlock social capital that allows you to get things done in the world; advice to women today who are working in a sexist environment; what to do when you aren’t passionate about your work but are making good money; why searching for an emotional connection helps to build stronger companies; why you should be taking risks in your career frequently; the role politics has in the workspace; how to use moments of failure to help you rise; and more… Topics include: -The power of community-Why it’s necessary to do the nitty-gritty work-Why it is important to learn both inside and outside of the classroom-The importance of finding purpose at work-How to use your fears to spur you into action-Whether or not you should have a plan B-Why extreme preparation matters -Prioritizing mental health-Why job hopping is a red flag-How to strike the right work-life balance-The secret side of philanthropy-Why having a diversity of experience is advantageousPrior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as the chief financial officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30 billion in market capitalization.Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar.Resources mentioned:NextdoorBooks mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,  by David EpsteinCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Ed Mylett spent his early life in a dysfunctional home living with an alcoholic father who would often get into fist fights — at church, in line at the donut store, and even on the freeway. After his dad embarked on his path to sobriety, he soon became Ed’s first example of what it takes to succeed in life. This ultimately led to Ed’s realization that the challenges we overcome, or the parts of our former selves that we were once ashamed of, are the very things that qualify us to contribute and be in service of others in their search of excellence. Despite this new mindset, Ed found himself aimless after an injury ended his dream of playing major league baseball. Ed had retreated to his family home where he spent his time alongside his childhood Teddy bears while watching episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer. Some thirty-odd years later, Ed is now an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. Life for Ed is coming full circle as he’s now working on his own show… in the same studio that created episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer he once watched.In this episode, Randall and Ed discuss how important it is not to quit (at least for one more day); how a fear of failure is necessary and even healthy; how to recover from profound disappointments in life; the type of people you should look for (and avoid) when you need advice; why you should operate using visions and dreams, not history and memories; the importance of public speaking and unconventional ways to improve; why you should never base your self-confidence on your abilities or your achievements, and more…Topics include: -How adversity in Ed’s childhood influenced his adult life -How to channel negatively-perceived emotions into success-Why successful people embrace pain-The concept of invisible progress-Becoming an impossibility thinker and a possibility achiever in life-What it means to actually step into your dreams -The power of intention-The difference between being wealthy and being rich-Why confidence comes from preparation, not ability-Why you should focus more on how you want to feel rather than what you want to getResources mentioned:-Ed Mylett Show (podcast)Books mentioned:-The Power of One More, by Ed Mylett-Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill-Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne DyerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Ed Mylett spent his early life in a dysfunctional home living with an alcoholic father who would often get into fist fights — at church, in line at the donut store, and even on the freeway. After his dad embarked on his path to sobriety, he soon became Ed’s first example of what it takes to succeed in life. This ultimately led to Ed’s realization that the challenges we overcome, or the parts of our former selves that we were once ashamed of, are the very things that qualify us to contribute and be in service of others in their search of excellence. Despite this new mindset, Ed found himself aimless after an injury ended his dream of playing major league baseball. Ed had retreated to his family home where he spent his time alongside his childhood Teddy bears while watching episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer. Some thirty-odd years later, Ed is now an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. Life for Ed is coming full circle as he’s now working on his own show… in the same studio that created episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer he once watched.In this episode, Randall and Ed discuss how important it is not to quit (at least for one more day); how a fear of failure is necessary and even healthy; how to recover from profound disappointments in life; the type of people you should look for (and avoid) when you need advice; why you should operate using visions and dreams, not history and memories; the importance of public speaking and unconventional ways to improve; why you should never base your self-confidence on your abilities or your achievements, and more…Topics include: -How adversity in Ed’s childhood influenced his adult life -How to channel negatively-perceived emotions into success-Why successful people embrace pain-The concept of invisible progress-Becoming an impossibility thinker and a possibility achiever in life-What it means to actually step into your dreams -The power of intention-The difference between being wealthy and being rich-Why confidence comes from preparation, not ability-Why you should focus more on how you want to feel rather than what you want to getResources mentioned:-Ed Mylett Show (podcast)Books mentioned:-The Power of One More, by Ed Mylett-Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill-Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne DyerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

In celebration of our one-year anniversary, we are revisiting a couple of our early episodes that people loved!In today's episode, Randall Kaplan is joined by global superstar Sharon Stone to discuss what it took for her to achieve excellence in Hollywood as an outsider, how she managed to claw her way back from a crippling brain aneurysm, why being of service goes hand-in-hand with pursuing excellence, and much more. Topics Include:- Growing up dirt poor.  - Sharon’s early jobs and experiences as a model.  - Challenges as a woman and an outsider in Hollywood.  - The need to constantly prove yourself as a woman.  - Setting clear goals and pursuing dreams.  - The primacy of professionalism and kindness.  - The challenges of being a global superstar.  - The prevalence of sexual assault in the US.  - Finding ways to be of service every day.  - Sharon’s charity and philanthropic work.  - And other topics.Sharon Stone achieved global superstardom for her performance in the blockbuster film Basic Instinct and has appeared in over fifty-two movies.  She has won 43 awards for her acting including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture and an Academy Award nomination for the film Casino.  Sharon is intimately involved in humanitarian and philanthropic efforts and received the Nobel Peace Summit Award in 2013.  In March of 2021, Sharon released The Beauty of Living Twice, an autobiography that details her life and the incredible challenges she’s managed to overcome.Resources Mentioned:The Beauty of Living Twice by Sharon Stone Teenline, emotional support line for youth – 1.800.852.8336Hotline for victims of domestic abuse – 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)Homeless Not Toothless Planet HopeCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

In celebration of our one-year anniversary, we are revisiting a couple of our early episodes that people loved!In today's episode, Randall Kaplan is joined by American billionaire businessman and philanthropist Sam Zell to discuss daring to be different, finding and capitalizing on opportunities, what it means to go for greatness, and much more. Topics Include:- How Sam’s parents escaped from Poland prior to Nazi invasion.  - What freedom and an opportunity to thrive in the US meant to the Zell family.  - Sam’s early success in real estate during his college years.  - The power of clarity to transform your business.  - Getting turned down by 43 consecutive law firms.  - Evaluating and taking on risk as a business owner and investor.  - The importance of culture, access, and a lack of hierarchy within an organization.  - Thoughts on current investment trends such as digital currencies.  - And other topics.Samuel Zell is the chairman of Equity Group Investments and five publicly-traded companies on the NYSE.  He is considered one of the grandfathers of the modern real estate investment industry and was recognized by Forbes as one of the greatest living business minds.  A self-made billionaire with a net worth of over $5 billion, Sam is an active philanthropist with a focus on entrepreneurial education.Resources Mentioned:Am I Being Too Subtle by Sam Zell“The Grave Dancer” by Sam ZellCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Apolo Anton Ohno is the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. Between the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Winter Olympics, Apolo earned eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating. Even as a child, Apolo’s athletic ability was evident, at the young age of 14, Apolo won his first major speed skating title, after just six months of training. But, despite his incredible talents and drive, Apolo faced setbacks and struggles from managing his mental health, navigating adolescence and his rocky relationship with his father, to tuning his competitive spirit. Apolo attributes his massive success as a speed skater and athlete to his fear of failure.In this episode, Randall and Apolo talk about what it takes to succeed at the highest level, and Apolo shares how the struggles he faced growing up and his unique relationship with his father shaped him into the athlete and man he is today. Apolo talks about what he learned from his failure at the 1998 Olympic trials, talks about the four foundations of mental health, and shares tips on how to set a regimen for mental health. Topics Include: - Advice to people afraid to fail - Winning his first big race- How to sustain performance level after success- Advice for parents navigating relationships and experiences with their children - The role of genetics in sport and excellence - Experience of 2002 Olympic Games - Going the extra mile and the role of extreme preparation - Elements of success- Passion and money's role in success- Five golden principles for overcoming challenges- Philanthropy and the importance of giving back- And other topics… Apolo Ohno is America’s most decorated Winter Olympian of all time, earning eight Olympic medals in short-track speed skating across the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Winter Games. He was an NBC sports analyst for the Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games and is a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and the Winter Olympics. Among his other athletic accomplishments, Apolo won season 4 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and participated in the 2014 Ironman World Championship Triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.  Apolo is also the author of the New York Times best-seller, Zero Regrets, A Journey, the autobiography of Apolo Anton Ohno, and his latest book, Hard Pivot. He is a regular speaker at hundreds of organizations from Fortune 100 companies to nonprofits. Resources Mentioned:Sandee.comApolo Ohno WebsiteCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

If there is someone who knows the power of hard work, it’s Daymond John. As a young man growing up in the neighborhood of Hollis, Queens, Daymond's entrepreneurial talent took off when he started a clothing line with a $40 budget. At the time, Daymond was hand-sewing hats between his shifts at Red Lobster. And today, Daymond's company, FUBU, has over $6 billion in sales.Daymond is not only one of the most successful fashion icons of his generation but is also a sought-after motivational speaker and branding expert. He is a beloved “Shark” on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank and a best-selling author. Daymond is an incredible example of how a combination of hard work, overcoming obstacles, passion, and creativity is a recipe for success. In this episode, Randall and Daymond talk about Daymond’s experience with dyslexia, starting FUBU and the struggles he overcame on his path to excellence, the importance of keeping an open mind and entertaining all opportunities, and Daymond shares the meaning behind his S.H.A.R.K. acronym.   Topics Include:- What Daymond learned from seeing his mother struggle - Why you need to have an entrepreneurial mindset no matter what - Hacking yourself and the importance of ownership - The reasons why people buy clothes- The name FUBU and what he was trying to create - Cold calling as a factor in success- The “Boom” moment of entrepreneurship - The growth of FUBU- The importance of work ethic - When to give up your day job - Why he decided to host Shark Tank - Napoleon Hill’s book, Think and Grow Rich - The importance of creativity and persistence - How Daymond defines success - Advice on finding the right work-life balance - Philanthropy and giving back - Fill in the blank to excellence- And other topics… Daymond John is an American businessman and investor, best known as the founder and CEO of the American apparel company FUBU. Daymond is also the New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Broke. His most recent book is Rise and Grind.Daymond also stars as a "Shark" on ABC's hit show Shark Tank.  Daymond’s impressive accolades include Brandweek Marketer of the Year, the Advertising Age Marketing 1000 Award for Outstanding Ad Campaign, Crain's Business of New York Forty Under Forty Award, and Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year Award.Resources Mentioned: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon HillCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

In 2002 Caryn Seidman-Becker created and ran a successful hedge fund that ultimately grew to $1.5 billion assets - an amount that was unheard of for a woman to manage at the time.  When the financial crisis hit in 2008, Caryn - like thousands of other funds - closed her fund.  She loved managing money, but decided to do something different - buy an airport-focused biometric-identity company that had raised $90 million and had filed for bankruptcy.  She bid $5.87 million at the bankruptcy option, renamed the company CLEAR, raised $150 million in capital from various investors including Delta Airlines and United Airlines, and took the company public on June 30, 2021.  Today, CLEAR’s market capitalization is $3.5 billion, landing Caryn on the Forbes list of America's Richest Self-Made Women (2021).Caryn’s journey to incredible success is one of pivoting, grit, instincts, determination, and leadership.  When she decided to close her hedge fund, it would have been impossible to predict that she’d go on to reach massive success with the purchase of a bankrupt biometric-identity company.  But if Caryn’s story teaches us anything, it’s that with insatiable curiosity, transparency, determination - and was she describes as being indefatigabel - you can accomplish your wildest dreams.In this episode, Randall and Caryn discuss how her childhood experiences and time attending the University of Michigan shaped her future, the importance of great teachers and mentors, the ability to overcome challenges and make tough decisions, the experience of buying a bankruptcy company and turning CLEAR into a company with $450 million in annual revenues, and advice for female entrepreneurs trying to find funding.      Topics Include:- What values her parents instilled in her - Her first job in NYC in risk arbitrage - Why she started her hedge fund Arience Capital Management- The decision to close Arience in late 2008- Advice for people who want to start over and pursue their passions- What is CLEAR? - Transparency and real-time feedback in the age of social media- The impact of COVID on CLEAR and creating CLEAR Health Pass - The importance of preparation - and EXTREME PREPARATION - on the path to excellence - Caryn’s ingredients for success - Her view on making money- Fill In The Blank For Excellence- And other topics… Caryn Seidman-Becker is the Chair and CEO of CLEAR, an expedited airport security service that allows its members to quickly pass through airport security lines.  Caryn and a colleague bought CLEAR's predecessor out of bankruptcy in 2010, and after raising $150 million from investors including Delta Airlines and United Airlines, she took the company public in June 2021 at a $4 billion valuation.Caryn serves on the boards of Home Depot and Lemonade, and in 2021 Forbes named Caryn the 27th  wealthiest self-made woman in the United States.  Caryn is also a dedicated philanthropist.  In 2004, Caryn created The Happy Elephant Foundation which supports education, child wellness, and the New York City community, and she serves on the Board of Trustees of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and on the board of the Department of Pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.  She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the greatest college on the planet - the University of Michigan. Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

Rachel Zoe is an icon in the fashion world. But before Rachel became a household name, she was 25 years old, styling celebrities like Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys out of her West Village studio apartment. Rachel continued to make a name for herself as a stylist by putting together some of Hollywood’s most memorable red carpet looks and collaborating on iconic fashion lines. But, when she discovered that she had a unique platform to empower and inspire women from all walks of life, her creative and entrepreneurial mindset took over. And the rest is history, she became a best-selling author, a Bravo star, the Editor in Chief and publisher of The Zoe Report, and more.  Rachel attributes her success to working hard, being open to opportunities, and always being the most prepared person in the room. But, being in the spotlight comes with fear, doubt, and criticism, all of which Rachel saw as learning experiences and opportunities for growth. In this episode, Randall and Rachel talk about how Rachel became the fashion icon and influencer she is today, how growing up in a well-off family surrounded by beautiful things influenced Rachel’s career, the experiences Rachel had starting as a freelance stylist, the importance of taking risks, why she’s always the most prepared person in the room, how she faced and overcame criticism and tabloid rumors, and everything she’s learned along the way.  Topics Include: - The influence of her mother’s style - Education’s role in future success- The important advice she got from her father - Rachel’s advice for people who hate their jobs - Why getting over our fears is crucial on the path to success - Failure as a necessary ingredient to success - Rachel on designing her own style - How to deal with adversity at work- Rachel’s views on styling - Perceptions vs reality of being famous - Qualities she looks for in applicants- The importance of proactive thinking and planning for things to go wrong - Rachel’s ingredients to success - Marriage and life with Rodger and the secret to working with a significant other- The defining moment of Rachel’s career- Fill in the blank for excellence - And other topics… Rachel Zoe is an icon of the fashion world. She is a distinguished designer, editor, author, TV personality, and entrepreneur. She is the Creative Director of the Rachel Zoe Collection, which comprises ready-to-wear, footwear, and accessory lines. Rachel is the author of the New York Times bestsellers, Style A to Zoe and Living in Style. Rachel had a reality television series, The Rachel Zoe Project which aired on Bravo and ran for five seasons (2008-2013). In 2009, she founded The Zoe Report, a daily newsletter about what she was coveting in the worlds of lifestyle, beauty, and fashion. With the success of The Zoe Report, Rachel launched another paper focused on beauty, entitled Zoe Beautiful. Rachel and her husband Rodger Berman co-host the podcast, Works for Us. She is also a board member at Baby2Baby and an artist ambassador at Save the Children International. Resources Mentioned: Rachel’s Podcast Works for UsCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn