FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

What drives someone to turn down the 9-to-5 path before it even begins? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks to Firat İşbecer, CEO of Commencis and one of Turkey’s most active angel investors, about how he knew early on that he would never work for someone else. Firat recounts the founding of Pozitron, a mobile banking startup launched before smartphones became ubiquitous, and how he scaled and sold it to Monitise, setting off a new chapter in venture building. Now at the helm of Commencis, a digital transformation powerhouse, Firat discusses the evolution of the Turkish tech ecosystem, the psychology behind great founders, and why angel investors should think of themselves as collaborators, not just check-writers. It’s a rare look into the mindset of someone who's helped shape an entire region’s startup future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget the glossy startup story. This week, serial entrepreneurs Kass and Mike Lazerow join Patrick J. McGinnis to blow up the myths of effortless success. These two built and sold Golf.com and Buddy Media (to Salesforce for $745M)—but not without near-death experiences, crippling anxiety, and plenty of shoveling $h!t along the way. In this raw and often hilarious conversation, they share the real playbook: how to lead with emotional honesty, use anxiety as a superpower, raise capital when everyone says no, and stay obsessed with customers through every pivot. If you’re tired of startup hype and want hard-earned, practical lessons from people who’ve been through it all, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Oliver Burkeman, a journalist and author of '4,000 Weeks' and 'Meditations for Mortals,' as he discusses the importance of embracing our limitations to enhance productivity and peace of mind. He dives into the modern struggle with FOMO, revealing how the overwhelming choices of our digital age affect our decision-making. Burkeman shares practical meditations to help us prioritize what truly matters and connect meaningfully, as well as insights on navigating technology's impact on relationships and the entrepreneurial journey.

Neil Parikh, co-founder and president of Slingshot AI and former Casper co-founder, shares his inspiring journey from revolutionizing the mattress industry to addressing mental health with AI. He discusses resilience gained from personal challenges and scaling businesses, offers insights on the lessons learned from Casper's success and public debut, and explores AI's potential to transform therapy using real human interactions. Their engaging dialogue tackles skepticism about AI in mental health while envisioning a future where mental well-being is more accessible.

Romain Kapadia is a founder, investor, and marathoner who has faced stage four cancer with incredible resilience. In this conversation, he shares how his illness transformed his outlook on life and decision-making. Romain emphasizes the power of a strong morning routine and a positive mindset, comparing the challenges of health crises to entrepreneurial struggles. He also discusses strategies for effective decision-making and the urgency of living in the moment, offering inspiring insights to navigate both personal and professional adversity.

Get ready to dive into the electrifying world of nightlife and brand building with Josh Wyatt, the CEO of Avant Gardner and the iconic Brooklyn Mirage. Join Patrick McGinnis as they explore Josh’s journey from risk-averse to embracing bold ventures, a transformation that led him to helm cultural hotspots like Noya House and Fotografiska. Discover the magic behind the relaunch of the Brooklyn Mirage, a purpose-built entertainment mecca in New York City. Josh shares the innovative strategies he's using to create a lasting, FOMO-inducing experience that transcends traditional nightlife. From drawing inspiration from operatic grandeur to reimagining audience engagement, they explore Josh's forward-thinking ideas, including a fully non-alcoholic bar concept that caters to evolving consumer preferences. This episode is a backstage pass to the vision and execution behind building a cultural phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you actually become more outgoing, more conscientious, or even more emotionally stable? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Olga Khazan, staff writer for The Atlantic and author of Weird, to dive into the science of personality change. Drawing from her own experience to become more extroverted, Olga explains how traits we once thought were fixed can shift through small, intentional actions. From the Big Five to mindfulness and behavioral tweaks, this conversation offers science-backed tools for reshaping your self—and why it’s not too late to become the person you want to be. Perfect for anyone curious about personal development, identity, or reinvention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isabelle Hau, author of "Love to Learn" and Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins Patrick McGinnis on FOMO Sapiens to discuss the critical importance of relational intelligence (RQ) in child development. Hau, who overcame early assessments of low academic aptitude, emphasizes the need for nurturing relationships and free play to counteract the relational deprivation crisis affecting children today. She highlights the impact of smaller families, reduced play time, and excessive technology use on children's social and emotional development. Hau advocates for "relational tech" over "junk tech" and stresses the importance of fostering a love for learning through play and human connection. She also provides insights for entrepreneurs in the education space, emphasizing the unprecedented opportunities for innovation in learning due to advancements in data, brain science, technology, and evolving educational needs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s episode of FOMO Sapiens, Kevin Evers, senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There’s Nothing Like This, uncovers the secrets behind Taylor Swift’s business brilliance. Patrick McGinnis explores how Swift built a brand through consistency, trust, and innovation while making bold moves to stay ahead of the competition. Evers delves into her customer obsession, drawing comparisons to Jeff Bezos, and how her use of social media fosters FOMO and loyalty among fans. With a keen eye on her ability to turn controversies into narrative-driven opportunities, they discuss how Swift’s strategic thinking has reshaped the music industry and beyond. Entrepreneurs will walk away with insights on building brand loyalty, navigating industry disruptions, and adapting strategies while staying authentic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nayeema Raza, the creator and host of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, shares her journey from top media outlets to independent podcasting. She highlights how 'dumb' questions can spark meaningful conversations across diverse topics. The discussion covers the challenges of building a digital media brand and the role of AI as a creative tool rather than a threat. Nayeema emphasizes democratizing knowledge and the need for varied voices in an oversaturated media landscape, proving that simplicity can lead to profound insights.