FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

What if your biggest entrepreneurial edge wasn’t your skills or network, but your capacity to endure setbacks and keep innovating anyway? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks to Ankur Gopal, founder and CEO of Interapt, named one of the “100 Most Meaningful Businesses in the World.” Ankur shares how discovering his own resilience reshaped his journey from Kentucky to nationwide impact. He explains how Interapt’s paid tech apprenticeships train and launch talent from underserved communities into high-demand careers, delivering a “win-win-win” for individuals, families, and companies tackling talent shortages. He breaks down how Interapt grew from one training track to over 70, how they stay ahead of AI disruption with constant upskilling, and why human skills matter now more than ever. If you’re building against the odds, this conversation is your proof that profit and purpose don’t just coexist: they power each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like your digital life has turned into a mind-bending simulation? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Hannah Koizumi and Hugh Jones, co-founders of Drumbeat Labs and the nonprofit Civic Attention, to dissect how today’s online platforms hijack our attention and warp our sense of reality. Hannah, a data scientist and civic organizer, and Hugh, a self-taught developer and digital strategist, break down the evolution from genuine social connection to endless scrolling, the addictive dopamine loops baked into every feed, and how AI is amplifying it all. Drawing from their own journeys and fresh polling, they reveal why growing up in this system is fueling anxiety and civic breakdown, and what we can do about it. Tune in for real-world strategies: how to add friction to your feeds, choose healthier online spaces, and build deeper offline connections without going full “Luddite.” If you’ve ever scrolled yourself into a stupor and wondered how to snap out of it, this episode is your antidote. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dean Carignan, Co-author of The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft, shares insights from his 20 years at the tech giant. He reveals the learnable strategies behind Microsoft's continuous innovation, emphasizing the role of a growth mindset and collaboration. Carignan discusses the difference between invention and innovation and the company's approach to navigating AI responsibly. He also shares lessons learned from Microsoft's missteps, underlining how failures can lead to monumental successes. A must-listen for anyone interested in fostering innovation!

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