FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis

In this conversation, Patrick talks with Mo Edjlali, founder and CEO of Mindful Leader and author of Open MBSR, about the future of mindfulness in an age defined by distraction, polarization, and artificial intelligence. Edjlali reflects on his journey from tech entrepreneur to mindfulness advocate after the 2008 financial crisis, and offers a powerful critique of how popular meditation apps have turned mindfulness into “comfortainment.” He argues for a new era of deep, secular, and community-based mindfulness, one that embraces discomfort, fosters genuine human connection, and helps us navigate the mental health challenges of the AI age. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in authentic practice, critical thinking, and emotional clarity in a world that’s changing faster than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Byron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory at NASDAQ and co-author of CEO Ready, shares his insights on preparing future CEOs and enhancing board governance. He highlights the importance of humility and open questioning in leadership, drawing lessons from the 2008 financial crisis. Loflin discusses proactive succession planning and stresses the need for independent, expert board members. He also emphasizes understanding diverse stakeholder dynamics, using OpenAI as a cautionary tale, and advocates for a continuous improvement approach in leadership development.

In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Mark Barrocas, CEO of SharkNinja, to explore how the company transformed from a small appliance player into a global innovation powerhouse. Barrocas explains how SharkNinja’s consumer-obsessed culture drives every breakthrough—from identifying overlooked frustrations to designing products that cross the “threshold of viral.” He also shares how lessons from failure, like the Shark MultiVac, led to some of their biggest wins, and why adaptability is their competitive advantage. This conversation offers a rare look inside one of the world’s most agile and creative consumer brands, and the leadership mindset that keeps it growing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Caroline Hirsch, the legendary founder of Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival, has spent four decades shaping the world of stand-up comedy. In this episode, she shares how she turned a small cabaret into the most influential comedy club in America, and how strategic instincts, resilience, and love for the art form built an empire. From discovering future stars to navigating Times Square’s rebirth, Hirsch reveals the business principles and bold decisions that made her one of entertainment’s great visionaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join bestselling author Morgan Housel as he delves into the psychology of money and the art of spending. He reveals that true happiness often comes from love and health, not wealth. Housel discusses the importance of differentiating between utility and status in spending and warns against 'expectations debt,' which can distort happiness. He also reflects on parenting's role in teaching financial values and challenges the reckless pursuit of status through FOMO. This insightful conversation will transform your views on what it means to live richly.

In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis welcomes Gregg Renfrew, the visionary founder behind BeautyCounter and now Counter, for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, and reinvention. Gregg shares how a deep concern for health and the environment led her to pioneer the clean beauty movement, building one of the most trusted brands in the industry. But after selling BeautyCounter to The Carlyle Group at a $1 billion valuation, she faced a painful collapse that forced her to rebuild—personally and professionally. Now, with Counter, Gregg is redefining what “clean” means, focusing on performance, integrity, and community. She discusses how she learned to navigate failure, reframe success, and reclaim her company through grit and empathy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of starting over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the biggest solution to climate change is the one we fear the most? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis speaks with Isabelle Boemeke—known online as Isodope—a climate influencer and creative technologist who has become one of the most visible advocates for nuclear energy. Isabelle shares her unconventional journey from fashion model to climate activist, why the public perception of nuclear energy is so misaligned with reality, and how her futuristic persona, Isodope, helps communicate complex data in a way that sparks curiosity. She reframes the history of nuclear incidents, breaks down the myths that fuel our fears, and paints a compelling vision of a future powered by safe, abundant, and clean energy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What really makes a team successful? Is it star power, charisma, sheer talent, or something else entirely? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks with behavioral scientist and author Jon Levy about his groundbreaking work on leadership and team intelligence. Levy challenges conventional wisdom by debunking the “alpha leader” myth, tracing its roots back to a misinterpretation of wolf behavior, and exposing how toxic individualism can undermine entire organizations. Levy also introduces the idea of “glue players”—individuals who may not have standout stats but dramatically elevate everyone else’s performance. From the pitfalls of too much talent to the benefits of “bursty communication,” this episode reframes how we should think about leadership and teamwork. If you’ve ever led a team or been part of one, you’ll want to hear these unconventional rules for unlocking collective genius.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katina Mountanos, founder of Kosterina and trained olive oil sommelier, shares her journey from corporate roles to building a wellness brand. She dives into the importance of high-polyphenol olive oil, inspired by her Greek heritage, and discusses industry challenges like quality control and safe packaging. Katina reveals how she balances direct-to-consumer education with retail partnerships, including Whole Foods and Target. Plus, she shares insights on using AI for marketing and the benefits of olive oil in skincare.

What would make you leave a thriving Wall Street career to start something completely new? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis speaks with Nancy Twine, founder of Briogeo and one of the most influential voices in clean beauty. After seven years at Goldman Sachs, Nancy walked away to build a brand rooted in authenticity and passion. She shares the personal loss that sparked her entrepreneurial journey, how she carved out a unique niche with Briogeo, and what she learned about leadership and letting go of control. Today, after a successful exit, Nancy is focused on mentorship and philanthropy through the Makers Mindset accelerator and the DreamMakers Founders Grant. A must-listen on resilience, innovation, and leading with purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices