How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz | Wondery
Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds.New episodes release on Mondays and Thursdays. Listen to How I Built This on the Wondery App or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/how-i-built-this now. Get your How I Built This merch at WonderyShop.com/HowIBuiltThis.
Episodes
Mentioned books
60 snips
Oct 12, 2023 • 35min
Unlocking the renewable energy revolution with Ramya Swaminathan of Malta Inc.
Ramya Swaminathan, CEO of Malta Inc. and former hydropower expert, dives into the world of renewable energy with innovative ideas. She discusses the challenges of traditional battery technologies and introduces molten salt as a groundbreaking alternative for energy storage. Ramya explains how this solution could enhance grid stability and efficiency while navigating complexities in the energy transition. With an ambitious timeline for new projects, she underscores the urgency of adopting sustainable innovations to combat climate change.
6 snips
Oct 9, 2023 • 1h 10min
Freshpet: Scott Morris
Scott Morris, the co-founder of Freshpet, shares his journey in revolutionizing the pet food industry with fresh, refrigerated meals. He recounts the initial skepticism from retailers who resisted installing necessary refrigeration. Navigating logistical nightmare challenges, Freshpet now boasts a 96% market share in fresh pet food for 10 million households. Scott's story underscores the transformation of pets into family members and the rigorous development behind creating nutritious, appealing meals for pets.
4 snips
Oct 5, 2023 • 36min
A biometric smart gun with Kai Kloepfer of Biofire
Kai Kloepfer, Founder and CEO of Biofire, is revolutionizing firearm safety with a biometric smart gun that unlocks via fingerprint or facial recognition. He shares the personal tragedy that inspired his mission and discusses the urgent need for solutions to gun violence. Delving into the challenges of bringing such technology to market, Kai reveals the hurdles faced from the gun lobby and highlights consumer trust as a crucial barrier. His innovative approach aims to drastically reduce unauthorized gun usage, especially by children.
61 snips
Oct 2, 2023 • 1h 8min
Vuori: Joe Kudla
Joe Kudla, the Founder and CEO of Vuori, shares his journey of creating a successful men’s activewear brand. He highlights the initial struggles of launching Vuori in a market dominated by women's athleisure and the key pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. Joe discusses the importance of multifunctional clothing that resonates with men’s diverse lifestyle needs. He recounts facing skepticism, overcoming hurdles with sourcing materials, and ultimately achieving profitability within two years, showcasing determination and clever strategic decisions in the competitive apparel landscape.
10 snips
Sep 28, 2023 • 39min
When your dinner is printed with Eshchar Ben-Shitrit of Redefine Meat
Eshchar Ben-Shitrit, Co-founder and CEO of Redefine Meat, shares his journey from corporate life to launching a startup focused on sustainable 3D-printed plant-based meats. He discusses the environmental impact of traditional meat production and how becoming a parent ignited his passion for food ethics. Ben-Shitrit reveals the challenges of innovating 3D meat printing, aiming to recreate the texture and taste of steak. With plans for U.S. expansion, he highlights the commitment to transforming the meat industry through sustainable practices.
8 snips
Sep 25, 2023 • 1h 12min
Yasso: Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington
Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington, co-founders of Yasso, share their incredible journey from childhood friends to entrepreneurs behind a $200 million brand. They discuss defying expert advice to create low-calorie frozen Greek yogurt treats and the early challenges they faced, including tough feedback and fierce competition. The duo highlights their innovative strategies for product development, manufacturing hurdles, and the emotional rollercoaster of startup life. Their story is one of resilience, collaboration, and the power of a good idea.
20 snips
Sep 21, 2023 • 42min
A climate-resilient ancient grain with Pierre Thiam of Yolélé (2022)
Pierre Thiam, a renowned chef and the co-founder of Yolélé, shares his journey from Senegal to New York City. After a fateful robbery shifted his career focus to cooking, he passionately promotes fonio, an ancient, drought-resistant grain. The conversation highlights the grain's incredible sustainability and nutritional benefits, as well as its cultural significance. Thiam discusses the impact of colonization on food systems and emphasizes the importance of empowering local farmers through this unique culinary endeavor.
Sep 18, 2023 • 1h 33min
ARRAY: Filmmaker Ava DuVernay (2021)
Ava DuVernay, an award-winning filmmaker and founder of ARRAY, shares her inspiring journey from publicist to pioneer in Hollywood. She reflects on how her roots in Compton and experiences in the hip hop scene shaped her storytelling. Ava discusses the importance of representation in film and the impact of social issues on her work. She recounts her triumphant moment at Sundance, revealing how her commitment to diverse voices reshaped her filmmaking path and continues to influence future generations.
57 snips
Sep 14, 2023 • 46min
Reclaiming food waste with Jasmine Crowe-Houston of Goodr (2022)
Jasmine Crowe-Houston, founder of Goodr, tackles the immense issue of food waste, revealing that 40% of U.S. food is discarded while many go hungry. She shares her journey in addressing food insecurity by connecting businesses with nonprofits for food redistribution. The conversation highlights innovative logistics strategies, the importance of technology, and sustainability in her for-profit model. Jasmine's passion shines through as she discusses the need for corporate responsibility to combat both waste and hunger, creating impactful change in communities.
19 snips
Sep 11, 2023 • 1h 1min
Jack Black Skin Care: Curran and Jeff Dandurand
Curran and Jeff Dandurand, co-founders of the innovative men's skincare brand Jack Black, share their entrepreneurial journey against the odds. They discuss how their unorthodox vision for male grooming turned into a $100 million success, despite initial skepticism. Listeners learn about the creative marketing strategies that propelled them into major department stores and the pivotal moments of their partnership. The duo also candidly reflects on balancing business with marriage, emphasizing the importance of communication and resilience in their journey.
