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
36 snips
Apr 20, 2023 • 39min
HIBT Lab! Ursa Major: Joe Laurienti
Joe Laurienti, founder and CEO of Ursa Major and a former engineer at SpaceX and Blue Origin, shares his journey of revolutionizing rocket engine production with 3D printing. He discusses the U.S. reliance on Russian engines and the impact of geopolitical tensions on the aerospace industry. Joe tackles the startup challenges, including funding dilemmas and building a skilled team. He also touches on the significance of hypersonic weapons and the exciting future of space exploration, likening it to past tech revolutions.
4 snips
Apr 17, 2023 • 1h 15min
Halo Top Ice Cream: Justin Woolverton
In this engaging discussion, Justin Woolverton, the founder of Halo Top ice cream, shares his transformation from a frustrated lawyer to an innovative entrepreneur. He recounts the humorous beginnings of creating a low-calorie ice cream in his kitchen, overcoming numerous trials, and how a key GQ article skyrocketed his brand’s visibility. Listeners will enjoy tales of scaling production, battling quality control issues, and the emotional rollercoaster of sudden success, all while redefining the dessert landscape.
9 snips
Apr 13, 2023 • 38min
HIBT Lab! New Culture: Matt Gibson and Inja Radman
Matt Gibson and Inja Radman, co-founders of New Culture, are on a mission to revolutionize the cheese industry with animal-free dairy products. They share how they connected over LinkedIn, long before they met in person, and their journey in creating traditional cheese flavors without the environmental impact of dairy farming. The pair discuss innovative techniques like precision fermentation for developing mozzarella and the unique challenges they face in the plant-based cheese market, all while aiming for a sustainable future in food.
23 snips
Apr 10, 2023 • 1h 5min
Orangetheory Fitness: Ellen Latham
Ellen Latham, the visionary creator and co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness, shares her journey from being a spa director to revolutionizing fitness with her heart rate-based workout program. She discusses the challenges of starting a franchise from scratch and emphasizes the importance of intuition and resilience, particularly for older entrepreneurs. Ellen also highlights her passion for inclusivity in fitness and the evolution of Orangetheory from a single studio to a global brand, driven by community and personal growth.
49 snips
Apr 6, 2023 • 44min
HIBT Lab! Nas Company: Nuseir Yassin
Nuseir Yassin, the mastermind behind Nas Daily, shares his incredible journey from a comfortable tech job to traveling the world and creating powerful, one-minute videos for 1,000 days. He opens up about the challenges of navigating his Palestinian identity and the mission to spotlight positivity amidst adversity. Nuseir discusses his ambition to build Nas Company, which raised $23 million to foster community through content creation. He also delves into ethical dilemmas in content and the future of creative entrepreneurship.
54 snips
Apr 3, 2023 • 1h 15min
Twilio: Jeff Lawson
Jeff Lawson, Founder and CEO of Twilio, shares his journey from juggling customer calls at a surf shop to creating a groundbreaking communication platform. He discusses the initial skepticism from investors and how vital early customers were in shaping Twilio's direction. Lawson reveals the challenges of transitioning from Amazon Web Services to a startup and highlights Twilio's pivotal moments, including their partnership with Uber. He also reflects on the balance between hard work and luck in building a successful business.
17 snips
Mar 30, 2023 • 39min
ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Climeworks: Jan Wurzbacher
Jan Wurzbacher, co-founder and CEO of Climeworks, dives into the urgent need for carbon capture technology to combat climate change. He shares insights on building the world's largest direct air capture facility and the journey from academic dreams to founding a climate tech company. Wurzbacher discusses innovative applications for captured CO2, like fertilizers and beverages, while addressing scaling challenges in the industry. He offers an optimistic vision for how technology can help us reverse climate change within our lifetimes.
28 snips
Mar 27, 2023 • 1h 15min
Sun Bum: Tom Rinks
Tom Rinks, the visionary founder of Sun Bum sunscreen, shares his dynamic journey from surf culture to branding mastery. He discusses how the iconic stone-faced gorilla logo was born from a blend of influences like Japanese streetwear and Scandinavian design. Tom's entrepreneurial flair led to diverse ventures, including a legal battle over the Taco Bell chihuahua. He also introduces his latest creation, Made by Dentists, now in 1,800 Target stores, showcasing his knack for innovative product design and authentic branding.
18 snips
Mar 23, 2023 • 53min
HIBT Lab! Slutty Vegan: Pinky Cole
Pinky Cole, founder of the bold vegan fast-food chain Slutty Vegan, shares her inspirational journey from Baltimore to culinary success. She discusses the challenges of her early ventures, including the devastating loss of her restaurant to a fire, which fueled her resilience. Pinky emphasizes the importance of discipline and creativity in revolutionizing vegan cuisine, utilizing innovative branding and social media to attract diverse customers. Her story showcases how Slutty Vegan is transforming perceptions of plant-based dining with flair and authenticity.
6 snips
Mar 20, 2023 • 1h 30min
Food52: Amanda Hesser (2021)
Amanda Hesser, co-founder of Food52 and former New York Times food writer, shares her captivating journey from prestigious journalism to entrepreneurship. She discusses her culinary adventures in Europe and the bold leap to create Food52, a thriving digital platform for home cooks. Amanda reveals challenges faced, from initial business struggles to achieving profitability during the pandemic. With humor and resilience, she emphasizes the importance of community in food and the ongoing evolution of the culinary landscape.
