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
Jun 21, 2021 • 1h 29min
ARRAY: Filmmaker Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay, award-winning filmmaker and founder of ARRAY, shares her inspiring journey from a successful publicist to a groundbreaking director. She discusses her deep-rooted passion for storytelling, shaped by her upbringing in Compton and experiences in the hip-hop scene. Ava reflects on the challenge of navigating Hollywood as a black woman and the evolution of representation in the film industry. She also shares the resilience needed to overcome rejection and the personal narratives that drive her empowering projects like 'Selma' and 'When They See Us'.
53 snips
Jun 14, 2021 • 1h 3min
Expedia & Zillow: Rich Barton
Rich Barton, co-founder of Expedia and Zillow, revolutionized travel and real estate by empowering consumers with technology. He shares how his early days at Microsoft led to the creation of Expedia, transforming booking experiences amidst industry skepticism. Rich discusses the launch of Zillow, which faced a crash due to overwhelming traffic, and how it sparked a new era of transparency in real estate. Reflecting on the balance of passion and luck, he highlights Zillow's evolution through challenges, including the 2008 financial crisis, showcasing the impact of digital innovation.
Jun 7, 2021 • 1h 17min
Jovial Foods: Carla Bartolucci
Carla Bartolucci, founder of Jovial Foods, shared her inspiring journey from an Italian-American upbringing to creating a multi-million dollar brand focused on gluten-free pasta and einkorn wheat. She discussed the impact of family traditions on her culinary passion and how a personal crisis spurred her commitment to health and nutrition. Carla also reflected on the challenges of launching a natural food business and the significance of reviving ancient grains, culminating in a heartfelt tribute to her lasting legacy in the health food industry.
7 snips
May 31, 2021 • 1h 5min
JetBlue Airways: David Neeleman (2019)
David Neeleman, the innovative founder of JetBlue Airways and Azul, shares his entrepreneurial journey, marked by a passion for customer service and a commitment to revolutionizing air travel. He discusses launching JetBlue with a vision for budget-friendly flights to underserved cities and high-tech amenities. Neeleman candidly reflects on the challenges he faced, including a major crisis during the 2007 ice storm and how it led to transformative changes in customer care, along with his ongoing ventures in aviation.
May 25, 2021 • 24min
Meet The HIBT Fellows: Dinesh Tadepalli & Jennifer Zeitler
Dinesh Tadepalli co-founded Incredible Eats, creating edible cutlery to tackle plastic waste and reinvent how we eat. He shares the inspiration behind this innovative idea and the challenges of scaling the business. Jennifer Zeitler founded Let's Goat Buffalo, using goats for eco-friendly land management. She discusses the powerful benefits of using animals for natural land clearing and her unique mobile barn business model. Both guests highlight their journeys towards sustainability and the impact of their entrepreneurial efforts.
May 24, 2021 • 1h 18min
Policygenius: Jennifer Fitzgerald
Jennifer Fitzgerald, Co-founder and CEO of Policygenius, transitioned from consulting to revolutionizing the insurance marketplace. She discusses her journey of overcoming investor rejection and leveraging content marketing to connect with millennials. Jennifer highlights the complexities of the insurance industry and the importance of consumer education. She shares insights on building a recognizable brand, navigating challenges in fundraising, and the pivotal role of luck and storytelling in her entrepreneurial success.
May 20, 2021 • 25min
Meet The HIBT Fellows: Kaitlin McGreyes & Nicole Argüelles
Kaitlin McGreyes, founder of Be Her Village, focuses on building community support for new parents instead of just offering material gifts. She shares insights about creating a nurturing environment for families. Nicole Argüelles, co-founder of Alli, discusses her mission to revolutionize tampon vending machines and combat period poverty by making menstrual products more accessible in public spaces. They both emphasize the importance of diverse perspectives and grassroots initiatives in driving meaningful change.
May 18, 2021 • 24min
Meet The HIBT Fellows: Mark Atlan & Zach Correa
Mark Atlan, co-founder of ZapCare, addresses healthcare disparities for tribal nations with mobile medical services, reflecting on the challenges faced during the pandemic. Zach Correa, co-founder of Lemon Graft, showcases his platform connecting consumers with local fresh produce growers, emphasizing community resilience and sustainability. Both entrepreneurs share insights on adapting to changing market demands and fostering meaningful connections within their communities, highlighting the power of innovation in local health and agriculture.
34 snips
May 17, 2021 • 1h 14min
Diapers.com & Jet.com: Marc Lore
Marc Lore, the founder of Diapers.com and Jet.com, shares his fascinating journey from early ventures like selling baseball cards to spearheading groundbreaking e-commerce platforms. He discusses the audacious strategy of losing money on diapers to drive sales of other baby products, ultimately attracting Amazon's acquisition. Marc also highlights the challenges of establishing Jet.com, which Walmart bought for a whopping $3.3 billion, exploring the complexities of competition and innovation in retail. His story is a testament to resilience and visionary thinking in the digital marketplace.
May 13, 2021 • 23min
Meet The HIBT Fellows: Katie Mitchell & Celena Gill
Katie Mitchell, co-founder of Good Books in Atlanta, champions Black authors and community engagement through her unique bookstore. She shares her vision of a flagship bookmobile that promotes accessibility and representation in literature. Celena Gill co-founded Frères Branchiaux, a home fragrance company inspired by her three sons. They discuss their entrepreneurial journeys, from family workshops to selling at local events, and a dream of creating a training center for the homeless, driven by community empowerment and social consciousness.
