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
May 11, 2021 • 29min
Meet The HIBT Fellows: Pierre Paul & Toby Egbuna
Pierre Paul, founder of We Hear You, is on a mission to bridge communication gaps for the deaf community with a groundbreaking sign language translator. He shares his journey overcoming language barriers and fostering accessibility. Toby Egbuna, co-founder of Chezzi, discusses their efforts to empower job seekers from underrepresented groups, particularly during the pandemic. Together, they highlight the importance of inclusivity, leadership, and innovation in creating meaningful change in society.
13 snips
May 10, 2021 • 55min
Cisco Systems & Urban Decay: Sandy Lerner (2018)
Sandy Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems and creator of Urban Decay cosmetics, shares her incredible journey from tech entrepreneur to beauty innovator. She discusses the early struggles to secure funding for Cisco and the challenges of being a woman in tech. Lerner candidly reflects on her transformative childhood and the emotional toll of leadership changes. Her adventurous shift to Urban Decay illustrates a rebellion against beauty norms, coupled with a commitment to sustainability, revealing the multifaceted passions of a true visionary.
9 snips
May 6, 2021 • 55min
Live Episode! Clubhouse: Paul Davison and Rohan Seth
Paul Davison and Rohan Seth, co-founders of Clubhouse, dive into their unexpected journey back into the social media landscape after previous ventures. They discuss how the pandemic sparked demand for live audio conversations, leading to the launch of Clubhouse. The pair reveal their complementary skills and the highs and lows of startup challenges. Additionally, they reflect on the complexities of promoting community engagement and moderating content within a rapidly evolving platform, highlighting the importance of authentic connections in today's digital age.
May 3, 2021 • 1h 10min
Eleven Madison Park: Daniel Humm
Daniel Humm, chef and owner of Eleven Madison Park, shares his inspiring journey from aspiring cyclist to culinary visionary. He candidly discusses the challenges his restaurant faced during the pandemic, including a transformative shift to an all-vegan menu. Humm reflects on the pressures of running a Michelin-starred kitchen and his evolution toward sustainability in fine dining. He also reveals the emotional impact of giving back through community initiatives and how cooking for those in need redefined his culinary purpose.
Apr 29, 2021 • 1h 7min
Live Episode! Wellness Coach and Podcaster: Jay Shetty
Jay Shetty, a former monk and author of 'Think Like a Monk,' shares his transformative journey from rebellious teen to wellness coach. He discusses how a single monk’s talk shifted his life path and led him to live in an ashram for three years. Jay also reflects on his transition into the corporate world, navigating self-doubt, and the merging of mindfulness with social media success. He emphasizes the importance of routines for personal wellness and the balance of spiritual ideals with modern demands, all while fostering growth and gratitude.
Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 39min
Pipcorn: Jennifer and Jeff Martin
Jennifer Martin and her brother Jeff co-founded Pipcorn, specializing in heirloom corn snacks after a serendipitous find at a farmer's market. They share how launching with hand-popped popcorn led to explosive growth, including their unforgettable moment on Oprah. Juggling artisanal values with commercial demands proved challenging, yet they navigated fundraising hurdles and surged ahead with strategic pivots, including a feature on Shark Tank. Their innovative use of heirloom corn reflects their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in a competitive market.
5 snips
Apr 22, 2021 • 30min
How I Built Resilience: Bayard Winthrop of American Giant
Bayard Winthrop, CEO and founder of American Giant, shares his insights on building an American-made apparel brand. He discusses the shift toward domestic production amid the pandemic and the surge in demand for comfortable work-from-home clothing. Winthrop emphasizes the importance of resilience and adapting business practices in turbulent times. He shares challenges in securing manufacturing partnerships and the vital role of values in brand growth, highlighting how fostering a supportive team environment has transformed his management approach.
Apr 19, 2021 • 51min
SoulCycle: Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler (2019)
Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, co-founders of SoulCycle, share their inspiring journey from a shared dissatisfaction with NYC gyms to launching a revolutionary indoor cycling studio. They discuss overcoming initial doubts and skepticism, their innovative marketing strategies, and the cult-like community they built around their brand. The duo reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, their unique adaptive strategies during the pandemic, and the importance of personal connections in shaping SoulCycle's identity and success.
Apr 15, 2021 • 29min
How I Built Resilience: Lindsay Peoples Wagner of The Cut
Lindsay Peoples Wagner, Editor-in-chief of The Cut and co-founder of the Black in Fashion Council, shares her inspiring journey from an intern at Teen Vogue to leading significant industry changes. She discusses the mission behind the Black in Fashion Council to promote inclusivity and accountability in fashion. Lindsay offers insights on navigating leadership during crises and the importance of empathy and communication. Additionally, she provides valuable advice for aspiring journalists, emphasizing the need for authenticity and self-worth over external validation.
4 snips
Apr 12, 2021 • 1h 22min
Robinhood: Vlad Tenev
Vlad Tenev, co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, discusses the company's journey from a tech startup idea to a disruptive force in stock trading. He shares insights on making investing accessible and free, the challenges faced during regulatory scrutiny, and the controversies surrounding the GameStop trading frenzy. Tenev reflects on his own educational path, decision to pivot from academia to entrepreneurship, and how the pandemic catalyzed a surge in retail investing, positioning Robinhood for rapid growth and an anticipated IPO.
