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
Sep 28, 2020 • 58min
Health-Ade Kombucha: Daina Trout
Daina Trout, co-founder and CEO of Health-Ade Kombucha, shares her inspiring journey from health science to entrepreneurship. She recounts the early days of brewing kombucha in her kitchen with friends and the leap of faith that turned a farmer's market side hustle into a $200 million brand. Daina discusses the challenges of product formulation and the pivotal moment of leaving stable jobs for their passion. Along the way, she touches on balancing personal relationships and the blend of persistence and luck that fueled Health-Ade's success.
4 snips
Sep 26, 2020 • 25min
How I Built Resilience: John Zimmer of Lyft
John Zimmer, co-founder of Lyft, shares insights on navigating the challenges of the pandemic. He discusses a dramatic 75% drop in rides and the company's strategic shift into bike and scooter rentals. Zimmer addresses the complex issue of driver classifications, debating whether they should be viewed as independent contractors or employees. He emphasizes resilience in leadership, innovative urban mobility solutions, and the balance between benefitting drivers while maintaining flexibility. Personal coping strategies for entrepreneurs also take center stage.
14 snips
Sep 21, 2020 • 1h 22min
Khan Academy: Sal Khan
Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, left a lucrative finance career to create a nonprofit educational platform after tutoring his cousins. His journey from the financial sector to education innovation was fueled by a desire to democratize learning. Sal discusses pivotal moments, including a game-changing $10,000 donation and recognition from Bill Gates. He reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on online education, highlighting how Khan Academy now serves 30 million users monthly, all while upholding the commitment to free, accessible learning.
Sep 19, 2020 • 20min
How I Built Resilience: Whitney Wolfe Herd of Bumble
Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, shares insights on revolutionizing dating by empowering women to make the first move. She discusses the surprising rise of video calls during the pandemic, transforming how people connect. Whitney highlights the challenges of balancing motherhood while leading a tech company and emphasizes the importance of resilience through adversity. With innovative safety features and a growing focus on meaningful connections, Bumble aims to foster deeper relationships in an ever-evolving world.
Sep 17, 2020 • 29min
How I Built Resilience: Bert and John Jacobs of Life is Good
Bert and John Jacobs, the co-founders of Life is Good, share their inspiring journey of resilience and optimism. They discuss navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, from strategic pivots to e-commerce to innovative printing methods. The brothers emphasize the importance of community and core values like gratitude and authenticity in their business culture. With personal anecdotes, they highlight how fostering optimism can guide teams and customers through turbulent times, showcasing the power of collaboration and emotional connections.
4 snips
Sep 14, 2020 • 1h 12min
Calendly: Tope Awotona
Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to entrepreneurial success in the tech world. After early setbacks with e-commerce ventures, he found his passion in creating a scheduling tool that caters to the needs of busy professionals. He discusses the financial risks he took, including cashing in his 401k, and the challenges of developing a user-friendly product. Tope reflects on resilience through personal loss and how the pandemic accelerated Calendly's growth, marking it as a pivotal moment for the company.
Sep 12, 2020 • 30min
How I Built Resilience (Special Edition): Guy Raz
Stacey Vanek-Smith, the engaging host of Planet Money's daily indicator podcast, interviews Guy Raz, an acclaimed storyteller and the brain behind the podcast. They discuss Guy's entrepreneurial upbringing and how his parents' journey influenced his career choices. From war reporting to crafting compelling narratives in podcasting, Guy shares insights on resilience and the hero's journey. He delves into the delicate balance of luck and hard work in success and reflects on how setbacks can transform into opportunities for growth.
Sep 10, 2020 • 26min
How I Built Resilience: Pokimane
Pokimane, a leading female streamer on Twitch, shares her journey from a chemical engineering student to a successful content creator with over 20 million followers. She discusses the balance between academics and her passion for gaming, the intricacies of building a community, and monetization strategies through brand collaborations. Pokimane also addresses the unique challenges women face in the streaming landscape, offering advice for resilience and emotional well-being. With aspirations for future projects, she emphasizes the importance of adaptability in this ever-evolving industry.
Sep 7, 2020 • 1h 11min
Rad Power Bikes: Mike Radenbaugh
Mike Radenbaugh, Founder and CEO of Rad Power Bikes, turned his not-so-fun bike commute into a booming e-bike empire. From his early days of rigging a battery to his mount bike, he shares the trials and triumphs of launching the largest e-bike brand in the U.S. The podcast dives into the challenges of scaling production, the importance of community feedback, and his journey from a college entrepreneur to a leader in sustainable transportation. With the pandemic igniting interest in e-bikes, Mike’s story is both inspiring and entertaining.
Sep 5, 2020 • 19min
How I Built Resilience: Sandra Oh Lin of KiwiCo
Sandra Oh Lin, the founder and CEO of KiwiCo, discusses her incredible journey in creating a subscription box service that ignites children's creativity through hands-on science and arts projects. She shares how the pandemic created an unexpected surge in demand, prompting innovative adaptations. Oh Lin emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in education, showcasing efforts to support diverse learners. Highlights also include the launch of Camp KiwiCo, a virtual learning platform, and insights into the evolving roles of parents and educators in today's landscape.
