The Gstaad Guy Podcast

Georgios Frangulis, the visionary behind Oakberry Açaí, shares his inspiring journey from battling cancer to creating a global premium brand. He discusses the challenges of launching a business with limited resources and the importance of resilience and vision. Georgios dives into the strategic evolution of Oakberry, including its exciting sponsorship of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. He reflects on overcoming doubt, the significance of trusting in oneself, and crafting a luxury brand identity, all while maintaining a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Stefan Sonnenfeld, a legendary colorist and founder of Company 3, discusses his influential career in shaping iconic visuals for film and advertising. He reflects on transitioning from law enforcement to the creative world and reveals how he balances passion with discipline. Stefan delves into the art of color grading, its emotional impact, and his pioneering work with Apple, noting Steve Jobs’ meticulous attention to detail. He also shares insights on biohacking and achieving optimal health to maintain creativity and productivity in his demanding industry.

In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with designer and creative mind Benjamin Paulin to explore how design, culture, and heritage intersect in his evolving body of work. As the son of legendary furniture designer Pierre Paulin, Benjamin brings a unique perspective on honouring tradition while pushing the boundaries of form and function. The conversation unpacks the balance between art and design, the role of modularity in shaping how we live, and the tension between legacy and pop culture. Benjamin also reflects on the discipline of designing with constraints, how limitations can sharpen creativity and give rise to ideas that are both functional and visionary. Through a lens of innovation and influence, he shares what it means to build a future-forward design language, one piece at a time. (00:00) Intro ✨ (02:01) Echo Of Pierre Paulin 🪑🔊🕰️ (03:49) Passion for Furniture ❤️‍🔥🪑 (04:59) Values ⚖️ (08:32) Art vs. Design 🎨 📐 (09:44) Form vs. Function ⚖️🛠️ (10:57) The Dune 🏜️ 🛋️ (15:49) Paulin & Pop-Culture 🛋️ 🎬 🎤 (19:00) Future of Furniture 🔮🪑 (23:44) Design of The Dune ✏️🏜️🛋️ (26:38) “Passion for design” ❤️‍🔥📐 (33:23) “How Paulin restarted” 🔁🪑👨‍🎨 (36:33) Integrity 🧱💎 (37:58) The Paulin Designs 🪑✨✏️ (40:12) “The living room” 🛋️ 📺 (43:51) “Working without limitations” 🚀🧠🔓 (46:26) “Constraints” ⛓️📏 (48:09) “University of rap” 🎓🎤 (52:09) “Stay passionate” 🧡🔥💪🏻 (56:59) Architects vs. Interior Designers vs. Designers 🏛️🛋️🎨 (58:34) Family & Work 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💼 (01:05:18) “Screens are everywhere” 📱💻 (01:06:18) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging conversation, Bryan Johnson, a tech entrepreneur and human optimization pioneer, shares insights about his groundbreaking Blueprint protocol aimed at reversing aging. He delves into the science of longevity and the crucial role of sleep, nutrition, and environmental factors in health. Bryan discusses the psychological aspects of health motivations and the societal shift toward valuing wellness. He also highlights the fine balance between health choices and social expectations, emphasizing community support in achieving longevity.

In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Adam and Ryan Goldston, the twin brothers behind APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs), the brand that disrupted the sneaker world with a basketball shoe so advanced it was banned by the NBA. The conversation dives into what it means to build a brand with authenticity at its core, and how vision, process, and purpose have shaped APL’s rise in the luxury performance category. From engineering innovation based on real needs, not hype, to defining what credibility means in today’s culture-driven landscape, Adam and Ryan share how dreaming big, staying focused, and listening closely can drive true impact. Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property. Timestamps: (00:00) Intro ✨ (03:12) Genesis of APL 🌱👟 (05:36) Induction into the CFDA 🤝🏻🏛️✍🏻 (07:30) From vision to reality 👁️😌 (08:42) “Luxury Performance Category” ✨👟 (10:21) “Making the right decisions” ✅⚖️ (12:14) Pursuing an idea 💡🏃 (15:50) Confidence 😎💪🏻 (17:55) The disbelievers 😲 (20:08) Logos 🔲 🔠 (21:48) “Tackling a new silhouette” 🆕 (24:56) “Positioning of APL” 🎯 👟 (29:40) “Love for obsession” ❤️ 😵‍💫 (31:39) “Vision, POV, Perspective” 👁️ (34:58) “Design & Colour” ✍🏻 🎨 (37:47) “Taste” 🤌🏻 (41:10) “Process” 🔄⏳ (43:40) “Inspiration” 💡🎨 (46:44) “Moments of defeat” ⏳😫 (49:01) “Learning from failure” 📚🧠❌ (54:15) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lori and Marci Hirshleifer, co-owners of the luxury boutique Hirshleifers, share their journey of blending family ties with fashion. They discuss the evolution of handbag charms, revealing how they sparked a global trend. The duo dives into the significance of family dynamics in decision-making and their innovative approach to social media. With a focus on curating unique collections, they highlight their strategy for mixing legacy brands with emerging designers, all while maintaining authenticity in their brand story.

Will Welch, Editor-in-Chief of GQ, dives into the interplay of fashion and journalism. He explores how traditional media is evolving, stressing the importance of genuine storytelling in a digital age dominated by algorithms. Welch debates the nature of virality and asserts that authenticity is key to lasting success. The conversation touches on balancing creative freedom with brand heritage, and celebrates the value of kindness in fashion, all while maintaining GQ's role as a global creative community.

In this conversation, Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and a visionary in technology, discusses the delicate balance between gratitude and human values in an age of rapid AI advancement. He emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of tech leaders, the importance of reducing friction for productivity, and the shift from scarcity of resources to scarcity of attention. Schmidt also reflects on the implications of hyper-intelligence and the role of algorithms in shaping our choices and interactions. His insights offer a profound look at how to navigate the complexities of modern life.

In this engaging discussion, Daniel Humm, a Swiss plant-based chef and visionary behind Eleven Madison Park, shares his insights on fine dining and sustainability. He reflects on his formative years in Switzerland and the deep bond with nature that shaped his culinary journey. Humm critiques traditional luxury in dining, advocating for emotional connections over superficiality. He discusses the importance of incremental changes for restaurant sustainability and highlights the proactive 'Meatless Monday' movement as a step towards conscious eating.

Nadine Ghosn, a Lebanese-Brazilian jewelry designer, is known for her whimsical creations like diamond-studded burgers and pencil bracelets. In this conversation, she shares her journey from a conventional career to a vibrant life in luxury jewelry. Nadine discusses the balance of artistry and business, the emotional toll of entrepreneurship, and the beauty of self-expression. She reflects on the importance of navigating loneliness and privacy while embracing her uniqueness, encouraging others to define their own success.