
Founders
Learn from history's greatest entrepreneurs. Every week I read a biography of an entrepreneur and find ideas you can use in your work. This quote explains why: "There are thousands of years of history in which lots and lots of very smart people worked very hard and ran all types of experiments on how to create new businesses, invent new technology, new ways to manage etc. They ran these experiments throughout their entire lives. At some point, somebody put these lessons down in a book. For very little money and a few hours of time, you can learn from someone’s accumulated experience. There is so much more to learn from the past than we often realize. You could productively spend your time reading experiences of great people who have come before and you learn every time." —Marc Andreessen
Latest episodes

61 snips
Dec 8, 2019 • 42min
#101 Warren Buffett (The Tao of Warren Buffett)
Delve into the wisdom of Warren Buffett, whose insights reveal that true wealth often comes from identifying exceptional businesses rather than a diverse portfolio. Learn the importance of thinking critically before signing contracts and the necessity of choosing the right business environment. The podcast highlights the value of concise advice, opportunity costs in investments, and the balance between wealth and happiness. Discover how simple decisions can lead to profound success and the significance of patience in cultivating lasting value.

105 snips
Dec 1, 2019 • 1h 26min
#100 Warren Buffett (The Snowball)
Discover the extraordinary life lessons of a legendary investor. Explore Warren Buffett's duality as a teacher and practitioner of business. Learn about the pivotal moments that shaped his investment philosophy and his early struggles with public speaking. His advice on personal branding and the importance of relationships over wealth is truly inspiring. Reflect on how dedication and quality define success, as Buffett navigates the complexities of wealth and life. This journey showcases how personal experiences can lead to profound wisdom.

56 snips
Nov 24, 2019 • 1h 18min
#99 Carroll Shelby (My name is Carroll Shelby and performance is my business)
Discover the larger-than-life story of Carroll Shelby, a man who thrived on speed and self-belief. From his early struggles in poultry farming to becoming an icon in the automotive world, Shelby's journey is anything but ordinary. His charisma, passion, and refusal to conform shaped his path through racing and beyond. Learn how he overcame setbacks, built a legendary brand, and influenced the automotive industry. Shelby's enthusiastic spirit and determination to make life fun resonate throughout his storied life.

108 snips
Nov 18, 2019 • 1h 3min
#98 Enzo Ferrari (the making of an automobile empire)
The podcast delves into Enzo Ferrari's extraordinary passion for automotive excellence. It highlights his relentless pursuit of perfection and the deep personal losses that shaped his character. From a young age, Enzo rejected conventional education, driven instead by a desire to start working immediately. His journey includes failures, lessons learned from seasoned mentors, and the eventual creation of a legendary brand that stands as a symbol of exclusivity and performance in the automotive industry.

81 snips
Nov 10, 2019 • 55min
#97 Enzo Ferrari (Ferrari vs Ford)
Dive into the fierce rivalry between Enzo Ferrari and Henry Ford II, showcasing the emotional connection Ferrari had with cars versus Ford's business-driven approach. Explore Ferrari's passion for craftsmanship and how it fueled his climb from struggling racer to iconic manufacturer. Discover the importance of belief and determination in entrepreneurship, as exemplified by figures like Ferrari and Steve Jobs. Lastly, see how Ferrari cleverly shaped public perception to enhance his legacy in the racing world.

79 snips
Nov 4, 2019 • 59min
#96 James J. Hill (Empire Builder of the Northwest)
The podcast dives into the life of James J. Hill, a key figure in railroad history. It highlights his belief that saving money is a marker of success. Hill’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming an influential entrepreneur showcases his relentless work ethic and commitment to self-education. The discussion emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and adaptability in business. Hill's philosophy on treating business as a living organism offers deep insights into sustainable success and maintaining focus.

67 snips
Oct 27, 2019 • 1h 5min
#95 Claude Shannon
Discover the imaginative life of Claude Shannon, the father of information theory. He pursued his passions without concern for practicality, turning solitude into a source of creativity. His groundbreaking work in cryptography during WWII and innovative spirit at Bell Labs redefined modern information. Shannon emphasized that life is about playful experimentation, not just financial success. You'll also hear amusing insights into his unique perspective on life and death, including his unconventional funeral plans.

166 snips
Oct 20, 2019 • 1h 21min
#94 Henry Singleton (The Outsiders)
Discover the innovative mind of Henry Singleton, who redefined business success by prioritizing profitability over mere growth. Learn how he transformed Teledyne into a cash-generating powerhouse through strategic divestments and share buybacks. The podcast contrasts Singleton's unconventional methods with traditional business philosophies, emphasizing the importance of trusting one’s judgment and adapting to market changes. Gain insights into cultivating independent thinking for entrepreneurial mastery and how to harness flexibility in decision-making.

92 snips
Oct 13, 2019 • 1h 8min
#93 Ed Thorp (A Man for All Markets)
In this engaging conversation, Ed Thorp, a trailblazing mathematician and investor, shares his thrilling journey from the blackjack tables to Wall Street. He discusses his revolutionary mathematical principles that reshaped risk management in finance. Thorp reflects on the lessons learned from the Great Depression and advocates for independent thinking in gambling and investing. With anecdotes revealing the pitfalls of wealth, he emphasizes the value of personal relationships and experiences over materialism, offering profound insights into fulfillment and happiness.

136 snips
Oct 7, 2019 • 1h 22min
#92 Ed Thorp and Claude Shannon
Dive into the groundbreaking intersection of gambling and investing through the minds of Ed Thorp and Claude Shannon. Discover how Thorp's mathematical genius revolutionized Blackjack and his journey to hedge fund success. Uncover the secretive Project X that enhanced secure communication, while exploring Shannon's pioneering work in information theory. Learn about the volatile nature of markets and risk management, and hear anecdotes about Thorp's meetings with legends like Warren Buffett. A captivating exploration of intellect and strategy!