Minus One

Luis von Ahn, Co-founder and CEO of Duolingo, shares his fascinating journey from creating CAPTCHA to launching a billion-dollar language app. He discusses his early computer fascination in Guatemala and how those experiences shaped Duolingo's engaging and gamified approach to learning. The conversation dives into the evolution of CAPTCHA technology, the impacts of AI, and the importance of unexpected connections in seizing opportunities. Von Ahn also reveals how humor and personality drive Duolingo's unique brand identity.

Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Meta, shares insights on his journey from Facebook's origin to building a tech powerhouse. He discusses the importance of open source in AI and how community-driven development plays a crucial role in Llama. Ruchi Sanghvi and Aditya Agarwal, both early Facebook employees, explore the challenges of fostering innovation and the critical role of teamwork and adaptability in startup culture. They reflect on personal growth through sports and the lessons learned from past challenges, emphasizing the value of people in achieving success.

In this fascinating discussion, Lloyd Blankfein, former CEO of Goldman Sachs, shares insights from his career, including navigating the turbulent waters of the 2008 financial crisis. He emphasizes the critical role of decisive action and clear communication during crises, revealing how leadership challenges shape character. Blankfein also reflects on the balance between risk and regulation in banking and discusses his journey from a high-profile career to finding new purpose and curiosity in life post-Goldman.

As a two-time Olympic gold medal winning decathlete, Ashton Eaton is one of the few people who ever held a legitimate claim to the title "most athletic person in the world." After retiring from professional athletics, he joined South Park Commons to navigate his career transition. With the 2024 Olympics kicking off, we were honored to have him join us to talk about what it takes to be the best in the world—and what the best in the world do when it's time to figure out what's next.