Episodes

Join Paul Epstein, a 15-year NFL and NBA executive, as he shares the counterintuitive approach of prioritizing standards over goals. Discover the three non-negotiable standards that powered his teams to outperform expectations, and learn how to instill a culture of …

Launching a venture capital fund is no easy feat, but Coolwater Capital has cracked the code. In this episode, Winter Mead, Founder of Coolwater Capital, reveals the three core components of their Fund Launch Program, designed to help emerging managers …

Ziprent & Zip Stay CEO Arvand Sabetian is on a mission to transform the property management industry through a tech-enabled, service-first approach. Learn how his companies are leveraging technology to deliver a better experi...

What does it take to be an effective leader in a rapidly growing company? Mark McClain, CEO of SailPoint Technologies, reveals the core leadership principles that have helped him steer his company to over $600 million in revenue. Gain valuable …

Explore the potential of AI in enterprise software with Duncan Angove, CEO of Blue Yonder. Understand how an AI-first mindset, combined with machine learning and robotics, is transforming supply chain operations. Discover rea...

Discover how Ryan Garland, CEO of Paradyme Companies, has built a successful private equity real estate firm by prioritizing long-lasting relationships and a service-based mindset. Learn the key strategies he employs to navig...

In this episode, Spenser Skates, CEO of Amplitude, reveals how product analytics provide a window into user behavior, enabling companies to create better digital experiences. Discover the insights that helped Amplitude grow to a $1.4 billion market cap and learn …

Go behind the scenes of how Gary Kusin systematically built Babbage's, which later became GameStop, into a market leader and how Gary led a major turnaround of Kinko's, taking EBITDA from -$11M to +$180M in just 3 years. Lear...

Raising money for longevity research can be a daunting task, especially for founders without a traditional biotech background. Akshay Sanghavi shares his experiences and insights on overcoming these challenges and securing funding for Yuvan Research.

One of the key principles of the venture mindset is the ability to say no to seemingly good opportunities in order to maintain flexibility. In this episode, Stanford professor Ilya Strebulaev explains why venture capitalists turn down over 100 deals …

In this episode, Dave Batstone shares his insights on the potential of hydrogen as a clean and efficient fuel source for vehicles. Discover how companies like Hydro Energy are working to convert existing diesel engines to run on hydrogen, reducing …

On today’s episode of Innovation & Leadership, Jess welcomes Yushiro Kato, founder and CEO of CaDDi See how CaDDi’s innovative software is transforming the procurement process in the manufacturing industry. By focusing on the needs of procurement officers, such as …

The Buck Institute, a pioneer in aging research, is uncovering how ketones impact healthspan. Dr. Brianna Stubbs, a world-champion athlete turned researcher, shares insights on how these molecules are more than just an energy...

Discover how Brant Pinvidic transformed his life from feeling stifled in Canada to achieving remarkable success in the U.S. entertainment industry. Learn the secrets behind his journey and how to present your ideas with clari...

What does it take to succeed in Hollywood? In this inspiring episode, Justin Bursch shares the personal qualities and mindset that have helped him thrive in the movie industry. From persistence and passion to finding your nic...

Tune into a fascinating discussion on "Innovation and Leadership," where we're joined by Jack Reins, an inspiring young editor and Columbia MBA student making waves in the finance sector. Featuring co-host Ted Merz, we uncove...

Discover the inspiring story of entrepreneur Damion Lupo, who bounced back from losing $20 million to build multiple $100M+ businesses. Learn how shifting his focus from money to mission and purpose helped him persevere throu...

In this episode, Steve Munford, CEO of Trulioo, reveals the key factors behind the company's impressive $1.75 billion valuation and shares insights into the complex world of digital identity verification. Trulioo's platform a...

In this episode of ‘Innovation & Leadership’, Jess Larsen and co-host Terrell Maze welcome former MLB player Brant Walker shares his journey from the baseball diamond to private equity operations. Discover the key lessons he ...

Raising $620 million at a $6.8 billion valuation is a remarkable achievement for any company. In this episode of Innovation & Leadership, Jeff Shiner, CEO of 1Password, takes us behind the scenes of the company's record-break...

On this episode of the Mini-series ‘Hollywood Explained,seasoned producers Laura Walker Lee and Andy Horowitz share their playbook for thriving in Hollywood's new normal. Learn about the key strategies they employ to navigate...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a top M&A firm from scratch? Jordan Wagner shares the incredible story behind growing Exit Group to over $5 billion in closed deals. Discover the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons lea...

Implementing AI in an organization is no easy feat. Today’s guest on ‘Innovation & Leadership’, Robb Wilson, who has worked with Fortune 500 companies on their AI strategies, shares lessons learned from the trenches. Discover...

Jess Larsen welcomes co-host Laura Walker Lee and guest Wolf Ruzicka, Chairman of EastBanc Technologies, reveals how his company helped transform The Washington Post from a legacy media company into a software powerhouse. Lea...