Masters of Scale

Summer’s not so hot at the movie theaters, and the same goes for streaming. Nothing’s come close to last year’s Barbie-Oppenheimer success, and Janice Min of entertainment news startup Ankler Media can’t say she’s surprised. Janice vets Hollywood’s offerings for the summer entertainment cycle, weighs in on deals from Paramount/Skydance to the astronomical price of NBA rights, and lays out the financial reality for media companies in an age of scrambling for everyone’s digital attention. Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can drinking water look cool? That was the driving question behind Liquid Death founder Mike Cessario’s big business idea. Since launching its first tallboy cans of water in 2019, Liquid Death has used humor, design and smirk-worthy marketing to grow into a beverage company valued at $1.4 billion. Mike talks with host Jeff Berman about how he built the irreverent brand to help him escape his professional boredom. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With 346 events over 17 days at this summer’s Paris Olympics, how do we zero in on the most important events, storylines, and takeaways? CEO of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Sarah Hirshland, returns to Rapid Response to provide an insider’s guide, including a preview of Team USA’s strategy. Hirshland also talks about the latest Chinese doping scandal, how changes to the NCAA put the future of collegiate sport in jeopardy, and plans for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, Masters of Scale is bringing back one of our favorite episodes. It’s Reid Hoffman’s conversation with Ron Howard, the legendary director, producer, actor, and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment. In this episode, Ron shares how he manages the balance between staying true to his vision, while also embracing change. It’s a crucial topic for many reasons, but especially poignant as Hollywood encounters artificial intelligence. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The fashion world is at a sudden inflection point. Big luxury players are struggling, e-commerce markets are floundering, and ultra-fast players like Shein are disrupting. The Business of Fashion’s Imran Amed takes us inside the tumult, providing a framework to understand the trends and their larger economic impact. Plus: how manufacturers are adapting to new sustainability scrutiny, and the first year of Pharrell Williams’ tenure at Louis Vuitton. Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New AI products are rapidly changing the landscape for businesses. This is especially true for the writing tool Grammarly. The $13 billion dollar software company’s CEO Rahul Roy-Chowdhury has taken the helm in the midst of a profound disruption. Host Jeff Berman talks to Rahul about how his time at Google helped prepare him for this moment, why he’s doubling down on building trust with customers, and how he thinks AI will shape the future of work. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While many plant-based food brands have struggled recently, Pinky Cole’s fast food chain Slutty Vegan keeps growing, with new restaurants across the U.S. Pinky sits down with Rapid Response host Bob Safian to explain how she’s scaling the brand despite lawsuits, social media attacks and a flurry of vegan restaurant competitor closures. Pinky also shares the story behind her recent keynote at Savannah State University, where she gifted the HBCU grads almost $9 million in entrepreneurial tools and training. Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Entrepreneur Noah Kagan wants everyone to feel empowered to start a business. That’s the core message of his new book, Million Dollar Weekend. He’s founded multiple companies worth at least a million dollars, including AppSumo. That’s his software marketplace worth more than $80 million. Noah shares lessons from his scale journey, and from the early flameouts at high-profile start-ups (like being employee number 30 at Facebook and an early staffer at Mint) that fueled a desire to prove himself. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe Check out Million Dollar Weekend here: https://noahkagan /mdwbook/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can nuclear energy, solar and wind farms, and carbon capture scale fast enough to save the planet? GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian on stage at the Climatech conference in Boston to detail how green energy is evolving in 2024. GE Vernova is a new company spun out from General Electric, and helps power around a quarter of the world’s electricity. Strazik explains how today’s electrical grid limits renewable energy’s potential, and why it desperately needs a “new brain.” Watch this episode on YouTube: https:// youtube /watch?v=xcZfnUX1BrQ Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Founded at the dawn of the dot-com era, entrepreneur Adam Miller’s original concept for Cornerstone was a kind of Netflix for adult education: training courses through CD-ROMs. Migrating to online offerings for major corporate clients, Adam steered the company through tough times that included an encounter with a loan shark, markets collapsing, and global crises. By the time he sold the company two decades later – for more than $5.2 billion – Adam learned essential lessons about how to scale during uncertainty. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe The Sequoia “RIP: Good Times” presentation: https://articles.sequoiacap /rip-good-times See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After Guild’s founding CEO suffered a stroke at the age of just 34, Bijal Shah was tapped to take the helm. Shah joins Rapid Response to share the story behind the emotional leadership change, and how she wrestled with the immense responsibility of shepherding a company out of crisis. Shah also discusses how Taylor Swift inspires her leadership, and why Guild recently partnered with Team USA ahead of the Paris Olympics. Watch this episode on YouTube: https:// youtube /watch?v=Y4jc66RXjvk Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Dyson's journey to building a global invention enterprise began with a simple goal: to build a better vacuum. After 5,000+ prototypes and years of precise tinkering, his innovative bagless vacuum was ready. But none of the big brand names wanted it. So he started the Dyson company, betting that customers would be swayed by new technology, better performance, and distinctive design. Today the Dyson Corporation commands $9 billion in annual revenue, and — driven by engineering curiosity — develops products from air purifiers to hair dryers, even making a big bet on an electric car (that never hit the market). James Dyson’s inspiring story of scale involves challenging experts at every turn, relentless iteration, and a resilient view of failure as a stepping stone to the next breakthrough. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For anyone skeptical about crypto hype, Sheila Warren explains why it is here to stay, and what you might be overlooking. As CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, Warren joins Rapid Response to take us inside today’s crypto resurgence, in which 1 out of 5 Americans hold crypto in some fashion. Warren shares the story behind Congress’ recent bipartisan crypto bill, and how the industry is cracking down on bad actors and get-rich-quick schemes. Plus, how crypto is part of the underlying tech behind a “new internet.” Watch this episode on YouTube: https:// youtube /watch?v=-MBe203ko2Q Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Masters of Scale guest, psychologist, and “Grit” author Angela Duckworth also hosts the podcast “No Stupid Questions.” With her co-host, entrepreneur and executive Mike Maughn, she takes up questions on deep issues like purpose and productivity. In this episode called “Do You Need a Routine?” Angela and Mike share notes from their personal lives, colleagues, and experts about value of habit formation. Check out No Stupid Questions website: https://freakonomics /series/nsq/ Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imagine all the highly motivated, high-achieving students who can excel at the most challenging colleges but lack the financial resources to attend. Matching this type of talent with full funding from top-tier schools is the mission of QuestBridge. CEO Ana Rowena Mallari recounts the organization’s 30-year scale journey, during which the program has fostered $5 billion in scholarships and helped 100,000 students. Co-founded by Mallari and Michael McCullough as a summer program at Stanford, QuestBridge now partners with more than 50 schools, transforming how colleges across the U.S. evaluate and admit their incoming classes. Synthetic voiceover of Reid Hoffman used in this episode was produced by Respeecher with full consent and permission. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How will the return of meme stocks like GameStop and day trading influencers like Roaring Kitty alter the fintech landscape? Robinhood’s co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev, who was a lightning rod for controversy when meme stocks first surged in 2021, joins Rapid Response to explain what’s the same and what’s different this time around. Tenev also shares how his family’s struggles in 1990s Bulgaria shapes his view of the U.S. financial markets today, and whether trading on Robinhood is like using a sports gambling app. Watch this episode on YouTube: https:// youtube /watch?v=8pChXgKIemw Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Masters of Scale goes under the hood of powerful AI in audio, unveiling a full vocal clone for founding host Reid Hoffman. Our CEO Jeff Berman, the Masters of Scale staff, and Reid himself tell the story of creating a synthetic voice we call “Reid-ish.” The company Respeecher is behind the technology, and its CEO Alex Serdiuk walks us through the speech replication process. Through “Reid-ish” we grapple with authenticity, disclosure, labor, and evolving norms around AI in media. Reid ponders what’s possible for greater sharing and learning through this audio technology, as well as what listeners should know about its use. For more on our team’s principles and practices, go to mastersofscale /pledge for our proposed Listener’s Bill of Rights in the Age of AI. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amid college campus protests over Palestine and Israel, stark US political divides, and legal challenges to diversity initiatives, business leaders face new pressure on whether to speak out and take action on issues of our time. Ken Frazier, former CEO of Merck, and Ken Chenault, former CEO of American Express, offer their unfiltered advice, as board members of the Harvard Corporation and two of America’s most prominent Black executives. It’s a candid conversation about the most controversial topics in American business, from DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) to January 6th. The pair collaborate at the venture capital firm, General Catalyst. Ken Chenault is the Chairman and a Managing Director, while Ken Frazier is the firm’s Chairman of Health Assurance initiatives. Watch this episode on YouTube: https:// youtube /watch?v=QctAB_DGAIM Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Success looks different for everybody. But author and psychologist Angela Duckworth has found that whether we achieve success, or even seek it, may hinge on a characteristic that she calls “grit.” Angela’s 2016 bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance quickly became a must-read for business leaders. On Masters of Scale she describes her unlikely path to scaling the impact of her work, through becoming a public intellectual. We hear why she studied commonalities among high-achieving individuals, her top advice for founders, and why grit alone is not enough. Plus we get the scoop on Angela’s next book! Angela discussed her inspiration for distilling complex ideas into accessible wisdom: psychologist William James and his Talks to Teachers. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale /subscribe See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As Rapid Response begins a twice-weekly cadence, Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky returns to reveal how the company’s new Icons initiative points toward a surprising new chapter ahead. Host Bob Safian gets Chesky to open up about the mental struggles of being a high-profile CEO, plus the inside story behind Airbnb’s recent ad campaign targeting hotels. The pair cover so much, we’ve split the episode into two parts. Part 2 drops this Friday exclusively in the Rapid Response podcast feed. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out! Watch this episode on YouTube: https:// youtube /watch?v=fvhh4U2_EFE Subscribe to the Rapid Response podcast feed: https://listen.rapidresponseshow /Subscribe For more info, visit: rapidresponseshow See Privacy Policy at https://art19 /privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19 /privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.