Human Unicorn Podcast

Nihal Mehta
  • 5.0 (4)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

"About The Human Unicorn Pod Behind every billion-dollar company is a founder who's been through the wringer-sleepless nights, impossible choices, and moments of sheer insanity. The Human Unicorn Pod takes you behind the scenes, under the hood, and deep into the stories of visionary founders building the next big thing. We don't just celebrate the wins. We uncover the raw, unfiltered realities-the good, the bad, and the outright ugly-of scaling a movement from zero to unicorn. From near-death moments to game-changing breakthroughs, we bring you the unvarnished truth straight from the people who lived it. No fluff. No PR spin. Just the real stories of founders pushing the limits of what's possible. Welcome to The Human Unicorn Pod—where billion-dollar dreams get built."

  1. 2D AGO

    EP27 Anish Agarwal

    Human Unicorn Pod: Anish Agarwal — Building in the AI-Native Era What does it take to build a company in a world where AI shifts faster than strategy decks can keep up? And how do founders create real leverage when technology lowers the barrier to entry for everyone? Join host Nihal Mehta for a deep dive with Anish Agarwal, founder of Traversal. Anish is building at the frontier of AI infrastructure, thinking deeply about speed, execution, and how small teams can generate outsized impact in an era of exponential tools. In this episode, we explore: Why velocity is the new moat for AI startupsThe difference between hype-driven AI and durable infrastructureHow founders should think about leverage in an AI-native stackBuilding with clarity when the tech landscape changes weeklyThe mindset required to stay ahead of compounding innovationWhat separates breakout companies from fast followersAnish shares candid lessons from operating at the edge of AI transformation—where distribution, product insight, and decision speed matter more than ever. The conversation also unpacks how founders can design companies that compound advantage instead of chasing trends. This is the episode for builders, operators, and investors who want to understand what it really means to create enduring value in the age of AI. 🎙️ Human Unicorn Pod — Where exceptional humans share the stories behind their extraordinary journeys.

    38 min

  2. FEB 9

    EP 26 Tejpaul Bhatia

    🎙 Human Unicorn Podcast Episode: Tejpaul Bhatia — The Most Trusted Man in Space In this episode of Human Unicorn, Nihal Mehta sits down with longtime friend, three-time (now fourth-time) founder, and former CEO of Axiom Space, Tejpaul Bhatia — a man who’s helped take humanity off the planet while staying deeply grounded in community, friendship, and purpose. Nihal and Tej go way back — New York tech, shared investors, shared runs on the West Side Highway, shared wins, shared heartbreaks. What unfolds is not just a conversation about space, startups, or sales — but a rare, honest look at timing, identity, trust, and what it means to do your life’s work. Tej opens up about leaving Axiom at a pivotal moment, the Rangers game conversation that changed everything, and the quiet clarity his wife saw before he did. From there, he breaks down how he helped close hundreds of millions of dollars in space contracts, why he considers himself only a B+ salesperson, and how ecosystem management and strategic narrative became his real superpowers. Along the way, they explore: Why founders often fuse their identity with their startups — and why that’s dangerousHow Tej went from Google to space by being the most trusted person in the roomThe difference between selling a product and mobilizing an entire countryWhy the secret to magic, success, love, and leadership is… practiceWhat happens when you stop thinking first — and start feeling firstThis is an episode about serendipity without coincidence, about miracles built over decades, and about learning to face yourself when everything changes. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to sell $100M deals, build trust at a planetary scale, or redefine success after you’ve “made it” — this one’s for you.

    1h 2m

  3. JAN 25

    EP25 Anjula Acharia

    I swapped it out to this description The Cultural Architect: Anjula Acharia on Spotting Stars and Building Movements Anjula Acharia isn’t your typical talent manager or venture capitalist. She’s the visionary who orchestrated Priyanka Chopra’s historic crossover to Hollywood, founded one of the first viral podcasts (DesiHits), and invested early in unicorns like ClassPass and Masterclass. From a six-hour life-changing meeting with music legend Jimmy Iovine to becoming one of the most influential voices in South Asian representation globally, Anjula has spent two decades shaping culture at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology. In this episode with host Nihal Mehta, Anjula reveals her philosophy of “no desperation,” why she listens with two ears but speaks with one mouth, and how serendipity—not planning—has guided her extraordinary journey. From telesales in England to pacing the streets of New York City with Priyanka, from working with Lady Gaga to launching ABC’s “Quantico,” Anjula’s career is a masterclass in recognizing talent, building community, and trusting that destiny will find you. Topics covered: ∙ The untold story of Priyanka Chopra’s American crossover ∙ Life-changing mentorship from Jimmy Iovine and the music industry ∙ How to spot unicorns: tech stars, pop stars, and film stars ∙ The art of listening and seeing around cultural corners ∙ Investing philosophy behind ClassPass and other breakout companies ∙ Advancing South Asian culture and representation globally ∙ Why “no desperation” is the ultimate superpower ∙ Building movements through community over competition Anjula continues to shape global culture as a talent manager, investor, venture partner, and the force behind the legendary annual Diwali celebration that brings together the most influential voices in tech, entertainment, and business. Human Unicorn Pod - Conversations with extraordinary humans building the future.

    29 min

  4. JAN 12

    EP 24 Joe Marchese

    When Joe Marchese founded true[X] and sold it to 21st Century Fox for around $200 million, he was just getting started. As the former President of Advertising Revenue at Fox Networks Group, he oversaw billions in annual revenue for properties like FOX Broadcast, FX, National Geographic, and FOX Sports—including advertising for the Super Bowl and World Series. But Joe's not about maintaining the status quo. He's about breaking it. Now as co-founder and General Partner at Human Ventures and Casa Komos Brands Group, and Chairman of corporate philanthropy platform Groundswell, Joe is building the next generation of companies based on a radical idea: technology should make us MORE human, not less. In this conversation with host Nihal Mehta, Joe shares his vision for "Human First" technology, why he believes the current advertising model is failing high-quality content, and how AI can reshape the attention economy without stealing our humanity. He also leads Human.AI, exploring these intersections at the cutting edge of media and technology innovation. Joe's insights come from both sides of the table—as a founder who's built and sold companies, and as an executive who's run some of the biggest advertising operations in television history. He was inducted into the Advertising Hall of Achievement in 2016 and currently serves on the boards of Clear Channel Outdoor, Cox Media Group, National CineMedia, and veteran-led nonprofit Team Rubicon. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of media, the attention economy, venture capital, and how we can build technology that enhances rather than diminishes human connection. Human Unicorn Pod - Extraordinary conversations with exceptional humans.

    36 min
  5. EP 23 Jerry Colonna

    JAN 2

    EP 23 Jerry Colonna

    Jerry Colonna — Leadership, Fear, and the Inner Work of Building Companies What if the hardest part of building a great company isn’t strategy, fundraising, or product—but confronting yourself? In this episode of Human Unicorn, we sit down with Jerry Colonna—executive coach to some of Silicon Valley’s most iconic founders, former VC, and author of Reboot—to explore the inner lives of leaders. Jerry shares hard-won lessons from decades of coaching CEOs through growth, breakdowns, and breakthroughs, revealing why unresolved fear, shame, and identity often shape business outcomes more than market forces. We talk about the myth of the heroic founder, why “bringing your whole self to work” is both necessary and terrifying, and how true leadership begins with radical self-inquiry. This is a conversation about power, vulnerability, and what it really means to build companies—and lives—worth being proud of. If you’re a founder, operator, or leader navigating pressure, uncertainty, or success that feels strangely hollow, this episode will challenge how you think about ambition, culture, and yourself. Topics covered: Why leadership is an inside jobThe emotional cost of scaling companiesCoaching founders through fear, ego, and failureRedefining success beyond metrics and exitsHow compassion becomes a competitive advantage

    40 min

  6. JAN 2

    EP22 Kass & Mike Lazerow

    🎙️ New Episode: Kass & Mike Lazerow — Building, Selling, and Reinventing in Tech & Life On this episode of the Human Unicorn Podcast, Nihal Mehta and Yoshi Kondo sit down with power couple Kass & Mike Lazerow—serial entrepreneurs, operators, and investors whose impact spans adtech, social media, and the future of health and wellness. Mike, founder of Buddy Media (acquired by Salesforce for $745M) and veteran early-stage investor, unpacks what it really takes to scale companies that shape culture. Kass, founder of the groundbreaking functional wellness brand Lifelines, shares her journey building mission-driven companies, navigating personal transformation, and redefining what holistic health means in a tech-intense world. Together, they open up about: Lessons learned from multiple exitsThe real emotional cost of entrepreneurshipHow founders can stay resilient through chaosThe marriage–startup balance that nobody talks aboutWhy the next decade of wellness is being built right nowThis is one of our most honest, insightful conversations yet—packed with tactical advice, raw stories, and unexpected humor. Tune in and meet the humans behind the unicorns.

    52 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    EP21 Brian Distelburger

    This week on Human Unicorns, Nihal sits down with Brian Distelburger, one of the OGs of New York tech and the co-founder of Yext, the company that took an unsexy problem — digital information chaos — and turned it into a billion-dollar category. Brian isn’t just a founder; he’s a repeat builder with real operator scars. He helped scale Yext from a scrappy NYC startup into a publicly traded global platform powering the world’s biggest brands. Enterprise sales before you have a category name? He’s lived it. Hypergrowth hiring? Done it. Taking a company public while keeping the culture intact? Survived it. Now Brian brings that same energy forward as an investor, advisor, and ecosystem multiplier — helping founders navigate the messy middle, build real revenue engines, and avoid the expensive mistakes he already paid the tuition for. He’s one of the rare people who built and scaled a unicorn from zero to NYSE, all while staying relentlessly curious, humble, and addicted to the craft of building. If you want a masterclass in resilience, enterprise GTM, founder psychology, and how to create a new category out of thin air — Brian is the definition of a Human Unicorn.

    29 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    EP 20 Chris Fralic

    In this episode, Nihal Mehta sits down with Chris Fralic — legendary VC, connector, and one of the most influential relationship-builders in the modern tech ecosystem. Chris shares the real story behind his trajectory: from early days in enterprise software to helping shape companies like LinkedIn, Yammer, and Roblox through his work at First Round Capital. He breaks down the patterns he’s seen across hundreds of founders — and the behaviors that consistently separate breakout companies from the rest. We dive into: The compounding power of generosity and how Chris built one of the strongest networks in techHow great founders communicate, pitch, and create momentum around their ideasWhy relationship-building is a skill, not a personality type — and how anyone can learn itWhat Chris looks for when meeting a founder for the first timeWhere today’s AI and consumer markets are heading, and which founder traits matter most in 2025This is a masterclass in relationships, founder psychology, and long-term thinking — packed with practical advice for operators, builders, and investors.

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

"About The Human Unicorn Pod Behind every billion-dollar company is a founder who's been through the wringer-sleepless nights, impossible choices, and moments of sheer insanity. The Human Unicorn Pod takes you behind the scenes, under the hood, and deep into the stories of visionary founders building the next big thing. We don't just celebrate the wins. We uncover the raw, unfiltered realities-the good, the bad, and the outright ugly-of scaling a movement from zero to unicorn. From near-death moments to game-changing breakthroughs, we bring you the unvarnished truth straight from the people who lived it. No fluff. No PR spin. Just the real stories of founders pushing the limits of what's possible. Welcome to The Human Unicorn Pod—where billion-dollar dreams get built."

Information

  • Creator
    Nihal Mehta
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Nihal Mehta
  • Show Website
    Human Unicorn Podcast