Forged in America

Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein
  • 4.5 (15)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

Forged in America is a conversation between longtime friends & entrepreneurs Ravin Gandhi (GMM Nonstick Coatings) and Al Goldstein (Avant, Stoic Lane, Pangea) who have founded, built, and exited numerous businesses in addition to investing in dozens of successful startups. This podcast is about how consequential decisions actually get made under pressure—across business, investing, and the institutions shaping the USA. We break down how capital gets allocated, how leaders think in moments of uncertainty, and where smart systems—markets, companies, or political movements—develop blind spots.

  1. 2d ago

    E64: Born With One Leg. Won A National Championship.

    This week on Forged in America, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein sit down with Anthony Robles, the wrestler born with one leg who went 36-0 in his senior season at Arizona State and won the 2011 NCAA championship — and whose life became the film Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez as his mother Judy and Don Cheadle as his coach, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Robles doesn't hold back. He talks about the third-grade tire swing — the boy who wouldn't play with him because he was missing a leg — and the coach who told him to "focus on your strengths and camouflage your weaknesses." He explains why no top college program would recruit him, how he walked on at ASU and earned the starting spot, and what it felt like to learn from a reporter's phone call, while washing airplanes on a tarmac, that the program had been cut. And he reveals why a stack of letters from third graders turned an introvert into a motivational speaker. The conversation also gets personal. Robles' mother was 16 when he was born; now he's a father himself, with a son turning 4, and a high-school wrestling coach at Mesa High — his alma mater. He talks about what he's trying to teach his own kid about struggle, why parents can't manufacture adversity for their children, and what he'd tell his eighth-grade self. In this episode: The tire swing: The third-grade rejection that became the most painful moment of his childhood — and the fuel for everything after it. The coach who changed everything: How Bobby Williams built a wrestling style around a missing leg, and the lesson — focus on your strengths, camouflage your weaknesses — that Robles still lives by. The recruiting rejection: Why no top-10 college program would risk a scholarship on a kid missing a leg — and how he walked on at ASU and took the starting spot anyway. The day ASU cut wrestling: Learning from a reporter's call, on the wing of an airplane at his airport job, that the program was gone. The letters: How third graders naming him their "hero of the week" after a seventh-place NCAA finish pushed an introvert into motivational speaking. The movie: The calls from Hollywood the night he won, choosing Artists Equity and Amazon, and being his own stunt double. The records: 62 pull-ups in a minute, 23 with an 80-lb pack — and the 24-hour attempt that ended after nine hours with a torn bicep. The lightning round: Cael Sanderson, Kobe Bryant, Vision Quest, Jim Abbott — and the book that changed him. From a playground rejection to a national championship to a Hollywood film, this conversation is an unfiltered look at what it actually takes to become unstoppable — and why the best answer to doubt is to wrestle the match yourself. About the guest Anthony Robles is a 2011 NCAA wrestling champion, motivational speaker, author, and high-school wrestling coach. Born with one leg, he went 36-0 in his senior season at Arizona State, winning the 2011 NCAA title 7-1 over defending champion Matt McDonough. His memoir Unstoppable — and the film of the same name — tell his story. He coaches wrestling at Mesa High School in Arizona. Subscribe to Forged in America for candid conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders about risk, resilience, capitalism, and the decisions that shape success.

  2. Nov 4

    E63: Trump Gets Crushed: What Happens to America Next?

    Forged in America: Is America Losing Its Common Sense? Why good intentions aren't enough—and why results matter more than rhetoric. America remains one of the world's most dynamic economies. The stock market has delivered extraordinary gains, innovation continues to accelerate, and entrepreneurs are building companies that reshape entire industries. So why are so many Americans angry about the country's direction? In this episode of Forged in America, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein examine the growing disconnect between American prosperity and public dissatisfaction. They explore one of the most overlooked concepts in politics: unintended consequences. From crime and education to housing affordability, immigration, and government spending, well-intentioned policies can create outcomes that are very different from what their advocates promised. Ravin also reflects on his political evolution, the danger of judging politicians by charisma rather than results, and why ideological labels matter less than what happens when leaders actually govern. Topics discussed: Why Americans feel economically frustrated despite strong financial markets How unintended consequences can undermine well-intentioned policies The rising costs of housing, healthcare, and education Immigration, border security, and America's unique appeal to people around the world The influence of political rhetoric, media narratives, and social media Democratic socialism, capitalism, and the ideological divisions within American politics Ravin's changing perspective on Donald Trump Why America remains an extraordinary place to build businesses and create opportunity The importance of personal responsibility, practical policy, and measurable results The central question: Are Americans evaluating political leaders by what they promise—or by what their policies actually accomplish? Forged in America is hosted by entrepreneurs Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein, featuring candid conversations about business, politics, capitalism, and the forces shaping America's future. Subscribe to Forged in America for conversations that challenge conventional thinking and put ideas to the test.

  3. Oct 28

    E62: Silicon Valley's Biggest VCs Have Lost Their Way

    David Hornik & Eric Carlborg: Why Silicon Valley's Biggest VCs Have Lost Their Way Is venture capital still about backing great entrepreneurs—or has it become a giant money-moving machine? This week on Forged in America, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein sit down with David Hornik and Eric Carlborg of Lobby Capital, veteran venture capitalists who have spent decades investing in startups, navigating market crashes, and competing against Silicon Valley's biggest firms. Hornik doesn't hold back. He argues that mega-funds like Andreessen Horowitz have fundamentally changed the venture capital business, questions whether today's AI leaders are using fear to protect their competitive advantages, and reveals why he turned down investments in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Palantir, and Datadog. The conversation also gets personal. Hornik and Carlborg recount how they offered to back Al with $50 million before Avant even existed, what happened when the fintech boom collapsed, and how decisive leadership helped the company survive. In this episode: Venture capital's identity crisis: Why Hornik believes Silicon Valley's largest funds are no longer practicing traditional venture capital. The investments that got away: How Hornik passed on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Palantir, and Datadog—and why he stands by those decisions. The $50 million bet on Al Goldstein: How two investors backed an entrepreneur before he even had his next business idea. Surviving the startup death spiral: Why founders must act decisively when capital disappears—and why incremental layoffs can destroy a company. AI hype and regulatory capture: Hornik's provocative argument that some of AI's loudest warnings come from the people with the most to gain. The future of education: What AI means for students, universities, and the skills that will matter most. Small versus giant VC funds: How Lobby Capital competes with Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia by prioritizing relationships over assets under management. What makes a great founder: Why obsession, resilience, intellectual honesty, and problem-solving matter more than chasing a billion-dollar valuation. From billion-dollar exits to painful missed opportunities, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at how Silicon Valley really works—and why the best investors sometimes succeed by refusing to follow the crowd. About the guests David Hornik is a longtime venture capitalist, early pioneer of VC blogging and podcasting, and investor at Lobby Capital. He has also taught entrepreneurship and venture capital at Stanford and Harvard. Eric Carlborg is a veteran investor at Lobby Capital and former partner at August Capital. He has backed numerous technology companies, including Al Goldstein's Avant, and brings extensive experience in finance, governance, and helping startups navigate difficult markets. Subscribe to Forged in America for candid conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders about risk, resilience, capitalism, and the decisions that shape success.

  4. Oct 21

    E61: Congressman Andy Barr - Can the GOP Survive After Trump?

    Congressman Andy Barr: Can the GOP Survive After Trump? What happens to the Republican Party when Donald Trump is no longer its defining figure? Can the GOP build a lasting coalition around capitalism, opportunity, and the American Dream—or will it drift toward the same big-government policies it claims to oppose? On this episode of Forged in America, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein sit down with six-term Kentucky Congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Andy Barr for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of American politics, the rise of socialism, and the economic challenges facing the country. Barr delivers a provocative warning: if Republicans abandon free markets and limited government in favor of big-government populism, the party could lose its identity. The conversation tackles America's $40 trillion national debt, why socialism is attracting younger voters, the battle over voter ID and election integrity, and whether artificial intelligence and an American manufacturing renaissance can deliver a new era of prosperity. Ravin also challenges Barr on a fundamental question: What does the American Dream mean to an 11-year-old born into poverty, with a father in prison and a mother struggling with addiction? Can conservative principles offer real solutions to people who never had a fair start? The discussion gets personal as Barr reveals which Democrats he actually likes working with, explains why bourbon might be the secret to bipartisanship, and ranks Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and AOC in a hypothetical Kentucky bourbon drinking contest. In this episode: Can the Republican Party survive—and thrive—after Trump? Why is socialism gaining traction among young Americans? Is America's $40 trillion debt a greater threat than China? Why hasn't Congress passed federal voter ID legislation? Can Republicans and Democrats find common ground? Will AI create more jobs than it destroys? How do we restore upward mobility for Americans born into poverty? Should America abolish the Department of Education? Can the GOP win back suburban voters without losing its working-class base? Who wins the ultimate Washington bourbon drinking contest? From the future of MAGA to the meaning of meritocracy, this is a candid conversation about what comes next for American capitalism, political leadership, and the American Dream. Subscribe to Forged in America for conversations with the entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and leaders shaping America's future.

  5. Oct 14

    E60: a16z's Alex Rampell: Why the Best Founders Are Sociopaths

    Alex Rampell: AI, Billion-Dollar Founders, and the Future of American Capitalism What happens when artificial intelligence can outperform the smartest people in the room? And why does America keep producing the world's most valuable companies while other countries struggle to replicate Silicon Valley? This week on Forged in America, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein sit down with Alex Rampell, serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Affirm, and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the world's most influential venture capital firms. Rampell started coding at age 10, built and sold multiple companies, and now invests in the next generation of technology giants. He brings an unusually candid perspective on what separates extraordinary entrepreneurs from everyone else—and why the AI revolution may fundamentally rewrite the rules of success. The conversation starts with a provocative idea: the best founders aren't necessarily the most credentialed, experienced, or even well-adjusted. They're obsessive, resilient, original thinkers—sometimes driven more by revenge and redemption than money. Rampell explains why AI could make traditional technical skills less valuable while creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs, why most businesses should never raise venture capital, and how he identifies founders capable of building billion-dollar companies. Then the conversation turns to America itself. Why does Silicon Valley consistently outperform the rest of the world? What makes American capitalism uniquely productive? And could California's proposed wealth taxes, anti-tech politics, and growing enthusiasm for socialism threaten the innovation engine that made the country wealthy? Rampell doesn't hold back on Bernie Sanders, Ro Khanna, government spending, or the political future of Silicon Valley. In this episode: Why AI could disrupt programmers, mathematicians, and elite college graduates Why original thinking may become the most valuable skill in the world The four types of entrepreneurs—and which ones generate the biggest returns Why Rampell believes some of the best founders exhibit sociopathic traits How revenge, redemption, and obsession drive extraordinary entrepreneurs The inside story of his investments in Mercury and Propel Why venture capital is a terrible fit for most businesses How AI could democratize entrepreneurship, filmmaking, and creative work The three ingredients behind America's unmatched startup ecosystem Why Silicon Valley's willingness to reward failure is almost impossible to replicate California's proposed wealth tax and the political battle over capitalism Why Rampell believes America's innovation economy is worth defending From building companies to backing billion-dollar founders to confronting the political forces shaping America's future, this is a wide-ranging conversation about who wins, who loses, and what it will take to succeed in the age of AI. Subscribe to Forged in America for candid conversations with the entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders shaping the country's future.

  6. Oct 9

    E59: I Worked Inside DOGE...Here's What Really Happened.

    What really happened inside Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)? And did its effort to overhaul Washington actually work? This week on Forged in America, Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein sit down with Tyler Hassen, former Acting Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget at the U.S. Department of the Interior and author of Inside DOGE: The Real Story from a Senior Insider. After building and leading businesses in the private sector, Tyler entered Washington in 2025 and found himself overseeing billions in federal spending. What he discovered challenged his assumptions about how government operates—and how difficult it is to change. In this candid conversation, we explore: The $830 million contract: Why Tyler canceled an enormous government contract for customer-service surveys that he says nobody was reading. Inside DOGE: What it was actually like working alongside Elon Musk and the unconventional team assembled to disrupt Washington. Fraud vs. waste: The difference between illegal government spending and perfectly legal spending that makes absolutely no sense. DOGE's biggest mistakes: What Tyler believes the initiative got wrong, including the challenges of communicating change. The human cost: Death threats, personal sacrifices, and the strain of spending so little time with his young daughter. Washington vs. Wall Street: Why running a government agency is fundamentally different from running a business. America's fiscal future: The risks of mounting federal debt and whether meaningful reform is politically possible. DOGE's legacy: What actually changed, what didn't, and whether the effort was worth it. Whether you believe DOGE was a long-overdue reckoning or a reckless experiment, this conversation offers a rare firsthand perspective from someone who was actually inside the operation. Forged in America features unfiltered conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and leaders shaping the country's future. Subscribe for more candid conversations about business, leadership, politics, and the American experiment.

  7. Oct 6

    E58: Fintech Unicorn Dave: From $4B to $60M—and Back

    Jason Wilk has lived through one of the wildest round trips in public-market history. He co-founded Dave to take on the big banks and give everyday Americans a better alternative to overdraft fees and traditional short-term credit. The company went public at roughly a $4 billion valuation—then saw its market cap collapse by about 98%, at one point falling below $60 million. Jason didn't quit. He kept his team together, rebuilt the business around profitability, used AI to dramatically improve underwriting, and watched Dave stage an extraordinary comeback—roughly 100x from its bottom. In this episode of Forged in America, Jason joins Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein to talk candidly about what it feels like to watch nearly your entire net worth disappear, why he received bad advice at the bottom, how he kept employees from leaving, and why he still believes going public was the right decision. Jason also tells the surreal story of meeting Sam Bankman-Fried before FTX collapsed—including visiting the Bahamas, seeing the FTX penthouse, and having SBF cook him dinner. He explains how FTX ended up financing Dave and how Dave later bought back the debt at a discount. We also get into Mark Cuban backing Jason across multiple companies, the advantages and dangers of venture capital, AI replacing FICO-style underwriting, Bitcoin and crypto, founder stoicism, raising kids, and why Jason believes entrepreneurs should think very carefully before diversifying away from—or remaining completely exposed to—their own companies. One of the most revealing moments comes near the end: Jason explains that at Dave's lowest point, his stake in the company was worth less than his house—and that the collapse even cost him longtime friendships. In this episode: Dave's journey from ~$4 billion to under $60 million—and back into the billions The 100x rebound from Dave's bottom The bad advice Jason received when Dave's stock collapsed How he kept his team together through a 98% drawdown Mark Cuban's early bet on Jason Why Jason would try to avoid venture capital if starting again Why he prefers being a public-company CEO How AI helped Dave dramatically improve its underwriting Why Jason believes cash-flow data can outperform traditional FICO scores The criticism of fintech companies serving lower-income consumers Jason's firsthand experience with Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX Dinner with SBF inside the Bahamas penthouse How Dave bought back its FTX debt at a discount Golf, grit, stoicism, and the psychology of entrepreneurship Jason's surprising take on Bitcoin Losing 99% of your net worth—and getting it back The friendships that didn't survive Dave's collapse Why Jason wishes he'd taken some money off the table at the IPO The advice he'd give his 20-year-old self His perspective on Elon Musk and founder-led companies Jason's story is ultimately about something much bigger than fintech: What happens when the market tells you you're wrong, nearly everything you've built appears to disappear, and you have to decide whether you still believe in yourself. Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

  8. Sep 30

    E57: Michele Tafoya: 5 Super Bowls to Senate Run

    Michele Tafoya spent decades on the biggest stages in sports, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in football as an Emmy-winning sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football and covering five Super Bowls. Then she walked away. Now, Tafoya is the Republican nominee for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat — and she joins Forged in America to explain why she traded the NFL sidelines for one of the most contentious arenas in America: politics. Michele talks about the Minnesota fraud scandals that have become central to her campaign, why she believes it took independent voices like Nick Shirley to force national attention onto the issue, and what she thinks the episode reveals about government accountability and the changing media landscape. The conversation expands into the growing appeal of socialism among young Americans, the cost-of-living pressures fueling that movement, the role of education and culture, immigration, voter ID, government spending, political polarization, and whether the American Dream still works for the next generation. Michele also discusses navigating politics as a Latina Republican, her relationship with Donald Trump and the Republican Party, what she learned from decades inside the NFL, and why she says she would enter the Senate determined to work with people on both sides of the aisle. Plus: Brady vs. Montana, Caitlin Clark, the Watt brothers for the White House, the most intimidating NFL players she covered, and the biggest surprise she’s encountered since entering politics. In this episode: Why Michele Tafoya left sports and entered politics Minnesota’s fraud scandals and the Nick Shirley effect Can a Republican win statewide in Minnesota? Why younger Americans are increasingly questioning capitalism Socialism, government spending and the national debt Immigration, ICE and voter ID Race, identity politics and being a Latina Republican Merit, education and the American Dream What the NFL taught Michele about competition and leadership Whether Washington can still produce bipartisan solutions Michele’s NFL lightning round The cultural and economic forces shaping America’s next decade Michele Tafoya joins Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein on Forged in America. Disclaimer: The Forged in America podcast features personal stories, experiences, and opinions from hosts Al Goldstein and Ravin Gandhi. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not investment advice, financial advice, solicitation of investments, or any form of professional recommendation.We strive for accuracy, but mistakes can happen and are unintentional. Nothing discussed should be relied upon for making financial, business, or personal decisions. Always consult qualified professionals before acting on anything you hear.Past performance or results mentioned do not guarantee future outcomes. Listeners are responsible for their own choices.

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4.5
out of 5
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About

Forged in America is a conversation between longtime friends & entrepreneurs Ravin Gandhi (GMM Nonstick Coatings) and Al Goldstein (Avant, Stoic Lane, Pangea) who have founded, built, and exited numerous businesses in addition to investing in dozens of successful startups. This podcast is about how consequential decisions actually get made under pressure—across business, investing, and the institutions shaping the USA. We break down how capital gets allocated, how leaders think in moments of uncertainty, and where smart systems—markets, companies, or political movements—develop blind spots.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein
  • Show Website
    Forged in America

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