Molecular Beings

Molecular Beings Podcast

Access the knowledge, breakthrough work & hard-won lessons of exceptional minds—so you can optimize your physical, mental & financial well-being.

Episodes

  1. Oct 6

    Tony James: Blackstone, Costco, and the Art of Spotting BS

    Costco's Chairman and Blackstone's former Executive Vice Chairman and President, TONY JAMES, reveals the kidney stone he fought through during Blackstone's IPO, why the $1.50 hot dog will never go up, and how he spots talent before people see it in themselves. Tony James helped build Blackstone into a global giant, led Costco's Series A in 1983, has served on Costco's board since 1988, and has chaired it since 2017. But the thread running through his career isn't money. It's an eye for value other people overlook: in a warehouse idea, in young bankers, and in everyday Americans whose futures he wants to strengthen. He sat down with Sophie to discuss: ■ The Blackstone IPO thriller ■ What he looks for to tell whether someone will be great or merely good ■ How to build an organization that produces top talent ■ Why he bought his former team back, years after they left ■ Where AI is creating real value in private equity and medicine ■ Whether AI will replace doctors ■ What's in the Costco chairman's cart, and his hot dog order ■ How Costco pays workers well and still wins ■ His work to make healthcare and education more affordable, and retirement more secure ■ How he stays right when nobody will tell him he's wrong 00:00:00 Episode Trailer 00:00:24 Meet Tony James 00:01:04 Why He Encouraged Sophie to Build 00:02:16 The Blackstone IPO Thriller 00:12:42 How He Spots and Backs Exceptional Talent 00:27:00 How to Build an Organization That Produces Top Talent 00:28:06 How He Sees What Others Miss 00:35:34 How He Makes High-Stakes Decisions 00:37:09 AI and the Future of Investing 00:43:16 Why He Backed Costco 00:46:35 Inside the Costco Chairman’s Cart 00:54:14 How Costco Pays Workers Well and Still Wins 00:58:54 AI, Mount Sinai and the Future of Healthcare 01:03:24 Will AI Replace Doctors? 01:06:26 The Cost of Living Longer 01:11:49 Why Retirement Is Getting Harder 01:22:27 Rethinking Student Loans 01:25:20 Why a Billionaire Works on Solutions for Everyday Americans 01:30:03 What Still Drives Him 01:32:50 Rich Men, Pretty Women Never Hear The Truth 01:38:02 What Money Can’t Change 01:45:11 Rapid Fire 01:50:26 What He Wishes He Knew at 25 01:52:23 Why HBCUs Matter to Him This episode is for informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, legal, or medical advice. Molecular Beings is owned and operated by B.A.I. Biosciences, Inc.

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Access the knowledge, breakthrough work & hard-won lessons of exceptional minds—so you can optimize your physical, mental & financial well-being.

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