Forged in America

Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein
  • 4.3 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Forged in America is a conversation between longtime friends and entrepreneurs Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein who have built and sold numerous businesses. Al founded fintech unicorn Avant, national real estate firm Pangea, and Stoic Lane. Ravin founded GMM Nonstick Coatings, a $100M supplier to the housewares industry that served 40M Americans daily, and was acquired by $10B conglomerate Resonac. Al and Ravin are also experienced early stage investors, investing in deals such as Apptronik, KeyMe, Morning Consult, Kin Insurance, Hester Biosciences, Throne Labs, Natrion and Patient IQ that collectively have raised billions in funding.

  1. 4D AGO

    E31: Crowdstrike Co-Founder on Iran, China & Another American Century

    Ravin and Al welcome Dmitri Alperovitch, co-founder of CrowdStrike and cybersecurity expert, to discuss geopolitics, US-China relations, the Iran conflict, and the future of technology and defense. The values of strategic deterrence, supply chain resilience, and the implications of AI advancements are debated. From the implications of low-quality chips in AI development to the political landscape, this episode offers a comprehensive look at critical issues shaping our world. Dmitri also shares the vision behind founding Crowdstrike (CRWD), the $100B cybersecurity juggernaut. 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.

    1h 9m

  2. APR 12

    E30: Alex Krys: From Holyfield & Rolling Stones to $10B of RE

    Alex Krys shares his inspirational journey with Ravin and Al from touring with the Rolling Stones, to managing Evander Holyfield, to doing over $10B in Real Estate. The impact of serendipity and grit are themes of this episode, showing how it is impossible to predict where seemingly random connections will lead. You just can't give up. Alex also opines on the state of Argentina and Milei - to his undying passion for the USA and our capitalistic system which is the envy of the world. 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.

    53 min

  3. APR 10

    E29: Jeff Aronin: Billion-Dollar Breakthroughs—and Why Most Drugs Fail

    Jeff Aronin shares his origin journey with Ravin and Al of becoming passionate about biotech after one of his epilepsy drugs stopped a little girl from an unnecessary surgery. His path to creating many multi-billion dollar drugs is analyzed, as well as the problems with FDA approvals and risk/reward of biotech. Also the future of medicine with potential solutions for cancer and many other conditions. The amazing future of AI and drugs is talked about. The Iran war and the 2028 presidential race is discussed in depth. Parenting, values, and work ethic strategies are also shared. 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.

    1h 9m

  4. APR 7

    E28: Sam Yagan on Tinder, SparkNotes, and $50B of Deals

    Sam Yagan shares his inspiring origin story with Al and Ravin, from founding SparkNotes as a senior at Harvard to selling it for 50M just 9 months later. His 8-year journey at OKCupid culminating with a sale to Match Group/IAC is discussed, with the runaway success af Tinder. At peak, the market cap of his company was 50B. Sam also shares his thoughts on immigration, the venture market, and spotting the next big thing - even when it doesn't sound like it in the VC world. The value of elite colleges is debated, and also how to maintain harmony in business partnerships. 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.

    1h 5m

  5. APR 2

    E27: Alpha School's $1 Billion Bet on AI Education

    ALPHA SCHOOL's Mackenzie Price joins Ravin and Al to discuss the future of education, and how their unique school uses AI to teach K-12 tudents. Kids work with screens and guides for 2 hours, and then transition to projects in the afternoon to foment financial literacy, public speaking, and grit. They also discuss the broken model in modern America for education, and how AI might help the underserved in the USA. Mackenzie shares her journey founding Alpha School after growing frustrated, and securing $1B from entrpreneur Joe Liemandt. 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.

    1h 5m

  6. MAR 31

    E26: Jackie Reses built a $1.5B Fintech Rocketship

    Jackie Reses shares her inspiring story with Ravin and Al, from attending boarding school at age 14 to get away from an unstable home to starting businesses at the University of Pennsylvania. From Goldman Sachs to sitting on the Alibaba board, to starting a bank at Square to finally creating Lead Bank. She is candid about dealing with impostor syndrome, and the challenges of being an alpha woman who still struggles to be heard by "the country club." Jackie discusses how she builds team and culture, and the playbook to closing the best names in Silicon Valley as investors. Jackie also discusses her brother, who is Chief of Staff to VP Vance. She closes with thoughts on parenting, and stories of her successful children. 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.

    1h 8m

  7. MAR 25

    E25: Brent Beshore's Radical PE Model: No Debt, No Fees, 30 Year Holds

    Brent Beshore of Permanent Equity shares his unique approach to investing with Ravin and Al, including using no debt, 30 year holdtime, and eschewing the traditional 2/20 PE fund structure. He emphasizes the flexibility that his approach has given him to make long term discussions. The conversation then turns into Brent's deep Christian faith, as he shares his journey from existential dread and nihilism to finding meaning in life and happiness through faith. His previous struggles with pornography and alcohol are laid bare as he recounts the power of love and belief, and why he considers himself "the Forrest Gump of PE." 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.

    1 hr

  8. MAR 24

    E24: Black Rifle Coffee, Making $8 Billion, and Finding Jocko

    In this episode, investor Steven Taslitz takes Ravin and Al through key deals in his storied career including Black Rifle Coffee, Sylvan Learning, and School of Rock, and discovering Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. He emphasizes the value of the human relationships that are formed under pressure, whether on a competitive sports team or as co-founders. Steven discusses why he never wanted to raise a typical 2 and 20 PE fund, and how he has had success after success in a myriad of industries and through 150+ deals. The value of "straight talk" is discussed, and knowing what level of wealth you want to accumulate is. 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.

    1h 6m
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4.3
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Forged in America is a conversation between longtime friends and entrepreneurs Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein who have built and sold numerous businesses. Al founded fintech unicorn Avant, national real estate firm Pangea, and Stoic Lane. Ravin founded GMM Nonstick Coatings, a $100M supplier to the housewares industry that served 40M Americans daily, and was acquired by $10B conglomerate Resonac. Al and Ravin are also experienced early stage investors, investing in deals such as Apptronik, KeyMe, Morning Consult, Kin Insurance, Hester Biosciences, Throne Labs, Natrion and Patient IQ that collectively have raised billions in funding.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ravin Gandhi and Al Goldstein
  • Show Website
    Forged in America

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