Glue Guys

Glue Guys

Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta are coming together to cut across the worlds of sports and business and dissect the subtle art of making others better. Glue Guys explores the qualities that make individuals become better leaders, teammates, and humans alongside a trio with those same ambitions. In each episode, you’ll hear candid conversations on themes and life lessons drawn from their own high-stakes experiences. From strategies for effective teamwork to personal stories of success, the podcast covers a broad range of topics relevant to anyone looking to make an impact in their respective fields.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    The Dark Side of Athletic Competition

    Who are you competing against? Diving into personal stories and insights, Alex, Shane, and Ravi examine the evolution from external to internal motivation across different phases of life and careers. Their competitive drives are on full display, from Shane’s fear of an unknown competitor to Alex tracking his Elite 11 peers in high school. The conversation takes an introspective turn as they discuss parenting, the challenges of transitioning from pro sports to business careers, and the importance of defining what game you're really playing. The Glue Guys give an honest look into how top performers think about finding purpose beyond competition and the value of being intentional about your goals. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Learn About Ramp (00:03:15) Defining Success: Internal vs External Competition (00:05:44) High School Rivalries and the Drive to Prove Oneself (00:07:42) The Evolution of Competition: From Peers to Self (00:11:39) The Fear of the Unknown: A Powerful Motivator (00:23:22) Adapting to Change: The Journey of an Aging Athlete (00:37:12) Fatherhood and Internal Motivation (00:39:17) The Unique Path and Role Models (00:42:21) The Impact of External Motivators (00:49:02) Parenting and Internal Motivation (00:54:23) Defining Personal Goals and Competition (01:00:28) The Power of Visualization and Goals

    1h 9m
  2. FEB 13

    What Makes The Perfect Team?

    Join Alex, Shane, and Ravi as they dive deep into what makes great teams tick. The hosts share personal stories from their sports and business careers, discussing key elements like earned inclusion, trust, and celebrating the work. From QB rooms to startup culture, they explore how the best teams balance fun and achievement while maintaining strong bonds. The conversation touches on both championship-winning moments and underappreciated experiences, offering insights on how to build and appreciate meaningful team dynamics at any scale. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Learn About Ramp (00:01:48) The Concept of Teams Within Teams (00:04:06) Favorite Teams and Their Dynamics (00:06:42) Instacart: A Unique Team Experience (00:11:37) Quarterback Room Dynamics (00:17:54) Special Teams and Shared Experiences (00:24:56) The Instacart Experience (00:26:41) Team Dynamics and Personal Stories (00:28:36) Balancing Work and Fun (00:35:26) Brand Loyalty and Inside Jokes (00:37:03) Reflecting on a Memorable Season (00:39:52) Cherishing Team Experiences (00:44:00) The Importance of Enjoying the Journey (00:48:15) The Value of Being Relied Upon (00:57:12) Creating Fun and Memorable Moments (01:10:25) Final Thoughts on Team Dynamics

    1h 12m
  3. Tedy Bruschi - The Champion’s Comeback

    FEB 6

    Tedy Bruschi - The Champion’s Comeback

    Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi joins the Glue Guys to share how he went from wearing tennis shoes to football tryouts to becoming one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. Tedy learned different kinds of strength from three Hall of Fame coaches—Bill Parcell, Pete Carroll, and Bill Belichick. But when a stroke threatened his life at the peak of his career, this three-time Super Bowl champion discovered a power no coach had taught him: the strength that comes from the team around you. Join Alex, Shane, and Ravi as Tedy reveals how this lesson transformed not just his recovery but his understanding of what it truly means to be unbeatable. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Learn About Ramp (00:03:19) High School Football Journey (00:05:22) College Recruitment and Challenges (00:10:05) Transition to the NFL (00:15:00) Rookie Year and Learning Curve (00:27:06) Coaching Transitions and Growth (00:32:07) Belichick's Leadership Style (00:33:39) The Struggles of Early Belichick Era (00:34:56) Building a Winning Culture (00:36:37) The Importance of Team Synergy (00:37:49) Belichick's Unique Approach to Coaching (00:41:26) The Role of Fortune in Success (00:43:31) Teddy Bruschi's Stroke and Recovery (00:47:41) Rehabilitation and Family Support (00:53:29) Returning to Football After Stroke (01:01:42) Retirement and Reflections

    1h 3m
  4. JAN 30

    Fatherhood

    The guys dive deep into the complexities and joys of modern fatherhood. Alex, Shane, and Ravi share personal stories about their experiences - how they approach discipline differently than their own fathers did, their strategies for developing resilience in their children, and their wrestle with today’s parenting challenges like screen time and academic pressure. Through conversation about both their successes and struggles, they reveal how fatherhood has shaped them and their hopes for raising resilient, independent kids in today's world while maintaining their own identities and careers. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Learn about Ramp (00:02:32) Discussing Fatherhood (00:04:23) Parenting Reflections (00:9:35) Coaching and Parenting (00:12:54) Balancing Expectations (00:15:51) Parenting Challenges and Insights (00:22:44) Academic Expectations (00:33:23) Different Parenting Approaches (00:39:48) Parental Overprotection and Its Consequences (00:40:57) Intrinsic Motivation in Children (00:41:19) The Importance of Struggle and Failure (00:43:32) Discipline Methods: Then and Now (00:44:10) Personal Stories of Childhood Discipline (00:57:11) Parenting Fears and Reflections (01:08:50) Balancing Work and Family Life (01:12:58) Cherishing Time with Children

    1h 16m
  5. Michael Lewis - Arenas of American Ambition

    JAN 23

    Michael Lewis - Arenas of American Ambition

    How do you turn overlooked data into bestselling stories that change industries? Michael Lewis reveals his process for finding and telling groundbreaking narratives, from Moneyball to Flash Boys to The Big Short. He also explains how he came across Shane’s unique impact on basketball, and how Kobe Bryant secretly studied his profile––“No Stats All-Star”––to counter Shane’s tactics. Jump inside the mind of one of our favorite authors and leave with a clear (and surprisingly simple) sense of how to find extraordinary stories. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Learn about Ramp (00:02:08) Introducing Michael Lewis: A Career Overview (00:03:26) High School Football Memories: Reggie Bush and Beyond (00:08:20) Evaluating Quarterbacks: Talent and Processing (00:22:22) The Evolution of College Athletes (00:24:24) The Story Behind 'No Stats All-Star' (00:27:01) Shane Battier's Unique Defensive Techniques (00:34:17) Impact of Writing on Sports and Athletes (00:39:01) The Coal Miner Story and Public Service (00:45:17) The Art of Finding the Right Character (00:48:45) Revisiting Old Ideas (00:50:17) The Intersection of Sports and Finance (00:51:09) The Appeal of Competitive Environments (00:52:14) From Wall Street to Sports Writing (00:55:06) The Evolution of Analytics in Sports (00:56:34) The Art of Storytelling (00:57:51) Unique Jobs and Hidden Talents (01:01:04) The Value of Being Useful (01:05:17) Financial Literacy in Sports (01:07:17) The Future of NIL Deals

    1h 11m
  6. JAN 16

    2025: Got Goals?

    What does it mean to face a new year with purpose? The guys talk resolutions and the methods to their madness. From Shane's 'Jar of Awesome' to Alex's Hall of Fame induction, and Ravi sharing the art of saying ‘no,’ there is a lot to unpack headed into 2025. Learn practical methods for reflection and relationship-building and hear their takes on giving honest feedback and building trust. Whether you're managing a team, building a company, or just turning a page, getting consistently uncomfortable can be an unlock for all. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys (00:03:01) Setting Goals and Resolutions (00:05:33) Balancing Work and Life (00:08:58) Evaluating Success in Venture Capital (00:15:00) Cherishing Personal Moments (00:29:54) Navigating Team Dynamics (00:31:21) Lessons from Pat Riley (00:32:31) The Importance of Heat Culture (00:33:34) Coach K's Insights on Change (00:35:03) Leadership and Hard Truths (00:38:19) Consistency and Trust in Leadership (00:42:17) The Value of Honest Feedback (00:48:55) Balancing Professional and Personal Feedback (00:57:41) Becoming a Better Friend and Leader

    1 hr
  7. Coach K: Get On The Right Bus

    JAN 9

    Coach K: Get On The Right Bus

    This is Shane Battier. It’s hard to put into words what Coach Mike Krzyzewski has meant to me, but I’ll try. For four incredible years at Duke University, I learned from a man who redefined leadership, resilience, and what it means to chase excellence. His record speaks for itself—five national championships, 15 Final Four appearances, three Olympic gold medals—but those numbers barely scratch the surface of his impact. Coach K didn’t just teach me how to play basketball, he challenged me to grow as a leader and a person. He saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. And when I doubted, he reminded me, sometimes with a sharp truth, that I could—and should—rise to the occasion. In this episode, I’m honored to share some of the lessons, the laughs, and yes, even the hang-up-the-phone moments that defined my time under his guidance. Coach K is more than a basketball legend; he’s a teacher, a motivator, and a lifelong friend. I can’t wait to take you behind the scenes into a world where every play mattered, every standard was upheld, and every day was an opportunity to be better than yesterday. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  —- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys (00:04:47) Developing Elite Players (00:06:11) Leadership and Accountability (00:11:57) The Role of Managers (00:14:00) Adapting to One-and-Done Era (00:16:04) Standards and Team Culture (00:25:53) Learning from USA Basketball (00:39:51) The Impact of Professionalism on Young Athletes (00:41:11) Coach K's Unwavering Hunger and Drive (00:42:51) The Importance of Body Language and Enthusiasm (00:43:53) Recruiting Character Over Talent (00:45:31) The Changing Landscape of College Sports (00:50:13) Dealing with Self-Doubt and Failure (00:55:12) Celebrating Success and Defining Your Own (01:03:06) Lessons from Coach Knight (01:08:44) The Glue Guys in Coach K’s Life and Career

    1h 15m
  8. Fidji Simo: Harnessing Inner Power

    JAN 2

    Fidji Simo: Harnessing Inner Power

    From a family of fishermen in southern France to CEO of Instacart – Fidji Simo's path breaks every convention. After becoming her family's first high school graduate and attending France's leading university, she rose to lead the Facebook app before taking the helm at Instacart. She shares how she ‘finds the magic’ in people while delivering incredible outcomes. Beyond business, Fidji opens up about living with a rare genetic disease and how it led her to embrace vulnerability. This discussion is full of strategies for ambitious leaders who want to drive change while staying true to themselves. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus.  ---- Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/.  Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys (00:00:59) Introducing Fidji Simo: From Fishing Village to Tech Leader (00:02:47) Fidji's Humble Beginnings and Family Influence (00:05:32) Pursuing Dreams: Education and Early Career (00:08:36) Support Systems: The Role of Family and Mentors (00:10:27) Navigating Challenges: From Facebook Rejection to Success (00:17:11) Leadership Lessons from a Fishing Family (00:31:27) Breaking Through in Tech: Mentorship and Sponsorship (00:34:13) Working with Titans: Inside Facebook's Culture (00:36:16) Navigating Fame and Relatability as a CEO (00:38:44) Transitioning to Instacart: Challenges and Objectives (00:40:07) Implementing New Strategies for Growth (00:42:50) Personal Health Struggles and Professional Resilience (00:47:12) The Importance of Acceptance and Finding Joy (00:51:41) Cultivating a Growth Mindset (01:00:41) Building Strong Relationships and Team Dynamics (01:05:40) Unsung Heroes

    1h 7m
4.8
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta are coming together to cut across the worlds of sports and business and dissect the subtle art of making others better. Glue Guys explores the qualities that make individuals become better leaders, teammates, and humans alongside a trio with those same ambitions. In each episode, you’ll hear candid conversations on themes and life lessons drawn from their own high-stakes experiences. From strategies for effective teamwork to personal stories of success, the podcast covers a broad range of topics relevant to anyone looking to make an impact in their respective fields.

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