The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership

Graystoke Networks
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Jess Larsen interviews exciting people and uncommonly high achievers including Billionaires, Pro Athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, Hollywood Actors like Danny Glover, New York Times Bestselling Authors, Tech Founders, Four-star Generals, World Class Musicians, Special Ops, VCs, Olympic Athletes, Non-Profit Leaders, Inventors and many more.

  1. 1D AGO

    What New Things is Jim Mellon investing in? | Investor, Jim Mellon

    We’re revisiting one of our most fascinating conversations on The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership. In this throwback episode, Jess sits down with billionaire investor, entrepreneur, and futurist Jim Mellon to explore the ideas shaping the future of business, technology, and human life itself. From his early days witnessing the rise of Silicon Valley alongside figures like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, to building a global investment career across emerging markets, Jim shares the mindset that has allowed him to navigate decades of constant change. He reflects on missed opportunities, the importance of curiosity, and why adaptability is no longer optional in today’s world. The conversation goes far beyond traditional investing. Jim dives into his work in longevity science, the future of food production, and the transformative potential of quantum computing and fusion energy. He also shares candid advice on how to think about risk, avoid hype cycles, and identify real opportunities in emerging industries. This episode is a deep look into how long-term thinkers approach innovation, uncertainty, and the future. If you’re interested in where the world is heading and how to position yourself ahead of it, this is a conversation worth revisiting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    43 min

  2. MAR 26

    Sold Kinkos to Fedex | Co-Founder of GameStop & Author, Gary Kusin

    This episode is a masterclass in leadership, scale, and hard-earned business wisdom. Jess sits down with Gary Kusin—founder of GameStop (formerly Babbage’s), former CEO of Kinko’s, and a leader behind one of the most impressive turnarounds in retail history—to unpack the lessons that shaped his career. Gary shares the real story behind taking Kinko’s from negative EBITDA to a $2.4B acquisition by FedEx, what it was like working directly with Fred Smith, and the leadership principles he developed through decades of building and advising companies. This conversation goes far beyond business tactics—it dives into accountability, culture, and what it truly takes to build teams that win. From raising capital to making tough calls as a CEO, Gary breaks down the difference between theory and reality in leadership. If you’re a founder, operator, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge how you think about performance, people, and long-term success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    57 min

  3. MAR 19

    AI Robots Are Here | Realbotix CEO, Andrew Kiguel

    From Wall Street to humanoid robotics, Andrew Kiguel has built a career at the edge of what’s next—and in this episode, he sits down with Jess to unpack what it actually takes to bet on the future before it’s obvious. Andrew, CEO of Realbotix, shares how his journey through investment banking, crypto mining, and high-growth ventures led him to one of the most controversial and fascinating frontiers today: human-like AI robots. From building a $140M revenue crypto company to now developing lifelike robots that can see, speak, and emotionally interact, Andrew explains why he believes robotics will move beyond novelty into real, human-centered utility. The conversation dives into big, uncomfortable questions—loneliness, human connection, and whether AI should supplement or replace parts of our lives. Andrew breaks down how Realbotix is approaching this differently: designing robots that feel human, not mechanical, and focusing on real-world use cases like elder care, hospitality, education, and companionship. But this episode is just as much about entrepreneurship as it is about technology. Andrew shares hard-earned lessons on raising capital, managing self-doubt, making high-stakes decisions, and building conviction when everyone else thinks you’re wrong. It’s a candid look at what it feels like to operate in uncertainty—and why the biggest opportunities often live there. This is a conversation about risk, vision, and the future of human-AI interaction—and what it really means to build something bold when the world isn’t quite ready for it yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min

  4. MAR 12

    Ai, 1 Million Customers, and $1.7B Company Valuation | ZenBusiness CEO, Ross Burhdorf

    In this episode, Jess sits down with Ross Buhrdorf, Co-Founder and CEO of ZenBusiness, to unpack what it really takes to build companies that matter. From helping lead HomeAway through its massive growth and $3.9 billion exit to Expedia, to building ZenBusiness into a billion-dollar platform serving entrepreneurs across America, Ross shares lessons from the front lines of scaling, fundraising, product-market fit, and leadership. He explains why small businesses are the backbone of the economy, how AI is transforming execution inside modern companies, and why the future belongs to builders who show up, pay attention, and keep moving. This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, team-building, and creating products people truly need. If you’re building something of your own—or thinking about starting—this episode is full of hard-won insight from someone who’s done it at the highest level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  5. MAR 5

    Outcove and The Super Connector Advantage | Austin Capital Managing Partner, Noah Berkson

    What if the most powerful business strategy today isn’t AI, automation, or scale… but relationships? In this episode of The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership, Jess sits down with serial entrepreneur and investor Noah Berkson to talk about the surprising power of real human connection in a digital world. Noah shares how he went from a self-described terrible student with ADHD to building and exiting multiple companies—including a recent sale of his farmland marketplace—by focusing on relationships, curiosity, and relentless momentum. The conversation explores why in-person gatherings still outperform online networking, how Noah built a reputation as a “super connector,” and why generosity and introductions can unlock opportunities that strategy alone never will. They also dive into lessons from Noah’s entrepreneurial journey—from selling companies and investing through Austin Capital to launching curated events like Outcove, designed to bring extraordinary people together in ways that spark real collaboration. If you’re building a company, investing, or simply trying to create more meaningful opportunities in your life, this episode is a powerful reminder: the right relationship can change everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    50 min

  6. FEB 26

    How to Overcome Time Anxiety | Author, Nir Eyal

    In this episode, Jess sits down with bestselling author Nir Eyal to unpack his newest book, Beyond Belief — and the conversation goes far deeper than productivity hacks or surface-level motivation advice. Nir, the author of Hooked and Indistractable, explains why knowing what to do isn’t the problem. We already have more information than ever. The real challenge is understanding why we don’t do what we know we should. He breaks down the hidden power of belief — how limiting beliefs quietly sabotage performance, relationships, and even health — and how shifting perspective can unlock persistence, clarity, and focus. What makes this conversation powerful is that it’s not theoretical. Jess steps into the hot seat and works through his own internal tension around time, ambition, and self-expectation. It turns into a candid, almost therapeutic exploration of identity, pressure, and what it really means to live up to your potential. If you’ve ever felt stuck despite knowing exactly what to do next, this one will hit home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    45 min

  7. FEB 19

    Homeless to Tier 1 Special Ops | World Record Breaker, Dean Stott

    What does it take to jump into a war zone, break a world record, and still come home grounded? In this episode of The Jess Larsen Show, Jess sits down with former Tier 1 Special Boat Service operator Dean Stott to unpack a life that sounds like fiction—but isn’t. Dean shares what it really means to pass one of the world’s toughest special forces selections, why humility and integrity matter more than bravado, and how mindset separates those who quit from those who finish. He opens up about undercover missions, high-risk evacuations in Libya and Israel, and the moment a parachute accident ended his military career. Instead of spiraling, he reinvented himself—cycling 14,000 miles from Argentina to Alaska, breaking world records, and raising over $1.4 million for mental health. But this conversation goes deeper than adrenaline. It’s about identity, purpose, discipline, and building a life that means something long after the medals fade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 25m

  8. FEB 12

    CEO of Booking Holding | CEO & President, Glenn Fogel

    We’re revisiting one of our standout conversations on The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership. In this throwback episode, Jess sits down with Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, to unpack the leadership story behind one of the internet’s most remarkable growth narratives. From navigating the dot-com crash to steering through global uncertainty and economic downturns, Glenn shares how long-term thinking, disciplined execution, and relentless focus on product and service helped transform Booking Holdings into a company with a market cap exceeding $55 billion. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, strategic optimism, and scaling through volatility. If you’re building, leading, or investing in innovation, this episode is worth a revisit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    49 min
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4.6
out of 5
304 Ratings

About

Jess Larsen interviews exciting people and uncommonly high achievers including Billionaires, Pro Athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, Hollywood Actors like Danny Glover, New York Times Bestselling Authors, Tech Founders, Four-star Generals, World Class Musicians, Special Ops, VCs, Olympic Athletes, Non-Profit Leaders, Inventors and many more.

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