The Long Game with Eric Becker

Eric Becker

There are more than 30 million businesses in the United States alone. Within ten years, nearly 70% will disappear, and in a century, fewer than half of one percent will remain. In a culture obsessed with speed, scale, and short-term wins, is it still possible to build something that lasts? The answer is yes. The Long Game is a podcast from bestselling author and entrepreneur Eric Becker, Founder and Chairman of Cresset, a multi-family office managing over $235B in assets. Inspired by his book, the series explores what transforms early success into enduring relevance. Each episode features candid conversations with founders, CEOs, and multigenerational leaders behind iconic organizations. From global brands to family enterprises, guests share the decisions, discipline, and long-term thinking required to evolve from startup to scale, and from market leader to lasting legacy. While many companies are built for exit, Becker makes a different case: build as if you'll own the business for the next century. Building a business worth buying strengthens decision-making, deepens culture, and ultimately increases enterprise value. For leaders and the more than 580 million entrepreneurs worldwide, The Long Game offers a blueprint for building something designed to endure. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-with-eric-becker/id1896628025 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/033g1SCSMkQQXnNfn2SQV9 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@cressetwealth/podcasts Eric Becker https://cressetcapital.com/about/team/eric-becker/ Eric Becker LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/ The Long Game book https://longgamebook.com/ Podcast web page https://cressetcapital.com/podcasts/entrepreneurs/

  1. Jul 7 ·  Video

    How Great Leaders Will Emerge During the AI Revolution: Bob Safian

    Bob Safian, former Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company and host of Rapid Response, has been described as having a "near clairvoyant ability" to spot emerging business trends early. Bob joins Eric Becker on The Long Game for a conversation on leadership, innovation, and the companies he's identified as category-defining.   In this episode, Bob breaks down what makes a founder truly "backable," drawing from his experience profiling early-stage leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Brian Chesky. He explores the patterns that show up again and again in companies that go on to define entire industries.   Eric and Bob also dive into the future of AI and what it means for productivity, how it will reshape the workforce, and why the next decade will reward people who can adapt quickly and make disciplined decisions in times of uncertainty.   Key Takeaways: 1. Why storytelling and strategy are closely aligned in great companies 2. The traits that consistently show up in successful founders 3. The most important qualities leaders need to succeed in an AI world 4. How great leaders balance conviction with flexibility in times of uncertainty   For founders, executives and entrepreneurs, this episode is a deep dive into how successful companies are built through clarity of principles, disciplined decision-making, and the ability to pivot when everything changes.   Listen and subscribe: Subscribe to Cresset Podcasts Newsletter: https://cressetcapital.com/podcasts/entrepreneurs/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-with-eric-becker/id1896628025 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033g1SCSMkQQXnNfn2SQV9 YouTube: https://youtu.be/-02BOp7j6Ek  Bob Safian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-safian/ Rapid Response Podcast: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/ Eric Becker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/ Eric Becker: https://cressetcapital.com/about/team/eric-becker/ The Long Game book: https://longgamebook.com/

    47 min
  2. Jun 23 ·  Video

    Mindy Grossman on Reinventing Retail Culture: Lessons from Oprah, Nike, and Ralph Lauren

    Listen and subscribe: Subscribe to Cresset Podcasts Newsletter: https://cressetcapital.com/podcasts/entrepreneurs/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-with-eric-becker/id1896628025 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033g1SCSMkQQXnNfn2SQV9 YouTube: https://youtu.be/nb-a79chZrQ  Mindy Grossman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-grossman The Consello Group: https://consello.com/ Eric Becker LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/ Eric Becker: https://cressetcapital.com/about/team/eric-becker/ The Long Game book: https://longgamebook.com/ Mindy Grossman is an experienced retail leader who spent her career building and scaling some of the world's most iconic brands, from Nike to Ralph Lauren to contributing to the evolution of HSN's retail ecosystem. Throughout her career, Mindy has helped organizations navigate change and pursue growth through strategic leadership and innovation. A relationship-driven mentor and a true architect of modern retail culture, Mindy joins Eric Becker to explore the defining moments, bold decisions, and leadership philosophy behind her extraordinary career in retail. Mindy shares behind-the-scenes stories from working alongside legendary founders like Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Phil Knight, Barry Diller and Oprah Winfrey, and what it really takes to revitalize legacy brands, build a strong company culture and consistently turn disruption into long-term opportunity. Key Takeaways: 1. Transformation lessons from Nike, Ralph Lauren, and HSN — and what drives lasting business growth 2. Why consumer obsession is the foundation of strong brands and authentic company cultures 3. How to lead through crisis, disruption, and uncertainty while embracing calculated risk 4. The importance of making values-based decisions, including knowing when to walk away 5. Mindy's "Purpose Filter" framework for navigating opportunities, challenges, and career decisions For founders, executives, and entrepreneurs, this episode explores leadership and retail culture transformation, and what it really takes to renew iconic brands by focusing on the fundamentals.

    1 hr
  3. Jun 9 ·  Video

    United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby: Big Bets Leading the World's Largest Airline

    Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, joins Eric Becker to discuss what it takes to lead the world's largest airline through periods of crisis and transformation. As United celebrates its 100th anniversary, Scott shares how he approaches leadership with a "startup mindset," and how the airline is elevating the customer experience through technology and radical transparency.   Key Takeaways: How United created a "startup mindset" inside a 100-year-old company How technology is reshaping the future of air travel The leadership lesson behind the "No Excuses, Sir" philosophy How United is creating a culture of "Wow" for its customers Why great CEOs protect time for thinking, curiosity, and challenging conventional wisdom   For founders, executives, and leaders navigating uncertainty, this episode offers an inside look at the mindset, systems, and decision-making behind one of the world's most complex businesses.   Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-with-eric-becker/id1896628025 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/033g1SCSMkQQXnNfn2SQV9 YouTube https://youtu.be/TvuOYCVk0sg  Scott Kirby LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jscott-kirby/ United Airlines https://www.united.com/en/us Eric Becker LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/  Eric Becker https://cressetcapital.com/about/team/eric-becker/  The Long Game book https://longgamebook.com/  Cresset website https://cressetcapital.com/podcasts/entrepreneurs/

    29 min
  4. May 25 ·  Video

    Biltmore Estate's Fifth-Generation Legacy

    What does it take to preserve America's largest privately owned home for five generations? Ryan Cecil and Chase Pickering, descendants of George Vanderbilt and fifth generation leaders of the historic Biltmore Estate, join Eric Becker to share the story behind one of America's most iconic families and the estate they've called home for over 130 years. From the Great Depression to World War II to COVID-19, they reveal the lessons learned across generations, the mic-drop moments that defined their family legacy, and the "can't stand still" philosophy that's made Biltmore one of the most visited historic homes in the United States.   Ryan and Chase also share insights into the family's governance, offering a rare glimpse at how legacy families operate, including high-stakes decision-making, conflict-resolution and succession planning.    Key Takeaways: How to be a super steward and grow a multi-generational family business Best practices for succession planning and governance How to balance tradition with innovation Why great businesses need a "can't stand still" mindset A masterclass in stewardship that blends tradition, innovation and long-term vision. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/biltmore-estates-fifth-generation-legacy/id1896628025?i=1000769554249  Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CWN1YCHearFB8o9UqAUgN?si=YB2L6DCYS_qPyhHGEIBh1w  YouTube https://youtu.be/gsrWw-EGQ-c  Chase Pickering LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chase-pickering-8027047/  Biltmore https://www.biltmore.com/  Eric Becker LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/  Eric Becker https://cressetcapital.com/about/team/eric-becker/  The Long Game book https://longgamebook.com/  Cresset website https://cressetcapital.com/podcasts/entrepreneurs/

    52 min
5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

There are more than 30 million businesses in the United States alone. Within ten years, nearly 70% will disappear, and in a century, fewer than half of one percent will remain. In a culture obsessed with speed, scale, and short-term wins, is it still possible to build something that lasts? The answer is yes. The Long Game is a podcast from bestselling author and entrepreneur Eric Becker, Founder and Chairman of Cresset, a multi-family office managing over $235B in assets. Inspired by his book, the series explores what transforms early success into enduring relevance. Each episode features candid conversations with founders, CEOs, and multigenerational leaders behind iconic organizations. From global brands to family enterprises, guests share the decisions, discipline, and long-term thinking required to evolve from startup to scale, and from market leader to lasting legacy. While many companies are built for exit, Becker makes a different case: build as if you'll own the business for the next century. Building a business worth buying strengthens decision-making, deepens culture, and ultimately increases enterprise value. For leaders and the more than 580 million entrepreneurs worldwide, The Long Game offers a blueprint for building something designed to endure. Listen and subscribe: Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-game-with-eric-becker/id1896628025 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/033g1SCSMkQQXnNfn2SQV9 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@cressetwealth/podcasts Eric Becker https://cressetcapital.com/about/team/eric-becker/ Eric Becker LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebecker1/ The Long Game book https://longgamebook.com/ Podcast web page https://cressetcapital.com/podcasts/entrepreneurs/

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