Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan

The Storytellers Company

The world is crying out for new leaders, greater transparency and more original thinking to solve our biggest problems in business and society. Our Host, Rob Ryan has conversations with these people every week. Since 2020, we’ve faced a global pandemic, rapid technological change, and political, economic, and cultural disruption. We believe the world needs more entrepreneurial thinkers—not just more entrepreneurs or executives—across every sector and segment of society and industry. We’re here to introduce you to some of the best and brightest people from here in California and across the 🌎.

  1. Jun 11

    Ep 213: "What 6 Months of Conversations With Amazing Entrepreneurial Thinkers Taught Me" with Rob Ryan pt. 1

    What happens when you spend half a year picking the brains of the world’s most disruptive founders, tech leaders, and community architects? You get a crystal-clear map of where the world is heading right now. In this special reflection episode, host Rob Ryan looks back at the invaluable lessons learned from six months of intense entrepreneurial conversations. From the compounding speed of tech acceleration and the irreplaceable value of human judgment, to the deep business need for trust and community, Rob unpacks the major themes defining the future of innovation in 2026. Whether you are a startup founder or an industry leader, this episode is your masterclass in what it takes to build, survive, and thrive in the modern economy. Feel free to follow and engage with GUEST here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamrobryan/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@iamrobryanWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

    16 min
  2. Jun 4

    Ep 212: "Reimagining a Modern City: The Great Reset 🏙️🔥" with Jerome Chang

    Do you ever feel like you’re living in a physical world built for the 1990’s? In this fascinating interview, Jerome Chang, founder of BLANKSPACES, the originator of the co-working concept here in Los Angeles, shares his expertise in architecture, design, urban development, the evolution of workspaces and the future of city planning, with our host Rob Ryan. They explore how our cities arrived at the world we inhabit in 2026, and how we go forward from here! Discover how historical policies, architectural design, and community involvement shape our cities and what the future holds for sustainable, vibrant neighborhoods and workplaces. Feel free to follow and engage with Jerome Chang here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromechang/ Pro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blankspaces/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeromeusa1/Website: https://www.blankspaces.com/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the humanity of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind the reimagining of our world. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows anywhere you enjoy your podcasts, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers, with Rob Ryan.” Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team

    1h 24m
  3. Ep 211: "Soccer, Stadiums and World Class Guest Experiences" with Christian Lau

    May 28

    Ep 211: "Soccer, Stadiums and World Class Guest Experiences" with Christian Lau

    What if you could walk into a packed stadium, grab a drink, and head straight to your seat—without ever pulling out a ticket, your wallet or standing in forever lines? In this very timely conversation, considering the upcoming World Cup 2026, Rob is joined by Christian Lau, Chief Technology Officer of LAFC (Los Angeles Football Club of the MLS), and BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, who shares his leadership insights into how technology is transforming the fan experience at stadiums worldwide, blending AI, biometrics, and seamless design to create frictionless, memorable events whether it be sports, concerts or other events. Discover how innovative stadium technology and human centered design can redefine live entertainment and sports, and learn practical lessons for industry leaders who want to build the crowd-pleasing experiences of tomorrow. Feel free to follow and engage with GUEST here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianlau/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianmlau/Website: https://www.lafc.com/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories and leadership thinking of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind our growing entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends because that’s how we grow this show. You can find our shows wherever you enjoy your podcasts, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers, with Rob Ryan”. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

    1h 12m
  4. May 21

    Ep 210: "Modernizing Food: Deep Science is Personalizing Nutrition" with Priyanka Srinivas

    Are we completely rewriting the playbook on how humanity eats? 🧬🌱 Can we make food more accessible, less costly and better for us, all at once? In this very insightful interview, Priyanka Srinivas, Co-founder and Chief Hustle Officer of De3pbio, explores the world of food science, personalized nutrition, and the role of deep technology in transforming how we eat. Discover how science is shifting from mass production to creating better, more nutritious, and personalized foods that could revolutionize global food systems. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a foodie, or an entrepreneur, you won't want to miss a single second of this conversation about the deep-tech revolution coming to your dinner plate. Feel free to follow and engage with Priyanka Srinivas here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prisrinivas/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priinchiWebsite: https://de3pbio.com/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, creators and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows wherever you enjoy listening to or watching your favorite podcasts at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers, with Rob Ryan.” Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

    1h 13m
  5. May 14

    Ep 209: "Keeping Sports Accessible for All Fans" with Sebastien Bellin & Diederik Bots

    Are modern day sports experiences only for the rich VIPS? Can teams afford to lose their working class fans? Join us as we explore the visionary work of two former professional athletes, turned co-founders, Sebastien Bellin and Diederik Bots, of YouTopia Sports. These two are integrating technology and media to revolutionize the sports fan experience and empower clubs and teams to connect more richly with their fan communities. Discover insights on fan engagement, data-driven loyalty, and the power of immersive ecosystems in modern athletics. In this forward-thinking conversation, Sebastien and Diederik share the journey of building YouTopia Sports, a platform dedicated to bridging the gap between live events and digital media. They discuss the importance of inclusive community building, sustainable monetization, and the impact of technological innovation in transforming the global sports industry. Feel free to follow and engage with GUEST here: Sebastien LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-bellin-29749b6/Diederik LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbots/YouTopia Sports LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youtopia-sports/posts/?feedView=allWebsite: https://www.youtopia-sports.com/We're so grateful to you, our growing audience interested in the best and brightest entrepreneurial thinking behind our greatest challenges and opportunities in today’s world. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows wherever you enjoy your favorite podcasts, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers, with Rob Ryan.” Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!,Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

    1h 22m
  6. Apr 30

    Ep 207: "Los Angeles’ Millennial Governance Whisperer" with Nicholas Caputo

    What if the reason your city feels inefficient, confusing, or stuck… is actually fixable? In this episode, Nick Caputo—founder of Caputo Strategies and the non-profit, Livable Advanced LA, breaks down how local government really works (and why it often doesn’t). From his journey moving from Chicago to Los Angeles to his mission to reform LA’s city charter, Nick shares fresh, practical ideas on making government more transparent, responsive, and effective. We also explore how social media is becoming an unexpected tool to simplify complex systems and empower everyday citizens. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from how your city is run, this conversation will change the way you see local leadership and your role in it. Feel free to follow and engage with NICHOLAS here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/npcaputo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nickcaputo_Threads: https://www.threads.com/@_nickcaputo_Website: https://caputostrategies.com/Website: https://www.livableadvancedla.org/aboutWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and at our “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers 04:55 Understanding Charter Reform 16:48 The Importance of Charter Reform 23:01 Engaging the Community in Governance 26:54 The Power of Social Media as a Journal 28:28 Feedback and Community Engagement 30:30 Journaling and Creative Expression 32:24 Demystifying Government and Civic Engagement 33:21 Personal Connection to Los Angeles 37:18 Risk Tolerance and Entrepreneurial Spirit in LA 38:42 Accessibility and Civic Involvement 47:13 The Future of Politics and Personal Aspirations 50:39 Stabilizing Governance: The Current Election Cycle 52:23 Repairing Infrastructure: The Path Forward 54:36 Growth and Development: Building for the Future 56:16 Caputo Strategies: Empowering Small Businesses 01:00:41 AI in Governance: Opportunities and Challenges 01:07:15 Assessing Leadership: Criteria for Effective Governance 01:12:57 Getting Involved: Engaging with Local Communities

    1h 23m
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The world is crying out for new leaders, greater transparency and more original thinking to solve our biggest problems in business and society. Our Host, Rob Ryan has conversations with these people every week. Since 2020, we’ve faced a global pandemic, rapid technological change, and political, economic, and cultural disruption. We believe the world needs more entrepreneurial thinkers—not just more entrepreneurs or executives—across every sector and segment of society and industry. We’re here to introduce you to some of the best and brightest people from here in California and across the 🌎.