Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan

The Storytellers Company
  • 5.0 (8)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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. 14H AGO

    Ep 205: "Local journalism is not dead, and LA is leading the way!” with Michele Siqueiros

    What happens when local news disappears—and who decides which stories get told? In this thought-provoking episode, Rob Ryan sits down with Michele Siqueiros, CEO of LA Local, to explore the critical role of local journalism in building trust, informing communities, and strengthening democracy. Michele shares her journey into nonprofit media, the challenges facing traditional news outlets, and how innovative, community-driven approaches are reshaping the future of journalism in Los Angeles. From crisis reporting to empowering the next generation of journalists, this conversation reveals why reliable, local information matters more than ever. Feel free to follow and engage with MICHELE here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-siqueiros/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele.siqueiros/Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hey.lalocal/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-la-local/Website: https://thelalocal.org/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to LA Local and Michele Siqueiros 04:35 The Importance of Non-Profit Media 05:30 Michele's Journey to LA Local 08:02 The Role of Local News in Crisis 11:11 Adapting to Digital News Consumption 13:24 The Landscape of News Media in LA 15:33 Collaboration Over Competition in Journalism 18:01 The Non-Profit Model of LA Local 22:17 The Vision and Mission of LA Local 25:18 Building a Sustainable Revenue Model 28:40 Partnerships with Other Media Outlets 33:37 Empowering Young Journalists 36:37 The Core Message of LA Local 38:22 Community Feedback and Engagement 41:52 Personal Reflections on Community Stories 45:57 Activating Local Democracy

    52 min

  2. APR 9

    Ep 204: "America’s Greatest Latino Business Network was born at Stanford!" with Arturo Cázares

    What if one of the most powerful forces driving the U.S. economy is still widely misunderstood? In this inspiring and data driven episode, Rob Ryan sits down with Arturo Cázares, CEO of the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), to unpack the rise of Latino entrepreneurship—and why it matters now more than ever. From his journey as a child immigrant to leading a national movement, Arturo shares powerful insights on leadership, community, and breaking through systemic barriers. This conversation dives into the real impact Latino founders are making, the misconceptions holding them back, and the practical mindset shifts entrepreneurs need to grow with purpose and resilience. Feel free to follow and engage with ARTURO here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturocazares/Business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LBANstrongBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbanstrong/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lbanstrong/Business X: https://x.com/LBANStrongWebsite: https://www.lban.us/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers and Arturo Cázares 14:02 The Economic Impact of Latino Entrepreneurship 28:44 Empowering Entrepreneurial Thinkers through LBAN 35:18 The Value of Community and Ecosystems 42:21 Future Aspirations and Scalability 49:03 Misconceptions About Latino Entrepreneurs 01:02:15 Navigating Overwhelm in Business

    1h 16m

  3. APR 2

    Ep 203: "The Secondary Offering is the New IPO!” with Antonia Rojas

    What if entrepreneurs and investors could take money off the table without giving up control of their company? In this eye-opening episode, Rob sits down with Antonia Rojas, Managing Partner at Attom Capital, to explore the rise of direct secondary offerings in Latin America—and why they’re changing the game for founders. The two discuss the history and context of Secondary Offerings, from unlocking liquidity to navigating emotional and strategic decisions. Antonia breaks down how this emerging approach is empowering entrepreneurs, reshaping capital flow, and opening new doors—especially for women in venture capital. Whether you're a founder, investor or just curious about how money really moves behind the scenes, this conversation offers fresh insights and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss. Feel free to follow and engage with ANTONIA here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniarojase/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antorojase/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/attom-capital/Website: https://www.attomcapital.com/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup 04:57 Understanding Direct Secondary Offerings 10:11 The Necessity of Secondary Capital 18:03 Building a Sustainable Ecosystem in Latin America 22:58 The Story Behind Attom Capital 30:00 The Business Model of Attom Capital 34:50 Navigating Deal Flow: Entrepreneurs and Investors 42:08 The Evolution of Secondary Markets in Latin America 49:57 Emerging Industries and the Role of Fintech 57:57 Actionable Steps for Entrepreneurs Considering Secondary Offerings

    1h 10m

  4. MAR 26

    Ep 202: "Hustle Culture is Killing Us- You Can do Better!" with Lynnette Astaire

    What if the very habits you think are driving your success are secretly killing you? In this powerful and unexpectedly personal conversation, Rob sits down with Wellness and Longevity Advisor, Lynnette Astaire to unpack the hidden cost of hustle culture — and why burnout is not the price of ambition. Together, they explore how high performers can shift from constant optimization to true sustainability by building a personal health baseline, understanding emotional triggers, and managing energy instead of just time. Lynnette shares the early warning signs of burnout most people ignore, the physiology behind clarity and resilience, and why aging doesn’t have to mean decline. They also dive into self-trust, self-love, and the deeper questions that unlock long-term growth — not just quick wins. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or simply someone who wants to feel better without doing more, this episode is a reminder that real success includes your health — and it’s built to last. Feel free to follow and engage with LYNNETTE here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnette-astaire/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnette.astaire/Website: https://www.lynnetteastaire.com/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:59 Meet Lynette Astaire: Wellness and Longevity Advisor 05:19 The Secret to Sustainable Success 11:14 Sustainability Over Optimization 17:15 The Outlier Perspective on Health 19:11 Common Symptoms of Burnout 23:07 Emotional Labor and Energy Leaks 37:23 Lynette's Business and Client Engagement 42:11 Vision for the Future: A Decade Ahead 44:31 Balancing High-Performance and Accessibility 45:01 Building Trust with High Performers 49:16 The Essence of Clarity: Physical and Emotional Well-being 53:58 Navigating Aging: Health Beliefs Across Decades 01:01:07 The Power of Self-Trust and Intuition 01:11:14 Questions for Self-Reflection and Growth

    1h 19m

  5. MAR 19

    Ep 201: "The Launch of TUYYO Foods; An Entrepreneurial Merger" with Jocelyn, Regina and Stefanie.

    What happens when three ambitious, successful, Latina food entrepreneurs join forces instead of going it alone? In this episode, our host, Rob Ryan sits down with Jocelyn Ramirez, Regina Trillo, and Stefanie Garcia Turner—the founders of the newly combined TUYYO Foods—to uncover the story behind their bold merger of their three independently successful food brands into one stronger company. They share insights on navigating the food industry, the power of collaboration over competition, and how community and cultural heritage guide their business decisions. Tune in to hear their journey, the strategy behind merging their brands, and their vision for a tastier, more connected future. Feel free to follow and engage with JOCELYN, REGINA and STEFANIE here: Jocelyn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyncramirez77Stefanie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-garcia-turnerRegina LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/regina-trillo-a5055711Jocelyn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_yoselinStefanie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefg11Regina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reginatrilloBusiness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tuyyofoodsBusiness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tuyyofoodsWebsite: https://tuyyofoods.comWe're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors, executives and community leaders interested in the human wisdom 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 Audio shows on Apple, Spotify and elsewhere, and our Video Podcast, at our “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring and empowering weekly conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

    1h 2m

  6. FEB 26

    Ep 200: "LA; The World in One City” with Mario X. Carrasco

    how do Angelenos see themselves? How does the world see Los Angeles? CEO of Cultural Insights Agency, ThinkNow, joins the show to release their latest marketing research report and discuss why Los Angeles is the Nation’s coming attractions! Life and Business happens here first, and the City is about to step onto the world’s biggest stage where the brand opportunities are massive. In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob Ryan sits down with Mario X. Carrasco, co-founder of cultural insight agency ThinkNow, to discuss what makes Los Angeles such a powerful engine for innovation, culture, and economic growth. With the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Summer Olympics & Paralympics all on their way to Los Angeles, they explore how culture shapes consumer behavior, where real opportunities are emerging, and what Entrepreneurs and Big Brand Executives need to understand now to stay ahead in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. DOWNLOAD THE ThinkNow L.A. REPORT HERE: https://la.thinknow.com/ Feel free to follow and engage with MARIO here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioxcarrasco/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mxcarrasco/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@mxcarrascoInstagram Business: https://www.instagram.com/thinknowglobalWebsite: https://thinknow.com/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurial Thinkers and Mario Carrasco 05:16 The World in One City: Understanding the Report 08:14 Los Angeles: A Hub of Economic Opportunity 11:10 Cultural Insights: The Identity of Los Angeles 13:58 The Future of America: Multiculturalism in Los Angeles 17:06 Marketing Strategies for a Diverse Audience 20:08 Neighborhood Microcultures in Los Angeles 23:14 The Importance of Localized Marketing 26:09 Engaging with the Community: Lessons for Brands 29:08 The Role of Sports and Cultural Events in Identity 32:15 Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Los Angeles 38:10 The Power of Team Apparel and Generational Trends 41:20 Community Engagement Through Watch Parties 46:22 Leveraging Data for Brand Opportunities 49:39 Understanding ThinkNow's Role in Cultural Insights 54:06 The Importance of Long-Term Client Relationships 59:00 Applying Insights for Civic Engagement 01:03:48 Key Takeaways from the World in One City Report

    1h 17m

  7. FEB 19

    Ep 199: "San Diego’s Entrepreneurial Success; Hidden in Plain Sight" with Neal Bloom

    What makes one city a magnet for founders while others struggle to keep talent around? In this episode, Rob Ryan talks with Neal Bloom about why San Diego has quietly become one of the most collaborative and founder-friendly entrepreneurial ecosystems in the country. Neal breaks down what really fuels innovation—community, connection, and what he calls “interaction density”—and why building a deep talent bench matters more than chasing hype. He also shares how Rising Tide Partners invests in people first, creates meaningful founder connections through initiatives like founders hikes, and sees untapped potential in cross-border collaboration with Tijuana. The conversation wraps with a look at how universities play a critical role in shaping thriving startup communities. Feel free to follow and engage with NEAL here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealbbloom/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/risingtidepartners/Website: https://www.risingtidepartners.co/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to San Diego's Entrepreneurial Landscape 06:44 The Unique Appeal of Southern California 09:33 San Diego's Entrepreneurial Economy: Strengths and Challenges 19:32 Snapshot of San Diego: Demographics and Industries 24:13 The Connected Device and Active Lifestyle Hub 26:41 The Evolution of Retail and Consumer Brands 29:40 Universities as Talent Conveyors 32:46 The Role of Startups in Ecosystem Development 36:42 Rising Tide Partners: Investing in Founders 44:46 Cross-Border Opportunities with Tijuana 49:16 Cross-Border Collaboration and Community Building 50:45 Cultural Integration and Political Climate 52:26 Re-Industrialization and Talent Development 55:59 The Importance of Community and Human Connection 01:01:49 Building a Talent Network and Community Engagement

    1h 15m

  8. FEB 12

    Ep 198: "Can We Teach Kids to be Entrepreneurs? Indiana Can!" with Logan Herzog

    What if the future of work isn’t about getting a job—but learning how to create jobs? In this episode of *Entrepreneurial Thinkers*, our host Rob Ryan sits down with Logan Herzog, Executive Director at RISE, an entrepreneurship program based in north western Indiana, to unpack the state of entrepreneurship education in the U.S. and why traditional schooling may be falling short for the next generation. Together, they explore how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining entrepreneurship, the real-world skills young people need to thrive in their careers, and how community-driven programs are empowering emerging entrepreneurial thinkers across the Midwestern USA and beyond. Logan also draws surprising parallels between entrepreneurial ecosystems in the U.S. and Latin America—and shares practical insights for anyone looking to turn ideas into action. Feel free to follow and engage with LOGAN here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-herzog-6526b09a/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logan.herzog/Website: https://raisingtheregion.org/We'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. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 05:37 The State of Entrepreneurship Education in the U.S. 09:50 Radically Different Approaches to Teaching Entrepreneurship 11:26 Geographic Influences on Entrepreneurship Education 13:38 Engagement of Gen Z and Gen Alpha in Entrepreneurship 19:58 Understanding Rise: Mission and Structure 23:56 Partnerships and Community Engagement 26:37 Success Stories from Rise's Alumni 30:49 The Economic Engine of the Midwest 33:44 Reimagining Urban Spaces and Community Engagement 35:52 Cultural Connections: Midwest and Latin America 40:37 Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems 46:06 Activating Entrepreneurial Communities 50:33 Defining Great Entrepreneurship 51:58 Skills for the Aspiring Entrepreneur

    1h 2m
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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 🌎.

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