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. 4d ago

    Ep 219: " Hypergrowth to Uncertainty: Rethinking Work & Offices in 2026” with Alvaro Villar Lopez

    What do you do when the world stops behaving the way it used to? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, I sit down with my friend Álvaro López from Mexico City, Regional Head of Sales for Latin America at WeWork and founder of HausLoop. Together, we explore what it really means to lead through uncertainty. From helping build and rebuild WeWork across Latin America during one of the most extraordinary chapters in modern business history to launching his own technology startup, Álvaro shares how his thinking has evolved from chasing growth to embracing adaptability. But what surprised me most wasn't our conversation about offices or real estate—it was our conversation about leadership. We discuss why the best salespeople spend more time listening than talking, why influence has replaced persuasion, why flexibility has become one of the world's most valuable business assets, and why the leaders who will thrive over the next decade won't be the ones who can predict the future—they'll be the ones who can continually adapt to it. Whether you're building a startup, leading a global organization, or simply trying to navigate an increasingly unpredictable world, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that entrepreneurial thinking isn't about having all the answers. It's about developing the mindset to keep learning long after everyone else thinks they've found them. Feel free to follow and engage with Alvaro here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-villar-/?originalSubdomain=mx X: https://x.com/AlvaroVillarL/ Website: https://www.wework.com/es-LA 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.

  2. Jul 16

    Ep 218: "Does It Really Have to Be This Way? Breaking Precedent!” with Leah Solivan

    What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of talent or opportunity—but a rule you've never stopped to question? This week on Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob Ryan sits down with entrepreneur, investor, engineer, and TaskRabbit founder Leah Solivan for a conversation that goes far beyond startups and venture capital. Together, they explore the invisible "precedents" that quietly shape our careers, our businesses, and even our identities—and why the people who change the world are often the ones willing to ask a deceptively simple question: Does it really have to be this way? From building and selling one of the companies that helped define the gig economy, TaskRabbit, to IKEA, to launching Precedent VC and championing a new generation of founders, Leah shares how curiosity, independent thinking, and the courage to challenge convention have shaped every chapter of her journey. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to think differently about your own future, this conversation is a reminder that every meaningful breakthrough begins by questioning the assumptions everyone else accepts. Feel free to follow and engage with Leah here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahsolivan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leah_solivan/ X: https://x.com/labunleashed Website: https://www.leahsolivan.com/precedentvc 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.

  3. Jul 9

    Ep 217: "The Missing Middle: How Great Ideas Change the World" with Rohit Shukla

    What if we've been thinking about innovation all wrong? For more than forty years, Rohit Shukla has worked quietly behind the scenes with entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, universities, governments, and global institutions to help turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Along the way, he's helped thousands of innovators. Yet his greatest insight may be that innovation isn't about startups or venture capital at all—it's about building resilient systems and connecting the people, institutions, and ideas that too often exist in isolation. In what became one of the longest conversations in the history of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rohit and I explore why the world doesn't simply need more entrepreneurs—we need more entrepreneurial thinkers across every sector of society. We discuss the "missing middle" that helps transformative ideas reach the people who need them most, why resilience may be the defining challenge of our generation, how Los Angeles could become one of the world's great laboratories for innovation, and why solving tomorrow's biggest problems will require us to think beyond silos and toward ecosystems. This is a masterclass in how remarkable societies—and remarkable leaders—learn to imagine, build, and evolve together. Feel free to follow and engage with Rohit here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-shukla-23810/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lartainstitute?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Website: https://larta.org/directors-cpt/rohit-shukla/ 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.

  4. Jul 2

    Ep 216: "Travel, Curiosity and Human Connection" with Sarah Dandashy

    What if the best trip you'll ever take doesn't begin with a passport... but with a different perspective? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob Ryan sits down with luxury hospitality expert, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and Ask A Concierge founder Sarah Dandashy for a conversation that goes far beyond travel. Together they explore why the experiences that change us most aren't always the ones that cost the most, how genuine hospitality can transform relationships, what the travel industry reveals about today's rapidly changing world, and why curiosity may be one of the most underrated leadership skills we possess. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, planning your next adventure, or simply hoping to reconnect with the people around you, this conversation is a thoughtful reminder that the most memorable journeys often begin long before you leave home. Feel free to follow and engage with Sarah here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdandashy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askaconcierge?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Website: https://askaconcierge.tv/about/ 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 wherever you enjoy your audio of video 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.

  5. Jun 25

    Ep 215: "The Hidden Side of AI: Do we need all these Data Centers?” with Luis Perez Galvan

    Is the future of artificial intelligence really being built in massive data centers, or is there a smarter, more secure, and more cost-effective path forward? In this fascinating conversation, Rob Ryan sits down with longtime friend and technology entrepreneur Luis Perez Galvan, founder and CEO of Neogenesys, to explore the evolving world of enterprise technology, AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital transformation across Latin America. Together they unpack the growing tension between cloud-based AI services and emerging "edge AI" solutions that allow organizations to maintain greater control over their data, costs, and infrastructure. Along the way, Luis shares lessons from building a technology company over the last 26 years, expanding across Latin America, and helping organizations navigate the opportunities and challenges of an increasingly digital world. Whether you're a business leader, entrepreneur, investor, or simply curious about where technology is taking us next, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the decisions shaping the future of business and society. Feel free to follow and engage with Luis Galvan here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-perez-galvan-7909302/ Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/services/page/540424331721142034/ Website: https://www.neogenesys.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.

  6. Jun 18

    Ep 214: What Six Months Of Conversations With Entrepreneurial Thinkers Taught Me Pt II

    Building a media brand from scratch isn't easy. 🎙️🏗️ In Part 2 of our summer special reflection episode, host Rob Ryan takes you behind the scenes of Entrepreneurial Thinkers.  Building a media ecosystem without a massive inheritance or celebrity status is a grind—but it's a journey made possible by community support. This week, Rob shares his personal takeaways on producing the show, honors the production team working behind the scenes, and teases the incredible lineup of the next 10 guests already booked. 🚀 Feel free to follow and engage with Rob Ryan here: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/robryan/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/iamrobryan/⁠Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@iamrobryan⁠ 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

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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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