Coffee with The Greats by Miles Fisher

From building birdhouses as a kid in rural Ohio to selling a nine-figure real estate tech company to Zillow, Austin Allison talks about growing up with a carpenter father, hitting rock bottom at 16, and how chasing passion over money shaped everything from marathon running to reinventing second home ownership.

Humorist and screenwriter Simon Rich talks about growing up in New York, developing a "no reviews" philosophy, and how relentless daily writing shaped his career, from Harvard to Saturday Night Live to creating Man Seeking Woman

We wrap the season with Dr. Condoleeza Rice Dr. Rice is among the most distinguished diplomats, political scientists and professors alive today. Born in the 1950’s in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Rice shares with us her upbringing under two extraordinary parents, how an intense focus on figure skating snapped her out of being a procrastinator, how the great classical musical composers taught her sublime melodies through the piano, but it was a long winded Protestant preacher who taught her how to improvise the notes when playing.  We speak about her wide ranging career in service of multiple U.S. Presidents, and alongside many famous foreign heads of state. She shares with us how she trained her mind to be a decision maker amidst complex circumstances, and she values most in leaders. We even touch on what new kinds of National Service could look like for the next generation of Americans. ** This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

This week we're joined by former Executive Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems, John Chambers.  John is one of the most respected business leaders globally, and his list of accomplishments is staggering. In his first ten years leading Cisco, he made 10,000 employees millionaires, but John shares some incredible life stories and reveals what he believes the currency of leadership is. He also opens up and shares his challenges growing up with dyslexia and why old stigmas need to be smashed.  Follow John on Twitter ** This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss are some of the most extraordinary individuals of the 21st century...They are investors, former Olympic rowers, and founders of Winklevoss Capital and Gemini Cryptocurrency Exchange.  Their athleticism is Olympian. Their IQ is off the charts. But you'll hear that it's their EQ (emotional quotient), which reveals a thoughtfulness and sensitivity that's one of the most revealing and intimate interviews Miles has done to date. Books Mentioned The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma ** This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

David Rubenstein has a list of accomplishments from building one of the most prestigious private equity firms, The Carlye Group, to being the chairman of the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, The Smithsonian Institution, and The Council on Foreign Relations. David shares how he wasn't a "big dreamer" growing up, how asking himself "What would his mother think?" helped guide himself, and discusses the pinnacles of private capital to the pillars of intellectual prestige. ** This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

Miles speaks with Jeremy Zimmer, co-founder and CEO of United Talent Agency. Jeremy speaks about the lessons he’s learned in the 40+ years in Hollywood. He shares what makes a great agent, the purpose of a celebrity, and how keeping commitments is the key to a life well-lived. ** This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

Herb Kelleher was the Founder and CEO of Southwest Airlines –– an extraordinary entrepreneur who was thought of as a modern day cowboy.  This interview is among the last he gave before passing in 2019. Publishing it now feels poignant, as this conversation is what led to creating Coffee with The Greats. Herb discusses his origins and the risks he took in creating the beloved Southwest Airlines. So sit back, brew up a fresh cup of Bixby Coffee, and soak in these words of wisdom from the late Herb Kelleher. **  This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

Miles and Richard sit down with media mogul and legendary entrepreneur Bob Pittman, Chairman & CEO of iHeartMedia. Bob was the CEO of MTV Networks and the cofounder and programmer who led the team that created MTV. Pittman has also been a radio and TV programmer, marketer, investor and media entrepreneur who has had multiple careers in a number of consumer-focused industries.  Miles and Richard chat with Bob about his early life, career, and how his life as a minister's son shaped his work ethic. ** This episode is sponsored by Bixby Coffee Roasters. Hosted by Miles Fisher **

Mike Milken, philanthropist and financier, shares his experiences in transforming the world of finance, his contributions to science and fighting cancer, and his mission to make financial markets more accessible. The podcast explores the importance of data, family influence, and childhood memories. It also discusses the American Dream, access to capital, medical research, and the power of family and legacy. A quick mathematical formula for multiplication is introduced, challenging traditional ideas about intelligence.