How Success Happens

Emma Straub, novelist and co-owner of Books Are Magic, blends wit and heart in bestselling fiction. She shares how she picks which ideas deserve a novel, how personal moments sparked a cruise-based story, lessons from her father and Stephen King about writing as work, and why managing people is harder than managing books at her Brooklyn stores.

Andrew McCarthy, actor turned travel writer and NYT bestselling author, recounts a 10,000-mile quest to reconnect with old friends. He talks about why men avoid vulnerability, how travel transformed his life, the Camino with his son, and practical ways to rekindle relationships. Short, reflective stories and candid observations make the conversation warm and unsparing.

Kimberly Howell, award-winning author and executive director of International Thriller Writers, unveils the inner workings of ThrillerFest and its community. She breaks down PitchFest tips and crafting a 30-second logline. Hear about daily writing routines, research-driven storytelling, and current trends favoring domestic and psychological suspense.

Jing Gao grew up in Sichuan, bounced through Canada, landed in Shanghai, and revolutionized the hot sauce aisle at Walmart. Her brand, Fly By Jing, went from a Kickstarter she was terrified to launch to a 10x business overnight thanks to a New York Times article she didn't even know she was being interviewed for. Along the way, she ran underground supper clubs, trained under one of China's top chefs, and made a convincing argument that chili crisp goes on vanilla ice cream.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where do ideas come from? Michael Petry of Golden West Boots has a few thoughts on that and what to do if you get arrested in Vietnam with a suitcase full of one-of-a-kind Prada samples. In this well-heeled snack break, he shares what he's learned from working with some of the biggest names in fashion, like Ralph Lauren.  And yes, there's a discount code https://goldenwestboots.com Code: ENT10 for 10% off  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Cinnabon, Hooters, and AG1 have in common? Today's guest has been in the C-suite of all of them and somehow made it make sense. The head of AG1 sits down with Dan to talk about building brands that last and why she took a step down the corporate ladder to eventually rocket up it. Plus, she covers why trusting your team helps create viral moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan spoke to David Thurston, Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Danger Jones, for a webinar he did for Entrepreneur+. Not about hair (obviously) but about why putting your face on your brand is the scariest and smartest thing you can do. Plus, Dan reads and responds to some listener comments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morning Brew co-founder Alex Lieberman joins How Success Happens for a fun, fast-paced masterclass in going from side-hustle newsletter to full-blown media brand. Alex shares how he grew Morning Brew from a scrappy startup into a scaled business, the mindset shifts that allowed for greater growth, and the systems that kept the rocket ship steady. He and host Dan Bova dig into how to keep innovating, why expert support at every level is a superpower, and the practical steps you can take to unlock your next chapter of growth.With the business tax filing deadlines are approaching quickly, with many returns due March 16, 2026, understanding what has changed and acting on it with the right guidance may be one of the most practical decisions a solopreneur makes this year. Learn more about filing your taxes with Intuit TurboTax, visit https://turbotax.com/business Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada, was brewing beer before craft beer was a thing.  Back when your neighbors thought it was weird, not artisanal. Now he's built one of the most beloved beer brands in America, and he sits down with Dan to share what's kept Sierra Nevada alive and thriving while countless others have gone flat.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, third-generation CEO of Collette and builder of the Collette Foundation, shares her journey from call center to leading a century-old travel company. She talks about balancing family heritage with fresh ideas. She discusses a pivotal Peru trip that sparked global giving. She also reflects on tough 360 feedback and the coaching that reshaped her leadership.