The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership

This episode is a masterclass in leadership, scale, and hard-earned business wisdom. Jess sits down with Gary Kusin—founder of GameStop (formerly Babbage’s), former CEO of Kinko’s, and a leader behind one of the most impressive turnarounds in retail history—to unpack the lessons that shaped his career. Gary shares the real story behind taking Kinko’s from negative EBITDA to a $2.4B acquisition by FedEx, what it was like working directly with Fred Smith, and the leadership principles he developed through decades of building and advising companies. This conversation goes far beyond business tactics—it dives into accountability, culture, and what it truly takes to build teams that win. From raising capital to making tough calls as a CEO, Gary breaks down the difference between theory and reality in leadership. If you’re a founder, operator, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge how you think about performance, people, and long-term success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Wall Street to humanoid robotics, Andrew Kiguel has built a career at the edge of what’s next—and in this episode, he sits down with Jess to unpack what it actually takes to bet on the future before it’s obvious. Andrew, CEO of Realbotix, shares how his journey through investment banking, crypto mining, and high-growth ventures led him to one of the most controversial and fascinating frontiers today: human-like AI robots. From building a $140M revenue crypto company to now developing lifelike robots that can see, speak, and emotionally interact, Andrew explains why he believes robotics will move beyond novelty into real, human-centered utility. The conversation dives into big, uncomfortable questions—loneliness, human connection, and whether AI should supplement or replace parts of our lives. Andrew breaks down how Realbotix is approaching this differently: designing robots that feel human, not mechanical, and focusing on real-world use cases like elder care, hospitality, education, and companionship. But this episode is just as much about entrepreneurship as it is about technology. Andrew shares hard-earned lessons on raising capital, managing self-doubt, making high-stakes decisions, and building conviction when everyone else thinks you’re wrong. It’s a candid look at what it feels like to operate in uncertainty—and why the biggest opportunities often live there. This is a conversation about risk, vision, and the future of human-AI interaction—and what it really means to build something bold when the world isn’t quite ready for it yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jess sits down with Ross Buhrdorf, Co-Founder and CEO of ZenBusiness, to unpack what it really takes to build companies that matter. From helping lead HomeAway through its massive growth and $3.9 billion exit to Expedia, to building ZenBusiness into a billion-dollar platform serving entrepreneurs across America, Ross shares lessons from the front lines of scaling, fundraising, product-market fit, and leadership. He explains why small businesses are the backbone of the economy, how AI is transforming execution inside modern companies, and why the future belongs to builders who show up, pay attention, and keep moving. This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, team-building, and creating products people truly need. If you’re building something of your own—or thinking about starting—this episode is full of hard-won insight from someone who’s done it at the highest level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the most powerful business strategy today isn’t AI, automation, or scale… but relationships? In this episode of The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership, Jess sits down with serial entrepreneur and investor Noah Berkson to talk about the surprising power of real human connection in a digital world. Noah shares how he went from a self-described terrible student with ADHD to building and exiting multiple companies—including a recent sale of his farmland marketplace—by focusing on relationships, curiosity, and relentless momentum. The conversation explores why in-person gatherings still outperform online networking, how Noah built a reputation as a “super connector,” and why generosity and introductions can unlock opportunities that strategy alone never will. They also dive into lessons from Noah’s entrepreneurial journey—from selling companies and investing through Austin Capital to launching curated events like Outcove, designed to bring extraordinary people together in ways that spark real collaboration. If you’re building a company, investing, or simply trying to create more meaningful opportunities in your life, this episode is a powerful reminder: the right relationship can change everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jess sits down with bestselling author Nir Eyal to unpack his newest book, Beyond Belief — and the conversation goes far deeper than productivity hacks or surface-level motivation advice. Nir, the author of Hooked and Indistractable, explains why knowing what to do isn’t the problem. We already have more information than ever. The real challenge is understanding why we don’t do what we know we should. He breaks down the hidden power of belief — how limiting beliefs quietly sabotage performance, relationships, and even health — and how shifting perspective can unlock persistence, clarity, and focus. What makes this conversation powerful is that it’s not theoretical. Jess steps into the hot seat and works through his own internal tension around time, ambition, and self-expectation. It turns into a candid, almost therapeutic exploration of identity, pressure, and what it really means to live up to your potential. If you’ve ever felt stuck despite knowing exactly what to do next, this one will hit home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to jump into a war zone, break a world record, and still come home grounded? In this episode of The Jess Larsen Show, Jess sits down with former Tier 1 Special Boat Service operator Dean Stott to unpack a life that sounds like fiction—but isn’t. Dean shares what it really means to pass one of the world’s toughest special forces selections, why humility and integrity matter more than bravado, and how mindset separates those who quit from those who finish. He opens up about undercover missions, high-risk evacuations in Libya and Israel, and the moment a parachute accident ended his military career. Instead of spiraling, he reinvented himself—cycling 14,000 miles from Argentina to Alaska, breaking world records, and raising over $1.4 million for mental health. But this conversation goes deeper than adrenaline. It’s about identity, purpose, discipline, and building a life that means something long after the medals fade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting one of our standout conversations on The Jess Larsen Show on Innovation & Leadership. In this throwback episode, Jess sits down with Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, to unpack the leadership story behind one of the internet’s most remarkable growth narratives. From navigating the dot-com crash to steering through global uncertainty and economic downturns, Glenn shares how long-term thinking, disciplined execution, and relentless focus on product and service helped transform Booking Holdings into a company with a market cap exceeding $55 billion. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, strategic optimism, and scaling through volatility. If you’re building, leading, or investing in innovation, this episode is worth a revisit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throwback episode alert. We’re re-releasing one of the most replayed conversations on The Jess Larsen Show. Jess sits down with retired FBI international kidnapping negotiator Chris Voss, bestselling author of Never Split the Difference. Chris takes you inside real hostage negotiations and breaks down the skills that actually move people: tactical empathy, listening for what’s unsaid, staying calm under pressure, and using the right words when stakes are high. This one isn’t just for dealmakers. It’s for anyone who’s ever had a hard conversation, felt stuck, or needed to influence without escalating. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a repost of one of our favorite episodes. Jess Larsen is joined by Dr. Greg Bailey (biotech investor behind the $11.6B Nurtec exit and a $14.3B Pfizer deal) and Brant Pinvidic, the Hollywood pitch guy who’s sold more than 300 shows and wrote The 3 Minute Rule. Brant talks about leaving Canada, landing in the U.S., and why the “big ideas” weren’t the problem. The problem was getting people to understand them fast. He breaks down why so many founders and CEOs struggle to say what their company does in one clean sentence, and how that one skill changes fundraising, sales, hiring, and leadership. They also go somewhere unexpected: why high performers often don’t know how to have fun, why the office becomes the only place they feel “alive,” and Brant’s concept of “created nostalgia” (training yourself to enjoy the moment before it even happens). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an older episode, but it’s one of those conversations that still holds up. Jess Larsen sits down with Jim Stengel to talk about what actually makes companies and leaders last. Not trends. Not hacks. Just the hard-earned lessons that come from seeing brands grow, stumble, and sometimes lose their way. They talk about focus, trust, and why the best organizations are built around serving people—not chasing the next shiny thing. It’s calm, thoughtful, and surprisingly grounding. We’re reposting this one because if you’re building something right now, it’s a good reminder of what really matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices