In Search Of Excellence

If it weren’t for Steve Case, the internet may never have become part of our everyday lives. He is the co-founder of AOL, after all. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Steve’s search for excellence. As one of the most important entrepreneurs in the last hundred years, Steve is driven by a mission to create entrepreneurial opportunities in surprising places as a means to close the opportunity gap. Since 2003, he’s invested in more than 500 companies and his contributions have influenced the lives of hundreds of millions of people, if not billions of people around the world. In this episode, Randall and Steve discuss whether someone can learn to be an entrepreneur or does they have to be born with the gene, the importance of failure and our ability to overcome it, the role entrepreneurs play in creating jobs, why innovation is key when starting a company, and so much more.Topics include: -The digital revolution-Raising venture capital-Establishing partnerships-The Attacker/Defender dynamic-Characteristics of great entrepreneurs-Closing the opportunity gap-How to identify promising entrepreneurs-Mistakes to avoid when looking for funding-Philanthropy and The Giving PledgeSteve Case is one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life. Steve’s entrepreneurial career began in 1985 when he co-founded America Online (AOL). Under Steve’s leadership, AOL became the world’s largest and most valuable Internet company, driving the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society. At its peak, nearly half of Internet users in the United States used AOL. Steve’s passion for helping entrepreneurs remains his driving force. He was the founding chair of the Startup America Partnership—an effort launched at the White House to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. He is also a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, was the founding co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship and a member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness where he chaired the subcommittee on entrepreneurship. Books mentioned:The Rise of the Rest, by Steve CaseThe Third Wave, by Steve CaseThe Third Wave, by Alvin TofflerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

If it weren’t for Steve Case, the internet may never have become part of our everyday lives. He is the co-founder of AOL, after all. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Steve’s search for excellence. As one of the most important entrepreneurs in the last hundred years, Steve is driven by a mission to create entrepreneurial opportunities in surprising places as a means to close the opportunity gap. Since 2003, he’s invested in more than 500 companies and his contributions have influenced the lives of hundreds of millions of people, if not billions of people around the world. In this episode, Randall and Steve discuss whether someone can learn to be an entrepreneur or does they have to be born with the gene, the importance of failure and our ability to overcome it, the role entrepreneurs play in creating jobs, why innovation is key when starting a company, and so much more.Topics include: -The digital revolution-Raising venture capital-Establishing partnerships-The Attacker/Defender dynamic-Characteristics of great entrepreneurs-Closing the opportunity gap-How to identify promising entrepreneurs-Mistakes to avoid when looking for funding-Philanthropy and The Giving PledgeSteve Case is one of America’s best-known and most accomplished entrepreneurs and a pioneer in making the Internet part of everyday life. Steve’s entrepreneurial career began in 1985 when he co-founded America Online (AOL). Under Steve’s leadership, AOL became the world’s largest and most valuable Internet company, driving the worldwide adoption of a medium that has transformed business and society. At its peak, nearly half of Internet users in the United States used AOL. Steve’s passion for helping entrepreneurs remains his driving force. He was the founding chair of the Startup America Partnership—an effort launched at the White House to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship throughout the nation. He is also a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, was the founding co-chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship and a member of President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness where he chaired the subcommittee on entrepreneurship. Books mentioned:The Rise of the Rest, by Steve CaseThe Third Wave, by Steve CaseThe Third Wave, by Alvin TofflerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Mike Horn is a person who has redefined the boundaries of human endurance. He’s trekked to the North Pole in complete darkness, scaled four of the world’s 8,000-meter tall mountains, circled the globe not once, but twice (once on the Equator and once on the Arctic Circle), and the list goes on.And while his expeditions are often life-threatening, and despite some incredibly close calls, he’s not one to be reckless in accomplishing his goals.In this episode, Randall and Mike discuss his journey to becoming the world’s greatest modern-day explorer, covering everything from lessons learned in early childhood to his groundbreaking expeditions. They discuss how mistakes can and should be used to our benefit, viewing inspiration as a two-way street, why making peace with failure is an absolute requirement of success, how psychological attitude and mental strength determine whether we achieve excellence, where money should rank in our career goals and life, and so much more. Topics Include: - How freedom leads to creativity- Power of positive reinforcement- Investing in education- The relationship between self-discipline and motivation- Setting and achieving goals outside of our comfort zone- Ingredients to success- Understanding fear- Sports psychology- Taking ownership of our problems- Addressing environmental and ecological issuesMike Horn is globally acknowledged as the world’s greatest modern-day explorer. From swimming the Amazon River solo and unsupported to an un-motorized circumnavigation of the globe at the equator, Mike’s list of accomplishments as a solo explorer is unparalleled. In two decades, he has seen more of the Earth than possibly any other human. He walked to the north pole during the dark season (more people have been to the moon) and has scaled the world’s 8,000-meter peaks including a recent attempt to paraglide K2.For 25 years, as one of the top motivational speakers, he has inspired and educated the world by pushing the limits of human ability through a series of groundbreaking expeditions, always naturally powered and often solo. Mike also engages in mental coaching of elite sports teams. Through his coaching, Mike already contributed to the victory of several teams, including Germany’s national football team during the 2014 World Cup, the Kolkata Knight Riders cricket teams and the Mumbai Indians in India, and the Proteas in South Africa.Resources Mentioned:Mike Horn, Amazonas (1997-1998)Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Mike Horn is a person who has redefined the boundaries of human endurance. He’s trekked to the North Pole in complete darkness, scaled four of the world’s 8,000-meter tall mountains, circled the globe not once, but twice (once on the Equator and once on the Arctic Circle), and the list goes on.And while his expeditions are often life-threatening, and despite some incredibly close calls, he’s not one to be reckless in accomplishing his goals.In this episode, Randall and Mike discuss his journey to becoming the world’s greatest modern-day explorer, covering everything from lessons learned in early childhood to his groundbreaking expeditions. They discuss how mistakes can and should be used to our benefit, viewing inspiration as a two-way street, why making peace with failure is an absolute requirement of success, how psychological attitude and mental strength determine whether we achieve excellence, where money should rank in our career goals and life, and so much more. Topics Include: - How freedom leads to creativity- Power of positive reinforcement- Investing in education- The relationship between self-discipline and motivation- Setting and achieving goals outside of our comfort zone- Ingredients to success- Understanding fear- Sports psychology- Taking ownership of our problems- Addressing environmental and ecological issuesMike Horn is globally acknowledged as the world’s greatest modern-day explorer. From swimming the Amazon River solo and unsupported to an un-motorized circumnavigation of the globe at the equator, Mike’s list of accomplishments as a solo explorer is unparalleled. In two decades, he has seen more of the Earth than possibly any other human. He walked to the north pole during the dark season (more people have been to the moon) and has scaled the world’s 8,000-meter peaks including a recent attempt to paraglide K2.For 25 years, as one of the top motivational speakers, he has inspired and educated the world by pushing the limits of human ability through a series of groundbreaking expeditions, always naturally powered and often solo. Mike also engages in mental coaching of elite sports teams. Through his coaching, Mike already contributed to the victory of several teams, including Germany’s national football team during the 2014 World Cup, the Kolkata Knight Riders cricket teams and the Mumbai Indians in India, and the Proteas in South Africa.Resources Mentioned:Mike Horn, Amazonas (1997-1998)Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Like many who are just starting out in their careers, Jimmy Pitaro was uncertain of the direction he was headed in as he prepared to enter the workforce. He was attending Cornell University where he had secured a spot on the football team, but Jimmy knew that the odds of him becoming a professional athlete were slim to nonexistent. Nonetheless, sports had always played an influential role in his life and he was determined to incorporate the world of sports into his career path. As the now Chair of ESPN, it’s safe to say that Jimmy had reached this goal, but not without learning many important lessons along the way.In this episode, Randall and Jimmy discuss the progression of Jimmy’s career, how to recover from a huge disappointment, determining when you should stay on course or move on to something else, identifying the subject matter you are most passionate about to lead your career direction, finding opportunities to work with like-minded people, and so much more.Topics include: -How Jimmy’s early love of sports shaped his future-Importance of having a support network-Why having compassion and respect for others is advantageous -Prioritizing mentorship-Erring on the side of over preparation-Jimmy’s “Four North Stars” at ESPN-Creating a culture of innovation-Why work ethic is the single greatest determinant of our success-The relationship between fear and courage-Networking-Finding the right work-life balanceJimmy Pitaro was named Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content on October 12, 2020. His focus is the entirety of ESPN's multimedia offerings - including live sports programming, sports news and original and non-scripted sports-related content, audio, digital and social endeavors - plus all sports-related content for Disney's cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC.He was named ESPN president and co-chair, Disney Media Networks, on March 5, 2018, after serving eight years as a top Disney executive. In making the announcement, Bob Iger, then The Walt Disney Company chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Jimmy's appointment was the result of more than 20 years spent at the intersection of technology, sports and media."Pitaro's record of success leading businesses focused on consumer products, digital initiatives and sports made him the quintessential selection for ESPN at a pivotal point in its then 38-year history: a time of unprecedented technological advancements and rapidly changing consumer habits.Pitaro originally joined The Walt Disney Company in 2010 as co-president, Disney Interactive, where he successfully led the turnaround of the digital media and gaming division.He serves on a variety of industry and charitable boards, including the NCTA, the Paley Center for Media, The V Foundation, The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Pacer and CoachArt. Pitaro also serves as Co-Committee Chair of the March of Dimes, and is a Board Observer at Draft Kings. He is a member of the Cornell Athletic Alumni Advisory Committee.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Like many who are just starting out in their careers, Jimmy Pitaro was uncertain of the direction he was headed in as he prepared to enter the workforce. He was attending Cornell University where he had secured a spot on the football team, but Jimmy knew that the odds of him becoming a professional athlete were slim to nonexistent. Nonetheless, sports had always played an influential role in his life and he was determined to incorporate the world of sports into his career path. As the now Chair of ESPN, it’s safe to say that Jimmy had reached this goal, but not without learning many important lessons along the way.In this episode, Randall and Jimmy discuss the progression of Jimmy’s career, how to recover from a huge disappointment, determining when you should stay on course or move on to something else, identifying the subject matter you are most passionate about to lead your career direction, finding opportunities to work with like-minded people, and so much more.Topics include: -How Jimmy’s early love of sports shaped his future-Importance of having a support network-Why having compassion and respect for others is advantageous -Prioritizing mentorship-Erring on the side of over preparation-Jimmy’s “Four North Stars” at ESPN-Creating a culture of innovation-Why work ethic is the single greatest determinant of our success-The relationship between fear and courage-Networking-Finding the right work-life balanceJimmy Pitaro was named Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content on October 12, 2020. His focus is the entirety of ESPN's multimedia offerings - including live sports programming, sports news and original and non-scripted sports-related content, audio, digital and social endeavors - plus all sports-related content for Disney's cable channels, ESPN+, and ABC.He was named ESPN president and co-chair, Disney Media Networks, on March 5, 2018, after serving eight years as a top Disney executive. In making the announcement, Bob Iger, then The Walt Disney Company chairman and chief executive officer, said, "Jimmy's appointment was the result of more than 20 years spent at the intersection of technology, sports and media."Pitaro's record of success leading businesses focused on consumer products, digital initiatives and sports made him the quintessential selection for ESPN at a pivotal point in its then 38-year history: a time of unprecedented technological advancements and rapidly changing consumer habits.Pitaro originally joined The Walt Disney Company in 2010 as co-president, Disney Interactive, where he successfully led the turnaround of the digital media and gaming division.He serves on a variety of industry and charitable boards, including the NCTA, the Paley Center for Media, The V Foundation, The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, Pacer and CoachArt. Pitaro also serves as Co-Committee Chair of the March of Dimes, and is a Board Observer at Draft Kings. He is a member of the Cornell Athletic Alumni Advisory Committee.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Sarah Friar learned about the power of community from an early age. Growing up in Northern Ireland during a time of tremendous violence showed her the importance of finding common ground and taught her how to create resilience from within, both of which are lessons that she continues to live by today. Even in moments of fear and despair, Sarah was able to find her resilience and take risks throughout her career.After checking all the boxes that she thought would lead her to become a partner at Goldman Sachs, Sarah received the news that she wouldn’t be getting the promotion she had been striving for. She could have stayed at Goldman, but her husband said something to her that she couldn’t shake — losing the promotion has set her free.From there, Sarah considered what she’s good at, what she’s passionate about, and what the world needs, which ultimately led her to her current role. As the CEO of Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods, Sarah is now working to strengthen the power of community — a reflection of her lessons learned early on.In this episode, Randall and Sarah discuss how curiosity and resilience are the keys to finding your path; how finding common ground can unlock social capital that allows you to get things done in the world; advice to women today who are working in a sexist environment; what to do when you aren’t passionate about your work but are making good money; why searching for an emotional connection helps to build stronger companies; why you should be taking risks in your career frequently; the role politics has in the workspace; how to use moments of failure to help you rise; and more… Topics include: -The power of community-Why it’s necessary to do the nitty-gritty work-Why it is important to learn both inside and outside of the classroom-The importance of finding purpose at work-How to use your fears to spur you into action-Whether or not you should have a plan B-Why extreme preparation matters -Prioritizing mental health-Why job hopping is a red flag-How to strike the right work-life balance-The secret side of philanthropy-Why having a diversity of experience is advantageousPrior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as the chief financial officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30 billion in market capitalization.Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar.Resources mentioned:NextdoorBooks mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,  by David EpsteinCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Sarah Friar learned about the power of community from an early age. Growing up in Northern Ireland during a time of tremendous violence showed her the importance of finding common ground and taught her how to create resilience from within, both of which are lessons that she continues to live by today. Even in moments of fear and despair, Sarah was able to find her resilience and take risks throughout her career.After checking all the boxes that she thought would lead her to become a partner at Goldman Sachs, Sarah received the news that she wouldn’t be getting the promotion she had been striving for. She could have stayed at Goldman, but her husband said something to her that she couldn’t shake — losing the promotion has set her free.From there, Sarah considered what she’s good at, what she’s passionate about, and what the world needs, which ultimately led her to her current role. As the CEO of Nextdoor, a hyperlocal social networking service for neighborhoods, Sarah is now working to strengthen the power of community — a reflection of her lessons learned early on.In this episode, Randall and Sarah discuss how curiosity and resilience are the keys to finding your path; how finding common ground can unlock social capital that allows you to get things done in the world; advice to women today who are working in a sexist environment; what to do when you aren’t passionate about your work but are making good money; why searching for an emotional connection helps to build stronger companies; why you should be taking risks in your career frequently; the role politics has in the workspace; how to use moments of failure to help you rise; and more… Topics include: -The power of community-Why it’s necessary to do the nitty-gritty work-Why it is important to learn both inside and outside of the classroom-The importance of finding purpose at work-How to use your fears to spur you into action-Whether or not you should have a plan B-Why extreme preparation matters -Prioritizing mental health-Why job hopping is a red flag-How to strike the right work-life balance-The secret side of philanthropy-Why having a diversity of experience is advantageousPrior to Nextdoor, Sarah served as the chief financial officer at Square. Under Sarah’s leadership, the company launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30 billion in market capitalization.Sarah grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar.Resources mentioned:NextdoorBooks mentioned: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World,  by David EpsteinCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Ed Mylett spent his early life in a dysfunctional home living with an alcoholic father who would often get into fist fights — at church, in line at the donut store, and even on the freeway. After his dad embarked on his path to sobriety, he soon became Ed’s first example of what it takes to succeed in life. This ultimately led to Ed’s realization that the challenges we overcome, or the parts of our former selves that we were once ashamed of, are the very things that qualify us to contribute and be in service of others in their search of excellence. Despite this new mindset, Ed found himself aimless after an injury ended his dream of playing major league baseball. Ed had retreated to his family home where he spent his time alongside his childhood Teddy bears while watching episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer. Some thirty-odd years later, Ed is now an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. Life for Ed is coming full circle as he’s now working on his own show… in the same studio that created episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer he once watched.In this episode, Randall and Ed discuss how important it is not to quit (at least for one more day); how a fear of failure is necessary and even healthy; how to recover from profound disappointments in life; the type of people you should look for (and avoid) when you need advice; why you should operate using visions and dreams, not history and memories; the importance of public speaking and unconventional ways to improve; why you should never base your self-confidence on your abilities or your achievements, and more…Topics include: -How adversity in Ed’s childhood influenced his adult life -How to channel negatively-perceived emotions into success-Why successful people embrace pain-The concept of invisible progress-Becoming an impossibility thinker and a possibility achiever in life-What it means to actually step into your dreams -The power of intention-The difference between being wealthy and being rich-Why confidence comes from preparation, not ability-Why you should focus more on how you want to feel rather than what you want to getResources mentioned:-Ed Mylett Show (podcast)Books mentioned:-The Power of One More, by Ed Mylett-Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill-Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne DyerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn 

Ed Mylett spent his early life in a dysfunctional home living with an alcoholic father who would often get into fist fights — at church, in line at the donut store, and even on the freeway. After his dad embarked on his path to sobriety, he soon became Ed’s first example of what it takes to succeed in life. This ultimately led to Ed’s realization that the challenges we overcome, or the parts of our former selves that we were once ashamed of, are the very things that qualify us to contribute and be in service of others in their search of excellence. Despite this new mindset, Ed found himself aimless after an injury ended his dream of playing major league baseball. Ed had retreated to his family home where he spent his time alongside his childhood Teddy bears while watching episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer. Some thirty-odd years later, Ed is now an incredibly successful serial entrepreneur and one of the most sought-after motivational speakers. Life for Ed is coming full circle as he’s now working on his own show… in the same studio that created episodes of The Maury Show and Jerry Springer he once watched.In this episode, Randall and Ed discuss how important it is not to quit (at least for one more day); how a fear of failure is necessary and even healthy; how to recover from profound disappointments in life; the type of people you should look for (and avoid) when you need advice; why you should operate using visions and dreams, not history and memories; the importance of public speaking and unconventional ways to improve; why you should never base your self-confidence on your abilities or your achievements, and more…Topics include: -How adversity in Ed’s childhood influenced his adult life -How to channel negatively-perceived emotions into success-Why successful people embrace pain-The concept of invisible progress-Becoming an impossibility thinker and a possibility achiever in life-What it means to actually step into your dreams -The power of intention-The difference between being wealthy and being rich-Why confidence comes from preparation, not ability-Why you should focus more on how you want to feel rather than what you want to getResources mentioned:-Ed Mylett Show (podcast)Books mentioned:-The Power of One More, by Ed Mylett-Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill-Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne DyerCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn