How I Built This with Guy Raz podcast

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds. New episodes on Mondays and Thursdays for free. Listen 1-week early and to all episodes ad-free with Wondery+ or Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Get your How I Built This merch at [WonderyShop.com/HowIBuiltThis] (https://wonderyshop.com/pages/howibuiltthis ?utm_source=hibt-podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hibt-description)

Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds. New episodes on Mondays and Thursdays for free. Listen 1-week early and to all episodes ad-free with Wondery+ or Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Get your How I Built This merch at [WonderyShop.com/HowIBuiltThis] (https://wonderyshop.com/pages/howibuiltthis ?utm_source=hibt-podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hibt-description)

 

#608

“Beaming” people anywhere in the world with David Nussbaum of Proto

The popular science fiction idea of beaming someone instantly to another location was part of David Nussbaum’s inspiration to design a “holoportation box.” His company, Proto, invented a device the size of a telephone booth that projects a hologram-type image so realistic it appears someone is standing inside... This week on How I Built This Lab, how Proto’s technology is used today to virtually transport professors, doctors, speakers, and celebrities to classrooms, hospitals, and events around the world. But in the future, David believes Proto’s technology will end up in everyone’s living room—and will transform the way we communicate with each other. This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research help from Sam Paulson. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

4 hrs Ago

34 MINS

34:49

4 hrs Ago


#607

MGA Entertainment: Isaac Larian

Isaac Larian moved from Iran to Los Angeles at age 17 with just a few hundred dollars, and went on to build one of the biggest toy companies in the world. Along the way, he took on Barbie with a wildly successful line of punky dolls called Bratz — a success that touched off an epic legal battle with Mattel. Today, at age 70, Isaac is still the CEO of MGA Entertainment, and says he still has the fighter’s instinct that he learned in the slums of Tehran. This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research assistance and fact-checking from Carla Esteves and Zazil Davis-Vazquez. Our engineers were Gilly Moon and Robert Rodriguez. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

25 Mar 2024

1 HR 14 MINS

1:14:04

25 Mar 2024


#606

Achieving greater things with Adam Grant

“Growth is not about the genius you possess—it’s about the character you develop.” That’s what organizational psychologist and podcast host Adam Grant believes, and he offers a new framework on how we can elevate ourselves and others in his latest book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things. This week on How I Built This Lab, insights on what great entrepreneurs have in common and the steps anyone can take to develop these skills. Plus, redesigning workplace systems to foster greater collaboration, and cultivating untapped potential in the generations to come. This episode was researched and produced by Carla Esteves, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

21 Mar 2024

37 MINS

37:05

21 Mar 2024


#605

Weee!: Larry Liu

If you told 19-year-old Larry Liu that his hobby re-selling used electronics “for fun” would someday help him build a multi-billion-dollar company, he probably would have laughed. He was an electrical engineering student in Shanghai at the time.His goals were to land a corporate job and go to grad school in the U.S.He did both, starting with a job at Intel.But his passion for e-commerce stayed with him through his MBA and other corporate jobs. And when he moved to Northern California, Larry noticedotherChinese immigrants using WeChat to source what they needed locally - even organizing in groups to buy familiar foods and products. Larry immediately saw this as a business opportunity.And in under ten years, after facing down bankruptcy andre-orientinghis business, Larrygrewhise-commerce platformWeee! into a companynow valued at over $4 billion. This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Andrea Bruce with research help from Katherine Sypher. Our engineers were Gilly Moon and Josh Newell. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

18 Mar 2024

1 HR 24 MINS

1:24:50

18 Mar 2024


#604

AI that can be your second brain with Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri of Humane

Imran Chaudhri and his wife Bethany Bongiorno are responsible for bringing some of the most widely-used screened products to market—like the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. And while these devices have connected humans like never before, Imran and Bethany couldn’t help but wonder about the downsides of spending so much time tethered to screens. After leaving Apple, they eventually brought a new tool to life; something screenless... This week on How I Built This Lab, Imran and Bethany’s wearable pin capable of being your personal assistant. Plus, how they believe that AI can be regulated without stifling innovation. This episode was produced by J.C. Howard with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research help from Kerry Thompson. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

14 Mar 2024

45 MINS

45:51

14 Mar 2024


#603

Primal Kitchen: Mark Sisson

Mark Sisson made a big bet on mayonnaise, and won: four years after launching his Paleo-friendly condiment company Primal Kitchen, he sold it for $200 million. He succeededpartly because he drew lessons from his previous failures and accomplishments - as a marathon runner, Ironman triathlete and coach, frozen yogurt proprietor, sports supplement founder, TV show host, and Paleo book author. But Mark’s biggest business came at an age when most people contemplate retirement. He developed a recipe for avocado-oil based mayonnaise, then added ketchups and other condiments.After Primal Kitchen was sold to Kraft Heinz Corporation in 2019, Mark launched a totally new business: minimalist shoes. This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Melia Agudelo. Our engineers were Gilly Moon and Maggie Luthar. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

11 Mar 2024

1 HR 07 MINS

1:07:51

11 Mar 2024


#602

Supercharging Lithium-Ion Batteries with Gene Berdichevsky of Sila Nanotechnologies

Gene Berdichevsky and his team have been working for over a decade to solve a major problem: Lithium-ion batteries are not getting any better. They power our cell phones and laptops and nearly every other modern, rechargeable device—and at this point have reached their energy-storing limit. This week on How I Built This Lab, Gene discusses a new approach that could eventually make lithium-ion batteries 40% more efficient, unlocking a future where electric vehicles and other battery-powered products are cheaper, recharge faster and last longer on a single charge. This episode was researched and produced by Chris Maccini with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

07 Mar 2024

40 MINS

40:09

07 Mar 2024


#601

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey: Fawn Weaver (2021)

In 2016, Fawn Weaver became fixated on a New York Times article telling the little-known story of Nearest Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel—yes,thatJack Daniel—how to make Tennessee whiskey. After diving deeper into the story, Fawn ended up purchasing the farm in Lynchburg, Tennessee where Nearest had taught Jack how to distill; and she began meeting the descendants of both men. She eventually decided the best way to preserve Nearest’s legacy was with a bottle of the best Tennessee whiskey she could make. With no background in distilling, she threw herself into the insular world of spirit-making, an industry mostly dominated by white men. In the eight years since Fawn first discovered his story, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey has become one of the fastest-growing whiskey brands in the world, and one of the most awarded American whiskeys. This episode of How I Built This was produced by Liz Metzger and edited by Neva Grant. Research help from Claire Murashima, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

04 Mar 2024

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:14

04 Mar 2024


#600

The peril (and promise) of AI with Tristan Harris: Part 2

What if you could no longer trust the things you see and hear? Because the signature on a check, the documents or videos presented in court, the footage you see on the news, the calls you receive from your family … They could all be perfectly forged by artificial intelligence. That’s just one of the risks posed by the rapid development of AI. And that’s why Tristan Harris of the Center for Humane Technology is sounding the alarm. This week on How I Built This Lab: the second of a two-episode series in which Tristan and Guy discuss how we can upgrade the fundamental legal, technical, and philosophical frameworks of our society to meet the challenge of AI. To learn more about the Center for Humane Technology, text “AI” to 55444. This episode was researched and produced by Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

29 Feb 2024

32 MINS

32:17

29 Feb 2024


#599

Poshmark: Manish Chandra

When the iPhone 4 was released in 2010, Manish Chandra was dazzled by its picture quality, and saw an opportunity for a new type of mobile marketplace.A year later, he and three co-founders launched Poshmark, a shopping app for second-hand clothes and accessories, meant to capture the feel of going thrifting with your friends. The online community grew quickly and vocally—when Poshmark raised shipping fees, users lobbied furiously to lower them, and won.The company faced many more growing pains before being acquired by the Naver Corporation for $1.2 billion in 2023. It now has over 100 million registered users around the world. This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Katherine Sypher. Our engineers were Robert Rodriguez and Josh Newell. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

26 Feb 2024

1 HR 06 MINS

1:06:22

26 Feb 2024


#598

The peril (and promise) of AI with Tristan Harris: Part 1

When Tristan Harris co-founded the Center for Humane Technology in 2018, he was trying to educate tech leaders and policymakers about the harms of social media. But today, he’s sounding the alarm about a different technology — one that he says could pose an existential threat to the entire world … Artificial intelligence. This week on How I Built This Lab: the first of a two-episode series in which Tristan and Guy examine the serious risks posed by the rapid development and deployment of AI — and what we can do to make sure this powerful technology is used for good. You can learn more about “The Social Dilemma,” the 2020 Emmy-winning docudrama featuring Tristan, here: [https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/] (https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/) . This episode was researched and produced by Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

22 Feb 2024

28 MINS

28:36

22 Feb 2024


#597

Sonos: John MacFarlane

In 2002, John MacFarlane and his co-founders began tinkering on what was then an ambitious idea: create a new way to enjoy music throughout the home, without wires. At the time, streaming and the iPod were brand new, and smart speakers were over a decade away. But the team at Sonos engineered a top-quality wireless sound system, and–with many fits and starts–integrated it with mobile technology and, eventually, Siri and Alexa. Along the way, John and his team contended with the early unreliability of WiFi, and faced stiff competition from much bigger companies. But today, Sonos is an established player in music, with projected sales of over $1.5 billion this year. This episode was produced by Katherine Sypher with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Sam Paulson. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

19 Feb 2024

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:20

19 Feb 2024


#596

Powering cars with solar energy with Steve Fambro of Aptera Motors (2023)

There’s a new car coming to market that will probably make its owners search out the sunniest spots in the parking lot… Aptera Motors is designing and manufacturing this car: a plug-in electric hybrid that can run up to 40 miles on a single, solar-powered charge.This week on How I Built This Lab, Steve Fambro shares how he and his co-CEO revived their once-defunct auto company thanks to the promise of solar energy. Plus, Steve’s take on why today’s vehicles require so much energy, and how Aptera’s novel design could change the way we think about cars forever… This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson and edited by John Isabella, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

15 Feb 2024

39 MINS

39:50

15 Feb 2024


#595

Magic Spoon & Exo: Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz

Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz founded Magic Spoon to create a sugary breakfast cereal without the sugar. If that sounds daunting, consider their first business: protein bars made with cricket flour. Riffing on an idea that began as a college assignment, the founders ordered live crickets to roast at home, and worked with a top-rated chef to perfect their recipes. The only problem: getting people to eat a snack made of ground-up bugs. When Exo protein bars eventually stalled, the pair pivoted to another ambitious idea: breakfast cereal that tasted like the Fruit Loops and Cocoa Puffs of childhood–but minus the sugar and grains. Drawing on their roller-coaster experience with Exo, Gabi and Greg revisited winning strategies, and scrapped the plays that didn’t work, eventually building Magic Spoon into a nationwide brand. This episode was produced by J.C. Howard, with music by Ramtin Arablouei Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Sam Paulson. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

12 Feb 2024

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:45

12 Feb 2024


#594

Building a decarbonization army with Shashank Samala of Heirloom

Cutting emissions alone will not be enough. To avoid the worst effects of global climate change, Heirloom CEO and co-founder Shashank Samala believes we’ll also need to pull a lot of carbon out of the atmosphere... This week on How I Built This Lab, Shashank’s leap into climate entrepreneurship, launchingthe company that, in just four years, built North America’s first operational carbon capture facility. Plus, Heirloom’s novel approach to carbon removal—one tray of limestone at a time. This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research help from Carla Esteves. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

08 Feb 2024

27 MINS

27:08

08 Feb 2024


#593

Parachute Home: Ariel Kaye

In 2012, Ariel Kaye saw a tantalizing opportunity, but wasn’t sure she was the one to seize it. She’d never started a brand and didn’t think of herself as an entrepreneur, until she noticed how frustrating it was to buy bed linens in a big box store. Taking inspiration from Warby Parker and Everlane, Ariel quit her day job to launch a brand of DTC luxury sheets, made in Europe but exuding a California vibe, with photos of models lounging in semi-rumpled beds. As a solo founder, Ariel had to figure out everything herself, from manufacturing to supply chains to how to get through to investors. Today, Parachute Home offers a wide range of home goods and has expanded beyond its website to 26 physical stores across the U.S. This episode was produced by Chris Maccini with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Edited by Neva Grant, with research from Katherine Sypher. Our engineer was Josephine Nyounai. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

05 Feb 2024

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:11

05 Feb 2024


#592

3D printing a housing revolution with Jason Ballard of ICON

“If we keep doing what we’ve been doing, then we’re going to get what we’ve got—and what we got ain’t working.” ICON Co-founder/CEO and proud Texan Jason Ballard believes that a radically different approach to construction holds the key to creating affordable housing and solving homelessness for the entire globe. This week on How I Built This Lab, Jason’s venturesome path to inventing advanced technology that prints disaster-resilient homes from concrete—at a fraction of the traditional time and cost. Plus, a look at the Moon for more of Earth’s building solutions... This episode was researched and produced by Carla Esteves, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

01 Feb 2024

42 MINS

42:05

01 Feb 2024


#591

Drunk Elephant: Tiffany Masterson

Tiffany Masterson was a stay-at-home mom in her 40s when she launched her skin care brand, Drunk Elephant, in 2013. Six years later, she sold it for $845 million to the Japanese beauty giant Shiseido. Just six years! And she did it all with little to no experience in skin care, retail, or business. The professional branding and skin care world thought she was making huge mistakes: They panned her brand's name, product design, and strategy of focusing on only one high-end retailer. But Tiffany proved them wrong with great strategic instincts, incredible determination, and an unwavering belief in her products - and herself. This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Edited by Andrea Bruce, with research fromKatherine Sypher. Our audio engineer was Josephine Nyounai. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

29 Jan 2024

1 HR 31 MINS

1:31:12

29 Jan 2024


#590

Brewing creativity with Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company

When Jim Koch created Samuel Adams Boston Lager in 1984, American craft beer was still in its infancy. But forty years and thousands of new craft breweries later, both the competition and Jim’s drive to innovate are fiercer than ever... This week on How I Built This Lab, Jim reveals how thinking beyond paradigms and exploring aberrations has kept Boston Beer Company a leader in the alcoholic beverage industry. From hard teas to nitrogenated ales to non-alcoholic IPAs, Jim also shares the stories behind his company’s biggest hits — and biggest flops. Also, check out [Boston Beer Company’s founding story] (https://wondery.com/shows/how-i-built-this/episode/10386-samuel-adams-jim-koch/) told by Jim in October 2016. This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research help from Chris Maccini. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

25 Jan 2024

37 MINS

37:40

25 Jan 2024


#589

Liquid Death: Mike Cessario

Mike Cessario came up with the idea for a viral water brand by asking himself “What is the dumbest possible idea we could have?” His answer was Liquid Death: an aluminum can of water that looks like a cross between beer and poison. While it seemed self-destructive, the idea turned out to be brilliant: Liquid Death connected with customers who don’t typically buy bottled water, and built a moat around itself by being entertaining and edgy—something most brands struggle with. As a former ad-man with one failed business behind him, Mike initially sidelined his idea when he couldn't find a co-packer to put spring water in aluminum cans. But seven years after launch, Liquid Death is both a waterandan entertainment company, with annual revenue well above $100M. This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Edited by Neva Grant, with research from Casey Herman. Our engineers were Robert Rodriguez and Josh Newell. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

22 Jan 2024

1 HR 19 MINS

1:19:14

22 Jan 2024


#588

Doing the bees’ work with Thai Sade of BloomX

Thai Sade is the co-founder and CEO of BloomX, a company that has developed crop-pollinating technology to replicate natural pollinators like bees and other insects. So much of what we eat depends on bees, which have been used for centuries to pollinate crops. But today, the world’s growing appetite and other environmental stressors are pushing bee populations to the brink and threatening our food supply. This week on How I Built This Lab, how Thai’s company is helping farmers ease the burden on bees. Plus, how Thai’s upbringing on a kibbutz inspired him to tackle global challenges in agriculture, and how BloomX is contributing to rainforest conservation in Latin America. This episode was produced by J.C. Howard with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research help from Carla Esteves. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

18 Jan 2024

32 MINS

32:09

18 Jan 2024


#587

Primary: Christina Carbonell and Galyn Bernard

The apparel industry - be it high fashion or everyday wear - is a crowded and noisy market to crack. Just think about the sheer number of athletic shoes or jeans available at both ends of the price spectrum! So conventional wisdom is: to stand out, branding is really important.But for Christina Carbonell and Galyn Bernard, the co-founders of the children's clothing line Primary, branding was the last thing they wanted on their designs. The two women bucked other industry conventions, too:they only sell basic building-block pieces, using bright colors, in styles that hardly change year after year. No glitter. No cartoons. No pithy sayings. And no gender differentiation: the clothes are categorized as either babies or kids. Despite early struggles, eight years after launching in 2015, Primary is now a profitable company with annual sales over $50 million. This episode was produced by Casey Herman, with music by Ramtin Arablouei Edited by Andrea Bruce, with research help from Chris Maccini. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

15 Jan 2024

1 HR 12 MINS

1:12:38

15 Jan 2024


#586

Designing shoes for women's feet with Wes and Allyson Felix of Saysh (2023)

Allyson Felix is the most decorated American track and field athlete of all time. She’s also a mother. Those two identities came into conflict in 2018 when negotiating a contract renewal with her shoe sponsor, Nike. Ultimately, Allyson broke ties with Nike because the new contract presented a significant pay cut and lacked adequate maternal protections. After struggling to find a new shoe sponsor, Allyson and her brother/agent, Wes, decided to take matters into their own hands and start their own shoe company, Saysh. This week on How I Built This Lab, Allyson and Wes talk with Guy about their journey to the top of the track and field world, the decision to leave Nike, and how they built the iconic shoe that Allyson wore during her gold medal performance at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Plus, why most name brand shoes aren’t designed for women’s feet, and how Saysh is working to change that. This episode was produced by Chris Maccini, with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Edited by John Isabella, with research help from Lauren Landau Einhorn. Our audio engineer was Alex Drewenskus. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

11 Jan 2024

51 MINS

51:21

11 Jan 2024


#585

Calendly: Tope Awotona (2020)

After emigrating from Nigeria to the US to attend college, Tope Awotona worked as a door-to-door salesman and eventually set out to become a tech entrepreneur. He launched a series of e-commerce businesses that quickly fizzled when he realized he had no passion for them. But then he landed on an idea he was truly excited about: designing software that would minimize the hassle and headache of scheduling meetings. In 2013, he cashed in his 401k and went into debt to build Calendly, a scheduling service reportedly doing over $100 million in revenue. This episode was produced by Rachel Faulkner-White, with music by Ramtin Arablouei Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Daryth Gayles. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

08 Jan 2024

1 HR 10 MINS

1:10:09

08 Jan 2024


#584

Sharing the 2023 HIBT Lab Highlight Reel

A special look back at some of our favorite How I Built This Lab episodes of 2023. Hear how Pinky Cole built the vegan fast food chain Slutty Vegan after a devastating fire destroyed her first restaurant. Then, Nuseir Yassin turns a 1000-day social media travelog into a multi-dimensional business called The Nas Company. And finally, Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, returns to the show to talk with Guy about the future of dating. Stay tuned for fresh episodes in 2024. Happy New Year! This episode was produced by Chris Maccini with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis/?hl=en) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

04 Jan 2024

56 MINS

56:13

04 Jan 2024


#583

Aviator Nation: Paige Mycoskie

In 2006, Paige Mycoskie walked into one of the most exclusive boutiques in LA, wearing her handmade clothes and hoping to get a meeting with the buyer. And why not? On the street, people seemed to love her boldly striped shirts and sweats, always asking “Where can I get that?” whenever she wore them. Three years later, Paige opened her first store in Venice Beach, and then she relied on word of mouth – and shrewd negotiating tactics with landlords – to launch more new locations. Despite early struggles with managing her team and a costly scam, Paige grew Aviator Nation into a multi-million dollar brand - that still makes all its clothes in California. This episode was produced by Alex Cheng with music by Ramtin Arablouei. Edited by Neva Grant, with research from Rommel Wood. Our engineer was Josephine Nyounai. You can follow HIBT on [Twitter] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

01 Jan 2024

1 HR 08 MINS

1:08:57

01 Jan 2024


#582

Charging up the electric vehicle market with RJ Scaringe of Rivian

Rivian’s all-electric vehicles have been in high demand thanks to their unique look and handy features. But soon after hitting the market, a series of supply chain snarls led to a backlog of orders and a retreat by key investors. Undeterred, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has focused on ramping up production and has big plans for the company’s future — including the release of a new mid-size SUV in 2026. This week on How I Built This Lab, how Rivian continues to shape the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. Plus, Rivian’s plans to expand charging infrastructure across the U.S. and RJ’s strategies for leading through challenging times. And don’t forget to check out [Rivian’s origin story] (https://www.google.com/search?q=how+i+built+this+rivian+wondery&sca_esv=590380016&sxsrf=AM9HkKlFRF_AtxARoC1LxOlpvDm9Dat-Zg%3A1702481192278&ei=KM15Zc3LENm8ptQPsea2IA&ved=0ahUKEwjN_87V3IyDAxVZnokEHTGzDQQQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=how+i+built+this+rivian+wondery&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiH2hvdyBpIGJ1aWx0IHRoaXMgcml2aWFuIHdvbmRlcnkyBRAhGKABSIcNUL8EWKoLcAF4AJABAJgBnQGgAYUJqgEDMC44uAEDyAEA-AEBwgIIEAAYgAQYsAPCAgkQABgHGB4YsAPCAgcQABgeGLADwgIOEAAYgAQYigUYhgMYsAPCAgUQABiABMICBhAAGBYYHsICCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDwgIFECEYqwLiAwQYASBBiAYBkAYH&sclient=gws-wiz-serp) from September 2022. This episode was produced by Katherine Sypher with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella with research by Katherine Sypher. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis/?hl=en) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

28 Dec 2023

35 MINS

35:40

28 Dec 2023


#581

KiwiCo: Sandra Oh Lin

KiwiCo founder Sandra Oh Lin took an after-school pastime and turned it into a multi-million-dollar business. After quitting a high-powered job in tech, she dived into doing after-school projects with her kids, like making puppets out of Styrofoam or combining baking soda and vinegar to see what happens. When she discovered that other parents liked these projects too, she decided to create a subscription box company that sent out science and crafts kits every month. She gathered kids in her garage to test-market her ideas, and pitched her plan over and over to investors in Silicon Valley, where her car was “the only minivan in the parking lot.”Today KiwiCo is the leading subscription box for kids, and has shipped over 50 million crates worldwide. This episode was produced by Kerry Thompson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by Neva Grant with research help from Carla Esteves. Our audio engineer was Josephine Nyounai. You can follow HIBT on [X] (https://twitter.com/HowIBuiltThis) & [Instagram] (https://www.instagram.com/howibuiltthis/) , and email us at [hibt@id.wondery.com] (mailto:hibt@id.wondery.com) . See Privacy Policy at [https://art19.com/privacy] (https://art19.com/privacy) and California Privacy Notice at [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info] (https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info) . ... Read more

25 Dec 2023

52 MINS

52:45

25 Dec 2023