Masters of Scale podcast

Masters of Scale

·

  WaitWhat  

Award-winning business advice from Silicon Valley and beyond. Iconic CEOs, from Nike to Netflix, Starbucks to Slack, share the strategies that helped them grow from startups into global brands — and to weather crisis when it strikes. On each episode of our classic format, founding host Reid Hoffman — LinkedIn cofounder, Greylock partner and legendary Silicon Valley investor — and a stellar lineup of guest hosts prove unconventional theories about how businesses scale. Guests share their stories of entrepreneurship, leadership, strategy, management, fundraising. You’ll hear the human journey, too — failures, setbacks, learnings. From our Rapid Response format, you can expect real-time wisdom from business leaders in fast-changing situations. Hosted by Bob Safian, past editor-in-chief of Fast Company, these episodes tackle crisis response, rebuilding, diversity & inclusion, leadership change and much more.

Award-winning business advice from Silicon Valley and beyond. Iconic CEOs, from Nike to Netflix, Starbucks to Slack, share the strategies that helped them grow from startups into global brands — and to weather crisis when it strikes. On each episode of our classic format, founding host Reid Hoffman — LinkedIn cofounder, Greylock partner and legendary Silicon Valley investor — and a stellar lineup of guest hosts prove unconventional theories about how businesses scale. Guests share their stories of entrepreneurship, leadership, strategy, management, fundraising. You’ll hear the human journey, too — failures, setbacks, learnings. From our Rapid Response format, you can expect real-time wisdom from business leaders in fast-changing situations. Hosted by Bob Safian, past editor-in-chief of Fast Company, these episodes tackle crisis response, rebuilding, diversity & inclusion, leadership change and much more.

 

#456

How Star Trek prospers against Netflix and Disney+, w/Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman

The streaming wars have reached a new inflection, as Netflix and Disney+ jostle for position, and in the process disrupt post-strike Hollywood. Paramount+ invested heavily in blockbuster veteran Alex Kurtzman to turn Star Trek into a distinguishing franchise. Now Kurtzman talks with Rapid Response host Bob Safian about the future of streaming, the end of TV’s golden age, and how courting Trekkies offers lessons for all customer engagement. Plus, Kurtzman shares behind the scenes stories of Star Trek’s past, present and future. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

13 hrs Ago

28 MINS

28:19

13 hrs Ago


#455

How AI adds to human potential: (LIVE) with Scale AI’s Alex Wang and Intel’s Lama Nachman

Generative AI is advancing at a breakneck pace, prompting questions on risk and opportunity, from content creation to personal data management. In a special live recording, we delve into the ways AI can augment human work and spur innovation, instead of simply using AI to cut costs or replace jobs. Host Jeff Berman joined a seasoned AI researcher, Intel's Lama Nachman, and a young start-up founder, Scale AI's Alexandr Wang, on stage at the Intel Vision event in April 2024. They explore topics like AI’s disruption of creative industries, mitigating its biggest risks (like deepfakes), and why human critical thinking will be even more vital as AI technology spreads. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

16 Apr 2024

27 MINS

27:52

16 Apr 2024


#454

How optimism fuels the economy, w/U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark

Is the state of the U.S. economy good or bad right now? Stock markets have soared, but consumers remain wary. Are CEOs and investors deluding themselves? Or do Main Street Americans expect too much? Suzanne Clark, CEO of the US Chamber of Commerce, has uncommon insight into this perplexing dichotomy. She talks with Rapid Response host Bob Safian about what she’s hearing from businesses in the U.S. and abroad. Plus, she shares details from her recent high-profile visit to China. Also: why bringing your full self to work may not be a good idea, and how optimism drives economic growth and progress. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Apr 2024

26 MINS

26:02

11 Apr 2024


#453

144. The healthy, conscious capitalist, w/Whole Foods Market co-founder John Mackey

John Mackey, co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods Market, started in the grocery business as a Texas undergraduate seeking the keys to a happy life. The self-described “hippie” opened one natural foods store in Austin and scaled beyond imagination from there. In his 44 years as CEO, Whole Foods grew to more than 500 locations and to a $13.7 billion valuation. Mackey shares how tapping into passion and purpose can align an entrepreneur with larger waves of change. Even as traditional grocery chains cut costs and streamlined, Whole Foods focused on the in-store experience, and carefully selected locations for successful growth. Mackey shares lessons in being put to the test around politics and activist investors, and his belief in creating value for all stakeholders. Hear how and why he sold Whole Foods to Amazon, and how tapping into purpose led to a new venture, the health and wellness brand Love.Life. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

09 Apr 2024

31 MINS

31:12

09 Apr 2024


#452

2024 is the most significant time in human history, w/PBS host & futurist Ari Wallach

We are biologically wired to focus on the near-term, and that’s often a good thing. But in this moment — with global conflict, fast-evolving tech, and climate change dominating our present — we need to also prioritize long-term impacts. Futurist Ari Wallach joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to dive into our biological and business motivations around what he calls “futuring.” Host of the new PBS docuseries, A Brief History of the Future, Wallach shares lessons from the longest-standing corporations on Earth, why he views AI as “immortal algorithms,” and how business leaders must embrace the moral imperative of their business as a core KPI. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Apr 2024

30 MINS

30:10

04 Apr 2024


#451

143. Be an evangelist for authenticity, with tech veteran Guy Kawasaki

With his trademark wit and wisdom, Guy Kawasaki shares lessons from his trailblazing journeys in tech and investing. He was “software evangelist” at Apple when the company launched its revolutionary Macintosh line. He went on to lead his own wide-ranging ventures, and today has reprised his role as “evangelist” at the graphic design platform Canva. Guy has also written 16 books and hosts the “Remarkable People” podcast, which is now a book of the same name. He offers valuable insights on fostering a growth mindset, embracing change, and harnessing the power of AI to supercharge innovation. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

02 Apr 2024

30 MINS

30:52

02 Apr 2024


#450

Bracing for a possible TikTok ban, w/fitness entrepreneur Cassey Ho

If the U.S. government bans TikTok, a generation of content creators and brands who have built businesses on the platform will be radically disrupted. With 17 million social followers — 3.5 million of which on TikTok — fitness and lifestyle entrepreneur Cassey Ho is in the heart of that storm. Founder of athleisure brands Blogilates and POPFLEX, she joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to discuss the fast-changing game of social engagement and what’s required right now. Plus, she offers personal lessons on building a dedicated following and how audience feedback fuels her product roadmap. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Mar 2024

21 MINS

21:46

28 Mar 2024


#449

142. How to score $200M: Angel City’s playbook for women’s soccer

The high-flying Angel City Football Club is rising to a historic valuation in professional women’s soccer, nearing $200 million. When the Los Angeles team started four years ago, franchises in its league went for as little as $2 million. Co-founders Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman reveal the game-changing strategies behind this seismic shift, created with a third co-founder, actor and activist Natalie Portman. The tale of ACFC holds valuable lessons, from harnessing an outsider's advantage to tapping an underserved market with fresh perspectives. Their bold vision: prove women's sports is a lucrative enterprise, champion equitable recognition and pay across gender, and craft an iconic brand fueling community impact. Kara and Julie’s big dreams, brilliant execution, and unstoppable determination have transformed an industry. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Mar 2024

32 MINS

32:51

26 Mar 2024


#448

Riding the Ozempic wave, w/RO's CEO Zach Reitano

Rabid demand for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy is altering US society and transforming the healthcare industry. Rapid Response host Bob Safian guides us through the upheaval and lessons, talking with CEO Zach Reitano of Ro, a telehealth platform that has ridden the wave to a $7 billion valuation. Reitano shares why he chose obesity-treatment as his company’s “hero product,” the impact of weight-loss drugs on industries beyond health-care, and why the potential of GLP-1s like Ozempic mirrors that of AI. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

26 MINS

26:54

21 Mar 2024


#447

141. Leading across great divides: Ian Bassin, Protect Democracy Executive Director

Just like private companies, many not-for-profit organizations begin when a founder sees a gap in the market and makes something new to fill it. Ian Bassin is a lawyer, former White House counsel and not-for-profit leader who saw a need to better protect and preserve the building blocks of America’s democratic systems, and steer things away from authoritarianism. His organization, Protect Democracy, brings together stakeholders across political divides to develop products, systems and services related to good governance. And Ian’s workforce has been entirely distributed — with employees now in more than 20 states — from the very beginning. Host Jeff Berman draws out Ian’s story of crafting Protect Democracy’s mission alongside its culture. Hear how Ian gained the confidence, political and financial capital to start his work, and how he aligns an all-remote team. This episode is packed with insights for business leaders who navigate difference, and who aim to drive positive change. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Mar 2024

38 MINS

38:03

19 Mar 2024


#446

Who really won The Oscars, w/The Black List's Franklin Leonard

The Oscars aren’t just Hollywood’s biggest night. The ceremony and the scrutiny around it captures the trends and evolving values of American culture. Rapid Response host Bob Safian digs into the business implications of the Academy Awards with incisive Hollywood observer Franklin Leonard, founder and CEO of The Black List, an independent platform connecting screenwriters with studios. From Oppenheimer’s near-sweep to Killers of the Flower Moon’s donut – and how Barbie arguably won the night without taking home the top prizes, Leonard teases out lessons about creativity, missed opportunities, and where the future of entertainment is moving. If you work in the film, television or theater industry andare interested in finding high quality material, apply for The Black List industry membership today: [https://blcklst.com/register/apply] (https://blcklst.com/register/apply) Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com ] (https://mastersofscale.com ) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Mar 2024

29 MINS

29:29

12 Mar 2024


#445

Landing on the moon, with Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines

In tackling our own moonshots, few businesses can offer inspiration like Intuitive Machines. When the company’s Odysseus lander touched down on the moon on February 22, Intuitive Machines became the first private enterprise ever to reach the moon — and the first U.S. presence on the surface in 52 years. CEO Steve Altemus joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to share how his team navigated multiple last-minute challenges, with lessons about both meticulous planning and swift adaptability. From autonomous vehicles and 3-D printed engines to leveraging software and AI, Altemus explains how commercial space exploration is leaving the realm of science fiction to become a real industry. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

25 MINS

25:14

07 Mar 2024


#444

Reid Hoffman & Jeff Berman on why the future needs re-founders

Reid Hoffman thinks visionary leaders should pursue a "re-founder" state of mind. In this episode he welcomes the newest host of Masters of Scale, Jeff Berman, for a dialogue that digs into a re-founder's mission: evolving an organization while staying true to core values. As the re-founder of WaitWhat, the media company that brings this podcast to life, Jeff explores with Reid their own experiences with leadership succession. And they draw on re-founding insight from all-stars like Microsoft's Satya Nadella, Uber's Dara Khosrowshahi, and Yahoo's Marissa Mayer. So reset the clock to Day 0 – because it's always a prime time for a reboot! Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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 Mar 2024

34 MINS

34:00

05 Mar 2024


#443

Reid Hoffman on OpenAI’s $7 trillion plan, Apple’s Vision Pro, and AI traps

Will OpenAI’s new text-to-video tool Sora revolutionize content creation? In this episode of Masters of Scale, Reid Hoffman joins Bob Safian to discuss Sam Altman’s fundraising, Meta’s dramatic resurgence, and three catalysts driving the recent tech layoffs. In this rapidly evolving world, Reid makes a case for how AI is redefining the game of scale, and why entrepreneurs shouldn’t buy into the myth of a “right moment” to engage with a new opportunity or challenge. Register for AI Day (Feb. 29): [https://mastersofscale.com/mastersofaiday] (https://mastersofscale.com/mastersofaiday) Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

27 Feb 2024

25 MINS

25:24

27 Feb 2024


#442

Battling cyber attacks and deepfakes with AI, w/Darktrace CEO Poppy Gustafsson

Cyber war is raging, and the culprit is AI.Poppy Gustafsson, CEO of cybersecurity firm Darktrace shares new, proprietary info about how cybercrime has become professionalized across the Dark Web, and why deepfakes could soon find their way into your Slack or Zoom calls.But AI is also a powerful new weapon against attackers: Poppy tells Rapid Response host Bob Safian how to protect the most exposed areas of a business, why the unique digital DNA of an organization offers a shield, and how human factors are often more vulnerable than any software. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

29 MINS

29:09

22 Feb 2024


#441

Reid Hoffman opens up, w/On Being's Krista Tippett

Krista Tippett and our friends at On Being welcomed Masters of Scale host Reid Hoffman for an inspiring conversation about all things philosophy, AI, and technology’s impact on the human condition. We loved the episode so we’re sharing it with our listeners too. Reid opens up about his progressive upbringing and the power of friendship throughout his life. Plus, the pair experiment with Reid’s chatbot, Pi, and explore how being an AI optimist or pessimist will evolve the future of humanity. Read a transcript of this episode: [https://mastersofscale.com] (https://mastersofscale.com/) Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: [https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe] (https://mastersofscale.com/subscribe) 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

20 Feb 2024

1 HR 22 MINS

1:22:43

20 Feb 2024