Episodios

  • NetApp CEO George Kurian: From Humble Beginnings to Leading a Fortune 500 Giant | E124

    NetApp CEO George Kurian: From Humble Beginnings to Leading a Fortune 500 Giant | E124
    Sep 9 2025
    George Kurian’s journey from a modest upbringing in Kerala, India, to becoming CEO of NetApp is an extraordinary story. George worked cafeteria shifts and construction jobs to pay his way through Princeton before climbing the ranks at Oracle, McKinsey, and Cisco. In this episode, George opens up about the weight of being a “rookie CEO” responsible for 12,000 people, the discipline of saying no to 97% of ideas, and the humility it takes to lead through uncertainty. He and Ilana explore resilience, focus, and the future of AI, while revealing how diverse experiences and family values shaped his leadership philosophy. George Kurian is CEO of NetApp, a Fortune 500 data infrastructure and cloud services company. Under his leadership, NetApp has strengthened its cloud-first and data services strategy, growing into a $20 billion company. In this episode, Ilana and George will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:20) Family Role Models and Upbringing (06:00) Landing a Princeton Scholarship and Learning to Survive (09:20) Lessons from Oracle and McKinsey (13:50) Why George Left Cisco to Join NetApp (16:45) How Cafeteria Work Inspired NetApp’s Engineering Process (19:40) The ‘30-30-30’ Rule for Driving Organizational Change (22:40) George’s Journey to Becoming CEO Overnight (26:30) First-Time CEO Challenges and Leadership Struggles (30:40) Why a CEO Should Say “No” to 97% of Ideas (33:10) Betting on Cloud Partnerships Instead of Competing (37:15) The Power of Choosing Your Path and Tackling Hard Problems George Kurian is CEO of NetApp, a Fortune 500 data infrastructure and cloud services company. Before joining NetApp in 2011, he had built a diverse tech career that included leadership roles at Oracle, McKinsey, Cisco, and Akamai. Under his leadership, NetApp has strengthened its cloud-first and data services strategy, growing into a $20 billion company. Connect with George: George’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgekuriannetapp Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities. Watch the free training at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
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    45 m
  • Former Siemens CEO on Building an $80B Business While Avoiding Burnout | Klaus Kleinfeld | E123

    Former Siemens CEO on Building an $80B Business While Avoiding Burnout | Klaus Kleinfeld | E123
    Sep 2 2025
    Klaus Kleinfeld’s journey from a difficult childhood in Germany to leading two Fortune 500 companies, Siemens and Alcoa, was anything but easy. He experienced the true cost of leadership: the loneliness of making impossible decisions and the grit to push forward when every alternative seems bleak. In this episode, Klaus joins Ilana to share how resilience and freedom shaped his leadership philosophy. They dive into his shift from time management to energy management, exploring lessons from sports, breathing techniques, and mindset practices that helped him lead various multi-billion dollar businesses without burnout. Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is a German entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Siemens AG, Alcoa Inc., and ARconic. He is also the founder and CEO of the investment firm K2Elevation and was named director of Saudi Arabia's Neom initiative, later becoming an advisor to the Crown Prince. In this episode, Ilana and Klaus will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:01) Early Life and Family Tragedy (07:31) East vs. West Germany and Freedom (12:01) His Love for Problem-Solving (18:01) Creating a Strong Feedback Culture (23:31) Becoming the CEO of Siemens (30:01) The Loneliness of Leadership (35:31) Letting People Go with Respect (40:01) Facing Fear and Regret (45:31) Energy Over Time Management (50:01) Building a Passionate and High-Performance Team Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is a German entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Siemens AG, Alcoa Inc., and ARconic. He is also the founder and CEO of the investment firm K2Elevation and was named director of Saudi Arabia's Neom initiative, later becoming an advisor to the Crown Prince. As the author of Leading to Thrive, Klaus offers a framework for blending personal well-being with strategic leadership. Connect with Klaus: Klaus’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/klauskleinfeld Resources Mentioned: Klaus’s Book, Leading to Thrive: Mastering Strategies for Sustainable Success in Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Thrive-Mastering-Strategies-Sustainable/dp/1544546718 The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Regret-Looking-Backward-Forward/dp/0735210659 Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi: https://www.amazon.com/Open-Autobiography-Andre-Agassi/dp/0307388409 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities. Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training
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    58 m
  • Nathan Blecharczyk: The Raw Truth of Scaling Airbnb to a $75B Empire | E122

    Nathan Blecharczyk: The Raw Truth of Scaling Airbnb to a $75B Empire | E122
    Aug 26 2025
    Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb, built his first software business as a teenager, earning nearly a million dollars before shutting it down to attend Harvard. Years later, Nathan and his roommates turned an air mattress idea into Airbnb, facing investor rejection, financial hardship, and moments when quitting seemed inevitable. From creating satirical cereal boxes to joining Y Combinator after a near-failed interview, Nathan’s story is one of perseverance and resilience. He shares how Airbnb overcame early struggles, scaled globally, and survived COVID-19 to go public successfully. Nathan Blecharczyk is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb, where he helped grow the platform from a spare air mattress idea to a $75 billion global travel company. According to Forbes, he is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $9 billion. In this episode, Ilana and Nathan will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:36) Building a Software Business as a Teen (05:28) Harvard, First Job, and the Decision to Move West (11:58) The Birth of AirBed & Breakfast (15:07) Landing Their First Guests and Gaining Early Validation (18:03) Investor Rejection and the Obama O’s Cereal Stunt (30:45) Applying to Y Combinator and Getting In (36:29) Finding Evangelists and Meeting Hosts in New York (42:34) From $200 a Week to $4,200: Airbnb’s First Growth Curve (44:59) Global Expansion, Competitors, and Building Teams Abroad (52:22) The 2020 Crisis: COVID, Collapse, and Reinvention (59:21) The Future of Travel Nathan Blecharczyk is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb, where he helped grow the platform from a spare air mattress idea to a $75 billion global travel company. A Harvard graduate and self-taught programmer, Nathan has been instrumental in Airbnb’s international expansion and strategy, navigating challenges from investor rejection to the COVID-19 crisis. According to Forbes, he is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $9 billion. Connect with Nathan: Nathan’s LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/blecharczyk⁠ Airbnb’s Website: ⁠https://www.airbnb.com⁠ Resources Mentioned: Y Combinator: ⁠https://www.ycombinator.com⁠ Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Only-Paranoid-Survive-Exploit-Challenge/dp/0385483821⁠ Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities. Reserve your 24-HOUR PASS today at ⁠https://webinar.leapacademy.com/24hr-pass1
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    1 h y 10 m
  • How Case Kenny Turned His Podcast into a Multi-Million Dollar Brand | E121

    How Case Kenny Turned His Podcast into a Multi-Million Dollar Brand | E121
    Aug 19 2025
    After 12 years of working in corporate advertising, Case Kenny launched a podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis? as a personal experiment. In its first month, the show drew 57,000 downloads, yet Case kept it hidden, afraid it didn’t fit his professional image. Over time, he embraced his vulnerability, created bestselling guided journals, and built a brand helping millions live more optimistic and mindful lives. In this episode, Case joins Ilana to share how a side project turned into a multi-million-dollar portfolio career, why regret is his decision-making compass, and how choosing the right words can change the way you live. Case Kenny is an author, entrepreneur, and host of the globally recognized podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?. Known for his work in mindfulness and personal growth, he has built a multi-million-dollar brand through writing, guided journals, and speaking engagements. In this episode, Ilana and Case will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:42) From Language Studies to Corporate Advertising (05:07) Starting the Podcast Without Clarity (07:43) Overcoming the Fear of Vulnerability (09:04) Stepping Fully into a New Identity (14:14) When Passion Becomes a Business (16:53) COVID, Journals, and a Turning Point in Sales (18:10) Why Journaling Works and How to Start (25:01) Building a Connected Portfolio Career (27:40) Business Challenges and Six-Figure Losses (33:09) Battling Expectations, Regret, and Trust as a Default (42:10) Defining Mindfulness and Advice to Case’s Younger Self Case Kenny is an author, entrepreneur, and host of the globally recognized podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?, a podcast with tens of millions of downloads. Known for his work in mindfulness and personal growth, he has built a multi-million-dollar brand through writing, guided journals, and speaking engagements. His work has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Forbes, and NBC. Connect with Case: Case’s Website: casekenny.com Case’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/casekenny/ Case’s Instagram: instagram.com/case.kenny Case’s YouTube: youtube.com/c/CaseKenny Resources Mentioned: Case’s Podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?: pod.link/1383599078 The Opposite of Settling by Case Kenny: https://www.amazon.com/Opposite-Settling-Everything-Without-Losing/dp/1401995918 The Soul’s Code by James Hillman: https://www.amazon.com/Souls-Code-James-Hillman/dp/0517271036 That’s Bold of You by Case Kenny: https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Bold-You-Thrive-Vibrant/dp/B0BRDFLJNZ Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities. Reserve your 24-HOUR PASS today at https://webinar.leapacademy.com/24hr-pass1
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    52 m
  • How Julia Hartz Built Eventbrite from a Startup to a Billion-Dollar IPO | E120

    How Julia Hartz Built Eventbrite from a Startup to a Billion-Dollar IPO | E120
    Aug 12 2025
    What do you do when the dream you've chased no longer fits? For Julia Hartz, it meant walking away from a promising career in Hollywood to dive into the unknown world of startups. As an intern on the set of Friends, she learned the value of kindness, clarity, and high standards. But the real test came in tech, where she bootstrapped through a downturn, faced 27 VC rejections, and ultimately co-founded Eventbrite, one of the world’s leading event ticketing platforms. In this episode, Julia joins Ilana to discuss her leap from TV to tech, how she led Eventbrite through a crisis, and how she continues to reinvent herself and her business. Julia Hartz is the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform that empowers creators to bring people together through live experiences. In 2018, she took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange, making her one of the few female founders to lead a tech IPO. In this episode, Ilana and Julia will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:02) Julia’s Leap from Performance to Broadcasting (04:28) Her Internship on the Set of Friends (07:15) Discovering Her Path in TV Development at MTV (10:59) The Original Jackass Pilot and Startup-Like Creativity (14:55) Transitioning from MTV to FX and Facing Uncertainty (18:47) Leaving Hollywood to Build a Startup (26:43) The Product Strategy That Transformed Their Business (32:29) Getting 27 Rejections from VCs and Refusing to Quit (35:50) How the Financial Crisis Created Their Breakthrough (40:03) Reinventing Herself to Become CEO (46:05) How COVID Nearly Took Down Eventbrite (51:09) The One Rule She Always Comes Back To Julia Hartz is the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform that empowers creators to bring people together through live experiences. In 2018, she took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange, making her one of the few female founders to lead a tech IPO. Today, Eventbrite has powered millions of events and facilitated billions in ticket sales in 180 countries. Connect with Julia: Julia’s Website: eventbrite.com Julia’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliahartz Julia’s Instagram: instagram.com/juliahartz Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    1 h y 5 m
  • 68 Rejections, One Yes: How I Built a $100M Startup Against All Odds | Dan Shapiro | E119

    68 Rejections, One Yes: How I Built a $100M Startup Against All Odds | Dan Shapiro | E119
    Aug 5 2025
    After getting laid off from his corporate job, Dan Shapiro launched his first startup, Photobucket Inc. (formerly Ontela), but faced nine months of rejection from investors and no funding. Despite these setbacks, his persistence led to a successful partnership, which later turned sour due to a managerial dispute. He took these lessons and went on to build multiple successful startups, including Glowforge, a $100M company revolutionizing 3D laser printing. In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share the secrets to startup success, how to navigate entrepreneurial challenges, and what it takes to build a company that not only thrives but also transforms industries. Dan Shapiro is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and CEO of Glowforge, a company that pioneered desktop laser technology, enabling creators to produce millions of custom products. He previously created Robot Turtles, the most successful board game in Kickstarter history, and founded Photobucket Inc. In this episode, Ilana and Dan will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:56) Early Upbringing and Entrepreneurial Drive (04:47) Corporate Experience at Microsoft (08:14) The "Poop Umbrella" Leadership Principle (11:42) The Darkest Nine Months of Dan's Career (16:39) Securing Funding Against All Odds (20:35) The Brutal Truth About Entrepreneurship (24:32) The PhotoBucket Merger: What Went Wrong? (27:56) From 67 Rejections to a Google Acquisition (31:38) CEO Strategy: Delegate vs. Lead (36:24) The Bold Strategy Behind Robot Turtles' Success (45:16) Building Glowforge: From Idea to $100M Business (51:47) Leadership Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas Dan Shapiro is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and CEO of Glowforge, a company that pioneered desktop laser technology, enabling creators to produce millions of custom products. He previously created Robot Turtles, the most successful board game in Kickstarter history, and founded Photobucket Inc. Dan also served as CEO of Google Comparison Inc. after Google acquired his startup, Sparkbuy. He is the author of Hot Seat and a prolific innovator with over 60 patents to his name. Connect with Dan: Dan’s Website: danshapiro.com Dan’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danshapiro Resources Mentioned: Dan’s Book, Hot Seat: The Startup CEO Guidebook: https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Seat-Startup-CEO-Guidebook/dp/1449360734 Glowforge: https://glowforge.com From $500 Startup to Open Source Pioneer: How Tim O’Reilly Built a Media and Tech Legacy | E109: bit.ly/tim-oreilly-leap-academy Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-Secrets-Silicon-Startup/dp/152473165X Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    1 h y 6 m
  • Dr. Josh Axe: From Healing My Mom of Cancer to Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Health Brand | E118

    Dr. Josh Axe: From Healing My Mom of Cancer to Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Health Brand | E118
    Jul 29 2025
    Dr. Josh Axe’s passion for health and wellness began when his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis led to chronic health issues after chemotherapy. Inspired by this, Josh pursued natural medicine, which helped her make a remarkable recovery when cancer returned. Years later, Josh faced a spinal infection that left him unable to walk. Doctors predicted permanent disability, but using the same healing mindset and natural methods that saved his mom, he defied the odds. In this episode, Josh joins Ilana to discuss the transformative power of belief, the keys to true health and success, and the secrets behind building a powerful personal brand. Dr. Josh Axe is a physician, entrepreneur, and leadership expert passionate about helping individuals use food and natural remedies to achieve optimal health and wellness. He is the founder of DrAxe.com and The Health Institute and the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition. In this episode, Ilana and Josh will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:06) The Cancer Battle That Sparked His Health Mission (05:29) The Role of Belief in Healing, Growth, and Success (14:34) Building DrAxe.com into a Digital Health Powerhouse (20:55) The Scary Moment He Almost Lost Everything (24:05) Overcoming the Fear of Charging What You’re Worth (26:06) Josh’s Strategies for Building a Scalable Brand (31:12) Simple Habits for Total Health Transformation (34:37) From Bedridden to Healed: The Power of Belief (42:38) Why Character Beats Accomplishments Dr. Josh Axe is a physician, entrepreneur, and leadership expert passionate about helping individuals use food and natural remedies to achieve optimal health and wellness. He is the founder of DrAxe.com and The Health Institute and the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition. His businesses have ranked among the Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies. Josh is the host of The Dr. Josh Axe Show and the bestselling author of Eat Dirt, The Keto Diet, and Think This, Not That. Connect with Josh: Josh’s Website: draxe.com Josh’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshaxe Resources Mentioned: Josh’s Book, Think This, Not That: 12 Mindshifts to Breakthrough Limiting Beliefs and Become Who You Were Born to Be: https://www.amazon.com/Think-This-Not-That-Breakthrough/dp/1400337844 Josh’s Podcast, The Dr. Josh Axe Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-josh-axe-show/id1700689487 The Health Institute: thehealthinstitute.com Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    50 m
  • Sahil Bloom: The 5 Types of Wealth, How to Find True Success and Fulfillment Beyond Money | E117

    Sahil Bloom: The 5 Types of Wealth, How to Find True Success and Fulfillment Beyond Money | E117
    Jul 22 2025
    Sahil Bloom was living the "dream" life, climbing the corporate ladder, earning well, and hitting all the career milestones. Yet, he felt unfulfilled. During a conversation with an old friend, he mentioned how he only saw his parents once a year. His friend's blunt remark, "You're going to see your parents 15 more times before they die," hit him hard, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities and reassess his idea of success. In this episode, Sahil joins Ilana to share how to overcome the fear of career transitions, build a life that aligns with your values, and find fulfillment beyond a paycheck. Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer focused on redefining wealth beyond money. Through his newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle, Sahil offers actionable ideas for building a high-performing, healthy, and wealthy life. In this episode, Ilana and Sahil will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:46) The Cost of Chasing Traditional Success (04:33) Family Background and the Pressure to Succeed (08:41) What Baseball Taught Him About Life and Business (13:17) Unfulfillment Despite Corporate Success (18:50) Overcoming the Fear of Career Transition (23:35) Why Personal Growth and Change Can Feel Lonely (26:51) Turning Criticism into Fuel for Growth (29:34) Embracing Life’s Different Seasons (31:55) Writing The Five Types of Wealth (36:55) The Real Challenges in Entrepreneurship (41:24) How to Break Free When You’re Feeling Stuck Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer focused on redefining wealth beyond money. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling book The 5 Types of Wealth and the founder of SRB Ventures, an early-stage investment firm. Through his newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle, Sahil offers actionable ideas for building a high-performing, healthy, and wealthy life. Connect with Sahil: Website: https://www.sahilbloom.com/#Hero LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom Resources Mentioned: Sahil’s Book, The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Wealth-Transformative-Guide-Design/dp/059372318X Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    46 m