Best Alexis Ohanian Podcasts (2025)

1
The Cure for Nihilism with professor Suzy Welch 34:37

6d ago34:37

34:37

Sometimes in life, we choose the wrong path. When we feel like we're living a lie, it's hard to know what to do next. That’s where Suzy Welch comes in. She’s obsessed with helping people create lives worth living. A professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, Suzy teaches a popular class called “Becoming You,” where she takes students down a bruta…

1
(PART 2) The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with National Geographic photographer Cory Richards 39:47

13d ago39:47

39:47

*Please note: At 9:01, Simon and Cory have a discussion about suicide. What happens after we attain success and glory? Where do you go when there's nowhere left to run from yourself? In Part 2 of my conversation with Cory Richards, Cory explains why reaching the summit of Everest marked the beginning of a long, painful fall from grace. After his tu…

1
E86: Inside Mischief VC's Evolution with Zach Perret and Lauren Farleigh 49:53

20d ago49:53

49:53

In this episode of Turpentine VC, Erik Torenberg interviews Lauren Farleigh and Zach Perret from Mischief VC, discussing their experiences as founders and how they leveraged those to build their venture firm. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess — SPONSORS: ☁️ Oracle Cloud Infrastruc…

1
(PART 1) The Climb Out of Pain is Taller Than Everest with National Geographic photographer Cory Richards 47:27

20d ago47:27

47:27

What happens when we reach the top? There’s only one place to go. Cory Richards has scaled the world’s highest peaks and fallen to life’s lowest lows. An acclaimed mountain climber, photographer, and filmmaker, Cory has literally reached the top of the world. He climbed Mount Everest with no supplemental oxygen, became the first American to summit …

1
a16z's Voice AI Investment Strategy 1:03:25

27d ago1:03:25

1:03:25

This week on Turpentine VC, we are releasing an episode from The Cognitive Revolution, hosted by Nathan Labenz. Nathan sits down with Olivia Moore and Anish Acharya from Andreesen Horowitz to discuss the trends, investment strategies, and future potential of AI voice technology in both B2B and consumer sectors, exploring its implications for variou…

1
Find Your Allies Fast with philanthropist Melinda French Gates 38:35

27d ago38:35

38:35

Change happens to all of us whether we choose it or not. What’s the best way to go through transition, especially when it’s something we didn’t want? Melinda French Gates has seen her fair share of big transitions. A philanthropist, author, and champion for female empowerment, she spent decades building the Gates Foundation into one of the mighties…

1
Who Are You, Really? with journalist Maria Shriver 41:41

1M ago41:41

41:41

We often define ourselves by what we do or who we are to other people. But at our core, who we are is often something much deeper, and sometimes wildly different, from the version that the world sees -- or projects onto you. Maria Shriver was born into the legendary Kennedy and Shriver families, arriving with a script already written for her—an ide…

1
E84: How Accel Captures Companies Outside Traditional VC Reach with Andrew Braccia 48:52

1M ago48:52

48:52

Andrew Braccia, partner at Accel for nearly two decades, sits down with Erik Torenberg to discuss the firm's evolution from Silicon Valley early-stage investor to global, multi-stage powerhouse. Braccia explains Accel's two major strategic shifts: global expansion with local teams in Europe, India, and beyond; and the launch of their growth fund in…

1
The Search for Self-Love with podcaster Lewis Howes 51:15

1M ago51:15

51:15

Self-love is never as easy as we think. Is it possible to fall in love with ourselves the way we fall for other people? Lewis Howes knows that learning to like yourself, let alone love yourself, can take decades. After surviving a traumatic childhood, Lewis spent years working on himself to try and understand what it takes for human beings to achie…

1
Revisited: Why Awkward Is Awesome with psychologist Ty Tashiro 31:51

2M ago31:51

31:51

A Bit of Optimism is on hiatus this week, so we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations! In this episode, Simon talks with psychologist Ty Tashiro about social awkwardness and why being awkward can actually be a superpower. ***** Awkwardness gets a bad rap. But being awkward is often an indicator that someone has extraordinary. Psychologist…

1
E83: Chad Byers on Why Susa is a Purpose-Built Seed Specialist [Classic Interview] 58:20

2M ago58:20

58:20

This week on Turpentine VC, we’re sharing Erik Torenberg’s interview with Susa Venture’s Chad Byers, which originally aired in September 2023. Chad discusses the firm's journey, their fund structures, and their vision for specialized seed investing, emphasizing the importance of focus, discipline, and adapting to market dynamics. — 📰 Be notified ea…

1
E82: Fundraising in Bear Markets: How Nichole Wischoff Closed $50M [How I Invest] 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

This week on Turpentine VC, we’re dropping an episode from David Weisburd’s “How I Invest Podcast” with Nichole Wischoff of Wischoff Ventures. Nichole discusses her impressive $50 million fundraise, closed in a bear market, sharing her strategy, brand-building efforts, and tips on leveraging social media to attract investors. — 📰 Be notified early …

1
Does Gender Change How We Lead? with Retired Colonel DeDe Halfhill 40:39

2M ago40:39

40:39

Is there such a thing as female leadership? Or is gender not a factor? DeDe Halfhill would say yes and no. A retired Air Force colonel, Dede spent 20 years in the military, where she advised some of the military’s most powerful leaders during the War in Iraq. She was often the only woman in the room for weeks on end. And while DeDe found the princi…

1
The Myth of the Perfect Meditator with podcaster Jay Shetty 50:25

2M ago50:25

50:25

We turn to ancient philosophies to help us cope with the stress of modern life. But what if ancient wisdom could use some help from the modern world? Jay Shetty has made it his life’s work to make wisdom, peace, and purpose available to everyone. After living as a monk for 3 years, he left his monastic lifestyle with the hope of spreading what he l…

1
E81: Inside Seven Seven Six with Alexis Ohanian [Classic Interview] 58:33

2M ago58:33

58:33

This week, we’re re-releasing Erik Torenberg’s interview with Alexis Ohanian. Alexis discusses his journey from co-founding Reddit to creating the venture firm Seven Seven Six, detailing its unique approach of using software to enhance venture capital operations and founder support, transparency, and accountability — 📰 Be notified early when Turpen…

1
When Your 'Flaw' Becomes Your Edge with Comedian Hasan Minhaj 44:43

2M ago44:43

44:43

To recognize your own talent takes time and self-awareness. But to find the courage to pursue it? That often requires a spark of inspiration from someone else. For Hasan Minhaj, that spark came from an unexpected trio—a teacher, a roommate, and Napster. A former correspondent on The Daily Show, Hasan’s natural gift of gab allowed him to build a wid…

1
E80: Logan Bartlett on How Great VC Firms Truly Operate 1:06:40

2M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

This week on Turpentine VC, we’re re-releasing Erik Torenberg’s interview with Logan Bartlett, partner at Redpoint and host of The Logan Bartlett Show. They discuss Redpoint's approach to venture, patterns in the VC ecosystem, and the strategies of venture's most consequential firms. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: http…

1
E79: Now at $2B Valuation: Mercor CEO On How They Started 56:42

3M ago56:42

56:42

This week on Turpentine VC, we are releasing an episode from 1 to 100 hosted by Usman Hanif. Usman interviews Brendan Foody, founder and CEO of Marcor, an AI-powered recruitment platform that automates the process of hiring, vetting, and paying employees. Brendan discusses Mercor's rapid growth, technology behind their operations, and the company's…

1
Humble Leaders Lead Better Teams with Retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink 42:07

3M ago42:07

42:07

Most people believe the only way to lead is to become the best at something. But what if great leadership means admitting you’re not the best at anything? Jocko Willink believes the secret to his greatest achievements come down to one thing – humility. A retired Navy SEAL commander, Jocko served 20 years in the U.S. military, leading one of the mos…

1
A Sweet Conversation About Dying with Death Doula Alua Arthur 45:22

3M ago45:22

45:22

Death is a word we like to avoid. We dance around the subject or use vague euphemisms to not hurt anybody. But what if being open about our deaths meant we could live happier lives? That’s where Alua Arthur comes in. Alua is one of the most prominent death doulas in the country, which means it’s her job to help people die. She offers support to her…

1
E78: Why Benchmark is Different Than Other Firms with Sarah Tavel & Eric Vishria 1:32:09

3M ago1:32:09

1:32:09

In this episode of Turpentine VC, we're sharing Erik Torenberg's 2023 interview with Sarah Tavel and Eric Vishria from Benchmark, exploring the firm's unique minimalistic approach, commitment to deep founder partnerships, and their deliberate avoidance of platform teams. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpe…

1
The Secret Art of Micromanagement with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky 44:06

3M ago44:06

44:06

People aren’t born great leaders. They learn to become great leaders. For Brian Chesky, the learning never stops. As the co-founder of Airbnb, he had to transition from an impassioned entrepreneur with a brilliant idea into a CEO responsible for thousands of employees. To make the hard decisions necessary for Airbnb to survive the COVID pandemic, a…

1
E77: IVP's Somesh Dash on Growth Stage Investing and Strategic Discipline 1:01:06

3M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

This week on Turpentine VC, we're re-releasing one of our most popular episode: Erik Torenberg’s interview with Somesh Dash. Somesh is a General Partner at IVP, shares insights on IVP's unique positioning in the venture capital ecosystem, the importance of team construction, the future of venture capital, and how IVP supports founders through scali…

1
Business Grandpa: Raising an Entrepreneur with Chris Ohanian 44:52

3M ago44:52

44:52

In this episode of Business Dad, I speak with my father, Chris Ohanian, the OG Business Dad, about raising socially aware children. He shares his experiences raising me and my stepsisters, discussing family traditions and how he managed life as a travel agent and business owner. This episode is close to my heart, as it also touches on my grandparen…

1
E76: Thrive Capital's Bold Bets on Category-Defining Companies with Kareem Zaki 1:10:19

3M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

Kareem Zaki shares the founding and development of Thrive Capital, emphasizing their strategy of opportunism combined with a focus on category-defining companies, their unique approach to talent cultivation and company-building in various sectors, especially healthcare, and their intentional media minimalism. — 📰 Be notified early when Turpentine d…

1
You Are More Like Grammy-Winner Jacob Collier Than You Think 57:33

3M ago57:33

57:33

To create something truly original, do we build something new or break what came before? Perhaps the answer is both—simultaneously. Jacob Collier does exactly that. A brilliant songwriter and musician, he’s known for transforming his live audiences into massive three-part choirs, making music with the very people who attend his concerts. His album …

1
The Kid Mero's Kids: Raising Kids and a Talk Show with The Kid Mero 42:02

3M ago42:02

42:02

In this episode of Business Dad, I talk with Joel Martinez, aka The Kid Mero, about his experiences as a father, his career in entertainment, and his Dominican American heritage. Mero discusses the wisdom passed down from his own parents, and also touches on his journey from teaching to co-hosting successful shows like Desus and Mero on Showtime. T…

1
Kids (And Employees) Know More Than You Think with Dr. Becky Kennedy 42:42

3M ago42:42

42:42

Parenting is the hardest job in the world—and it turns out, it’s also one of the best training grounds for leadership. Dr. Becky Kennedy, aka the “Millennial Parent Whisperer,” became an essential voice for caretakers by offering practical, actionable parenting advice that resonated with millions during the pandemic. As a clinical psychologist and …

1
E75: Greg Castle (Anorak VC) on the Biggest AR/VR and Spatial Computing Opportunities 50:31

3M ago50:31

50:31

Greg Castle, founder of Anorak Ventures, discusses the evolution and future of spatial computing, particularly in AR, VR, and technology's impact on human interaction and learning. This conversation took place in February 2023. — 📰Be notified early when Turpentine drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess 🙏Help shape our show…

1
Planning Daddy Daughter Nights, with Parker Conrad 33:07

4M ago33:07

33:07

In this episode of Business Dad, I interview Parker Conrad, founder of Rippling, an all-in-one, easy-to-use HR and IT platform for businesses. The episode touches on the values and lessons Parker aims to instill in his kids, the value of "daddy daughter nights", and seeing the world from your child's perspective. This episode was originally release…

1
E74: General Catalyst CEO on Running VC Like an Enduring Company 47:44

4M ago47:44

47:44

Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst discusses the firm's evolution from an artisanal business to an enduring venture platform, focusing on operational rigor, fund size, talent strategy, and investments in companies like Stripe and Snap, while emphasizing the importance of responsible innovation and long-term industry transformations. — 📰 Be noti…

1
Spite Is The Greatest Motivator with Watch Duty founder John Mills 39:02

4M ago39:02

39:02

When the wildfires struck Los Angeles, turmoil quickly consumed the city. People were desperate for clear, reliable information—unsure of evacuation routes or how to track the fires as they spread in a history-making wind storm. Then, we found Watch Duty. This intuitive app became our lifeline. The visionary behind the app is John Mills, a seasoned…

1
Navigating Fatherhood from Anxiety to Confidence, with Garry Tan 33:38

4M ago33:38

33:38

In this episode of Business Dad, I talk to Garry Tan about our experiences being venture capitalists and fathers. We share parenting hacks, favorite morning routines and creative ways of being present for our children. The conversation delves into our work together as co-founders of Initialized Capital, and how being active parents influences their…

1
The First Steps to Reducing Your Anxiety with author Mel Robbins 54:35

4M ago54:35

54:35

Life can feel overwhelming, especially when we're too drained to even get out of bed. So, how do we push through those days? For Mel Robbins, facing this very question turned her life around. Struggling with $800,000 in debt and at rock bottom, she became obsessed with finding practical ways to regain control. Fast-forward to today, and Mel is a be…

1
E73: Aydin Senkut on Building Felicis Ventures 1:02:22

4M ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Today on Turpentine VC, we’re releasing one of our most popular episodes: Erik’s interview with Aydin Senkut, founder and managing partner of Felicis Ventures. Aydin discusses the evolution and distinct strategies of Felicis Ventures, their focus on mental health, and insights on successful generalist investing in venture capital. — 📰 Be notified e…

1
Balancing NBA Stardom, Health Challenges, and Fatherhood with Chris Bosh 36:38

4M ago36:38

36:38

In this episode, I sit down with 11-time NBA All-Star Chris Bosh to delve into the challenges of balancing a high-profile sports career with fatherhood. We discuss how Chris managed his legendary career and personal life, the instrumental support from his wife, Adrienne, and his emotional journey post-retirement. This episode was originally release…

1
The Cure for Loneliness with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy 46:39

4M ago46:39

46:39

Loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. Where do we go to feel like we belong? As the Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. Vivek Murthy has been a leading voice in bringing the loneliness crisis to light, stressing its devastating impact on public health. As his second term nears its end, he leaves behind a powerful reflection in his lett…

1
E72: Keith Rabois: On Identifying Talent [Classic Interview] 1:05:03

4M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

This episode of Turpentine VC was recorded in front of a live audience in San Francisco in October 2018.Keith Rabois discusses his frameworks for identifying talent, sharing anecdotes about notable operators and companies like PayPal, LinkedIn, and Square. He emphasizes the importance of talent assessment, strategic thinking, and offers career advi…

1
E71: How to Scale Talent | Andy Price, Artisanal Ventures [Cross Post] 58:26

4M ago58:26

58:26

This week on Turpentine VC, Andy Price, a veteran executive recruiter and venture capitalist, joins Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich from HR Heretics, a Turpentine podcast, for a deep dive into the crucial aspects of hiring, retaining, and developing top talent. Andy has built leadership teams for renowned companies like Snowflake and DocuSign. Che…

1
E70: Martin Casado of a16z on AI Innovation and AGI 1:48:03

5M ago1:48:03

1:48:03

Today we're sharing a conversation between Martin Casado, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz and Nathan Labenz, AI scout, which originally aired on The Cognitive Revolution podcast from Turpentine. Their discussion explores AI systems complexity and debates whether AI development will lead to AGI. The conversation covers model scaling, biologic…

1
E69: Lost Tapes: Elad Gil on the Eve of the AI Boom 50:17

5M ago50:17

50:17

This ‘lost episode’ of Turpentine VC with investor Elad Gil was recorded at a unique moment in time (September 2022) — before ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity launched. Drawing from his experiences at Google, Elad discusses early ML systems, the open source debate, NVIDIA, labor markets, and AI alignment and shares some behind the scenes anecdotes. —…

1
Co-Founding a Family, with Scott Belsky 40:19

5M ago40:19

40:19

In this episode of Business Dad, Alexis Ohanian talks with Adobe's chief product officer, Scott Belsky, about being a present father. Scott shares his journey from co-founding Behance to becoming an author and a top executive at Adobe- all while raising three children. Scott talks about encouraging creativity and curiosity in his kids, managing tim…

1
Trevor Noah Makes My Brain Hurt 56:36

5M ago56:36

56:36

It’s our last episode of 2024, so I decided to invite comedian Trevor Noah on…to get as serious as possible. Most Americans know Trevor as the former host of The Daily Show, a bestselling author, and a stand-up comedian. But his brand of humor isn’t just a barrel of laughs— it’s raw, witty, thought-provoking, and often makes you see the world in a …

1
E68: How Theory Ventures Differentiates in a Crowded VC Market 57:41

5M ago57:41

57:41

This week on Turpentine VC, we feature a compilation episode of our popular interviews with Tom Tunguz, General Partner at Theory Ventures who just announced a $450M second fund less than two years after launching. Over the course of the episode Tomasz explains their concentrated portfolio approach, and expands on their key theses in AI, decentrali…

1
From Defensive End to Finance with Justin Tuck 27:03

5M ago27:03

27:03

In this episode of Business Dad, I sit down with former NFL All Pro Defensive End Justin Tuck. Justin shares insights from his 11-year football career, his transition to an MBA and role at Goldman Sachs, and how he balances his work ethic with family life. The conversation delves into his family's daily routines and rituals, and how he remains an a…

1
Should You Work With Your Friends? with my friend Will Guidara 49:26

5M ago49:26

49:26

They say business and pleasure don’t mix. But what about business and friends? My dear friend Will Guidara is the perfect person to dive into this question because we're actively trying to get into business together. And, let's just say, it requires a lot of effort. In addition to being someone I love, Will is a renowned restaurateur, known for own…

1
E67: Defense Tech’s Rise with 8VC’s Alex Kolicich 58:51

5M ago58:51

58:51

This week on Turpentine VC, we’re releasing Sourcery’s Molly O'Shea’s interview with Alex Kolicich, founding partner at 8VC to discuss Alex's H1 2024 report on the venture landscape, covering AI investment challenges, the resurgence of defense technology, and broader economic trends impacting markets. For full show notes, visit: https://highlightai…

1
Technologies Impact on Being a Dad with Nicholas Thompson 29:51

5M ago29:51

29:51

In this episode of Business Dad, Alexis Ohanian talks with Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic. Thompson shares his views on screen time, the importance of dedicated family activities, and his unique bedtime story creation- Eggplant Parmesan. With a background including editing for NewYorker.com, Wired and authoring a book on cold war history, T…

1
The Secret to Happiness with Harvard professor Robert Waldinger 45:30

5M ago45:30

45:30

We all want to live a happy life, but what does research say about how to actually achieve it? For more than 86 years, researchers at Harvard University have been trying to answer that question. In one of the longest-running and most comprehensive studies of human happiness, Harvard tracked 724 teenagers through every stage of their adult lives sin…

1
When Parenting Is Not That Funny with Hasan Minhaj 35:35

6M ago35:35

35:35

Alexis Ohanian interviews comedian Hasan Minhaj on the challenges of balancing an explosive comedy career and fatherhood. Hasan reflects on his journey from his role on 'The Daily Show' to his Peabody Award-winning Netflix series 'The Patriot Act', and discusses the demands of both his professional and personal life. They discuss the lessons learne…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Alexis Ohanian Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen