Best Chris Wilkinson Podcasts (2025)

1
Sugar Is Toxic and Addictive - Dr. Robert Lustig 58:17

7h ago58:17

58:17

This episode began with a discussion of 2009 as a watershed year before major belief in diseases tied to genetics began to be replaced by ones tied to mitochondria, food and the role of insulin. Michael Krasny brought up the link of diabetes to genetics and Dr. Bob Lustig indicated that the causation factor is only 15%, whereupon he talked about ge…

1
Joe Kloc explores Sausalito's vanishing 'anchor-out' community 27:43

13h ago27:43

27:43

Joe Kloc spent nine years immersed with Richardson Bay's "anchor-outs," a community living on abandoned vessels just offshore from multimillion-dollar Sausalito homes. In his book "Lost at Sea," Kloc chronicles their struggles against the authorities and residents who ultimately dismantled the century-old floating community. Kloc captures the ancho…

1
What Holdco Investors Can Learn from Neil Mehta (Never Outsource DD!) 40:58

3d ago40:58

40:58

Neil Mehta built Greenoaks Capital into one of the most successful — and secretive — investment firms in the world. While most VCs chase hype, Neil built a reputation for radical focus, long-term thinking, and doing his own diligence. In this solo research episode, I break down what holdco builders, private equity investors, and traditional busines…

1
Laurie Kirby looks behind the music festival curtain 30:45

9d ago30:45

30:45

Laurie Kirby, the founder of FestForums, brings insider expertise on what makes music festivals succeed. She explores California's vibrant festival scene from Coachella and Stagecoach to BottleRock and Outside Lands, examining how these events reflect the state's economic trends and cultural influence. She discusses how California's festivals funct…

1
Why You Need to Take Action NOW with Jordan Mendoza 3:06

10d ago3:06

3:06

In this episode our host Jordan Mendoza shares why you need to take action NOW! Connect with Jordan: LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Join Jordan's weekly Group Coaching Community Risk Free Pre order a signed copy of Jordan's new book The Life-Changing Power of Adversity The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is now exclusively sponsored by CityGate Studios Wha…

1
Ambassador Dennis Ross - Statecraft 2.0 and the Middle East 1:11:59

12d ago1:11:59

1:11:59

A discussion of ongoing negotiations with Iran began this episode with the former leading Middle East negotiator and author of Statecraft 2.0 Ambassador Dennis Ross, and proceeded to dialogue about Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Israel and the shift in regional balances of power in the Middle East. Michael Krasny brought up President Trump and sta…

1
How I'm Building a $50M EBITDA Holdco Of Boring Businesses | Nick Huber Interview 49:40

10d ago49:40

49:40

My guest today is Nick Huber — entrepreneur, investor, and creator behind a $30M+ holding company spanning real estate, service businesses, and media. In this episode, we dive deep into how Nick allocates capital across multiple businesses, builds operationally lean teams, and balances short-term cash flow with long-term wealth creation. We explore…

1
Ben Fritz weighs Hollywood's Next Act 28:34

17d ago28:34

28:34

Ben Fritz, who covers the entertainment industry for The Wall Street Journal, explores Hollywood's perfect storm of existential threats — empty theaters, streaming wars, production flight, artificial intelligence. If that wasn't enough, as Fritz has reported: audiences today seem to be rejecting both franchise tentpoles and original films. He discu…

1
Chris Heiser - Inside a Small Press 1:00:06

18d ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Why does this press call itself unnamed, how has it succeeded and what are the challenges of being an independent press? Along with asking about the role of multimedia, the vision of challenging the status quo and how the impact of published books is measured, those were the opening questions posed by Michael Krasny to publisher Chris Heiser. A dia…

1
The Positive Impact of Fatherhood & Faith with Trey Milner 59:31

19d ago59:31

59:31

Summary In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza speaks with Trey Milner about his journey from a challenging upbringing as a preacher's kid to finding his path in life through fatherhood, personal growth, and faith. Trey shares his experiences in the party scene, the transition to responsibility, and the lessons lea…

1
How I Bought 4 Competitors and 200x'd My Company ($1M -> $210M in 5 Years) | Nick Keegan Interview 52:05

17d ago52:05

52:05

My guest today is Nick Keegan, co-founder and CEO of Mail Metrics, a company helping highly regulated industries—like banks, insurers, and pension providers—communicate more effectively with their customers. Nick started Mail Metrics in 2013 at just 24 years old, after serving 11 years in the Irish Defence Forces. It took 7 years to reach €1M in re…

1
From Theater to Entrepreneurship with Hailey Rowe 30:48

21d ago30:48

30:48

Summary In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews marketing and sales strategist Hailey Rowe. Hailey shares her journey from a theater kid to a successful entrepreneur, discussing the lessons learned from her experiences in startups and the importance of consistency in business. She emphasizes the significa…

1
Erica Hellerstein on how improving farm worker conditions are now halted by a new wave of fear 28:46

24d ago28:46

28:46

Erica Hellerstein's reporting for El Tímpano follows the story of Pedro Romero Perez, a survivor of the 2023 Half Moon Bay mass shooting that left seven people dead, including his brother Jose. The tragedy exposed deplorable conditions in San Mateo County's agricultural industry: farm workers earning less than minimum wage while living in shipping …

1
New Podcast Sponsor! CityGate Studios 2:07

24d ago2:07

2:07

The Blaze Your Own Trail Podcast is now sponsored by CityGate Studios What does that mean for our listeners? It means you'll be getter more content with better visuals and post production What does that mean for our future guests? It means we now not only have virtual podcast options but have an option to record in studio. Here is more information …

1
Scott James - Who Gets 18 Months for Killing 100 People? 57:56

25d ago57:56

57:56

Initial focus in this episode was on the devastating and tragic 2003 Rhode Island Station nightclub fire seen by hundreds of millions of people, how it happened, its takeaways, and the quest for justice as well as related issues on fire safety which continue to persist today. Scott James also spoke about "people without clout" and a frightful incid…

1
From Shy Introvert to Global Community Builder with Chris Borja 27:56

27d ago27:56

27:56

Summary In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Chris Borja, a business networking consultant and community builder. Chris shares his journey from being a shy and introverted child to becoming a successful entrepreneur and networking expert. He discusses the importance of overcoming personal barriers, the…

1
Why Networks are Your MOAT and Competitive Edge (And How to Build Them?) | Alix Pasquet's Triad Strategy 34:59

24d ago34:59

34:59

In this special episode, I share transformative insights on the power of networks, heavily inspired by the wisdom of Alix Pasquet, a Managing Partner at Prime Macaya Capital Management. I dive into his framework for understanding how your network acts as both a critical competitive moat and a vital margin of safety in investing and business. Key to…

1
Empowering the Middle Class to Become Millionaires with Derrick Kinney 33:19

28d ago33:19

33:19

Summary In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Derek Kinney, a successful financial planner who transitioned from helping a select few become millionaires to creating a program aimed at helping the middle class achieve financial freedom. Derek shares his journey from a troubled childhood marked by bullyi…

1
From Engineer to Consultant with Norman Wolfe 29:04

29d ago29:04

29:04

Summary In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Norman Wolfe, a consultant and advisor to CEOs. Norman shares his journey from a childhood in Brooklyn, New York, to his career in aeronautical engineering and eventual transition into management and consulting. He discusses the challenges he faced in his ea…

1
Olaf Groth explores California’s high-stakes dance amid trade and tech turmoil 28:54

1M ago28:54

28:54

Olaf Groth, a futurist and professor at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, examines how global trade tensions, artificial intelligence advancements, and economic shifts are reshaping California's position in the world economy. He analyzes how intensifying tariff wars threaten the state's tech sector while driving up consumer prices. Groth exp…

1
How We Bought 15 Companies Worth $270M in Just 24 Months | Yuen Yung Interview 1:04:12

29d ago1:04:12

1:04:12

My guest today is Yuen Yung, Founding Partner at HalBar Partners, a firm focused on operator-led acquisitions. In just two years, HalBar and NCA ETA have closed 15 acquisitions totaling $270M in enterprise value, hitting their goal of 10 deals per year. We discuss: Yuen’s journey from immigrant roots to building HalBar The firm’s investment thesis,…

1
Building Wealth Through Real Estate Investing with Matt Theriault 44:44

1M ago44:44

44:44

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Matt Theriault, CEO of Epic Real Estate, who shares his journey from a successful music career to military service and ultimately to real estate investing. Matt discusses the importance of building passive income, the lessons learned from his diverse experiences, an…

1
Alissa Wilkinson explores Joan Didion's warning about America's entertainment politics 32:46

1M ago32:46

32:46

New York Times film critic Alissa Wilkinson discusses her new book, "We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine," which explores the California author's prescient understanding of how entertainment would colonize American political life. Wilkinson examines Didion's work through the lens of a Hollywood insider and cultural…

1
How We Bought 35 Businesses and Built a $700M HoldCo | Jesper Søgaard Interview 49:31

1M ago49:31

49:31

My guest today is Jesper Søgaard, co-founder and CEO of Better Collective — a global leader in digital sports media and sports betting information, with over 400 million monthly visits, 1,200+ employees, and 20 international offices. Founded in 2004, Better Collective has grown into a powerhouse through a disciplined mix of organic growth and over …

1
Arlie Hochschild - The Other Side of the Cultural Pay Wall 47:32

2M ago47:32

47:32

Renowned sociologist Arlie Hochschild offers a penetrating analysis of contemporary American political and social dynamics. Through a nuanced exploration of working-class experiences, economic disparities, and political allegiances, Hochschild provides critical insights into why many traditional Democratic voters have shifted towards supporting Don…

1
The Ultimate HoldCo Model: Turning Advisory into Long-Term Equity in Wonderful Businesses | Matthew Mathison Interview 1:03:57

1M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Meet Matthew Mathison – Co-founder and Managing Partner at MBL Partners, a firm building and investing in enduring, cash-flowing businesses. With a unique mix of Wall Street experience and entrepreneurial grit, Matthew shares how MBL identifies overlooked opportunities, partners with exceptional operators, and builds long-term value without chasing…

1
John Garamendi talks insurance, water, and farming under Trump 26:29

2M ago26:29

26:29

Rep. John Garamendi, a Bay Area Democrat, draws on his experience during two terms as California's insurance commissioner to discuss the state's insurance challenges. Garamendi argues that the state's current insurance chief, Ricardo Lara, has surrendered much of his authority to industry, creating market instability while failing to require transp…

1
From Corporate Grind to Creative Freedom with Erik Cabral 45:38

2M ago45:38

45:38

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza interviews Eric Cabral, a creative director turned entrepreneur. Eric shares his journey from a corporate career to discovering his passion for real estate and personal branding. He discusses his upbringing in New York, the influence of hip hop culture, and the importance of m…

1
My First 5 Acquisitions and How I'm Building a $20m EBITDA SaaS HoldCo | Pascal Levy-Garboua Interview 1:07:53

2M ago1:07:53

1:07:53

In this episode, I sit down with Pascal Levy-Garboua, a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and the founder of Noosa Labs. After making 140 venture capital investments, including seven unicorns, Pascal shifted his focus to acquiring and scaling small, profitable SaaS businesses under Noosa Labs. His next goal? Building a $50 million ARR portfolio with…

1
Jeremy Bailenson - Exciting and Immersive Virtual and Augmented Realities 41:44

2M ago41:44

41:44

In this episode, Michael Krasny sat down with virtual reality and augmented reality expert and Stanford professor Jeremy Bailenson in an expansive and highly illuminating discussion about the present and future of both VR and AR and the ongoing and imminent connections to AI. Krasny began by asking Bailenson about his evolution as a VR pioneer and …

1
My Most Vulnerable Podcast Episode 1:09:16

2M ago1:09:16

1:09:16

Welcome to 2025's 1st episode [and my comeback episode] of the Build In Public Podcast! 🎉 After a long hiatus from podcasting, I finally mustered the courage and strength needed to step into the arena with a very authentic conversation. Thanks to my friend Andrew Tsao who has graciously agreed to act as a host and interview me so we could bring thi…

1
How a Youtuber Built an 8-Fig Holdco of 6 Businesses | Arie Scherson Interview 1:14:21

2M ago1:14:21

1:14:21

Meet Arie Scherson, co-founder of Bluedot Holdings, a fast-growing e-commerce and SaaS holding company with six portfolio businesses generating over $10 million in revenue. Arie started his journey as a YouTuber in his 20s, testing 15 different products before mastering Facebook Ads and scaling his first business. Through relentless experimentation…

1
Max Boot - The Greatest Geopolitical Challenge 57:00

2M ago57:00

57:00

In this episode, Michael Krasny sits down with political commentator and Washington Post columnist Max Boot for a wide-ranging discussion on contemporary American politics, international relations, and the evolving media landscape. Their conversation spans from immediate concerns about editorial independence to broader historical comparisons betwee…

1
Chris Roberts unearths San Francisco's toxic nuclear legacy 35:57

2M ago35:57

35:57

Journalist Chris Roberts discusses the long-forgotten history of the U.S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory at San Francisco's Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Following atomic bomb tests in 1946, the Navy towed radioactive ships to San Francisco, creating a research program that exposed more than a thousand people to varying levels of radiation. …

1
Gregory Weaver on how a land conservation program delivered a windfall to mega-farms 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

In a two-part Fresnoland investigation, journalist Gregory Weaver exposed the false promise of California's Williamson Act, a tax break created in 1965 to protect agricultural lands from suburban sprawl. The program, tax records showed, now primarily benefits 120 mega-farms that collect roughly half of its $5 billion tax shelter, benefiting Wall St…

1
We Asked Sarah Lacy Are We in an Oligarchy of Tech Bros Under Trump? 58:30

2M ago58:30

58:30

In a wide-ranging and provocative conversation that traversed the intersections of technology, politics, and social change, veteran tech journalist Sarah Lacy and host Michael Krasny engaged in a candid dialogue that explored the most pressing cultural and political issues of the moment. The conversation began with Lacy opining on venture capitalis…

1
30+ Acquisitions And Counting – The Hidden Genius of Jeremy Giffon 28:09

2M ago28:09

28:09

Jeremy Giffon is one of the most interesting minds in business that almost no one knows about. As a former analyst at Tiny Capital, he played a key role in acquiring and operating dozens of companies—while staying almost completely out of the spotlight. His insights on capital allocation, holding companies, and finding asymmetric opportunities have…

1
From a Small Town to the Apartment Industry Hall of Fame with Jerry Wilkinson 58:29

2M ago58:29

58:29

Jerry Wilkinson is founder and Chairman of The Wilkinson Companies, a privately- held real estate investment and management firm. Since 1984, Wilkinson has directed the operations and growth of the Wilkinson Companies and its subsidiaries. Wilkinson served as 2012 Chairman of the National Apartment Association (NAA). He has previously served as Pre…

1
Randy Shaw champions San Francisco's Tenderloin through decades of change 22:22

2M ago22:22

22:22

Randy Shaw is the director of San Francisco's Tenderloin Housing Clinic, founder of the Tenderloin Museum, editor of Beyond Chron, and author of the newly updated book "The Tenderloin: Sex, Crime, and Resistance in the Heart of San Francisco." For over 45 years, he has advocated for this unique neighborhood which has maintained its character and re…

1
NY Times Film Critic Alissa Wilkinson on Villains and Evil in Today's Films and Nickle Boys as the Year's Best 59:01

2M ago59:01

59:01

We began this episode talking about Joan Didion as a Hollywood figure and the importance of John Wayne, as well as her importance as a political writer with early strong conservative political views. Didion's portrayal of Hollywood and her lesser-known film criticism also came up for discussion, followed by a consideration of the work of the legend…

1
How This Young Man Bought a $10M Business with Just $40K – Secrets from a $400M Lender | Bruce Marks Interview 1:05:03

2M ago1:05:03

1:05:03

Bruce Marks is a seasoned lender who has closed over $400M in deals, helping over 1,200 entrepreneurs acquire businesses using SBA loans. As Senior VP at First Bank of the Lake, Bruce specializes in financing small business acquisitions, search funds, and lower middle-market M&A transactions. Bruce doesn’t just finance deals—he knows what makes a b…

1
Dr. Shayan Rab is taking psychiatry to the streets 27:31

3M ago27:31

27:31

Dr. Shayan Rab, associate medical director at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, explains his revolutionary, if controversial, approach to helping mentally ill homeless individuals. As the county's first street psychiatrist, he created the Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement, or HOME Team, despite resistance from some quarters over…

1
How 4 Swedish Serial Acquirers Scaled To a 49x P/E Ratio | Niklas Sävås Interview 55:09

3M ago55:09

55:09

In this episode, we dive into the world of serial acquisitions with Niklas Savas, an analyst at Redeye, who has a unique perspective on the Swedish serial acquirers' approach. Addtech AB: Over 150 companies, $1.5B in revenue, $150M in operating profit. Lagercrantz Group AB: Around 40 companies, $500M in revenue, $50M in profit Lifco AB: Over 100 co…

1
Lili Anolik maps the orbit between Joan Didion's cool detachment and Eve Babitz's raw sensuality 28:09

3M ago28:09

28:09

Lili Anolik, author of the new book "Didion & Babitz," delves into the complex and largely unexplored relationship between literary icons Joan Didion and Eve Babitz in 1960s Los Angeles. Through newly discovered letters and extensive research, Anolik explains how these contrasting personalities — Didion's calculated reserve and Babitz's uninhibited…

1
What Does a Sales Coach Do? Part 4: Keep You Accountable For Your Reps with Jordan Mendoza 7:36

3M ago7:36

7:36

In this episode of the Blaze Your Own Trail podcast, host Jordan Mendoza discusses the critical role of accountability in sales coaching. He emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and the need for accountability partners to help business owners stay on track. Mendoza also highlights revenue-generating activities (RGAs) as essential tasks th…

1
Orville Schell - China and Russia Linked in Grudges 57:47

3M ago57:47

57:47

Tik Tok and data acquisition, scary topics on China up ahead. Michael Krasny featured leading Sinologist Orville Schell and began by asking Schell for his response to the Trump administration's imposed tariffs and their potential effects on a possible trade war, fentanyl out of China and U.S. China relations. Schell spoke of Xi Jinping's irrational…

1
How I Bought 4 Companies and Built a One-Man HoldCo Doing $20M in Revenue | Dustin Carreon Interview 1:29:13

3M ago1:29:13

1:29:13

Today’s story is a huge reminder to not cancel out the troubled kid or the teen who doesn't have it all together. Just a down-to-earth success story (with all the drama, obstacles, grind and persistence for 90-min straight). Dustin Carreon’s journey is a testament to the power of reinvention and strategic thinking. He started with a business that h…

1
Dr. Mildred García is driving the CSU system beyond diplomas 25:16

3M ago25:16

25:16

As the first Latina chancellor of the California State University system, Dr. Mildred García is seeking to transform the nation's largest public university system. Beyond focusing on diplomas and graduation rates, she is emphasizing career success and employment outcomes for CSU's more than 460,000 students. Her vision includes integrating artifici…

1
How I Built a 14-Unit Zaxby's Franchise Doing $50M in Revenue | Ben Little Interview 1:05:45

3M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

Ben Little runs the #1 Zaxby’s franchise in the U.S. His company owns 14 locations, employs over 800 people, and generates more than $50M in annual revenue. Ben didn’t just buy into a franchise—he built a powerhouse. In this episode, we dive into what makes a top-performing franchisee, Ben’s approach to scaling, and how he structures deals and fina…

1
Louis Ferrante - An Offer He Couldn't Refuse 1:07:04

3M ago1:07:04

1:07:04

Former Gambino family mobster Lou Ferrante joined us for an episode about his three volumes of research on the Mafia. He spoke of the alleged role of the Mob in the JFK assassination just as the files were about to be opened and he and Michael Krasny explored the ethos of the Mob -- the law of Omerta and the past frequency of so called "whackings,"…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Chris Wilkinson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen