Advertise on podcast: Behind the Business with Michelle Toh

What do you do when 97% of consumers already know your brand? Our latest guest is Samsung Electronics America CMO Allison Stransky, who takes 3 pressing questions about winning attention in an increasingly fragmented online world, the future of marketing and where AI fits in. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 01:18: How Allison found her path in marketing 02:45: Lessons from L’Oréal, Google and YouTube 04:50: How Allison landed her role 06:37: The career lesson that changed how Allison reaches audiences 07:54: Competing for attention in an algorithmic market 10:20: Which brands are winning 11:27: Building an influencer and creator strategy 14:54: How Samsung allocates its marketing budget 15:43: Why Samsung skipped the Super Bowl this year 17:13: Ad 18:14: Common generative AI marketing mistakes 19:55: AI skepticism, product bugs and getting it right 21:35: Are we in an AI bubble? 23:03: Inside Samsung’s “Solve for Tomorrow” program — AI fluency for the next generation 26:12: Ad 27:37: How Samsung markets its AI ecosystem 30:03: Daily routine, priorities, and work-life balance 32:16: Building a global marketing strategy37:18: Lessons about data and decision-making 39:02: Rapid-fire round 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors: QUO: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BTB FAIRE: Get 50% off your first wholesale order at https://www.faire.com/BTB (Terms may apply) 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️ About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all — and also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property crunch. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, NBA champion, entrepreneur and investor Jeremy Lin takes us on his journey from underdog to global sports phenomenon. From going undrafted out of Harvard to finding himself at the center of "Linsanity," Jeremy has had a career unlike almost any other. Now, a year after retiring, he's building the next chapter of his career and seeking to redefine success beyond basketball. We get a special peek into Jeremy’s world on and off the court, hear about his ambitions in media, startups and VC, and meet "the one person" whom Jeremy says has helped him and his brand the most: JLIN LLC CEO (and Jeremy's sister-in-law!) Patricia Sun. In this episode, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 01:28: Walk & talk at Jeremy's basketball training camp for young AAPI athletes 04:56: How would the students describe Coach Jeremy? 05:54: Developing a winning mindset 07:00: Transitioning to life after retirement 09:24: Find joy in the journey: What he's hoping to pass down to the next generation 11:22: Sitting down with Jeremy in-studio 11:56: Playing at the YMCA: The beginning of Jeremy’s basketball journey 13:10: Why basketball felt like an escape 14:05: The moment the NBA dream actually felt real 14:57: Going undrafted and overcoming self-doubt 17:36: What it felt like to live through Linsanity 19:30: Handling pressure and overthinking 19:54: Highlight moments: Scoring 38 points against the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant 21:13: Winning the NBA championship — and not feeling enough 23:05: Managing self-talk and criticism 24:33: Learning to be proud of where you’re at 28:01: Chopping a long-term goal into "10,000 small goals" 29:30: Ad 32:10: Rebuilding his career after injury 33:50: Going overseas 34:23: Competing with yourself 36:35: Playing basketball in Asia 37:23: Representation in sports: How perceptions of Asian athletes have changed 35:20: Couch-surfing: Crashing with Landry Fields, his brother and sister-in-law 38:49: Introduction to Patricia Sun, the CEO behind Jeremy Lin's brand 40:50: How Patricia became Jeremy’s business partner 42:10: How Jeremy’s family managed the rise of Linsanity 43:11: Building a global brand strategy 43:54: What being "mission-driven" really means 45:08: Ad 47:32: How to evaluate deals and decipher which ones to turn down 48:11: What it's like to work with family 49:52: Entering the VC world: What the team looks for when investing in startups 51:39: Opportunities in Southeast Asia 52:20: Investment strategy and business vision 54:48: Jeremy’s next big career goal 56:26: The long-term vision for JLIN LLC 58:16: Starting a hydration drinks brand in Taiwan and staying true to their values 01:00:00: Audience question 01:02:20: Cultural differences: Jeremy’s funniest story from playing in both the NBA and CBA 01:03:05: Rapid-fire round This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors: Perplexity Computer — try it for free for a limited time at: http://pplx.ai/BTB Chime — sign up for 5% cash back at: https://www.chime.com/BTB Policygenius — see how much you could save on life insurance at: http://policygenius.com/BTB OneSkin — get 15% off with code "BTB" at: http://oneskin.co/BTB 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️ About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property crunch. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bymichelletoh TikTok: behindthebusinessshow #jeremylin #linsanity #nba #basketball #athlete #leadership #leadershipmindset #brandbuilding #entrepreneurship #investing #business #leadership #career #careergrowth #careerjourney #startups #sportsbusiness #philanthropy #AsianAmerican #AAPI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Away CEO Jessica Schinazi takes us behind one of the most recognizable names in travel — and what it takes to keep building when the market moves faster than ever. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 02:04: From Brazil and France to building a life in New York 02:41: How family dynamics shaped Jessica’s leadership style 03:16: Leadership lessons from Dyson, Amazon and LVMH 06:09: Away’s brand strategy and competitive advantage 08:48: Joining Away at a pivotal moment 11:11: How Away navigated previous leadership challenges and COVID 14:18: Jessica’s approach to fostering a positive company culture 16:17: First priorities as CEO: Why Jessica spent her first year visiting every Away store and factory before putting her strategy in place 19:07 Ad 20:06: Where Away sees opportunity in the market 21:05: Away’s social media and lifestyle marketing strategy 23:32: How brands can navigate copycats and dupes 26:09 Ad 27:31: How Away navigates challenges in a volatile business landscape 29:08: How Away, a poster child of the DTC boom, is expanding into retail and wholesale 32:22: Finding the balance between DTC and wholesale 33:58: Away’s brand partnership strategy 36:48: How Away is rethinking its products around different travelers' pain points — including with a new so-called “closet on wheels” 38:13: Away’s expansion into softside luggage and new categories 41:33: Away’s international growth and localization strategy 45:05: How Away is approaching AI for business and travel 47:28: How Jessica balances daily priorities for sustainable growth 49:30: Jessica's response to potential IPO plans 50:08: Jessica’s 10-year vision for Away 52:17: Audience question 53:46: Rapid-fire round This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors: • QUO: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BTB • MasterClass: Get at least 15% off any annual membership at https://www.masterclass.com/BTB 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 *SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:* YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️ About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow #ceo #leadership #management #consumerbrands #brandstory #strategy #corporatestrategy #commercialstrategy #travelindustry #lugggage #vc #scaling #womeninbusiness #femaleleadership #business #businesspodcast #away Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s guest is Peloton CEO & President Peter Stern. He takes us inside the company’s push to reinvent itself after its post-pandemic struggles — including its latest move into gyms. Peloton became one of the biggest winners in business during the pandemic, but as consumers returned to gyms and life moved on, the company faced a very different reality. Stern, a former Apple executive who helped create Apple Fitness+, calls the Peloton job a “dream” opportunity. In his first year as CEO, Stern has set out to “refound” Peloton around a broader connected wellness ecosystem spanning fitness, mental wellbeing, sleep and recovery. Plus, Stern shares how he manages Wall Street pressure, the “25” system he uses to help his team sift through priorities, the “one-touch” rule that keeps his inbox from piling up, and where he ultimately wants to take Peloton. In this conversation, we discuss: 00:00: Introduction 01:24: Peter's career journey and early ambitions 02:45: Lessons from McKinsey and Time Warner Cable 03:55: What Apple taught Peter about subscription businesses 05:58: Lessons from leaving Apple for Ford 09:00: Why Peter chose to take on this challenge — and reaction from friends and family 11:06: Why Peter personally called Peloton’s recruiter to pitch himself 13:44: The "biggest misunderstanding" about Peloton 15:18: Ad 16:34: Strength classes, Pilates and breathwork: Building an overall wellness ecosystem 18:06: “Refounding” the company 20:21: Peloton IQ: What Peloton is really trying to solve with AI 23:06: Balancing Peloton’s hardware and subscription businesses 25:43: Why Peloton is expanding from homes into commercial gyms 29:11: Partnering with hotels32:03: The rise of GLP-1 and why Peter thinks it could actually be good news for the fitness industry 33:53: Peloton’s international expansion strategy 36:06: Balancing Wall Street expectations with long-term growth 38:21: Peter’s long-term vision 40:01: The “25” system that forces the company to prioritize 42:29: Overhauling its entire product lineup and launching four new products in 10 months 42:59: Audience question 45:03: The “one-touch” rule Peter uses to manage his inbox 44:12: Rapid-fire round This episode is brought to you by Long Angle: https://www.longangle.com/business 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the BusinessBehind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.About Michelle TohMichelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow #ceo #leadership #management #consumerbrands #brandstory #strategy #corporatestrategy #commercialstrategy #fitnessindustry #wellnessindustry #software #hardware #exercise #siliconvalley #vc #scaling #turnaround #business #businesspodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining us this week is Cameron Adams, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Canva — the company that has simplified online design and become one of the world’s fastest-growing tech platforms. What began in 2013 has grown into Australia’s most valuable private tech company, valued at as much as $40 billion and backed by investors including former Disney CEO Bob Iger. Canva has transformed how people create everything from presentations and social posts to party invitations — taking a once-gatekept industry and making design accessible to more than 265 million people each month. The company has crossed billions of dollars in annual revenue and is now doubling down on AI as it enters its next phase of growth. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 01:30: From law school to design and entrepreneurship 07:28: Cameron’s early entrepreneurial instincts 03:10: Choosing passion over a traditional career path 04:17: What Google Wave taught Cameron about product development 07:00: Story of building Fluent and its failure 08:52: The connections that brought Canva’s co-founders together 09:46: Why Cameron initially turned down the opportunity to join Canva 12:17: Cameron’s accident hours before Canva’s launch 14:51: How Canva scaled to more than 265 million monthly users 16:52: How Canva built a truly localized global product 18:12: Ad 20:11: When should founders trust their intuition over user and investor feedback? 22:34: Why Canva scrapped its social networking features 23:04: How luck and timing shaped Canva’s success 24:18: Fundraising lessons for startup founders 26:37: How Cameron went from a shy kid to a confident public speaker 27:51: Canva’s strategy for competing with Adobe and Microsoft 29:14: How Canva built and maintains its global user community 31:27: The company’s biggest product shift with Canva AI 2.0 34:50: The challenges of building Canva AI 2.0 36:22: Has AI-powered design overcome its early limitations? 37:36: AI Boom vs. early innings 39:26: Will AI replace entry-level creative roles? 41:17: Cameron Adams on Canva’s IPO plans 42:03: Cameron’s approach to philanthropy and the Giving Pledge 45:08: Cameron’s long-term vision for Canva 46:11: Audience question 47:33: Rapid-fire round Note: This episode was recorded in April 2026. Check out Cameron's own new podcast, Prompted: https://promptedpodcast.com/ This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors: Quince: Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns at https://www.quince.com/BTB | QUO: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BTB 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow #Leadership #Entrepreneur #Founder #Design #Unicorn #Scaling #Growth #Startup #Technology #Tech #Australia #EntrepreneurialJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining us this week is The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly. He turned what started as a personal blog while working at Morgan Stanley into one of the world’s leading travel media platforms — shaping how millions of consumers spend, earn and think about travel. In our special new segment, “3 Pressing Questions,” Brian weighs in on hot topics shaping travel today, and explains how he built a top creator business that sold for tens of millions of dollars. From why flights feel so expensive right now, to how industry shifts could affect your wallet, to common mistakes to avoid when booking a trip, Brian breaks down what’s worth paying for today. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 01:28: Starting The Points Guy as a side hustle 05:57: Why the points game isn't dead 06:38: How points really drive US airlines 11:28: How to get started in the points game 16:38: Selling The Points Guy 18:22: Advice to other entrepreneurs on building a brand 23:24: Stepping down as CEO and being honest about your own strengths 24:27: When should we expect airfares to come down, if at all? 25:22: Industry consolidation — outlook for United, American, Delta, Spirit and JetBlue 26:36: 'Debundling' of airline prices and how carriers are working to 'maximize every single square centimeter on the plane' 29:16: With current volatility, should we be booking all our flights ahead now? 30:30: Creating a 'couch' in economy: Brian's take on airlines' new cabin concepts 33:12: 5-star hotels, cruises and yachts: Where Brian sees the best value in luxury travel right now 35:10: Tips and tricks to make the most of your trip 38:31: Brian's biggest travel recommendation this summer 39:53: How US airlines compare to those abroad 42:04: How Brian's son Cooper became the youngest person to ever visit all 7 continents 45:07: Long-term view: Brian's end game 47:01: Rapid-fire round 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with audience members who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow #Travel #Blogger #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #CareerStory #CreatorEconomy #BusinessPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining us this week is Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth, who takes us behind the rise of one of America's fastest-growing beverage brands — from a kitchen counter experiment to a nearly $2 billion acquisition by PepsiCo. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00 Introduction 01:15: Growing up in a household of entrepreneurs, gaining confidence as a dancer and working cleaning bathrooms 03:28: Starting Poppi inside Allison's kitchen 05:11: The trial-and-error process 06:26: Allison's previous life working in oil and gas 07:31: Starting to sell at farmer's markets and being discovered by Whole Foods 08:49: Going all in— the truth behind the "overnight success,” including at one point almost losing their home and selling both cars 12:44: Product breakthrough after Allison's co-founder husband snuck sugar in 15:04: Pitching on "Shark Tank" while nine months pregnant 23:16: The rebranding and relaunch as Poppi 29:39: "Embarrassment is the most under-explored emotion when it comes to success" 30:45: The "black ops" budget/ playbook that helped Poppi stand out in one of the world's most competitive industries 33:05: Why Poppi gave equity to employees, advisors and ambassadors like Alix Earle — and how it actually fueled the company's growth 36:59: The rise of prebiotic sodas and competition like Olipop 40:55: Landing the PepsiCo deal — a landmark sale that underscored the rise of challenger brands in consumer goods 43:43: The emotional reality of handing over the company she and her husband built 44:15: What's next for Allison 47:36: Audience question 48:57: Rapid-fire round 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow #Poppi #PepsiCo #Acquisition #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #CareerStory #WomeninBusiness #FemaleFounder #BusinessPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining me this week is RJ Scaringe, founder & CEO of Rivian, the electric automaker backed by Amazon and Volkswagen. RJ has wanted to build cars for as long as he can remember — telling his father at age 10 that he hoped to one day start an automotive company. Years later, in 2009, he took the leap. There was "no money, no team, no technology, no suppliers, no brand and no production infrastructure," as he puts it. Now, as the company launches a new vehicle, doubles down on AI and autonomous driving, and charts a path to steady profitability, RJ takes us through the lessons from building an automaker from the ground up — and one of the world's most closely watched EV companies. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00 Introduction 01:26: Early beginnings 07:06: Starting Rivian from a clean sheet in 2009, post-recession 12:31: Navigating skepticism and 'comically bad' investor meetings in the early days 16:04: Meeting Jeff Bezos and securing Amazon's investment 17:24: Entering the market with its first two vehicles, the R1T and R1S 21:57: Launch of the R2 this year 25:22: Near-term challenges: supply chain risks 31:19: Challenges in EV sector and RJ's outlook 33:35: Balancing Wall Street's short-term expectations with long-term vision 37:00: Rivian's intended path to steady profitability 38:42: Why Rivian developed its own AI chip 40:42: Self-driving vehicles 47:43: Teaming up with Volkswagen 48:20: RJ's new venture, Mind Robotics 52:27: Factory automation 53:47: RJ's end game 56:29: Rapid-fire round 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow #Autos #EVs #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #AutonomousVehicles #SelfDrivingCars #Robotics #Mobility #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #WallStreet #AI #Technology #CareerStory #BusinessPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“An estimated 30-35% of the global economy are black and gray markets.” That’s the world our next guest, Mariana van Zeller, has spent years investigating. From online scam centers to black-market oil, the Peabody Award-winning journalist has built a career going where few reporters can. "Trafficked" — her hit Nat Geo series — regularly breaks records at the Emmys. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 01:18: The "hidden third" of the global economy 02:15: Growing up in Portugal and the path to journalism 03:50: Fighting her way into Columbia University 05:56: Covering 9/11 and finding her calling 09:20: Reporting from Syria and entering the world of black markets 14:34: How "Trafficked" is made 17:09: Navigating danger and censorship 22:23: Dream story 23:17: Her toughest story and most dangerous assignment 34:08: Why her sources agree to be interviewed, even if it could implicate them 36:47: What actually reduces crime 40:17: Why "Trafficked" ended despite its huge popularity — and what's next, including "The Hidden Third" podcast 44:55: Audience question: How to distinguish a good story from a great one 46:01: Rapid-fire round 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: - YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB - Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA - Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB - Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bymichelletohTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behindthebusinessshow #investigativejournalism #blackmarket #shadoweconomy #womeninmedia #journalism #documentary #career #careergrowth #careerstory #independentjournalism #independentmedia #founder #founderstory #founderjourney #founders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US makes up almost 50% of global market cap. Yet over the past three decades, the number of American public companies has declined dramatically. So says this week’s guest, NYSE Chief Development Officer Chris Taylor, who joins us for our new “3 Pressing Questions” segment. After years of a quieter IPO market, there are signs momentum is returning — with a surge in new equity offerings and investors watching the debuts of big names like SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic. We headed to the New York Stock Exchange to unpack: 🌍 What’s really driving global stock markets right now? 🔔 What’s next for the US IPO market as attention turns to companies like SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic? 🤖 Are we in an AI bubble?Plus: Chris shares what founders should know if they dream of ringing the bell on Wall Street one day. We dive into: 00:00: Introduction 03:59: What's actually driving stock markets right now — and where consensus might be wrong 06:29: CEO outlook on global volatility, AI and challenges 08:01: Where some companies are spotting new market opportunities 08:57: Are we in an AI bubble? 10:31: IPO market outlook 12:14: Expected 'mega-IPOs' this year with SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic 14:22: NYSE roadmap 15:40: SEC proposal to give companies option to report earnings semi-annually vs. quarterly 17:26: The hardest part of running the exchange 19:46: Jump in overseas demand for US stocks 21:12: How NYSE competes against other exchanges - both in the US and overseas 26:33: Common mistakes companies make before going public 27:58: Future of going public: Will the traditional IPO model remain king? 28:48: Rapid-fire round NOTE: This interview was recorded ahead of SpaceX's IPO on June 12, 2026. Views and opinions expressed in this episode are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment or other professional advice. 🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. Catch new episodes every Thursday. 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: - YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB - Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA - Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB - Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. #markets #ipos #stocks #stockmarket #stockmarkets #nyse #wallstreet #finance #business #ipos #ipo #ipomarket #usmarket #usmarkets #businessnews #ai #investing #investment #spacexipo #equities #investment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back! Our first guest of the new season is Airbnb co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Blecharczyk. Airbnb now spans almost every country in the world. But there was a point early on where the team agreed: if things didn’t improve in 13 weeks, they’d quit. In our first episode of Season 2, co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk takes us inside the making of Airbnb — from “ramen profitability” and investor rejection to global expansion, crisis management and what comes next. In this conversation, we dive into: 00:00: Introduction 03:51: Teaching himself to code at age 12 and becoming an entrepreneur at age 14 05:52: First job and learning 'what not to do' at a startup 07:35: Meeting fellow Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia as his roommate through Craigslist 08:01: The birth of Airbnb 11:02: Handling skepticism, rejection from friends and investors 13:36: Pitch deck advice from OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman 16:01: PR stunt at the DNC — selling $30K of "Obama O's" and "Cap'n McCain's" cereal in one week 20:27: Teetering on the verge of quitting 20:53: Applying and getting into Y Combinator 24:10: "Ramen profitability" and the company's turnaround 25:35: Advice from YC founder Paul Graham on doing things that don't scale 30:33: 'War time mode': Fending off a European clone 35:07: The company's 'first real trust and safety incident' 37:56: Delayed IPO - eventually going public in one of the most successful debuts in tech history 38:39: 80% revenue drop during Covid 41:06: Fear of survival and navigating painful layoffs 46:41: Airbnb's reinvention and quest to become a 'super app' 50:15: Outlook on AI 52:38: What happened with Airbnb in China 55:42: Global outlook and key markets 1:00:08: Rapid-fire round Season 2 is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. Catch new episodes every Thursday.   SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:- YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB- Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA- Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB- Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp About Behind the BusinessBehind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday. About Michelle TohMichelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. #businesspodcast #founders #leadership #entrepreneurship #journalism #businessinterview #interviews #startups #startup #startupjourney #businessnews #techfounders #podcast #youtubepodcast #travel #travelbusiness #siliconvalley #ycombinator #ai #superapp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💭 Loading: Behind the Business Season 2 We sat down with the people building Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, Away — and more. Taking you inside the tradeoffs. The pressure. The parts you don’t hear about. Season 2 drops TOMORROW, June 18. New episodes Thursdays 🚀 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW: YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danny Yeung's entrepreneurial path has been anything but linear. He's the co-founder and CEO of Prenetics, Hong Kong's first unicorn to list on the Nasdaq, and the leader of IM8, which bills itself as the world's fastest-growing supplements brand. Prenetics, a breakout name in consumer health, is the parent company of IM8, which has already attracted global stars like co-founder David Beckham and ambassador Aryna Sabalenka, who are also investors. But the man behind all of that is Danny, a serial founder who first got on the road to entrepreneurship by bringing iconic Hong Kong dessert chain Hui Lau Shan to the US — and has since worked on everything, from venture capital to Covid and DNA testing to health supplements to a new, bold bet on bitcoin. In this conversation, we get into: | 00:00:00 — Introduction | 00:01:47 — Danny's upbringing and how it shaped his ambitions early on | 00:06:47 — The entrepreneurial itch - Cold-calling Hui Lau Shan to enter the US | 00:08:48 — Moving to Hong Kong and building a business that was later sold to Groupon | 00:12:52 — Venturing into genetics testing with Prenetics | 00:17:45 — Covid testing + rapid scaling during the pandemic: 'We went from $10M to $250M in revenue' | 00:22:05 — Peaks and valleys - listing on the Nasdaq as Hong Kong's first unicorn and mass layoffs post-Covid | 00:24:45 — A $200M joint venture focused on cancer detection — and Tencent collaboration | 00:28:08 — Company performance and response to pressure on market cap | 00:31:15 — Meeting David Beckham for dinner and hatching the idea for IM8 | 00:34:11 — IM8's path as one of the fastest-growing supplement brands on track to a $100M ARR | 00:37:00 — Growth drivers and early success | 00:40:29 — Teaming up with tennis No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka | 00:42:02 — How to land big-name ambassadors for your business | 00:42:21 — Betting on crypto: The company's bitcoin treasury strategy | 00:46:53 — 'Future of health and wealth' | 00:52:40 — Company roadmap | 00:55:24 — Advice to his younger self | 00:56:00 — 'My last company' - Danny's end game and fending off early acquisition requests | 00:58:29 — Audience question | 01:00:10 — Rapid-fire round Full disclosure: Prenetics is a partner of Behind the Business, and this is a branded conversation. We're grateful for their support this season. | About Behind the Business: Behind the Business is a video series and podcast hosted by Michelle Toh, CNN and Fortune alum, that explores the decisions and philosophies behind today's most influential leaders. Recorded in person across the US, the show is grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal, providing the backstories of founders, corporate leaders, investors and creators and how they push through to make the most of both work and life each day. What's the worst day you've faced at your company? How do you cope with crisis or rejection? Or what's a pinch-me moment you'll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. New episodes every Thursday. | About Michelle Toh: Michelle Toh is an award-winning international journalist. She has covered some of the top stories in global business and tech, most recently as a reporter based in Hong Kong appearing across CNN's digital and television platforms. Before joining CNN, she was an associate editor of Fortune Magazine, and her reporting has appeared in The New York Times, TIME, USA Today, and the South China Morning Post. | Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB | Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bymichelletoh | Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behindthebusinessshow #BehindTheBusiness #Podcast #Leadership #Bitcoin #Crypto #Longevity #Health #Supplements #DTC #ECommerce #ConsumerBrand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining us this week is Amina Belouizdad Porter, the CEO of PS, the first operator of private airport terminals for commercial flyers in the US. Its mission? To make you feel like you're flying private — even when you're not. This means even if you're flying — let's say, coach with Delta Airlines — you're getting valet service. Massages. Caviar and champagne. A chauffeur waiting to drive you to your plane. This is what PS, the company formerly known as Private Suite, sees as the future of luxury travel. And it's betting many more people will see it that way, too. In this episode… we actually go there — so you can see it for yourself. (Watch on YouTube — link below!) PS was first born in Los Angeles as a haven for paparazzi-weary celebrities — helping high-profile people avoid traipsing through the airport. Now, the company's expanded to Atlanta, with more terminals coming to Paris, Dallas and Miami. It was recently acquired by Groupe ADP, the operator of dozens of airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle. | 00:00 — Introduction | 02:19 — Amina's upbringing | 04:36 — Getting called to become CEO for the first time — and how she felt she was 'designed in a lab' to build PS | 05:14 — Taking inspiration from airports in Singapore, Dubai, Paris and London to offer a hospitality experience at the airport | 08:08 — The itch to become an entrepreneur | 09:14 — How Amina's experience in the US after 9/11 and being from the 'Middle East' shaped her world view | 13:05 — Amina's professional journey — her polyglot background, working in China, attending Wharton Business School, working in real estate | 16:43 — How PS got started | 19:49 — A 'zero-tolerance' approach to error | 21:08 — Lobbying Congress for approval for years | 22:05 — The serious congestion + security problem the company is tackling | 25:13 — The typical PS customer | 28:50 — The "once-in-a-career" moment Amina instantly recognized | 34:10 — Working with private equity + picking the right financial backers in a capital-intensive industry | 36:04 — What's next for PS after being acquired by the operator of Paris-CDG | 38:26 — The 'hardest part' of running the business | 39:10 — Company outlook: new PS locations and goal to be in every major US airport by 2030 | 40:58 — When tragedy strikes: How two life-changing losses shaped Amina's outlook on life and work | 47:08 — Audience question from young founder | 48:43 — Rapid-fire round | About Behind the Business: Behind the Business is a video series and podcast hosted by Michelle Toh, CNN and Fortune alum, that explores the decisions and philosophies behind today's most influential leaders. Recorded in person across the US, the show is grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal, providing the backstories of founders, corporate leaders, investors and creators and how they push through to make the most of both work and life each day. What's the worst day you've faced at your company? How do you cope with crisis or rejection? Or what's a pinch-me moment you'll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. New episodes every Thursday. | About Michelle Toh: Michelle Toh is an award-winning international journalist. She has covered some of the top stories in global business and tech, most recently as a reporter based in Hong Kong appearing across CNN's digital and television platforms. Before joining CNN, she was an associate editor of Fortune Magazine, and her reporting has appeared in The New York Times, TIME, USA Today, and the South China Morning Post. | Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB | Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bymichelletoh | Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behindthebusinessshow #BehindTheBusiness #Podcast #Leadership #FemaleCEO #LuxuryTravel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vicky Nguyen was just eight months old when she fled Vietnam as a refugee. Today, she's an Emmy-winning journalist, anchor and Chief Consumer Investigative Correspondent for NBC News, now seen on the TODAY Show. Her experiences inspired her new book, "Boat Baby." She joins us this week to discuss: | 00:00 — Introduction | 02:35 — Vicky's early life, escaping Vietnam | 04:53 — Encountering pirates at sea | 05:55 — Taking her first steps on the beach at a refugee camp | 07:16 — Getting sponsored to the US by churches and a family in Oregon | 09:50 — Lessons of resilience from her parents, who never complained or used the word "trauma" | 10:31 — Growing up between cultures | 11:50 — Early career lessons | 14:41 — First internship at CNN and learning to speak up in the workplace | 19:42 — Investigative reporting highlights, including probing conditions for bus drivers and food safety | 26:16 — Reflecting on mistakes and a story about a "hot intern" | 28:52 — Focus on avoiding comparison or jealousy in a brutally competitive industry | 32:50 — The pressure and joys of working in live TV + setting herself up for success behind the scenes | 34:10 — Knowing your worth and negotiating with confidence | 35:57 — Pay transparency: The surprising moment her colleague pulled out their contract to help her advocate for herself | 37:28 — Turning down a dream job at a top network | 40:00 — Coming to redefine personal success | 41:55 — Covering anti-Asian hate during Covid | 43:53 — Writing the book, "Boat Baby," and opening up about her personal life | 45:44 — Vicky's long-term vision | 47:42 — Representation in media and reflections on the "American dream" | 49:45 — Audience question from a young journalist | 52:26 — Rapid-fire round | About Behind the Business: Behind the Business is a video series and podcast hosted by Michelle Toh, CNN and Fortune alum, that explores the decisions and philosophies behind today's most influential leaders. Recorded in person across the US, the show is grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal, providing the backstories of founders, corporate leaders, investors and creators and how they push through to make the most of both work and life each day. What's the worst day you've faced at your company? How do you cope with crisis or rejection? Or what's a pinch-me moment you'll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. New episodes every Thursday. | About Michelle Toh: Michelle Toh is an award-winning international journalist. She has covered some of the top stories in global business and tech, most recently as a reporter based in Hong Kong appearing across CNN's digital and television platforms. Before joining CNN, she was an associate editor of Fortune Magazine, and her reporting has appeared in The New York Times, TIME, USA Today, and the South China Morning Post. | Subscribe on YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB | Follow on Instagram: https://instagram.com/bymichelletoh | Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behindthebusinessshow #BehindTheBusiness #Podcast #Leadership #WomeninMedia #ImmigrantStories #AAPI | Many thanks to our fantastic partner for this season of Behind the Business: Factor! Use code BTB50OFF to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus free breakfast for 1 year at http://factormeals.com/btb50off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices