PODCAST · business
Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan
by The Storytellers Company
The world is crying out for new leaders, greater transparency and more original thinking to solve our biggest problems in business and society. Our Host, Rob Ryan has conversations with these people every week. Since 2020, we’ve faced a global pandemic, rapid technological change, and political, economic, and cultural disruption. We believe the world needs more entrepreneurial thinkers—not just more entrepreneurs or executives—across every sector and segment of society and industry. We’re here to introduce you to some of the best and brightest people from here in California and across the 🌎.
Episodes
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Ep 222: "Who Builds Great Cities? Reimagining the Hollywood Neighborhood." with Kathleen Rawson
Have you ever stopped to wonder who is actually responsible for making a great city... great? We often celebrate entrepreneurs who build remarkable companies, but what about the entrepreneurial thinkers who build and rebuild remarkable communities? In this episode, I sit down with Kathleen…
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Ep 221: " The Human Advantage: Why Great Stories Still Win” with Leslie Campisi
What if we've become so obsessed with measuring everything that we've forgotten how to truly connect with each other? In a world overflowing with content, algorithms, dashboards and AI-generated everything, how do leaders build brands, and organizations, that people actually trust? This week on...
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Ep 220: " Genius is Distributed; Why Opportunity Isn’t.” with Justis Mendez
What if the strongest networks in the world aren't built by asking for more—but by giving first? This week on Entrepreneurial Thinkers, I sit down with Justis Mendez, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of OneSixOne Ventures, for one of the most thoughtful conversations we've had about leadership,...
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Ep 219: " Hypergrowth to Uncertainty: Rethinking Work & Offices in 2026” with Alvaro Villar Lopez
What do you do when the world stops behaving the way it used to? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, I sit down with my friend Álvaro López from Mexico City, Regional Head of Sales for Latin America at WeWork and founder of HausLoop. Together, we explore what it really means to lead...
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Ep 218: "Does It Really Have to Be This Way? Breaking Precedent!” with Leah Solivan
What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of talent or opportunity—but a rule you've never stopped to question? This week on Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob Ryan sits down with entrepreneur, investor, engineer, and TaskRabbit founder Leah Solivan for a conversation that goes far…
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Ep 217: "The Missing Middle: How Great Ideas Change the World" with Rohit Shukla
What if we've been thinking about innovation all wrong? For more than forty years, Rohit Shukla has worked quietly behind the scenes with entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, universities, governments, and global institutions to help turn breakthrough ideas into real-world impact. Along the way,...
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Ep 216: "Travel, Curiosity and Human Connection" with Sarah Dandashy
What if the best trip you'll ever take doesn't begin with a passport... but with a different perspective? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob Ryan sits down with luxury hospitality expert, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and Ask A Concierge founder Sarah Dandashy for a conversation...
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Ep 215: "The Hidden Side of AI: Do we need all these Data Centers?” with Luis Perez Galvan
Is the future of artificial intelligence really being built in massive data centers, or is there a smarter, more secure, and more cost-effective path forward? In this fascinating conversation, Rob Ryan sits down with longtime friend and technology entrepreneur Luis Perez Galvan, founder and CEO…
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Ep 214: What Six Months Of Conversations With Entrepreneurial Thinkers Taught Me Pt II
Building a media brand from scratch isn't easy. 🎙️🏗️ In Part 2 of our summer special reflection episode, host Rob Ryan takes you behind the scenes of Entrepreneurial Thinkers. Building a media ecosystem without a massive inheritance or celebrity status is a grind—but it's a journey made…
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Ep 213: "What 6 Months of Conversations With Amazing Entrepreneurial Thinkers Taught Me" with Rob Ryan pt. 1
What happens when you spend half a year picking the brains of the world’s most disruptive founders, tech leaders, and community architects? You get a crystal-clear map of where the world is heading right now. In this special reflection episode, host Rob Ryan looks back at the invaluable lessons...
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Ep 212: "Reimagining a Modern City: The Great Reset 🏙️🔥" with Jerome Chang
Do you ever feel like you’re living in a physical world built for the 1990’s? In this fascinating interview, Jerome Chang, founder of BLANKSPACES, the originator of the co-working concept here in Los Angeles, shares his expertise in architecture, design, urban development, the evolution of...
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Ep 211: "Soccer, Stadiums and World Class Guest Experiences" with Christian Lau
What if you could walk into a packed stadium, grab a drink, and head straight to your seat—without ever pulling out a ticket, your wallet or standing in forever lines? In this very timely conversation, considering the upcoming World Cup 2026, Rob is joined by Christian Lau, Chief Technology…
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Ep 210: "Modernizing Food: Deep Science is Personalizing Nutrition" with Priyanka Srinivas
Are we completely rewriting the playbook on how humanity eats? 🧬🌱 Can we make food more accessible, less costly and better for us, all at once? In this very insightful interview, Priyanka Srinivas, Co-founder and Chief Hustle Officer of De3pbio, explores the world of food science, personalized...
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Ep 209: "Keeping Sports Accessible for All Fans" with Sebastien Bellin & Diederik Bots
Are modern day sports experiences only for the rich VIPS? Can teams afford to lose their working class fans? Join us as we explore the visionary work of two former professional athletes, turned co-founders, Sebastien Bellin and Diederik Bots, of YouTopia Sports. These two are integrating…
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Ep 208: "De-Addiction; Transforming Lives & An Industry" with Jason Varughese
Join us as we explore the transformative journey of Jason Varughese, founder and CEO of Pink Cloud, who leverages technology to revolutionize addiction recovery. Discover insights on de-addiction, hustle culture, and the power of personal stories in overcoming addiction. In this insightful...
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Ep 207: "Los Angeles’ Millennial Governance Whisperer" with Nicholas Caputo
What if the reason your city feels inefficient, confusing, or stuck… is actually fixable? In this episode, Nick Caputo—founder of Caputo Strategies and the non-profit, Livable Advanced LA, breaks down how local government really works (and why it often doesn’t). From his journey moving from…
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Ep 206: "Conversation & Community: LA’s future being built IRL.” with Michelle Edgar & Ben Reiss
What does it really take to build a thriving community—and why does it matter now more than ever? In this episode, Rob Ryan sits down with The Community Collective team of Michelle Edgar and Ben Reiss to uncover how meaningful connections, arts, and culture can transform cities and lives. From...
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Ep 205: "Local journalism is not dead, and LA is leading the way!” with Michele Siqueiros
What happens when local news disappears—and who decides which stories get told? In this thought-provoking episode, Rob Ryan sits down with Michele Siqueiros, CEO of LA Local, to explore the critical role of local journalism in building trust, informing communities, and strengthening democracy....
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Ep 204: "America’s Greatest Latino Business Network was born at Stanford!" with Arturo Cázares
What if one of the most powerful forces driving the U.S. economy is still widely misunderstood? In this inspiring and data driven episode, Rob Ryan sits down with Arturo Cázares, CEO of the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), to unpack the rise of Latino entrepreneurship—and why it matters now...
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Ep 203: "The Secondary Offering is the New IPO!” with Antonia Rojas
What if entrepreneurs and investors could take money off the table without giving up control of their company? In this eye-opening episode, Rob sits down with Antonia Rojas, Managing Partner at Attom Capital, to explore the rise of direct secondary offerings in Latin America—and why they’re...
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Ep 202: "Hustle Culture is Killing Us- You Can do Better!" with Lynnette Astaire
What if the very habits you think are driving your success are secretly killing you? In this powerful and unexpectedly personal conversation, Rob sits down with Wellness and Longevity Advisor, Lynnette Astaire to unpack the hidden cost of hustle culture — and why burnout is not the price of...
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Ep 201: "The Launch of TUYYO Foods; An Entrepreneurial Merger" with Jocelyn, Regina and Stefanie.
What happens when three ambitious, successful, Latina food entrepreneurs join forces instead of going it alone? In this episode, our host, Rob Ryan sits down with Jocelyn Ramirez, Regina Trillo, and Stefanie Garcia Turner—the founders of the newly combined TUYYO Foods—to uncover the story behind...
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Ep 200: "LA; The World in One City” with Mario X. Carrasco
how do Angelenos see themselves? How does the world see Los Angeles? CEO of Cultural Insights Agency, ThinkNow, joins the show to release their latest marketing research report and discuss why Los Angeles is the Nation’s coming attractions! Life and Business happens here first, and the City is...
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Ep 199: "San Diego’s Entrepreneurial Success; Hidden in Plain Sight" with Neal Bloom
What makes one city a magnet for founders while others struggle to keep talent around? In this episode, Rob Ryan talks with Neal Bloom about why San Diego has quietly become one of the most collaborative and founder-friendly entrepreneurial ecosystems in the country. Neal breaks down what really...
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Ep 198: "Can We Teach Kids to be Entrepreneurs? Indiana Can!" with Logan Herzog
What if the future of work isn’t about getting a job—but learning how to create jobs? In this episode of *Entrepreneurial Thinkers*, our host Rob Ryan sits down with Logan Herzog, Executive Director at RISE, an entrepreneurship program based in north western Indiana, to unpack the state of...
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Ep 197: "Data Tells Us Venture Capital’s Real Story,” with Paige Hendrix Buckner
Who decides which ideas get funded — and whose voices get left out? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, our host Rob sits down with Paige Hendrix Buckner, CEO of All Raise, to pull back the curtain on the world of venture capital and the inequities shaping it. From her unconventional…
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Ep 196: "What if you owned your Ai?" with Matt Wright
What if the AI shaping your future didn’t belong to Big Tech — but to you? In this eye-opening episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Matt Wright, co-founder and CEO of Gaia, to unpack the hidden power dynamics behind today’s AI boom. From who really owns your data to how...
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Ep 195: "Catalyzing Capital; Women Investing in Women" with Jenny Flores & Grace Lee
What if great ideas aren’t failing, but the system is? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob visits with co-founders, Jenny Flores and Grace Lee, of AMH Catalyst Center, to learn why access to capital remains one of the biggest obstacles for women founders—and how they’re working to...
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Ep 194: "LAX, Leadership and LA’s Bright Future" with Karim Webb
Can an airport be a catalyst for local economic growth?! What if business could be one of the most powerful tools for social change? In this thought-provoking episode, Rob sits down with entrepreneurial activist and community leader Karim Webb to understand how he is an entrepreneurial thinker...
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Ep 193: "Is Franchising The Entrepreneurial Fast Track?" with Gregory Ugwi
Can an entrepreneur grow faster with someone else’s idea? And, what if franchising wasn’t just for big corporations—but was a powerful tool for everyday entrepreneurs to scale their brands?? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with Gregory Ugwi, co-founder of WeFranch, to...
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Ep 192: "LA Launches a Space & Defense Tech Boom" with Roxanne Aragon
What if the biggest catalyst for startup innovation wasn’t Silicon Valley—but the United States government and it’s US Space Force? 🚀 In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob visits with Roxanne Aragon, Program Director at the Disruptive Technology Index (DTI), one of the Key leaders in...
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Ep 191: "Energizing Africa; EV’s, PowerPods and Personal Freedom" with Frederick Akpoghene
What if a personal tragedy sparked you to change your life plan, and the world? Can someone build the next Tesla like company, but better. In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob crosses the Atlantic, from Los Angeles to Lagos, Nigeria, to talk with Frederick Akpoghene, Founder and CEO…
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#72 Happy Holidays & Cheers to New Beginnings | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
The final Stoppage Time in this format… but what a way to go out! In this episode, we slow down, reflect, and talk about what really matters as 2025 wraps up: the people in your life. I share insights on how to stop chasing new connections for the sake of it, and instead invest deeply in the...
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Ep 190: "Can Big Corporate Law be Reimagined, by Former Lawyers?" with MANUEL DEÓ
What happens when a successful big-law partner decides the system is broken—then sets out to rebuild it? In this episode, Rob sits down with Manuel Deó, a former Big Firm Partner, who left the traditional legal world to become the Co-Founder and CEO of AMBAR, a “modern operating system” for…
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#71 Are You You’re Own Worst Enemy Sometimes? | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
This week on Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob, I take a moment to reflect on the people who show up for us when we need it most—the friends, mentors, and chosen family who remind us who we are when pressure and self-doubt start creeping in. After a week filled with conversations about building,...
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Ep 189: "Your CPA is Your Trusted Advisor!" with Richard Fleischman
Think accountants just crunch numbers? Think they’re boring compliance people? Think again. In this episode, Rob and Richard Fleischman, Partner at Haynie & Company, dive into the dramatic evolution of CPA firms over the last twenty years—and why today’s accountants are becoming indispensable...
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#70 My Dad Said, “We’re All Salespeople” | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
It’s Friday and we’re back with another Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! This week, we dive into one big theme that kept showing up in every conversation I had: the power of telling your unique story. From my chat with LA startup lawyer Alex Bruno to conversations with founders, mentees, and…
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Ep 188: "Los Angeles’ Favorite Local Business Lawyer Talks Growth" with Alex Bruno
What can one of LA’s best local lawyers teach us about scaling your business? Can Lawyers make it easier to do find and do business with them? In this episode, Rob and Alex Bruno, Founder and Lawyer at the Bruno Group, break down the essential legal fundamentals every entrepreneur needs in place...
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#69 Is Going to the Office like Going to a Factory Job? + A little Thanksgiving Gratitude | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob — the special USA holiday-weekend edition! 🇺🇸🦃 In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode, Rob dives into a wide-ranging conversation that blends gratitude, personal reflection, and one of the most important workplace topics of 2025: how…
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Ep 187: "Could More Play, Get Us Back Into the Office?" with Stephen Hargett
What if the key to better work isn’t another policy—but more play, curiosity, and humanity? In this episode, Rob visits with one of Los Angeles’ up and coming young entrepreneurs, Stephen Hargett, Founder at Wrkspace, to explore how our relationship with work is rapidly evolving. They discuss how...
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#68 Becoming a Critical Ignorer | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! This week’s episode takes us into one of the most important skills we can develop in today’s chaotic information universe—the art of becoming a “Critical Ignorer.” Inspired by my recent conversation with scientific researcher, author, and…
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Ep 186: "Why We Believe What We Believe, In an Age of Hyper Misinformation" with Matthew Facciani
Ever wonder why smart people fall for (mis) or disinformation—and why it’s so hard to change someone’s mind? In this episode, Rob visits with Matthew Facciani, accomplished researcher, Author, podcaster and as Rob calls him, the “Bill Nye the Science Guy” of Social Sciences. They dig into how...
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#67 Life’s a Sandbox | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
Welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob — that sacred space between the end of a long week and the start of whatever the weekend has in store. This week, Los Angeles is gearing up for a rare “rainy winter” stretch, and I’m settling in with you for a thoughtful, creative, and energizing...
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Ep 185: "How Do You Build A Brand That People Love?" with Lynne Door
What is “your brand” and How do you build one? In today’s noisy marketing landscape, how do you tell the story of your business, to clients and community?! Ever wonder why some brands just click with people? In this episode, Rob and his friend, Brand Strategist and Designer, Lynne Door uncover…
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#66 Why We Tell the Stories We Tell! | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
Hey hey, it’s Uncle Rob! 👋 It’s Friday, November 7th, and we’re back for another episode of Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob — the weekly space where I slow things down, reflect, and share a few stories from the journey of life, leadership, and entrepreneurship. This week’s episode is a mix of...
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Ep 184: "Powering the Chilean Economy, From Startups to Corporates" with Rocio Fonseca
Can you build a modern Nation on the collaboration between the best startup entrepreneurs, private capital and corporate executives? What happens when startups stop chasing hype and start solving real societal problems? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers, Rob sits down with long time...
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#65 Boo! What’s on Your Mind? | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
Hey hey—it’s Friday, it’s Halloween, and it’s time for another round of Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob! In this week’s episode, I’m catching up on life, reflecting on Halloween traditions (past and future), and diving deep into the week that was—new Entrepreneurial Thinkers episodes, big…
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Ep 183: "Could Life Sciences Power the Next California Boom?" with Dave Whelan
Is our Life Sciences industry the most under-reported unicorn in California’s industrial dominance? Can Life Sciences innovation survive the USA government’s assault on science? In this eye-opening episode, Rob sits down with friend Dave Whelan, to uncover how LA is rapidly transforming into a...
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#64 It’s all about Trust! | Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob
Hey hey, Happy Friday, and welcome back to Stoppage Time with Uncle Rob — our weekly Friday ritual to pause, reflect, and connect. This week, Uncle Rob dives deep into one powerful theme that shaped both his professional and personal life: TRUST. From an inspiring conversation with best-selling...
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Ep 182: "Trust Me; We Can Build Trust back into Our Work" with Minda Harts
Is trust dead at work? Maybe it is. Do you trust the folks you work with? Maybe not. Bestselling author, workplace culture expert and filmmaker Minda Harts says it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, she joins Rob, to explore the real reasons trust breaks down in organizations—and what leaders…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The world is crying out for new leaders, greater transparency and more original thinking to solve our biggest problems in business and society. Our Host, Rob Ryan has conversations with these people every week. Since 2020, we’ve faced a global pandemic, rapid technological change, and political, economic, and cultural disruption. We believe the world needs more entrepreneurial thinkers—not just more entrepreneurs or executives—across every sector and segment of society and industry. We’re here to introduce you to some of the best and brightest people from here in California and across the 🌎.
HOSTED BY
The Storytellers Company
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan have?
Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan currently has 258 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan about?
The world is crying out for new leaders, greater transparency and more original thinking to solve our biggest problems in business and society. Our Host, Rob Ryan has conversations with these people every week. Since 2020, we’ve faced a global pandemic, rapid technological change, and political,...
How often does Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan release new episodes?
Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan publishes regularly with 258 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan?
You can listen to Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan?
Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan is created and hosted by The Storytellers Company.
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