Best Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal Podcasts (2025)

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Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal - The Obsessive Craftsmanship Behind Acquired - [Glue Guys, EP.52] 1:24:33

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17m ago1:24:33

1:24:33

Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, hosts of the mega-hit podcast Acquired, join Glue Guys to share their incredible journey from side hobby to multi-million dollar business. They reveal how they've doubled their audience every year for 10 years through organic growth and discuss their intense research process. The duo opens up about David's leap from…

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Alphabet Inc. 4:11:33

2d ago4:11:33

4:11:33

In its first six years from 1998 to 2004, Google built one of the greatest products of all time (and certainly the greatest business of all time) with Search. Then in its next six years from 2005 to 2011, Google built seven (!) more billion+ user products: Gmail, Maps, Drive and Docs, YouTube, Chrome, Android, and Photos — all either started from s…

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The Competitor's Paradox - [Glue Guys, EP.51] 58:36

7d ago58:36

58:36

Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta dive deep into Scottie Scheffler's controversial "What's the point?" press conference before the British Open. The world's #1 golfer questioned his purpose despite dominating the sport, sparking debates about competition, family priorities, and what drives elite performers. The guys explore how Scheffler's …

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How is AI Different Than Other Technology Waves? (With Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor) 1:14:58

10d ago1:14:58

1:14:58

Sponsors: Plaid: https://plaid.com Is AI just better software? Or something completely different that requires a new paradigm to understand? Today we sit down with Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor, two of the best product builders in the world to tackle that question. Bret and Clay are the co-founders of the AI company Sierra. Brett's resume reads like a…

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Earning the Right to Take Risks - [Glue Guys, EP.50] 58:54

14d ago58:54

58:54

Shane Battier and Ravi Gupta dive deep into the art of risk-taking. They explore when to "swing big" versus playing it safe, drawing from Shane's NBA career and Ravi's venture capital experience. The duo discusses earning the right to take risks, avoiding financial and opportunity ruin, and why standing pat can sometimes be the riskiest move of all…

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Steve Kerr - Leadership Lessons From a Glue Guy Career - [Glue Guys, EP.49] 1:07:20

21d ago1:07:20

1:07:20

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joins the Glue Guys for a conversation about leadership, mindset, and championship culture. With nine championship rings (five as a player, four as a coach), Kerr shares intimate stories about playing with Michael Jordan and coaching Steph Curry, the mental strategies that helped him overcome anxiety, and…

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Mandell Crawley - From Chicago's West Side to Morgan Stanley's C-Suite - [Glue Guys, EP.48] 1:04:21

28d ago1:04:21

1:04:21

Mandell Crawley, Chief Client Officer at Morgan Stanley, shares his extraordinary journey from growing up on Chicago's west side to the C-suite of Morgan Stanley. After losing his mother at age 2 and father at 17, Mandell was raised by his grandparents who instilled values of faith, education, and resilience. Mandell discusses vulnerability as a su…

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Fidji Simo: Meta, Instacart, & OpenAI journey [Glue Guys Classic] 1:07:56

1M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

From a family of fishermen in southern France to CEO of Instacart – ⁠Fidji Simo⁠'s path breaks every convention. After becoming her family's first high school graduate and attending France's leading university, she rose to lead the Facebook app before taking the helm at Instacart. She shares how she ‘finds the magic’ in people while delivering incr…

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Chris Webber - Building a Legacy - [Glue Guys, EP. 47] 27:21

1M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode of Glue Guys, NBA Hall-of-Famer Chris Webber talks about building a legacy that outlasts stats or fame. Webber opens up about the moment he realized it was bigger than basketball—and why culture, teamwork, and humility define true success.The guys talk about the feeling of getting drafted #1 overall, passing on the mantle to younger…

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The Jamie Dimon Interview 1:06:02

1M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

We sit down with Jamie Dimon for a live conversation at Radio City Music Hall, covering the incredible journey from his 1998 firing at Citgroup (where he was widely expected to become CEO) to building the most powerful bank in the world. Today JPMorgan Chase is a juggernaut — the most systemically important non-governmental financial institution in…

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Dawn Staley - The Championship Mindset - [Glue Guys, EP.46] 58:22

2M ago58:22

58:22

Dawn Staley joins the Glue Guys to discuss her incredible journey from North Philadelphia to becoming one of the most successful coaches in college basketball history. The three-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time national champion opens up about her new book, sharing insights on leadership, dealing with modern parenting challenges, and build…

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The "Learn Fast" Philosophy Used by Elite Teams - [Glue Guys, EP.45] 1:01:19

2M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

The Glue Guys dive deep into Mark Zuckerberg's philosophy of "learning faster than anyone else" and how it applies beyond tech. They explore the differences between innovation in football vs. basketball, discussing how roster flexibility affects a team's ability to adapt quickly. Alex shares powerful insights from his injury recovery, revealing how…

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Google 3:39:30

2M ago3:39:30

3:39:30

We tell the story of the single greatest business ever created: Google search. From its origins as a Stanford research project called BackRub, Google became the front door to the internet. Today it’s an essential service for over half the world, and one that generates more profit than ANY other US company — more than Apple, Microsoft, or Berkshire …

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Seth Wickersham - Inside the Elite Quarterback Mind - [Glue Guys, EP.44] 1:04:07

2M ago1:04:07

1:04:07

ESPN's Seth Wickersham joins Glue Guys to discuss his new book "American Kings" - a deep dive into the unique world of NFL quarterbacks. From Tom Brady's self-affirmations to the Manning family's approach with Arch, Wickersham explores what makes quarterbacks different from every other position. The conversation covers quarterback parenting, the pr…

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David Anderson - From NFL Slot Receiver to Sports Data Revolutionary - [Glue Guys, EP.43] 1:15:52

2M ago1:15:52

1:15:52

Former NFL slot receiver David Anderson joins Alex Smith, Shane Battier, and Ravi Gupta to discuss his journey from Colorado State to six NFL seasons, and his transition into sports data analytics. Anderson shares insights on the mental toughness required to play slot receiver, the physicality of professional football, and his work with Second Spec…

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Building the Savannah Bananas (with Jesse Cole, Founder and Owner) 1:15:24

2M ago1:15:24

1:15:24

The Savannah Bananas have created a whole new sport. It’s baseball, but it’s not. It’s fast-paced, exciting, and incredibly entertaining. For example, if you're batting, and you step out of the batter’s box... it’s a strike. If you bunt, you’re out. If a fan catches a foul ball… you’re also out. Games are capped at two hours with no exceptions. It’…

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Eli Manning - Pressure, Leadership & Showing Up - [Glue Guys, EP.41] 1:01:42

3M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Former Giants QB Eli Manning joins Alex, Shane, and Ravi for an incredible conversation about fatherhood, pressure, and leadership. Eli opens up about growing up as Archie Manning's son, dealing with New York media expectations, and his approach to parenting his own kids. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his Super Bowl runs, the emotional e…

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The Mercenary Dilemma - [Glue Guys, EP.42] 1:13:57

3M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this episode of Glue Guys, former NFL QB Alex Smith, former NBA player Shane Battier, and venture capitalist Ravi Gupta dive into the fascinating dynamics of loyalty versus transactionalism in sports and business. They explore what it means for an athlete to identify with a single city, debate the merits of "mercenary" players who chase champion…

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The Steve Ballmer Interview 2:59:20

3M ago2:59:20

2:59:20

We sit down with Steve Ballmer, the legendary former Microsoft CEO and owner of the LA Clippers, for an epic conversation covering his 34 years at Microsoft. Steve listened to our Microsoft episodes and had some thoughts to share — and boy, did he deliver. Steve takes us point-by-point through the original IBM DOS deal that started everything, how …

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Pablo Torre - Finding Your Voice in Sports Media - [Glue Guys, EP.40] 1:12:05

3M ago1:12:05

1:12:05

ESPN journalist Pablo Torre joins Shane Battier, Alex Smith, and Ravi Gupta for a thought-provoking conversation about sports media's evolution. Pablo shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to acclaimed sports journalist, discussing how he found his authentic voice in media. The group explores the changing landscape of sports journalism, balancing…

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Undoing a $5 Billion Acquisition and Building a Durable Standalone Plaid (with Plaid CEO Zach Perret) 1:00:46

3M ago1:00:46

1:00:46

We sit down with Zach Perret, CEO of Plaid, to discuss the remarkable journey of Plaid and the broader fintech landscape over the past several years. Zach takes us blow-by-blow through journey of almost getting acquired by Visa, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic… which quickly reversed with ZIRP tailwinds, and how Plaid navigated th…

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The Parent Trap - [Glue Guys, EP.39] 1:01:01

3M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

The Glue Guys dive into parenthood and what it means to be a good person while raising children. They discuss whether becoming a parent brings out the best or worst in people, how they handle their kids' aspirations, and what single trait they hope their children develop. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check ou…

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Is Tough Feedback Dead? - [Glue Guys, EP.38] 1:03:08

4M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

In this candid episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi discuss the art of giving and receiving tough feedback. The trio share their most memorable "chew-out" stories from their athletic careers, debate the balance between demanding excellence and offering support, and explore how to create "productive paranoia" in their children. The conversati…

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Jim Harbaugh - Why Relentless Enthusiasm Wins Games - [Glue Guys, EP.37] 51:27

4M ago51:27

51:27

Join The Glue Guys as they sit down with legendary NFL coach Jim Harbaugh in this heartfelt conversation about leadership, family, and football philosophy. Harbaugh shares personal stories from his coaching journey, including his time with Alex Smith at the 49ers, his "Who's got it better than us?" mantra from his father, and his approach to gettin…

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Should Athletes Get Equity? - [Glue Guys, EP.36] 1:01:27

4M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

In this episode of Glue Guys, the guys debate whether professional athletes should receive equity in their teams. They explore which athletes truly increase franchise value, how equity might change player motivation, and whether ownership stakes could disrupt team dynamics. The conversation delves into sports economics, comparing the NBA's max sala…

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The Price of Risk is Lower Than You Think - [Glue Guys, EP.35] 40:39

4M ago40:39

40:39

Former NFL QB Alex Smith, NBA player Shane Battier, and venture capitalist Ravi Gupta have a fascinating conversation about the NFL Draft, risk-taking in sports and business, and talent evaluation. They discuss why teams overreach for quarterbacks despite their low hit rate, the importance of being bold when you have a premier leadership position, …

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Epic Systems (MyChart) 3:57:02

4M ago3:57:02

3:57:02

What if we told you that the most important company in US healthcare was run from a farm in rural Wisconsin? And that farm contained the world’s largest subterranean auditorium, as well as Disneyland—style replicas of Hogwarts and the Emerald City? What if we told you that the person who started, runs and owns this establishment has legally ensured…

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Wright Thompson - Uncovering the Human Behind the Headlines - [Glue Guys, EP.34] 53:50

4M ago53:50

53:50

In this episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi talk with renowned sportswriter Wright Thompson about the complexities of ambition and success. Wright shares insights from his profiles of elite athletes like Jason Tatum and Michael Jordan, exploring the personal costs of excellence, the struggle to balance professional obsession with family lif…

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Jim "Bones" Mackay - The Man Behind the Masters - [Glue Guys, EP.33] 1:08:46

5M ago1:08:46

1:08:46

Jim “Bones” Mackay has seen it all. Three-time Masters champion caddie. The man inside the ropes with Phil Mickelson for 25+ years. And now one of golf’s most respected voices. In this episode of Glue Guys, Bones joins us for an incredible deep dive into what really happens at Augusta during Masters Week — from the insane pressure players feel to P…

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Dan Quinn - Building Team Culture - [Glue Guys, EP.32] 48:45

5M ago48:45

48:45

NFL coach Dan Quinn joins the Glue Guys to share wisdom from his coaching journey. He discusses learning authenticity from mentors Nick Saban and Pete Carroll, using his Atlanta firing as an opportunity for growth, and his approach to building Washington's culture through player ownership. Quinn reveals how he creates high standards by competing in…

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The Caddies of Life - [Glue Guys, EP.31] 55:33

5M ago55:33

55:33

In this episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi recap their annual "Commissioners Cup" golf tournament. They discuss why creating time for male friendship becomes increasingly important yet difficult as men age. The trio shares memorable moments from the tournament, including rookie hazing and competition stories. Alex reveals a hilarious NFL r…

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Indian Premier League Cricket 4:28:07

5M ago4:28:07

4:28:07

When you saw this episode pop up in your feed, you either jumped for joy and hit play immediately (in which case you’re not reading this), or you said “Huh. That’s a surprising episode.” Well, if you’re in group two, boy do we have a treat for you! IPL is the fastest-growing, most dynamic and most disruptive force in the sports industry today… and …

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Legends and Lessons: Personal Encounters with Giants - [Glue Guys, EP.30] 1:11:09

5M ago1:11:09

1:11:09

The hosts share their most memorable encounters with legends and titans in their respective fields. Shane recounts playing golf with Tiger Woods, Alex discusses his first NFL start against Peyton Manning, and Ravi reflects on his early days working with private equity legends Henry Kravis and George Roberts. The conversation explores themes of impo…

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Jared Goff - Written Off, Chanted On - [Glue Guys, EP.29] 1:08:57

6M ago1:08:57

1:08:57

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff joins the Glue Guys to share his remarkable journey from first overall pick to Detroit's beloved franchise QB. He shares the shocking moment he learned about his trade from the Rams with no warning, and how a single phone call from Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes changed his entire outlook. Jared offers candid insi…

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The Art of Selling Enterprise Software (with ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott) 57:07

6M ago57:07

57:07

We sit down with ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott for a masterclass in the art of enterprise sales — a topic where Bill ranks as one of the all-time greats by any measure. Bill started his career as a bag-carrying salesman at Xerox in New York City (alongside Howard Schultz!) back in 1983, and rose to become the company’s youngest corporate officer at…

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Sheryl Sandberg - Leadership, Growth, & Operational Excellence - [Glue Guys, EP.28] 1:23:13

6M ago1:23:13

1:23:13

Alex, Shane, and Ravi sit down with former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg for an insightful conversation about leadership, women in business, and corporate culture. The NASDAQ in aggregate is worth $30 trillion and companies that Sheryl helped build make up over 10% of it. She shares personal stories from her career journey, including her early days…

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Why Great Teams Never Stay Satisfied - [Glue Guys, EP.27] 59:39

6M ago59:39

59:39

Alex, Shane, and investor Ravi discuss leadership, success, and what makes winning teams tick. The hosts explore how great leaders adapt their styles to different personalities, the importance of team culture, and why sports provide a compressed version of life's drama. The conversation touches on candid conversations about Hall of Fame inductions,…

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Rolex 4:57:58

6M ago4:57:58

4:57:58

Rolex is a series of paradoxes. They sell obsolete and objectively inferior mechanical devices for 10-1000x the price of their superior digital successors… and demand is stronger than ever in history! Their products are comparable to a Hermès Birkin bag in price, luxury status and waitlist times… yet they produce over 1m units / year (roughly 10x a…

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The Dark Side of Athletic Competition - [Glue Guys, EP.26] 1:12:31

6M ago1:12:31

1:12:31

Who are you competing against? Diving into personal stories and insights, Alex, Shane, and Ravi examine the evolution from external to internal motivation across different phases of life and careers. Their competitive drives are on full display, from Shane’s fear of an unknown competitor to Alex tracking his Elite 11 peers in high school. The conve…

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Building Web Apps with Just English and AI (with Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch) 57:29

6M ago57:29

57:29

Vercel has become the infrastructure platform powering modern web development over the past several years, with companies from Stripe to Adobe to Runway all building their front ends on them. Today we’re joined by founder and CEO Guillermo Rauch, who shares why Vercel has been uniquely successful in the fragmented (to say the least!) world of web d…

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What Makes The Perfect Team? - [Glue Guys, EP.25] 1:14:57

7M ago1:14:57

1:14:57

Join Alex, Shane, and Ravi as they dive deep into what makes great teams tick. The hosts share personal stories from their sports and business careers, discussing key elements like earned inclusion, trust, and celebrating the work. From QB rooms to startup culture, they explore how the best teams balance fun and achievement while maintaining strong…

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Tedy Bruschi - The Champion’s Comeback - [Glue Guys, EP.24] 1:06:21

7M ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi joins the Glue Guys to share how he went from wearing tennis shoes to football tryouts to becoming one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. Tedy learned different kinds of strength from three Hall of Fame coaches—Bill Parcell, Pete Carroll, and Bill Belichick. But when a stroke threatened his life at the peak of…

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Fatherhood - [Glue Guys, EP.23] 1:19:15

7M ago1:19:15

1:19:15

The guys dive deep into the complexities and joys of modern fatherhood. Alex, Shane, and Ravi share personal stories about their experiences - how they approach discipline differently than their own fathers did, their strategies for developing resilience in their children, and their wrestle with today’s parenting challenges like screen time and aca…

Ben Gilbert And David Rosenthal Podcasts