Best IRIS Global Podcasts (2025)

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593: Phoebe Gates: Building an AI Fashion Startup Backed by Kris Jenner & Sara Blakely 49:33

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2d ago49:33

49:33

Phoebe Gates went from failed prototypes in her Stanford dorm room to building one of the fastest growing fashion-tech startups in the world. In this interview, the co-founder of AI shopping app Phia shares how she and her co-founder Sophia Kianni scaled from 200 early users to half a million downloads, raised $9M from investors like Kleiner Perkin…

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COVID & The Next 'Big One': Dr. Michael Osterholm 48:48

5h ago48:48

48:48

Andrew speaks with Dr. Michael Osterholm, founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Center at the University of Minnesota about his new book, "The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics", which is an urgent warning about the next global health crisis. Dr. Osterholm explains why the continued focus …

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592: (Solo) The Truth About Originality: What Great Founders Really Do 8:07

6m ago8:07

8:07

Most founders think they need a completely original idea to succeed. The truth? Great businesses are often built by borrowing brilliance — and putting your own spin on what already works. In this episode, I break down the concept of “good artists copy, great artists steal,” and show you how to apply it in your business. From how I grew Foundr’s Ins…

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U.S. Lawyer James Ransdell on Giant Bicycle's Battle to Clear its Name 10:47

16h ago10:47

10:47

In late September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a shock announcement: that it was issuing a Withold Release Order on Giant Manufacturing -- a move that bans bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories manufactured in Taiwan. International Trade & Customs Attorney James Ransdell explains the order, the actions Giant can take to get it lift…

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#65 - Building Web3’s Backbone: NodeOps and Pratik Balar on Decentralized Compute and Trustless Infrastructure 1:07:04

2d ago1:07:04

1:07:04

Earn up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at: https://river.com/signup?r=X3KBKD7A 🎙️ In this episode of The Web3 Gamer, I sit down with Pratik Balar — Co-Founder and Tech Lead of NodeOps — to explore how decentralized infrastructure, AI, and blockchain systems are converging to power the next generation of Web3. As a pioneering builder in decentralized i…

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591: From $0 to $3.4 BILLION Selling Socks | Bombas (Best of Foundr) 43:08

9d ago43:08

43:08

David Heath and Randy Goldberg turned Bombas from a scrappy Indiegogo campaign into the most successful Shark Tank investment of all time—now valued at $3.4 billion. In this interview, the Bombas co-founders share how a simple insight about homelessness sparked a mission-driven sock company, how they bootstrapped their way to product-market fit, an…

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'The Cork in the Bottle' - China, Taiwan and the US: Zack Cooper 37:01

10d ago37:01

37:01

Michael speaks with Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about the evolving dynamics of US policy toward China and the Indo-Pacific. Zack discusses how President Trump's pursuit of a meeting with Xi Jinping has shaped US policy and offers new analysis on the timeline for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Zack als…

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590: (Solo) Why You Need to Do Things That Don’t Scale 7:56

7d ago7:56

7:56

When you’re just starting out, the fastest way to grow isn’t automation, ads, or scaling systems — it’s doing things that don’t scale. In this episode, I share why the most successful founders — from billion-dollar startups to small ecommerce brands — all begin by leaning into the unscalable. From replying personally to every email, to sending hund…

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TTTIFA Bringing Arts to Old Taipei 11:41

8d ago11:41

11:41

Coming to Taipei’s DaDaoCheng neighborhood in October is the annual Tua-Tiu-Tiann International Festival of Arts (or… T-T TIFA). For this week’s Taiwan Talk, ICRT’s Tim Berge spoke to Matt Fullen and Taylor Chuang about one of Taiwan’s premier music and arts festivals. -- Hosting provided by SoundOnBy ICRT

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589 : The Mad Scientist Behind One of America’s Fastest Growing Supplement Brands | Brian Littlefield (Best of Foundr) 46:31

16d ago46:31

46:31

Brian Littlefield is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Jocko Fuel—one of the fastest-growing supplement brands in America. But his story didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with a life-changing health wake-up call. In this episode, Brian shares how he went from overweight and directionless to building a trusted supplement empire backe…

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Putting the Music in Taiwan Cinema — Thomas Foguenne 11:14

13d ago11:14

11:14

A remarkable soundtrack that resonates deeply is one of the most important components of a successful film. The soundtrack helps to tell the story, and impact the audience in subtle and evocative ways. ICRT’s Tim Berge speaks with Thomas Foguenne, a composer originally from Belgium, but who now splits his time in Taiwan, where he has created soundt…

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The State of Iran's Nuclear Program: David Albright 53:24

16d ago53:24

53:24

Michael speaks with President and Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security David Albright about the state of the Iranian nuclear program following US and Israeli strikes. David, a renowned expert on Iran's nuclear program, provides updated analysis on the systematic destruction of key facilities and shares his insights on the…

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588: (Solo) The #1 ROI Move You’re Probably Not Using 7:30

14d ago7:30

7:30

Most ecommerce founders think the only way to grow is to get more traffic — but often, the fastest way to increase sales is by making more from the traffic you already have. In this episode, I share a proven “second sale” strategy you can use to increase your conversion rate, average order value (AOV), and customer lifetime value (CLV) without spen…

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U.S. Academic Stephen G Craft Revisits the Liu Ziran Incident 15:22

21d ago15:22

15:22

Bilateral relations between Taiwan and the United States have not always been smooth. Nearly 50 years ago, an American armed serviceman shot and killed a Taiwan counterpart, Liu Ziran -- setting off a series of riots which strained bilateral relations. If you'd never heard about the incident, which took place in 1957, it's time to put on a pair of …

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#64 - From Guilds to Global Economies: Gabby Dizon of Yield Guild Games on Web3 Gaming, Blockchain Ownership, and Community Power 54:23

16d ago54:23

54:23

Earn up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at: https://river.com/signup?r=X3KBKD7A 🎙️ In this episode of The Web3 Gamer, I sit down with Gabby Dizon — Co-Founder of Yield Guild Games (YGG) — to explore how guild empowerment, community ownership, and Web3 games are converging to create new opportunities in the Metaverse As one of the pioneering builders in…

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587: She Built a $1 Billion Brand Selling Other Peoples Clothes | Julie Wainwright 1:00:31

18d ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Julie Wainwright, founder of The RealReal, reveals how she built a billion-dollar resale marketplace that transformed luxury fashion. In this exclusive Foundr Podcast interview, Julie shares how she scaled The RealReal to over $1B in revenue, reached 38 million members, and took the company public on the Nasdaq. From her early lessons at Pets.com t…

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"Vegan" or "Plant-based"... what's in a name? 10:38

19d ago10:38

10:38

What do you call your meal choice when you take a hard pass at animal product options? Do you call yourself "vegan" or is your meal "plant-based?" The two terms may mean the same thing, but entrepreneurs are making a switch from "vegan" to "plant-based" for branding reasons, and they explain why. Hosted by ICRT's Hope Ngo. -- Hosting provided by So…

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Rebuilding Syria: Jeffrey Feltman 41:54

20d ago41:54

41:54

Andrew speaks with Jeffrey Feltman, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution. Jeffrey takes us inside the precarious state of post-civil war Syria, the deep-seated sectarian and geopolitical tensions that fueled the conflict, and the complex roles of the US and regio…

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AI Edge Revolution: How Data Centres are Reshaping for AI Service Serving a Vertical Need | Emmanuel Becker 37:36

25d ago37:36

37:36

The data centre industry is experiencing unprecedented disruption. As AI applications drive explosive demand for computing power, traditional approaches to data centre design and deployment are becoming obsolete almost overnight. In this episode, Emmanuel Becker, CEO of Mediterra Datacenters, shares insights from his extensive career spanning the e…

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586 : (Solo) How I Solve The Biggest Problems in My Business (and How You Can Too) 8:06

21d ago8:06

8:06

Every business has one major constraint holding it back from the next stage of growth — and solving it is the fastest way to scale. In this episode, I share the exact formula I use to identify the biggest problem in my business, find the right person who’s already solved it, and get the solution faster than years of trial and error. This is the sam…

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Toxic Love Nearly Broke Her—Then She Broke 3 World Records | Kate Strong 1:37:52

22d ago1:37:52

1:37:52

How Kate Strong Broke 3 World Records, Transformed Her Life, and Rode for the Planet | Ride to Success Podcast In this inspiring episode of the Ride to Success podcast, host Pedro Couto Lopes sits down with world record-breaking cyclist, climate advocate, and behavioural change leader Kate Strong. From a painful breakup to setting 3 Guinness World …

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585: The $100K Mistake Most Founders Make with Manufacturers (and How to Avoid It) (Best of Foundr) 38:22

1M ago38:22

38:22

Kian Golzari is one of the world’s leading experts in sourcing and product manufacturing—developing over 2,500 products and visiting 500+ factories. In this episode, he shares how to go from idea to product without getting burned by bad suppliers or poor-quality manufacturing. Whether you're working with Alibaba or building a custom product from sc…

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From Sweden to Taiwan: A Flutist’s Journey 11:35

1M ago11:35

11:35

Originally broadcast June 9, 2025: Anders Norell is noted for serenading Taiwan audiences with the musical magic his flute brings. Norell has made his mark as the principal flute with the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan Although he’s travelled and performed extensively throughout the whole world, he has never forgets the Swedish countryside w…

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Climate Resilience in UK Housing: Preventing Overheating in Net Zero Homes | The Bryden Wood Podcast 49:12

29d ago49:12

49:12

The UK's push toward net zero has dramatically improved building insulation and airtightness. But there's an unintended consequence that could prove dangerous: overheating. As climate change brings more extreme heat to Britain, these highly insulated homes risk becoming dangerously hot without adequate cooling strategies. In this episode, co-founde…

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Trade, Tariffs, and a New Normal: Kelly Ann Shaw 39:16

27d ago39:16

39:16

Michael is joined by Kelly Ann Shaw, a partner at Aiken Gump and former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs. They explore the critical state of U.S. trade policy through a national security lens, including with an eye on China. Following decades-long trade negotiations, Kelly Ann says U.S. trade policy has entered a…

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584: (Solo) What 90 Days of Daily Posting Taught Me About Personal Branding 8:48

28d ago8:48

8:48

After 12 years building Foundr, I finally committed to something I should have done a decade ago — posting online every single day for 90 days straight to grow my personal brand. In this episode, I share what that commitment taught me about building trust, deepening connections with my audience, and why your personal brand is one of the most powerf…

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#63 - From AI Agents to Encrypted Gameplay: Cais Manai Explains How TEN.xyz Is Pioneering the Blockchain Future of Web3 Gaming 1:06:44

1M ago1:06:44

1:06:44

Earn up to $100 in Bitcoin on River at: https://river.com/signup?r=X3KBKD7A 🎙️ In this episode of The Web3 Gamer, I sit down with Cais Manai — Co-Founder of TEN.xyz — to explore how AI, iGaming, and encrypted blockchain tech are converging to create unstoppable entertainment economies. As one of the builders behind TEN (The Entertainment Network), …

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583: The Branding Expert Behind Dior, L'Oréal & Mercedes | Camille Moore 55:28

1M ago55:28

55:28

In this episode of the Foundr Podcast, Nathan Chan sits down with Camille Moore — widely known as the internet’s favorite creative director and the strategist behind some of today’s most iconic brand transformations. Camille has built a reputation for taking founders from forgettable to unforgettable, crafting brand strategies that don’t just look …

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National Security's Arctic Frontier: Iris Ferguson 44:00

1M ago44:00

44:00

After a summer of action in the Arctic, Andrew Shapiro re-visits his conversation with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about this strategic frontier. Iris explains how melting sea ice is ushering in a new era of great power competition, ending decades of 'Arctic exceptionalism.' Iris, the DOD's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for …

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582: (Solo) 3 Lessons I’ve Learned From Interviewing 100+ Billionaires 10:56

1M ago10:56

10:56

After interviewing over 100 billionaires and ultra-successful entrepreneurs, I’ve spotted three lessons that come up every single time — no matter the industry, background, or business model. In this episode, I break down exactly what I’ve learned from these conversations so you can model the same habits, mindsets, and strategies that separate the …

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Lynne Sneddon 10:49

1M ago10:49

10:49

It should be a given that all animals, regardless of what their natural habitats are, feel pain. Gothenburg University Professor Lynne Sneddon, who is in Taiwan for the Asia for Animals Conference, has done extensive research on just that -- and she talks about how to better care for fish so their lives are pain-free -- whether they live in lakes, …

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581: How to Build a $100M Brand Without Raising a Dollar | Peach & Lily 1:11:50

1M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

Alicia Yoon is the founder of Peach & Lily—the pioneering brand that brought Korean skincare to the U.S. before “K-Beauty” was a buzzword. In this episode, she shares how her personal skin struggles turned into a lifelong mission, how she went from finance to esthetician school, and why she took the slow, principled path to build a category-definin…

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The New Frontiers of the US-China Tech Competition: Craig Singleton 39:55

1M ago39:55

39:55

Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the new frontiers of the US-China tech competition. Craig explains that while trade talks are in a "tactical pause," China's dominance in rare earth minerals and its willingness to use them as leverage reveal…

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S3 Ep6: Polar Bears and the Unknown with Djoeke van Netten 26:21

1M ago26:21

26:21

Jerry journeys to the Arctic polar region with Dr Djoeke van Netten from the University of Amsterdam, following the attempts by Dutch navigator Willem Barentsz and his crew to reach China via the northeast passage. Djoeke explains the backstory of the Dutch trade missions that took place in 1594, 1595, and 1596 and how the 1596 mission was stranded…

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580: (Solo) The Step-by-Step Method to Reach Anyone — Even Billionaires 7:53

1M ago7:53

7:53

Four months into starting Foundr, I landed an interview with billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson — without connections, without experience, and while building my very first business from scratch. In this episode, I break down the exact networking and outreach strategy I used to connect with one of the world’s most famous founders, plus how you…

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Everyone Can Start a Podcast… But Can I Keep Going? | Ride to Success 9:50

1M ago9:50

9:50

In this special solo episode of Ride to Success, host Pedro Couto Lopes reflects on his journey so far — 74 episodes since launching in February 2024. Podcasting isn’t easy. Behind the mic, there have been highs, lows, doubts, and incredible opportunities. From interviewing cycling leaders to capturing deeply personal stories of transformation, the…