Best Josh Branson Podcasts (2025)

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115: From Rookie to Rank - Interview w/Matthew Hyde 1:07:44

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5d ago1:07:44

1:07:44

Leadership in corrections doesn't come from a badge or title—it emerges from integrity, trust, and the willingness to shield your team during difficult times. Matthew Hyde, leadership strategist and author of "From Rookie to Rank," shares his remarkable journey from new correctional officer to CERT Commander without formal rank. Matthew's story beg…

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The G.O.A.T.s of Kindness on Bootstrapping a Purpose-Driven Company | Dr. Brent Ridge & Josh Kilmer-Purcell 1:01:47

9d ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Most companies talk about purpose. Beekman 1802 made it their operating system. In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founders of Beekman 1802, to explore how a small act of compassion grew into a multimillion-dollar skincare brand rooted in community and purpose. After losing their Manha…

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114: 2025 MCA/MPPOA Fall Conference in Branson, MO 49:45

20d ago49:45

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I saw a man once walk out of the Missouri State Penitentiary after three decades with a few dollars and no plan. I remember that moment—and this is why I am glad Missouri has set out to build something better. Come behind the scenes with us at the MCA/MPPOA fall conference for a candid tour of what’s actually working: “soft handoffs” between instit…

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From Fired CEO to Billion-Dollar Exit: How Lukas Biewald Turned Failure into the Future of AI 1:05:54

23d ago1:05:54

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Lukas Biewald has been shaping the future of AI for nearly two decades. In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, we explore how his early passion for the board game Go, his hard-won lessons as a founder, and his focus on alignment and culture helped him build Weights & Biases into a trusted toolmaker in machine learning. In our conversation, we discu…

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113: Beyond Toxicity: Building Healthier Correctional Workplaces - Interview w/Josh Ryle 1:15:24

1M ago1:15:24

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Joshua Ryle brings over two decades of corrections experience to this deeply insightful conversation about the hidden psychological patterns that shape corrections culture. From his early days at the Tennessee Department of Corrections to his current role as a training sergeant, Ryle has observed firsthand how the corrections environment creates be…

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How to move beyond bureaucracy, not waste talent, and innovate faster | Michele Zanini & Gary Hamel 1:37:17

1M ago1:37:17

1:37:17

Bureaucracy was once a breakthrough. Today, it’s become a costly drag on innovation, human potential, and business impact. In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini, authors of Humanocracy, to explore how organizations can move beyond outdated management models and unlock true human thriving. Hamel and Zan…

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112: Security, Innovation, and Leadership in American Prisons - Interview w/Pete Bludworth 1:19:56

2M ago1:19:56

1:19:56

What does it take to navigate the most dangerous prisons in America while maintaining both safety and humanity? Pete Bloodworth's extraordinary 35-year journey through corrections offers profound insights into this question. From his early days as a Marine Corps sniper to becoming one of corrections' most influential tactical innovators, Bloodworth…

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Weather or Not? - Weather Modification Explained (Mostly) 2:55:07

2M ago2:55:07

2:55:07

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the controversial and often misunderstood subject of weather modification. For decades, governments and research programs have experimented with techniques to alter weather patterns, influence storms, and even manage global climate conditions. We trace the history of these efforts, from Cold War–era operati…

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From Blacksmith to Billionaire: The Making of Patagonia’s Ethos 1:28:48

2M ago1:28:48

1:28:48

Patagonia has always been different. While so many companies lose their way when profits come before people, the planet, or even their own products, Patagonia continues to stay true to its values. In today’s episode of The Eric Ries Show, I speak with journalist David Gelles, author of Dirtbag Billionaire, his new book about founder Yvon Chouinard.…

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Episode 111: Knowledge, Willingness, Courage: What Officers Need From Leaders 34:07

2M ago34:07

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What makes a truly effective correctional leader? In this thought-provoking episode, Michael Cantrell draws from decades of experience to unpack the three essential qualities officers desperately want from their supervisors: knowledge, willingness, and courage. Correctional officers seek leaders who possess deep knowledge about policies, case law, …

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“AI Will Break the Internet” — Cloudflare CEO’s Big Prediction 1:18:58

2M ago1:18:58

1:18:58

What if your company’s mission turned out to be bigger than you imagined? In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I speak with Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, now a $70 billion company defending 20% of all internet traffic. We trace how Cloudflare’s mission wasn’t declared at the start, but discovered through a series of principled…

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"A Reminder to Remember" | Joel Reyes | Premier Winterfest 2025 - Ocean City, MD 38:07

2M ago38:07

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In the closing message of Premier Winterfest 2025, Pastor Joel Reyes gives one final challenge: Don’t let this weekend just be a memory—make it a movement. Preaching from Psalm 77:11–12, Joel calls this generation to remember who God is and remember who you are. He warns that the same struggles, temptations, and battles we left behind will still be…

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"Time to Go Overboard" | Josh Carter | Premier Winterfest 2025 51:33

3M ago51:33

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Pastor Josh Carter challenges this generation to move from casual faith to total commitment—to go overboard for Jesus. Preaching from John 21, Josh warns against drifting back to old ways, settling into comfort, or living on borrowed faith. He exposes the “ships” the enemy uses—relationships, friendships, and influences—to take us further from God …

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110: The Silent Service: Finding Purpose in a Life of Sacrifice - Interview w/LTC Dave Grossman 1:07:12

3M ago1:07:12

1:07:12

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman brings decades of expertise to this powerful conversation about the psychology of violence, trauma response, and the vital role corrections professionals play in society. Drawing from his groundbreaking research that shaped books like "On Combat" and "On Killing," Grossman frames correctional officers as society's e…

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"Hanging by a Hem" | Aubrey Roach | Premier Winterfest 2025 54:38

3M ago54:38

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Pastor Aubrey Roach preaches from Mark 5:21–34 about the woman with the issue of blood—reminding us that our identity is not our struggle, our label, or our past. With boldness, humor, and compassion, Aubrey calls listeners to reject the lies of the enemy, reclaim their God-given name, and push past fear, shame, and opposition to touch Jesus. She c…

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Inside Vercel: The $3B giant that’s changed coding forever 1:19:17

3M ago1:19:17

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In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Guillermo Rauch, CEO and founder of Vercel—a company powering the front end of the internet for brands like OpenAI, Nintendo, Chick-fil-A, and many more. Guillermo’s journey began far from Silicon Valley, in Argentina, where a Red Hat Linux CD changed the course of his life. We talk about how ope…

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109: Rethinking Correctional Training: Objective-Based Training with Myles Cook 1:07:52

3M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

What if everything we thought we knew about training correctional officers was based on flawed assumptions? In this eye-opening conversation with Myles Cook, we explore how questioning basic training objectives can transform outcomes across corrections. Miles brings 15 years of diverse experience spanning corrections, patrol, narcotics, investigati…

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Re-Broadcast - ILEETA Live: An interview with Mike Cantrell and Gary York 1:04:24

3M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

This is a Re-Broadcast of ILEETA Live! Yyou can find more episodes here: / @ileeta Two nationally recognized voices in corrections. One powerful conversation. ILEETA Live is back July 16 at 7:30PM CST. This month: Michael Cantrell and Gary York—both published authors and respected subject matter experts—join us to talk leadership, resilience, and t…

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Epstein: Case Closed 2:26:26

4M ago2:26:26

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After an extended break that left listeners wondering if the podcast had quietly joined the ranks of mysterious disappearances, Josh and Justin are finally back behind the mics. Josh is convinced the show’s over, Justin’s over it, and maybe the world is too—but Justin disagrees. Vehemently. In this episode, the guys open up about the reasons behind…

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“Who Do You Say That I Am?” | Bo Madden | Premier Winterfest 2025 38:38

4M ago38:38

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Pastor Bo Madden challenges this generation with a simple but life-changing question from Jesus: “Who do YOU say that I am?” Drawing from the life of Jacob, Bo speaks directly to students who’ve grown up hearing about God but haven’t truly encountered Him. This is more than just another youth service—it’s a call to step out of religion, out of rout…

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How GitLab scaled to 30M users with transparency, remote work, and the ultimate employee handbook | Sid Sijbrandij 1:33:29

4M ago1:33:29

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In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Sid Sijbrandij, co-founder and Executive Chair of GitLab—one of the world’s most radically transparent and values-driven software companies. Sid shares how GitLab evolved from an open-source side project into a publicly traded DevOps platform, all while remaining deeply aligned with its values. F…

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108: Can Smart Technology Create Second Chances? Interview w/Alisha Shoates James 54:28

4M ago54:28

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What happens when a police officer's career evolves into revolutionizing corrections technology? Alisha Shoates-James takes us on her remarkable journey from patrolling Nashville streets to developing innovative tablet solutions that transform prison environments nationwide. Drawing from her seven years in law enforcement and extensive experience a…

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“You Decide” | Brian Lindsey | Ozark Winterfest 2025 – Branson, MO 29:04

4M ago29:04

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Brian reminds students that culture, peers, even religious spaces can push them to perform—to be liked, accepted, or praised—while never delivering on the promises they make. But Jesus doesn’t ask for a performance. He offers life. In a world full of pressure and confusion, you decide who sits in the seat of your identity. You decide who you follow…

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Turning down $200 million and the big bets that led to powering 40% of the internet 1:10:48

4M ago1:10:48

1:10:48

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic and co-founder of WordPress, the open-source platform that now powers 43% of the internet. Recorded on the 20th anniversary of Automattic, our conversation is a deep dive into what it takes to build enduring companies on top of open infrastructure. We explore Mat…

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107: Inside the American Jail System: Leadership & Innovation - Interview w/Shaun Klucznik 1:06:03

5M ago1:06:03

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When was the last time you heard a positive story about what happens inside America's jails? For most of us, these facilities only make headlines when something goes wrong—an escape, a use-of-force incident, or a facility failure. But as Major Shaun Klucznik reveals in this compelling conversation, corrections professionals save lives, change futur…

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“Rescued, Restored, Released” | Quantel Lindsey | Ozark Winterfest 2025 – Branson, MO 48:09

5M ago48:09

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With passion, humor, and powerful vulnerability, Quantel Lindsey delivers a deeply moving sermon titled “Rescued, Restored, Released.” Preaching from personal testimony and scripture, he declares that God is still in the business of rescuing the lost, restoring the broken, and releasing them for His glory. Quantel recounts his own journey—from gang…

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“This Is That Generation” | Daniel Maples | Ozark Winterfest 2025 – Branson, MO 49:32

5M ago49:32

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Daniel Maples passionately declares to students: you are that generation. Preaching from Acts 2 and drawing from the history of the Church of God, Pastor Daniel challenges students to become a Spirit-filled, set-apart, Holy Ghost-empowered generation that doesn’t settle for compromise, confusion, or complacency. This message calls for a return to t…

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“Truth Tellers” | Christy Sawyer | Ozark Winterfest 2025 – Branson, MO 50:01

5M ago50:01

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Christy Sawyer issues a clear and urgent call for a generation of truth tellers. Preaching from 2 Timothy 4, she challenges students not to conform to the deception of culture—or even the shallowness sometimes found in the church—but to preach the Word, speak the truth, and walk in real surrender. With the story of The Emperor’s New Clothes as a me…

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“Take Your Place” | JC Worley | Northeast Winterfest 2025 – Buffalo, NY 52:49

5M ago52:49

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JC Worley calls a generation to step into the anointing God has already placed on their lives. Preaching from the story of David’s anointing in 1 Samuel 16, JC reminds students that God’s hand is on them—even when no one else sees it. You may be overlooked by people, but you’re chosen by God. This is your moment to take your place, walk in obedienc…

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"The Dove is Hovering" | Brittney Parete | Northeast Winterfest 2025 - Buffalo, NY 1:08:32

5M ago1:08:32

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At Northeast Winterfest 2025, Pastor Brittney Parete brings a powerful, Spirit-filled message calling this generation to deeper surrender and holiness. She speaks passionately on the urgency of making room for the Holy Spirit, drawing from Acts 19, Genesis 1 & 8, and Acts 2 — reminding us the Holy Spirit is hovering, searching for a place to land. …

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"Come Out of the Cave" | Tyshone Roland | Northeast Winterfest 2025 - Buffalo, NY 55:29

5M ago55:29

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At Northeast Winterfest 2025, Evangelist Tyshone Roland brings a heartfelt, transparent message titled “Come Out of the Cave,” based on 1 Kings 19 — the story of Elijah’s discouragement after a great victory. Tyshone speaks openly about depression, grief, and isolation — how even the most anointed can find themselves trapped in discouragement. He s…

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“Salvation Like a Flood” | Maurice “Mo” Huggins, Jr. | Northeast Winterfest 2025 – Buffalo, NY 43:37

5M ago43:37

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Maurice “Mo” Huggins, Jr. calls a generation to stop riding the fence and fully surrender to Jesus. Preaching from Galatians 1, Mo unpacks the full gospel—God’s desire to save, Christ’s sacrifice, and the freedom that comes through the resurrection. With humor, heartfelt stories, and bold truth, he urges students to stop chasing spiritual highs and…

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"The Power of Surrender" | Markus McFolling | Smoky Mountain Wintefest 2025 - Pigeon Forge, TN 42:59

5M ago42:59

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From addiction to redemption, Marcus delivers a powerful, raw, and hope-filled testimony about the transforming power of Jesus. Sharing his journey from a broken childhood and failed NFL dreams to overdose, jail, and ultimately radical freedom in Christ, Marcus calls this generation to real faith—not religion, not performance. If you’ve ever felt u…

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"Catch that Fox" | Keenan Clark | Smoky Mountain Winterfest 2025 - Pigeon Forge, TN 51:58

5M ago51:58

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In this powerful message from Winterfest 2025, Keenan Clark delivers a passionate call to “Catch That Fox”—a challenge to guard against the small compromises that quietly sabotage our faith. Using humor, scripture, and bold truth, he reminds students that the enemy often works subtly after spiritual highs, aiming to uproot their connection with Jes…

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"Fan Into Flame" | Eli Bonilla, Jr. | Smoky Mt. Winterfest 2025 - Pigeon Forge, TN 1:03:35

5M ago1:03:35

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At Winterfest 2025, Eli Bonilla Jr. calls a generation to fan into flame the fire of God within them, refusing to settle for complacent, surface-level Christianity. Preaching from 2 Timothy 1 and Daniel 3, he urges students to build a resilient, Spirit-filled life that can withstand cultural pressure and spiritual compromise. Using personal stories…

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"Don't Sell Your Birthright" | Alex Seely | Smoky Mountain Winterfest 2025 - Pigeon Forge, TN 55:42

5M ago55:42

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Alex Seely challenges this generation to trade convenience for calling. In a powerful and raw message, she unpacks the story of Esau and how many of us give up our God-given purpose for temporary pleasure. This is a wake-up call to know your worth, pursue holiness, and live fully surrendered to the destiny God has written for you. It’s time to stop…

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Re-Broadcast - The Silence Crisis in Corrections w/Michael Cantrell - Independent Voter Podcast 33:10

5M ago33:10

33:10

This is a Re-Broadcast of The Silence Crisis in Corrections with Michael Cantrell from The Independent Voter Podcast - https://olasmedia.com/blogs/behind-the-bars-beyond-the-badge-the-hidden-struggles-of-correctional-officers Think the justice system only affects the incarcerated? Think again. In this episode of the How It Really Works series of th…

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The playbook for fixing toxic culture, pointless friction, and broken systems | Bob Sutton (Stanford, NYT bestselling author) 1:27:34

5M ago1:27:34

1:27:34

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Bob Sutton, organizational psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of several influential books on leadership, behavior, and workplace culture, including his latest: The Friction Project. We explore insights from across his body of work, including real-world examples of large organizat…

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The pitch that changed air travel forever: $3B in preorders, Richard Branson’s backing, and the return of supersonic flight | Blake Scholl (Boom Supersonic) 1:26:59

5M ago1:26:59

1:26:59

What does it take to challenge a century-old status quo in aviation? In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, a company on a mission to bring back supersonic air travel—sustainably and affordably. Blake doesn’t come from aerospace. He’s a computer scientist and former Amazon engineer w…

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106: Jujitsu, Justice, and Leadership - Interview w/Bryan Antonelli 1:12:15

6M ago1:12:15

1:12:15

Brian Antonelli, known throughout corrections as "the fixer," pulls back the curtain on what it takes to restore order in some of America's most challenging prisons. Drawing from 32 years of distinguished service in federal and state corrections, Antonelli shares candid stories about transforming troubled facilities like USP Hazleton, where he arri…

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105: Keeping Your Cell Extraction from Going Viral on YouTube - Interview w/Tim Fasnacht 1:08:42

6M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

The shocking disparity between training requirements—four weeks to become a correctional officer versus sixteen weeks to become a hairdresser in Washington State—highlights a systemic problem in how we prepare staff to handle some of society's most challenging individuals. Fosnott describes his earliest experiences, including being thrown into supe…

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The Hidden Costs of Pay Inequality, And How Leading Companies are Solving It | Maria Colacurcio (Syndio) 1:13:57

6M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Maria Colacurcio, Co-Founder and CEO of Syndio, a workplace equity analytics platform. Syndio helps companies close pay gaps and build high-trust organizations. Maria has had a long career in leadership, previously co-founding Smartsheet and serving as a senior leader at Starbucks, where she focu…

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104: Recent Training Spotlight - and A Special Announcement by Michael Cantrell 36:36

6M ago36:36

36:36

Michael Cantrell returns with a passionate exploration of the evolving corrections landscape, sharing significant professional milestones while introducing his upcoming new book, "Power Skills: Emotional Intelligence and Soft Skills for Correctional Officers, Public Service, and Beyond." The episode begins with exciting news about Cantrell's appoin…

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Lessons on co-founding Twitter, Medium and Blogger with Ev Williams 1:22:17

7M ago1:22:17

1:22:17

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Ev Williams—someone whose work has profoundly shaped the modern internet. Ev co-founded Twitter, created Medium, and before all that, built Blogger, the original blogging platform (and the one where my own blog, Startup Lessons Learned, still lives today). We cover a wide range of topics, but a…

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The playbook for building a business to $1M/month with 3 employees, hiring great leaders, and rejecting Silicon Valley’s rules | Jess Mah (Rahway) 1:24:29

7M ago1:24:29

1:24:29

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I'm joined by Jess Mah, an extraordinary entrepreneur who launched her first six-figure business in middle school and went on to co-found more than 10 companies collectively valued at over $1 billion. Jess rose to public acclaim and earned a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 while privately facing the reality that h…

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103: The Human Stories of Military Justice and Rehabilitation - Interview w/James Cummings 1:09:05

7M ago1:09:05

1:09:05

From the corridors of military prisons to the unique challenges of civilian life, our guest Jimmy Cummings shares an extraordinary journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. A retired Marine with a commanding presence in military corrections, Jimmy opens up about his early struggles in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that led him to the Marines, meet…

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The Hired CEO with Founder Mode | Marten Mickos (MySQL, HackerOne) 1:32:37

7M ago1:32:37

1:32:37

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Marten Mickos, a serial tech CEO who has been at the forefront of some of the most transformative moments in open-source technology. From leading MySQL through its groundbreaking journey to guiding HackerOne as a pioneering bug bounty platform, Marten's career is a masterclass in building innov…

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102: Leadership Strategies and Fostering a Culture of Integrity - Interview w/Chris McConnell 58:30

7M ago58:30

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From military operations in the Gulf to the corridors of correctional facilities, Chris McConnell's journey is a narrative of resilience and leadership. Growing up in a law enforcement family in Pennsylvania, Chris was destined for a life of service. After serving as an airborne infantryman in Operation Desert Shield Storm, he transitioned into a c…

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How To Raise $125M Pre-Revenue and Why Harder Can Be Easier | Celine Halioua (Loyal) 1:40:25

8M ago1:40:25

1:40:25

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I'm joined by Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, a groundbreaking biotech startup developing drugs to extend dogs' healthspan and lifespan. Celine's journey combines her passion for animals with a bold scientific mission that looks beyond pets to potentially transform human longevity as well. Our conver…

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Inside UiPath’s $1.5B ARR Journey – Bootstrapping the company, hiring challenges, and the billion-dollar pivot (Daniel Dines) 1:35:37

8M ago1:35:37

1:35:37

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Daniel Dines, the Founder and CEO of UiPath, a company that started in robotic process automation (RPA) and is now making a bold shift into agentic AI. Dubbed “the boss of bots” by Forbes, Daniel has led UiPath from its humble beginnings to a $6.65 billion company that’s reshaping the future of…