Wisdom From The Top with Guy Raz

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From the creator of How I Built This, host Guy Raz invites you to listen in as he talks to leadership experts and the visionary leaders of some of the world's biggest brands. Along the way, you'll hear accounts of crisis, failure, turnaround, and triumph, as the leaders reveal their secrets on their way to the top. These are stories that didn't make it into their company bios, and valuable lessons for anyone trying to make it in business.

  • 23 minutes 6 seconds
    The Way Up, Episode 6 - Nixta Taqueria

    They fed neighbors during a storm — and ended up winning a James Beard Award.

    In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz meets Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi, the couple behind Nixta Taqueria in Austin, Texas. What started with resilience in the face of disaster became a nationally acclaimed restaurant with a mission rooted in community, creativity, and cultural pride.

    From navigating natural disasters to rethinking the taco, Edgar and Sara share hard-earned lessons in business, leadership, and love.

    Video Links:

    • Watch the full series here
    • Check out the episode page here
    • Watch this episode on YouTube
    • Watch all episodes of The Way Up, including the bonus panel episode 'Behind the Business: How 5 Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds'.

    Connect with Square:


    The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    13 August 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 21 minutes 16 seconds
    The Way Up, Episode 5 - Green Apple Books

    Pop-up shops, clever T-shirts, and made-up holidays — all in the name of keeping indie books alive.

    In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz sits down with Pete Mulvihill, co-owner of San Francisco’s iconic Green Apple Books. While big-box retailers dominate the market, Pete and his team have kept their independent bookstore thriving for decades by thinking way outside the box. From airports to bakeries, Pete shares the creativity, strategy, and community focus that keeps the shelves stocked and the doors open.

    Video Links:

    • Watch the full series here
    • Check out the episode page here
    • Watch this episode on YouTube
    • Watch all episodes of The Way Up, including the bonus panel episode 'Behind the Business: How 5 Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds'.

    Connect with Square:


    The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    6 August 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 17 seconds
    The Way Up, Episode 4 - Vala’s Pumpkin Patch

    Can a family farm turn into a full-blown theme park? The Valas made it happen.

    In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz visits Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Nebraska to meet Tim and Kelsey Vala — the father-daughter duo behind one of the country’s most beloved fall destinations. From a single patch of farmland to 50+ attractions, 25 restaurants, and 1,400 seasonal employees, Vala’s is redefining what a family business can be.

    Video Links:

    • Watch the full series here
    • Check out the episode page here
    • Watch this episode on YouTube
    • Watch all episodes of The Way Up, including the bonus panel episode 'Behind the Business: How 5 Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds'.

    Connect with Square:


    The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    30 July 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 10 seconds
    The Way Up, Episode 3 - Charles Pan-Fried Chicken

    What happens when a soul food legend meets a business-savvy chef? A lot of diners go home happy.

    In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz sits down with Chef Charles Gabriel and Chef Quie Slobert of Charles Pan-Fried Chicken to explore how they transformed a Harlem institution into a growing restaurant group with national buzz — all while keeping the heart of home cooking at the center of it all.

    Video Links:

    • Watch the full series here
    • Check out the episode page here
    • Watch this episode on YouTube
    • Watch all episodes of The Way Up, including the bonus panel episode 'Behind the Business: How 5 Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds'.

    Connect with Square:


    The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    23 July 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 28 seconds
    The Way Up, Episode 2 - Rustler Hat Co. with Alex Samuels

    Note: This is the second in a series of episodes of The Way Up, a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses.

    She opened a custom hat shop in Nashville… while eight months pregnant.

    In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz sits down with Alex Samuels, founder of Rustler Hat Co., to talk about how a disappointing shopping experience turned into a thriving business rooted in storytelling, craft, and community.

    Alex shares how she went from real estate deals to designing custom hats, balancing motherhood, managing explosive growth, and creating unforgettable experiences, one hat at a time.

    Video Links:

    • Watch the full series here
    • Check out the episode page here
    • Watch this episode on Youtube
    • Watch all episodes of The Way Up, including the bonus panel episode 'Behind the Business: How 5 Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds'.


    Connect with Square:

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    19 July 2025, 1:05 pm
  • 21 minutes 53 seconds
    Wisdom From The Top Presents: The Way Up, Episode 1 - The Sports Bra with Jenny Nguyen (Presented by Square)

    Note: This is the first in a series of episodes of The Way Up, a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses.

    What happens when you can’t find a place to watch women’s sports? You build one. Jenny Nguyen is the founder of The Sports Bra, a first-of-its-kind sports bar in Portland, Oregon, that only plays women’s sports.

    In Episode 1 of The Way Up, Guy sits down with Jenny to talk about turning frustration into a business, building community, and why leading with purpose can change everything.

    Video Links:

    • Watch the full series here
    • Check out the episode page here
    • Watch this episode on Youtube
    • Watch all episodes of The Way Up, including the bonus panel episode 'Behind the Business: How 5 Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds'.


    Connect with Square:

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    10 July 2025, 8:45 pm
  • 49 minutes 7 seconds
    Finding Work That's Got a Mission: Ken Coleman
    Ken Coleman, known as “America’s Career Coach,” shares his wisdom on finding meaningful work and building connections to achieve your career goals. Drawing from his own journey—spanning a decade of diverse jobs before discovering his true passion in broadcasting—Ken offers practical advice from his books, The Proximity Principle and One Question. In this encore episode, he challenges listeners with one thought-provoking question: What do you wonder about doing? This simple yet powerful question can be the key to unlocking your career potential.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    22 January 2025, 5:03 am
  • 57 minutes 52 seconds
    When the Best People Want to Be on Your Team: Peloton's Dara Tresedor

    As a child growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria, Dara Treseder was often reminded to keep her feet on the ground. But her mother urged her to dream big and pursue her ambitions—especially if they brought her fulfillment. That encouragement propelled Dara across the world, where she attended both Harvard and Stanford, charting a path defined by her desire to make a positive impact.

    Dara’s journey into marketing began after what she jokingly calls a “failed career in finance," including stints at Apple and Goldman Sachs. In 2020, she became the SVP and Head of Global Marketing and Communications at Peloton, cementing her place as one of the most influential marketing leaders of her generation. Today she is the CMO at Autodesk. In this inspiring conversation from 2021, Dara reflects on leadership, collaboration, and the power of building teams that drive meaningful change: “The best way to drive change is not to try to go alone. It’s to do it with others.”

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    15 January 2025, 5:04 am
  • 45 minutes 47 seconds
    A Key Way to Grow Your Confidence: Joe Keohane
    ENCORE EPISODE. Joe Keohane, a seasoned journalist and editor, believes that conversations with strangers can boost happiness, empathy, and even improve the world around us. In his book The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World, Joe dives into research with psychologists, anthropologists, and real-life encounters to uncover the profound impact of these connections. In this encore episode, Guy and Joe discuss how reviving the lost art of connecting is essential for both personal growth and professional success.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    8 January 2025, 5:02 am
  • 45 minutes 38 seconds
    Small Habits, Huge Rewards: B.J. Fogg
    What drives lasting personal change? BJ Fogg, founder of Stanford’s Behavior Design Lab, challenges conventional wisdom with insights from his groundbreaking book Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything. Drawing from real-life experiments and research, Fogg reveals a practical system for building positive habits and breaking free from negative ones. In this episode, first aired in 2021, discover transformative lessons on designing change and celebrating progress.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 January 2025, 5:05 am
  • 45 minutes 21 seconds
    Price and Quality are Not Enough: Foot Locker's Ken Hicks
    When Ken Hicks took the helm as CEO of Foot Locker in 2009, the company was on the brink: the economy was in shambles, sales had cratered by nearly a billion dollars, and the decline of indoor malls spelled further doom. But within three years, Hicks led Foot Locker to a stunning $2 billion rebound. His strategy? A renewed focus on storytelling—connecting the brand to customers in a way that transcended price tags and products. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    25 December 2024, 5:02 am
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