The Ario Kavousi Experience

That breakup. That failed startup. That friendship that ended. That job you lost. Stop calling them a waste of time. Every single one of them taught you something. What to tolerate. What to avoid. Who to trust. How to protect your energy. Sometimes growth doesn’t feel like progress. Sometimes it feels like pain. But if it didn’t give you what you wanted, it taught you what you don’t want. And that...

Most people waste their disadvantages. No money? They complain. No invitations? They scroll. No lifestyle? They compare. But the same situation can become your biggest advantage. This episode is about turning everything — even isolation, boredom, or limitation — into growth. You don’t need a better environment. You need a better response.

Why should someone in Europe, America, or Australia care about Iran’s revolution? In this short episode, I explain how Iran’s freedom impacts global stability, business, energy, and security — and why supporting His Royal Highness Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi matters for a peaceful and trustworthy future. This isn’t just about Iran. It’s about the world we all live in.

Life is short — way too short to live it trying to impress other people. The truth? Nobody really cares. Everyone is busy with their own life, their own problems, their own ego. Even the biggest names in the world would be a topic for a minute… and then everyone moves on. So why are you holding back? Why are you scared of opinions that won’t matter tomorrow? Live your life. Enjoy it. That’s the wh...

I get this question in almost every business meeting. Restaurant owners, managers, GMs — at the end they always ask me: Why did you start TheList? How did it begin? I realized I never actually shared this story publicly. In this episode, I explain how TheList really started — including the three times it failed, the shutdowns, the wrong decisions, and why I refused to quit. This isn’t a success st...

Everyone has an opinion the moment you say you want to start a business. “Do you know this competitor?” “Do you know that company?” In this episode, I talk about why that mindset is broken, why “everything already exists” is not a reason to quit, and what really happens when you ignore the noise and focus on execution. I’ve lived this. Doubt at the beginning. Respect after revenue. If you’re build...

Steve Jobs said you can only connect the dots looking backward. Here’s the part most people miss: you’re walking on those dots right now — every day, every move, every decision. Opportunities pass because you don’t recognize them in real time. People, mistakes, side paths, uncomfortable moments — all dots. You only realize what they meant after they’re gone. In this episode, I talk about awareness...

I always ask myself one thing before making any move — business, relationships, anything: When I’m 80 or 90, lying on my deathbed, will I be proud of this decision? Most people live for the moment. If future you won’t be proud, don’t do it. If future you will smile, then go all in.

Your brain is just like your body — if you stop training it, it gets weak. Feed your mind the same way you feed your belly. In this episode, I talk about: 👉 Why you must constantly train your brain like an athlete 👉 How to lead and mentor people instead of shaming them 👉 Why “later” is the biggest lie we tell ourselves 👉 Why you’re the creator of your own problems — and solutions 👉 How to cal...

Everyone dreams. Few execute. I’ve had a friend say for 15 years he’ll get a six-pack “this summer” — but never left the couch. I’ve run 15km daily and still had belly fat until I realized: no abs, no weights, no diet = no results. Dreams without action are just hallucinations. In this episode: 👉 Why execution isn’t one thing, it’s everything (steps, habits, consistency) 👉 The truth about wasted...

Are you happy in your job? Your relationship? Your life? Most people aren’t — but they stay anyway. Afraid of quitting. Afraid of breaking up. Afraid of pivoting. But here’s the truth: 👉 Money can be recovered. Time cannot. 👉 Regret is the only thing in life with no cure. 👉 If you don’t walk away from what’s wrong, you’ll carry that regret forever. In this episode I break down: Why we cling to...

Someone new enters your space. They shine. You feel small. You have a choice: stress or level up. This episode is about choosing the latter. Real stories. Real advice. For everyone who wants growth, not comparison.

Want a team that moves mountains—not just does tasks? This episode dives deep into building a culture where your team isn’t just loyal—they love you. Why transparency > blind loyalty How to handle raises with empathy and clarity Why hiring for heart isn’t soft—it’s smart The “manager vs. mentor” mindset shift The culture-defining moment: when you walk in, do they smile? This one’s not just for...

We all do it — miss opportunities, waste time, let other people’s judgments control us. This episode is about acting now before “later” turns into never.

Partnerships make or break your business. I’ve learned the hard way: it’s not about locking clients in with contracts — it’s about building relationships they never want to leave . In this episode, I share my raw lessons on: Why honesty beats “polished lies” every time. Walking partners through agreements (and why the paper means less than you think). Handling mistakes with humility instead of hid...

Early-stage hiring can make or break your startup. In this episode, I share the real mistakes I made : skipping the hard talks, putting people in the wrong roles, firing in anger, and moving too fast. If you’re building a startup, these lessons will save you time, money, and sanity.

If you’re under 20, this episode might save you years of pain. I share the biggest mistakes I made — losing over 100K on taxes, trying to be a one-man show, ignoring time management, crab mentality, and more. These are the lessons I wish someone had told me when I was younger. Not theory. Not “LinkedIn motivation.” Just raw, real mistakes I lived through. 👉 Shoutout to Podcast. Today— they featur...

You can’t build a startup by just watching YouTube or listening to podcasts. You have to do the work. In this episode, I share the raw truth about what really happens when you jump into entrepreneurship unprepared – How I got crushed by taxes and insurance– Why hiring too early almost killed my company– Why ego kept me from finding a co-founder– How watching smart content isn’t enough — you have t...

In the early days of a startup, hiring feels exciting—but it can become your biggest mistake. No budget. No brand. No structure. And yet you need people. But who do you hire when you can’t afford A-players? How do you fire fast when it’s not working? And why do most early hires end up killing your momentum? In this raw episode, I break down: How I hired and fired in the early days Why most resumes...

There were at least five moments when I could’ve given up. I was broke, coming from Iran, rejected by banks, ignored by investors and VCs, blocked by the system, and stuck during a pandemic. But I didn’t quit. I kept executing. Today, TheList operates in 3 countries, with 1,500+ high-end venues and global users. This episode breaks down the 5 critical moments where it all could’ve ended — and how...

Two restaurants. Same revenue. One lives in chaos, the other lives in peace. In this episode, I break down the art of building smart businesses vs. stressful ones — and why so many founders pick the hard road. One of my partners runs a flashy, high-end sushi fusion spot in Brickell. DJs, influencers, staff issues, low margins, and daily fires to put out. The other sells eggs and juice out of a chi...

Most people don’t take action because they’re scared of one thing: judgment . They stay quiet. They play small. They avoid risk—not because they can’t do it, but because they’re afraid of what others will think if they fail. But here’s the truth: No one’s really watching. And the people you’re afraid of impressing? They don’t care. This episode is your reminder to stop living for other people’s op...

Most people don’t fear failure—they fear judgment. And because of that fear, they live a life that’s not even theirs. They work jobs they hate. Stay silent. Play it safe. All to impress people who don’t actually matter. A palliative care nurse once documented the top regrets of people on their deathbeds. The #1 regret? “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself—not the life others exp...

Most people aren’t stuck; they’re scared. Scared of being judged. Scared of failing. Scared of what someone else might think. They don’t post. They don’t start. They don’t wear what they want. They don’t speak their truth. Why? Because they care more about impressing strangers than living for themselves. In this episode, I break down: Why fear of judgment controls your life How to stop living for...

Your team doesn’t care unless you do. This episode is a raw breakdown of startup management in the early days—when it’s just you, chaos, no money, and a team that needs direction. I share the mistakes, the painful truths, and how to stay sane when everyone around you is dropping the ball. Topics covered: – Time blindness and bad culture – Why you MUST calendar everything – Building accountability...