Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People

What does it take to build a brand that dominates the mind—and outlasts the competition? Positioning strategist Laura Ries has the answer. As the president of Ries & Ries and co-author of the classic 22 Immutable Laws of Branding, Laura has advised Fortune 500 companies around the world. In this conversation, she shares how growing up with her father, branding legend Al Ries, shaped her career...

We’ve got a bonus episode for you on  Remarkable People ! This feedswap with  Rapid Response  features Canva co-founder and COO Cliff Obrecht. For more than a decade, Canva has made design accessible to everyone. Now, as AI reshapes the creative world, the company faces new challenges and opportunities. Cliff reveals how Canva is navigating this shift, why values-driven leadership m...

What happens when one man reshapes movies, television, e-commerce, and tech—then tells you exactly how he did it, flaws and all? That’s Barry Diller. From running Paramount Pictures and Fox to steering IAC and Expedia, he’s been at the center of cultural and business revolutions for decades. In this candid conversation, Barry opens up about his unconventional path, his belief in bold ideas, and wh...

What if the path to building a lasting company isn't about explosive growth and quick exits? Dave Whorton, former venture capitalist, challenges Silicon Valley's "get big fast or die" mentality in this eye-opening conversation. After witnessing the Netscape IPO transform startup culture forever, Dave discovered an alternative approach: evergreen companies built for profitability, purpose, and gene...

What happens when the Secretary of State becomes a target for standing up to the most powerful person in America? Meet Jocelyn Benson, Michigan's fearless Secretary of State who has faced down violent mobs, presidential threats, and assassination lists—all while protecting democracy and voting rights. From her undercover work investigating the KKK as a young journalist to her current run for Michi...

What happens when you combine groundbreaking genetic research with deep spiritual wisdom? Meet Francis Collins - the physician-geneticist who led the Human Genome Project, directed the NIH under five presidents, and helped develop the cure for cystic fibrosis. In this fascinating conversation, Francis reveals how he searches for three missing letters among 3 billion, why the COVID vaccine represen...

What happens when a high school government teacher becomes America's most trusted voice on democracy? Sharon McMahon transformed from classroom educator to social media sensation by explaining politics with facts, civility, and clarity. Known as "America's Government Teacher," she reveals how she accidentally became a democratic educator during the pandemic and shares insights from her book The Sm...

What if the secret to effective communication isn't adding more—but cutting ruthlessly? Harvard behavioral scientist Todd Rogers joins Guy to reveal the counterintuitive science behind writing that actually gets read. From his groundbreaking research on voter engagement to reducing student absenteeism, Todd has cracked the code on what makes busy people stop scrolling and start responding. In this...

Can cynicism actually be killing us? Stanford psychology professor Dr. Jamil Zaki reveals the shocking truth about how our negative assumptions about humanity are destroying our health, relationships, and success. In this eye-opening conversation, Jamil explains the crucial difference between cynicism and skepticism, showing how "hopeful skepticism" can transform your life. From his groundbreaking...

What drives us to seek revenge, and why does it feel so satisfying yet leave us worse off? Guy Kawasaki sits down with James Kimmel Jr., a lawyer turned behavioral science researcher who presents a radical reinterpretation of revenge in our society. Kimmel argues that much of what we call justice-seeking is actually a dopamine-driven revenge cycle that perpetuates violence and suffering rather tha...

What if the secret to better relationships isn't fixing problems but simply making people feel understood? Clinical psychologist Caroline Fleck reveals why validation—not agreement—transforms how we connect with others. In her groundbreaking book Validation, Caroline shares the science behind why feeling seen matters more than being right. Discover the eight-step validation ladder, learn why accep...

What if the secret to high-performing teams isn't hiring the smartest people, but creating the right environment? Vanessa Druskat, organizational psychologist and associate professor at the University of New Hampshire, reveals how emotionally intelligent teams outperform their competition through trust, collaboration, and psychological safety. Vanessa's research identifies nine specific norms that...

Four years out of law school, and she's taking on the entire U.S. Department of Justice? Meet Cindy Cohn, the attorney who turned a Haight-Ashbury party connection into one of the most pivotal legal victories in internet history. As Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation—the world's leading digital rights organization—Cindy commands a team of 125 lawyers, technologists, and activ...

What if the ancient practice of drilling holes in skulls was actually an early attempt at emotion regulation? In this fascinating episode, Guy Kawasaki sits down with psychologist and neuroscientist Ethan Kross to explore how we can master our inner voice and harness our emotions as powerful tools. Ethan directs the Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory at the University of Michigan and is the autho...

Ever wonder why you choose an orange over an apple, or why your grandmother's feedback hits differently than a stranger's opinion? Meet Emily Falk, pioneering neuroscientist and author of What We Value, who reveals how we can transform our relationship with daily decisions by thinking like scientists about our own minds. Emily breaks down three brain systems that drive every choice we make: our va...

What happens when two friends decide to learn about successful acquisitions and accidentally create one of the world's most popular business podcasts? Meet Ben Gilbert, co-founder and co-host of Acquired, the show that transforms company histories into captivating 4-hour audio experiences. With millions of listeners worldwide, Acquired has become the Harvard Business School case study of the podca...

Can menstruation and menopause policies reshape democracy? Find out in this electrifying conversation with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, the powerhouse behind the "menstrual equity" movement and Executive Director of the Burnbaum Women's Leadership Center at NYU Law. She reveals how periods became political, why women's bodily autonomy connects directly to democratic participation, and what's next in the f...

Ever wondered how small psychological shifts can create massive life changes? Stanford psychology professor Greg Walton reveals the science behind "wise interventions" - evidence-based strategies that tackle psychological barriers and transform educational outcomes. Through fascinating research and compelling stories, Walton explains how feeling like you don't belong, approaching challenges with f...

Could your questions be holding you back? Drawing from decades of experience as an educational innovator and organizational leader, Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask, reveals why most of us ask poor questions and how mastering the art of inquiry can dramatically improve our decision-making, relationships, and leadership. He shares his proven five-step ASK approach—Choose Curiosity, Make it Safe, Pose Qu...

Can AI and spirituality coexist? Deepak Chopra, world-renowned pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation, challenges our perceptions by embracing artificial intelligence as a spiritual tool. In this mind-expanding conversation, Chopra reveals why he believes AI represents "the most powerful technology for expanding awareness in every area" and how it's revolutionizing our path to...

Is the tech industry rotting from the inside out? Ed Zitron thinks so. As a PR expert, media critic, and outspoken tech industry commentator, Zitron pulls no punches discussing what he calls the "ROT economy" - where growth at all costs has replaced innovation and customer value. In this brutally honest conversation with Guy Kawasaki, Zitron dissects OpenAI's unsustainable business model, critique...

Is there such a thing as a sustainable competitive advantage anymore? Step into the strategic mind of Rita McGrath, one of the foremost thinkers in innovation and strategy. In this eye-opening conversation, the Columbia Business School professor challenges conventional thinking about market disruption, inflection points, and how organizations can stay agile in rapidly changing environments. From d...

Can design shape not just how things look, but how we see the world? Debbie Millman, host of the legendary "Design Matters" podcast and chair of the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts, answers this question and more in this captivating conversation. From her childhood drawings predicting her future career to her insights on what makes brands truly connect with audiences, Mill...

Can we truly understand what drives desperate families to risk everything at the border? Rachel Rutter, Executive Director of Project Libertad and CNN Hero, delivers a powerful reality check about America's immigration system. Her organization provides legal representation and wraparound services to unaccompanied immigrant children navigating a complex and often hostile immigration system. Rachel...

Can a volleyball coach's mindset transform your leadership approach? In this captivating episode of Remarkable People, Guy Kawasaki talks with legendary volleyball coach John Cook, who led Nebraska to four national championships and more Division I wins than any other coach this century. Cook shares his coaching philosophy centered on "coaching with love" rather than anger, and reveals how social...