Legends N Leaders

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Derek Slager, Co-CEO and Co-Founder, of Amperity, a customer data platform valued at more than $1 billion, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of retail. As retailers move beyond AI experimentation, the conversation is shifting from hype to execution. Derek explains how leading brands are using AI and first-party cu...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Daniel Singer, the founder and CEO of Filthy Food, the company that transformed one of the most overlooked parts of the cocktail experience: the garnish. Frustrated by the low-quality cherries, olives, and cocktail ingredients available behind most bars, Daniel set out to create premium garnishes worthy of the world's best cocktails. Today,...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Brian Rosen, Founder and Chairman of InvestBev Capital Management, the largest private equity platform dedicated to the global beverage industry, with more than $250 million in assets under management. Brian shares his journey from leading his family's $100 million liquor retail business to building one of the most influential investment fir...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Ryan Magarian, the visionary behind one of the world's most recognizable craft gin brands. Ryan shares the story of creating Aviator Gin, from developing a unique recipe and building a standout brand to navigating the competitive spirits industry. We discuss what it takes to create a premium product, the importance of authentic branding, and...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Yotam Segev, Co-Founder of Cyera, one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies helping enterprises discover, classify, and protect their most sensitive data. Yotam shares the journey from identifying one of the biggest challenges in modern cybersecurity to building a company trusted by many of the world's largest organizations. We expl...

The relationship between athletes, fans, and brands is being completely rewritten. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Thomas Salas, CEO of Faves, breaks down how athletes are evolving from endorsers into full-scale media companies and entrepreneurs. Faves is building a platform that helps athletes connect directly with fans through personalized recommendations, commerce, and creator-driven experi...

What does it take to build one of the most respected luxury boat companies in America? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Steve Potts, founder and CEO of Scout Boats, shares the incredible story of building a world-class boating brand from the ground up. Starting with just $50,000 and a small workshop in South Carolina, Steve faced devastating setbacks early on — including Hurricane Hugo nearly w...

What if the biggest problem inside your company isn’t strategy……it’s that communication isn't as good as it should be? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Steve Cockram, co-founder of GiANT Worldwide, explains why communication failures silently destroy teams, leadership, and company culture — even inside successful organizations. Using the powerful “5 Voices” framework, Steve breaks down how...

Live music is more than entertainment — it’s connection, memory, and culture passed between generations. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Stephen Grybowski, Executive Director of The Rock & Roll Playhouse and co-founder of Backline, shares how he helped build one of the most unique live music movements in America. From working behind the scenes at Brooklyn Bowl, The Capitol Theatre, LOCKN’,...

Gaming is becoming one of the largest creator economies in the world. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Shahar Sorek, CMO of Overwolf, breaks down how a once-niche world of game mods and in-game apps evolved into an ecosystem that has paid creators over $300 million last year alone. With Overwolf reaching more than 113 million gamers monthly and powering experiences across titles like GTA V, Hog...

Retail is entering one of the biggest transformations in its history — and AI is at the center of it. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Ruth Harrison, Global Consumer & Retail Goods Lead at Avanade, breaks down how conversational AI, intelligent automation, and AI-powered retail experiences are reshaping the future of shopping. From AI copilots helping store associates in real time to hyper-...

Every company is becoming a technology company. But most businesses still aren’t prepared for the cybersecurity, AI, and infrastructure challenges that come with it. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Roger Lewis, CEO of CMIT Solutions, to discuss scaling a national technology brand, the future of managed IT services, and how AI is changing business operations. Since taking over...

The advertising industry is going through a massive transformation. AI, commerce, data, media, customer experience, and creative are rapidly converging — and traditional agency models are struggling to keep up. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Robyn Freye to discuss the future of agency growth, AI-enabled services, and why independent agencies are entering a powerful new era. A...

What does it actually take to introduce a completely new consumer behavior into the market? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Richard Mumby, CEO of Wip, to talk about building products that fit seamlessly into people’s everyday lives. Richard’s career has centered around products that challenge traditional formats and rethink convenience, performance, and user experience. Before...

What would you do if you had to leave your country… and rebuild your life from zero? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Olga Barabanova and Danil Kontsevoy, the founders behind Biky Bikes Corp. — creators of the lightest children’s bicycles in the United States. After leaving their home, Olga and Danil rebuilt their lives as entrepreneurs in America and scaled an award-winning co...

Retail has more data than ever before. So why do so many companies still struggle with inventory, forecasting, and seasonal planning? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Matt Hopkins, Global Head of Retail Solutions at Board, to break down the hidden operational challenges reshaping modern retail. Drawing from industry-wide insights and research around merchandise financial planni...

Streaming changed how people watch content. Now AI is changing how advertising works inside it. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Kara Puccinelli from Nexxen to break down the future of streaming, connected TV (CTV), AI-powered advertising, and the evolving battle for consumer attention. As platforms become more fragmented and viewing behavior rapidly shifts, advertisers are bei...

Advertising is changing faster than most companies can keep up. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with James Ramelli from Fyllo to break down the future of AI-powered advertising, audience intelligence, and what happens when privacy, regulation, and machine learning collide. Fyllo has become one of the leading adtech companies focused on highly regulated industries like healthcare, f...

Why do smart companies with talented people still struggle internally? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Todd Holzman, founder of Holzman Leadership, to break down the psychology behind leadership, candor, culture, and high-performing organizations. Todd has spent decades advising Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and Global 2000 companies, teaching leadership at Harvard and Columbia, and...

Before specialty coffee became mainstream, Todd Carmichael was building one of the most influential coffee brands in America. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Todd Carmichael shares the incredible story behind La Colombe, the risks it took to scale the company, and why he decided to start building again with his newest venture: Loftiwater. From traveling through some of the world’s most dangero...

What happens when influencer marketing stops being about “likes” — and starts becoming measurable performance? In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Gustav Lindell, founder of Pixly, to break down where the creator economy is heading next. Since founding Pixly in 2017 and scaling it into a global YouTube influencer marketing leader including its acquisition by Acceleration Community...

Most car dealerships still run on outdated systems built decades ago. Bill Berman believes AI is about to change that completely. In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, Bill Berman breaks down how Pinewood. AI is building the next-generation operating system for automotive retail — combining dealership management software with in-house AI capabilities through its acquisition of Seez. From AI-powered...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Adam Met — founding member of the multi-platinum band AJR, professor at Columbia University, author, and founder of the nonprofit Planet Reimagined. Beyond music, Adam has dedicated his platform to helping inspire practical, measurable action toward building a healthier and more sustainable future while empowering younger generations to feel lik...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Vedant Pradeep, co-founder and CEO of Reframe, the neuroscience-based app helping millions of people reduce or rethink their relationship with alcohol. Founded by Vedant Pradeep and Ziyi Gao, Reframe uses psychology, behavioral science, and daily habit-building tools to help users cut back on drinking without shame, stigma, or rigid recovery mod...

In this episode of LegendsNLeaders, we sit down with Varun Bhanot, co-founder and CEO of MAGIC AI, the AI-powered fitness company building a new generation of intelligent home training technology. MAGIC AI combines computer vision, connected weights, holographic trainers, and real-time form correction to create an immersive personal training experience at home. The company’s technology has been re...