Ted Hesser Podcast

Today’s guest is Xavier Helgesen, a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Enduring Ventures, a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway acquiring overlooked, cash-flowing businesses with the goal of holding them forever. Recorded during Enduring Ventures' annual shareholder gathering, Ted and Xavier discuss the philosophy and mechanics of permanent capital, the hidden pitfalls of venture ca...

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Synnott—climber, writer, explorer—for a wide-ranging conversation about the Franklin Expedition and the deeper human drive to venture into the unknown. This may be the greatest survival tale never told. We talk about Mark’s journey through the Northwest Passage in search of clues, the myth of the open polar sea, and what Inuit oral history suggest really happe...

Ted sits down with Kris Tompkins, longtime CEO of Patagonia and one of the world’s most influential conservationists. Kris shares her journey from building Patagonia with Yvon Chouinard to her transformative conservation work, rewilding millions of acres in Chile and Argentina alongside her late husband, Doug Tompkins. Discover her insights into the early days of Patagonia, groundbreaking conserva...

In this episode, Jim McKelvey, cofounder of Block Inc, delves into the critical role timing plays in both business and life, offers an insider’s look at Federal Reserve decision-making during economic crises, and unveils his plan to accelerate life-saving treatments through more efficient clinical trials. From entrepreneurial insights on leveraging machine learning for underwriting risk to his tho...

This episode is with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading authority on the science of happiness and positive psychology. Drawing on decades of pioneering research and personal experiences, Dr. Lyubomirsky reveals how cultural influences, gratitude, and kindness shape our well-being—even at the genetic level. Discover her strategies for setting authentic goals, freeing yourself from rumination, and har...

This episode is with Davis Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning director known for 'An Inconvenient Truth' and 'Waiting for Superman.' We dive into Davis's storied career, his insights into Hollywood, the art of storytelling, and the personal and professional challenges he's faced along the way. 02:10 Early Career and Influences11:43 Navigating Hollywood and Family Connections21:30 Training Day 32:05 Fac...

In this episode, I sit down with Chet Pipkin, the visionary founder behind Belkin International, a company that grew from humble beginnings in a garage to become a global, multi-billion dollar brand. Chet shares his extraordinary journey—how he turned a passion for solving connectivity issues in the early days of personal computing into global success story. We delve into the critical decisions th...

Ted sits down with world class futurist and microbiologist Andrew Hessel in this episode, to discuss the future of Bioengineering, and programming life from its most fundamental unit, DNA. They discuss the architecture of DNA, its parallels with computer systems, and the potential of writing DNA from scratch. Key topics include synthetic viruses, and the need for global biosecurity measures, the t...

In this episode Ted sits down with Leslie Odom Jr., the world-famous Broadway star known for his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. Leslie shares untold stories about his career choices, including walking away from a lucrative TV deal to be part of Hamilton's original cast. The conversation delves into his reflections on fatherhood, the meaning of love, and his recent roles in films like 'The Exorcis...

I sat down with Nedjip Tozun, co-founder and CEO of D.light Design, the world's most impactful solar company. They have powered over 170 million people, at the base of the world's economic pyramid, with solar electricity and lighting products. Nedjip and I discuss the trials and tribulations of D.light, we talk about his fascinating views on religion, which underpin the story of d.light, and we ta...

This episode was a real treat. Ben Lamm is the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction company. They are legitimately en route to bringing back extinct species, like the wooly mammoth, the thylacine and the dodo. We talk about all of that on this episode, along with broader observations of what these new age synthetic biology tools mean for the future of conservati...

Cory Richards, a renowned National Geographic adventure photographer, has lived a life full of highs and lows. He reached the pinnacle of the outdoor industry only to step back after a series of mental health challenges. I consider Cory to be a friend, a mentor, and a guide to healing from trauma in the modern world. This episode aims to share Cory's incredible story, detailed in his new memoir 'T...

Peter Dering, founder and CEO of Peak Design, discusses his views on conscious capitalism. For the environment, for employees, and for customers. This is a case study in ethics, and successful brand building, in business.  00:00 Intro 04:08 Peak Design's History & Office Space 07:07 From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader 14:27 Navigating Business Without Investors 26:29 Climate Neutral: A D...

Chris Burkard is a close friend, a mentor, and a legendary adventure photographer. He is also a devout latter-day saint. This episode is an exercise in podcast portraiture, a deep and insightful look into Chris's inner life.    01:33 Past Adventures. Journey to the Kurils.  10:44 Faith 21:26 Psilocybin. Protector and Caretaker Psychology.  45:06 Capitalism & Mormonism 50:30 Faith & Daily L...

In this episode, I sit down with renowned science writer David Quammen. We discuss the age of synthetic biology, tempered by ethical and practical considerations, and what it may mean for viruses, cancer & species conservation. David’s insightful, measured outlook is grounded in five decades of science writing, across dozens of books and hundreds of feature magazine stories.  Show Notes: 00:18...

This episode delves into the complex interplay of skepticism and conviction in modern science, a theme vividly illustrated by Jacobson's career. Check out the podcast as we explore the dynamic and often contentious world of climate policy through the lens of Mark Jacobson's remarkable life. Mark Jacobson is a towering figure in the realm of climate policy. Jacobson's early work led to California's...

Ted Hesser sits down with Wade Davis, a luminary in the world of ethnobotany, exploration, and cultural preservation. Wade shares his captivating journey from his early days at Harvard amidst the giants of botanical and psychedelic discovery to his deep dives into the Amazon and the mysteries of ancient plants. They discuss the profound impact of psychedelics, the importance of preserving vanishin...

Mike Finkel is one of the most successful contemporary authors in the non-fiction genre. He has written three books, all of them New York Times Best Sellers, with two being sold as movie rights to big Hollywood studios and one made into a major motion picture by Brad Pitt's Production company. Mike is a raconteur who has worked for the world's top journalistic outlets. Mike was fired from the New...

Victor Vescovo is an extraordinary explorer and former Navy intelligence officer. He's the only human in the history of our civilization to go to the bottom of every ocean (in a custom-made submersible), to the top of the tallest peaks on each continent, to the poles, and into Outer Space. He is, arguably, the most prolific explorer of our age. 🌍 His unique perspective on our world through explor...