The Founder Spirit

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast with Michael Clark, a visionary strategist and author of Our Moment, who reveals the deep, philosophical questions we must ask about the future of human intelligence, purpose, and technology.  His book follows the journey of a boy chasing a dream chasing a dream—one who confronts the future we are all collectively building and discovers that the most tran...

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast with Eric Genuis, a composer, virtuoso pianist and compassionate storyteller, who has dedicated the past three decades to playing for society’s most broken: death row prisoners, traumatized youth, the elderly, the homeless, and veterans battling PTSD. Uncover the extraordinary story behind his mission-driven career—how a shocking first prison performance...

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast with Stanzin Gya, whose films are a testament to the power of storytelling rooted in truth and authenticity—giving voice to the High Himalayan communities and their urgent ecological concerns. His journey from shepherd boy on the Tibetan plateau to global storyteller encapsulates the resilient human spirit and unyielding hope for a sustainable future. Stanzin...

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast with Ajaita Shah as we unlock the transformative power of entrepreneurship and impact in rural India through the remarkable story of Frontier Markets. Discover how one woman’s journey from New York City as an eighth member of a jewelry dynasty to leading India’s largest rural e-commerce platform is reshaping lives, empowering 40,000 women, and unlocking m...

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast with Dana Leong as we uncover how this two-time Grammy-winning musician blurs genres, experiments with AI, and crafts soundscapes that heal, inspire, and connect us all. From a child prodigy to a global innovator, Dana reveals the secrets behind creating music that touches the heart and heals the soul. Imagine a life where music is more than sound—it's a tool...

Join us on The Founder Spirit podcast as we delve into the life and insights of Shoukei Matsumoto, a Japanese Buddhist monk, author, and social entrepreneur from Japan. Discover how Shoukei bridges ancient spiritual wisdom with modern business practices, emphasizing intergenerational responsibility and Interbeing, the interconnectedness of all beings. From his journey as a monk to his innovat...

In this episode with Diana Yousef, a serial entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience commercializing science-based technologies for global social and environmental impact, The Founder Spirit explores her journey from a childhood fascination with nature and science to founding change:WATER Labs, a climate tech venture using innovative materials science to increase access to safe, sustainable,...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit podcast, Jay Cziraky, a serial entrepreneur and seasoned humanitarian operator, discusses how his journey, through extensive experience working in conflict zones and post-war reconstruction, has led him to found the No-End Philosophy. No-End Philosophy is a new socioeconomic paradigm that creates perpetual, sustainable, community-focused businesses that priori...

In this episode with SongHa Choi, one of the most compelling violinists of her generation, The Founder Spirit sits down to explore her remarkable journey from South Korea to the global stage. More than a critically acclaimed violinist, SongHa is an artist with a creative, personal voice. And believe or not, she is only 25-years old, and is wise far beyond her years! Discover how her diverse musica...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Arzucan Askin (“Zuzu”), a National Geographic Explorer and interdisciplinary conservation scientist, shares her inspiring journey from growing up as an immigrant in Germany to becoming a passionate advocate for marine conservation. She discusses her work in shark conservation, the importance of reconnecting people with the ocean, and the Miyaru project i...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Krista Kim, an ultra-contemporary artist known for her work exploring the concept of digital consciousness, shares her journey of exploring the intersection of art, technology, and meditation. Krista shares her pioneering approach to digital consciousness, emphasizing how art can serve as a meditative experience that fosters harmony between humanity and...

After over two decades of working in entrepreneurship and finance, our host, Jennifer Wu, found herself in an utterly different line of work than she had previously imagined. In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Jennifer reflects on at the end of her third season as a podcaster and discusses the growth and evolution of her show.  She also shares her key takeaways from this season, trip to t...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Lucy Thomas, Global Head of Sustainable Investing and Impact at UBS Asset Management, shares her journey from her formative years in Ireland to her influential role in investment stewardship. Lucy addresses the challenges and opportunities present in emerging markets, emphasizing the role of blended finance in bridging funding gaps, and discusses the balance...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Cristian Samper shares his journey from nature-obsessed childhood in Colombia to leading one of the most ambitious global environmental initiatives - Bezos Earth Fund. He discusses conservation wins, the urgency of climate action, biodiversity restoration, indigenous rights, sustainable protein, and how we can all contribute to planetary health. Cristian also...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Cristina Mittermeier, Founder of The International League of Conservation Photographers and Sea Legacy, shares her inspiring journey from marine biologist in Mexico to becoming one of the world’s most influential conservation photographers. She reflects on pivotal moments that shaped her path and the power of storytelling to engage the public on urgent enviro...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Jean Oelwang, the Founding CEO of Virgin Unite and Planetary Guardians, highlights the importance of life transitions, cultural insights gained from diverse experiences, and the impact of partnerships in creating social change.  Jean shares her journey from telecom to founding Virgin Unite with Richard Branson, emphasizing the need for business practices...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Mindahi Bastida, a spiritual leader and scholar, and Founder and Convenor of The Earth Elders, explores indigenous wisdom, the purpose of life, the significance of ceremony, and the importance of environmental stewardship. Drawing from his upbringing, ancestral teachings, and the guiding principles of Indigenous philosophy,  Mindahi shares profound...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, the legendary oceanographer and explorer,  Sylvia Earle, takes us on a journey through her remarkable life beneath the waves. A pioneer in marine exploration and the first female Chief Scientist of NOAA, she explains why ocean health is crucial to our shared future. Dedicated to protecting and restoring the ocean’s fragile ecosystem, Sylvia reveals her v...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Founder of SOC Films, shares her journey from growing up in Pakistan to winning the Academy Awards (twice!). She discusses the powerful narratives she has captured in her films, including two Oscar-winning documentaries, “Saving Face” and “A Girl in the River”, and emphasizes the importance of empathy in storytelling, the challenge...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Barney Swan, Founder of ClimateForce, an explorer and a gifted keynote speaker, shares stories of planting trees with Dr. Jane Goodall, working with both modern and Indigenous wisdom keepers,  his approach to  mental health and wellbeing in navigating the “attention economy”.  In this conversation, Barney discusses the importance of self-realiz...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Elisabeth Stern, a cultural anthropologist, a peace and environmental activist, and a board member of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, recounts how the group prevailed through an eight-year legal battle to ultimately secure a landmark judgement against its own government for its inadequate climate policy. A passionate advocate for climate...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Prakash Govindan, founder and COO of Gradiant, takes us through his journey of building a global leader in advanced water and wastewater treatment. Committed to giving nature its water back and ensuring it for generations to come, he explores the vital role of water, the groundbreaking technologies Gradiant has developed, and their impact on addressing global...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Trupti Jain, a social entrepreneur from India and co-founder of Naireeta Services, an organization at the forefront of climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, shares the value she placed on water at an early age growing up in harsh climate conditions.  She discusses the hardships women farmers in rural India faced and explains the invention of Bh...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Byron Leon, an expert on the subconscious mind and hypnotism, recounts his personal journey of self-discovery from struggles with dyspraxia to the transformative power of hypnosis. He discusses the duality of self - "I" vs. "me" - and the role of the conscious and subconscious mind. Byron shares insights from his experiences with magnetism, hypnotism, sh...

In this episode of The Founder Spirit, Sari Tolvanen, Founder and CEO of Ocean Eye, the world’s first ecosystem service payments solution targeted for the global marine tourism sector, shares her passion for marine biology. Growing up in Finland, she discusses her transition from academic research to advocacy work at Greenpeace, spearheading ship expeditions and combating high seas commercial fish...