Thriving Minds with Alberto Zandi

What does it really take to build one of the most iconic hospitality brands in the world, and what happens when you walk away? In this episode I sit down with Martin Kuczmarski, the former COO of Soho House, who was the mastermind behind the scale of the brand into a global lifestyle empire known for its exclusivity, culture, and community. From launching clubs across three continents to defining...

What if everything you thought you knew about sleep was wrong? In this episode of Thriving Minds, I sit down with Dr. Guy Leschziner, world-renowned neurologist and leading sleep expert, to uncover the science, psychology, and habits behind truly restorative sleep. Whether you’re 25, 35, or 55, this conversation will change the way you sleep. You’ll learn how to finally wake up refreshed and energ...

"I was successful on paper. But inside, I felt like I was crumbling." At 27, Phoebe Cleary Rudd had checked all the boxes, an impressive career in finance, a dream apartment, a busy social life. But when burnout hit, it hit hard. She found herself crying on the kitchen floor, disconnected from her purpose, unsure what she was chasing anymore. This deeply honest conversation reveals how Phoebe rebu...

Kate Moyle is one of the UK’s leading psychosexual therapists and a respected voice in the field of modern intimacy, desire, and sexual wellbeing. In this episode of Thriving Minds Kate explains why so many people feel disconnected in their relationships, not due to a lack of love, but because of shame, silence, and the myths we’ve internalized about sex. She breaks down: Why desire fades in long-...

Matt Roberts has trained Prime Ministers, pop stars, fashion icons, and royalty. But behind the elite client list lies a deeper mission: to help people live longer, stronger, and better. In this episode, he reveals the truth about how fitness, food, hormones, and habits shape your health, and why most people are getting it disastrously wrong. From building David Cameron a gym inside 10 Downing Str...

In this special short video, host Alberto Zandi reflects on the incredible journey of 30 & Thriving, from its launch to over 300,000 subscribers in just one year, and announces the exciting evolution into our new identity: Thriving Minds . Originally created to share the unfiltered stories of Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees, 30 & Thriving uncovered the raw realities behind success, failure, se...

Nikola Mrkšić didn’t grow up dreaming of building a $500 million AI company. He wanted to be a neurosurgeon , or a diplomat . Instead, he co-founded Europe’s leading AI platform, PolyAI , a company handling over 100 million customer calls a year, backed by NVIDIA, and reshaping how we interact with machines. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Nikola reveals: Why he never planned to be an entrep...

In this compelling episode of Thriving Minds , we sit down with Josh Deal, the mastermind behind ZEBR, a platform that's redefining music marketing in the digital age. From his beginnings as a drummer to becoming a tech entrepreneur without a coding background, Josh shares his transformative journey. What you'll discover : Innovative Strategies : How Josh leveraged influencer marketing to propel a...

There are over 400 dog breeds in the world. So why is most pet food still made based on size? Entrepreneur Victor Mortreu, Co-Founder of Just Russel , asked that same question, and built one of the fastest-growing pet food companies in Europe in response. By using AI to create custom-tailored nutrition plans, Just Russel is helping pets live longer, healthier lives.  The company is now doing...

He could’ve taken the easy road. But he didn’t. In this episode, Alberto sits down with Henry Vindevogel, the 29-year-old founder of TOCG, a cosmetic conglomerate with annual revenues exceeding £45M—and someone whose story is often misunderstood. Born into a family of successful entrepreneurs, many assumed Henry’s path was already paved. That his success was inherited, not earned. But behind the s...

How can I build more confidence? How can I self-promote without sounding arrogant? How can I stand out in public speaking? How can I stand out? In this deeply educational and insightful episode, author and coach Stefanie Sword-Williams chats with Alberto about all things confidence. Stefanie has worked with some of the world’s largest companies, including Netflix, Unilever and Google, helping indi...

In just a few years, DIRTEA has grown from a bold idea into the UK’s leading functional mushroom brand , stocked in the country’s biggest retailers and trusted by thousands of customers. But behind the scenes is a story very few founders would have the courage to share.  In this episode of Thriving Minds , Alberto Zandi sits down with Andrew Salter, Co-Founder of DIRTEA, the UK's leading func...

In just 5 years, TRIP CBD went from an idea to being stocked in Whole Foods, Soho House, and over 35 countries worldwide, averaging a staggering 400% growth per year. But their success story isn’t just luck, it’s a masterclass in turning challenges into opportunities. When they launched, CBD advertising was banned across major platforms. Instead of giving up, they hacked their way to global succes...

“ I didn’t just want to make history, I wanted to change it.” Rebecca Ajulu-Bushell became the first Black woman to ever swim for Great Britain, but that was only the beginning. She went on to graduate from Oxford, become the CEO of the 10,000 Interns Foundation, and author the powerful book This Heavy Black Bone . In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Rebecca opens up about the hurdles of bein...

The Art Industry Is Rigged – Marine Tanguy Exposes the Truth A story to fuel your day with motivation and hope. Marine Tanguy grew up on a small island in France, far from the art world’s elite circles. She had no connections, no privilege, and no fast track to success. Yet today, she’s the founder of MTArt Agency.  Her mission is to empower talented artists who don’t have the means to break...

Gary Izunwa grew up in a single-parent, working-class household where he learned the value of hard work and witnessed first-hand the barriers to opportunity faced by underprivileged communities. Today, he’s the founder of Tangent , a ground-breaking digital recruitment platform tackling the deep-rooted unfairness in employee referrals and opening doors for those often overlooked by traditional hir...

Alberto is joined by Elena Michael , founder of Not Your Porn , in this eye-opening episode of Thriving Minds to uncover the hidden truths of the multi-billion-dollar porn industry and its impact on society. They dive into: How porn is affecting adolescent minds and the dangerous consequences. The dark secrets of the adult industry’s economy. The alarming rise of image-based abuse and what needs t...

In this episode, Alberto Zandi sits down with Lou Llobell, the breakout star of Apple TV’s hit sci-fi series Foundation . While the world is just beginning to recognize her talent, we are the first to bring her inspiring story to you. Lou shares: The struggles she faced breaking into one of the most competitive industries. How she overcame countless rejections with grit, determination, and self-be...

How do you build a venture capital firm from scratch with five co-founders?  What does it take to scale consumer goods brands successfully?  And why is teaming up with experienced individuals crucial to achieving exponential growth? In this episode of Thriving Minds , Alberto sits down with Laurence Booth-Clibborn, the founder of Mothership, a venture capital firm transforming the consum...

In this compelling episode of Thriving Minds , Tom Grennan sits down with host Alberto Zandi to uncover the truth behind his meteoric rise from singing in pubs to selling out stadiums filled with 80,000 fans. But this isn’t just a story about fame. This is about how heartbreak redirected Tom’s path from football to music, the years of hustle that tested his resilience, and the unexpected moment a...

At just 8 years old, Mia McKenna-Bruce embarked on a career that would take over two decades of relentless effort, resilience, and heart. Despite early successes, she faced the harsh realities of the entertainment industry. Rejection after rejection and the crushing weight of burnout. At one point, she walked away from it all, trading auditions for a headset at a call centre in Australia. But Mia’...

Pip Murray had a passion for nut butters as a fuel source to run marathons, but couldn’t find healthy, tasty options without palm oil. In 2013, she decided to make her own and started selling them at a local artisan market in the UK. By 2024, her company, Pip & Nut, is selling millions of jars each month across Europe, stocked by major retailers like Whole Foods, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco,...

In this episode Alberto Zandi sits down with Raissa de Haas, co-founder of the internationally recognized premium mixer brand, Double Dutch. From launching the company with her twin sister Joyce in 2015 to now selling over 2 million units monthly, Raissa shares the remarkable journey behind building one of the most innovative brands in the beverage industry.   Raissa opens up about how their...

In this eye-opening and educational episode, Alberto dives into the untapped economic power of the Black community with Ruby, Co-Founder of VAMP, a leading talent agency representing Black talents. Ruby shares how she and her friends turned their frustration over the lack of representation into a multimillion-dollar company that showcases the value of the Black pound.   Alberto and Ruby discu...

A business founder is usually filled with passion, vision, and has a strong emotional bond with their business. Claudia Stankler, Chief Operating Officer of Connectd, shows us how a corporate job can allow you to have a life outside work while feeling as motivated and fulfilled as a founder. Connectd is a community-driven technology platform that connects investors and advisors with leading and re...