In this conversation, Ben Spacapan delves into the world of private equity, sharing insights on the decision-making process involved in investing in businesses. He emphasizes the importance of building long-term partnerships and the joy of engaging in meaningful discussions about business ownership and collaboration.Takeaways:- The essence of private equity lies in thoughtful decision-making.- Engaging in deep discussions about business ownership is crucial.- Building long-term partnerships is key to success in business.- Objective evaluations help in choosing the right companies to invest in.- The joy of the job comes from meaningful interactions and learning.- Understanding company culture is vital for successful partnerships.- Private equity offers opportunities for collaborative growth.- Investing is not just about money; it's about relationships.- Learning from businesses informs better investment decisions.- The role of private equity is to help businesses thrive.Ben Spacapan Links: * Madison Dearborn Team: https://www.mdcp.com/team/ben-spacapan* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-spacapan/

Dr. Jenny Gordon is a Harvard-trained economist and one of Australia’s most influential policy leaders.In this episode, we go inside the real work of reform—from aged care and early childhood policy to rebuilding Indonesia’s debt system after a financial crisis.Jenny shares what it actually takes to make big changes happen: how evidence meets politics, how to build coalitions, and how to keep going when the incentives aren’t aligned. If you’re curious about impact, public service, economics, or just how the world really works behind the scenes—this one’s for you.In this episode, we cover:- What it’s like being a chief economist inside government- How major reforms (like aged care + early childhood) get designed and passed- The behind-the-scenes reality of crisis response and rebuilding financial systems- How to influence decision-makers when “good ideas” aren’t enough- Career lessons from a life spanning academia, government, and policy leadershipGuest: Dr. Jenny Gordon: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/jenny-gordon

Carlos Cabrera, EVP @ Wild Alaskan Company, swapped breaking news for building tech that ships wild-caught seafood to U.S. doorsteps.

Carlos's Career Journey:

• Passed on a safe consulting offer to chase documentary journalism.

• Cold-emailed a fellow Northwestern Wildcat, joined a media startup Storyhunter (now called Glimmer), and fell into product management.

• Quit a comfy PM role, went contractor-mode, and helped launch Wild Alaskan Company.

Show Links:

Carlos' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%90%9F%F0%9F%91%8D-carlos-cabrera-9b40b813/

Wild Alaskan Company: https://wildalaskancompany.com/

I talk with music and tech executive Peter Szabo. Peter has had a front-row seat to the transformation of the music industry.

Peter Szabo started at KISS 108, an iconic Boston radio station, during the internet's earliest days. His job was to post pictures and videos of bands like Backstreet Boys, Jay-Z, and Dave Matthews Band. Without knowing it, Peter was at the forefront of shaping how we’d all soon connect with music online.

From there, he stepped into leadership roles at companies that completely changed the music landscape: Pandora, Shazam, and Spotify. And now with his own company, “The Idea Factory,” he is helping artists and brands harness the power of authentic partnerships. Like the ones where the artist actually enjoys the product – From the Struts to Train.

But beyond his impressive resume, Peter brings deep insights about the human side of success—how curiosity and tenacity drive innovation, why great leaders prioritize kindness, and how a single generous act from a boss can leave a lifelong impact, especially during a crisis.

Links:

Peter Szabo’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pszabo/ The Idea Factory: https://www.ideafactory.solutions/

In this episode, I talk with Jessica Hudson, an expert in learning and development who has built successful programs at Facebook and TikTok. Now running her own business, Little Torch Leadership, Jessica helps startups and executives enhance their effectiveness.

She shares the importance of job shaping, dealing with imposter syndrome, and strategic career transitions.

Whether you're an aspiring leader or an entrepreneur, Jessica's practical advice and inspiring stories are sure to resonate.

Jessica's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahutson/

Little Torch Leadership: https://littletorchleadership.com/

In this episode, I talk with James Hornick, the Chief Growth Officer at the executive recruiting firm Hirewell and one of the sharpest voices in the recruiting space. As an executive recruiter, James helps companies fill high-impact leadership positions (think Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Technology Officer) — giving him a front-row seat to how hiring decisions really get made.

James began his career in tech sales at WorldCom and Akamai Technologies before transitioning into recruiting. Since joining Hirewell in 2005, he’s been instrumental in growing the firm’s offerings – launching the Digital Experience & Marketing practice – and leading the firm’s growth strategy… This includes a big investment in content marketing.

Links:

• James Hornick: / jameshornick Hirewell: https://hirewell.com/
• The 10 Minute Talent Rant: https://talentinsights.hirewell.com/t...
• Business is Bullshit Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nYs...
• Enron Movie IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1016268/

On this episode of the Show, I’m talking with someone who’s been a friend, a mentor—and at one point, my boss—Dan Gonzalez.

Dan’s held marketing leadership roles at Meta, Yahoo, and now Sam’s Club. But his path wasn’t a straight line. He didn’t come out of business school gunning for tech. In fact, he thought he’d spend his career managing a retail store until a pivot to tech during the dot-com boom.

One of his most fascinating chapters? Serving as Chief Marketing Officer at TechShop, a bold startup that gave everyday people access to high-tech tools and training—basically a gym, but for makers and inventors.

Dan is part operator, part philosopher, and all heart. I hope you enjoy his reflections on leadership, reinvention, and values-driven work as much as I did.

Dan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gonzalezdan/

Suvo Sur is an award-winning and Emmy-nominated multi-instrumentalist and composer that has worked across film, TV, and podcasts. But it wasn't always that way. He started his career in data science with degrees in Math and Physics.

To learn more about his work visit https://www.suvosur.com/