Masters of Scale

Matt Abrahams knows what it takes to win over a crowd, close a deal, or inspire a team. The renowned communication expert and Stanford business school lecturer shares his science-backed strategies for overcoming public speaking anxiety and more. Check out Matt’s podcast and book: https://www.fastersmarter.io/Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI bots are on track to outnumber humans online by 2027. No one has a better line of sight into that shift than Matthew Prince — his company, Cloudflare, routes more than 20% of all internet traffic. Speaking live from SXSW, Prince reveals how AI is rewriting the economics of the web, how tech giants are scrambling to respond, and what it means for anyone running an online business. Plus, what it's like to be on the frontlines of Iranian cyberwarfare, and why Prince made the unexpected move to buy a local Utah newspaper.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Arthur Brooks is a bestselling author and Harvard professor best known for his work on the science of happiness. He joins host Jeff Berman to reveal the insights at the heart of his new book: The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness. Link to Arthur's new book The Meaning of Your Life: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/books/the-meaning-of-your-lifeYou can find more details about it here: themeaningofyourlife.comSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When global trade buckles, Ryan Petersen is the person executives call. The founder and CEO of Flexport returns to Rapid Response to offer a real-time account of the Strait of Hormuz crisis — what he's seeing on the ground, on the water, and across the supply chains straining under the pressure. Petersen also digs into the prospect of tariff refunds in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling against the Trump Administration, and why businesses risk leaving $160 billion on the table by not acting. Plus, how AI is reshaping both logistics and software-based firms, and whether all the trade turbulence might actually be a tailwind for Flexport itself.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amy Webb, futurist and CEO of the Future Today Strategy Group, held a funeral for her famous annual trend report at SXSW this year. She explains to host Jeff Berman why convergences are the new critical unit of change instead. Webb says leaders must stop being distracted by "the shiny" and learn to prepare for the disruption of convergences.Link to the Convergence Outlook: https://ftsg.com/convergence/Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Career disruption is accelerating across the economy — and few people have navigated it more boldly than Maryam Banikarim. The former CMO of Univision, Gannett, and Hyatt, and host of The Messy Parts podcast, Banikarim joins Rapid Response to share hard-won wisdom about C-suite politics, and ultimately betting on yourself. Growing up in Iran during the time of revolution, Banikarim offers a unique perspective on the current Middle East conflict — and her determined search for hope amid the chaos.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shantanu Narayen announced this week that he will step down after nearly two decades as CEO of Adobe. In this conversation first published in early 2025, Narayen talked with host Reid Hoffman about how he led the transformation of Adobe’s creative tools like Photoshop to cloud-based subscriptions, how that unlocked faster innovation, and why those lessons are serving the company well in the new age of AI.Synthetic voiceover of Reid Hoffman used in this episode was produced by Respeecher with full consent and permission.Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale.comSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before taking on the role of FanDuel CEO, Amy Howe faced unprecedented uncertainty while leading Ticketmaster through a global pandemic. Howe talks with host Jeff Berman about navigating fierce competition, shifting regulations, and the rise of prediction markets. A sports betting giant, FanDuel has a market cap of more than $25 billion dollars.Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI disruption and geopolitical upheaval are forcing business leaders to make high-stakes decisions — fast. Accenture CEO Julie Sweet joins Rapid Response host Bob Safian to share what she's hearing from her 9,000 clients and the hard-won advice she's giving them. Sweet reveals why AI proficiency is now a requirement for promotion at Accenture, why she's doubling down on entry-level hiring amid the automation wave, and why tension in the C-suite may be the most underrated leadership advantage right now. Plus, Sweet unpacks the hidden power of "leader-led learning", and makes the case for why preparing society for an AI future is not just a government job, but a business imperative.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why does uncertainty make us less rational with money? And who should we trust for financial advice online? Vivian Tu, financial educator and CEO of Your Rich BFF, joins Rapid Response to break down today’s personal finance risks and opportunities, from “lifestyle inflation” and the most common money mistakes smart people make to how Gen Z is navigating 2026 volatility and a shifting job market. Tu also previews her new book Well-Endowed, weighs in on tech stock valuations and prediction markets, and shares the surprising lessons she’s taken from Rihanna. Hear Vivian’s conversation with Bob Safian in this recent episode, first published in the Rapid Response feed.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geopolitics is back at the top of every business leader's agenda — and the signals are coming fast. Host Bob Safian sits down with Rapid Response producer Alex Morris to cut through the noise and decode the stories shaping the business world right now: from Jeff Bezos' Washington Post shakeup and Jack Dorsey's AI-driven layoff memo, to a landmark Supreme Court tariff ruling and the Ellison family's rising grip on media. Plus, Bob and Alex play a round of Noise or Legit, separating the meaningful from the merely buzzworthy in today's business zeitgeist.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tarang Amin took the helm of e.l.f. Beauty at a pivotal moment and helped turn it from industry underdog to category disruptor, with a retail footprint spanning Sephora, Target, Dollar General, and H&M — while outperforming much of the beauty sector. Amin breaks down the unconventional moves driving that growth, from lightning-fast product cycles and hands-on AI experimentation to cultural bets like partnering with Hailey Bieber. Beyond beauty, e.l.f.’s playbook offers a sharp look at how speed and conviction fuel growth in a volatile market. Hear Amin’s conversation with Bob Safian in this recent episode, first published in the Rapid Response feed.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Women's sports are continuing to thrive. Record-breaking WNBA viewership, a flood of new brand investment, and now Unrivaled: the women's basketball league built by players, for players. Commissioner Micky Lawler joins Rapid Response to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to launch a high-stakes sports startup in the full glare of the public eye, from signing Sephora and Samsung to selling out arenas. The question is no longer whether women's sports can compete. It's how fast they can grow.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bay Area is in the midst of something unprecedented: playing host to the NBA All-Star Game, Super Bowl, and FIFA World Cup games back-to-back-to-back. It usually takes years of planning and expert navigating of local politics to pull off even one of these events. Host Jeff Berman talked with the person responsible for making it all happen behind-the-scenes: Zaileen Janmohamed, CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Corey duBrowa spent much of his career advising some of the world’s most scrutinized leaders — from Howard Schultz at Starbucks and Marc Benioff at Salesforce to Sundar Pichai at Google. Now, as CEO of global communications firm Burson, he’s helping executives navigate a charged marketplace shaped by AI disruption, ICE activity, and nonstop reputational risk. duBrowa explains why reputation remains one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) assets in business, and how leaders should decide whether, when, and how to speak up.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Prediction markets. AI. Super Bowl ads. Hear how DraftKings co-founder and CEO Jason Robins is placing bets on the future. Robins talked with host Jeff Berman just ahead of the Super Bowl in San Francisco about how he stays focused, cultivates company culture, and navigates a tumultuous regulatory and competitive landscape. Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Super Bowl LX ad blitz was a big budget highwire act — from Anthropic's shot at OpenAI to Lady Gaga's homage to Mr Rogers, and Dunkin's nostalgia-fueled celeb fest. Autodesk CMO Dara Treseder returns to Rapid Response to break down what worked, what didn’t, and what the ads reveal about where marketing is headed next. Treseder unpacks the business impact of Bad Bunny’s halftime show, what it signals for the NFL and Apple, and the lessons every leader can take from the biggest stage in advertising.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gary Vaynerchuk of VaynerMedia has produced more than a dozen Super Bowl ads for brands. In 2026, his hilarious "Will Shat" spot for Kellogg's Raisin Bran features actor William Shatner with a fiber-forward message. He talked with Jeff Berman about the bold ad, how marketing is changing, big brands' delayed embrace of social media, and more.Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Eric Yuan saw frustrated customers and wanted to make the product he worked on better – but couldn’t convince his bosses. So he struck out on his own and founded a competitor: Zoom. Yuan talks with host Jeff Berman about building Zoom into a massive player, how it handled 30x growth when the Covid pandemic hit, how he led the company through a painful round of layoffs, and more.Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TV host, producer, author, and UN Goodwill Ambassador Padma Lakshmi joins Rapid Response with candid advice for business leaders on speaking out, showing courage, and staying true to themselves, particularly amid the Trump Administration’s violent immigration crackdown. A passionate voice at the intersection of food, culture, and identity, Lakshmi shares how she’s shaking up food media with her new series America’s Culinary Cup, and offers a refreshingly human take on modern work life, including why she chooses to take zoom meetings from the comfort of her own bed. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Possible, Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger sit down with Amjad Masad, founder and CEO of Replit, to explore how AI is fundamentally changing who gets to build software and what that means for work, creativity, and human agency. Masad traces his journey from growing up in Jordan teaching himself to code and connects it to his love of video games which helped inspire him to build a platform that turns natural language into working software. The conversation spans everything from why gaming mindsets make better builders, to how CEOs are rediscovering hands-on creation, to why “vibe coding” is the next form of literacy and why computational thinking is more important than syntax mastery. The conversation also digs into the future of AI agents, long-running autonomous workflows, and what it means to design environments for machines rather than humans. They also confront harder questions about jobs, fear, regulation, and society’s responsibility during a cognitive industrial revolution. The episode ultimately reframes AI not as a replacement for human creativity, but as a force that can return people to a more entrepreneurial, expressive, and meaningful way of life. For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After blitzscaling one of the fastest-growing spirit brands in history, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey founder Fawn Weaver is reflecting on how to build not just a company, but a meaningful life. She talked with CNN host Van Jones at the Masters of Scale Summit in October. Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As global leaders disperse from the World Economic Forum, LinkedIn co-founder and tech investor Reid Hoffman joins Rapid Response to break down the biggest challenges and opportunities facing business today, from political headwinds tied to immigration and geopolitics to AI’s real-time impact on industries like music and healthcare. Hoffman also explains why fears of a tech bubble aren’t shaping his investing, what it really means to be an AI-first organization, and why this moment calls for CEOs to speak up and show courage.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

At Masters of Scale Summit in October of 2025, Reid Hoffman and Dr. Sean White, CEO of Inflection AI, discuss how to design responsible AI systems, build smarter AI-fueled businesses, and the potential for transforming everything from healthcare to education. This conversation is brought to you by Inflection AI.Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cognitive scientist Maya Shankar has made a career of cleverly using insights from behavioral economics to fuel her work in the Obama White House and in Silicon Valley. She talks with host Jeff Berman about the tools everyone can use to be more resilient in the face of change. You can find Maya's book The Other Side of Change here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729180/the-other-side-of-change-by-maya-shankar/Check out Maya’s podcast A Slight Change of Plans here: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/a-slight-change-of-plansSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mayors are unique leaders in America, often more loved and less polarized than state or federal politicians, with a different mandate and metric for success. Mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt, is also the current president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and he joins Rapid Response to discuss how cities deliver for their residents, navigate macroeconomic forces and federal policy, and improve public trust. Holt shares what it means to govern a politically “purple” city, and how forces of politics and society may make us appear to be more polarized than we really are.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Nicholas Thompson took over as CEO of The Atlantic five years ago, the iconic magazine was in financial trouble. Now, its profitable and subscriber and revenue numbers are growing. Thompson joins host Jeff Berman to talk about the impressive turnaround, how media companies can weather AI disruption, and lessons from the world of long distance running.His new memoir is The Running Ground: A father, a son, and the simplest of sports: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678434/the-running-ground-by-nicholas-thompson/Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What did the latest holiday shopping season reveal about consumer confidence as the year begins? Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach joins Rapid Response to unpack the signals he’s seeing across global spending — from shifting consumer sentiment to AI’s growing role in financial security. Miebach also explores how credit cards fit into a future shaped by crypto, digital wallets, and agent-driven commerce, and what it will take for businesses to stay competitive amid continued market disruption.Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One year ago, as devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, nonprofit Baby2Baby was on the ground helping. We're revisiting the conversation Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof had on stage with host Jeff Berman in 2025 about what it was like to use everything they’d learned scaling their nonprofit to help their hometown in a moment of crisis.Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Simple Mills started with its founder Katlin Smith tinkering with almond flour muffin recipes in her apartment kitchen. Over the next decade, she built a better-for-you food powerhouse. Smith talks with host Jeff Berman about scaling the brand, selling the company for nearly $800 million dollars, and staying laser-focused on making delicious snacks with clean, nutrient-dense ingredients.Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we turn from reflection to what’s ahead for a new year, Rapid Response presents host Bob Safian’s predictions for the most pressing issues business leaders could face in 2026. Join Bob and producer Alex Morris for a surprisingly hopeful conversation about what’s next – from an AI reality check to energy prices, immigration, and even the World Cup. Safian walks us through what might happen, and why being “right” matters less than sparking debate, testing assumptions, and taking a clear-headed approach in the year ahead.Read all of Bob's predictions: https://www.fastcompany.com/91462356/8-bold-business-predictions-for-2026Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To kick off 2026, we’re revisiting our conversation with behavioral scientist Katy Milkman. The Wharton professor and bestselling author of “How to Change” sits down with host Jeff Berman to share proven ways to create positive, lasting changes in our lives and our organizations.Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark Cuban has spent decades as a serial entrepreneur and investor, with one of the best track records on the planet (including celebrity status on ABC’s Shark Tank). In this episode of Pioneers of AI, Cuban joins host Rana El Kaliouby for a wide-ranging conversation about whether we are in an AI bubble, how he’s applying his investment philosophy to AI, and why the AI world is tending to excite him less and less each day.Learn more about Pioneers of AI: http://pioneersof.ai/Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

To get the most out of your talent, you need to create an environment that allows them to thrive. Nobody knows this better than Indra Nooyi, who spent 12 years as the CEO of PepsiCo. Her drive to support talent underpinned the initiatives that transformed the company. Hear her conversation with host Reid Hoffman in this episode from our archive.Subscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this encore episode of Rapid Response, we revisit a scientific breakthrough that set the internet ablaze: The ‘de-extinction’ of the dire wolf. While many celebrated Colossal Biosciences’ announcement, the experiment also sparked controversy throughout the scientific community — namely the ethics of birthing and re-wilding extinct animals, and whether Colossal’s dire wolf puppies are the real thing. Colossal’s co-founder and CEO Ben Lamm joined host Bob Safian to take us inside the dire wolf journey, revealing how the startup attracted a roster of celebrity investors, and what the company’s technology means for not only conservation and biodiversity, but potentially the future of human health. Visit the Rapid Response website here: https://www.rapidresponseshow.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After serving as Chief Legal Officer and then CFO at Salesforce, Amy Weaver sought a new challenge. She is now CEO of Direct Relief, which she tells host Jeff Berman is "the largest, most efficient, most effective, and most impactful global humanitarian group that you may never have heard of.” Weaver reveals scale lessons from Salesforce and how she's now applying them to amplify Direct Relief's vital work.Learn more about Direct Relief: directrelief.orgSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/newsletter/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.