Jing Gao : The Fly By Jing Revolution. From Sichuan to Success
The journey from rootlessness to cultural pride isn't a straight line - just ask Jing Gao. Born in Chengdu, China, the founder of Fly By Jing spent her childhood moving across continents, adopting a Western name and working tirelessly to blend in as the only Asian kid in her schools. But a remarkable transformation began when she reconnected with her culinary heritage as an adult.In this captivating conversation, Jing reveals how food became her pathway back to identity. From starting a food blog that caught the attention of celebrity chefs to opening (and painfully losing) her first restaurant in Shanghai, each step prepared her for what would become Fly By Jing - now one of America's fastest-growing condiment brands. The story behind Fly By Jing's viral chili crisp is both entrepreneurial masterclass and spiritual journey. Jing shares the raw details of her Kickstarter success, manufacturing challenges in China, and a shipping disaster that became an unexpected brand-building moment. With remarkable candor, she explores how business growth forced personal growth - confronting fears, embracing vulnerability, and finding purpose beyond profit.Most powerfully, Jing articulates how her mission transcends sauce, challenging perceptions of Chinese cuisine as "cheap" while creating space for authentic cultural expression. Her ambition? To make chili crisp as ubiquitous in American homes as ketchup, while staying true to Sichuan culinary traditions.Whether you're building a business, searching for identity, or simply curious about the woman behind the condiment taking over your social feed, this conversation offers wisdom on resilience, adaptability, and the courage to embrace what makes you different. Have you tried it on ice cream yet? You should.
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1:19:42
Seth Godin : Strategy, AI, and Finding Your Path
What drives our creative pursuits, and how do we navigate a world where entire industries are being transformed overnight? In this illuminating conversation with marketing legend Seth Godin, we explore the deeper motivations behind our work and how to find sustainable fuel for creativity in an age of constant change.Seth shares a pivotal revelation from his own journey—the moment he realized external validation like bestseller lists and reviews were empty metrics that didn't reflect true impact. This epiphany led him to "fire" certain measurements from his life, freeing him to focus on creating genuine value rather than chasing approval. His perspective on finding better fuel for our work offers a refreshing alternative to the burnout-inducing cycle of seeking validation.As we delve into the evolving landscape of publishing, speaking, and idea-sharing, Seth introduces his concept of the "smallest viable audience"—a powerful framework for anyone struggling to be heard in today's crowded marketplace. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, he suggests focusing on serving a specific group whose lives would meaningfully improve through your work. "If you pick an industry or a moment in time or segment and you can reach those people with something that they must talk about, they will because they must," he explains.The conversation takes a fascinating turn as we explore artificial intelligence—what Seth considers "the biggest change in our world since electricity." With characteristic nuance, he acknowledges both the challenges and possibilities this technology presents, suggesting that AI might ultimately help humans connect in ways even more powerful than the internet. His balanced perspective offers a thoughtful alternative to both techno-utopianism and doomerism.Whether you're a creator navigating a changing industry, a business leader refining your strategy, or simply someone trying to make sense of our rapidly evolving world, this conversation offers valuable insights on finding your path forward with intention and optimism.
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Andy Richter : Finding Joy Beyond the Spotlight
What happens when success doesn't deliver the happiness you expected? Comedy legend Andy Richter takes us on a thoughtful stroll through Los Angeles, unpacking this question with surprising candor and characteristic wit.Beyond his famous role as Conan O'Brien's sidekick, Andy reveals himself as a deeply reflective artist who's discovered that creative fulfillment often comes from unexpected sources. "I just want to make things," he shares, explaining how directing commercials can bring him as much joy as working on prestigious comedy projects. This refreshing perspective cuts through Hollywood's status hierarchy with a wisdom that can only come from decades in the entertainment trenches.The conversation takes particularly poignant turns when Andy discusses the current state of the entertainment industry. Still reeling from COVID, strikes, and recent wildfires, he describes a landscape where many creatives find themselves questioning their professional identities. "We all just don't even know quite what we do anymore," he confesses, a sentiment that resonates beyond just Hollywood.Throughout our walk, Andy's fundamental sweetness – the quality that makes his comedic characters so endearing – shines through consistently. Whether discussing his happy second marriage, his approach to parenting, or his genuine enthusiasm for creative collaboration, he demonstrates a self-awareness that's both rare and inspiring. As he puts it, he's "stopped putting my hand on the stove to see if it's hot" – a beautiful metaphor for learning to avoid self-destructive patterns.For anyone navigating a creative career or simply seeking greater fulfillment, this conversation offers valuable perspective that goes far beyond comedy. Join us for this unexpectedly profound walk with one of comedy's most beloved figures.
Italia