Explore every episode of the podcast Open Residency
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Heaton - The Clothing Brand That Should’ve Died, But Became a Cult | 25 Nov 2025 | 01:55:13 | |
In this episode, I sit down with George Heaton to unpack how a two-year trademark battle nearly ended Represent and how surviving it ignited the creative fire that pushed the brand into its biggest years ever. He breaks down the personal brand flywheel, product discipline, and offline community strategy that helped turn Represent into one of the most influential modern apparel labels today. | |||
| Simon Molnar - Why Stores Are Struggling — and How to Reinvent Them | 18 Nov 2025 | 01:43:23 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Simon Molnar, founder of Flagship.ai, to break down why 83% of shopping still happens in-store — yet most stores run with almost no data. Simon explains how visual merchandising became the most overlooked lever in retail, why brands misjudge store performance, and how Flagship built the square-foot-level “money map” that finally gives brick-and-mortar the same funnel e-commerce has.We also dive into Simon’s leadership philosophy shaped by Afterpay’s $29B rise — hiring for humility, building A-players, and making every store matter through objective data. This conversation is a masterclass in retail reinvention, operational clarity, and building teams that raise the standard. | |||
| Kent Yoshimura - The TikTok Strategy That’s Printing MILLIONS right now | 05 Jun 2025 | 01:46:06 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Kent Yoshimura, Co-Founder & CEO of Neurogum, to unpack how the brand became one of TikTok’s fastest-growing success stories and scaled to over $100 million in revenue. We dive into: - The TikTok strategy that transformed Neurogum’s growth - How the team shifted their marketing mix to make TikTok their top-of-funnel channel—while maintaining a 52x ROAS on Amazon with zero ad spend - Their strategic approach to partnerships - A hiring process that’s led to 98% employee retention over three years - The origin story—and how they've sustained a competitive edge through patented manufacturing This one’s packed with gems. Enjoy the conversation. | |||
| Ryan Bartlett - How a Failed Poker Pro Built a $1 Billion Business | 15 May 2025 | 02:12:03 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Bartlett, CEO of True Classic, to break down how they scaled to over $200M+ in annual revenue with a valuation approaching $1B. We get into:
This one’s packed with actionable insights for brand builders at every stage. Enjoy the conversation! | |||
| Nate Checketts - $100M+ CEO, Why More Effort Isn’t Always Better | 25 Apr 2025 | 01:52:49 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Nate Checketts, co-founder and CEO of Rhone, to unpack how a luxury performance-apparel brand went from a single pant to a nine-figure omnichannel business with NBA deals, retail success, and a wildly unique internal wellness system. We dive into:
This episode goes deep into the systems behind both a high-performance company and a high-performance life. Enjoy the conversation! | |||
| Oliver Zak - The $50M College Startup That Scored A Shark Tank Deal | 06 Mar 2025 | 01:20:20 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Zak, co-founder of Mad Rabbit, to break down his journey from launching a DIY skincare product in a crockpot to securing a Shark Tank deal with Mark Cuban and scaling into major retailers like Walmart. We dive deep into:
Oliver doesn’t hold back on the realities of fundraising, navigating competition, and marketing strategies that drive real revenue. If you're an entrepreneur, a brand builder, or just someone interested in scaling a consumer product, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 00:00 Intro Hard Things about Hard Things: https://amzn.to/4bBXhGF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olvrzk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/ Get a 30% discount on the best motivational art from IKONICK at https://ikonick.com/openresidency (use code: OPENRESIDENCY30) ChaptersLinks MentionedGuest: Oliver Zak, Co-Founder & CEO of Mad RabbitGet in TouchPowered by IKONICK | |||
| Manny Lubin - How Slate Milk Raised $30M+ by Reinventing Protein Drinks for the Healthy Minded | 19 Feb 2025 | 01:26:55 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Manny Lubin, co-founder of Slate Milk, to unpack the journey from a simple idea in 2017 to becoming a dominant player in the protein drink market. Manny shares hard-hitting lessons on brand positioning, product innovation, and some keys to winning in the beverage industry. We talk about:
Whether you're an entrepreneur, fitness enthusiast, or just fascinated by building a challenger brand, this episode is packed with tactical insights you won’t want to miss. 00:00 Intro Guest: Manny Lubin, Slate Milk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannylubin/ / https://www.instagram.com/slatemilk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manny-lubin-56329785/ Website: https://slatemilk.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or head to: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/ Website: https://openresidency.com/ Contact: info@openresidency.com Powered by IKONICK Get a 30% discount on the best motivational art from IKONICK at https://ikonick.com/openresidency (use code: OPENRESIDENCY30) | |||
| Bill Shufelt - How to Build a $800M+ Non-Alcoholic Beer Brand | 05 Feb 2025 | 01:27:27 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Bill Shufelt, co-founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing, to discuss his journey from Wall Street to redefining non-alcoholic beer. Athletic Brewing has grown from an idea to a $800M valuation, disrupting an industry and carving out a new market in craft brewing. We talk about: - The bold decision to leave a lucrative hedge fund career for entrepreneurship. - The science and innovation behind brewing non-alcoholic beer. - Overcoming early rejection and building a loyal community. - Lessons on scaling, fundraising, and maintaining a strong company culture. Bill’s story is an inspiring testament to taking calculated risks and staying true to a mission. Whether you're an entrepreneur, craft beer enthusiast, or just curious about the non-alcoholic beverage revolution, this episode has something for you. Tune in to hear how Athletic Brewing is making waves while staying grounded in community impact. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 01:32 Leaving Wall Street 02:12 Discovering the Need for Non-Alcoholic Beer 07:28 The Importance of a Strong Support System 10:30 Quitting a Stable Job 15:09 Finding the Right Co-Founder: John Walker 19:11 Launching the First Product 23:55 Crafting Company Culture 26:14 Working With the Right People 27:50 Meeting Investors 31:40 Launching, E-Commerce and Retail Distribution 33:02 The Keys to Building Community 36:40 Sober October, Dry January, Market Timing 41:00 Navigating Fundraising 42:52 Mistakes While Raising 45:29 Scaling Manufacturing 49:38 Advantages of Vertical Integration 51:23 Tackling Supply Chain Issues 53:25 Communicating Effectively With Investors 55:03 Evolving as a CEO 56:20 Hiring the Right People 01:00:06 Expanding Internationally 01:06:28 Giving Back Through Two for the Trails 01:11:13 Evaluating Investments 01:12:32 The Name 01:13:36 Lightning Round 01:18:28 Reflections / Learnings as CEO 01:20:47 Best Advice 01:21:35 Favorite Podcast 01:23:35 Giving Flowers to an Entrepreneur 01:25:11 How Big Can Athletic Be? Guest: Bill Shufelt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athleticbrewing/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-shufelt-650059138/ / https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-brewing-company-llc/ Website: https://athleticbrewing.com/ Get in touch in the comments below or head to: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/ Website: https://openresidency.com/ Contact: info@openresidency.com Powered by IKONICK Get a 30% discount on the best motivational art from IKONICK at https://ikonick.com/openresidency (use code: OPENRESIDENCY30) | |||
| Dee Murthy - How a Podcast Host Raised $95M | 21 Jan 2025 | 01:21:32 | |
What does it take to secure $95 million and revolutionize an industry? Let’s find out.This episode features Dee Murthy - the founder behind Ghost, the brand who’s revolutionizing how businesses handle excess inventory. From building a successful apparel brand to hosting 907 episodes of his own podcast, this conversation covers the full spectrum of his entrepreneurial journey. We dive deep into:• Raw lessons from nearly a decade of podcasting• The untold stories of his fundraising journey• Why picking the right investors can make or break you• The real challenges nobody talks aboutThis conversation goes deep into what it really takes to scale a venture-backed company. CHAPTERS00:00 Intro00:22 Lessons from 907 Podcast Episodes02:15 Leveraging Podcasting in Business03:56 Launching the Podcast: Early Days and Growth06:08 Building an Audience and Content Strategy10:57 The Importance of Niching Down13:41 Podcast Learnings15:52 Avoiding Burnout and Maintaining Relevance20:19 Introducing Ghost: A Marketplace Solution30:23 The Future of Retail and Distribution37:18 Fundraising Journey: From Idea to Seed Round44:03 Fundraising Challenges46:06 Building the Business from Scratch49:09 Pivoting to a B2B Marketplace51:25 Navigating the Venture Capital Landscape01:09:41 Hiring and Company Culture01:15:01 Lightning Round and Final Thoughts Get in touch in the comments below or head to:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/Website: https://openresidency.com/Contact: info@openresidency.com Guest: Dee MurthyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/deemurthy/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deemurthy/Twitter: https://twitter.com/deemurthyWebsite: https://ghst.io/ Powered by IKONICKGet a 30% discount on the best motivational art from IKONICK at https://ikonick.com/openresidency (use code: OPENRESIDENCY30 ) Note from Mark: If you landed on this page, I just wanted to thank you. This is the first episode of a new chapter that I am very excited about ! All feedback is greatly welcomed in the comments. I will read, respond and look to get better accordingly. I am going to continue to search for business operators that I am interested in and share my learnings with everyone. If you got any value from this episode, sharing it with a friend would mean a lot. Hope you enjoy! - Mark | |||
| Joel Kocher - This $200M CEO Discovered What Cardiologists Won't Tell You | 29 Oct 2025 | 01:54:29 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Joel Kocher, the 70-year-old CEO & Co-Founder of Humann, a $200M company redefining cardiovascular health. We unpack how Joel went from early retirement and burnout to discovering the "miracle molecule" nitric oxide — the foundation behind Humann's science-backed approach to longevity. He explains why most people misunderstand heart health, how clinical trials became his edge, and what it takes to build a lasting company.We also dive deep into leadership — from his years as the #2 at Dell to lessons learned from Michael Dell and Steve Jobs. Joel shares the mindset that's kept him young, the frameworks that landed Humann on the Inc. 5000 list ten times, and why focus, conviction, and adaptability matter more than ever in business and life.This conversation is a deep dive into longevity, leadership, and what it really takes to stay young — in business and in life. Enjoy! | |||
| Robert Greene - Ego Traps, The Art of Control, & How to Stay Irreplaceable | 14 Oct 2025 | 01:19:37 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Robert Greene, bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power, to break down the timeless strategies of power, seduction, and human psychology that drive success in business and life. We dive into: - Why concealing your intentions and talking less creates an aura of power - Never outshining the master and how reputation translates directly into capital - The dangerous allure of free and why formlessness beats rigidity in business - What your twenties should actually be about - Robert's new book and his near-death experience that shaped it This conversation goes deep into human nature, strategic thinking, and what it really takes to build power that lasts. Enjoy! | |||
| Roberto Nickson - Why 99% of Creators Will Be Replaced by AI (And How to Be the 1%) | 25 Sep 2025 | 01:52:02 | |
This episode is the content creation blueprint for the AI era. Roberto Nickson (RPN) just hit $1.5M in revenue at 85% margins as a one-man creator army — and he's sharing everything. 2 hours of straight value, no gatekeeping. We cover:
Enjoy the conversation! 👉 Join our private community ⚡️ BTS & More: https://openresidency.com/roberto-nickson 🔗 Links Mentioned
🎙 Guest: Roberto Nickson (RPN), Content Creator & AI Strategist
📬 Get in Touch
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| Sahil Bloom - Why You're Playing The Wrong Game in Life | 09 Sep 2025 | 02:23:30 | |
This week, we dissect the business flywheel behind Sahil Bloom (author of the NYT Best Seller The 5 Types of Wealth) — his initiatives, team, and how he’s scaled it. At the core is the bigger theme: money as a tool (not the goal), the “15 more times” mindset, time as the real asset, and systems to protect your energy. This book changed my life. Enjoy the conversation! | |||
| Oren John - The Most Valuable Marketing Conversation You’ll Watch in 2025 | 20 Aug 2025 | 01:49:50 | |
For operators, marketers, and creators — this one's for you. Oren John is rare: He deeply understands both sides of content marketing — the creative and the performance. People with taste and the ability to stay unemotional about metrics are hard to find nowadays. This convo is all signal, no fluff. We rapid-fire through content frameworks, creative reference systems, platform strategy, TikTok Shop, influencer partnerships, how Oren makes money, and a lot more. Enjoy the conversation! | |||
| Brian Garofalow - The Systems Skullcandy’s CEO Uses (That Entrepreneurs Don’t) | 31 Jul 2025 | 01:58:06 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Brian Garofalow, CEO of Skullcandy, to unpack his leadership philosophy, product strategy, and how he's repositioning the brand for explosive growth in a crowded consumer electronics market. We dive into:
Whether you're building a brand, leading a team, or thinking about product strategy at scale—this conversation is packed with insight from someone operating at the highest level of consumer growth. Enjoy! | |||
| Caleb Ralston - Personal Branding Masterclass: From Beginner to Expert in 120 Minutes | 10 Jul 2025 | 02:04:15 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Caleb Ralston, Founder and Brand Strategist at Ralston, to break down what it actually takes to build a brand that sticks—and content that converts. We unpack real frameworks, hard-won lessons, and key insights from working with names like Gary Vaynerchuk and Alex Hormozi. We cover: - The Brand Journey Framework — a four-question system to shape your strategy - Association: how proximity builds powerful brand perception - The 80/20 Rule for content: balancing expertise with personality - Platform-specific tactics: what deserves your attention—and what doesn’t - How to build a content team that solves bottlenecks - Learnings from top-tier operators in branding and media Enjoy the conversation! | |||
| Nick Shackelford - The new formula to run Meta ads in 2025 | 19 Jun 2025 | 01:36:42 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Nick Shackelford, Head of Retention and Partner at BREZ, to break down modern customer acquisition and retention strategies for 2025. Nick has managed over $200M in ad spend and brings hard-won insights from scaling multiple brands — including his own agencies, Structured and Konstant Kreative — into this conversation. We get into:
This is a deep dive on what’s actually working in marketing in 2025. Enjoy the conversation! | |||
| Dan Koe - How To Get Ahead Of 99% Of People in 2026 | 30 Dec 2025 | 01:35:15 | |
👉 Join our private community for operators, marketers, and creators (waitlist) - https://www.newsletter-signup.com/or/?utm_source=spotify ⚡️ BTS & more https://openresidency.com/dan-koe TIMESTAMPS: In this episode, we sit down with Dan Koe for a deep conversation about building a Future Proof Skill Stack, navigating AI, and designing a life that isn't dictated by someone else's goals. Dan breaks down why the most important skills today aren't technical, but meta — learning how to learn, how to think, and how to earn. We explore how AI is accelerating the need for adaptability, why taste, narrative, and trust are becoming the real moats, and how creators can stop chasing niches and instead become the niche. 🔗 LINKS MENTIONED 🎙 GUEST 📬 GET IN TOUCH 🎯 Powered by Universal Ads 🎯 Powered by Manychat | |||
| Mark Manson - When Quitting Is the Smartest Business Move | 17 Dec 2025 | 02:19:49 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Manson, bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, for a wide-ranging conversation about pain, purpose, momentum, and what it actually takes to build a meaningful life. Mark explains why you can’t want the reward without wanting the cost, how suffering is often self-created through the stories we tell ourselves, and why momentum—not motivation—is the real driver of progress.
We go deep on relationships and dating — romance vs compatibility, conditional love, commitment, self-sabotage, and how to know if you’re actually ready for a serious partnership. Mark shares the biggest dating mistakes people make today, and how alignment beats excitement. We also explore creativity, writing, money, building and scaling a new AI company, and why Mark believes AI will fundamentally reshape personal growth, therapy, and the future of self-help. | |||
| Sean Frank - E-Commerce Masterclass: How to Build, Scale & Win in 2026 | 05 Dec 2025 | 02:09:29 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Sean Frank, CEO of Ridge, for a deep dive into the systems behind one of the most profitable e-commerce brands operating today. Sean breaks down how Ridge confidently spends $100K/day on ads, why simplicity beats cleverness in performance creative, and the disciplined frameworks that allow Ridge to scale without outside capital. He also shares something he rarely talks about publicly: Ridge's biggest weakness — and why it's actually the one unfair advantage smaller brands still have in 2026. We unpack Ridge's entire performance machine: producing 200+ ad variations every month, hiring creators with editing instincts, building agency-less teams, and treating ad economics with ruthless clarity. Sean explains why most brands fail before they even have a product worth selling, what founders still misunderstand about Meta, and how operational discipline is becoming the new moat in e-commerce. This conversation is a masterclass in scaling, creative iteration, and building lean teams that win — even as the landscape gets harder. | |||