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Explore every episode of the podcast Open Residency

Dive into the complete episode list for Open Residency. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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1–39 of 39

TitlePub. DateDuration
George Heaton - The Clothing Brand That Should’ve Died, But Became a Cult25 Nov 202501:55:13

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 Them18 Nov 202501:43:23

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 now05 Jun 202501:46:06

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 Business15 May 202502:12:03

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:

  • The evolution of their marketing strategy from pure direct response to brand building

  • How they leverage customer feedback to drive product development through their membership program

  • Their unique approach to customer service and community building

  • Website optimization strategies that helped increase AOV from $36 to $112

  • Key operational insights on running a lean, efficient DTC brand

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 Better25 Apr 202501:52:49

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:

  • Building Rhone from the ground up into a category-defining brand

  • Their “12 Pursuits” framework: a monthly habit system blending physical and mental wellness

  • How breathwork, sleep tracking, and community-driven wellness drive real performance

  • The origin of GoldFusion and how Rhone rethought sustainability (without the greenwashing)

  • Lessons from launching women’s and becoming a multi-category brand

  • Buying out L Catterton and re-taking full control of the business

  • How Rhone’s retail strategy beats the odds—and makes money

  • Why investing in mental fitness may be Rhone’s true legacy

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 Deal06 Mar 202501:20:20

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:

  • What really happens after a Shark Tank deal and its long-term impact
  • The business of tattoos and how Mad Rabbit is disrupting an overlooked industry
  • The power of TikTok, influencers, and affiliate marketing in scaling a DTC brand
  • Succeeding in retail & Walmart
  • Raising venture capital, working with investors, and the lessons learned from Mark Cuban
  • How community-building is at the core of Mad Rabbit’s success

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
01:00 Early Life and Family Influence
02:28 High School and College Ventures
04:25 Learnings as a Generalist
05:41 Oliver’s First Business
06:29 Founding Mad Rabbit
07:42 Developing the First Product in a Crockpot
08:33 Process for FDA Regulations
09:22 Company Breakdown from $0-$3 Million
11:00 Shark Tank Experience
17:33 Advice for Shark Tank / Raising Capital
18:02 Business Behind the Tattoo Industry
21:00 What a Shark Tank Deal Looks Like After the Show
23:05 Revenue Effects from the Show
24:00 VC Effects of Deal with Mark Cuban
25:15 Challenges with Raising Money
27:18 Communicating with Investors
28:10 Advice on Raising Money
29:02 Utilizing Investor Money
31:06 Working with Walmart
33:03 Getting into Walmart / Brokers
36:35 Using TikTok to Drive In-Person Sales
38:13 Succeeding in Retail
42:45 Approach to Competition in the Space
44:07 Marketing Mix
45:57 Affiliate Program Infrastructure
53:22 Incentivizing Affiliates
55:57 Tattoo Artist Pro Team
58:22 Tips for Building Community
1:00:11 Mad Rabbit’s Creative Space
1:01:53 Most Impactful Marketing Initiative
1:04:57 The First Thing You Should Do to Build Community
1:06:30 Biggest Failure
1:08:39 Lessons from Mark Cuban
1:10:01 Biggest Regret from Raising Money
1:10:49 Lightning Round
1:15:36 Weapons of Choice
1:17:49 How Big Can Mad Rabbit Be?
1:18:55 Outro

Hard Things about Hard Things: https://amzn.to/4bBXhGF

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olvrzk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverhzak/
Website: https://www.madrabbit.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Contact: info@openresidency.com

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 Minded19 Feb 202501:26:55

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:

  • The early struggles of launching a better-for-you chocolate milk
  • How Slate Milk stacked TAM’s to find its niche between bodybuilder protein shakes and chocolate milk
  • The business of dairy including ultra-filtration, removing lactose, and optimizing for a low sugar, high protein product
  • Raising over $30 million with key investors like Peter Rahal (RXBAR) and Drew & Amanda Cohen (Yasso)
  • The Shark Tank experience
  • Leveraging influencer marketing, UFC partnerships, and retail expansion to scale
  • The biggest mistakes in CPG fundraising and marketing

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
01:15 Brand Positioning, Starting Slate
04:21 Target Audience and Market Growth
05:13 Core Thesis of Slate
07:14 Market Analysis, Stacking TAM’s
09:54 Masterclass on Dairy Industry
11:29 How Slate Makes Their Product
12:45 Deep Dive into Product Development
20:32 Mistakes When Building the Product
22:01 Raising $30M and Investor Insights
22:33 Advice from Peter Rahal, RxBar
23:33 Advice from Nick Rellas, Drizly
25:04 Advice from Drew and Amanda, Yasso
27:32 Choosing Board Members
28:42 Slow vs Fast Growth
29:20 Board Seat Deal Structure
30:39 Common Blindspots in Business
31:45 Meeting with Stu Klane, Chobani
33:26 Working with Skyview and Riverbank
34:39 Advice when Raising Money
35:24 Partnering with Maxx Crosby
36:30 Intro with the UFC
38:14 Launching with Kickstarter
39:35 Marketing: Overarching Strategy
41:26 Working with the UFC, Deal Structure
44:08 Marketing: Top Funnel
44:38 Influencer Partnerships
49:24 Marketing: Middle Funnel
53:14 Retail Strategies and Field Team Operations
55:00 Succeeding In Stores, Advice from Retail Managers
59:23 Getting in Whole Foods
59:49 Direct to Consumer Buyer Funnel
01:03:30 Fitness Influencers
01:04:17 Cavinder Twins
01:05:20 New Initiatives
01:06:48 New Product Sneak Peek
01:07:42 Operating as a Remote Company
01:08:44 Co-Founder Dynamics
01:11:28 Scaling Challenges
01:12:27 Measuring Success
01:13:05 Mental Resilience
01:14:24 Misconceptions About Shark Tank
01:16:35 Lightning Round
01:23:27 How Big Can Slate Be?
01:26:24 Outro


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


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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 Brand05 Feb 202501:27:27

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 $95M21 Jan 202501:21:32

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 You29 Oct 202501:54:29

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 Irreplaceable14 Oct 202501:19:37

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 202501:52:02

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:

  • How Roberto Makes $1.5M as a Solo Creator

  • Newsletter, Consulting & Building Owned Media

  • Landing Partnerships with Meta, Adobe & Spotify

  • The Metric Brands Actually Care About (Not Views)

  • Positioning = Pricing Power

  • The Infinite Content Machine: AI & Automation

  • Biggest Mistakes Creators Make in Brand Deals

  • Format is the Formula: Repeatable Systems That Scale

  • Balancing Organic Content vs Brand Deals (80/20 Rule)

  • Why Traditional Ad Production is Cooked

  • Inside Roberto’s Workflow: Studio, Editing & AI Tools

  • Top AI Tools for Creators (Suno, Veo 3, Kling)

  • Why Ideas Are the Real Moat in the Creator Economy

  • Why Audio Matters More Than Visuals

  • Making Your Audience the Hero

  • Building for the Future: Instagram, 2027 Social Predictions & AI

Enjoy the conversation!


👉 Join our private community
for operators, marketers, and creators (waitlist):
https://openresidency.com/signup


⚡️ 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 Life09 Sep 202502:23:30

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 202520 Aug 202501:49:50

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 202501:58:06

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:

  • Brian’s “People, Process, Product” framework for scaling innovation

  • Skullcandy’s four-bucket system for managing product life cycle

  • How a bold partnership with Bose redefined product perception

  • A behind-the-scenes look at how Skullcandy balances hard sales data with cultural insight to find market white space

  • Brian’s playbook for international expansion, avoiding opportunity-cost traps, and focusing where it counts

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 Minutes10 Jul 202502:04:15

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 202519 Jun 202501:36:42

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:

  • Why creative is now the new targeting, with Nick giving the keys on Meta’s evolving algorithm

  • The ideal framework for customer acquisition in today’s landscape

  • How to structure your testing budget between proven winners and fresh creative

  • Conversion tactics that immediately lift performance — from mobile-first design to offer structure

  • The retention strategies behind BREZ’s drop in subscription churn from 24% to 17%, on a mission toward sub-5%

  • The tactics powering BREZ, one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in the country, on pace to hit $50M in just two years

  • How celebrities like Drake and Druski use subtle content strategies to drive massive viewership — and what brands can learn from it

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 202630 Dec 202501:35:15

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.


Mark Manson - When Quitting Is the Smartest Business Move17 Dec 202502:19:49

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 202605 Dec 202502:09:29

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.

Nima Jalali - Salt & Stone's Founder Breaks Down His 9 Figure Brand 17 Aug 202601:10:09

Nima Jalali is giving you The Salt and Stone Founder Playbook, every framework from profitable day one to nine-figure exits → https://openresidency.com/nima-jalali-playbook

Nima Jalali built Salt and Stone to 9 figures in revenue, stayed profitable from day one, and ran the company for years without outside investors. He shares the three pillars that turned his deodorant into a bestseller on Amazon and in Sephora, plus how he closed two major liquidity events in under 18 months while keeping control. He also gets specific about finding manufacturers without using Alibaba, the collaboration strategy that led to partnerships with Brain Dead, Aritzia, and Kendall Jenner's 818, and the mindset that carried him through two PE deals that reportedly totaled over $500M.

🔗 NIMA JALALI
Website: https://www.saltandstone.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nimajalali
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nima-jalali-07367568

🎙️ OPEN RESIDENCY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:51 The Snowboarder Who Went Pro
00:03:36 From ACL to Starting a Brand
00:10:49 Why Deodorant Over Everything
00:18:48 The Formula That Took Years
00:21:55 Outselling P&G and Unilever
00:25:38 Number One at Sephora and Amazon
00:31:32 Why Collabs Aren't About the Money
00:35:21 Building 9 Figure Brand Fully Remote
00:47:43 Two Bites of the Apple
00:54:43 Why He Left Money on the Table
01:01:25 Quickstrike Questions

Tyler Denk - If You Own a Business, You Must Start a Newsletter in 202603 Aug 202602:03:06

Tyler Denk is giving you The Newsletter Playbook · beehiiv's path to $50M ARR → https://openresidency.com/tyler-denk-playbook?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=tyler_denk_playbook

Tyler Denk turned Big Desk Energy, his newsletter, into a $400,000 side business working five hours a week. He did it by building and using beehiiv, the newsletter platform he co-founded. This conversation covers the entire playbook: pre-launch waitlists, email gates, referral programs, the Boost network, lead magnets, and paid acquisition.

You'll also hear about the five main ways to monetize a newsletter, why Tyler raised a $12.5M Series A in six days, and how he manages 130 remote employees with almost no one leaving. It's a detailed look at founder-led distribution and newsletter economics.

⏱ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:42 What Big Desk Energy Actually Is
00:02:50 Building in Public Before the Product
00:07:31 Pre-Launch Waitlist Strategy
00:09:13 Email Gates and the Content Flywheel
00:11:58 Referral Programs and Beyond
00:17:13 The Boost Network and Cross-Promotion
00:21:27 Lead Magnets That Actually Convert
00:24:26 Five Ways to Monetize a Newsletter
00:28:39 Direct Sponsorships and the Media Kit
00:41:44 Digital Products and Paid Subscriptions
00:47:54 The Costa Rica Founder Mastermind
00:52:39 Building in Public: Wins and Backfires
01:06:24 The beehiiv MCP and Agentic Workflows
01:26:38 Creator Economy in the AI Era
01:31:27 Running 130 People Fully Remote
01:35:32 Weekly Success List and All-Hands Rhythm
01:42:51 The $12.5M Series A in Six Days
01:50:29 Quickstrike Questions

🔗 TYLER DENK
Website: https://bigdeskenergy.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerdenk_/
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Email: info@openresidency.com

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Danny Yeung - How He Hit $100M in Under a Year (And Why You Won't)21 Apr 202601:16:14

📬 Danny Yeung is giving you The $100m Velocity Playbook — https://openresidency.com/danny-yeung-playbook


TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 Trailer00:00:52 What's Your Marketing Mix With IM8?00:04:16 What Does Your CAC to LTV Look Like?00:05:44 What Does Your Content System Look Like?00:07:41 Platform Risk and Where To Spend Next00:08:37 How Do You Keep Your Customers?00:15:05 Partnership With David Beckham00:22:14 Partnership With Sabalenka00:25:08 New Partners For IM800:29:46 AI Tools For Business00:31:51 Leadership Style00:33:09 The Crazy Groupon Story00:40:14 Getting Your Team To Move Fast00:43:02 How Much Is Luck vs Skill?00:47:20 How Did Prenetics Start?00:58:18 Transitioning Out of Covid Testing01:02:31 $1B to $40M Marketcap — What Did You Learn?01:05:43 How Did You Get To IM8?01:08:22 Quickstrike Questions

In this episode, we sit down with Danny Yeung, co-founder and CEO of Prenetics and the person behind IM8, the longevity supplement brand that went from zero to $100M annual run rate in under a year. Danny walks through the marketing engine running $100K+ per day on Meta alone, why he keeps 1,000–1,500 ads live at any given time, and the deal structures behind signing David Beckham, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Aryna Sabalenka.


🎙 GUESTDanny Yeung, Co-Founder & CEO of Prenetics / IM8Website: https://im8health.com/

📬 GET IN TOUCHInstagram: https://instagram.com/openresidencyWebsite: https://openresidency.com/

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David Grutman - How He Built One Of The Most Powerful Hospitality Empires10 Apr 202600:48:45

In this episode of Open Residency, we sit down with David Grutman, the founder of Groot Hospitality and the man behind LIV, Komodo, and Papi Steak, to break down how he built one of the most iconic hospitality empires in the world. David shares the ecosystem thinking that turned a single nightclub into a multi-venue flywheel, why he treats every concept as intellectual property, and the hard lessons that shaped how he operates today.

We go deep on the deal structures behind his biggest wins and biggest losses, how he decides between lease deals and management deals, and why your audience will tell you exactly who you are. Even when your ego disagrees. David also opens up his venture portfolio, sharing what made him back Liquid Death, Colossal Biosciences, and Skinny Dipped — and what one failed investment taught him about founders who over-optimize for valuation over growth. He also talks about his new book, Take It Personal, and why caring deeply about the details is exactly why he's still winning.

Take It Personal Book: https://zandoprojects.com/books/take-it-personal-hardcover

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:46 Kim Kardashian Wrote The Forward Of Your Book, How Do You Look At Relationships?
00:02:00 18 Year Ago, You Opened Up LIV, What Was That Aha Moment That You Could Create A Whole Ecosystem?
00:03:31 On Komodo, You Raised $10 Million Initually, What Was That Biggest Lesson?
00:06:45 Walk Me Through What You Learned About IP With Komodo?
00:10:13 What Type Of EBITDA or Profit Does A Club Or Restaurant Actually Look Like?
00:11:13 What About 1st Gen vs 2nd Gen For Restaurants and Clubs?
00:12:47 Tell Me The Origin Story Of Poppy Steak?
00:14:24 What Is It Like Doing Business With Friends?
00:15:42 When You Open Your Own Venues, What Are Some Of Those Non-Negotiables?
00:20:55 You're In Venture Now.
00:23:15 When You Invest In A Company, How Do You Integrate It To Your Wold?
00:24:56 What Are Those Red Flags When People Are Looking For An Investment From You?
00:30:07 What's The Most Surprsing Company You've Invested In?
00:33:04 What's The Hardest Lesson About Winkers?
00:34:25 How Much Revenue Do You need For A Restaurant or Venue?
00:39:51 Quickstrike Questions

📬 GET IN TOUCH WITH OPEN RESIDENCY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

Dan Martell - The AI Playbook Every Founder Needs in 202631 Mar 202601:28:24

Dan Martell is giving you the AI Operator Playbook, and it's in the link below. It's the exact system he uses to run 17 companies with a 1-person finance team, including his full 8-tool stack ranked, the Master Prompt Architecture that gives any AI five-year-colleague-level context in one upload, and the Zero Inbox System he has used for 3 years without reading a single email himself. The part most founders never reach: why using AI for content and marketing is the lowest-leverage move you can make, and which lever actually triples profit in 60 days.

Download it free: https://openresidency.com/dan-martell-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=dan_martell_playbook&utm_term=playbook&utm_content=playbook_download_form

In this episode of Open Residency, we sit down with Dan Martell, investor, entrepreneur, and one of the most followed voices in AI, to break down what's actually happening at the frontier of artificial intelligence. Dan tier-ranks the top AI tools, explains why most people are using AI completely wrong, and reveals the reverse prompting framework that's changing how he builds companies. We also go deep on the future of work… why AI-first operators are replacing entire departments, how Dan built Martell Ventures to 225M monthly impressions, and what it really means to buy back your time in the age of agents. If you're serious about building in 2026, this one is required listening.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:50 You've Tested 500 AI Tools And Narrowed Down To The Top 8. Let's Start With ChatGPT.
00:02:33 What About Claude?
00:14:47 Do You Recommend People Going Super Wide Or All In On One?
00:17:14 What About Gemini?
00:18:54 What About Grok?
00:25:29 What is Wispr Flow?
00:34:29 What is Apex.host?
00:39:30 How Do You Stay Up To Date With All The AI News And Noise?
00:45:05 What Is Moltbook?
00:54:16 What's The Best Way To Structure Prompts Across Your Company?
01:03:19 How Do You Use AI As A Business Leverage?
01:07:52 Quickstrike Questions

📬 GET IN TOUCH WITH OPEN RESIDENCY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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Matt Gray - How To Build a Profitable Personal Brand (In Just 30 days)19 Mar 202602:10:58

Matt Gray is giving you the Founder Flywheel, the 3-layer audience system he used to build an 8-figure business that runs without him, and it’s in the link below.
It’s the operating architecture behind 18,000+ founders helped, including the 7-System Business Blueprint and the Content Waterfall that turns one video into 24+ pieces across every platform.
The part that changes everything: the one layer 99% of founders skip, and why skipping it means your audience can never become revenue.
Download it free: https://openresidency.com/matt-gray-playbook?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=matt_gray_playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Gray, founder of Founder OS, to break down why most founders don't actually own a business — they own a job. Matt explains how 98% of founders are trapped in "founder prison," constantly reacting, firefighting, and unable to step away. He walks through the exact systems behind building a company that runs without you.

We also go deep on founder-led content, the rise of personal brands as infrastructure, and how to build a media engine that compounds over time. This conversation is a masterclass on designing a business that creates freedom and why the future belongs to founders who think in systems, not effort.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:48 How Do You Design A Business That Works While You're Offline?
00:04:28 Let's Go Into Your Systems, What's The First System That A Business Owner Should Do?
00:16:32 What Does Your Content Team Look Like?
00:42:18 What's Your Lead Magnet System?
00:47:52 What's The Biggest Mistake Founders Make When Building Lead Magnets?
01:00:49 Any Special Tactics You Use For Referrals?
01:04:06 What Is Your Operating Rhythm for Founder OS?
01:15:00 When Did You Realize That You Had Become A Bottleneck To Your Own Company?
01:25:33 What's The Set Of Boundaries You Set As A Founder?
01:35:58 Why Do You Think Personal Brands Are No Longer Optional For Founders?
01:42:36 How Do You Handle Criticism And Negative Feedback?
01:45:02 What Is The Best First Step For A Founder Building A Personal Brand?
01:48:58 Quickstrike Questions

📬 Get in Touch with Open Residency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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Taylor Holiday - The 2026 E-Commerce Masterclass That Will Make You Question Everything05 Mar 202602:41:43

Taylor Holiday is giving you the Four Quarter Accounting System, and it’s in the link below.
It’s the financial framework his team used to forecast $3 billion within 4% of target across 1,000+ brands, built on a principle most e-commerce founders have never heard: the forecast belongs in the marketing department, not finance.
Inside: the exact P&L structure that tells you which of four numbers is killing your profit and what to do about it.
Download it free: https://openresidency.com/taylor-holiday-playbook?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=taylor_holiday_playbook


Get in touch for LLM SEO Consulting — https://form.typeform.com/to/cwwIwyNa

In this episode of Open Residency, we sit down with Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, to unpack what's actually happening inside modern e-commerce. Taylor explains why most founders are misdiagnosing their growth problems, how contribution margin and cash flow matter more than top-line revenue, and why the old DTC playbook is quietly breaking. This conversation reframes paid media, creative strategy, and capital allocation through the lens of real operators.

We also dive into the narratives that are misleading founders, the difference between being a marketer and being an allocator of capital, and how to build a business that can survive rising CACs and shrinking attention. Taylor doesn't offer hacks, he offers a mental model shift. If you're scaling a brand, spending on ads, or trying to build something durable in 2026, this episode will challenge how you think about growth.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:52 What Is This "Prophit" System That Allowed You To Scale Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars Profitably?
00:10:32 What Does The Reality Look Like When You're Building Out These Forecast Models?
00:26:58 What Is The Hierarchy of Metrics? What Should People Actually Be Looking At?
00:45:16 You've Seen Thousands of Brands, What Are You Seeing Q1 2026?
00:56:43 Meta, Google, TikTok, Amazon...What Other Platforms Are Working?
01:00:58 What Is This Four Quarter Accounting Fit Planning Process?
01:12:58 How Do You Use This Four Quarter Account to Optimize?
01:28:48 The Flow Era: Why Is Constraint The Most Important Trade For Brands?
01:31:26 You Had To Fire 100 People In 2022. How Did Constraint Help?
01:33:52 What Is The Most Constraint Mistake Founders Are Making?
01:35:27 Growth Through Paid Media or Creative Iteration. What's Your Rebuttal To That?
01:41:15 What Is Your Product MVP Framework?
01:45:59 Champions, Growth Drivers, Underperformers, Hidden Gems. How Do You Look At Each?
01:53:06 Biggest Mistake Brands Make When Expanding Their Product Line?
01:57:32 The Worst Creative Strategy Idea Ever. Iteration
02:01:18 What Do You Think Is The Most Invisible Cash Flow Killer?
02:06:37 Quickstrike Questions

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📬 GET IN TOUCH WITH OPEN RESIDENCY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

Ross Mackay - Premium Isn’t About Price — It’s About Positioning24 Feb 202601:43:49

Ross Mackay is giving you the $2 Luxury Blueprint, and it’s in the link below.
It’s the system he used to build the only consumer good under $3 positioned as luxury, going from $0 to $10M in 600 days with $40M projected in year two.
Inside: the Core-Race-Recover product architecture, the retail economics formula nobody talks about, and the exact packaging decision that tripled sell-through with the same liquid.
Download it free: https://openresidency.com/ross-mackay-playbook?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=ross_mackay_playbook


📬 The playbook behind every episode, straight to your inbox: https://openresidency.com/signup

⚡️ BTS & more https://openresidency.com/ross-mackay

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:51 How Do You Make a $2 Product Luxury?
00:04:01 Why Did You Rebrand 3 Times in 1 Year?
00:12:48 How Do You Actually Approach Retailers?
00:18:36 Going Into Retail
00:23:41 The Mafia That Controls Distribution
00:27:32 Biggest Learning From Scaling Retail
00:34:05 How Many SKUs Have You Launched?
00:39:54 The One Rule To Approaching Manufacturers
00:42:32 Being Sold Out For 200+ Days
00:45:30 The Biggest Mistake A Brand Can Make
00:49:38 How To Make Your Own Custom Product
00:51:31 Testing Optimal Ratios As A Runner
00:55:22 Content In Your Positioning Strategy
01:01:21 Collabs With Bandit and RAW
01:05:24 Why World Class Athletes Might Damage Your Brand
01:08:21 Ad Strategy For Cadence
01:11:18 Hiring Philosophy At Cadence
01:22:32 QuickFire Questions

In this episode, we sit down with Ross Mackay, founder and CEO of Cadence — the brand redefining what "premium" means in a $200B beverage category. Ross breaks down how you turn a $2 drink into luxury through positioning, packaging, retail strategy, and relentless attention to detail. From obsessing over shelf velocity to rebranding three times in under a year, this is a masterclass in how modern CPG brands actually win.

🔗 LINKS MENTIONED
Cadence (10% off with code "OR"): https://us.usecadence.com/openresidency

🎙 GUEST
Ross Mackay, Founder & CEO of Cadence
Website: https://us.usecadence.com

📬 GET IN TOUCH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/openresidency
Website: https://openresidency.com/

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Jeff Byers - You’d Never Kill a $6M Product — And That’s the Problem18 Feb 202601:33:59

📬 The playbook behind every episode, straight to your inbox: https://openresidency.com/signup

⚡️ BTS & more https://openresidency.com/jeff-byers

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:49 Why Did You Kill A $6 Million Product Overnight?
00:05:07 The Biggest Lie In The Supplement Industry
00:06:36 Why Is Sourcing So Important?
00:07:51 What Do 3rd Party Certifications Actually Mean?
00:15:27 Product Development
00:20:45 Biggest Misconceptions About Creatine
00:29:15 How Did You Get Your First Partnership?
00:32:37 How Did The Partnership With Andrew Huberman Start?
00:39:16 Partnering With All 32 NFL Teams
00:40:55 Big Learnings From Your Partners
00:44:26 The Partnership With Arnold
00:51:20 Fundraising and Raising Money
01:01:46 What Did You Learn From Pete Carroll?
01:10:30 What Do You Look For In Hiring?
01:18:03 Quickstrike Questions

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous, to unpack what it really means to build a high-trust brand in a low-trust industry. Jeff shares why he killed a $6M product overnight to protect the company's standards, how Momentous became trusted by all 32 NFL teams, and why most supplement companies cut corners on sourcing, certification, and dosing.


Momentous - Save up to 35% on your first order with code OPENRESIDENCY: https://www.livemomentous.com


🎙 GUEST
Jeff Byers, CEO of Momentous
Website: https://www.livemomentous.com

📬 GET IN TOUCH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/openresidency
Website: https://openresidency.com/

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Kallaway - The Most Valuable 3 Hours For Any Business Owner in 2026 (Content Masterclass)29 Jan 202602:33:18

Kane Kallaway is giving you the 7 Lego Brick Framework, and it’s in the link below.
It’s the exact system he uses to reverse-engineer viral videos in any category, breaking them into 7 replicable components you can reassemble into your own winning content.
The part most creators never find: which 5 bricks to copy exactly, and the only 2 you ever need to change.
Download it free: https://openresidency.com/kallaway-playbook?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=show_notes&utm_campaign=kallaway_playbook


⚡️ BTS & more https://openresidency.com/kallaway

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:08 Biggest Lessons As A Full-Time Creator
00:03:19 What Goes Into A Great Hook?
00:13:46 The Most Important Framework For Content
00:15:39 The Hidden Cheat Code For Instagram Thumbnails
00:19:46 The Five Content Games Framework
00:33:34 The Seven Lego Bricks For Short Form
00:50:48 Most Common Editing Mistakes For Short Form
00:53:42 What Metrics Actually Matter For Shorts?
01:01:33 Kallaway's Insane Team Structure
01:10:57 Why Are You So Bullish On YouTube?
01:19:21 Is YouTube More A Packaging Game?
01:22:12 Title/Thumbnail Mistakes
01:28:08 Key Metrics To Evaluate With YouTube
01:34:28 What People Misunderstand About YouTube
01:38:22 The Biggest Myth About Virality
01:48:51 Content Mix Perspective
01:55:14 Building A Community From Your Audience
02:02:13 The Biggest Growth Hack for 2026
02:07:04 AI Tools
02:16:51 Stories That Convert
02:20:46 Quickfire Questions

In this episode, we sit down with Kallaway, the operator quietly building some of the most efficient content machines on the internet. Kallaway breaks down how modern businesses should think about content as infrastructure, not art. We go deep on the content mechanics most never see, how to engineer "desire loops" that earn clicks, and why YouTube should be treated like a professional sport.

🔗 KALLAWAY RESOURCES
YouTube Academy: https://kallaway.co/youtubeacademy/r/openresidency
Sandcastles: https://sandcastles.ai/?ref=openresidency

🎙 GUEST
Kallaway
Website: https://kallaway.co

📬 GET IN TOUCH
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Website: https://openresidency.com/

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Samir Chaudry - How To Actually Dominate YouTube in 202619 Jan 202602:37:08

👉 Join our private community for operators, marketers, and creators (waitlist) - https://www.newsletter-signup.com/or/

⚡️ BTS & more https://openresidency.com/samir-chaudry

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:16 The 3 Rules of YouTube
00:12:27 How to Properly Think About Your Audience
00:24:14 How To Get Good At Title and Thumbnail
00:37:00 How To Research A Vertical
00:42:57 How To Avoid Burnout
00:47:11 The Hidden Problems With Podcasts Today
00:55:21 Respecting the Viewer's Time
01:01:04 How Do You Look at Retention?
01:05:11 Most Important Metrics for YouTube
01:16:16 The Business of Colin and Samir
01:18:20 Working With Sponsors and Big Brands
01:34:28 Small Deals vs. Big Deals
01:37:36 The Education Business
01:45:20 Learnings From Press Publish NYC
01:50:09 What Are You Excited About?
01:54:49 The Palisades Fire
02:13:42 The Future of the Media Landscape
02:28:15 Working With Colin For Over 10 Years
02:29:42 Quickstrike Questions

In this episode, we sit down with Samir Chaudry, co-host of Colin and Samir, for a deep conversation about relevance, creative longevity, and what it actually takes to build a career in the modern media landscape. Samir breaks down how creators stay relevant as platforms, formats, and audience expectations constantly shift — and what metrics actually matter in building a lasting media business.

🎙 GUEST
Samir Chaudry
Website: https://colinandsamir.com

📬 GET IN TOUCH
Instagram: https://instagram.com/openresidency
Website: https://openresidency.com/

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Remy Gaskell - The Only AI Masterclass You’ll Ever Need22 Jul 202602:24:10

Remy is giving you The AI Agent OS Playbook, everything from this episode in one free PDF → https://openresidency.com/remy-gaskell-playbook?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=remy_gaskell_playbook

Remy Gaskell is a self-taught AI operator who teaches founders to run their businesses on AI agents.

Most founders type prompts into a chat box one at a time and start from zero every session. Remy runs at 5-10x the output because he stopped chatting and built an operating system his AI already understands. In this episode he takes the whole thing apart: the shift to agents, the exact files on his own machine, and how to build one yourself.

🧠 AI ONBOARD
You re-explain your business in every new chat because your AI forgets the second you close the window. AI Onboard is Remy's Claude Code plugin that builds your whole AI operating system in one guided session, so it never forgets again. Half off for our audience → https://openresidency.com/onboard?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=ai-onboard

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:21 The shift from chat to agents
00:04:04 What "agent" actually means
00:11:08 The observe-think-act loop
00:18:01 Live demo: analyzing an Instagram Reel
00:20:24 Tuning an agent vs building one
00:22:45 Context files and the CLAUDE.md
00:44:03 A memory system that improves itself
00:52:06 MCP connectors, the universal translator
00:59:21 Security and permissions
01:02:19 Starter tool stack, Apify to Composio
01:18:21 Skills as SOPs for your AI
01:47:34 The Agent OS folder structure
02:06:46 The future of teams and intrapreneurship
02:16:20 Quickfire questions

🔗 AI WITH REMY
Course: https://go.theaicourse.ai/open-residency-spotify
Newsletter: https://go.aiwithremy.com/open-residency-spotify
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiwithremy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/remygaskell/

Apify: 25% OFF all Apify plans for your first 3 months with code 25REMY → https://www.apify.com?fpr=remy

🎙️ OPEN RESIDENCY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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Ketone-IQ: 30% OFF your subscription plus a free gift with your second shipment → https://ketone.com/openresidency

John Terzian - How He Built One of America's Most Exclusive Hospitality Empires08 Jul 202601:31:31

In this episode, we sit down with John Terzian, co-founder of The H. Wood Group, to unpack how he built one of the most exclusive hospitality empires in the country from a club that got shut down by the city and left him broke at 27. John breaks down the scarcity model behind Delilah, Nice Guy, Bird Streets Club, and 10+ other venues that run on virtually zero paid marketing.

We also go deep on the no-photos policy that spooked the Wynn, the economics of nightclubs vs. supper clubs vs. members clubs, the X Team CRM that scales relationships across cities, and the Diafa partnership that recapped a nine-figure company. All signal, no fluff. Enjoy!

📬 Get in Touch with Open Residency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:15 Scarcity as the Core Strategy
00:05:00 The No Photos Policy Origin
00:07:07 Convincing the Wynn to Go No Photos
00:11:48 First 90 Days Opening a Venue
00:13:03 Chiaroscuro Lighting Philosophy
00:18:40 H. Wood Club Shutdown at 27
00:21:54 Word of Mouth vs. Paid Marketing
00:34:28 Nightclubs vs. Restaurants vs. Supper Clubs
00:45:34 The X Team and VIP Rolodex CRM
00:52:28 Bird Streets Club and the Members Model
01:03:55 Sports Hospitality, SoFi and the Cavs
01:12:39 H. Wood Media and the Magic Johnson Doc
01:16:32 888 Midas and Investing with Caleb Williams
01:20:05 Hakkasan Deal and the Diafa Partnership
01:28:54 New Venues Announced
01:29:25 Quickstrike Questions

Greg LaVecchia - How Bloom Built the Playbook Every Founder Will Copy in 202630 Jun 202602:19:38

Greg Lavecchia is giving you the Bloom Influencer Playbook — every CPM framework, scouting hack, and validity marketing tactic from the episode in one free PDF → https://openresidency.com/greg-lavecchia-playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Greg Lavecchia, co-founder and CEO of Bloom Nutrition, to unpack how he bootstrapped a company to $180M with his wife, his mom, and his best friend from high school.

Greg breaks down the influencer machine behind 15 billion-plus views, why Bloom runs zero attribution, and the nostalgia-first product formula behind their energy drinks.

We also go deep on the $1.36M restock day, the cartel that jacked three 18-wheelers of product on Christmas, and the Nutrabolt partnership that put Bloom on Dr. Pepper trucks in 50,000 doors. The American Dream, fully operational. Enjoy!

📬 Get in Touch with Open Residency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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⏱ Chapters

00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:08 The Boiler Room Influencer Origin
00:02:48 Inside the 15 Billion View Machine
00:03:39 VPN Scouting and Algorithm Hacking
00:05:28 CPM Framework and No Attribution
00:06:25 Creative Freedom Over Brand Briefs
00:15:48 Every Problem Is a Product Problem
00:21:49 Events Reverse Engineered for Content
00:24:25 The Vegan Protein Loud Minority Lesson
00:29:57 TikTok vs. TikTok Shop as Two Separate Games
00:34:00 The $1.36M Restock Day
00:37:09 Validity Marketing and Building in Public
00:48:20 Winning Retail Buyers Without Calling Them
00:55:33 The Nutrabolt Partnership and Dr. Pepper Trucks
01:08:14 Saturated Markets and the White Space Within
01:21:50 Bootstrap to $180M and the Nine-Figure Offer
01:31:54 Personal Brand: You Are the Product
01:42:04 Hiring the Bloom Girl and Avoiding Corporate Resumes
01:53:23 The Christmas Cartel Story
02:08:23 Quickstrike Questions

Georgios Frangulis - The Franchising Playbook That Built 1,000 Stores In 9 Years18 Jun 202601:53:05

Georgios Frangulis is giving you The Oakberry Franchise Playbook, every framework and unit economics breakdown from the episode in one free PDF → https://openresidency.com/georgios-frangulis-playbook?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=georgios_frangulis_playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Georgios Frangulis, founder of Oakberry, to break down how he built a 1,000-plus location franchise empire across 50 countries starting from a 60-square-foot kiosk in Brazil. He walks through the full franchise model, unit economics, verticalization, and the Amazon supply chain that became his moat.

We also go deep on the Le Mans FC acquisition, the F1 and tennis sponsorship strategy that built the brand without direct-response spend, and how he stays in startup mode at $300M in revenue. All signal, no fluff. Enjoy!

📬 Get in Touch with Open Residency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

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00:00:00 Trailer
00:01:05 Franchising 101
00:04:19 What Franchisees Actually Get
00:07:53 Royalties, Fees, Marketing Fund
00:12:13 The Multi-Unit Franchisee Playbook
00:13:27 Unit Economics, 15 to 18 Percent EBITDA
00:18:31 Why Oak Berry Went Corporate in the US
00:25:01 Master Franchise Structure Explained
00:42:04 Verticalization, the $15M Factory Bet
00:49:41 The Amazon Supply Chain
00:55:47 The Origin Story, Cancer, and First Store
01:06:45 The Insurance Check That Started It All
01:19:52 F1 Sponsorship ROI per Market
01:22:52 Tennis, Indian Wells, and $500K in 9 Days
01:27:35 Le Mans FC and the Sports Investment Thesis
01:40:53 Prompt Shop and the AI Marketplace
01:44:31 Quickstrike Questions

Chris Voss - The FBI Negotiator’s Playbook for Winning Any Deal05 Jun 202602:17:20

Chris Voss is giving you The 10 Lines Negotiation Playbook, every phrase, framework, and sequence from the episode distilled into one free PDF → https://openresidency.com/chris-voss-playbook?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=chris_voss_playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Voss, former FBI lead hostage negotiator and author of Never Split the Difference, to break down the 10 negotiation lines that flip any deal. Chris walks through exactly why 'Have you given up on X?' gets a response in two minutes, how the Accusations Audit disarms resistance before it starts, and the Ackerman bargaining sequence that anchors every number in your favor.

We also go deep on tactical empathy vs. sympathy, the three conflict types and how silence works differently on each, and why the last impression outranks the first. Applied negotiation from the FBI interrogation room to your inbox. Enjoy!

📬 Get in Touch with Open Residency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

Ambitious individuals from all over the world are leveling-up in The Black Swan Community every single day. Accept your free invite: https://join.blackswanltd.com/

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00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:59 Have You Given Up On X
00:03:00 Why No Beats Yes Every Time
00:04:35 The Three Responses After Sending It
00:12:00 The Landscaper Story and How Am I Supposed To Do That
00:13:09Forced Empathy and the SpaceX Story
00:20:45 Is Now a Bad Time to Talk
00:25:40 Is It a Ridiculous Idea
00:29:00 The Accusations Audit
00:37:35 Your Offer Is Very Generous
00:42:30 The $10M Ransom Story and That's Right
00:49:45 What Makes You Ask
01:17:25 Labels vs. Mirrors
01:27:40 Ackerman Bargaining
01:35:40 The Three Voices
01:46:00 Trump vs. Obama, Who Negotiates Better
01:48:05 Quickstrike Questions

Dom Iacovone - He Runs 7 Companies in 2026 — You Can Barely Manage One26 May 202602:23:21

Dom Iacovone broke it down in our conversation. We turned every framework, formula, and strategy from the episode into one free PDF → https://openresidency.com/dom-iacovone-playbook

In this episode of Open Residency, we sit down with Dom Iacovone, the American CEO of The Quality Group — the holding company behind Raw Nutrition, Bum Energy, and a portfolio of brands including Cadence, 3D, Revive, and his newest launch, Onside. Dom breaks down how he went from "running and gunning" as a founder to operating at an entirely different level after the acquisition, and the systems that let him run 15+ companies at once.

We also go deep on building a C-suite you can actually delegate to, the unglamorous truth about selling a company, and the full story behind Onside — the men's care brand with Jayson Tatum that landed full Target end caps. All signal, no fluff. Enjoy!

📬 Get in Touch with Open ResidencyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/Website: https://openresidency.com/Email: info@openresidency.com

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beehiivUse code MARK30 for 30% offLink: https://beehiiv.link/209nk8

00:00 Trailer01:25 Becoming a CEO: Before vs. After the Deal04:43 The Sustainable Growth Model (SGM) Explained12:44 Ops, Stage-gate Innovation, and Product Strategy22:05 Leadership Philosophy: Delegate and Elevate24:29 Preparing Your Company for an Exit27:50 The Acquisition Process and Due Diligence30:02 Rolling Over Equity and Strategic Partnerships35:04 The Marketing Strategy For Dom That's Actually Winning39:55 The Shift to TikTok and E-commerce Spillovers49:50 The Future: AI and the Importance of Relationships52:04 Athlete Education and Personal Brand Building01:01:28 Biggest Marketing Mistake

Peter Rahal - They Sued Him For Building a Bar That Shouldn't Exist12 May 202601:58:51

Peter Rahal broke it down in our conversation. We turned every framework, formula, and strategy from the episode into one free PDF → https://openresidency.com/peter-rahal-playbook?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=peter_rahal_playbook
In this episode of Open Residency, we sit down with Peter Rahal, founder of David and the operator who built and sold RXBAR for $600M. 255 days into David, Peter has already raised at a $725M valuation, survived a viral lawsuit, and acquired the most important ingredient innovation in food.
We unpack how Peter scaled from zero to $100M run rate at lightning speed, the brand brief behind David, why "obvious but true" ideas kill campaigns, and the "consumer surplus" framework he believes is the real moat in product development. A masterclass in branding, supply chain, and second-time founder discipline. Enjoy!
📬 Get in Touch with Open Residency
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com
🎯 Powered by Ketone-IQ - The premium brain fuel for high performers. Get 30% off your subscription, plus a free gift with your second shipment—fun surprises like a free 6-pack, Ketone-IQ merch, and more: https://ketone.com/openresidency
beehiiv - Use code MARK30 for 30% off
Link: https://beehiiv.link/209nk8
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:59 The 150 Calorie Lawsuit
00:05:21 Epogee - The Most Important Ingredient Innovation
00:13:12 0 To $100M In Under A Year. The Marketing Behind David
00:29:24 Why Celebrity Doesn't Sell Product Anymore (And Who Does)
00:31:34 As A Second Time Founder, What Advice Can You Give To Founders?
00:39:20 Some Say Your Branding Is Polarizing, How Did You Come Up With It?
00:53:34 Holistically with David, What Was Your Strategy On Retail?
01:04:09 The Story Behind RX Bar And How He Sold For $600M
01:36:40 The Roadmap Ahead For David?
01:46:04 Quickstrike Questions

Michael Brandt - Rogan, Jon Jones & Diary of a CEO: The Playbook They All Believe In (Ketone IQ)28 Apr 202602:15:51

Michael Brandt is giving you The Ketone-IQ Playbook → https://openresidency.com/michael-brandt-playbook?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=michael_brandt_playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Brandt, co-founder and CEO of Ketone-IQ, to talk about how he's building the category around what he calls the fourth macronutrient: ketones. Michael ran a 2:35 marathon, studied engineering at Stanford, and spent years in the early biohacking scene before betting everything on a molecule most people had never heard of.

We talk about how Michael structures seven-figure influencer deals, why he leads with vibes over contracts, why whitelisting from a partner's handle beats brand accounts every time, and how a single shoot day gets cut into 16 pieces of mid- and late-funnel creative. This episode is packed with good stuff, so enjoy!

Ketone IQ - The premium brain fuel for high performers. Get 30% off your subscription, plus a free gift with your second shipment—fun surprises like a free 6-pack, Ketone-IQ merch, and more: https://ketone.com/openresidency


TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Trailer
00:00:54 Why 50%+ of Budget Goes to Partnerships — Not Meta
00:01:36 What Is a Ketone? The Fifth-Grade Version
00:05:05 How Do You Pick A Partner? The Vibes-First Framework
00:16:55 Whitelisting - What Percent of Your Meta Ads Are Partner Ads?
00:29:02 The Secret Sauce Of The QR code
00:37:43 What Does A Successful Retail Pitch Actually Look Like?
00:44:21 What's The Biggest Thing You Learned In Retail?
00:48:31 When's The Right Time To Go From D2C To Retail?
00:55:06 What Does Product Development Look Like For Ketone IQ?
01:02:46 What Are The Biggest Mistakes Founders Make In Product Development?
01:06:41 How Do You Use Data And Metrics To Inform Your Products?
01:08:55 The Ketone-IQ Principles And How It Defines Their Company Culture
01:24:17 You've Raised $13 Million, What Was The Most Important Lesson?
01:40:11 What's The Biggest Learning Lesson About Leadership At Scale?
01:50:22 You Run A Sub-6 Min Pace For A Marathon. How Has That Bled Into Your Business?
01:56:28 Quickstrike Questions

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📬 GET IN TOUCH WITH OPEN RESIDENCY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openresidency/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrazil/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmastrandrea/
Website: https://openresidency.com/
Email: info@openresidency.com

© My Podcast Data · Independent project · Data from Apple & Spotify