Podcast
30 Years in 30 Minutes
Hosted by Michael Oved · EN
Just a 21-year-old with a mic, learning from the world’s biggest entrepreneurs and trailblazers. Raw, unfiltered conversations paired with the lessons, mistakes, and breakthroughs that built their success — so you can build yours faster. Decades of wisdom packed into a 30-minute podcast.
Hosted by Michael Oved.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
She Saw What NO ONE ELSE Did: How Lindsay Kaplan Build a $1 Billion Company
Jan 1500:36:54Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to turn a so-called “cringe” idea into a billion-dollar company?In this episode of 30 Years in 30 Minutes, host Michael Oved sits down with Lindsay Kaplan, co-founder of Chief, the premier executive network for women, to unpack how she saw opportunity where others saw embarrassment. From her early days in publishing and brand storytelling, to helping build Casper into a breakout direct-to-consumer giant, to ultimately co-founding Chief and scaling it into a $1B company, Lindsay shares the real lessons behind modern entrepreneurship.This conversation dives deep into founder mindset, storytelling as a business weapon, building powerful networks, choosing the right co-founder, raising venture capital, and why great entrepreneurs don’t chase trends — they redefine them. Lindsay explains how embracing discomfort, leaning into “uncool” industries, and understanding human psychology helped her build brands that people actually care about.If you’re an aspiring founder, operator, marketer, or investor looking to understand how billion-dollar companies are really built — this episode is a masterclass in vision, conviction, and execution.🎧 Listen now to learn how Lindsay Kaplan turned a “cringe” idea into a category-defining company.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →Real Estate’s Most Influential Man: How Amir Korangy Built a Media Empire
Jan 800:38:13Tap to summarizeReal Estate’s most influential person didn’t start with money, power, or connections — he didn’t even speak the language.In this episode, Amir Korangy, founder of The Real Deal, reveals how rejection, lawsuits, and being told “no” by every bank forced him to build his own path — and ultimately the most powerful media platform in real estate.Amir shares how getting shut out of major newspapers pushed him to start his own publication, how early technology let him compete with giants, why he got sued in his first year of business, and the mindset that kept him going when failure felt inevitable. He breaks down how influence is actually built, why owning a niche matters more than capital, and how The Real Deal became the industry’s most trusted — and feared — voice.If you want to understand how power, media, and influence are really created, this episode is required listening.🎧 Watch the full episode now — and let us know who we should interview next. by emailing 30in30pod@gmail.com.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →From Pinterest to Airbnb: Inside Rick Heitzmann’s Formula for Betting on the Next Great Founder (Part 2)
Dec 300:21:45Tap to summarizeWhat makes a great founder? Why do some startups become category-defining companies while others disappear? In this episode, Rick Heitzmann reveals the mental models, pattern recognition, and non-obvious signals he’s used to back Pinterest, Airbnb, Riot Games, DraftKings, and more. Part 2 goes deeper into founder psychology, pitch strategy, market timing, and the traits that predict generational success. This is one of the clearest breakdowns of venture decision-making you’ll ever hear.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →How Rick Heitzmann Became the Most Legendary Venture Capital Investor & Startup Kingmaker (Part 1)
Nov 2600:33:58Tap to summarizeBefore Rick Heitzmann became one of the most legendary venture capital investors alive, he was a college student taking strange risks, betting on himself long before he bet on founders. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Rick reveals the early decisions, failures, and unexpected moments that shaped the mindset behind his rise.From growing up with teacher parents, to running Georgetown’s student body, to taking wild career leaps that gave him responsibility far beyond his age—Rick shares the foundational lessons that transformed him into the VC and startup kingmaker he is today.This episode is the origin story behind a world-class investor: how he learned to take asymmetric risks, why your 20s should be for learning, and the overlooked traits Rick looks for in future founders and operators.If you’ve ever wondered how legendary investors are made—not born—this is your blueprint.Stay tuned for Part 2, which drops next week, where we delve into the stories behind Rick's best investments and his advice to founders and investors. Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →How THIS Entrepreneur Turned Corporate Misery Into a Media Empire
Nov 1900:23:42Tap to summarizeWhat if the corporate job everyone hated became the spark for a global media brand?In this episode of 30 Years in 30 Minutes, Michael sits down with the creator behind one of the fastest-growing business comedy channels on the internet — a finance-bro-turned-entrepreneur who transformed Excel jokes, office misery, and corporate pain points into a massive online empire.We break down the viral formula behind his billions of views, how he engineered explosive growth across TikTok and Instagram, the real way the algorithm works, how to turn ideas into consistent content, why “consistency” is overrated, and the hidden revenue model most creators never see coming.If you’re an entrepreneur, content creator, or side-hustler trying to build something from nothing, this episode gives you the playbook for virality, growth, and monetization — straight from someone who lived it.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →The Torah's Hidden Playbook for Founders, with Mega-Entrepreneur Mark Gerson
Nov 1200:38:12Tap to summarizeWhat if the greatest startup manual ever written wasn’t by a billionaire—but by God?In this episode of 30 Years in 30 Minutes, mega-entrepreneur Mark Gerson, founder of Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG) and United Hatzalah, reveals the hidden lessons of entrepreneurship buried in the Torah.Mark argues that the Bible is the ultimate startup playbook—a guide to building not just companies, but character, purpose, and long-term success. He shares how ancient wisdom predicts modern business truths, from leadership and risk-taking to discipline, service, and wealth creation.You’ll learn:Why the Torah contains timeless principles for founders and leadersHow faith and discipline can outperform luck and timingWhy love, purpose, and business follow the same lawsHow biblical frameworks still drive success in today’s worldFrom founding GLG to proving that modern data confirms divine wisdom, Gerson’s journey bridges startups and scripture—showing that the most powerful business advice on earth was written 3,000 years ago.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →The Untold Story of a Cookie Craving Turned Empire: How Insomnia Cookies Was Born in a College Dorm
Jul 1600:34:09Tap to summarizeHe was 20. Broke. Delivering cookies at 2AM from a chaotic college house. Two decades later, Seth Berkowitz runs Insomnia Cookies – the largest food delivery empires in America.In this episode, Insomnia Cookies founder and CEO Seth Berkowitz shares the wild origin story behind his $300 million empire. From late-night deliveries and zero funding to scaling over 250 locations, Seth breaks down exactly how he built a brand that redefined snacking, entrepreneurship, and late-night culture for an entire generation.You’ll hear:How he launched Insomnia Cookies from his college dorm at the University of PennsylvaniaThe turning point that took it from side hustle to national brandWhy finding the right niche can build lifelong customersWhat every young founder needs—but most never doThe mindset shift that separates dreamers from buildersWhether you're a college student, a startup founder, or just hungry to build something real—this episode is a must-listen.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →I Had No Clients, No Followers & No Backup Plan – But I Built a Design Empire from Scratch: Cara Woodhouse
Jun 1100:39:10Tap to summarizeShe had no clients, no followers, and no roadmap. But Cara Woodhouse still built one of the most recognizable interior design brands on Instagram — and turned her passion into an empire.In this episode, Cara breaks down how she went from a rejected art student to a design entrepreneur with 900K+ followers, a booming product line, a wellness-inspired real estate venture, and a debut book that redefines how we connect with our homes. She shares the truth about starting with nothing, the pain of a business breakup, how to grow on Instagram in 2024, and the mindset shift that changed everything. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling your personal brand, this episode is packed with raw lessons on:Growing a business when no one knows your nameUsing content to build trust, influence, and incomeTurning your taste into a marketable edgeThe systems every creative entrepreneur needs to scaleWhy success means choosing the right size, not the biggest oneDon't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →What It Takes to Lead TIME Magazine: Editor-in-Chief Nancy Gibbs on Writing, Leadership, and Career Success
Apr 28, 202500:44:14Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to lead TIME Magazine?In this episode of 30 Years in 30 Minutes, Michael Oved sits down with Nancy Gibbs – legendary journalist, bestselling author, and the first female Editor-in-Chief of TIME Magazine.Nancy shares the real secrets behind leadership, ambition, career growth, and building a life you actually want – not just chasing titles for their own sake.We dive into her journey from shy intern to the top of one of the world’s most iconic news organizations, the lessons she learned about writing, leading, and staying true to your values, and her advice for anyone looking to build a successful, meaningful career.If you're curious about journalism, leadership, storytelling, or simply how to climb the right ladder, this conversation is packed with wisdom you won’t want to miss.🎙 Topics we cover:- How to build a meaningful career, not just a flashy one- Why curiosity is more important than ambition- The secret to leading creative teams without ego- How to survive and thrive in journalism today- Advice for young writers and future leadersDon't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
Transcribe →The $100 Million Loss That Made Sports Exec David Meltzer Unstoppable
Apr 21, 202500:19:24Tap to summarizeSports executive and serial entrepreneur David Meltzer became a millionaire at 24, a multimillionaire by 32, and then lost it all, only to gain it back a couple years later. In this episode, he opens up about how hitting rock bottom led to the most meaningful transformation of his life. We talk about his early obsession with money, the moment everything came crashing down, and the mindset shift that helped him rebuild with purpose. David shares how to find happiness in the grind, the power of asking for help, and why your biggest setbacks might just be your greatest gifts. This conversation is raw, honest, and filled with lessons on wealth, humility, and fulfillment from someone who’s lived both extremes. Bio: David is the Chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute; founder of David Meltzer Enterprises, Chairman of the Unstoppable Foundation; Chief Chancellor of JA Worldwide; Host of the Playbook Podcast; Executive Producer of Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch; co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing; and CEO of Steinberg Sports & Entertainment.Don't forget to like and subscribe. Follow us on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn: @30in30pod.
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