Podcast Summary: Gary Vee Explains How To Get Rich Online, NFTs Return, AI Secrets & Africa’s Biggest Opportunities
Podcast: Earn Your Leisure (EYL Network)
Hosts: Rashad Bilal & Troy Millings
Guest: Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee)
Release Date: August 28, 2025
Overview
In this thought-provoking episode, Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings sit down with serial entrepreneur and digital pioneer Gary Vaynerchuk for a dynamic conversation. Together, they dive deep into the world of online entrepreneurship, the resurgence of NFTs, the critical importance of AI, the future of digital ownership, and Africa's emerging business opportunities. Gary delivers his trademark raw insights, blending practical advice with a big-picture perspective that challenges conventional thinking.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The State and Future of NFTs
[01:41 - 11:25]
- Gary remains bullish on NFTs, despite the market downturn and skepticism.
- He compares the NFT cycle to the early internet and the dot-com bubble, noting that mainstream markets often underestimate long-term trends because of short-term greed and crashes.
- Cites key projects like Cryptopunks, Bored Apes, and his own VeeFriends as examples of NFT collections with enduring value:
“Three weeks ago, $132 million worth of NFTs were bought in a week... If you go back to those videos in 2021... 99% of these things are going to zero.” (Gary Vee, 02:00)
- Argues the core innovation is blockchain—NFTs as the answer to forgeries and fakes that have long plagued collectibles markets:
“One great thing about VeeFriends Series 1 NFTs: they'll never be a fake on the blockchain… That's a real crazy thing.” (Gary Vee, 07:56)
- Draws parallels between crashing cycles in sports cards, comic books, and now NFTs, emphasizing the "ebb and flow" of brands and the importance of patience.
2. Blockchain’s Role in Society and the AI Era
[06:51 - 12:30]
- Gary predicts that as AI generates endless fake content, the blockchain will become the ultimate tool for digital authentication:
“In 10 years… the only way we'll be able to tell if you guys said something is if you mint it on the blockchain.” (Gary Vee, 06:54)
- Blockchain is presented not just as an investment vehicle, but as crucial infrastructure for the next 100 years:
“I think that the blockchain is going to be the most important digital platform infrastructure of the next century. Money will be on that, and so will collectibles.” (Gary Vee, 07:25)
3. AI, Creativity, and Self-Education
[12:11 - 21:47]
- AI is positioned as the next “internet-level” shift. Gary stresses the absolute necessity of spending time with AI, whether that’s ChatGPT or AI creative tools:
“If you're seeing this right now and you are not spending one hour a day minimally fucking with AI… you are literally your grandma that you made fun of.” (Gary Vee, 13:33)
- He refutes the idea that resistance to AI is “noble,” calling it out as laziness and a fear of putting in the work to learn something new.
- Practical examples: Gary uses AI (“Chatty”) for trend analysis, investing strategies, and as a thinking partner.
- Warns that agencies and businesses who ignore or resist AI will be “put out of business,” as every technological innovation brings inevitable disruption.
4. The Business and Culture of Collecting
[22:56 - 27:30]
- Trading cards are seeing record-breaking months, with $308 million in card sales in July.
- Collectibles have become pop culture, blending sports, entertainment, and nostalgia. Not only sports cards, but Pokémon, Marvel, and Disney are surging.
- Gary recounts how card trading taught him essential entrepreneurial skills—negotiation, risk assessment, and understanding market dynamics.
5. NFTs as Utility and Ownership in a Digital World
[27:30 - 31:06]
- Details the progression of VeeFriends: NFTs as conference tickets, trading card bundles, “gift goat” perks, and more.
- Emphasizes the unique transparency and loyalty-tracking enabled by blockchain:
“In 10 years, I can look on the blockchain and see people who bought the NFT and never sold it. That's a loyal crew…” (Gary Vee, 28:34)
- Discusses digital ownership, the transition from “renting time” on social platforms to real digital property:
“Ownership, yes. This is why I'm obsessed with NFTs. We're going to live digital, which means our physical stuff is going to decrease in value…” (Gary Vee, 33:07)
6. The Next Digital Transformation: AR/VR and Life Beyond Smartphones
[33:37 - 40:57]
- Describes technologies that will move us past phones—wearables, contact lenses, AI agents, and how digital overlays will become mainstream.
- Predicts a world where the distinction between digital and physical experiences erodes even further.
7. Balancing Technological Acceleration and "Going Back"
[40:44 - 42:13]
- Hosts question if society might swing back, unplug, or even enter another “dark age.” Gary counters this as unlikely, but identifies a growing trend among Gen Z and Gen Alpha to seek out offline experiences (e.g., pickleball, wiffle ball).
- Foresees businesses forming around simple human connection, even “walkers” (people paid to walk with and talk to others as a service).
8. How to Start Making Money Right Now: Live Social Shopping & Flipping
[44:46 - 49:56]
- Gary’s actionable advice for new entrepreneurs: get into live social shopping. Platforms like TikTok Shop and Whatnot allow anyone to sell goods via livestream.
- Recommends beginners sell unused items from home, then scale up to flipping and sourcing.
- Success is attainable—many DM him with stories of making thousands from flipping:
“My number one belief is that every person that's watching right now... probably have somewhere between $500 and $2,000 worth of shit in their house. Everybody buys dumb shit and they don’t use it.” (Gary Vee, 45:39)
- Stresses that the “influencer dream” is not realistic for everyone, but many can make a six-figure income selling online.
9. Global Markets and Africa’s Opportunity
[50:06 - 55:21]
- Gary identifies Africa as the next global business frontier, citing youthful demographics (over 60% under 25), rapid urbanization, and increasing foreign investment. He uses ChatGPT live to demonstrate how he researches opportunities in real time.
- Breaks down China’s and the UAE’s investments in Africa, explaining nuanced realities behind headlines.
- Urges listeners to become familiar with AI as a research and business partner.
10. The Game of Entrepreneurship: Money, Joy, and Personal Philosophy
[57:34 - 61:56]
- Gary prioritizes the enjoyment of the “game” over maximizing money, drawing analogies to sports and art. His motivation comes from the process, not just the reward.
- He’s wary of partnerships primarily to protect reputation and maintain autonomy.
- Encourages listeners to seek “joy of the journey,” not just outcomes, and to focus on personal accountability.
11. Platform Shifts and the Next Era of Content Creation
[62:55 - 66:47]
- Recognizes the waves of content creation (influencers -> podcasts -> streamers) and is preparing to go all-in on livestreaming across platforms, including new ones like Kik.
- Advises humility and willingness to start from scratch on new platforms.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On NFTs & Collectibles
- “Brands ebb and flow… Growing up, the two shittiest sports brands in the world, the Golden State Warriors and the New England Patriots, those two teams sucked. Now, no better brands.”
— Gary Vee, 09:00
On AI Disruption
-
“People aren’t noble, people are lazy.”
— Gary Vee, 14:18 -
“Every video on the Internet within a decade will be fake. The blockchain is the only answer.”
— Gary Vee, 29:46
On Societal Fear of New Tech
- “When the car was invented, people were scared about that… Do you know what the word demonizing is?… There’s demons in [electricity]… Like if you bring in electricity, you bring in demons into your home.”
— Gary Vee, 17:16
On Finding Opportunity
- “If anyone looks like you that's ever made it, the fuck is your excuse?... You gotta get into fucking accountability.”
— Gary Vee, 71:09
On Influencers & Reality
- “Everybody wants a 1% life, but it's a 1% life.”
— Gary Vee, 62:58
On Giving Flowers
- “Hate is loud and love is quiet. We need to flip that… People that are winning, like me, they just mind their business… We have a responsibility to put love on the offense.”
— Gary Vee, 66:49
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 00:00–01:41: Intro, welcome, background on Gary Vee
- 01:41–11:25: NFTs, state of the market, collectibles, blockchain’s role
- 12:11–21:47: AI as the next big shift, practical uses, advice for creators and agencies
- 22:56–27:30: Trading cards, collectibles as culture, parallels to the art world
- 27:30–31:06: NFTs and digital ownership, transparency of blockchain
- 33:37–40:57: The next phase of digital life: AR/VR, dissolving physical-digital barriers
- 44:46–49:56: Live social shopping, flipping for income—practical side-hustle strategies
- 50:06–55:21: Global outlook, Africa’s demographic boom and economic opportunities, live research with ChatGPT
- 57:34–61:56: Partnerships, motivation, joy of the entrepreneurial journey
- 62:55–66:47: The evolution of the content creator, humility, and new platform strategies
- 66:49–73:30: Reflection, the importance of giving, accountability, closing thoughts
Final Thoughts
Gary Vee delivers a turbo-charged, unfiltered manifesto for thriving in the digital economy, emphasizing curiosity, adaptability, personal responsibility, and continuous learning. The episode blends high-level trends (blockchain, AI, global markets) with tactical advice anyone can apply today—whether flipping used sneakers or experimenting with livestream sales.
If you want a roadmap for the next phase of tech-driven entrepreneurship, this episode plants flags on all the hills you should be investigating—and reminds you never to ignore the fundamentals of hustle, humility, and giving back.