Podcast
HawkeTalk
Hosted by Erik Huberman · EN
No one decides to wake up one day, walk across Antarctica, or leave their bohemian parents and join the Navy Seals. Or any number of crazy, amazing things that people do. These aren’t the dreams most kids have. And yet, fascinating people have done them. How? Why?
HawkeTalk is a podcast all about the origin stories of the most interesting people in the world. Today, you know our guests are famous athletes, authors, and entrepreneurs, but there’s so much more to the story. How did they navigate upbringings that seem so far from what they eventually became? What pivotal moments steered them in a new and fascinating direction forever?
Buckle up: Everyone loves a good origin story.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
156. Adam Rose: Creator, Actor, and Director
Oct 1400:43:10Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to survive in Hollywood for 30 years without giving up? And how can a single viral video change everything?In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with actor and digital creator, the one and only Adam Rose to trace his incredible three-decade-long journey in the entertainment industry. He shares stories from his start as a nine-year-old in a Woody Allen film to the years of grinding as a working actor on shows like Veronica Mars. Adam gets real about the constant hustle and the moments of doubt, revealing how a pivot to creating content during the pandemic led to a life-changing viral TikTok dance that was eventually licensed by Fortnite.We dive into how he cracked the code on social media algorithms and used that success to finally revitalize his acting career. The core of our conversation centers on his powerful, simple advice for anyone chasing a dream: never, ever quit. Adam believes in applying constant pressure, because if you stop, nothing will ever break. His story is a raw and inspiring testament to the power of relentless perseverance and adapting to the opportunities right in front of you.In this episode: (00:00) Adam on persistence and pressure(06:45) Disney’s PB&J Otter and Robin Williams in Deconstructing Harry(10:12) Off-Broadway beginnings and Jesse Eisenberg connection(18:15) Veronica Mars and steady acting roles(20:47) Writing, short films, and hustling between gigs(36:00) Social media meets acting, new opportunities arise(40:45) Advice for dream-chasers: never quitHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Adam Rose is an actor, filmmaker, and viral content creator. Starting his career at age nine alongside Robin Williams, Adam has appeared in Veronica Mars, Suits, Supernatural, Malcolm in the Middle, Weeds, and more. He voiced Peanut in Disney’s PB&J Otter and has performed Off-Broadway. During the pandemic, Adam’s TikTok presence skyrocketed, with viral dances, comedic skits, and reaction videos reaching audiences worldwide. His social presence led to collaborations with brands, a Fortnite emote, and new opportunities in film and TV, including the upcoming My Weird School for Nickelodeon and Paramount. Adam also co-hosts the podcast Small Stupid Stuff.Adam RoseAdam Rose on TikTokAdam Rose on InstagramAdam Rose on YouTubeAdam Rose on Twitter/X Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →[Trailer] Adam Rose: Creator, Actor, and Director
Oct 1400:00:51Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to survive in Hollywood for 30 years without giving up? And how can a single viral video change everything?In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with actor and digital creator, the one and only Adam Rose to trace his incredible three-decade-long journey in the entertainment industry. He shares stories from his start as a nine-year-old in a Woody Allen film to the years of grinding as a working actor on shows like Veronica Mars. Adam gets real about the constant hustle and the moments of doubt, revealing how a pivot to creating content during the pandemic led to a life-changing viral TikTok dance that was eventually licensed by Fortnite. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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155. Harry R. Anderson: First to Fly and Sail Solo Across All Continents
Oct 100:31:15Tap to summarizeWhat do you get when you combine an engineering career, a passion for adventure, and a lifelong dream of exploring the world? You get Harry Anderson, an entrepreneur who achieved feats few could even imagine. From flying solo around the world to becoming the first person to sail to all seven continents, Harry’s journey is a story of resilience, determination, and the endless pursuit of challenge.In this episode, I sit down with Harry Anderson to dive into his fascinating journey. From his childhood in the Midwest, where resilience was forged delivering newspapers in the cold Wyoming winters, to his leap from a conventional engineering career into entrepreneurial ventures, Harry shares the pivotal moments that shaped his life.Harry opens up about his adventurous spirit and how it led him to take a year off from his career to travel the world, where he hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, toured Africa, and lived in the south of France. His journey doesn’t stop there. Harry reveals the challenges and rewards of running a successful tech business, his transition into flying internationally, and the goal that drove him to sail solo to every continent, a feat no one else had accomplished.In this episode: (00:00) Introduction to Harry Anderson (05:10) A year of travel that changed everything (15:20) The thrill of flying and the challenges of long-distance flights (18:50) Making the leap from aviation to solo ocean sailing (22:10) The challenges of sailing to Antarctica and beyond (26:15) A world record: Flying solo to all seven continents (30:05) Flying over the North Pole and the uniqueness of solo aviation (34:00) Reflections on what it takes to achieve extraordinary goals (38:20) What's next for Harry: The Northwest Passage (41:00) Closing thoughts on pursuing passions and breaking boundariesAbout Our GuestHarry R. Anderson is a Ph.D. engineer/entrepreneur who has created businesses that develop software tools for designing and optimizing wireless networks. With his flight to Antarctica in 2014, he became only the fifth person to fly solo to all seven continents. With the completion of his solo voyage to seven continents in January 2025, he became the first person in history to both fly and sail solo to all the continents. Over five decades he has traveled to more than 100 countries, hitchhiked across Africa, worked on four continents, and lived in England and France. Dr. Anderson is the author of Fixed Broadband Wireless System Design (John Wiley & Sons, 2003), Flying 7 Continents Solo (Phywave, 2015), and his upcoming book Sailing 7 Continents Solo (Phywave, 2025). He lives on Bainbridge Island in the Pacific NorthwestHarry Anderson's Social Media:Flying 7 Continents Solo - BookHarry Anderson - Website Hawke MediaHawke Media LinkedInHawke Media InstagramHawke Media WebsiteHawke Media TwitterHawke Media Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →[Trailer] Harry R. Anderson: First to Fly and Sail Solo Across All Continents
Oct 100:00:59Tap to summarizeWhat do you get when you combine an engineering career, a passion for adventure, and a lifelong dream of exploring the world? You get Harry Anderson, an entrepreneur who achieved feats few could even imagine. From flying solo around the world to becoming the first person to sail to all seven continents, Harry’s journey is a story of resilience, determination, and the endless pursuit of challenge.In this episode, I sit down with Harry Anderson to dive into his fascinating journey. From his childhood in the Midwest, where resilience was forged delivering newspapers in the cold Wyoming winters, to his leap from a conventional engineering career into entrepreneurial ventures, Harry shares the pivotal moments that shaped his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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154. Josh Hoffman & Jordan Eubanks: Redefining Sports Memorabilia with Lightheaded
Sep 2300:42:17Tap to summarizeHave you ever chased an idea so bold it took more than a decade to bring to life? That’s exactly what Josh Hoffman and Jordan Eubanks did with Lightheaded, the company bringing illuminated sports helmets to fans everywhere. Believe it or not, the spark for this glowing idea first lit up in a Hollywood bar.In this episode, I sit down with Josh and Jordan to uncover how a playful Christmas tree decorating contest sparked a product that would one day attract sports franchises, investors, and collectors. They share their early years in Hollywood, from acting auditions and late-night bartending shifts to the moment they realized this quirky idea could be something bigger.In this episode: (00:00) Facing VC resistance(10:48) Shark Tank experience(13:02) Struggles and setbacks(20:29) Facing initial challenges and investor hesitations(31:20) Finalizing supply chain and marketing strategies(36:28) Future vision and advice for entrepreneurs(41:46) Conclusion and final thoughtsHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Jordan Eubanks is an actor, producer, and creative entrepreneur from Kinston, NC, who found his love of performance portraying Danny Zuko, Conrad Birdie, and Oliver Twist. After one year on a baseball scholarship at Appalachian State, he moved to New York to pursue acting booking MTV’s Damage Control. He later relocated to Los Angeles, co-created and starred in 2 Dudes and a Dream and Dumbbells, produces indie films like Be Like Trees, founded Canvas Assassins, and developed LightHeaded, a company that illuminates sports memorabilia with patent-pending designs.Josh Hoffman is the co-founder and CEO of Lightheaded, a premium sports memorabilia company known for its illuminated team helmets. A native of Ohio, Josh began his career pursuing acting in Los Angeles before transitioning into development and fundraising roles with organizations such as the Red Cross and a national youth nonprofit. His background in relationship-building, fundraising, and strategic leadership helped guide Lightheaded through years of investor rejections, manufacturing challenges, and a full company rebuild.Lightheaded Social MediaLightHeaded LinkedInJordan EubanksJordan Eubanks on InstagramJordan Eubanks on LinkedInJosh HoffmanJosh Hoffman on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →[Trailer] Josh Hoffman & Jordan Eubanks: Redefining Sports Memorabilia with Lightheaded
Sep 2300:01:31Tap to summarizeHave you ever chased an idea so bold it took more than a decade to bring to life? That’s exactly what Josh Hoffman and Jordan Eubanks did with Lightheaded, the company bringing illuminated sports helmets to fans everywhere. Believe it or not, the spark for this glowing idea first lit up in a Hollywood bar.In this episode, I sit down with Josh and Jordan to uncover how a playful Christmas tree decorating contest sparked a product that would one day attract sports franchises, investors, and collectors. They share their early years in Hollywood, from acting auditions and late-night bartending shifts to the moment they realized this quirky idea could be something bigger. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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153. Kenton Cool: Leading Everest Expeditions & Conquering the World's Tallest Peaks
Sep 1600:37:15Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to summit Mount Everest not once, but 19 times? In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with Kenton Cool, one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, to uncover his journey from a sickly child in London to summiting Mount Everest 19 times and guiding clients on some of the world’s most dangerous peaks.Kenton shares how his early years in Scouts gave him a love for the outdoors, why he worked construction jobs to fund his first expeditions, and the pivotal moment he realized he needed to turn climbing into a career. He takes us inside his first Everest expedition as a lead guide, the near-fatal accident that changed his perspective, and how he has since balanced guiding elite clients, tackling record-breaking climbs, and building a performance coaching company alongside his wife.We dive into the true cost of climbing Everest, the challenges of K2, and why community, whether with Sherpas on the mountain or leaders in business, has been the key to his success. Through it all, Kenton’s story is about resilience, finding your tribe, and chasing purpose no matter the odds.In this episode: (00:00) The power of community and belonging(07:00) Dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot(14:34) Working construction to fund expeditions(15:54) The realization he needed to monetize climbing(25:38) Transition into corporate speaking and performance coaching(29:05) Climbing Everest 19 times and holding the non-Sherpa record(32:00) Tackling K2 and reflections on the hardest climbs(34:10) The driving force behind his persistence: finding and protecting communityHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Kenton Cool is one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, with 19 summits of Mount Everest and numerous first ascents across the Himalayas, Alps, and beyond. After overcoming a devastating climbing accident in his twenties, he went on to become a certified IFMGA mountain guide and built a career guiding high-net-worth clients on some of the toughest peaks on Earth.Known for his resilience and leadership, Kenton also co-founded a performance coaching company, sharing lessons from the mountains with global organizations. A passionate advocate for community and connection, he continues to inspire climbers and business leaders alike with his philosophy of perseverance, adaptability, and bold ambition.Kenton CoolKenton Cool WebsiteKenton Cool on InstagramKenton Cool on LinkedInKenton Cool YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →[Trailer] Kenton Cool: Leading Everest Expeditions & Conquering the World's Tallest Peaks
Sep 1600:00:55Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to summit Mount Everest not once, but 19 times? In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with Kenton Cool, one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, to uncover his journey from a sickly child in London to summiting Mount Everest 19 times and guiding clients on some of the world’s most dangerous peaks.Kenton shares how his early years in Scouts gave him a love for the outdoors, why he worked construction jobs to fund his first expeditions, and the pivotal moment he realized he needed to turn climbing into a career. He takes us inside his first Everest expedition as a lead guide, the near-fatal accident that changed his perspective, and how he has since balanced guiding elite clients, tackling record-breaking climbs, and building a performance coaching company alongside his wife. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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152. Avery Akkineni: CMO of VaynerX & Digital Marketing Visionary
Sep 900:31:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of HawkeTalk, I sit down with Avery Akkineni, Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerMedia, to uncover her journey from growing up in Nashville with a love for books and business dreams to leading global expansion for one of the most disruptive agencies in the world.Avery shares how her early internships at Live Nation and Morgan Stanley shaped her view of business, why taking risks opened unexpected doors, and how she went from Target’s corporate world to a seven-year career at Google. She reveals the pivotal moment she said “yes” to Gary Vaynerchuk and took the leap to launch Vayner’s Asia-Pacific office from scratch scaling it to 170 people and winning major clients across Singapore, Australia, and beyond.We dive into the challenges of building teams during COVID, the launch of Vayner3 during the Web3 wave, and why her latest role as CMO is her most fulfilling yet. Through it all, Avery’s story is about persistence, bold choices, and embracing opportunities before they’re obvious.Her advice? Don’t fear failure—take the leap, because if you don’t ask, you don’t get.In this episode: (00:00) Overcoming fear of failure and taking risks(07:36) Learning what you don’t want(10:57) First job at Target and early lessons in retail and supply chain(17:45) Moving from Google to VaynerMedia(22:06) Launching Vayner’s Asia-Pacific office in Singapore(23:39) Scaling through crisis during COVID and international growth(26:30) Transition into Web3 with Vayner3 and bold brand partnerships(27:44) Becoming CMO of VaynerMedia and building the agency brand(30:04) Avery’s biggest advice: people have short memories just go for itHawke Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hawkemedia/https://www.instagram.com/hawkemedia/?hl=en https://hawkemedia.com/https://twitter.com/hawkemediahttps://www.facebook.com/hawkemedia/ About Our Guest Avery Akkineni is the Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerMedia, where she leads global brand strategy and innovation. Before joining Vayner, she spent over seven years at Google, helping shape its ad and media platforms. In 2019, she spearheaded Vayner’s expansion into Asia-Pacific, growing the Singapore office from zero to 170 employees and winning major clients like Disney+, P&G, and Subway.A pioneer in emerging tech, Avery went on to launch Vayner3, guiding Fortune 500 companies into Web3, and now drives VaynerMedia’s own brand growth as CMO. Known for her risk-taking spirit, global perspective, and passion for storytelling, Avery is redefining what it means to be a modern marketing leader.Avery Akkineni Avery Akkineni WebsiteAvery Akkineni on InstagramAvery Akkineni on LinkedInVaynear Media Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →[Trailer] Avery Akkineni: CMO of VaynerX & Digital Marketing Visionary
Sep 900:01:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode of HawkeTalk, I sit down with Avery Akkineni, Chief Marketing Officer at VaynerMedia, to uncover her journey from growing up in Nashville with a love for books and business dreams to leading global expansion for one of the most disruptive agencies in the world.Avery shares how her early internships at Live Nation and Morgan Stanley shaped her view of business, why taking risks opened unexpected doors, and how she went from Target’s corporate world to a seven-year career at Google. She reveals the pivotal moment she said “yes” to Gary Vaynerchuk and took the leap to launch Vayner’s Asia-Pacific office from scratch scaling it to 170 people and winning major clients across Singapore, Australia, and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →