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TED Business Host (Medup Akinola)
This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn Running a small business means every hire matters. A bad hire can cost you time, money and momentum. A good hire? They can help grow your business. But finding great talent isn't easy, especially when you don't have the time or resources to sit sift through piles of resumes to find the right fit. That's why LinkedIn built Hiring Pro, your new hiring partner that screens candidates for you. So instead of sorting through applications, you can spend your time talking to candidates who are actually a good fit. With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence, knowing you're getting the best talent for your business. In fact, according to LinkedIn, those hiring with LinkedIn are 24% less likely to need to reopen a role with within 12 months compared to the leading competitor. Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire get started by posting your job for free@LinkedIn.com TEDBIZ spelled B I Z Terms and conditions apply. Can you think of the last time you learned something completely new? I used that muscle so often when I was in school or when I was just young and trying to figure out how to make it in the real world. But as I got older, routines fell into place, habits settled, and that muscle got a bit complacent. Then, at age 43, I decided to learn how to scuba dive. Talk about an immersive learning experience. There were so many technical steps I needed to be aware of. I figured out how it felt to be buoyant. How how my body reacted to being in the water and then there was this whole new world under the surface that I was beginning to study different varieties of fish, coral and even sharks. I remember feeling obsessed with all the new knowledge I was acquiring, and even though it was worlds apart from the work I do, I actually found ways to relate it to my research on physiological responses to stress. Scuba diving helped me to be more aware of the mind body connection and how to self regulate and stay calm when literally under pressure. And making that connection made me fall in love with my work in new ways I never expected. Lifelong learning is a big part of people's job satisfaction, but the more practice we get in our profession, the more distant this kind of learning can feel. So how do we fix that? I'm Medup Akinola. This is TED Business, a podcast from ted. Our speaker today is venture capitalist and author Bill Gurley. Bill has spent the last six years studying what drives career excellence, and his research has shown that the thing most high achievers have in common is an obsession with learning. His talk challenges us to reconnect with the pursuit of knowledge, especially in a time when it's easier than any ever to let machines do the learning for us. Then after the talk, I'll share some insights on how to re spark curiosity and fascination in your own life. But first, a quick break. This episode is brought to you by Paca. You know those pieces you'd wear every day if you could get away with it? For me, it's my Pakka hoodie and crew sweater. Made with the same care and unmistakable softness, Pakka creates outdoor and lifestyle apparel from alpaca fiber, one of the most sustainable natural fibers on the planet. Their signature hoodie is unbelievably soft, warmer than wool, yet still breathable enough to wear throughout the day. Each one is made from start to finish in Peru and comes with an Inca id hand woven by artisans, a little piece of tradition connecting you closer to where your clothing comes from. And guess What? More than 250,000 people have already picked up theirs. Once you feel the quality of Paca, you'll understand why people keep coming back. To grab your Packa hoodie, go to www.packaapparel.com. that's www.pakaapparel.com. support for today's episode comes from Square. Think about the local businesses that make your community feel like home. The cafe where they know your order. The shop owner who remembers your name. The service that always goes the extra mile. Those moments don't happen by accident. They happen when Owners have the right tools to focus less on operations and more on the people walking through their doors. Square brings it all together in one system so businesses can run smoothly and create more of those experiences that keep people coming back. And whether you're just opening your doors or growing into something bigger, Square scales with you. No hidden fees and no surprises. With Square, you get all the tools to run your business with none of the contracts or complexity. And why wait? Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square Hardware at square.com go TedBusiness. That's S Q U-A-R-E.com G O TedBusiness. Run your business smarter with Square. Get started today.
Bill Gurley
I'm gonna start with a story. A good story. A In 1983, my friend Danny was 25 years old. A few years earlier, he had graduated from Trinity College with a poli sci degree. Bounced around for a while, but fell into a really cool job in sales. He sold those doohickeys they attached to clothes in the department store, so you can't steal them. He was good at it. He was making a lot of money. But as a poli sci student, he'd always planned to take the next step. Law school. So the night before the LSAT is out for dinner with his Uncle Richard, a place called Elio's on the Upper east side. And Uncle Richard can tell something's not right. Danny, what's eating you? Ah, I have to take the LSAT tomorrow, and I don't really want to, Uncle Richard probed. So why are you? I'll get back to Danny and Uncle Richard in a minute. But let me tell you why I'm here. I spent the past six years studying what drives career excellence. A co writer, a researcher, and I combed through over 100 biographies. We talked to some of the leading academicians in the field, looked at their research, and we even did our own survey with Wharton. We turned that into a book. What did we find? There were many common traits, but one thing stood out above everything else. Continuous and obsessive learning. They were all lifetime students. They knew the history of their field. They understand the nuance of their field, the thing that separates great from good. They know the edge of their field. That's where innovation lies. And they studied throughout their entire career, beginning, middle, and end. I'd like to think they thought about their craft as an artisan with an artisan mindset. And I've come to believe these artisans exist in every field. Here's a fun example. In 2015, at the annual chess competition in Iceland. They did something fun. They held a history trivia contest. Guess who won? Magnus Carlsen, the world champion. See, he's not just great at chess, he knew the history. But if you study Magnus Carlsen, you know this to be true. It's very low likelihood that he got to a place in his career where he says, oh boy, to be even better at chess, I need to study the history. I'm going to go do it. It was a different mechanism. And this is my key point, the key takeaway right here at the beginning. Obsessive and continuous learning is not an input, it's an output. It's not the cause, it's the effect. What's the cause? What drives someone to learn for a lifetime? In 2024, Jerry Seinfeld, the comedian, gave the commencement speech at Duke University. And after making fun, which he's good at, making fun of, the phrase follow your passion, he came up with a different word, a better word, a more precise word. He said, you should follow your fascination. I really love this distinction. You see, passion doesn't invoke work. You could be passionate about the Cincinnati Reds and sit in a chair for three and a half hours drinking beer. But fascination comes with the mechanism. When you're fascinated, you study automagically. By the way, I know that's not a real word. Back to Danny. Uncle Richard kept pressing, Danny, all you've ever thought about and talked about your whole life is food and restaurants. Why don't you open a restaurant? Danny listened. He took the LSAT the next morning, but he never enrolled in law school. Instead, he enrolled in a $300 restaurant management course that he found in a magazine. He would then take a 90% pay cut to get his foot in the door at a local restaurant where he could rotate through the different job. And then he planned a trip through Europe, a learning trip where he would stodge in many different countries, many different cuisines. Stodge is a fancy French word that means work for free. He then went back to New York. He had to study some more location buildings. Then in 1985, a full year after that momentous dinner, Danny opened Union Square Cafe. Union Square Cafe would be recognized by Zagat magazine as New York's favorite restaurant eight times. And Danny would go on to launch over a dozen high end restaurants in New York, including eleven Madison, Gramercy Tavern, the Modern for you younger folks out there. He would then after that, found and launch Shake shack, which has 400 locations worldwide and a 4 billion dollar market cap every time Danny started a new concept, he'd do a year of learning and study before he'd launch. When I talked to him last fall, he was just back from Europe on another learning tour. Over 40 years later, still in his DNA, Uncle Richard did something, really did two things really amazing that night. First, he saved the world from another lawyer. But second, and more importantly, he unleashed Danny's career around this amazing fascination that he had. One dinner, one comment and a bit flip from 0 to 1 and the rest is history. It feels magical. I think a lot of magical things happen when you combine fascination with a career. First, obviously, you're more fulfilled and you're more happy. Second, the learning comes for free. What do I mean by that? Zero conscious effort. When you're learning about something you don't like, it saps your energy, you get tired, you need a break. When you learn about something you're fascinated by, you get energy. You want to smile. That contrast is massive. And it's why Danny knew exactly what to do. And it's precisely why Magnus Carlsen knew the history. The third thing that happens when you combine career it's fascination is people notice. If you're enthusiastic and have extra knowledge, you're going to do better in every dimension of your career. You're going to crush it in interviews, you're going to get promoted, you're going to attract mentors, and maybe most importantly, opportunity comes at you. Oh, I hear you're interested in starting a documentary. You have to talk to Sally. She's obsessed by them. Those introductions happen all the time. The last thing that happens is the fascinated people leave big footprints. Uncle Richard didn't just help Danny. Think of the thousands and thousands of people that have worked in and learned in Danny's restaurants. Think about the millions of customers that have felt his hospitality. And think about the restaurant owners and small business owners that have read his book Setting the Table. It's really, really a massive impact. So how many people make it to this magical place? In 2023, Gallup did a poll where they asked what percentage of people are thriving and engaged in their job. Only 23% said yes. A full 59% they put in this category they called quiet quitters. They said they were ambivalent about their job, emotionally disconnected. In our own survey, we asked people, are you in your dream job and do you want a do over? And only 20% said, yes, I'm in my dream job and I don't need a do over. So maybe it's as low as 1 in 5 20%. Why isn't it better? I think there are a few issues. First, I think the path to and through college is broken. I think it's because its schools are so damn hard to get into. In sixth grade we begin what Jonathan Haidt has termed the resume arms race. We do Mandarin lessons, lacrosse lessons, cello lessons, volunteering, and that's just by Tuesday. The kids feel pressure and the parents feel pressure and I think we know something's wrong there. Second, we've moved the decision goal post. When I was young, they wouldn't allow you to declare a major until the end of your sophomore year of college. Today at many schools you have to apply to the majority of when you fill out the application. We made the life decision from 20 years to 17 years old. Have you ever asked a 17 year old what they want to do the rest of their life? They really don't know. They really don't know. The last thing is several well intentioned parents and advisors, and I want to repeat well intentioned, have pushed kids towards the safe jobs. Medicine, legal, finance, comp Sci. But what if the safe jobs aren't safe anymore? Along comes AI you know all those formulas and algorithms you learned in school that helped you take the test? They're all in the model. If you're not advancing your learning after you leave college, they're catching up. And I don't think it's the jobs we love that are under threat. It's the ones people were ambivalent about already. The 59%, the quiet quitters. But maybe, maybe what's really under threat is the static mindset. What about the artisans, the fascinated artisans? Mark Cuban said something the other day. He said there's two types of people in the world. Those that use LLMs to learn faster than ever and those that use LLMs to skip learning altogether. The reality is, for these fascinated artisans, AI is a jetpack. They learn faster, they soar higher. So how do we get more people in this lane? I fear the institutions aren't set up for it. They're set up for high volume mass manufacturing. Not bespoke, individualized, customized fascination, discovery. But if they can't, who will? I'm going to close with two short stories that might point us in the right direction. My wife and I relocated to Austin four years ago and we've had a chance to meet this very famous actor that lives there. You may know the one. All right, all right, all right, you got it. When Matthew was young, he was really good at winning arguments and his whole family told him you should be a lawyer. And he decided that's a great idea. He headed off to college. During his sophomore year, he fell in with some friends at the film school, really loved it, wanted to switch, but he was fearful of his stern father's reaction. He eventually set up a call, walked through the logic, long pause, and his father says, don't half ass it. Matthew said it was the last thing he expected him to say and the best thing he could have possibly said. And with those three simple words, oh wait, I think half ass is hyphenated. With those four simple words, he unleashed another artisan, an Oscar winning one, and also saved us from another lawyer. A few months ago, I got an email from a friend I hadn't heard from in a while. His name's Doug. He had seen me talking about these topics on a podcast and he wanted to share a family story. His son Jackson's a senior at Wake Forest Finance track, but in all his spare time he loves to study basketball analytics. On a recent trip, he would wake up at 7am, go to the coffee shop and do his basketball studying before the family activities. Last summer he did an internship in basketball, not finance. His father told me that he'd been on his own journey, a parental journey, from awareness to acceptance to enthusiasm to full support. And as he went through those stages, he could see Jackson's confidence grow. I have a hunch Jackson's going to have a great career. So if it's not up to the institution, maybe it's up to us, the individuals, parents, counselors, friends, family. It doesn't take much. A comment, a nudge holding up a mirror so they can see maybe what they already knew. Matthew's dad gave him a green light. Danny had Uncle Richard. And they had incredible careers based around their fascination. Maybe all the world really needs is many, many more. Uncle Richards. And I hope there's a bunch of you out there in the audience today.
Capital One Advertiser
With no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking. With Capital One, if he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends, it's pretty much all he talks about. In a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1na member, FDIC.
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Support comes from wise. The smart way to manage the currencies you need around the globe. Fed up with losing out to hidden fees when you send money abroad with your everyday bank, choose the smart way wise. You can count on the exchange rate you'd usually find on Google. No unwelcome surprises. Plus ditch that where's my money feeling. Most transfers arrive in under 20 seconds. Join Millions Saving billions on hidden fees. Be smart, get wise. Download the wise app today. Ts and Cs apply this summer there are 250 reasons to join T Mobile
TED Business Host (Medup Akinola)
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TED Business Host (Medup Akinola)
That was Bill Gurley at TED 2026. The data point that bill gave that only 23% of people said they are thriving and feeling engaged at work is disheartening. And trust me, I know some of those people and you do too. Maybe you're one of them. But I think we should take Bill's point to heart. You have to look beyond these institutions to keep that lifelong curiosity and fascination alive. And sometimes we can turn to our most intimate relationships for that kind of nudge. Maybe you're looking for an Uncle Richard. Maybe you are an Uncle Richard. Maybe you're someone who can help inspire somebody to be curious, to learn something new and to see the world a little differently too. And trust me, it doesn't have to be related to anyone's job. Lord knows, scuba diving is not my job and I want to acknowledge it's not something that's readily accessible to lots of people. But it taught me how to breathe in a new way and it reacquainted me with the feeling of being taught. So take a look at your life, your relationships, your interests, your community and see where you might be able to learn something new or think about something you've always wanted to try and give yourself the permission to finally just do it. Take a friend with you and make it a fun time. And as you move through your routine, through your habits, keep asking yourself, how can I connect with my curiosity? And how can I help someone else connect to theirs too? That's it for today. TED Business is part of the TED Audio Collective. This episode was produced by Hannah Kingsley ma, edited by Alejandra Salazar and fact checked by Julia Dickerson. Special thanks to Maria Ladias, Farrah de Grunge, Daniela Balaurazo, Tansika Sangmanivong and Roxanne hi Lash, I'm Madupa Akinola. Thanks for listening.
Capital One Advertiser
With no fees or minimums on checking accounts, it's no wonder the Capital One bank guy is so passionate about banking with Capital One. If he were here, he wouldn't just tell you about no fees or minimums. He'd also talk about how most Capital One cafes are open seven days a week to assist with your banking needs. Yep, even on weekends it's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank capital1na member FDIC
Bill Gurley
this
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TED Business Host (Medup Akinola)
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TED Business Host (Medup Akinola)
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TED Business Host (Medup Akinola)
Exactly. Best switch I ever made.
Wise and T-Mobile Advertiser
This is just one reason to join T Mobile this summer. There are 250 reasons find yours
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Episode: How to build a career you actually love | Bill Gurley
Date: August 10, 2026
Host: Modupe Akinola
Guest/Speaker: Bill Gurley (Venture capitalist and author)
This episode investigates what it takes to build a truly fulfilling career. Venture capitalist and author Bill Gurley draws on years of research and personal stories to argue that the secret to career excellence and happiness isn’t “following your passion” but rather “following your fascination.” Gurley explores how lifelong learning and curiosity are the engines of thriving professional lives — and why our institutions rarely support this. After the talk, host Modupe Akinola expands on these lessons and offers practical insights for rekindling curiosity in our own lives and careers.
[06:55 - 10:45]
Gurley opens with the story of Danny, a successful salesman with dreams of law school, feeling unfulfilled the night before his LSAT.
Danny's uncle asks why he isn’t pursuing his true fascination: food and restaurants.
Taking this to heart, Danny pivots — taking a pay cut, enrolling in a restaurant management course, working through European kitchens, and ultimately founding Union Square Cafe.
This mindset of obsessive, continuous learning fueled Danny’s multi-decade success (including founding Shake Shack).
“Every time Danny started a new concept, he'd do a year of learning and study before he'd launch. Over 40 years later, still in his DNA…” — Bill Gurley [09:44]
[07:42 - 08:48]
Gurley’s research (over 100 biographies, academic studies, and a Wharton survey) found a key trait among high achievers: obsessive, lifelong learning.
True artisans exist in every field — people who know the craft, history, nuance, and innovation edge of their work.
“Continuous and obsessive learning. They were all lifetime students... They studied throughout their entire career. I'd like to think they thought about their craft as an artisan.” — Bill Gurley [07:58]
Example: Magnus Carlsen, chess champion, wins a chess history trivia contest, showing true fascination beyond skills alone.
[08:48 - 10:28]
Gurley contrasts “passion” (which can be idle, e.g., just enjoying sports) with “fascination” (which drives active, ongoing study).
He references Jerry Seinfeld’s 2024 Duke University commencement speech, quoting:
“You should follow your fascination.” [08:55; attributing Seinfeld]
Fascination naturally leads to learning; you "study automagically."
[10:46 - 12:49]
Fascination brings:
“When you learn about something you're fascinated by, you get energy. You want to smile. That contrast is massive.” — Bill Gurley [11:42]
[12:50 - 13:19]
[13:20 - 15:32]
Structural Issues:
The rise of AI threatens stagnant, unenthusiastic “safe” jobs more than jobs driven by fascination and continual learning.
“If you're not advancing your learning after you leave college, they're catching up. And I don't think it's the jobs we love that are under threat. It's the ones people were ambivalent about already... the quiet quitters.” — Bill Gurley [15:05]
Artisans who embrace technology as a tool (“AI is a jetpack”) will thrive.
[15:32 - 19:31]
Gurley argues that institutions aren’t set up to support customized, individualized paths of discovery.
Instead, individuals — parents, teachers, mentors — must encourage and unlock the fascinations of young people.
Two closing stories:
“Don’t half-ass it.” — Matthew’s father (via Bill Gurley) [17:18]
The most important lever? Everyday “Uncle Richards”: One comment or nudge can change a life.
“Maybe all the world really needs is many, many more Uncle Richards. And I hope there's a bunch of you out there…” — Bill Gurley [19:17]
On fascination vs. passion:
“Passion doesn't invoke work... But fascination comes with the mechanism. When you're fascinated, you study automagically.” — Bill Gurley [08:56]
On learning as energy, not cost:
“When you learn about something you're fascinated by, you get energy. You want to smile.” — Bill Gurley [11:42]
On the threat of AI and the future of work:
“…For these fascinated artisans, AI is a jetpack. They learn faster, they soar higher.” — Bill Gurley [15:27]
On small interventions:
“It doesn't take much. A comment, a nudge, holding up a mirror so they can see maybe what they already knew.” — Bill Gurley [18:47]
[21:38 - 23:51]
Modupe emphasizes Gurley’s core message: The path to deep engagement and satisfaction often runs outside traditional institutions.
Relationships and small nudges from mentors, family, or friends can unlock fascination and learning.
Personal note: Even non-work hobbies (like scuba diving) can rekindle curiosity and fuel professional growth.
“Maybe you're looking for an Uncle Richard. Maybe you are an Uncle Richard. Maybe you're someone who can help inspire somebody to be curious, to learn something new and to see the world a little differently too.” — Modupe Akinola [21:55]
Encouragement for listeners: Seek new learning opportunities, permit yourself to explore, and help others do the same.
For more:
Host: Modupe Akinola @mnakinola on Instagram
Guest: Bill Gurley