Podcast
Worthy for Thirty: Where stories of leaders doing good while doing well are told!
Hosted by Eric Tash · EN
Host Eric Tash sits down with leading industry leaders to discuss how they're doing good while doing well, and why. How are these leaders able to unlock deeper meaning from their work by infusing their core, fundamental values?
www.worthyforthirty.com
www.worthyforthirty.com
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Sam Stewart and Mad Hippie Built a Beauty Brand With Purpose, Patience, and Persistence
6d ago00:40:20Tap to summarizeWhat do sun damage, surf sessions, and a stubborn founder’s instinct have to do with building a beloved skincare brand? A lot, actually. In this episode, I had a chance to speak with Sam Stewart, co-founder of Mad Hippie (Dana, his wife, is his co-founder), to unpack how a personal problem while living in Nicaragua turned into a purpose-driven beauty brand with staying power.Sam’s story is a great reminder that meaningful businesses are rarely built in a straight line. My mind immediately went to the childhood parable ‘tortoise vs. the hare.’ Mad Hippie began with late nights, a chemist friend, dozens of product iterations, a scrappy SEO strategy, and a willingness to listen when the market said, “not yet.”Use promo code WorthyforThirty at checkout for 15% off your orderFrom Surfboards to SkincareSam and his wife were living in Nicaragua, surfing often, and noticing the toll all that sun was taking on their skin. Instead of shrugging it off, they got curious. They started exploring ingredients that could help protect skin from oxidative stress, testing ideas, and eventually building the first versions of what would become Mad Hippie.What’s interesting is how real the origin story feels. This wasn’t a big-VC-backed launch or a polished brand concept dreamed up in a boardroom. It was a real problem, a real lifestyle, and a real attempt to build something they could believe in. ‘Purpose-driven businesses don't start with a pitch deck. They start with a problem you've lived with long enough that solving it becomes personal.’ - Serial Entreprenuer, Michael LazerowThe Long GameOne of the clearest themes in the conversation is that building a durable company takes patience, humility, and repetition. Sam discussed the 50+ iterations of early products, learning that surfers weren’t the best core audience, and then pivoting toward a larger natural skincare market.That willingness to adapt mattered. So did the discipline to keep going when a Whole Foods buyer told him no one in Boston would buy a product called ‘Mad Hippie.’ Instead of taking that as a final no, Sam treated it as feedback, kept refining, and eventually entered the Whole Foods region by region before scaling nationally. Persistence is key, especially when you’re driving value.Building With IntentA big part of Mad Hippie’s appeal is that the brand’s values weren’t added later as marketing polish or a facade. They were built into the brand’s DNA from the beginning (sounds similar to Mission Craft Cocktails, for instance). Sam explains how the company has donated a dollar from every web sale to conservation, used recyclable and sustainably sourced packaging, and built recycling programs that make it easier for customers to do the right thing.That intentionality also shows up inside the business. Mad Hippie invests in employee benefits, values respectful communication, and hires with cultural fit in mind. Sam is clear that building a good company means treating people well: customers, team members, and the planet included.“We try to pay well, you know, every employee gets a 401k with a 4% match. We have a gold level insurance plan that every employee is working 30 plus hours, which is really everyone can join. We pay 85% of that ourselves.” - Sam Stewart, Co-Founder, Mad HippieLessons For Founders* Start with a real problem, not a trend. Mad Hippie came from Sam and his wife noticing sun damage in their own lives, then building around that need. Get curious! * Expect your first idea to be wrong. The brand began by targeting surfers, then pivoted when that audience didn’t respond the way they hoped.* Iterate until the market gives you a signal. Sam described making about 50 versions before landing on products and packaging that resonated.* Let scrappiness be an advantage. Early SEO helped Mad Hippie attract tens of thousands of site visitors a month without a huge budget.* Don’t confuse a ‘no’ with a final answer; treat it as a ‘not yet.’ A Whole Foods buyer initially dismissed the name, but Sam and the brand kept improving and eventually scaled through the chain.* Build a company you can be proud of. From packaging to donations to hiring, Sam kept returning to the question: Does this feel good, useful, and aligned?* Hire people who are not the same as you. Sam emphasized the value of putting together a team with diverse strengths, not just people who think like the founder.* Keep learning longer than feels necessary. Sam credited books, podcasts, and relationships with other entrepreneurs for helping him grow over time.Why It Resonates NowThis conversation lands because it speaks to a moment so many founders are in right now: overloaded channels, shifting consumer behavior, AI search, TikTok Shop, influencer fatigue, and the pressure to grow fast. Sam’s and what I imagine the company’s perspective are refreshingly grounded. He and his team are not chasing shiny-object tactics; they’re focused on authority, consistency, long-term partnerships, and staying useful to the customer.That makes this episode especially valuable for entrepreneurs who are trying to build something meaningful without burning out or losing the plot. It’s a reminder that the best brands usually aren’t the loudest ones; they’re the ones that remain consistent and stay true to their values even as they scale!‘Til next time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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Elisa Camahort Page on Doing Good Without Losing the Plot
2w ago00:41:35Tap to summarizeBefore this conversation, Elisa Camahort Page had already helped shape an important chapter in digital media by co-founding BlogHer, one of the earliest and most influential platforms built to center women’s voices online. In this Worthy for Thirty podcast episode, that foundation becomes the basis for a larger conversation about what it really takes to build something meaningful: not just a company, but a community; not just momentum, but trust; not just growth, but staying aligned with your values as the stakes rise. Elisa speaks with the clarity of someone who has lived through the messy middle of entrepreneurship and come out with a sharper sense of what matters most.“Our mission was to create opportunities for community, education, exposure, and economic empowerment for women who blogged.” - Elisa Camahort PageWhat makes this conversation especially valuable is that it doesn’t stay in the abstract. Elisa is clear about the choices founders face when mission and monetization collide, and she offers a first-hand point of view molded by years of building, scaling, and evolving in public. For aspiring entrepreneurs, that means a rare chance to hear how ideas become reality when they are combined with discipline, patience, and a desire to start before everything is perfect. For the seasoned entrepreneur, it’s a reminder that experience does not completely remove uncertainty; rather, it simply teaches you how to make better decisions inside it.A major throughline of Elisa’s experience is the importance of optional thinking: not getting trapped by one path, one identity, or one definition of success. Elisa’s reflections on community-building, capital, authenticity, and AI point toward a more flexible model of leadership, one that values adaptation without losing purpose. She makes a compelling case that entrepreneurship is not only about scale but also about judgment: who you work with, what you protect, and how you decide what “enough” looks like.Key takeaways* Build for the people you serve, not for abstract scale or something ephemeralImplication: The strongest businesses grow from a clear understanding of what your audience actually needs, not just wants.How to implement: Spend time listening before growing or expanding; talk to customers regularly, identify recurring pain points, and let their real-world problems shape your roadmap.* Treat mission as an operating system, not a slogan.Implication: Values should be a guide for daily decisions, not just marketing language or a tacticHow to implement: Use your mission to evaluate partnerships, hires, pricing, and product choices, and ask whether each move strengthens or dilutes your core purpose.* Don’t confuse funding with success.Implication: Capital is a tool, not a trophy.How to implement: Define milestone-based funding needs, explore alternatives to venture money, and raise only when the capital clearly advances a specific next step.* Protect authenticity by setting boundaries.Implication: Being real does not mean sharing everything.How to implement: Decide in advance what you will and won’t disclose, create clear personal and brand boundaries, and stay consistent in how you show up across channels.* Stay flexible about what success looks like.Implication: Entrepreneurship is a moving target, and your strategy should evolve with it.How to implement: Revisit your goals quarterly, assess whether your current model still fits your life and business, and be willing to change course when the facts change.* Use AI as leverage, not replacement.Implication: New tools can expand your capacity without replacing your judgment.How to implement: Use AI to brainstorm, prototype, research, and draft faster, then apply human judgment to decide what is useful, ethical, and worth pursuing.For newer founders, the takeaway is to build with intention and stay close to the people you serve. For experienced founders, the reminder is to keep questioning whether your current model still matches your values, your market, and your life. Elisa’s story ultimately suggests that the most durable businesses are built by people who know how to hold both ambition and integrity at the same time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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What Bobby Gibson, Co-Founder, LuxGive, wants nonprofit leaders to know
3w ago00:47:18Tap to summarizeHow do nonprofits raise more without adding more strain to already stretched teams? What a great way to extend last night’s celebration of an incredible nonprofit with a slew of Broadway stars; a new epsiode with a founder who’s doing exceptional work in the space!On this episode of the Worthy for Thirty podcast, I sat down with Bobby Gibson, Co-founder of LuxGive, to unpack a model that is helping nonprofits turn luxury travel into a smarter fundraising engine. Bobby breaks down how LuxGive works as a no-risk, high-touch partner: nonprofits set a reserve price, keep everything above it, and only pay LuxGive through that reserve price if the experience sells. A win-win for everyone!“We think of ourselves as far more than just [some] sort of a fundraising platform or a travel business. Increasingly thinking of ourselves as an infrastructure layer.” - Bobby GibsonWhat makes this conversation especially relevant for nonprofit leaders is that Bobby is not offering a generic fundraising pitch; rather, he is describing an infrastructure layer designed to make auctions streamlined and intuitive, more professional (hello, concierge service), and more effective. Bobby details how LuxGive helps nonprofits with curation, marketing collateral, a nonprofit portal, concierge-level service, and a consultative process that matches the right experience to the right audience. He also described one of the biggest epiphanies for partners: a single LuxGive destination experience can be sold multiple times, allowing nonprofits to monetize a broader slice of their audience than they could with a one-off donated item. Think in experiences, not specific weeks. The data is supportive.The broader nonprofit landscape makes this approach timely. A 2025 NonProfit PRO report found that 77% of nonprofit professionals reported consistent or increased auction revenue, and 90% expected that trend to continue, signaling that auctions remain a durable fundraising channel worth optimizing. At the same time, donor-engagement research continues to show that trust, clear impact, and compelling experiences matter; Yale researchers found that framing a nonprofit as a source of solutions (like a consumer experience, making it frictionless) significantly increased intent to donate, and that trust-building, data-driven communication, and emotional connection all strengthen engagement. LuxGive sits right at that overlap, helping nonprofits showcase an experience that feels premium to donors while generating meaningful revenue for mission-driven work. Psst, past non-profit guests, you’ll be hearing from me. For nonprofit leaders, the takeaway is straightforward: this episode is worth your time if you want to rethink auctions as more than an annual event and see them as a strategic tool for revenue, donor excitement, and relationship-building. Or better yet, you’ve been reluctant to try auctions because you may think it doesn’t fit in your model. Bobby and team would like to tell you differently. Bobby and his co-founders’ perspective is especially invaluable because they’re steeped in hospitality; having started and sold Travel Keys to Accor, which then turned into onefinestay before they turned their sights on the nonprofit world.Any nonprofit leader I’ve spoken to has said raising money is #1 on their priority list. If your team is looking for new ways to raise more while creating better donor experiences and reducing operational friction, this conversation will give you a fresh lens on what’s possible. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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Peter Tuchman on Trading, Volatility, and the Long Game
4w ago00:44:23Tap to summarizePeter Tuchman — aka the Einstein of Wall Street — has spent more than four decades inside the noise, adrenaline, and emotional whiplash of Wall Street, and this episode captures why that matters now more than ever. In a market shaped by algorithms, viral headlines, AI, prediction markets, and nonstop volatility, Peter offers something increasingly rare: a human take on what actually moves prices, confidence, and behavior.Fun fact: Peter is the longest-tenured active trader and one of the most photographed traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.Also to the creators reading this: take the risk. Reach out. Send the cold email. I met Peter at a SXSW panelThis conversation is not just about trading. It is about how people make decisions under pressure, how fortunes are built and lost, why markets punish emotion, and why discipline still wins when the world is moving faster than common sense. Peter’s story runs from his New York City roots and family resilience to the NYSE floor, where he learned that opportunity rewards those who keep showing up.If you are a founder, investor, creator, or simply someone trying to make better decisions in a noisy world, this episode is worth your time because Peter connects market mechanics with life mechanics. He makes the case that investing is not a get-rich-quick fantasy; it is a long-game discipline, a probability game, and a way to build a legacy instead of buying more stuff.Peter is not looking backward. Through Wall Street Global Trading Academy, he and his partner, David Green, are training retail traders, both new and seasoned, with structure, mentorship, and risk awareness instead of hype. That matters because the barrier to entry into equities trading is lower than ever, but the barrier to staying in the game is still high.What makes this episode especially resonant is Peter’s larger perspective: he sees the market as a living organism shaped by war, oil, AI, social media, institutional behavior, retail enthusiasm, and the psychology of fear and greed. He also sees the upside in all of it, especially for younger people willing to learn, adapt, and treat the market like a vocation rather than a casino.I encourage you to listen to this episode, which will leave you thinking differently about money, attention, risk, resilience, and what it takes to create value in a world that rewards both speed and substance. It is a conversation with practical takeaways, but it is also a reminder that behind every chart is a human story, and behind every winning strategy is a mindset.“Wall Street is not a get-rich-quick scheme.”What this means nowThe implications extend beyond trading. Peter’s perspective suggests that the winners are the people who can identify signal in noise, control downside, and avoid turning a temporary edge into a permanent loss. In today’s business landscape, that translates to clearer decision-making, faster adaptation, and stronger risk discipline when markets, customers, or platforms suddenly shift.He also makes a strong case that accessibility changes the game, but not everyone who enters survives it. That reflects what we see in business: lower barriers to entry create more competition, but the people who last are the ones who learn the rules, manage cash flow, and keep their heads when everyone else is chasing the next shiny thing.Steps to consider* Treat every major decision like a trade: define the upside, downside, and exit before you start.* Build a habit of taking profits or locking in wins earlier instead of waiting for perfection.* Stop confusing motion with progress; not every market move, business trend, or opportunity deserves your capital or attention.* Invest in what you understand and observe in daily life, whether that is consumer behavior, software adoption, or brands people already use.* Separate excitement from conviction. If your thesis cannot survive volatility, it is probably just a mood.* Keep building skills that compound over time: judgment, patience, pattern recognition, and emotional control.* Use setbacks as data, not identity. Peter’s message is that resilience is not optional; it is the price of entry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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How Luke Mickelson Turned One Bed into a National Movement
May 1300:42:00Tap to summarizeRemoving PainWhen a child goes to sleep on a floor, a couch, or a pile of clothes, something far deeper than comfort is missing. It is hard to overstate what a bed means: safety, dignity, rest, routine, and the quiet belief that home is a place that holds you.That is the heart of my conversation with Luke Mickelson, Founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the nonprofit that began with one simple act of service and grew into a national movement serving children in more than 350 chapters across the U.S. and beyond. What started as a local response to a child in need became a model for how purpose, community, and operational clarity can scale in ways that change lives.Luke’s story is compelling because it is grounded in something many leaders understand naturally: once you see a problem and truly feel it, you are no longer free to dismiss it. In the episode, he describes discovering that children in his own town were sleeping on floors, on pallets, and on makeshift bedding, and how that realization turned a garage project into a mission with lasting impact. That same pattern shows up in other community responses, like One House at a Time’s Beds for Kids program in Philadelphia, which has provided beds and bedding to more than 15,000 children and youth since 1998.The need is bigger than most people realize. Sleep in Heavenly Peace says roughly 2-3% of American children are without beds, a figure that becomes even more sobering when paired with the broader reality that millions of children live in poverty and that sleep deprivation is already widespread among young people. The CDC has reported that more than three-quarters of high school students were not getting enough sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students sleeping less than seven hours were more likely to report poor mental health and difficulty doing schoolwork. In other words, bedlessness is not just isolated to housing, it affects education, physical health, and, invariably, a child’s future.“Big moments result from tiny moments in action, right?” - Luke MickelsonLuke also offers something especially valuable for founders, owners, and operators: a practical operating philosophy. He illustrates how the mission becomes stronger when it is made tangible, repeatable, and local. Sleep in Heavenly Peace did not try to solve everything at once; it built a chapter model, empowered communities to own the work, and turned volunteer energy into a scalable system. That is a lesson that applies just as much to for-profit leadership as it does to nonprofit work.What This Teaches LeadersLuke’s approach points to short but clear takeaways that leaders can apply right now:* Make the problem visible. Luke did not build a brand around theory; he built it around a real child, a real need, and a real community response.* Turn service into an operating system. Sleep in Heavenly Peace grew because it created a chapter model that allowed others to participate without centralizing every decision. Therefore, equipping people to solve the problem in their own towns, not just admire the problem from afar* Let the mission do the marketing. When people understand the impact, they want to help, and the mission becomes the message.* Use emotional clarity to drive practical action. The strongest movements do not begin with complexity; they begin with a problem people obsess about.For nonprofit leaders, that means designing an organization that is easy to join, easy to fund, and easy to trust. For for-profit leaders, it is a reminder that people rally behind businesses that stand for something concrete and human. Luke’s story provides evidence that a company or cause becomes more powerful when it moves from abstraction to clear action.Why It MattersA bed may seem simple, but for a child, it can change the entire rhythm of life. Safe sleep supports emotional regulation, physical health, and learning readiness, while chronic sleep loss has been linked to behavior challenges, mental health strain, and difficulty in school. When a child finally gets a bed, they are not just receiving furniture; they are receiving a place to rest, recover, and grow. “If you want true joy in this life, you got to stop thinking about yourself, and see how you can help someone else.” - Luke MickelsonThere is also a sobering operational truth in Luke’s work: the demand is still enormous. Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s own reporting has highlighted a significant waiting list and a need that far outpaces current capacity, which is why the chapter model matters so much. This is what scalable compassion (empathy + action) looks like: not just feeling the need, but building infrastructure that helps more people respond to it.How To Apply ItIf Luke’s episode leaves a mark, the next step is action. Here are a few ways to put the insights into practice:* Audit your own mission for hidden pain points. Ask what need you are solving that people may not fully see yet.* Create a simple entry point for participation. Whether it is volunteering, donating, or partnering, make it easy to take the first step.* Build a local activation model. Local leaders often move faster and care more deeply because they are closest to the problem.* Pair the story with data. The emotional pull becomes stronger when it is reinforced by credible third-party evidence.* Treat generosity like an operating principle, not a campaign. Luke’s model shows that sustainable impact comes from consistency, not one-off events.* If you lead a team, use service as culture-building. Shared work toward a meaningful goal can deepen loyalty, purpose, and trust.Luke Mickelson’s story is a reminder that some of the most important work in the world begins quietly, in a garage, with a question most people overlook. And sometimes, changing a child’s night changes their entire future. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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Curiosity Over Consumption: How Curious Elixirs Is Rewriting the Ritual of Drinking
May 600:44:21Tap to summarizeThe Big IdeaWhat if the future of social connection isn’t about what’s in your glass, but how it makes you feel?In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with J.W. Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, to unpack a deceptively simple idea: the most powerful businesses don’t just solve a problem, they reimagine a behavior.Use code THIRTY10 at checkout for $10 off orders of $50 or more Curious Elixirs isn’t just a non-alcoholic beverage company. It’s a cultural intervention steeped in presence, intentionality, and the belief that rituals matter more than substances.For founders, operators, creators, and marketers, this conversation is a masterclass in building something that doesn’t just compete but reframes the category entirely.“We’re 11 years into a 40-year mission to transform how we drink socially.” - JW WisemanThe Throughline: Build for How People Want to FeelJ.W.’s journey didn’t start with a market gap. It started with a personal inflection point: after a night of 20 drinks and no hangover, something felt off, not physically, but existentially.That moment sparked a question that would define the business:“What if drinking could feel just as meaningful, without the alcohol?”That question became the foundation of Curious Elixirs, and it reveals the deeper throughline of this episode:The best brands don’t just deliver a product. They design a feeling.Curious isn’t selling beverages. It’s selling:* Presence over numbness* Ritual over routine* Inclusion over exclusion — hello, thriving communityAnd that shift, from product to feeling, is where the opportunity lives for any builder.What Makes Curious Elixirs DifferentJ.W. didn’t set out to replicate alcohol. He rejected that premise entirely.Instead, Curious Elixirs is built on three core principles:1. Stack, Don’t SubtractThey don’t remove alcohol from existing drinks. They build from the ground up using botanicals, adaptogens, and flavor layering.2. Occasion-Based DesignEach drink maps to a moment:* A Negroni alternative for aperitivo hour* A “beer” for post-workout refresh* A red wine for unwinding3. Flavor + FunctionEvery product is designed not just to taste good, but to do something:* Calm focus* Relaxation* Social easeThis is a blueprint for modern CPG: utility meets experience.Then vs. Now: Category Creation in Real TimeIn 2015, the non-alcoholic category was essentially:* Soda* Water* JuiceNo menus. No rituals. No identity.Today, it’s a movement.But as J.W. points out, we’re still early:“Maybe we’re 10% of the way there.”That’s the opportunity—and the challenge.Lessons for Founders, Operators, and Creators1. Start With Personal Truth, Not Market TrendsThe best ideas don’t come from spreadsheets. They come from lived experience. Jeff Boyd, Co-Founder, MTE, created the original formula out of his need to find a natural energy supplement without the negative effects of caffeine or stimulants.J.W. didn’t ask:* “Is there a market for this?”He asked:* “Why doesn’t this exist for me?”That’s a more powerful starting point.2. Design for the Occasion, Not the CategoryPeople don’t buy products. They buy moments. Remember Eliza Blank, Founder, The Sill, who realized that ‘plants make people happy?’Ask:* Where does this show up in someone’s life?* What replaces the habit you’re disrupting?Curious wins because it understands the ritual of drinking, not just the act.3. Build Culture, Not Just DistributionFrom 100-city cocktail parties to community-driven events, Curious invests in belonging. Mark your calendar: May 13th is the Great Curious Cocktail Party. Because in the end:People don’t just want better products. They want places to belong.4. Iterate Relentlessly (and Publicly)J.W. openly admits the latest batch isn’t perfect.That’s not a weakness, it’s a strategy.* Listen deeply* Adjust or iterate quickly* Improve continuouslyPerfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.5. Ask Better QuestionsFor early-stage founders, J.W. offers a simple framework:* What flavors do you love?* What feels underserved?* What already exists, and can it be better?Curiosity isn’t branding. It’s operating discipline.6. Community Is the MoatProducts can be copied. Community cannot.Whether it’s:* A sober bar* A dinner party* A shared experienceThe real value is in the people, not the product.“The community focus is what people are most thirsty for… you build it one customer at a time, one bar stool at a time.” - JW WisemanThe Bigger Shift: From Consumption to ConsciousnessThis episode taps into something larger than beverages.It’s about a generational shift:* From excess → intention* From escape → presence* From isolation → connectionAnd that shift is opening entirely new categories.Actionable TakeawaysIf you’re building something, or contemplating, start here:1. Run the “Feeling Test”What does your product make people feel, and is that clear?2. Map the RitualWhere does your product live in someone’s day or life?3. Build With Your Early CommunityYour first 100 customers are your co-creators.4. Start With SubtractionWhat can your audience remove from their life—and what replaces it?5. Stay Curious, Not CertainThe best founders aren’t the ones with answers.They’re the ones asking better questions.Closing ThoughtCurious Elixirs isn’t trying to eliminate alcohol.It’s offering something more interesting:a choice.And in that choice lies a powerful idea for any builder:You don’t have to fight the old system.You can create something people would rather choose. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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Turning Intention into Measurable Action
Apr 2900:39:38Tap to summarizeImpact in your own backyardIn this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Sapreet Saluja, Executive Director of New York Cares, to discuss what it really takes to turn compassion into action at scale. New York Cares is the largest volunteer organization in New York City, and Sapreet leads efforts to connect everyday New Yorkers with urgent community needs across the city, from winter coats and meals to tutoring, tax prep, senior support, and more. What made me think most was not just the size of the impact, but the operating system behind it: a thoughtful, human, and highly organized approach to service that any founder or operator can learn from.Sapreet’s background spans the private sector, civil rights, education, youth leadership, and community service, and that mix gives her a uniquely useful lens on leadership. We talked about how purpose is not something that belongs only in the nonprofit world. It can show up inside a startup, a brand, a team, or a business model, if you build it intentionally. That idea reminded me of the kind of leadership we’ve seen from entrepreneurs like Yvon Chouinard at Patagonia or Whitney Wolfe Herd at Bumble: leaders who’ve demonstrated that mission and business performance are not mutually exclusive paths. The best organizations, whether for-profit or nonprofit, make it easy for people to participate in something bigger than themselves.Sapreet also broke down how New York Cares creates meaningful volunteer experiences by removing friction, designing for accessibility, and making sure there is a true fit between the need and the person showing up to help. As a quick reference, Sapreet and her team work with over 400 nonprofits, schools, and city agencies that support these vital causes! That part especially resonated with me because it applies far beyond volunteerism. The same principle is true when building a company, a podcast, or a team: if you want people to engage, you need to make it simple, clear, and emotionally rewarding to do so. In other words, impact is not just about having good intentions; it’s about building the infrastructure that helps those intentions move.We also discussed what impact measurement really means. It’s easy to count inputs, but much harder to understand outcomes. That’s true in business, too. Are you just tracking activity, or are you actually changing someone’s life, work, or day-to-day reality? Sapreet’s perspective was a compelling reminder that meaningful leadership requires both heart and rigor. If you want to do good while doing well, you have to measure what matters, listen closely to the people you serve, and stay open to learning from the private sector without losing your values.For me, one of the biggest takeaways was this: people are hungry to feel connected, useful, and part of something larger than themselves. Especially in a world with increased automation, and Ai becomes louder and louder by each passing minute. That is true in New York City, and it is true in business. Whether you’re building a company, launching a project, or simply trying to be more intentional with your time, you can take a page from New York Cares by making service easier to access, more human, and more joyful. Start small, remove friction, invite others in, and keep asking whether your work is really creating the kind of impact you want to be known for. Or better yet, the world around you is reflective of your values. “I’m someone who’s on a quest to build the world I want to live in.” - Sapreet Saluja🔑 Takeaways* Make your mission easy to understand and easy to join.* Measure outcomes, not just activity.* Build for belonging, not just conversion.* Look for ways your daily work can create real human connections.* Borrow the best systems from business without losing the heart of your mission.Daily ApplicationIf you want to apply what Sapreet shared, start with one simple question: What is one way I can make it easier for someone to participate, contribute, or feel seen today? That could mean simplifying a process at work, checking in on someone outside your usual circle, volunteering a few hours, or making your own product or service more accessible. The point is not to do everything, it’s to build or create systems that make an impact on your everyday life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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The financial rule we’ve all accepted…might be broken
Apr 1500:38:06Tap to summarizeThis conversation with Kaleido Life Co-Founder Craig Du Bruyn isn’t really about life insurance; it’s about rethinking where value lives in our lives.For decades, financial products have trained us to think in straight lines: save now, access later. Protection today, payout tomorrow. But Craig and his co-founder are challenging something deeper. Why is so much of our financial value locked in the future when real life is happening right now?The origin of Kaleido Life comes from a deeply human moment, a sudden loss that exposed just how transactional and delayed traditional life insurance can feel. That spark led to a bigger question: what if the same system designed to protect your family after you’re gone could actually support you while you’re here?And that’s where this episode becomes bigger than life insurance.The Real Insight: Value Isn’t the Problem, Access IsCraig reframes the entire category with a simple but powerful idea: most people’s wealth isn’t behind them, it’s ahead of them.Traditional finance looks backward:* Credit scores* Income history* Assets already accumulatedBut Kaleido Life is asking: what if we underwrote people based on their future earning potential, not just their past?That shift, from backward-looking to forward-looking, isn’t just relevant to insurance. It’s already reshaping multiple industries:* Education → Income share agreements (betting on future earnings instead of upfront tuition)* Creator economy → Platforms advancing cash based on projected revenue* Housing → Shared equity models replacing traditional mortgages* Fintech → Companies like Affirm are redefining how consumers access purchasing powerKaleido Life is applying that same logic to one of the oldest, most untouched categories in finance.“Ninety percent of most people’s wealth still lies ahead of them, not behind them.” - Craig Du BruynA Familiar Pattern: New Models Feel Obvious… After They WorkCraig’s comparison to Uber is more than a metaphor; it’s a blueprint.At first:* “Why would I get into a stranger’s car?”* “Why would I trust an app with my transportation?”Now:* It’s second nature.The pattern is consistent across disruptive businesses:* Skepticism* Early adopters* Evangelists* NormalizationCraig’s insight is that education often follows experience, not the other way around.In other words: don’t wait for people to understand—give them something worth experiencing.Practical Takeaways for Business LeadersIf you’re building, scaling, or trying to disrupt a legacy space or category, this episode is filled with applicable lessons:1. Find trapped valueEvery industry has it: capital, data, time, or access that’s sitting idle.Your opportunity is to unlock it.👉 Ask yourself: Where is value being underutilized in my industry?2. Reframe the category, don’t just improve itKaleido Life isn’t making life insurance “better,” they’re reframing what it’s for.👉 Instead of optimizing features, ask: What is this product actually meant to do, and is that still true?3. Build for a different entry pointTraditional insurers target people looking for life insurance.Kaleido Life targets people who need liquidity.👉 Growth often comes from changing who you’re speaking to, not just what you’re offering.4. Design for evangelism, not just adoptionCraig isn’t chasing millions of users on day one; he wants thousands who tell others.This mirrors ideas popularized by author Seth Godin: small groups of believers can move markets.👉 Ask: Would someone tell a friend about this tomorrow? If not, why?5. Don’t over-index on skepticsEvery breakthrough sounds wrong at first:* Cars replacing horses* Streaming replacing cable* Remote work replacing offices👉 If your idea makes everyone comfortable, it’s probably not that new.The Deeper Shift: From Protection to PossibilityWhat makes this conversation compelling isn’t just the product; it’s the philosophy.Traditional life insurance is about protection against worst-case scenarios.Kaleido Life is betting on something different:* Funding a wedding* Paying down debt* Taking a dream trip* Starting a new chapterIt moves the narrative from “What happens if I die?” to “What becomes possible while I’m alive?”Why This Matters NowWe’re in a moment where people expect more flexibility from everything:* Work is flexible* Money is flexible* Ownership is flexibleFinancial products that don’t evolve toward access + optionality risk becoming irrelevant.Kaleido Life could be an early signal of where that shift is heading.Final ThoughtThe most interesting companies don’t just build new products; they challenge assumptions or long-held beliefs we didn’t even realize we had.This episode is a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunity isn’t creating something new……it’s unlocking new utility. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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The hidden cost of “always on” leadership:' one founder’s wake-up call after a global exit
Apr 100:36:49Tap to summarizeWhat if the thing fueling your ambition is also quietly draining it?That’s the quandary that sits at the center of the conversation I had with Jeff Boyd, Co-Founder, MTE (More than Energy). He is someone who has lived on both sides of the equation.Before co-founding MTE, he helped scale a logistics company across 100+ countries, saying “yes” to opportunity before knowing how it would work. It’s the kind of scrappy, figure-it-out-as-you-go mindset you see in companies like Airbnb in its early days, say yes, then figure it out afterwards. That line of thinking worked. The company grew, thrived, and ultimately exited.But here’s the twist: success didn’t feel like success.Behind the scenes, Jeff was running on fumes powered by stress, caffeine, and the cultural belief that burnout is just the cost of ambition.And that realization became the basis for something entirely different, where obsession became a business. From “Say Yes” to “Something’s Off”In his first company, Jeff helped build a global operation by refusing to say no. A call from North Carolina? Yes. A shipment to France? Yes. Cape Verde? Sure—then figure out where it is.That relentless bias toward action is something you’ll recognize in companies like Amazon, which obsess over the customer and then build the infrastructure to support them.But while the business scaled, something else quietly broke: his energy.Not the hustle. Not the drive. The foundation underneath it.“From the outside, I looked like I was in my prime. Internally, I was just fried.” - Jeff Boyd, Co-Founder, MTEIt’s a familiar story for high performers. You win externally while losing internally—and you don’t even notice until you stop.The Real Problem: Not Lack of Energy, But How We Get ItWhat Jeff discovered wasn’t just personal; it was systemic.We’ve built an entire culture around stimulation over sustainability.Coffee → energy drink → afternoon crash → repeat.It’s a loop. A flywheel. And not the good kind.Think about how Starbucks became a global staple, not just by selling coffee, but by embedding itself into daily ritual. Now layer in modern hustle culture, and suddenly energy isn’t optional; it’s survival.But Jeff saw the gap:What if energy didn’t have to come with a crash?Building MTE: A Product That Starts With “No”Where most brands begin with price points and margins, Jeff started somewhere else entirely:“I just wanted to build the perfect product for myself.”That meant saying no a lot.* No caffeine* No sugar* No artificial sweeteners* No cutting corners on ingredients (even expensive ones like saffron)This is where the story starts to mirror brands like Patagonia, build with conviction first, optimize later. The product becomes the marketing.And it worked.Instead of chasing trends, MTE built something fundamentally different:* Energy without spikes* Focus without jitters* Recovery is built into the experienceNot a quick fix, rather a system upgrade.The Founder Advantage: Not Knowing the RulesOne of the most powerful threads in this conversation is Jeff’s “outsider advantage.” Sound familiar? Marcin and Amit from Mission Craft Cocktails also had the same epiphany and stance.He didn’t come from the supplement industry. He didn’t know the “right” way to do things.Which meant he didn’t inherit the same limitations.It’s the same pattern we saw with Warby Parker disrupting eyewear or Dollar Shave Club rethinking grooming—fresh eyes create better questions.And better questions lead to better products.While others asked:“How do we make this cheaper?”Jeff thought:“I didn’t start with price. I just wanted to build the perfect product for myself, and then we’d figure the rest out.”That shift changes everything.The Lesson Most Founders MissThere’s a moment in the conversation that deeply resonates:Jeff and his team did extensive research. Thousands of surveys.Customers said:“If it works, I don’t care how it tastes.”Reality?They absolutely cared.It’s a classic founder lesson, one that companies like Netflix learned early when user behavior contradicted stated preferences.People don’t always tell you the truth. Their actions do.Instead of resisting that insight, Jeff leaned into it.Made the product taste great.Turned a weakness into a strength.That’s the difference between a product people try—and one they stick with.Redefining Energy (and Success)Zoom out, and this isn’t just a story about supplements.It’s about identity.Who are you when you’re not running on stress?What happens when your baseline isn’t burnout, but balance?Jeff’s vision for MTE isn’t to win shelf space.It’s to reshape how we think about energy altogether.Not:“How do I get through the day?”But:“How do I feel good while doing it?”That’s a much bigger game.So…Where Do You Start?If you’re building something, or even just trying to rebuild your own energy, Jeff’s philosophy is surprisingly simple:1. Stop Borrowing From TomorrowIf your current system creates crashes, it’s not sustainable.Whether it’s your business model or your daily routine—fix the foundation first.2. Build (or Choose) for How You Want to FeelNot just output, but experience.Energy, focus, clarity, and recovery should work symbiotically, not against each other.3. Start, Then Learn FastYou don’t need a perfect plan. You need momentum.Clarity comes from action, not overthinking.At its core, this episode is a reminder:You can scale a business.You can win the game.But if you’re not careful, you might build it on a system that can’t sustain you or isn’t authentic to you or aligned with your core fundamental values.Jeff Boyd chose to rebuild that system, from the inside out.And that might be the most valuable kind of entrepreneurship there is. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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She walked away from her dream at 20 and found her life’s work
Mar 1800:39:38Tap to summarizeWhat does it really mean to lead, especially when you’re handed something iconic?In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Elizabeth Sobol, CEO of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like catching up with a wise friend who’s lived a few lifetimes and learned and gained from each one.Elizabeth’s story doesn’t begin in the C-suite. It started when she was a 13-year-old leaving home to follow her classical piano dream, chasing excellence with everything she had, until she made a realization that changed everything. Hearing peers who surpassed her technically, she made a decision that many high-achievers struggle to make:She let go.But instead of walking away from music, she moved closer to its impact, shifting from performer to champion of artists. That pivot led her to a decades-long career at IMG Artists and later Universal Music Group, where she helped shape the careers of world-class talent.And yet, her most meaningful chapter may have started when she thought she was done.From Achievement to AlignmentFour days into “retirement,” living in Florida, Elizabeth got a call about leading SPAC. Her initial reaction? Hard no.But something nudged her to visit.And that’s where the story changes.She describes arriving in Saratoga Springs and feeling something click: a natural sense of belonging. Not ambition. Not a strategy. Something deeper.That moment echoes a similar theme we’ve seen in leaders like Howard Schultz returning to Starbucks or Satya Nadella reshaping Microsoft, the shift from scaling success to stewarding purpose.“Let your ambition ride, but find the thing that anchors you, so you’re not just chasing what’s in front of you, but listening to what’s in your heart.” - Elizabeth SobolFor Elizabeth, SPAC wasn’t just a role. It was a return to nature, to community, to service.Leadership as Service (Not Just Results)One of the most striking throughlines in this conversation is how Elizabeth defines leadership:Service first. Results second.That wasn’t always the case. Early in her career, the language of business was about performance, metrics, and outcomes. Words like “gratitude” and “compassion” weren’t part of the vocabulary.“Service is the word. It’s the lens through which I now understand everything I’ve done—and everything I try to do.” - Elizabeth SobolToday, they’re foundational.And it shows up in the smallest details.She shares a moment when a guest approached her on the SPAC grounds and said every single employee she encountered from the box office to ushers exuded kindness.That’s not training. That’s culture.It’s reminiscent of what Danny Meyer built at Union Square Hospitality Group: the idea that if you take care of your people, they take care of everyone else.At SPAC, kindness isn’t a tactic. It’s the product.Reinvention Is a SkillElizabeth calls herself “restless” in the best way.Over 35 years at IMG, she continuously reinvented her role, expanding beyond classical music into broader cultural programming. She didn’t wait for permission; she followed curiosity.That instinct, to evolve from within, is something we’re seeing across sectors today.Think about Reed Hastings shifting Netflix from DVDs to streaming to content creation. Or nonprofit leaders rethinking delivery models post-pandemic.The takeaway?Longevity isn’t about staying put, it’s about staying in motion.Access Is the MissionIf leadership is service, then access is the strategy.Under Elizabeth’s leadership, SPAC has expanded from serving 5,000 students to over 60,000 annually. That includes:* Free tickets for veterans and underserved communities* Partnerships with over 100 local organizations* Programs for individuals with disabilities* Taking the arts into communities, not just asking communities to come to them* In partnership with Skidmore College, SPAC creates immersive, intergenerational arts experiences like pairing students with older adults in community-based dance programs to combat isolation, foster connection, and measure the deeper social impact of the artsThis isn’t just programming, it’s equity in action.And it aligns with a broader movement across institutions, from The Metropolitan Museum of Art expanding free access initiatives to leaders like Darren Walker pushing for cultural institutions to become more inclusive and community-centered.Elizabeth puts it simply: “Those stages belong to everyone.”The Business Case for Human ConnectionIn a world increasingly driven by automation and AI, SPAC is doubling down on something analog:Human connection. (Side bar: my personal thesis is we’ll see the automation pendulum swing back to more human connection — watch the micro!)Elizabeth points to emerging research showing that engagement with the arts activates empathy and compassion. In other words, experiences like concerts, dance, and storytelling don’t just entertain—they heal.That idea is gaining traction across industries. Companies are investing in experiences, not just products. Communities are prioritizing spaces that bring people together.SPAC sits at a unique intersection of nature, art, and community, all designed to create moments of awe.And in Elizabeth’s words, what could be more important than that?“You have to be willing to jump into the deep end before the water drains out.” - Elizabeth SobolBuilding for the Next ChapterLooking ahead, Elizabeth is focused on transforming SPAC into a fully year-round institution, anchored by a newly renovated 500-seat theater and expanded programming across culinary, literary, and healing arts.It’s a reminder that even legacy institutions can and must evolve. Just like us as individuals. Because stewardship isn’t about preserving the past.It’s about making it relevant for the future.Final ThoughtThere’s a moment in the conversation where Elizabeth reflects on luck vs. hard work. Her answer?It’s both, but luck favors those willing to jump before they have all the answers.For mission-driven leaders, that might be the takeaway:Follow the pull. Do the work. Stay open to reinvention. And build something that serves more than just yourself.Listen to the full conversation on your favorite podcast platform. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.worthyforthirty.com
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