Description
Feauturing the Worlds Top Entrepreneurs and Creators
Brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Description
Feauturing the Worlds Top Entrepreneurs and Creators
Brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
52 episodes


Alison and Stephen Ellsworth, founders of Poppi, share how they went from early-stage struggles and personal health challenges to building and exiting a $2 billion beverage company. They discuss risking financial stability, validating their product through real customers, leveraging viral content for growth, and navigating the realities of scaling a business as a married couple. This episode explores entrepreneurship, brand building, leadership, and the mindset required to sustain long-term success. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
56min | Published on April 2, 2026


Bill Gurley, legendary venture capitalist and early investor in Uber and Zillow, shares the principles behind identifying billion-dollar companies. He reflects on missing the Google opportunity, lessons from evaluating thousands of founders, and why execution consistently beats ideas. The conversation explores network effects, founder psychology, venture capital decision-making, and how young investors can build an edge in emerging industries. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
57min | Published on March 26, 2026


John Caudwell, founder of Phones 4u, built a billion-pound empire from scratch and exited for £1.5 billion after two decades of relentless growth. Starting with monthly losses and facing near collapse after losing 95% of his supply, he rebuilt through sharp commercial instincts and strategic hiring. In this episode, he shares lessons on scaling to 10,000 employees, hiring elite talent, navigating ruthless suppliers, and building wealth on thin margins. He also discusses philanthropy, legacy, and why success ultimately goes beyond money. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
52min | Published on March 20, 2026


Robert Croak is the founder of Sillybandz, the global toy brand that exploded into one of the biggest product crazes of the 2010s, selling billions of units worldwide. In this episode he shares the story behind discovering the idea in China, scaling from 17 to over 3,000 employees, and building a brand that reached hundreds of thousands of retail stores. Croak also breaks down lessons on entrepreneurship, venture investing, product-market fit, and the wealth habits that separate successful founders from the rest. This conversation dives deep into execution, failure, and building businesses that scale globally. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
1h12 | Published on March 12, 2026


Ben Pogue is the CEO of one of America’s fastest growing construction companies, generating over $1.5 billion in annual revenue. After unexpectedly taking over the business at age 29, he navigated personal hardship, public industry controversy, and massive leadership pressure. In this episode, Ben shares how culture, faith, and people-first leadership transformed his company into a powerhouse with industry-leading client retention. The conversation explores crisis leadership, scaling teams, building billion-dollar companies, and the mindset required to endure the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
52min | Published on March 4, 2026


Forbes Riley is the “Pitch Queen,” known for selling over $2.5B in products across TV, infomercials, and live demonstrations, including 64,000 units in 24 hours and $1.2M in a day. In this episode, she breaks down the pitch structure that creates instant desire, third-party proof, urgency, and closes without over explaining. She also shares the personal adversity that shaped her obsession with communication, confidence, and legacy. A tactical masterclass on getting “yes” faster without sounding like a salesperson. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
58min | Published on February 25, 2026


Vic Tipnes is a healthcare entrepreneur who built a dominant sleep testing company after starting with almost nothing. In this episode, he breaks down the low point of having $78 in his account, the long grind before the breakthrough, and the aggressive deal-making that helped him take market share fast. He also explains why service is a competitive weapon, why “money loves speed,” and how leadership and purpose attract top talent. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
56min | Published on February 18, 2026


Myron Golden is a renowned business consultant and sales strategist known for turning content into cash flow through offers, authority, and value-based selling. In this episode, he breaks down why income follows value—not effort—why “time is money” is a trap, and how to use the law of averages to win in sales. He also shares his faith-based framework for decision-making, mentorship, and building a fulfilled life through creation, connection, and contribution. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
1h05 | Published on February 11, 2026


Jim Keyes led some of the most iconic companies in the world, including serving as CEO of 7 Eleven during one of the most volatile periods in its history. He breaks down how growing up dirt poor shaped his leadership edge, why 7 Eleven’s bankruptcy nearly ended the company, and how seeing crisis as opportunity changed the trajectory of his career. We also cover what actually saves companies in free fall, why fear kills more businesses than bad strategy, how equity creates real wealth, and the leadership decisions most CEOs avoid when the stakes are highest. This episode is a blueprint for navigating collapse, leading at scale, and building a career that turns chaos into opportunity. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
53min | Published on February 6, 2026


Vic Keller founded 17 companies and exited 9 of them, including three sales to Berkshire Hathaway. He breaks down how growing up blue collar shaped his edge, why getting punched in the mouth early almost killed his first business, and how rebuilding instead of quitting changed everything. We also cover what real buyers look for, why cheap deals are not worth the pain, how to deleverage the founder, and the hidden cost of exits when selling the business means losing relationships too. This episode is a blueprint for building companies that survive bad weather and outlast the founder. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
59min | Published on January 29, 2026
Description
Feauturing the Worlds Top Entrepreneurs and Creators
Brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
52 episodes


Alison and Stephen Ellsworth, founders of Poppi, share how they went from early-stage struggles and personal health challenges to building and exiting a $2 billion beverage company. They discuss risking financial stability, validating their product through real customers, leveraging viral content for growth, and navigating the realities of scaling a business as a married couple. This episode explores entrepreneurship, brand building, leadership, and the mindset required to sustain long-term success. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
56min | Published on April 2, 2026


Bill Gurley, legendary venture capitalist and early investor in Uber and Zillow, shares the principles behind identifying billion-dollar companies. He reflects on missing the Google opportunity, lessons from evaluating thousands of founders, and why execution consistently beats ideas. The conversation explores network effects, founder psychology, venture capital decision-making, and how young investors can build an edge in emerging industries. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
57min | Published on March 26, 2026


John Caudwell, founder of Phones 4u, built a billion-pound empire from scratch and exited for £1.5 billion after two decades of relentless growth. Starting with monthly losses and facing near collapse after losing 95% of his supply, he rebuilt through sharp commercial instincts and strategic hiring. In this episode, he shares lessons on scaling to 10,000 employees, hiring elite talent, navigating ruthless suppliers, and building wealth on thin margins. He also discusses philanthropy, legacy, and why success ultimately goes beyond money. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
52min | Published on March 20, 2026


Robert Croak is the founder of Sillybandz, the global toy brand that exploded into one of the biggest product crazes of the 2010s, selling billions of units worldwide. In this episode he shares the story behind discovering the idea in China, scaling from 17 to over 3,000 employees, and building a brand that reached hundreds of thousands of retail stores. Croak also breaks down lessons on entrepreneurship, venture investing, product-market fit, and the wealth habits that separate successful founders from the rest. This conversation dives deep into execution, failure, and building businesses that scale globally. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
1h12 | Published on March 12, 2026


Ben Pogue is the CEO of one of America’s fastest growing construction companies, generating over $1.5 billion in annual revenue. After unexpectedly taking over the business at age 29, he navigated personal hardship, public industry controversy, and massive leadership pressure. In this episode, Ben shares how culture, faith, and people-first leadership transformed his company into a powerhouse with industry-leading client retention. The conversation explores crisis leadership, scaling teams, building billion-dollar companies, and the mindset required to endure the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
52min | Published on March 4, 2026


Forbes Riley is the “Pitch Queen,” known for selling over $2.5B in products across TV, infomercials, and live demonstrations, including 64,000 units in 24 hours and $1.2M in a day. In this episode, she breaks down the pitch structure that creates instant desire, third-party proof, urgency, and closes without over explaining. She also shares the personal adversity that shaped her obsession with communication, confidence, and legacy. A tactical masterclass on getting “yes” faster without sounding like a salesperson. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
58min | Published on February 25, 2026


Vic Tipnes is a healthcare entrepreneur who built a dominant sleep testing company after starting with almost nothing. In this episode, he breaks down the low point of having $78 in his account, the long grind before the breakthrough, and the aggressive deal-making that helped him take market share fast. He also explains why service is a competitive weapon, why “money loves speed,” and how leadership and purpose attract top talent. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
56min | Published on February 18, 2026


Myron Golden is a renowned business consultant and sales strategist known for turning content into cash flow through offers, authority, and value-based selling. In this episode, he breaks down why income follows value—not effort—why “time is money” is a trap, and how to use the law of averages to win in sales. He also shares his faith-based framework for decision-making, mentorship, and building a fulfilled life through creation, connection, and contribution. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
1h05 | Published on February 11, 2026


Jim Keyes led some of the most iconic companies in the world, including serving as CEO of 7 Eleven during one of the most volatile periods in its history. He breaks down how growing up dirt poor shaped his leadership edge, why 7 Eleven’s bankruptcy nearly ended the company, and how seeing crisis as opportunity changed the trajectory of his career. We also cover what actually saves companies in free fall, why fear kills more businesses than bad strategy, how equity creates real wealth, and the leadership decisions most CEOs avoid when the stakes are highest. This episode is a blueprint for navigating collapse, leading at scale, and building a career that turns chaos into opportunity. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
53min | Published on February 6, 2026


Vic Keller founded 17 companies and exited 9 of them, including three sales to Berkshire Hathaway. He breaks down how growing up blue collar shaped his edge, why getting punched in the mouth early almost killed his first business, and how rebuilding instead of quitting changed everything. We also cover what real buyers look for, why cheap deals are not worth the pain, how to deleverage the founder, and the hidden cost of exits when selling the business means losing relationships too. This episode is a blueprint for building companies that survive bad weather and outlast the founder. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
59min | Published on January 29, 2026