Behind the Business with Michelle Toh

By Michelle TohBusiness Entrepreneurship

Behind the Business with Michelle Toh episodes

October 29'Big Short' investor Steve Eisman on the AI boom, markets and private credit | 3 Pressing Questions
Steve Eisman, the investor best known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis who's also portrayed by Steve Carell in the movie "The Big Short," is our guest this week.
Eisman, who now hosts the popular finance podcast "The Real Eisman Playbook," joins us to give his views on the AI boom, how the stock market has essentially become "one trade," and the trouble lurking in private credit.
Plus, he shares his outlook on US stocks, interest rates, and what the much-anticipated IPOs of OpenAI and Anthropic could reveal about the future of AI.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00: Introduction
01:27: Steve's career journey and decision to start his podcast “The Real Eisman Playbook”
02:08: Making the switch from lawyer to financial analyst
03:37: Predicting the 2008 financial crisis
05:33: The erosion of subprime mortgage lending standards - “incentives trump ethics”
06:33: Rising housing prices - “law of physics or accident of history”
07:44: The concentration risk behind the AI investment boom
11:58: Ad
14:40: The risks of an AI price war and the end of “tokenmaxxing”
16:44: What to look for in OpenAI and Anthropic IPO filings
17:56: Why Eisman sees the stock market as one big AI trade
19:56: The biggest bottlenecks to AI growth
20:59: How circular financing fuels the sector
22:31: Why it is harder to measure AI risk than subprime risk
23:26: How private equity changed the IPO market
26:06: Ad
27:27: Interest rates and the risk of a stock market correction
28:54: Why Steve no longer invests outside the US
29:52: Steve’s long-term outlook for US stocks
31:06: Risks in private credit
34:01: Comparing the '08 crisis with the private credit risk
36:50: Rapid-fire round
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment or other professional advice. Special thanks to the NYSE for hosting this recording. This episode was recorded ahead of Anthropic's S-1 filing release.
This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors:
Perplexity Computer — try it for free for a limited time at: http://pplx.ai/BTB

Chime — sign up for 5% cash back at: https://www.chime.com/BTB

FAIRE: Get 50% off your first wholesale order at https://www.faire.com/BTB (Terms may apply)
Subscribe to Steve's podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCzQ2FFVe7m8yIgzXMZtlSjg
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️ About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How'd you first get started when you had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all — and connects guests with audience members who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the AI race in Silicon Valley and Asia, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property crunch. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#Finance #Markets #WallStreet #SteveEisman #RealEismanPlaybook #FinancialCrisis #HousingCrisis #2008Crisis #AIBubble #Anthropic #OpenAI #IPO #StockMarket #MarketAnalysis #PrivateCredit #PrivateEquity #Investment #Investing #FinancialAnalyst #BusinessPodcast

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41 min
October 23Poached by Wall Street’s ‘most powerful woman’ | Ellevest CEO on investing smarter
Women tend to live longer than men, their salaries often peak earlier, and career breaks can interrupt their earnings.
Yet in a previous Ellevest survey, just 36% of women said they invest, compared with 63% of men. Why? And what does it take to change the way women build wealth?
For Sylvia Kwan, the answer starts with rethinking an industry she’d never planned to join.
With a background in computer science and applied math, Kwan originally intended to become a software engineer.
Today, she’s CEO of Ellevest, a financial firm focused on getting more money into the hands of women. She jumped on board after a cold LinkedIn message from Ellevest founder and Wall Street veteran Sallie Krawcheck — and is now helping reshape traditional approaches to investing.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00 - Introduction
01:33 - Jumping from computer science to finance
04:24 - Coming up as a woman in a male-dominated industry
07:39 - The LinkedIn message from Sallie Krawcheck that changed her career
11:02 - Family lessons on women and money
12:54 - The industry's first 'gender-aware' investing algorithm: Designing financial products around the realities of women’s lives
16:26 - What holds women back from investing?
18:09 - Ad
20:48 - How investing habits are changing
23:13 - The "Great Wealth Transfer"
25:32 - How different generations approach investing
26:14 - Inside Ellevest’s all-women financial advisory team
27:48 - Sylvia’s core investing principle amid uncertainty
30:08 - Diversifying your portfolio
34:34 - Balancing cash with long-term investment goals
35:31 - Investing during volatility and building a regular habit
37:26 - Ad
39:36 - Money and wellbeing: Pursuing "wealthcare" and financial success beyond just maximizing returns
42:22 - Carrying on Sallie Krawcheck’s vision
44:05 - How Sylvia never set out to become CEO
47:11 - Unwinding and managing stress
49:33 - The private market opportunity beyond venture capital
51:56 - Sylvia’s market outlook
52:52 - Rapid-fire round
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment or other professional advice.

This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors:
Perplexity Computer — try it for free for a limited time at: http://pplx.ai/BTB

Chime — sign up for 5% cash back at: https://www.chime.com/BTB

Policygenius — see how much you could save on life insurance at: http://policygenius.com/BTB

Vinted — give your clothes a second life and download the app at: https://www.vinted.com/app
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp

🎙️ About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all — and also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property crunch. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#WealthManagement #Investing #PersonalFinance #Leadership #WomenAndMoney #WomenInFinance #FinancialLiteracy #GenderWealthGap #FinancialIndependence #InvestmentStrategy #Markets #FinancialWellness #BuildingWealth #WomenInBusiness #CareerGrowth #BusinessPodcast

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56 min
September 30How to stand out in the attention economy: Samsung US CMO takes 3 Pressing Questions
What do you do when 97% of consumers already know your brand?
Our latest guest is Samsung Electronics America CMO Allison Stransky, who takes 3 pressing questions about winning attention in an increasingly fragmented online world, the future of marketing and where AI fits in.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00: Introduction
01:18: How Allison found her path in marketing
02:45: Lessons from L’Oréal, Google and YouTube
04:50: How Allison landed her role
06:37: The career lesson that changed how Allison reaches audiences
07:54: Competing for attention in an algorithmic market
10:20: Which brands are winning
11:27: Building an influencer and creator strategy
14:54: How Samsung allocates its marketing budget
15:43: Why Samsung skipped the Super Bowl this year
17:13: Ad
18:14: Common generative AI marketing mistakes
19:55: AI skepticism, product bugs and getting it right
21:35: Are we in an AI bubble?
23:03: Inside Samsung’s “Solve for Tomorrow” program — AI fluency for the next generation
26:12: Ad
27:37: How Samsung markets its AI ecosystem
30:03: Daily routine, priorities, and work-life balance
32:16: Building a global marketing strategy37:18: Lessons about data and decision-making
39:02: Rapid-fire round
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors:
QUO: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BTB
FAIRE: Get 50% off your first wholesale order at https://www.faire.com/BTB (Terms may apply)
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️ About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all — and also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property crunch. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow

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41 min
September 24'Proud of where I'm at': Jeremy Lin on life after the NBA, reinvention and redefining success
This week, NBA champion, entrepreneur and investor Jeremy Lin takes us on his journey from underdog to global sports phenomenon.
From going undrafted out of Harvard to finding himself at the center of "Linsanity," Jeremy has had a career unlike almost any other.
Now, a year after retiring, he's building the next chapter of his career and seeking to redefine success beyond basketball.
We get a special peek into Jeremy’s world on and off the court, hear about his ambitions in media, startups and VC, and meet "the one person" whom Jeremy says has helped him and his brand the most: JLIN LLC CEO (and Jeremy's sister-in-law!) Patricia Sun.
In this episode, we dive into:
00:00: Introduction
01:28: Walk & talk at Jeremy's basketball training camp for young AAPI athletes
04:56: How would the students describe Coach Jeremy?
05:54: Developing a winning mindset
07:00: Transitioning to life after retirement
09:24: Find joy in the journey: What he's hoping to pass down to the next generation
11:22: Sitting down with Jeremy in-studio
11:56: Playing at the YMCA: The beginning of Jeremy’s basketball journey
13:10: Why basketball felt like an escape
14:05: The moment the NBA dream actually felt real
14:57: Going undrafted and overcoming self-doubt
17:36: What it felt like to live through Linsanity
19:30: Handling pressure and overthinking
19:54: Highlight moments: Scoring 38 points against the LA Lakers, Kobe Bryant
21:13: Winning the NBA championship — and not feeling enough
23:05: Managing self-talk and criticism
24:33: Learning to be proud of where you’re at
28:01: Chopping a long-term goal into "10,000 small goals"
29:30: Ad
32:10: Rebuilding his career after injury
33:50: Going overseas
34:23: Competing with yourself
36:35: Playing basketball in Asia
37:23: Representation in sports: How perceptions of Asian athletes have changed
35:20: Couch-surfing: Crashing with Landry Fields, his brother and sister-in-law
38:49: Introduction to Patricia Sun, the CEO behind Jeremy Lin's brand 40:50: How Patricia became Jeremy’s business partner
42:10: How Jeremy’s family managed the rise of Linsanity
43:11: Building a global brand strategy
43:54: What being "mission-driven" really means
45:08: Ad
47:32: How to evaluate deals and decipher which ones to turn down
48:11: What it's like to work with family
49:52: Entering the VC world: What the team looks for when investing in startups
51:39: Opportunities in Southeast Asia
52:20: Investment strategy and business vision
54:48: Jeremy’s next big career goal
56:26: The long-term vision for JLIN LLC
58:16: Starting a hydration drinks brand in Taiwan and staying true to their values
01:00:00: Audience question
01:02:20: Cultural differences: Jeremy’s funniest story from playing in both the NBA and CBA
01:03:05: Rapid-fire round
This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors:
Perplexity Computer — try it for free for a limited time at: http://pplx.ai/BTB

Chime — sign up for 5% cash back at: https://www.chime.com/BTB

Policygenius — see how much you could save on life insurance at: http://policygenius.com/BTB

OneSkin — get 15% off with code "BTB" at: http://oneskin.co/BTB
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️ About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property crunch. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bymichelletoh
TikTok: behindthebusinessshow

#jeremylin #linsanity #nba #basketball #athlete #leadership #leadershipmindset #brandbuilding #entrepreneurship #investing #business #leadership #career #careergrowth #careerjourney #startups #sportsbusiness #philanthropy #AsianAmerican #AAPI

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1 hr 7 min
September 10 'Everyone had a black luggage': How Away shook up the travel industry
This week, Away CEO Jessica Schinazi takes us behind one of the most recognizable names in travel — and what it takes to keep building when the market moves faster than ever.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00: Introduction
02:04: From Brazil and France to building a life in New York
02:41: How family dynamics shaped Jessica’s leadership style
03:16: Leadership lessons from Dyson, Amazon and LVMH
06:09: Away’s brand strategy and competitive advantage
08:48: Joining Away at a pivotal moment
11:11: How Away navigated previous leadership challenges and COVID
14:18: Jessica’s approach to fostering a positive company culture
16:17: First priorities as CEO: Why Jessica spent her first year visiting every Away store and factory before putting her strategy in place
19:07 Ad
20:06: Where Away sees opportunity in the market
21:05: Away’s social media and lifestyle marketing strategy
23:32: How brands can navigate copycats and dupes
26:09 Ad
27:31: How Away navigates challenges in a volatile business landscape
29:08: How Away, a poster child of the DTC boom, is expanding into retail and wholesale
32:22: Finding the balance between DTC and wholesale
33:58: Away’s brand partnership strategy
36:48: How Away is rethinking its products around different travelers' pain points — including with a new so-called “closet on wheels”
38:13: Away’s expansion into softside luggage and new categories
41:33: Away’s international growth and localization strategy
45:05: How Away is approaching AI for business and travel
47:28: How Jessica balances daily priorities for sustainable growth
49:30: Jessica's response to potential IPO plans
50:08: Jessica’s 10-year vision for Away
52:17: Audience question
53:46: Rapid-fire round

This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors:
• QUO: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.quo.com/BTB
• MasterClass: Get at least 15% off any annual membership at https://www.masterclass.com/BTB
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 *SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:*
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp

🎙️ About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.

About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow

#ceo #leadership #management #consumerbrands #brandstory #strategy #corporatestrategy #commercialstrategy #travelindustry #lugggage #vc #scaling #womeninbusiness #femaleleadership #business #businesspodcast #away

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58 min
September 03 Peloton’s push into gyms: CEO Peter Stern’s big bet
This week’s guest is Peloton CEO & President Peter Stern. He takes us inside the company’s push to reinvent itself after its post-pandemic struggles — including its latest move into gyms.
Peloton became one of the biggest winners in business during the pandemic, but as consumers returned to gyms and life moved on, the company faced a very different reality.
Stern, a former Apple executive who helped create Apple Fitness+, calls the Peloton job a “dream” opportunity.
In his first year as CEO, Stern has set out to “refound” Peloton around a broader connected wellness ecosystem spanning fitness, mental wellbeing, sleep and recovery.
Plus, Stern shares how he manages Wall Street pressure, the “25” system he uses to help his team sift through priorities, the “one-touch” rule that keeps his inbox from piling up, and where he ultimately wants to take Peloton.

In this conversation, we discuss:
00:00: Introduction
01:24: Peter's career journey and early ambitions
02:45: Lessons from McKinsey and Time Warner Cable
03:55: What Apple taught Peter about subscription businesses
05:58: Lessons from leaving Apple for Ford
09:00: Why Peter chose to take on this challenge — and reaction from friends and family
11:06: Why Peter personally called Peloton’s recruiter to pitch himself
13:44: The "biggest misunderstanding" about Peloton
15:18: Ad
16:34: Strength classes, Pilates and breathwork: Building an overall wellness ecosystem
18:06: “Refounding” the company
20:21: Peloton IQ: What Peloton is really trying to solve with AI
23:06: Balancing Peloton’s hardware and subscription businesses
25:43: Why Peloton is expanding from homes into commercial gyms
29:11: Partnering with hotels32:03: The rise of GLP-1 and why Peter thinks it could actually be good news for the fitness industry
33:53: Peloton’s international expansion strategy
36:06: Balancing Wall Street expectations with long-term growth
38:21: Peter’s long-term vision
40:01: The “25” system that forces the company to prioritize
42:29: Overhauling its entire product lineup and launching four new products in 10 months
42:59: Audience question
45:03: The “one-touch” rule Peter uses to manage his inbox
44:12: Rapid-fire round

This episode is brought to you by Long Angle: https://www.longangle.com/business
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.

👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp

🎙️About Behind the BusinessBehind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.About Michelle TohMichelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.

Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow

#ceo #leadership #management #consumerbrands #brandstory #strategy #corporatestrategy #commercialstrategy #fitnessindustry #wellnessindustry #software #hardware #exercise #siliconvalley #vc #scaling #turnaround #business #businesspodcast

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50 min
August 27 Canva's 'biggest shift': AI, design and the future of work
Joining us this week is Cameron Adams, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Canva — the company that has simplified online design and become one of the world’s fastest-growing tech platforms.
What began in 2013 has grown into Australia’s most valuable private tech company, valued at as much as $40 billion and backed by investors including former Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Canva has transformed how people create everything from presentations and social posts to party invitations — taking a once-gatekept industry and making design accessible to more than 265 million people each month. The company has crossed billions of dollars in annual revenue and is now doubling down on AI as it enters its next phase of growth.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00: Introduction
01:30: From law school to design and entrepreneurship
07:28: Cameron’s early entrepreneurial instincts
03:10: Choosing passion over a traditional career path
04:17: What Google Wave taught Cameron about product development
07:00: Story of building Fluent and its failure
08:52: The connections that brought Canva’s co-founders together
09:46: Why Cameron initially turned down the opportunity to join Canva
12:17: Cameron’s accident hours before Canva’s launch
14:51: How Canva scaled to more than 265 million monthly users
16:52: How Canva built a truly localized global product
18:12: Ad
20:11: When should founders trust their intuition over user and investor feedback?
22:34: Why Canva scrapped its social networking features
23:04: How luck and timing shaped Canva’s success
24:18: Fundraising lessons for startup founders
26:37: How Cameron went from a shy kid to a confident public speaker
27:51: Canva’s strategy for competing with Adobe and Microsoft
29:14: How Canva built and maintains its global user community
31:27: The company’s biggest product shift with Canva AI 2.0
34:50: The challenges of building Canva AI 2.0
36:22: Has AI-powered design overcome its early limitations?
37:36: AI Boom vs. early innings
39:26: Will AI replace entry-level creative roles?
41:17: Cameron Adams on Canva’s IPO plans
42:03: Cameron’s approach to philanthropy and the Giving Pledge
45:08: Cameron’s long-term vision for Canva
46:11: Audience question
47:33: Rapid-fire round
Note: This episode was recorded in April 2026.
Check out Cameron's own new podcast, Prompted: https://promptedpodcast.com/
This episode is brought to you by our show sponsors:
Quince: Get free
shipping on your order and 365-day returns at https://www.quince.com/BTB |
QUO: Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months at
https://www.quo.com/BTB
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How did you get started when you practically had no money? Or how do you mentally prep for a big event? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#Leadership #Entrepreneur #Founder #Design #Unicorn #Scaling #Growth #Startup #Technology #Tech #Australia #EntrepreneurialJourney

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
49 min
August 06 How to travel for less: The Points Guy takes 3 Pressing Questions
Joining us this week is The Points Guy founder Brian Kelly.
He turned what started as a personal blog while working at Morgan
Stanley into one of the world’s leading travel media platforms — shaping
how millions of consumers spend, earn and think about travel.
In our special new segment, “3 Pressing Questions,” Brian weighs in on
hot topics shaping travel today, and explains how he built a top creator
business that sold for tens of millions of dollars.
From why flights feel so expensive right now, to how industry shifts
could affect your wallet, to common mistakes to avoid when booking a
trip, Brian breaks down what’s worth paying for today.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00: Introduction
01:28: Starting The Points Guy as a side hustle
05:57: Why the points game isn't dead
06:38: How points really drive US airlines
11:28: How to get started in the points game
16:38: Selling The Points Guy
18:22: Advice to other entrepreneurs on building a brand
23:24: Stepping down as CEO and being honest about your own strengths
24:27: When should we expect airfares to come down, if at all?
25:22: Industry consolidation — outlook for United, American, Delta, Spirit and JetBlue
26:36: 'Debundling' of airline prices and how carriers are working to 'maximize every single square centimeter on the plane'
29:16: With current volatility, should we be booking all our flights ahead now?
30:30: Creating a 'couch' in economy: Brian's take on airlines' new cabin concepts
33:12: 5-star hotels, cruises and yachts: Where Brian sees the best value in luxury travel right now
35:10: Tips and tricks to make the most of your trip
38:31: Brian's biggest travel recommendation this summer
39:53: How US airlines compare to those abroad
42:04: How Brian's son Cooper became the youngest person to ever visit all 7 continents
45:07: Long-term view: Brian's end game
47:01: Rapid-fire round
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of
brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton,
Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes
Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced
video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal.
This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with
thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff,
while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work?
How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment
you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each
episode also connects guests with audience members who send in a
question. New episodes every Thursday.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a
longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business,
including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate
response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and
China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has
reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#Travel #Blogger #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #CareerStory #CreatorEconomy #BusinessPodcast

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54 min
July 23 Poppi to PepsiCo: Building a $2B soda brand the industry couldn't ignore
Joining us this week is Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth, who takes us behind the rise of one of America's fastest-growing beverage brands — from a kitchen counter experiment to a nearly $2 billion acquisition by PepsiCo.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00 Introduction
01:15: Growing up in a household of entrepreneurs, gaining confidence as a dancer and working cleaning bathrooms
03:28: Starting Poppi inside Allison's kitchen
05:11: The trial-and-error process
06:26: Allison's previous life working in oil and gas
07:31: Starting to sell at farmer's markets and being discovered by Whole Foods
08:49: Going all in— the truth behind the "overnight success,” including at one point almost losing their home and selling both cars
12:44: Product breakthrough after Allison's co-founder husband snuck sugar in
15:04: Pitching on "Shark Tank" while nine months pregnant
23:16: The rebranding and relaunch as Poppi
29:39: "Embarrassment is the most under-explored emotion when it comes to success"
30:45: The "black ops" budget/ playbook that helped Poppi stand out in one of the world's most competitive industries
33:05: Why Poppi gave equity to employees, advisors and ambassadors like Alix Earle — and how it actually fueled the company's growth
36:59: The rise of prebiotic sodas and competition like Olipop
40:55: Landing the PepsiCo deal — a landmark sale that underscored the rise of challenger brands in consumer goods
43:43: The emotional reality of handing over the company she and her husband built
44:15: What's next for Allison
47:36: Audience question
48:57: Rapid-fire round
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#Poppi #PepsiCo #Acquisition #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #CareerStory #WomeninBusiness #FemaleFounder #BusinessPodcast

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57 min
July 14 Beyond EVs: Rivian founder & CEO RJ Scaringe on AI, robotics and the next big bet
Joining me this week is RJ Scaringe, founder & CEO of Rivian, the electric automaker backed by Amazon and Volkswagen.
RJ has wanted to build cars for as long as he can remember — telling his father at age 10 that he hoped to one day start an automotive company.
Years later, in 2009, he took the leap. There was "no money, no team, no technology, no suppliers, no brand and no production infrastructure," as he puts it.
Now, as the company launches a new vehicle, doubles down on AI and autonomous driving, and charts a path to steady profitability, RJ takes us through the lessons from building an automaker from the ground up — and one of the world's most closely watched EV companies.
In this conversation, we dive into:
00:00 Introduction
01:26: Early beginnings
07:06: Starting Rivian from a clean sheet in 2009, post-recession
12:31: Navigating skepticism and 'comically bad' investor meetings in the early days
16:04: Meeting Jeff Bezos and securing Amazon's investment
17:24: Entering the market with its first two vehicles, the R1T and R1S
21:57: Launch of the R2 this year
25:22: Near-term challenges: supply chain risks
31:19: Challenges in EV sector and RJ's outlook
33:35: Balancing Wall Street's short-term expectations with long-term vision
37:00: Rivian's intended path to steady profitability
38:42: Why Rivian developed its own AI chip
40:42: Self-driving vehicles
47:43: Teaming up with Volkswagen
48:20: RJ's new venture, Mind Robotics
52:27: Factory automation
53:47: RJ's end game
56:29: Rapid-fire round
🚀 Season 2 of Behind the Business is here, featuring the leaders of brands including Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, The Points Guy and Away. New episodes Thursdays.
👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB
Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA
Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB
Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp
🎙️About Behind the Business
Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders/ CEOs who send in a question. New episodes every Thursday.
About Michelle Toh
Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
Find her on Instagram: / bymichelletoh
TikTok: / behindthebusinessshow
#Autos #EVs #Entrepreneur #Startup #Founder #CEO #Leadership #AutonomousVehicles #SelfDrivingCars #Robotics #Mobility #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #WallStreet #AI #Technology #CareerStory #BusinessPodcast

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1 hr 3 min

About Behind the Business with Michelle Toh

From the publisher's feed

Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning video podcast hosted by CNN and FORTUNE alum Michelle Toh that explores the decisions and philosophies behind some of today's most influential leaders. Its new season features the leaders of Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Samsung, Canva, Revolve, Peloton, Poppi and Away.