In this episode of Glue Guys, former NFL QB Alex Smith, former NBA player Shane Battier, and venture capitalist Ravi Gupta dive into the fascinating dynamics of loyalty versus transactionalism in sports and business. They explore what it means for an athlete to identify with a single city, debate the merits of "mercenary" players who chase championships or paychecks, and discuss how loyalty impacts team dynamics. The conversation extends to how business leaders handle similar challenges with talent management, when to prioritize talent over team cohesion, and the delicate balance between loyalty to mission versus loyalty to individuals.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ramp.com/gg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

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Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow us on Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @GlueGuys_Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @JoinColossus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:02:34) The Mercenary Debate

(00:03:01) Chasing Championships vs. Chasing Money

(00:13:38) The Homegrown vs. Mercenary Teams

(00:26:17) Loyalty in Business and Sports

(00:39:18) Team Dynamics and Individual Roles

(00:42:34) The Downside of Transactional Hires

(00:44:27) The Importance of Timing in Hiring Decisions

(00:47:28) The Role of Talent and Scarcity in Hiring

(00:55:23) The Concept of Crucible Moments

(01:01:44) The Challenge of Managing High-Talent Individuals

(01:09:58) The Reality of CEO Compensation

Former Giants QB Eli Manning joins Alex, Shane, and Ravi for an incredible conversation about fatherhood, pressure, and leadership. Eli opens up about growing up as Archie Manning's son, dealing with New York media expectations, and his approach to parenting his own kids. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his Super Bowl runs, the emotional end to his 210-game consecutive start streak, and how he's thriving in retirement. The discussion covers youth sports pressures, sibling dynamics with Peyton and Cooper, working with a sports psychologist (which had to be kept secret!), and his transition to media. Plus, hilarious family stories and insights into what made him one of the NFL's most dependable quarterbacks. 

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠⁠, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠ ramp.com/gg⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

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Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/⁠⁠⁠⁠. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Follow us on Twitter:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @GlueGuys_Pod⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠⁠ @JoinColossus⁠⁠⁠⁠

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys
(00:01:28) Introducing Eli Manning: A Football Legend
(00:02:46) Why Pressure Is a Privilege
(00:08:17) The Joy Factor: Why Fun Drives Longevity
(00:12:38) Archie Manning's Retirement Decision
(00:17:40) Early Specialization vs. Playing Multiple Sports
(00:21:49) Facing the New York Media Storm
(00:28:17) Finding Your Own Game
(00:30:05) Mentorship and Working with Sports Psychologists
(00:32:21) The Loneliness of the Starting Quarterback
(00:37:19) Super Bowl Success and a Championship Mindset
(00:39:43) Leadership Style and Locker Room Dynamics
(00:42:35) The End of 210 Consecutive Starts
(00:46:32) Family Bonds and Post-Career Life
(00:52:31) The Art of Storytelling and Roasting
(00:54:46) Legacy Through Dependability

ESPN journalist Pablo Torre joins Shane Battier, Alex Smith, and Ravi Gupta for a thought-provoking conversation about sports media's evolution. Pablo shares his journey from aspiring lawyer to acclaimed sports journalist, discussing how he found his authentic voice in media. The group explores the changing landscape of sports journalism, balancing serious analysis with personal passion, and the value of curiosity as a driving force. Pablo also reveals insights from his podcast "Pablo Torre Finds Out" and reflects on mentorship in an ever-changing industry.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠⁠

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This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠⁠, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to⁠⁠⁠ ramp.com/gg⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit⁠⁠⁠ https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/⁠⁠⁠. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠.

Follow us on Twitter:⁠⁠⁠ @GlueGuys_Pod⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠ @JoinColossus⁠⁠⁠

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:06:58) Curiosity as a North Star

(00:10:43) Finding Your Voice

(00:17:51) Embracing Authenticity

(00:22:07) The Journey to Self-Acceptance

(00:32:13) The Future of Sports Media

(00:35:23) Exploring Niche Markets and Algorithms

(00:44:55) Mentorship and Career Reflections

(00:45:04) The Evolution of Sports Journalism

(00:55:36) Fragmentation and Personalization in Media

(01:02:54) The Value of Shared Experiences

(01:07:13) Acknowledging the Unsung Heroes

The Glue Guys dive into parenthood and what it means to be a good person while raising children. They discuss whether becoming a parent brings out the best or worst in people, how they handle their kids' aspirations, and what single trait they hope their children develop.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠⁠ here.⁠⁠

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This episode is brought to you by⁠⁠ Ramp⁠⁠, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to⁠⁠ ramp.com/gg⁠⁠ to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit⁠⁠ https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/⁠⁠. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up⁠⁠ here⁠⁠.

Follow us on Twitter:⁠⁠ @GlueGuys_Pod⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ @JoinColossus⁠⁠

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:04:41) Personal Reflections on Parenting

(00:06:08) Embarrassing Mother's Day Story

(00:09:05) The Protective Instinct of Parents

(00:12:46) Debating Parenting Styles and Expectations

(00:15:59) The Concept of a Sovereign Child

(00:18:49) Balancing Aspirations and Realities

(00:30:30) Finding Your Calling

(00:32:41) Reflecting on Personal Purpose and Calling

(00:34:31) Mentorship and Helping Others

(00:36:04) Parenting and Personal Identity

(00:38:35) Resilience as a Core Trait

(00:44:37) Gratitude and Agency

(00:55:56) Sibling Rivalry and Family Dynamics

In this candid episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi discuss the art of giving and receiving tough feedback. The trio share their most memorable "chew-out" stories from their athletic careers, debate the balance between demanding excellence and offering support, and explore how to create "productive paranoia" in their children. The conversation extends to parenting challenges, maintaining high standards, and concludes with reflections on Rory McIlroy's Masters victory. 

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠ here.⁠

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This episode is brought to you by⁠ Ramp⁠, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to⁠ ramp.com/gg⁠ to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit⁠ https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/⁠. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up⁠ here⁠.

Follow us on Twitter:⁠ @GlueGuys_Pod⁠ |⁠ @JoinColossus⁠

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:01:38) Alex's Biggest Chew Out Story

(00:08:02) Shane's Biggest Chew Out Story

(00:15:48) Robby's Greatest Tongue Lashing

(00:24:23) Productive Paranoia and Leadership

(00:30:37) Instilling Productive Paranoia in Kids

(00:31:18) The Challenge of Letting Kids Fail

(00:32:31) Encouraging Healthy Competition

(00:35:23) Balancing Love, Respect, and Expectations

(00:38:56) Handling Criticism and Tough Coaches

(00:47:29) The Pressure of High Standards

(00:54:19) Parental Support and Pressure

(00:59:34) The Ride Home: A Crucial Moment

Join The Glue Guys as they sit down with legendary NFL coach Jim Harbaugh in this heartfelt conversation about leadership, family, and football philosophy. Harbaugh shares personal stories from his coaching journey, including his time with Alex Smith at the 49ers, his "Who's got it better than us?" mantra from his father, and his approach to getting the most out of his players. He reveals the meaning behind his blue-collar shirts, his leadership principles, and the inspirational moments that have shaped his coaching style.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:01:55) The Blue Collar Shirt Story

(00:02:48) Harbaugh's Philosophy and Background

(00:05:10) Family Influence and Upbringing

(00:10:07) Coaching Journey and Challenges

(00:12:49) Leadership and Team Dynamics

(00:17:28) Comparisons and Reflections

(00:26:26) Taking the Leap of Faith

(00:28:53) The Golden Rule in Coaching

(00:30:28) Building Team Culture and Connection

(00:36:17) The Power of Enthusiasm and Authenticity

(00:37:35) Work, Don't Worry

(00:42:42) Family and Mentorship

(00:47:08) Ted Lasso and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Glue Guys, the guys debate whether professional athletes should receive equity in their teams. They explore which athletes truly increase franchise value, how equity might change player motivation, and whether ownership stakes could disrupt team dynamics. The conversation delves into sports economics, comparing the NBA's max salary constraints with European soccer's open market, and examines how superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry have been historically undervalued. 

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus

Show Notes:

(00:01:35) The Debate Around Athletes and Equity Compensation
(00:04:42) Player Impact Versus Replaceability Across Sports
(00:08:32) How Equity Changes Motivation and Performance
(00:12:27) Sports Financial Models: European Versus American
(00:16:46) Who Benefits From League Optimization?
(00:19:51) The Monopoly Power of Major Sports Leagues
(00:25:29) Five Factors in Professional Athlete Satisfaction
(00:31:03) Free Agent Contracts and Team Chemistry
(00:34:14) Why Equity is Motivating
(00:37:39) Does Star Player Equity Disrupt Team Dynamics?
(00:42:31) Compensation Transparency in Sports Versus Business
(00:48:15) Why Unicorn Talent Demands Extraordinary Compensation
(00:55:38) Athletes' Weight Management During and After Careers

Former NFL QB Alex Smith, NBA player Shane Battier, and venture capitalist Ravi Gupta have a fascinating conversation about the NFL Draft, risk-taking in sports and business, and talent evaluation. They discuss why teams overreach for quarterbacks despite their low hit rate, the importance of being bold when you have a premier leadership position, and how executives often overestimate the risk of failure while underestimating the randomness of success. 

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:03:00) Quarterbacks: The High-Risk, High-Reward Picks

(00:04:08) Comparing Draft Strategies: NFL vs. NBA

(00:07:57) The Role of Luck and Talent in Draft Success

(00:11:46) Venture Capital and Drafting: A Parallel

(00:20:47) Rookie Training Camp Memories

(00:21:30) The Importance of Taking Risks in Sports

(00:22:17) The Frustration of Playing It Safe

(00:23:19) The Value of Bold Leadership

(00:26:04) The Challenge of Predicting Success

(00:27:46) The Risk and Reward of Draft Picks

(00:34:36) Balancing Boldness and Caution

(00:37:01) The Role of Luck and Skill in Success

In this episode of Glue Guys, Alex, Shane, and Ravi talk with renowned sportswriter Wright Thompson about the complexities of ambition and success. Wright shares insights from his profiles of elite athletes like Jason Tatum and Michael Jordan, exploring the personal costs of excellence, the struggle to balance professional obsession with family life, and how our personal narratives shape us. The conversation reveals powerful parallels between athletic greatness and other forms of achievement, touching on Pat Riley's "Malibu retirement" myth and the universal search for meaning beyond success.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:01:52) Navigating Awkward Beginnings

(00:02:28) Connecting Through Shared Experiences

(00:03:12) The Invasiveness of Writing

(00:04:53) The Unique Lives of Athletes

(00:05:44) The Short Window of Athletic Careers

(00:07:51) The Struggle of Post-Retirement

(00:13:46) The Celtics' Legacy and Modern Era

(00:21:51) Balancing Ambition and Family

(00:28:14) Managing Pressure and Expectations

(00:29:39) The Fleeting Nature of Success

(00:30:10) Different Perspectives on Time and Career

(00:33:43) Faith and Freedom in Sports

(00:35:22) The Edge of Greatness

(00:30:44) The Complexity of Personal Stories

(00:47:49) The Role of Glue People

Jim “Bones” Mackay has seen it all. Three-time Masters champion caddie. The man inside the ropes with Phil Mickelson for 25+ years. And now one of golf’s most respected voices.

In this episode of Glue Guys, Bones joins us for an incredible deep dive into what really happens at Augusta during Masters Week — from the insane pressure players feel to Phil’s wildest shots to Tiger’s mental toughness.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Ramp, the financial operation platform that simplifies everything about how businesses spend money and spend their time. You can manage spend approvals, control your expenses, automate your accounting, track your vendor relationships, book your travel and delight your entire workforce with intuitive business software. Ramp enables you to focus all of your attention on what's most important. Get started now and build a more efficient team and a more profitable business, whether you have five employees or 25,000. Go to ramp.com/gg to sign up for free and receive a $250 welcome bonus. 

—-

Glue Guys is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Glue Guys, visit https://joincolossus.com/series/glue-guys/. 

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @GlueGuys_Pod | @JoinColossus

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Glue Guys

(00:03:34) The Champions Dinner

(00:05:41) Rory McIlroy's Preparation

(00:08:33) The Role of a Caddy

(00:10:32) Phil Mickelson's Iconic Shot

(00:15:06) The Sounds of Augusta

(00:19:02) Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson Rivalry

(00:26:13) Managing Competitiveness

(00:31:40) The Famous Veto Vote

(00:33:26) A Golf Fan's Frustration

(00:34:02) Pioneering Caddy Techniques

(00:37:24) Handling Near Misses and Heartbreaks

(00:41:18) Caddy Camaraderie and Challenges

(00:46:03) The Intensity of Team Events

(00:47:45) Ryder Cup Fever and Rivalries

(00:55:28) Gamesmanship and Mental Warfare

(01:01:04) Legacy and Craft of a Hall of Fame Caddy

(01:03:53) Personal Life and Family Support