Greg and NJ talk with Carine Clark, General Partner at Pelion Venture Partners.  Carine is a three-time president and CEO of high-growth tech companies, specializing in helping companies scale from $10 million to $100 million and more.  Listen as she shares her business and life experiences that speak to focus, determination, and perseverance.  Carine has excelled in both high tech and venture and has been a pioneer and example for women in both these fields.  In addition, she shares her experience as a cancer survivor and shows us all how to face adversity with strength and hope.  The brothers finish with some cover songs that include country, the 70’s and an interesting twist.  

Billions of dollars in revenue are generated every year in colleges sports, with college football leading the way.  In part two of this series, NJ and Greg look at how many universities actually make money on college athletics. Then, the discussion turns to paying college athletes, how would you do it?  The brothers bring Mike in Middle America back into the conversation as they discuss; paying all athletes, paying the revenue generating athletes, paying just the best athletes, paying for name likeness and image and the possibility of letting agents pay the athletes before they turn pro. 

Billions of dollars in revenue are generated every year in college sports, with college football leading the pack.  Greg and NJ look at the top earning college football programs and talk about pay for student athletes.  They bring Mike in Middle America into the conversation as they discuss the value of athletic scholarships and ask if that is enough compensation or should more be done.  And to make it more interesting, two bills have been introduced in Congress to allow student athletes to form a union and collectively bargain for compensation.  It’s O-V-A, OVA is back!  AJ talks about the Yankees and the Pats with a few funny thoughts, and then he just hangs up! 

NJ and Greg talk with Logitech President and CEO, Bracken Darrell, about Logitech doubling down and making some big bets at the start of the pandemic and how those big bets paid off. Bracken shares some of the great things they are doing at Logitech including a successful focus on gaming, and how they are in a strong position coming out of the pandemic.  Bracken is a wonderful storyteller and his story about a meeting he was in with GE CEO Jack Welch is a classic!  Listen as Bracken talks about his career journey and how the tough spots are where you learn the most.  Then the brothers finish the episode with their thoughts on the Yankees, the NBA and Memorial Day.  Happy Memorial Day to everyone and thanks to all those that served and those that made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.

Greg and NJ talk with Overstock.com CEO Jonathan Johnson about his company’s incredible growth during Covid, his career, and how important it is to share leadership while focusing resources against the most important priorities. Listen for great insights around clarity of purpose, developing skills and being willing to stretch and learn.  Then the brothers move to sports and talk about no-hitters in baseball, how the shift contributes to the lack of offense and finally a mention of the NBA to make one of our listeners happy!

NJ and Greg talk with Alix Baudin about the work and mission of Will Packer media.  Alix shares his career path. It is a wonderful example of building on skills and experiences that will enable you to run any business.  Alix talks about the differences between working in big companies and entrepreneurial ones, how you can move from computer science to finance to media if you are willing to put in the work and be humble enough to admit what you don’t know.  

Greg and NJ start the show with sports, Zach is a Jet getting $35million guaranteed, the Spanish Grand Prix leads to a conversation about sustainability and farm to table.  Then the brothers move to a discussion about The Imposter Syndrome and how it impacts 70% or more of high achievers.  There are 5 Imposter Syndrome types. 1. The Perfectionist 2. Superwoman/Superman 3. The Natural Genius 4. The Soloist  5. The Expert. Listen for stories that might help you see if the Imposter Syndrome is impacting you.  And finally, it’s music time and the brothers share a number of cover songs that were bigger hits for the band that covered them then they were for the original artist.  Thanks for listening and take a moment to subscribe to the podcast. 

NJ and Greg cover the draft and then get into a discussion about the characteristics Professional Athletes and Entrepreneurs have in common.  Zach Wilson is taken second overall and BYU has 5 players taken in this year’s draft.  Then we get into the differences between being an Athlete that endorses products and one that starts a business outside of the sport he/she plays. MJ blew it all up in 1984 and the endorsement numbers continue to grow and grow.  Pro Athletes and Entrepreneurs have the following things in common; success driven, not afraid to fail, count on a team to make it work, competition motivates them and they learn, learn, learn.  

Greg and NJ start with sports hot topics; the rise and immediate fall of The Super League, the upcoming NFL Draft, Zach Wilson, and how he is now Collin Cowherd’s new punching bag (does that mean he will finally let Baker Mayfield up?) Then we go into the heart of the episode and talk about what it’s like trying to get promoted at work. And yes, we are a little cynical about all of it.  Listen for the things you need to know and do in order to get promoted.  Watch out for new hoops being added to jump through and moving goal lines all designed to keep you from that next level.  Subjugation in return for safety, not a good equation.

Season 2 Episode 1 opens just like last season, with CBS NFL Analyst Charles Davis sharing his incredible insights on the NFL draft.  The Pesci brothers wanted to focus on QBs and BYU’S Zach Wilson in particular.  Charles gives his honest opinion and shares some surprises you need to look for in the upcoming draft.  Then NJ and Greg talk about the challenges young NFL QBs face trying to lead a group of veterans.