Brendan Kane didn’t break into Hollywood through connections. He started out making coffee on film sets. Spotting the untapped power of MySpace and YouTube, he launched one of the first influencer campaigns, catching the attention of studio executives and A-list actors like Jason Statham. That bold move launched his journey from Hollywood to advising global icons such as Taylor Swift and Rihanna on social media strategy. In this episode, Brendan joins Ilana to reveal how he built one million followers in just 30 days, the formula for going viral, and the psychology behind grabbing and holding attention.

Brendan Kane is a digital marketing expert who has helped top celebrities, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurs dominate social media and generate millions in revenue. He specializes in data-driven strategies that drive massive social media engagement.

In this episode, Ilana and Brendan will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:07) His Childhood Love for Movies and Storytelling

(03:17) Breaking into Hollywood Without Connections

(08:16) The Bold Move That Led to Working With A-List Actors

(10:37) Diving into Tech and Working with Taylor Swift, Rihanna, etc

(17:51) Lessons from Managing $100M in YouTube Ad Spend

(22:06) Uncovering the Secrets to Social Media Success

(27:40) How Brendan Hit a Million Followers in 30 Days

(34:51) Strategies for Marketing Bestselling Books

(39:10) How to Adapt to Ever-Changing Platforms

(44:01) Low-Cost Strategies to Stand Out on Social Media

(45:35) Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Brendan Kane is a digital marketing expert who has helped top celebrities, Fortune 500 companies, and entrepreneurs dominate social media and generate millions in revenue. Known for building a following of over 1 million in just 30 days, Brendan specializes in data-driven strategies that drive massive social media engagement. He is the bestselling author of One Million Followers, Hook Point, and The Guide to Going Viral, where he reveals proven methods for scaling influence in today’s noisy digital world.

Connect with Brendan:

Brendan’s Website: brendanjkane.com 

Brendan’s Instagram: instagram.com/brendankane 

Resources Mentioned:

Get Brendan’s Book, The Guide to Going Viral, for FREE: hookpoint.com/leap 

Download Brendan’s Book, Hook Point for Free: hookpoint.com 

Brendan’s Book, One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days: https://www.amazon.com/One-Million-Followers-Updated-Following/dp/195066547X 

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

George Kurian’s journey from a modest upbringing in Kerala, India, to becoming CEO of NetApp is an extraordinary story. George worked cafeteria shifts and construction jobs to pay his way through Princeton before climbing the ranks at Oracle, McKinsey, and Cisco. In this episode, George opens up about the weight of being a “rookie CEO” responsible for 12,000 people, the discipline of saying no to 97% of ideas, and the humility it takes to lead through uncertainty. He and Ilana explore resilience, focus, and the future of AI, while revealing how diverse experiences and family values shaped his leadership philosophy.

George Kurian is CEO of NetApp, a Fortune 500 data infrastructure and cloud services company. Under his leadership, NetApp has strengthened its cloud-first and data services strategy, growing into a $20 billion company.

In this episode, Ilana and George will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:20) Family Role Models and Upbringing

(06:00) Landing a Princeton Scholarship and Learning to Survive

(09:20) Lessons from Oracle and McKinsey

(13:50) Why George Left Cisco to Join NetApp

(16:45) How Cafeteria Work Inspired NetApp’s Engineering Process

(19:40) The ‘30-30-30’ Rule for Driving Organizational Change

(22:40) George’s Journey to Becoming CEO Overnight

(26:30) First-Time CEO Challenges and Leadership Struggles

(30:40) Why a CEO Should Say “No” to 97% of Ideas

(33:10) Betting on Cloud Partnerships Instead of Competing

(37:15) The Power of Choosing Your Path and Tackling Hard Problems

George Kurian is CEO of NetApp, a Fortune 500 data infrastructure and cloud services company. Before joining NetApp in 2011, he had built a diverse tech career that included leadership roles at Oracle, McKinsey, Cisco, and Akamai. Under his leadership, NetApp has strengthened its cloud-first and data services strategy, growing into a $20 billion company.

Connect with George:

George’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/georgekuriannetapp

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Klaus Kleinfeld’s journey from a difficult childhood in Germany to leading two Fortune 500 companies, Siemens and Alcoa, was anything but easy. He experienced  the true cost of leadership: the loneliness of making impossible decisions and the grit to push forward when every alternative seems bleak. In this episode, Klaus joins Ilana to share how resilience and freedom shaped his leadership philosophy. They dive into his shift from time management to energy management, exploring lessons from sports, breathing techniques, and mindset practices that helped him lead various multi-billion dollar businesses without burnout. 

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is a German entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Siemens AG, Alcoa Inc., and ARconic. He is also the founder and CEO of the investment firm K2Elevation and was named director of Saudi Arabia's Neom initiative, later becoming an advisor to the Crown Prince.

In this episode, Ilana and Klaus will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:01) Early Life and Family Tragedy

(07:31) East vs. West Germany and Freedom

(12:01) His Love for Problem-Solving

(18:01) Creating a Strong Feedback Culture

(23:31) Becoming the CEO of Siemens

(30:01) The Loneliness of Leadership

(35:31) Letting People Go with Respect

(40:01) Facing Fear and Regret

(45:31) Energy Over Time Management

(50:01) Building a Passionate and High-Performance Team

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is a German entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Siemens AG, Alcoa Inc., and ARconic. He is also the founder and CEO of the investment firm K2Elevation and was named director of Saudi Arabia's Neom initiative, later becoming an advisor to the Crown Prince. As the author of Leading to Thrive, Klaus offers a framework for blending personal well-being with strategic leadership. 

Connect with Klaus:

Klaus’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/klauskleinfeld

Resources Mentioned:

Klaus’s Book, Leading to Thrive: Mastering Strategies for Sustainable Success in Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Thrive-Mastering-Strategies-Sustainable/dp/1544546718

The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Regret-Looking-Backward-Forward/dp/0735210659

Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi: https://www.amazon.com/Open-Autobiography-Andre-Agassi/dp/0307388409

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Nathan Blecharczyk, co-founder of Airbnb, built his first software business as a teenager, earning nearly a million dollars before shutting it down to attend Harvard. Years later, Nathan and his roommates turned an air mattress idea into Airbnb, facing investor rejection, financial hardship, and moments when quitting seemed inevitable. From creating satirical cereal boxes to joining Y Combinator after a near-failed interview, Nathan’s story is one of perseverance and resilience. He shares how Airbnb overcame early struggles, scaled globally, and survived COVID-19 to go public successfully.

Nathan Blecharczyk is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb, where he helped grow the platform from a spare air mattress idea to a $75 billion global travel company. According to Forbes, he is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $9 billion.

In this episode, Ilana and Nathan will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:36) Building a Software Business as a Teen

(05:28) Harvard, First Job, and the Decision to Move West

(11:58) The Birth of AirBed & Breakfast

(15:07) Landing Their  First Guests and Gaining Early Validation

(18:03) Investor Rejection and the Obama O’s Cereal Stunt

(30:45) Applying to Y Combinator and Getting In

(36:29) Finding Evangelists and Meeting Hosts in New York

(42:34) From $200 a Week to $4,200: Airbnb’s First Growth Curve

(44:59) Global Expansion, Competitors, and Building Teams Abroad

(52:22) The 2020 Crisis: COVID, Collapse, and Reinvention

(59:21) The Future of Travel 

Nathan Blecharczyk is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Airbnb, where he helped grow the platform from a spare air mattress idea to a $75 billion global travel company. A Harvard graduate and self-taught programmer, Nathan has been instrumental in Airbnb’s international expansion and strategy, navigating challenges from investor rejection to the COVID-19 crisis. According to Forbes, he is one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $9 billion.

Connect with Nathan:

Resources Mentioned:

Leap Academy:

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

After 12 years of working in corporate advertising, Case Kenny launched a podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis? as a personal experiment. In its first month, the show drew 57,000 downloads, yet Case kept it hidden, afraid it didn’t fit his professional image. Over time, he embraced his vulnerability, created bestselling guided journals, and built a brand helping millions live more optimistic and mindful lives. In this episode, Case joins Ilana to share how a side project turned into a multi-million-dollar portfolio career, why regret is his decision-making compass, and how choosing the right words can change the way you live.

Case Kenny is an author, entrepreneur, and host of the globally recognized podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?. Known for his work in mindfulness and personal growth, he has built a multi-million-dollar brand through writing, guided journals, and speaking engagements.

In this episode, Ilana and Case will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:42) From Language Studies to Corporate Advertising

(05:07) Starting the Podcast Without Clarity

(07:43) Overcoming the Fear of Vulnerability

(09:04) Stepping Fully into a New Identity

(14:14) When Passion Becomes a Business

(16:53) COVID, Journals, and a Turning Point in Sales

(18:10) Why Journaling Works and How to Start

(25:01) Building a Connected Portfolio Career

(27:40) Business Challenges and Six-Figure Losses

(33:09) Battling Expectations, Regret, and Trust as a Default

(42:10) Defining Mindfulness and Advice to Case’s Younger Self

Case Kenny is an author, entrepreneur, and host of the globally recognized podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?, a podcast with tens of millions of downloads. Known for his work in mindfulness and personal growth, he has built a multi-million-dollar brand through writing, guided journals, and speaking engagements. His work has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Forbes, and NBC.

Connect with Case:

Case’s Website: casekenny.com

Case’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/casekenny/

Case’s Instagram: instagram.com/case.kenny

Case’s YouTube: youtube.com/c/CaseKenny

Resources Mentioned:

Case’s Podcast, New Mindset, Who Dis?:  pod.link/1383599078

The Opposite of Settling by Case Kenny: https://www.amazon.com/Opposite-Settling-Everything-Without-Losing/dp/1401995918

The Soul’s Code by James Hillman: https://www.amazon.com/Souls-Code-James-Hillman/dp/0517271036

That’s Bold of You by Case Kenny: https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Bold-You-Thrive-Vibrant/dp/B0BRDFLJNZ

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.

Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

What do you do when the dream you've chased no longer fits? For Julia Hartz, it meant walking away from a promising career in Hollywood to dive into the unknown world of startups. As an intern on the set of Friends, she learned the value of kindness, clarity, and high standards. But the real test came in tech, where she bootstrapped through a downturn, faced 27 VC rejections, and ultimately co-founded Eventbrite, one of the world’s leading event ticketing platforms. In this episode, Julia joins Ilana to discuss her leap from TV to tech, how she led Eventbrite through a crisis, and how she continues to reinvent herself and her business. 

Julia Hartz is the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform that empowers creators to bring people together through live experiences. In 2018, she took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange, making her one of the few female founders to lead a tech IPO.

In this episode, Ilana and Julia will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:02) Julia’s Leap from Performance to Broadcasting

(04:28) Her Internship on the Set of Friends

(07:15) Discovering Her Path in TV Development at MTV

(10:59) The Original Jackass Pilot and Startup-Like Creativity

(14:55) Transitioning from MTV to FX and Facing Uncertainty

(18:47) Leaving Hollywood to Build a Startup

(26:43) The Product Strategy That Transformed Their Business

(32:29) Getting 27 Rejections from VCs and Refusing to Quit

(35:50) How the Financial Crisis Created Their Breakthrough

(40:03) Reinventing Herself to Become CEO

(46:05) How COVID Nearly Took Down Eventbrite

(51:09) The One Rule She Always Comes Back To

Julia Hartz is the co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite, a global ticketing and event technology platform that empowers creators to bring people together through live experiences. In 2018, she took the company public on the New York Stock Exchange, making her one of the few female founders to lead a tech IPO. Today, Eventbrite has powered millions of events and facilitated billions in ticket sales in 180 countries.

Connect with Julia:

Julia’s Website: eventbrite.com

Julia’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliahartz

Julia’s Instagram: instagram.com/juliahartz

Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.

Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

After getting laid off from his corporate job, Dan Shapiro launched his first startup, Photobucket Inc. (formerly Ontela), but faced nine months of rejection from investors and no funding. Despite these setbacks, his persistence led to a successful partnership, which later turned sour due to a managerial dispute. He took these lessons and went on to build multiple successful startups, including Glowforge, a $100M company revolutionizing 3D laser printing. In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share the secrets to startup success, how to navigate entrepreneurial challenges, and what it takes to build a company that not only thrives but also transforms industries.

Dan Shapiro is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and CEO of Glowforge, a company that pioneered desktop laser technology, enabling creators to produce millions of custom products. He previously created Robot Turtles, the most successful board game in Kickstarter history, and founded Photobucket Inc.

In this episode, Ilana and Dan will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(01:56) Early Upbringing and Entrepreneurial Drive

(04:47) Corporate Experience at Microsoft

(08:14) The "Poop Umbrella" Leadership Principle

(11:42) The Darkest Nine Months of Dan's Career

(16:39) Securing Funding Against All Odds

(20:35) The Brutal Truth About Entrepreneurship

(24:32) The PhotoBucket Merger: What Went Wrong?

(27:56) From 67 Rejections to a Google Acquisition

(31:38) CEO Strategy: Delegate vs. Lead

(36:24) The Bold Strategy Behind Robot Turtles' Success

(45:16) Building Glowforge: From Idea to $100M Business

(51:47) Leadership Challenges and Ethical Dilemmas

Dan Shapiro is a serial entrepreneur, innovator, and CEO of Glowforge, a company that pioneered desktop laser technology, enabling creators to produce millions of custom products. He previously created Robot Turtles, the most successful board game in Kickstarter history, and founded Photobucket Inc. Dan also served as CEO of Google Comparison Inc. after Google acquired his startup, Sparkbuy. He is the author of Hot Seat and a prolific innovator with over 60 patents to his name. 

Connect with Dan:

Dan’s Website: danshapiro.com 

Dan’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danshapiro 

Resources Mentioned:

Dan’s Book, Hot Seat: The Startup CEO Guidebook: https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Seat-Startup-CEO-Guidebook/dp/1449360734 

Glowforge: https://glowforge.com 

From $500 Startup to Open Source Pioneer: How Tim O’Reilly Built a Media and Tech Legacy | E109: bit.ly/tim-oreilly-leap-academy 

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou: https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Blood-Secrets-Silicon-Startup/dp/152473165X 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.

Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Dr. Josh Axe’s passion for health and wellness began when his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis led to chronic health issues after chemotherapy. Inspired by this, Josh pursued natural medicine, which helped her make a remarkable recovery when cancer returned. Years later, Josh faced a spinal infection that left him unable to walk. Doctors predicted permanent disability, but using the same healing mindset and natural methods that saved his mom, he defied the odds. In this episode, Josh joins Ilana to discuss the transformative power of belief, the keys to true health and success, and the secrets behind building a powerful personal brand.

Dr. Josh Axe is a physician, entrepreneur, and leadership expert passionate about helping individuals use food and natural remedies to achieve optimal health and wellness. He is the founder of DrAxe.com and The Health Institute and the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition.

In this episode, Ilana and Josh will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(02:06) The Cancer Battle That Sparked His Health Mission

(05:29) The Role of Belief in Healing, Growth, and Success

(14:34) Building DrAxe.com into a Digital Health Powerhouse

(20:55) The Scary Moment He Almost Lost Everything

(24:05) Overcoming the Fear of Charging What You’re Worth

(26:06) Josh’s Strategies for Building a Scalable Brand

(31:12) Simple Habits for Total Health Transformation

(34:37) From Bedridden to Healed: The Power of Belief

(42:38) Why Character Beats Accomplishments

Dr. Josh Axe is a physician, entrepreneur, and leadership expert passionate about helping individuals use food and natural remedies to achieve optimal health and wellness. He is the founder of DrAxe.com and The Health Institute and the co-founder of Ancient Nutrition. His businesses have ranked among the Inc. 500’s fastest-growing companies. Josh is the host of The Dr. Josh Axe Show and the bestselling author of Eat Dirt, The Keto Diet, and Think This, Not That.

Connect with Josh:

Josh’s Website: draxe.com 

Josh’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joshaxe 

Resources Mentioned:

Josh’s Book, Think This, Not That: 12 Mindshifts to Breakthrough Limiting Beliefs and Become Who You Were Born to Be: https://www.amazon.com/Think-This-Not-That-Breakthrough/dp/1400337844 

Josh’s Podcast, The Dr. Josh Axe Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-josh-axe-show/id1700689487 

The Health Institute: thehealthinstitute.com 

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.

Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Sahil Bloom was living the "dream" life, climbing the corporate ladder, earning well, and hitting all the career milestones. Yet, he felt unfulfilled. During a conversation with an old friend, he mentioned how he only saw his parents once a year. His friend's blunt remark, "You're going to see your parents 15 more times before they die," hit him hard, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities and reassess his idea of success. In this episode, Sahil joins Ilana to share how to overcome the fear of career transitions, build a life that aligns with your values, and find fulfillment beyond a paycheck.

Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer focused on redefining wealth beyond money. Through his newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle, Sahil offers actionable ideas for building a high-performing, healthy, and wealthy life.

In this episode, Ilana and Sahil will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(01:46) The Cost of Chasing Traditional Success

(04:33) Family Background and the Pressure to Succeed

(08:41) What Baseball Taught Him About Life and Business

(13:17) Unfulfillment Despite Corporate Success

(18:50) Overcoming the Fear of Career Transition

(23:35) Why Personal Growth and Change Can Feel Lonely

(26:51) Turning Criticism into Fuel for Growth

(29:34) Embracing Life’s Different Seasons

(31:55) Writing The Five Types of Wealth

(36:55) The Real Challenges in Entrepreneurship

(41:24) How to Break Free When You’re Feeling Stuck

Sahil Bloom is an entrepreneur, investor, and writer focused on redefining wealth beyond money. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling book The 5 Types of Wealth and the founder of SRB Ventures, an early-stage investment firm. Through his newsletter, The Curiosity Chronicle, Sahil offers actionable ideas for building a high-performing, healthy, and wealthy life.

Connect with Sahil:

Website: https://www.sahilbloom.com/#Hero 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sahilbloom 

Resources Mentioned:

Sahil’s Book, The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Wealth-Transformative-Guide-Design/dp/059372318X 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.

Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

When Christiana Figueres was a young mother, she longed to share her love of nature with her daughters, a love sparked by watching golden toads shimmer like coins under the moonlight in a Costa Rican forest. Hoping to show them this rare beauty, she returned to the same park, only to learn that the species had gone extinct due to rising temperatures. That moment ignited her mission to leave a better planet for her children. In this episode, Christiana joins Ilana to share her journey to becoming a United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary and leading global climate efforts, including the historic 2015 Paris Agreement.

Christiana Figueres is a Costa Rican diplomat and former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She is best known for her role in securing the Paris Agreement, a landmark international climate treaty. 

In this episode, Ilana and Christiana will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction 

(01:53) Growing Up as Costa Rica’s President’s Daughter

(06:24) The Life-Changing Experience in Rural Costa Rica

(15:28) The Journey to Climate Change Advocacy

(24:40) Key Lessons from the COP15 Climate Failure

(30:45) Becoming UNFCCC Executive Secretary

(35:50) Leading the Paris Agreement Negotiations

(41:06) Building Trust in Global Climate Negotiations

(47:39) Taking the Climate Mission Beyond the UN

(51:03) Advice for Aspiring Change-Makers

(54:05) Upcoming Projects and Digital Initiatives

Christiana Figueres is a Costa Rican diplomat and former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). She is best known for her role in securing the Paris Agreement, a landmark international climate treaty. With decades of experience in climate diplomacy, Christiana is a passionate global advocate for climate action and sustainable development. She is also the co-founder of Global Optimism, co-host of the Outrage + Optimism podcast, and co-author of The Future We Choose.

Connect with Christiana:

Christiana’s Website: christianafigueres.com 

Christiana’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christianafigueres 

Resources Mentioned:

Christiana’s Book, The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis: https://www.amazon.com/Future-We-Choose-Surviving-Climate/dp/0525658351 

Christiana’s Podcast, Outrage + Optimism: outrageandoptimism.org

Global Optimism: globaloptimism.com 

Leap Academy:

Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.

Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training