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Tommy Hyland, one of the greatest blackjack players of all time and a 2002 inductee into the Blackjack Hall of Fame, returns for his second appearance on Personable.

From decades of professional card counting to a 9–0 legal record defending players’ rights, Tommy has spent over 40 years beating casinos with skill, math, and grit. Known for running one of the longest-standing blackjack teams in history, he shares how he turned card counting from a side hustle into a full-time career — and why he believes professional play is “fighting the good fight.”

In this episode, Tommy reveals what it takes to survive and thrive as a professional blackjack player.
He explains the math behind card counting, how to manage risk using the Kelly Criterion, and what separates hobbyists from pros. From casino surveillance and legal battles to emotional control and bankroll discipline, Tommy breaks down how to stay ahead of both the cards — and the house.

In this episode, Tommy Hyland discusses:
◽️ Card counting vs. casino countermeasures — legal, ethical, and tactical realities
◽️ Building a blackjack network — teams, mentorship, and trust in the industry
◽️ The “brotherhood” of professional players and how new players can break in
◽️ The Kelly Criterion — how much to bet and when to walk away
◽️ How to manage risk, emotion, and long-term swings

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⏱ Timestamps

00:00 Intro / Welcome to Personable
00:33 Life update — golf, blackjack, and staying sharp
02:20 Casino restrictions and playing smart under pressure
07:30 Why most casinos don’t use continuous shufflers
09:30 The blackjack brotherhood — community and shared intel
11:00 How to find mentors, teams, and investors
13:30 The Blackjack Ball and the legends who attend
15:00 Comparing blackjack, poker, and sports betting
26:00 Fighting back: 9–0 legal record against casino bans
31:00 The Kelly Criterion explained — how much to bet per hand
35:00 Emotional control and bankroll management
40:00 Building a team, finding investors, scaling your play
45:00 Handling swings, losses, and staying rational
55:00 Influences, mentors, and the evolution of advantage play
1:00:00 Legal battles, lawsuits, and false arrests
1:11:00 Believing the math — advice for new players
1:14:00 Legacy, life beyond blackjack, and what’s next

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📌 Resources
Tommy Hyland:
◽️ Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hyland

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram:  https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter):  https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter:  https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram:  https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok:  https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up):  https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising:  https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment

Support the show

Send a text

Stephen Roberts, Founder of Orgueil Capital (an investment vehicle with its North Star to quintuple capital over the next 8–9 years) and former Partner at Horseman Capital, returns to Personable Markets for his third appearance.

From navigating hedge fund cycles to founding his own investment vehicle, Stephen brings decades of experience in global macro investing and portfolio construction. In this episode, he breaks down the real-time market volatility, the U.S.–China standoff over rare earths, the AI-driven reshaping of industries, and why he believes we’re entering a new commodities cycle.

With deep insights into policy, behavioral investing, and structural shifts across energy, gold, and tech, Stephen shares his framework for surviving volatility and thriving through the next decade of change.

In this episode, Stephen Roberts discusses:
◽️ Trump’s rare earths tweet and the latest market sell-off
◽️ AI’s winners and losers — why jobs and society are at risk
◽️ U.S.–China energy economics and rare earth dependencies
◽️ The Magnificent 7, valuations, and whether we’re in a bubble
◽️ Gold, commodities, and the next supercycle
◽️ Why AI could cause the next recession
◽️ Oil prices, defense stocks, and global macro risks
◽️ Portfolio construction for the next 10 years — equities, bonds & gold

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:37 Market volatility, Trump’s China tweet & rare earths
03:27 AI, commodities & “mining for AI”
07:01 U.S. vs. China — electricity, chips & competitive edges
09:20 The Magnificent 7: bubble or earnings-backed growth?
13:02 Leadership risk & investor psychology
17:19 AI’s job destruction, social fabric & regulation
24:25 The creator economy & new opportunities
29:17 Spotify, ownership of data & the new AI winners
34:44 Saudi Arabia, sovereign funds & poor investments
36:53 Gold, commodities & portfolio positioning
42:27 Bonds, deficits & a 20-year bear market
45:25 U.S. debt, taxation & political cycles
47:34 Key macro risks: oil, inflation & rates
55:55 Oil, defense stocks & geopolitics
59:49 Political uncertainty: France, Japan & the UK
1:03:22 Long-term allocation: equities, bonds & gold
1:04:01 Outro

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📌 Resources
Stephen Roberts:
◽️ Orgueil Capital: https://www.orgueilcapital.com/our-story

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram:  https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter):  https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter:  https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram:  https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok:  https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up):  https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising:  https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Support the show

Send a text

Thank you to everyone who has helped me reach this point. I don’t take your support for granted. Every like, comment and subscription genuinely means the world to me.

I feel honoured that 100 episodes coincides with reaching 1,000 subscribers, and I’m excited to keep building from here.

In this episode, I reflect on the past three years of Personable, the lessons and growth along the way, and what’s next for me and the podcast. I’ll also be focusing on strengthening the show’s narrative and building a closer community for core listeners.

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Harvey Bracken-Smith marks a major milestone: 100 episodes of Personable. Instead of hosting a guest, Harvey turns the mic on himself for a deeply personal, unscripted reflection on the journey so far: from the podcast’s origins at a music festival to its growth into a global platform helping listeners become the best they can be.

In this special episode, Harvey shares the story behind Personable, the lessons learned across 100 conversations with the world’s best, and the personal experiences: including the loss of his mother, Louise, that shaped his drive, discipline, and mission to spread love, learning, and ambition into the world.

In this episode, Harvey discusses:
◽️ The origins of Personable: from a sleepless night at a music festival to a global platform
◽️ Grief, resilience, and how loss shaped his mission
◽️ Lessons from 100 episodes: consistency, courage, and community
◽️ The importance of love, discipline, and applied knowledge
◽️ Goals for the future: building community, growth, and purpose
◽️ What’s next: evolving Personable into a global movement

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro: Harvey welcomes listeners to episode 100  
06:10 Learning his mum’s diagnosis and the shock that followed  
08:45 Processing grief and pushing forward instead of pausing  
10:55 August 12 2022: the idea for Personable is born  
19:55 Hitting milestones: 100 episodes & 1000 subscribers  
23:20 Why passion matters more than fame or money  
27:05 The odds of success and why love keeps you going  
30:30 Learning from 100 guests — the value of curiosity  
41:00 Finding purpose through loss and faith  
45:10 Choosing your hard: growth through struggle  
48:00 Life lessons, legacy, and what’s next for the podcast  
50:10 Final message — “Just try.”  
51:45 Closing thanks & sign-off

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📌 Resources
Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and

Support the show

Send a text

Harvey Bracken-Smith welcomes Luke Sloman back to Personable. Luke is a third-year Business & Management student at the University of Exeter, currently on year abroad at the University of Sydney. He grew up in Tokyo until age 13 before moving to the UK for boarding school. His academic focus is on finance-related modules that complement his broader Business & Management studies. This is Luke’s 3rd time on Personable.

In this episode Luke and Harvey unpack the week’s biggest market stories - from the record-breaking EA leveraged buyout to Tesla deliveries, Pfizer policy deals, the UK IPO slump, US fiscal risks and political volatility in France and Japan. Luke brings a student’s curiosity and a global perspective (Tokyo → UK → Sydney) to market structure, sovereign wealth flows, and what everyday investors should watch.

In this episode Luke Sloman discusses:
◽️ EA’s $55bn LBO — structure, sovereign wealth involvement, cultural impact
◽️ Saudi sports/“sports-washing” and private equity / Four Seasons style deals
◽️ Tesla Q3 deliveries, EV tax credits, and the longer-term robot/AI narrative
◽️ Pfizer + Trump Rx: pharma, tariffs, and on-shoring manufacturing
◽️ UK IPO & M&A slump — causes, consequences, and what would fix it

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:57 Luke returns — background and why he’s back on the show
02:06 EA $55bn LBO — who’s involved and deal anatomy
03:22 Cultural impact: EA Sports, FIFA, and player/community effects
07:21 Sovereign investors & the “fronted” private equity model (Four Seasons analogy)
11:13 Tesla Q3 surprise, US $7,500 EV credit, and the humanoid/robot thesis
22:43 Pfizer + Trump Rx deal: tariffs, manufacturing investment, and consumer impact
30:44 UK IPO & M&A slump — data, causes, and policy implications
37:30 Real-time markets: X, Caoshi, and how instant feedback changes behaviour
42:30 Eurozone & France — political instability, budget fights, and market moves
51:28 US debt downgrade, debt servicing vs defence spending, and shutdown costs
1:03:14 Breaking: French PM resignation — market reaction and political context
1:14:41 Japan outlook — likely next PM and market implications
1:18:49 Outro

📌 Resources
Luke Sloman:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-sloman-87a6742a9/?originalSubdomain=uk

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Support the show

Send a text

Raj Setty, Owner of Setty & Associates and CEO of Cyclops, joins Personable. From graduating UC Davis in mechanical engineering to teaching physics in the Peace Corps (Namibia), to scaling a family-run MEP engineering firm from a lifestyle business into a national practice - Raj brings a rare blend of field experience, systems thinking, and product-led engineering. He’s built high-performance engineering teams, led complex federal and institutional projects, and created Cyclops, a digital-twin platform that aggregates building data to enable AI-driven operations.

In this episode Raj explains how boots-on-the-ground engineering informs product design, why engineers must learn to speak to humans, and how digital twins will transform facility operations. He walks through Peace Corps lessons, construction and commissioning stories, building and scaling a family firm, and the pragmatic near-term role AI plays in buildings

In this episode Raj Setty discusses:
◽️ Peace Corps teaching in Namibia: perspective, simplicity, budgeting
◽️ Early career: construction, overseas projects, power plants
◽️ Family business: joining, scaling, and preserving legacy
◽️ Running a full-service MEP firm: federal, institutional, campus work
◽️ Commissioning and hands-on problem solving (boots on the ground)

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro / Welcome to Personable
00:46 Career start, UC Davis and early market context
02:54 Peace Corps in Namibia: teaching, living on $200/month
05:56 Returning home: transition, priorities, and travel
08:32 Construction and on-site engineering experiences
11:13 Overseas projects: power plant, fiber, and manufacturing lessons
13:38 Joining family company: size, tradeoffs, and ambitions
16:29 Running & scaling Setty & Associates (people, offices)
19:54 Buildings as the major energy sector; resilience lessons
24:07 Differentiation, pricing pressures, and commoditization
26:10 Founding Cyclops (2017): motivation and evolution
27:32 Digital twin concept and AI’s “middle” role
31:48 Data ontology, sources, and who actually owns building data
35:08 Cyclops demo walkthrough: boiler troubleshooting use case
40:38 Commercial model: SaaS hosting + services, pilots, parts commerce
47:11 Leadership: craftsmanship, decision budgets, and legacy thinking
53:45 Day-to-day: what Raj values - people, tennis, community
1:04:56 Key takeaway: get good at something

📌 Resources
Raj Setty:
◽️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-setty-36a7033/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a

Support the show

Send a text

David Esposito, President & CEO of ONL Therapeutics, joins Personable. From graduating West Point with a BS in Civil Engineering, to leading an infantry platoon in combat with the 101st Airborne Division, David brings a unique perspective from military service to biotech leadership.

With experience spanning pharma sales at Merck, diagnostics leadership, and biotech exits (Armune BioScience to Exact Sciences, Phadia to Thermo Fisher), David has navigated high-stakes environments from battlefields to boardrooms. 

In this episode, David Esposito discusses:
◽️ Military service: calling to serve, leadership in combat, and teamwork lessons
◽️ Transition to civilian life: from infantry to pharma sales and biotech
◽️ Discipline vs. motivation: building endurance in sports, military, and business
◽️ Pharma career path: consistency, exits, and navigating big vs. early-stage companies
◽️ Biotech innovation: pricing, risk, trials, and balancing science with business

00:00 Intro
00:42 Why David joined the Army: calling to serve
01:57 Rallying cries for causes greater than self
03:44 Sports camaraderie parallels military teamwork
05:23 Leadership growth in sports, high-stakes army roles
06:37 Navigating debates, execution in high-pressure environments
08:26 Australia: respect, rules, transitioning to civilian life
10:03 From team environments to solo sales rep
12:52 Military discipline drives corporate hustle, endurance
14:50 Consistency over flash: path to senior roles
16:27 Career journey: Merck sales to biotech CEO
18:55 No overnight successes: grinding, practical realities
19:24 Long-form podcasts reveal successful people’s essence
22:45 Diverse experiences, personal trade-offs in careers
25:24 Pharma marketing, pricing, and staying grounded
28:24 Rewarding innovation: risk capital, vision value
28:54 Boots on the ground: frontline insights matter
30:10 Risk, incentives: why innovation needs rewards
37:32 Holistic health: diet, sleep, nuanced treatments
40:02 Pharma misconceptions: innovation improves lives despite failures
44:02 Building biotech: problem-solving, teams, capital
47:11 Success commonalities: relationships, honesty, learning
50:06 ONL Therapeutics: vision protection in retinal diseases
53:45 Managing risk: lean teams, transparency, dilution
1:05:57 Key takeaway: purposeful innovation moves society forward

📌 Resources
David Esposito:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidesposito2/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter: https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023. 

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always cons

Support the show

Send a text

I am beyond excited to announce that Personable has hit 1,000 subscribers!!!

Thank you to everyone that has supported me up to this point.

I am grateful to have been given the platform to create the best conversations with the best guests on the planet to enable my listeners to become the best they can be 

Onwards & Upwards

Subscribe to join the journey

Harvey Bracken-Smith
Host of Personable

📌 Resources
Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram:  https://instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter):  https://x.com/harveybsmith_
◽️ Newsletter:  https://personable.substack.com/

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram:  https://instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok:  https://tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up):  https://thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising:  https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Support the show

Send a text

Louis-Vincent Gave, CEO & Co-Founder of Gavekal, returns to Personable as a two-time guest. From graduating Duke University with a BA in Economics, History & Chinese, to studying Mandarin at Nanjing University, Louis brings a unique global perspective. He’s advised institutions, funds, and governments for decades - and in this episode, he dissects markets, AI, energy, and the U.S.-China dynamic with refreshing clarity.

With experience spanning macro research, portfolio strategy, and global policy insights, Louis has built Gavekal into one of the world’s most respected independent research firms. Known for sharp takes on U.S.-China relations, the future of AI, and structural shifts in energy, Louis shares why the U.S. still holds “pocket aces,” why investors should be watching China-India-Russia integration, and why we may be entering a 20-year bond bear market. In this episode, he lays out the risks, opportunities, and new frameworks for investors navigating 2025 and beyond.

In this episode, Louis-Vincent Gave discusses:
◽️ The evolving U.S.-China relationship, tariffs, and rare earths
◽️ AI: bubble or paradigm shift? U.S. closed vs. China’s open models
◽️ Energy economics: why coal may fuel America’s AI race
◽️ The Magnificent Seven, Nvidia, and overvaluation risks
◽️ Global macro trends: China-India-Russia integration vs. U.S. dominance

00:00 Intro
00:32 Meeting Louis-Vincent Gave: Gavekal & background
02:11 U.S.-China relations since 2018 semiconductor embargo
05:13 U.S. advantages vs. China’s rapid rise
09:19 Global trade trends: shifting toward the Global South
13:40 Western media narratives: “imploding or taking over” China
18:00 TikTok deal, Taiwan, tariffs & negotiations
21:53 AI: bubbles, Nvidia, DeepSeek & open vs. closed models
29:10 Employment disruption & the future of work
38:35 Energy: U.S. vs. China, renewables, coal & AI power needs
46:17 Inflation, social media, data & retail markets
49:28 Investment strategies: AI bets vs. global opportunities
53:10 Nvidia’s 75% corrections & systemic risk
56:18 Macro trends: U.S. vs. China-India-Russia integration
1:01:12 Gold, crypto & energy as diversification tools
1:09:59 Public vs. private markets for investors
1:13:20 Social media, retail investing & “gamifying” markets
1:16:36 Bonds, pensions & a 20-year bear market
1:18:11 Outro

📌 Resources
Louis-Vincent Gave:
◽️ X: https://x.com/gave_vincent
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-vincent-gave-6260241 
◽️ Gavekal: https://research.gavekal.com/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves

Support the show

Send a text

James Frost, creative strategist and director, returns to Personable as a two-time guest. From photographing for Complex and Hypebeast to relaunching his own app Buzz - which hit 30,000 downloads in 50 days and 2.6 million social impressions - James is shaping the future of culture at the intersection of fashion, music, and tech.

With experience across media, brand campaigns for Adidas and Jägermeister, and mentoring 1,700+ young creatives worldwide, James blends creativity with sharp digital strategy. He’s grown TikTok accounts past 4 million views, Instagram projects past 1 million impressions, and even scaled a client from 250 to 13K followers in eight weeks. In this episode, James shares his social media blueprint for 2025, why community beats algorithms, and how to build something that people want to talk about.

In this episode, James Frost discusses:
◽️ Social media hacks for 2025: hooks, algorithms & repeatable content
◽️ Building Buzz from guerrilla marketing to App Store top charts
◽️ Lessons from working with Complex, Hypebeast, Wonderland, and Clash
◽️ Mentorship: helping 1,700+ creatives break into the industry
◽️ Defining success, happiness, and legacy at 23

00:00 Intro
00:32 Meeting James Frost: From Creative Director to Entrepreneur
02:11 What is Buzz and Why Relaunch It?
04:12 App Store Strategy: 30K Downloads in 50 Days
06:39 Working with Developers & the Role of AI
08:36 Funding Yourself Without Investors
11:47 Breaking Into the Creative Industry
12:57 Mentorship: 27 Cohorts, 1700+ Students
16:10 Outreach & Networking Hacks
19:40 Pressure to Take a Traditional Path?
21:37 Reverse Engineering Goals
23:16 Social Media Blueprint: Hooks, Editing & Retention
29:37 Case Study: Turning Events Into Viral TikToks
32:49 Community Impact: Opening Doors for Others
38:40 Evergreen vs. Expiring Content
42:56 Editing Workflow: From Idea to TikTok in 20 Minutes
50:28 Overcoming Fear of Filming in Public
53:35 Scaling Content Production Efficiently
59:31 Camera Presence & Authentic Charisma
1:01:22 Building Buzz as a Brand, Not Just a Tech Tool
1:05:21 Monetization: Placements & Partnerships
1:07:27 Legacy: Tech x Culture at Scale
1:08:49 What’s Next: Expanding Beyond London
1:11:22 One Takeaway for Creators

 📌 Resources
James Frost:
◽️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesfrost02/?hl=en
◽️ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shotbyjames
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-frost-9251851a2/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indic

Support the show

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Dr Markus Nauheim, a partner at Gibson Dunn’s Munich office, shares his journey from a small-town German student to a globally recognized corporate lawyer advising giants like Mercedes-Benz and KKR. 

Dr Markus Nauheim has dual qualifications in New York and German law, a doctorate from Mainz, and an LL.M. from Duke, Markus blends discipline, integrity, and an entrepreneurial mindset to navigate high-stakes M&A and compliance challenges. In this episode, he reveals how his basketball background fuels resilience, why client trust is paramount, and how thought leadership builds a standout legal career.

In this episode, Markus Nauheim discusses:
◽️ Finding purpose in law through responsibility
◽️ Global perspective from studying worldwide
◽️ Discipline via incremental career goals
◽️ Resilience from competitive sports
◽️ Balancing intense work with self-care

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⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
00:32 Meeting Markus Nauheim: Background and Career
01:05 Why Law: Choosing a Purposeful Career
03:19 Global Perspective: Studying in Germany, Hong Kong, Duke
06:22 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Law
06:59 Discipline: Staying Motivated in Law School
10:58 Specializing: Pursuing Media Law Doctorate
12:34 From Junior Lawyer to Partner
13:01 Sports Background: Building Resilience
18:43 Work-Life Balance: Avoiding Burnout
19:22 Client Relationships: Earning and Keeping Trust
21:16 Efficiency: The 80-20 Rule in Law
23:27 Perfection: Delivering Flawless Work
25:33 Teamwork: Spartans vs. Persians in Deals
26:36 Parallels Between Law and Finance
27:38 Importance of Relationships Over Technology
30:49 AI’s Role: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Humans
32:07 Becoming a Great Lawyer: Key Traits
40:28 Integrity: Saying No to Unethical Demands
41:37 Networking: Acquiring High-Profile Clients
44:37 Thought Leadership: Building Visibility
46:20 High-Pressure Moments: Staying Focused
50:46 Corporate vs. Personal Legal Challenges
51:24 Legal Advice for Non-Lawyers
54:45 Mentoring: Coaching Young Athletes
56:31 Legacy: Making a Community Impact
57:21 Future Goals: Teaching and Community Projects
58:46 Balancing Law with Personal Life
1:01:22 Healthy Longevity: Creating a Blue Zone
1:01:44 Key Takeaway: Align Career with Self
1:04:15 Outro

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📌 Resources
Dr Markus Nauheim:
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mnauheim 
◽️ Gibson Dunn: https://www.gibsondunn.com/lawyer/nauheim-markus/

Harvey Bracken-Smith:
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/harveybsmith
◽️ X (Twitter): x.com/harveybsmith_

Personable Podcast:
◽️ Instagram: instagram.com/personable.podcast
◽️ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/personablepodcast
◽️ TikTok: tiktok.com/@personableclips
◽️ Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api
◽️ Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personable/id1671640111

Additional:
◽️ The Draft (Sign up): thedraft.io
◽️ Fundraising: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/LouLouRacefoiundation?utm_term=PvByaxmdn

Personable is a podcast dedicated to helping listeners become the best they can be by learning from the world’s best in their respective fields. This mission is inspired by my mother, Louise, who encouraged me to become the best version of myself before she passed away from cancer in 2023.

This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results.

Support the show