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Today marks two years since my mother passed away from cancer 

In this video I talk about grief, the lessons she taught me & how my family and I have progressed since then 

In this episode, Harvey reveals:
◽️ What grief really feels like two years after losing a parent
◽️ How his family turned heartbreak into growth — from Saracens to Goldman Sachs
◽️ The two lessons his mum lived by: “Be the best you can be” and “Control the controllables”
◽️ Why inner peace matters more than external success
◽️ How to truly support someone going through grief — and what most people get wrong

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00:00 Intro – Why I record this episode every year
01:15 Carrying on my mum’s legacy
02:25 Georgie, Max, Freddie, Dad – family accomplishments
04:00 The impact of grief two years on
05:10 Realising how common loss is
06:10 You can’t replace people, but you can carry their values
07:15 Make life happen for you, not to you
08:10 How you respond matters more than what happens
09:30 What it means to live a life worth living
10:30 “Control the controllables” and “Be the best you can be”
11:40 Don’t wait to do what matters
12:50 Life isn’t permanent – go all in
14:10 The myth of “making it”
15:00 Be around people who want the best for you
16:00 Why toxic environments are dangerous
17:00 Get out of the house and do things
17:45 “Boring people get bored”
18:30 Why you should never settle
19:15 Don’t get too comfortable
20:00 Why death is a powerful motivator
21:00 Get out of your bubble – life will expand
21:45 Share your dreams with the right people
22:30 What really matters – family and presence
23:15 Don’t worry what others think
24:00 If people are watching, it means you’re doing something
24:40 Only take advice from people you admire
25:30 Do what’s necessary – even when it’s hard
26:15 No quick fixes – just consistent effort
27:00 Protect your health and mental health
28:00 Appreciate every moment – now becomes memory
29:00 Lulu Racing Foundation – carrying mum’s legacy forward
30:00 Athletes like Filip succeeding through the charity
30:45 How I remember and celebrate my mum
31:45 My memories of her vs what others say
32:30 Her influence on my growth and mindset
33:20 Values that last longer than we do
34:15 The power of building memories and taking photos
35:20 Why we must teach others what we’ve learned
36:15 Final message – Live a life worth remembering
37:00 Outro

📌 Resources
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
◽️ LouLouRaceFoundation: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org/

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.

Support the show

Send a text

A Duke Professor & Wall Street Billion-Dollar Dealmaker Reveals the truth about About Billion-Dollar Pitches, Startup Survival, and What Investors Really Want

Ed Tiryakian stands at the unique intersection of high finance, professional sports, and academia. As a former Managing Director at both Paine Webber/UBS and head of his private equity firm Argentum Group, he's orchestrated multi-billion dollar transactions while advising elite NBA and NFL athletes through his role as Chairman of Legends Sports Group. A Duke University and Fuqua School of Business graduate who now teaches entrepreneurship there, Ed brings unparalleled real-world perspective as a frequent commentator for Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Business Journal. Now he's revealing how elite investors evaluate startups, why most founders fail at fundraising, and how college athletes are reshaping the future of professional sports through NIL deals.

In this episode, Ed reveals:
◽️ Why the NCAA's leadership failures are accelerating the death of amateur athletics through NIL payments
◽️ How first-time entrepreneurs consistently overvalue their ideas while undervaluing their potential
◽️ What Wall Street won't tell you about negotiating power dynamics in high-stakes transactions
◽️ How Coach K's financial playbook at Duke foreshadowed the NIL revolution
◽️ The uncomfortable truth about athlete compensation that both schools and players ignore

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⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro  
01:03 Is entrepreneurship for everyone?  
02:01 Are entrepreneurs born or made?  
03:33 Do you need Goldman Sachs before launching?  
05:00 Why timing matters more than credentials  
06:07 How AI is unlocking new founders  
07:12 Why Ed left UBS to build Argentum  
08:45 The power of deal access and flexibility  
10:45 How a $3.5B deal built instant credibility  
12:30 What separates good deals from bad  
13:45 Management mistakes and unforeseen shocks  
15:30 How to think like an investor  
16:45 Investor vs founder incentives in negotiation  
18:45 Why most good deals aren’t hostile  
20:12 Why imposter syndrome is so common  
21:27 Pitching: art vs science  
23:10 Selling yourself when you don’t feel ready  
24:21 Advice to first-time founders  
26:08 Start now vs build credibility first  
28:30 Who should you take advice from?  
29:30 Why most gurus are selling you BS  
37:15 NIL: athletes now making millions  
41:28 The death of amateur athletics  
43:50 The myth of the “free market”  
45:26 Ed’s legacy
46:07 What’s next: owning a pro sports team  
47:08 Final takeaway 
49:09 Outro  

📌 Resources
Ed Tiryakian:
◽️ Duke Page: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/ed.tiryakian
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-tiryakian-9850367/

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 mysel

Support the show

Send a text

Omnicom’s Asia President Exposes the Lies About Creativity, Brand Building, and What Really Wins in Advertising Today

Sean Donovan is the disruptive force behind Asia’s largest creative collective as President of Omnicom Advertising Group, where he leads 4,000 innovators across TBWA, BBDO and DDB. The former architect-turned-consultant (40+ African banks) reinvented advertising leadership - from building South Africa’s Agency of the Decade (TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris) to co-founding OPENCO (acquired by TBWA in 2013). A Smurfit School triple-graduate (B.Sc/M.Sc/MBA) and cancer advocacy chair. Now he’s exposing advertising’s dangerous myths—from why “safe creativity” always fails to how the best brands systematically break rules.

In this episode, Sean reveals:
◽️ Why the marketing funnel is obsolete—and what replaces it
◽️ How Apple/BMW craft "defiant" campaigns that dominate culture
◽️ The dark side of social media: How algorithms flatten creativity
◽️ Client trust = Risk management: Why consistency trumps flashy ideas
◽️ Why "Your culture is defined by the worst behavior you tolerate"

—

⏱ Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:06 Growing up in Ireland and moving to Asia
03:25 How Sean went from architecture to advertising
04:55 Falling in love with marketing
07:11 What advertising really means today
10:00 Why the marketing funnel is dead
12:45 Mixing brand-building and sales together
14:55 How social media changed everything
18:20 TikTok Shop and the new music industry
22:30 How algorithms are changing culture
24:45 Leading a global team during COVID
27:10 What makes a great leader
30:15 How to earn trust and take creative risks
32:35 Why teams need safety to be creative
36:10 How to find and develop talent
38:40 Balancing purpose with performance
40:55 What the future of branding looks like
43:30 How ad campaigns are actually built
48:05 What makes Omnicom unique
51:00 What success and legacy mean to Sean
54:15 Lessons from his mum about helping others
56:30 What he’s most proud of today
57:40 People misunderstand creativity
58:55 One thing all leaders should know
1:00:25 How he wants to be remembered
1:01:50 Final thoughts and outro

📌 Resources
Sean Donovan:
◽️ Omnicom Group: https://www.omnicomgroup.com/
◽️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-donovan-57b65938

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.

Support the show

Send a text

Dr. Aria is a clinical psychologist who works with some of the world’s highest performers — from Oscar-winning actors and global entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 CEOs. In this conversation, we break down what true resilience means, the hidden struggles of success, and how fear can silently drive ambition. Dr. Aria opens up about grief, heartbreak, and the importance of inner peace, sharing tools to help you live with more presence, power, and authenticity.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show

Send a text

In this episode of Personable, Harvey Bracken-Smith sits down with Laurent Morali, CEO of Kushner — a firm managing over 22,000 apartments and 13 million square feet of commercial space across the U.S.

From his roots in France to his rise through global banking and now leading one of the most prominent privately held real estate firms in the country, Laurent shares how he built trust, took risks, and made bold decisions during volatile markets. He opens up about:

His unconventional path to becoming CEO

What separates good investors from great ones

How Kushner navigates risk, debt, and growth

The impact of politics, headlines, and public perception

His take on housing shortages, AI in real estate, and the future of development

Laurent’s story is packed with wisdom on leadership, resilience, and long-term thinking — a must-watch for anyone interested in real estate, business, or building something that lasts.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show

Send a text

Nina Bull Jørgensen is a seasoned journalist and communications specialist with experience spanning Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK), the United Nations, and Norad. Her reporting has taken her across the Nordic region, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and beyond — with a focus on women’s rights, freedom of speech, religion, poverty, and global development.

In this episode, she unpacks the challenges of modern journalism, the growing role of media manipulation, and what it means to maintain independence in a polarized world. Nina also reflects on her time reporting from conflict zones, representing Norway on the global stage, and how storytelling can build bridges between cultures.

Topics discussed include: – Media manipulation and public trust
– Government influence on the press
– The future of independent journalism
– How media shapes public perception
– Lessons from a career in international reporting

A deep dive into truth, narrative, and the power of storytelling in the modern age.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show

Send a text

I made a podcast with two of my best friends. In this episode of Personable, I sit down with Gabe Cooper and Jayden Lewis—two of the closest people in my life here at Duke. We talk about what college is really like: from imposter syndrome and roommate stories to club rejections, late-night convos, and how we’re all just trying to figure life out. Whether you're applying to Duke, already here, or just curious what it’s like to grow up in an environment full of pressure, passion, and people you’ll never forget—this one’s for you.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show

Send a text

Ashley Aufderheide is an actress on Netflix’s That '90s Show. She’s starred in films like Infinitely Polar Bear alongside Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana, and played Morgan Freeman’s granddaughter in Going in Style. 

In this episode, Ashley shares how she was scouted as a toddler, her journey growing up on sets, and the realities of navigating Hollywood as a child actor. We talk about confidence, rejection, staying grounded, and why she sees acting as more than just a career — but a part of who she is.

We also dive into how Ashley balances college life at Duke with her acting career, how she prepares for emotionally intense roles, and why she’s now exploring screenwriting.

This is a conversation about passion, perseverance, and finding your identity in an unpredictable industry.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show

Send a text

Meet Ismail Radwan — a globally respected economist who has spent over two decades shaping economies from the ground up. A graduate of Oxford and UPenn, Ismail served as Lead Economist at the World Bank for 22 years, helping rebuild post-war nations, transform healthcare systems, and guide economic policy across more than 80 countries.

Now, as Senior Director of Economics and Investment Strategy, he’s playing a key role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 — an ambitious plan to diversify the country’s economy and spark global innovation.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

Why he left the World Bank after 22 years

How to make economic theory actually work in the real world

What most people get wrong about economics

Whether democracy or autocracy enables better long-term economic decisions

His thoughts on AI, inflation, renewable energy, and the next 10 years of the global economy

Lessons from rebuilding Afghanistan, reforming India’s healthcare system, and investing at a national scale

His take on legacy, leadership, and what young professionals need to know

This is a masterclass in economics, investment, and nation-building — from someone who’s actually done it.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show

Send a text

Katie Xu is not your average college student. She’s the President of Creator Lab at Duke University, an Investment Partner at Dorm Room Fund, and an online creator with over 100,000 followers on TikTok — all before graduating. But it wasn’t until she decided to go all in that everything started to change.

In this episode of Personable, Katie sits down with Harvey Bracken-Smith to share how she turned a gap year and a side hustle into a six-figure consultancy, what it really takes to grow on social media, and why authenticity always beats perfection.

They dive into:

How Katie built a $370/hour creator business

The mental shift that led to her first viral video

Balancing Duke, Dorm Room Fund, and content creation

Why true fans matter more than follower count

What going “all in” actually looks like — and what it costs

If you’re a student, creator, or just someone unsure whether to follow your passion — this episode is for you.

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.

Connect with Harvey:
Harvey's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harveybracken-smith/ 
Harvey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmith/
Personable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harveybsmithpodcast_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JOTYDER6m2FDrlhop4api

My dad's startup: https://www.thedraft.io/
Donate to the charity we have founded in memory of my mum: https://www.loulouracefoundation.org

Support the show