In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with designer and creative mind Benjamin Paulin to explore how design, culture, and heritage intersect in his evolving body of work. As the son of legendary furniture designer Pierre Paulin, Benjamin brings a unique perspective on honouring tradition while pushing the boundaries of form and function.

The conversation unpacks the balance between art and design, the role of modularity in shaping how we live, and the tension between legacy and pop culture. Benjamin also reflects on the discipline of designing with constraints, how limitations can sharpen creativity and give rise to ideas that are both functional and visionary. Through a lens of innovation and influence, he shares what it means to build a future-forward design language, one piece at a time.

(00:00) Intro ✨

(02:01) Echo Of Pierre Paulin 🪑🔊🕰️

(03:49) Passion for Furniture ❤️‍🔥🪑

(04:59) Values ⚖️

(08:32) Art vs. Design 🎨 📐

(09:44) Form vs. Function ⚖️🛠️

(10:57) The Dune 🏜️ 🛋️

(15:49) Paulin & Pop-Culture 🛋️ 🎬 🎤

(19:00) Future of Furniture 🔮🪑

(23:44) Design of The Dune ✏️🏜️🛋️

(26:38) “Passion for design” ❤️‍🔥📐

(33:23) “How Paulin restarted” 🔁🪑👨‍🎨

(36:33) Integrity 🧱💎

(37:58) The Paulin Designs 🪑✨✏️

(40:12) “The living room” 🛋️ 📺

(43:51) “Working without limitations” 🚀🧠🔓

(46:26) “Constraints” ⛓️📏

(48:09) “University of rap” 🎓🎤

(52:09) “Stay passionate” 🧡🔥💪🏻

(56:59) Architects vs. Interior Designers vs. Designers 🏛️🛋️🎨

(58:34) Family & Work 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 💼

(01:05:18) “Screens are everywhere” 📱💻

(01:06:18) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Nicolas Bijan, founder of NB44 and son of legendary designer Bijan, to explore the values and mindset behind building something new while honouring a storied family name. From growing up in a household defined by excellence to carving out his own creative path, Nicolas shares the lessons shaped by tough love, discipline, and perspective.

The conversation delves into the responsibility that comes with privilege, the importance of respect, and why hard work and humility remain central to his identity. With clarity and conviction, Nicolas reflects on legacy, not as something inherited, but something earned every day.

Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(05:11) NB44 🧥

(07:15) Values ⚖️

(08:13) Bijan Pakzad 👨‍💼

(14:03) “How I was raised” 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

(14:29) Relationships with people 🤝🏻 👥

(15:42) Loss 🖤 😔

(18:19) The American Dream 🇺🇸 💭

(20:20) Pressure & Responsibility 😩 🤝🏻

(24:03) Starting a business & family 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 💼

(25:41) Filling a void 🫂

(27:39) Developed vs. Inherited values 👴🏻 ➡️ 👦🏻 ⚖️

(30:53) Being a young parent 👩‍🍼👨‍🍼

(36:02) Legacy 📜

(41:07) Multi-generational business 🧑‍🧒‍🧒 💼

(44:15) Household & Work 🏠 🧑‍💻

(53:40) Definition of luxury 📖 💎

(56:08) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with tech entrepreneur and human optimisation pioneer Bryan Johnson to explore the ideas, trade-offs, and motivations behind Blueprint, his controversial and cutting-edge protocol to reverse ageing and extend biological youth.

The conversation unpacks the science of longevity, the measurable impact of sleep, nutrition, and cellular regeneration, and how our perception of health is being completely redefined by technology. Bryan speaks openly about the sacrifices behind his routine, the psychology of motivation, and the role of superintelligence in reshaping not just what we do, but who we are.

(00:00) Intro ✨

(02:52) Former Life ⏪👤

(05:05) The Bargain 🤝🏻👌🏼

(06:07) Sleep 😴

(07:15) Health vs. Work 🍎💊💼

(10:11) Health Is Cool 🍎😎

(13:14) The Journey 🚗

(14:08) “The body is god” 👤👑

(15:37) “Added years or quality of life?” 📅🧘🏻

(16:39) “Stopping everything” ✋🏻🛑

(19:35) “Superintelligence & health problems” 🧠😷

(21:20) “Where are we as a species?” ❓🧑‍🤝‍🧑

(24:06) “Sun exposure” ☀️

(25:44) “Where to live”📍🏠

(28:43) “Sleep is antisocial” 😴🤐

(30:12) “Health decisions” 🍎🤔

(34:56) “Archetypes of Don’t Die” 🦁💊

(36:42) Growth Vectors 📈

(40:18) “Health as a status signal” 🍎✅

(43:13) “Speed of aging” ⏳👴🏻👵🏻

(46:50) “Bad things can happen” ☣️

(49:02) Extra Virgin Olive Oil 🫒🫙

(50:17) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨  

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Adam and Ryan Goldston, the twin brothers behind APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs), the brand that disrupted the sneaker world with a basketball shoe so advanced it was banned by the NBA.

The conversation dives into what it means to build a brand with authenticity at its core, and how vision, process, and purpose have shaped APL’s rise in the luxury performance category. From engineering innovation based on real needs, not hype, to defining what credibility means in today’s culture-driven landscape, Adam and Ryan share how dreaming big, staying focused, and listening closely can drive true impact.

Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(03:12) Genesis of APL 🌱👟

(05:36) Induction into the CFDA 🤝🏻🏛️✍🏻

(07:30) From vision to reality 👁️😌

(08:42) “Luxury Performance Category” ✨👟

(10:21) “Making the right decisions” ✅⚖️

(12:14) Pursuing an idea 💡🏃

(15:50) Confidence 😎💪🏻

(17:55) The disbelievers 😲

(20:08) Logos 🔲 🔠

(21:48) “Tackling a new silhouette” 🆕

(24:56) “Positioning of APL” 🎯 👟

(29:40) “Love for obsession” ❤️ 😵‍💫

(31:39) “Vision, POV, Perspective” 👁️

(34:58) “Design & Colour” ✍🏻 🎨

(37:47) “Taste” 🤌🏻

(41:10) “Process” 🔄⏳

(43:40) “Inspiration” 💡🎨

(46:44) “Moments of defeat” ⏳😫

(49:01) “Learning from failure” 📚🧠❌

(54:15) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨  

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Lori and Marci Hirshleifer, co-owners of the iconic luxury boutique Hirshleifers, to explore how a century-old family business has adapted, grown, and thrived in this day and age.

This conversation traces what it’s like to work alongside family, and how creative and strategic decisions are made when curating collections. Lori and Marci reflect on their role in sparking the global handbag charm trend, and how Hirshleifers has consistently stayed ahead of the curve through bold buying choices and a sharp eye for what’s next. They go on to share how they've developed a unique presence online, and how the boutique continues to stand out through its carefully curated mix of legacy labels and emerging designers.

Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Liberty Corner Suite.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(04:20) Family businesses 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 💼

(07:00) Social media journey📱🚀

(08:30) Unique collections 🌟

(10:00) “Are you inspired by other stores?”💡🛍️

(10:56) Relationship with Virgil Abloh 👑

(13:28) Handbag charms 🔗👜

(15:02) Growth & change of life 📈🌱

(17:18) Category of style 🔠 😎

(20:26) Tips for business 💡🏢

(22:28) Working with family 🧑‍💻👩‍💻👨‍💻

(23:16) “Approach to business” 🎯 💼

(25:47) Detaching from the family business ⛓️‍💥 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 💼

(28:27) “Decision making process for stocking brands?” ⚖️

(29:40) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨  

(32:16) Age to wear designer pieces 🔞👗👕

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google, to explore how gratitude and human values can coexist with rapid technological acceleration. From the role of AI in reshaping productivity to the dawn of hyper-intelligence, Eric shares his thoughts on how to remain grounded in an age defined by algorithms.

The conversation touches on the ethical responsibilities of tech leadership, the importance of human freedom in a machine-driven world, and how embracing gratitude can offer clarity amid complexity. With a rare mix of philosophical depth and operational insight, Eric unpacks what it means to build and live intentionally in the future we’re all rushing toward.

Filmed at Nobel LA’s Benedict property.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(02:00) “Knowledge & intellect” 📖🧠

(03:40) Scale the next generation 📈

(05:30) “Values in Founders" 🔍🤝

(06:55) Principles of Command ✒️ 📜👉

(10:00) Conversations & learning 💬📚🧠

(12:33) “Detailed planning, detailed thinking, & command” 📆🤔👉

(13:29) “Reducing friction” 🚫🐌

(15:35) “Latency, the enemy of productivity”⏳🚀

(17:20) “Economics of scarcity to scarcity of attention” 💰📊⚠️

(21:16) “The “search” & the application of algorithms”🔎💻🌐

(23:41) Gresham’s Law ⚖️

(25:22) “Would The Gstaad Guy be a good boyfriend?” 🇨🇭🏔️❤️

(28:00) “Outsmarting AI” 🤓🤖

(32:16) “Algorithms making content" 💻🌐🎥

(34:29) Dude With Sign 🪧

(36:57) “A digital extension of yourself" 💻🤳❓

(40:12) “Manipulate human behaviour” 🎭🙃

(41:03) “A change in hardware” 🔄📱

(42:33) “Switching off" 🎚️📴

(44:08) The impact of the internet 🌐😎

(45:57) “Designing a city” 🏙️🧑‍🎨

(48:11) The next generation 🎁 ⏭️ 🧑‍🧒

(50:45) “Maximum age to be a president?” 🔞👨‍💼

(52:17) “Founders finding their replacement” 👤🔁👤

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with GQ Editor-in-Chief Will Welch to talk about the intersection of fashion and culture, the importance of storytelling in an era of algorithms, and how GQ has evolved into a creative platform where the best idea wins, and every voice matters.

Will shares his perspective on the devolution of traditional media, the unpredictable nature of virality, and why being yourself is the only strategy that truly lasts. From deep journalism to digital creativity, this conversation explores how GQ continues to innovate and remain culturally relevant, not just as a magazine, but as a global creative community.

Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Bartholdi Presidential Suite. 

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(00:49) Pronouncing “Gstaad”🗣️🇨🇭🏔️

(04:50) The Gstaad Guy is a fan of GQ 🏆📔

(06:55) “The world of GQ” 🤗🤝📔

(08:16) “Your perception of GQ?” 🧐📔

(11:40) GQ’s positive work environment 😁✅💼

(13:25) “Industry & GQ: then vs. now” 🆚

(17:42) “The GQ reader” 🤓☯️🌱

(21:07) GQ is a community platform 🧑‍🧑‍🧒 🤲

(22:28) The Gstaad Guy platform 🏆🤲

(26:23) The Gstaad Guy’s creative decisions 🏆🎨

(28:43) Predicting performance 🤔📈

(31:11) On a cover of a magazine 🤩📔

(34:47) Building the GQ universe 🔧📔🌎

(39:22) “Obsessed with the passions” ❤️‍🔥

(41:38) Definition of “cool” 😎

(44:04) “Be yourself” 😊

(49:05) Generalist vs. Expert 🤔🤓

(50:03) Virgil Abloh 👑✨

(54:28) “The multi-hyphenate & the freelancer” 🧑‍💻👩‍💻

(54:53) “Being Editor-in-Chief of GQ” ✍️👨‍💼📔

(58:52) Managing creative freedom 🧑‍💼👩‍💼🎨

(01:01:22) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy chats with model and fashion content creator Wisdom Kaye, to discuss the evolution of personal style, navigating the fashion world as a digital native, and how to build influence without compromising authenticity.

Wisdom Kaye is a Nigerian-American fashion model and content creator who rose to prominence through his bold, editorial-level style on TikTok. Blending high fashion with streetwear and cinematic storytelling, Wisdom has become a voice for a new generation of style icons, redefining what it means to be fashionable, expressive and fearless in the digital age.

Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Liberty Corner Suite.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(03:23) “A very IRL individual” 💯😌

(06:44) “How people know me online” ⌨️ ✅

(07:24) “The artist loving their own work” 🧑‍🎨

(08:37) “Your inspiration and journey” 🤔💡

(13:27) “What I focus on now” 🧘‍♂️

(16:00) Both Sides of the Coin 🪙

(18:17) Mixing Old with the New 📜📱

(21:13) “Did you imagine this life?” 💭

(23:50) “How important is timing?” ⌚️

(24:17) Professional beatboxer 🗣️

(28:21) Inclusive fashion content creator 📲

(34:24) Feeling out of place 😥

(38:34) “Life is about forming connections” 🔗

(40:26) “Comfort and excitement in your work” 👨‍💼🤩

(42:42) Confronting one’s weaknesses 🤼🤕

(45:45) Entrepreneurial desires 👨‍💼💰📈

(51:55) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

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In this episode, The Gstaad Guy chats with jewelery designer and business owner Nadine Ghosn of Nadine Ghosn Fine Jewelry, to discuss building a brand from the ground up, why not fitting-in can be a strength, and how to stay creative in an industry that often plays it safe.

Nadine Ghosn is a Lebanese-Brazilian jewelery designer known for her playful and unconventional pieces that mix high-end jewelry with a youthful playfulness, from diamond studded burgers to pencil-shaped bracelets. Her pieces blend pop culture references with luxury craftsmanship, often redefining the perception of what luxury jewelery can be.

Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro ✨

(02:24) “Why Jewelry”? 💍

(05:40) Inspiration behind Poubel 🗑️

(06:50) “Playful luxury” and self-expression 💳🎨

(10:00) “Beauty of life” ☯️

(10:30) Collaborations 🤝

(13:35) “Taking a risk in life” ⚠️

(16:22) “Right time and moment” ⌚️

(20:12) Meaning of Success 🙌🏻

(23:05) Loneliness 😔

(29:20) Building a business & personal life 📝🧑‍🧑‍🧒

(31:11) Internal struggle 😩

(35:06) Personal Growth & Development 📈

(37:25) Gratitude 🙏🏼

(39:24) Being an introvert 😶‍🌫️

(46:28) Privacy 🔒

(51:22) Advice 💡🗣️

(54:17) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨

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In this debut episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with world-renowned chef Daniel Humm of the three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park for a candid conversation about creativity, reinvention and what it takes to serve meaning on a plate.

Daniel Humm is a Swiss plant-based chef and the visionary behind Eleven Madison Park, Clemente Bar and the lifestyle brand Eleven Madison Home. In September 2024, he was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for food education, recognising his advocacy for sustainable food systems.

Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Bartholdi Presidential Suite. 

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