The IVY Podcast

Through the rocket ship rise of Facebook, Chris Hughes — one of the now-fabled roommates of Mark Zuckerberg who helped bring it to life — came to understand how a select few can become ultra-wealthy nearly overnight.

In this episode of The IVY Podcast, we hear Chris’ story — from co-founding Facebook to leading Barack Obama’s digital organizing campaign for President — and his thoughts on how the same forces that made Facebook possible have made it harder for everyone else in America to make ends meet. Chris is the author of the new book, Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn, which tackles how to combat poverty and stabilize America’s middle class based on the idea of a guaranteed basic income.

Today, more than ever, companies like Lyft are striving to become better organizations that reflect the population and communities they are serving.

In this episode of The IVY Podcast, we hosted a conversation with Lyft’s Head of Inclusion and Diversity, Tariq Meyers, about how to empower diverse teams that create a culture of belonging. Throughout the conversation, Tariq illuminates just what it means to be truly inclusive, and the role each of us can play in making this happen.

Alli Webb is the founder of Drybar, the popular chain of hair salons specializing exclusively in blowouts — no cuts, no color, just blowouts. Alli started her career in PR, but soon transitioned to training as a hairstylist, sharpening her skills under the late, great celebrity stylist John Sahag. She struggled with her own extremely curly, frizzy hair and was always searching for a great blowout but was often disappointed with the two available options – an overpriced blowout at a traditional salon or a less-than-desirable experience at a discount chain. Hence, Drybar was born — becoming an instant success.

In this episode of The IVY Podcast. we'll learn from Alli about how to take a start-up or side gig to the next level, and how connecting with others is the key to winning in the marketplace.

What do Steve Jobs, Marie Curie, Elon Musk, and Albert Einstein have in common? What makes some people so spectacularly innovative, producing triumph after triumph, often in fields in which they have no specialized training?

After discovering that only two out of the three hundred case studies read by first-year MBA students at Harvard Business School featured black executives, Professor Steven S. Rogers took matters into his own hands. According to The Washington Post, “Rogers decided to write his own case studies, and has so far highlighted many black executives in a wide range of industries.” But more than just case studies, Rogers is transforming Harvard Business School’s curriculum.

In this episode of The IVY Podcast, Rogers sheds light on a more complete narrative of entrepreneurship, discussing the legacy of black entrepreneurs and the importance of inclusion in the marketplace.

Chris Ullman, an internationally recognized whistling champion, is the embodiment of work/life balance. Ullman has performed his unique gift for the likes of President George W. Bush, The Tonight Show, thousands of fans at NBA halftime shows, and over 400 people on their birthdays every year. By day, he is Managing Director at The Carlyle Group — an investment firm with $175 billion under management — and board member at The Fund for American Studies.

In a live conversation with IVY, Ullman shares how he’s used his simple gift to touch hearts, change lives, and bridge the gap between personal and professional happiness — all while giving tips for how to up your own whistling game along the way.

What causes certain ideas to rise to the top and get funded? IVY hosted a live conversation to find out from Indiegogo Co-Founder Slava Rubin.

As the world's first crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo revolutionized the way innovations come to market. Rubin reflects on the lessons he learned along the way and provides advice for entrepreneurs to break through the noise, raise money, and find long-term success for projects of any size.

After his father suddenly passed away from a heart attack, Brett David took over his family business at the age of 19. Now, a decade later — as the CEO of the luxury vehicles dealership Prestige Imports — David has sold over $1B in luxury cars, become an active supporter of charitable organizations, and succeeded in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

In a live conversation with IVY, David shares his incredible life story and how he’s built Prestige Imports into the leading Lamborghini dealership in the United States — not by following all of the traditional rules of business, but by breaking them.

Fashion icon and legendary designer Rachel Roy discusses fashion, philanthropy, and how to design the life you wish to live in a live conversation with IVY in Los Angeles. Rachel believes that everybody can take small, actionable steps to incorporate philanthropy into their personal and professional lives, and that entrepreneurs are in a unique position to better society. Roy discusses her path to founding her own brand, and her belief in using our entrepreneurial spirits as a force for good.

Prakash Janakiraman is the Co-Founder and Chief Architect of Nextdoor. Valued at over one-billion dollars, Nextdoor is an innovative and emerging social network that connects users with their neighbors and surrounding neighborhood.

In a live conversation with IVY, Prakash tells the story of building Nextdoor from the ground up and touches on the far-reaching impact of social networks and their potential for bringing out the best in humanity — whether it's finding a last-minute babysitter or sharing safety tips with your neighbors.