Welcome to The Long View, a podcast for the builders and doers. Today's guest is just that. Ron Schneidermann was the CEO of AllTrails, largely considered one of the top outdoor / adventure platforms in the world. I used it this weekend to hike a 14er with my family. He took it from six people and half a million in ARR to over 100 million registered users worldwide and an exit, which he talks about. Before that, Ron wrote the business plan for Liftopia in the early 2000's using books he bought at Barnes & Noble. Ron talks about what the unglamorous version of startups actually looks like: self-funding, brutal prioritization, and the hardest questions a CEO has to ask themselves. He has hot takes on co-founders, on when NOT to raise money, on culture as the only real competitive moat, and on why, in an age where building anything is trivially easy, human taste and judgment are the last defensible thing we have. Now he's CEO of Acley, an AI-powered standardized-test prep platform, where the same philosophy he's carried through every chapter is running the show.

Ron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schneidermann/

Most venture capitalists have a tech or finance background but Mel Strong took a non-traditional route into the industry, from teaching first grade in West Philly to working at Nike, and ultimately becoming a pioneering VC. In this episode, she shares her unlikely journey, the lessons learned from building iconic brands, and how her diverse experiences shape her approach to investing today. You'll discover how Mel’s unconventional path, teaching, journalism, and global corporate stints, gives her a unique perspective on founder resilience, market opportunities, and leadership authenticity. We break down her approach to mentorship, the art of cold outreach, and maintaining grace in high-stakes environments. Perfect for founders, investors, and anyone curious about how extraordinary careers are built from unexpected beginnings.

Check out Melanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-strong/

In this episode, entrepreneur and outdoor industry leader Robin Thurston shares the lessons behind building, scaling, selling, and reviving category-defining companies. From the rise of MapMyRide and its acquisition by Under Armour to leading the future of Outside, Robin breaks down the realities of startup timing, resilience through growth cycles, and the power of vision-driven leadership. The conversation explores storytelling, risk-taking, AI-driven innovation, outdoor community building through Outside Days, and where the next wave of fitness and outdoor tech opportunities is emerging. 

The Long View with Jesse Marble is a podcast for builders and founders. The ones who know the game is fast but isn't won in a quarter. Every episode, I sit down with founders, investors, athletes, authors, operators, leaders who've been through it, the sleepless stretches, the bets that looked stupid until they didn't, the unsexy work that compounds when nobody's watching. We talk about conviction, survival, and what it actually looks like to build something that lasts. No hacks. No highlight reels. Guards down. 

Check out Robin Thurston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinthurston/