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In today’s episode, we sit down with Peter Smith, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Blockchain.com, one of the world’s largest and most trusted cryptocurrency platforms. As a pioneer in the crypto space, Peter has seen firsthand how blockchain technology has transformed finance and reshaped how we think about money, security, and freedom.
In this in-depth conversation, we explore Peter’s unique perspective on the future of cryptocurrency and what’s coming next as the industry matures. Peter shares insights on how he scaled Blockchain.com into a billion-dollar platform, the biggest challenges facing crypto today, and how the global financial landscape is on the brink of revolutionary change. We also delve into Peter’s take on regulation, decentralization, and the massive potential of Web3.
If you’re interested in understanding the future of money, investing in blockchain, or learning how the crypto industry will impact everything from banking to everyday life, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of crypto’s top leaders on how to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead!
Peter Smith is co-founder and CEO of Blockchain.com — a Bitcoin block explorer service and cryptocurrency wallet provider. Peter Smith was born and raised in England and, before founding Blockchain, had been living, studying and working in the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe. Peter Smith’s Bitcoin involvement started with co-founding the startup Blockchain with Nicolas Cary in 2011. Under the leadership of Peter Smith, the Blockchain company has become a leader in the cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology market. For some time, he was an active investor in the crypto industry. Peter has been featured in popular magazines, and he is frequently invited as an expert and speaker at various related conferences.
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In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Darren Prince, renowned sports and celebrity agent, and a global advocate for addiction recovery, who shares a raw and inspiring story of resilience.
Darren built a successful career representing some of the world’s most iconic figures, like Magic Johnson, Muhammed Ali, Hulk Hogan, and Dennis Rodman. But despite working at the top of his industry, he struggled with a profound sense of emptiness, constantly seeking approval and battling imposter syndrome.
Together, Darren and Chris open up about their vulnerable journeys, sharing personal stories from their childhoods, their battles with addiction, and how they each turned to drugs to cope with insecurities and feelings of inadequacy.
Darren reveals the pressures and challenges of working in a world of fame, where self-worth often depends on external validation. He talks about his journey to recovery, finding self-love, and the turning points that led him to true fulfillment beyond professional success.
Through candid moments and personal insights, this episode sheds light on the power of vulnerability, the importance of self-acceptance, and the strength it takes to overcome deep-seated fears. Join us for a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is real, offering valuable life lessons for anyone who’s struggled with self-worth, approval, or addiction.
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In this episode of World Class with Chris Vasquez, we dive into the mind of one of Silicon Valley’s most influential entrepreneurs and investors, Keith Rabois. Keith, a founding member of PayPal and an early investor in companies like LinkedIn, Square, and Yelp, shares his profound insights on scaling world-class companies, leadership, and what it takes to succeed in the fast-paced world of startups.
Throughout this conversation, Keith opens up about his decision-making frameworks, operating fast-growing startups, and hiring the right executives. He discusses why talented salespeople sometimes flop as VPs, the importance of knowing when to delegate versus doing things yourself, and how to manage time effectively as a leader. Keith also reveals his personal motivation, including how proving people wrong has fueled his incredible drive.
In a deep dive into current events, Keith shares his thoughts on the Kamala vs. Trump dilemma and explains why he believes the upcoming election could result in a massive win for Trump—providing a candid perspective on the political landscape and what’s at stake for the country’s future.
Chapters:
1:25 Founder Mode Explained
4:06 Why Sometimes Talented Salespeople Flop as VPs
4:57 Delegate vs Doing Yourself
9:00 Scaling Fast-Growing Startups
14:42 Key Executive Hires
16:20 Hiring Mistakes
17:25 Time Management Hacks
31:03 The Kamala vs Trump Dilemma
47:54 World Class Life
Key topics in this episode include:
• Founder Mode Explained: Keith’s approach to leadership and thriving in a startup environment
• Why Talented Salespeople Flop as VPs: The mismatch of skills at the executive level
• Delegate vs Doing: When to delegate and when to take charge yourself
• Scaling Fast-Growing Startups: Strategies for rapid growth in the tech industry
• Decision Frameworks & SOPs: Keith’s structured approach to running a business
• Investment Decision-Making Model: Keith’s method for evaluating high-potential investments • Key Executive Hires & Hiring Mistakes: How to build an effective executive team and common pitfalls to avoid
• Motivation & Success: Keith’s insights on what drives him, and using negativity as fuel for growth
• Time Management Hacks: How to manage your time as a startup leader
• The Kamala vs Trump Dilemma: Keith’s perspective on the 2024 election and why he thinks Trump will come out on top
• The World Class Life: Insights into what it takes to live at the highest level of success
• Growth Philosophy: Keith’s personal approach to growing businesses and people
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In this insightful episode of “World Class with Chris Vasquez,” Chris is joined by Ed Sim, the #1 seed investor in the world, to share his invaluable lessons from 28+ years of venture capital investing.
We cover the best startup funding lessons from 28+ years of investing and the exciting world of AI & VC trends in the next 12 months.
Ed breaks down his approach to “inception investing,” diving into his unique 5 Ps model for evaluating startups and why starting small with your investments can lead to big payoffs. He shares his philosophy on the importance of having three founders, a concept honed over decades of successful investments. You’ll also hear about “The Weekend Test,” Ed’s method for evaluating founders’ true dedication.
As the venture space continues to evolve, Ed discusses the biggest shifts in the industry and how they’re shaping the future of startups. He takes a deep dive into the current AI investment landscape and shares stories of successful startups, including Parker Conrad and the rise of Snyk.
For founders, this episode is packed with advice on how to market the vision of your startup, when to deploy more capital, and why the first round of funding is so critical. Ed also talks about the ins and outs of launching a VC fund, and the importance of having “skin in the game,” especially as an underdog in the world of venture capital.
Ed’s journey is one of resilience and determination, and he shares his mantra of staying “poor, hungry, and determined,” a mindset that has guided him through decades of success in investing.
If you’re interested in venture capital, the future of AI, or want to know how to navigate the startup world from a master investor’s perspective, this episode is for you. Tune in for a wealth of knowledge from one of the most successful seed investors in the world.
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Myles Shear also known as Manager Myles, a pioneer in the music industry who manages some of the world’s biggest electronic artists like Kygo, Thomas Jack, Gryffin and Sam Feldt. Myles is the Co-Founder of Palm Tree Crew, an entertainment and hospitality empire spanning music, live events, consumer brands & investments. Whether you’re an aspiring artist manager, an entrepreneur looking to break into new industries, or simply a fan of Kygo and the Palm Tree Crew, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration. Join us as Myles Shear shares his journey of building a world-class brand and offers a fresh perspective on pursuing your passions while staying true to who you are.
Timestamps:
00:00 - 01:08 - Myles’ Origins
01:08 - 04:37 - How Myles and Kygo connected
06:18 - 10:16 - What Kygo saw in Myles
10:16 - 14:40 - Lowest Low/Highest High Moments
14:40 - 15:15 - Peak Fulfillment
15:15 - 18:22 - Palm Tree Crew Inception
18:22 - 27:24 - Starting Music Festivals
27:24 - 29:00 - Monetizing Music
30:09 - 31:57 - Passion for Service
31:57 - 36:14 - World Class Managers
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In this episode, we're joined by the legendary Brent Saunders. Brent Saunders is a world-renowned Fortune 500 CEO who has completed more than $300 billion in mergers & acquisitions throughout his career. He is the CEO of Bausch + Lomb, Chairman of Roam, and former CEO of Allergan, which he sold to AbbVie for $83 billion. He is a pioneer in the health & beauty industry and is directly responsible for building some of the biggest consumer brands, including Botox, Claritin, and Coppertone.
This is not just a conversation; it's a masterclass in leadership, strategy, and the skills required to steer a global pharmaceutical giant.
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Today I sat down with entrepreneur, investor & author, Sahil Bloom, one of the world’s most successful writers & content creators who’s amassed millions of followers in just the last few years. He’s a former Private equity investor turned full-time creator on a mission to help a billion people live healthy, wealthy & high performance lives.
After playing Baseball at Stanford, Sahil joined Altamont Capital and quickly became a Vice President of a Multi Billion dollar investment firm. Then Sahil realized that this conventional path of success wasn’t for him, and made the leap into entrepreneurship. He quickly became one of the fastest growing voices and celebrity brands creating content focused on helping people live healthier and wealthier lives.
In this conversation, Sahil shares some of his best advice on becoming a high performer, building exceptional relationships, & how to create a successful personal brand. We also discuss some of his brilliant frameworks and ideas that you can immediately apply to level up your life. I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
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Today we sit down with Ben Ling, the founder and managing partner at Bling Capital, an early stage technology focused venture capital firm. Ben has invested in 18 unicorn companies, including Lift, Square, Air Table, and Rippling. He was recently named the number 5 seed investor in the 2024 Forbes Midas list. Prior to that he was a managing partner at Khosla Ventures and held senior operating positions at Google, YouTube, and Facebook. In this conversation we dive into how Ben processes deals, his best advice on how to stand out in a competitive landscape, and exactly how to become a .01% investor.
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Dive into the inspiring journey of Kamal Hotchandani, founder of Haute Media Group, as he shares his path from immigrant to luxury media mogul. Learn how he built a world-class network, partnered with A-list celebrities, and created an iconic brand in the luxury space. Discover valuable insights on building successful businesses, cultivating gratitude, and living a fulfilling life. Don't miss this episode packed with entrepreneurship wisdom, networking strategies, and life lessons from one of Miami's most influential figures.
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Today we sit down with Zeb Evans, the cofounder and CEO of ClickUp, a productivity software startup that he built from nothing, into a $4 billion company in under five years. In this conversation, we talk about how exactly Zeb went from three near-death experiences to building one of the fastest software companies in the world. We talk about everything from his habits and rituals that led to a success, to his spiritual journey and finding fulfillment along the way.
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In this episode, we talk with Matteo Franceschetti, the cofounder and CEO of Eight Sleep which is a revolutionary sleep fitness technology company. Eight Sleep is used by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world and endorsed by people like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, and Andrew Huberman. In this conversation we dive deep into Matto‘s journey building Eight Sleep. We talk about his philosophies and tactics on sleep, health, fitness, stress management and everything that goes into becoming the ultimate high-performance human.
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In this episode we sit down with one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs ever. Elliot Bisnow is the cofounder of Summit Series, an iconic global events company for entrepreneurs, visionaries, and world leaders with attendees including Sergey Brin. Richard Branson, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos. He's also a prolific investor and an early investor in companies like Uber, Coinbase, and Warby Parker. Elliot is also the former owner of Powder Mountain Ski Resort in Utah which recently sold to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. He’s the author of the incredibly powerful book 'Make No Small Plans'. In this conversation we talk about Elliot going from college dropout to business icon, finding your purpose overcome imposter syndrome, and building dreams.
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Today we have a conversation with Luke Schoenfelder, the founder and former CEO of Latch, a security technology company in which he took public in 2021. In this episode we dive into Luke’s journey from growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania all the way to building a multi-billion dollar technology company. We have a vulnerable discussion about how to turn your pain into your superpowers, the mindset required to be a World Class entrepreneur, and how to build incredible businesses while fulfilling yourself at the same time.
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On this episode of the World Class Podcast, we sit down with one of the most ambitious entrepreneurs of our generation and the world‘s first "space drug dealer”. Delian Asparouhov is a partner at Founders Fund, as well as the cofounder and chairman of Varda, a revolutionary company building pharmaceuticals infrastructure in outer-space to advance humankind here on earth. In this conversation, we discuss how to accomplish Elon Musk-level moonshot goals, how to assemble World Class teams to make those goals reality, and Delian's advice on how to be fulfilled along the journey.
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Today’s conversation is with the legendary Executive & Crypto pioneer, Brad Garlinghouse. Brad is currently the CEO of Ripple, a leading blockchain based payment solutions company with a current valuation of $11B. Prior to Ripple, Brad was the CEO of Hightail, President at AOL, and Sr. Executive at Yahoo. In this conversation, we really dive into his turbulent story leading Ripple through lawsuits into success. We talk about how to build a World Class team and company culture, the importance of taking risks, as well as Brad's predictions for the crypto market in the future.
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This week we sit down with Jan Bednar is an immigrant from the Czech Republic, who moved to the US at 16 years old to pursue his American Dream. In 2014, he Founded Shipmonk, with a vision to revolutionize the way e-commerce companies manage their supply chains & ship products to their customers. In less than a decade, he built Shipmonk into a $1B enterprise with thousands of employees around the world. Today, we’re going to dive into how to turn your ideas into Billion dollar companies and how to have a lot of fun along the way.
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Howard Lerman is a visionary entrepreneur and pioneer. He is the Founder & CEO of Yext, a data technology company he took public in 2017 that reached more than $3B in Market Cap at its peak. Howard ran Yext as a Public CEO for 22 quarters, before returning back to his roots as startup founder. After experimenting with a number of ideas, Howard stumbled upon his next big venture. With a rampant increase in remote work and distributed workforces, Howard saw an opportunity to create the office of the future – a cloud based virtual office with the power to transform company culture and productivity. Today, we’re diving into his mindset, strategies and tactics on how to be a high performing entrepreneur and create legendary companies.
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In today’s episode I sit down with my friend Steven Galanis. Steve is the Co Founder and CEO of Cameo, in my opinion one of the coolest technology companies in the world that he built to a $Billion Dollar Business in just 5 years. Cameo is a platform that allows fans to purchase personalized videos from their favorite celebrities. It’s my go to gift for birthdays and Holidays, and some of my favorite presents have been Cameo videos. In this conversation we follow Steven’s journey from a student at Duke, hustling and building random businesses to finally discovering and executing on his big idea. We also discuss how to find your confidence, overcome adversity and how to build a billion dollar network.
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Today’s conversation is with my friend, Jack Abraham. Jack is a legendary entrepreneur, investor & pioneer in the technology space. He’s co-founded over a dozen companies, including Replicant, OpenStore and Hims & Hers which became one of the fastest multi billion dollar public companies in history. Jack is the Founder & Managing Partner of Atomic, a wildly successful venture studio that incubates and and invests in its own companies. He’s also an early investor in tech giants like Pinterest, Postmates and Uber. In this conversation, Jack demystifies the art and the science of coming up with ideas and turning them into billion dollar businesses.
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Today’s episode is with legendary executive and operator, Emil Michael. Emil was the former SVP at Tellme Networks, a company that he helped sell for over $600 million in the early 2000s. Shortly after, Emil joined Uber as the Chief Business Officer alongside Travis Kalanick, and helped this startup grow into one of the greatest tech juggernauts in the world, a company that's now worth $160 billion. In this conversation, we dive deep into what it takes to build an iconic organization that changes the world, how to build winning cultures, and the negotiation secrets that Emil used to close multi-billion dollar deals.
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