Shows
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Pain Before Your Breakthrough | How to Navigate Life’s Biggest Transitions
In this powerful episode, David Gilbert opens up about the emotional and spiritual turbulence that comes with transformation. From ego deaths to moments of divine trust, he shares why the pain before and after a breakthrough is not just normal—but sacred.
🎙️ You'll learn:
Why transformation often feels painful right before it gets better
How grief plays a key role in personal evolution
What it really means to “close a chapter” and why it’s worth celebrating
The importance of grace in the messy middle of rebirth
How to ref...
2025-06-0515 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistPassion vs. Heart’s Desire | What You Really Should Be FollowingIn this soul-stirring episode, David Gilbert invites you on a journey through the illusions of passion and into the deeper truth of following your heart’s desire—what he calls the golden thread. From ancestral stories of gold-seekers to the unexpected revelations in his own life, David explores how your truest calling often lies beyond what you think you want.
🎙️ You'll learn:
Why passion can be misleading without inner alignment
The difference between passion and your golden thread
How unconscious beliefs shape what you think you desire
A new way to naviga...
2025-05-2014 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Frequency of Limitlessness: How to Live Without LimitsWhat does it really mean to live without limits? In this episode of The Golden Life, David Gilbert dives into the essence of limitlessness—not as a buzzword, but as a real, embodied frequency. Through personal stories, spiritual insight, and energetic mastery, David guides you through the alchemical path from stuckness to expansive, infinite potential.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The three levels of performance: Performer, High Performer, and Meta Performer
How to transmute limitation into personal power
Why "knowing thyself" is the real key to peak performance
How spiritual awakening and energetic frequen...
2025-05-1319 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistMindset of The Farmer & The Pilot | Building a Life That SoarsIn this episode, David Gilbert draws from his own family lineage of farmers and pilots to offer a powerful metaphor for personal transformation. What can you learn from the grounded patience of a farmer and the forward-thinking mindset of a pilot? David shares stories of his grandfathers—one who chased the skies and another who chose the soil—and unpacks how their opposing paths both hold deep wisdom for anyone pursuing a bold life vision.
🎙️ You'll learn:Why staying grounded in reality is crucial for long-term success
How to identify and tend to the “weeds” in y...
2025-04-2217 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistWhat NOT to Do After a Transformational Experience | Stop Pushing People AwayThis episode is your guide for what to do after a life-changing transformation—and how to share it without pushing people away. In this episode, David Gilbert explores the emotional gap that happens when you return from transformation only to feel misunderstood. He shares how to embody your growth without alienating those closest to you—and why action speaks louder than words.
🎙️ You'll learn:
Why most people get it wrong when sharing their breakthrough
The difference between persuasion and invitation
How to embody change instead of preaching it
Why people resist—even when you just want to help
How...
2025-04-1515 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Social Mask That’s Keeping You Stuck | Break Through and Be The Real YouYour social mask is the wall between you and everything you truly want. In this episode of The Golden Life podcast, David Gilbert takes you on a journey to uncover the hidden forces shaping your reality. It’s time to break free, embrace your authentic self, and step fully into your golden potential.
For too long, we’ve been conditioned to fit in, to mold ourselves to expectations, and to wear a mask that keeps us “safe.” But that same mask is also keeping us disconnected—from ourselves, from others, and from the life we’re meant to live. Thr...
2025-04-0115 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistWhy You Keep Falling Back Into Old Patterns | The Hidden Sabotage LoopYou’ve uncovered your limiting beliefs. You’ve set your goals. You’re committed to change. But then—life happens. Unexpected setbacks, doubts, and external challenges make you feel like you’re right back where you started. Why does this cycle keep repeating? In this episode, we dive into the next phase of the alchemical journey and how to take back your power.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The real reason you keep getting stuck in old patterns
How to stop blaming external circumstances and reclaim control
The key to turning challenges into growth
A powerful mindset shift that will change eve...
2025-03-0412 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Alchemical Journey: Become The Alchemist Of Your Life Pt. 1The Alchemical Journey: Unlocking Your Golden Potential
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert invites you on a transformative journey of inner alchemy. He explores the ancient secrets of turning fear, doubt, and limitation into the gold of love, freedom, and inner peace. This four-part series will guide you through the alchemical process, helping you awaken to your highest potential.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The true meaning of alchemy and how it applies to personal transformation
How to shift from chasing external success to discovering inner fulfillment
The ancient secrets of the Great Work...
2025-02-1811 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistBreaking Free | How to Alchemize Joy & Fulfillment in a Distracted WorldIn this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert shares his profound philosophy on creating a life of joy, peace, and fulfillment. He unveils the three core principles of the Golden Life and guides you on a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The three pillars of the Golden Life: Fulfillment, Enjoyment, and Self-Discovery
The importance of self-acceptance and embracing your unique essence
How to cultivate peak experiences and cultivate a life of joy
The power of service and contributing to something greater than yourself
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're:
Seeking to liv...
2025-01-3023 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistHow to Create Peak Experiences On Demand: Recharge Your Life And JoyIn this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the power of intentional peak experiences to unlock a year of extraordinary joy and fulfillment. He shares a profound technique to design your ideal year and cultivate a life of consistent joy and peak states.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The importance of identifying and leveraging past successes and challenges
How to cultivate peak experiences that recharge your mind, body, and spirit
The power of intention and commitment in creating a life of joy and abundance
How to design a year filled with purpose, passion, and peak experiences
❤️...
2025-01-2319 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistUnlock Your New Year Potential: The Alchemist's Guide to a Thrilling YearTired of setting New Year's resolutions that fizzle out by February? In this episode, David Gilbert shares a powerful 3-step process to create a truly fulfilling year.
🎙️ You'll learn:
Collect your gold and lead - Identify your past successes and challenges to gain valuable insights.
Create space - Clear mental and physical clutter to prepare for a fresh start.
Craft a thrilling vision -: Define your goals with clarity and passion, and discover the steps to make them a reality.
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're:
You're ready to break free from the cycle of unful...
2025-01-1624 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Alchemical Steps to Creation: The Power of Creation Over Manifestation
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the power of creation and the alchemical process. He shares practical techniques to manifest your desires and live a life of abundance.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The five elements of creation and their role in manifestation
How to connect with your higher self and tap into infinite potential
Practical techniques for visualizing and manifesting your desires
The importance of releasing expectations and trusting the process
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're:
Seeking to manifest your desires and live a life of abundance
Interested in p...
2024-11-2129 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Direct Roadmap to Fulfill Your Potential: The Alchemical Path to Self-Mastery.The Direct Roadmap to Fulfill Your Potential: Craft Your Life of Purpose
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. He shares a five-step roadmap to help you fulfill your potential and live a life of purpose.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The importance of stepping outside your comfort zone
How to set ambitious goals and stay committed
The power of self-forgiveness and self-compassion
The role of passion and purpose in driving your journey
The cyclical nature of personal growth and transformation
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're...
2024-11-1221 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistDiscovering the Road to Sacred Union | Transform & Strengthen Your Committed Relationship
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the concept of sacred union and its transformative power. He shares practical techniques to deepen your connection with your partner and cultivate a more fulfilling relationship.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The importance of sacred union in relationships
How to overcome challenges and build a strong foundation
Practical techniques for enhancing intimacy and connection
The role of self-awareness and personal growth in relationships
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're:
In a committed relationship seeking to deepen your connection
Inter...
2024-11-0525 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistUnlocking Spiritual Flow: Following the Golden Thread of PassionUnlocking Spiritual Flow: Following the Golden Thread of Passion
Join David Gilbert on the Golden Life podcast as he delves into the concept of spiritual flow to overcome disconnection and live a life full of passion. Through personal anecdotes and practical exercises, learn to embody values such as presence, acceptance, and essence. Discover how to harness intuition and see synchronicities as you align with your divine path.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The importance of spiritual flow for overall well-being
How to overcome resistance and cultivate a state of flow
Practical techniques for connecting with your in...
2024-10-2924 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistHeal with Mother Earth | A Guided Ritual of Forgiveness & Connection
Transform Your Life with Sacred Rituals: Unveiling the Path to Inner Peace and Healing
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the power of ritual and its transformative potential. He shares a unique combination of Ho'oponopono and despacho ceremonies to help you heal, connect with Mother Earth, and find inner peace.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The significance of rituals in personal growth and transformation
How to perform a healing ritual that combines Ho'oponopono and despacho
The benefits of connecting with Mother Earth and nature
The importance of self-love and for...
2024-10-1529 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistMastering The Flow State | Unlock The Ultimate State of ConsciousnessEmbrace Your Inner Alchemist: Creating a Life of Flow
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert dives deep into the flow state and its transformative potential. He provides practical tips to help you access the flow state and unlock your true capabilities.
🎙️ What you'll discover:
The science and benefits of the flow state
How to identify and tackle flow blockers
Techniques to access flow on demand
The importance of self-awareness and growth in achieving flow
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're seeking:
Enhanced productivity and perf...
2024-10-0830 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistInner Child Healing | Integrating the Inner King & Inner Child
Awakening Your Inner Healer: A Path to Personal Fulfillment
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert delves into the transformative journey of inner child healing and its impact on personal fulfillment. He shares actionable strategies to connect with your inner child, mend emotional wounds, and unleash your true potential.
🎙️ What You’ll Discover:
The crucial role of inner child healing in fostering personal growth
How to recognize and meet your inner child's needs
Effective techniques for establishing a connection with your inner child
The significance of self-awareness and self-comp...
2024-10-0115 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistCultivating Work Life Balance | Sacred Union of the Inner Masculine and Feminine
Unleashing Your Inner Alchemist: Crafting a Life of Balance
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the concept of work-life balance and its connection to inner harmony. He shares practical techniques to balance your inner masculine and feminine energies and create a more fulfilling life.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The importance of inner balance for achieving work-life harmony
How to identify your natural tendencies and areas for growth
Practical techniques to balance your masculine and feminine energies
The role of self-awareness and personal growth in creating a balanced l...
2024-09-2415 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistHow to Get Spiritually JACKED | The 6 Principles for Spiritual PowerThe 6 Principles for Spiritual Power: From Personal to Spiritual Development
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert delves into the profound connection between personal growth and spiritual development. He shares practical techniques to tap into your inner potential and unlock new levels of spiritual power.
🎙️ You’ll learn:
The importance of a strong foundation for spiritual growth
The six core principles for spiritual power
How to integrate your personality with your spiritual aspects
The role of acceptance and unconditional love in spiritual transformation
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you’re:
Seeki...
2024-09-1714 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistFrom Lone Wolf To Soul Tribe | Why Community is Key for Growth and HealingDiscovering Your Soul Tribe: From Lone Wolf to Crafting a Life of Connection
Join David Gilbert as he shares an inspiring journey on how to transform your life by alchemizing the wealth of relationships. Learn how to go from feeling like a lone wolf to finding your soul tribe and experiencing deep connection and support. David shares personal anecdotes and valuable tips to help you navigate personal growth, overcome loneliness, and build meaningful relationships
🎙️ You'll learn:
How to overcome the feelings of being isolated and alone
The importance of community and conne...
2024-09-1015 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistHow To Unlock Self-Love | Unleash The Transmutation Power of Your Heart!Unveiling the Heart's Alchemy: A Journey of Self-Discovery
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the profound connection between self-love and personal fulfillment. He shares practical techniques to tap into the power of your heart and the 6 steps to fully unlock unconditional love.
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🎙️ You'll learn:
The importance of self-love as a foundation for a fulfilling life
How to cultivate a deep connection with your heart
The science behind heart coherence and its benefits
Practical techniques to access your heart and shift your state
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you'r...
2024-09-0317 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistAlchemical Secrets to Self-Mastery & Freedom | Know Thy 3 Levels of ResistanceTriumph Over Self Sabotage: Overcoming the Force of Resistance
In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert explores the concept of resistance and its role in personal transformation. He shares insights on how to overcome self-sabotage and unlock your true potential.
🎙️ You'll learn:
The three levels of resistance
How resistance can be both an ally and an adversary
Tools to overcome resistance and break free from limiting patterns
The importance of self-awareness and understanding your mind
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're:
Struggling to over...
2024-08-2716 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Alchemy of Fulfillment | The Blueprint To Your Most Extraordinary L.I.F.E.
Unlock Your Inner Powerhouse: Creating an Extraordinary Life
Discover the secret to a fulfilling life that isn't dependent on external circumstances. In this episode, David Gilbert shares his insights on building a life filled with energy, freedom, impact, and legacy. Learn how to shift your focus from external achievements to internal fulfillment.
You'll discover practical steps to overcome obstacles, build resilience, and create a life you love.
Are you ready to become the architect of your own extraordinary life?
FREE GOLDEN L.I.F.E. BLUEPRINT 👉 https://www.goldenlife.com/of...
2024-08-2121 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistSelf-Mastery, Freedom & Possibility | 11 Reasons To Become The Modern Day AlchemistUnleash Your Inner Alchemist: Mastering the Art of Transformation
Discover the ancient wisdom of alchemy and its relevance to modern life. In this episode, David Gilbert explores the 11 key principles to become a master of transformation. Get ready to transform your life from the inside out.
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🎙️ Learn how to become the Alchemist:
Master yourself and your life.
Embody ultimate freedom, love, and possibility.
Harness the power of transmutation.
Achieve internal balance and harmony.
Become an artist of your life.
Co-create your reality with the cosmos.
Embody your full potential.
Find the intersection of human perf...
2024-08-0625 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistThe Alchemical Journey | How To Transmute Your Inner Lead into GoldTurn Your Pain into Gold: The Alchemical Journey
This episode dives deep into the transformative power of the alchemical journey, an experience for taking your deepest struggles and turning them into your greatest strengths. David Gilbert, your guide on this path, will explain the 7-step Alchemical Journey for turning your "lead" into "soul gold!"
❤️🔥 What you’ll learn:
The 7 Stages of Alchemy: A step-by-step journey to transform your "lead" into "soul gold."
Discover how to shift from a victim mindset to one of empowerment, finding purpose and fulfillment in the process.
Learn...
2024-07-0921 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistMastering Peak States of Consciousness | The Ultimate Integration Guide Are you ready to unlock your hidden potential and heal from past pain?
This episode dives into the power of altered states of consciousness. Explore the metaphorical journey of peak states of consciousness, up to the mountaintop where you gain a higher perspective and reconnect with your true self. David Gilbert, your guide, shares how to integrate and embody the insights you gain on this inward journey.
❤️🔥 What you’ll learn:
The benefits of peak states of consciousness: Gain clarity, heal past wounds, and receive insights about your life's purpose.
How to safely explore a...
2024-07-0213 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistDiscover Your Personal Legend | REAL Story From The Alchemist Book!In this episode of The Golden Life Show, David Gilbert shares his powerful personal story inspired by Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. David explores the concept of following your heart's calling and the unfolding of your unique purpose in life.
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🎙️ You'll learn:
How to identify the "omens" on your life path
Why purpose is a journey, not a destination
Tools to overcome feelings of doubt and anxiety
The importance of trusting your intuition
How your past experiences shape your future
❤️🔥 This episode is for you if you're:
Feeling lost or unsure of your direction
Se...
2024-06-0419 min
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistUnveiling Your Golden Essence | Dissolve Your Inner Lead on The Golden Life Podcast!The Golden Life Podcast is here to help you become the alchemist of your life. Join host David Gilbert on a journey of transformation to discover your true essence and create a life filled with love, freedom, and joy.
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🎙️ In each episode, you will learn:
How to dissolve the limiting beliefs that hold you back
Practical alchemy techniques to turn your challenges into gold
How to live a life that is true to your authentic self
Ways to tap into your inner power and create the life of your dreams
❤️🔥 This podcast is for you if:
...
2024-06-0417 min
AcquiredStarbucks (with Howard Schultz)Starbucks. You’d be hard pressed to name any brand that’s more ubiquitous in the world today. With nearly half a billion global customer purchases per week across its stores and 3rd party retail channels, a significant portion of the human population gets their daily fix in the green and white paper cup. (Including our own Ben Gilbert who famously enjoys his daily spinach feta wrap. :)But it wasn’t always this way. Long before the frappuccinos and the PSLs and the cake pops, Starbucks was just a small-time Seattle roaster that only sold beans — and was star...
2024-06-043h 06
The Golden Life | Become The AlchemistOfficial Trailer: Welcome To The Golden Life Podcast!Are you ready to unlock your golden potential?
The Golden Life Podcast is your guide to becoming the alchemist of your life. Join host David Gilbert on a journey of transformation to discover your true essence and create a life filled with love, freedom, and joy.
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🎙️ In each episode, you will learn:
How to dissolve the limiting beliefs that hold you back
Practical alchemy techniques to turn your challenges into gold
How to live a life that is true to your authentic self
Ways to tap into your inner power and create the l...
2024-05-1401 min
More Perfect MarketingVoiceovers & Connecting with Customers Across Channels (with David Gilbert)On this episode of More Perfect Marketing, we dive into the world of voiceover work and the importance of building connections with customers. Our guest, David Gilbert, shares his journey from losing his job to pursuing his passion for voiceover work. He shares the importance of investing in training and coaching and developing marketing skills to stand out in the industry. We discuss the power of audio branding, finding a niche in a competitive market, and the importance of consistency in messaging. We also explore the evolution of vocal styles in radio and TV commercials and the need for...
2023-05-2934 min
AcquiredSessions: David Senra (Founders Podcast)ACQ Sessions returns with David Senra of the Founders Podcast. David is one of our very favorite people in the world — it’s impossible to spend an hour (or 3!) with him and not come away inspired to go take over the world. This conversation is an “extended, IRL version” of monthly calls that we do together where we share stories, swap life and podcast advice, and just genuinely enjoy sharing time with someone who shares our outlook and enthusiasm for the history of entrepreneurship. Pull up a chair, grab a beverage (or energy drink in David’s case) and join us!
2023-03-293h 12AcquiredAndreessen Horowitz Part IWe kick off Season 9 with a classic: Part I of the a16z story. How did this brand new venture firm charge out of the gates in 2009, going from zero to disrupting the entire venture industry overnight? You probably know Marc & Ben's history with Netscape and Loudcloud/Opsware... but what about the Black Panthers, Nintendo 64, Al Gore, Doug Leone, Masayoshi Son, and an epic feud with Benchmark Capital that became Silicon Valley's version of the Hatfields and the McCoys? Buckle up, Acquired's got the truth. Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: h...
2021-07-271h 58AcquiredBerkshire Hathaway Part IIt's time. After 150+ episodes on great companies, we tackle the granddaddy of them all — Berkshire Hathaway. One episode alone isn't nearly enough to do Warren and Poor Charlie justice, so today we present Part I: Warren's story. How did a folksy, middle-class kid from Omaha become the single greatest capitalist of all-time? Why, like Jordan, did he retire (twice!) at the top of his game, only to reinvent himself and come back stronger than ever? As always, we dive in. Let's dance. Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit...
2021-04-213h 04AcquiredThe New York Times CompanyFor the entire 20th Century, you’d be hard pressed to find a better business than an American newspaper — Warren Buffett famously described them as “franchises” — and no American newspaper stood taller than the New York Times. Controlled by a single family bound by a legal oath “to maintain the editorial independence and integrity of The New York Times and to continue it as an independent newspaper, entirely fearless, free of ulterior influence and unselfishly devoted to the public welfare”, the Times served as the paper of record for generations of Americans and people around the world. But no good thing las...
2021-02-183h 00AcquiredAirbnbOver 13 years after its founding, one of the defining startup companies of the past decade finally makes its public debut — and boy was it a big one. But for all the hype (and all the legitimately great things Airbnb has accomplished), this is a company that looks very different today than in the past. Even before COVID, Airbnb's once-exponential bookings growth had declined to linear levels while the company's costs continued to balloon at accelerating rates. What’s going on here? Are public investors smart to bet on a permanent shift in travel behavior coming out of the pandemic? Or i...
2020-12-112h 32AcquiredDoorDashLive from the scene of its blockbuster IPO, we recount the crazy, roller coaster journey of this "Palo Alto delivery company". From Sand Hill darling during their Series A and B fundraises to all but left-for-dead during the great unicorn massacre of 2015/16, DoorDash has clawed their way back from the brink and emerged as America's dominant meal delivery service, and its only unit-economic positive standalone logistics player. Is this the dawn of the next great Amazon-like story, or is the company simply benefiting from temporary tailwinds due to the pandemic? As always, we dive DEEP to find out.
2020-12-102h 52AcquiredThe NBAOn the eve of the 2020 NBA Finals, we dive DEEP into the history and business model of the league behind the world's 2nd largest and fastest growing major sport. How did the NBA grow from merely an excuse to monetize hockey arena off-nights into a global powerhouse with more reach and influence and reach than any other American sport? Tune in!! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with h...
2020-10-012h 39AcquiredEpic GamesWe go deep behind the "epic" story of a plucky game developer from Cary, North Carolina (by way of Potomac, Maryland) which, after bootstrapping for its first 22 years, has quietly morphed into an $18b juggernaut that may become the most important technology company for the next evolution of the internet. And oh yeah, its founder, CEO and controlling shareholder? He cares more about land conservation than he does about money, he's beholden to no one and has the firepower of China's biggest internet giant behind him, and he's willing to stare down Apple, Google and anyone else who doesn't...
2020-09-022h 21AcquiredOprah (Harpo Studios)We close out Season 6 with the story of perhaps the single most successful media entrepreneur of all-time: Oprah Winfrey, and her juggernaut conglomerate Harpo Studios. Born to a poor single mother in the segregated 1950's deep south, Oprah's rise from terrible adversity to wealthiest Black woman in the world ranks among the very greatest American success stories. And oh yeah — along the way she single-handedly created the entire influencer economy, rewrote the blueprint of a modern power broker, and set the world record for most cars given away at one time (276). Sit back, listen and get ready to live yo...
2020-06-252h 06AcquiredSpaceXOn the eve of SpaceX's historic scheduled launch of its first human spaceflight mission — both the first ever by a private company, and the first to take place on American soil in nearly a decade — we tell the incredible story of its rise from ragtag rocket jocks to the most disruptive and advanced force in aerospace today. While much of the Musk spotlight has shone on Tesla in recent years, is SpaceX actually the company that will have the greatest impact on our world's future, and perhaps even other worlds beyond? All of a sudden that idea seems a litt...
2020-05-262h 37AcquiredWhatsAppWe kick off Season 6 with a long-awaited Acquired Classic: Facebook’s $22B purchase of WhatsApp in 2014, which still ranks as the largest acquisition of a private VC-backed startup in history. Yet despite that enormous pricetag and all its associated fanfare, as we sit here 5+ years later WhatsApp actually generates LESS revenue than the meager ~$20m it was bringing in at the time of acquisition. Was this this worst acquisition of all-time, or a brilliant strategic chess move by Mark Zuckerberg & co? Tune in as we render Acquired’s judgement!Note: Unfortunately David’s audio quality in this episod...
2020-01-291h 44AcquiredConvoy (with CEO Dan Lewis)Coming to you live from the University of Washington, Ben and David are joined by hundreds of awesome Seattle listeners (and a few non-Seattle listeners!) to cover the meteoric rise of trucking industry disruptor and hometown hero Convoy. How did Dan and Convoy go from nervously conducting market research at truck stops on I-5 to one of the largest logistics companies and fastest-growing startups in the world in just four short years, raising over $650m (not a typo) along the way? Tune in to find out!Special thank you to the Paul Allen School of Computer Science...
2019-12-191h 33AcquiredTikTokWe take Acquired to the Old Town Road to cover the amazing story behind the biggest global sensation of 2019 — and the highest valued private startup in the world — TikTok. How did a mid-30 year old UX architect at enterprise software giant SAP wind up creating Gen Z’s favorite social app that’s now rivaling Instagram in global MAU? Why is a 2017 merger of two Chinese companies being branded a US national security threat and retroactively placed under review by CFIUS? And perhaps most importantly, why is TikTok such an important product & technology innovation that all of us should be learn...
2019-12-091h 34AcquiredDisney, PlusThe Flywheel is strong with this one. We dive deep into the origins of one of the boldest business strategy decisions of our time: Disney CEO Bob Iger’s attempt to buck the Innovator’s Dilemma - and forego billions of dollars in cashflow from Netflix and pay TV providers - in order to establish a direct distribution relationship with its customers for the first time in the company’s history. Is this the force awakening within the house that Walt built, or a phantom menace that will drag Disney to the dark side of unprofitability? Tune in to find o...
2019-11-252h 10AcquiredSequoia Capital (Part 1)Acquired dives into the history behind storied venture firm Sequoia Capital and its legendary founder, Don Valentine. Part 1 tells Don’s story, starting from humble beginnings born to uneducated parents in Yonkers, NY, through shaping the fabric of Silicon Valley first as head of Sales & Marketing at both Fairchild and National Semiconductor, and then for generations to come via his pioneering concept of “company building” at Sequoia Capital. No matter where you sit in the ecosystem today, Don and the companies he helped build laid the foundation for nearly everything technology has become over the past 60 years.S...
2019-09-261h 45AcquiredGoogle MapsBen and David cover the series of three 2004 Google acquisitions that formed the core of Google Maps as we know and love it today: Where 2 Technologies, Keyhole and ZipDash. From nearly zero adoption between the three companies at the time of acquisition to well over 1 billion users today, does Google Maps merit admission to the hallowed Acquired A+ pantheon? Tune in to find out!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with...
2019-08-261h 33AcquiredThe Shopify IPOBen and David head north of the border to Ottawa, Canada to cover perhaps one of the greatest IPO success stories of the past 5 years, Shopify. From humble beginnings as a “lifestyle business” hawking hipster snowboard gear online to now routinely mentioned in the same breath as Amazon, the tale of Shopify and its incredible CEO Tobi Lütke’s ascent is not one to miss!Editor's note: Shopify actually powered $41b of sales, not $14b, in 2018, as discussed toward the end of the episode. $14b was the fourth-quarter number. While this changes the analysis of value capture...
2019-08-061h 23AcquiredHuaweiFor our first episode of Season 5, Acquired returns to Shenzhen to cover another Chinese technology giant, this one slightly... different from our past subjects: Huawei. From a backwater importer of PBX switches to the world’s second largest handset manufacturer and near-undisputed leader in 5G infrastructure technology, Huawei’s ascent over the past 30 years has been nothing short of spectacular, equaled only by the spectacular fireworks of recent events surrounding the company. What’s the story behind this global telecom giant, and what does its future portend for global tech and US - China relations? We dive in....
2019-07-221h 00AcquiredThe Slack DPOIt’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s an... enterprise software company? We give the full Acquired treatment to newly-public Slack, one of the most extreme and successful pivots of all-time. From a log cabin in Canada to a never-ending game and back again, Slack’s journey has more twists and turns than a Hobbit’s tale. Tune in for one APLUSS story you don’t want to miss!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquire...
2019-06-251h 52AcquiredThe Zoom IPO (with Santi Subotovsky)Zoom board member (and general partner at Emergence Capital) Santi Subotovsky joins us to tell the true underdog story behind the hottest IPO of 2019. Together we trace founder Eric Yuan’s incredible journey from immigrant software developer, who didn’t speak any English upon arriving in Silicon Valley in 1997, to Glassdoor’s #1 rated CEO in America in 2018. In an age where border walls have replaced open doors in Washington, and burn rates and privacy scandals have sidelined Silicon Valley’s pretense of making the world a better place, there is no better reminder than Zoom of everything that can be great...
2019-06-191h 14AcquiredThe Pinterest IPOIn the second episode of our APLUSS(Z!) IPO saga, we dive into the history behind the planet’s largest non-social social network, Pinterest. From The Pirates of Silicon Valley to the bloggers of Salt Lake City, the creation story behind this “productivity tool for planning your dreams” is far from your typical unicorn journey. Once labelled as the “next Facebook” by investors and press, ten years later both Pinterest-the-product and Pinterest-the-company are in fact anything but. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing… tune in to find out!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly...
2019-04-241h 36AcquiredThe Lyft IPOCall it the playoffs. Call it the Olympics. Call it March Madness. No matter which sports analogy you borrow, it falls short of capturing what Lyft's IPO yesterday kicked off in the tech world. A generational changing of the guard from the FAANG to the APLUSS (Airbnb, Pinterest, Lyft, Uber, Slack, Stripe). A breaking of the liquidity dam that's kept capital, technology and talent locked up in a small number of Silicon Valley winners for longer than ever in history. And most importantly, a public market avenue for investing in the largest single market created since the advent of...
2019-03-312h 14AcquiredInstagram Revisited (with Emily White)We enter the wayback machine and revisit the subject of Acquired’s second ever episode, Facebook’s bombshell 2012 acquisition of Instagram — this time with the help of then-Facebook executive Emily White, who moved over post-acquisition to become Instagram’s first business head. Together with Kevin and Mike, Emily helped build Instagram's business model, which today accounts for nearly 1/4 of all of Facebook’s revenue. Is this still Acquired’s canonical A+ with an extra 3.5 years of hindsight? Spoiler alert: yes.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlego...
2019-02-261h 08AcquiredSpecial: Spotify + Gimlet/Anchor Quick Take + Worldwide Meetup Details!Spotify + Gimlet/Anchor Quick Take!We continue to experiment on Acquired, this time with a quick-take on Spotify’s bombshell dual-acquisition of Anchor and Gimlet Media. While we may give these deals the full Acquired treatment in the future, we wanted to share our quick thoughts with you all sooner rather than later while the Acquired research department (aka Ben & David’s free time) works through the current episode backlog. Let us know if you like this format and we’ll do more in the future!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquir...
2019-02-1940 minAcquiredESPNBooyah! Acquired, the worldwide leader in acquisitions and IPOs, kicks off Season 4 with a classic: ESPN. How did a failed former TV weatherman end up building the world’s most valuable media company on top of a dump (quite literally) in Bristol, Connecticut? We follow the incredible entrepreneurial journey from Getty Oil diversification strategy to Berkshire Hathaway home run to Disney crown jewel. This Is Awesome, Baby!!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get em...
2019-01-211h 20AcquiredTencentWe close out Season 3 and our China mini-series with a monster episode on Tencent, the Shenzhen-based social networking and entertainment powerhouse. We dive deep into the story of Pony Ma and his cofounders’ incredible journey from making software for pagers(!) to QQ, WeChat, League of Legends, Fortnite, Snapchat and even Tesla. This is one finale you don’t want to miss!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next epis...
2018-12-171h 47AcquiredNetflix (Part 2)We complete our two-part Netflix special with the company’s bold transition to streaming, including of course the most (in)famous spin-out in business history. Rising from the ashes of Qwikster, we chronicle Netflix’s rebirth as a media company and long journey back to the top of the FAANG mountaintop!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merc...
2018-11-251h 22AcquiredNetflix (Part 1)In a world ravaged by late fees and lack of rewinding, one man two men from a sleepy California beach town make a stand against tyranny, daringly dethrone an evil empire and… oh who are we kidding, they just copied Amazon’s business plan for books and applied it to movie rentals. But as always there is much more to the story than that! We dive into the fascinating, true, and oft-untold history of Netflix in our first two-part special on Acquired. Part 1 covers Netflix’s original DVD rental business from founding to 2009, and next time on Part 2 we’ll cover...
2018-11-121h 24AcquiredVenmo (live with Andrew Kortina)Ben & David are joined by special guest and Venmo cofounder Andrew Kortina for our first-ever SF live show! In front of a packed house we chronicle the journey of how two freshman-year roommates from Penn turned a healthy obsession with Craigslist and a fake podcast into an app that facilitated $17B of payments last quarter alone, producing not one but two landmark acquisitions along the way!Note: the audio quality is a little rough due to some A/V issues at the live show. We apologize!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow...
2018-10-291h 07AcquiredBehance (with Scott Belsky)Ben and David are joined by Adobe’s Chief Product Officer, Behance founder, Benchmark partner, author, and product luminary, Scott Belsky, to tell the story of Adobe Systems’ 2012 acquisition of Behance. We dive into the role it played in of one of the greatest (and least well-known) pivots of all time: Adobe’s transition from packaged software to services, which over the past 6 years has generated an astounding $100B+ in market cap and nearly 10x growth in Adobe’s share price!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acqui...
2018-10-021h 09AcquiredAlibabaWe continue our China Tech series with perhaps the most incredible entrepreneurial journey in history: Alibaba and its indefatigable founder, Jack Ma. How did an unknown 30 year-old English teacher from a second tier Chinese city build the world’s 7th largest company by market cap (and the largest in China) in just 20 short years? This is one story you don’t want to miss.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hint...
2018-09-241h 32AcquiredRecode (with Kara Swisher)In this special episode Ben & David head to Recode’s SF office and sit down in the red chair with the one & only Kara Swisher! Kara tells the story of Recode, from the beginnings of her partnership with Walt Mossberg in the late 90’s at WSJ to the launch of the D Conference and the All Things D blog, to starting Recode and ultimately being acquired by Vox Media in 2015. Kara is someone we’ve long looked up to at Acquired, and it was really special to have her join us on the show. We hope you enjoy the conver...
2018-09-111h 21AcquiredThe Sonos IPOBen and David are (almost) live on the scene covering the plucky Southern California “camera company”… uh wait, wrong episode… we mean *speaker* company’s IPO! Continuing the long Acquired tradition of analyzing companies at the intersection of music, tech and business, we discuss the past, present and future of Sonos in world where speakers actually now… speak!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent...
2018-08-201h 32AcquiredTeslaAcquired kicks off Season 3 with a gangbuster two-hour extravaganza on America’s most successful automotive startup since The Ford Motor Company: Tesla. We cover everything, from founding to its 2010 IPO to all that’s happened since, including the question on the minds of superhero fans everywhere: who came first, Elon Musk or Tony Stark? (Spoiler: Elon)Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent epis...
2018-07-171h 57AcquiredGitHubWe’re live on the scene the day following the biggest announcement in the open source software world since well, open source software: Microsoft acquiring GitHub for $7.5B in stock. How did we get here? What does it mean for software developers going forward? And most importantly, why is there a creepy half-cat / half-octopus plastered all over everything? As always, Acquired has the answers.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hi...
2018-06-061h 22AcquiredT-Mobile / SprintIf you thought the telecom business was boring, think again! Acquired brings you an episode packed with more drama than an entire season of Game of Thrones. Starting with a death in the family, we follow a tale of fortunes lost and rebuilt, bitter battles between rivals who once worked for each other, and at the center of it all, a lesson in the power of stable cashflow businesses. This is one call you don’t want to drop!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: ht...
2018-05-211h 19AcquiredPowerPointAcquired returns with a classic, delving into Microsoft’s first acquisition ever: Forethought Inc, the makers of PowerPoint. Hate it or love it, you can’t deny the combined companies’ impact: by the early 90’s PowerPoint had transformed the way businesses, educators and governments communicate, ensuring job security for pointy-haired Dilbert bosses everywhere.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2M...
2018-05-041h 12AcquiredSpotify’s Direct ListingAcquired wraps up a big few weeks of coverage with not an IPO or an M&A or a fundraising round, but what’s still the largest tech exit in recent memory: Spotify’s $30B direct public listing. We dive into what it all means and how we got here: from Napster to iTunes to Facebook (and even some Justin Timberlake thrown in for good measure). Acquired FM is on the scene and spinning all the hits from this new wave music industry titan! Note: We incorrectly described Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s ownership stake in Spotify as 25%+...
2018-04-061h 43AcquiredThe Dropbox IPOAcquired is live on the scene following Dropbox’s public market debut. From playing a central role in the early days of Y Combinator, to having Steve Jobs famously label the company a “feature not a product”, to pivoting from consumers to enterprise to developers and back again, the silicon valley history runs deep with this one. What twists and turns lie ahead for Dropbox as a public company? We speculate!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More A...
2018-03-261h 35AcquiredSoftBank, Fortress and the Vision FundAcquired dives into the topic on the minds and lips of just about every VC and founder these days: SoftBank’s $93B+ Vision Fund, and its seemingly-overnight rewriting of the rules of venture capital and startup fundraising. Where did this new 800lbs gorilla come from, what are its goals, and what does it mean for the future of silicon valley and the global tech ecosystem? The answer, it turns out, starts with an acquisition, and unfolds into a story no one has yet told and few yet understand. Luckily our heroes are on the case!Sp...
2018-03-231h 26AcquiredNestAcquired brings it all back home—to the smart home that is—with Google’s 2014 acquisition of Nest for $3.2B. From Nest cofounder Tony Fadell’s first job at General Magic (alongside future Android founder Andy Rubin) to his days as “father of the iPod” under Steve Jobs at Apple, the Silicon Valley history runs deep with this one. But did that make the acquisition a good move for Google in the coming battle with Amazon’s “Lady A” for control over consumers’ homes? We dive in!Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acqui...
2018-02-201h 31AcquiredRaising a Seed Round with Against Gravity CEO Nick FajtWe launch mini-series on Acquired with a subject near & dear to our heroes’ hearts: startup fundraising! This has been one of our most-requested new topics, and we’re excited to kick things off with makers of the popular Rec Room social VR app, Against Gravity, which raised one of Seattle’s hottest venture rounds in recent history: a $4m seed led by Sequoia Capital in 2016. CEO Nick Fajt joins to tell the story from company inception to building and shipping the initial product, fundraising as a first-time CEO, what they’ve been able to accomplish with the capital and their vi...
2018-02-071h 12AcquiredZappos (with Alfred Lin)Former Zappos Chairman & COO (and current Partner at Sequoia Capital) Alfred Lin joins our heroes to kick off Season 2 with a classic: Amazon’s 2009 acquisition of the internet’s quirkiest online retailer for $1.2B in stock. How did three Harvard undergrads go from delivering pizza to their dorm to delivering happiness to the world — and become in the process one of the few companies ever to compete successfully head-to-head against Amazon in commerce? Tune in to find out! Note: Unfortunately the quality of David and Alfred’s audio tracks in this episode were significantly impacted by a processor...
2018-01-231h 11AcquiredApple - BeatsAcquired crosses the half-century mark with an instant classic: Apple’s 2014 purchase of Beats, its largest acquisition ever. If you knew Beats as just another headphone company, think again—the history on this one will keep your heads ringin’.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2026 ACQ, LLCCarve Outs...
2017-12-111h 12AcquiredThe Stitch Fix IPOBen and David dive into the most talked-about tech IPO of 4Q 2017: Stitch Fix. After downsizing the offering and pricing below the range, does this signal a warning that public markets won’t value high-flying silicon valley “disruptors” as high as VCs hope? Or is this a textbook example of a great return for a disciplined management team and well-run company? Most importantly, what happens next? Tune in for our heroes’ take.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More A...
2017-12-041h 10AcquiredQualcomm - BroadcomBen & David cover the proposed largest tech M&A deal of all time, and in the process dive into the evolving dynamics of the industry that started everything in Silicon Valley—silicon. Just when VCs thought innovation was dead in semiconductors, a new wave of startups and large companies are redrawing the lines of competition in an industry dominated for a half-century by the “Wintel” duopoly of Intel and Microsoft.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquir...
2017-11-2050 minAcquiredThe Atlassian IPOBen & David venture to the land down under (and reunite in-person!) to tell the story of the granddaddy of all bootstrapped tech success stories, collaboration software company Atlassian. How did two plucky college grads from Sydney, Australia go from just trying to escape working for the man to becoming two of the top 10 wealthiest people in the entire country, all without raising a dollar of venture capital? We dive in.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More...
2017-11-071h 04AcquiredBlue Bottle CoffeeToday our heroes cover a deal that might have more impact on life in Silicon Valley than AI, wearables and AR/VR combined… Nestle’s acquisition of Blue Bottle Coffee. Will hipster entrepreneurs and the VCs who love/need them continue to line up around the block for their minimalist coffee experience of choice, now that it’s owned by the Nesquik Bunny? Is this the beginning of Blue Bottle pod machines filling the empty counter space left by Juicero’s demise in VC offices throughout South Park? We investigate.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acqui...
2017-10-081h 01AcquiredHTC, Google and the Future of MobileAcquired is back and live on the scene! After months of speculation, Google announces today their acquisition (err, "Cooperation Agreement”) of a large portion of HTC’s hardware division. What does this mean for the future of mobile? Can Google transform itself into a vertically integrated device company and compete directly with Apple? Most importantly, when will we see more Beats Android handsets??? (We hope never) Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email update...
2017-09-211h 17AcquiredAOL and Time Warner (with the Internet History Podcast)On this extra-long episode of Acquired, Brian McCullough from the Internet History Podcast returns to discuss perhaps the most (in)famous merger of all time: AOL - Time Warner. Who doesn’t remember the soothing sounds of 56k modems and the timeless phrase, “You’ve Got Mail”? Join us all as we unpack how one of the biggest ISP’s of the 90’s tried to take over the world… and fell far short. Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acqui...
2017-09-181h 40AcquiredThe Square IPOUnicorns and ratchets and lawsuits, oh my! Our heroes dive into the history of Jack Dorsey’s famous “other” company, Square. Was the Square IPO a canary in the coal mine signaling doom & gloom for the so-called unicorn companies of the early 2010’s, or a mispriced and misunderstood diamond in the rough? Acquired weighs in.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the Slac...
2017-08-161h 13AcquiredActivision BlizzardBen & David cover the creation of the gaming world’s equivalent of the 70’s rock supergroup: the 2008 merger of Blizzard and Activision. We tell the story from the Blizzard perspective, tracing the history of one of the most innovative companies in the business from humble beginnings at the hands of UCLA undergrads, to surviving multiple acquisition rollups (including at one point being owned by the French national water company), to joining ultimately with Activision to form the largest gaming company in the world, all while inventing multiple game genres that define the industry as we know it today.
2017-07-131h 10AcquiredWhole Foods MarketBen and David are once again live on the scene, this time covering the biggest disruption in grocery since… well, sliced bread: Amazon’s $13.7B purchase of Whole Foods Market. We place this deal in context by diving deep into the long, intertwining history of grocery, tech and Amazon, from the infamous dotcom flameout Webvan (domain name now owned by Amazon) to its much more successful progeny Kiva Systems (acquired by Amazon in 2012) to current Silicon Valley unicorn Instacart (founded by former Amazon logistics engineer Apoorva Mehta). One thing is clear: for Amazon and Jeff Bezos, realizing the longterm visi...
2017-06-211h 10
Podcast | Band of Christian BrothersBand of Christian Brothers EP6 – Spiritual LeadershipDavid Gilbert with guest Patrick Sullivan,talk about evangelizing your family: being the spiritual head of your family. Which will be broken down to:
Identifying the family mission
Creating a family culture
Unpacking the child God has given you
And, entering into the mystery of your spouse
NOTES: Originally aired on Radio Maria Canada. Music used in the show are:
Credit: Into/ Outro – ЦИФЕi – В Прорыв Пойдут Танки! (без речи) (promodj.com)
The post Band of Christian Brothers EP6 – Spiritual Leadership first appeared on Band of Christian Brothers.
2017-05-0450 minAcquiredThe LA ClippersIn honor of start of NBA playoffs, Ben & David venture off the beaten path to explore one of Steve Ballmer’s most famous acquisitions, his 2014 purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA franchise. Was this landmark purchase a steal or a turnover for the former Microsoft CEO? We speculate wildly! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Sto...
2017-04-241h 03AcquiredOculusBen & David transcend the barriers of “real” reality, and dive into Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg’s geek-eutpoia vision of the future of gaming, social, and maybe even the entire internet: strapping goofy-looking goggles to your face. Is VR for real this time or are we living through another Virtual Boy moment? Tune in to find out! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episode...
2017-04-111h 16AcquiredThe Starbucks IPO with Dan LevitanBen & David "pour over" the 1992 IPO of the legendary Seattle coffee company with the help of Dan Levitan, who served as lead investment banker on the IPO and who would later co-found the venture capital firm Maveron with Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2026 ACQ, LLC...
2017-04-031h 10AcquiredSpecial: 2016 Review and 2017 PredictionsBen & David wrap up 2016 with a review of the top tech themes we discussed on the show this year, and look forward to which themes we think will be relevant in the coming year. Can our hosts predict the future? Tune-in in 2018 to find out! Note: we apologize for the less-than-amazing audio quality on this one. We’re still working on tuning our remote recording setup! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updat...
2017-01-111h 12AcquiredThe Amazon IPO with original Amazon Board Member Tom AlbergBen & David welcome very special guest Tom Alberg, board member and first lead investor in Amazon.com, to cover the IPO of "earth’s most customer-centric company". From longterm thinking to flywheels to riding big waves, this episode is chock full of lessons and stories from the journey of building one of tech’s most iconic franchises. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we did recording it! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26 More Acquir...
2016-12-311h 06AcquiredThe Facebook IPOHey Acquired listeners. A note about this show: we recorded this episode the night before the 2016 Election Day in the US. At the time, the biggest change we saw coming was adding a new type of content to Acquired in analyzing IPO’s, which we introduce in this episode. Two days later, we woke up to a very different world than the one we were expecting. Reflecting on what’s happened, and the past few months of our show, we wanted to say two things:First, we want to apologize for our cavalier attitude toward this...
2016-11-111h 21AcquiredZillow + Trulia (with Zillow Group CFO Kathleen Philips)CFO of Zillow Group Kathleen Philips joins Ben and David to cover the show’s first true “merger” versus “acquisition" (only took 22 episodes!), Zillow’s 2015 combination with Trulia to form Zillow Group. Note: our audio glitches unfortunately continued on this episode, and quality is rough. We recommend listening on speakers vs headphones if you’re able. We apologize and will be back to normal quality next time! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates w...
2016-10-141h 11AcquiredInside the M&A Press with Bloomberg's Alex ShermanBen and David go inside the M&A press with Bloomberg’s technology M&A reporter and host of the Deal of the Week Podcast, Alex Sherman. If you’ve ever wondered how stories about big deals get broken or what “according to people familiar with the matter” really means, tune in for the behind-the-scenes scoop! Note: A technical glitch with our recording setup created occasional short silences between Alex’s comments and Ben & David’s. It shouldn’t impact listenability, but we apologize for the awkward pauses! Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/ac...
2016-09-271h 18AcquiredSpecial: An Acquirer’s View into M&A with Taylor Barada, head of Corp Dev at AdobeBen & David are joined by special guest Taylor Barada, VP and Head of Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships at Adobe, to discuss how large tech acquirers approach buying companies. This episode is full of great insights for startups & entrepreneurs who might find themselves navigating the M&A process, as well as anyone curious about the craft of dealmaking and the strategic approach of large acquirers. Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26 More Acquired!Get email updates wi...
2016-08-221h 04AcquiredWazeTopics covered include: Community Showcase: the Nexcast podcasting platform from listener Brian Sanders, along with their podcast chronicling the team’s journey building the company Waze’s origin in cofounder & CTO Ehud Shabtai’s desire to hack his portable GPS navigation unitWaze CEO Noam Bardin’s retrospective blog post on the Waze journey Waze’s Palo Alto office and the bizarre Silicon Valley phenomenon of tech companies being located in retail storefronts Apple’s ill-fated launch of Apple Maps as part of iOS 6 at WWDC 2012, Apple’s subsequent apology letter, and Scott Forstall’s ultimate ouster from the company The climax of th...
2016-08-041h 00AcquiredMidroll + Stitcher (acquired by Scripps)The meta show: Ben and David turn their gaze inward and examine the podcasting industry through E. W. Scripps’ recent acquisitions of the Midroll podcast advertising network and Stitcher podcast client. Featuring discussion of our own product process and metrics at Acquired. Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2026 ACQ, LLCA...
2016-07-1255 minAcquiredExactTarget (acquired by Salesforce) with Scott DorseyBen and David return to make their first foray into enterprise software, covering Salesforce’s $2.5B acquisition of ExactTarget in 2013 with the help of special guest and ExactTarget cofounder & CEO, Scott Dorsey. Technical note: due to an issue we didn’t catch during recording, audio quality is significantly lower than usual for this episode (especially David’s voice). We apologize but hope you’ll give it a chance anyway— Scott offers great wisdom & insights, and the ExactTarget success story is a inspiring one underdog entrepreneurs, especially (but not limited to!) anyone located in the Midwest or elsewhere outside of traditional...
2016-07-051h 09AcquiredLinkedInBen and David cover the 3-day-old acquisition of LinkedIn by Microsoft for $26.2 billion. They cover LinkedIn’s founding story by Reid Hoffman, break down their core businesses, analyze recent stock behavior, and speculate on the future of the company inside Microsoft. The big question - were they worth the price tag?Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Me...
2016-06-161h 01AcquiredTwitchBen and David discuss Amazon's acquisition of Twitch in 2014. Unlike previous episodes, this recent acquisition still has a lot of open questions, and Amazon hasn't publicly reported growth of Twitch since the purchase. Ben and David talk about Justin Kan's original product with Justin.tv, and the transformation into the Twitch that Emmett Shear is running today.Sponsors:Vanta: https://bit.ly/acquiredvantaServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredservicenow26Legora: https://bit.ly/acquiredlegoraStatsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig26More Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from...
2015-11-1647 min