Shows
Ted Hesser PodcastXavier Helgesen: Building a Modern Berkshire Hathaway and Lessons from Social Impact EntrepreneurshipToday’s guest is Xavier Helgesen, a brilliant entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Enduring Ventures, a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway acquiring overlooked, cash-flowing businesses with the goal of holding them forever. Recorded during Enduring Ventures' annual shareholder gathering, Ted and Xavier discuss the philosophy and mechanics of permanent capital, the hidden pitfalls of venture capital and private equity, and the surprising power of owning simple, Main Street businesses.Xavier also shares lessons from his journey as a pioneering social entrepreneur, from building Better World Books into one of the world’s largest book resellers to founding Zola Electric, a so...
2025-05-201h 10
Ted Hesser PodcastMark Synnott: The Franklin Mystery and the Golden Age of ExplorationIn this episode, I sit down with Mark Synnott—climber, writer, explorer—for a wide-ranging conversation about the Franklin Expedition and the deeper human drive to venture into the unknown. This may be the greatest survival tale never told. We talk about Mark’s journey through the Northwest Passage in search of clues, the myth of the open polar sea, and what Inuit oral history suggest really happened to Franklin and his men. We also get into Mark’s own expeditions—from remote climbs in Baffin to his quest to find Sandy Irvine’s body and the lost...
2025-04-222h 19Ted Hesser PodcastKris Tompkins: Life, Land, and LegacyTed sits down with Kris Tompkins, longtime CEO of Patagonia and one of the world’s most influential conservationists. Kris shares her journey from building Patagonia with Yvon Chouinard to her transformative conservation work, rewilding millions of acres in Chile and Argentina alongside her late husband, Doug Tompkins.Discover her insights into the early days of Patagonia, groundbreaking conservation projects like Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, and the rewilding of species in Argentina’s Iberá wetlands. Kris also reflects on her philosophy of life, conservation, and the power of teamwork in achieving lasting change.Tune i...
2025-03-241h 34
Ted Hesser PodcastJim McKelvey talks Square Inc, FDA Fast Trials & the FedIn this episode, Jim McKelvey, cofounder of Block Inc, delves into the critical role timing plays in both business and life, offers an insider’s look at Federal Reserve decision-making during economic crises, and unveils his plan to accelerate life-saving treatments through more efficient clinical trials. From entrepreneurial insights on leveraging machine learning for underwriting risk to his thoughts on wealth, frugality, and personal happiness, Jim’s perspectives are refreshingly down to earth and illuminating. Perfect for entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and anyone eager to understand how new technologies reshape finance and medicine, this episode delivers unparalleled lessons on creativity, lead...
2025-01-301h 17
It’s not that simpleBIOTECHNOLOGY, with Andrew HesselWill we be able to programme the human genome like we programme computers? And will we be able to stop ageing or create medicines and vaccines in record time? Geneticist and synthetic biology pioneer Andrew Hessel explains how this field could transform medicine, making it possible not only to diagnose but also to cure diseases in a more effective and personalised way.
Hessel draws parallels between programming a computer and programming a cell, highlighting how the manipulation of genetic code is opening doors to innovative treatments and advances in longevity.
2025-01-0744 min
Ted Hesser PodcastThe Science of Happiness: Positive Psychology ExplainedThis episode is with Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a leading authority on the science of happiness and positive psychology. Drawing on decades of pioneering research and personal experiences, Dr. Lyubomirsky reveals how cultural influences, gratitude, and kindness shape our well-being—even at the genetic level. Discover her strategies for setting authentic goals, freeing yourself from rumination, and harnessing the surprising power of money when spent meaningfully. We’ll also explore the promise of psychedelics in healing and the evolving role of AI and virtual reality in our pursuit of joy. Tune in for a thought-provoking, evidence-based roadmap to a richer, more fulf...
2025-01-031h 39
Ted Hesser PodcastTara Palmeri: A Real Life Political Journalist.In this episode, I sit down with Tara Palmeri, a senior political correspondent for Puck News, who shares her experiences from the campaign trail and insights into the intense world of presidential politics. We discuss the gladiatorial nature of modern politics, the pressures on political journalists, the impact of environmental and public health issues like the Duke Energy nuclear plant, and shifts in political party demographics. Tara highlights the challenges of maintaining ideological neutrality, the role of investigative journalism, and how media dynamics are shifting towards more independent sources. We also delve into the Democratic Party's internal struggles and the...
2024-12-0753 min
Ted Hesser PodcastDavis Guggenheim: Hollywood, Politics, & Doc Film MakingThis episode is with Davis Guggenheim, the Oscar-winning director known for 'An Inconvenient Truth' and 'Waiting for Superman.' We dive into Davis's storied career, his insights into Hollywood, the art of storytelling, and the personal and professional challenges he's faced along the way. 02:10 Early Career and Influences11:43 Navigating Hollywood and Family Connections21:30 Training Day 32:05 Facing Setbacks and Finding New Paths44:43 An Inconvenient Truth01:01:13 The Challenges of 'Waiting for Superman' 01:07:33 Reflections on Filmmaking and Criticism 01:14:14 Access to Powerful Figures 01:21:14 The Future of Filmmaking and AI 01:27:11 Closing Thoughts and Advice
2024-11-061h 31Ted Hesser PodcastChet Pipkin: Building a Multi Billion Dollar BrandIn this episode, I sit down with Chet Pipkin, the visionary founder behind Belkin International, a company that grew from humble beginnings in a garage to become a global, multi-billion dollar brand.
Chet shares his extraordinary journey—how he turned a passion for solving connectivity issues in the early days of personal computing into global success story. We delve into the critical decisions that propelled Belkin’s success, including pioneering moves in global manufacturing, and the leadership philosophies that have guided Chet throughout his career.
From navigating the challenges of globalization to his commitment to servant leadership and community service, Chet...
2024-10-242h 55Ted Hesser PodcastAndrew Hessel: Programming DNA - The Future of Synthetic BiologyTed sits down with world class futurist and microbiologist Andrew Hessel in this episode, to discuss the future of Bioengineering, and programming life from its most fundamental unit, DNA. They discuss the architecture of DNA, its parallels with computer systems, and the potential of writing DNA from scratch. Key topics include synthetic viruses, and the need for global biosecurity measures, the transformative potential of nanotechnology, individualized medicine, and precision treatments in revolutionizing cancer care and combating antibiotic-resistant infections. They also delve into the evolution of bioengineering, digitizing laboratory procedures, and creating synthetic organisms. Future prospects such as biofoundries, space colonization...
2024-09-023h 27Ted Hesser PodcastLeslie Odom Jr - Exploring Art, Love & FatherhoodIn this episode Ted sits down with Leslie Odom Jr., the world-famous Broadway star known for his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton. Leslie shares untold stories about his career choices, including walking away from a lucrative TV deal to be part of Hamilton's original cast. The conversation delves into his reflections on fatherhood, the meaning of love, and his recent roles in films like 'The Exorcism' and 'One Night in Miami.' Leslie also discusses how he balances his artistry across different mediums, the importance of loving oneself, and his perspectives on the American Dream and race. Don't miss...
2024-08-161h 10Ted Hesser PodcastNedjip Tozun: Powering 170+ million ppl with Solar, and the future of CleantechI sat down with Nedjip Tozun, co-founder and CEO of D.light Design, the world's most impactful solar company. They have powered over 170 million people, at the base of the world's economic pyramid, with solar electricity and lighting products. Nedjip and I discuss the trials and tribulations of D.light, we talk about his fascinating views on religion, which underpin the story of d.light, and we talk about the future of sustainable energy / geoengineering. Ned is a heavy hitter in the world of cleantech and silicon valley. Highly recommend this episode if you are curious about these subjects, about s...
2024-08-081h 44Ted Hesser PodcastReviving Extinct Species with Ben Lamm of Colossal BiosciencesThis episode was a real treat. Ben Lamm is the founder and CEO of Colossal Biosciences, the world's first de-extinction company. They are legitimately en route to bringing back extinct species, like the wooly mammoth, the thylacine and the dodo. We talk about all of that on this episode, along with broader observations of what these new age synthetic biology tools mean for the future of conservation, and, for the future of human health.
00:00 Introduction
08:08 Ethical Considerations
15:19 The Thylacine Project
27:30 Public Skepticism and Techno-Optimism
29:51 Balancing Technology and Nature
31:37 The Role of Beavers in Carbon Sequestration
33:24 Synthetic Biology vs. AI and Robotic...
2024-08-0353 minTed Hesser PodcastCory Richards: Mountains, Trauma, Healing, & ArtCory Richards, a renowned National Geographic adventure photographer, has lived a life full of highs and lows. He reached the pinnacle of the outdoor industry only to step back after a series of mental health challenges.
I consider Cory to be a friend, a mentor, and a guide to healing from trauma in the modern world. This episode aims to share Cory's incredible story, detailed in his new memoir 'The Color of Everything'.
2024-07-161h 24Ted Hesser PodcastPeter Dering of Peak Design: Building a $100m+ Brand with Purpose.Peter Dering, founder and CEO of Peak Design, discusses his views on conscious capitalism. For the environment, for employees, and for customers. This is a case study in ethics, and successful brand building, in business.
00:00 Intro
04:08 Peak Design's History & Office Space
07:07 From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader
14:27 Navigating Business Without Investors
26:29 Climate Neutral: A Deep Dive into Carbon Offsetting
39:59 Controversies of Carbon Markets
44:02 Addressing Greenwashing
47:36 PFAS
52:22 Future of Peak Design
01:10:20 Creative Employee Compensation Plans
01:15:54 The Power of Branding
2024-05-221h 18Ted Hesser PodcastChris Burkard: Faith, Family & Mindset. Living with Purpose in the Modern WorldChris Burkard is a close friend, a mentor, and a legendary adventure photographer. He is also a devout latter-day saint. This episode is an exercise in podcast portraiture, a deep and insightful look into Chris's inner life.
01:33 Past Adventures. Journey to the Kurils.
10:44 Faith
21:26 Psilocybin. Protector and Caretaker Psychology.
45:06 Capitalism & Mormonism
50:30 Faith & Daily Life
54:50 Navigating Social Media
01:03:47 Open Net Salmon Advocacy Iceland
01:20:21 Raising Children in a Digital Age:
01:28:39 Relocating to Iceland for Family and Growth
2024-04-301h 34Ted Hesser PodcastDavid Quammen: Viruses, Cancer, Conservation & CRISPRIn this episode, I sit down with renowned science writer David Quammen. We discuss the age of synthetic biology, tempered by ethical and practical considerations, and what it may mean for viruses, cancer & species conservation.
David’s insightful, measured outlook is grounded in five decades of science writing, across dozens of books and hundreds of feature magazine stories.
Show Notes:
00:18 Introduction.
02:00 Contagious Cancer and Evolution
02:32 Virus Hunters & Zoonotic Spillover.
08:05 Bats: The Reservoir Hosts
12:30 Ethics & Engineering Viruses.
19:54 Viruses as Evolutionary Feature, not Bug.
25:29 Engineering Immunology
36:53 COVID-19 Origins and Vaccine Development
46:46 Individual Liberty vs Public Health
54:20 EV batteries & Congo Mining
57:12 Elephants Don’t Get Cancer
59...
2024-04-101h 32Ted Hesser PodcastMark Jacobson: Climate CrusaderThis episode delves into the complex interplay of skepticism and conviction in modern science, a theme vividly illustrated by Jacobson's career. Check out the podcast as we explore the dynamic and often contentious world of climate policy through the lens of Mark Jacobson's remarkable life.
Mark Jacobson is a towering figure in the realm of climate policy. Jacobson's early work led to California's unique exemption from the EPA, allowing the state to set its own stringent CO2 standards for vehicles, which led to the progressive ratcheting up of standards across the US and the world.
His groundbreaking research on Black...
2023-11-281h 25
Ted Hesser PodcastEP 4: Jack Kuenzle, Fastest Known Time Uber Athlete, Ex Navy Seal & Deep ThinkerJack Kuenzle is blazing the fastest known time (FKT) records worldwide. On Denali, Rainier, Shasta, the Presidential Traverse, the Bob Graham, he's shattering records. A true phenom on the scene. In this podcast episode, we talk about Jack's training as a Navy Seal, his speed records, and, most of all, I try to understand his mind. What allows him to push harder than anyone else when running in oxygen-deprived air for hours on end. I hope you enjoy it. Please like, subscribe, comment, and all that if you're into the episode.
2023-11-081h 07
Ted Hesser PodcastWade Davis: Ethnobotany, Psychedelic History, & Vanishing Cultures.Ted Hesser sits down with Wade Davis, a luminary in the world of ethnobotany, exploration, and cultural preservation. Wade shares his captivating journey from his early days at Harvard amidst the giants of botanical and psychedelic discovery to his deep dives into the Amazon and the mysteries of ancient plants. They discuss the profound impact of psychedelics, the importance of preserving vanishing cultures, and the serendipitous moments that have shaped Wade's life and career. From the tales of magic mushrooms to the intricacies of human-plant interactions, this conversation offers a deep reflection on the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the...
2023-09-191h 52
Ted Hesser PodcastMike Finkel: Art Heists, Identity Theft & Journalism, Inside the Mind of a NYT Best-Selling AuthorMike Finkel is one of the most successful contemporary authors in the non-fiction genre. He has written three books, all of them New York Times Best Sellers, with two being sold as movie rights to big Hollywood studios and one made into a major motion picture by Brad Pitt's Production company.Mike is a raconteur who has worked for the world's top journalistic outlets. Mike was fired from the New York Times Magazine for creating a composite character of child cocoa plantation workers in West Africa. That event, and subsequent social opprobrium, almost ended his career. But Mike's persistence led...
2023-08-292h 46
Ted Hesser PodcastVictor Vescovo: Deep Sea Titan Talks Submersibles, Climate, Space, Asteroids, and More!Victor Vescovo is an extraordinary explorer and former Navy intelligence officer. He's the only human in the history of our civilization to go to the bottom of every ocean (in a custom-made submersible), to the top of the tallest peaks on each continent, to the poles, and into Outer Space. He is, arguably, the most prolific explorer of our age.
🌍 His unique perspective on our world through exploring the tallest peaks, deepest oceans, and outer space.
🚀 His time serving as a Navy intelligence officer, where he specialized in the Pacific theater. His views on nuclear submarines, deterrence, and Chinese tensions with T...
2023-08-292h 59
BLISTER PodcastA First Ascent in Nepal: Garrett Madison & Ted HesserLast month, Mountain Hardwear athletes, Garrett Madison, Ted Hesser, and their team summited an unnamed, unclimbed peak in Nepal above the village of Khembalung. So we talked with them about how this mission came about; the details and style of the climb; naming the peak; and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Meeting (3:08)Garrett’s Background (4:55)Ted’s Background (6:47)The Mission (8:18)How did you learn about this peak? (11:24)Preparing (16:17)Securing Permits (22:31)Assembling a team (23:12)The Ascent (24:38)The Style of the Climb (32:14)The Route (39:12)Gear (42:09)The Summit (47:40)The Descent (51:25)Naming the Peak (53:24)This Winter? (54:12)RELATED LINKS:Become a Blis...
2022-12-2057 min
Off The CouchTed Hesser on “Chains of Habit” & Destigmatizing the Conversation Around Mental Health As an adventure photographer and videographer, Ted Hesser spends most of his professional life behind the lens, shooting some of the world’s top mountain athletes for major outdoor brands and publications. His eye for capturing dramatic scenes in the high alpine and willingness to immerse himself in extreme conditions to do so has garnered him success in an otherwise precarious industry. But success isn’t always synonymous with happiness. Ted’s latest project, a short film called Chains of Habit (released by Mountain Hardwear last month), focuses on his lifelong battle with depression in an effort to dest...
2022-10-1851 min
The Adventure PodcastEpisode 097: Thomas Bukowski, Visibility MattersEpisode 097 of The Adventure Podcast features climber and alpinist, Thomas Bukowski. We first stumbled upon Thomas when we were on the hunt for stories to tell for Pertex, one of our outdoor brand clients. We worked really closely with photographer Ted Hesser to find and then shoot a story based in the US and Thomas was the subject of that story. You can read that article here: https://pertex.com/2022/01/28/visibility-matters/. Thomas does a brilliant job of introducing himself but to quickly outline who he is, he is predominantly a rock climber and an alpinist. He c...
2022-03-1655 min
Chop Chat ChewBarton Seaver - The Holiday Meal Part 1: Bring on the Birds!Join Chef Barton Seaver for The Holiday Meal Part 1 to learn tips, tricks, techniques for cooking birds of all different sizes.
Links from this episode are:
https://rouxbe.com/pages/the-holiday-meal - Holiday Meals Live Event Series and recipes
https://youtu.be/1KLOJQxjHIg - Barton's Full Chicken Roulade
https://bit.ly/3BFy7mM - Barton Seaver Thanksgiving
https://wwnorton.com/books/The-Essential-New-York-Times-Cookbook/ - Amanda Hesser Book
http://www.bartonseaver.com/books - All of Barton's books!
http://enfieldwine.com - Enfield Wine
2021-11-081h 07