Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan

The world is crying out for new leaders, greater transparency and more original thinking to solve our biggest problems in business and society. Our Host, Rob Ryan has conversations with these people every week. Since 2020, we’ve faced a global pandemic, rapid technological change, and political, economic, and cultural disruption. We believe the world needs more entrepreneurial thinkers—not just more entrepreneurs or executives—across every sector and segment of society and industry. We’re here to introduce you to some of the best and brightest people from here in California and across the 🌎.

Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan is a business podcast hosted by Rob Ryan, with 258 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Rob Ryan hosts Entrepreneurial Thinkers with Rob Ryan, a business show with 258 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #222

  Ep 222: "Who Builds Great Cities? Reimagining the Hollywood Neighborhood." with Kathleen Rawson

  Aug 13, 20261h 9m

  Have you ever stopped to wonder who is actually responsible for making a great city... great? We often celebrate entrepreneurs who build remarkable companies, but what about the entrepreneurial thinkers who build and rebuild remarkable communities? In this episode, I sit down with Kathleen Rawson, President and CEO of the Hollywood Partnership, for a fascinating conversation about what it really takes to care for one of the world's most recognizable neighborhoods. From public-private partnerships and economic development to civic leadership, tourism, community pride, and the everyday details that most of us never notice, Kathleen shares why thriving places don't happen by accident—they're intentionally built through collaboration, persistence, and a relentless belief that tomorrow can be better than today. Whether you're leading a business, a nonprofit, a city, or simply care about the place you call home, this conversation is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn't confined to startups. Sometimes the greatest entrepreneurial challenge is bringing people together around a shared vision and having the patience to build something that will outlast you. Feel free to follow and engage with Kethleen here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-rawson-lpm-10a65a5/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodpartnership Website: https://hollywoodpartnership.com/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #221

  Ep 221: " The Human Advantage: Why Great Stories Still Win” with Leslie Campisi

  Aug 6, 20261h 21m

  What if we've become so obsessed with measuring everything that we've forgotten how to truly connect with each other? In a world overflowing with content, algorithms, dashboards and AI-generated everything, how do leaders build brands, and organizations, that people actually trust? This week on Entrepreneurial Thinkers , I sit down with Leslie Campisi, founder of the agency Beginners. She’s a longtime communications strategist, former startup CMO, and one of the most thoughtful voices I've encountered on the intersection of storytelling, leadership, technology and human wellbeing. Together we explore why authentic communication is becoming a competitive advantage, why dialogue matters more than broadcasting, how great brands are built from clarity instead of cleverness, and why the future of innovation may depend less on better technology than on healthier, more curious people. This isn't just a conversation about marketing—it's a conversation about what it means to remain deeply human while building the future. If you've ever launched an idea, led a team, built a company, or simply wondered how to communicate with greater purpose in an increasingly noisy world, I think you'll find this conversation both refreshing and deeply thought-provoking. Feel free to follow and engage with Leslie here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliecampisi/ Website: https://www.wearebeginners.co/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #220

  Ep 220: " Genius is Distributed; Why Opportunity Isn’t.” with Justis Mendez

  Jul 30, 202657 min

  What if the strongest networks in the world aren't built by asking for more—but by giving first? This week on Entrepreneurial Thinkers , I sit down with Justis Mendez, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of OneSixOne Ventures, for one of the most thoughtful conversations we've had about leadership, relationships, resilience, and the power of community. While Justis has quickly become one of the country's rising young venture capitalists, what fascinated me most wasn't the companies he's invested in—it was the philosophy that shapes the way he approaches people, opportunity, and life itself. Together, we explore how hardship can become fuel, why trust is often the greatest competitive advantage, and how creating the right environments can unlock extraordinary people and ideas. From growing up amid adversity to helping founders build companies through connection rather than transaction, Justis shares a perspective that reaches far beyond venture capital. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial thinking begins long before anyone starts a company. Feel free to follow and engage with Justis here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justis-mendez-a78453b6/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justismendez?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Website: https://www.onesixone.ventures/ We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #219

  Ep 219: " Hypergrowth to Uncertainty: Rethinking Work & Offices in 2026” with Alvaro Villar Lopez

  Jul 23, 202652 min

  What do you do when the world stops behaving the way it used to? In this episode of Entrepreneurial Thinkers , I sit down with my friend Álvaro López from Mexico City, Regional Head of Sales for Latin America at WeWork and founder of HausLoop. Together, we explore what it really means to lead through uncertainty. From helping build and rebuild WeWork across Latin America during one of the most extraordinary chapters in modern business history to launching his own technology startup, Álvaro shares how his thinking has evolved from chasing growth to embracing adaptability. But what surprised me most wasn't our conversation about offices or real estate—it was our conversation about leadership. We discuss why the best salespeople spend more time listening than talking, why influence has replaced persuasion, why flexibility has become one of the world's most valuable business assets, and why the leaders who will thrive over the next decade won't be the ones who can predict the future—they'll be the ones who can continually adapt to it. Whether you're building a startup, leading a global organization, or simply trying to navigate an increasingly unpredictable world, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that entrepreneurial thinking isn't about having all the answers. It's about developing the mindset to keep learning long after everyone else thinks they've found them. Feel free to follow and engage with Alvaro here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-villar-/?originalSubdomain=mx X: https://x.com/AlvaroVillarL/ Website: https://www.wework.com/es-LA We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

  ListenShow Notes
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  Episode #218

  Ep 218: "Does It Really Have to Be This Way? Breaking Precedent!” with Leah Solivan

  Jul 16, 202657 min

  What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't a lack of talent or opportunity—but a rule you've never stopped to question? This week on Entrepreneurial Thinkers , Rob Ryan sits down with entrepreneur, investor, engineer, and TaskRabbit founder Leah Solivan for a conversation that goes far beyond startups and venture capital. Together, they explore the invisible "precedents" that quietly shape our careers, our businesses, and even our identities—and why the people who change the world are often the ones willing to ask a deceptively simple question: Does it really have to be this way? From building and selling one of the companies that helped define the gig economy, TaskRabbit, to IKEA, to launching Precedent VC and championing a new generation of founders, Leah shares how curiosity, independent thinking, and the courage to challenge convention have shaped every chapter of her journey. Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to think differently about your own future, this conversation is a reminder that every meaningful breakthrough begins by questioning the assumptions everyone else accepts. Feel free to follow and engage with Leah here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahsolivan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leah_solivan/ X: https://x.com/labunleashed Website: https://www.leahsolivan.com/precedentvc We're so grateful to you, our growing audience of entrepreneurs, investors and community leaders interested in the human stories of the Entrepreneurial Thinkers behind entrepreneurial economies worldwide. As always we hope you enjoy each episode and Like, Follow, Subscribe or share with your friends. You can find our shows here, and our new Video Podcast, at “Entrepreneurial Thinkers” channel on YouTube. Plug in, relax and enjoy inspiring, educational and empowering conversations between Rob and our guests. ¡Cheers y gracias!, Entrepreneurial Thinkers Team.

  ListenShow Notes

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