Boardroom Talks

How Athletes Have Created the Next Generation of Media Companies | Boardroom x All the Smoke Productions Nov 19, 2024

Join Rich Kleiman and NBA champion turned media mogul (and podcasting OG) Matt Barnes as they break down the business behind building the next generation of media companies.

Matt shares how he and co-host Stephen Jackson turned a simple idea into an award-winning podcast that transformed athlete storytelling and broke down barriers in sports media.

Highlights:

The Origin Story: How All The Smoke began with candid, barbershop-style conversations.

Challenges & Triumphs: Navigating media business deals and overcoming initial skepticism.

Cultural Impact: The show’s role in shifting perceptions on cannabis and athlete voices in media.

Partnerships & Growth: Insight into structuring deals with Showtime, iHeart, and their leap to self-sufficiency with DraftKings.

New Media vs. Old Media: The shift in athlete-driven content and what it means for the future.

From Bodega Boy to Media Mogul, The Kid Mero Joins Boardroom Talks Nov 15, 2024

In this episode of Boardroom Talks, Gabe Oshin sits down with The Kid Mero, internet icon and media mogul, to dive into his journey from Twitter user to cultural powerhouse. Mero shares the key lesson he learned from the term “in perpetuity”, the impact of co-signs from stars like Marlon Wayans and Wale, and his mission to become the “Dominican Dick Wolf”. He also discusses the role of nepotism in entertainment, how he'd replicate 50 Cent’s business strategy if starting fresh, and the one NBA concept he thinks needs to make a comeback.Don't miss this insightful conversation on branding, business, and self-worth!

How Mike Will Made-It Revolutionized Music with Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Future & More | Boardroom Talks Nov 12, 2024

In this episode of Boardroom Talks, Rich Kleiman sits down with super producer Mike Will Made-It to explore his groundbreaking career. Mike breaks down how Atlanta's musical legacy influenced modern sound, why genre-blending is key to his success, and the powerful impact of artists like Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, and Future. Plus, he shares his thoughts on the role of Artificial Intelligence in music, the mystery behind streaming numbers, and how industry icon Jimmy Iovine shaped his approach to making hip hop accessible to the mainstream.

Don’t miss this candid conversation with one of the industry's most influential producers!

The Rise of JuJu Watkins: How She’s Changing the Game Forever | Boardroom Cover Story Oct 29, 2024

At just 19, JuJu is coming off an incredible season, scoring 51 points and earning First-Team All-American honors. In this candid conversation with Boardroom's Vinciane Ngomsi, JuJu shares her journey from choosing USC and the impact of Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb to the strong bond with her teammates.Discover what makes JuJu a fan favorite, from her love for low-top sneakers on the court to the secret behind her iconic signature bun. Plus, hear her hopes for a special guest—Sanaa Lathan of Love & Basketball—to catch her in action this season. Don’t miss JuJu’s insights on what success looks like for her this year and why now is the perfect time to support USC basketball!

Myles Garrett on NBA Ownership, What It Would Take To Become a Defensive NFL MVP, & More | Boardroom Talks Oct 14, 2024

Myles Garrett joins Boardroom Talks with Gabe Oshin to dive into his journey from the NFL to NBA ownership and beyond. Garrett opens up about joining Klutch Sports and how LeBron James' team and work ethic inspired him. He reflects on his peak performance during the 2019-2020 season and discusses his passion for ownership, from the NBA to pickleball. Plus, Garrett reacts to receiving 3 custom Lids hats and reveals his ambitions to one day break into professional soccer, drawing insight from Tom Brady and LeBron James. Don’t miss this in-depth conversation with one of the NFL’s top defensive players!

How Wallo Built a Million-Dollar Business After Prison | Boardroom Talks Oct 03, 2024

Wallo267, host of Million Dollaz Worth of Game and New York Times bestselling author of Armed With Good Intentions, didn’t achieve success overnight. In this episode of Boardroom Talks, he sits down with Rich Kleiman to share the raw truth about relationships in prison, the unlikely characters he met, and the mental strength he developed during his decades behind bars. Wallo reveals how those lessons taught him everything he needed to know about marketing, building relationships, and growing a business. He also dives into his business partnership with Barstool and reflects on whether money truly solves life's biggest problems.

How the Coinbase CEO Sees The Future | Boardroom Talks Jun 27, 2024

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong joins Rich Kleiman for an all new Boardroom Talks. This conversation dives into the early aughts of Armstrong's journey through the business world, a journey that led him from Bay Area Bitcoin meetups to the Silicon Valley staple Y-Combinator, a place where his idea for the future of cryptocurrency truly came to life. Armstrong stresses how the early stages of cryptocurreny, much like any new innovation, including Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX, continues to be riddled with peaks and valleys, but that the utility will always be there for those who need it. Throughout the highs and inevitable volatility, of the bitcoin ecosystem, Armstrong discusses how he's striving to do good in the world, empower the younger consumer of cryptocurrency and foster an environment that helps people have autonomy over their money in the digital space.

Taylor Rooks' Dreams Came True & She's Striving For More | Boardroom Talks May 30, 2024

Host, Sideline Reporter and Journalist Taylor Rooks is everywhere. From Thursday Night Football on Amazon, NBA on TNT, her show 'Taylor Rooks X' on HBO Max and her newest venture, a brand new podcast with fellow host Joy Taylor called 'Too Personal,' Rooks has spent her life and career solidifying her significance. In this episode of 'Boardroom Talks' with Boardroom Co-Founder Rich Kleiman, Rook's discusses her beginnings as a correspondent at the Big Ten Network right out of college and how that experience left her hungry for an even bigger stage, how she made her way to the New York market to continue to evolve her career and where she'd still like to go. Later, the duo discuss how her good friend Sue Bird helped play an integral role in understanding discrepancies within the coverage of women's sports, where and how media still continues to fall short and the differences in how men who play basketball at the highest level are viewed versus their WNBA colleagues. Lastly, Kleiman and Rooks dive into the culture of NBA player podcasts, the differences between covering the NBA and the NFL and how her new podcast, 'Too Personal' is a place for women to create the same kind of thoughtful and polarizing conversations their male counterparts have in the media everyday.

Basketball & Business with Chet Holmgren | Boardroom Cover Story Apr 19, 2024

After a devastating injury mere months after being drafted No. 2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chet Holmgren missed his entire first season with a foot injury. Nearly a year later, Holmgren, alongside his teammates Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, took the one-seed in the Western Conference, with Holmgren playing a full 82-game season. In this Boardroom Cover Story, Holmgren sits with Boardroom Co-Founder Rich Kleiman to talk about how he processed, reassessed and reinvented his approach to the game after injury, how he's found himself in a tight race to Rookie Of The Year with San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembanyama and what it's like playing across from legends like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. Holmgren also shares stories about how 76ers Joel Embiid gave him a humble welcome to the league, why he doesn't feel pressure to put on more weight and how he plans to capitalize on the business side that comes with being an NBA player.

VISA CMO Frank Cooper Mar 21, 2024

VISA CMO Frank Cooper joins Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman to discuss the ever-changing role of the CMO, NYC in the 90s, his journey from entrepreneur to executive roles at Pepsi, Buzzfeed, Blackrock, VISA and more.

Anthony Edwards Says He’s Made The Best Signature Shoe On Earth Dec 05, 2023

Minnesota Timberwolves Superstar Anthony Edwards is Boardroom’s December Cover star in light of his new signature shoe, the AE 1 with Adidas. Ant and his business partner Justin Holland join Rich Kleiman to discuss how he connected with the sport of basketball, committing to the University of Georgia to stay close to his family and being drafted to the Timberwolves. Later, they discuss how he compartmentalizes his play and his business, how he doesn’t plan to act again, despite starring alongside Adam Sandler in “Hustle,” and how Kevin Durant inspired him to name sneakers after the people he loves.

How CC and Amber Sabathia Built Their Family Into A Baseball Powerhouse | Out of Office Oct 18, 2023

In the latest Boardroom Cover Story, Rich Kleiman sits down with Yankees legend CC Sabathia and his wife, CAA Baseball Agent Amber. In this conversation, the trio discuss the responsibility they have to the game of baseball and its players, raising a son who is playing at a high, collegiate level, and the difficulty of breaking into large markets as a young player. Later, they'll discuss how much the trajectory of young players has changed to reward the wealthy, where Amber's career is headed next and whether or not they'll ever own their own MLB franchise.

Terence Crawford On Making History And Making Money His Way l Out Of Office Aug 16, 2023

Terence Crawford joins Rich Kleiman on the Out Of Office podcast to discuss how he never set out to be a pound for pound heavyweight champion, the boxing gym and community he's created in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska and why Crawford considers the business of boxing so corrupt. They also touch on the leadup to his landmark fight against Errol Spence Jr., getting Eminem to make a rare appearance, how he feels in control of his destiny and more.

David Adelman On His Success, And The Passion Of Philly Sports Fans l Out Of Office Aug 09, 2023

Philly native and 76ers Co-Owner David Adelman sits with Rich Kleiman to discuss how he first entered the world of entrepreneurship at a young age, how he made his first investment with bat mitzvah money and why he considers himself "unemployable." The two also touch on his part in the thriving sports ecosystem in Philadelphia and which parts of being a sports owner are the toughest.

The Business of Basketball with CEO & President of VaynerBasketball Bay Frazier May 31, 2023

Baltimore native Bay Frazier entered the NBA lexicon more than two decades ago as Carmelo Anthony's right hand man. In a rare interview with Rich Kleiman on Out Of Office, Frazier discusses meeting Melo as a kid and how they teamed up to create a business that spanned decades, his trajectory within the basketball business and how he's finally opening up his public persona in his new role as Head Of Basketball at Vayner Sports.

How Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini Built a Sports and Entertainment Empire May 22, 2023

Michael Strahan and business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini detail how they’re teamed up to conquer Sports & Entertainment, their unique relationship, how Constance pushed Deion Sanders to become a head coach, their business mantras and more.

Viral BMX Pro Nigel Sylvester’s only competition is himself Apr 25, 2023

Nigel joins Rich Kleiman for a conversation about his unique career in BMX. Together they dive into the early years of Sylvester’s career, including falling in love with bike riding after accidentally performing a life changing trick, how his uber-viral video shook up the industry and ignited his pro career including a multi-year deal with Nike at 18-years-old, the plethora of partnerships that followed, and much much more.

The Music Mogul: Record Exec Steve Rifkind's Journey in Hip-Hop | Out of Office Apr 13, 2023

Music entrepreneur Steve Rifkind joins Rich Kleiman to discuss how Mark Ronson played a part in bringing the duo together, his career evolution rooted in hip-hop with legendary acts like Wu-tang Clan, meeting Fat Joe and Big Pun despite hesitation from outsiders and much more.

Ashlyn Harris On How Retirement Is Only The Beginning l Out Of Office Mar 08, 2023

2X World Cup Champion Ashlyn Harris joins Rich Kleiman to talk about her new life post-soccer career, how there is still mountains to move in the fight for women's sports and beyond, the financial burdens of professional soccer stars, growing her family with her wife and former teammate Ali Krieger and how she plans to shake things up through her role as Global Creative Advisor with Gotham FC.

Mike Miller On Going From Player to Top NBA Agent | Out of Office Feb 16, 2023

Two-time champion and 17-year NBA vet Mike Miller joins Rich Kleiman to talk about his admiration for Michael Jordan growing up, what it means to be referred to as "sneaky athletic," his foray into coaching and his agency LIFT Sports Management. Miller also discuss how he’s building a meaningful business in the agency world as he reps rising stars like the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero. The two revisit the Miami 'Heatles' and his incredible run alongside LeBron James and their shared appreciation for Miami Heat General Manager Pat Riley and much more.

GQ’s Global Editorial Director Will Welch Nov 16, 2022

Rich Kleiman is joined by longtime friend and current Global Editorial Director of GQ Will Welch to celebrate the 27th annual Men of the Year covers and so much more. This year’s covers feature F1 Racer Max Verstappen, Brendan Fraser & Zoe Kravitz. Rich & Will go back to the early 2000s and reminisce about the cultural impact of The Fader, Will’s tenure at GQ, and becoming Global Editorial Director & Editor in Chief. They dive into what GQ stands for in 2022, the continued conversation on new masculinity, the globalization of GQ & Men of the Year, athletes’ impact on modern menswear, leading a global company in this era and so much more.

Olympic Champion Shaun White: Entrepreneurship & Life After Snowboarding Nov 09, 2022

In this episode of Out of Office, Rich Kleiman is joined by Shaun White, the undisputed GOAT of snowboarding and founder of new active lifestyle brand Whitespace. Rich and Shaun dive in what it’s been like being sponsored since the age of 7, his influences Tony Hawk & Jake Burton, the meaning behind launching his own brand and a chance encounter with design legend Virgil Abloh. They also discuss the mindset of the athlete-entrepreneur, going pro in both snowboarding & skateboarding, and much more.

Steven Victor on managing Pusha T, Pop Smoke's legacy and more Nov 02, 2022

In the Season 3 premiere of Out of Office, Rich Kleiman sits down to talk with Steven Victor, founder & CEO of Victor Victor Worldwide and SVP of A&R at Universal Music. In the wide-ranging conversation, they discuss how Victor got his start in the music industry, meeting and eventually managing Pusha T, and his decision to create his own label. They also discuss how Pop Smoke’s music and legacy live on following his untimely death. Finally, they explore what’s next for Victor and his Victor Victor Worldwide label and much more.

Episode 70: Sabrina Ionescu, Rebooting Superstardom Aug 08, 2022

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu sits with Rich Kleiman as Boardroom's August digital cover star. While her journey in professional sports began in 2020, it was not without a myriad of setbacks. Sabrina is candid about the challenges of her journey from college to the pros — including a historic final collegiate campaign cut short by Covid, technical difficulties on WNBA Draft night, her first season in the "Wubble" and struggles with injury. Ionesco shares some helpful in-game words from superstar Candace Parker, discusses whether she'll have her own signature shoe with Nike, and looks at what may lie on the road ahead.

The Universe that Ronnie Fieg Is Building Jun 15, 2022

Ronnie Fieg is the founder and Creative Director of Kith and joins this week's Out Of Office podcast with Rich Kleiman from the Kith headquarters in Brooklyn. Fieg discusses growing up in Queens and how an early passion for fashion and culture shaped his outlook on his life and style. From a young age, Fieg said he learned to understand why people loved what they loved and the idea of that intrigued him even then. Fieg and Kleiman discuss how college wouldn't work for Fieg in the long run, the unconventional way he built the legendary brand, the intentional ways that he has expanded its footprint in the world of fashion, and what's next on the horizon for the streetwear giant.

Adam Sandler Joins Out Of Office Jun 02, 2022

Pickup basketball legend and highly acclaimed actor Adam Sandler is no stranger to the NBA, as a lifelong New York Knicks fan and a courtside staple across the league. In this week's Out Of Office podcast, Sandler joins Rich Kleiman to discuss his new movie, Hustle, coming to Netflix June 8. In it, Sandler plays a down and out basketball scout who believes he's struck gold with a Spanish hooper he believes has the potential to be a star. Sandler and Kleiman talk about creating this new movie with NBA superstar LeBron James, how many NBA stars who take to film are one-take wonders, his own basketball aspirations, dribbling through New York City and why he has a love/hate relationship with some of his viral streetball moments.

Episode 67: Gary Vee Joins Rich Kleiman In The First Ever Boardroom Cover Story May 25, 2022

The inaugural Veecon conference took over Minnesota last weekend and in this episode of Out Of Office, Rich and Gianni discuss Rich's trip to Minnesota where he took the Veecon stage as a speaker before traveling to landmarks spaces in Minneapolis including a trip to Paisley Park with Spike Lee. Then, the podcast dives into a conversation with none other than Gary Vaynerchuk himself. Gary Vee has lived many lives as an entrepreneur, marketer, and social media dynamo -- physical lives, that is. Meanwhile, in the reality of the virtual, it may be that the 45-year-old is just beginning to hit his futurist stride as the world of Web3 grows in both relevance and resonance. This episode of the inaugural Boardroom cover story includes a wide-ranging conversation in which Vaynerchuk goes deep on how he's managed to be years ahead on technological trends, the popularity and promise of NFT platforms and his broader vision for the future.

Episode 66: Rich and Gianni Take Miami May 11, 2022

On this week's episode of Out Of Office, Rich and Gianni are fresh off their return from the Miami Grand Prix. The duo covers several topics including the atmosphere and starpower around Miami's first-ever F1 event, Kendrick Lamar's breathtaking new music video, HBO's finale of Winning Time, and the current climate of our stock market and NFTs. The duo also discusses which city deserves a new WNBA team, Dave Chapelle being attacked on stage, the NBA playoffs, and what Rich's got planned for an exciting summer.

Wes Moore Joins The Boardroom Apr 27, 2022

Wes Moore is a United States Army veteran, author, entrepreneur, and producer who is now running for Governor of Maryland. He joins Rich Kleiman and Gianni Harrell in this week's Out Of Office podcast to talk about his upbringing, including dealing with the loss of his father as well as going off to military school and the trials, learning curves and ultimate accountability he faced. Moore reflects on his time at Oxford and how, later, his career in finance left him with a sense of obligation to serve his country. Moore draws from his combat experience to analyze what is currently happening in Ukraine. Lastly, Moore touches on how his life's work led him to become CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation and, ultimately, to his new path in politics.

Episode 64: Wrapping Up The NBA Season With Kevin Durant And The ETCs Apr 13, 2022

Kevin Durant and his ETCs co-host Eddie Gonzalez join Rich this week in a new episode of Out Of Office heading into the Play-In Tournament. The trio discusses how both athletes and fans recover from tough losses and social media's impact on it all. Kevin speaks on discovering his interest in the NBA in the late '90s and how his player-driven interest still defines how he watches today's game, which causes the guys to each call out their favorite Jason Williams highlight. Also discussed in the pod are NBA fixtures whose legacies are bigger than their stats might suggest. Lastly, Durant reflects on his approach to the postseason, speaks on why it's pointless to hate on the play-in concept and Rich shares why he thinks the pressure in the playoffs doesn't change KD's game day routines.

Episode 63: CEO and founder of Spartan and the Death Race Joe De Sena Mar 30, 2022

Joe De Sena grew up in New York City in a neighborhood and a life reminiscent of the movie "Goodfellas." In the pod, the two native New Yorkers discuss how in the early 70s De Sena's mother's transition into a more zen lifestyle turned his world upside down and how an opportunity to clean a pool made way for one of his first-ever business ventures. His hustle led to an unlikely admittance to Cornell and a career on Wall Street. There he encountered greed that drove a change in his priorities, leading him to create Spartan Race. Finally, De Sena shares the long road to launching a global brand, how he's handled adversity, and what's next, including his new CNBC show “No Retreat: Business Bootcamp.”

Episode 62: Animal Style with Rich and Gianni Mar 16, 2022

On this week's Out Of Office podcast, Rich and Gianni discuss a whirlwind trip to SXSW that included a terrifying plane ride, the influx of NBA superstars putting up huge performances this week, and how KD's statements are sometimes misinterpreted across media outlets. The guys also dive into the news of Tom Brady's un-retirement, how Russell Wilson's resurgence will be huge for the Broncos, and what the Giants still need to succeed. With so much buzzing around the documentary space, Rich and Gianni dig into their favorite docs of the past, present, and future.

Episode 61: Checking In With Rich and Gianni Mar 02, 2022

On the newest episode of the Out Of Office podcast, co-hosts Rich Kleiman and Gianni Harrell chop it up on all things Jeen-Yuhs, the newest Netflix documentary highlighting the life and rise of Kanye West. The two also dive into other things they're watching from Euphoria and The Gilded Age on HBO Max to debating who the 'real' Batman is ahead of the next feature film's impending release. Also highlighted in the pod is Rich's takes on current events as well as Ja Morant the NBA's next generation of stars, and how there's nothing better than Sundays at Madison Square Garden.

Episode 60: Venture Capital Pioneer Alan Patricof Feb 16, 2022

Alan Patricof is a businessman, entrepreneur and one of the American pioneers of venture capital. In the latest episode of Out Of Office, he discusses growing up on the Upper West Side in Manhattan and dipping his toes in entrepreneurship for the first time as a young child selling magazines in the neighborhood. He speaks to Rich Kleiman about starting his early career on Wall Street before the term "venture capital" was even coined and pivoting to investing professionally in the 70s. The two discuss Patricof's new book "No Red Lights," exploring why he decided to write this book now and how writing it in his 80s sends a message that regardless of age, you can still continue to live life to the fullest.

Episode 59: NASCAR Cup Series Driver, Bubba Wallace Feb 02, 2022

Bubba Wallace is not only the first Black driver to win a Cup Series race since Wendell Scott in 1963, he’s also the first driver for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team. In this episode of Out Of Office, Bubba discusses the roots that led him to the racetrack, how he developed the commitment to the sport, how the sponsorship landscape opened up for him in recent years and how and where NASCAR’s diversity initiatives still have room to grow.

Episode 58: Founder and CEO of LionTree, Aryeh B. Bourkoff Jan 19, 2022

Aryeh Bourkoff is a highly sought-after investor and advisor to CEOs and founders, supporting them with advice, relationships and capital as they seek to build and transform their businesses to succeed in a rapidly evolving, increasingly digital market landscape. In this episode of Out Of Office, Aryeh discusses his approach to entrepreneurship, the future of cryptocurrency, NFTs and the metaverse, and future goals for his life and career on Wall Street.

Aryeh is also the host of the podcast Kindredcast, which fans can check out at Kindredmedia.com.

Episode 57: New Year vibes with Rich Kleiman and Gianni Harrell Jan 05, 2022

In this special episode, Rich and co-host Gianni set the tone for 2022 as they discuss getting right for the new year, Rich finally diving into Succession, which new albums they're most excited about, the hype around the Board Ape Yacht Club and more.

Episode 56: Philanthropist, entrepreneur and co-founder of Airbnb: Joe Gebbia Dec 22, 2021

Joe Gebbia is the entrepreneur best known for co-founding the company that changed the way we live and vacation - Airbnb. In this episode of Out Of Office, Joe discusses his initial entrepreneurial spirit he possessed from a young age, creating a basketball team at his alma mater RISD that still exists to this day and how the path to creating AirBnB was anything but linear.

C13Features Presents: Ghostwriter, Starring Kate Mara and Adam Scott Dec 09, 2021

In this C13Features podcast movie presentation of Ghostwriter, Kate Mara and Adam Scott star in a psychological thriller about a former journalist who reluctantly accepts a job ghostwriting a new murder mystery novel for an eccentric billionaire. Kate Michaels has been living a solitary life after a traumatic experience, but after pressure from her rational agent and candid best friend, she begrudgingly concedes that she needs the work. As she collaborates with the enigmatic James Webber on the project, she finds herself growing dependent on him and starts to suspect that something is wrong...deeply wrong. Will Kate be able to trust herself with James’ story, or even her own voice? Grab some popcorn, and get lost in your imagination in this gripping and suspenseful podcast movie experience, Ghostwriter, from C13Features.

Episode 55: A pioneer in women's sports agents, former tennis pro and Serena Williams' longtime powerhouse agent Jill Smoller Dec 08, 2021

When Jill Smoller's professional tennis career came to an end, she relied heavily on her ability to connect with people to help take her career to the next level. When Richard Williams gave her an in with working with his daughter Serena, she turned what was then considered a small opportunity into a decades-long partnership with the tennis legend. In this episode, Rich sits with Jill to discuss her storied career in pro sports, how there's more to being an agent than riding the highs and her belief that common sense always wins out.

Episode 54: Mogul, author, TV personality and investor on ABC's Shark Tank Daymond John Nov 24, 2021

Although Daymond John was first known as the founder, president and CEO of the clothing brand FUBU in the 90s, he has since become a media juggernaut, with his hands in everything from business to motivational speaking and most notably investing. In this episode of Out Of Office, he tells the story of his humble beginnings as a young, go-getter in New York City, how LL Cool J gave him the ultimate co-sign and how Shark Tank has established itself as the premiere family-friendly business phenomenon. Plus, Rich and Gianni are joined by another very special guest.

Episode 53: Movie and television producer, writer and founder of Imagine Entertainment Brian Grazer Nov 17, 2021

Brian Grazer is a legend in the entertainment space and the powerhouse behind notable film and TV projects such as "8 Mile," "A Beautiful Mind," "Apollo 13," "Friday Night Lights," and "Swagger." Grazer, alongside his producing partner of 40 years Ron Howard, has won 47 Emmy Awards, 10 Golden Globes and 10 Academy Awards. In this episode, Grazer sits with Rich and Gianni to discuss everything from breaking into the entertainment business, coming up with the name "Imagine" for his production company, to putting Tom Hanks in his first starring role and who he'd still love to work with in the future.

Episode 52: Season two premiere with Lakers Owner Jeanie Buss Nov 03, 2021

Jeanie Buss is the president and owner of the world-renowned Los Angeles Lakers organization, a family business that's been an integral presence in her life since her teenage years. When her father, longtime owner and business tycoon Jerry Buss passed away in 2013, he left 66% of the controlling ownership of the team to his six children. In the 2013-2014 season, the Los Angeles native took over as president in 2013 where she simultaneously oversaw basketball operations. In this episode, Jeanie gets candid with Rich and Gianni in discussing her father's purchase of the Lakers, growing up as a peer of NBA Legend Magic Johnson, what she learned from the “Showtime Lakers” and her relationship with Phil Jackson, the trials of mixing business and family, and what is next for the team’s legacy in the LeBron James era.

Episode 51: Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman, & Weedmaps CEO Chris Beals on the Future of Weed & Sports Aug 19, 2021

Rich Kleiman and Kevin Durant are back for a check-in between seasons of Out of Office to speak with Weedmaps CEO Chris Beals about the growth of the cannabis industry, the intersection between weed and wellness, and the reasons they've partnered together to normalize the conversation around weed. They discuss Chris's path with Weedmaps, starting with developing the company's Government Relationships and Policy Team and spearheading the company's efforts to push legalization, and his current role as the company's CEO and leading the team to a successful IPO. They also discuss the current marijuana rules in major sports leagues, the perception of weed as a recovery tool for athletes, and what fans can look forward to from the Weedmaps and Boardroom partnership.

Ep 50: Rich and Gianni recap Out of Office's 50-episode debut season and discuss finding their groove in podcasting, Lebron’s reboot of Space Jam, and the excitement of the NBA Playoffs. Jul 14, 2021

In this episode. Rich and Gianni review their first season of Out of Office and their incredible guests including Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, Netflix CMO, Bozoma St. John, and NBA Analyst, Mark Jackson. They discuss how the NBA’s cultural impact can’t be captured by traditional ratings measurements, how the podcast brought Rich and his mom closer together, and how Lebron’s Space Jam might become a classic for a whole new generation. Gianni also shares an impressive list of his Top Five Olympians.

Episode 49: Dusty Baker, the Houston Astros manager, on navigating the Astros through crisis, what impressed him most about Barry Bonds, and his admiration for Mike Trout and Jacob DeGrom. Jul 07, 2021

Dusty Baker is a legend whose trailblazing career transcends baseball, but he’s got unfinished business. The 3x National League Manager of the Year is still chasing a World Series ring to pair with the one he won as a player with the Dodgers. As one of baseball’s most-respected and beloved figures, he was probably the only manager who could’ve successfully taken over the Astros job after the organization came under fire in the wake of a sign-stealing scandal. Baker’s incredible life journey has been shaped by supportive parents, a stint in the Marines, and a close friendship with former teammate, Hank Aaron, who helped Baker, a California native, adapt to life in the segregated south. In this episode, Baker talks about his life-long love of hoops, what he learned from reading Hank Aaron’s hate mail, how he rates Mike Trout and Jacob DeGrom among baseball's all-time greats, and why America urgently needs to improve its capacity for forgiveness.

Episode 48: Paul Rabil on co-founding the Premier Lacrosse League, being inspired by KD’s playoffs performance, and his ambitious goals for the PLL. Jun 30, 2021

As a four-time All-American, Paul Rabil led Johns Hopkins to two national championships, then became the biggest star in Major League Lacrosse. But Rabil was also a born entrepreneur who envisioned a greater platform for the sport, and better compensation for the players. With his brother Mike as co-founder, he launched the Premier Lacrosse League in 2019. The league fields over 200 of the world’s top lacrosse players in a tour-based system with significant venture backing and distribution on NBC Sports. Entrepreneur Magazine named him one of “Top 40 Most Entrepreneurial Athletes” and Fast Company included the PLL in its "Top Ten Most Innovative Company In Sports” list. Rabil talks to Rich and Gianni about his very humble entrepreneurial beginnings, his foundation work, and why he thinks the PLL will help broaden access and popularity for a sport often associated with rich kids and the Ivy League. He explains why he thinks the PLL can one day be as big as the UFC.

Episode 47: Kevin Durant on the playoffs, the Olympics, & his career journey Jun 24, 2021

Rich's business partner, longtime friend and 2x NBA champion Kevin Durant joins Out of Office for an off-the-cuff conversation about his mentality coming out of this year's Nets playoff run, the way he approached the series against the Bucks, and what he really sees as the pivotal moments in his life and career. He and Rich talk through the craziness of his injury in Toronto, what he's learned from growing up as a naturally curious person, and his excitement around the Nets culture and the fandom the team has built in New York. Plus, looking ahead to the Olympics and his new obsession with baseball

Episode 46: Mark Ronson, the globally renowned DJ, and Oscar- and Grammy-winning music producer and artist. Jun 16, 2021

This is a special episode where Rich and Gianni welcome Mark Ronson, one of Rich's long-time friends and a former business partner. Mark and Rich talk about the early years of their friendship and Mark's trajectory from being a seat filler at the Grammys to the shock of winning his first Grammy (for Amy Winehouse's Back to Black.) Mark discusses the importance of mentorship from icons like John Forte and Q Tip, the record label he and Rich partnered on, Allido, and their strange experience together when Mark DJ'ed Tom Cruise's wedding. Mark also goes deep on how producing for Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen changed the trajectory of his career and transformed him from a "New York DJ" to a "Grammy-award winning producer", ultimately doing work with some of the industry's biggest names, including Adele, Paul McCartney, Bruno Mars, and Lady Gaga (with whom he won an Academy Award & a Golden Globe for "Shallow." Mark talks about his new project, Watch The Sound with Mark Ronson, a six-part docu-series on Apple TV+ that examines sound creation and revolutionary technology used to shape music and features acclaimed guests like Paul McCartney, King Princess, Dave Grohl, Adrock and Mike D from the Beastie Boys, Charli XCX and more. He also discusses his new podcast, The FADER Uncovered. Mark is currently based in New York where he operates his record label, Zelig Records, home to Raissa, Issy Wood and King Princess. Ronson’s multiple honors include an Academy Award, seven Grammys, and a Golden Globe.

Episode 45: Al Harrington, former NBA player and Founder/CEO of Viola Brands, the only black-owned multinational cannabis company. Jun 09, 2021

Al Harrington was such a basketball late bloomer in high school, his own mother wouldn’t come to his games. What was the point if her son was riding the bench? But hard work and a growth spurt turned Al Harrington from so-so hooper to the nation's top high school player by his senior year. In '98, he was a McDonalds All-American, and the Gatorade and USA Today Player of the Year. Drafted out of high school in the 1st round pick by the Indiana Pacers. Harrington reveals the profane warning that Larry Bird, the Pacers Head Coach, barked at him when he showed up late for his first team meeting. Harrington describes what he learned from veteran teammates like Antonio Davis and Reggie Miller that helped forge professional habits over his 16-year NBA career with multiple teams. Harrington talks to Rich and Gianni about his surprising entry point into the cannabis business, which began with Harrington’s search for ways to help his grandmother, Viola, cope with her glaucoma and diabetes symptoms. Harrington later met with then-NBA commissioner, David Stern, and managed to change Stern’s opinion about the dangers of cannabis. That meeting paved the way for the NBA to set the tone for how pro leagues take a more tolerant stance on marijuana use by players. In this powerful episode, Harrington drops many gems, including his stunning estimate of the number of NBA players who used marijuana when he started in the league in the late ‘90s, a number he believes has held steady to this day.

Episode 44: Rich and Gianni go one on one to talk about the NBA playoffs, WNBA star, Sabrina Ionescu, the success of Lebron James' agent, Rich Paul, and the firestorm around Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open. Jun 02, 2021

In this episode, Rich and Gianni have lots to discuss. In a week of major headlines, they get into Naomi Osaka’s decision not to do media interviews at the French Open, which led to a fine, and ultimately to her decision to withdraw. Rich and Gianni tackle the complex sides of her decision, and what it means for one of the world's most influential athletes to declare her mental health a priority over competing in an event. They also give props to super agent, Rich Paul of UTA/Klutch Sports, following the New Yorker’s deep-dive on how he's impacted the business of basketball and helped fuel the player empowerment movement. They also chat about recent developments in the Crypto and collectibles space, and tease a big announcement on Sabrina Ionescu’s collab with Boardroom. Rich also gets personal, talking about challenging periods in his own life that have given him far greater empathy for people, including rich athletes, contending with mental health challenges. And of course, Rich and Gianni marvel at KD's performance in the playoffs, and the Nets tougher matchups going forward.

Episode 43: Claressa Shields, the 2x Olympic Gold medalist and pro boxing legend, on making her debut as an MMA fighter on ESPN. May 26, 2021

In 2012, as a high school junior from Flint, Michigan, Claressa Shields qualified for the Olympics and won a Gold medal in boxing. She won another in 2016, becoming the first US boxer to win gold at consecutive Olympic Games. As a pro, she's undefeated, and widely-regarded as the best female pound-for-pound boxer in the world. Seeking a new challenge, she's signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League and is now training for her MMA debut. On June 3rd, ESPN+ begins streaming a 4-part series about her bid to become an MMA fighter, with a live broadcast of her bout on June 10th.

Her compelling story has also been the subject of a documentary, “T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold" and is being developed into a motion picture written by Oscar Winner, Barry Jenkins, to be directed by Oscar-nominee, Rachel Morrison, the cinematographer of Black Panther.

In this episode, she talks to Rich and Gianni about her tough upbringing in Flint Michigan, her father's role in introducing her to boxing, her admiration for Serena Williams, and the challenges of training in multiple disciplines to prepare for her first MMA fight.

Episode 42: Haley Rosen, the founder and CEO of Just Women's Sports, on her company's mission and ambitions, and how she quickly scaled up a business that originated as an Instagram page. May 19, 2021

Haley Rosen was a collegiate soccer star at Stanford University, and went on to play professionally both in the US and Europe. But after an injury-shortened career, she moved back to Silicon Valley to work in tech. But motivated by the dearth of coverage of women's sports -- 44% of athletes are women, yet they only garner 4% of sports coverage -- she kicked off an Instagram page called Just Women's Sports. The page attracted a following, and convinced Rosen it could be scaled into a business. The solo founder and her team have now attracted a rabid fan base and venture investors including Spark, Andreessen Horowitz, Greycroft, and yes, 35 Ventures. Rosen talks to Rich and Gianni about how the rising visibility of women's sports and athletes in 2020 helped fuel her business launch; her appreciation for Kevin Durant's enthusiastic support for the platform, and much more.

Episode 41: Acorns co-founder Noah Kerner May 13, 2021

On this episode of Out of Office, Rich and Gianni talk to Acorns co-founder Noah Kerner, who has extensive experience in founding and growing start-ups. This episode will cover Noah's career trajectory, including how he and his team have grown Acorns including throughout the challenges of the last year. Previous guests / episodes in line with the overall ethos of this episode include Dan Fleyshman(founder, Elevator Studio), Gary Vaynerchuk, & Dave Grutman (Groot Hospitality), all of whom built their businesses as start ups.

Episode 40: Rich hosts Sabrina Ionescu, the WNBA star and CC Sabathia, the former MLB All-star pitcher, and talks about playing in New York, realizing their athletic goals, and the childhood moments where they locked into their respective sports. May 05, 2021

Ionescu, the budding WNBA superstar, and Sabathia, the recently-retired MLB All-star are at opposing junctures of decorated careers. Ionescu is just starting her WNBA career after putting together one of the most-decorated resumes in college basketball history. The child of Romanian immigrants, she shattered multiple college basketball records playing for the University of Oregon, where she ended up a Pac-12 all-time assists leader (breaking Gary Payton’s record), and the only NCAA D1 player ever to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists and 1,000 rebounds. Named the best collegiate female basketball player in the nation, she was #1 pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, selected by the NY Liberty. Though injuries early in the pandemic-plagued season prevented her from realizing her first-year potential, she's ready to fulfill her promise as the league prepares for its '21 season. On the other side of the career spectrum is CC Sabathia, who helped the NY Yankees win a World Series in 2009, led MLB in wins in both ’09 and ’10, was a 6x All-Star, and struck out over 3,000 in a brilliant career. Now the host of the popular podcast, R2C2, with co-host, Ryan Ruocco, he's also an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Rich talks to Sabathia and Ionescu about the pressures and joys of playing under the New York spotlight, the special relationship Ionescu had with Kobe Bryant, and how the WNBA Bubble revved up Ionescu's competitive juices. They also get into her career goals and Sabathia's post-career moves.

This episode was recorded on April 22 as part of a live Boardroom University event.

Episode 39: Annastasia Seebohm, on becoming CEO of the Spotify founder’s foundation, her leadership of Quintessentially, the global lifestyle group, and how she adjusted her lifestyle after an episode of burnout. Apr 28, 2021

Annastasia Seebohm is the newly appointed CEO of Brilliant Minds Foundation. This marks her second CEO role under the age of 35. Brilliant Minds Foundation was founded in 2015 by Spotify founder and CEO, Daniel Ek, and has brought together the world’s most influential thought leaders at the intersection of humanity and technology.

Prior to her current role, Seebohm was the Group CEO of Quintessentially. The first female and millennial to hold the Group CEO role, Seebohm was responsible for the strategy and day-to-day operations of Quintessentially, the world’s leading lifestyle group. She led over 1,000 employees across 50 cities, and spearheaded Quintessentially’s global growth. During her tenure, annual revenues exceeded $100 million. She’s been profiled in publications including Forbes, Vanity Fair, Bloomberg, The CEO Magazine and Harvard Business Review. British GQ listed Seebohm as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in the UK.

Seebohm talks to Rich and Gianni about the “70/30 rule” she followed to achieve her dream of becoming a CEO before age 30, illuminates the importance of young entrepreneurs finding their “why,” and talks about the childhood experience that supercharged her maturity, enabling her to lead organizations from a young age.

Episode 38: Bozoma St. John on arranging Beyonce’s performance at the Super Bowl half-time show, getting her groove back after a tragic loss, and working with Netflix as the streaming giant’s CMO. Apr 21, 2021

Bozoma St. John has been a high-profile brand architect and marketing whiz for some of the world’s most innovative entertainment and tech companies. Her resume includes executive positions at Pepsi, Uber, Endeavor, Apple, and now Netflix. But as an African-American woman of Ghanaian parentage, St. John’s ascent up the corporate ladder has involved numerous struggles for rewards worthy of her contributions. Many of her early successes were created behind the scenes, including her notably arranging, while at Pepsi, Beyonce’s memorable 2013 Super Bowl half-time show. In 2016, as Head of Global Marketing for Apple Music, she hit the stage at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Her presentation became a viral sensation, with Buzzfeed commenting: “Bozoma St. John is the Coolest Person To Ever Go Onstage At An Apple Event.” It elevated St. John’s public profile, and she's now known in the public consciousness as much for being a style icon as a savvy behind-the-scenes corporate marketer. St. John talks to Rich and Gianni about her fall out with Pepsi after the Beyonce half-time show, getting LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the back seat of an Uber for an award-winning campaign, and why Gianni was such a good intern. [Yes, St. John was Gianni's boss for his 1st corporate internship.] She also talks about how she rebounded from tremendous grief after the death of her husband, why she relates so well to tech founders, and why she's so excited about Netflix's future.

Episode 37: Arianna Huffington on the founding of The Huffington Post, why entrepreneurs need to get better sleep, and what led her to launch Thrive Global, her startup focusing on the health and wellness space. Apr 14, 2021

When Arianna Huffington co-founded The Huffington Post in 2005, it created a blueprint for a new kind of digital media company at a time news and social conversation were rapidly migrating from traditional to online media outlets. That success led to a $315 million acquisition by AOL, with Huffington remaining as President and Editor in Chief of The Huffington Post Media Group. Five years later, she would start Thrive Global, which helped major companies and their employees build healthy habits through inspirational storytelling and actionable steps to help navigate a stressful world with greater resilience.

Huffington's fascinating backstory is as compelling as her gifts for storytelling. She was born in Greece, but moved to the UK at 16, speaking virtually no english. She earned acceptance to Cambridge, one of the UK's most prestigious universities, where she became a star debater. A prolific author, she penned numerous bestsellers; hired a young Van Jones as her campaign manager in a 2003 bid for California governor against Arnold Schwarzenegger; and then launched her successful media career. Huffington talks to Rich and Gianni about meeting Rich and KD for the first time, and how her unsuccessful campaign for governor led her to the insights that fueled the success of The Huffington Post. She also shares how her relentless entrepreneurial work ethic led to burnout and a 2007 incident that made her realize her work habits were hazardous to her health. The incident inspired the formation of Thrive Global.

Episode 36: Alex Honnold on Climbing’s Olympic debut, life after Free Solo, the Oscar-winning documentary about his historic climb, and his new podcast, Climbing Gold. Apr 07, 2021

Alex Honnold gained global fame after the release of the film Free Solo, based on his death-defying climb --with no ropes or safety equipment-- of Yosemite Park’s El Capitan. The film captivated audiences, won the 2019 Oscar for Best Documentary, and established Honnold as one of the world's greatest athletes. Though Honnold has not always appeared to revel in the fame the film brought him, he’s made good use of the opportunities. Now, the primary face of his sport, he's expanded the work of his foundation, and has greatly raised awareness for rock climbing. As the upcoming Olympics prepares to feature climbing as an event for the first time, Honnold was likely a big factor in the sport achieving Olympic status. In this episode, Honnold talks to Rich and Gianni about what people get wrong about what motivates elite climbers, why he’s excited about his new podcast series, and the inspiration he's taken from legendary female climber, Lynn Hill. Honnold even invites Rich and Gianni to climb rocks with him in Central Park next time he visits New York City.

Episode 35: Chris Lyons, Managing Partner at Andreesen Horowitz, on launching the firm's Cultural Leadership Fund, harnessing his music business skills in Silicon Valley, and creating a brand in the wine industry. Mar 31, 2021

As a Managing Partner at Andreesen Horowitz, one of Silicon Valley's most influential Venture Capital firms, Chris Lyons also runs its Cultural Leadership Fund, the first consisting of 100% African American Limited Partners. To date, CLF has invested in over 65 startups at the intersection of culture and innovation, and across multiple industries including consumer, enterprise, crypto, and fintech. Lyons also created Silicon Valley’s first “influencer network,” establishing numerous strategic partnerships between emerging technology companies and seasoned athletes, entertainers, musicians and corporate executives. In 2019, Lyons was named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People. But Lyons has a very atypical Silicon Valley success story. He started his music business career as a sound engineer for Grammy-winning producer, Jermaine Dupri, and initially went out to Silicon Valley for what he assumed would be a short trip. But in 2013, Lyons landed a position as Chief of Staff to Ben Horowitz, the Andreesen Horowitz co-founder, where his smarts, hustle, and well-developed network accelerated his rise through the ranks. In this episode, Lyons talks to Rich and Gianni about how invaluable his music business background has been to his Silicon Valley success; the seeds of his friendship with Rich and KD; how he ended up founding Italian wine brand, Lyons Wine; and his passion for diversifying the ranks of tech entrepreneurs and VC professionals.

Episode 34: Jimmy Iovine, the legendary music executive and co-founder of both Interscope Records and Beats Electronics, on his compatibility with Dr Dre, the dinner with Steve Jobs he’ll never forget, and his advice to young entrepreneurs Mar 24, 2021

Jimmy Iovine’s legendary story was well-chronicled in HBO's 2017 docu-series, The Defiant Ones, but his impact on modern music, the media business, and technology continues to amaze. From his modest origins in Brooklyn, he worked his way up to legendary status as a music producer, working with artists like Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon, then later co-founding Interscope Records where he nurtured artists like Tupac Shakur, Eminem, as well as a subsidiary label, Death Row Records. Iovine would go on to partner with Dr Dre on Beats by Dre, which evolved into Beats Electronics, which was famously sold to Apple for $3 billion in 2014. In this special episode, previously recorded for Boardroom University, Iovine talks about his first music job as a janitor in a recording studio, the time Steve Jobs diagrammed the hardware business for him on a dinner table, his admiration for former Disney exec, Bob Iger, and why the program he and Dr Dre are launching is poised to empower under-served high school students by emphasizing the importance of both technology and design.

*The Boardroom University event was recorded on March 10, ’21, and co-sponsored by USC Annenberg, and USC Iovine and Young Academy.

Episode 33: Ray McGuire on His Trailblazing Path as a Top Wall Street Banker, Advising on Some of the Biggest Merger Deals in History, and Why He’s Running for Mayor of New York City Mar 17, 2021

Ray McGuire, former Vice Chairman of Citigroup, is a trailblazing African-American Investment Banker who’s currently running as a democratic candidate for mayor of New York City. As an advisor to global corporations and boards, McGuire has worked on an estimated $600 billion in total deals, including Time Warner’s $108 billion merger with ATT in 2018. Though McGuire grew up in a single-parent household in Dayton, Ohio, his smarts, work ethic, and vision for his future landed him at Harvard, where he earned multiple degrees. But last year, McGuire, a committed philanthropist, stepped down from his position at Citigroup to enter the brutal arena of New York City politics. His campaign has emphasized his unique qualifications to lead the city at this critical time: “New York is in a financial crisis that has exploded into a whole bunch of crises — educational, health and criminal justice. If there is a moment in history where my skill set can help lead, this is it.” In this episode, McGuire shares with Rich and Gianni his 4 P-s for success: “prayer, preparation, performance and paranoia”; how he navigated his path as a trailblazing African American banker in ‘80s and ‘90s Wall Street; his pride in his happily-blended family, including stepson, Cole Anthony, the Orlando Magic rookie point guard; and his vision for leading New York City into a brighter future.

Episode 32: Dan Porter and Zack Wiener, co-founders of Overtime, the digital sport platform, on the launch of their disruptive new pro hoops league, Overtime Elite, and their formula for growing Overtime’s community. Mar 10, 2021

Dan Porter and Zack Wiener are co-founders of Overtime, the multi-platform digital sports channel that launched in 2016, then blew up in 2017 when, among other highlights, it posted a block from high school star, Zion Williamson. The Overtime website describes its mission as building the “sports network for the next generation of fans,” but Porter has also revealed the company's ambition to be the biggest global sports network on the planet. Currently, Overtime content has 14 billion views a year, and a global audience of 45 million across all platforms. But in its most audacious effort, the multi-media digital sports juggernaut just announced a new venture that may disrupt the landscape of NCAA basketball. They launched Overtime Elite, a professional basketball league for high school prospects that will pay six-figure salaries, offer equity in the league, and provide college scholarships for players who ultimately opt out of pursuing a career in the NBA. Porter and Wiener talk to Rich and Gianni about the motivations behind launching OT Elite, the advice that KD gave them that helped hone the OTE concept, and what it’s like for the unique co-founder duo (Porter is in his ‘50s, Wiener is in his ‘20s) to combine their generationally-distinct perspectives, experience and networks in forming a dynamic digital brand with global ambitions.

Episode 31: Josh Luber on co-founding StockX, working with Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert, and his excitement about the trading cards boom. Mar 03, 2021

Josh Luber is an entrepreneur, long-time trading card collector, and co-founder of StockX, the on-line sneaker and collectibles marketplace he co-founded with Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert. Luber talks to Rich and Gianni about his early entrepreneurial leanings, alternating between corporate jobs and startups after getting his MBA/JD from Emory University, creating Campless, a sneaker data company, while working at IBM, and his life-changing meeting with Dan Gilbert where they decided to create a “stock market for sneakers.” Luber also dives into why he thinks it’s a golden age for trading cards, and how that’s led him to the creation of his new venture, Six Forks Kids Club, an alternative asset management company focused on trading cards.

Episode 30: Justin Tuck on his small-town upbringing, VP position at Goldman Sachs, and why Eli Manning definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame. Feb 24, 2021

Justin Tuck is a 2x Super Bowl champion and former 2x Pro Bowl Defensive End for the NY Giants. A graduate of Notre Dame, Tuck earned his MBA from Wharton before landing in the Goldman Sachs C-suite. Tuck talks to his good friend, Rich, and Gianni about why he felt so well prepared for a successful career after the NFL, his favorite memories from his Super Bowl victories, what the public gets wrong about why some athletes go broke, and why his former teammate, Eli Manning, absolutely merits induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Episode 29: Mark Jackson. Rich catches up with his childhood hero Mark Jackson. They talk his 17-year career, his leadership qualities and talk openly on him not getting another shot at coaching in the NBA after the Warriors. Feb 17, 2021

Mark Jackson is one of television’s best NBA analysts, calling multiple finals for ESPN and ABC, alongside his good friend and former coach, Jeff Van Gundy. A native of New York City, Jackson was a star at St Johns before being selected in the 1st round by the New York Knicks. A 1988 NBA rookie of the year and an All-Star, the elite point guard led several NBA title contenders during a 17-year NBA career. He’s the NBA’s 4th all-time assists leader, ranked right behind Steve Nash, and right ahead of Magic Johnson. Jackson talks to Rich and Gianni about his pride in building a winning foundation as coach of the Golden State Warriors from ’11-’14; his feelings about getting fired by the Warriors before the team went on to win multiple championships; whether he believes there remains an unflattering narrative that’s kept him from getting hired again; and how his father’s example inspired his leadership qualities, resilience and deep faith.

Episode 28: Jamie Patricof on the joys of being an independent film and television producer, and how producing movies is like being a CEO of a startup Feb 10, 2021

Jamie Patricof is an accomplished independent film, tv, and documentary producer, and co-founder of Electric City Entertainment. His projects include the films Captain Fantastic (Viggo Mortensen); Blue Valentine (Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling); and The Place Beyond the Pines (Bradley Cooper). Early in the pandemic, Patricof kicked off Lunch With Jamie, a popular Zoom lecture series featuring luminaries from the worlds of politics, sports and Hollywood. In this episode, Patricof talks to Rich (they’ve been best friends since childhood) and Gianni about striking work/life balance; emerging trends in the tv and film business; the entrepreneurial inspiration he gets from his 86-year-old father who recently started a new venture; and his possible plans for running for political office.

Episode 27: Omar Raja on creating House of Highlights, getting acquired by Bleacher Report, and leaving Bleacher for ESPN. Feb 03, 2021

Omar Raja was a college student when he started an Instagram account to pay tribute to his beloved Miami Heat, and especially his favorite player, Dwyane Wade. That was House of Highlights, the IG account which mastered the creation of viral NBA-related clips, and transformed social media content for a new generation of sports fans. Bleacher Report hired Raja out of University of Central Florida, and acquired House of Highlights. After greatly expanding its content across multiple sports, House of Highlights under Bleacher became the most followed sports social media brand. Raja’s success caught the attention of ESPN, who hired Raja in '20 to run the social accounts for Sports Center, and work as a digital and social talent commentator. In this episode, the 26-year-old talks about catching the entrepreneurial bug from his father, why he started creating content in high school, the tears he shed walking away from House of Highlights, his goals for the future, and much more.

Episode 26: Lawrence Taylor on his relationship with Bill Parcells, initial skepticism about Bill Belichick’s coaching talents, and his pick for Super Bowl LV. Jan 27, 2021

Lawrence Taylor, the NY Giants equally famous and notorious #56, is a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and one of the most dominant and influential athletes in the history of American sports. A fearsome linebacker, he was a defensive superstar of the ‘80s and early '90s whose impact on pro football is still strongly felt. The evolution of the modern Left Tackle (bigger, faster, more agile) was a tactical adaptation developed to help NFL teams protect their QB’s from a Lawrence Taylor pass rush. In this episode, LT talks to Rich and Gianni about winning two Super Bowls with the Giants, why he initially went ballistic when Parcells promoted Bill Belichick as Giants Defensive Coordinator, and his satisfaction in conquering his demons. He also talks about a recent round of golf with Michael Jordan where they debated which QB will win the ’21 Super Bowl, Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes.

Episode 25: Jason Koonce on trading cards as a financial asset, cornering the market on an early Tiger Woods card, and J Lo's under-rated work ethic Jan 20, 2021

Jason Koonce is founder and CEO of Detroit-based OTIA Sports, a major player in the sports card and memorabilia industry, with ties to sports legends, including Magic Johnson, Hulk Hogan, and Joe Montana. The self-described “poker degenerate” is also a poker whiz, who once won over a million dollars in a single tournament. In this special episode of Out of Office, Eddie Gonzalez, co-host of the ETCs podcast with Kevin Durant, joins Rich and Gianni in this conversation about Jason’s start in trading cards, and his belief that trading cards have become a serious investment, as potentially valuable a long-term asset as gold or bitcoin.

Episode 24 : Josh Richards on joining Triller as Chief Strategy Officer, angel investing, and admiring Mark Wahlberg Jan 13, 2021

Josh Richards is an 18-year-old digital media entrepreneur, angel investor and social media personality, with over 25M followers across platforms. He’s also Chief Strategy Officer for Triller, the video and social media app company, and competitor with TikTok. In just a few years, Richards has co-founded digital talent management firm TalentX, co-founded Ani Energy, an energy drink business, and signed a record deal with Warner Records. He also co-hosts the podcast, BFFs, with Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports. In this episode, the Canadian teen talks to Rich and Gianni about his early attraction to business; squashing beefs between the content creator camps, Sway House and Hype House; his admiration for Mark Wahlberg; and his aspirations for growing his business, both as an entrepreneur and entertainer.

You can find Josh at:

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/joshrichards/?hl=en

BFFs podcast with Dave Portnoy and Josh Richards

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJRz6HSllkQKmFxaPk8IViw

Episode 23: Jason Strauss on building Tao Group, expanding internationally, and partnering with the Madison Square Garden Company Jan 06, 2021

Jason Strauss is a co-founder and co-owner of the Tao Group, the world-renowned luxury hospitality company best known for its restaurant/nightclub brands: Tao, Lavo, Marquee and Avenue. Strauss talks to Rich (they've been friends since high school) about launching a nightlife business with long-time business partner, Noah Tepperberg. In 2003, the duo launched Marquee, the Manhattan restaurant/nightclub famous for its endless stream of celebrities and world-class hospitality. The club's success became the subject of a 2009 Harvard Business School case study, and led the duo to expand to Las Vegas where they opened Tao at the Venetian hotel, one of the country's highest-grossing restaurants and nightclubs. In 2017, the Madison Square Garden Company acquired a majority stake in Tao Group. Strauss talks about staying relevant in a youth-driven industry, his bullish expectations for post-covid nightlife, and the MSG Sphere, his group's upcoming music and entertainment arena in Vegas, one he believes will set a new bar for the nightlife experience.

Episode 22: Brian Koppelman on co-creating "Billions", The enduring success of "Rounders", and his life changing decision to leave the music business. Dec 30, 2020

Brian Koppelman is the co-creator, showrunner and Executive Producer of Billions, Showtime’s acclaimed dramatic series exploring the high-stakes, cut-throat world of a hedge fund tycoon and the prosecutor trying to take him down. He also hosts the podcast, The Moment with Brian Koppelman. A Long Island, New York native, Koppelman followed his father’s footsteps into the music business, playing pivotal roles in the recording careers of both Eddie Murphy and Tracy Chapman, the multi-platinum and multi-grammy-winning artist. Koppelman ultimately stepped away from a successful career as a music industry A & R exec, to pursue his passion of being a writer. A self-described “poker degenerate,” Koppelman and his writing partner, David Levien, immersed themselves in underground poker clubs, the setting which inspired Rounders, the ’98 poker-themed film starring Matt Damon and Edward Norton. Koppelman shares with Rich and Gianni how he’s been able to maintain his child-like enthusiasm for his work, and tips his hand on the future of the hit series, Billions.

Episode 21: Quinn Cook Dec 23, 2020

Los Angeles Lakers point guard, Quinn Cook, has had a fascinating career. Coming out of high school as a McDonalds All-American, he led the Blue Devils to a national championship in college, then shockingly went undrafted coming out of Duke. But after years battling in the G League to get to the NBA, he’s made the most of it, garnering two championship rings, and now a new deal with the Lakers. Cook’s story has been defined by his resilience, charisma, work ethic, and a commitment to learning from prized mentors, starting with his entrepreneurial parents. Cook also credits Kevin Durant, Coach Krzyzewski, LeBron James, and, our host, Rich Kleiman for providing support, guidance and tough love during his journey. Taking nothing for granted, the 27-year-old has developed a veteran’s wisdom about building his business network and entrepreneurial skillset while he’s still in the NBA.

Episode 20: Dan Fleyshman On Investing, Influencer Marketing, the Trading Card Boom Dec 16, 2020

When investor and innovator Dan Fleyshman trademarked the phrase "Who's Your Daddy" in high school & turned a merchandise play into an energy drink business that made him the youngest founder of a publicly traded company at age 23, it was just the beginning of his story. On this episode of Out of Office, Fleyshman talks about his investment strategy, his early ventures including the boom and bust of the online poker industry, and what "influencer marketing" meant to him in the pre-social media world. Now, he's leveraged that knowledge as founder of Elevator Studios, managing an army of social media influencers and brand campaigns for large businesses. Fleyshman also reveals what's next in the booming trading cards industry and why he co-founded the trading card shop Cards and Coffee and the social-commerce platform Coffee Breakers with Steve Aoki and DJ Skee, turning the "old school" trading card shop model on its head.

Episode 19: Dave Grutman On Building Groot Hospitality, Learning From Failure, & Finding The Right Partners Dec 09, 2020

Restaurateur and nightlife mogul Dave Grutman joins Rich Kleiman to talk about how he built Miami-based Groot Hospitality from the ground up, including the legendary LIV nightclub, and restaurants including Papi Steak, Komodo, & Planta. He talks about his approach to finding partners, how he identifies workers who have the "X factor," why he evaluates employees' potential by how professionally they do the "little things," and how he chooses celebrity collaborators, including his newest partnership with Pharrell. The hospitality guru also gets candid about his early career, including his days as a bartender and what he learned about failure from his ill-fated first nightclub. Plus, his thoughts on New York as a nightlife market, future aspirations in the sports business, and more.

Episode 18: Curtis Martin Dec 02, 2020

Curtis Martin, NFL Hall of Famer and former running back for the NY Jets and New England Patriots, shares what still nags him about losing the ’96 Super Bowl; explains why he set aside 12% to 15% of his annual NFL salary for charity; and names both his top five active running backs and the all-time best at the position. Martin also reveals his aspirations to own an NFL team, and much more.

Episode 17: Rich and Gianni Nov 25, 2020

In this episode, Rich and Gianni have a wide-ranging conversation. Rich shares the story of how his early-career business with music virtuoso, Mark Ronson, prepared him for his current partnership with sports star, Kevin Durant. They discuss their favorite lifestyle brands, rank the top influencers in sports, music and fashion, and explore how Gen Z is currently consuming sports content.

Episode 16: Gary Vaynerchuk Nov 18, 2020

Gary Vaynerchuk, the digital media visionary, angel investor, and CEO of VaynerMedia, talks to Rich and Gianni about why he often values street smarts over Ivy-League degrees in business, the perils of lacking self-awareness, the key lessons he learned as a teen working in his family’s wine business, and the technology he’s confident will revolutionize the consumer experience.

Episode 15: Nick Kyrgios Nov 11, 2020

Rich talks to Nick Kyrgios, the ATP Tour tennis pro who’s accomplished the rare feat of beating each of “The Big 3” (Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic). One of the sport’s biggest personalities and most polarizing figures, Kyrgios talks about his obsession with his favorite sport (basketball); what the sport's "old guard" misunderstands about him; and why he’s so impressed with Naomi Osaka. He also reveals how he managed to overcome a serious bout with depression, and why he feels ready to have his best-ever season in 2021.

Episode 14: Brandon Marshall Nov 04, 2020

Rich talks to Brandon Marshall, former NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver, and co-host of Fox Sports One’s studio show, First Things First. Marshall discusses the highs and lows of his NFL career, and why his business, House of Athlete, is focusing on expanding elite athletic training to the general population. He shares his vision for changing the conversation around “mental fitness” so physical and mental wellness are given equal importance on the sports field and in the larger society. Marshall also admits he hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the NFL.

Episode 13: Maria Sharapova Oct 28, 2020

In this episode, Rich talks to Maria Sharapova, a former tennis world #1, and champion of each of the sport’s four Grand Slam events. During her career, she won nearly $40 million in prize money, while also building the foundation for sustainable wealth through savvy endorsement choices, visionary equity deals, and tireless hard work. In 2020, when Forbes Magazine listed the top 10 highest-paid female athletes, nine of them were current tennis pros. This is in part a legacy of the business road map Sharapova paved. But you don’t need to be a tennis pro to benefit from her insights. In 2010, a Harvard Business School course “Maria Sharapova: Marketing a Champion” examined the strategy of “Team Sharapova.” And on this podcast, the former tennis star talks openly about the tough transition to the US after emigrating from Russia as a child, how winning Wimbledon changed the trajectory of her off-court business, and how she evaluates potential brand partners.

Episode 12: Michael Vick Oct 21, 2020

In this episode, Rich talks to Michael Vick, the Fox NFL Analyst and former Pro Bowl QB, who largely re-defined the quarterback position…and the perception of what constitutes a franchise NFL QB. They discuss his close relationships with Ravens QB, Lamar Jackson, and Chiefs Head Coach, Andy Reid. They talk about the Atlanta glory days in the early ‘00s when Vick shared center stage in the culture with local hip hop stars, including Outkast, TI, Jeezy and Gucci Mane. Vick shares a candid self-assessment of past mistakes, as well as the hard work he’s put in the last decade to find personal and professional success off the field. He also gives his feedback on Rich’s list of top five NFL QB’s.

Episode 11: Larry Jackson Oct 14, 2020

In this episode Rich talks to Larry Jackson, Global Creative Director of Apple Music. The self-described “conduit of culture” is one of the music industry’s most influential behind-the-scenes savants. Jackson helped launch Apple's game-changing entertainment service, Apple Music. Along his ground-breaking journey, he’s worked alongside music giants like Clive Davis, Jimmy Iovine and Doctor Dre; championed artist-hosted radio (including L’il Wayne’s Young Money Radio); and produced legendary artists like Whitney Houston and Jennifer Hudson. But perhaps the most unlikely early chapter of Jackson’s story involves him running one of the country’s top radio stations while still in high school. A good friend of Rich’s and a former boss of Gianni's, Jackson is a quintessential Out of Office guest—dropping inspiration, never-before-told music biz anecdotes, and sage business insights.

Episode 10: Carli Lloyd Oct 07, 2020

Rich talks to Carli Lloyd, US Women’s National Soccer Team icon, about her childhood sports idols, her growing off-the-pitch business, and what she hopes to accomplish before hanging up her cleats.

Episode 9: Origins of the Boardroom Sep 30, 2020

For this episode, we switched it up. With no guest, Rich Kleiman and Gianni Harrell sit in the new 35 Ventures boardroom, socially distanced of course, to discuss the launch of KD’s new podcast, the ETCs, how Rich parlayed an early stint as a sports bookie into a successful career in the music business, what he learned about leadership from Jay Z, and how that Roc Nation experience helped him transition back to sports and the creation of 35 Ventures with Durant. And Gianni steps up and shows serious skills as an interviewer.

Episode 8: David Solomon Sep 23, 2020

In this episode Rich talks to David Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, a titan among global banking firms. Among the many financial services Goldman offers, it manages over 2 trillion dollars in assets for governments, corporations and institutional investors. For 2019, Goldman reported $35 billion in revenues. And while the firm manages the fortunes of 10,000 of the world's 70,000 wealthiest individuals, it's now expanding the scope of its business, partnering with companies like Walmart and Apple to enter consumer banking. This is one of many big changes Solomon is spearheading as its CEO. He's relaxed the dress code (which garnered headlines) and pushed company executives to bring their authentic selves to work. It's not just talk. He walks the walk. Solomon enjoys a side career as a music producer and DJ under the moniker, DJ D-Sol. The story of his rise to lead Goldman Sachs holds inspiring lessons about leadership, relationship-building, work/life balance, and patience.

Episode 7: Bill Duffy Sep 16, 2020

Rich talks to Bill Duffy, a former NBA player and one of basketball’s most influential sports agents. His client list boasts Luka Doncic, one of the NBA’s budding superstars, and Steve Nash, the Hall of Fame point guard and recently-named head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. In a trailblazing career, Duffy also represented Yao Ming, the top pick in the ’02 NBA draft, a move that helped pave the league’s business expansion into China.

Episode 6: Kevin Durant, JJ Redick, Tommy Alter Sep 10, 2020

On today's special Cadence13 crossover episode, Rich and Kevin are joined by JJ Redick and Tommy Alter from “The Old Man and the Three” podcast for a wide-ranging discussion on the NBA and much more.

Episode 5: Jesse Itzler Sep 09, 2020

On today’s show, Rich talks to his long-time friend, Jesse Itzler, a successful entrepreneur, author, ultra marathon runner, and rapper. Early in his career, Itzler wrote jingles for sports franchises, including the NY Knicks hype song “Go, New York, Go.” Now, he’s a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks with his wife, Sarah Blakely, the billionaire founder of Spanx, the apparel brand. The serial entrepreneur has also sold companies to Warren Buffet and The Coca-Cola Company. Throughout the podcast, Itzler dispenses wisdom about the qualities required to excel as an entrepreneur, how he maintains life balance, and his recipe for staying hungry in spite of all his business success.

Episode 4: LeVelle Moton Sep 02, 2020

On today's show, Rich talks to LeVelle Moton, head coach for North Carolina Central University, a powerhouse in HBCU basketball, and widely regarded as one of the nation's most inspiring and successful coaches. Moton's life story, a testament to beating the odds, deep faith, and seizing opportunities, has the plot points of a Hollywood movie. Moton talks about growing up in a rough Boston neighborhood, the life-changing moment in his childhood when he saw a local musical group, New Edition, perform on national television, and the life lessons he's learned from mentors, including coaches John Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski.

Episode 3: Kevin Durant and Steve Stoute Aug 26, 2020

On today’s show, Rich talks to his co-founder of 35 Ventures, Kevin Durant, and his long-time friend Steve Stoute, an iconic marketing executive who’s been a trailblazer across the sports, music and technology industries. The candid, no-holds-barred discussion covers the struggles and rewards of the entrepreneur’s life, the ascendance of Luka Doncic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and who’s likely to emerge as Hip Hop’s next big star.

Episode 2: Doc Rivers Aug 19, 2020

On today's show, Rich talks to the legendary Doc Rivers about his inspiration to play basketball, mentorship by Pat Riley, making his name as a coach with the Celtics, and his transition to coaching the Clippers. He details the saga behind the Donald Sterling fallout, and how new owner Steve Ballmer was able to transform a long-mismanaged franchise into a model organization.

Episode 1: Jack Dorsey Aug 12, 2020

On today’s episode, Rich catches up with his friend, Jack Dorsey, Founder and CEO of Twitter and Square, to discuss his career path and much more.

Introducing The Boardroom: Out of Office with Rich Kleiman Aug 03, 2020

Bringing you the best of The Boardroom, now in podcast form. Rich Kleiman, entrepreneur and co-founder of Thirty Five Ventures with Kevin Durant, will be interviewing athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs about their day to day life and career trajectories, and much more. Kleiman and his right-hand man Gianni Harrell are bringing you Out of Office weekly starting soon.

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