Most Innovative Companies

Why David Hogg thinks there's still hope for our political system Oct 31, 2024

As the election draws near, Yaz sits down with David Hogg and Kevin Lata of Leaders We Deserve, a grassroots organization committed to helping young, progressive candidates win legislative seats across the country. Then, Yaz and Josh chat with author and Fast Company contributing writer Will Leitch to discuss the boom of sports-betting apps and the major sports leagues that have gone all in on gambling. Plus, as always, a rundown of the business and innovation news you need to know.

Check out Will Leitch's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IGOYR0

And his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0CNENMhZsV3R1kXCzc2il5?si=93b7bec750224de3

The Victoria’s Secret fashion show is back. Are the company’s old problems back too? Oct 24, 2024

After a slew of problems—some of them really dark—Victoria's Secret cancelled its fashion show in 2018. Now, the company has brought back the event, which included legendary models and performances from the iconic Cher. It reverberated across social media, but has the company really put its problems in the past or are they are still there, simmering just below the surface? Most Innovative Company’s cohost Yasmin Gagne went to the show and gives her assessment.

Also, Yaz talks with celebrity stylist Law Roach about his career evolution and abrupt retirement . . . and the work he has done since retiring.

and check out the YouTube Video of Yaz's chat with Law Roach!

Why is fast food so expensive now? Oct 17, 2024

There’s a growing shift in consumer sentiment about the fast-food industry. As inflation pushes menu prices steadily upward, more people are asking themselves if that weekly trip to Taco Bell, Wendy’s, or KFC is still worth the cost. ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Christopher Zara breaks down the economics of fast food and discusses what companies are doing to try and lure customers back to the drive-through. Also, ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer discusses the most recent advertising fails and successes, from Heinz’s racially tone-deaf imagery to the surprisingly popular combination of Grimace and the New York Mets.

Can WeightWatchers survive the Ozempic era? Oct 10, 2024

Two weeks ago, the WeightWatchers board ousted CEO Sima Sistani, who helmed the company for two-and-a-half years, appointing board member Tara Comonte interim CEO. During that time, the company has radically altered its business model to stay competitive in the Ozempic era. Cohost Yasmin Gange analyzes what this leadership change signals for the company’s strategy. Also, ‘Fast Company’ associate editor David Salazar talks with Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. His tenure of the past 3 years comes amid a cultural discussion about whether or not the Grammys and the Academy are still relevant. They chatted about diversifying the Grammy voting process, advocating for artists, and how Mason feels about AI in the music industry.

In the game of OpenAI, you win or you resign Oct 03, 2024

Over the past week, it was announced that Mira Murati, CTO of OpenAI, would be the latest to depart the company. This leaves Sam Altman as the last remaining leader from the early days of OpenAI, signaling a clear shift in direction. And maybe most importantly, the company has abandoned its nonprofit status and become a for-profit benefit corporation. ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris talks through these changes and what it could mean for the future of OpenAI. Also, Shion Kaji, father of Ryan Kaji of Ryan’s World, and Albie Hecht of pocket.watch talk about working with child stars and creative influence across platforms, from YouTube to the big screen.

Innovating for impact: how this Alabama-based tech institute fuels biosciences discovery - FROM FASTCO WORKS AND INNOVATE ALABAMA Oct 02, 2024

Alabama’s ecosystem of innovation is built on the strength of its entrepreneurs, workforce, policymakers, and community leaders. Leading economic development at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Carter Wells has long worked at the intersection of these stakeholders, fueling innovation, collaboration, and impact across 45 biotech companies in the state. In this custom episode, learn how Carter connects Alabama’s best institutions, organizations, and people behind HudsonAlpha’s mission — and how Alabama creates an ecosystem for this mission to thrive.

The Try Guys try a new streaming platform, and more Sep 26, 2024

If you were on YouTube in the Golden Age of BuzzFeed videos, there’s a good chance you remember the Try Guys, a group of four friends, who hosted a hugely popular series about trying new experiences. Like many BuzzFeed creators, the four eventually left to start their own production company, 2nd Try. But a couple years ago, the ‘guys’ were thrust into the spotlight when one of them was caught having an affair with an employee and left the company. We got to talk with two of the original guys, Zach Kornfeld and Keith Habersberger, about navigating the upheaval and their strategy around YouTube and 2nd Try’s new streaming platform.

Also, Stephanie Smellie, head of business development at Patreon, talks about how the platform supports podcasters and other creators in building a unique relationship with their audiences.

NFL ad season begins, and Robinhood still has faith in crypto Sep 19, 2024

This week, we’re recording the show at Fast Company’s Innovation Festival using a modular soundproof booth from ROOM. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer, who covers advertising and branding, returns to talk about the latest ads and over-the-top videos from brands including Pepsi, the NFL, and Progressive—and the nearly-11-minute-long promo video, ‘ManningCast: The Musical.’ Also, how are brands responding to the backlash against DEI, and who’s going against the trends?

Plus, Robinhood cofounder and CEO Vlad Tenev shares about his company’s growth since the GameStop chaos of 2021, the regulation he’d like to see for cryptocurrency, and how he thinks about AI as a new language tool.

Who are the 10 most innovative people from the last 10 years, and how did we pick them? Sep 12, 2024

The Fast Company Innovation Festival begins next week for the 10th year, and to celebrate the anniversary, we’re highlighting 10 of the most innovative people in various industries and sectors. ‘Fast Company’ editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan chats about how the list was chosen, and what’s remarkable about each person. And Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy shares about how the brand with such a strong cultural link to millennial fashion works to reach all generations of makeup fans.

Tickets are still available for the Innovation Festival! Please join us for four days of inspired conversation, purposeful networking, and meaningful takeaways.

What is going on with Telegram? Sep 05, 2024

Last week, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris. French authorities detained and charged him in connection to an investigation related to a dozen different charges, including money laundering and child abuse. Telegram has become notorious for its laissez-faire approach to moderation and celebrated by right wing groups as an anti-government, anti-liberal home for channels and messaging. The platform is used by everyone from French and Russian government officials to the Ukrainian military. ‘Fast Company’ contributing editor Alex Pasternack chats about Pavel Durov’s background and what the case means for social media moderation in the U.S. and internationally.

Also, Damian Bradfield, cofounder and chief creative officer of WeTransfer, discusses how his file-sharing company used advertising and a unique approach to creative tools to morph into a digital arts platform.

Solving the AI Energy Challenge FROM FASTCO WORKS AND WILLIAMS Sep 04, 2024

In this custom episode from FastCo Works and Williams, Kathleen Koch chats with Williams executive VP of corporate strategic development Chad Zamarin. They break down the rapid growth of energy demand due to the rise of data centers and AI and the need for clean tech—and what the U.S. needs to do to keep pace.

How Will Packer uses arrogance to his advantage Aug 29, 2024

Will Packer is a film, television, and podcast producer who has worked in Hollywood for more than 20 years, making movies like ‘Ride Along,’ ‘The Wedding Ringer,’ and ‘Girls Trip.’ He also has a book on the way next year, ‘Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big,’ about the stories and lessons he’s learned in the entertainment industry. Will’s latest show, ‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,’ premieres September 5 on Peacock, and tells the story of Muhammad Ali’s famous fight in Atlanta and the massive theft that followed. He chatted about his experiences as a producer, where he finds story inspiration, and one of his biggest accomplishments: convincing Beyoncé to change her mind.

Also, Anu Duggal, founding partner of Female Founders Fund, talks about how things have changed, or not, for female entrepreneurs in the startup ecosystem. After 10 years in seed-funding for companies, she sees optimism in climate tech, but AI? . . . Not so much.

Can Brian Niccol turn Starbucks around? Aug 22, 2024

Last week in a major shakeup, Starbucks announced the appointment of Brian Niccol as its new chairman and CEO. Niccol, then CEO of Chipotle, will succeed Starbucks’s Laxman Narasimhan, who is stepping down immediately from the position he’s held for only 17 months. For a company that has aggressively claimed it does not make fast food, this could signal a shift in how Starbucks views itself . . . and how it attempts to regain the 20% in market cap that it’s lost. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey discusses the coffee chain’s past mission and values, and how different leadership has shifted the brand’s focus.

Also, we talk with rapper Saweetie about her successful brand partnerships with Postmates and McDonald’s, and her perspective on growing her own brand and image. And Candace Bushnell, author of ‘Sex and the City’ (the book!), chats about looking back on her writing and TV career and what stories she wants women to see today.

Can the Gap make a comeback? Aug 14, 2024

This week, we’re taking a look at what some top brands are doing in the sports and entertainment space. This is part of our ongoing monthly series, Brands that Matter, with ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer who covers advertising and branding.

Then, we chatted with ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Nicole LaPorte about the Gap new CEO. Back in the ’80s and ’90s, Gap was synonymous with denim and khakis. But the rise of fast-fashion brands such as Zara and H&M, shift from shopping in malls to shopping online, and the pandemic’s ‘house clothes’ trend, all hit the Gap hard. Then, former Mattel president and COO Richard Dickson came in to take over. And if you’re wondering why a successful toy company executive would want to move to a flailing clothing company . . . we got you.

How 23andMe went from a $6 billion valuation to trading for pennies Aug 07, 2024

Cofounder and CEO of 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki, wants to take the public company private. Founded in 2006, the DNA-testing startup was valued at $6 billion in 2021. Now, it’s trading for less than a dollar. So what happened? ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris breaks down 23andMe’s history, and why the company faces an uncertain future.

Also, actor Edward Norton chats with ‘Fast Company’ staff writer David Salazar about his startup, Zeck. After decades of serving on nonprofit and corporate boards, as well as working with boards as a founder, Norton realized that modern, streamlined tools could vastly improve boardroom communication. His company aims to change the dynamics of boards and company management by reducing repetitive tasks and facilitating better collaboration.

And heads up, our show will be shifting to publish on Thursdays starting August 22!

Inside the least woke college in America Jul 31, 2024

A Gallup poll published last July found that just 36% of Americans had “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. That’s a 10% drop from 2018, and more than a 20% drop from 2015. Enter the University of Austin, which claims to be a new type of higher education institution that offers students “the fearless pursuit of truth.” The privately funded nonprofit has reportedly received $200 million in private donations, much of it from prominent right-wing investors. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Max Ufberg discusses the university’s background and what school will be like for the first class of freshmen.

Also, L-Acoustics CEO Laurent Vaissié shares his excitement for the possibilities of sound design for live concerts and shows. His company’s approach to audio is creating immersive experiences and new layers of storytelling, from Broadway theaters to Vegas shows.

Who does Silicon Valley want to elect in 2024? Jul 24, 2024

With President Biden out of the presidential race and support gathering behind Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic nominee, Silicon Valley’s influence on the candidates is more obvious than ever.Back when Harris ran for California District Attorney, she received donations from tech investors and venture capitalists including Sheryl Sandberg and Reid Hoffman, both of whom have already endorsed her for president. On the Republican side, JD Vance worked for prominent VCs and even started his own, with money from Peter Thiel, Marc Andreessen, and Eric Schmidt. So it’s not surprising that the past couple weeks have brought a flurry of endorsements and massive donations from the biggest names in tech. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Issie Lapowsky joins the show to break down what’s influencing tech billionaires in their endorsements, and what that reveals about the industry’s political interests.

Also, world-renowned chef René Redzepi, the creative force behind Noma, the three-Michelin-star restaurant in Copenhagen, discusses his new role as host of Apple TV+’s docuseries, ‘Omnivore.’ He also digs into the joys and pains of foraging and his plans to rework his restaurant business after Noma closes at the end of this year.

AI is changing tech, but where's the energy coming from? Jul 17, 2024

Last week, Amazon announced it hit a goal of 100% renewable electricity seven years early. But a report from an Amazon employee group argues that this claim is misleading. They say that only a fifth of the company’s data centers in the U.S actually run on clean power. Meanwhile, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and a host of other companies continue their development of AI—yet another huge energy demand. A recent report by Goldman Sachs says utility companies will need to spend nearly 40% more in the next three years to keep up with the demand from cloud service providers. For example, training an AI model like OpenAI’s GPT-3 required just under 1,300 megawatt hours, which is the amount of power used by 130 U.S. homes in a year. ‘Fast Company’ deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel discusses how to interpret Amazon’s claims about renewable power, and how much energy we’ll need to power even more data processing. Also, Jeff Beer, ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor covering advertising and branding, breaks down some of the recent campaigns and marketing from Etsy and Taco Bell, and what to expect from ads during the 2024 Summer Olympics.

It’s too damn hot, tip Grubhub delivery workers more Jul 10, 2024

Temperatures are hitting all-time highs, with some cities reaching 25 degrees above average. Last week, the Biden Administration announced a proposed rule that would create heat protections for certain workers, including delivery drivers. But with companies like Grubhub and UberEats classifying delivery workers as “independent contractors,” what does that mean for some of the people most vulnerable to extreme heat? ‘Fast Company’ staff writer Jess Bursztynksy gives us the latest on the state of delivery workers’ rights in NYC and beyond. And Dr. Sophia Yen, founder of Pandia Health, talks about changing how people get essential healthcare, using algorithms in telemedicine, and how our political climate impacts women’s healthcare businesses.

Who is MSCHF and why are 10,000 people playing their game on Venmo? Jul 03, 2024

Brooklyn-based art collective MSCHF has a long history of expertly harnessing pop culture humor to poke fun at big corporations. Their latest project is a game built on top of Venmo, where players buy in for $10 and participate in hourly votes to eliminate each other, and a daily vote to pick a winner. The first player chosen to win by 100% of the votes will win a prize pot of over $119,000. Fast Company Global Design Editor Mark Wilson breaks down MSCHF's history and how they combine artistic commentary with capitalism. And Pinterest Chief Product Officer Sabrina Ellis discusses AI's possible uses on a platform with such a vast library of images. How can Pinterest continue to be a source of inspiration for users, an avenue for shopping, and expand the diversity of its content? And what insights can AI provide into the things that catch our eye?

Are LinkedIn influencers the worst kind of influencer? Jun 26, 2024

In a recent viral LinkedIn post, Cap X Media’s CEO Matthew Baltzell poses in a backwards baseball cap and details his experience firing an employee for the first time. He talks about the process, what he learned, and asks for feedback from readers. One commenter wrote, “This LinkedIn post is a disgrace,” while another said, “You brought pain into someone’s life and then turned it into a ‘gold star for me’ moment. They’re certainly appalled by this on other (less weird) social platforms.”But plenty of comments sympathized with Baltzell over the uncomfortable situation, even praising him for sharing it. In fact, deranged behavior like this is a daily occurrence on LinkedIn, where business influencers operate very differently from influencers on other social media platforms. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Joe Berkowitz discusses his own forays into LinkedIn’s world of ‘corporate positivity.’ And Andrew Lacey, founder and CEO of medical technology company Prenuvo, talks about how the full-body MRI scanning that his company is offering might change our perspective on preventative healthcare—if the high cost can be lowered by other systemic reforms in healthcare.

Frank McCourt wants to buy TikTok Jun 20, 2024

Back in April, President Biden signed a law that would ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the social media app. The company was given about nine months to a year to find an American buyer. So, today we’re going to dive into the race to buy the social media app . . . specifically looking at one billionaire who’s spearheading a bid: former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Max Ufberg sat down with McCourt a few weeks ago to discuss his interest in buying TikTok.

And then we chatted with Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Jeff Beer about his trip to Cannes and which brand he thinks will win the Titanium award.

Also, check out Yaz's interview on the "Rapid Response" podcast: https://www.fastcompany.com/91142303/have-we-hit-peak-apple

Inside MrBeast's corporate structure Jun 12, 2024

A nonprofit founded by right-wing billionaire Charles Koch was a "key contributor" to a recent video produced by the popular content creator MrBeast. The video, titled "We Schooled Hundreds of Teachers," was uploaded on April 30th to "Beast Philanthropy," a second channel MrBeast uses to showcase charity work. MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, lists the organization Stand Together as one of the main financial sponsors. Stand Together was founded by Koch in 2003 as The Seminar Network and it describes itself as a "philanthropic community" dedicated to tackling the "country’s biggest problems," which range from education initiatives to what it calls "freedom-minded solutions." But we wanted to focus on how MrBeast’s corporate structure operates, so Fast Company contributing writer Ryan Broderick joined us to chat about it.

Then, Fast Company associate editor David Salazar had a conversation with Vault founder David Greenstein and musician James Blake, who was the first artist on Vault and has been vocal about its potential as a new way for fans to engage with their favorite artists. They chatted about experimenting with new ways to monetize music.

How Dropout came back from the brink stronger—and funnier—than ever Jun 05, 2024

Last September, CollegeHumor rebranded as Dropout. The 25-year old comedy platform made the move after a surge in subscriptions to the company's streaming platform, Dropout TV. After decades of struggling to find profitability, this became the centerpiece of its business model.

“Truthfully, as a high school dropout, I never really connected with the brand name CollegeHumor,” said Dropout CEO Sam Reich. "We promised ourselves we would only do away with the name when we felt that Dropout was popular enough to eclipse it, and we feel that time is now.”

Since purchasing the company for a whopping $0 in 2020, Reich has prioritized producing long-form improv content, keeping costs low and driving brand awareness through vertical videos on social media networks like TikTok. Dropout currently has 11 active series including its two most popular properties Game Changer and Dimension 20, a series where comedians actually play a live game of Dungeons & Dragons. By the end of this year, they are set to have 15 series including a live comedy special series called Dropout Presents that will launch this summer with a stand-up special from YouTuber Hank Green. The company has also ventured into live event programming for Dimension 20 in partnership with Live Nation, starting with a four-show tour of the U.K. this spring and, most impressively, leading up to a show at Madison Square Garden in January of 2025.

Why tech bro podcasts are obsessed with alpha men May 29, 2024

Last week, an article by ‘Fast Company’ senior writer Ainsley Harris riled up a small but very online part of the tech community. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, Elon Musk, Anduril Industries founder Palmer Lucky, Y combinator CEO Garry Tan, and even MrBeast, along with many others, were all reacting to her article, ‘Tech bro podcasts are obsessed with alpha men, and it’s dangerous for the rest of us.’

We talked to Ainsley and had her explain why so many ‘techno-optimists’ fell in love with the Great Man Theory, and how that’s problematic.

Then, we spoke to Gamefam founder and CEO Joe Ferencz about the rise of Roblox and Fortnite as brand-engagement platforms and how they use these sandbox games to not only create new virtual worlds, but also to advertise different IPs.

Perplexity CEO slams Google May 22, 2024

By now, we’re used to talking to AI chatbots, and we’re used to googling something to find an answer. Last week, though, Google launched a new feature that combines the two called AI Overviews. The feature—which many users are already trying to turn off—is designed to reduce the number of searches users have to make. But the idea of combining a chatbot, search tool, and encyclopedia has actually been championed and refined by a two-year-old startup called Perplexity. The ambitious startup, which calls itself an Answer Engine, has been funded by the likes of Jeff Bezos and Nvidia. The stakes are high: If Perplexity can pull off its mission, the company could become—according to some—a Google killer. Perplexity’s CEO Aravind Srinivas spoke at our Most Innovative Companies Summit last week, and had some choice words about Google’s new features and the future of his own company. We spoke to executive editor Amy Farley to unpack what he said.

Then, we chatted with ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer about brand apology ads and E.l.f beauty’s recent study on how there are too many dicks across U.S corporate boards.

Why is the WNBA so hot right now? May 15, 2024

The WNBA’s 2024 season comes on the heels of a recent groundswell of interest in women’s basketball. Last year was the WNBA’s most-watched regular season in over two decades and the recently wrapped NCAA tournament has brought a new generation of fans to the sport. The women’s March Madness final averaged 18.7 million viewers, while the men’s final averaged just 14.82 million viewers. Basically, the WNBA is a hot commodity and brands are noticing. Fast Company Staff Editor AJ Hess joined us to explain how this happened and why the stakes for the WNBA are so high this season.

Then, in a bit of a role reversal, Josh played the interviewer and asked Yaz about her latest reporting on Oprah. It covered Weight Watchers, diet culture, and our favorite topic on this show, GLP-1s. The impetus for Yaz's article was a Weight Watchers event last week in New York where Oprah was speaking. Yaz explained what happened and what it means for the future of the company.

We're looking at 2024 Summer Trends May 08, 2024

It’s May! We’re enjoying the spring weather and getting ready for this summer. So, we wanted to chat with some Fast Company folks who have their ears to the ground on what’s going to be a hit this summer. Fast Company Associate Editor David Salazar and Senior Staff Writer Liz Segran joined us to share their ideas—and a big shout-out to our interns, Ellie Stevens and Leila Frankina, for their help.

Then, we sat down with Airbnb's Chief Business Officer Dave Stephenson where we chatted about the so-called "Airbnb Effect" happening in certain communities around the country, the company's efforts to advocate for renters, and the its latest Icons offerings.

The unraveling of a unicorn: Why InVision failed May 01, 2024

InVision was once a prominent player in the design software space. But the company that was once valued at $2 billion announced it will be discontinuing its design-collaboration services by the end of this year. The cofounders, Clark Valberg and Ben Nadel, originally designed the software as a prototyping tool for designers but it quickly gained popularity and ultimately achieved unicorn status after raising $100 million in 2017. This was followed by another milestone when it raised $115 million, which effectively doubled its valuation.

So, what happened? How did this unicorn unravel? ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Nicole Gull McElroy joined us to explain and discuss.

Then we chatted with legendary English fashion designer Paul Smith who has been working in the industry for more than 50 years. Aside from the clothes, he’s also heavily involved in designing the look of his stores around the world. His iconic store on L.A’.s Melrose Avenue has a bright pink wall that’s been around since the early 2000s. But since the 2010s, that wall has become an Instagram hot spot with people lining up to take photos against the hot pink backdrop. Smith explained to us how the wall—which costs about $66,000 a year to maintain—has changed brand awareness, and spoke about his long career as designer-of-choice for such stars as Daniel Day-Lewis, David Bowie, and Jony Ive.

Minimum wage increases for fast food workers and Lyft drivers Apr 24, 2024

Fast food workers in California are seeing an increase in their paychecks. This is because of a recent minimum wage law that went into effect earlier this month. The law requires fast food chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks to pay workers $20 per hour. It will also affect restaurants that have at least 60 other locations nationwide. Opponents of the law say it will lead to layoffs and store closures . . . but for fast food workers who have been fighting for better pay, this could mean being able to get a decent living wage. Fast Company Staff Writer Pavithra Mohan joined us to unpack it all. For more on this, check out Pavithra's reporting.

Then we chatted with Lyft CEO David Risher about taking over the company after cofounders Logan Green and John Zimmer left a year ago, having to lay off more than a quarter of the company’s workforce last April, and focusing on his key strategy: “customer obsession drives profitable growth.” We also discussed the company’s future in Minneapolis, whether self-driving cars will transform the industry, and what Risher learned heading up U.S. retail at Amazon under Jeff Bezos.

Boeing is having a bad year Apr 17, 2024

Boeing has been in the news recently . . . Between a door plug blowing off mid-flight and sudden nose dives causing injuries, the company has been in very hot water. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey joined us to explain what’s really going on at Boeing and how it plans to address safety and quality concerns. For more on our Boeing coverage.

Then, we spoke with Ghia founder and CEO Melanie Masarin and Nowadays cofounder and CEO Justin Tidwell to understand what’s behind all the demand for non-alcoholic drinks. Companies like Athletic Brewing are experiencing enormous growth as consumers are embracing Sober October and Dry January and curbing their drinking in general. It’s perhaps not going all that well for all brands. After we recorded this interview on April 9th, Boisson, the largest nonalcoholic retailer in New York, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all eight of its brick-and-mortar stores. Still, the nonalcoholic market is forecasted to grow exponentially within the next decade, especially as major breweries such as Anheuser-Busch and Heineken expand their alcohol-free offerings.

NBC's hiring and firing of Ronna McDaniel Apr 10, 2024

Two weeks ago, the former Republican National Committee boss Ronna McDaniel was hired and then fired as an MSNBC contributor. This came about after pushback from staff, including complaints that she had touted Donald Trump’s debunked claims of voting malfeasance in the 2020 election. At the same time, there was backlash from people on the right who chalked up her dismissal as proof of left-wing media bias. Presiding over the chaos was NBCUniversal News chairman Cesar Conde, who has been trying to make the network for all viewpoints. But is that even possible in the Trump era? We talked to Fast Company contributing writer Brian Stelter, who profiled Cesar Conde in our upcoming spring issue.

Then we chatted about one of Fast Company’s recognition programs, Brands That Matter. This is where Fast Company highlights companies that build a connection with their audiences by being culturally relevant, making an impact, and communicating their mission and values clearly. Our advertising and brand correspondent, Jeff Beer, joined us to share his favorite brands at the moment. Kristen Wiig's reprisal of the Target lady, SunChips jumping on the eclipse phenomenon, and . . . Dramamine producing a short documentary about barf bags.

Truth Social and Sephora Tweens Apr 03, 2024

Truth Social went public last week. The company disclosed its finances in an SEC filing that revealed it had brought in just over $4 million in revenue while losing more than $58 million in 2023. Those numbers don’t seem to make sense. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Max Ufberg joined us to break down what is responsible for the dire state of that business.

Also, tweens and teens experimenting with makeup and skincare is nothing new, but there’s a new trend happening where tweens are showing a lot of interest in the Sephora brand . . . so we wanted to hear directly from them and got to speak with one tween about how they got so interested in skincare, and, of course, what their favorite products are. Then we spoke with Artemis Patrick, president and CEO of Sephora North America, who shared why she thinks tweens love the brand so much and what the company is doing to connect with that community.

Y Combinator and Oishii Mar 27, 2024

Y Combinator has become arguably the most powerful force in tech. It touts that five-and-a-half of the startups that have participated in it have become unicorns . . . which is at least double that of rival accelerators such as TechStars and 500 Global. But it started suffering from exactly the kind of corporate bloat that its founder Paul Graham abhorred.

Current president and CEO Garry Tan—who also happens to be a YC alum—took over last January and promised to reclaim YC’s roots and focus on serving early-stage founders. Here’s Fast Company senior writer Ainsley Harris to help fill us in on the behind-the-scenes action.

In theory, there are a lot of benefits to indoor farming . . . they often use 90% less water than traditional farms and can produce year-round crops, but we’ve also seen a whole bunch of companies like AeroFarms, AppHarvest, and others really struggle to make the unit economics work. We wanted to hear from Oishii cofounder and CEO Hiroki Koga. His luxury strawberries can be purchased at Whole Foods for $15. Here, he talks about the challenges of vertical farming, and explains why he recently raised a whopping $134 million to expand his operation.

Powering the Future - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP Mar 25, 2024

The impact of AI on finance departments will be huge.

The Most Innovative Companies list is out! Mar 20, 2024

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list is out! We chatted with Fast Company Executive Editor Amy Farley to hear about the top five winners and who her personal faves were. Spoilers:

Nvidia, OpenAI and Microsoft were at the top but some surprises were the National Women's Soccer League, United Auto Workers and ... Chess.com.

Then, Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Jeff Beer sat down with Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant and CMO Taylor Montgomery to discuss how the fast-food company is one of the most innovative brands out there.

For more on the MIC list, check it out here. And check out Jeff's Taco Bell feature story!

The Hyper-Connected Consumer Mar 18, 2024

Today’s CEOs can’t rely on their CMOs to tell them what’s on the minds of consumers. The modern chief executive must be fully plugged in to consumer wants and needs, which change more quickly than ever as technology evolves. Fast Company Editor-in-Chief Brendan Vaughan chatted with Verizon Consumer CEO Sowmyanarayan Sampath at the Fast Company Grill at this year's South by Southwest to discuss how the leader of Verizon’s consumer business stays on top—and how you can do the same.

Fast Company at SXSW and Netflix's 3 Body Problem Mar 13, 2024

This past weekend, Fast Company hosted a three-day event as part of SXSW in Austin. Yaz moderated a bunch of panels, Josh was producing podcasts, and best-friend-of-the-pod Max Ufberg also moderated a number of panels. We met up with Max in person to record the show for the first time! Here's our recap of the weekend at the Fast Company Grill.

Then, Netflix’s new series “3 Body Problem” is based on the first volume of the Chinese science fiction trilogy “Remembrance of Earth’s Past.” The series depicts a fictional past, present, and future when an alien civilization comes to Earth. Yaz chatted with “Game of Thrones” showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, “True Blood” executive producer Alexander Woo, and director Derek Tsang about the process of adapting a popular book series and turning it into a successful television show . . . and whether or not fan reactions factor into it.

Supply Ch(AI)n Strategy Session - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP Mar 11, 2024

How artificial intelligence is shaping the product journeys from procurement to end customers.

Oscar Campaigns & TheRealReal Mar 06, 2024

What is an Oscar campaign? How do studios run them? When does Oscar campaigning start?

We spoke with Allie Carieri to learn all about the work (and the money) that go into creating Oscar campaigns. Carieri creates experiences and events around entertainment, awards, film, and television as an independent marketing strategist. She also oversees experiential marketing activations as an accounts director at Civic Entertainment Group. She told us about the history of Oscar campaigns, the budgets behind these efforts, and we list some of the more successful campaigns.

On another story, luxury consignment company The RealReal has struggled to prove to investors that it can be a profitable company. But just last week, the company announced that it had its first profitable quarter. Rati Sahi Levesque, president and COO, explains how the company turned things around.

Time for Growth - AI Bootcamp FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP Mar 04, 2024

In this podcast, leaders in HR and AI reveal what it will take for businesses to get their staff on board.

Inside the chaos at the Bored Ape Yacht Club Feb 28, 2024

In 2022, The Bored Ape Yacht Club was kind of inescapable on some parts of the internet. People—including a range of celebrities from Gwyneth Paltrow to Eminem—were spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to acquire some monkey jpegs store on the blockchain as NFTs. The conglomerate overseeing the collection along with other NFT series, such as CryptoPunks, is called Yuga Labs. VCs including A16z flocked to invest in it, valuing the company at $4 billion. Yuga’s stated ambition at the time was to create an interoperable gaming metaverse, where NFT holders could game on a browser.

Lately, though, it seems that things haven’t been going so well for the company. ‘Fast Company’ tech editor Max Ufberg joined us to interview Yaz and ‘Fast Company’ staff editor, Connie Lin, about what happened and whether NFTs are even still . . . a thing.

Then, Bubble Goods founder and CEO Jessica Young wanted to create an online marketplace where you could find the best—and best-for-you—foods right at your fingertips. Bubble Goods carries only packaged goods that are free of preservatives, artificial dyes, and fillers, plus no refined or cane sugar. And everything it sells comes from small, indie makers that Bubble Goods taste-tests first to make sure its worthy of its consumers. We spoke to Jessica about what led her to create this space for food products, the vetting process for items to be on the site, and what are some of her favorites on the platform.

What do the Apple Vision Pro, Humane AI, and the AI Tab necklace say about the future of AI hardware? Feb 21, 2024

January was a big month for AI hardware, and we wanted to go over some of the biggest devices and tech out there. ‘Fast Company’ global design editor Mark Wilson joined us to chat about a couple of devices, including the Humane Pin, the Rabbit r1, and a wearable AI microphone called Tab. For more on these, check out Mark’s reporting, and what he thinks about the Apple Vision Pro.

In 2022, the beauty market—defined as skincare, fragrance, makeup, and haircare—generated approximately $430 billion in revenue. Today, beauty is on an upward trajectory across all categories. It has proven to be resilient amid global economic crises. We wanted to figure out why. So, Yaz sat down with Kara Brothers, president of Starface, which makes star-shaped acne patches so popular with Gen Z on social media; Volition Beauty founder and VC Patricia Santos who also works with influencers to launch products for their audience; and makeup artist and luxury-brand founder Fara Homidi.

Why people are ditching Tinder . . . and falling in love with lab-grown diamonds Feb 14, 2024

We’re about to hit the end of peak dating season with Valentine’s Day this week and what better way to commemorate that than to chat about the state of the dating industry. Fast Company Staff Writer Jess Bursztynsky joined us to chat about what the apps are doing to address dating fatigue and how they're continuing to incorporate AI into their strategies, for example, Tinder is able to use AI to help users pick out which photos in their camera rolls would work best for their profiles.

Then Angara co-founders Aditi and Ankur Daga, and Brilliant Earth CEO Beth Gerstein came on the pod to discuss the lab-grown diamond boom and whether or not you should disclose when you've purchased a lab-grown diamond. Answer: yes. This business is all about trust.

Super Bowl ads and Stanley cups Feb 07, 2024

The Super Bowl is set to kick off this Sunday, and we’re taking a look at some of the ads that are already out there. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer joined us to share what he thinks about this year’s slate of ads. He’s noticed how brands are evolving to use the Super Bowl itself in their teasers and ads, which shows the trajectory of the way brands are going . . . they used to go for funny or emotional but now it’s an ad about being an ad. Using the game itself to help advertise a product is creating a very meta approach.

We also talked about what’s going on with those Stanley cups. ‘Fast Company’ senior staff writer Liz Segran explained how the trendy tumblers do contain lead but more importantly, how this revelation will impact the company’s dominance in the very crowded reusable water bottle market. Also, how sustainable are these containers when they’re being marketed as a fashion accessory?

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

WWE, Netflix—and the baby-faced rival who wants to body slam them Jan 31, 2024

Yaz wrote a story about an upstart wrestling league called All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its founder and CEO Tony Khan. ‘Fast Company’ deputy editor David Lidsky joined us to chat about Yaz’s piece on Tony, why he formed AEW in 2019, and how he was a huge wrestling nerd who grew up doing e-wrestling.

And here are some more wrestling updates:

Starting in January 2025, WWE’s flagship series, Raw, will be moving to Netflix
WWE will still have some shows streaming on Peacock and still has pay-per-view offerings
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is joining the board of directors at TKO Group (which consists of UFC and WWE)

Then, our producer Blake Odom sat down with Vuori founder and CEO Joe Kudla. They chatted about the company’s $4 billion valuation, its most prominent investor (SoftBank), and how it jumped into the very crowded athleisure space.

Daily Harvest rolls out meals designed for people on Ozempic Jan 24, 2024

Daily Harvest is introducing a new collection of meals tailor-made for people on weight-loss medications like Ozempic. Daily Harvest president Ricky Silver explained how Daily Harvest’s January Jumpstart program includes GLP-1-focused meal plans.

Then we chatted with Sharp Entertainment CEO Matt Sharp. Sharp is the guy behind such reality TV hits as ‘90 Day Fiancé,’ ‘Inmate to Roommate,’ and ‘Help! I’m in a Secret Relationship!’ He told us about how many nos he got from networks before finding success.

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Big Tech might not be able to use Section 230 for protection anymore Jan 17, 2024

A number of recent court cases are using a new tactic to take on tech platforms, including Snap, Meta, and TikTok. ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Issie Lapowsky walked us through the complicated legalese behind these cases. Basically, they’re using a novel legal workaround to Section 230 called a ‘product liability claim.’

Rather than faulting these platforms for other people’s posts—the kind of claims Section 230 protects them from—these cases accuse the companies of essentially building faulty products, which is an area of law that Section 230 doesn’t cover.

Also, we sat down with a group of fitness-industry innovators in a fun roundtable discussion about staying fit and nimble during the peak of the pandemic. As a pioneer in the industry, Tracy Anderson created the Tracy Anderson Method more than 20 years ago, as well as offering DVDs, online videos, and exercise studios. Barry's CEO Joey Gonzalez went from client to instructor to eventually become the company’s top executive, and Y7 Studio founder and CEO Sarah Larson Levey created a unique way to practice yoga by candlelight to the beat of a customized soundtrack. We also asked what the trick is to get motivated to work out. Answer: you need to find your own motivation.

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

How to build a beauty brand during the pandemic Jan 10, 2024

We spoke with Jeff Lee, cofounder and CEO of DIBS Beauty about his approach to building brand awareness, partnering with celebrities, and starting a company during the pandemic.

“What makes us so unique, I think, is the way we speak with our customer at DIBS; we like to joke that it’s reverse master class. People used to learn about makeup from celebrities, from celebrity makeup artists. . . . We’re just about, take the stick, take the brush, take the powder, put it on—you won’t mess it up. And if you learn something from your friend over there, even better.”

Oh, and he also shared his tips on coaching the Miss Universe pageant. “The pageants themselves are actually highly meritocratic in the sense that they test your skills. And I like to say that we give opportunities to people who can hit a ball or punch each other out or jump around at a high-level precision—no matter your race, creed or your background, your economic background for pageants—we’re giving people the opportunity to succeed. We’re democratizing access to fame and opportunities.”

Fast Company Podcasts look back on 2023 Dec 27, 2023

And that's a wrap on 2023. Join our podcast hosts, Kathleen Davis, KC Ifeanyi, Yasmin Gagne and Josh Christensen as they look back on this past year. Happy New Year!

Ozempic and Wegovy: How 2 diabetes medications became the most popular weight-loss drugs Dec 20, 2023

In the United States, nearly three-quarters of adults qualify as overweight or obese, 42% of whom are considered obese. The World Obesity Federation predicts that 51% of the global population will be overweight or obese by 2035.

‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Adam Bluestein joined us to break down how Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, developed and marketed its weight-loss drugs. He also explained why the drugs have become so popular in the U.S., how drug pricing is extremely complicated and . . . how the medications actually work to help people lose weight.

Also, we chatted with Trina Spear about how she founded Figs, a DTC healthcare apparel company.

Lilly Singh on being intentional when creating new projects Dec 13, 2023

From YouTube to late night to actor to writer, Lilly Singh has always been a storyteller. In that vein, she started a company called Unicorn Island Productions a few years ago. The company has both a production arm and a nonprofit arm, which is Unicorn Island Fund. Singh told us that the company's mandate is simple. It's making stories that look like the real world. That means making stories that highlight underrepresented voices—which, more and more that's becoming South Asian voices—and ensuring that women are at the center of the stories. The company recently released a kids' animated series called The Mindful Adventures of Unicorn Island. The series comprises a quick 10 episodes that teach kids one mindfulness exercise each episode. And they're free on YouTube.

"And it's so meaningful to me because [. . .] it's kind of like a love letter to younger Lilly, because in my adult life, meditation and mindfulness and mental health are so important. But admittedly, when I was younger, I knew nothing about this. It was never discussed in school or at home. If kids could learn how to meditate and regulate their emotions . . . just know that feeling things is okay and how to deal with that and how to reconcile that, that would be amazing."

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Fast-fashion giant Shein is thinking of going public Dec 06, 2023

Shein is a giant fast fashion retailer that's looking into filing an IPO. Fast Company Senior Staff Writer Liz Segran helps break down what that might mean for both the company and the fast fashion industry at large.

For more on Shein, check out Liz's article

Serendipitously, Shein’s head of strategic communications Peter Pernot-Day also joined us. He filled us in on how the company's on-demand model is constantly responding to consumers, creating low inventory levels, which leads to virtually no waste. "That means that we can pass on tremendous savings to our customers because we do not have to account for inventory risk in any of the garments we offer. Really, the entire purpose of the site is to give people lots of options to see what they actually want to wear at that present moment and then to produce only what we think they will actually purchase." He also discussed the company's zero tolerance for forced labor, vetting its supply chain and abiding by its environmental standards. "If a large player like us is paying attention to these things, that helps the entire supplier network, the entire supplier ecosystem realize, hey, this is the new way of doing business. This is what it means to participate with a global brand like Shein.

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Sam Altman is still CEO of Open AI Nov 29, 2023

The long-simmering fault lines within OpenAI over questions of safety with regard to the deployment of large language models like GPT, the engine behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Dall-E services, came to a head on November 17 when the organization’s nonprofit board of directors voted to fire CEO Sam Altman. But then he was reinstated on November 22. It’s been a wild ride, but Fast Company senior writers Ainsley Harris and Mark Sullivan joined us to help break down the confusing back and forth at the generative AI company.

For more on the company’s tumultuous activities, check out Ainsley's and Mark's reporting.

“We need to make it a little more snackable, a little bit more bite-size.” USAFacts president Poppy MacDonald explained how she helps make government data more accessible, available, and interactive. Founded and funded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the nonpartisan nonprofit ensures government data is available to the general public. But what about operating in a post-truth world? MacDonald explained they don’t get involved in polling or forecasts, and instead they stick with what the facts are as published by the government. They provide the data and then people—whether an individual, business, or elected leader—decide what they want to do about that data. “We’re really hoping for a healthy debate, but we think a healthy debate about how to move our democracy forward starts with facts.”

For more MIC behind the scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Ideo layoffs and the end of design thinking Nov 22, 2023

Ideo is one of the most famous global design agencies in the world. Founded in 1991, it is celebrated for popularizing the modern corporate mantra of design thinking. It’s also known for a top-tier client list including companies such as Coca-Cola, Disney, and Apple, with estimated annual revenues of more than $100 million. But Ideo has been shedding employees since 2020. This is the second round of layoffs in 2023 alone. Ideo has since confirmed to Fast Company that it’s eliminating 32% of its headcount this year. Fast Company Senior Editor Liz Stinson breaks down the reason for the layoffs and what this means for "design thinking."

For more, check out Mark Wilson's piece on Ideo

"People thought we were crazy." Somos cofounder and CEO Miguel Leal wanted to bring authentic Mexican food to people's kitchens. "It was time to move the cuisine forward," he said. "Eighty-two percent of Mexican food comes from a restaurant. That is not the same for Italian food. That is not the same for Chinese food. That is very peculiar to Mexican food. And because of the size of the market, it's a $68 billion market. We just thought, what a great opportunity to become the spaghetti and sauce of Mexican food."

And speaking of home cooking, Happy Thanksgiving!!

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Correction: We said former Ideo CEO Tim Brown was associated with the d.school at Stanford University but he is not.

The SAG-AFTRA strike is over! Nov 15, 2023

After 118 days, the SAG-AFTRA strike finally came to a close. Fast Company deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel breaks down what happened this past summer with the strike, as well as the overall state of unions at the moment. As of airing this episode, the union’s national board approved the new contract with major studios and sent it to membership for ratification.

“I’m completely uninterested in building small things.” Emma Grede has started a LOT of businesses. Probably best known for cofounding Good American, Emma is also a founding partner at Skims. For her, when it comes to starting a business, it’s never about who she’s going to partner with but rather what problem are we solving: What are we trying to do, and how do we uniquely align that with the right individual at the time?

As she was starting out, Emma worked with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Dior, Chanel, and Calvin Klein. She said that gave her a kind of unique understanding and perspective, but also a clear insight into what she considers one of the best accelerators: fame. “I was very, very early in influencer marketing, and I think that we’ve seen enough celebrities create brands and fail or create brands and not have success like Good American and Skims and Safely to know that it isn’t talent alone [that’s] going to propel a brand.”

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

WeWork, Adam Neumann, and the end of an empire Nov 08, 2023

WeWork’s tumultuous ride has come to an end. We chatted with journalist Reeves Wiedeman, author of Billion Dollar Loser: The Epic Rise and Spectacular Fall of Adam Neumann and WeWork, about one of the wildest and most dramatic startup stories in corporate America’s history.

“The brand is bruised.” What’s going on at Marvel Studios? ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer breaks down the Marvel Cinematic Universe with culture writers Joanna Robinson and David Gonzales. They chat about MCU’s strengths and weakness, and how the company once excelled at storytelling and teaching its audience how to be loyal to the brand. But now, Marvel is watching its goodwill chip away, Robinson said. So what happens when a brand’s logo doesn’t carry the same strength? “They have these pieces—it would be foolish to count them out—but they know they don’t have any free passes left,” she said.

For more behind-the-scenes look at the MCU, check out: MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios

And you can find Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

Elon Musk’s X is no Twitter: Is there still any magic left? Nov 01, 2023

A year ago, Elon Musk bought Twitter for a whopping $44 billion. Since then the platform has changed dramatically . . . even its name. Senior staff editor Max Ufberg joins us again to break down what’s been going on at Twitter, er X, over the past year.

Also, “Black women are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurs in this country,” says Nyakio Grieco, “yet still receive less than 1% of venture funding.” Grieco, founder of Relevant Skin and cofounder of Thirteen Lune, chats about her experience as a Black female entrepreneur and creating a beauty brand that’s exclusively inclusive. “We all have melanin, so this is a melanin-safe brand for all,” she says. But Grieco’s mission in launching Relevant Skin was to come up with products that wouldn’t be harmful to people with more melanin in their skin, which includes Black people and other people of color, so she did a deep dive along with her chemist. Grieco explained that the more melanin you have, the more prone you are to eczema, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation. . . . “So, we want it to build efficacious products, steeped in history [with] timeless ingredients, as well as be married to the best science to make sure no one feels left out at the shelf.”

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on TikTok!

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND CAPITAL ONE: Empathy and Innovation: Keeping the Customer at the Center Oct 30, 2023

Companies now have mountains of data to help drive decisions and develop products, but a holistic approach to product development must also prioritize customers’ needs and preferences. In this podcast interview, Stephanie Mehta, CEO of Mansueto Ventures, the parent of Fast Company, sits down with Emily Roberts, Senior Vice President and Head of Enterprise Consumer Product at Capital One to hear how to harness the power of technology and customer feedback loops to innovate products and experiences.

‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ director Emma Tammi talks about horror innovation Oct 25, 2023

Halloween season is here! And actor-director-producer Emma Tammi joined us to chat about her upcoming film, Five Nights at Freddy’s, based on the popular video game franchise. She told us all about adapting a video game to a movie, working with large animatronic puppets, and creating a horror movie that’s aimed at a PG-13 audience. But the scariest part of the movie process, according to Emma? Reading the reviews. . . .Opening Friday, October 27, in theaters and on Peacock, Five Nights at Freddy’s is produced by the spooky creatives at Blumhouse with the murderous mascots from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Everyone feels like they have a book in them. Well, Roya Shariat proved it! The Glossier director of social impact and brand partnerships shared her tips on working a full-time job while pursuing her passion project. Spoiler: There’s no such thing as balance. It’s more of a trade-off. “It’s something I continue to struggle with,” says Roya, “and I’d say I’m not the best at dividing my time. It’s using my nights and weekends for that passion project and being a little ruthless sometimes about not going to socialize this month because I’ve got to work on this book proposal . . . It’s just, sometimes, not sleeping and sometimes working seven days a week.” Her cookbook, Maman and Me, is available now in bookstores around the U.S and coming soon to global markets.

For more MIC behind-the-scenes, check out Yaz at @yazzyg on Instagram and Josh @joshuagchris on Tiktok!

How Issa Rae secured success: Create what you’re passionate about Oct 18, 2023

Actor, producer, and entrepreneur Issa Rae has several businesses under her belt already, and now she has partnered with Gallo to launch her own prosecco line, Viarae. We chatted about her business ventures, and how she decides which creative projects to pursue. It comes down to backing things that she loves and/or needs. When she wanted to start a coffee business, for example, it was because she wanted a coffee shop in her neighborhood—specifically to have a place where she could write all the time, but there was never one nearby. So, she helped found Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen. She’s also the co-owner of Sienna Naturals because she said she prefers to wear her hair naturally but taking care of it is very hard. Other projects involve making her production company, Hoorae, an all-encompassing ecosystem, and recently teaming up with Adam McKay to adapt the New York Times’ podcast series, Nice White Parents, into an HBO series.

On the WGA and SAG strikes, she says it was tough with the work stoppage and not being able to talk about her creative projects, but she fully supported them. And now, she says, she’ll have to navigate what to create next because everything is going to have to be high concept, and there will be fewer diverse shows. That will result in fewer casting opportunities, too: “While the writers were able to fight for more minimum staffing rooms, that means there’s less stuff to work on because everything is so expensive. In the same way that [the] ’90s to the 2000s had fewer diverse shows on the air, I think that’s for sure going to be a casualty of it all,” she explains.

For more behind-the-scenes looks of our in-studio recording, follow Yaz @yazzyg and Josh @thejoshuachris

Understanding the girlboss era, the sexist backlash, and what's next Oct 11, 2023

Only 10% of Fortune 500 companies have female CEOs, even though women make up 47% of the workforce. And female founders only get 2% of venture capital. When Sophia Amoruso coined the term ‘girlboss’ in her 2014 memoir, #Girlboss, she helped spark a movement for women to step into more leadership roles. But then she and a couple of other girlbosses faced backlash over their management practices, including creating toxic work environments. Compared to some of their problematic male counterparts, though, these women ultimately lost control of the companies they built. Fast Company senior staff writer Liz Segran breaks down why the reign of the girlboss is over and how the next generation of founders shouldn’t feel compelled to follow their playbook.

“I have no intention of raising money and blowing up and trying to take over the world,” Bite founder and CEO Lindsay McCormick says. The sustainable toothpaste company’s goal is to stay small, stay true to the customers that they serve, and continue to be able to trailblaze. She said the company aims to show big brands that there is something to be done about caring for the environment. “And if you do it right, people will get on board.”

And check out Stephanie Clifford’s coverage of the ongoing SBF trial.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP - Growth Agents: The inside story of Sweetgreen’s rapid rise to the top Oct 10, 2023

Mitch Reback, CFO of Sweetgreen, is one of the rising corporate financial stars who is helping to take their companies to the next level. When he started, Sweetgreen had 25 stores; today, there are more than 220—and Reback says the company is still in its “infancy.” In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents series, Reback takes a deep dive into his role as a growth agent. Capital is the engine that drives growth, and Reback says his job is to make sure the company has adequate capital to grow as well as determining how best to allocate it, including investments in stores, marketing, staff, and technology—or, as he puts it, to push innovation forward in a way that’s capital efficient.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP - Growth Agents: Duolingo’s CFO on how the company took over the language learning space Oct 10, 2023

Duolingo’s freemium subscription model, beloved brand and strategic investments have allowed it to execute its educational mission and become a cultural touchstone. Matthew Skaruppa, CFO of Duolingo, is one of the rising financial stars who are helping to bring their businesses to the next level. Since he joined the company in 2020, Duolingo has grown its base of monthly active users by more than 80%. Each month, 75 million users hone their language skills on the Duolingo app. In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents series, Skaruppa discusses how his analytical background has allowed to him to be a more strategy-oriented CFO. For him, that has meant balancing big aspirations and finite resources, and turning the uncertainties of tomorrow into action today.

FROM FASTCO WORKS AND SAP - Growth Agents: How Pink Lily went from a side hustle to a multimillion-dollar company Oct 10, 2023

The company’s director of finance explains how her job goes well beyond accounting. Tina Hetzer, director of finance at Pink Lily, is one of the rising financial stars who are helping to bring their businesses to the next level. She built Pink Lily’s finance team from scratch and has helped the company become one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country. In this podcast, part of the SAP-sponsored Growth Agents series, Hetzer discusses the cash-flow challenges unique to fashion retailers and explains how working at a smaller, founder-run company can fuel greater collaboration across the organization.

Why nostalgia is such a powerful force for brand marketing Oct 04, 2023

What do Chanel, Heinz 57, and Coors Light all have in common? They’re all brands that have built a connection with their consumers. On today’s episode, we’re looking at our company’s ‘Brands That Matter’ recognition program with ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Jeff Beer. Not only is it about building connections, but also developing culturally relevant messaging, making an impact through social causes, and communicating their mission and values clearly. We also chat about peak marketing nostalgia and, specifically, how Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is re-releasing SpongeBob shapes, which seems like a perfect example of a brand keying into what millennials miss about childhood.

‘Are you ok with being in the shadows?’ Bobby Kim, aka Bobby Hundreds, talks about how he started his streetwear brand, The Hundreds, 20 years ago. Every year, there’s always a debate about what streetwear is—some people say it’s not cool anymore because of elitism and snobbery within subcultures. To get around this, Hundreds says you need young people discovering it for first time, as well as seasoned veterans weighing in, for a brand to have lore and build a legacy. Most streetwear brands are built to be ephemeral, but Hundreds said what helped his company was sticking to its core values: honesty, communication, and being personable. “People never go out of style.”

Check out @bobbyhundreds and The Hundreds’ Substack ‘Monologue’: https://bobbyhundreds.substack.com/p/the-importance-of-diversity-and-representation

For Lego, net zero goals are anything but child’s play Sep 27, 2023

Lego has been pushing its ambitious sustainability efforts for years . . . only to recently do an about-face (sort of) by telling us that it will continue manufacturing its blocks with petroleum-based ABS plastic. Even though the company promised to get rid of petroleum-based materials by 2030.

“Fast Company” senior editor Liz Stinson breaks down Lego’s recent announcement, which was more like “an excuse” or kind of an apology. In its efforts to redesign its bricks by using recycled plastic material, Lego decided that a) this kind of plastic just wasn’t going to be as good as the current ABS plastic used for its iconic bricks, and b) it would be more carbon intensive to have to retool its entire manufacturing process to make that work. So . . .it’s not exactly greenwashing, but it’s also not not greenwashing—and it highlights the interesting tension between what companies promise and what they can (or will?) realistically deliver.

And at the Innovation Festival last week, Yaz chatted with Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse; David Gordon Green, director of The Exorcist: Believer; and Emma Tammi, director of Five Nights at Freddy’s. Tammi discussed adapting a popular video game into a successful movie, how to balance her artistic vision with fans’ expectations, and producing a movie that could stand on its own. Blum explained how The Exorcist was the ‘riskiest’ undertaking of his life . . . and how he begrudgingly gave up the perfect release date of Friday, the13th, to Taylor Swift since her Eras Tour film is coming out that day.

And speaking of movie production, we’ve also been following the WGA strike with its recent deal.

It’s Fast Company Innovation Festival this week! Sep 20, 2023

Since we’ve got our Innovation Festival going on this week, here’s a quick roundup of business and tech news:

United Auto Workers (UAW) deal—the 32-hour week likely not to be a part of it
UN General Assembly meets this week: there was a huge climate change protest on Sunday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit with President Biden: to ask for help on a 10-point peace proposal and address the food security crisis
Drew Barrymore apologized for her decision to resume production despite the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike and reversed her decision
TikTok Shop is the latest social media platform to pivot to e-commerce
Orcas are attacking people now . . . ? Or still. But now it might not just be playing and could be actual hunting

And then we chatted with Chip Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group. He told us how he grew up in the hospitality industry and his tips for staying cool in a hot kitchen. USHG operates Gramercy Tavern, Union Square Cafe, and Blue Smoke, among other restaurants.

Most Innovative Companies series roundup! Sep 18, 2023

Check out this roundup of interviews from the past year! We're highlighting some of our favorite interviews at this year's Innovation Festival. Tune in for marketing advice from e.l.f and SKIMS and learn how Seth Rogen turned a hobby into a company.

Who is the ‘most fairly paid’ CEO in America—and what does that even mean? Sep 13, 2023

So many CEOs make waaaay more than their workers. To use just one famous example, Apple CEO Tim Cook made more than $99 million in 2022. That’s 1,117 times the company’s median worker pay of $84,000 a year. ‘Fast Company’ deputy digital editor Morgan Clendaniel explains why CEO pay has increased exponentially over the years and discusses how that plays a significant role in overall income inequality.

Want to find novelty in your desk job? Michelle Khare discusses trying out all kinds of different jobs on her YouTube channel’s ‘Challenge Accepted,’ which just won Show of the Year at this year’s Streamy Awards. Having gone to Butler Academy, clown school, and worked as a runway model, Michelle says she’s learned that challenge and failure can still lead to personal growth. Another takeaway: The best managers are those who have done the job firsthand: Management training is ‘something we collectively need to address across corporate America.’

And check out the music video of ‘Back on 74’ by Jungle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3lX2p_Uy9I

For more info on Fast Company’s CEO Fair Pay Report, check out: https://www.fastcompany.com/90946788/out-of-control-ceo-pay-why-its-a-problem?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

FAST COMPANY INNOVATION IS NEXT WEEK! LAST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

How ChatGPT is launching tech’s next big wave Sep 06, 2023

OpenAI is reportedly nearing $1 billion in annual sales. There’s an AI arms race among big tech companies. AI is everywhere and on everyone’s mind, so we’re breaking it all down. Fast Company senior writer Mark Sullivan explains who the major players are—from Nvidia to Anthropic—why ChatGPT has had such a strong impact on society, and how Congress will decide to regulate AI.

Eleven Madison Park chef and owner Daniel Humm talks about the difficulties of running a fine-dining restaurant and why he decided to make the menu completely plant-based during the pandemic. The restaurant is celebrating 25 years in the global fine-dining industry with the new book, Eat More Plants, penned by Humm.

And we discuss Walmart’s search for a new CEO with healthcare experience.

Don’t forget to check out our Fast Company Innovation Festival! https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

FROM DELOITTE AND FASTCO WORKS: Winning the market — A conversation with Deloitte’s Deb Golden and StockX’s Greg Schwartz Sep 01, 2023

On this episode of “Lead Through Disruption,” we step into the shoes of Greg Schwartz, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer of StockX, a $3.8 billion online marketplace for sneakers, apparel and collectibles. As a leading disruptor of the online resales market, discover Greg’s proven perspectives on the power of targeting innovation to customer pain points, the value of promoting transparency across partnerships and teams, and the impact of building a rich and vibrant community around your brand.

FROM DELOITTE AND FASTCO WORKS: The Mental Health Key — A conversation with Deloitte’s Deb Golden and Andy Dunn (Part Two) Sep 01, 2023

Lead Through Disruption continues with Part Two of Deb Golden’s conversation with author and entrepreneur Andy Dunn, as we go deeper into the challenges that disruption can bring to bear on our mental health. In this episode, Andy explores the delicate relationship between wellbeing and entrepreneurship, the highs and lows that can attend even the peaks of the journey, and the importance of normalizing (and prioritizing) a proactive approach to mental health.

FROM DELOITTE AND FASTCO WORKS: Resilience in Reality — A conversation with Deloitte’s Deb Golden and Andy Dunn (Part One) Sep 01, 2023

Opening up about his journey through entrepreneurship and mental health, this special two-part conversation with Deb Golden and Andy Dunn reveals why resilience in the face of disruption is essential for growth in both business and life. In Part One, we uncover Andy’s path to pioneering digital fashion commerce in the 2000s, the advantage of showing up in service to a vision, and the art of navigating risk on the road to success.

FROM DELOITTE AND FASTCO WORKS: Racing Past Limits — A conversation with Deloitte’s Deb Golden and Professional Race Car Driver Toni Breidinger Sep 01, 2023

On this episode of Lead Through Disruption, Deb Golden rides shotgun with professional race car driver Toni Breidinger. From falling in love with go-karts at nine years old, to making history as the first Arab American female driver in NASCAR, Toni has spent her life leading through disruption. In this conversation, Toni takes us behind the scenes of her journey to the top of her sport, the mental and physical demands of her high stakes profession, and the crucial connection between passion and grit.

FROM DELOITTE AND FASTCO WORKS: Launching the Future of Space: A conversation with Deloitte’s Deb Golden and Space Perspective’s Jane Poynter Sep 01, 2023

On this episode of Lead Through Disruption, Deb Golden meets with serial space entrepreneur, author, and changemaker Jane Poynter, going behind the scenes of her mission to fundamentally change humanity’s perception of Earth. Join us as we discover how Jane has leveraged disruption to challenge the status quo. From her two-year journey inside the world’s first human-made biosphere to the founding of Space Perspective three decades later, Jane continues to advance innovations in sustainable space travel.

FROM DELOITTE AND FASTCO WORKS: From Byline to Bottom Line - A conversation with Deloitte’s Deb Golden and Mansueto Ventures’ Stephanie Mehta Sep 01, 2023

In the premiere episode of Lead Through Disruption, Deloitte US Chief Innovation Officer Deb Golden sits down with Stephanie Mehta to discover her journey through journalism, from her earliest days in the newsroom, to her ascendance as Fast Company’s editor-in-chief, to her pivot into executive leadership as CEO and Chief Content Officer for Mansueto Ventures. Join us as Stephanie shares battle-tested principles for finding your voice, empowering your people, building resilience, and shattering glass ceilings.

YouTube’s $14 billion bet on NFL Sunday Ticket Aug 30, 2023

YouTube paid $14 billion for the rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket. For the next seven years, NFL viewers will be able to watch live football games from their living rooms—on YouTube.

Fast Company senior writer Ainsley Harris explains the reason behind this purchase: YouTube consumption is heavily fragmented. Everyone is watching YouTube, but very few people are watching together. Sunday Ticket is a cornerstone type of content and NFL games pull in millions of people. This move speaks to the long-term investment that YouTube is making in both live sports and live NFL games.

“We’re in an era of reckoning hypocrisies.” When Seth Rogen got into pottery a few years ago, he started sculpting ashtrays. Few people were putting a lot of thought into the lifestyles of people who smoked weed. But now, people are actually celebrating it. So, Rogen decided to create well-designed accessories, like ashtrays and grinders, to address the pent-up desire from weed smokers to decorate their space with nice things. “Crafting products that speak to your personal tastes and lifestyles is validating.” Say goodbye to your old soda cans.

And then we look into that rumor regarding The New Yorker article about Tiger Global.

Check out our upcoming Innovation Festival: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

So, thanks to Bidenomics, we’re not in a recession? Aug 23, 2023

Late last year, everyone thought we were headed for a recession. But now we’re doing great. What’s going on? James Surowiecki, author of The Wisdom of Crowds and a Fast Company contributing writer, explains how “Bidenomics” is actually helping boost the economy.

Courtney Tracy calls herself the truth doctor on TikTok. This came about after she’d dealt with a serious life event in 2019 and thought she needed to hide her struggle. She realized that if an up-and-coming licensed therapist was going to hide her mental health problems, what does that say about mental health overall? That we should hide it, be embarrassed about it . . . really? She was struggling, and she thought the world needed a therapist who was significantly struggling. So she called herself the truth doctor and, in fact, told the truth about her struggles to encourage other people to be honest with themselves and tell the truth about their struggles.

And we’re sorry to hear about Britney’s divorce . . .

Don’t forget to check out our upcoming Innovation Festival at: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

And apply for MIC! https://www.fastcompany.com/apply/most-innovative-companies

SKIMS’ CEO on how Kim Kardashian is like Michael Jordan—and Starbucks Aug 16, 2023

The Women’s World Cup is coming to an end this weekend! The international soccer championship is down to its final week in which Spain and England will be facing off in the final match. Fast Company senior editor Amy Farley and staff editor AJ Hess catch us up on the drama and break down what this tournament means for pro women’s sports.

Also, SKIMS cofounder and CEO Jens Grede explains how Kim Kardashian is like the Michael Jordan of the influencer generation and why the pumpkin spice latte is so important.

And Broadway’s back, baby! Our personal fave is Spamalot.

Don’t forget to sign up for our upcoming Innovation Festival on September 18-21: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

Future executives don't want to go back to the office, and why we still don't know how to manage our finances Aug 09, 2023

It’s looking like the future won’t be spent in the office. Based on a recent Deloitte study, 66% of mid- to executive-level financial services professionals do not want to come back to the office full-time. Writer and journalist Shalene Gupta breaks down the numbers and explains the impact that this will have on future pathways toward leadership.

And historically, financial advice has been “male, pale, and stale,” according to Vivian Tu. The popular FinTok influencer explains why she’s passionate about teaching financial literacy. In addition to her proprietary “STRIP” method for achieving financial independence, she recommends setting up a “money date” with a close friend. Find out how much they make and pay for rent, and what their various expenditures are, she suggests. Tu says we need to ask each other these questions so we can set realistic expectations. “That’s real intimacy. Get financially naked with your friends!”

And then we chat about periods, because they’ve been a taboo subject for so long, and . . . mustard Skittles, because that’s a thing.

Fast Company Innovation Festival is coming up! Check it out here: https://events.fastcompany.com/innovationfestival23

Find out more about Vivian Tu’s forthcoming book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735755/rich-af-by-vivian-tu/

What is Spill and could it (finally) kill Twitter? Aug 02, 2023

The new visual platform, Spill, is not trying to become the next Twitter—it’s aiming to create an entirely new social media platform. Spill’s cofounder and CEO Alphonzo “Fonz” Terrell said he wants to create a fun, safer, and more rewarding space for its users, especially black, female, and queer folks. In order to create a safer and more inclusive community, Spill is building its algorithms based on specific data sets that will not just flag certain terms, but also look at who’s saying those terms. This will create a context-based model for content moderation. While the app is in its beta phase, it’s still invite-only; but since they’re moving at the “speed of culture,” Terrell said they’re aiming to scale up as soon as possible. There is already a vibrant kaleidoscope of diverse channels where “Spillionaires” are interacting and engaging with one another.

Then we talk about the resale industry with Charles Gorra, founder and CEO of Rebag. He explains how the market has shifted and consumers have gotten past the “ick” factor of resale. Now it means you’re a smart shopper and you’re contributing to a circular economy: “It’s not consumption anymore, it’s investment.”

And finally, we chatted about 46,000-year-old worms that may give researchers insight into how to “elongate” humans’ lives . . . maybe.

Our show today was produced by Mariam Kiparoidze with help from Avery Miles and Blake Odom. And special thanks to Max Ufberg for stepping in to host this week!

Mix and sound design by Tad Wadhams and our executive producer is Josh Christensen.

AI and Ozempic: The two great disruptive technologies of 2023 Jul 26, 2023

AI is poised to upend the music industry, and Fast Company Associate Editor David Salazar joins us to discuss what AI generative music is and how the music industry is combating it.

Antidiabetic medication Ozempic is all over the news these days, but it's not as new as it seems. Beyond the TikTok trends and celebrity shout-outs, it's been used to treat diabetes for years. But now talk of this medication has reached a fever pitch.

Found CEO Sarah Jones Simmer talks about how her company prioritizes comprehensive weight care management, the ongoing discussion about Ozempic, and the very complicated history of weight in this country. Basically, how do we thread the needle between self-acceptance and positive body image and the existing health challenges, like the skyrocketing rates of diabetes?

Then we discuss Barbenheimer because, well, we have to.

Barbie's global domination: Exactly how Mattel pulled it off Jul 19, 2023

The thing about the Barbie movie is that saying those three words together just seems inherently ridiculous. And one of the best things Mattel has done is really kind of lean into that. Starting with the Technicolor shots of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on set to the colorful trailers that really churned up the enthusiasm for the movie, Mattel created the momentum that has led to a laundry list of product tie-ins, including the Xbox console that actually looks like a house or a makeup station. Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Jeff Beer explains how this Blockbuster movie's marketing campaign stands out . . . and that having fun is at the core of the global brand's approach.

Then to something more serious — Human Rights Watch Executive Director Tirana Hassan talks about how the organization is using technology to push back on misinformation and disinformation, and even how AI can benefit the organization in its investigations.

Will Threads disrupt the digital public square? Jul 12, 2023

We have to talk about the new Twitter on the block: Threads. How does it work? And more importantly, how does it compare to Twitter?

Fast Company Senior Staff Editor Max Ufberg is back to explain what Mark Zuckerberg’s newest platform is, the drama between the two companies, and how Threads' algorithms won't promote hard news or political discourse.

And e.l.f. Beauty CMO Kory Marchisotto talks about the company’s successful media strategy on TikTok . . . and why it decided to make a Chipotle-inspired, guac-themed eye-shadow palette.

Hacking into the wellness industry with Fast Company's 'Future Me' Docuseries Jun 28, 2023

When you have a chronic illness or debilitating condition, you start turning to alternatives for answers. This is what one of our colleagues did. Fast Company Video Producer and host of the new docuseries “Future Me,” Emma Wheylin, takes us through her biohacking journey. She tried out the Peak Brain Institute and the BallancerPro where she learned a lot about lymphatic drainage.

Yaz chatted with Fast Company Senior Staff Writer Liz Segran and Senior Editor Amy Farley about what the direct-to-consumer Daily Harvest’s recall and lawsuits reveal about how unregulated food startups are. They dove into how this resulted in several hospital visits, emergency surgeries, and thousands of dollars in healthcare costs. It came down to a novel ingredient called tara flour.

Also, for more info about Fast Company premium, check out: https://www.fastcompany.com/premium

It's time to ban right turns on red lights Jun 21, 2023

Pedestrian and cyclist deaths have hit their highest levels in 40 years. There’s one major way we could bring those numbers down and that’s if we got rid of the law that allows drivers to turn right on red. Yaz spoke with Fast Company contributing writer David Zipper. David is a visiting fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School, and he focuses on road safety, climate change, and the future of micromobility, among other things.

And Fast Company Executive Editor Mike Hofman sat down with Jason Del Rey about his latest book, “Winner Takes All.” In it, he explores the rivalry between Amazon and Walmart and the traditional retail giant’s attempts to reinvent itself.

For more on the right-on-red ban, you can read David's article here: https://www.fastcompany.com/90908929/its-time-for-a-nationwide-ban-of-right-on-red?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Introducing 'Computer Freaks' - Chapter One: The Dollhouse Jun 19, 2023

After World War II, the U.S. had to change the way it communicated if it was going to keep up with the Soviets in the Cold War, especially once Sputnik was launched. It was the vision of a Missouri boy called Lick that would solve those communication issues and spark the creation of the internet.

Fast Company announces its Queer 50 list for 2023 Jun 14, 2023

To discuss this year’s just-announced list, ‘Fast Company’ staff writer Pavithra Mohan joined us for a behind-the-scenes look. For a bit of context, the Queer 50 is an annual list that ‘Fast Company’ puts together of the most impressive LGBTQ women and nonbinary folks in business and technology. Covering a range of industries, this year’s list focuses on leaders within the Queer community who are both activists and advocates, fighting for trans rights, reproductive justice, pay equity, inclusion, and other compelling issues, which involve the latest in AI, VR, and AR tech, too.

Yaz also sat down with one of our honorees, Folx Health CEO Liana Guzmán, to chat about affirmative healthcare in a time where LGBTQ rights are being eroded.

Are we all going to start using the new Apple Vision Pro headset? Jun 07, 2023

On today's episode, Yaz chats with Fast Company senior writer Mark Sullivan about what's happening with Apple these days. And we learn about the latest biotech research in menopause with Fast Company senior writer Ainsley Harris.

What are long-shot presidential candidates talking about on podcasts? May 31, 2023

The presidential race is already heating up, and aside from the usual fanfare around frontrunners like Trump and Biden, there are long-shot candidates creating space for themselves on . . . podcasts, of all places. Yaz chatted with ‘Fast Company’ contributing writer Clint Rainey to hear about his journey listening to some of these long-shot candidates on quite an array of podcasts.

Harry’s Razors is arguably one of the first companies to pioneer the direct-to-consumer model. This year, the company is celebrating 10 years. Yaz sat down with Jeff Raider, cofounder and co-CEO, to hear his thoughts on how the industry has evolved since Harry’s first started.

What’s going on with AI? And will it take away my job? May 24, 2023

Is AI coming for our jobs?? ‘Fast Company’ senior staff editor Max Ufberg explains that it is . . . but that it’s not all bad news.

And Yaz chatted with Loom CEO Joe Thomas—Loom is essentially TikTok for business, which sounds crazier than it is—about how video conferencing is here to stay.

Also, a special thanks to Marfa Public Radio for helping us out with some recording on this episode!

‘Most Innovative Companies’ is back for a new season on May 24!! May 17, 2023

We’re back with a completely new reboot of the show! Join host, ‘Fast Company’ associate editor Yaz Gagne, every Wednesday to hear about which companies are on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, what’s the next major breakthrough in healthcare, and how iconic brands reinvent themselves to appeal to the next generation.

How Index’s Danny Rimer Built A Track-Record of Success By Betting On People, Not Numbers Oct 04, 2022

On this week's Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Danny Rimer shares his investment ethos, his thoughts around the evolution of the venture capital industry, why he believes it’s a privilege to invest in someone else’s idea, and, how in return for that privilege, he promises to roll up his sleeves, get to work and do everything possible to make that company as successful as it can be.

LIVE! from Fast Company Innovation Festival with Brian Chesky Sep 27, 2022

James Vincent talks with Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky on stage at Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York City

How this company hopes NFTs will transform fantasy sports Sep 20, 2022

On this week's Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Nicolas Julia, CEO and cofounder of Sorare talks about his vision for democratizing NFTs through the world’s biggest sports.

This CEO is betting on AI to solve the world’s biggest problems Sep 13, 2022

On this week’s Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Alexandr Wang, CEO and founder of Scale AI, explains how his company is using data to tackle problems from access to healthcare to supplies for the war in Ukraine.

These smart farms are 100 times more productive than traditional agriculture Aug 30, 2022

On the latest episode of the Most Innovative Companies podcast, Irving Fain, founder and CEO of the vertical farming company Bowery, explains how being an outsider to agriculture has helped him come up with new ideas.

Lessons on innovation from over 100 founders Aug 23, 2022

James Vincent is joined by Rebekah Jefferis, Stephen Butler and Nick Barham, his partners at FNDR, to discuss lessons they've learned from their work with 126 founders.

FROM FRESHWORKS AND FAST CO. WORKS: What is the future of the employee experience? Aug 22, 2022

Every company’s success is tied to its talent - recruiting and retaining the employees needed to deliver high-level customer experiences that support the bottom line. Yet rapid transformation has disrupted many things that organizations used to do to maintain great company cultures. So how can business leaders reimagine their employee experiences to meet the needs of their workforces? How does that translate into better customer experiences? In this thought-provoking podcast episode, FastCo Works will hear from Freshworks CMO Stacey Epstein as she shares some of the latest industry best practices and learnings for companies navigating these work culture shifts.

What does the combination of the digital and physical world look like? Aug 16, 2022

On this week’s Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Nate founder and CEO Albert Saniger discusses the role technology plays in our lives, and the autonomy we hold over our decisions and our data.

How Farfetch is predicting the future of fashion in Web3 Aug 09, 2022

On this week's Most Innovative Companies podcast, Farfetch Founder and CEO José Neves explains what Web3 is and what it's capable of through the lens of fashion and culture, drawing from his experience founding and growing Farfetch, the online luxury fashion retail platform.

Want to innovate? This is how to break out of your ‘yes bubble’ Aug 02, 2022

On this week’s Most Innovative Companies podcast, Joanna Coles explains the business case for all leaders to surround themselves with independent working minds that are connected to culture, both within the broader world around us as well as the communities we live, work, and thrive in.

How complacency can be a company's downfall Jul 26, 2022

On this week’s episode of Most Innovative Companies podcast, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence talks with James Vincent about why companies should embrace innovation even when they don’t need to.

Why power is shifting back to the hands of creators Jul 19, 2022

On this week's Most Innovative Companies Podcast, Jack and Sam dive into why the creator economy isn’t new, but a fresh iteration of a much older phenomenon, as well as the beauty of Web3 as it applies to ownership. By focusing on “love” as opposed to “likes”, Patreon has helped change the way art is brought back autonomy to artists and creators around the world, enabling them to receive fair pay—as opposed to fractions of cents—for their creative output.

Subscribe to Most Innovative Companies on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

How consumer fintech Titan is navigating the financial crisis. Jul 12, 2022

On this week's Most Innovative Companies, Joe Percoco, cofounder and co-CEO of Titan, shares his thoughts with host James Vincent about why, while a financial crisis is undeniably a challenge to companies, it can also bring key opportunities for growth. His company Titan is a consumer fintech opening up access to expert-led investment opportunities for as little as $100. Operating in that space means that Percoco has seen this crisis from the eye of the storm.

You can listen and subscribe to Most Innovative Companies on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

How Depop is Tapping Into What Gen Z Wants with its Fashion Resale App Sep 07, 2021

In this episode, we’re talking about social media. While Facebook and Twitter still dominate the space, apps like TikTok and Clubhouse are offering people new ways to express themselves and form communities.

Amy chatted with Maria Raga, the CEO of Depop, the fashion resale app that’s become popular with Gen Z. The platform has 30 million registered users: 90% of them are under 26 years old. They discuss Depop’s unique approach to social commerce and how it has fostered a deep connection with younger users.

How NBA Top Shot is Transforming Trading Cards into NFTs Aug 23, 2021

On this episode, we’re going to talk about the gaming industry, which is worth more than 160 billion dollars globally. Over the past year and a half, as people have gone from sheltering at home to tentative re-engagement with the world to….whatever is in store for us this fall, games have taken on an outsized role in our lives.

Amy sat down with Roham Gharegozlou, CEO of Dapper Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot, to discuss why he wants to do far more than just digitize the age-old pastime of buying and selling trading cards.

Why Investors are Pouring Billions into This Miniature DNA Chip Aug 09, 2021

In this episode, we’re talking about biotech and health. If this past year and a half is any indication, investment in these sectors is critical. We’ve seen how we can confront a global pandemic with fast-tracked RNA-based vaccines. We’ve harnessed genomics to track and diagnose illness as it spreads. And the rise of telemedicine has made healthcare more accessible to all.

Amy talked with Twist Bioscience CEO and Co-founder Emily LeProust about the MIC winner's cutting-edge technology that has pioneered what’s known as synthetic DNA. It’s used in therapeutics and precision medicine, but has applications across agriculture, biomaterials, and even data storage.

How We Can Fight Climate Change By Using AI Jul 26, 2021

We're talking about AI in this episode. Once the villain of Sci Fi thrillers, AI is one of the most crucial—and misunderstood—sectors that we cover here at Fast Company. The truth is, AI—in some form or another—underpins the operations of just about every company these days, from powering self-driving technologies in our cars to serving up product recommendations when we’re shopping online. And though we’re increasingly aware of how algorithms can perpetuate and amplify inequities, AI is also being used by companies to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems, increasing crop yields, fighting disinformation, and helping us track and control a global pandemic.

We're featuring one such company: Pachama, an MIC honoree that’s taking on climate change with the help of some advanced AI and data science. Amy speaks with Co-founder and CEO Diego Saez Gil about how Pachama is revolutionizing the fight against global warming.

Fast Company Presents Most Innovative Companies Jul 16, 2021

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