Phil with F30

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Entrepreneurship
**Phil with F30**

Welcome to the Podcast where Phil interviews Forbes 30, hosted by Phil Michaels, Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur and Performance Coach! Every year, Forbes names the top 30 young Entrepreneurs, Leaders, and Stars in the world, and each week Phil gets one of them to share their story, to help you level up in your life and business! From sports superstars like Lebron James, to celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Cardi B, to entrepreneurs with companies like Door Dash, Instagram and YouTube, you’re sure to learn from the list! It’s time to level up! *Opinions expressed by Forbes 30 Under 30 members, including Phil, are their own. Phil is a Forbes 30 Under 30 member. The podcast, website, and himself are not endorsed, nor affiliated with Forbes Media, LLC, but rather, this is a podcast exclusively interviewing Forbes 30 Under 30 members.

Latest Episodes:

013 | "From Playing Video Games in Basement to Making $1 Million" (Z at Serenity Forge) Aug 16, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Zhenghua Yang – Founder of Serenity Forge

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2020

Category: Games

Can you imagine suddenly getting sick and being told you will probably die within hours? You survive and stay in a hospital as every experimental method is thrown at your body to save your life for an illness not identified. You slowly recuperate, continue working at the Federal Reserve and go to college simultaneously. You have lunch with then Chairman of the Federal Reserve Dr. Ben Bernanke, save someone’s life with a computer game you created, get validation on another game from both Bill Nye the Science Guy and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. My guest, Zhenghua Yang did all this before graduating college!

His story of starting his game development and publishing studio called, “Serenity Forge” is as unique as its purpose of creating games that are a vital part of art, culture and education.
The studio released its critically acclaimed titles “Where the Water Tastes Like Wine” in 2018, as well as “Lifeless Planet” in 2014, which sold more than a half million copies.
His team just launched the new psychological adventure game “Neversong,” which is on Apple Arcade, Steam and consoles.
The projected revenue for the studio’s games for good are projected to reach $1.2 million in revenues this year.
Zhenghua and I spoke about how his life and death moments as a young man, continues to influence all of his work and life philosophy. And we discussed all the misconceptions of the game industry, which is an-eye opener.

I hope you enjoy and learn from Zhenghua’s journey to personal contentment and financial success as much as I have. It’s an incredible story.
Check out his new game: “NeverSong” on Apple Arcade, Steam, and Consoles.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

The Happiness Advantage, Shawn Achor. That book changed my life.

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - There are specific people that I work with today that are just so pivotal to where we are right now as certainly forward.
Worst - I drank the Kool Aid and made bitcoin investments at its height.

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

AM - I host a little mini Chinese tea ceremony for myself to clear my mind and get the day going.
PM - I pull up some kind of mobile game and just play in bed and then fall asleep to it. I don’t recommend that to everyone listening.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

I would make sure I build lifelong work relationships. That's how you really find success in today's corporate world.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

Bone Conduction Headphones

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How Zhenghua Yang’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Zhenghua Yang – Founder of Serenity Forge

CONTACT: Twitter @ZhenghuaYang
WEBSITE: http://serenityforge.com/

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL:@iamphilmichaels
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels
PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com
PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

012 | "How to Raise Capital - Investors Insider Tips" (Shawn at Floodgate Investors) Aug 10, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Shawn Xu – Senior Associate of Floodgate

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2020

Category: Venture Capital

Shawn Xu is an MBA from UPenn and is an early stage investor at Floodgate. Previously, he was the managing partner of the Dorm Room Fund that was famously focused on student-run startups. Shawn made more than 20 pre-seed investments.

Before venture capital, Shawn managed the famous Square payment device and their expansion into Europe. It is now a publicly traded company with a $27 billion market cap. He also managed Vungle’s expansion into Asia, which was eventually acquired by Blackstone for 750M dollars.

His writing on the university startup ecosystem has been featured on Forbes, TechCrunch and Startup Grind.

Shawn is another example of learning from his immigrant family through their experiences and reaching the American dream. In 2016 Shawn started thinking about geopolitics and international affairs. His ultimate goal was to help American technology companies get into Asian, European and Latin American markets.

We start our conversation with Shawn discussing:

The process of his MBA, the Wharton program and eventually going to North Korea
His start with Y Combinator
How his networking led him to Dorm Room Fund and working with student startups.
Working with Village Global Fund that included Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos
The benefits of working as a funder as well as a co-founder.
Understanding the difference of fundraising and building a company and the mistakes made by entrepreneurs not knowing the difference.
The art and science of getting people to like and buy your product.
Mike Maples and his framework called back casting.
The concept of Anchor List

I’m sure you learn valuable lessons from Shawn. And take a look at AnchorList.com for the best great crowdsourced rankings from one of the best startup operators in tech!

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

Mike Maples on Backcasting https://medium.com/@m2jr
Andrew Chen on Growth and Product Market Fit https://andrewchen.co/
Connectography: Mapping the Future of Global Civilization Book by Parag Khanna

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - What I learned in a deal - Just because everyone else says you’re wrong, doesn’t mean you are wrong.
Worst - The investment I didn’t make because I missed it.

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

AM - I take turns helping my Dad who has Parkinson’s. It humbles me.
PM - I work out and use FutureFit App https://www.future.fit

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

I'd go and find a co-founder. I like working with co- founders who work and live like they are living in the future. I might find someone in the area of climate change.

5 .What’s something you never knew you needed?

A coach.

RESOURCES:

Syrian Refugee video: Yassin Falafel at Square: https://youtu.be/Yz4Q_SlbZgQ
List of the Best Startup Operators in the World: https://www.anchorlist.com
Andrew Chen’s Program “Reforge” https://www.reforge.com/growth-series
Shawn’s writings https://medium.com/@shawnxu

GUEST INFO: Shawn Xu – Senior Associate of Floodgate

CONTACT: Twitter @shawnxu and Instagram @shawnxu
WEBSITE: https://floodgate.com/

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL:@iamphilmichaels
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels
PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com
PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

011 | "Robot that Replaces your Pool Boy" (Ravi at Sutro) Aug 03, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Ravi Kurani – Founder of Sutro

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2017

Category: Energy

His father immigrated from India to US and was a chemist who when he couldn’t find a job in his field, he ended up working at a pool company. His father started at the bottom and through perseverance became a very successful entrepreneur.

Ravi, working for his father’s pool company, came up with the idea for Sutro. He invented a robot that tests pool and hot tub water for health safety. It’s an automated water maintenance system that saves chemicals, water, and energy.

Ravi has a BS in Mechanical Engineering, MBA in International Finance and a Certificate from Stanford University in Renewable Energy Systems.

Our discussion intertwines Ravi’s upbringing with insights into his entrepreneurship success including:

Ravi’s unique and genius idea of using the “Next Door” app for getting customers, validating the prototype product and creating product demand.
Going from private pools to commercial pools.
The journey of grit and persistence.
Ravi’s personal habit of doodling and what happens in the process.
Being proactive versus reactive.
The importance of rest, relaxation and detaching from technology.

I continued my discussion and compared the Bill Gross’ Ted Talk on successful startups and how it matches that of Ravi’s journey.

Ravi also shared his thoughts on water technology and where his system can work in the future – everything from consumer consumption to agriculture.

Our conversation flowed into media information, dissemination and even behavioral economics. And I leave you with my final thoughts about building empathy, social and emotional intelligence into children of an early age, so that as adults we ensure the safety of humanity in a positive way.

And Ravi’s philosophy - he believes that being an entrepreneur is an honor he must earn daily. It gives him the ability to solve problems that not only makes money but helps society. The big goal for what’s next - he wants to start impacting the way humanity looks at water.

Documentary about 3M and Teflon called “Devil We Know” on Netflix
Movie about Teflon called “Dark Waters” on Netflix

Our conversation is stimulating and insightful. I hope you’ll enjoy it.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

Sapiens: A Brief history of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - A Rebel coffee machine – making my own cappuccinos has been amazing
Worst - A blanket that allows sand to go through it. I saw it on Facebook and it’s the worst purchase ever.

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

AM - I don’t use my cell phone first thing and I meditate
PM - I remember to charge my cell phone OUTSIDE my bedroom.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

Based on my conversation with Phil, something in disruptive media.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

The coffee maker.

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How Ravi Kurani’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Ravi Kurani – Founder of Sutro

CONTACT: Twitter @ravihkurani and Instagram @ravi.kurani
WEBSITE: http://mysutro.com/

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL:@iamphilmichaels
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels
PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com
PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

010 | "Neuroscientist on Mental Illness" (Daniel at McGill Univ.) Jul 26, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Daniel Almeida – Neuroscientist at McGill University

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2020

Category: Science

Daniel Almeida is a neuroscientist based at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He uses post-mortem human brain samples, coupled with psychological autopsies to understand the molecular impacts of severe childhood abuse on the brains of depressed individuals who died by suicide.

So, before you glimpse over his bio and think this podcast isn’t for me, I want to tell you that my conversation with Daniel was stimulating and exciting. He really knows how to translate neuroscience in a way that we lay people can use it. He shares real-world examples, so we can improve our thinking, brain health and daily life.

Daniel’s inspiration came in high school when his Dad had a stroke. A nurse gave him a book to help him understand what was happening to his Dad and as they say, the rest is history.

As a coach, I find it fascinating that Daniel’s research into brain tissue can

teach us how our habits, routines, life traumas, joys and mindfulness can physically change our brain and how it is wired. Our topics ranged the gamut from microbiomes, learning, use of language, PTSD and social connections.

Daniel shares his own research and that of other scientists on how controlling brain inflammation can help with depression, toxic stress, emotions and brain development.

We also discussed resilience and susceptibility, plus the concept of epigenetics. And, of course, we spoke about mental health and the proper way of speaking about suicide.

My biggest takeaway from this conversation were all the practical approaches we can make in our own brain health for long and short-term goals based on the science and research of Daniel and others in his community. He gave numerous examples of things we can learn from and put into practice immediately.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

My Stroke of Insight, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best and Worst - There were some research projects that weren’t fruitful. But I don’t regret the time investment.

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

AM - I practice a mindfulness exercise in the shower.
PM - Practicing mindfulness when I’m cooking. And I bring mindfulness practices to my everyday routines.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

Mental Advocacy - I’d create some type of organization that reduces the stigma by creating freely accessible workshops. It would be something similar to the international Mental Health First Aid program, or something along those lines.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

Social connection, especially with new friendships is really important to me.

Additional references: “Babies” documentary on Netflix; “Shock and Awe” documentary on psychedelics treatment -- on Amazon Prime Video

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How Daniel Almeida’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Daniel Almeida – Neuroscientist at McGill University

CONTACT: On Instagram @PostmortemPhD and on Twitter @PostmortemPhD
WEBSITE: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmichaelalmeida/

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL:@iamphilmichaels
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels
PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com
PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

009 | "Your Rent Payment Can Now Raise Your Credit Score" (Samir & Abbey at Esusu) Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Samir Goel & Wemimo Abbey - Co-CEO’s of Esusu

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2020

Category: Social Entrepreneurship

I had the privilege of interviewing the two founders of Esusu, a company that helps individuals save money and build credit scores by working with landlords and linking rental payment data to credit unions.

Our conversation includes:

How Wemimo and Samir met at the Clinton Global Initiative conference
Sharing the joy of making the Forbes 30 under 30 list which has less than a four percent acceptance rate – even more selective than Harvard.
Wemimo’s life in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria and her Mom’s insistence on education, immigration to the United States and learning first-hand about predatory lending.
The beliefs and facts of predatory lending in the United States and the idea of where you come from can determine where you end up.
Credit scores in the U.S. can hold people back in reaching financial goals.
Samir’s immigrant family came from New Delhi, India and emigrated to the United States. He shared the same financial obstacles as Wemimo when arriving in the U.S.
After graduating from NYU and working at the United Nations, Samir wanted to leave bureaucracy and to find out how businesses worked. He later joined LinkedIn.
Both Wemimo and Samir acknowledge their parent’s journey and their sacrifices and how obstacles made both of them wanting to give back.
The premise of Esusu is based on when a person pays rent that they should also get a credit score rating like someone who pays a mortgage.
Esusu has established credit scores for people in the range of 620, which is considered a good credit score, upwards to 722 points which is considered a very good credit score.
Using landlords as part of the marketing strategy.
The challenges of hiring the best people and competing with Silicon Valley in the start-up stage; understanding the legal issues of protecting people’s data; protecting the reputation of a startup; finding technology that is scalable.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

ABBEY -- Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi – a great book about networking
SAMIR -- Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki. It helps to change mindset.

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

ABBEY
Best - Esusu
Worst - Facebook stocks
SAMIR
Best - Investing in Airbnb
Worst - Investing in Facebook and in the “netflix of China stock.”

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

ABBEY
AM - Pray, faith reflection and meditation.
PM - Check the emails before bed so I have a running checklist in my head and I can sleep.
SAMIR
AM - Walk and reflect.
PM - Cook and share a meal.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

ABBEY
I would find the best co-founder in the world - hopefully Samir. And then I would understand how to best create value for the customers we're going to serve.
SAMIR
Find a great partner

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

ABBEY
Love.
SAMIR
I need to believe in myself. And my next goal is to see every country in the world I can.

GUEST INFO: Samir Goel & Wemimo Abbey - Co-CEO’s of Esusu

CONTACT: On Instagram @myesusu

WEBSITE: http://www.esusurent.com/

PROMOTION: Rent Relief Campaign: http://givebutter.com/EsusuRent

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

008 | "Outsource Your Team to Save Money & Make Impact" (David at Boldr Impact) Jul 12, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is David Sudolsky – Founder of Boldr Impact

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2020

Category: Social Enterprise

I was deeply inspired by my in-depth conversation with David Sudolsky, the founder of Boldr Impact. David took a six-week trip in the Philippines in 2013 and it led him to a six-year quest to make the outsourcing industry less exploitative.

It was through the loss of his best friend and mentor that inspired David to be committed to his company, concentrating on uplifting his employees and their communities. He is also devoting his time and energy to building and supporting purpose-driven NGOs and nonprofits focused on education.

As a coach, I was heartened to know that David was able to take such a loss and grief and turn it around.

Our conversation covers:

After globetrotting he and his partner decided upon working in the Philippines to start an outsourcing company.
David came to realize that his outsourcing company, like many others in the country was all about profits.
His goal was to change that way of operating and instead - invest in his employees and their communities. He continues to make changes to the business as a legacy to his partner who passed away.
How the outsourcing market in the Philippines is growing, especially in creative fields.
By investing in employees, the results are less turnover and better buy-in from employees.
David’s philosophy of work and life. More can be read on his blog post: https://bit.ly/329YRxF
David also shares how he wants to change the idea that one should only outsource because it may be less expensive, but because of the growing talent pools and the opportunity for social equity.
Our conversation continued with the importance of coaches and mentors and being grateful, interspersed with more of David’s incredible commitment to changing and improving the outsourcing business.
His next goals are expanding to outsourcing from Mexico and South Africa.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

The Great Work of Your Life, Stephen Cope
Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramhansa Yoganada

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - Coaches
Worst - Crypto

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

Morning - Ginger and turmeric tea steeped from the actual roots with lemon.
Evening - 30-minutes of reading before bed - a good Sci-Fi.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

I would move to Southeast Asia. I’d like to really understand what startups are booming, what companies are gaining traction and immerse myself in that scene as quickly as possible.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

Noise cancelling headphones - great in a densely populated city like Manila.
White Noise Machine https://amzn.to/3gL09np

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How David Sudolsky’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: David Sudolsky – Founder of Boldr Impact

CONTACT: Instragram @david.sudolsky

WEBSITE: http://www.boldrimpact.com/

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL MEDIA:@iamphilmichaels

YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels

PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com

PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

007 | "Report Potholes to Your Government With This App" (Beto at Irys) Jul 04, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Beto Altamirano – CEO of Irys

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2018

Category: Social Entrepreneurs

His life is influenced by being raised in two cultures and his father being deported to Mexico. That life changing event got Beto interested in political science, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin and even working with the U.S. Senator John Kerry.

Through government work experience Beto saw the need for creating a technology platform that enabled communication between local municipal governments and its residents.

In 2017 he co-founded Irys (formerly known as City Flag) that developed the first social network for 311 services (customer service for government), which allows residents to easily report issues to local government.

Today, Irys is in more than 15 cities, including the city of San Antonio. There are over 30,000 users on the platform and they have reported over 70,000 city requests on the app.

Throughout the interview Beto explains to Phil:

His interest in social justice issues and has noted that this technology app can help bring awareness to governments to the digital divide in this country and globally.

There are improvements coming in the app to give citizens more choice with how they can stimulate and change their community.

How the app currently works with a citizen reporting a problem to local authorities; how the correct government offices learn of the issues the public wants to report.

A new tool in the app for COVID-19 screening; how to report large social gatherings and additional features.

A personal satisfaction that Beto’s tech platform can help the world especially given the COVID-19 situation.

Beto also shares that if you can connect with someone in your local government about his app and this podcast, he will give your community a one-month free pilot.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

The New Localism by Bruce Katz and Jeremy Nowak

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - Sweat equity in my company
Worst - Traveling to unnecessary conferences

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

Staying away from my phone for at least 30-minutes when I wake up, exercising, meditating, getting a healthy, balanced breakfast.
I try to wind down around 8 or 9 pm. Relax, read a book, refresh and spend time with my wife.

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

Surround yourself with folks that can help you grow.
Travel to universities that focus on areas you need; meet with leaders in those communities and start formulating a plan of action and start teaming up with the right people.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

A head massage tool.
Traveling - learning about different cultures.

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!

How Beto’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!

Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Beto Altamirano – CEO of Irys

CONTACT: On Instagram @betoaltamirano

WEBSITE: http://heyirys.com/

COUPON CODE DISCOUNT for audience: Anyone that works in government or recommends a local government will get a ONE MONTH FREE PILOT for your community if you say you heard of us through "Phil's podcast"

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL MEDIA: @iamphilmichaels

YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels

PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com

PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

006 | "Only Vibrator in the World that Tracks Your Orgasms" (Anna at Lioness) Jun 28, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Anna Lee – CEO of Lioness

Forbes List: USA

Year: 2020

Category: Consumer Technology

Anna Lee, is a technical co-founder of Lioness, the women-led sexual wellness startup that built the world's first, and only,vibrator that tracks your orgasm so you can learn how to make them better and better. It uses precision sensors and an app to track your orgasm and see what factors make your orgasm better or worse; stress, alcohol, sleep, partners and more.

Before starting Lioness, Anna was a UC Berkeley engineer at Amazon, launching the Amazon Dash Button’s original concept.

She is an advocate in Lioness’s mission to expand understanding and research in sexual health, while destigmatizing female sexuality.

Phil’s discussion with Anna is conducted with respect, compassion, sensitivity, and a bit of humor. The highlights include:

Anna’s own expectations to get a corporate job, stay there until it’s time for child rearing years etc. She never expected to be making a “sex toy” or having to explain that to her mom.
Anna tells of overcoming her own fears and sexual trauma experienced in childhood; trying to understand feelings of self-worth and being unworthy of sexual pleasure.
A chance encounter with a sex toy founder made her question the intentions of building intimacy products.
Anna explains how her passion for the product is a way of healing.
The sensitivities of explaining her career choices to her religious, immigrant parents and the surprising revelations from her mom.
The lack of research concerning women and their bodies.
Anna continues with the challenges of speaking on a “taboo” subject, especially in the startup world in the Silicon Valley.
The difference in presenting sexual health verses sexual pleasure.
Becoming one of the leaders in creating studies with medical academic researchers; taking a scientific approach to sexual health.
Anna gives a description of how the technology works; measurements of rhythmic pelvic floor moments; how women differ in orgasms and how the biofeedback works.
How sex education does not touch on the opportunities to self-explore.
Anna promotes the product as a self-experiment tool but also thinks it’s great to bring in partners and have fun with it.
Anna’s advice is to put yourself in the mentality of “if I don’t do it, who will.”

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

The Toaster Project, Thomas Thwaites

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

Best - My therapist
Worst - My 2007 car

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

AM - A really green smoothie
PM - Using my product to find tech bugs

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

I’d still work in sex tech

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

The Lioness

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How Anna Lee’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Anna Lee – CEO of Lioness

CONTACT: On Instagram COMPANY: @lionesshealth PERSONAL: @annaisaverage

WEBSITE: http://www.lioness.io/

COUPON CODE DISCOUNT for audience: $20 off vibrators “PHIL20”

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

SOCIAL MEDIA:@iamphilmichaels

YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels

PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com

PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

005 | "Israeli + Palestinian Design Fashion that Repels COVID" (Michal at Hidas) Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Michal Hidas – CEO of Hidas Fashion

-- Forbes List: Israel

-- Year: 2018

-- Category: Culture - Fashion

Michal Hidas is an exceptionally creative and forward-thinking global fashion designer from Israel. Her brand, HIDAS, is unique not only for its look, but how the collection aims to shine a light on complex and difficult global issues.

Michal made her professional breakthrough in partnership with a Palestinian architect from Gaza. She used his optimistic architectural freehand drawings as patterns that were then printed on lavish textiles to create the collection.

She’s won New York Fashion Week’s “Fashion Humanitarian Award.” She has been recognized by numerous prestigious magazines including Vogue, Italia, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar.

Michal graduated from the Istituto Marangoni in Milan, one of the world’s most prestigious high fashion academies. During her studies she ranked first among 40,000 contestants in the I-SKOOL digital fashion contest sponsored by ISKO, one of the largest denim manufacturers in the world.

Michal’s latest collection, Bridging, was created in collaboration with her Palestinian partner and a Jewish calligrapher from Jerusalem. Through this collection she hopes to raise awareness, spark conversation and action while giving voice to the desperate plight of Syrians.

Phil and Michal share a good laugh about Michal’s first learning about her inclusion in the Forbes Israel 30 Under 30 list.

Phil compassionately gets Michal to reveal her personal history including:

- How her personal identity struggles led her to learn from others that differ from her during the war between Israel and Gaza.

- Her innovation for developing a new way to look at garment design using beautiful materials that are self-sterilizing, repelling bacteria and viruses.

- Michal’s goal of creating clothes that are inclusive and being inspired by another Forbes member, Ziv Shilon. Ziv is a hero of Israel, IDF who’s disabled, social activist, successful businessman, entrepreneur, and lecturer.

- Michal’s next goal is sharing the incredible documentary from Shreya Patel called Unity.

It’s an amazing documentary about people all across the world, what they are dealing with today and how all our lives are changing. It presents the narrative that we are all united in the same goal of world-wide healing. It goes back to the core fundamentals of relationships; how we enjoy each other’s company, learn and grow from each other. It shares our connection plus the need to help each other because of our common humanity.

Watch the DOCUMENTARY here: https://linktr.ee/UnityDocumentary

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

- The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

a. Best - My friendships and my religion

b. Worst - A bad yoga mat

3. Guilty Pleasures

- Vegan cheese

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

- Invest in a coach, mentor or team member. Business development.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

- A hot bath at the end of the day to calm down.

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!

How Michal Hidas’s story has inspired you! And your favorite part of this episode.

Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Michal Hidas – CEO of Hidas

-- CONTACT: On Instagram @michalihdas

-- WEBSITE: https://www.hidas.net/

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

-- SOCIAL MEDIA: @iamphilmichaels

-- YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels

-- PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com

-- PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

004 | "The Airbnb for International Volunteering" (Pascal at VolunteerWorld) Jun 14, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Pascal Christiaens - Founder of Volunteer World

-- Forbes List: Europe

-- Year: 2018

-- Category: Social Entrepreneurship

Pascal is a first-generation college graduate, social entrepreneur and start-up strategist with significant experience from both sides of the Atlantic. He was named as an emerging European leader by President Barack Obama,

His company, Volunteer World, actively supports 1,600 projects in more than 82 countries across the globe. They're known as the “Airbnb for International Volunteering”. Being the founder of one of the most successful German social start-ups,

In this episode, Pascal shares his incredible story:

Pascal’s transition from the financial industry to the volunteer travel industry.
The success of the Costa Rican turtle projects as a result of Volunteer World.
How Volunteer World matches agencies, NGO’s and various projects with a volunteer’s individual desires, budget, age, skills and goals.
Pascal’s startup story, pivoting during difficult situations and not taking things personally.
Phil gives coaching insights as to how Pascal’s negative energy of failure was turned around into positivity, success, and happiness.
Pascal cites how the company is managing during these globally challenging times; popular projects and the essential asset of Volunteer World’s review system.
Pascal notes how the project and agency’s vetting process works; how volunteers share information on the web site; how marketing has changed from Google Ads and keywords.
Pascal’s next goals - Leading his travel start-up out of a crisis so “Volunteer World is ready to strike back and kickass post-coronavirus!”

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

1. What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?

-- Let Me Tell a Story by Jorge Bucay. It’s about 50 or 60 philosophical short stories that give you inspiration and a different perspective on your daily life.

2. What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?

a. Best - Tinder Gold Package

b. Worst - I sold “Magic” trading cards. Lesson learned - Take your time for a good deal and have a holistic view on your entire transaction.

3. What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?

-- I’m a big believer in getting enough rest and enjoying life. I sleep in and relax in my free time,

4. Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?

-- An affordable solution for parabolic flights. As a science-fiction fan I’d use the money for a dream I have.

5. What’s something you never knew you needed?

-- Volunteer World

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How Pascal’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Pascal Christiaens Founder of Volunteer World

-- CONTACT: On Instagram @volunteerworld_com

-- WEBSITE: https://www.volunteerworld.com/

-- COUPON CODE DISCOUNT for audience: "Phil30" ($30 dollar discount on Volunteer World). AND, separately, you get a 30% discount if you enroll before June 30th

HOST INFO: Phil Michaels

-- SOCIAL MEDIA:@iamphilmichaels

-- YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/philmichaels

-- PODCAST WEBSITE: www.philwithforbes30.com

-- PHIL’s WEBSITE: www.iamphilmichaels.com

Powered by MarketDominationLLC.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices