Grit Daily Startup Show

In this episode, Phillip Lanos speaks with Freehold Group CEO Brendan McDermott about how retail design, fabrication, and installation shape the way consumers experience major brands in the real world. McDermott explains how experiential marketing extends far beyond pop-ups, touching everything from flagship stores and cultural activations to in-store be...

In this episode, Phillip Lanos speaks with five-time Emmy Award-winning producer and Digital Rights Network founder Neil Mandt about the emerging fight over who controls the digital layer of the physical world. Mandt explains why augmented reality is no longer a futuristic concept, but a present-day business, legal, and property rights issue that could resha...

Tony Pinedo shares how leading inside a youth correctional facility reshaped his understanding of leadership, trust, and human potential. Drawing from decades of experience, he explains why empathy, non-judgmental curiosity, and intentional presence are the true foundations of influence. This conversation explores how integrating values across work and l...

Phillip Lanos and Sharon Wood explore the intersection of gaming, family connections, and memory enhancement. Sharon shares her journey from marketing in the gaming industry to creating products that foster joy and dignity for individuals with fading memories. They discuss the importance of relationships, the science behind gaming, and the innovative approaches being taken to enhance quality of life through interactive experiences....

Greg Whalen, CTO of Prove AI, explains why many enterprises are stalling with generative AI by treating it like traditional software and postponing the hard parts like observability, debugging, and governance. He breaks down what “observability” actually means in AI systems, why outcome-based metrics matter more than chasing black-box explanations, and how Prove AI helps teams collect the right telemetry to reach produc...

Will Cady, founder of HEAL MVMNT and former Reddit creative strategist, joins the show to explore why technology is advancing faster than the moral frameworks needed to guide it. He explains how his organization helps leaders align community, culture, and purpose so companies can scale without losing their humanity. Cady also shares why keeping a “human in the loop” is essential in the AI era and how defining a clear no...

Van Camp and Carlson join Phillip Lanos to unpack the moment when fast-growing businesses outgrow basic tax prep and start needing real cash flow visibility, risk strategy, and proactive advisory support. They break down why many CPAs default to familiar year-end moves, how liquidity becomes a hidden failure point, and what owners should look for in an advisory team as complexity rises. The conversation also introduces 831B structu...

This episode spotlights Himanshu Rathore, the operations leader behind Teleperformance Thailand’s remarkable rise as a global talent hub. Listeners will hear how people-first leadership, multicultural collaboration, and crisis-tested resilience shaped one of the company’s strongest success stories. It is a compelling look at what modern operational excellence truly requires.

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Startups want enterprise clients. Sanjay Chadha explains why most aren’t ready. In this episode, the SAV Associates managing partner breaks down how cybersecurity, internal controls, and compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001 unlock trust, credibility, and million-dollar deals. If you're building, scaling, or selling to large organizations, this conversation might be the most important one you hear all year.

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Based Trading Cards founder Alladan Flinn joins the show to reveal why physical collectibles still matter in a world drowning in digital noise. He breaks down how true scarcity, intentional design, and cultural storytelling can revive a hobby and teach people more about value than any textbook. This episode dives into collectibles, economics, craftsmanship, and the movement Flinn is building one card at a time.

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Robert Brooks has lived through nearly nine decades of history, from the segregated streets of 1940s Pittsburgh to the battlefields of Vietnam and beyond. A decorated Army officer, minister, and author of The Journey, he reveals how one guiding principle, staying calm and dispassionate, helped him overcome prejudice, loss, and chaos with grace. Tune in to discover the timeless wisdom behind a life built on resilience, composure, an...

What happens when the people running the world start to burn out? Drs. Denise and Louis Joseph, founders of the Open Sea Institute, work with billionaires, founders, and high performers to restore balance without slowing their ambition. In this conversation, they reveal what really drives elite performers, why success can feel lonely, and how true mental resilience is built from the inside out.

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What if your child’s doodle could become a keepsake they hug every night? In this episode, visionary creator Fam Mirza and partner Keri Mirza reveal how Draw Pillows turned one simple family moment into a movement that’s inspiring creativity and connection in homes everywhere. It’s a story of passion, purpose, and the magic that happens when imagination meets entrepreneurship.

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Adam Bergman traded a secure career in tax law to build a company that helps people take control of their retirement money and invest it in what they actually understand. In this episode, he reveals how IRA Financial grew to manage over $4 billion in assets by opening doors beyond Wall Street. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your retirement money work harder, this conversation shows you how the smartest investors are doin...

Actor-turned-entrepreneur Oliver Trevena shares the journey of building Caliwater, the cactus water brand reshaping the wellness beverage market. From the struggles of launching during COVID to scaling into thousands of stores, his story highlights resilience, sustainability, and authentic brand building. Discover how Caliwater is redefining hydration for adults, kids, and families alike.

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Dom Kwong, co-founder and CEO of Damon Inc., shares how he’s redefining two-wheeled mobility with cutting-edge safety and intelligence technology. From his roots in radio engineering to leading a company that blends software, sensors, and rider experience, Kwong discusses the future of motorcycles and mobility. This episode explores entrepreneurship, innovation, and how Damon is shaping safer, smarter rides for the next gener...

Jonathan Lowenhar of Enjoy The Work joins the Grit Daily Startup Show to get real about the moment every successful founder dreads — when the job changes from building the product to building the company. He breaks down why most first-time CEOs feel like imposters, how to pick the right path for your business, and why enjoying the grind is the ultimate competitive edge. If you’ve ever thought, “Am I even doing thi...