Latest Interviews
Showing 2041–2055 of 2,502 transcripts.
Clear all filters- Y Combinator27 min
Jessica Livingston Shares 9 Things She Learned From Founding YC
Founded in 2005 by Paul Graham and Jessica Livingston, Y Combinator revolutionized early-stage funding by implementing a batch model that supported over 1,800 startups through small equity stakes and an intentional "asshole-free" culture. Livingston, acting as the organization's social radar, prioritized founder dynamics and well-being over technical prowess, a strategy that facilitated unique successes like Reddit and Twitch while establishing a global network free from traditional investor pressure. Their complementary partnership, defined by Graham's technical vision and Livingston's focus on logistics and culture, created a resilient ecosystem that advises founders to pursue non-traditional paths rather than conforming to stereotypical success metrics.
- Y Combinator20 min
Fireside Chat with Kat Mañalac, Kathryn Minshew, and Alex Cavoulacos
Kathryn Minshew, Alex Cavoulacos, Kat Minialek, Catherine Minshew, Alex Kamalakis
The Muse, a Y Combinator-backed career platform serving over 50 million users, leverages strict ethical standards and value-based hiring to cultivate an inclusive culture that rejects superficial "culture fit" in favor of diversity and mutual respect. Founders successfully navigated critical challenges including early missteps in sales recruitment, the dismissal of a co-founder candidate, and the termination of a corrupt investor term sheet to secure new funding. By maintaining a "no assholes" policy and enforcing shared values with partners, the company has established a reputation for integrity that attracts aligned talent and major clients like Facebook and Goldman Sachs.
- Milken Institute52 min
Humanity, Revised? Editing and Augmenting the Human Species
Michael Milken, Juan Enriquez, Peter Diamandis
Speakers including Peter Diamandis, Juan Enriquez, and Ray Kurzweil outline a paradigm shift where human evolution is moving from natural selection to intelligent direction through advanced bionics, CRISPR gene editing, and quantum computing. These technologies are projected to exponentially increase human capabilities, merge biology with digital intelligence by the mid-2030s, and enable the growth of replacement organs or the revival of extinct species. The presenters argue that private capital and global transparency now drive a moral imperative to secure a multi-planetary existence and achieve longevity escape velocity before extinction risks overwhelm Earth.
- The Economist8 min
Women and the Saudi revolution
Zanny Minton Beddoes, Noor Shabib, Hoda al-Halaissi
Led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is executing a rapid top-down modernization strategy that lifts social restrictions like the ban on women driving while simultaneously centralizing political power and suppressing dissent. Although these reforms aim to diversify the oil-dependent economy by integrating the majority-female university graduate workforce, they face significant risks from religious puritans, rival royals, and a volatile youth population whose aspirations remain unmet by the regime's refusal to democratize. The success of this delicate balancing act is critical, as a stable, moderate Saudi Arabia could significantly enhance regional security and offer a counter-narrative to extremist interpretations of Islam globally.
- Milken Institute58 min
Conversations With Congress. Pt. 1: Kevin McCarthy & Pt. 2: Chuck Schumer
Kevin McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, Frank Luntz, Richard Sandler
U.S. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed a deeply polarized political landscape, with McCarthy highlighting record-low unemployment and bipartisan legislative successes while Schumer outlined Democratic strategies to address economic stagnation and restore the American Dream. Both leaders emphasized the necessity of bridging ideological divides, citing personal relationships across the aisle and proposing concrete policy solutions such as infrastructure investment and structural reforms for Social Security to overcome gridlock. Despite acknowledging significant national challenges ranging from military readiness to international diplomacy, they each framed their respective parties' upcoming midterm goals around achieving tangible economic growth and restoring faith in government efficacy.
- Milken Institute1h 23m
Part 1: Evolution of Humanity & Part 2: Inspiring Couples
Richard Ditizio, Suzy Amis Cameron, James Cameron, Juan Enriquez, Precious Moloi-Motsepe, Patrice Motsepe
Juan Enriquez outlines the emergence of *Homo evolutis* through genetic and neuro-technological capabilities that allow humanity to deliberately design life, a shift he deems more significant than the digital revolution. Concurrently, South African philanthropists Patrice and Precious Motsepi leverage their wealth and the Giving Pledge to address the continent's "demographic curse" by prioritizing STEM education for youth and economic development to turn population growth into a dividend. Furthermore, James and Susie Cameron drive a global "One Meal a Day" initiative to decouple agriculture from environmental degradation, utilizing data from *Avatar* and *The Game Changers* to prove the viability and investment potential of a plant-based transition.
- Milken Institute59 min
American Homeownership: Do We Still Have a Dream?
Eric Kaplan, John Francis Barry, Michael Bright, Carol Galante, Timothy Mayopoulos, Lewis Ranieri
A panel of housing industry leaders including Lou Ranieri, Carol Galante, and Michael Bright diagnoses the U.S. housing crisis as a convergence of historical discrimination, structural supply shortages, and predatory financial engineering that has widened the racial homeownership gap. The discussion contrasts investment-focused strategies with the reality that homeownership remains a primary wealth-creation tool for average workers, while experts like Tim Mayopoulos and John Barry advocate for technological innovation and labor reform to address severe affordability constraints. Looking forward, the group warns that without prioritizing housing as critical infrastructure and enforcing stricter industry ethics, the market will likely remain out of equilibrium for another decade despite ongoing demographic pressures on entry-level buyers.
- Milken Institute1h 6m
MIc'd Up | The Sustainability Revolution, With Al Gore
Al Gore, Eric Garcetti, Jim Yong Kim
At the Milken Institute's "Sustainability Revolution" summit, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, former Vice President Al Gore, and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim converged to discuss the economic and environmental synergy of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Garcetti detailed how Los Angeles achieved an 11% emissions drop alongside a 75% faster job growth rate than the national average, while Gore highlighted that extreme weather events are becoming statistically probable and renewable costs have fallen below those of coal. Complementing these insights, Kim emphasized the World Bank's commitment to allocating 30% of its resources to climate change and argued that integrating ESG factors is increasingly a fiduciary necessity for maximizing market returns.
- Milken Institute57 min
MIc'd Up | A Conversation With Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer, Michael Milken, Stephen Ballmer, Mike Milken
Former Microsoft CEO Stephen Ballmer leveraged his corporate success to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, where he now champions a dedicated arena and implements a player development program focused on life skills and emotional maturity. Concurrently, he and his wife founded the Ballmer Group to drive economic mobility through early childhood education initiatives and the data transparency project USA Facts, which aggregates government financial records to counteract declining social prospects. Drawing on his background as a first-generation American and tech executive, Ballmer argues that investing in pre-K yields superior long-term returns compared to later educational interventions while advocating for AI's potential to lift all societal boats despite short-term displacement concerns.
- Milken Institute1h 23m
Part 1: Conversation With David Petraeus | Part 2: Conversation With Steven Mnuchin
David Petraeus, Steven Mnuchin, Maria Bartiromo, Michael Milken, Tony Blair
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, General David Petraeus, and former Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin convened to analyze the resurgent competition between authoritarian and liberal democratic systems shaping the 21st century. The panelists addressed critical geopolitical flashpoints including the strategic rivalry with China, the destabilizing role of Russia, and the potential for an Israel-Arab alliance to secure Middle East stability. Simultaneously, they discussed domestic economic priorities, ranging from the impacts of tax reform and trade negotiations to the necessity of robust governance in Africa and the Middle East to counter extremism and promote prosperity.
- Milken Institute28 min
A Conversation With U.S. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling
Jeb Hensarling, Eric Kaplan, David Faber
House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling criticized the enduring conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, arguing that the current system concentrates $8 trillion in risk on taxpayers while stifling market discipline. To address these failures, he outlined the "DeMarco-Bright Plan," a legislative framework designed to shift mortgage guarantees to private entities, mandate minimum 5% down payments, and restructure the capital stack to protect public funds. Although Hensarling doubts passage in the current Congress, he urges Democrats to engage in reform negotiations to prevent a potential Trump administration from unilaterally dismantling the existing housing finance model.
- Milken Institute56 min
What's Next: Harnessing the Momentum of #MeToo and #TimesUp
Alex Witt, Ashley Judd, Kerry Kennedy, Catharine MacKinnon, Stacy Smith, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Caroline Biden
Moderated by Alex Witt, the "What's Next" panel convened leading advocates including Ashley Judd, Alyssa Milano, and Catherine McKinnon to evaluate the post-Cosby landscape of the Me Too and Time's Up movements. The discussion highlighted critical gaps in legal recourse and industry representation while detailing specific strategies such as the Time's Up Legal Defense Fund, the WOKE committee's #MuteRKelly campaign, and Stacey Smith's inclusion rider proposal to combat harassment and bias. Speakers also addressed the necessity for institutional courage and legislative reforms like the Equal Rights Amendment, citing global initiatives and successful worker-driven models as blueprints for systemic change.
- Milken Institute58 min
The Future of Higher Education
Jeffrey Selingo, Bill Achtmeyer, Rafael Bras, Mitch Daniels, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Candace Thille
Facing record tuition discount rates and a growing skills gap where 89% of employers find graduates unprepared, higher education is pivoting from a traditional four-year degree model to a "100-year lifetime" framework of recurrent, skills-based learning. Leaders at institutions like Georgia Tech and Purdue, notably Mitch Daniels, are driving this transformation through aggressive online expansion, AI integration, and financial innovations like Income Share Agreements to ensure affordability and relevance. As smaller schools face potential closure, the sector is consolidating around agile, market-driven models that treat credentials as dynamic data sets of verified competencies rather than static diplomas.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Luxury Brands: When Radical Transparency Is the Best Look
Vanessa Friedman, Francois-Henry Bennahmias, Chip Bergh, Neil Blumenthal, Meridith Valiando Rojas
Representatives from Audemars Piguet, Levi Strauss, Warby Parker, and Digifest convened to redefine corporate transparency as a non-negotiable pillar for trust among Gen Z consumers and in talent acquisition. The panel detailed specific initiatives, such as Audemars Piguet's internal storytelling shifts, Levi's early fulfillment of environmental pledges, and open apologies for operational failures, demonstrating how admitting mistakes and sharing data can convert critics into advocates. While differing on the scope of political engagement, all executives agreed that long-term brand integrity requires strategic alignment with values and a shift away from traditional mystery toward authentic, values-driven business models.
- Milken Institute59 min
Hacked and Back: Cybersecurity Lessons From the C-suite
Dmitri Alperovitch, Sanford (Sandy) Climan, Christopher Krebs, Thomas Pritzker, Tom Pritzker, Sandy Kleiman, David Batts, Jr., Jeffrey Brown, David Brooks, Eric Schmidt, Alan Seales, Tom Ginsburg, Chris Collins, John McWhorter
This event analyzes the evolution of cyber threats from state-sponsored espionage to disruptive attacks like the 2017 NotPetya incident, highlighting the strategic responses of Hyatt and the Department of Homeland Security. Hyatt integrated cybersecurity into its core governance by allocating six percent of its IT budget and empowering its CISO to share threat intelligence with federal agencies within minutes of detection. The presentation further outlines critical lessons for the entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for robust data protection, cross-sector collaboration, and a culture that treats security as a continuous strategic imperative rather than a temporary IT function.