In this compelling episode of The MikeyG Podcast Experience, we dive into founder stories with Andrea De'Marsi, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed his telecom engineering background into successful podcast ventures. From growing up in Ravenna, Italy's historical capital, to co-founding Spreaker and later PodSEO, Andrea exemplifies authentic leadership and the founder mindset. We explore how embracing intentional boredom fuels creativity, why in-depth research matters beyond shiny opportunities, and the importance of trust as the foundation of leadership. Join us for an insightful discussion on entrepreneurship, resilience, and innovation in the evolving podcasting landscape.
Discover the inspiring founder story of Jonny Ashcroft, a resilient entrepreneur leading the charge in augmented imagination and AI-driven creativity. In this episode, we delve into authentic leadership, exploring Jonny's journey from personal tragedy to founding his third creative agency, building AI tools that amplify human creativity, not replace it.
Join us for an in-depth conversation on the founder mindset, where Jonny shares his transformative framework for "redeeming your demons," the neuroscience behind flow states, and practical hacks to enter this state in just 10 minutes. We also discuss why mastering design fundamentals is crucial in the age of AI.
This episode is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and using technology to enhance human potential. It's essential listening for founders and leaders ready to navigate the future with authenticity and innovation.
Explore an inspiring founder story as Jesse shares his incredible journey from a dyslexic kid in special education to directing the world's biggest bands and leading creative ventures. This episode reveals Jesse's authentic leadership style and founder mindset that powered his rise from a camera operator to Red Bull Creative Director by 23, founder of an award-winning branding agency, and creator of ThinkAgents, an innovative AI open source protocol that puts emphasis on owning your own data and identity in the age of AI. Tune in to uncover the mentor strategies and grace mindset behind his success, and gain insights into how truth and authenticity define impactful entrepreneurship today.
Dive into this authentic founder story with Dru, whose journey exemplifies the founder mindset and authentic leadership in the emerging Web3 space. From growing up in split-family poverty eating mac and brown gravy to navigating the challenges of losing $5.6 million, Dru's resilience shines through. He transformed setbacks into a powerful vision, building Ultra Kingdoms, Web3's only grandfathered console game on PlayStation and Xbox, backed by a $30 million bet.
In this episode, explore how Dru's genuine leadership and transparent approach with his token-gated community safeguarded his venture from significant theft, highlighting the emotional and mental challenges that come with being a fully doxed founder and father of six. This founder story captures the raw realities, strategic mindset, and persistent drive behind one of Web3 gaming's biggest bets.
Brian grew up in suburban Maryland obsessed with Math and Science and learning that cold 6 AM swim practices taught grit more than competition ever could.
After MIT's collaborative culture shock and a brief stint as a bond trader at Morgan Stanley, he spent years in high-frequency trading before co-founding Glider. A DeFi infrastructure he describes as "React for DeFi." In this conversation, he breaks down why AI trading agents have a long way to go (but financial planning agents don't), how he found his co-founder through a 4-year recruiter relationship, and why traditional finance is a dying industry that blockchain will overwrite.
Rob went from aspiring dentist to broadcasting student before finding his true calling in 2005 watching Hurricane Katrina unfold - specifically heartbroken by people forced to evacuate without their pets due to FEMA policy gaps.
He became one of the first to earn a master's in emergency and disaster management, spending 20 years in the field before founding TVTP Solutions (Threat Violence and Threat Prevention Solutions), a consultancy focused on the chronically underfunded work of prevention over protection.
In this conversation, Rob unpacks why we're heading toward a massive identity crisis as AI displaces jobs, how "paper cuts" of cumulative grievances lead to violence, and why genuine human connection might be our most powerful prevention tool - making this the first non-tech episode that proves deep conversations transcend industry boundaries.
Anton was born in Belarus right after the Soviet Union collapsed, spending summers in Germany learning adaptability while navigating between two drastically different cultures and educational systems. His journey took him from acting on Belarusian national TV to Harvard Business School to Duolingo, where he learned that 400 simultaneous experiments matter more than grand visions. Now he's channeling his film director dreams into building Sleepagotchi. A Web3 health app using gamification and crypto incentives to solve what he believes is humanity's most critical health habit: sleep.
Nick grew up watching his trumpet-playing mom get ostracized at 19 in Louisianna and experiences that taught him "you can't be happy when" after watching his grandmother die the day her dream house was finished. His journey included fashion industry exploitation, forex trading, building Web3 projects, and living full-time in an RV with his wife and toddler. Now he's building Wave: a platform that rewards people for listening to music while empowering artists to create authentically instead of chasing algorithmic trends. This conversation unpacks childhood trauma bonds, the death of complacency, what real community means beyond Discord channels, and why the music industry's incentive structure is fundamentally broken.
Art grew up in one of the most remote corners of Russia and went on to become a serial entrepreneur, building across tech, trading, and education. In this conversation, he shares how childhood adversity, ADHD, and family lessons shaped his resilience and outlook. Together, we explore why human connection and education are the foundation for thriving in Web3 and beyond.
In this episode, I sat down with Michal, founder of Onchain AG, academic professor, bass player, and book author. This conversation hit far deeper than Web3. From his parents teaching him that attention is the true currency of love, to his discovery that passion only matters when it creates impact for others, Michal shares lessons that resonate far beyond business. We also dig into his unique takes on consistency, momentum, and why self-reflection is the only way to cut through the noise and live with meaning.
In this episode, we dive into Karn’s path from a creative childhood in Mumbai to building Rage Effect, India’s first AAA cross-play shooter. Karn opens up about resilience, creativity, and how surrounding himself with the “greats” shaped his mindset. We also explore the future of gaming, AI, and quantum computing, alongside his insights on Web3, building through uncertainty, and raising millions from firms like Solana Ventures
In this episode of The MikeyG Podcast Experience, Jordan shares his journey from designing skyscrapers in Southeast Asia to pioneering a new category of applications - InfoFi - through Reply Corp. We dive into the intersection of creativity, AI, and community, exploring how distribution and personal branding are becoming the real currencies of the digital age. Along the way, Jordan reflects on the lessons of patience, downside protection, and the relentless pursuit of a founder’s “why”.
What happens when a late bloomer takes on Web3 with a vengeance?
MikeyG and Daniel (Founder of NOMU) unpack the inner fire that led from ECB (European Central Bank) to building in Web3. A deep dive into identity, ego, fear, finding purpose and flipping the script!
Sudu and Red, lifelong friends from Sri Lanka, turned a bond formed over video games into a mission to build Hapi3 — a blockchain project rooted in fun, community, and real impact. From daring motorcycle rides at 300 km/h to organizing grassroots events for kids without opportunities, their story weaves curiosity, competition, and resilience into a vision bigger than themselves. This conversation dives into childhood lessons, failures that became stepping stones, and why passion and the “why” matter more than anything in building the future.
Saushank, angel investor in Polygon and MemeLand and founder of PitchPilot, joins Mikey G for a raw and thoughtful conversation about childhood, ambition, and identity in a world shaped by pressure and performance. Together, they unpack the impact of boarding school, participation trophies, and how creativity thrives even in rigid systems. From AI in education to honoring elders and living in multi-generational homes, this episode is a deep dive into what it means to be human in an increasingly automated world.
What’s the connection between healing off-grid and building on-chain?
Join MikeyG and Mystik as they explore her journey from holistic farming to founding Quack Life on Solana.
What does it take to stay human while building in Web3?
Join MikeyG and Starlordy as they dive deep into AI, authenticity, and the harsh truths of being a founder in this evolving digital frontier.
What does it mean to grow up in constant motion? From diplomat parents and African warzones to losing himself in college and finding peace through “The Power of Now,” JB's story isn’t about success - it’s about survival, identity, and grace. His resilience has lead to building one of the strongest gaming communities in Web3. This one’s raw, unfiltered, and filled with the kind of truth that only comes from chaos.
What’s the secret to turning nostalgia and creativity into Web3 innovation?
Join MikeyG and Ford, creator of Frankie the Frog, as they explore how a love for animation and gaming fueled a journey from a small village to leading a vibrant Web3 brand.
Yot, founder of Fugz, opens up about the creative chaos behind building original IP in Web3 - from growing up in remote villages to finding clarity in the ocean. This episode explores why stripping away everything inauthentic is key to making timeless work. A raw conversation about co-creation, long-term vision, and what it really takes to stand out in this space.