Evan Smith is a prominent figure in Texas journalism, known for his innovative contributions to media and civic engagement. As the co-founder and former CEO of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit organization dedicated to in-depth reporting on state politics and public policy, Smith has significantly shaped local journalism. Before this, he served as the editor-in-chief of Texas Monthly, where he developed his storytelling and editorial leadership skills. Currently, he is a senior advisor at the...

Robert Alvarez is a distinguished business leader and former CFO and COO of BigCommerce, a leading e-commerce platform. With a remarkable track record, he played a crucial role in scaling the company’s revenue from $7 million to over $317 million during his tenure. Alvarez is celebrated for his strategic financial expertise and ability to foster high-performing teams and strong company cultures. In this episode, we explore Alvarez's leadership philosophy, including his unique approach to team...

Hello and welcome to this conversation with Crawford Arnow, a multifaceted talent and Yale student who has achieved remarkable success as a social media influencer, scholar, and performer. Crawford’s journey from a high school valedictorian to a near-million-follower TikTok creator, combined with his academic pursuit of the effects of social media on masculinity, makes him a fascinating guest. Through our engaging discussion, Crawford shares his insights on: Starting, building and growing a...

In this episode, we welcome Miriam Laeky, the dynamic Government Affairs Director for Equality Texas, who has also been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30. A trailblazer in community organizing and public policy, Miriam’s work is fueled by her passion for social justice and equality. In this conversation we touch on : Navigating imposter syndrome The zig-zag of Miriam’s young career The marathon of social change What college does not prepare your for Technology's impact on politics The shifting...

In this episode, we talk with Adam Abu Ghaida, an award-winning developer and passionate advocate for integrating technology into education. Adam has created multiple SaaS applications using Flutter, iOS, and web development, including an app that won the UAE National iOS Design Challenge. He is an incoming freshman at Harvard university. Join us as we explore his insights on the future of education and the power of technology to drive positive change. We talked about… The intersection...

Welcome to this episode of the #NextUp series! Today, we have the pleasure of talking to two exceptional young entrepreneurs, Walter Richard and Samuel Crowson. They are the co-founders of Tarrytown Turf LLC, a groundbreaking business in the sustainable landscaping industry. As high school seniors, Walter and Samuel have managed to balance their academic responsibilities with running a successful business that has reached impressive milestones, including growing to $500k in revenue within a...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/ Today, we have Michael Sikand, the visionary behind Our Future. When COVID-19 hit, Michael launched Our Future from his bedroom as a sophomore at the University of Michigan, interviewing top business leaders like the CEOs of Chipotle and Spotify. Recognizing the power of short-form video, Michael pivoted Our Future to platforms like TikTok, amassing over 1 billion views and 1 million subscribers, making it the #1 business content source...

Welcome to the first ever episode of the #NEXTUP series that explores the best thinkers, leaders, and doers that GenZ has to offer. This is a conversation with Truitt Flink, a rising freshman at Stanford. Truitt’s resume consists of creating and hosting the curiositeen podcast, founding and growing a large youtube channel, living a year abroad in spain, and much much more. Truitt and I talked about the pressure on kids nowadays to specialize, vulnerability as a teenager, finding curiosity,...

Today I'm so pleased to welcome the legendary Ben Crenshaw, two-time Masters Champion, Hall of Fame Golfer, and a personal idol of mine, to the ProFiles podcast. For those who don’t know, I’m a competitive golfer in Austin, Texas, the same hometown as Mr. Crenshaw. I learned to play golf at Lions Municipal Golf Course, the same place where Ben grew up playing. During his incredible career, Ben has racked up 19 wins on the PGA tour, including two major championships. Now, Ben works as a...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/ Chris Flink is an interdisciplinary creative leader who is a founding faculty member of the esteemed "d.school" at Stanford University where he currently serves as an adjunct professor. He spent 6 years as the Executive Director and CEO of the Exploratorium, San Francisco's premier museum and a global leader in STEM education. Under his guidance, the Exploratorium pioneered inquiry-based learning experiences, earning recognition as one...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/ William Hurley, AKA Whurley—pretty sweet nickname by the way—is an investor and tech entrepreneur who founded Chaotic Moon Studios, Ecliptic Capital, Honest Dollar, and Strangeworks. On top of his successful entrepreneurial ventures, Whurley is a renowned thought-leader in the tech space and a leading advocate for the convergence of AI and quantum computing. Just a short story to illustrate his commitment to innovation: During his...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/ Today I’m so lucky to introduce a decent golfer and an incredible human, Brice Englert. He is the Founder and CEO of Trade Pending—a company that simplifies the automotive buying process—that boasts an employee count of >150 and that generates an estimated annual revenue of $40 Million. Brice went to Vanderbilt University for his undergrad, served in the US Air Force, then moved into various positions in the business world before...

Dr. Christopher Winter, a prominent figure in sleep medicine based in Charlottesville, has led the field since 1993. Renowned for best-selling books like "The Sleep Solution," he hosts popular podcasts and pioneers groundbreaking research on sleep and athletic performance. Dr. Winter's expertise extends to consulting with major sports teams, including MLB and NBA, and serving as the sleep specialist for the U.S. Women's soccer team. Beyond sports, he is a sought-after speaker for companies,...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/ Joseph Kopser is a serial entrepreneur, innovation consultant & strategist on the Future of Work, and a military veteran. Joseph went to West Point, graciously served in the Army, and then earned his Masters of Public Administration at Harvard. He also co-founded RideScout, which was acquired by Mercedes Benz in 2014, and now sits on the boards at some of the most powerful companies in the country. His campaign for Congress also...

Today, I welcome the legendary Ricky Williams, former NFL running back, and Heisman Trophy winner, to the ProFiles Podcast. Ricky's remarkable career not only showcased his exceptional talent on the football field but also highlighted his unique journey both within and beyond the game. Drafted 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints, Ricky spent 11 years in the NFL while leading the league in rushing in 2002, earning him first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. From his standout...

In today's episode, we have the privilege of introducing an extraordinary individual, Logan Gonzales. Logan started his career at the University of Texas at Austin running for the Track and Field, becoming an All-American and 8-time All-Big 12 Conference selection. Following his collegiate achievements, Logan embarked on a remarkable journey as a Navy SEAL, serving in three platoons and dedicating eight years to defending, protecting, and instructing. Towards the end of his service he pursued...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/   Hello and welcome back to The Profiles Podcast. Today on the Wisdom Wrap-Up series we will be discussing my article "An Anti-Highlight-Reel Mindset," in which I make a strong argument for the necessity of the fundamentals. The Wisdom Wrap-Up Series is part of my effort to produce short, easily accessible, and engaging content to help empower the next generation in our rapidly changing world. I hope you enjoy!

Mike Fata is a seasoned entrepreneur and health advocate whose journey began with a pivotal decision to prioritize his well-being. Facing the challenges of weighing 300 pounds and lacking the energy for a fulfilling future, he lost 100 pounds and co-founded Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods in 1998. Over the next 25 years, Mike dedicated his life to studying natural health and entrepreneurship, going on to build a $100M business and sell it for $419M. Currently he wears the hats of best-selling...

Join my newsletter! https://charliehubbard.substack.com/ Thank you for joining another episode of The ProFiles Podcast! Today's edition takes a unique turn from the usual format.  In a world dominated by the attention economy, where external pressures and social media dictate our actions, we often believe that packing our lives with constant activity is the key to fulfillment. However, I challenge this assumption. In this episode, I share my reflections on this prevalent mindset, drawing from...

Meridith Elliott Powell is a business strategist, an award-winning author, and hall of fame speaker. She worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-Suite table, and her career expands over several industries including banking, healthcare, and finance. Now Meridith works with some of the top companies and organizations around the world by helping them embrace uncertainty. In this episode we talk about: How the next generation can get ahead early The importance of...

Welcome to a special edition of the Profiles Podcast! While I usually bring you insightful interviews with experts on their career journeys, today's episode takes a different approach. Think of it as a "wisdom wrap-up," but don't let that mislead you—this installment is a unique deep dive into a single, crucial topic: deep listening.As we kick off the new year, I'm experimenting with shorter, more focused episodes that hone in on specific aspects of achieving success. In this episode, we...

Today I am very lucky to sit down with Kurt Wilkin. Kurt is a best-selling author for his book ‘Who’s Your Mike?,’ he is an angel investor, an entrepreneur, and HireBetter’s  Co-Founder. Hirebetter is a national recruiting firm working directly with leaders of high-growth companies to build game-changing teams. In our conversation, Kurt and I cover:The major misconception in entrepreneurshipThe qualities every successful team hasKurt’s angel inesting strategyHow to start a successful...

In this landmark 25th episode of the Profiles Podcast, I've prepared a special treat for all of you—a condensed, action-packed episode featuring some of my favorite snippets from past conversations.Throughout the series, my goal has been to extract the habits, strategies, and defining characteristics that propel individuals to become world-class performers, industry titans, and exemplary leaders.In this particular episode, I've curated the best advice from the best of the best, presenting it...

Welcome to this episode of the Profiles Podcast with Richard Bliss. Now working as the CEO at Blisspoint, Richard has had quite the career to get him there. With over 110K followers on social media, Richard now teaches the top executives and CEOs in Silicon Valley, the importance of building an online identity. Oh yeah, and he's an author. The man does it all. In this conversation Richard and I discuss  - How to use social media more positively,  - How do build a strong digital presence,  -...