Wisdom From The Top with Guy Raz

They fed neighbors during a storm — and ended up winning a James Beard Award. In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz meets Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi, the couple behind Nixta Taqueria in Austin, Texas. What started with resilience in the face of disaster became a nationally acclaimed restaurant with a mission rooted in community, creativity, and cultural pride. From navigating natural disasters to rethinking the taco, Edgar and Sara share hard-earned lessons in business, leadership, and love. Video Links: hereherethis episodeall episodesConnect with Square: https://www.instagram.com/squarehttps://x.com/squarehttps://facebook.com/squarehttps://www.tiktok.com/@squarehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/https://squareup.com/https://squ.re/yt_contactsaleshttps://squ.re/3tnvac4 The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pop-up shops, clever T-shirts, and made-up holidays — all in the name of keeping indie books alive. In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz sits down with Pete Mulvihill, co-owner of San Francisco’s iconic Green Apple Books. While big-box retailers dominate the market, Pete and his team have kept their independent bookstore thriving for decades by thinking way outside the box. From airports to bakeries, Pete shares the creativity, strategy, and community focus that keeps the shelves stocked and the doors open. Video Links: hereherethis episodeall episodesConnect with Square: https://www.instagram.com/squarehttps://x.com/squarehttps://facebook.com/squarehttps://www.tiktok.com/@squarehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/https://squareup.com/https://squ.re/yt_contactsaleshttps://squ.re/3tnvac4 The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can a family farm turn into a full-blown theme park? The Valas made it happen. In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz visits Vala’s Pumpkin Patch in Nebraska to meet Tim and Kelsey Vala — the father-daughter duo behind one of the country’s most beloved fall destinations. From a single patch of farmland to 50+ attractions, 25 restaurants, and 1,400 seasonal employees, Vala’s is redefining what a family business can be. Video Links: hereherethis episodeall episodesConnect with Square: https://www.instagram.com/squarehttps://x.com/squarehttps://facebook.com/squarehttps://www.tiktok.com/@squarehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/https://squareup.com/https://squ.re/yt_contactsaleshttps://squ.re/3tnvac4 The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What happens when a soul food legend meets a business-savvy chef? A lot of diners go home happy. In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz sits down with Chef Charles Gabriel and Chef Quie Slobert of Charles Pan-Fried Chicken to explore how they transformed a Harlem institution into a growing restaurant group with national buzz — all while keeping the heart of home cooking at the center of it all. Video Links: hereherethis episodeall episodesConnect with Square: https://www.instagram.com/squarehttps://x.com/squarehttps://facebook.com/squarehttps://www.tiktok.com/@squarehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/https://squareup.com/https://squ.re/yt_contactsaleshttps://squ.re/3tnvac4 The Way Up is a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Note: This is the second in a series of episodes of The Way Up, a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. She opened a custom hat shop in Nashville… while eight months pregnant. In this episode of The Way Up, Guy Raz sits down with Alex Samuels, founder of Rustler Hat Co., to talk about how a disappointing shopping experience turned into a thriving business rooted in storytelling, craft, and community. Alex shares how she went from real estate deals to designing custom hats, balancing motherhood, managing explosive growth, and creating unforgettable experiences, one hat at a time. Video Links: hereherethis episodeall episodes Connect with Square: https://www.instagram.com/squarehttps://x.com/squarehttps://facebook.com/squarehttps://www.tiktok.com/@squarehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/https://squareup.com/https://squ.re/yt_contactsaleshttps://squ.re/3tnvac4See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Note: This is the first in a series of episodes of The Way Up, a new video series from Square highlighting the real stories of grit, vision, growth, and heart behind some of America’s most innovative local businesses. What happens when you can’t find a place to watch women’s sports? You build one. Jenny Nguyen is the founder of The Sports Bra, a first-of-its-kind sports bar in Portland, Oregon, that only plays women’s sports. In Episode 1 of The Way Up, Guy sits down with Jenny to talk about turning frustration into a business, building community, and why leading with purpose can change everything. Video Links: hereherethis episodeall episodes Connect with Square: https://www.instagram.com/squarehttps://x.com/squarehttps://facebook.com/squarehttps://www.tiktok.com/@squarehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/https://squareup.com/https://squ.re/yt_contactsaleshttps://squ.re/3tnvac4See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ken Coleman, known as “America’s Career Coach,” shares his wisdom on finding meaningful work and building connections to achieve your career goals. Drawing from his own journey—spanning a decade of diverse jobs before discovering his true passion in broadcasting—Ken offers practical advice from his books, The Proximity Principle and One Question. In this encore episode, he challenges listeners with one thought-provoking question: What do you wonder about doing? This simple yet powerful question can be the key to unlocking your career potential.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As a child growing up in Ibadan, Nigeria, Dara Treseder was often reminded to keep her feet on the ground. But her mother urged her to dream big and pursue her ambitions—especially if they brought her fulfillment. That encouragement propelled Dara across the world, where she attended both Harvard and Stanford, charting a path defined by her desire to make a positive impact. Dara’s journey into marketing began after what she jokingly calls a “failed career in finance," including stints at Apple and Goldman Sachs. In 2020, she became the SVP and Head of Global Marketing and Communications at Peloton, cementing her place as one of the most influential marketing leaders of her generation. Today she is the CMO at Autodesk. In this inspiring conversation from 2021, Dara reflects on leadership, collaboration, and the power of building teams that drive meaningful change: “The best way to drive change is not to try to go alone. It’s to do it with others.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ENCORE EPISODE. Joe Keohane, a seasoned journalist and editor, believes that conversations with strangers can boost happiness, empathy, and even improve the world around us. In his book The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World, Joe dives into research with psychologists, anthropologists, and real-life encounters to uncover the profound impact of these connections. In this encore episode, Guy and Joe discuss how reviving the lost art of connecting is essential for both personal growth and professional success.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What drives lasting personal change? BJ Fogg, founder of Stanford’s Behavior Design Lab, challenges conventional wisdom with insights from his groundbreaking book Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything. Drawing from real-life experiments and research, Fogg reveals a practical system for building positive habits and breaking free from negative ones. In this episode, first aired in 2021, discover transformative lessons on designing change and celebrating progress.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Ken Hicks took the helm as CEO of Foot Locker in 2009, the company was on the brink: the economy was in shambles, sales had cratered by nearly a billion dollars, and the decline of indoor malls spelled further doom. But within three years, Hicks led Foot Locker to a stunning $2 billion rebound. His strategy? A renewed focus on storytelling—connecting the brand to customers in a way that transcended price tags and products. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Etsy was on the brink of collapse in 2017—its stock plummeting, cash reserves dwindling, and analysts predicting its demise. Enter Josh Silverman, a turnaround expert with a track record from Evite, eBay, and Skype. As Etsy’s CEO, Josh focused the team on one key metric, sparking a stunning recovery. How did he transform a failing creative marketplace into a thriving powerhouse? In this conversation from 2020, Guy and Josh dive into the success factors of the Etsy turnaround, as well as the key moments in Josh's leadership journey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"How do you build a team, inspire individuals to pursue their dreams, and scale that impact beyond just one group?" Kim Scott has wrestline with, and answering that question for the majority of her career. After navigating roles from a diamond business in Moscow to Silicon Valley startups and then leadership at Google, she developed 'radical candor'—a transformative management philosophy that balances personal care with direct challenge. In this episode, we revisit a conversation originally recorded in 2021, where Kim shares insights from her groundbreaking book Radical Candor. She explores the importance of honesty, humanity, and fostering healthier power dynamics in the workplace. Whether you're a manager, a CEO, or simply someone passionate about leadership, Kim’s wisdom is as relevant today as ever.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What makes someone excel—whether in sports, science, or life? David Epstein, author of The Sports Gene and Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, makes a compelling case for the power of breadth over early specialization. From his time as a walk-on track athlete at Columbia University to his time as a science writer and investigative reporter (at Sports Illustrated and ProPublica, among others), David has explored the hidden patterns that lead to success. In this encore episode, recorded in 2021, Guy asks David about his journey from geology student and star athlete to bestselling author. Why a diverse set of skills and experiences often leads to better outcomes, and why embracing range could be the key to your next breakthrough.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it take to rebuild a company from the brink of failure? In this conversation from 2020, Guy sits down with Peter Cuneo, the former CEO who famously guided Marvel Entertainment out of bankruptcy and onto a path that ultimately led to its $4.5 billion acquisition by Disney. They explore the career trajectory that got him, as he puts it “offically addicted to turn around challenges." And unpack some of the 32 leadership principles he has developed over the years. How Cuneo’s turnaround philosophy, born from his experiences in the Navy and Vietnam, helped him identify Marvel’s untapped potential, shift its focus toward intellectual property, and pave the way for its cinematic universe. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 2012, Best Buy was in deep trouble—a crisis so severe that Forbes declared, “Why Best Buy is Going Out of Business.” By March, the company reported a staggering $1.7 billion loss, and by April, its CEO had stepped down amid scandal. Enter Hubert Joly, a leader whose career had shaped him into essentially an elite relief pitcher of the business world. Armed with calm focus and a knack for navigating adversity, Joly stepped up to the plate just as the future of big-box retail hung in the balance. In this classic 2019 episode, discover how Joly took the helm at Best Buy during one of the most tumultuous moments in its history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"You can't analyze your way into something new," says today's guest. Over the course of a career spanning four decades, Roger Martin has been a management consultant, an influential business strategy thinker and author, as well as the Dean of the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto. He advises CEOs of global companies such as Ford, Proctor & Gamble, and Lego. He is well known for developing and exploring the concept of "integrative thinking" in management problem solving and for troubling conventional management wisdom as he does in his book, A New Way to Think: Your Guide to Superior Management Effectiveness. In this episode, recorded in 2021, Martin challenges the relentless drive for efficiency and advocates for a re-think in approach.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Arnold Donald took the helm at the Carnival Corporation, a public relations crisis of multiple layers threatened its future. Donald prioritized building a diverse and dynamic leadership team, appointing new heads for seven of the company's nine cruise lines, including more women and minorities. in this 2019 conversation, Donald shares his philosophy that "diversity of thinking is a business imperative and a powerful advantage," explaining how fresh perspectives lead to innovative ideas and drive growth. How his strategies helped him rebuild Carnival into one of the industry’s most valuable brands. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[A 'BEST OF' EPISODE] Combining business with social justice isn’t a path most companies choose, which is why Dan Schulman’s leadership as PayPal’s CEO captured so much attention. In 2016, he halted plans for an operations center in North Carolina in response to the state’s controversial “bathroom bill.” Schulman prioritizes an “employee-first” strategy, enhancing wages and benefits for PayPal employees. His leadership has demonstrated that activism doesn't takes anything away from the bottom line. In this 2020 conversation, Schulman reflects on the childhood that shaped his current values, and his journey from AT&T, Priceline, and eventually to CEO (now President) of PayPal. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

[Encore release] General Stanley McChrystal was born into a military family: three generations of men in his family were officers in the armed forces. He followed the family tradition and eventually rose up the ranks to become a General in the Army. While serving as the commander of Allied Forces in Afghanistan in 2010, he was forced to resign after he was quoted making disparaging remarks about President Obama. It was in the wake of this moment that General McChrystal learned the full value of leadership. In this conversation from 2020, the General reflects on the very specific lessons of leadership he learned, and evolved, throughout his time of military service. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.