One of One

In nearly 15 years, Wade has grown Zapier from a side project at a Missouri hackathon into one of the most capital efficient software companies ever built. Essentially bootstrapped, Zapier now helps millions of customers automate their work by connecting the thousands of apps and tools that businesses use every day.

In this conversation, Darren seeks to understand Wade as a leader: a man who grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri with no entrepreneurial blueprint, who built something genuinely countercultural by trusting what he knew to be true before the evidence arrived. They talk about the “Code Red” Wade...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Wendy McMahon, former CEO of CBS News & Stations.

Wendy McMahon is one of the most influential leaders in modern broadcast journalism. Over the course of her career, has led two of the most important institutions in American media, first as president of the ABC-owned television stations, and later as president and CEO of CBS News and Stations. She began her career in local television, working in branding, marketing, and storytelling across local stations around the country. From those early roles, she developed a deep conviction about the...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Frank Blake, former chairman and CEO of The Home Depot.

Frank stepped into the CEO role at Home Depot at a moment of profound uncertainty. It was early 2007, the housing market was beginning to unravel, and culturally, the company had lost touch with the values that once defined it. Frank had never aspired to be a CEO, and yet he was asked to lead one of the largest retailers in the world through one of the most turbulent periods in its history.

Over the next...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Jarek Kutylowski, founder and CEO of DeepL.

DeepL is a pioneering AI company serving hundreds of thousands of businesses around the world. Born in Poland and raised between Poland and Germany, Jarek experienced firsthand the challenges and beauty of bridging languages and cultures. Trained as a computer scientist, he saw early on how AI could transform communication, and he spent the past eight years building DeepL into a global leader in applied AI. DeepL achieved market dominance as a startup in a category that could easily have...

In this episode, Darren speaks with Vishal Ghotge, CEO of Kiva.org.

Over the past 20 years, Kiva's platform has crowdfunded over $2.4 billion in interest free microloans to over 5 million entrepreneurs around the world, with a 96% repayment rate. In this episode we hear about Vishal's origins growing up in Mumbai, then coming to the US for his graduate education, holding product roles at Microsoft, Groupon, Payscale and Remitly, and ultimately paving the way for his first CEO role at Kiva. We touch on the impact of Vishal's deep meditation practice and commitment to self-awareness, his belief that growth...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Jeff Cohen, CEO of Fruit of the Loom.

Jeff's career has been extraordinary. He spent over 20 years in senior roles at American Express, GE, and Home Depot, which he calls a masterclass in brand process and culture. Later, he ran multiple mid-cap businesses, including Larson-Juhl, a Berkshire Hathaway company, where Darren had the privilege of serving on his advisory board with UPS CEO Carol Tomé, and former Home Depot CEO Frank Blake. Today, as part of Berkshire Hathaway, he chairs six companies and is CEO of three o...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Albert Ko, CEO of Auctane. Al began his career at Intuit, where he was shaped by formative mentors and experiences that continue to influence how he leads today. Later, as CEO of Early Warning, he helped scale Zelle into one of the leading peer to peer payment platforms in the world, transforming how millions of people move money. Today, as CEO of Auctane, he leads a global company at the very heart of e-commerce, powering the way goods get shipped and delivered across the globe. 

What stands o...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with  Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water.

Raised in a deeply religious household, Scott left home at 18 to spend a decade as a successful nightclub promoter in Manhattan, only to wake up one day and realize his life was empty. That reckoning launched him on a journey from the excesses of Manhattan nightlife, to spending two years in the poorest country in the world, to eventually founding charity: water. Scott not only set out to solve one of the largest global health problems - the lack of...

In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Dennis Woodside, CEO of Freshworks. Dennis has had an extraordinary career journey, including beginning as a corporate lawyer, a consultant at McKinsey, a senior executive at Google, COO of Dropbox, and president of Impossible Foods. Today he leads Freshworks, an AI enabled software company focused on disrupting and powering the next generation of customer service and IT service management functions. 

They discuss highlights from Dennis’s illustrious career, his unique ability to attract and grow top talent, and how his long history as an endurance athlete has sha...

What does it take to turn your business into a masterpiece? In this episode of One of One, Darren speaks with Charles Spinosa and Christopher Davis, a co-author and contributor, respectively, to the incredible book, Leadership as Masterpiece Creation. The book invites leaders to think about themselves and the companies they are building as masterpieces: works of art, worthy of admiration. The book boldly and courageously advocates for a contrarian model of leadership and business building. 

This isn’t your typical business conversation. How often do you hear St. Augustine, Milton, Shakespeare, Nietzsche and Heidegger referenced as gui...

In this episode of One of One, Darren sits down with Neil Kumar, co-founder and CEO of BridgeBio, a leading biotech company focused on treating rare genetic conditions that largely affect children. Neil is a deeply contrarian thinker and leader. It shows up in his decision to start a company ten years ago focused on a market that most others ignored, in the unique hub and spoke organizational structure he has built, in the distinctive culture and type of people he attracts, and in his sincere commitment to build a truly generational company. 

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In this episode of One of One, Darren sits down with Hanno Renner, co-founder and CEO of the Munich, Germany-based company Personio. Personio is a people software platform focused on small and mid-sized companies, and is widely regarded as one of the most successful technology companies founded in Europe over the past decade. This conversation explores how much Hanno's willingness to put himself in uncomfortable situations has contributed to his success, as well as how his passions and daily rituals have helped him cultivate this unique trait. You’ll also hear how Hanno's desire to level the technology playing fi...

In this episode of One of One, Darren sits down with Hamilton Helmer—renowned author of 7 Powers—and his brilliant colleague Chenyi Shi for a deep dive into the architecture of enduring business success. 7 Powers is widely regarded as one of the most insightful and practical frameworks on strategy, offering a clear lens through which leaders can understand how to create persistent competitive advantage. Together, the trio unpacks the nuance behind strategic power, exploring how companies can build lasting value in significant markets. Whether you’re a founder, CEO, or simply passionate about business strategy, this conversation offers rich insights...

In this episode of One of One, Darren sits down with Howie Liu, Founder and CEO of Airtable, to explore his journey of building and scaling a company with a bold mission: democratizing software creation. Over the past 12 years, Howie has navigated multiple phases of growth, each requiring an evolution in his leadership.

We discuss the critical role of a founder-CEO in shaping culture, driving performance, and staying deeply involved in the details that matter most. Howie shares insights on balancing high-level vision with execution, and how leaders can stay adaptable as their organizations scale.

...

What does it take to step into the shoes of a founder and lead a company in its next chapter of growth? In this episode of One of One, join host Darren Gold as he sits down with Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy, a leading global workforce management company. You'll follow Silvija's journey from her early years growing up in Croatia to her senior executive roles at companies like Groupon and Affirm and her eventual transition to becoming the CEO of Deputy. Silvija shares her philosophy of integrating high care with high performance, the importance of adaptability as a...

In this episode of One of One, Darren sits down with the extraordinary Sukhinder Singh Cassidy to explore her remarkable career journey. From founding two companies to serving as CEO of StubHub, and now leading Xero, Sukhinder offers a wealth of insights into what it takes to excel in both “founder mode” and “CEO mode.” Together, they dive into the nuanced debate between these two leadership mindsets and discuss how to build and sustain a high-performing leadership team. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring leader, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom and fresh perspectives.

Ever wondered what it takes to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of fintech? In this episode of "One of One," you’ll hear from industry luminary Max Levchin, the co-founder and CEO of Affirm. Join host Darren Gold as he delves deep into Levchin's journey, uncovering the essential roles of a CEO, like setting a three-year strategy, hiring top talent, and ensuring the company never runs out of cash. You'll gain insights into the concept of the "S curve" in business growth and why recognizing the next phase of expansion is crucial for maintaining momentum. Discover Max's personal re...

In this episode of One of One, host Darren Gold sits down with Chris Cocks, the CEO of Hasbro, to explore the significant challenges and strategic decisions that defined his initial year in leadership. After stepping into the role in February 2022, Cocks faced immediate and formidable obstacles, including a high-stakes proxy battle with an activist investor and the difficult choice to unwind the major acquisition of eOne. Drawing from a robust background in gaming and brand management—spanning pivotal roles at Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, and Wizards of the Coast—Cocks discusses how these experiences inform his current leadership approach. He s...

In this episode of "One of One," Darren chats with Laela Sturdy, Managing Partner at CapitalG. Laela talks about her unique leadership style that combines seriousness with just the right amount of playfulness to keep her team energized and on point. She reflects on the pivotal role of community, the value of enduring friendships, and the importance of self-awareness in navigating the demands of a thriving career while maintaining a full and fulfilling family life. Additionally, Laela offers profound insights on managing anxiety, upholding ambitious standards, and leveraging ‘body intelligence’ as a transformative tool in effective leadership.

In this episode of "One of One," you'll hear an incredible conversation with Jiajun Zhu (JZ) and Dave Ferguson, the co-founders of Nuro, a pioneering autonomous vehicle company. They discuss the intricate dynamics of their unique leadership roles as they share candid insights into the way they can operate as co-CEOs, with JZ focusing on technology and people, and Dave handling finance, investment, and partnerships. You’ll hear firsthand how both leaders credit their leadership team for managing the day-to-day operations while they steer the strategic direction of the company.

JZ and Dave also offer a heartfelt di...

Join us in this engaging episode of "One of One" as we sit down with Scott Cutler, an influential leader with an impressive career at the New York Stock Exchange, StubHub, eBay, and StockX. Scott shares his journey from an advisory role to CEO, unfolding his leadership philosophy centered on personal development, exemplary leadership, and achieving results amidst external challenges like the global pandemic and economic shifts.

He offers a heartfelt reflection on his upbringing, early morning routines, and a personal tragedy that redefined his career, emphasizing the power of choice and resilience. Drawing inspiration from mountains...

Radically rethink how work gets done at scale as Darren sits down with Bill Anderson, the visionary CEO of Bayer, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and biotech companies. They discuss the sacred nature of work, the role of faith in leadership, and the secret ingredient to extraordinary leadership teams. They also touch on sports as Bayer celebrated its soccer team, Bayer Leverkusen, winning the German soccer championship earlier this year.

Expect to gain deep insights into leading with courage and wisdom, the significance of fostering a positive work environment, and practical strategies for transformative performance bo...

In this compelling episode of One of One, join host Darren Gold as he sits down with Perkins Miller, the dynamic CEO of Fandom. You'll delve into Perkins's illustrious career journey, featuring notable roles at NBC Universal, WWE, and StubHub, and his impactful experiences working on multiple Olympics worldwide. As you listen, you'll uncover valuable insights into leadership, self-awareness, and personal discipline, illustrated through Perkins's transition from a directive to a servant leadership style. Immerse yourself in the stories of high-stakes environments where rigorous planning, execution, and making data-driven decisions are paramount.

Perkins shares profound lessons learned...

In our inaugural episode of "One of One," Darren engages in a profound conversation with Carol Tome, CEO of UPS. You will traverse Carol's accomplished career, beginning with her early life in Jackson, Wyoming, and spanning her various roles at Home Depot over the course of her near-quarter-century tenure, ultimately serving as their CFO. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of Carol’s transition to UPS and the formidable challenges she encountered and how she was able to evolve a hundred year plus company with over half a million employees.

Throughout the episode, Carol discusses her strategic init...

A front row seat to in-depth conversations with some of the world’s most interesting CEOs. Darren Gold, CEO of The Trium Group, dives deep into the unique practices and philosophies of a wide range of leaders – from founders of iconic early-stage companies to the CEOs of Fortune 50 organizations.