How I Built This with Guy Raz

By: Guy Raz | Wondery
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  • Summary

  • Guy Raz interviews the world’s best-known entrepreneurs to learn how they built their iconic brands. In each episode, founders reveal deep, intimate moments of doubt and failure, and share insights on their eventual success. How I Built This is a master-class on innovation, creativity, leadership and how to navigate challenges of all kinds.

    New episodes release on Mondays and Thursdays. Listen to How I Built This on the Wondery App or wherever you listen to your podcasts. You can listen early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/how-i-built-this now.

    Get your How I Built This merch at WonderyShop.com/HowIBuiltThis.
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Economics
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Episodes
  • Advice Line with Lara Merriken of LÄRABAR (October 2024)

    Advice Line with Lara Merriken of LÄRABAR (October 2024)
    Jan 9 2025

    LÄRABAR founder Lara Merriken joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders. Plus, Lara discusses her latest venture: a coaching service for entrepreneurs.

    First we meet Alison in Denver, who’s hoping to maintain her body care brand’s edge and authenticity as it expands to new retailers. Then Mariano in Miami, who’s wondering how to market his caffeinated gum to corporate buyers. And Lauretta on Long Island, a one-woman-show who’s looking to fundraise for her ginger tea brand.

    Thank you to the founders of Joy Breeders, Maax Brands, and Lauretta’s British Ginger T for being a part of our show.


    If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one-minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.

    And be sure to listen to LÄRABAR’s founding story as told by Lara on the show in 2018.


    This episode was produced by Sam Paulson with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.

    You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram and sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    51 mins
  • Raising Cane's: Todd Graves (2022)

    Raising Cane's: Todd Graves (2022)
    Jan 6 2025

    By his early 20s, Todd Graves knew exactly what he wanted to do—open a restaurant near Louisiana State University that would make four things better than anyone else: chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and coleslaw. After he and his partner Craig Silvey got rejected from every bank in Baton Rouge, Todd set out to fund his dream by working two treacherous jobs; first at an oil refinery and then on an Alaskan fishing boat. With roughly $150,000, he remodeled an old bike shop and opened his first restaurant in 1996. As word spread, Todd began building more restaurants, fueling the expansion on a rickety system of loans, and dreaming of making Cane’s as ubiquitous as McDonald's. Over the years, he has retained ownership of the business and watched it grow to over 600 stores, with 3 billion dollars in sales projected this year.


    This episode was produced by Liz Metzger, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.


    Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Claire Murashima.


    You can follow HIBT on You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. Sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • Advice Line with Brett Schulman of CAVA (July 2024)

    Advice Line with Brett Schulman of CAVA (July 2024)
    Jan 2 2025

    CAVA co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders experiencing growing pains as they scale their companies.

    Today we meet Devin, who’s navigating imposter syndrome as his spiked root beer gets picked up by stores across Texas. Then Sophia, a Los Angeles mom exploring new sales channels for the accessories she designed to support children’s allergy needs. And Sean, who’s weighing whether outside investment is the best way to grow his Michigan-based coffee roastery into a national brand.

    If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.

    And be sure to listen to CAVA’s founding story as told by Brett and his co-founder Ted Xenohristos on the show in 2023.

    This episode was produced by Carla Esteves with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was James Willetts.

    You can follow HIBT on X & Instagram, and email us at hibt@id.wondery.com. And sign up for Guy’s free newsletter at guyraz.com.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    50 mins

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What listeners say about How I Built This with Guy Raz

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Profile Image for Shiloh

THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT...

I loved this as it educated me on what the media chose not to inform me of! Also for me put to rest the American government did it conspiracy theory crap"
Impressed when I can be taught things I felt I knew a great deal about from all the coverage I trusted (no longer have ANY TRUST IN ANY NEWS ).
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK !!!!

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Profile Image for Shooshoo

Ingenious

The perfect podcast for every inventor, self-starter, and visionary. It’s isolating when you see things others don’t, that are practical and useful. But it’s a whole hecka of a lot more difficult getting it done than people think. Doubly so for the “easy” gadgets. Thank you Guy!

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I absolutely loved this Story

I absolutely loved every second of this story. The passion and amazing work ethic that she has is the reason why she has all these amazing breakthroughs in her life? I cannot recommend you listen to this story enough. I downloaded it to my phone because I'm going to listen to it again right now. Thank you for taking the time to interview this great woman, and thank you so much Christina for sharing your story. It's beyond inspiring!

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awesome

an episode much awaited. the man behind machine revealing the creation and sustenance of audible, a product we love ♥

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I can't get enough!

Love listening to these stories of entrepreneurs. The struggles before the success that we don't see!

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most sad when I'm done with the newest episodes

I've been listening to Guy for the past couple of years, now. Although I fall off at times. I'm ahead happy to come back and find the new interviews that he and the NPR team has put together. The podcast enlightens my inner entrepreneur and fills me with inspiration.

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GREAT ... inspirational

really unique ... his tear memory moments were powerful and translated directly to the listener. yes, I was one, but I am sure only one. this guy is real and smart

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Fascinating !

Inspiring and really interesting! I enjoyed hearing this interview about the funding and founding of Beta.

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great: inspiring and insightful

having shared a similar journey it was great to hear validation from a team who followed their bliss and exited well

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Entrepreneur success story ... great execution

loved imagining his story unfolding and becoming reality with steps that can be emulated.... obviously he created and saw and utilized some great serendipity happenings

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