The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

FlightStory
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The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
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I was a broke, university dropout, at 18 I built an industry leading social media marketing company, and at 27 I resigned as CEO. At 28 I co-founded Flight Story – a marketing and communications company, and thirdweb - a software platform, making it easy to build web3 applications. I then launched private equity fund, Flight Fund, to accelerate the next generation of European unicorns. During this time I decided to launch 'The Diary Of A CEO' podcast with the simple mission of providing an unfiltered journey into the remarkable stories and untold dimensions of the world’s most influential people, experts and thinkers. If you enjoy the show, please hit the follow button! That's a small way you can help us carry on doing this, thank you for listening. My New Book: https://g2ul0.app.link/DOAC IG: https://www.instagram.com/steven LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbartlett-123

  1. The Woman That Makes Millionaires: They're Lying About Work Life Balance! I Built SKIMS Without Fashion Knowledge!

    16 HR AGO

    The Woman That Makes Millionaires: They're Lying About Work Life Balance! I Built SKIMS Without Fashion Knowledge!

    She turned hustle into a $4 billion brand, Emma Grede breaks down how she built Kardashian fashion empires  Emma Grede is the founding partner behind the globally successful brands SKIMS, Good American, and Safely, all launched with the Kardashian family. She is also Chairwoman of The Fifteen Percent Pledge, is a board member at Baby2Baby, and was named one of Forbes ‘Richest Self-Made Women in America’.  She explains:  Growing up in East London, raised by a single mother, and how early hardship forged her fierce independence. Taking on a maternal role from childhood, learning to lead through responsibility, empathy, and survival. Turning rejection, dyslexia, and a lack of qualifications into fuel for building billion-dollar fashion brands. Balancing ambition and motherhood, and the personal toll of leadership, hustle, and hard decisions. Building SKIMS and Good American without fashion training, and the mindset that made it all possible. 00:00 Intro   02:17 Becoming Emma Grede   03:58 Acting as the Mum and Raising My Siblings   06:49 Lacking a Father Figure Growing Up   08:25 Anger Management Tools I Learned   11:06 My Dream Was Always Fashion   12:20 Understanding Money Attachment Styles   14:32 Emma's Recipe to Achieve Anything   17:55 Customer Feedback   19:30 The Importance of Reliable Decision Partners & Mentality Shifts   21:38 Do People Need Mentors to Succeed?   24:06 The One Skill That Made Me an Entrepreneur   26:09 The Three Most Important Words for Career Advancement   27:25 Does Working in an Office Make Employees More Successful?   31:11 Traits of Future Successful People   33:32 Interview Red Flags & Work-Life Balance   39:32 Can You Be Successful and Have Work-Life Balance?   40:58 You Can't Be a Leader and a People Pleaser   43:51 Being Cancelled as a Leader and Public Figure   46:29 Racism and Sexism in the Business Industry   50:56 Dealing With Business Struggles and Crises   53:33 Top 3 Valuable Practices for Founders   55:58 Don't Get Stuck—Keep Fresh Eyes   57:15 Brands Copying Other Brands   01:00:42 Advice for People With Unsupportive Partners   01:02:10 Scheduling Date Night   01:05:45 Meeting Kris Jenner   01:12:05 Pitching to Khloé Kardashian   01:12:43 Turning an Idea Into a Business   01:14:23 Strategies Deployed in Business   01:16:24 Building a Brand Strategy in 2025   01:21:11 First Principles of Business   01:25:59 How to Become the Best Salesperson   01:33:01 Learning How to Fire People   01:37:17 Attracting Top Talent to Your Company   01:39:37 What a Founder Shouldn't Do in Business   01:41:33 Hiring Exceptional People   01:45:42 Prejudices in the Workplace   01:49:09 Why Prejudices Shouldn’t Limit Anyone   01:50:39 How to Stop Giving a F***   01:54:16 When Do Successful Women Have Children?   01:56:01 My IVF Journey and Miscarriages   02:00:30 The Taboo Around Surrogacy, Freezing Eggs & Pregnancy   02:04:51 Emma Grede's New Podcast ‘Aspire’   Follow Emma:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/emmagrede/?hl=en  Good American - https://www.goodamerican.com/ SKIMS - http://skims.com/ Safely - https://getsafely.com/  Aspire With Emma Grede Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/aspire-with-emma-grede/id1811878340 The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://thediary.com/products/one-percent-diary The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://thediary.com/products/the-conversation-cards-2nd-edition Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Think like a CEO - join the 100 CEOs newsletter: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-newsletter   Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb  Sponsors: Vanta - https://vanta.com/steven Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 16m
  2. Moment 211: Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Real Reason You're Always Exhausted & Have No Dopamine!

    3 DAYS AGO · BONUS

    Moment 211: Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Real Reason You're Always Exhausted & Have No Dopamine!

    You’re not lazy - you’re depleted. Andrew Huberman reveals how the hustle culture of chasing constant highs is depleting your brain’s dopamine reserves. In this powerful moment, discover why rest isn't laziness, and how to manage your energy for long-term focus, drive, and performance.  Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/CdOTZdJl1Sb Apple - https://g2ul0.app.link/kv06yZwl1Sb Watch the Episodes On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  3. Former First Lady (Michelle Obama): This Is A Scam! People Were Running From Us Because We Were Black! I Was Bitter About The Racism I Received!

    4 DAYS AGO

    Former First Lady (Michelle Obama): This Is A Scam! People Were Running From Us Because We Were Black! I Was Bitter About The Racism I Received!

    Michelle Obama served as the First Lady of the United States, entering the White House alongside Barack Obama. In this candid conversation, she joins Steven with her brother Craig Robinson, a former college basketball coach turned executive, to open up about everything from Trump’s inauguration to marriage challenges, grief, and rediscovering her purpose. Widely regarded as one of today’s most influential voices on leadership, identity, and social progress, Michelle offers a rare, intimate look at her personal journey. Together, they discuss: How their parents instilled empathy, discipline, and resilience growing up amid racial tension. Michelle’s journey through elite schools and corporate law, driven by a need to tick society’s boxes. The evolution of Michelle and Barack’s relationship, from colleagues to lifelong partners. Fertility struggles, parenting tips, and what it really takes to sustain a long-term marriage. Navigating life in the White House, grief, personal boundaries, and rediscovering her true calling. 00:00 Intro 02:11 Michelle and Craig's Childhood 04:48 Values Learned from Their Parents 08:45 Michelle Skipping Second Grade 12:16 The Role of Race in Their Childhood 15:19 What "White Flight" Means 17:01 Coping with Racism 20:55 Overcoming Being Underestimated 26:33 Michelle's Search for Identity 30:20 Meeting Barack 31:59 Introducing Barack to the Family 33:48 Why Michelle Initially Rejected Barack 37:28 Michelle's Career Change: Pursuing Joy 40:52 Relationship with Barack 44:56 Going to Counseling with Barack 49:34 Pregnancy Struggles 56:27 Hardest Moments in Their Marriage 57:31 Barack Obama Runs for Public Office 01:03:28 What I Should Have Said to Barack 01:07:11 Being the First Black First Lady and Facing Scrutiny 01:14:09 Reflections on a Sad Time 01:15:17 Remembering Your Mother 01:16:53 The Death of Your Mother 01:18:36 Processing the Grief 01:20:41 Not Attending Trump’s Inauguration Listen to Michelle & Craig's new podcast IMO: ⁠https://bit.ly/3YnxIUg⁠ Follow Michelle: Instagram - https://bit.ly/3Ymxs7W  Twitter - https://bit.ly/4cYXiVC  Follow Craig: Instagram - https://bit.ly/4lThkVB  Twitter - https://bit.ly/4lTGJ1f  You can purchase Michelle’s book, ‘Overcoming: A Workbook', here: https://amzn.to/4jTqcsi (UK) / https://amzn.to/3SbbelM (US)  100 CEOs: Ready to think like a CEO? Gain access to the 100 CEOs newsletter here: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/100-ceos-megaphone⁠ The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://bit.ly/1-Diary-Megaphone-ad-r…  The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb  Get email updates: ⁠https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt⁠  Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb  Sponsors: Airalo -  https://try.airalo.com/TheDiaryOfACEO with code DOAC3Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DIARY20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 29m
  4. The Savings Expert: They're Lying To You About Buying A House! Tariffs Are About To Skyrocket Cost Of Living! Here's The Truth About America Collapsing!

    28 APR

    The Savings Expert: They're Lying To You About Buying A House! Tariffs Are About To Skyrocket Cost Of Living! Here's The Truth About America Collapsing!

    Is buying a house the biggest financial mistake you could make right now, and will the next Great Depression hit even harder? Morgan Housel reveals the real story.  Morgan Housel, partner at Collaborative Fund and bestselling author of ‘The Psychology of Money’ and ‘Same As Ever’, is one of the world’s top experts on financial psychology, economic collapse warnings, and building true financial freedom. His life-changing insights have transformed how millions approach money, investing, and wealth-building. He explains: Why America’s economy could be quietly collapsing How devastating tariffs could trigger another Great Depression Why robots are replacing the middle class faster than ever The hidden $30 trillion debt threatening the future of the US Why buying a home right now could be a financial trap How to build true financial freedom even during turbulent times 00:00 Intro02:10 Timeless Lessons of Greed, Wealth, and Happiness04:51 The Current Tariff Situation in 202507:05 What Are Tariffs?11:51 Trump's True Reason for the Tariffs18:24 Why Is China the Factory of the World?20:35 China Stopped Being a Cheap Labour Country23:04 What's the Impact of the Tariffs?25:07 America's Trust26:42 Are We Heading for a Recession?29:30 The Importance of Backups During a Recession30:48 How to Be Financially Free in 202535:59 The Evolutionary Desire to Show Off — Status40:42 Salary Differences43:09 We Have a Distorted View of Financial Wealth44:28 Advice for the Economic Crisis45:55 How Much Money Do You Need Saved?46:56 The Impact of AI in Our Wealth Building56:22 The Skills You'll Need in the AI Era57:56 How to Have a Money Mindset01:00:56 Why People Get Stuck in Crypto Scams01:03:34 Women vs. Men: Who's Better at Saving and Taking Risks?01:06:15 Crypto01:07:23 What History Tells Us About New Technologies, Wealth, and Failure01:08:51 Could the Crypto Security System Be Broken?01:10:21 The Strategies Wealthy People Use01:11:55 Intelligence vs. Endurance01:13:28 Why Is Perseverance Key?01:15:12 The Best Way to Have a Big Investment Return01:17:01 The Power of Compounding in Your Savings01:22:06 How Money and Psychology Are Linked01:27:03 You Need to Change Your View on Savings01:31:10 Biggest Regrets of People on Their Deathbeds01:37:20 The Most Asked Questions About Finances01:41:17 Where Are Your Investments Allocated?01:42:03 Vanguard Index Fund01:49:54 Where to Invest Spare Cash?01:56:24 The Dangers of Retiring02:03:31 How to Live a Happy Life You can follow Morgan, here: Twitter - https://bit.ly/3RzBBSc  Website - https://bit.ly/42LM4PD  Instagram - https://bit.ly/449vnQp    You can pre-order Morgan’s books, The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life, here: https://amzn.to/3GmHRu4 (US) / https://amzn.to/3EEy5mE (UK) You can find out more about the books mentioned, here: ‘The Intelligent Investor’, Benjamin Graham: https://amzn.to/4iwqHHW  The 1% Diary is back – limited time only: https://bit.ly/1-Diary-Megaphone-ad-r…  The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb  Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Think like a CEO – join the 100 CEOs newsletter: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-newsletter   Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Get your hands on the Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards here: https://bit.ly/conversationcards-mpPerfect Ted - https://www.perfectted.com with code DIARY40 for 40% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 15m
  5. Moment 210: Dr. Gabor Maté: Your Trauma Is Secretly Controlling You! (Until You Try This)

    25 APR · BONUS

    Moment 210: Dr. Gabor Maté: Your Trauma Is Secretly Controlling You! (Until You Try This)

    What if your anxiety, people-pleasing, or need to prove yourself isn’t a flaw… but a wound? Dr. Gabor Maté explains that trauma isn’t just about abuse or neglect - it’s the psychological injuries we carry from not getting our emotional needs met as children. This moment explores how those hidden wounds silently shape our adult lives - and how to finally begin healing them. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/3TMeC0BjPSb Apple - https://g2ul0.app.link/lnb9VOJjPSb Watch the Episodes On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Dr. Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    22 min
  6. Shaolin Warrior Monk: The Hidden Epidemic Nobody Is Talking About! This Modern Habit Is Quietly Killing Millions! Prediction For The Collapse Of The West!

    24 APR

    Shaolin Warrior Monk: The Hidden Epidemic Nobody Is Talking About! This Modern Habit Is Quietly Killing Millions! Prediction For The Collapse Of The West!

    From pain to purpose, Master Shi Heng Yi reveals the ancient mind tricks Shaolin monks use to master themselves and break free. Master Shi Heng Yi is Headmaster of the Shaolin Temple Europe and a spiritual teacher, who shares ancient Eastern philosophy to help people master their mind, body, and purpose in life. He is also the author of the book, ‘Shaolin Spirit: The Way to Self-Mastery’. In this conversation, Master Shi Heng Yi and Steven discuss topics such as, the hidden epidemic nobody is talking about, the modern habit that’s quietly killing millions, why the West is falling, and the real reason you’re always anxious.  00:00 Intro 02:13 What's Your Mission & What Do People Come to You For 05:53 Why Are We Suffering? 07:34 How Do We Find Our Purpose? 13:18 Why People Struggle to Find Their Purpose 15:40 What Do We Need to Be Connected To? 21:26 Identities and the Feeling of Lack 26:56 Letting Go of Your Ideas 29:08 How to Break Old Patterns 34:57 Training New Patterns 35:43 Advice for Young Men 38:43 Why Are Young Men Struggling? 39:45 The 5 Things Holding All Humans Back 42:16 Living in a World Full of Temptations 43:23 Discipline 45:25 Be Aware of Your Trigger Moments 49:01 Bringing Light to the Dark Areas of Your Life 01:07:47 Negative Feelings That Stop You From Growing 01:10:49 How Not to Be Affected by What Others Think of You 01:26:06 Ads 01:26:58 Kung Fu and Waking Up 01:32:20 The Shaolin Virtues 01:33:13 Do You Believe in God? 01:36:02 Are You Happy? 01:37:28 What Are Karmic Connections? 01:38:49 What Is Your Daily Practice? 01:43:38 The Importance of Doing Hard Things 01:48:29 How Master Shi Embraces Growth Daily 01:53:05 First Step to Be Comfortable With Uncertainty 01:57:42 Ads 01:59:54 What Is the RAIN Method? 02:03:46 Your Last Message to Your Son 02:05:01 I Couldn't Grieve My Father's Death 02:11:22 What to Do When Things Are Left Unsaid With Someone Who's Gone 02:14:58 What Does It Mean to Master Oneself? 02:25:10 What Is Your Greatest Regret? Follow Master Shi Heng Yi:  Instagram Shaolin.Online: https://g2ul0.app.link/AifGPompPSb  Instagram Shi Heng Yi: https://g2ul0.app.link/9nNBaGvpPSb  Instagram Shaolin Temple Europe: https://g2ul0.app.link/XjRVrtxpPSb  Shi Heng Yi Website - https://g2ul0.app.link/okadS79yNSb  Shi Heng Yi YouTube - https://g2ul0.app.link/ja5XXWfzNSb You can pre-order Master Shi Heng Yi’s book, ‘Shaolin Spirit: The Way to Self-Mastery’, here: https://g2ul0.app.link/gKQzAX2yNSb  Watch the episodes on Youtube - https://g2ul0.app.link/DOACEpisodes  🚀 The 1% Diary is back - and it won’t be around for long, so act fast! https://bit.ly/1-Diary-Megaphone-ad-reads You can purchase the The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards: Second Edition, here: https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb  Sign up to receive email updates about Diary Of A CEO here: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Ready to think like a CEO? Gain access to the 100 CEOs newsletter here: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-newsletter  Follow me: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Linkedin Jobs - https://www.linkedin.com/doac Perfect Ted - https://www.perfectted.com with code DIARY40 for 40% off Vivobarefoot - https://vivobarefoot.com/DOAC with code DIARY20 for 20% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 30m
  7. Former FBI Agent: If They Do This Please RUN! Narcissists Favourite Trick To Control You! They're Controlling You Like A Puppet!

    21 APR

    Former FBI Agent: If They Do This Please RUN! Narcissists Favourite Trick To Control You! They're Controlling You Like A Puppet!

    Former FBI agent Joe Navarro reveals the body language mistakes silently destroying your success, and how to fix them today. Joe Navarro is a former FBI special agent and internationally renowned expert in nonverbal communication, human behavior, and body language. He is also the bestselling author of over 15 books, including ‘Be Exceptional: Master the Five Traits That Set Extraordinary People Apart’. He explains: The body language trick FBI agents use to gain instant control How to read any room and decode hidden emotions like a pro The silent body language habits sabotaging your confidence The negotiation techniques used by FBI agents - and how to master them How to spot liars and manipulators through subtle body language cues 00:00 Intro 02:25 Who Are You and What Have You Spent Your Life Working On? 04:30 What Is It You're Giving People? 07:16 How Would My Life Change If I Applied Your Knowledge? 11:13 Your Career 12:01 Behavioral Program at the FBI 15:01 Have You Caught Spies? 22:08 Story of Catching a Spy Using Flowers 26:42 How Many People Could Be Spies Walking Among Us? 29:16 Is Body Language Important? 34:43 First Impressions 37:33 How Do We Synchronize With Someone? 44:15 Eyebrow Knitting 46:08 Eyelid Touching 49:45 What Do Our Lips Give Away? 51:14 The Supersternal Notch 55:54 How Do We Negotiate? 1:02:49 Writing Down the Goal of Your Negotiation 1:06:51 Taking Control of a Situation 1:11:07 When Should We Walk Into Rooms? 1:15:09 Why Does Height Matter When Speaking to Someone? 1:20:25 What Clues in Someone’s Posture Should We Look For? 1:26:00 The Importance of Observing 1:27:42 Can You Train Confidence? 1:31:59 Don’t Rise at the End of a Sentence 1:34:20 Speaking in Cadence 1:36:31 Hand Gestures 1:38:12 Eye Contact 1:39:40 What to Do When Greeting People 1:42:59 Should We Be Taking Notes? 1:46:07 Handshakes 1:48:42 Behaviors You Wouldn’t Want From a Leader 1:49:34 Self-Mastery 1:51:52 The Importance of Taking Action 1:53:22 Observation 1:53:42 Psychological Comfort 1:57:59 How to Spot a Narcissist 2:04:07 Narcissism and Self-Belief 2:06:02 How Has Seeing All of This Changed You as a Human? 2:11:22 Is There a Proudest Day in Your Career? 2:13:10 The Importance of Connecting 2:14:53 What Do People Say They Like About You? Follow Joe: Instagram - https://g2ul0.app.link/mEIBxWMqESb  Twitter - https://g2ul0.app.link/2r4SCkOqESb  Body Language Academy - https://g2ul0.app.link/xDCgWDRqESb  You can purchase Joe Navarro’s book ‘Be Exceptional: Master the Five Traits That Set Extraordinary People Apart’, here: https://g2ul0.app.link/gbRf5uWqESb  The 1% Diary is back – limited time only: https://bit.ly/1-Diary-Megaphone-ad-r…  The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb  Get email updates: https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt  Think like a CEO – join the 100 CEOs newsletter: https://bit.ly/100-ceos-newsletter  Follow Steven: https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb Sponsors: Shopify - https://shopify.com/bartlett Perfect Ted - https://www.perfectted.com with code DIARY40 for 40% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 25m
  8. Moment 209: The Real Reason You’re Gaining Weight (Even If You’re Exercising!)

    18 APR · BONUS

    Moment 209: The Real Reason You’re Gaining Weight (Even If You’re Exercising!)

    Tried everything to lose weight and nothing’s working? It’s not your fault. According to geneticist Giles Yeo, your body is hardwired to hold onto fat—especially as you age. Yeo breaks down why your metabolism slows, how your genes shape your hunger, and why exercise isn’t the fat-loss fix you think it is. If you’ve been eating better, moving more, and still not seeing results… this is the science-backed reality check you’ve been waiting for. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/y96HFbLIDSb Apple - https://g2ul0.app.link/9Ow3Z5SIDSb Watch the Episodes On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfACEO/videos Giles Yeo -  Why Calories Don’t Count - https://bit.ly/3XWPtaL Gene Eating - https://bit.ly/3Yc37X6 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min
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Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

I was a broke, university dropout, at 18 I built an industry leading social media marketing company, and at 27 I resigned as CEO. At 28 I co-founded Flight Story – a marketing and communications company, and thirdweb - a software platform, making it easy to build web3 applications. I then launched private equity fund, Flight Fund, to accelerate the next generation of European unicorns. During this time I decided to launch 'The Diary Of A CEO' podcast with the simple mission of providing an unfiltered journey into the remarkable stories and untold dimensions of the world’s most influential people, experts and thinkers. If you enjoy the show, please hit the follow button! That's a small way you can help us carry on doing this, thank you for listening. My New Book: https://g2ul0.app.link/DOAC IG: https://www.instagram.com/steven LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenbartlett-123

Information

  • Channel
    FlightStory
  • Creator
    DOAC
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    671
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Provider
    Flight Studio Group Ltd.

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