The Moment Everything Clicks
Guy Raz Newsletter – February 13, 2025
Have you ever had the “black and white to color” moment?
That instant when everything clicks into place, and suddenly, things feel clearer—like you’ve unlocked a door you didn’t even know was there?
For me, that moment happened when I was at a crossroads in my career.
I was 32, working for a radio news organization and dreaming of hosting one of their news programs. But at the time, the executives in charge didn’t think I had what it took to be the host of a show.
It felt like I was at a standstill, unsure of what was next.
So I started exploring. I applied for a journalism fellowship at a prestigious university—not expecting to get it. But, as fate would have it, I did.
I took a class at the business school there and on the first day, they handed out a case study on the founding of Starbucks. It ended on a cliffhanger—just as the company was about to take off.
I was captivated. I took it home, devoured it, and then realized something: business school is taught through stories.
Not just spreadsheets and lectures—stories.
And I thought… why isn’t this available to everyone? Why does someone have to pay $100,000 a year to learn these lessons?
That was my moment when everything clicked.
I realized that I loved telling stories, but the traditional news format wasn’t for me anymore. I still wanted to interview people, still wanted to dive deep into their journeys, but now I had a new lens: business.
That was the genesis of How I Built This.
Every founder I’ve interviewed has had that moment—the realization that changes everything. Sometimes it happens by accident. Sometimes it’s years in the making. But when it hits, you know.
And when it happens, you know there’s no turning back…
– Guy
On the Podcasts This Week!
Beyond Yoga: The Power of Slow Growth
Michelle Wahler never set out to build the next big activewear brand. In fact, when she launched Beyond Yoga in 2005, she had no idea it would one day be acquired for $400 million.
But unlike many fast-scaling startups, Beyond Yoga took a radically different approach—no big venture capital rounds, no aggressive hyper-growth strategies.
Instead, Michelle focused on quality, inclusivity, and slow, steady growth. They partnered with yoga studios and small boutiques, perfecting their products while quietly building a loyal customer base.
Michelle’s journey is proof that you don’t need to be the loudest or the flashiest startup to win. Sometimes, slow and steady really does win the race.
HIBT Advice Line: Baby Steps
Travis Boersma, co-founder of Dutch Bros, jumped on the Advice Line with me. Travis took an espresso cart and turned it into a 975-location coffee empire—but not overnight. His journey was built on baby steps—growing methodically while staying true to the brand’s culture.
First up, Sean: How do I grow without relying on delivery apps?
Sean Chang runs Mukja Korean Fried Chicken, a fast-casual spot in Atlanta that blends Korean flavors with Southern-style fried chicken. Mukja has built a loyal following, but delivery apps are cutting into margins—sometimes by as much as 50%. We think Sean has a chance to create buzz by creating memorable menu items.
Next, Trenton: Should we scale through DTC or wholesale?
Trenton Yoder runs Pine Ridge Coffee, a small-batch roastery and café in central Pennsylvania. With a growing customer base, Trenton is debating the best way to expand. There’s a million actions he could possibly take, but we think he needs a clear differentiator to stand out.
Finally, Yasmin: How do I bring my non-alcoholic elixirs to the mainstream?
Yasmin Santos founded Altar Native Bar, a non-alcoholic elixir bar that serves functional beverages infused with botanicals and nootropics. Yasmin wants to expand beyond catering but feels intimidated by the challenges of product development, distribution, and branding. Yasmin’s product is one of a kind – and we encourage her to use it to her advantage!
The strongest businesses evolve as the market changes. No matter the path, you must always take baby steps toward the big vision. Tune in to hear more!
If you would like to be featured on an upcoming episode, call and leave a 1-minute message at 1-800-433-1298 or send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com
Rob Thomas: Writing Hits, Weathering Doubt, and Finding His Voice
Rob Thomas didn’t set out to become one of the most successful songwriters of his generation. As a teenager, he bounced between homes, got into trouble, and nearly enlisted in the army before finding his calling in music.
What followed was a rollercoaster career—one that saw him go from a struggling musician to a multi-platinum artist, Grammy winner, and the writer behind one of the biggest songs of all time: Smooth with Carlos Santana.
In this episode, Rob shares the unlikely journey that led him to success. He talks about the early days of Matchbox Twenty—how their first album flopped when their label folded on release day, and how a single radio DJ in Birmingham changed their fate.
Rob also reflects on the lessons he’s learned about longevity in the music business—how Matchbox Twenty has stayed together while so many of their peers faded, how he overcame self-doubt and stopped trying to be the “cool” songwriter, and how he still approaches music with curiosity and passion.
Watch it on YouTube:
Science Podcasts for Kids!
Sea Lions to the Rescue!
We are finally chasing our dream jobs… but there’s just one little problem. The competition? A bunch of SEA LIONS!
In this week’s Wow in the World, me and Mindy head to tryouts—only to realize we’ve stumbled into something completely unexpected: a wild new way to map the ocean floor! Turns out, despite all our fancy technology, we know more about the surface of Mars than we do about the deep sea.
But scientists in Australia have found a clever solution… sea lions! These incredible marine animals can dive deep, stay underwater for ages, and help researchers uncover hidden ocean mysteries.
Have a Heart!
Did you know an octopus has not one, not two, but THREE hearts? Or that a whale’s heart can be as big as a car?!
And here’s one to get your heart racing—your very own heart beats 100,000 times a day!
Get ready to feel the love in this special Valentine’s episode of Two What’s And A Wow!
From the Archives!
Dutch Bros. Coffee: Travis Boersma
In 1992, two brothers in Grants Pass, Oregon, set out to sell something they barely knew how to make—espresso.
Travis and Dane Boersma started Dutch Bros as a humble pushcart in a grocery store parking lot, learning the craft of coffee on the fly. With no formal training, they leaned on local experts and experimented with recipes—like a mocha made with chocolate milk from a nearby dairy.
What began as a scrappy side hustle quickly grew into a thriving drive-thru business, fueled by the brothers’ infectious energy and commitment to great service. Over the years, Dutch Bros expanded from one cart to a nationwide chain with more than 700 locations, culminating in a nearly $500-million IPO in 2021.
But success came with heartbreak. When Dane was diagnosed with ALS, Travis had to navigate the hardest chapter of their journey without his brother by his side.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company: Ken Grossman
Before Ken Grossman could legally buy beer, he was already brewing it. As a high schooler in the late 1960s, he got his hands on a homebrewing kit and started experimenting—mixing ingredients in a bucket and stashing his early batches away from his mother.
By the late 1970s, craft beer barely existed in the U.S., but Ken saw an opportunity. With just $50,000, some scrap metal, and repurposed dairy tanks, he built Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. from the ground up.
What started as a scrappy operation in Chico, California, is now the third-largest craft brewery in the U.S., proving that a passion project—when paired with persistence and ingenuity—can change an industry forever.
See you next time!
What do you want more or less of?
Just send a tweet to @guyraz or a message on IG to @guy.raz or LinkedIn and put #GuyRazNewsletter at the end so I can find it.
Ready to Launch Your Business?
Wondery Shop!
