How To Lead | Interview with David Rubenstein

In this raw, unfiltered deep-dive with AdAge, I break down what makes VaynerMedia and VaynerX different — and why kindness, culture, and conviction are more powerful than any viral TV spot. Whether you’re building a business, a brand, or a life — this one’s for you. 💥 We talk about: Why “TV-first” thinking is killing creativity 🧠 How I built VaynerX like a startup, not a holding company My real take on AI, influencers & the future of marketing The secret behind our Honey Empire culture 🍯 Why BeFriends is my most personal, creative project ever The myth of trends — and why they actually matter What kind of clients we actually want to work with (yes, I said it) How my lemonade stand taught me everything I needed to know If you care about brand building, leadership, or marketing in the year we actually live in — this episode will hit hard. Listen now and tell a friend who needs to hear it.

Too many people are stuck trying to be perfect—but perfection is a trap. The truth? Being wrong isn’t a failure… it’s a feature of being human. In this special MicroVee for Juneteenth, I talk about the power of changing your mind, the myth of always having it together, and why letting go of judgment—especially from others—is the ultimate freedom. We talk about: 💥 Why being wrong is not a weakness 🔁 How to adapt quickly without shame 🧩 The danger of living for someone else’s opinion 🛑 Why saying “I changed my mind” is a superpower This one’s for anyone stuck in self-judgment or afraid to pivot. Let go of the pressure, honor your process, and live your truth.

If you're stuck in a job you hate, hiding from your dreams, or blaming your parents for the way your life turned out—this one’s going to hit different. I sat down with the brilliant Liz Moody for one of the most raw, honest, and practical conversations I’ve had in a minute. We covered everything from accountability and AI to why your fear of judgment is holding you back from your next chapter. 📌 This is not just about motivation—it's about action. If you're sick of living someone else's version of success and ready to get real with yourself, listen up. 👥 Who this episode is for: Anyone afraid to start because of judgment Parents unknowingly holding their kids back Creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers feeling stuck People overwhelmed by AI, comparison, or burnout 🎯 We talk about: Why you're probably living based on someone else’s opinions The power of putting yourself “on blast” publicly Why AI doesn’t kill creativity—laziness does What most people get wrong about social media How I screwed up candor at Vayner and what I did to fix it The #1 poison worse than failure: regret My real morning routine (hint: no ice baths) The 8 Mile Rule and why owning your flaws makes you unstoppable 💥 Whether you're 22 or 62, this episode is your call to get brutally honest with yourself and take one small but powerful action. 🎧 Press play and let’s get real about what’s stopping you.

Think more money means more happiness? Think again. In this episode, I go all in on one of the most misunderstood ideas out there — that success, fame, or financial wins automatically lead to fulfillment. Spoiler alert: they don’t. Whether you're on the come-up or already living with some wins, this episode will challenge how you define “success.” I talk about keeping life simple, the emotional toll of chasing more, and how gratitude and perspective are the real ROI. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to keep climbing — or you're scared of what happens if you lose what you’ve built — this one's for you. We talk about: 💡 Why keeping it simple beats chasing clout 🧠 How happiness before the money is the real secret 💸 Why “more” doesn’t mean “better” 🫂 What really matters when life gets real 🎯 Why losing something is scarier than never having it 💬 The danger of defining happiness through other people’s lenses This is one of those episodes I want every young entrepreneur, creator, and dreamer to hear. If you’re in your head about money, status, or pressure from the outside world… take a breath and press play.

I gave this keynote at the NAC Success Resources event in 2019 — and I went deep on the real shit that holds people back. It’s not lack of resources. It’s not bad luck. It’s entitlement, insecurity, and the need to impress others instead of doing what actually makes you happy. If you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck or not moving fast enough, this episode is a wake-up call. I break down the 5 core pieces of value that I believe will unlock your path to success — and most of them have nothing to do with business tactics and everything to do with mindset. Whether you’re just starting or scaling, this talk will push you to get brutally honest with yourself and start executing. 👇 We talk about: Why accountability is the gateway to happiness How entitlement is sabotaging your growth What I learned from immigrants about money The illusion of success on social media Building businesses around what you love Why you need to stop buying dumb sh*t 💳 Crushing it on LinkedIn and Instagram with $0 Why losing early builds you up later The real ROI of patience and long-term execution 🧠 This isn’t just motivation — this is a blueprint. Let’s go. 📍 Follow the podcast here first: 📌 @garyveeaudioexperience 📍 Follow me here: 📌 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok | Twitter/X | YouTube