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
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
World-Renowned Addiction Expert Dr. K reveals the SHOCKING truth about masturbation, pornography, dopamine burnout, incels, and why 60% of men under 30 are single. Dr K from Healthy Gamer! Dr. Alok Kanojia (aka Dr. K) is a world-leading addiction expert, Harvard-trained psychiatrist, and founder of Healthy Gamer, the platform helping young adults break free from porn addiction, dopamine burnout, and emotional numbness. He hosts unfiltered mental health conversations on Twitch and is the author o...
In this Moments episode, Dr. Chris Van Tulleken (the Junk Food Doctor) delves into the complexities of foods labelled as "healthy." He explores how certain food products, from diet sodas to breakfast cereals, might not be as beneficial as they're marketed to be, suggesting that the food industry's labelling tactics could influence consumer choices. Tune in to gain insight into how you can be more mindful of your food choices, starting today. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify: https://g2u...
World Renowned Fatherhood Expert Dr Anna Machin reveals the #1 lie about monogamy, how cheating hijacks human brains, and the evolutionary truth behind love, trust, and fatherhood! Dr Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist and relationship scientist known for her groundbreaking research on human connection, love, fatherhood, and attachment. She is also the author of books such as, 'Why We Love: The New Science Behind Our Closest Relationships'. She explains: How cheating activates your br...
Is this 1 money habit secretly keeping you poor? Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary reveals the brutal truth about wealth, business, and getting rich, and what you must change to build real financial freedom. Kevin O’Leary is a Canadian entrepreneur and investor, also known as ‘Mr Wonderful’ on Shark Tank. He is the Founder of O’Leary Financial Group, Chairman of O’Shares Investments, and bestselling author of books such as, ‘Cold Hard Truth: On Family, Kids and Money’. He explains: How to 10X your inco...
Wim Hof explains his powerful breathing technique as the essential first step to overcoming trauma and reclaiming control. He delves into the scientific validation behind the method, detailing how it impacts the nervous system, immune system, and blood flow. He guides listeners through a practice session and discusses how the technique connects to the mind's power, enabling emotional control, interoception, and stepping into personal responsibility away from victimhood.
BREAKING: Dana White announces Jon Jones retirement…but UFC Heavyweight star Tom Aspinall still wants a title fight. He reveals the truth about Jon Jones’ retirement, and breaks down the champion mindset, fear, and mental toughness required for UFC title fights. Tom Aspinall is the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion, a top-ranked professional mixed martial artist, and the first British heavyweight in history to claim a UFC title. He was set to face UFC legend Jon Jones until Jones announced his...
Bozoma Saint John’s story isn’t just about leading the world’s biggest brands - it’s about surviving unimaginable loss, breaking every “career rule,” and redefining what success really means. In today's episode of CEO Diaries, the former Netflix and Apple CMO reveals why she quit chasing work-life balance, why being selfish saved her, and how personal tragedy shaped her path to the top. Visit - www.linkedin.com/DOAC Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/yzrBsXp...
From 6 years in isolation to sounding the alarm, Buddhist Gelong Thubten reveals the hidden epidemic no one is talking about with Stress, Depression, Buddhism, Meditation, Mental Health and more. Thubten is one of the UK’s most influential meditation teachers, who spent 6 years in isolated meditation retreats, including one which lasted 4 years. He is also the bestselling author of books such as, ‘Handbook for Hard Times: A Monk's Guide to Fearless Living’. He explains: The hidden mental health ...
Dr. Martha Beck explains how to calm anxiety by shifting from the left brain's worry loop to the right brain's creative capacity. Learn practical techniques like sensory imagination and mirror writing to quickly soothe your nervous system. Dr. Beck introduces the CAT framework (Calm, Art, Transcendence) as a path to peace, emphasizing treating anxiety gently like a frightened animal and the power of making things to unlock a state of flow.
Has feminism betrayed the very women it promised to empower? Deborah France-White, Louise Perry, and Erica Komisar go head-to-head on the hidden costs of sexual freedom. Deborah Frances-White is a bestselling author and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast, Louise Perry is a journalist and author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, and Erica Komisar is a clinical social worker, psychoanalyst, and author of books such as, ‘Chicken Little the Sky Isn't Falling: Raising Resilient Adolescents ...
In this CEO Diaries episode, Steven Bartlett and LinkedIn's CMSO Jessica Jensen discuss key B2B marketing lessons. They explore AI's transformative impact on business workflows and content creation, emphasizing the need for human oversight. They also detail the core principles of effective content and highlight why LinkedIn is the most crucial platform for founders seeking customer acquisition, hiring, and overall business growth.
AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton discusses the significant risks of AI, distinguishing between misuse by bad actors (cyber attacks, election manipulation, echo chambers, bioweapons, autonomous weapons) and the potential existential threat from superintelligence that could surpass human control. He reflects on his role, the challenges of regulation, increasing wealth inequality, and the unique capabilities of digital AI. Hinton stresses the urgency of prioritizing AI safety research and figuring out how to prevent superintelligence from wanting to harm humanity, despite the uncertainty of success.
Dr. Sarah Hill - psychologist and leading researcher on women's hormones - reveals the ways hormonal birth control can shape attraction, emotion, and long-term relationships. She explains how women’s natural cycles influence who they’re drawn to, how birth control can blunt or shift those instincts, and why this matters for both women and the men they're with. If you've ever wondered why your feelings change - or if the pill could be influencing your type - this conversation is for you. Listen t...
Swipe left, feel empty, and wonder why? Esther Perel reveals the hidden truths behind the dating crisis, loneliness, and the shocking decline in sex and intimacy. Esther Perel is a world-renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert, widely recognised as one of today’s most insightful and original voices on modern relationships. She is the bestselling author of books such as, ‘The State of Affairs’. She explains: Why MEN Over 30 Aren’t Having Sex Anymore. The SEX GAME that could Save Your Rel...
MrBeast discusses the critical importance of surrounding yourself with 'A-players' when scaling a business and the negative impact of less ambitious team members. He shares insights into the challenges of growing his company from a small team to over 500 employees as a first-time founder, admitting to mistakes made due to inexperience. The conversation also touches upon the difficulties faced by public figures when former employees share negative experiences and how to navigate such situations.
What happens when you build a billion-dollar music empire, but lose yourself along the way? Music mogul Scooter Braun reveals the raw truth behind his mask. Scooter Braun is a renowned music executive, entrepreneur, and manager behind the careers of global stars like Justin Bieber, amongst many others. He is CEO of HYBE America and founder of SB Projects, a dynamic entertainment and media company. He discusses: The mask he wore as “Scooter” and the journey back to being Scott Why he carries guil...
This episode explores the increasing difficulty of finding relationships in modern society, examining alarming statistics on singlehood and childlessness. It analyzes how the rise in female educational and professional achievement, combined with dating preferences, creates an imbalance in the mating market. This leads to challenges like invisible men and intense competition among women for a smaller pool of partners, causing frustration and retreat from dating for both sexes, emphasizing the need for empathy.
What if everything you thought you knew about investing is about to change forever? Cathie Wood reveals the best investments to make in 2025 to get rich fast. Cathie Wood is one of the world’s most influential investors, and the founder and CEO of ARK Invest. She oversees nearly $30 billion in assets under management and is renowned for her bold predictions and investment strategies in technology-driven industries. She explains: How there’s only 5 years until everything changes, and what you mus...
Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel reflects on the critical hiring mistakes that nearly crippled the company, such as overvaluing experience over adaptability. He dives into Snapchat's core values of Kind, Smart, and Creative, explaining why kindness is crucial for a creative culture and differentiating it from merely being nice, especially regarding feedback. Spiegel also discusses the importance of T-shaped leadership and offers advice on making and fixing decisions, plus the challenges of maintaining culture during rapid scaling.
Jimmy Fallon discusses his journey from a people-pleasing altar boy with a strict upbringing to becoming the host of The Tonight Show. He opens up about his relentless obsession with joining Saturday Night Live, the struggles with rejection, poverty, and mental health during his early career in LA, and the emotional moment he achieved his dream. Jimmy also shares insights on coping with fame and criticism, the profound impact of his mother's death, his diverse business ventures driven by a desire to make people happy, and how becoming a father changed his perspective on life.
Dr. Mike Israetel breaks down the science of muscle growth and how to maximize your gains. Whether you’re new or experienced, learn key hypertrophy principles, effective training frequency, and why you don’t need endless gym hours to see results. Plus, discover how muscle memory helps you bounce back after breaks. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/yjVHL6vrLTb Apple - https://g2ul0.app.link/qaWpqCyrLTb Watch the Episodes On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/%20T...
What if the secret to fixing back pain, avoiding dementia, and living longer is…your feet? Dr. Courtney Conley breaks down why your shoes are failing you. Dr Courtney Conley is a physician specialising in foot and gait mechanics. She is the founder of ‘Gait Happens’ and ‘Total Health Solutions’, where she aims to educate people about the importance of the human foot to overall health. She explains: How foot pain leads to emotional distress, depression, and inactivity How 500 extra steps a day ca...
Airbnb founder Brian Chesky joins Steven Bartlett to share the unfiltered story of Airbnb's beginnings, starting with a brutal early rejection letter. They explore the resilience required for the entrepreneurial journey, the unique role and challenges faced by founders, and why building a strong company culture is ultimately more critical than product or profit. Brian details how culture is not just a list of values but a living, designed system driven by shared actions and leadership examples.
Simon Sinek joins Steven Bartlett to discuss the profound impact of AI on human connection and skills. They explore how technology shifts focus from the journey to the destination, diminishing the value of struggle and imperfection. The conversation covers the rise of loneliness, the importance of authenticity, building community, prioritizing relationships, and embracing vulnerability. Sinek emphasizes that human skills, like friendship and emotional intelligence, are becoming more critical than ever in a world increasingly shaped by automation and superficial interactions.
Dr. Ramani Durvasula explains the toxic and insidious nature of narcissistic abuse and gaslighting. In this powerful conversation, learn the psychological tactics narcissists use, from denying your reality to invalidating your experiences, and how to reclaim your sense of self in the face of manipulation. Listen to the full episode here - Spotify - https://g2ul0.app.link/iSxOEXrTzTb Apple - https://g2ul0.app.link/JjQg2rvTzTb Watch the Episodes On YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/%20TheDiaryOfA...
Are you unknowingly damaging your brain and raising your cancer risk with just one drink? Discover the alarming truth about alcohol from Dr. Sarah Wakeman, what every adult needs to know now. Dr. Sarah Wakeman is senior medical director for substance use disorder at Mass General Brigham healthcare system, the number one research system in the U.S. She is also the Medical Director of the Mass General Hospital Addiction Consult Team and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Sh...
Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, discusses his experiences with various entrepreneurs, contrasting different leadership styles, particularly that of Elon Musk. He highlights how approaches to hiring, team building, and personal values differ among successful founders like Anil Busri and Mark Zuckerberg. The conversation explores the inherent trade-offs involved in building companies at scale and the impact on teams and individuals.
Dr. William Li, a medical scientist, discusses how diet and lifestyle influence chronic diseases. He explains how the body's natural defense systems, like immunity and blood vessels, fight microscopic cancers and other illnesses. Dr. Li highlights foods and habits that compromise or enhance these defenses, touches on rising young cancer rates, microplastics, and the science behind intermittent fasting, specific foods, and even the gut-brain axis, offering practical, science-backed strategies for leveraging food and lifestyle for lifelong health.
As AI rapidly advances, Mo Gawdat shares a candid and thoughtful exploration of what the future holds for humanity. From AI’s growing intelligence and its impact on creativity to the looming disruption of jobs and society, this top moment challenges us to rethink our role in a world where machines might outsmart us. Mo also reflects on the irreplaceable value of human connection and the need to prepare for a future shaped by technology. Whether you’re excited or worried about AI, this conversati...
Jeff Cavalier discusses science-based training, debunking fitness myths, and longevity, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to health. He shares insights on creatine, fat loss, nutrition, and functional movements, stressing the need for mobility, stability, and flexibility. Jeff also addresses the impact of modern lifestyles on posture and provides practical tips for improving overall well-being, promoting a balanced and sustainable fitness journey.
