How I Built This

How I Built This turns founder stories into intimate, raw narratives that glossy profiles miss. Guy Raz extracts emotional turning points from 400+ guests, like how Airbnb’s founders sold cereal boxes to survive a 2008 funding drought. Episodes average 60 minutes, making them 40% shorter than Acquired’s deep dives — ideal for commutes. 85% of listeners report actionable inspiration, according to an NPR effect study. Raz’s style combines warm curiosity with sharp timing, revealing vulnerabilities that typical business media ignores. It remains a benchmark for storytelling, even as All-In and other podcasts prioritize debate over vulnerability.