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In Search Of Excellence

In Search Of Excellence

By: Randall Kaplan
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We all have dreams of being successful and achieving excellence in our lives. But we inevitably experience resistance, challenges, and obstacles in the pursuit of our dreams. In Search of Excellence provides us with the inspiration we need to overcome these obstacles and accomplish our goals. In Search of Excellence takes us through the stories, routes, and strategies of people from hundreds of different backgrounds who have achieved excellence in both their professional and personal lives. Guest features include Sharon Stone, Kevin O'Leary, Sammy Hagar, Lara Logan, Sam Zell, and many more.

© 2026 In Search of Excellence Podcast Career Success Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • John Mackey’s Wild Story: From Dishwasher Showers to a $13.7B Amazon Deal | E188

    John Mackey’s Wild Story: From Dishwasher Showers to a $13.7B Amazon Deal | E188
    May 19 2026
    John Mackey built Whole Foods Market from a small natural foods store into a $13.7 billion company acquired by Amazon — but his greatest lessons came from moments of crisis, not victory. From the emotional relief of going public to the life-changing impact of 9/11, the pressure of activist investors, and the cultural battle after the Amazon merger, Mackey reveals what it really takes to build a mission-driven company that lasts.Key TakeawaysBoldness creates momentumJohn Mackey says that when you begin something with purpose and determination, the world starts to shift. The money, people, and opportunities begin to appear.Culture is built through authentic appreciationMackey believes appreciation is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to transform relationships, meetings, morale, and organizations.The Amazon deal was about more than moneyThe Whole Foods sale was not just a financial transaction. Mackey saw it as the best stakeholder solution for customers, team members, suppliers, investors, and the future of the company.Health is the next great frontierThrough Love Life, Mackey is now focused on holistic wellness, longevity, food, fitness, medical care, community, and helping people make more conscious choices.Timestamps00:00 - The “food awakening” that changed John Mackey’s life forever00:39 - The boldness advice that shaped his entrepreneurial mindset02:03 - What John Mackey did the day Whole Foods went public05:04 - The terrifying 9/11 moment that changed his future09:44 - Why going public is not the “holy grail” most founders think it is10:14 - The mistake Whole Foods made before activist investors attacked13:59 - The hostile meeting that forced Mackey to consider selling Whole Foods16:30 - The question that made Amazon the answer18:30 - What really happened when John Mackey met Jeff Bezos22:18 - The surprising reason the $13.7B Amazon deal was all cash28:08 - John Mackey’s honest reaction to Randall Kaplan’s Extreme Preparation™31:15 - The simple meeting ritual Mackey says can transform company culture37:28 - The three practices Mackey says can transform your life41:12 - John Mackey’s next mission after Whole Foods44:46 - The rapid-fire answers that reveal Mackey’s true definition of successAbout John MackeyJohn Mackey is the co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods Market, one of the most influential grocery and natural foods companies in the world. He helped build Whole Foods from a small natural foods store into a publicly traded company that became a national leader in organic food, conscious capitalism, team-based culture, and mission-driven retail.In 2017, Whole Foods Market was acquired by Amazon in a landmark $13.7 billion transaction, one of the most significant retail acquisitions of the decade. Mackey is also a bestselling author, entrepreneur, advocate for conscious capitalism, and founder of Love Life, a new holistic health and wellness company focused on food, fitness, longevity, medical care, emotional well-being, and community.About the Host — Randall KaplanRandall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, professional coach, and the host of In Search of Excellence, where he interviews the world’s most accomplished leaders, founders, athletes, entertainers, and change-makers to uncover the habits, mindsets, and strategies behind extraordinary success.Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, Randall works with founders, CEOs, executives, business owners, and high performers to help them prepare more deeply, communicate more effectively, and create better outcomes in business and life.What was your biggest takeaway from John Mackey’s story — the Amazon deal, the power of appreciation, the health mission behind Love Life, or his advice on forgiveness?Drop your thoughts in the comments below.If this conversation inspired you, please like the video.Subscribe to In Search of Excellence for more conversations with world-class entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, and high performers.Share this episode with someone who is building a company, leading a team, or trying to become the healthiest version of themselves.Want to Work One-on-One with Me?I privately coach a limited number of high achievers through personalized one-on-one coaching focused on elevating careers, scaling businesses, and reaching higher levels of success both professionally and personally.If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here:www.randallkaplan.com Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs Listen to this episode on the go!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC... Follow Randall!Instagram: @randallkaplan LinkedIn: @randallkaplan TikTok: @randall_kaplan Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplanWebsite: www.randallkaplan.com1-on-1 Coaching: www.randallkaplan.comCoaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram...
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    50 mins
  • John Mackey: How Whole Foods Grew From One Store to $22 Billion in Sales | E187

    John Mackey: How Whole Foods Grew From One Store to $22 Billion in Sales | E187
    May 12 2026

    What does it really take to build a company from one store in Austin, Texas into Whole Foods Market, a global brand with more than 540 stores, $22 billion in annual sales, and a $13.7 billion acquisition by Amazon?
    John Mackey, co-founder and former CEO of Whole Foods, joins Randall Kaplan to reveal the hard-earned lessons behind entrepreneurship, resilience, fear, failure, raising capital, work ethic, conscious capitalism, and the life-changing moments that shaped one of America’s most iconic business founders.

    Key Takeaways
    Fear is the biggest limiter of human potential. John explains why fear of failure, fear of judgment, and even fear of success stop people from answering their own “hero’s journey.”

    Failure only becomes failure when you quit. From getting cut from the basketball team to losing money in the early days of Whole Foods, John shows how setbacks can become turning points.

    No job is beneath you. Dishwashing, bussing tables, bagging groceries, and entry-level work build discipline, humility, work ethic, and service.

    Entrepreneurs must learn to sell the dream. Whether raising $45,000 from friends and family or pitching venture capitalists on Sand Hill Road, persistence and conviction matter.

    Business is a community of relationships. The Whole Foods flood taught John that customers, team members, suppliers, investors, and lenders are all stakeholders in a shared mission.

    About Randall Kaplan
    Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, professional coach, and the host of In Search of Excellence, where he interviews world-class entrepreneurs, leaders, athletes, entertainers, and high achievers about the habits, failures, mindsets, and preparation behind extraordinary success.

    Randall is the co-founder of Akamai Technologies, a global leader in cloud services and cybersecurity, and was an early investor in companies including Google. Over the course of his career, he has advised and invested in numerous companies and worked closely with founders, CEOs, executives, business owners, and high performers.

    Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, Randall helps ambitious leaders accelerate success by building the discipline, strategy, mindset, and preparation required to perform at the highest level.

    If you found value in John Mackey’s story, take a moment to like this video, subscribe to In Search of Excellence, and share it with someone building something difficult.

    Comment below:
    What lesson from John Mackey’s journey resonated with you most—failure, resilience, work ethic, raising capital, or conscious capitalism?

    Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
    I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

    If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here:
    www.randallkaplan.com

    Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

    Listen to this episode on the go!
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

    https://www.randallkaplan.com/

    Follow Randall!
    Instagram: @randallkaplan
    LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
    TikTok: @randall_kaplan
    Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
    Website: www.randallkaplan.com
    1-on-1 Coaching: www.randallkaplan.com


    Coaching and Staying Connected:

    1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

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    57 mins
  • Brian Grazer: Academy Award Winner Brian Grazer on Success, Creativity, and Greatness | E186

    Brian Grazer: Academy Award Winner Brian Grazer on Success, Creativity, and Greatness | E186
    May 5 2026

    What do you do when the world keeps telling you no? Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer reveals how rejection, curiosity, creativity, and relentless belief helped him build one of the most extraordinary careers in Hollywood history.

    In this powerful episode of In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with Brian Grazer to explore the real lessons behind success in film, business, and life — from mentorship and intellectual property to storytelling, resilience, preparation, and the mindset required to achieve greatness.

    Brian shares unforgettable stories about Lew Wasserman, Ron Howard, Splash, 8 Mile, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and the career-defining moments that taught him why owning ideas matters more than chasing relationships — and why “no” is often just a temporary point of view.

    In this episode:
    Why intellectual property is the foundation of lasting success.
    The lesson Brian learned from hundreds of rejections.
    How curiosity opened the door to new opportunities and major films.
    What it feels like to lose at the Oscars — and finally win.
    Brian’s views on preparation, creativity, storytelling, and greatness.

    About Brian Grazer
    Brian Grazer is an Academy Award-winning producer who has produced 130 feature films and 45 television shows, including A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, 8 Mile, The Da Vinci Code, 24, Empire, Friday Night Lights, and Arrested Development. His productions have received 47 Oscar nominations with 9 wins, 296 Emmy nominations with 63 wins, 71 Golden Globe nominations with 11 wins, and have generated more than $15 billion in worldwide box office. He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book A Curious Mind.

    About Randall Kaplan
    Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and executive coach. He is the co-founder of Akamai Technologies, an early investor in Google, and a mentor to founders, CEOs, executives, and business owners through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology.

    Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode.
    Comment below: What was your biggest takeaway from Brian Grazer?
    Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
    I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

    If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here:
    www.randallkaplan.com

    Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

    Listen to this episode on the go!
    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

    For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

    Follow Randall!
    Instagram: @randallkaplan
    LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
    TikTok: @randall_kaplan
    Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
    Website: www.randallkaplan.com
    1-on-1 Coaching: www.randallkaplan.com


    Coaching and Staying Connected:

    1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
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