S13 E25 Wharton Vice Dean Lori Rosenkopf on Redefining Success Beyond the Unicorn Myth
Are you an aspiring entrepreneur who doesn’t fit the “tech bro” stereotype? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Lori Rosenkopf, Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School and author of Unstoppable Entrepreneurs, to debunk the myth that success requires venture capital and billion-dollar valuations. Lori reveals seven real-world paths to value creation, from the bootstrapper and social entrepreneur to the intrapreneur and acquirer, and explains why relatable role models are the key to unlocking more innovation. She also shares how embracing an extroverted, empathetic leadership style transformed her own career, and why today’s entrepreneurs are just as driven by impact as they are by profit. If you want to chart your own course without chasing someone else’s unicorn dream, this conversation is your roadmap.
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S13 E24 How Ankur Gopal is Building Tech Talent in Unexpected Places
What if your biggest entrepreneurial edge wasn’t your skills or network, but your capacity to endure setbacks and keep innovating anyway? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks to Ankur Gopal, founder and CEO of Interapt, named one of the “100 Most Meaningful Businesses in the World.” Ankur shares how discovering his own resilience reshaped his journey from Kentucky to nationwide impact. He explains how Interapt’s paid tech apprenticeships train and launch talent from underserved communities into high-demand careers, delivering a “win-win-win” for individuals, families, and companies tackling talent shortages. He breaks down how Interapt grew from one training track to over 70, how they stay ahead of AI disruption with constant upskilling, and why human skills matter now more than ever. If you’re building against the odds, this conversation is your proof that profit and purpose don’t just coexist: they power each other.
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S13 E23 Unplugging from the Algorithm: Hannah Koizumi & Hugh Jones on Taking Back Your Mind
Ever feel like your digital life has turned into a mind-bending simulation? This week on FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis sits down with Hannah Koizumi and Hugh Jones, co-founders of Drumbeat Labs and the nonprofit Civic Attention, to dissect how today’s online platforms hijack our attention and warp our sense of reality. Hannah, a data scientist and civic organizer, and Hugh, a self-taught developer and digital strategist, break down the evolution from genuine social connection to endless scrolling, the addictive dopamine loops baked into every feed, and how AI is amplifying it all. Drawing from their own journeys and fresh polling, they reveal why growing up in this system is fueling anxiety and civic breakdown, and what we can do about it. Tune in for real-world strategies: how to add friction to your feeds, choose healthier online spaces, and build deeper offline connections without going full “Luddite.” If you’ve ever scrolled yourself into a stupor and wondered how to snap out of it, this episode is your antidote.
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S13 E22 Inside Microsoft’s Innovation Playbook with Dean Carignan
How does a company as massive as Microsoft keep innovating year after year? Patrick McGinnis sits down with 20-year Microsoft veteran Dean Carignan, co-author of The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft, to find out. Dean reveals the surprisingly learnable and scalable strategies behind the tech giant’s transformation, from launching Xbox to navigating the AI frontier. You’ll learn why innovation isn’t just about invention, how a growth mindset reshaped Microsoft’s culture, and why the company’s “innovate with everyone” approach actually works. Plus, Dean shares lessons from Microsoft’s biggest misses—and how they paved the way for its biggest wins. Whether you’re leading a startup or driving change inside a big company, this episode offers a real-world roadmap to sustainable innovation.
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S13 E21 The No-Boss Life: Firat İşbecer on Entrepreneurship, Angel Investing, and Global Growth
What drives someone to turn down the 9-to-5 path before it even begins? In this episode of FOMO Sapiens, Patrick McGinnis talks to Firat İşbecer, CEO of Commencis and one of Turkey’s most active angel investors, about how he knew early on that he would never work for someone else. Firat recounts the founding of Pozitron, a mobile banking startup launched before smartphones became ubiquitous, and how he scaled and sold it to Monitise, setting off a new chapter in venture building. Now at the helm of Commencis, a digital transformation powerhouse, Firat discusses the evolution of the Turkish tech ecosystem, the psychology behind great founders, and why angel investors should think of themselves as collaborators, not just check-writers. It’s a rare look into the mindset of someone who's helped shape an entire region’s startup future.
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FOMO Sapiens is the podcast for anyone who wants to make smarter decisions, take action, and thrive in an unpredictable world. Hosted by Patrick J. McGinnis—the guy who coined FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)—this show brings you insights from world-class entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders who’ve mastered the art of navigating uncertainty.
Each episode is packed with real-world strategies, powerful stories, and actionable advice to help you cut through the noise, take control of your choices, and build a life you actually want—without the fear of missing out.
Listen now and start making decisions on your own terms.
Listen to FOMO Sapiens with Patrick J. McGinnis, The Money Puzzle, with James Kirby and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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