The Gstaad Guy Podcast

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Zaid Rahman, founder and CEO of Flex, who has never held a normal job, never spent a day at university, and now runs the financial platform behind some of the fastest growing companies in the world, to explore what building actually costs and why the people who look like they have already made it are so often the ones getting the least help. With a childhood spent watching his father’s construction business rise and fall in Dubai, Zaid reflects on where ambition is inherited from, why finance is the part of running a company nobody wants to touch, and what it means to hand someone the cofounder he never had. The conversation dives into what an agent actually is once you strip the terminology away, the strange economics of token maxing, and where the value in AI will settle once the noise clears. Zaid shares what it looks like inside a company where forty five engineers ship twenty four products, where an intern can spend two hundred thousand dollars over a weekend, and where the…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, and one of the few people running a company of that scale who was once told plainly that her ambition would make her unhireable, to explore what it takes to hold your nerve when the quality that makes you good is read as a threat. With a career built across Berkeley, Paris, London and Seattle, Ariane reflects on adapting to a culture that will not adapt to you, betting on yourself when a room has already decided what you are, and the quieter work of knowing what you want before you ever say it out loud. The conversation dives into manifesting as a practice rather than a slogan, why the roles nobody else wants are so often the ones worth taking, and how you hold a startup’s speed inside a company of fifteen thousand people. Ariane makes the case for expanding the pie rather than dividing it, for building a business that creates value on both sides of a marketplace instead of sitting in the middle of it, and for a purpose simple enough that…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Devon DeJardin, the visual artist working across painting, drawing and sculpture, whose Guardian figures have travelled from a friend’s apartment floor in North Hollywood to private collections and the cover of a number one album. Devon had never picked up a brush. He had a world religion degree, five hundred dollars to his name, a mattress he folded into a laundry closet each morning and a stack of unsold jackets when a stranger in Indiana paid him a hundred dollars for a ten minute phone call to tell him he was meant to paint. Six months later some of the most prominent collectors in Los Angeles were emailing his studio. The conversation is about what he has built on top of that. Devon makes the case for abundance over gatekeeping, for giving without expectation, and for treating money the way you would treat a current, as something that only works while it is moving. He is sceptical of grinding and precise about why, he keeps studio hours like a day job because discipline is…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Emily Oberg, founder and CEO of Sporty & Rich, who turned a Tumblr mood board into one of the most imitated brands in fashion. Before the store on Place des Lices in Saint Tropez, before Selfridges, Lacoste, Hôtel du Cap and Le Bristol, there were twenty sweatshirts she packed and posted herself. Ten years on, she is clear that the stretch in between is the part nobody films, and that the day during lockdown when a single drop did fifteen times its usual figure only reads as a beginning because the decade in front of it is invisible. What follows is an unusually plain account of what the work asks of her. She creates selfishly, on the conviction that you have to know what people will like before they know it themselves, and she romanticises the past without apology, from the O.C. campaign to the Carolyn Bessette shoot in Tribeca four years before anyone else arrived there. She is candid about the rest, that running the company is the least glamorous job inside it, that there is…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Oliver Barker, chairman of Sotheby’s Europe and the man on the rostrum for many of the largest sales in the world, to explore what thirty two years at the same house teaches you about objects and the people who love them. Oliver joined as an unpaid intern in 1993 after Christie’s turned him down, and reflects on a career built on one unplanned afternoon, an eye trained by looking rather than reading, and the conviction that the greatest auctions are celebrations of culture rather than transactions. The conversation gets into how an expert’s eye is actually formed, what it takes to authenticate a work that appears in no book, and why he thinks the auction world has been guilty of elitism when its doors are open to anyone. Oliver is candid about collecting on a salary, and about the trust required when someone hands over a collection fifty years in the making. He explains why lockdown changed the saleroom permanently, what the next decade demands on authenticity, and why he keeps…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk, chairman of VaynerX and founder and CEO of VeeFriends, to explore what two decades of watching attention move has taught him about people. Gary built a career on seeing platforms before anyone else took them seriously, and reflects on a trajectory defined by conviction, self awareness, and a willingness to say the thing nobody in the room wants to hear, including about himself. The conversation gets into what he actually feels in rooms full of the one percent, why the loudest critics in someone’s life rarely deserve the authority they are given, and how he tells the difference between encouraging someone and enabling them. Gary is candid about the years he spent holding his own personality back in public and about where he disagrees with almost everyone on what AI will do to work. He argues we have become brilliant at pointing fingers and atrocious at pointing thumbs, and that the only honest place to start is with yourself. Blunt, unusually generous, and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Harry Stebbings, founder of 20VC and one of the most prolific investors and podcasters in Europe, to explore what separates the people who say they want it from the people who genuinely cannot do anything else. Harry started a podcast from his bedroom at seventeen with no university and no network, built it into an audience of millions and a fund with around a billion dollars under management, and reflects on a career defined by seeing early that media would become venture capital's real differentiator. The conversation gets into the specific signals he looks for in founders and why the usual answers about resilience and discipline tell you nothing. Harry is candid about the costs that come with real commitment, from the friends and birthdays missed to the dissatisfaction he thinks founders have to make peace with, and he is clear about where he draws his own line. He makes the case for Europe over the US, explains why he would rather be relevant than rich, and lays out what he…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Éric Martel, CEO of Bombardier, at the company's completion centre in Montreal with the Global 8000 behind them, to explore how a snowmobile inventor from a small Quebec town became the foundation of one of the world's great aerospace companies. Éric reflects on a career that began on the factory floor and a company whose defining trait is a willingness to take on things it has never done before, from building metro cars without ever having built a train to inventing the regional jet. The conversation gets into what actually separates one aircraft from another once you are past the specification sheet, and why the company still gathers the people who built each plane to meet the family taking it home. Éric is candid about the supply constraints no amount of demand can solve, the buyers now arriving in their twenties and skipping straight to the flagship, and what he looks for in the people he hires across engineering, design and everything in between. Warm, precise, and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Ted Gushue, founder of ERG Media and Editor-in-Chief of Type 7, who publishes hand bound books in the most digital era in history. Having once declared print dead and been proved comprehensively wrong, Ted has built a career around people who care too much about one thing, on the conviction that making something for two thousand obsessives beats selling fifty thousand copies to the indifferent. The conversation gets into where taste comes from and why the objects people love say more about them than anything they say out loud. Ted is candid about the discipline of looking at your own work honestly, about why he has never taken a cut for an introduction, and about the one quality he has found impossible to teach. Warm, generous, and full of opinions he has actually earned, it is a conversation about craftsmanship, obsession, and building things designed to outlive you. Filmed at Mandarin Oriental, Milan. Intro ✨🎙️ (02:52) The Cheat Code Of Being An American In Europe 🇺🇸🇪🇺 (05:54)…

In a reversal of the usual format, Alex Ikonn, founder of Intelligent Change, turns the microphone on The Gstaad Guy to explore what actually constitutes a life well lived. From repeating a private joke among college friends to a video that circulated by WhatsApp through Gstaad, Monaco, Aspen and New York, The Gstaad Guy traces a path he describes as entrepreneurial rather than creative: not an artist waiting to be heard, but someone watching for the one thing that worked well enough to run behind. The conversation gets into why he spent two years nurturing the character before leaving Apple, and why he rejects the rhetoric urging young people to quit and chase the dream. He is candid about what he has learned from observing people who have achieved extraordinary success, and how consistently their regrets turn out to be human rather than professional. He makes the case for dating your best friend, argues that legacy is a self-serving word, and explains why he would risk his financial success for his…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with David Grutman, founder of Groot Hospitality and the man many consider to hold the keys to Miami, to explore what it really takes to build places people never want to leave. From working the door to opening Komodo in a space his own friends called dead on arrival, David reflects on a career defined by reading people, spotting trends before they surface, and the conviction that the real reward is not the money but the look on someone's face after a great night. The conversation gets into why festive beats formal in a restaurant, what makes someone a great guest, and how he tells the difference between genuine warmth and someone working an angle. David speaks candidly about playing the long game with people who let him down, the investments that failed alongside the ones that worked, and the wife who calls him a broken butterfly for the boundaries that keep him whole. Warm, perceptive, and refreshingly honest about his own ambition, it is a conversation about hospitality, loyalty,…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Edgar Bronfman Jr, former CEO of Warner Music Group, and now co-founder of the venture firm Waverley Capital, to explore what it takes to back your own judgement when almost nobody around you agrees with it. From producing his first film at sixteen to running a family business he eventually sold at the top of the market, Edgar reflects on a career defined by early conviction, an instinct for where value was moving before others saw it, and the belief that it does not matter who got you in the door, only what you do once you are in the room. The conversation gets into the years of bad press he absorbed while trading a chemicals stake for the entertainment industry, the difference between unanimity in word and unanimity in spirit inside a family, and why the customer is never wrong about what they want. Edgar speaks candidly about the personal cost of the job and what he gave up to do it, the standard he sets for anyone about to get married, and what he would do differently for…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Silvio Campara, CEO of Golden Goose and one of the most unconventional operators in luxury, to explore what it really takes to build a brand that people feel they belong to rather than simply buy from. From joining a small Venetian sneaker company to leading one of the most recognisable names in the industry, Silvio reflects on a career defined by instinct over convention, an obsession with the people behind the product, and the conviction that imperfection is a position of strength rather than a compromise. The conversation gets into why he believes traditional luxury's reliance on desire is its greatest failure, how culture replaced money as the currency of status, and what a brand actually owes the customer beyond the transaction. Silvio speaks candidly about running a company with no employees but dreamers, why he refuses to let anyone stay one version of themselves, and why he calls himself the chief emotional officer rather than the chief executive. Warm, contrarian, and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Rampa, producer, DJ and entrepreneur, to explore what happens when the thing you made becomes bigger than you are. Sixteen years on from a shared basement studio and a dream of never going back to the car wash, Rampa reflects on the strange arithmetic of scale: waking up one day with the tickets sold and the visibility earned and no real idea how to hold it, and discovering that most of the people far more famous than him feel exactly the same way. The conversation gets into what skate culture taught him about belonging before the internet made it easy, why he agrees with a fair amount of his own criticism, and the economics nobody explains about who actually pays for a night in the jungle. He is candid about the two days a year Keinemusik spend with a coach protecting a friendship the scale had drowned out, about the freedom of an unfinished song and the worry that starts on release day, and about the blind date he was dragged along to that turned into TEILE, the speaker and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Jack Goldburg, founder of Jack's Dining Room & and Yes Chef Group, whose videos have been watched billions of times and whose food festivals now sell out in a couple of Instagram posts, to explore what separates a viral moment from a business that survives it. From editing until 3am while still employed at PwC to a chance conversation with a stranger at the next table, Jack reflects on a rise built on tunnel vision, a refusal to say anything negative about a restaurant, and the conviction that going viral has never been the hard part. The conversation gets into what a single video can do to a family business, why he and his co-founder wore their own hat in every clip from the very beginning, and the framework he now builds against: content, community, experience, product. Jack is direct about what he tells people who ask how to start, which is to hold onto what they have for as long as they possibly can, and equally direct that there is no formula waiting behind the question. He…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Henry Cookson, the polar record holder turned founder of Cookson Adventures, to explore what actually constitutes a life well spent. Henry left a prime brokerage desk at Goldman Sachs with no cold weather experience, entered a race to the magnetic North Pole against Arctic warfare instructors and Everest veterans, and won it. He went on to lead the first team in history to reach the Southern Pole of Inaccessibility using human power alone, and built a company designing frontier expeditions for people with the means to fund science while they travel. The conversation moves from the trading floor on 11 September to the statue of Lenin at the centre of Antarctica, from lion collars and the discovery of an unknown species of orca to a hard look at greenwashing and the kind of company money attracts. Henry argues that being a rich guy is no longer a legacy because someone bigger always follows, explains why he deliberately got out of the elevator on the third floor, and makes the…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Danny Yeung, co-founder and CEO of IM8 and one of Asia's most accomplished serial entrepreneurs, to explore what it truly means to identify a gap in human health and build a best-in-class product to fill it. From founding Prenetics to partnering with David Beckham, Danny reflects on a career defined by hands-on execution, an instinct for opportunity, and the conviction that most people are massively underinvesting in their own foundation of health. The conversation gets into what longevity really means beyond the buzzword, why the word supplement fails to capture what IM8 is actually trying to do, and how AI is beginning to reshape what is possible in personalised medicine and healthcare innovation. Danny speaks candidly about the realities of running a public company, what it takes to build teams that can move at the speed of a founder, and why being AI native is no longer a competitive advantage but a baseline requirement. Direct, driven, and refreshingly unpretentious about…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Charlotte and Peter Fiell, the design historians, authors and curators behind Taschen's Ultimate Collector series, to explore what separates objects that endure from objects that end up as decoration. Across 35 years and a body of work that includes 1000 Chairs and an 11 kilo, 200,000 word volume on watches, the Fiells reflect on a career spent among the world's greatest collections, and on a publishing brief that has never changed: create the best book there has ever been on the subject. The conversation moves from the psychology of collecting and the specific neurotype the Fiells keep encountering among serious collectors, to the quartz crisis that nearly ended Swiss watchmaking and instead gave rise to the independents. They argue that design began 2.3 million years ago rather than at the Bauhaus, that constraints make designers better rather than smaller, and that the value of an object lies in the quality of its connections. Charlotte also recounts the moment ChatGPT…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Matteo Franceschetti, co-founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, the company that has quietly become one of the most powerful sleep labs in the world, to explore what happens when Silicon Valley obsession meets the most underinvested area of human health. From his early days as a fitness-obsessed entrepreneur to building a medical-grade platform trusted by everyone from elite athletes to Formula One drivers, Matteo reflects on the vision, data, and relentless focus on performance that made Eight Sleep impossible to ignore. The conversation gets into the science of temperature cycles, what a billion hours of sleep data can actually tell you about human behaviour, and why AI is turning what was once a passive nightly ritual into an active tool for recovery and longevity. Matteo speaks candidly about the pace of technological change, what it means to build and live with your life partner, and why hospitality's next great shift will be towards wellness rather than aesthetics.…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Jade and Grant Goulden, the siblings behind Jaded London, the boundary-pushing fashion brand that has built a devoted global following by moving at the speed of culture and refusing to wait for permission, to explore what it truly means to turn instinct into a business. From running operations on WhatsApp to personally delivering clothes to Kylie Jenner, theirs is a story of agility, nerve, and an unwavering focus on product above everything else. The conversation gets into what it means to identify a trend before it has a name, why trust between co-founders who are also family is both the greatest asset and the greatest test, and how the distinctly London approach to style became the brand's most powerful currency. Jade and Grant speak candidly about hiring the customer, the discipline of doing things differently when the industry pulls towards convention, and why moving fast without a plan is only reckless if you do not know what you stand for. Energetic, unpretentious, and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Vito Cinque, owner of Il San Pietro di Positano, one of the most beloved and enduring family-run hotels on the Amalfi Coast, to explore what it truly means to build a place where guests do not just return, they belong. Rooted in a deep love for the region, its produce, and its people, Vito reflects on a life shaped by the belief that doing what you love, and doing it with complete sincerity, is the only philosophy worth running a business on. The conversation moves through the meaning of family in both the personal and professional sense, the quiet complexity behind experiences that appear effortless, and why substance has always mattered more than status at Il San Pietro. Vito speaks about the farm to table philosophy that connects the hotel to its land, what it takes to earn the kind of loyalty that brings guests back year after year, and why the next generation of hospitality will be defined by those willing to go bespoke in a world pulling towards the generic. Warm,…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Aaron Levant, CEO of Complex and one of the most conviction-driven figures in modern media and culture, to explore what it truly means to build something at the intersection of taste, access, and community. From the early days of street culture to architecting ComplexCon into one of the most distinctive live experiences in the world, Aaron reflects on a career built not on following trends but on understanding them before anyone else does. The conversation gets into the art of thinking laterally, why being a generalist in a world of specialists is an underrated advantage, and what it really takes to democratise cultural experiences without diluting what makes them matter. Aaron speaks candidly about the stigma of trying and failing, the discipline of having strong conviction when the room disagrees, and why the future of retail belongs to those who can make people feel something. Restless, sharp, and deeply knowledgeable about how culture actually moves, it is a conversation…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Jens Grede, co-founder and CEO of SKIMS and one of the most instinctive brand builders of his generation, to explore what it means to connect products with culture in a way that feels both inevitable and enduring. From his Swedish upbringing and the philosophy of lagom to a career that has taken him from Mr Porter to FRAME to one of the most talked-about consumer brands in the world, Jens reflects on a professional life built on honesty, minimalism, and an obsession with getting the product right. The conversation moves through the tension between being timely and being timeless, what American culture taught him that Europe never could, and why working with people who share your values is the only foundation worth building on. Jens speaks openly about the decision to back himself, the meaning of genuine partnership, and why family, far from being a counterweight to ambition, has always been its greatest source of purpose. Grounded, forward-looking, and refreshingly direct, it is…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys, the ultra-luxury ocean travel brand rewriting what it means to experience the sea, to explore what happens when the finest hotel sensibility meets the freedom of open water. From the legacy of seafaring that runs through the MSC family business to the guest-centric philosophy that shapes every detail on board, Anna reflects on the vision, curiosity, and conviction required to challenge an entire industry's perception of itself. The conversation gets into why the stigma around cruising has persisted for so long and what it genuinely takes to dismantle it, the idea that true luxury is not about abundance but about freedom of choice, and why time, more than any amenity, is what the most discerning travellers are really seeking. Anna shares what she has learned from guests who arrive sceptical and leave converted, the particular dynamics of leading within a family-owned business, and why the next generation of leaders will need curiosity…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Marianna Hewitt, co-founder of Summer Fridays and one of the earliest and most instinctive voices to emerge from the first wave of Instagram and lifestyle blogging, to explore what it truly takes to turn cultural momentum into something that endures. From her early days in fashion to becoming a first mover in the content creator space, Marianna reflects on the decisions, values, and relentless consistency that laid the foundation for one of skincare's most beloved modern brands. The conversation gets into the thinking behind Summer Fridays, why great skincare should never feel intimidating, and what it really means to build a brand with genuine cross-generational appeal. Marianna speaks honestly about the realities of life as a founder, the difference between good friends and old friends, and why decisiveness, not luck, is the quality that separates those who last from those who fade. Grounded, direct, and full of hard-won perspective, it is a conversation about community,…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Enrico Buonocore, Founder and CEO of Buonocore Hospitality Group, and Alessandra Maestroni, Group Strategy Manager, the founders behind Langosteria, Milan's most quietly coveted restaurant and one of the defining expressions of contemporary Italian hospitality, to explore what it truly means to build something extraordinary without a plan, guided entirely by vision, instinct, and an uncompromising sense of what feels right. Partners in business and in life, they reflect on the rare alchemy of working alongside someone who shares both your values and your ambitions. The conversation moves through the philosophy that built Langosteria from the ground up: the importance of locality, the details that most people never notice but always feel, and why understated excellence will always outlast noise. Enrico and Alessandra share what Italian cooking means to them in an era when it has been recognised as Unesco cultural heritage, how Milanese luxury differs from everywhere else, and why…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, to explore what it means to lead one of the world's most iconic luxury brands at a moment when heritage and innovation are being asked to coexist more urgently than ever. The conversation opens with something genuinely rare: The Chalet Edition Bentley Bentayga by The Gstaad Guy, a collaboration that captures what happens when two distinct visions of mountain living and automotive excellence find common ground. From a childhood obsession with cars to a career forged in the high-pressure world of motorsports, Dr. Walliser reflects on the journey to the top of Bentley, the extraordinary team required to build something that transcends transport, and why a car remains the most complex consumer good a person will ever own. The conversation covers the balance between substance and status, the meaning of timelessness in an industry racing towards the future, and what British ingenuity continues to offer a world…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Imran Amed, founder and CEO of The Business of Fashion, the platform that fundamentally changed how the fashion industry understands and talks about itself, to explore what it truly takes to bet on a calling when everything rational tells you otherwise. From journaling as a child to consulting at McKinsey, Imran traces the long and winding road that led him to build one of the most influential media businesses of his generation. The conversation covers the early days of stretching himself thin across multiple jobs just to keep the dream alive, the insecurity and need for validation that shadowed his ambition, and the moment the universe seemed to stop offering alternatives. Imran opens up about the internal struggle between security and purpose, how meditation and silent retreats helped him find stillness amid relentless pressure, and why genuine optimism, not the performative kind, has been his most durable asset. An unusually candid and deeply personal conversation about…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon Kidston, one of the most respected figures in the classic car world, a dealer, collector, and writer whose life has been shaped by an unwavering obsession with the machines that defined an era, to explore what it truly means to turn a passion into a life's work. Raised across cultures and educated in the Swiss Alps, Simon reflects on the upbringing that sharpened his eye, deepened his taste, and drew him inevitably towards the world of rare and extraordinary automobiles. The conversation moves through the philosophy of collecting, the singular allure of cars like the Mercedes 300 SLR, and why authenticity in this world cannot be manufactured, it can only be earned over time. Simon shares what classic cars reveal about the people who seek them, why obsession and discernment so often go hand in hand, and what it means to keep old machines alive and relevant in a modern era. At the heart of it all sits a quietly compelling conviction: that doing something you truly love is…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Riccardo Pozzoli, founder of Hyle Consulting and one of Italy's most respected voices at the intersection of brand building, creativity, and entrepreneurship, to explore what it truly means to build a meaningful life without losing yourself in the process. From his years at Luxottica to his role as creative director of Persol, Riccardo reflects on a career shaped by constant challenge, creative ambition, and the quiet discipline of knowing when to pivot. The conversation moves through the realities of raising a family while running a business, the tradeoffs that every ambitious life demands, and why failure, far from being something to avoid, is the most reliable engine of growth. Riccardo shares his philosophy on aligning with a partner, finding balance without pretending it is easy, and what it really means to create desirability in a world saturated with noise. Threaded throughout is a distinctly Italian perspective on life, luxury, and what it means to pursue the dream on…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Matt Friend, the comedian, actor, and impressionist who has built a devoted following by turning razor-sharp observation into some of the most entertaining content online and on stage, to explore what it truly means to make people laugh in a world that takes itself far too seriously. From discovering comedy to performing in front of live crowds, Matt reflects on the craft, the nerve, and the instinct required to land a joke in any room, for any audience. The conversation moves through the journey from online skits to major stages, the difference between performing for a camera and commanding a room, and why great comedy has always been rooted in great observation. Matt shares how he approaches his impressions, what it means to adapt your voice without losing it, and why humour remains one of the most powerful and underrated tools a person can have. A genuinely funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about passion, performance, and the art of noticing what everyone else is…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Charles Rosier, co-founder & CEO of Augustinus Bader, the biotech skincare brand that brought revolutionary stem cell science out of the medical world and into the hands of consumers, to explore what it truly takes to build something extraordinary from the edge of the impossible. From a dramatic change in career path to navigating near bankruptcy, Charles reflects on the determination, sacrifice, and quiet self-belief that kept the vision alive when almost nothing else did. The conversation moves through the science behind the brand, the challenge of democratising skincare without compromising its integrity, and why building a strong identity in one of the world's most competitive industries demands as much courage as it does innovation. Charles shares what he looks for in a team, how the perception of skincare is evolving, and why trusting the process, even when the process is brutal, is the only way to create something that lasts. A compelling conversation about medicine,…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Endo Kazutoshi, one of the most revered third-generation sushi masters in the world, to explore a life shaped by inherited craft, quiet discipline, and an unwavering devotion to the guest. From a destiny that was never forced upon him yet always seemed inevitable, Endo reflects on what it means to carry a family tradition forward while finding his own voice within it, and how the loss of his father deepened his understanding of what this craft truly demands. The conversation moves through the philosophy of omakase, the art of reading a guest before a single piece of fish is cut, and why the best sushi experience is one where less does infinitely more. Endo shares his approach to sourcing ingredients, the discipline required to build the right team around a shared vision, and how a deep knowledge of produce, technique, and human emotion combine to create something that transcends a meal. A rare and intimate look at mastery in its most refined form, and the lifetime of dedication…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon de Pury, founder of de PURY, former chairman and chief auctioneer of Phillips de Pury & Company, former Europe chairman and chief auctioneer of Sotheby's, and former curator of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, to explore a life lived entirely in pursuit of beauty, curiosity, and the extraordinary. Raised on Swiss values and drawn to galleries and collectors from a young age, Simon reflects on how a deep obsession with art, music, and human connection shaped a career at the very centre of the global art world. The conversation moves through the philosophy of collecting, the evolution of taste, and why Simon believes everyone is a collector at heart whether they know it or not. He shares how art has become increasingly social, the barriers that have long defined the industry and the forces now dismantling them, and why the best pieces have a way of choosing their buyer rather than the other way around. Threaded throughout is the one tool Simon has always relied on as much…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with PROFF, the man behind the AskOkey universe, a former JP Morgan investment banker turned tailor, blogger, and one of the most quietly compelling voices in men's style, to explore what it truly means to dress with intention and live with purpose. From the boardroom to the cutting table, PROFF reflects on a life shaped by reinvention, resilience, and the profound relationship between how we dress and how we carry ourselves. The conversation ventures into the philosophy beneath the cloth: the stoicism that steadies him, the desire to grow that drives him, and the responsibilities inherited along the way that forced him to find his footing faster than most. PROFF shares what it means to build something from nothing, why necessity has always been his greatest teacher, and how observation, solitude, and a commitment to becoming the best version of yourself can quietly transform a life. A thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about identity, grit, and the elegance of knowing…

The Gstaad The Gstaad Guy sits down with Björn Frantzen, the Swedish chef and restaurateur who holds nine Michelin stars across three separate restaurants, making him the only chef in the world to simultaneously manage three three-Michelin-starred establishments, to explore what it truly means to pursue excellence in the kitchen and beyond. From a football injury that rerouted his entire life to earning some of the most coveted accolades in gastronomy, Björn reflects on the discipline, creativity, and relentless hard work that transformed a passion for food into a world-class institution. The conversation explores the complexities of life as a restaurateur, the delicate balance between being a chef and running a business, and the Swedish philosophy of "lagom" as a quiet force behind great work. Björn shares how he designs a dish, builds a team, and innovates within a tradition as exacting as French fine dining, all while maintaining the spirit of casual elegance that defines his approach. A rich and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon Cohen, the South African-born, Australian-raised entrepreneur behind Cohen Handler, the buyer's agency that turned a gap in the market into a movement, to explore what it truly takes to build something original in an industry resistant to change. From discovering real estate to flipping the traditional agent model on its head, Simon reflects on the drive, honesty, and relentless problem-solving that transformed a bold idea into one of Australia's most trusted property firms. The conversation ventures into the lessons only life can teach, taking risks before you're ready, earning client trust through radical transparency, and why chasing your dreams means being willing to reinvent the wheel entirely. Simon shares the values that shape his team, the passion that fuels his process, and why in a world of imitators, being genuinely original is still the greatest competitive advantage. A candid, grounded conversation about building with purpose, betting on yourself, and what…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Elie Saab Jr., CEO and Vice Chairman of Elie Saab Group, to explore how a family vision rooted in haute couture grew into one of the world’s most recognisable luxury houses. Reflecting on the inception of the brand and the influence of his father, Elie Saab, Elie Saab Jr. shares how family values, Middle Eastern roots, and an upbringing centred on groundedness and resilience shaped his approach to leadership. From curiosity and ambition to grit and the desire to succeed, he discusses the mindset required to step into a legacy business while carving out your own path. The conversation dives into joining the company, restructuring the organisation, and expanding the brand globally while protecting the spirit of couture craftsmanship. Elie Saab Jr. reflects on diversifying the house into a broader lifestyle brand, the realities of the fashion industry, and why passion must always be balanced with humility. They also explore leadership, learning, choosing the right partner, and…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Tony Kelly, the Irish fine art photographer and director known for his vivid, cinematic imagery that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. From early days as a press photographer covering conflict in Afghanistan to developing a distinctive visual language built around colour, atmosphere, and playful storytelling, Tony reflects on how photography became an instinct rather than a technique. He shares how mentorship, relentless practice, and the right creative environments helped shape a style that prioritises original ideas and emotional impact over imitation or status. The conversation explores the power of visual storytelling, creating images that feel playful, cinematic, and infused with a sense of nostalgia. Tony discusses shooting self-funded projects for creative freedom, the importance of substance over status, and why hard work and resourcefulness matter more than talent alone. From the cultural magnetism of St. Moritz and the timeless atmosphere of Badrutt’s Palace…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Philippe Zuber, CEO of Kerzner International, to explore how modern luxury hospitality is evolving from hotel stays into fully immersive destinations. As the driving force behind brands such as One&Only, Atlantis, SIRO, and Rare Finds, Philippe shares how unlocking extraordinary locations and designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences requires both discipline and imagination. From selecting destinations to shaping brand emotion and storytelling, he reflects on what it takes to define the future while preserving exclusivity, privacy, and trust. The conversation dives into the shifting expectations of a multi-generational, highly discerning clientele and why luxury today is about anticipating guest needs before they are spoken. Philippe discusses health and wellness stays, sports and longevity, mindfulness, and the growing demand for meaningful escapes that enhance how time is spent. They explore decision-making in private companies, curating experiences beyond the traditional hotel…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with James Ferragamo, Chief Product Officer at Salvatore Ferragamo, to explore how a century-old family business continues to evolve without losing its soul. From Florence and the historic halls of Palazzo Spini Feroni to working closely with artisans and creative teams, James reflects on joining the family business, navigating generational dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with stewarding a global luxury house. He shares how values, governance, and thoughtful risk-taking shape long-term decision making, and why the Italian approach to luxury has always centred around craftsmanship, beauty, and human connection. The conversation dives into balancing tradition and innovation, sustainability, and diversification while staying attuned to consumer needs and cultural relevance. James discusses diversity, equity, and belonging, the influence of iconic figures like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn on Ferragamo’s legacy, and how craftsmanship becomes a product of culture as much…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Richard Leuenberger, Managing Director of Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, to explore what it takes to steward one of the world’s most storied hotels in a constantly evolving world. Often described as a living museum, Badrutt’s Palace embodies history, nostalgia, and a distinct “time machine” feeling, yet remains deeply relevant to modern, multi-generational travellers. Richard reflects on legacy, Swiss values, and why familiarity, reliability, and consistency are the foundations of true luxury. The conversation moves through the spirit of St. Moritz, the thrill of the Cresta Run, and the subtle details that define exceptional hospitality, from breakfast rituals and guest arrivals to staff-to-guest ratios, leadership styles, and creating a family feeling within a grand institution. Richard shares how trust is built through care, precision, and respect; why making guests’ ideas and dreams come true matters more than scale; and how to elevate and modernise without erasing soul. A…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Haley Baylee, one of the fastest content producers on the internet, to unpack the discipline, strategy, and resilience behind becoming a top creator in today’s attention economy. From her early modelling years and entry into Sports Illustrated to navigating judgment, pressure, and an eating disorder, Haley opens up about the realities behind the highlight reel and the work required to rebuild confidence, self-worth, and ambition. She reflects on seizing opportunities, creating structure, and learning to be purposeful rather than performative in a culture obsessed with speed. The conversation dives into internet culture, online skits, content routines, and what advertisers are actually looking for. Haley touches brand alignment, audience connection, and channeling emotion into work that resonates. They also explore dating, gender roles, financial literacy, and what it means to be self-made, alongside Haley’s belief in knowledge as power and her motivation to empower other women…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Bänz Simmen, a true native of Andermatt, to explore a life shaped by curiosity, movement, and a deep desire to stay in control of one’s own path. From growing up in Andermatt to cycling across continents, through war-torn territories, remote landscapes, and unfamiliar cultures, Bänz reflects on how travel becomes a teacher, and why knowledge, not comfort, is the real luxury. The conversation traces epic journeys by bike to Australia and New Zealand, hiking through the Himalayas, and formative adventures across India. Along the way, Bänz shares lessons on Swiss grit, structure, military service, and the contrast between life in Switzerland and the wider world. They discuss history, culture, powerful storytelling, and how acquiring experiences, not things, shapes character and perspective. Rooted in a profound respect for nature, the episode also dives into environmental responsibility, exposure to the outdoors, and how stories can influence how we treat the planet. From bunkers…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Lionel Barber, former editor of the Financial Times and author of "Gambling Man", to explore what journalism really is, and what it must remain in an age of speed, noise, and opinion. From his early days at The Sunday Times to leading one of the world’s most trusted news institutions, Lionel reflects on why great journalism begins with curiosity, not cynicism, and why asking the right questions matters more than having the loudest voice. The conversation traces his journey through foreign correspondence, writing about business in the 1980s, and navigating moments of doubt, reinvention, and regained confidence. Lionel unpacks the evolution from fast news to slow news, the discipline of knowing your reader, and the responsibility that comes with dealing with people in power. They discuss storytelling as a craft, finding your voice, balancing originality with expectation, and the tension between what audiences want to hear and what they need to know, especially in the age of social…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Glucose Goddess to unpack how a life-changing back injury, paired with depression, anxiety, and depersonalisation, became the unexpected catalyst behind her mission to transform how people understand food. From searching for external validation and navigating life as a people pleaser to becoming deeply obsession-driven and purpose-led, she shares how the hardest beginnings often shape the strongest direction. The conversation dives into glucose, balanced eating, and the science behind spikes, including breakfast myths, pregnancy nutrition, cholesterol misconceptions, and practical daily hacks that actually work. She explains why mums resonate so deeply with her content, how motherhood reshaped her relationship with food and ambition, and why access to better information is the key to long-term health. They explore prevention, intermittent fasting, building a family, handling criticism, and the emotional resilience required to keep going when things feel uncertain. Filmed at…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Greg Chait, founder of The Elder Statesman, to trace the unconventional path from throwing parties and collecting blankets to building one of fashion’s most distinctive luxury brands. Greg shares the origin story behind receiving his first cashmere blanket, discovering the power of yarn, and why leading with intuition, not trends, became the foundation of his creative philosophy. From early exposure to fashion to stumbling upon the identity that would define his brand, he reflects on living many lives before finding the one that felt right. The conversation explores colour theory, self-expression, and becoming the first to put tie dye on cashmere, a move that reshaped perceptions of luxury as something playful, cosy, and deeply personal. Greg breaks down the evolution from blankets to ready-to-wear knitwear, expanding into womenswear, designing retail experiences, and building a brand with soul. They discuss value alignment, creative collaborations, customers turned partners,…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, to explore how understanding the human body became the foundation for one of the most influential platforms in modern health. From overcoming the stigma of medical-looking wearables to deliberately taking the tech out of the product, Will shares how solving a real physiological problem led to a system that helps people build awareness, balance, and long-term resilience. The conversation moves through heart rate variability, the autonomic nervous system, and the interplay between parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, unpacking how sleep, recovery, strain, and consistency shape performance and longevity. Will explains how WHOOP enables an ongoing conversation with your body rather than a one-time snapshot, reframing prevention as a daily practice rather than an annual checkup. They explore the rise of longevity culture, health tracking as high status, and the growing role of AI in education, customer experience, and medical insight,…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Tinx, cultural commentator, host of “It’s Me, Tinx”, and one of the most influential voices shaping modern conversations around dating, relationships, and self-worth, to explore how humour, honesty, and intuition intersect in a digital-first world. Known for creating the satirical “Rich Mom Starter Pack” series and coining the “Rich Mom Energy” (RME) concept, Tinx reflects on how using wit and self-awareness became a way to challenge stereotypes, spark cultural dialogue, and empower women to define success on their own terms. The conversation dives into modern relationship dynamics, the glamorisation of wealth and traditional gender roles, and why dating has become increasingly complicated. Tinx shares her perspective on what men should be, how judgement is inherently subjective by design, and the importance of alignment in love, ambition, and values. From social media’s influence on expectations to navigating fulfilment, confidence, and identity, this episode offers an…

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Ronnie Kessel, CEO of Kessel Group, and co-founder of The I.C.E. St. Moritz, to explore a life shaped by speed, discipline, and a deep-rooted passion for the automotive world. From early dreams of becoming a racing driver and competing at the highest levels of motorsport, to inheriting the responsibility of the family business, following his father’s passing, Ronnie reflects on the pivotal moments that defined both his career and his character. The conversation dives into the transition from racing to leadership within Kessel Group, the balance between competition, dealership life, and classic cars, and why heritage matters as much as performance. Ronnie shares his perspective on how motorsport has evolved, the growing intersection of luxury and racing, and the shared values between craftsmanship in fashion and precision on the track. From obsession with perfection to lessons learned at iconic races such as the 24 Hours of Spa, this is a candid look at ambition, responsibility,…