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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forget the glossy startup story. This week, serial entrepreneurs Kass and Mike Lazerow join Patrick J. McGinnis to blow up the myths of effortless success. These two built and sold Golf.com and Buddy Media (to Salesforce for $745M)—but not without near-death experiences, crippling anxiety, and plenty of shoveling $h!t along the way. In this raw and often hilarious conversation, they share the real playbook: how to lead with emotional honesty, use anxiety as a superpower, raise capital when everyone says no, and stay obsessed with customers through every pivot. If you’re tired of startup hype and want hard-earned, practical lessons from people who’ve been through it all, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you constantly battling the feeling of not having enough time? Join Patrick McGinnis as he explores the enlightening world of Oliver Burkeman, the acclaimed author of 4,000 Weeks and his latest release, Meditations for Mortals. Oliver shares his surprising realization that doing everything is impossible and how embracing our limitations can lead to greater productivity and peace of mind. Together, they unpack the modern phenomenon of FOMO, its roots in our digital age, and the universal challenge of choosing one path over another. Oliver also introduces the core concepts from his new book, offering practical, bite-sized meditations to help you shift your perspective on time, embrace imperfection, and prioritize what truly matters—all without getting bogged down by complicated systems. Get ready to rethink your relationship with time and discover a more intentional, serene way of living. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From revolutionizing the mattress industry with Casper to tackling the complex world of mental health with AI, Neil Parikh’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring. Join Patrick McGinnis as they dive into Neil’s ability to persevere through adversity, a trait honed through both personal challenges and the ups and downs of scaling a billion-dollar business. They explore Casper’s disruptive success, the critical supply chain crisis, and the lessons learned from taking a company public. Now, Neil is co-founding Slingshot AI, focused on building the first foundation model for therapy, aiming to provide scalable, accessible mental healthcare. He delves into the unique approach of learning from real human therapy interactions and discusses how AI could pave the way for new therapeutic methods. Together, they tackle the skepticism and ethical considerations surrounding AI in mental health, offering a thought-provoking conversation on innovation, resilience, and the future of mental well-being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a driven entrepreneur is suddenly forced to confront the ultimate test—not in the boardroom, but in his own body? In this powerful episode of FOMO Sapiens, Romain Kapadia—founder, investor, marathoner, and stage four cancer survivor—joins Patrick McGinnis to explore how resilience, mindset, and business acumen intersect in the face of life-altering adversity. Romain shares the unconventional tools he used to navigate both startup chaos and his diagnosis, including his non-negotiable morning routine, a radically different perspective on time, and why optimism can be a form of strategy. This conversation isn’t just inspiring—it’s a masterclass in how to meet life’s hardest moments with clarity, decisiveness, and strength. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to dive into the electrifying world of nightlife and brand building with Josh Wyatt, the CEO of Avant Gardner and the iconic Brooklyn Mirage. Join Patrick McGinnis as they explore Josh’s journey from risk-averse to embracing bold ventures, a transformation that led him to helm cultural hotspots like Noya House and Fotografiska. Discover the magic behind the relaunch of the Brooklyn Mirage, a purpose-built entertainment mecca in New York City. Josh shares the innovative strategies he's using to create a lasting, FOMO-inducing experience that transcends traditional nightlife. From drawing inspiration from operatic grandeur to reimagining audience engagement, they explore Josh's forward-thinking ideas, including a fully non-alcoholic bar concept that caters to evolving consumer preferences. This episode is a backstage pass to the vision and execution behind building a cultural phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices