Ep. 7, Adam & Ryan Goldston: Founders of APL – Banned by the NBA, Luxury Performance, Credibility, & Innovation That Moves Culture
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Adam and Ryan Goldston, the twin brothers behind APL (Athletic Propulsion Labs), the brand that disrupted the sneaker world with a basketball shoe so advanced it was banned by the NBA.
The conversation dives into what it means to build a brand with authenticity at its core, and how vision, process, and purpose have shaped APL’s rise in the luxury performance category. From engineering innovation based on real needs, not hype, to defining what credibility means in today’s culture-driven landscape, Adam and Ryan share how dreaming big, staying focused, and listening closely can drive true impact.
Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(03:12) Genesis of APL 🌱👟
(05:36) Induction into the CFDA 🤝🏻🏛️✍🏻
(07:30) From vision to reality 👁️😌
(08:42) “Luxury Performance Category” ✨👟
(10:21) “Making the right decisions” ✅⚖️
(12:14) Pursuing an idea 💡🏃
(15:50) Confidence 😎💪🏻
(17:55) The disbelievers 😲
(20:08) Logos 🔲 🔠
(21:48) “Tackling a new silhouette” 🆕
(24:56) “Positioning of APL” 🎯 👟
(29:40) “Love for obsession” ❤️ 😵💫
(31:39) “Vision, POV, Perspective” 👁️
(34:58) “Design & Colour” ✍🏻 🎨
(37:47) “Taste” 🤌🏻
(41:10) “Process” 🔄⏳
(43:40) “Inspiration” 💡🎨
(46:44) “Moments of defeat” ⏳😫
(49:01) “Learning from failure” 📚🧠❌
(54:15) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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Ep. 6, Lori & Marci Hirshleifer: Owners of Hirshleifers – Legacy, Social Media, Style, Handbag Charms & Reinventing the Family Business
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Lori and Marci Hirshleifer, co-owners of the iconic luxury boutique Hirshleifers, to explore how a century-old family business has adapted, grown, and thrived in this day and age.
This conversation traces what it’s like to work alongside family, and how creative and strategic decisions are made when curating collections. Lori and Marci reflect on their role in sparking the global handbag charm trend, and how Hirshleifers has consistently stayed ahead of the curve through bold buying choices and a sharp eye for what’s next. They go on to share how they've developed a unique presence online, and how the boutique continues to stand out through its carefully curated mix of legacy labels and emerging designers.
Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Liberty Corner Suite.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(04:20) Family businesses 🧑🧑🧒🧒 💼
(07:00) Social media journey📱🚀
(08:30) Unique collections 🌟
(10:00) “Are you inspired by other stores?”💡🛍️
(10:56) Relationship with Virgil Abloh 👑
(13:28) Handbag charms 🔗👜
(15:02) Growth & change of life 📈🌱
(17:18) Category of style 🔠 😎
(20:26) Tips for business 💡🏢
(22:28) Working with family 🧑💻👩💻👨💻
(23:16) “Approach to business” 🎯 💼
(25:47) Detaching from the family business ⛓️💥 🧑🧑🧒🧒 💼
(28:27) “Decision making process for stocking brands?” ⚖️
(29:40) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
(32:16) Age to wear designer pieces 🔞👗👕
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Ep. 5, Eric Schmidt: Former CEO of Google – Gratitude, Human Values, AI, Hyper-Intelligence, & Throughput
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Eric Schmidt, former CEO and Chairman of Google, to explore how gratitude and human values can coexist with rapid technological acceleration. From the role of AI in reshaping productivity to the dawn of hyper-intelligence, Eric shares his thoughts on how to remain grounded in an age defined by algorithms.
The conversation touches on the ethical responsibilities of tech leadership, the importance of human freedom in a machine-driven world, and how embracing gratitude can offer clarity amid complexity. With a rare mix of philosophical depth and operational insight, Eric unpacks what it means to build and live intentionally in the future we’re all rushing toward.
Filmed at Nobel LA’s Benedict property.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(02:00) “Knowledge & intellect” 📖🧠
(03:40) Scale the next generation 📈
(05:30) “Values in Founders" 🔍🤝
(06:55) Principles of Command ✒️ 📜👉
(10:00) Conversations & learning 💬📚🧠
(12:33) “Detailed planning, detailed thinking, & command” 📆🤔👉
(13:29) “Reducing friction” 🚫🐌
(15:35) “Latency, the enemy of productivity”⏳🚀
(17:20) “Economics of scarcity to scarcity of attention” 💰📊⚠️
(21:16) “The “search” & the application of algorithms”🔎💻🌐
(23:41) Gresham’s Law ⚖️
(25:22) “Would The Gstaad Guy be a good boyfriend?” 🇨🇭🏔️❤️
(28:00) “Outsmarting AI” 🤓🤖
(32:16) “Algorithms making content" 💻🌐🎥
(34:29) Dude With Sign 🪧
(36:57) “A digital extension of yourself" 💻🤳❓
(40:12) “Manipulate human behaviour” 🎭🙃
(41:03) “A change in hardware” 🔄📱
(42:33) “Switching off" 🎚️📴
(44:08) The impact of the internet 🌐😎
(45:57) “Designing a city” 🏙️🧑🎨
(48:11) The next generation 🎁 ⏭️ 🧑🧒
(50:45) “Maximum age to be a president?” 🔞👨💼
(52:17) “Founders finding their replacement” 👤🔁👤
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Ep. 4, Will Welch: Editor-in-Chief of GQ - Fashion, Journalism, Hype, Creative Leadership, Virality, & the Evolution of GQ.
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with GQ Editor-in-Chief Will Welch to talk about the intersection of fashion and culture, the importance of storytelling in an era of algorithms, and how GQ has evolved into a creative platform where the best idea wins, and every voice matters.
Will shares his perspective on the devolution of traditional media, the unpredictable nature of virality, and why being yourself is the only strategy that truly lasts. From deep journalism to digital creativity, this conversation explores how GQ continues to innovate and remain culturally relevant, not just as a magazine, but as a global creative community.
Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Bartholdi Presidential Suite.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(00:49) Pronouncing “Gstaad”🗣️🇨🇭🏔️
(04:50) The Gstaad Guy is a fan of GQ 🏆📔
(06:55) “The world of GQ” 🤗🤝📔
(08:16) “Your perception of GQ?” 🧐📔
(11:40) GQ’s positive work environment 😁✅💼
(13:25) “Industry & GQ: then vs. now” 🆚
(17:42) “The GQ reader” 🤓☯️🌱
(21:07) GQ is a community platform 🧑🧑🧒 🤲
(22:28) The Gstaad Guy platform 🏆🤲
(26:23) The Gstaad Guy’s creative decisions 🏆🎨
(28:43) Predicting performance 🤔📈
(31:11) On a cover of a magazine 🤩📔
(34:47) Building the GQ universe 🔧📔🌎
(39:22) “Obsessed with the passions” ❤️🔥
(41:38) Definition of “cool” 😎
(44:04) “Be yourself” 😊
(49:05) Generalist vs. Expert 🤔🤓
(50:03) Virgil Abloh 👑✨
(54:28) “The multi-hyphenate & the freelancer” 🧑💻👩💻
(54:53) “Being Editor-in-Chief of GQ” ✍️👨💼📔
(58:52) Managing creative freedom 🧑💼👩💼🎨
(01:01:22) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
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Ep. 3, Wisdom Kaye: Fashion, Internet Fame, Content Creation, Luxury vs. Expression, and the Future of Influence.
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy chats with model and fashion content creator Wisdom Kaye, to discuss the evolution of personal style, navigating the fashion world as a digital native, and how to build influence without compromising authenticity.
Wisdom Kaye is a Nigerian-American fashion model and content creator who rose to prominence through his bold, editorial-level style on TikTok. Blending high fashion with streetwear and cinematic storytelling, Wisdom has become a voice for a new generation of style icons, redefining what it means to be fashionable, expressive and fearless in the digital age.
Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Liberty Corner Suite.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(03:23) “A very IRL individual” 💯😌
(06:44) “How people know me online” ⌨️ ✅
(07:24) “The artist loving their own work” 🧑🎨
(08:37) “Your inspiration and journey” 🤔💡
(13:27) “What I focus on now” 🧘♂️
(16:00) Both Sides of the Coin 🪙
(18:17) Mixing Old with the New 📜📱
(21:13) “Did you imagine this life?” 💭
(23:50) “How important is timing?” ⌚️
(24:17) Professional beatboxer 🗣️
(28:21) Inclusive fashion content creator 📲
(34:24) Feeling out of place 😥
(38:34) “Life is about forming connections” 🔗
(40:26) “Comfort and excitement in your work” 👨💼🤩
(42:42) Confronting one’s weaknesses 🤼🤕
(45:45) Entrepreneurial desires 👨💼💰📈
(51:55) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
The Gstaad Guy Podcast is your backstage pass to the untold stories behind excellence. Hosted by The Gstaad Guy, out of character, this guest driven, unscripted series explores the real journeys, challenges and turning points that shape those who have mastered their craft. From global tastemakers and industry leaders to creative pioneers and cultural outliers, each episode reveals what it really takes to achieve excellence. Through humour and curiosity, The Gstaad Guy peels back the layers to uncover the grit behind the glamour, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the worlds usually kept behind closed doors.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gstaadguypodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gstaadguypodcast
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