How I Built Resilience (Special Edition): Guy Raz

Career Shift

Guy Raz's career took an unexpected turn from being a war reporter to a media personality. He initially worked as a news reporter covering conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, but eventually felt disillusioned with the impact of traditional journalism 1. This led him to leave the news world and explore the emerging field of podcasting. Raz reflects on a pivotal moment when he realized he wouldn't become a main news anchor at NPR, which pushed him to collaborate with TED and create successful shows like 'How I Built This' 2.

I had always thought that I wanted to be one of the main news anchors on NPR... But in fact, it kind of was one of the reasons that I got out of the news side of things entirely.

--- Guy Raz

His decision to pivot was challenging but ultimately rewarding, allowing him to find a new path in storytelling.

   

Building the Show

The creation of 'How I Built This' was marked by strategic and creative challenges. Guy Raz aimed to produce a business show that was different, featuring diverse voices and stories that resonated with listeners 3. His genuine curiosity and ability to immerse himself in his guests' stories often led to spontaneous expressions of awe, like his signature "wow" moments 4. Raz's nervousness before interviews stemmed from his desire to make each episode impactful and worth the listeners' time 3.

I want every episode we do to be excellent. I want people listening to it to come out of that feeling inspired and energized.

--- Guy Raz

This dedication to quality storytelling has been a cornerstone of the show's success.