What do you do when the world keeps telling you no? Academy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer reveals how rejection, curiosity, creativity, and relentless belief helped him build one of the most extraordinary careers in Hollywood history.

In this powerful episode of In Search of Excellence, host Randall Kaplan sits down with Brian Grazer to explore the real lessons behind success in film, business, and life — from mentorship and intellectual property to storytelling, resilience, preparation, and the mindset required to achieve greatness.

Brian shares unforgettable stories about Lew Wasserman, Ron Howard, Splash, 8 Mile, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and the career-defining moments that taught him why owning ideas matters more than chasing relationships — and why “no” is often just a temporary point of view.

In this episode:
Why intellectual property is the foundation of lasting success.
The lesson Brian learned from hundreds of rejections.
How curiosity opened the door to new opportunities and major films.
What it feels like to lose at the Oscars — and finally win.
Brian’s views on preparation, creativity, storytelling, and greatness.

About Brian Grazer
Brian Grazer is an Academy Award-winning producer who has produced 130 feature films and 45 television shows, including A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, 8 Mile, The Da Vinci Code, 24, Empire, Friday Night Lights, and Arrested Development. His productions have received 47 Oscar nominations with 9 wins, 296 Emmy nominations with 63 wins, 71 Golden Globe nominations with 11 wins, and have generated more than $15 billion in worldwide box office. He is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book A Curious Mind.

About Randall Kaplan
Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and executive coach. He is the co-founder of Akamai Technologies, an early investor in Google, and a mentor to founders, CEOs, executives, and business owners through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology.

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Brian Grazer is an Academy Award–winning producer, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and co-founder of Imagine Entertainment, one of the most successful production companies in Hollywood.
Alongside his longtime partner Ron Howard, Grazer has helped create an extraordinary body of work across film and television, with credits including A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, 8 Mile, The Da Vinci Code, 24, Friday Night Lights, Arrested Development, and many more.
His productions have been nominated for 47 Academy Awards, with 9 wins, along with 296 Emmy nominations with 63 wins, and 71 Golden Globe nominations with 11 wins.
Collectively, his films and television series have grossed over $15 billion worldwide.
Brian is also the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling book A Curious Mind, a powerful exploration of how curiosity can expand your life, relationships, and success.

Brian Grazer joins Randall Kaplan for a deeply personal and insightful conversation about what it really takes to create an exceptional life and career. Far beyond Hollywood success, this episode explores the mindset, emotional resilience, and relationship-building skills that shaped Grazer’s rise from a struggling student to an Academy Award-winning producer behind some of the most iconic films and television shows of the last several decades.

The episode also explores:

How to become more interesting by feeding your mind with ideas
Why courage matters more than certainty
How insecurity can either limit you or drive you
Why relationships, curiosity, and timing can change everything
How Grazer built access by asking for five minutes, not a job

Key Takeaways:
One person believing in you can change your life.
Opportunity often comes disguised as a small moment requiring immediate action.
Curiosity is a superpower in business, storytelling, and life.
You do not need a perfect beginning to build an extraordinary future.

Want to Work One-on-One with Me?
I coach a small group of high achievers on how to elevate their careers, grow their businesses, and reach their full potential both professionally and personally.

If you're ready to change your life and achieve your goals, apply here:
www.randallkaplan.com

Listen to my Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgs

Listen to this episode on the go!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XIC...

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

Follow Randall!
Instagram: @randallkaplan
LinkedIn: @randallkaplan
TikTok: @randall_kaplan
Twitter / X: https://x.com/RandallKaplan
Website: www.randallkaplan.com
1-on-1 Coaching: www.randallkaplan.com

Coaching and Staying Connected:

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In Search of Excellence Podcast - with Randall Kaplan

If you’re looking for career advice, mentorship strategies, LinkedIn networking, extreme preparation, and the mindset behind building a world-class podcast and life, this conversation with Lewis Howes is for you. In Part 2, Lewis and Randall go deep on doing the hard things consistently, earning access to mentors through service, and building relationships (in business and in love) with values, gratitude, and intentionality—the kind of principles that create long-term success and fulfillment.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
How Lewis went from sleeping on a couch to becoming “the LinkedIn guy” through daily reps, events, and service-first outreach

A practical framework for earning mentorship (without “Can I pick your brain?” messages)
Why gratitude + generosity are “the gateway to abundance,” and how Lewis builds them into his daily routine

Lewis’s definition of greatness—and how to pursue it with impact, not ego
Relationship wisdom: why “fun first” doesn’t always equal “aligned long-term,” plus a thoughtful conversation on commitment and infidelity

Guest bio: Lewis Howes
Lewis Howes is a lifestyle entrepreneur, high-performance business coach, keynote speaker, former professional athlete, and host of The School of Greatness—one of the world’s leading personal development podcasts, with over 1B+ downloads. Lewis’s mission aligns with Randall’s: to help 100 million people live their dreams.

If this episode helped you think bigger about mentorship, networking, discipline, relationships, and building a meaningful life, hit Like, Subscribe, and Comment below:

Question: What’s ONE “extreme preparation” habit you’re committing to this week—research, outreach, health, or relationships?

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🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6L

For more information about this episode, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/

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