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In Search Of Excellence

In Search Of Excellence

By: Randall Kaplan
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In Search of Excellence goes inside the lives of extraordinary entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, athletes, entertainers, and leaders to uncover what it really takes to achieve exceptional success.


Hosted by Randall Kaplan - serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and creator of the Extreme Preparation™ methodology - the podcast explores the preparation, habits, failures, relationships, resilience, mindset, and decisions behind extraordinary achievement.


Randall’s guests include Tony Robbins, Mark Cuban, Gary Vaynerchuk, Mike Tyson, David Solomon, Dana White, Robert Greene, Sammy Hagar, and many more. The show has ranked as high as #3 in Entrepreneurship and #10 in Business on Apple Podcasts.


Each episode delivers practical lessons and powerful stories about building careers and companies, overcoming adversity, making better decisions, developing winning mindsets, and preparing for the moments that matter most.

© 2026 In Search of Excellence Podcast Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • Matt Brannigan: Can You Really Break the Patterns Holding You Back? | E195

    Matt Brannigan: Can You Really Break the Patterns Holding You Back? | E195
    17 Oct 2026
    You can spend seven days changing your life—and return home to discover that your old patterns are still waiting for you. So how do you make personal growth last?In Part 2 of my conversation with Matt Brannagan of the Hoffman Institute, we get into what happens AFTER the Hoffman Process: the difficult conversations, the return to everyday life, and the ongoing work of becoming the person you want to be.I share what it was like to tell my parents “I forgive you and I love you,” why I made a major mistake by going straight home after the retreat, and how quickly familiar circumstances brought back behaviors I thought I had changed.Matt explains why lasting growth isn’t about never getting triggered again. It’s about noticing your patterns sooner, reducing how intensely and how long they control you, and choosing a better response.We also discuss vulnerability, the extraordinary connections formed in a group of strangers, the difference between the Hoffman Process and therapy, why preparation matters, and what seven days without a phone can teach you about yourself.One of my biggest takeaways is simple: awareness alone isn’t change. You need reminders, support, and the willingness to keep doing the work long after the retreat ends.The goal isn’t perfection. It’s becoming calmer, more present, more thoughtful, and more intentional—one decision at a time.CHAPTERS00:00 Forgiving your parents—and starting a difficult conversation03:49 What happens when the seven-day retreat ends?07:08 My biggest mistake after the Hoffman Process08:17 Does the transformation fade over time?09:47 Measuring progress: shorter, less intense patterns12:44 The ten patterns I keep on my desk13:50 Hoffman teachers versus traditional therapists16:32 How vulnerability changed our group19:04 Can Hoffman and therapy work together?20:25 Why preparation creates safety22:15 Inside the retreat: rooms, food and long days25:58 Seven days without a phone or distractions27:34 Why boundaries matter during the retreat29:49 The person I want to become30:51 What Matt wants prospective participants to know34:05 Would I do the Hoffman Process again?35:18 Cost, scholarships and accessibility37:12 Final reflectionsABOUT MATT BRANNAGANMatt Brannagan is CEO of the Hoffman Institute Foundation and Chair of Hoffman Institute International. A U.S. Army veteran and former Master Resilience Trainer, he joined Hoffman in 2007 and has served as a teacher, coach, Director of Faculty, and Chief Operating Officer.Learn more: https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/ABOUT RANDALL KAPLANI'm a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, early investor in Google, and host of In Search of Excellence.Through my Extreme Preparation® methodology, I coach founders, CEOs, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals to achieve extraordinary personal and professional results.PRIVATE COACHING — WORK WITH MEI privately coach a limited number of high achievers who want to elevate their careers, scale their businesses, overcome obstacles, and reach higher levels of success personally and professionally.If you're ready to invest in yourself and make meaningful changes in your life, I'd love to hear from you.Learn more or inquire about coaching:https://www.randallkaplan.com/Or DM me COACHING on Instagram: @randallkaplanWATCH, LISTEN & SUBSCRIBEYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@randallkaplanApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6LPodcast website: https://www.insearchofexcellence.com/CONNECT WITH RANDALLInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/randallkaplan/LinkedIn: @randallkaplanTikTok: @randall_kaplanX: https://x.com/RandallKaplanPersonal website: https://www.randallkaplan.com/WATCH MY TED TALKHow to Get Your Dream Job with Extreme Preparationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgsJOIN THE CONVERSATIONWhat is one pattern you recognize in yourself that you would like to change?Share your thoughts in the comments. If you found this conversation valuable, please like the video, subscribe to In Search of Excellence, and share this episode with someone who might benefit from it.#HoffmanProcess #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #Forgiveness #InSearchOfExcellence #RandallKaplanAbout Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-1 Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn | X
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    44 min
  • Matt Brannigan: Why Success Still Feels Empty | E194

    Matt Brannigan: Why Success Still Feels Empty | E194
    9 Oct 2026
    What happens when you achieve the success you dreamed of and still don’t feel okay?I went to the Hoffman Institute during a painful divorce, and I was terrified of confronting things I had buried for years. It’s something that most of us don’t think about until it’s too late: mental health deserves the same attention we give our physical health. In this emotional and bare-it-all conversation, I share what it took to face some of my own patterns and face the demons of my childhood that have been holding me back my entire life and influencing the way I’ve lived for my entire life..In Part 1 of In Search of Excellence, I sit down with Hoffman Institute CEO Matt Brannagan to talk about the Hoffman Process: a week-long personal-growth retreat that helps people examine patterns learned in childhood. According to the Hoffman Institute, the Process has helped more than 150,000 people since 1967.I share what frightened me about attending, what Scooter Braun told me beforehand that prevented me from backing out at the last minute, and why the 10-page questionnaire brought me to tears many times. We discuss a friend who earns $50 million a year but hated going to work, and why achievement doesn’t always bring fulfillment.Matt explains how Hoffman influenced his leadership during his deployment in Iraq, Bob Hoffman’s “negative love syndrome” framework, and the Quadrinity: emotions, intellect, body, and spirit. We also discuss forgiveness, parenting, and why recognizing a pattern is only the beginning of changing it.In this conversation• Why success and money can leave happiness unresolved.• How childhood patterns can affect your relationships and work.• Why self-awareness alone may not change your behavior.• How understanding your parents can open the door to forgiveness.Chapters00:00 - Success and the search for happiness00:54 - From Hoffman to Iraq03:52 - From Hoffman student to CEO06:34 - How Bob Hoffman created the Process09:58 - You achieved your goals but still feel empty16:03 - What Scooter Braun told me before Hoffman25:49 - How childhood shapes the way we seek love31:40 - Your personality or a pattern you can change36:20 - The Quadrinity explained44:41 - Making $50 million and hating your job48:06 - How emotional stress shows up in your body52:07 - What Hoffman means by your spiritual self54:14 - The work that starts before you arrive56:32 - The questionnaire that brought me to tears1:06:56 - Why self-awareness alone is not enough1:09:58 - The letter that helped me forgive my parentsAbout Matt BrannaganMatt Brannagan is CEO of the Hoffman Institute Foundation and Chair of Hoffman Institute International. A U.S. Army veteran and former Master Resilience Trainer, he joined Hoffman in 2007 and has served as a teacher, coach, Director of Faculty, and Chief Operating Officer. He holds a master’s degree in transpersonal psychology and is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology.Hoffman Institute: https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/About Randall KaplanRandall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, early Google investor, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation® methodology, he coaches founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals on achieving their personal and professional goals.Join the conversationWhich pattern would you most like to change: overworking, perfectionism, or avoiding difficult conversations? Tell us in the comments. Like the video, subscribe to In Search of Excellence, and turn on notifications for Part 2. Share this with someone who needs to hear that asking for help is a strength.Want to work one on one with meI privately coach a limited number of high achievers who want to elevate their careers, scale their businesses, and reach higher levels of success professionally and personally. To apply to work with me, visit https://www.randallkaplan.com/Listen and connectApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6LAll episodes: https://www.insearchofexcellence.com/Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgsFollow RandallInstagram: @randallkaplanLinkedIn: @randallkaplanTikTok: @randall_kaplanX: https://x.com/RandallKaplanSupportIf you’re struggling or in crisis in the U.S., call or text 988 for free, confidential support, 24/7. Online chat: https://988lifeline.org/#HoffmanProcess #MentalHealth #InSearchOfExcellenceAbout Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, executive coach, co-founder of Akamai Technologies, founder and CEO of JUMP Investors, and host of In Search of Excellence. Through his Extreme Preparation™ methodology, he helps founders, executives, business owners, and ambitious professionals improve strategy, communication, decision-making, and execution.Coaching and Staying Connected:1-on-...
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    1 hr and 17 min
  • The 5 Types of Cheating and the Question Betrayed Partners Never Ask | Jim Sexton | E193

    The 5 Types of Cheating and the Question Betrayed Partners Never Ask | Jim Sexton | E193
    9 Sep 2026
    What if an affair isn't where a marriage first breaks, but the moment years of disconnection finally become impossible to ignore?After more than 25 years and 1,000 matrimonial cases, renowned divorce lawyer Jim Sexton reveals the five types of infidelity, the warning signs couples routinely miss and the painful question betrayed partners almost never ask.In Part 3 of this extraordinary conversation with Randall Kaplan, Jim begins with one of the most shocking prenuptial agreements he has ever encountered: a clause that reduced a wife's alimony by $50,000 for every ten pounds she gained. The judge called the provision disgusting, but upheld it.Jim then explains how marriages can slowly unravel when couples stop doing the seemingly insignificant things that once made their partners feel noticed, desired and loved. Neither person may recognize the damage while it is happening. By the time an affair occurs, it may be the final symptom of a relationship that has been deteriorating for years.Randall and Jim explore:• The five distinct types of infidelity• When flirting crosses the line into cheating• Why revenge affairs create more pain instead of relief• Whether sex addiction can become an excuse for avoiding deeper problems• The questions men and women commonly ask after discovering an affair• Why learning every sexual detail may make healing more difficult• The conversation couples should have before resentment becomes betrayal• Whether trust and intimacy can be rebuilt after infidelity• Why opening a struggling marriage is often treated as a final Hail Mary• When divorced parents should introduce a new partner to their children• How to protect children from loyalty conflicts after divorce• Why preparation and organization have been essential to Jim's successJim also opens up about his own dating life, the freedom and responsibilities of being single, his relationship with his sons and the grief of knowing that the people and animals we love will not be with us forever.The conversation closes with Jim's deeply personal reflections on love, success and mortality, including the one message he would leave his sons if he had only 60 seconds to live.Jim also tells Randall that this was one of the most comprehensive interviews he has ever done and calls Randall's Extreme Preparation "shocking to be on the other side of."What causes more damage to a marriage: the act of cheating or the years of disconnection that often precede it?Share your answer in the comments. If this conversation made you reconsider love, loyalty or marriage, please like the video, subscribe to In Search of Excellence and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.Timestamps00:00 Getting caught cheating versus confessing00:28 Who should never get married?01:55 The disgusting prenup clause a judge upheld07:03 How small acts of neglect can predict a divorce11:44 When does flirting become cheating?16:43 Jim Sexton's five types of infidelity25:10 Is sex addiction real or sometimes an excuse?27:14 Can someone cheat and still have a happy marriage?33:50 What betrayed partners ask after an affair39:04 The painful question almost nobody asks43:10 Do open marriages work?47:43 Why preparation is the foundation of Jim's success51:20 When should children meet a new partner?57:31 Protecting children during and after divorce1:03:21 Accepting what you cannot control1:11:11 Jim's honest answer about his dating life1:17:04 Jim plays Fill in the Blank to Excellence1:21:43 Jim's final message to his sons1:22:11 Why Jim called this one of his most comprehensive interviewsAbout Jim SextonJames J. Sexton is a leading matrimonial and family law attorney who has handled more than 1,000 cases during over 25 years in practice. He is the bestselling author of If You're in My Office, It's Already Too Late and How to Stay in Love. His candid insights into marriage, divorce, infidelity and relationships have made him one of the world's most widely watched legal voices.Connect with Jim SextonWebsite: https://www.nycdivorces.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sextonshowTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nycdivorceWatch Parts 1 and 2Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qKNSync_uwPart 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrHjXLgBUVoListen to In Search of ExcellenceApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-search-of-excellence/id1579184310Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/23q0XICUDIchVrkXBR0i6LAll episodes: https://www.insearchofexcellence.com/Work One on One with Randall KaplanRandall privately coaches a limited number of entrepreneurs, executives and high achievers who want to accelerate their personal and professional success.Apply here: https://www.randallkaplan.com/Extreme Preparation TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIvlFpoLfgsAbout Randall Kaplan: Randall Kaplan is a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, ...
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    1 hr and 29 min
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