AI Summary
5 min readMichelle Toh, a longtime journalist for CNN, Fortune, and the New York Times, opens the second season of Behind the Business with a simple promise: "We're going big." After winning a Webby Award for the first season, the show returns with a slate of conversations featuring the leaders of Airbnb, Rivian, the New York Stock Exchange, Canva, Poppy, Helicon, Samsung, and Away. Toh frames the season not as a series of promotional interviews, but as a chance to ask "the real questions" — whether that means pressing a founder on whether their business model actually works without a specific product, or exploring why "embarrassment is the most under-explored emotion when it comes to success."
The format: direct questions and a new segment
The season retains the show's core approach: Toh, who has reported from New York, LA, and San Francisco, sits down with leaders and pushes past the usual talking points. She signals that the conversations will get uncomfortable in a productive way. One clip from the trailer captures a blunt exchange about Rivian: "Rivian's business model doesn't work without R2." Another moment shows a founder reflecting on failure: "Something that I learned from having to shut down a business is that it doesn't define you — that you can start again."
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:01) **Season 2 Kickoff & Host Introduction** - Michelle Toh welcomes listeners and sets the stage for the new season.
- 2 (00:22) **Host Credentials & Season 1 Success** - Michelle Toh establishes her background and the show's momentum.
- 3 (00:45) **The Show's Core Approach: Real Questions** - Michelle Toh defines what listeners can expect from the show's interview style.
- 4 (01:11) **Key Themes & New Format** - Michelle Toh previews the philosophical depth and structural changes for Season 2.
- 5 (01:24) **Episode Release Schedule** - Michelle Toh gives the final logistical detail for listeners.
- 6 Standout Quotes
- 7 (01:05) "Rivian's business model doesn't work without R2."
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Guests on this episode
Show Notes
💭 Loading: Behind the Business Season 2 We sat down with the people building Airbnb, Rivian, NYSE, Canva, Samsung, Poppi, Peloton, Revolve, Lucid Motors, PHLUR, Away — and more. Taking you inside the tradeoffs. The pressure. The parts you don’t hear about. Season 2 drops TOMORROW, June 18. New episodes Thursdays 🚀 👇🏼 SUBSCRIBE + FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://bit.ly/YTBTB Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/3IFGuIA Spotify: https://bit.ly/SpotiBTB Amazon Music: http://bit.ly/4pPZZPp 🎙️About Behind the Business Behind the Business is a Webby Award-winning, thoughtfully produced video podcast grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal. This is not a fawning interview show. We pair deep research with thorough interviews — asking the real questions and avoiding fluff, while keeping it fun! What’s the toughest day you’ve ever had at work? How do you mentally prep for a big event? Or what’s a pinch-me moment you’ll never forget? In each episode, guests get into it all. Each episode also connects guests with young founders who send in a question. New episodes Thursdays. About Michelle Toh Michelle is an award-winning international journalist, most recently a longtime reporter at CNN. She's covered top stories in global business, including the chip and trade wars, world-leading IPOs, the corporate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Europe's energy crisis and China's property problems. Previously, she was with FORTUNE. She has reported for The New York Times, TIME and South China Morning Post.
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