How Immigrant Resilience Builds Businesses That Last with Neri Karra Sillaman

How Immigrant Resilience Builds Businesses That Last with Neri Karra Sillaman

Author: Guy Kawasaki June 17, 2026 Duration: 52:09

What drives someone to rebuild their life from a refugee camp—and then rethink everything we believe about entrepreneurship? In this episode of Remarkable People, Neri Karra Sillaman joins Guy Kawasaki to unpack the hidden strengths behind immigrant entrepreneurship, resilience, and long-term business success. Drawing from her new book Pioneers, Neri explains why the world’s most enduring companies often grow slowly, stay deeply connected to community, and “fry in their own oil.” From refugee camps to Oxford to building a global leather goods company, her story challenges the Silicon Valley obsession with speed and scale. This conversation will change the way you think about ambition, leadership, and what really makes businesses last.

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Guy Kawasaki is on a mission to make you remarkable. His Remarkable People podcast features interviews with remarkable people such as Jane Goodall, Marc Benioff, Woz, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Bob Cialdini. Every episode will make you more remarkable.

With his decades of experience in Silicon Valley as a Venture Capitalist and advisor to the top entrepreneurs in the world, Guy’s questions come from a place of curiosity and passion for technology, start-ups, entrepreneurship, and marketing. If you love society and culture, documentaries, and business podcasts, take a second to follow Remarkable People.

Listeners of the Remarkable People podcast will learn from some of the most successful people in the world with practical tips and inspiring stories that will help you be more remarkable.

Episodes of Remarkable People organized by topic: https://bit.ly/rptopology

Listen to Remarkable People here: **https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasakis-remarkable-people/id1483081827**

Produced by Madisun Nuismer and Jeff Sieh. Research provided by Tessa Nuismer


What does it take to lead a life that stands out? That’s the central thread running through Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People. Hosted by the seasoned Silicon Valley veteran and author Guy Kawasaki, this podcast sits at the intersection of society, business, culture, and education. Each conversation is less a formal interview and more a deep dive into the minds of individuals who have genuinely changed their fields. You’ll hear from primatologist Jane Goodall, Salesforce founder Marc Benioff, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi, and influence expert Robert Cialdini, among many others. Kawasaki’s approach is the key. He draws on his own decades as a venture capitalist and advisor, but he leaves the jargon at the door. His questions stem from a genuine curiosity and a passion for how things work, leading to discussions that are both insightful and surprisingly accessible. The goal isn’t just to recount successes, but to unpack the habits, setbacks, and pivotal moments that define a remarkable journey. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a series of private, candid mentorships. You’re not just learning about technology or business strategies; you’re absorbing lessons on resilience, creativity, and the human elements that drive lasting impact. Each episode offers a new perspective, challenging you to consider how you might apply a spark of that remarkable thinking to your own path.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People
Podcast Episodes
How Poetry Changes the Way We See the World with David Whyte [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:04
What happens when language reaches beyond what we think we can say? David Whyte—poet, philosopher, and performer—joins Guy Kawasaki for a wide-ranging conversation about poetry, vulnerability, creativity, and the words t…
How We Create a Culture of Belonging with Claude M. Steele [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:14
Why do smart, well-intentioned people still struggle to connect across differences? This week, Guy Kawasaki sits down with renowned social psychologist Claude M. Steele to explore the hidden tension he calls "churn"—the…
How We Can Help Every Child Succeed with Ross Greene [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:49
What if the biggest breakthrough in education isn't better curriculum, but a better way of understanding kids? In this episode, Ross Greene explains why struggling students aren't choosing to fail—they're facing obstacle…
What Makes Someone a Supercommunicator with Charles Duhigg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:15
Why do some people instantly put us at ease while others leave us feeling unheard? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg joins Guy to explain the science behind meaningful conversations…
How Narrative, Ritual, and Purpose Help Us Heal with Suzan Song [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:52
What if resilience isn't about grit at all? Dr. Suzan Song—psychiatrist, anthropologist, and author of Why We Suffer and How We Heal—has spent decades studying survivors of war, trafficking, displacement, and personal lo…
Why Community Matters More Than Achievement with Daniel Coyle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
What if success isn’t the goal—and flourishing is? Daniel Coyle, bestselling author of The Talent Code, The Culture Code, and his newest book Flourish, joins Guy to explore why joyful, meaningful growth can only happen i…
What Kids Really Need in the Age of AI with Dana Suskind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:30
What happens when AI starts raising our kids? In this episode of Remarkable People, Dana Suskind joins Guy Kawasaki to explore the future of parenting, human connection, and childhood in the age of artificial intelligenc…
More Than a Penalty Kick: Brandi Chastain’s Lasting Soccer Legacy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:37
With the men’s FIFA World Cup capturing fans around the globe, we’re revisiting our conversation with Brandi Chastain—a pioneer whose impact on soccer extends far beyond one unforgettable penalty kick.Best known for scor…
The Surprising Habits That Matter Most for Health with Zeke Emanuel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
Zeke Emanuel has spent decades studying medicine, healthcare policy, and human behavior. In this conversation, he challenges popular wellness trends and argues that living well depends less on hacks and supplements and m…