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 to Disagree Better with Julia Minson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:33
Behavioral scientist Julia Minson joins Guy Kawasaki to unpack why most arguments fail and how we can disagree without destroying relationships. They explore the psychology behind conflict, the surprising limits of body…
How to Escape Survival Mode and Thrive with Jon Rosemberg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
What does it take to move from survival mode to a life of genuine thriving? In this conversation, Jon Rosemberg shares how his family’s history of displacement, his high-pressure corporate career, and a personal breaking…
Raquel Willis on Identity, Allyship, and Living Authentically [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:23
As we celebrate Pride Month, it felt like the right time to return to this meaningful conversation with Raquel Willis.In this episode, Raquel reflects on her journey as a Black transgender woman, sharing lessons on ident…
How to Win in a World of Limited Opportunities with Judd Kessler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:25
In this episode, Judd Kessler breaks down the hidden rules behind everyday competition, from school admissions to Taylor Swift tickets. He reveals how “hidden markets” quietly shape who gets what—and how understanding th…
Why Women Are Rewriting the Rules of the Economy with Misty Heggeness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:43
What happens when you look at the economy through the lens of Taylor Swift—and realize it was never built with women in mind? In this episode, economist Misty Heggeness unpacks how women are reshaping economic systems by…
What Silicon Valley Gets Wrong About Success with Eric Ries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
What happens when the author of The Lean Startup starts questioning the very system that built Silicon Valley? In this episode of Remarkable People, Eric Ries joins Guy Kawasaki to unpack the ideas behind his new book, I…
How to Restart Your Creativity with Julia Cameron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
This spring, we’re revisiting a transformative conversation with Julia Cameron, the bestselling author who helped millions reconnect with their creativity.In this episode, Julia shares her approach to creative renewal—fr…
Why Small Conversations Create Big Happiness with Nicholas Epley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:48
Why do we avoid talking to strangers when it could actually make our lives better? Nicholas Epley, behavioral scientist at the University of Chicago, explains why we consistently underestimate how positive social interac…
Inside the Lens of a White House Photographer with Pete Souza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
What does it really look like when history unfolds a few feet in front of you? Pete Souza spent years inside the White House capturing presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama—not as symbols, but as human beings making…