At 19, you already have an impressive list of people you’ve interviewed. When did you first get the idea of starting a podcast, and what was your very first interview like?  

I first got the idea to start the podcast after thinking about where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do with my life. I really like YouTube and social media, so why not talk to the people who make the content I watch? It’s a ton of fun, and I built it from the ground up. My first interview was when I was 15. I interviewed a YouTuber named Improvement Pill. It was such a big deal to me at the time, and for a while, he was my biggest interview. It was a truly remarkable experience. 

Your guests have included former KGB spy Jack Barsky, former New Jersey FBI chief Jim DiOrio, former FBI counterterrorism agent Peter Licata, and former FBI hostage negotiator Melissa Fortunato. What attracts you to conversations with people who have had unusual or high-stakes careers? 

They’re just interesting people! You can’t tell me the guy who caught Pablo Escobar or the guy who caught the Unabomber (both are people I’ve interviewed and spoken to at length) aren’t some of the coolest people you can speak with. I also think you can learn something from any highly accomplished person in any field. There are so many cool people and stories out there—why settle for mediocrity?   

How do you decide whom to interview, and how do you reach out to them? 

The simple answer is whoever interests me or whatever topic interests me at a given time. Lately, I’ve been interviewing a lot of billionaires and other extremely wealthy people. I can often reach them through a cold email, but sometimes it comes from networking and knowing the right people. Just be polite and get to what you’re asking for quickly! 

What was it like interviewing Jack Barsky, who lived for years as a KGB operative in the United States? Was there anything about that conversation that surprised you? 

It was exciting getting to interview someone I’d heard so much about and seen on some of the biggest shows in the world, and he was much more talkative than I expected. It ultimately surprised me how quickly his story shifted from working for the USSR to living as an average citizen in the United States. 

You’ve also interviewed Craigslist founder Craig Newmark. What did you want to learn from him, and what did you take away from that conversation? 

I wanted to understand Craig Newmark’s creative process, or “workflow,” if you will. I learned that the most successful people love what they do, work very hard, and, on some level, are naturally good at it. He also taught me that life can change instantly in ways you can’t imagine. He had been in the working world for over 20 years and invented Craigslist as a complete side project! He seems like a happy person and really loves building for its own sake. 

You’re interviewing people who may have 30 or 40 years of professional experience. Does being younger give you a different perspective, or do you sometimes have to prove yourself? 

Tremendously! Over the past 20 years, the world has experienced the most dramatic changes in human history in every dimension, culturally, socially, politically, economically, technologically, etc. People with 30 to 40 years of experience often see the world through the lens of what they grew up with. I see the world through the same lens, of course, but the difference is that I’m still living in those times for the most part. The world they grew up with didn’t even have the internet, let alone artificial intelligence, for example. 

I’ve never felt I really needed to prove myself. I believe you need to present well, get to the point, be polite, and know what you’re talking about. That takes you quite far in life—especially for a younger person. 

What would you tell another teenager with an idea for a podcast, business, or creative project but no idea where to begin? 

If you don’t know where to start, start somewhere; the absolute worst thing you can do is nothing. People can forgive a mistake and respect a person who tried and failed miserably, but nobody likes someone who does nothing and never tries. Try finding a mentor or someone ideally around your age who is substantially more successful than you and ask them, “How’d you do it?” and ask them a million more questions. 

If someone wanted to start a podcast, I’d say, “Email 50 people asking them to come on your show.” If someone is interested in starting a new business, I’d advise consulting with people who have done it before you and figure out what works. If it doesn’t work out, at least you’ll have gained experience in networking, researching, and more confidence along the way. But think of the possibilities if it works out—you could have a business and podcast like me! 

A friend once called me and jokingly asked, “George, should I go out for pizza tonight?” I answered, “Well, if you go out tonight, you might find your wife or meet a business partner, but perhaps nothing interesting will happen. However, if you don’t go out, definitely nothing interesting or new will happen. The only way you’ll get the chance at something great is if you try.” 

I’m a big fan of the Minecraft end-credits quote, which I think sums this up well. 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 

Finally, after everything you’ve learned from your guests, what’s the biggest question you’re still trying to answer for yourself? What’s next? 

The biggest question is: How do I build bigger, better, and ultimately awesome things, and maximize my potential as a person? How do I make the world a more awesome, interesting, and beautiful place? How do I go on crazier, cooler, and more interesting adventures? 

I hope to enjoy a life of fulfillment—complete with endless adventure, love, fantastic stories, true joy, and excitement. At least I hope, believe, and do everything in my power to make it so! 

Visit George Peyrouton on Instagram @gorgp21, on Youtube at youtube.com/@georgepeyrouton or via his website at georgepeyrouton.com.