Entrepreneurial Appetite

Hosted by Langston Clark

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184

Latest episode

Apr 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Entrepreneurial Appetite is a series of events dedicated to building community, promoting intellectualism, and supporting Black businesses. This podcast will feature edited versions of Entrepreneurial Appetite’s Black book discussions, including live conversations between a virtual audience, authors, and Black entrepreneurs. In this community, we do not limit what it means to be an intellectual or entrepreneur. We recognize that the sisters and brothers who own and work in beauty salons or barbershops are intellectuals just as much as sisters and brothers who teach and research at universities. This podcast is unique because, as part of this community, you have the opportunity to participate in our monthly book discussion, suggest the book to be discussed, or even lead the conversation between the author and our community of intellectuals and entrepreneurs. For more information about participating in our monthly discussions, please follow Entrepreneurial_ Appetite on Instagram and Twitter. Please consider supporting the show as one of our Founding 55 patrons. For five dollars a month, you can access our live monthly conversations. See the link below:https://www.patreon.com/EA_BookClub

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 947 min

Building Rocketships: Product Management, AI, and Innovation with Oji & Ezinne Udezue

Some of the best conversations start at a dinner table.Last September, host Langston Clark welcomed product leaders and authors Oji and Ezinne Udezue into his San Antonio home for an intimate gathering. One of the guests that evening was Elisa Cuellar — a listener, entrepreneur, and founder of StorieCue — who walked away from that dinner inspired to stop sitting on her own big idea. That night lit a spark. This episode is the recorded continuation of that conversation.Oji, a former Chief Product Officer at Twitter, Calendly, and Atlassian, and managing partner of the Kernel Fund, and Ezinne, who has driven enterprise transformation at T-Mobile, Discovery Communications, Procore, and WP Engine, are the co-authors of Building Rocketships: Product Management for High Growth Companies. Together, they walk us through what separates builders who scale from those who stall — and why the fundamentals of product thinking matter now more than ever. With Elisa serving as guest co-host, the trio explores customer listening, the Shipyard Model of innovation, AI's role in product development, and what it means to build rocket ships when the infrastructure — and the capital — looks completely different than Silicon Valley. Whether you're a solo founder, a product leader, or someone who knows they have a rocket ship inside of them and just hasn't launched yet — this episode is for you. Topics covered: product management, startup growth strategy, AI tools for founders, customer listening, Shipyard Model, Kernel Fund, innovation in Africa, venture capital in emerging markets, product-market fit, Black tech leadership, entrepreneurship.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

April 27, 2026Episode 833 min

Pioneering Sports Social Work: Dr. Emmett Gill on Mental Health, Athlete Talk, and the Future of College Athletics (Part 2)

What happens when you lose a job with one minute's notice — and use that moment to build something entirely new?In part two of our conversation with Dr. Emmett Gill, founder of Athlete Talks and pioneer in sports social work, we go deep on the entrepreneurial grind of building a mental health app from the ground up during Covid, the brutal reality that only 15–20% of athletes who need mental health services actually seek them, and how Dr. Gill is thinking about reaching the other 80%.We also get into the seismic shifts reshaping college athletics — rev share, NIL, conference realignment, the shrinking of non-revenue sports — and what student athletes need to understand right now to position themselves for what's coming. Dr. Gill doesn't hold back on the hard truths: which sports he believes won't survive, why the dream of Black athletes returning to HBCUs may have passed, and why youth sports is where the real opportunity lies for the next generation of sports professionals.Plus, Dr. Gill shares his plans for growing Athlete Talks in 2026, his push to trademark the credential "Sports SW," and why relationships — not just hustle — are the foundation of sustainable entrepreneurship.This one is layered. Tune in.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

March 30, 2026Episode 747 min

Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What is Possible with Dr. Rachel Laryea

Can capitalism be a tool for collective black liberation? In this powerful episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, host Langston Clark and special guest host Lloyd Kuykendoll (founder of Black Cabinet Education) sit down with Dr. Rachel Laryea, author of "Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What's Possible," to explore one of the most urgent questions facing black communities today.Dr. Laryea, a former Goldman Sachs professional turned entrepreneur and thought leader, challenges us to rethink our relationship with capitalism. Drawing on Pan-African principles and her Ghanaian immigrant mother's hustle, she reveals how we can strategically engage with economic systems—not from a place of oppression, but from a position of power and collective uplift.This conversation goes deep into the distinction between being a black participant in capitalism versus being a true "black capitalist"—someone who repositions themselves within the economic system to achieve social good. Learn about innovative tools like Esusu's rent-to-credit reporting that's unlocking millions in capital access, traditional sou-sou money pooling practices, and the power of organized economic boycotts.Dr. Laryea shares hard-earned wisdom from Wall Street, addresses the "tax" of being black in corporate America, and explains why she wrote a book with such a polarizing title. From discussing the dangers of individualism and crabs-in-a-barrel mentality to exploring what it means to "lift as we climb," this episode offers a blueprint for economic empowerment rooted in community, not competition.Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or simply seeking to understand how to build black wealth without compromising black values, this conversation delivers actionable insights for our in-between moment—the space between where we are and where we're trying to go.Featured Guest: Dr. Rachel Laryea, Author of "Black Capitalists: A Blueprint for What's Possible"Special Guest Host: Lloyd Kuykendoll, Founder of Black Cabinet EducationSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

March 16, 2026Episode 646 min

Pioneering Sports Social Work: Dr. Emmett Gill on Mental Health, Athlete Talk, and the Future of College Athletics (Part 1)

In this powerful first episode of a two-part conversation, we sit down with Dr. Emmett Gill, founder of Athlete Talk and Director of Mental Health and Wellness at the University of Houston. Dr. Gill shares his remarkable journey from being a walk-on baseball player at UNC Charlotte who graduated third from last in his high school class to becoming one of the leading voices in sports social work and athlete mental health.Discover how a coach's ultimatum transformed Dr. Gill from a struggling student into an honor roll scholar-athlete, and how that experience shaped his life's mission to support the mental wellness of student athletes. Dr. Gill opens up about his academic journey—from earning his Master's in Social Work at Howard University with support from the Bill and Camille Cosby Fellowship, to navigating PhD programs at Penn and University of Maryland, to pioneering the field of sports social work when skeptics questioned its legitimacy.This episode explores critical topics including:The evolution of sports social work and why it's essential for today's student athletesMental health challenges facing college athletes across all sports—not just football and basketballHow Dr. Gill created the Athlete Talk app during COVID to reach the 80% of athletes who don't seek traditional mental health servicesThe connection between mental health and winning championships (UH football went from picked last to 10-3)Why only 15-20% of athletes who need mental health services actually seek themThe future of college athletics, NIL, revenue sharing, and transfer portal impactsWhy non-revenue sports may face elimination and what that means for student athletesDr. Gill doesn't hold back on the state of college athletics, offering provocative insights about private equity in sports, the death of the HBCU athlete pipeline, and why he's trademarking "Sports SW" to protect the integrity of sports social work practice.Whether you're a student athlete, coach, athletic administrator, sports entrepreneur, or mental health professional, this conversation provides essential insights into the intersection of sports, mental wellness, and the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

March 2, 2026Episode 551 min

Food Truck 101: A Conversation with Daryl Smith Sr. co-founder on Wing-it and Sip-it

🍗 From corporate cubicle to food truck empire—all without a single loan! Daryl Smith Sr., co-founder of Wing-It and Spit-It, joins Entrepreneurial Appetite to share the unfiltered truth about building a successful mobile food business. Alongside host Langston Clark and special guest host Jeff May Jr. (SAAACAM CAO), Daryl reveals:✓ How to bootstrap a food truck with zero debt✓ The biggest mistakes new food truck owners make✓ Why his book "The Food Truck Game" is changing the industry✓ Real talk about pricing, operations, and profitability✓ Partnership secrets with his wife and co-founder Wendi✓ When (and when NOT) to expand to brick-and-mortarThis isn't your typical "follow your dreams" story—it's a masterclass in strategic entrepreneurship, community building, and sustainable business growth in the competitive food industry.Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and anyone hungry for real business wisdom.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

February 16, 2026Episode 429 min

Pretend The Ball is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson as told by Dorian Hairston

In this extraordinary bonus episode from the African Americans in Sport Podclass, Dr. Langston Clark sits down with Dorian Hairston—poet, educator, former University of Kentucky baseball player, and author of "Pretend the Ball is Named Jim Crow: The Story of Josh Gibson"—for a conversation that bridges sports history, poetry, and the humanization of Black athletic excellence.Josh Gibson was a Negro League baseball legend credited with hitting over 800 home runs in his career. He died in January 1947, just months before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in April of the same year. But Gibson's story is more than statistics—it's about a 19-year-old who lost his wife during childbirth, a man who faced Jim Crow at every turn, and an athlete whose greatness was confined by systemic racism.Dorian's book tells this story through poetry, not traditional biography. Using persona poems written from the perspectives of Josh Gibson, his wife Helen, his son Josh Gibson Jr., teammates like Hooks Tinker, and even time-traveling observers, Harrison creates what he calls "historical fiction"—using real historical figures and events to explore empathy, humanity, and the messy complexity of history.In this conversation, Dorian shares his journey from being a student-athlete who earned All-SEC Academic honors while playing baseball at Kentucky, to becoming an English major mentored by Kentucky's first Black Poet Laureate, Frank X Walker, to joining the Affrilachian Poets collective dedicated to "making the invisible visible" in Appalachian storytelling. He discusses the power of complex identity, the importance of preparing for life after sports, and why poetry is the best medium for humanizing historical figures who are often reduced to one-dimensional narratives.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

February 2, 2026Episode 41 hr 10 min

I Have Avenged America: A Conversation with Dr. Julia Gaffield about Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti’s Fight for Freedom

"What does it matter how present and future races will judge me? I have done my duty. I know my worth. That is enough for me." Jean-Jacques Dessalines's defiant words open this Black History Month episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite—a conversation about the revolutionary leader history tried to erase. Dr. Julia Gaffield, whose discovery of Haiti's Declaration of Independence made international headlines, joins us with special guest host Lloyd Kuykendoll to discuss why Dessalines deserves to be remembered as more than a warrior who secured Haiti's independence. This is the first English-language biography of the man who led the only successful slave revolution in history, and Dr. Gaffield reveals a figure of surprising complexity—loyal, witty, strategic, and deeply human. We explore why historians have overlooked him, what his story teaches us about the full arc of the Haitian Revolution, and why Haiti's Declaration of Independence—which imagined white skin as paper and blood as ink—needs to be read alongside America's founding document. Lloyd brings the passion of a veteran and self-taught historian who knows this work matters, creating moments of genuine emotion and insight. This conversation honors the rigorous work of Black scholars and their allies who are reclaiming our history, one archive at a time. During Black History Month and beyond, this is the scholarship that builds community, promotes intellectualism, and ensures our stories are told right.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

January 19, 2026Episode 331 min

Building the Future of Athlete Branding: Jenna Smith & Tantamount Sports Group

Jenna Smith takes us on a captivating journey from locker room to boardroom, revealing how her experiences as the "only girl on the team" shaped her path to founding Tandemount Sports Group. With remarkable clarity, she articulates the untapped potential at the intersection of beauty brands and women's sports, particularly for Black women athletes seeking authentic expression.The conversation explores how strategic brand alignments are closing the NIL gap between men's and women's sports. Smith's insights on Gen Z athletes' natural content creation abilities demonstrate why beauty and lifestyle brands have unique opportunities to partner with women athletes who are essentially "walking markets" during competition.We dive deep into emerging sports technology focused on critical women's sports challenges. From revolutionary injury prevention tools addressing the epidemic of ACL tears to biometric tracking systems accounting for menstrual cycles, Smith identifies where technology meets human performance in ways specifically benefiting women athletes.What makes this discussion particularly compelling is Smith's personal testimony of risk-taking. Her applications to prestigious universities despite self-doubt, her entry into venture capital without traditional backgrounds, and her international career moves all exemplify her powerful message: "The belief in myself will always be bigger than the belief anybody else has for me."Smith's vision extends beyond marketing to creating equitable opportunities for women athletes through advisory roles and equity positions with sports tech companies. She's working to ensure women athletes leverage their influence into long-term business opportunities and ownership stakes.For anyone navigating entrepreneurship, sports business, or seeking authentic representation, Smith's parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Don't be afraid to fail... You are 99% of the time equipped with the tools to do it. You just may not have the support system to push you." Her story illuminates why taking risks, building community, and believing in yourself creates pathways where traditional roadmaps don't exist.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

January 5, 2026Episode 242 min

REPLAY: Building America's Largest MLK Celebration - Sho Nakpodia on Dream Week San Antonio & Social Entrepreneurship

In this throwback episode of Entrepreneurial Appetite, host Langston Clark revisits his powerful conversation with Sho Nakpodia, founder of Dream Week San Antonio and Dream Voice. Discover how San Antonio became home to the largest Martin Luther King Day celebration in the country and how one Nigerian-born social entrepreneur transformed a single march into a 16-day summit of civil and civic engagement.Sho shares his journey from Lagos, Nigeria, through London and New York, to establishing roots in San Antonio, where he founded the Mighty Group advertising agency and later created Dream Week - a community-curated platform featuring hundreds of events focused on diversity, tolerance, equality, and social justice. Learn about the philosophy behind making Dream Week accessible to all voices, the importance of African American genius in leading social movements, and how San Antonio's unique DNA makes it the perfect incubator for peaceful dialogue across differences.This replay is essential listening as we prepare for Dream Week 2026 (January 9-31). Topics include social entrepreneurship, community building, cultural identity, navigating tier-two cities, local versus national impact, and creating platforms for marginalized voicesSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub

January 2, 2026Episode 124 min

Entrepreneurial Appetite: Season 7 Preview - A Conversation with Lloyd Kuykendoll

As we launch into Season 7 of Entrepreneurial Appetite, I'm sitting down with one of my favorite co-hosts, Lloyd Kuykendoll, founder of Black Cabinet Education, to preview what's coming in 2026 and reflect on the books and conversations that are shaping our thinking.Lloyd shares the four books that changed his life this year: The Black Jacobins by C.L.R. James, I Have Avenged America by Julia Garfield (exploring the true legacy of Jean-Jacques Dessalines), The Wounded World: W.E.B. Du Bois and World War I by Chad L. Williams, and the rare bibliophile treasure Damn Rare by Charles Blockson. We dive deep into Du Bois—not just as an intellectual, but as a flawed human navigating mistakes like his controversial "Close Ranks" article, and how Anna Julia Cooper pushed him to write Black Reconstruction in America.I share my favorite interview from last season with Julius Garvey, Marcus Garvey's youngest son, discussing Justice for Marcus Garvey—an interview that happened just before President Biden pardoned Garvey.What's Coming in Season 7:We're previewing conversations with authors and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of Black economic thought:Dr. Rachel Laryea on Black Capitalists and what Pan-African business really meansTrey Baker and his blueprint for Black economic development in In the Black 2050Dr. Julia Gaffield on Dessalines and rewriting Haiti's narrativeOji and Ezinne Udezue, Nigerian-American tech leaders who wrote Building RocketshipsPlus book reviews of Banking on Freedom: Black Women in U.S. Finance Before the New Deal and Mentorship UnlockedLloyd reveals his dream interview: Dr. Greg Carr, Chad L. Williams, or Gerald Horne. I share mine: Demaurice Smith, former NFL Players Association executive director, on his book Turf Wars: The Fight for the Soul of America's Game.This season, we're also evolving—more live events, more book reviews, and a challenge for you: share your favorite episode with six people to help us grow this community of Black entrepreneurs, intellectuals, and dreamers.Lloyd closes with his powerful origin story—from being a "functioning illiterate" who feared reading aloud to building Black Cabinet Education, where his books became his greatest friends and his ancestors spoke back to him when he was lost.Welcome to Season 7. Let's build together.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/EA_BookClub