The Gstaad Guy Podcast

Classic Car Dealer, Collector & Writer: Simon Kidston – Classic Cars, Earned Authenticity, & Doing What You Love

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Simon Kidston, one of the most respected figures in the classic car world, a dealer, collector, and writer whose life has been shaped by an unwavering obsession with the machines that defined an era, to explore what it truly means to turn a passion into a life's work. Raised across cultures and educated in the Swiss Alps, Simon reflects on the upbringing that sharpened his eye, deepened his taste, and drew him inevitably towards the world of rare and extraordinary automobiles. The conversation moves through the philosophy of collecting, the singular allure of cars like the Mercedes 300 SLR, and why authenticity in this world cannot be manufactured, it can only be earned over time. Simon shares what classic cars reveal about the people who seek them, why obsession and discernment so often go hand in hand, and what it means to keep old machines alive and relevant in a modern era. At the heart of it all sits a quietly compelling conviction: that doing something you truly love is not indulgent, it is essential. A rich and unhurried conversation about passion, provenance, and the art of knowing exactly what you are looking for. Filmed at The Twenty Two (London), Gingko Suite. (00:00) Intro ✨🎙️ (05:17) From Passion To Job ❤️💼 (07:05) First Car 🚗🔑 (08:52) Upbringing 🏡👶 (12:30) Gstaad 🏔️❄️ (15:04) Relationship Building 🤝❤️ (21:27) Mercedes 300 SLR 🏎️💨 (28:28) Archetypes Of The Car World 🚗🎭 (33:26) The I.C.E. 🔥⚙️ (35:27) "The Gstaad Collector" 🏔️🏆 (37:29) Andermatt 🇨🇭⛰️ (38:59) Dream 5-Car Garage 🚗✨ (48:19) Bugatti Royale 👑🏎️ (54:22) Rallies 🏁🚗 (54:57) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ (1:00:50) "Do Something That You Love" ❤️🌟 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Hyle Consulting Founder: Riccardo Pozzoli – Building Brands, the Italian Dream, & Tradeoffs That Define a Life

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Riccardo Pozzoli, founder of Hyle Consulting and one of Italy's most respected voices at the intersection of brand building, creativity, and entrepreneurship, to explore what it truly means to build a meaningful life without losing yourself in the process. From his years at Luxottica to his role as creative director of Persol, Riccardo reflects on a career shaped by constant challenge, creative ambition, and the quiet discipline of knowing when to pivot. The conversation moves through the realities of raising a family while running a business, the tradeoffs that every ambitious life demands, and why failure, far from being something to avoid, is the most reliable engine of growth. Riccardo shares his philosophy on aligning with a partner, finding balance without pretending it is easy, and what it really means to create desirability in a world saturated with noise. Threaded throughout is a distinctly Italian perspective on life, luxury, and what it means to pursue the dream on your own terms. A warm, honest, and wide-ranging conversation about ambition, identity, and the art of living well. Filmed at Mandarin Oriental, Milan. (00:00) Intro ✨🎙️ (04:22) Life Decisions 🤔🛤️ (08:42) Working With Brands 🤝🏻💼 (10:10) Career Path 🛤️📈 (15:35) Growing & Innovating 🌱💡 (20:13) Being A Father 👨‍👧❤️ (25:03) Game Of Life 🎲🌍 (26:40) Finding The Right Life Balance ⚖️🧘 (32:11) Aligning With Your Partner 🤝🏻❤️ (34:35) Voicing Intentions 🗣️💭 (35:57) Transparency 🪟💡 (37:21) Importance of "Dating" With Jobs 💼❤️ (41:52) 21-22 Year-Old Version Of Oneself 🪞⏳ (49:10) Status vs. Experience 👑📖 (56:59) "Is The Status Worth It?" 🤔💎 (1:00:27) No Social Media 📵🌿 (1:03:03) Creating Desirability ✨🔮 (1:03:52) The Meaning Of "Italianity" 🇮🇹❤️ (1:06:53) Joining The Luxury World 💎👔 (1:12:25) The Italian Dream 🇮🇹🌟 (1:19:14) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Comedian, Actor, & Impressionist: Matt Friend – Finding Your Voice, Reading the Room, & Why Laughter Is the Last Honest Thing

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Matt Friend, the comedian, actor, and impressionist who has built a devoted following by turning razor-sharp observation into some of the most entertaining content online and on stage, to explore what it truly means to make people laugh in a world that takes itself far too seriously. From discovering comedy to performing in front of live crowds, Matt reflects on the craft, the nerve, and the instinct required to land a joke in any room, for any audience. The conversation moves through the journey from online skits to major stages, the difference between performing for a camera and commanding a room, and why great comedy has always been rooted in great observation. Matt shares how he approaches his impressions, what it means to adapt your voice without losing it, and why humour remains one of the most powerful and underrated tools a person can have. A genuinely funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about passion, performance, and the art of noticing what everyone else is too polite to say. Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York's Premier River View Suite. (00:00) Intro ✨🎙️ (02:20) Accents 🗣️🌍 (06:20) Impressions 🎭😄 (08:18) Trump Impression 🇺🇸🎤 (08:39) Roger Federer 🎾🏆 (09:13) Rafael Nadal 🎾💪🏼 (09:26) Novak Djokovic 🎾🌟 (09:53) RFK Jr. 🇺🇸🎙️ (10:13) Bill Gates 💻💰 (13:05) Discovering Comedy 😂💡 (14:18) Performing In Front Of A Crowd 🎤👥 (17:36) Social Media vs. IRL 📱🌍 (19:11) Mitch McConnell 🏛️🐢 (20:12) Ted Cruz 🇺🇸🤠 (20:30) Bernie Sanders 🌹✊🏻 (21:34) Austin Butler 🎬😎 (22:25) Language vs. Final Product 🗣️🎯 (27:49) An Unserious Generation 😜📱 (31:24) Embracing Comedy 😂❤️ (33:16) Observing The Rich 👀💎 (35:36) Tapping Into Luxury Brands 👔✨ (37:50) Inspiration For The Comedy 💡😂 (41:54) Comedy As A Tool In Dating 😂❤️ (45:29) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Augustinus Bader Co-Founder & CEO: Charles Rosier – Stem Cell Science, The Cost of Conviction, & Building a Skincare Icon

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Charles Rosier, co-founder & CEO of Augustinus Bader, the biotech skincare brand that brought revolutionary stem cell science out of the medical world and into the hands of consumers, to explore what it truly takes to build something extraordinary from the edge of the impossible. From a dramatic change in career path to navigating near bankruptcy, Charles reflects on the determination, sacrifice, and quiet self-belief that kept the vision alive when almost nothing else did. The conversation moves through the science behind the brand, the challenge of democratising skincare without compromising its integrity, and why building a strong identity in one of the world's most competitive industries demands as much courage as it does innovation. Charles shares what he looks for in a team, how the perception of skincare is evolving, and why trusting the process, even when the process is brutal, is the only way to create something that lasts. A compelling conversation about medicine, reinvention, and what happens when science and luxury finally meet. Filmed at The Twenty Two (London), Gingko Suite. (00:00) Intro ✨🎙️ (00:34) Who Is AB? 🙋👤 (03:45) Early Applications 🧴✨ (05:55) Purpose 🎯❤️ (08:00) Launching A Brand 🚀🌟 (10:00) The Idea 💡🔮 (11:14) Democratising Skincare 🤝🏻💆 (14:59) Perception Of Skincare 👁️🧴 (20:10) Ingredients 🌿🔬 (21:35) The Rich Cream 💎🧴 (27:01) Becoming A Founder 👔🚀 (31:33) Skincare Landscape 🌍🧴 (36:10) Ready To Sacrifice Everything 💪🏻🔥 (39:53) Packaging 📦✨ (44:08) Becoming A Skincare Entrepreneur 💼🌟 (48:34) What To Look For In A Team 👥🔍 (51:34) Running A Business In London 🇬🇧💼 (55:42) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Michelin-Starred Chef & Sushi Master: Endo Kazutoshi – Destiny, Discipline, & The Art of Omakase

The Gstaad Guy sits down with Endo Kazutoshi, one of the most revered third-generation sushi masters in the world, to explore a life shaped by inherited craft, quiet discipline, and an unwavering devotion to the guest. From a destiny that was never forced upon him yet always seemed inevitable, Endo reflects on what it means to carry a family tradition forward while finding his own voice within it, and how the loss of his father deepened his understanding of what this craft truly demands. The conversation moves through the philosophy of omakase, the art of reading a guest before a single piece of fish is cut, and why the best sushi experience is one where less does infinitely more. Endo shares his approach to sourcing ingredients, the discipline required to build the right team around a shared vision, and how a deep knowledge of produce, technique, and human emotion combine to create something that transcends a meal. A rare and intimate look at mastery in its most refined form, and the lifetime of dedication it takes to make something look effortless. Filmed at the TASCHEN London bookstore. (00:00) Intro ✨🎙️ (01:11) Career Path 🛤️💼 (01:50) Third-Generation Sushi Master 🍣👨‍🍳 (05:39) Destiny 🌟🔮 (06:42) Student & Master 📚🥋 (08:38) Father Passing 🕊️❤️ (12:13) Omakase 🍣🎌 (14:43) Definition of Omakase 📖🍽️ (17:56) Building The Right Team 👥🤝 (20:27) Common Goal & Vision 🎯🌟 (22:57) Evolution Of Sushi Making 🔄🍣 (26:40) Italian vs. Japanese Values 🇮🇹🇯🇵 (29:55) Storytelling Around Food 📖🍽️ (32:04) Core Pillars Of Sushi 🏛️🍣 (33:48) Wasabi 🌿🔥 (36:43) Dining Emotions 😌❤️ (38:22) London 🇬🇧🌆 (39:21) Why I Source Locally 🌱🏡 (41:38) Aging Technique ⏳🔬 (43:30) Handling Fish 🐟🤲 (44:17) Personal Drive 💪🔥 (45:39) Apprentices 👨‍🎓🍣 (47:52) Rapid-Fire Sushi Etiquette ⚡🍣 (51:00) Uni 🦔🍣 (52:05) The Perfect Omakase Guest 😊🎌 (54:45) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]