Jim McClellan on Travel, Wine, and Building Fort

Kwasi Amaning Asare on Music, Tech, and Building the Future at Sundance

EPISODE SUMMARY In this high-energy festive episode of Let’s Bubbl, host Hayley Melidonis welcomes Kwasi Asare, a serial entrepreneur and the founder of 2050 House. Kwasi shares his incredible journey from institutional investment banking in New York—where he was a 9/11 survivor—to becoming a powerhouse in the music and tech industries. The conversation explores Kwasi’s impressive resume, including selling over 35 million records with icons like Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan, and his work as a senior advisor to White House campaigns. Kwasi and Hayley discuss the evolution of their partnership, culminating in the launch of the 2050 House at the Lighthouse—the world’s first co-living village for the Sundance Film Festival, designed to bridge the gap between the UN, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. The 9/11 Turning Point: How surviving the World Trade Center attacks led Kwasi to leave Wall Street and pursue a career rooted in community, music, and service. 2. From Snoop to the UN: The trajectory of a career that spans digital marketing for hip-hop legends to advising the UN on sustainable development goals. 3. The 2050 Vision: Why the 2050 House was created to align innovation, public policy, and culture to address existential threats like climate change and ethical AI. 4. Sundance Co-Living: How Bubbl is solving the massive logistical and financial challenges of festival housing while fostering a "Burning Man-esque" spirit of giving. GOLDEN NUGGET > "It’s about healing the earth and creating the coalitions that are going to enable us to have a better quality of life—both mental and physical. 2050 House is about that knowledge, that technology, and using culture to push those ideas to the mainstream." – Kwasi Asare MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE 1. 2050 House – A bridge between the UN, Silicon Valley, and Hollywood. 2. The Lighthouse [https://bubbl.co/listing/2050-house-and-lighthouse-experiences-during-sundance-2026--interest-bubbl?section=overview&showinterest=yes&utm_source=podcast-kwasi] – The heart of 2050 House’s community in Park City. 3. Project Green – A non-profit children's charity supported by this collaboration. 4. Book a Guest Spot – Want to share your story? Apply to be on the show. 5. Join Bubbl [https://bubbl.co/?utm_source=podcast-kwasi] https://bubbl.co/?utm_source=podcast-kwasi– Explore or create your own Bubbl. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE Spotify | Apple Podcasts | RSS Powered by Bubbl Bubbl helps people stay and travel together for events, retreats, and group adventures. Plan less. Connect more.

Brian Figueroa on Graphene, Tony Robbins, and Scaling GreenTech

EPISODE SUMMARY In this high-energy episode of Let’s Bubbl, host Hayley Melidonis welcomes Brian Figueroa, a serial entrepreneur and the CEO of GreenTech Technologies. Brian shares his journey from working in renewable energy at Intel to leading a company that is disrupting the battery storage market with cutting-edge graphene technology. The conversation dives deep into how Brian’s commitment to personal development—including 17 firewalks with Tony Robbins—has shaped his leadership style and his vision for a sustainable future. Brian and Hayley also discuss their successful partnership using Bubbl to host intimate, high-impact networking houses at major global conferences like South by Southwest and the Global Family Office Investment Summit in Monaco. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. The Graphene Revolution: How GreenTech is utilizing graphene to create utility-level batteries that can handle 500,000 cycles, far outperforming traditional lithium-ion technology. 2. The Power of Proximity: Why Brian uses "Bubbl houses" to move networking away from sterile hotel environments and into shared spaces that foster genuine human connection. 3. Personal Development as a Business Strategy: How mentors like Tony Robbins and Professor Alan Tratner (co-founder of Earth Day) influenced Brian's drive to build a legacy of environmental impact. 4. Arbitrage in Energy: Understanding the business model of storing energy during the day and selling it back to the grid during peak hours. GOLDEN NUGGET > "The biggest thing is taking that first step and coming out of your comfort zone. When you apply yourself to something like this, it definitely makes an impact and helps you make things happen." – Brian Figueroa MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE 1. GreenTech Technologies – Innovating in renewable energy and battery storage. 2. Bubbl – The platform for real-world travel and event experiences. 3. Professor Alan Tratner – Co-founder of Earth Day and mentor to Brian. 4. Join Bubbl – Explore or create your own Bubbl. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE Spotify | Apple Podcasts | RSS Powered by Bubbl Bubbl helps people stay and travel together for events, retreats, and group adventures. Plan less. Connect more.

Brad Nye on innovation at Regenworld - SXSW

EPISODE SUMMARY In this insightful episode of Let’s Bubbl, host Hayley Melidonis sits down with Brad Nye, seasoned event organizer and founder of Regenworld, to explore the intersection of community building and the regenerative movement. With over 40 years of experience bringing people together, Brad shares his vision for creating "intentional trust networks" that go far beyond standard event production. Listeners will hear how Brad’s journey through Burning Man culture and his transition from the Tribalize conference led to the birth of Regenworld—a platform dedicated to ecological restoration, circular economies, and bio-regional living. From the power of shared housing in deepening human connections to the importance of localized food systems, this episode is a masterclass in how we can design gatherings that restore both the land and our relationships with one another. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. The "Village" Ethos: Why the depth of connection at an event is often determined by the intimacy of shared living spaces and "staying together". 2. Beyond Sustainability: Understanding regeneration as the creation of "self-perpetuating abundance" rather than just maintaining the status quo. 3. Bio-Regional Economies: The shift toward circular, closed-loop systems that prioritize local food and energy intelligence over global extraction. 4. The Future of Gatherings: How Regenworld 2026 is integrating venture showcases, artistic expression, and "cross-disciplinary" collaboration to solve modern challenges. GOLDEN NUGGET > “I’m not just producing events; I’m building intentional trust networks. What’s truly memorable about an event is never the content—it’s the connections people take home with them.” – Brad Nye MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE 1. Regenworld [https://bubbl.co/events/regenworld?utm_source=podcast-brad-nye] https://bubbl.co/events/regenworld?utm_source=podcast-brad-nye– A platform and community focused on ecological restoration and regenerative living. 2. Book a Guest Spot – Want to share your story? Apply to be on the show. 3. Join Bubbl [https://bubbl.co/?utm_source=podcast-brad-nye] – Explore or create your own Bubbl. LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE Spotify | Apple Podcasts | RSS Powered by Bubbl Bubbl helps people stay and travel together for events, retreats, and group adventures. Plan less. Connect more.

Jim McClellan on Travel, Wine, and Building Fort

Episode Summary In this thoughtful episode of Let’s Bubbl, host Hayley Melidonis sits down with Jim McClellan, traveler, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Fort System, to explore how a life of global adventure shaped his career in technology and wine. From teaching English at the base of Mt. Fuji to navigating the complexities of U.S. alcohol laws, Jim shares how curiosity, resilience, and connection fueled his journey. Listeners will hear how Jim’s time abroad inspired his openness to new ideas, how serendipity in the wine world led to love, and how building a remote-first company before it was mainstream taught him the power of trust and adaptability. Key Takeaways * How teaching English in Japan became a springboard for global perspective and lifelong friendships * Why wine became both a personal passion and a professional pathway * The challenges and opportunities of building Fort in a highly regulated industry * How Jim balances entrepreneurship with family, traditions, and play Golden Nugget “Life opens up when you follow your curiosity—it’s the spark that connects people, places, and opportunities.” – Jim McClellan Mentioned in the Episode * Fort [https://fortsystems.com]System – Software platform reshaping how the alcohol industry connects * Bubbl – The platform for real-world travel and event experiences * Book a Guest Spot – Want to share your story? Apply to be on the show * Join Bubbl – Explore or create your own Bubbl Listen and Subscribe Spotify | Apple Podcasts | RSS Powered by Bubbl Bubbl helps people stay and travel together for events, retreats, and group adventures. Plan less. Connect more.

Raman Frey on Designing Spaces for Connection: From Intimate Dinners to Immersive Retreats

Episode Summary In this episode of Let’s Bubbl, host Hayley Melidonis sits down with Raman Frey, founder of Good People’s Dinners and co-founder of Camp Ernest, to unpack the art of creating environments where genuine connection thrives. From hosting nearly 200 themed dinners to curating multi-day retreats in nature, Raman shares how intentional design can turn strangers into friends and transform the way we interact. Discover the thinking behind the cheeky name “Good People’s Dinners,” why centuries-old hospitality traditions may be holding us back, and how context shapes every conversation we have. Key Takeaways * Why the design of an event’s environment is as important as the guest list * How Good People’s Dinners evolved from casual gatherings into a thriving community experience * The difference between transactional networking and genuine connection * Lessons from Camp Ernest on how immersive retreats deepen relationships * The role of context in bringing out the best in people Golden Nugget “Community isn’t just about who’s in the room—it’s about how the room is built.” – Raman Frey Mentioned in the Episode * Good People’s Dinners – Thoughtfully curated themed dinners that foster connection * Camp Ernest – An annual retreat for creative and openhearted connection * Bubbl – The platform for real-world travel and event experiences * Book a Guest Spot – Want to share your story? Apply to be on the show * Join Bubbl – Explore or create your own Bubbl Listen and Subscribe Spotify | Apple Podcasts | RSS Powered by Bubbl Bubbl helps people stay and travel together for events, retreats, and group adventures. Plan less. Connect more.