A conversation 40 years in the making—and one that ties reinvention, resilience, community service, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship into a single, remarkable storyline.

In this episode, we explore how Farahmand Kalayeh repeatedly reinvented himself across recessions, industries, and countries. From running a collective art gallery during an economic collapse, to scaling global export operations, and ultimately launching an AI-enabled platform designed to reduce gambling addiction.

Key Discussion Points

00:34 — Introducing Farahmand Kalayeh: Reinvention, resilience & purpose

01:05 — Entrepreneurial mission: building businesses with impact

02:21 — Opening an art gallery during a recession

02:50 — Lessons from launching during economic downturns

03:41 — Creating an art collective with 150+ artists

04:52 — Opportunity mindset in any economy

05:11 — Why American entrepreneurship unlocked his potential

06:07 — Pivoting from retail to wholesale

07:30 — Community-driven art, culture & events

08:22 — Balancing commercial viability with mission

09:28 — Expanding into global sustainable clothing exports

12:16 — The power of pivoting with purpose

13:34 — Giving underserved youth access to sports gear + training

14:36 — “Think globally, act locally”: His community philosophy

16:03 — Kicks: enabling kids through sports

18:00 — The realities of addiction, homelessness & support

19:09 — Storytelling the pivots that shape a career

19:27 — Launching an AI platform to reduce gambling addiction

20:15 — The origin story behind the idea

21:26 — How AI becomes a safety net for bettors

23:20 — Building meaningful work with his son

24:31 — The global scale of gambling addiction

26:16 — The role of tech in mitigating harm

26:36 — How Farahmand immigrated to the U.S.

27:22 — Growing up in Iran & early dreams of freedom

29:06 — Escaping persecution & coming to America

35:10 — Starting over with grit, discipline & 7-day workweeks

40:00 — The mindset that drives his resilience

44:08 — Daily routines that rebuild energy & clarity

47:29 — Gratitude, reinvention, and long-term friendship

51:52 — How to reach Farahmand

53:05 — Closing message

This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s a masterclass in spotting opportunity in unlikely places, pivoting with precision, and anchoring every venture in mission and impact.

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