Here’s one of my favourite conversations with Palo Alto Networks’ CEO, Nikesh Arora. This episode is a CxO’s playbook where we deep dived into the mindset, strategy, and decision-making frameworks that have shaped Nikesh’s journey across roles at Google, SoftBank, and now leading one of the world’s top cybersecurity firms. This isn’t just business talk. Learn how to think like a CxO when the rules of the game keep changing.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & Entrepreneur

Twitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/

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#NikeshArora - CEO, Palo Alto Networks

Twitter: https://x.com/nikesharora

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikesh-arora-02894670/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

Chapter 1: Action vs Inaction

01:51 - Nikesh’s Early Years

04:17 - The Real Threats in Cybersecurity

08:13 - What Will Outlast the Disruptions?

Chapter 2: Can We Ever Be Safe Again?

10:31 - Rethinking Safety in a Changing World

12:44 - How to Look at the Cybersecurity Landscape

14:55 - Where AI is Taking the Industry

23:42 - If Interfaces Don’t Matter, What Does?

25:44 - What Happens When AI is Everywhere?

Chapter 3: Money, Meaning, Maslow

32:15 - Why Language Models Are Just the Starting Point

35:57 - Build the Brain or Protect It?

38:33 - What Founders Should Pay Attention To

41:23 - Lessons from the Evolution of Silicon Valley

42:28 - Should India Build Its Own Model?

46:31 - Are AI Bets Overblown?

50:00 - What’s Holding Innovation Back in India?

54:15 - Education as a Social Experience

59:25 - Moving into Tech and Leadership

1:00:08 - Building vs Leading: What to Choose

1:06:38 - Stories from Google & SoftBank

1:16:11 - How Risk Appetite Evolves

1:20:18 - Closing Reflections

Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify

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Watch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify

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Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify

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In this candid deep dive, I sit down with Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos to unpack the company’s remarkable journey from a DVD-by-mail service to a global streaming giant. We revisit Netflix's early battle with Blockbuster, the bold pivot to streaming, the company’s plans for India, and how they cracked the code on turning binge-watching into a universal habit.What was interesting for me was how he spots the next phenomenon before the world catches on. For anyone in media, tech, or entrepreneurship, here’s a masterclass in building and scaling in the entertainment space, and a reminder that you don’t always need a long story, just the right one.

#NikhilKamath - Investor & EntrepreneurTwitter: https://x.com/nikhilkamathcioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilkamathcio/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhilkamathcio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikhilkamathcio/ #TedSarandos - Co-CEO, NetflixLinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tedsarandos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tedsarandos

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:32 - Ted’s favourite Indian creator

02:15 - Netflix’s journey, pivots & vision08:34 - Netflix’s hiring culture

11:52 - Ted’s journalism roots14:06 - Ted’s childhood & relationship with money

16:39 - Rapid fire & banter

18:17 - How much of the world is narrative?

19:52 - Competing with Blockbuster

25:13 - Content choices, projections & finding tribes

28:05 - What defines success for Netflix

33:56 - How to best serve your story?

37:15 - Career advice & work cultures in India vs. US

41:02 - Will Netflix produce theatrical movies?

42:20 - Future of the theatre business

45:30 - The next big disruption

47:40 - Can AI create movies?

51:42 - Netflix’s tech & what it’s doing right

57:38 - Competing with other distributors

1:02:39 - Netflix’s streaming strategy

1:03:44 - What happens to conventional TV?

1:05:01 - Why people love true crime

1:06:11 - Why Netflix isn’t betting on live sports broadcasting

1:10:24 - India’s subscription model: why it’s a tough sell

1:13:29 - Will Netflix have an ads-only model?

1:16:58 - Married life

1:18:43 - How important is India for Netflix?

1:21:57 - Adapting to country-specific dynamics

1:24:28 - How Netflix greenlights projects

1:24:53 - A founder’s baggage: filling big shoes

1:28:17 - Validation & leadership

1:32:11 - Indian personality who left a lasting impression on Ted

1:34:11 - Ted’s secret to greenlighting hits

1:41:36 - How diversity contributes to Netflix’s success

1:42:42 - Can Netflix be global & local in India?

1:44:47 - Hollywood vs. Netflix

1:45:49 - Netflix’s role in podcasting’s future

1:47:16 - Youth & attention span

1:48:44 - Netflix’s future in gaming

1:51:56 - Closing thoughts

Watch 'WTF is' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4nsm4eznWatch 'People by WTF' Podcast on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/yme92c59Watch 'WTF Online' on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/4tjua4th#WTFiswithnikhilkamath #PeopleByWTF #WTFOnline