In short
Introductory episode of “Behind the Business,” a show by Michelle Toh about the people behind consumer brands, category creators, and disruptors—covering how they balance work and life, what leadership lessons they don’t share, and the bold bets shaping the future.
Guest backgrounds
No guests are named in this transcript; it’s a host introduction only.
Key claims
The show will explore both highs and lows (“a hundred tries,” “best investment,” “real eye-opening moment”) and focus on practical decision-making and confidence in future bets (including AI enabling commercial flight and “smartest financial decision” questions).
Notable examples
References to AI use cases for commercial flight; “nothing personal, it’s just business” framing.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOExploring Business and Leadership Insights
0:45 to 1:35
Discussion on what listeners can expect regarding business insights and personal stories.
“They said this has been the best investment they've done in their lives.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Let's do this. All right. I'm Michelle Toh, a journalist most recently with CNN, and this is Behind the Business, a show about the people behind top consumer brands, category creators, and emerging disruptors, and how they push through to make the most of both work and life each day. For those who don't know me, for almost seven years, I've reported on business and tech across Asia Pacific out of my hometown, Hong Kong. As Michelle Toh reports. You might have seen some of my stuff on CNN Digital. Or on air occasionally on CNN. Before that, I was at Fortune. Now, we want to know not just how folks got to where they are, but what they don't tell you about business and leadership.
0:40Like, It took a hundred tries, but we made it. That means we could make it through anything. Hey, this is what I'm worth. This is what I deserve. This is what I'm asking for. And take you inside the highs. They said this has been the best investment they've done in their lives. The lows. It was a real eye-opening moment for me. and I really had to reflect, okay, what happened? Like, what have I done? And the bold bets shaping what comes next. You absolutely see this as the future of commercial flight. Absolutely. So AI has really unlocked a bunch of use cases, you think, that gives you confidence that this will succeed where other people maybe happen until now.
1:16That's exactly right. And you don't know where the market's going to go. What is the smartest financial decision you can make for yourself today? You know how they say it's nothing personal, it's just business? Well, not around here. New episodes every Thursday. See you there. Now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
From the publisher
Welcome to Behind the Business, a new podcast and video series hosted by CNN and FORTUNE alum Michelle Toh that aims to explore the decisions and philosophies behind some of today's most influential leaders, such as the founders of Warby Parker, Coffee Meets Bagel, "Your Rich BFF" and more. Recorded in studios across the U.S. as a special interview series, the show is grounded in the belief that business is in fact personal, providing the backstory of founders, corporate leaders, investors, and creators and how they push through to make the most of both work and life each day. What's the worst day you've faced at your company? How do you cope with crisis or rejection? Or what's a pinch-me moment you'll never forget? In each episode, our guests get into it all. Coming out Fall 2025. New episodes Thursdays.
