David Gelles
Reporter, The New York Times
Author, Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away
This episode will air on Thursday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET
I genuinely try to do jobs that I'm interested in and passionate about in the moment, because I know that those are the conditions under which I'll be able to do my best work
Summary
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann is joined by New York Times journalist and bestselling author David Gelles. Together they dive into Gelles’ latest book, Dirtbag Billionaire, which chronicles Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard’s extraordinary decision to give away his multibillion-dollar company in the name of environmental activism.
The conversation explores the intersection of business, climate, and culture—touching on David’s earlier works (Mindful Work and The Man Who Broke Capitalism), his insights on corporate responsibility, and his belief that business can be a force for good. With stories from his reporting career and reflections on leadership, this episode offers both inspiration and practical lessons for today’s leaders.
Mentions & Resources in this Episode
Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away – By David Gelles
The Man Who Broke Capitalism: How Jack Welch Gutted the Heartland and Crushed the Soul of Corporate America—and How to Undo His Legacy – By David Gelles
Mindful Work: How Meditation Is Changing Business from the Inside Out – By David Gelles
Guest Bio
David Gelles is a bestselling author and a climate correspondent for The New York Times. At the Times, he leads the Climate Forward newsletter and event series, and is a regular contributor to coverage about business, the environment, politics and more. His new book, "Dirtbag Billionaire," reveals how Yvon Chouinard turned Patagonia into one of the world's most remarkable companies. His previous book, "The Man Who Broke Capitalism," uncovered how Jack Welch ushered in the era of shareholder primacy, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. His first book, "Mindful Work," explored the growing influence of meditation in the workplace. He has won EMMY, Gerald Loeb and SABEW awards for his work, and is based in New York City.
Episode Transcript
Transcript will be uploaded upon the episode’s premiere.