What Growing Up in Chaos Actually Teaches You (Rich Kleiman)

Aspire with Emma Grede

E13 Media

Entrepreneurship, Business, Society & Culture

4.6 • 874 Ratings

🗓️ 17 March 2026

⏱️ 93 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Emma has known Rich Kleiman for 20 years. In all that time, they've never talked about where he actually came from, until now. What came next was one of the most honest conversations we've had on the podcast. The hardest story to change is the one you tell yourself. For Rich, it wasn't a lesson, it was survival. He grew up navigating a volatile home on the Upper West Side. With a mother battling addiction and no one to watch him, Rich was left to figure life out on his own. Today he manages Kevin Durant's business empire, has built Boardroom from scratch, and is one of the most respected operators at the intersection of sports, music, and culture. In this conversation, he and Emma get into how chaos became his competitive advantage, what it really takes to build a partnership that lasts, and why legacy means more to him now than money ever did. Rich shares: How growing up around instability shaped his instincts in business. How his ability to navigate chaos made him a better leader. Why notoriety and success aren't the same thing Why the stories you tell yourself matter – and how truth outways comfort. Why making peace with your past changes how you move through the world. What's the story you keep telling yourself? Drop it in the comments — we'd love to hear from you. And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Aspire with Emma Grede. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	So today I am so excited for you to meet one of my old friends and colleagues. I've known
0:14.9	Rich Clyman for over 20 years and I cannot tell you how excited I am to share this deeply moving conversation.
0:23.3	Completely not what I thought we were going to do today, but the reason I want to share
0:26.8	this with you is because I think whenever we think about trauma, especially that that come
0:31.4	from our childhood, it's always it with a negative connotation.
0:34.8	And what is so incredible about this conversation is how Rich has completely
0:39.0	dispelled those myths and brought it into his life in a way that has actually helped make
0:43.9	and shape his success. And don't forget, before we get into this, to like and subscribe.
0:52.8	This episode is sponsored by Macy's. Now, one of the easiest ways to refresh your wardrobe is by starting with a great pair of jeans, because when the denim fits well, the rest of the outfit will always come together completely effortlessly. And that's why Good American is a great option when you're thinking about a seasonal upgrade.
1:11.4	From day one, we focused on creating jeans that actually cater to women's bodies,
1:15.7	prioritise fit, comfort and styles that you'll wear over and over.
1:19.2	You can shop Good American at Macy's and right now their spring campaign is all about bringing
1:23.4	new energy into the pieces you wear every day. A great pair of jeans becomes the base,
1:28.3	and from there, it's about how you style them. Maybe that's pairing them with a crisp button
1:32.2	down, a lightweight knit or a blazer. Maybe it's adding texture or playing with proportion,
1:36.8	but finding the pieces that make a simple outfit feel a little more intentional. Find the standout
1:41.8	brands that define this season style and familiar
1:44.5	fragrance and hidden gens at Macy's. Shop now at Macy's.com or in store. The start with
1:51.8	yourself tour kicks off on April 15th in New York City. Tickets are on sale now at emigree.com.
2:01.8	Rich Clyman, welcome to aspire.
2:04.7	Oh my God.
2:05.5	I am so honored to be here.
	...

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