Conversation with Julie Rice & Elizabeth Cutler — From SoulCycle to Peoplehood | The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

Intro

In this episode of “The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway,” Scott Galloway engages in a conversation with Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, the co-founders of Peoplehood and Soul Cycle. They discuss the creation of Peoplehood, a guided group conversation practice for meaningful real-time connections. The episode also covers various topics such as the enduring appeal of Donald Trump, the impact of third-party candidates in elections, Bill Ackman’s activism, and the rise of billionaires taking on government responsibilities. Rice and Cutler share insights into their experiences with SoulCycle and their mission to improve relationships and prevent a loneliness crisis.

Main Takeaways

The Power of Guided Conversations for Meaningful Connections

• Peoplehood, created by Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, offers guided group conversation practices for real-time connections.
• Peoplehood focuses on providing structure and scaffolding for engaging conversations, promoting active listening, and creating a comfortable and trusting environment.
• The concept of “relational fitness” is emphasized, highlighting the importance of intentional time and practice in relationships.
• Peoplehood aims to facilitate meaningful conversations and strengthen existing relationships, offering a space for genuine interactions and deeper connections.
• By improving conversations, Peoplehood hopes to bring positive changes to personal, professional, and societal relationships.

The Success and Impact of SoulCycle

• SoulCycle, co-founded by Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, reimagined fitness as an experiential community, creating a strong brand and a sense of aspiration and inspiration.
• The success of SoulCycle was not just about equipment and pricing but about investing in people, training, and treating them well.
• SoulCycle built a community-based exercise concept, offering real careers for fitness professionals and emphasizing hospitality and technology integration.
• The founders’ purpose was to be community builders and create things they themselves needed and used, emphasizing joy and community through exercise.
• Investing in people and maintaining a positive workplace culture were key factors in SoulCycle’s success.

The Rise of Billionaires Taking on Government Responsibilities

• The decrease in top income tax rates and the concentration of wealth have allowed non-elected private citizens, like Elon Musk, to take over responsibilities traditionally held by democratically elected officials.
• Billionaires have filled the void left by government inaction, addressing issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and space exploration.
• The shift of power from government to billionaires is a double-edged sword, showcasing agility and innovation but raising concerns about democratic processes and accountability.
• Plummeting tax rates and government resource shortages have led to private citizens like Bill Ackman addressing societal issues and advocating for change.
• The role of government as an efficient investor and the need for balanced tax rates to prevent concentration of power are highlighted.

The Importance of Human Connection and Social Interactions

• Loneliness and lack of human connection are significant societal threats that fuel anger and isolation.
• Reconnecting with people and being social is crucial for overall well-being, productivity, forgiveness, and innovation.
• Spending too much time alone and withdrawing from social activities can lead to negative consequences such as substance abuse and reduced fulfillment.
• Creating meaningful connections and engaging in intentional conversations can address the loneliness crisis and improve personal, professional, and societal relationships.
• Peoplehood’s mission is to prevent a loneliness crisis and promote the importance of human connection.

Summary

Guided Conversations for Meaningful Connections

Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, the co-founders of Peoplehood and Soul Cycle, have created Peoplehood, a platform that offers guided group conversation practices for real-time connections. Peoplehood aims to facilitate meaningful conversations and strengthen relationships by providing structure and scaffolding for engaging discussions. Their concept of “relational fitness” emphasizes intentional time and practice in relationships. Peoplehood seeks to create a comfortable and trusting environment where people can share their experiences and feel safe. The program focuses on improving communication, conflict resolution, and fostering deeper connections.

The Success and Impact of SoulCycle

SoulCycle, co-founded by Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler, became a successful brand by reimagining fitness as an experiential community. They invested in people, providing real careers for fitness professionals and emphasizing hospitality and technology integration. SoulCycle built a strong brand that inspired and motivated people, leading them to plan their trips around SoulCycle classes. The founders’ purpose was to create joy and community through exercise, and they achieved success by focusing on the overall experience and investing in their team.

The Rise of Billionaires Taking on Government Responsibilities

The decrease in top income tax rates and the concentration of wealth have allowed billionaires like Elon Musk to take on responsibilities traditionally held by democratically elected officials. While this showcases agility and innovation, concerns about democratic processes and accountability arise. The shift of power from government to billionaires highlights the need for balanced tax rates and government resources to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few. The role of government as an efficient investor and the importance of democratic decision-making are emphasized.

The Importance of Human Connection and Social Interactions

Loneliness and lack of human connection are significant societal threats that fuel anger and isolation. Reconnecting with people and being social is crucial for overall well-being, productivity, forgiveness, and innovation. Spending too much time alone and withdrawing from social activities can lead to negative consequences such as substance abuse and reduced fulfillment. Peoplehood’s mission is to prevent a loneliness crisis and promote the importance of human connection. Meaningful connections and intentional conversations can improve personal, professional, and societal relationships, contributing to a more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

In this episode, Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler share their insights into creating Peoplehood, a platform that focuses on guided group conversations for meaningful connections. They discuss the success and impact of SoulCycle, the rise of billionaires taking on government responsibilities, and the importance of human connection and social interactions. Their mission is to prevent a loneliness crisis and improve relationships in a society that increasingly values individualism. By investing in people, fostering intentional conversations, and creating a comfortable environment, Peoplehood aims to strengthen existing relationships and facilitate genuine connections.