Ep. 12, Stefan Sonnenfeld: Founder of Company 3 – “Da Vinci of Colour Grading”, Movies, Discipline, Working With Apple
The Gstaad Guy sits down with Stefan Sonnenfeld, legendary colourist and founder of Company 3, to explore the discipline, drive, and vision behind some of the most iconic visuals in modern entertainment. Known for his pioneering work with Apple and countless cultural touchpoints across film, fashion, and advertising, Stefan unpacks what it means to shape stories through colour.
From policing piracy in the early days to becoming a creative "sheriff" in his own right, the conversation dives into the grit behind his journey, working tirelessly, creating opportunities where there were none, and staying ahead through health, wellness, and biohacking. A rare glimpse into the life and mind of someone who’s not just colouring film, but culture itself.
Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(02:39) Police Officer 👮♂️
(08:58) Giving Back 🤝🏻
(10:05) Why colour grading? 🎨🤔
(12:59) Discovering Colouring 🔍🎨
(17:24) How colour affects films 🎬🌈
(18:03) What is colour? 🌈❓
(22:17) Manipulating feature films 🎞️ 🛠️
(26:20) Working with Apple 🍏💻💼
(26:48) Steve Jobs’ attention to detail 👓 🔍
(33:27) Balancing life ⚖️🧘
(34:02) Greatness requires sacrifice 🥇🔥
(39:14) No room for complacency 🚫😌
(39:36) Lessons passed down 📜👨🏫
(42:00) A creative leader 🎨👑
(47:35) Optimisation ⚙️📈
(48:49) AI obliterates mediocrity 🤖💥
(50:48) Timing ⏱️ 🎯
(54:58) Health & Biohacking 🧬🥗
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:02:58
--------
1:02:58
Ep. 11, Georgios Frangulis: Founder of Oakberry Açaí – Entrepreneurship, Resilience, F1, & Building a Premium Brand Against the Odds
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Georgios Frangulis, the visionary behind Oakberry, to explore how he turned a niche superfruit into a global premium brand. From launching with limited resources to now sponsoring the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, Georgios shares the unlikely path that took Oakberry from street-level scepticism to centre-stage visibility.
The conversation delves into the realities of entrepreneurship, navigating doubt, mastering timing, and the mindset needed to keep going through personal and professional trials, including his battle with cancer. Georgios reflects on what it means to stay committed to your vision, even when the world says no.
Filmed at Casa Cipriani New York’s Liberty Corner Suite.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(01:55) Oakberry 🫐
(07:02) Battling cancer 🎗️💪🏻
(09:17) Expanding the business 📈🌍
(11:15) The first location 🏪📍
(12:53) Açaí 🫐 🥣
(21:07) Shelf life of Açaí ⏳🫐 🥣
(24:54) Building a luxury brand 💼✨
(29:45) Building the dream 🏗️ 💭
(34:04) People doubting you 🤨🚫
(39:28) Trusting people in business 🤝🏻 💼
(42:00) Knowing your limits 🚧 🧠
(47:54) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
52:52
--------
52:52
Ep. 10, Benjamin Paulin: Founder of Paulin Paulin Paulin – “The Dune” Sofa, Design Lineage, & Reimagining Everyday Form
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with designer and creative mind Benjamin Paulin to explore how design, culture, and heritage intersect in his evolving body of work. As the son of legendary furniture designer Pierre Paulin, Benjamin brings a unique perspective on honouring tradition while pushing the boundaries of form and function.
The conversation unpacks the balance between art and design, the role of modularity in shaping how we live, and the tension between legacy and pop culture. Benjamin also reflects on the discipline of designing with constraints, how limitations can sharpen creativity and give rise to ideas that are both functional and visionary. Through a lens of innovation and influence, he shares what it means to build a future-forward design language, one piece at a time.
(00:00) Intro ✨
(02:01) Echo Of Pierre Paulin 🪑🔊🕰️
(03:49) Passion for Furniture ❤️🔥🪑
(04:59) Values ⚖️
(08:32) Art vs. Design 🎨 📐
(09:44) Form vs. Function ⚖️🛠️
(10:57) The Dune 🏜️ 🛋️
(15:49) Paulin & Pop-Culture 🛋️ 🎬 🎤
(19:00) Future of Furniture 🔮🪑
(23:44) Design of The Dune ✏️🏜️🛋️
(26:38) “Passion for design” ❤️🔥📐
(33:23) “How Paulin restarted” 🔁🪑👨🎨
(36:33) Integrity 🧱💎
(37:58) The Paulin Designs 🪑✨✏️
(40:12) “The living room” 🛋️ 📺
(43:51) “Working without limitations” 🚀🧠🔓
(46:26) “Constraints” ⛓️📏
(48:09) “University of rap” 🎓🎤
(52:09) “Stay passionate” 🧡🔥💪🏻
(56:59) Architects vs. Interior Designers vs. Designers 🏛️🛋️🎨
(58:34) Family & Work 👨👩👧👦 💼
(01:05:18) “Screens are everywhere” 📱💻
(01:06:18) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:11:03
--------
1:11:03
Ep. 9, Nicolas Bijan: Founder of NB44 – Values, Responsibility, Respect, & the Discipline Behind Building a Modern Legacy
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with Nicolas Bijan, founder of NB44 and son of legendary designer Bijan, to explore the values and mindset behind building something new while honouring a storied family name. From growing up in a household defined by excellence to carving out his own creative path, Nicolas shares the lessons shaped by tough love, discipline, and perspective.
The conversation delves into the responsibility that comes with privilege, the importance of respect, and why hard work and humility remain central to his identity. With clarity and conviction, Nicolas reflects on legacy, not as something inherited, but something earned every day.
Filmed at Nobel LA’s St. Ives property.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro ✨
(05:11) NB44 🧥
(07:15) Values ⚖️
(08:13) Bijan Pakzad 👨💼
(14:03) “How I was raised” 🧑🧑🧒
(14:29) Relationships with people 🤝🏻 👥
(15:42) Loss 🖤 😔
(18:19) The American Dream 🇺🇸 💭
(20:20) Pressure & Responsibility 😩 🤝🏻
(24:03) Starting a business & family 🧑🧑🧒🧒 💼
(25:41) Filling a void 🫂
(27:39) Developed vs. Inherited values 👴🏻 ➡️ 👦🏻 ⚖️
(30:53) Being a young parent 👩🍼👨🍼
(36:02) Legacy 📜
(41:07) Multi-generational business 🧑🧒🧒 💼
(44:15) Household & Work 🏠 🧑💻
(53:40) Definition of luxury 📖 💎
(56:08) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
1:02:55
--------
1:02:55
Ep. 8, Bryan Johnson: "Healthiest Man on Earth", Founder of Braintree & The Blueprint Protocol – Longevity, Superintelligence, Radical Health, & Redefining Human Potential
In this episode, The Gstaad Guy sits down with tech entrepreneur and human optimisation pioneer Bryan Johnson to explore the ideas, trade-offs, and motivations behind Blueprint, his controversial and cutting-edge protocol to reverse ageing and extend biological youth.
The conversation unpacks the science of longevity, the measurable impact of sleep, nutrition, and cellular regeneration, and how our perception of health is being completely redefined by technology. Bryan speaks openly about the sacrifices behind his routine, the psychology of motivation, and the role of superintelligence in reshaping not just what we do, but who we are.
(00:00) Intro ✨
(02:52) Former Life ⏪👤
(05:05) The Bargain 🤝🏻👌🏼
(06:07) Sleep 😴
(07:15) Health vs. Work 🍎💊💼
(10:11) Health Is Cool 🍎😎
(13:14) The Journey 🚗
(14:08) “The body is god” 👤👑
(15:37) “Added years or quality of life?” 📅🧘🏻
(16:39) “Stopping everything” ✋🏻🛑
(19:35) “Superintelligence & health problems” 🧠😷
(21:20) “Where are we as a species?” ❓🧑🤝🧑
(24:06) “Sun exposure” ☀️
(25:44) “Where to live”📍🏠
(28:43) “Sleep is antisocial” 😴🤐
(30:12) “Health decisions” 🍎🤔
(34:56) “Archetypes of Don’t Die” 🦁💊
(36:42) Growth Vectors 📈
(40:18) “Health as a status signal” 🍎✅
(43:13) “Speed of aging” ⏳👴🏻👵🏻
(46:50) “Bad things can happen” ☣️
(49:02) Extra Virgin Olive Oil 🫒🫙
(50:17) À La Poubelle vs. Fantastique 🗑️✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Gstaad Guy Podcast is your backstage pass to the untold stories behind excellence. Hosted by The Gstaad Guy, out of character, this guest driven, unscripted series explores the real journeys, challenges and turning points that shape those who have mastered their craft. From global tastemakers and industry leaders to creative pioneers and cultural outliers, each episode reveals what it really takes to achieve excellence. Through humour and curiosity, The Gstaad Guy peels back the layers to uncover the grit behind the glamour, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the worlds usually kept behind closed doors.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gstaadguypodcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gstaadguypodcast
UK