Most people don't think about why they hold the worldview they do. They absorb it from their friends and family, the news, their past experiences, and social media. And if those inputs are mostly negative, their default lens becomes one of fear and scarcity. I'm an...
My friends and I often host Jeffersonian dinners, and we've had so many wonderful and memorable conversations. At a Jeffersonian dinner, everyone at the table participates in a single conversation. The host opens the evening by posing one thoughtful question to the...
I recently had a fascinating conversation with Dr. Mark Hyman on his podcast. Mark shared an idea that really resonated with me — something he calls “Notes from God.” He described how, as we move through life, we’re constantly given little signs or “notes,” moments...
I’ll start with a confession: I used to operate from a win-lose mindset, especially in business. Most of us do. It’s how we’ve been conditioned to think. Whether it’s a game, promotion, or closing a deal, we assume that for one person to win, another has to lose. But...
America's healthcare system is at a breaking point. Despite remarkable advancements in science and technology, Americans are sicker than ever. While much of the current vitriol is aimed at insurance companies and coverage, I believe the problem is more foundational:...
I recently gave a talk in London at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship on the need to reshape the narrative around capitalism. As an unapologetic capitalist, I believe capitalism is the greatest driver of human progress and value creation in history. I want to...
This fall, I had an interesting conversation with Michael Moynihan on Bari Weiss’s Honestly podcast. One topic we discussed is sometimes considered controversial and has sparked negativity in the past: labor unions. I want to use this as an opportunity to clarify a...
I often talk about my relationship with my father, Bill Mackey. He was my best man at my wedding, an original investor in Whole Foods Market, a long-time board member, and my greatest mentor in business. In my new book The Whole Story, I talk in detail about our close...
Nine months after opening the first Whole Foods, what’s known as the “100-year flood” came through Austin and severely damaged the store and destroyed all our inventory. I thought that this was the end and that Whole Foods would never recover given the extensive...
For many years, I considered myself well-informed on animal husbandry and believed that Whole Foods had rigorous standards that were best in class. That all changed at our annual shareholder meeting in 2003. For anyone who has ever led or attended this type of...
I want to share one of my favorite stories with all of you. In 2005, my wife and I had the opportunity to go to dinner with Milton Friedman and his wife, Rose. I had long admired Milton’s work and was excited to enjoy what I thought would be a delicious meal filled...
