What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Personally: playing soccer or Ultimate Frisbee on the beach with our two children, Maya (6) and Liam (3), and then diving in the waves and body-surfing with dolphins, followed by a romantic dinner with my wife Heather
Professionally: launching entrepreneurial ventures and inspiring others to find and follow their passion
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Not listening deeply enough
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Selfishness
Which living person do you most admire?
My dad for his perpetual drive to learn and contribute; my mom for her empathy
What is your greatest extravagance?
Enjoying really good single malt scotch
What is your current state of mind?
Energized by all of the cool things we are trying to do at Duke and in Durham
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
The myth of the lone wolf—need a team to create greatness
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Yes
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife and kids—they light me up from the inside out
When and where were you happiest?
Right now
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to speak more languages
What is your motto?
“In the time of your life, live.” – William Saroyan
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Focusing on being a great dad and husband
Where would you most like to live?
Durham! (With frequent retreats to Cape Town, Patagonia, Rome, Laos and San Francisco)
What is your most treasured possession?
My bicycles (commuter and road bike)
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Loneliness
What is your favorite occupation?
Entrepreneur
What is it that you most dislike?
Bureaucracy
What do you most value in your friends?
Authenticity, love and loyalty—with sparks of mischievousness
Who are your favorite writers?
Edward Abbey, Steven Johnson, Bill McKibben, Pablo Neruda and
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Who is your hero of fiction?
Huckleberry Finn
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
The early pioneers and explorers
Who are your heroes in real life?
Nelson Mandela and social entrepreneurs around the world driving global change
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