SRS Preview: It's a Mystery of the Universe
Full episode to be released soon...
Baiju Bhatt, co-founder of Robinhood and the mind behind Aetherflux, sits down with Shawn Ryan for a deep and thought-provoking conversation.
Bhatt opens up about his immigrant upbringing, his father’s health battles, and the academic drive that led him to Stanford and eventually to building a platform that changed Wall Street.
He dives into the future of energy with space-based solar, breaks down quantum mechanics in plain language, and reflects on the importance of creativity, craftsmanship, and personal reinvention.
With plenty of talk about classic cars and hands-on projects, this episode blends science, hustle, and humanity.
About Baiju Bhatt
Baiju Prafulkumar Bhatt is an American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder and former co-chief executive officer of Robinhood.
This U.S.-based financial services company popularized zero-commission stock trading. He is also the founder of Aetherflux, a space-based solar energy company.
Born in 1984 or 1985, Bhatt is the son of Gujarati immigrants from India and grew up in Poquoson, Virginia, where his father worked at NASA's Langley Research Center, which sparked Bhatt's early interest in space and science.
He earned a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in mathematics from Stanford University in 2008.
Bhatt met Vlad Tenev at Stanford, and together they co-founded Robinhood in 2013 with the mission to democratize finance by offering a zero-commission stock trading platform.
Bhatt focused on the product and design elements of Robinhood's mobile app, which launched in 2015.
He served as co-CEO and co-President of Robinhood alongside Tenev from 2013 to November 2020, and then as Chief Creative Officer from 2021 to March 2024.
Robinhood went public on the Nasdaq in 2021 at a $32 billion valuation, and Bhatt owns approximately 8% of the company.
Before Robinhood, Bhatt founded two other finance companies in New York City.
After stepping away from his operational role at Robinhood, Bhatt launched Aetherflux, a company focused on building a constellation of satellites to beam renewable energy to Earth using lasers.
As of December 2024, his net worth is estimated at $2.5 billion.
About Shawn Ryan
Shawn Ryan is an American podcaster and former U.S. Navy SEAL and CIA contractor, known for hosting The Shawn Ryan Show and founding Vigilance Elite, a tactical training company.
Shawn Ryan Palmisano is his birth name, and "Shawn Ryan" is a pseudonym.
He grew up in Chillicothe, Missouri, where his father was a military pharmacist, and he is part Japanese.
Ryan enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 18 to become a Navy SEAL, serving with SEAL Teams 2 and 8 after graduating from BUD/S training.
He deployed to various conflict zones, including Haiti and Baghdad, more than 14 years of service as both a Navy SEAL and CIA contractor, performing multiple combat operations and guarding Iraqi politicians.
After leaving the Naval Special Warfare Community, he continued as a CIA contractor in clandestine operations worldwide.
Ryan founded Vigilance Elite, and is the creator and host of "The Shawn Ryan Show" podcast, which is produced by Vigilance Elite.
The podcast initially focused on interviewing military personnel and veterans, documenting stories of war, loss, and redemption.
It has since expanded its scope to include topics and guests in society, culture, and current events.
The show has grown significantly, amassing around 16 million views per month and raising over $1 million via crowdfunding to support veterans transitioning from service to entrepreneurship.
Ryan is also a member of Veteran Advocacy Services.
He has openly discussed his struggles with addiction (cocaine, pills, alcohol) after leaving the military and credits a psychedelic experience with helping him adapt to civilian life.
He shares his story on his podcast to help other veterans dealing with similar issues like trauma, addiction, and suicidal thoughts.
Biographies are AI-generated and may contain inaccuracies