The Business and Spiritual Journey of John Mackey

Thinking Ahead with Carter Phipps

John Mackey, cofounder of Whole Foods Market, is one of the great entrepreneurs of our time. But the story of how he built the iconic grocery store is just one thread in the tapestry of his rich and interesting life, which he discusses candidly in his recent memoir The Whole Story. This fascinating tale spans his remarkable life and career, from his Texas childhood to his spiritual breakthroughs, from his hiking adventures to his psychedelic experimentation, and from a humble Austin health food store to a $13.7 billion sale to Amazon. In this conversation, we touch on all of these topics, many of which reflect our shared interests. Indeed, John is a dear friend with whom I’m proud to have collaborated on a book, Conscious Leadership (along with Steve McIntosh), and shared many journeys—geographical, intellectual, and metaphysical. I’ve learned so much from John over the years about how to live a full life, and I’m delighted to introduce listeners to his unique mix of keen intelligence, playfulness, and generosity of spirit.