Theodor Ekstrands Podcast

Chris Van Vliet, 4x Emmy Award-winning TV host, YouTuber, and one of the most recognized interviewers in the world opens up about growing up in a small Canadian town with no industry connections, being rejected by every media outlet, and scrubbing fish tanks to fund an unpaid internship.From pretending to be a radio host with a Fisher-Price tape recorder at age 4, to building a career interviewing The Rock, Anne Hathaway, and the biggest stars in the world, Chris's story is about passion, persistence, and betting on yourself when no one else will.After a decade in broadcast TV, he quit his secure job to go all in on his YouTube channel and podcast, only for the pandemic to shut everything down months later. But instead of giving up, he adapted, rebuilt, and came back stronger.Today, he's built a global brand with millions of views, viral interviews, and a fanbase that stretches across wrestling, film, and entrepreneurship.In this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation, he reveals:- How a childhood obsession with radio turned into a lifelong mission to master storytelling.- Why rejection from every internship forced him to create his own break, even if it meant working at a pet store to fund it.- The philosophy behind his biggest leap: quitting his TV career to bet on himself.- The emotional moment he told The Rock he was going to be a father and the advice he’ll never forget.- The story behind his viral Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson interviews.- His no-excuse mindset: “Just start. Then keep going.”Make sure to subscribe!Follow Chris:Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/chrisvanvliet/YouTube – ⁨ @ChrisVanVliet  TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.vanvliet?lang=enWebsite – https://chrisvanvliet.comFollow The Host, Theodor Ekstrand:📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theodorekstrand/🎥 YouTube – ⁨ @theodor_ekstrand  🎵 TikTok – @theodorekstrand💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodor-ekstrand/Podcast Host: Theodor Ekstrand.Thumbnail partly created with AI.Images are illustrative and do not depict real events.

1 Dec 51min

Ida Lundgren, model and daughter of one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, Dolph Lundgren, opens up about the break-in that shook her family, her father’s cancer battle, healing from trauma, and coming out on the other side stronger.From moving between Marbella, LA, and the world of fashion runways, to navigating fear, family turmoil, and finding safety within herself, Ida’s story is all about emotional strength, quiet resilience, and learning to stand on her own.Over the last decade, she’s worked as a professional model, lived between continents, and grown up in the public eye — all while processing experiences most people never see.In this episode, she shares:- The full story of the Marbella home invasion — and how she took charge in a moment of fear.- How the experience stayed in her nervous system, and shaped how she reacts to fear today.- What it was like growing up in the spotlight, and how it affected her relationships and boundaries.- The day her father told her he had cancer — and how their bond deepened in the process.- What healing looks like for her now — and how she’s building a life on her own terms.Follow Ida:Instagram – Ida LundgrenTikTok – Ida LundgrenFollow The Host, Theodor Ekstrand:📸 Instagram – Theodorekstrand🎥 YouTube – Theodorekstrand🎵 TikTok – Theodor_ekstrand💼 LinkedIn – TheodorekstrandPodcast Host: Theodor EkstrandThumbnail partly created with AI.Images are illustrative and do not depict real events.Disclaimer: The experiences and opinions shared in this episode reflect the guest’s personal perspective. The content is not intended as fact, accusation, or professional advice. Any stories involving third parties are subjective and should not be interpreted as verified claims.Note on medical content: This episode contains personal reflections on illness and recovery. These views are not intended as medical advice or statements of fact, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical consultation.

7 Nov 58min

What if everything you’ve been taught about success was wrong?Sean Conway, 7x world-record-holding endurance athlete, spent his twenties building what looked like a “successful” photography business — earning money, working with major brands, and living the comfortable life he thought he wanted.He followed the blueprint for what we’ve all been taught success should look like — stability, money, and status — but behind closed doors, he was miserable.Trapped by routine and expectation, he realised that the version of “success” he had built his life around wasn’t his own — it was what he’d been taught to want.So, in a moment of total honesty, he sold his company for €1, packed his bike, and set out to cycle around the world — not to escape life, but to understand what it really means to live.That decision changed everything.Over the next decade, Sean became one of the most accomplished endurance athletes in the world. He swam the entire length of Britain, ran from one end of the country to the other, cycled across Europe in record time, and became the first person ever to complete 105 Ironman-distance triathlons in 105 days.Sean’s journey isn’t only about breaking records. It’s about breaking the illusion that success is something you can buy, rather than something you can become.In this powerful and revealing conversation, he shares:- What it was like growing up among elephants and adventure — and how an extraordinary childhood in the wild sparked his hunger to live life differently.- How his love for photography took him from Zimbabwe to London at just 20 years old — with only £100 and a dream to create something bigger.- The grind, loneliness, and lessons of building a business from nothing — and the moment he realised that success without purpose means nothing.- Why he sold his company for £1 and walked away from everything — choosing freedom, authenticity, and meaning over comfort and control.- The transformative journey of cycling around the world — and what it taught him about simplicity, pain, and the quiet happiness found in struggle.Follow Sean:📸 Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/seanconwayadventure/🎥 YouTube – @SeanConwayEndurance 🌐 Website – https://www.seanconway.com💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-conway-2486b563/Follow The Host, Theodor Ekstrand:📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theodorekstrand🎥 YouTube – @theodor_ekstrand 🎵 TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@theodor_ekstrand💼 LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/theodor-ekstrand/Podcast Host: Theodor EkstrandThumbnail partly created with AI.Images are illustrative and do not depict real events.

23 Okt 45min

Steve Varsano, founder of The Jet Business — the world’s first street-level private jet showroom — opens up about growing up without a father figure, a mother working two jobs, working at 7 years old, nearly losing everything on his first deal, and risking it all to build a business no one believed in.From sweeping floors and washing dishes to pay for flying lessons, to creating one of the most innovative companies in luxury aviation, Steve’s story is all about discipline, belief, and relentless perseverance.Over the last 40 years, he’s sold hundreds of private jets worth millions, built a global brand, and been honoured as a Living Legend of Aviation. But behind the success is a man who learned everything the hard way — through failure, risk, and never giving up.In this powerful and raw conversation, he reveals:- How growing up without a father figure and a mother working two jobs shaped his independence and hunger to prove himself.- Why he started working at 7 years old, and what those early hardships taught him about discipline.- The moment he fell in love with aviation and decided to dedicate his life to it.- How he quit a safe career to sell jets for free — and worked nights as a waiter just to survive.- The story behind his first major deal that almost destroyed him.- How he risked everything to build The Jet Business when no one believed it would work.- The advice that has guided his entire career: “You’ll never feel ready — ....”Follow Steve:Instagram – @stevevarsano & The Jet BusinessYouTube – The Jet BusinessTikTok – @thejetbizLinkedIn – Steve VarsanoWebsite – thejetbusiness.comFollow The Host, Theodor Ekstrand:📸 Instagram – @theodorekstrand🎥 YouTube – @theodor_ekstrand🎵 TikTok – @theodorekstrand💼 LinkedIn – theodor-ekstrandPodcast Host: Theodor Ekstrand. Thumbnail partly created with AI.Images are illustrative and do not depict real events.

16 Okt 38min

I samarbete med Lifesum: Med länken https://stry.cl/Theodor får ni 55% rabatt på Lifesum PremiumI det här avsnittet möter jag Bianca Salming – friidrottare, flerfaldig SM-guldmedaljör och dotter till hockeylegenden Börje Salming. Men bakom medaljer och prestationer finns en historia om sorg, press och att våga fortsätta när det gör som mest ont.Vi pratar om:✅ Uppväxten i en sportfamilj – att välja sin egen väg inom friidrott✅ Att vara elitidrottare – vad som krävs mentalt och fysiskt för att tävla på högsta nivå✅ Att förlora sin pappa – sorgen efter Börje Salmings bortgång och beslutet att inte pausa livet✅ Att hitta styrka i det svåra – hur träning och tävling blev en kanal för att orka vidare✅ Press, förväntningar och offentlighet – att vara i rampljuset och samtidigt behålla sitt fokus✅ Vad som driver henne idag – framtidsdrömmar, OS-satsning och viljan att inspirera andraBianca delar öppet och starkt med sig om vad det innebär att vara elitidrottare, dotter, förebild – och människa. Ett samtal om att springa mot mållinjen, även när benen viker sig.🗣️ Podcast host: Theodor Ekstrand📲 Följ Bianca Salming på sociala medier:📸 Instagram: @biancasalming

2 Okt 38min

I det här avsnittet möter jag Johan Pråmell – manager, tv-profil och producenten bakom flera av Sveriges största realitysuccéer, som Wahlgrens värld och Svenska Hollywoodfruar. Men bakom alla framgångar finns en berättelse som få hört.Vi pratar om en ovanlig resa – från en modellkarriär i unga år till att bli agent för världsstjärnor som Dolph Lundgren, men också om det mest avgörande ögonblicket i hans liv – när han blev pappa, och allt nästan gick fel.Vi pratar om:✅ Uppväxten – från en trygg familj till en oväntad väg in i modevärlden✅ Modellkarriären – åren utomlands och varför han till slut valde att lämna✅ Agentlivet – vänskapen med Dolph Lundgren och livet bakom Hollywoodkulisserna✅ Reality-tv bakom kulisserna – Svenska Hollywoodfruar, Wahlgrens värld och hur man skapar äkta innehåll✅ Förlossningen – ett dramatiskt ögonblick som vände allt och fick honom att frukta det värstaJohan delar med sig med värme, humor och ovanlig öppenhet. Ett samtal om vänskap, lojalitet, och om att stå bredvid Sveriges största stjärnor.Prenumerera på kanalen för mer avsnitt som dessa!🗣️ Podcast host: Theodor Ekstrand📲 Följ Johan Pråmell:Instagram: @johanpramell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 Aug 43min

I det här avsnittet intervjuar jag Simon Lussetti – en av Sveriges mest igenkända YouTube-profiler och kreatörer.Vi pratar om:✅ Den livshotande kvällen – när han åkte in akut på sjukhus och trodde han skulle dö✅ Hur allt började – minnen från första kameran, de tidiga videorna och serien med Emil från IJustWantToBeCool✅ Att gå all in – när han hoppade av sitt jobb för att satsa 100 % på YouTube✅ Hur det var att driva en av Sveriges största YouTube-kanaler – och vad det gjorde med honom✅ Drivkrafter – vad som driver honom idag, och vad som verkligen betyder någotPrenumerera på kanalen för mer avsnitt som dessa!🗣️ Podcast host: Theodor Ekstrand📲 Följ Simon Lussetti:🎥 YouTube: ⁠‪https://www.youtube.com/@Simon.Lussetti📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonlussetti/📸 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simon.lussetti Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Aug 57min

I det här avsnittet träffar jag Ida Lundgren – dotter till actionikonen Dolph Lundgren. Hon växte upp mellan Hollywood och Marbella, med en pappa som ofta var bortrest.När hon var tonåring blev hennes hem utsatt för ett traumatiskt rån, ett ögonblick som kom att forma mycket av hennes framtid. Senare hamnade hon i destruktiva relationer, isolerades från vänner – och tappade greppet om sig själv.Men det här är också en berättelse om revansch.✅ Hur det är att växa upp med berömmelse✅ Den omskakande kvällen då hennes hem blev rånat✅ Den destruktiva relationen som förändrade allt✅ Vägen tillbaka – genom terapi, resor, träning och reflektion✅ Jakten på mening, balans och ett eget varumärke✅ Att inte följa andras förväntningar – utan hitta sin egen vägIda berättar öppet, sårbart och ärligt om sin kamp – men också om sin läkning. Det här är inte en story om en kändisdotter. Det här är en berättelse om en människa som vägrat låta andra definiera henne.Podcast host: Theodor Ekstrand📸 Följ Ida på Instagram: @idaslundgren Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Aug 30min