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Inspirational Leadership Podcast: Spencer Rascoff

Mar 14, 2023

Spencer Rascoff is no stranger to risk-taking—from Hotwire to Zillow and beyond. 

Episode 17

Spencer Rascoff, former CEO and co-founder of Zillow and Hotwire

Spencer Rascoff is the former CEO and co-founder of Zillow, the co-founder of Hotwire, and many other successful ventures, including his newest, Pacaso – a property broker making the dream of second-home ownership affordable. Today he sits on the boards of several companies, and hosts two podcasts, Dad, I have a Question and Office Hours. When asked what he does for a living, he said, “I teach, coach, and mentor other startup people.”

Spencer was an entrepreneur from an early age – baking and selling goods and selling hand-crafted artwork. For him, it wasn’t necessarily about the money, he was motivated purely by competition and wanting to win. And it’s no wonder – he was surrounded by a family of highly successful business owners. He remembers his father leaving a very secure job in accounting for a risky new career as a tour producer for the Rolling Stones. From his father, he learned that taking risks isn’t so dangerous after all, and it’s well worth the chance.

Sit down with Spencer and Mollie Carmichael and hear about the birth of Hotwire and Zillow, what achievements Spencer is most proud of, and what he would have done differently. Learn about his leadership style and who inspires him, in this episode of the Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building podcast.

Tune in now

Watch the video interview below or listen to the audio podcast available on Apple Podcasts, Google PodcastsSpotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, PlayerFM, and Listen Notes.

About the series

Inspirational Leadership with the Best in Home Building is an influential podcast led by housing industry expert Mollie Carmichael. Each episode features a personal conversation with a thought leader in the housing industry. Join Mollie as we get to know these top leaders—what inspires them, what drives them, and how they build communities. 

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It was a place people really loved to work because we were mission-oriented...That’s definitely what I’m most proud of—the employee culture that we built.

Spencer Rascoff

Get in touch with Mollie

Mollie Carmichael is a Principal of Zonda’s Advisory services. Mollie’s expertise in marketing, products, and home design coupled with Zonda’s data, helps clients understand home shopper needs so that builders and developers can maximize revenue. Discover how we can help you think ahead and provide creative and functional solutions to your customers.

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Mollie Carmichael

Mollie Carmichael

Principal