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Feb 25, 2021 · 24m · how-i-built-this

How I Built Resilience: Troy Carter of Q&A (June, 2020)

Troy Carter · 15m spoken Guy Raz · 6m spoken
0:00 / 0:00

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In this episode of How I Built This: Resilience Edition, Guy Raz interviews music entrepreneur Troy Carter about navigating the dual crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racial injustice. Carter reflects on personal encounters with racism, critiques corporate gatekeeping in the music industry and venture capital, and highlights the essential role of music and national empathy in driving enduring societal change.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Guy holds 29.4% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Guy as informed peer 2.8 Guest teaching 4.8 Guest disagreement 1.1 Guy pushing back 0.0
05100:0010:0020:000:00–2:16 · Guy as informed peer 0/10 Announcement: How I Built This Virtual Event with Jay Shetty Guy Raz delivers an introductory monologue and promotional announcement for a virtual event. Because there is no guest interaction, host-side and guest interaction scores are zero.2:17–6:47 · Guy as informed peer 3/10 Everyday Realities of Racism and Fear in America Troy shares raw personal accounts of systemic racism, including being assaulted by hotel security during a YPO retreat and fears surrounding his children. Guy listens empathetically and validates the emotional toll on Black families.6:48–9:05 · Guy as informed peer 2/10 Weaponized Privilege and the Demand for Lasting Change Troy breaks down weaponized privilege in viral incidents like Central Park and critiques media justifications of Black victims based on elite credentials. Guy remains in supportive listening mode.9:06–11:23 · Guy as informed peer 6/10 Historical Reckoning and Modern Encounters with the Confederacy Guy draws on his experience as a foreign correspondent in Germany to discuss national reconciliation with past atrocities compared to America's failure to reckon with slavery. Troy corroborates this by recounting modern encounters with Confederate flags on tour.11:44–14:38 · Guy as informed peer 3/10 Promo: How I Built This Bestselling Book After a brief book promo, Guy asks Troy to forecast the pandemic's impact on music. Troy provides an insider breakdown of digital resilience versus touring collapse.14:38–17:39 · Guy as informed peer 3/10 Audience Question: Releasing Music and Art During Crisis Guy relays audience questions regarding releasing music during crisis and industry suffering. Troy educates the audience on systemic hypocrisy in the music industry, pointing out that executive representation is worse than the NFL.17:39–20:27 · Guy as informed peer 2/10 Access to Capital, Entrepreneurship, and Confronting Bias Troy reframes Guy's prompt, stressing that Black entrepreneurs need equitable access to venture capital and market standards rather than philanthropic foundations, and dismantles accusations of playing the race card.20:28–23:13 · Guy as informed peer 3/10 Economic Divide, Future Workforce, and an Urgent Call for Empathy When Guy asks if this moment will yield lasting progress, Troy tempers historical pessimism with entrepreneurial optimism, reframing the future challenge around automation, the economic divide, and national empathy.0:00–2:16 · Guest teaching 0/10 Announcement: How I Built This Virtual Event with Jay Shetty Guy Raz delivers an introductory monologue and promotional announcement for a virtual event. Because there is no guest interaction, host-side and guest interaction scores are zero.2:17–6:47 · Guest teaching 5/10 Everyday Realities of Racism and Fear in America Troy shares raw personal accounts of systemic racism, including being assaulted by hotel security during a YPO retreat and fears surrounding his children. Guy listens empathetically and validates the emotional toll on Black families.6:48–9:05 · Guest teaching 6/10 Weaponized Privilege and the Demand for Lasting Change Troy breaks down weaponized privilege in viral incidents like Central Park and critiques media justifications of Black victims based on elite credentials. Guy remains in supportive listening mode.9:06–11:23 · Guest teaching 4/10 Historical Reckoning and Modern Encounters with the Confederacy Guy draws on his experience as a foreign correspondent in Germany to discuss national reconciliation with past atrocities compared to America's failure to reckon with slavery. Troy corroborates this by recounting modern encounters with Confederate flags on tour.11:44–14:38 · Guest teaching 4/10 Promo: How I Built This Bestselling Book After a brief book promo, Guy asks Troy to forecast the pandemic's impact on music. Troy provides an insider breakdown of digital resilience versus touring collapse.14:38–17:39 · Guest teaching 6/10 Audience Question: Releasing Music and Art During Crisis Guy relays audience questions regarding releasing music during crisis and industry suffering. Troy educates the audience on systemic hypocrisy in the music industry, pointing out that executive representation is worse than the NFL.17:39–20:27 · Guest teaching 7/10 Access to Capital, Entrepreneurship, and Confronting Bias Troy reframes Guy's prompt, stressing that Black entrepreneurs need equitable access to venture capital and market standards rather than philanthropic foundations, and dismantles accusations of playing the race card.20:28–23:13 · Guest teaching 6/10 Economic Divide, Future Workforce, and an Urgent Call for Empathy When Guy asks if this moment will yield lasting progress, Troy tempers historical pessimism with entrepreneurial optimism, reframing the future challenge around automation, the economic divide, and national empathy.0:00–2:16 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Announcement: How I Built This Virtual Event with Jay Shetty Guy Raz delivers an introductory monologue and promotional announcement for a virtual event. Because there is no guest interaction, host-side and guest interaction scores are zero.2:17–6:47 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Everyday Realities of Racism and Fear in America Troy shares raw personal accounts of systemic racism, including being assaulted by hotel security during a YPO retreat and fears surrounding his children. Guy listens empathetically and validates the emotional toll on Black families.6:48–9:05 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Weaponized Privilege and the Demand for Lasting Change Troy breaks down weaponized privilege in viral incidents like Central Park and critiques media justifications of Black victims based on elite credentials. Guy remains in supportive listening mode.9:06–11:23 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Historical Reckoning and Modern Encounters with the Confederacy Guy draws on his experience as a foreign correspondent in Germany to discuss national reconciliation with past atrocities compared to America's failure to reckon with slavery. Troy corroborates this by recounting modern encounters with Confederate flags on tour.11:44–14:38 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Promo: How I Built This Bestselling Book After a brief book promo, Guy asks Troy to forecast the pandemic's impact on music. Troy provides an insider breakdown of digital resilience versus touring collapse.14:38–17:39 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Audience Question: Releasing Music and Art During Crisis Guy relays audience questions regarding releasing music during crisis and industry suffering. Troy educates the audience on systemic hypocrisy in the music industry, pointing out that executive representation is worse than the NFL.17:39–20:27 · Guest disagreement 3/10 Access to Capital, Entrepreneurship, and Confronting Bias Troy reframes Guy's prompt, stressing that Black entrepreneurs need equitable access to venture capital and market standards rather than philanthropic foundations, and dismantles accusations of playing the race card.20:28–23:13 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Economic Divide, Future Workforce, and an Urgent Call for Empathy When Guy asks if this moment will yield lasting progress, Troy tempers historical pessimism with entrepreneurial optimism, reframing the future challenge around automation, the economic divide, and national empathy.0:00–2:16 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Announcement: How I Built This Virtual Event with Jay Shetty Guy Raz delivers an introductory monologue and promotional announcement for a virtual event. Because there is no guest interaction, host-side and guest interaction scores are zero.2:17–6:47 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Everyday Realities of Racism and Fear in America Troy shares raw personal accounts of systemic racism, including being assaulted by hotel security during a YPO retreat and fears surrounding his children. Guy listens empathetically and validates the emotional toll on Black families.6:48–9:05 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Weaponized Privilege and the Demand for Lasting Change Troy breaks down weaponized privilege in viral incidents like Central Park and critiques media justifications of Black victims based on elite credentials. Guy remains in supportive listening mode.9:06–11:23 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Historical Reckoning and Modern Encounters with the Confederacy Guy draws on his experience as a foreign correspondent in Germany to discuss national reconciliation with past atrocities compared to America's failure to reckon with slavery. Troy corroborates this by recounting modern encounters with Confederate flags on tour.11:44–14:38 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Promo: How I Built This Bestselling Book After a brief book promo, Guy asks Troy to forecast the pandemic's impact on music. Troy provides an insider breakdown of digital resilience versus touring collapse.14:38–17:39 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Audience Question: Releasing Music and Art During Crisis Guy relays audience questions regarding releasing music during crisis and industry suffering. Troy educates the audience on systemic hypocrisy in the music industry, pointing out that executive representation is worse than the NFL.17:39–20:27 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Access to Capital, Entrepreneurship, and Confronting Bias Troy reframes Guy's prompt, stressing that Black entrepreneurs need equitable access to venture capital and market standards rather than philanthropic foundations, and dismantles accusations of playing the race card.20:28–23:13 · Guy pushing back 0/10 Economic Divide, Future Workforce, and an Urgent Call for Empathy When Guy asks if this moment will yield lasting progress, Troy tempers historical pessimism with entrepreneurial optimism, reframing the future challenge around automation, the economic divide, and national empathy.

speaking balance: gold is Guy, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Guy 76.2% · guest 23.8%0:00 · Guy 76.2% · guest 23.8%3:00 · Guy 11.5% · guest 88.5%3:00 · Guy 11.5% · guest 88.5%6:00 · Guy 10.5% · guest 89.5%6:00 · Guy 10.5% · guest 89.5%9:00 · Guy 44.9% · guest 55.1%9:00 · Guy 44.9% · guest 55.1%12:00 · Guy 32.6% · guest 67.4%12:00 · Guy 32.6% · guest 67.4%15:00 · Guy 8.8% · guest 91.2%15:00 · Guy 8.8% · guest 91.2%18:00 · Guy 13.8% · guest 86.2%18:00 · Guy 13.8% · guest 86.2%21:00 · Guy 32% · guest 68%21:00 · Guy 32% · guest 68%24:00 · Guy 100% · guest 0%24:00 · Guy 100% · guest 0%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 17:45 Rejection of the foundation and charity framing

Troy explicitly halts and rephrases the discourse, pushing back against the common premise that Black founders need charity instead of equal access to venture capital.

 Hardest push from Guy ▶ 20:28 Guy challenges typical optimistic platitudes

Guy presses Troy on whether genuine structural change is possible, openly refusing superficial optimism by noting he hates the standard 'are you hopeful' trope.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 16:20 Exposing music industry executive disparity

Troy reveals to listeners and Guy that despite its progressive facade, the music industry has an executive racial disparity worse than the NFL, with white executives heading Black music divisions.

 Guy holds their own ▶ 9:06 Guy cites Germany's historical reckoning model

Guy leverages his firsthand reporting experience in Germany to offer an informed historical comparison regarding national reconciliation with systemic atrocities.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicGuy as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementGuy pushing backWhy
Announcement: How I Built This Virtual Event with Jay Shetty 0000 Guy Raz delivers an introductory monologue and promotional announcement for a virtual event. Because there is no guest interaction, host-side and guest interaction scores are zero.
Everyday Realities of Racism and Fear in America 3510 Troy shares raw personal accounts of systemic racism, including being assaulted by hotel security during a YPO retreat and fears surrounding his children. Guy listens empathetically and validates the emotional toll on Black families.
Weaponized Privilege and the Demand for Lasting Change 2620 Troy breaks down weaponized privilege in viral incidents like Central Park and critiques media justifications of Black victims based on elite credentials. Guy remains in supportive listening mode.
Historical Reckoning and Modern Encounters with the Confederacy 6400 Guy draws on his experience as a foreign correspondent in Germany to discuss national reconciliation with past atrocities compared to America's failure to reckon with slavery. Troy corroborates this by recounting modern encounters with Confederate flags on tour.
Promo: How I Built This Bestselling Book 3400 After a brief book promo, Guy asks Troy to forecast the pandemic's impact on music. Troy provides an insider breakdown of digital resilience versus touring collapse.
Audience Question: Releasing Music and Art During Crisis 3610 Guy relays audience questions regarding releasing music during crisis and industry suffering. Troy educates the audience on systemic hypocrisy in the music industry, pointing out that executive representation is worse than the NFL.
Access to Capital, Entrepreneurship, and Confronting Bias 2730 Troy reframes Guy's prompt, stressing that Black entrepreneurs need equitable access to venture capital and market standards rather than philanthropic foundations, and dismantles accusations of playing the race card.
Economic Divide, Future Workforce, and an Urgent Call for Empathy 3620 When Guy asks if this moment will yield lasting progress, Troy tempers historical pessimism with entrepreneurial optimism, reframing the future challenge around automation, the economic divide, and national empathy.

Statements from this episode (6)

Insight
Troy Carter: Wealth doesn't protect Black Americans from systemic racial bias
“Money doesn't matter, and power doesn't matter. It's just this bias that, that's sort of baked in and the recipe of America that we've had to live with,”
Troy Carter Feb 25, 2021 ▶ 5:30
Assertion Open · timeframe Feb 2021
Charlie Puth refused to soundcheck until venue removed its Confederate flag
“And then we went to Ohio after, and on stage, it was a Confederate flag right behind the stage, and Charlie Puth refused to go on for his soundtracks. Until they took that flag down.”
Troy Carter Feb 25, 2021 ▶ 10:53
Opinion
Troy Carter: America will never reach true racial reconciliation
“So we're still reminded of our place in, in, in this country, so you'll never get to reconciliation. We all know the truth, but we'll never get to reconciliation.”
Troy Carter Feb 25, 2021 ▶ 11:07
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Troy Carter in 2020: Live music touring won't normalize until 2022
“On the touring side, it's catastrophic, and the reality is we probably won't see this look normal until twenty-twenty-two, in my opinion.”
Troy Carter Feb 25, 2021 ▶ 13:11
Assertion Contradicted
Troy Carter: White executives literally hold 'head of Black music' titles
“You actually, believe it or not, have white people that are the heads of black music with a title at some of these companies.”
Troy Carter Feb 25, 2021 ▶ 16:58
Insight
Troy Carter: Black founders need equal capital access, not charity
“Like, those Black businesses should be held to the same standard of return on capital. It's just the opportunity to have access to that capital, have access to the support and training that Y Combinator companies may get, or that, you know, first-round capital…”
Troy Carter Feb 25, 2021 ▶ 18:51
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