The Venture

It all started when Jon Murray, a TV and documentary producer, and Mary-Ellis Bunim, a soap opera writer, approached MTV with an idea that ultimately changed television forever. The Real World popularized a new genre of television known as “reality TV.” Today, reality TV has splintered into innumerable forms, but its backbone was built with The Real World, and Bunim/Murray Productions continues to be at the forefront of the industry. They’re the team behind The Simple Life, Born This Way, and Keeping up with the Kardashians. In this episode, we talk to former cast members and industry experts, about the show that dared to be different, and the team that turned entertainment as we know it, on its head.

The Venture is hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte.

This episode features:

Jon Murray, creator of The Real World & co-founder of Bunim/Murray Productions

George Verschoor, producer and director of The Real World seasons 1-4. Current executive producer and showrunner at Critical Content

Julie Gentry, original cast member of The Real World season 1.

Tony DiSanto, former MTV president and founder of DiGa Studio

Meredith Blake, entertainment reporter with the LA Times

Special thanks to all of The Real World cast and crew members we spoke to for this episode, including Andre Comeau, Eric Neis, Jon Brennan, Pam Ling and Adam Beckman.

To learn more about The Venture, go to virginatlantic.com/theventure

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As the owner, head chef, and mastermind behind her restaurant n/naka, Chef Niki Nakayama serves up coveted kaiseki dinners, a structured multi-course meal that emphasizes seasonality and extreme technical prowess. Niki truly straddles the line of tradition and innovation, sourcing local ingredients and employing centuries-old techniques. And she just may be the only woman in the world who does it. But while Niki is the master of her kitchen and craft, getting here was a struggle. In this episode, we tell the story of how she risked it all to launch her restaurant in one of the most cutthroat industries: food. And we learn that a commitment to your creative vision, even if it’s doing it the hard way, can sometimes take you to the top.

The Venture is hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte

This episode features:

Niki Nakayama, owner and head chef at n/naka restaurant

Carole Iida-Nakayama, sous chef at n/naka restaurant

Besha Rodell, restaurant critic at LA Weekly

Eric Rath, history professor at The University of Kansas

Special thanks to:

Dan Allen, Farmscape

Sarah Rathbone, Dock to Dish LA

To learn more about The Venture, go to virginatlantic.com/theventure

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Kill Rock Stars is one of indie rock’s most respected record labels, known by fans for its superior taste in music, and by musicians for its ethical approach to business. Nirvana, Sleater-Kinney and Elliott Smith all have roots at the label. But there are a lot of bumps on the road, as you take a business from a one-bedroom apartment to the big time. Follow founder Slim Moon and current label president Portia Sabin, who happen to be married, as they face personal tragedy, their personal demons, and a massive change in their industry’s business model. Through it all, it’s a story about making a space for yourself, and putting people before profits.

The Venture is hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte

This episode features:

Slim Moon, founder of Kill Rock Stars

Portia Sabin, president of Kill Rock Stars

Corin Tucker, co-founder of Sleater-Kinney

Cameron Esposito, comedian

Rhea Butcher, comedian

Sean Nelson, arts and music editor, The Stranger/member of Harvey Danger

George Howard, co-founder, Music Audience Exchange and founder of Slow River Records

Jessica Hopper, executive editor of MTV News and author of The First Collection of Criticism by a Living Female Rock Critic

Songs and Audio featured in this episode include:

“Conflict Free Diamonds” by Kinski

"Feels Blind" by Bikini Kill

"Die" by Bratmobile

"Rebel Girl" by Bikini Kill

“Tip Toe Blues (Instrumental)” by Michael Smith

“Mean” by Slim Moon (spoken word)

“You Speak Jealousy” by Unwound

“Reject All American” by Bikini Kill

“Miss Misery (Early Version)” by Elliott Smith

“Howl at the Moon (Instrumental)” by Werwulf

"We Think She's a Nurse" by Kinski

“Arresting and Existing (Edit) (Instrumental)” by Keen Collective

“Needle in the Hay” by Elliott Smith

“Steady Waltz (Alt. 1) (Instrumental)” by WZRDS

“Automatic Music” by Stereo Total

“Real Butcher” by Rhea Butcher (comedy)

“Fremm” by bed.

“Illegal” by Stereo Total

Check out our Spotify playlist inspired by this episode, including many songs you heard in this story:

To learn more about The Venture, go to virginatlantic.com/theventure

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Starting a business is a leap of faith. It’s unpredictable, exciting, foolish and brave -- it’s an adventure.

From Virgin Atlantic, Richard Branson’s transatlantic airline, and Gimlet Creative, The Venture introduces you to the innovators, artists and risk takers behind pioneering businesses. These are businesses that changed the face of their industries, but not in the ways you might think.

You might not recognize these entrepreneurs by name, but once you hear their stories, you won’t be able to imagine the world without them.

The Venture premieres Tuesday, April 25, 2017.

Go to theventure.show to learn more.

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