On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Julia Hartz, Co-Founder and former CEO of Eventbrite — the platform that has transformed how millions of people create, discover, and experience live events around the world.
Julia’s journey is a powerful blend of creativity, vision, and leadership. From her early career in media at MTV and FX to co-founding Eventbrite in 2006, she helped grow the company into one of the largest marketplaces for shared experiences — powering more than five million events annually and processing millions of tickets every week. Along the way, she built a company known not just for its scale, but for its people-first culture and deep commitment to connection.
In this episode, Julia shares what it really takes to build and scale a mission-driven company, the lessons she learned leading Eventbrite through its IPO, and how she approached one of the most pivotal moments in the company’s journey — its recent acquisition and transition into a new chapter. She also opens up about leadership evolution, navigating major transitions, and why live experiences matter more than ever in today’s digital world. Julia’s story is a masterclass in building with purpose, leading with intention, and creating something that brings people together in meaningful ways.