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How I Built This with Guy Raz

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Seventh Generation: Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender. A Partnership that Flourished—until it Failed. (2021)

Sep 28, 2026 · 1h 35m

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About this episode

With its eco-friendly paper towels, diapers, and cleansers, Seventh Generation was one of the first—and most successful—green household brands to hit the market. But in the early 1990s, its two founders had a bitter falling out. Alan Newman and Jeffrey Hollender have barely spoken since that time, but they both agreed to come on the show to talk about the business they were both passionate about, and the delicate nature of partnership. What you'll learn: Why Alan says his great strength—and his greatness weakness—is his tendency to say “yes.” How Jeffrey and Alan lost their friendship and business partnership after only three years. How Jeffrey grew Seventh Generation into a household…