Former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven - Jim Keyes
Former CEO of Blockbuster and 7-Eleven - Jim Keyes  
Podcast: Intersections
Published On: Tue Feb 03 2026
Description: In this episode, Tom and Kyle sit down with Jim Keyes — former CEO of both 7-Eleven and Blockbuster — for a wide-ranging conversation that spans humble beginnings, corporate leadership, and his deep-rooted passion for education. Jim shares stories from his rural Massachusetts childhood, reflects on lessons from McDonald’s that shaped his business acumen, and unpacks why he believes "education is freedom." The episode explores his dramatic tenure at Blockbuster, the strategic near-misses with Google and Paramount, and why he's committed to revolutionizing public education with a tech-forward approach.In This Episode[00:02:22] From Poverty to Possibility[00:05:18] Disruption as Opportunity[00:08:47] Education is Freedom[00:12:52] Lessons from the Golden Arches[00:15:46] Sibling Perspectives & Luck vs. Grit[00:19:00] Knowledge + Faith = Fearlessness[00:26:07] From Sitgo to 7-Eleven[00:35:38] The Japanese Influence[00:40:04] Clean Stores = Community Pride[00:47:13] From 7-Eleven to Blockbuster[00:53:00] The Netflix Myth[01:10:35] Fixing Public Education: The Next MoonshotGuest and Mentioned ResourcesEducation is Freedom Foundation – https://www.educationisfreedom.orgEducation is Freedom: The Future is in Your Hands - by Jim KeyesThanks to Our Sponsors⁠Clay Cooley Automotive⁠Like and Subscribe🍏 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎧 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📹 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠—Editing and Support by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠