The a16z Show · Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Adam Neumann shared insights into his nomadic childhood, marked by 13 moves and his mother's dedication as an oncologist, which he believes shaped his understanding of community and resilience. These early experiences, including living in a kibbutz and his mother's struggles with bipolar disorder, laid the foundation for his future ventures.
“And we moved 13 times in my childhood. So I remember moving from community to community, from place to place.”
“And the toughest community I ever went to was when I lived in the kibbutz. And for those who don't know, and that's also where I lived the most. In a kibbutz is where it's almost like a commune. The kids live together from age two to 18.”
“And I think the place that affected me the most, sort of shaped me with what I think about community and about together.”