A Journey Through Tech: From Montana to Microsoft

Brian Holt is Staff Product Manager at Neon and has been a VP of Product and product leader at companies like SQLite Cloud, Snowflake, Stripe and Microsoft. He was also an engineer at both Netflix and Reddit where he was one of the earliest employees. He’s a husband and the father of one son and brand new daughter. We discussed:

* Preparing for the arrival of your 2nd kid

* The importance of being a “whole person” and why that makes you a better parent and partner

* Living a nomadic lifestyle with a toddler and the importance of routine

* The overwhelming amount of conflicting parenting advice

* The “third person” support system

* His deep and unending love for the Snoo

* The magic of magnetic snap baby clothes

—

Where to find Brian Holt

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/btholt/

* X: https://x.com/holtbt

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

—

In this episode, we cover:

[2:05] Welcome

[2:41] Brian’s Professional background

[3:42] Childhood

[7:08] Family now

[8:05] Advice to those choosing travel or having children

[9:42] Preparing older children for new siblings

[15:07] Nomadic living

[20:52] Most surprising things as a dad

[22:49] Advice to younger Brian and what to ignore

[26:55] Balance

[30:49] Anything Brian gave up to have kids

[33:05] Favorite book to read to his son

[34:12] Partnership

[37:05] Kid’s relationship with tech

[41:40] Mistake as a dad

[42:51] Repressed memories

[45:12] Recharge batteries

[49:20] Follow along

[49:59] Lightning round

[1:02:45] Thank you

—

Show references:

Neon: https://neon.tech/

SQLite Cloud: https://sqlitecloud.io/

Snowflake: https://www.snowflake.com/en/

Stripe: https://stripe.com/

Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/

Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/?rdt=54182

Snoo: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet

Magnetic Me: https://magneticme.com/

Helena, Montana: https://www.helenamt.gov/Home

Salt Lake City, Utah: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/

Disneyland: https://disneyland.disney.go.com

Home Alone: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/

Ikon Pass: https://www.ikonpass.com/

Kit Fisto: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Kit_FistoStar Wars Phantom Menace: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120915/

ChatGPT: chatgpt.com

ABCs of Star Wars: https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-ABC-Scholastic/dp/0545227380

Star Wars colors: https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Colors-Board-Books/dp/0545609194

1 - 2 -3 - Magic: https://www.123magic.com/

Gameboy:https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Game-Boy/Game-Boy-627031.html

Nintendo 64: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-64-nintendo-switch-online-switch/

IBM: https://www.ibm.com

Sacramento A’s: https://www.mlb.com/athletics/sacramento

iPad: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad

Utah Jazz: https://www.nba.com/jazz

Kings: https://www.nba.com/kings

Paw Patrol Show: https://www.pawpatrollive.com

Owlet: https://owletcare.com

AirPod: https://www.apple.com/airpods

Barney: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144701

Paw Patrol: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3121722

YouTube Kids: https://www.youtubekids.com

Sonic The Hedgehog: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3794354

Super Mario: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6718170

Tron Legacy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104001

Tommy Boy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114694

Happy Gilmore: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116483

—

For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com