E38: Holiday Special: Request for Startups
"Upstream" with Erik Torenberg
Job Stories and Fast Food Combinations
The speakers reminisce about their past jobs, including a memorable unpleasant experience as a janitor, and discuss the combination of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut in a lighthearted and humorous conversation.
This week, in a departure from Upstream's usual format, Erik sits downs with friends Nick DeWilde, Sean Linehan, and Justin Mares to exchange startup ideas in a new format called "Request for Startups." Please note that this episode contains some vulgar humor and won't be for everyone.
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RECOMMENDED PODCAST: History 102 with WhatifAltHist
Every week, creator of WhatifAltHist Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg cover a major topic in history in depth -- in under an hour. This season will cover classical Greece, early America, the Vikings, medieval Islam, ancient China, the fall of the Roman Empire, and more.
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36Kqo3BMMUBGTDo1IEYihm
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-102-with-whatifalthists-rudyard-lynch-and/id1730633913
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@History102-qg5oj
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We're hiring across the board at Turpentine and for Erik's personal team on other projects he's incubating. He's hiring a Chief of Staff, EA, Head of Special Projects, Investment Associate, and more. For a list of JDs, check out: eriktorenberg.com.
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RECOMMENDED PODCAST: Live Players with Samo Burja
Join host Samo Burja and Erik Torenberg as they analyze the mindsets of today's most intriguing business leaders, investors, and innovators through the lens of their bold actions and contrarian worldviews. You'll come away with a deeper understanding of the development of technology, business, political power, culture and more. Listen to Live Players: https://link.chtbl.com/liveplayers.
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SPONSOR:
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X / TWITTER:
@jwmares (Justin)
@seanlinehan (Sean)
@nick_dewilde (Nick)
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@upstream__pod
@turpentinemedia
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Preview
(01:25) Intro
(02:03) Fake jobs for rich families
(06:59) Ending San Fransisco burglaries
(10:50) Better prenups
(13:13) Brunch x Benihana
(15:44) Sponsor: Shopify
(19:40) Fit Club
(24:40) Justin's story from being a janitor at LA Fitness
(26:49) Generative AI applications
(37:26) Holistic fertility treatment
(42:31) Combining workspaces with other services
(44:58) Retraining software engineers
(47:15) Quora for people
(49:57) Wrap
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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture â all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. Weâre launching new shows every week, and weâre looking for industry-leading sponsors â if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
Producer: Sam Kaufman
Editor: Graham Bessellieu
For guest or sponsorship inquiries please contact Sam@turpentine.co
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