#163 Luck Maximization — Jovian Gautama on being Indonesian in Taiwan, learning English from MTV and Reddit, graduating from a tourism high school, selling steel, podcasting, learning "tech" online, becoming the CEO of Castro
Oct 12, 2023
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Jovian Gautama, an Indonesian living in Taiwan, shares his journey and unique perspective on life. He discusses learning English from MTV, being an Indonesian in Taiwan, selling steel, getting into tech, the changing internet, hosting a podcast, and becoming the CEO of Castro.
Being open to new opportunities and adapting to different roles throughout one's career is crucial for success.
Exposure to American tech culture and pop culture through media can shape interests and career choices.
Working in the tech industry teaches the importance of embracing a startup mentality and being open to trying new things.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Selling Steel to Becoming CEO of a Podcast App
The podcast episode discusses the guest's journey from selling steel to becoming the CEO of a podcast app. The guest, Jovian, shares his background growing up in a complicated family and feeling detached from his upbringing. He talks about his curiosity about the world and Western culture, which influenced him to pursue opportunities in the tech industry. Jovian talks about his experience in different jobs, including sales for CodeMentor and working as a podcast editor. Eventually, he lands a full-time job as the CEO of a podcast app through connections and seizing opportunities.
Discovering Opportunities and Adapting to New Roles
The guest emphasizes the importance of being open to new opportunities and adapting to different roles throughout his career. He shares his experience transitioning from selling steel to working in tech-related positions, such as podcast editing and marketing for a strength training app. He highlights the value of being agile and willing to learn new skills, which helped him succeed in various roles and led him to become the CEO of a podcast app.
Tapping into American Tech Ecosystem and the Power of Pop Culture
The guest attributes his success to his exposure to American tech culture and pop culture through media, such as TV shows, movies, and podcasts. He explains how his fascination with Western culture and consumption of American pop culture content shaped his interests and career choices. He talks about leveraging his English language skills and his knowledge of American trends and references to his advantage, allowing him to access opportunities and build connections within the tech industry.
Opportunities in the Internet and Creative Economy
Working in jobs related to the internet or the creative economy provides a lot of space for creativity and doing things one enjoys. This freedom is liberating. However, in Taiwan, there is still a strong top-to-bottom structure within the culture, even influencing popular YouTubers who are often under companies. Despite this, the internet has made people more connected than ever before, breaking down barriers and allowing for global reach and collaboration.
Embracing Curiosity and the Reversible Nature of Decisions
Working in the tech industry has taught the speaker that not all decisions are permanent. Most decisions are reversible, and this realization has transformed their perspective on life. Instead of being paralyzed by analysis and searching for the 'correct' decision, the speaker has learned to embrace the startup mentality of trying things and being open to failure. This shift in mindset has made them more willing to take risks and pursue their curiosity, both personally and professionally.
Jovian is an Indonesian living in Taiwan, who is deeply immersed in the American pop culture through the power of the internet. His background in tourism helps him with problem solving and talking too people, he has learnt English from watching MTV, got one of his first jobs because he was browsing Reddit and he is now the CEO of Castro, the podcast app. Jovian is a magnet for opportunities, which apparently come to him simply because he just assumes that people are nice.