Founder Mode From Stonks to AI for Everyone with John Hancock
EPISODE 23
In this episode of Founder Mode, John Hancock joins us to break down the gap between startup hype and reality. From building Stonks—the largest angel syndication platform on AngelList—to walking away when the mission no longer fit, John shares what he’s learned about fundraising, pivots, and rebuilding with first principles. He introduces Validate, a tool designed to help founders and “idea people” kill bad ideas fast before wasting time or money, and explains why most AI features are “better shoes, not wings.” The conversation dives into validating ideas, writing as a way to sharpen thinking, and the most common founder mistake—stopping customer conversations. John closes with the raw truth: most people shouldn’t be founders, and that’s okay.
CHAPTERS
00:36 – The hype fades: AI as leverage + anyone-can-build moment
07:42 – From Stonks to walking away: the pivot and why it didn’t fit
10:31 – Validate: kill bad ideas fast (landing pages, plans, comps)
13:46 – Don’t bolt on AI no one wants (“better shoes, not wings”)
27:07 – The uncomfortable truth about being a founder
LINKS
Connect with John Hancock
Special Offer
Email john.hancock@hey.com to get Validate free forever. John is offering this exclusive deal to Founder Mode listeners—validate your ideas quickly, save time, and avoid building what no one wants.
Cool Thing
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