Jonathan Swanson
Founder and CEO of Athena, a company that trains and matches remote executive assistants and builds AI-augmented workflow tools to give busy executives more time; previously co-founded Thumbtack and scaled it into a large marketplace.
Top 3 podcasts with Jonathan Swanson
Ranked by the Snipd community
1,405 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 58min
How the Best CEOs Delegate
Jonathan Swanson, founder of the personal assistant platform Athena and former co-founder of Thumbtack, shares insights on effective delegation. He discusses how elite assistants shaped his approach to productivity and why founders often struggle with delegation. With a focus on integrating AI, Swanson outlines ways to delegate everything from personal tasks to business decisions. He emphasizes the importance of specialized assistants, transparency, and time management, encouraging entrepreneurs to leverage resources for greater ambition and efficiency.
66 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 57min
Getting past the “Cardinal Sins of Delegating” with Jonathan Swanson of Athena | E2218
Jonathan Swanson, Founder and CEO of Athena, shares insights on delegating effectively to reclaim time for busy executives. He discusses transitioning from Thumbtack to Athena, emphasizing the importance of pairing human assistants with AI support. Jonathan reveals the concept of 'Black Diamond Delegating' and the gains from managing multiple specialized executive assistants. They explore the significance of checklists and playbooks in maximizing productivity, and Jonathan offers tips for hiring assistants, even starting with DIY options like ChatGPT.
53 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 52min
The One Thing Everyone Thinks They Can’t Afford… Until They Try It : 1379
In a captivating discussion, Jonathan Swanson, founder of Thumbtack and Athena, reveals the transformative power of delegation. He shares how offloading mundane tasks can enhance cognitive function, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality. Swanson emphasizes the emotional benefits assistants provide, becoming trusted allies in both work and personal life. The conversation covers practical strategies for leveraging executive assistants to reclaim time and focus on higher-value goals, highlighting the future potential of combining human skill with AI.
