Smart Friends
Eric Jorgenson
Casual conversations with founders, technologists, investors, and artists about building a brighter future, together. Welcome to our digital living room. With science, technology and entrepreneurship we can *continue* to create unfathomable leaps in quality of life. We show you how to find, apply, build, and invest in technologies to change your life and the world. When we have smart friends, we do smart things. When we do smart things, we save the world. No matter who, where, or when you are – now you have smart friends, too. Outside this podcast, I’m the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant and The Anthology of Balaji. Connect at ejorgenson.com Laugh and learn with people like Balaji Srinivasan, Naval Ravikant, Andrew Wilkinson, Austen Allred, David Senra, Josh Storrs Hall, Ashley Rindsberg, Zach Pettet, Bret Kugelmass, Omar ElNaggar, Grace Guo, Brett Kopf, Max Olson, Chris Williamson, Shane Mac, Tim Hwang, David Perell, Jason Hitchcock, Natalia Karayaneva, Sebastian Marshall, Taylor Pearson, Mitchell Baldridge and more.Join conversations with my partners in early-stage tech investing, Bo Fishback and Al Doan. Our Rolling Fun Episodes cover our investments and escapades as angel investors and startup helpers. We invest in startups creating the *next* industrial revolution. Learn more at rolling.fun“Surround yourself with people who remind you more of your future than of your past.”
Episodes
Mentioned books
47 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 13min
#098 Danielle Strachman: What Makes a Thiel Fellow
Danielle Strachman, founder of the Thiel Fellowship and co-founder of 1517, discusses the vision behind the fellowship and its evolution. She shares intriguing success stories of notable fellows like Vitalik and explores the traits that make a Thiel Fellow, including 'dog-on-a-leash' energy and insatiable curiosity. Danielle also addresses the challenges faced in the fellowship's early days, offers insights on guiding young innovators in a screen-centric world, and highlights the importance of nurturing resilience and playfulness in young founders.
25 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 58min
#097 Brad Feld: Founding Techstars, Giving First, and Mentorship
Brad Feld, a renowned venture capitalist and co-founder of Techstars, shares profound insights on mentorship and the startup culture. He discusses how the concept of 'Give First' has reshaped industry dynamics. Listeners learn about key mentors in his life, including Len Fassler, and the pivotal lessons they imparted. Brad also reflects on the importance of letting go while holding on to vital passions and how reading and writing are essential for self-reflection and creativity. His experiences highlight the transformative power of community and authentic connections.
24 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 5min
#096 Cal Riley: Special Ops, Grief, and Why Your Business Needs a Heart
Cal Riley, a former US Army Special Operations officer and CEO, discusses his transition to business leadership and how his military background informs his approach. He reveals the importance of compassionate leadership following personal grief, notably his brother's suicide. Cal shares insights on implementing the EOS framework to enhance business efficiency and personal well-being. He emphasizes self-care practices like journaling and meditation, highlighting the profound impact of compassion on employee morale and company culture.
317 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 35min
My Conversation with Naval on Building Judgement
In this enlightening conversation, Naval Ravikant, a prominent entrepreneur and angel investor, discusses the essence of building judgment through experience and heuristics. He contrasts timeless truths with modern knowledge, emphasizing the evolution of his focus over time. Naval highlights how AI can enhance leverage while lacking the critical human judgment and values. This dialogue is a treasure trove of insights into decision-making and the implications of technology in our lives—perfect for anyone seeking wisdom in today's fast-paced world.
462 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 36min
My Conversation with Naval on Saving Yourself
Naval Ravikant, an entrepreneur and thinker renowned for his insights in 'The Almanack of Naval Ravikant,' dives deep into personal optimization and philosophy. He reframes virtues as self-interest and advocates for solving local problems first. Discussing truth and authenticity, Naval emphasizes the importance of being real and navigating modern dopamine traps. He encourages listeners to curate their environments consciously and focus on meaningful work, aiming for deep connections and inspiration over comparison.
594 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 4min
My Conversation with Naval on Learning Happiness
Naval Ravikant, a prominent entrepreneur and author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, shares deep insights into happiness. He describes happiness as fleeting thoughts and emphasizes the importance of balancing peaceful acceptance with active engagement in life. The conversation also dives into perception agency, exploring how forgiveness and reinterpretation can lead to personal enlightenment. Additionally, Naval advocates for prioritizing individual happiness and fostering genuine relationships over societal obligations, making for a thought-provoking discussion.
354 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 45min
My Conversation with Naval on Philosophy
Naval Ravikant, an entrepreneur and philosopher, shares insights five years after his influential work. He discusses the distinction between public and private thoughts, emphasizing the importance of purpose and truth. Naval situates his viewpoints at the intersection of evolution, Buddhism, and simulation theory, critiquing current perceptions of reality. He also explores living authentically, pursuing goals indirectly, and the significance of adopting daily routines for achieving personal freedom. Prepare for a philosophical dive that challenges conventional thinking!
387 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 38min
My Conversation with Naval on Building Wealth
Naval Ravikant, an entrepreneur and angel investor, shares his insights on building wealth and leveraging knowledge in this thought-provoking conversation. He redefines wealth beyond assets, emphasizing the transformative power of knowledge and technology. Naval discusses the ethics of capitalism, critiquing large institutions that hinder progress. He also highlights the characteristics of successful products and the importance of network effects. Prepare for an enlightening discussion that challenges conventional notions of wealth!
13 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 12min
#095 Rolling Fun #10: Capitalism is Hard, Natural Gas From Sunshine, and "Blimps" (That Work This Time)
This discussion dives into the humorous yet challenging journey of marathon training, blending fitness with entrepreneurship. The hosts analyze the rocky shores of retail acquisitions and the resilience required to navigate setbacks. They explore groundbreaking advancements in genetic engineering and innovative airship technology for cargo transport. Exciting insights on energy independence through solar-powered synthetic gas capture the future's potential, while reflections on the importance of community in entrepreneurship resonate throughout.
27 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 5min
#094 Rolling Fun #9: Basketball, Asteroid Mining, Child Labor (Not Really Tho)
Dive into the buzz of youth sports as the hosts tackle the challenges and triumphs of running a sports complex, showcasing its impact on community and identity. Reflect on the joys and hurdles of parenthood, intertwined with lighthearted cheeseburger musings. Explore groundbreaking concepts in asteroid mining and how advancements in technology promise a sustainable future. Finally, get a glimpse into innovations in construction and battery tech that could revolutionize industries while fostering personal narratives and investment insights.
