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
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
#092 Sarma Melngailis: Bad Vegan, Memoir as Recovery, and Reclaiming Your Story
Sarma Melngailis, a former high-profile restaurateur known for her raw vegan restaurants, discusses her journey in writing her memoir, 'The Girl with the Duck Tattoo.' She delves into the misrepresentation of her story in the Netflix documentary 'Bad Vegan,' highlighting the emotional struggle of reclaiming her narrative. Sarma shares insights on the challenges of independent publishing, the therapeutic nature of writing, and the ethical complexities of documentary storytelling. With a focus on resilience and creative control, she encourages aspiring authors to embrace their unique voices.
32 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 1h 16min
#091 The Magic of Code, History of Computing, and the Future of AI Interfaces [Sam Arbesman #2]
Sam Arbesman, a scientist in residence at Lux Capital and author, dives into the captivating world of computing history and its future. He shares his personal journey exploring the magic of code, from the early wonders of computing to the rise of personal PCs. The discussion touches on how societal agency influences future tech and the role of AI in maintaining human uniqueness. Arbesman also highlights the need for a playful yet practical approach to technology that fosters creativity and user engagement.
9 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 11min
#090 Building a Venture Firm From Zero to One, and AI-driven VC Thesis Research [Arkady Kulik #2]
In this conversation, Arkady Kulik, a deep tech venture capitalist and founder of Arcane Capital, shares his insights on building a venture firm from scratch. He discusses how he leverages AI to identify 300 hidden human needs, emphasizing the importance of focusing on problems before funding solutions. Arkady reveals the nuances of finding alignment with limited partners and offers advice on enhancing founders’ chances of securing investment. He also critiques reliance on traditional metrics, highlighting that honesty trumps hype in the investor-founder relationship.
54 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 31min
#089 David Senra + Mitchell Baldridge #6 : Writing the Founders’ Book, Building Natural-fit Businesses, and Craft
David Senra, a biography enthusiast and podcaster, teams up with Mitchell Baldridge, a financial entrepreneur, to discuss the art of writing impactful narratives. They explore the journey of self-publishing and the importance of building authentic relationships in business. The duo dives into the evolving role of AI in simplifying processes and enhancing research, while emphasizing trust in client interactions. With humorous insights, they celebrate the joys and challenges of entrepreneurship, reflecting on the path to creating meaningful content.
18 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 3min
#088 Toby Rush: $100M Exits, Splitting Companies, Timing Startups, and Ideem Killing 2FA
Toby Rush, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of iDeem, shares insights from his diverse entrepreneurial journey, including several multimillion-dollar exits. He discusses the importance of taking breaks post-exit and the lessons learned from splitting companies for better focus. Toby also dives into innovative solutions for killing two-factor authentication and enhancing fraud prevention with technology. The conversation touches on the evolution of payment systems, particularly in biometrics, and the significance of mentorship in the startup community.
80 snips
May 27, 2025 • 1h 20min
#087 Nat Eliason: From Blogging to Sci-Fi Novels, Writing Books That Last, and Owning Your Audience
Nat Eliason, an internet entrepreneur and author of 'Crypto Confidential' and 'Husk,' shares his transition from nonfiction blogging to the world of fiction writing. He discusses the creative process of structuring novels and the challenges of publishing, whether traditional or self-publishing. Eliason emphasizes the importance of consistent audience engagement and marketing strategies. He also reflects on the joy of storytelling in fiction and the impact of science fiction literature on culture, all while navigating the multifaceted journey of being an author.
105 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 8min
#086 Jim O’Shaughnessy: Learning to Learn, AI Disruption, and the Future of Publishing
Jim O’Shaughnessy, founder of O'Shaughnessy Asset Management, shares his insights on lifelong learning and the evolving landscape of publishing. He emphasizes the importance of learning to learn and the adaptability needed for leadership. The conversation dives into the impact of AI on book publishing—challenging traditional models while fostering new, collaborative approaches. Jim also touches on the future of reading, the challenges of content curation, and his views on universal basic income as society adapts to technological changes.
17 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 57min
#085 Ben Reinhardt: How to Discover New Technology, Playing the Longest Game, and Philanthropy in Technology
Ben Reinhardt, the founder of Speculative Technologies and a unique blend of medieval history and engineering expert, dives into the journey of transforming tech research through non-profit models. They discuss the importance of interdisciplinary knowledge and how history helps illuminate future advancements. Ben emphasizes building sustainable materials and the unpredictability of innovation that emerges from experimentation. The conversation also critiques traditional funding practices, suggesting fresh approaches to advance meaningful tech solutions.
13 snips
Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 2min
#084 Augustus Doricko: How to Terraform Earth, The History of Weather Control, and The Mandate of Heaven
Augustus Doricko, CEO of Rainmaker and a leader in geoengineering, discusses groundbreaking advancements in weather control. He emphasizes the potential of cloud seeding to combat water scarcity, particularly in drought-stricken areas of the American West. The conversation also touches on the ethical implications of terraforming and the necessity for innovative water management solutions. Doricko shares insights on how technology and drones are revolutionizing precipitation enhancement, thus paving the way for a more habitable Earth.
40 snips
Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 16min
#083 Klaus Kleinfeld: How to Lead Fortune 500 Companies, Manage Energy, Inspire Teams
Klaus Kleinfeld, the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa, shares his journey from East Germany to leading Fortune 500 companies. He discusses the pivotal moment of watching the moon landing, which ignited his belief in innovation. Klaus emphasizes the shift from time management to energy management, advocating for finding purpose as a way to channel energy effectively. He provides insights on balancing stakeholder needs and instilling a sense of purpose within teams, emphasizing that transformative leadership relies on emotional intelligence and proactive engagement.
