The Aboard Podcast

What makes a person pay $120 for a tote bag—or fall in love with your software? Paul and Rich use a recent article about a TikTok influencer’s pricey (and popular!) tote bag to discuss our relationships with the things we buy, from unboxing videos (“commerce translated into emotional satisfaction”) to technologists’ largely incorrect assumption that adding one more feature will fundamentally change the way users feel about their product.

In this podcast, they discuss Paul's fascination with synthesizers and the appeal of offline hobbies in an online world. They explore music production, gear acquisition syndrome, and the evolution of software. The emergence of Archuria in the music industry is highlighted, along with insights on craftsmanship, inner contentment, and the balance between personal growth and external success.

Men will literally record a podcast about their anxiety rather than go to therapy. How do you run a business when the world is on fire in so many ways? Paul and Rich talk about the state of things—including whether their perceptions of said things are even accurate—and how they should work, what to consider as they grow their company, and when to turn off. Gotta keep going.

Our friends find themselves in a new, corporate co-working space, determining that this, finally, is the thing that will push their digital product over the edge. Then, in a typically wide-reaching (cough) conversation, Rich and Paul discuss the current status of free speech discourse, in the context of the drama around Substack, and—well, as Rich puts it—“Who the hell asked technologists to be the arbiters of free speech?” Paul confesses that he dislikes mess, which would deeply shock anyone who saw his office desk.

Rich and Paul ring in 2024 assessing the biggest technological development of last year, this year, and possibly many future years to come: Generative AI. Why did AI truly find a mainstream foothold in 2023—and how is the space going to evolve in the coming months? Plus: They engage in some (corporate) roleplay, and get really into character.

Rich and Paul talk about their willingness to be humiliated in a corporate context. It sounds just a little like they crave it. Especially Paul. Which is weird but whatever. Then they talk about how you can't automate relationships—how you can't remove interaction from the loop. They discuss what they learned this year, and what they hope to learn next year.

Our friend Jim Nielsen cataloged all the podcasts we didn't record, so Paul and Rich doubled down and recorded five new podcasts in a hurry. The end result is exactly what you would expect. YouTube edition features extra-ridiculous stock imagery.

Rich and Paul discuss the marketing funnel, emphasizing the importance of onboarding. They explore strategic product placement in supermarkets and navigating consumer attention in the digital era. The podcast also covers building relationships online and the significance of data management for efficient organization.

Exploring the class structure of Android and iOS, Google's data management, and old nudes. Delving into the pivotal role of links in online content consumption and Google's influence. Reflecting on the evolution of the web and the intersection of tools and individual interest. Redefining tech culture from historical outcasts to ultra-wealthy influencers. Navigating through a cultural sauna experience and exploring link sharing on the web.

With Sam Altman fired from OpenAI, there was so much drama in tech that it was impossible not to discuss it. With no secret insight but remarkable aplomb, Paul and Rich dive deep on the passionate subject of corporate governance, and try to understand just what the hell is going on.