CRAFTED.

Join a rooftop chat at SXSW where the evolving AI landscape takes center stage, highlighting the shift from commodity models to the importance of trust and branding. Discover why B2B creators are shaking up the content world, as employee-generated content emerges as a game changer. Dive into the intimacy of podcasting versus video and how metrics differ across platforms. Marvel at how AI shapes creativity while humorously acknowledging we're still in the 'fart app' era. Authenticity shines as long-form stories make a comeback!

Linda Liukas, the creative mind behind Hello Ruby, is on a mission to transform tech education through play. She discusses her unique playground in Helsinki, where kids learn programming concepts without screens. Linda argues that physical play enhances understanding of abstract tech ideas and encourages creativity. She also highlights the necessity of rethinking education in the era of AI. Plus, her accidental journey to becoming a children's author reveals the magic of storytelling in teaching technology.

Kwaku Aning, an educator and innovator, shares his insights from SXSW 2025. He discusses the current 'pre-mainframe' stage of quantum computing and its potential to revolutionize technology. Kwaku explores the ethical implications of bioengineering and the merger of AI with human attributes. He dives into the fascinating world of robot choreography and how self-driving cars can be programmed for better human interactions. The conversation is spiced up with humorous reflections on breakfast tacos and the power of connections made at the event.

Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X, has spent over 15 years at the forefront of innovation, overseeing groundbreaking projects like Waymo. In this insightful discussion, he reveals how to transform wild ideas into world-changing innovations. Astro emphasizes the importance of 'greenlighting everything' and swiftly 'redlighting' projects using pre-agreed criteria. He discusses creating diverse teams for enhanced creativity and the merging of biology and engineering. Finally, he shares where X is investing today, including exciting ventures in climate-tech and bioengineering.

David Merrill, co-founder and former CEO of Elroy Air, dives into the groundbreaking world of large delivery drones. He reveals how the Chaparral drone, capable of carrying 300 pounds for 300 miles, is poised to revolutionize logistics, humanitarian aid, and military operations. Merrill shares insights on the challenges of hybrid-electric propulsion and the essential role of rapid prototyping in development. Plus, he reflects on the exciting prospects of autonomous aerial delivery and the lingering dreams of flying taxis on the horizon.

In this insightful discussion, Amy Kruse, a neuroscientist and Chief Investment Officer at Satori Neuro, and Matias Serebrinsky, co-founder of PsyMed Ventures, delve into the transformative role of AI and biotechnology in mental health. They explore the hype around psychedelics and emphasize the significance of the gut-brain axis. The duo also highlights the evolution of neurotechnology and the potential for innovative treatments, alongside the challenges of funding health tech startups, particularly focusing on mental wellness and women's health.

Pablos Holman, an inventive force in deep tech, has collaborated with giants like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. He argues that while software has dominated, real-world issues like energy and sanitation require robust hardware solutions. This discussion unveils visionary ideas such as space-based solar panels beaming energy to Earth, eco-friendly autonomous cargo ships, and underground nuclear reactors to meet energy demands. Pablos urges tech professionals to pivot from software to hardware to drive the innovations essential for a sustainable future.

Sam Gregory, Executive Director of WITNESS, is an expert on deepfakes and AI's impact on trust. He discusses the alarming ease of creating deepfakes and their potential to mislead the public. The podcast reveals how audio deepfakes pose unique threats and examines their limited impact on the 2024 US Presidential Election. Gregory emphasizes the mantra 'Prepare, Don’t Panic' for addressing AI challenges and offers practical steps for software makers to enhance transparency and ethical use, all while empowering human rights defenders.

Accounting may not be the sexiest part of running a business, but according to Sasha Orloff, it’s the key to understanding your company’s financial health—and ultimately, its success. At his previous two startups, Sasha was frustrated that he didn’t have a real-time view into his company’s financial health. And he realized the problem wasn’t accounting – but accounting software. So, Sasha founded Puzzle, because “it's hard to set yourself up for success if you don't know when you're about to run out of money.” Sasha is on a mission to make accounting intuitive, real-time, and accessible for founders and finance teams alike. In this episode of CRAFTED., we explore how Sasha is crafting Puzzle, how AI makes this the right moment to challenge QuickBooks, and why he was so confident that the market needed Puzzle that he was undaunted by the five years he estimated it would take to build an MVP. "We’re not just rethinking accounting software—we’re rethinking how founders and CEOs can make data-driven decisions to build enduring companies." Sasha shares:How the frustration he felt at his previous startups led him to Puzzle Why “accounting gets a bad rap”, but it crucial for founders: it’s your financial healthWhy second-time founders are ideal customersWhy it took five years to build an MVP – and why he wasn’t daunted by this expectationWhy the problem was never accounting, but accounting software and the distorted realities it’s built to createWhy AI and modern API’s made now the right time to build PuzzleWhy Puzzle is “poking the bear” and putting highway billboards up near QuickBooks HQ(01:04) - Sasha’s finance frustrations at previous startups (02:15) - Traditional accounting software isn’t made for founders (02:15) - The problem with traditional accounting software (05:01) - What Puzzle does differently: Real-time financial health (07:52) - AI’s role in revolutionizing accounting (10:22) - Why second-time founders are Puzzle’s ideal users (12:48) - Building a five-year MVP: Challenges and conviction (16:41) - Tackling QuickBooks: Bold marketing moves and billboards (19:15) - Understanding edge cases and complexity in accounting (23:07) - The future of Puzzle: Helping startups thrive (27:01) - Hosting the Turpentine Finance podcast Links:Learn more about Puzzle: Puzzle.ioFollow Sasha Orloff on LinkedIn: Sasha OrloffTurpentine Finance Podcast: Turpentine FinanceCRAFTED. is produced by Modern Product Minds, where CRAFTED. host Dan Blumberg and team can help you take a new product from zero to one... and beyond. We specialize in early stage product discovery, growth, and experimentation. Learn more at modernproductminds.com Subscribe to CRAFTED., follow the show, and sign up for the newsletter 👉 crafted.fm

AI democratizes things. It's enabling designers to be developers, and developers to be designers… And in this episode, Aaron Walter and Eli Woolery explain how AI “changes the game” for designers. As co-founders of Design Better, Aaron and Eli advise companies on how to incorporate AI into their design process. We’ll explore how AI can help designers explore a problem more thoroughly, as well as some pitfalls to watch out for. (Hint: speed is not always a good thing.)Aaron and Eli are also hosts of the popular Design Better podcast, where they’ve interviewed some of the world’s most creative people. Featuring software designers, as well as famous musicians, artists, architects, and more, the duo explore the creative process. And there are some striking similarities across disciplines.For more on Aaron and Eli and to subscribe to the Design Better podcast and newsletter, see DesignBetterPodcast.com ***CRAFTED. is produced by Modern Product Minds, where CRAFTED. host Dan Blumberg can help you take a new product from zero to one... and beyond. We specialize in early stage product discovery, growth, and experimentation. Learn more at modernproductminds.com Subscribe to CRAFTED., follow the show, and sign up for the newsletter 👉 crafted.fm