
Idea to Startup
A podcast for people working on startup ideas. We have 15-minute tactical episodes and occasional interviews with people who did the early things exceptionally well. We've helped launch hundreds of startups worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and these are the building blocks.
"This is, without a doubt, the best podcast for people trying to build startups out there."
"If you aren't listening to this podcast and you're considering building a business (or you're already building one), what are you doing?"
"Must listen for first-time entrepreneurs - excellent storyteller."
Latest episodes

Jun 18, 2025 • 8min
The Vacuum Strategy - Letting Go to Move Forward (A No Whisper Ideas Post)
Vacuums are uncomfortable, but they're actually far less risky than the alternative. A No Whisper Ideas post on how to think about, approach, and create vacuums.Brought to you by Tacklebox.

Jun 11, 2025 • 28min
Mailbag! Beating Idea FOMO, The Best Stories for Founders, and Simple Startup Math
Dive into essential strategies for committing to your startup idea, even when doubt creeps in. Discover intriguing concepts like the Discipline + Strategy Levers to navigate uncertainty. Learn the importance of focused decision-making and how to tackle idea FOMO. Enjoy wild metaphors involving monkeys and pedestals that help clarify your startup journey. Plus, confront the fears of age and commitment by understanding opportunity costs. It's a blend of practical advice and clever insights to fuel your entrepreneurial spirit!

May 28, 2025 • 29min
Testing an Idea's Potential Using the ERP Rubric: FODMAPs
Today is Part 2 of the series introducing the ERP (Early Rep Potential) Rubric. The idea behind ERP is that the best idea for you is the one you can do "full rep" tests on the fastest. We help Erica evaluate the potential of her FODMAP idea, where she's looking to help people identify specific food sensitivities. We score the idea and get clarity on its potential. We also talk a little Jon Hamm. Tacklebox (test your startup idea)No Whisper Ideas (weekly newsletter, sign up to get a Notion copy of the ERP Rubric)How to Pick Which (of your many) Ideas to Pursue (ERP Rubric Part 1)Jon Hamm Show 00:30 ERP Rubric Part Two03:52 The Ideas - Mold and FODMAPs06:27 ERP Intro: Choose a Specific Customer09:12 Part 1: Can You Find Your Customer?12:59 Part 2: Can You Convert Customers?17:01 Part 3: Can You Build a Solution?21:12 Part 4: Collecting Feedback23:19 Part 5: Organic Growth Potential25:23 The Final Two Questions28:00 The End

Apr 29, 2025 • 8min
A Startup Misogi (A No Whisper Ideas Post)
Today, we're trying something new. We send out the No Whisper Ideas newsletter every Sunday, and today, we posted it here. Maybe you'll like it. It's on Startup Misogis, a way to make a visible, memorable dent in your year. TackleboxNo Whisper IdeasThe North Fork CenturyThe RideMisogiJesse ItzlerProof That You Can Do Hard Things00:00 Intro - What This Is01: 34 A 100 Mile Bike RIde02:22 A Misogi Challenge04:16 Startup Misogis

Apr 24, 2025 • 24min
How to Pick Which (Of Your Many) Ideas to Pursue
Got a notebook full of startup ideas but no clue which one to build first? In this week’s pen-and-paper episode, we walk through the ERP—Early Rep Potential—Rubric, our simple scoring system that shows you which idea you can run the fastest customer “reps” on. We’ll put Erica (a Tacklebox member juggling “easily twenty ideas”) to the test, scoring her two biggest concepts live. Want to follow along? Grab an editable copy of the ERP template at gettacklebox.com when you sign up for our No Whisper Ideas weekly article here.TackleboxNo Whisper Ideas00:30 When You’ve Got Lots of Startup Ideas (Meet Erica)02:32 The Two Types of Entrepreneurs07:13 Erica’s Ideas12:40 Smooth Jazz13:05 Reps16:20 The ERP Rubric22:51 The ERP in Action

13 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 25min
Giving Your Startup an Identity
Discover the importance of establishing a startup identity and how it simplifies decision-making. Learn how mastering swimming technique can be a metaphor for clarity and efficiency in business. Embrace a novice mindset to foster creativity and growth as an entrepreneur. Follow Carl's journey to find the right customer for his AI Spanish learning tool, utilizing a strategic decision equation. Finally, gain insights into defining your startup's identity with practical exercises that can guide your entrepreneurial journey.

16 snips
Mar 20, 2025 • 26min
Extreme Quality
Explore the concept of 'extreme quality' as a game-changer for startups, proposing a shift from speed to excellence. Discover how the Car Guy revolutionized the car buying experience by prioritizing customer needs. Uncover six essential components for identifying high-leverage moments with customers and learn about the 'Quality Equation' for assessing product impact. The discussion emphasizes the importance of personalized interactions in business and leveraging customer feedback to drive innovation.

19 snips
Jan 10, 2025 • 27min
How I'd Start a Startup in 2025
Explore the four key steps for launching a startup in 2025, beginning with a life audit to reshape priorities. Discover how understanding the irrational nature of both founders and customers can lead to better business decisions. Learn to increase your Luck Surface Area and turn savings into startup success through strategic planning. Focus on building a relationship with just one customer for meaningful growth. Embrace accountability and enthusiasm as vital components in the entrepreneurial journey.

9 snips
Jan 2, 2025 • 25min
Testing an Idea Live on the Pod, Part Two: AI for Parenting
Delve into the emotional intricacies of parenting as experts explore the intersection of AI technology and care coordination. Discover innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of managing work and childcare, emphasizing parental mental health. A compelling 'wedge product' emerges, designed to streamline communication between caregivers and parents. Engaging interviews reveal real problems and inspire user-focused designs, while tips like the Pain Text add a creative flair to the discussion. Join the journey towards smarter parenting solutions!

Dec 11, 2024 • 18min
A Live Idea Test: AI for Parenting
Today is day one of testing an idea live on the pod. We talk through how to turn a big, broad idea (AI for Parenting) into something actionable, the three questions every startup must answer, and how to balance curiosity with focus. Also, we talk about both my son and trees swaying to Bruno Mars. Tacklebox Granola 00:30 Intro - Testing a Startup Idea Live03:01 The Three Questions for Any Startup04:40 Where Magic Comes From07:44 Smooth Jazz08:16 Who’s it For + What’ll it Help Them Do?12:32 The Four Potential Problems13:52 Problem Selection