
Notion Podcast
Candid conversations with the people shaping the world of technology — from pioneers of computer history to founders at the world’s leading startups. For more information, visit: https://www.notion.so/blog/topic/first-block
Latest episodes

45 snips
Mar 20, 2024 • 50min
First Block: Interview with Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, Co-Founders of Notion
Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, co-founders of Notion, share their intriguing journey of building a productivity tool from scratch. They discuss the delicate balance between product readiness and marketing strategies during the early days. The duo highlights the nurturing of a passionate company culture and the importance of user feedback. They also dive into the transformative impact of AI on tech, emphasizing curiosity and adaptability. Expect personal anecdotes that uncover entrepreneurial challenges and their vision for the future.

Feb 22, 2024 • 45min
First Block: Interview with Adeyemi Ajao, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Base10 Partners
This podcast episode delves into Adeyemi Ajao's journey as an entrepreneur, immigrant in Silicon Valley, and investor. Topics include co-founder relationships, building an authentic community, learning to be a CEO, the positivity of Silicon Valley, and the ultimate diversity. Ade shares insights on company growth, embracing diversity, and his daily routine and career philosophy.

Jan 10, 2024 • 47min
First Block: Interview with Vlad Magdalin, Co-Founder and CEO of Webflow
Vlad Magdalin, Co-Founder and CEO of Webflow, discusses the early days of Webflow, sustainable growth, hiring principles, user feedback, the 'no-code' revolution, and more in this entertaining and informative podcast.

5 snips
Dec 19, 2023 • 40min
First Block: Interview with Daniela Amodei, Co-founder of Anthropic
Daniela Amodei, Co-Founder & President at Anthropic, discusses building a strong team of founders, navigating role changes, and the importance of feedback in scaling a company. They also explore advancements in AI, the challenges of building a product in the AI space, responsible scaling, and the balance between work and personal life.

11 snips
Dec 6, 2023 • 47min
First Block: Interview with Mathilde Collin, Co-Founder & CEO of Front
Mathilde Collin, Co-Founder & CEO of Front, discusses hiring first employees and the importance of radical transparency. They explore designing a better work email experience, self-confidence and gender disparity, gathering feedback for product iteration, building customer connections, and the significance of flexibility and transparency for startups.

Nov 16, 2023 • 42min
First Block: Interview with Christina Cacioppo, Co-Founder & CEO of Vanta
First Block, a Notion series - hosted by Notion's Co-Founder & COO Akshay Kothari - where founders and executives from some of the world’s leading companies tell us what it was like to navigate the many firsts of their startup journey — and what they learned from that experience.
In this episode, we have Christina Cacioppo, Co-Founder and CEO of Vanta, discussing her transition from VC to operator and how she has built Vanta into the leading trust management platform.
For an audio-only podcast, transcripts, and custom Notion Vanta templates, please visit: https://ntn.so/TQf6LA
To learn more about how Notion is supporting startups, please visit: https://ntn.so/2f5lfV

Nov 14, 2023 • 42min
First Block: Interview with Julianna Lamb, Co-Founder & CTO of Stytch
First Block, a Notion series - hosted by Notion's Co-Founder & COO Akshay Kothari - where founders and executives from some of the world’s leading companies tell us what it was like to navigate the many firsts of their startup journey — and what they learned from that experience.
In partnership with Index Ventures, this episode features Julianna Lamb, Co-Founder & CTO of Stytch. Stytch helps developers secure and scale their applications with authentication and fraud prevention. Akshay sits down with Julianna to discuss the founding story of Stytch, how her role as CTO has evolved over time, the early days of finding product-market-fit, building out their engineering team, and much more.
For more episodes of the First Block series including custom Notion templates, video, and transcripts, please visit: https://ntn.so/pIvAbt
For more startup resources and to learn more about the Notion for Startups program, please visit: https://ntn.so/AZhAX8

8 snips
Oct 17, 2023 • 39min
First Block: Interview with Parker Conrad, Co-Founder & CEO of Rippling
Parker Conrad, Co-Founder and CEO of Rippling, shares insights and challenges of starting companies. They discuss the motivation behind starting Rippling, the need for naivete in the startup world, building a compound product, a day in the life of the CEO, and reflecting on a career journey with highs and lows.

35 snips
Nov 1, 2022 • 1h 35min
Pioneers: Michael Nielsen
Michael Nielsen is a quantum physicist, science writer, computer programming researcher, and modern polymath working on tools to expand human capacity to think and create. He’s previously authored pioneering quantum computing books, propelled forward the open science movement, and published research on artificial intelligence. He now researches meta-science at the Astera Institute, while writing about his many interests online.
See www.notion.so/blog/michael-nielsen for episode transcript.
Hosted by Devon Zuegel
Edited by Anson Yu
Audio by The Land Films

50 snips
May 12, 2022 • 1h 2min
Pioneers: Andy Matuschak on physically-informed digital interface design
Andy is a software engineer, designer, and researcher working on technologies that expand what people can think and do. In past lives he helped build iOS at Apple and led R&D at Khan Academy. Now as an independent researcher, his methods bridge the gap between academia and Silicon Valley.
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