

This Week in Startups
Jason Calacanis
Jason Calacanis covers startups, tech, markets, media, and all the hottest topics in business and technology. He also interviews the world’s greatest founders, operators, investors, and innovators.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 21, 2022 • 48min
EMERGENCY POD! Bob Iger returns as Disney CEO | E1618
Bob Iger is BACK as Disney CEO, and Bob Chapek has left the company! First, Jason and Molly break down how we got here (11:49) before Lon Harris joins to go deeper on Chapek's missteps and join in on some speculation and predictions for Iger's second stint as CEO! (23:25)
(0:00) J+M tee up today's EMERGENCY POD!
(1:40) Jason and Molly catch up on some wild news from the weekend: Elizabeth Holmes's sentencing, crypto contagion, and more!
(10:21) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(11:49) Bob Iger is back as Disney CEO as Bob Chapek steps down, Molly's Chapek intuition
(21:56) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist
(23:25) Streaming expert Lon Harris joins to break down where Chapek went wrong as Disney CEO
(32:59) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com
(34:30) More Chapek missteps, how he could have handled things differently, theories/predictions on Iger's next big swing
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Nov 20, 2022 • 58min
VC investing in a downturn & protecting founders + smart vents with Flair's Dan Meyers | E1617
J+M kick off the show with another edition of VCSS: a VC’s role in a down market and protecting your money and founders. (4:32) Then, Dan Meyers of Flair joins Molly for this week’s edition of TWiCS.(28:27)
(0:00) J+M discuss how winners start work on Sunday
(4:32) VC Sunday School: Raising and deploying capital in a collapsing economy
(11:32) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(13:02) Pay-to-Play + fiduciary duty vs friendship
(18:10) Smash Digital - Visit https://SmashDigital.com/TWIST to get a free SEO video audit for your business
(19:32) Dollar-cost averaging into a trade and having the founder’s back
(28:27) Molly kicks off TWiCS with Flair Founder - Dan Meyers
(36:41) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups
(38:10) Flair’s business model and the smart puck and vent
(49:23) Dan’s pitch to customers and Flair’s competition
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
FOLLOW Dan: https://twitter.com/flair
Check out Flair: https://flair.co
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
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Nov 18, 2022 • 57min
Managing a recession, housing market insights & more with Redfin's Glenn Kelman + OK Boomer | E1616
Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman joins Jason to discuss the current downturn, operating in a recession, layoffs, the housing market and more. (1:31) Then, Producer Rachel is joined by Volv Co-Founders Shannon Almeida and Priyanka Vazirani. (33:46)
(0:00) J+M tee up today's segments!
(1:31) Glenn Kelman joins Jason to break down the current downturn, operating in a recession, layoffs, and more
(14:30) FanDuel Sportsbook - Sign up with promo code TWIST to place a $1000 risk-free bet at https://sportsbook.fanduel.com
(16:02) State of the housing market
(29:10) Zapier - Try for free today at https://zapier.com/TWIST
(30:43) Molly and Producer Rachel tee up this week's OK Boomer!
(33:46) Volv Co-Founders Shannon Almeida and Priyanka Vazirani join Producer Rachel to discuss their nine-second articles media concept
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
FOLLOW Glenn: https://twitter.com/glennkelman
FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun
FOLLOW Priyanka: https://twitter.com/Priyanka_Vaz
FOLLOW Shannon: https://twitter.com/shannonsalmeida
Check out Volv: https://www.volvmedia.com
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
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Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 4min
Breaking down the FTX book + film rights & Michael Lewis’s involvement with Lon Harris | E1615
Lon Harris joins for the FULL show to break down the most recent FTX book/film news (2:26), the business of horror movies (30:42), Apple’s MLS deal (46:43), and more!
(0:00) J+M tee up today’s show
(2:26) Lon joins to catch up on the most recent FTX book/film news
(14:16) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(15:24) FTX’s new CEO comments, mapping out FTX content based on the coming Michael Lewis book, CAA’s leaked email
(29:29) Dell for Startups - Apply for Dell for Startups and get an additional 10% off at http://dell.com/twist
(30:42) Business of horror movies: Blumhouse looking to merge with Atomic Monster
(38:39) Linode - Apply to Linode’s Rise program for up to six figures in discounts at https://linode.com/twist
(40:08) Giving Andor its flowers
(46:43) Apple’s deal for MLS streaming rights, White Lotus talk, and Lon recommendations!
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Nov 17, 2022 • 58min
Amazon launches "Amazon Clinic" + Calibrate CEO Isabelle Kenyon on metabolic health | E1614
Molly rides solo today as she breaks down Amazon’s new telehealth business, Amazon Clinic. (1:40) Then, Calibrate CEO Isabelle Kenyon joins Molly for another edition of the Next Unicorns! (9:30)
(0:00) Molly tees up today's topics!
(1:40) Molly breaks down Amazon clinic
(8:15) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(9:30) Calibrate CEO & Founder Isabelle Kenyon joins Molly for the Next Unicorns to chat about calibrate and GLP-1s
(20:52) LinkedIn Marketing - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at LinkedIn.com/nextunicorn
(22:30) Understanding how inflammation causes many chronic diseases + obesity epidemic
(35:51) MicroAcquire - Sell your business with no fees at https://try.microacquire.com/twist
(37:19) Calibrate’s enterprise business + inequality in healthcare
Check out Calibrate: https://www.joincalibrate.com
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Nov 16, 2022 • 49min
Wild news week, Bird overstates revenue, Chinese startups look to rebrand + WLITF | E1613
J+M kick off the show with some banter about Russia, SBF, and the challenges of being a journalist. (1:51) Then, they discuss the scooter-sharing industry and Bird being under the eye of the SEC. (13:52) Molly and Jason discuss TechCrunch’s article titled ‘The dilemma of Chinese startups going global'. (24:45) We wrap up the show with a We Live in the Future segment featuring Simbe Robotics. (40:57)
(0:00) J+M kick off the show
(1:51) Russian missile, SBF, and the challenges of being a journalist
(12:24) Revelo - Get 20% off the first 3 months by mentioning TWIST at https://revelo.io/twist
(13:52) Scooter sharing industry + Bird in trouble for inflating revenues
(23:30) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist
(24:45) Molly and Jason discuss the dilemma with Chinese startups going global + Where is SBF
(39:29) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(40:57) We Live in the Future: Simbe Robotics
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Nov 15, 2022 • 1h 11min
Amazon to lay off 10K employees, FTX saga update, Shopify's reverse AR platform & more | E1612
First up, J+M break down Amazon's reported ~10K employee RIF (4:27) and try to wrap their heads around the current recession. (15:54) Then, they give an FTX update (26:25), break down the mobile gaming industry (38:12), discuss Shopify's reverse AR platform (47:43), and more!
(0:00) J+M tee up today's topics
(1:58) Weekend catch-up!
(4:27) Amazon will reportedly cut 10K corporate employees this week
(14:41) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist
(15:54) Why this recession is so unique, advice for founders
(25:16) Policygenius - Go to https://policygenius.com to get a free life insurance quote
(26:25) FTX update: SBF's confusing tweets, FTX's interesting corporate culture
(36:54) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist
(38:12) Current state of the mobile gaming industry
(47:43) WLITF: Shopify's reverse AR shopping tool
(55:18) SOTD: UpKeep lets users find, book, and pay for MedSpa treatments
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Nov 13, 2022 • 56min
Understanding Corporate VC + turning methane into bitcoin w/ Nodal's Daniel Sechrest | E1611
J+M kick off the show by discussing the ins and outs of corporate VC in this edition of VC Sunday School. (2:21) Then, Nodal Power CFO Daniel Sechrest talks with Molly about their independent power plants that convert methane from landfills into bitcoin. (26:38)
(0:00) J+M intro today's segments!
(2:21) What is Corporate VC + the motivations of CVC and founders who accept it
(10:33) Smash Digital - Visit https://SmashDigital.com/TWIST to get a free SEO video audit for your business
(11:54) The different types of CVC firms & Climate focused CVC
(25:09) Blueground - Get up to $1000 off your booking at https://promos.theblueground.com/twist
(26:38) Nodal Power CFO Daniel Sechrest joins Molly to break down how they turn landfill-based methane into bitcoin
(36:07) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(39:09) Daniel breaks down the history of Nodal Power + how it makes money
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
FOLLOW Daniel: https://twitter.com/danielsechrest
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1

Nov 12, 2022 • 1h 22min
FTX bankruptcy, spiciest takes, future of crypto VC, new Amazon Prime drones + OK Boomer | E1610
J+M put a bow on an insane week by putting a bow on the FTX saga: a bankruptcy filing (2:25), the future of crypto VC (13:13), and the spiciest takes on the matter! (24:47) Then, Producer Rachel is joined by Owen Roe to break down the gaming economy on another edition of OK Boomer! (46:38)
(0:00) J+M tee up today's segments
(2:25) FTX files for bankruptcy
(11:38) OpenPhone - Get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://openphone.com/twist
(13:13) Crypto red flags, crypto VC going forward, financialization
(23:28) Assure - To get 20% off your first Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) visit https://Assure.co/twist
(24:47) Other crypto dominos to fall, spiciest takes
(38:20) Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub - Apply in 5 minutes, no funding required, sign up at http://aka.ms/thisweekinstartups
(39:50) We Live in the Future: Revamped Amazon Prime Drones!
(46:38) Owen Roe joins Producer Rachel to break down the gaming economy on another edition of OK Boomer!
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun
FOLLOW Owen: https://twitter.com/Owen_Roe
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1
https://twitter.com/iamDCinvestor/status/1590844690089508864
https://twitter.com/gabrielhaines/status/1591090014942732289

Nov 11, 2022 • 58min
FTX fallout: Sequoia's LP letter, SBF's crisis comms + Lon Harris on Andor, $DIS earnings | E1609
J+M kick off the show by breaking down even MORE fallout from the FTX saga: SBF's Twitter thread (2:26), Sequoia's letter to LPs re: marking its FTX investment to $0 (12:02), and more! Then, Lon Harris joins to discuss Andor's brilliance (20:49), Disney's earnings (32:42), and Netflix considering live sports! (48:45)
(0:00) Jason tees up today's segments!
(2:26) More FTX fallout: SBF's notorious Twitter thread
(10:32) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist
(12:02) SEC and CFTC probe FTX, Sequoia's letter to LPs
(19:19) Mayfair - Get 4% APY on your idle cash automatically at https://getmayfair.com/twist
(20:49) Lon Harris joins to break down Andor's brilliance
(31:15) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off at https://houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20
(32:42) Disney earnings: Disney+ subscriber growth, how to integrate Disney+ to its parks and merch segments, and more
(48:45) Netflix considers live sports and recommendations from Lon!
FOLLOW Lon: https://twitter.com/lons
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
Subscribe to our YouTube to watch all full episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkhmBWfS7pILYIk0izkc3A?sub_confirmation=1