

The Startup Podcast
Yaniv Bernstein, Chris Saad
A guide to the unique mindset and approach that drives Silicon Valley style disruption. 
Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
Build product, raise money, and scale your startup like the best. TSP hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein share practical advice based on decades of experience at Google, Uber, and their own startups.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2025 • 53min
Insiders React: Is ChatGPT Atlas The Future Of Browsing? + YouTube's AI Likeness Detection, Apple's New Vision Pro M5
 OpenAI just dropped its unbelievable new browser. All signs point to it overshadowing Chrome, but is this really the dawn of a new era? Or just another hype cycle, courtesy of Sam Altman?In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to OpenAI’s surprise launch of ChatGPT Atlas and debate its strategic implications. They also discuss Apple’s underwhelming Vision Pro refresh (and what it means for the company at large), YouTube’s new likeness detection tech, and Reid Hoffman’s viral post on “good vs. bad actors” in AI.In this episode, you will:Explore what makes ChatGPT Atlas different from Chrome, Safari, and Arc, and why it matters.Understand why OpenAI is desperate to own distribution, not just models.Compare today’s “browser wars” with the 2000s Chrome vs. Internet Explorer showdown.Learn how Apple’s Vision Pro M5 update signals the slow rebirth of spatial computing.Discover why YouTube’s new Content ID for faces could be a turning point for AI deepfakes.Hear how AI arms races mirror past battles like spam detection, piracy, and antivirus wars.Unpack Reid Hoffman’s call for “good actors” in AI and whether self-regulation can actually work.Get started with Cyber Matters: https://www.cybermatters.io The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/ 

7 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 43min
The 4 Biggest Execution Mistakes Founders Make
 Discover the four execution mistakes that could be sabotaging your startup. Learn how oversimplifying complex problems can lead to costly errors and why overcomplicating processes can kill momentum. Uncover the importance of categorizing issues correctly and the concept of 'necessary and sufficient' work. Explore how mistimed priorities can cause chaos, making it seem like you're doing everything but finishing nothing. Gain insights into developing the judgment and discipline needed to achieve effective execution. 

Oct 16, 2025 • 54min
Insiders React: 'Treat Adult Users As Adults' Says OpenAI's Sam Altman + Oura's $900M Raise, NVIDIA's Funding Bubble
 OpenAI is set to roll out its new “treat adults like adults” policy, heralding the beginning of AI chatbots speaking more amorously with users. As the company pushes boundaries, from personality-rich bots to experimental devices, others are warning that the industry might be inflating a dangerous AI bubble.In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down Sam Altman’s controversial announcement, unpack Johnny Ive’s vision for the next generation of OpenAI hardware, and debate whether Google’s slow-moving Gemini rollout signals resilience or decline. They also dive into the billion-dollar race for health data, exploring how Oura’s massive new raise fits into the wider AI gold rush.In this episode, you will:Explore how OpenAI’s “Treat Adults Like Adults” philosophy changes the future of AI interactionUnderstand the ethical and mental health challenges behind human-like AI personalitiesLearn why Johnny Ive’s “family of AI devices” could redefine how we interact with technologyExamine Google’s glacial AI rollout and whether slow and steady approach might actually win the raceUnpack Bloomberg’s “AI Money Loop” and what it reveals about risky financial entanglementsCompare the AI investment surge to past industrial bubbles like railroads and dot-comsThe Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSubscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/  Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksGet your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/ 

11 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 51min
Flow State: The Competitive Advantage You Need, And How To Harness It w/ Film Producer & Founder, Steven Puri
 In this engaging discussion, Steven Puri, a film producer and founder of The Sukha, shares insights on achieving and harnessing flow state for enhanced creativity and productivity. With a rich history at DreamWorks and 20th Century Fox, he illustrates how deep focus can outpace the grind of busyness. Steven discusses how to eliminate distractions, structure your day around natural rhythms, and foster team cultures that prioritize 'maker time'. He also offers practical tools, like soundscapes and prioritization techniques, to help individuals and teams thrive without burnout. 

Oct 9, 2025 • 47min
Insiders React: New ChatGPT Dev Tools Threaten App Store + Sora 2 Launch, Apple Removes ICE Block
 Explore the transformative shift as AI evolves from product to platform with OpenAI’s new developer tools. Discover how the ChatGPT SDK enables a rich ecosystem for third-party apps. Delve into the contrasting strategies of OpenAI and Anthropic in navigating platform risks. Unpack the launch of Sora, an AI video social network, and its impact on social media dynamics. Conclude with a heated debate on Apple's controversial removal of IceBlock, raising questions about censorship and responsibility in curated app stores. 

Oct 6, 2025 • 59min
Nailing Your Market Niche w/ Dutch CEO, Joe Spector (Spotlight)
 Joe Spector, founder and CEO of Dutch and former co-founder of Hims, dives into innovative telemedicine solutions for pet care. He shares insights from scaling Hims, emphasizing the importance of regulation and storytelling in pitching. Joe explains how Dutch makes veterinary care up to 10x more affordable while addressing rising costs through a subscription model. The conversation explores what makes a founder appealing to investors and how Dutch's competitive advantages can disrupt the pet health market. His immigrant background adds a layer of resilience and unique perspective to his entrepreneurial journey. 

7 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 38min
Insiders React: ChatGPT Pulse: An Overpriced Daily Digest? + Hollywood’s First AI Actress, Amazon’s $2.5B Settlement
 OpenAI's ChatGPT Pulse promises personalized daily updates, but is it an overhyped trend? The hosts discuss how context, not just performance, is becoming crucial in AI. Hollywood's first AI actress, Tilly Norwood, raises questions about the future of acting. They explore Amazon's hefty $2.5B settlement for deceptive practices and what it reveals about customer trust. The debate continues on whether AI can replace the emotional depth of human actors while still addressing business strategies behind episodic releases. 

Sep 29, 2025 • 51min
How Being Genuine is a Critical Advantage For Startup Founders w/ Christine Blosdale, Expert Authority Coach (Edu)
 Christine Blosdale, an award-winning media coach and branding strategist, shares invaluable insights on the power of authenticity in the startup world. She explains how genuine personal branding can outperform traditional corporate marketing in an AI-driven landscape. Christine tackles imposter syndrome head-on and offers strategies for founders to showcase their expertise while being relatable. She emphasizes the importance of a media kit for clarity on mission and credibility, proving that founder-led branding attracts talent and investors alike. 

Sep 25, 2025 • 53min
Insiders React: Tech Talent Pool to Be Decimated by New Fee + OpenAI Jobs Platform, $1B for Dishwashing Robots
 A looming crisis brews as a new $100K H-1B visa fee threatens to drain Silicon Valley of its top talent, potentially redirecting immigrant founders to rival countries. Meanwhile, Meta unveils smart glasses that blend AR with stylish design, challenging Apple’s approach. Figure AI secures a massive $1B funding to advance humanoid robots for practical household tasks. Lastly, OpenAI’s launch of a jobs platform raises questions about its genuine intentions in the realm of AI employment. 

Sep 22, 2025 • 58min
Why Every Startup Founder Should Consider B2B SaaS w/ Rob Walling (Edu)
 Rob Walling, a serial founder and author of The SaaS Playbook, discusses why B2B SaaS remains a strong business model despite the rise of AI. He debunks fears that AI will obsolete niche SaaS businesses, highlighting instead how AI can enhance product capabilities. Walling explains the importance of recurring revenue and shares insights on vertical versus horizontal SaaS strategies. He also introduces his 2-20-200 framework for validating SaaS ideas, emphasizing high margins and customer retention as keys to success. 


