The Startup Podcast

Chris and Yaniv reflect on their bold tech predictions for 2025, revealing surprising successes and hilarious misfires. They debate whether functional AGI truly emerged and assess Google's resurgence as a formidable AI player. The duo breaks down the contrasting fortunes of the venture capital market, with AI startups thriving while others flounder. They also analyze Bitcoin's stability above $100K and how U.S. tech dominance evolved amid geopolitical tensions.

In this engaging discussion, technology journalist Jacob Ward, author of The Loop, shares insights on OpenAI’s latest announcements. He and the hosts delve into the shifting nature of ChatGPT from a product to a broad platform, exploring implications for the app ecosystem. Jacob raises alarms about emotional reliance on AI companions and examines the extensive infrastructure needs for AI development. The conversation also touches on ethical considerations and the role of OpenAI’s nonprofit arm in tackling societal issues. It's a thought-provoking exploration of AI's future!

Dan Brockwell, Founder and Chief Meme Officer of Earlywork, dives into the evolving work landscape for Gen Z. He discusses four priorities young professionals seek in jobs: learning, culture, compensation, and impact. Brockwell highlights the importance of equity as a cultural signal in startups and the rise of side hustles among ambitious employees. He also shares insights on how remote work can be structured for better engagement and how Gen Z is shifting away from traditional job boards to online communities for job searches.

Discover the latest in quantum computing with Google's Willow chip achieving unprecedented speeds in molecule simulation. Explore the implications for drug discovery and AI development. Dive into MIT's groundbreaking brain-computer interface that promises near-telepathic communication. Plus, hear about China's ambitious 10-year tech roadmap and their edge in fostering rapid innovation. The discussion also critiques the effectiveness of Western democracies in competing with technocratic models. Buckle up for a journey into the future of technology!

Looking to fund your startup? If you're new to the process, fundraising can be difficult to navigate. Not only are there a myriad of ways to go about it, but it can be hard to tell whether the tips, tricks, and advice floating around are based on any evidence at all.So, what is the truth? And what are the actual, data-backed insights that can help you choose the best method of fundraising for your own business?Enter: Peter Walker. As Head of Insights at Carta, he has access to, and industry knowledge about, the vast sets of funding data that will help you cut through the noise. Today, he joins Chris and Yaniv in discussing the real data behind startup funding trends in 2025 and the key takeaways you can apply to your own startups.In this episode, you will:Discover why Silicon Valley valuations often hurt founders more than they helpUnderstand how AI startups now account for nearly half of all venture funding, and what that means for non-AI foundersLearn how lean AI-driven teams are reshaping early-stage hiring, with Series A companies shrinking from 25 employees to just 15See why most founders misunderstand SAFE notesExplore why 70% of startup employees never exercise their equityUncover the reasons behind why nearly 40% of startups lose a co-founder within seven yearsGet clarity on founder vesting, equity splits, and why a six-year vesting schedule may protect your company better than fourReframe your goals as a founder: why chasing “life-changing money” isn’t the right reason to start a companyThe 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/

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/

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.

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/

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.

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.