

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

Jan 22, 2025 • 57min
Insiders React: TikTok Trolls USA + Trump’s Crypto Scam, OpenAI's Agent Strategy, AI VCs
Is TikTok banned or not? The saga continues as Trump swoops in to "unban" the app, leaving creators and users whiplashed. But what's really going on behind the scenes in this high-stakes game of political chess?
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by special guests Shira Lazar and Elli Hanson to unpack the latest tech and political drama. From TikTok's uncertain fate to Trump's meme coin launch, the team explores how these developments impact founders, investors, and the future of technology.
In this episode, you will:
Decode the TikTok ban flip-flop and its implications for US-China relations
Analyze Trump's meme coin launch and what it reveals about his approach to tech and finance
Explore the latest AI breakthroughs, including OpenAI's O3 mini model and new Tasks feature
Discuss the potential of AI agents like Bordy.ai and their impact on industries like venture capital
Gain insights on how founders can navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape
Examine the ethical considerations of AI development and deployment
Consider the future of human-AI interaction and its societal implications
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 5min
Startup Funding - VC, Bootstrapping, or Debt? The Funding Spectrum Explained (Edu)
Are you a founder struggling to figure out how to fund your startup? With so many options available - from bootstrapping to VC funding - how do you know which path is right for you?
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the full spectrum of startup funding sources, exploring the pros, cons, and hidden pitfalls of each approach. Whether you're considering self-funding, equity financing, or debt, you'll gain crucial insights to make an informed decision.
In this episode, you will:
Discover the key differences between revenue-based, equity, and debt financing
Understand the pros and cons of bootstrapping vs raising external capital
Learn about alternative funding sources like float and cross-subsidies
Gain insights into the risks of over-relying on self-funding as a founder
Explore strategies for allocating and deploying capital efficiently
Understand how different funding approaches impact your startup's growth trajectory
Learn how to balance frugality with bold investment in scaling your business
Get advice on choosing the right funding mix for your specific startup
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Jan 15, 2025 • 51min
Insiders React- Altman: AGI Almost Here! + Zuck and Bezos Kiss Trump's Ring, Rise of the Robots
Are we on the brink of Artificial General Intelligence? Has OpenAI quietly announced a breakthrough that could change everything? And how are tech giants like Google responding?
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the latest developments in AI, robotics, and the shifting political landscape as a new U.S. administration takes office. They explore the implications for startups, innovation, and the future of technology.
In this episode, you will:
Analyze OpenAI's latest O3 model and its potential AGI-level capabilities
Discover how Google is catching up in the AI race with Gemini 2.0
Explore why 2025 could be a breakthrough year for robotics
Examine how tech leaders like Mark Zuckerberg are aligning with the new Trump administration
Understand the changes happening at Meta, including the removal of fact-checking and DEI programs
Consider the lack of nuance in political discourse around tech and innovation
Evaluate the potential impacts on regulation and growth in the tech sector
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 2min
Unforced Errors – Avoiding Mistakes At Every Stage w/ Mona Sabet (Edu)
Are you making costly mistakes that could derail your startup's success? Even experienced founders fall into common traps at every stage of their journey.
In this episode, Yaniv and Chris are joined by Mona Sabet, veteran Silicon Valley executive and author of "Sale to Scale," to explore founders' critical errors from launch to exit.
In this episode, you will:
Identify the waves of startup growth: launch, pivot, scale, and exit
Discover why falling in love with solutions (not problems) can doom your startup
Learn how to build the right MVP and avoid scaling too soon
Understand the pitfalls of false commitments during pivots
Recognize when it's time to transition from startup to scale-up mentality
Explore the changing role of the founder/CEO as the company grows
Gain insights on balancing confidence with openness to change
Uncover strategies for navigating the launch, pivot, and scale waves
More episodes on scaling up from TSP:
Product-Market Fit – 5 Proven Steps to Exponential Growth w/ Pablo Srugo
https://www.tsp.show/videos/product-market-fit-5-proven-steps-to-exponential-growth-w-pablo-srugo/
Edu: Scale-up Execution Overview - Avoiding Founder Sabotage
https://www.tsp.show/edu-scale-up-execution-overview-avoiding-founder-sabotage/
Edu: Scaling Up - Insights From A Unicorn Founder w/ Immad Akhund
https://www.tsp.show/edu-scaling-up-insights-from-a-unicorn-founder-w-immad-akhund/
Clip: Removing Founder CEOs
https://www.tsp.show/videos/founder-ceos-maximise-startup-advantages/
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Jan 6, 2025 • 35min
Best of 2024 #4 – Agile vs. Waterfall: Stop Practicing Agile Theater w/ John Cutler
In this enlightening conversation, product expert John Cutler discusses the crucial differences between Agile and Waterfall methodologies. He shares insights on why many teams fail to execute Agile effectively, warning against the perils of 'Agile theater.' Listeners learn about the importance of strategic planning and the evolving blend of Agile and Waterfall, dubbed 'Wagile.' Cutler also emphasizes the need for a clear vision and adaptive practices to avoid iterative dead-ends, ensuring teams learn faster than they ship.

Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 3min
Best of 2024 #3 – VC Pitch: PayPal for Agents – Skyfire Powers AI-to-AI Commerce at Scale
As we head into 2025, we're looking back on our most popular episodes of 2024. This episode was originally published on October 30, 2024.
Are you ready for a world where AI agents can autonomously make purchases and monetize their services? How will commerce and payments evolve as intelligent software agents become ubiquitous?
In this episode, Chris Saad is joined by Amir Sarhangi and Craig DeWitt, co-founders of Skyfire, to explore the cutting-edge intersection of AI, payments, and open protocols.
They discuss Skyfire's mission to become the "Visa for AI" by enabling seamless financial transactions between autonomous agents.
In this episode, you will:
Discover how Skyfire is building an open protocol for AI agent payments
Learn about the challenges of creating a new payments network for machine-to-machine transactions
Understand Skyfire's strategy for solving the "chicken and egg" problem of supply and demand
Explore potential use cases for agent-to-agent payments in areas like data access, marketing, and recruiting
Gain insights into Skyfire's business model and approach to monetization
Hear the founders' vision for how AI agents will transform internet commerce
Special Thanks to Llama Lounge - the #1 AI event - for introducing us to to these founders.
Learn more about the startup
Skyfire Website: https://skyfire.xyz/
Follow Amir Sarhangi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asarhangi/
Follow Craig DeWitt on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigdewitt/
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Dec 23, 2024 • 51min
Best of 2024 #2 – Mastering Attention: Your Startup's Secret Weapon w/ Ben Parr
In this engaging discussion, Ben Parr, acclaimed author of "Captivology" and former Mashable editor-in-chief, shares his expertise on the attention economy. He explains why attention is a startup’s most valuable currency and how to turn intentions into actions. Parr highlights seven key triggers to capture interest and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and human connections. He also warns against common pitfalls founders face in seeking attention, advocating for strategic and authentic communication to thrive in a hypercompetitive landscape.

Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 7min
Best of 2024 #1 – 5 Biggest Team Building Mistakes w/ Netflix Legend Patty McCord
As we head into 2025, we're looking back on our most popular episodes of 2024. This episode was originally published on June 17, 2024.
How do the best founders build exceptional teams? Learn how a practical approach to HR can transform the culture at your startup.
In this episode, Patty McCord, former Chief Talent Officer at Netflix and author of 'Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility,' shares her wisdom on fostering a high-performance culture.
Patty, Yaniv and Chris discuss:
Finders Keepers: How the Netflix 'keeper test' can help you hire appropriately for the current stage of your startup.
All Groan Ups Here: How treating employees as adults and providing honest feedback can strengthen your workplace.
Vanishing Acts: Why eliminating 'HR theater' serves everyone in the long run.
This is a long episode, but worth every minute of your time. Don't miss it!
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Trilligent. Trilligent is your startup's one-stop-shop for regulatory, PR, and international expansion advisory. Their unique startup-friendly offering is essential for any startup looking to go beyond their home shores or deal with complex regulatory environments. Go to https://trilligent.com and book a call with their COO Laura to learn more – tell her we sent you!
The Startup Podcast is also sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Dec 11, 2024 • 1h 6min
Insiders React: OpenAI’s Christmas Announcements + Trump's Plans for Bitcoin & AI, Could OpenAI Buy Chrome?
How will OpenAI’s boldest moves reshape the startup world?
OpenAI’s 12 Days of Ship-mas is rewriting the playbook on AI innovation and monetization. But what does it mean for startups and founders? From ChatGPT Pro’s $200 tier to Sora’s stunning video capabilities, OpenAI is setting the pace for AI’s future. Meanwhile, David Sacks’s new role as AI and Crypto Czar raises questions about regulation in a fast-accelerating tech world.
In this episode, Chris and Hooman dive into the biggest news in AI and crypto, analyzing what it means for you and your startup.
In this episode, you will:
Discover how OpenAI’s 12 Days of Ship-mas is revolutionizing AI announcements.
Learn why Sora’s text-to-video technology could disrupt entire industries.
Understand OpenAI’s bold pricing strategy with ChatGPT Pro at $200/month.
Explore how startups can harness OpenAI’s new reinforcement learning tools.
Unpack David Sacks’s new role and its implications for crypto and big tech regulation.
Analyze the potential risks of unregulated AI and what founders should prepare for.
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang

Dec 9, 2024 • 38min
First Principles Thinking - Don’t Doom Yourself to Mediocrity (Replay)
Disrupt or Digitize? The Art of Breaking the Status Quo
Why do some startups revolutionize entire industries while others just digitize legacy processes? Disruption isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a mindset and one that too many founders shy away from. Are you pre-compromising your vision before you even start?
In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down the essence of first-principles thinking and how startups can challenge legacy constraints to create truly disruptive solutions. Drawing on examples from Uber, Netflix, and DocuSign, they discuss how to identify and creatively navigate constraints without sacrificing vision.
In this episode, you will:
Understand the difference between incrementalism and true disruption.
Learn how to apply first-principles thinking to reimagine industries from scratch.
Explore real-world examples of companies like Uber and Netflix that rewrote the rules.
Identify which constraints are real, imagined, or worth challenging.
Master the art of balancing bold vision with practical constraints.
Uncover strategies to creatively layer in constraints while staying true to your goals.
Apply an iterative approach to move incrementally toward your ideal outcome without compromising vision.
The Pact
Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:
Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/
Follow us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast
Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.
Key links
The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp.
Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A
The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show
Learn more about Chris and Yaniv
Work 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/
Credits
Editor: Justin McArthur
Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/
Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang