
Divot
Divot brings you weekly conversations with the people building the future—founders, creators, athletes, and visionaries pushing the limits of business, technology, sports, and entertainment.
We go beyond success stories to explore the real moments that define a journey—the risks, the failures, the breakthroughs, and the lessons that can help you on your path.
Stories of people making their mark, and how you can too.
New episodes every Wednesday.
#DivotPodcast #Business #Tech #Sports #Entertainment #Innovation
Latest episodes

Jun 4, 2025 • 52min
#13: AI, Work, and the Future of Life: Lessons on Success, Resilience, and Reinvention
In this inspiring conversation, we explore how AI will transform the future of business and work, and what it means for us as humans. You’ll hear why AI will soon perform 80% of 80% of human jobs, why full AI-first tools will surpass today’s co-pilots, and why most of AI’s impact will happen outside of tech.But this is also a powerful life masterclass. From building billion-dollar startups to raising a family and staying energized at 70, we dive deep into resilience, happiness, and living an internally driven life.You’ll learn how to power through failure, lead through change, balance ambition with presence, and why the most significant measure of life is doing what you love.Follow Vinod Khosla – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vkhoslaFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersenaTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to AI and Entrepreneurial Vision05:01 - The Future of AI Development and Adoption10:01 - AI's Impact on Business and Job Transformation15:02 - AI as a Tool for Small Businesses and Innovation20:00 - The Role of Startups and Disruption in AI25:00 - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future30:02 - Lessons from Building Tech Companies35:01 - Staying Relevant and Evolving as an Investor40:00 - Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Growth45:01 - Long-Term Relationships and Life Priorities50:00 - Measuring Success and Living PurposefullyEpisode Partners:SalesforceStart faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOFollow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#DivotPodcast #AI #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Innovation #AGI #Mindset #Success

May 28, 2025 • 46min
#12: It Takes What It Takes – Mastering Mindset, Pressure, and Purpose
In this episode, Kobie Fuller invites us into his home gym — and into the mindset that’s driven him through elite athletics, startup investing, fatherhood, and personal growth. From sprint workouts to 24-hour fasts, Kobie shares how he uses physical discipline to sharpen mental clarity and lead with purpose.He breaks down two core ideas that changed his life: “It takes what it takes” and neutral thinking — frameworks he learned from late mentor Trevor Moawad to overcome self-doubt, pressure, and negativity.We explore how Kobie handles failure, centers his faith, coaches his kids, balances ambition with presence, and defines what it truly means to win. This is a masterclass in mindset, emotional leadership, and how to build a life that actually matters.Follow Kobie – X (Twitter): https://x.com/kobiefullerFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersenTimestamps:0:00 – Introduction1:40 – Inside Kobie’s gym: how fitness drives clarity2:00 – Track workouts, aging, and athletic self-awareness5:16 – Why the 800 is the most brutal race6:13 – Coaching his kids, and what youth sports reveal8:20 – “It takes what it takes” – the mindset behind greatness11:25 – Neutral thinking vs. toxic positivity14:18 – Road rage, emotional discipline, and living by the Golden Rule20:47 – Teaching neutral mindset to his kids22:11 – Preemptive emotional mapping with Trevor Moawad25:18 – Balancing work, presence, and guilt as a founder & father28:00 – Monday fasts, spiritual resets, and weekly discipline31:10 – Building long-term investor-founder relationships32:30 – Having a spouse who helps you stay grounded33:17 – Trusting God’s plan when life doesn’t go your way35:37 – Accomplishing hard things: track, leadership, and family40:45 – Privilege, pressure, and staying grateful42:49 – The person he admires most: Jim Lowry43:44 – What he’s most proud of (it’s not Harvard)44:30 – Meeting God and leaving the world better45:05 – How he will measure his lifeEpisode Partners:SalesforceStart faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOFollow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#DivotPodcast #MindsetMatters #ItTakesWhatItTakes #NeutralThinking #EmotionalDiscipline #Fatherhood #Faith #Leadership #KobieFuller

May 21, 2025 • 1h 31min
#11: 50 Years in Silicon Valley; Surviving Vietnam, and How to Stay Married
Most people fail at leadership because they complicate what should be simple. Greg Osborn’s approach is different. After leading in Vietnam, raising a family with old-school work ethic, and building businesses in Silicon Valley as the tech boom took off, he learned that success comes from two things: giving people the right training and keeping them motivated.In this conversation, Greg breaks down why teams succeed or fail based on this simple principle — and how you can apply it in business, family, and life. You’ll hear how his leadership lessons from the Vietnam battlefield translated into managing people, teaching his kids, and running companies.This is timeless advice that still works today — practical, proven, and refreshingly clear.Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersenTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Greg Osborne and His Garage05:01 - Camping Adventures with Greg Osborne's Family10:01 - The Joy of Making and Solving Problems15:00 - Early Life, Education, and Military Background20:01 - College Basketball Career at Stanford25:01 - Physical Challenges and Surgeries Over the Years30:01 - Reflections on Basketball and Life Experiences35:01 - Military Training and Assignment to Vietnam40:02 - Experiences in Vietnam and Impact of War45:01 - Teaching GED to Soldiers and Life Lessons50:01 - 54 Years of Marriage and Family Life55:00 - Raising Children and Teaching Responsibility01:00:00 - Reflections on Joy and Family01:05:00 - Personal Anecdotes and Life Lessons01:10:00 - Challenges and Sacrifices in Life01:15:02 - Real Estate Experiences and Business Ventures01:20:01 - Encounters with Tech Industry Leaders01:25:00 - Growth of Silicon Valley and Early Tech Companies01:30:01 - Closing Thoughts and Final ConversationsEpisode Partners:SalesforceStart faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOFollow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorgFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen#DivotPodcast #Leadership #TeamSuccess #Entrepreneurship #SimpleAdvice #Motivation #HighPerformance #Mindset #PaloAlto

May 14, 2025 • 1h 5min
#10 Part 2: How the U.S. Can Win the Innovation Race with Startup Thinking
America used to lead the world in innovation. Now, it's falling behind — and no one in power wants to face the truth.In Part 2 of this eye-opening conversation, we dive into how the U.S. lost its edge in science, technology, and defense. From bloated bureaucracies to outdated mindsets, the systems that once fueled American greatness are now holding it back.You'll hear war stories from the frontlines of government innovation, uncover the forgotten WWII playbook that built modern America, and learn how China quietly leapfrogged U.S. capabilities. We explore why bold ideas get killed, how real change gets buried, and what kind of leadership we desperately need today.This isn't just about startups — it's about the future of the country.Follow Steve – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sgblankFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersenTimestamps:3:37: Hacking for Defense -- how a new form of national service is changing how national security problems are solved6:27: Why DoD struggles to innovate11:31: How China beat the U.S. at innovation21:00: How the U.S. became a science superpower27:00: Faith vs. facts: how decisions should be made35:15: Why the Office of Strategic Capital is one of the most creative things to happen to DoD40:47: How to get to the outcome you want: Fact-based conversations vs. Faith-based conversations43:51: Putting startup risk in context50:34: Redefining service52:30: Retirement, legacy & how to measure your lifeEpisode Partners:SalesforceStart faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOM/Follow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#DivotPodcast #InnovationCrisis #AmericanDecline #Startups #GovernmentInnovation #Leadership #SiliconValley #ChinaVsUS #SteveBlank

May 7, 2025 • 1h 8min
#10 Part 1: Startup Playbook Silicon Valley Doesn’t Want You to Know
Most founders follow advice that sets them up to fail.In this episode of Divot, we sit down with one of the most influential minds in startup history — Steve Blank.Before reshaping modern entrepreneurship, Steve co-founded E.piphany, a CRM company that went public in 1999 and soared to an $8 billion valuation. After multiple startups and hard-won lessons, he created the startup playbook that changed how companies are built — from customer discovery to the Lean Startup.Steve’s teachings are used at Stanford, Columbia, and Berkeley, adopted by Y Combinator, and taught in U.S. national security programs through his Hacking for Defense initiative. He’s helped thousands of founders avoid failure and build with truth instead of hype.This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and clarity for any builder, founder, or operator.Follow Steve – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sgblankFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersenTimestamps:6:30: After 21 years of doing startups, deciding what was next10:39: What makes startup founders different14:11: “Adventure Capital” and how the entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved18:43: Origin of the Lean Startup method and why it changed everything22:33: Why customer discovery is key to startup success29:34: How to choose what kind of startup to build32:45: Failure is the greatest teacher a founder can have35:29: Hubris and other company killers37:42: Why showing up more than most people counts for a lot39:17: Entrepreneurship is not a job. It’s a calling44:38: How AI is changing everything about how startups are built46:56: Making a dent in the universe with Lean LaunchPad, I-Corps, Hacking for Defense50:21: The three pillars of Lean and how they work together to drive entrepreneurial success52:58: Why smart founders don’t outsource customer discoveryEpisode Partner:SalesforceNo matter your team size or industry, Salesforce Starter Suite is your scalable CRM solution for growth. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOFollow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#SteveBlank #LeanStartup #E.piphany #StartupAdvice #CustomerDiscovery #Entrepreneurship #DivotPodcast #StartupFailure

Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 32min
#9: From Diminishing to Multiplying: How Real Leaders Unlock Team Potential
Liz Wiseman, a leadership researcher and CEO of the Wiseman Group, is here to unlock the secrets of effective leadership. She shares her experience growing up in Silicon Valley and how it shaped her perspective on leadership. Discover the difference between diminishing and multiplying leaders, and why micromanagement stifles creativity. Wiseman highlights the vital role of 'impact players' who thrive in uncertainty. She emphasizes that fostering a culture of willingness and ownership can transform team dynamics and unleash potential.

Apr 23, 2025 • 43min
#8: Personal Loss and Tragedy: Rebuilding Life After Losing Everything In Palisades Fire
His family lost their home, memories, and peace — in minutes. What came next would define his legacy. Rich Raddon, co-founder and co-CEO of ZEFR, opens up about losing everything in a wildfire — and what it taught him about rebuilding, resilience, and leading with heart.From sleeping in his office to supporting a 200-person team while navigating grief, Rich shares how tragedy transformed his leadership — and how ZEFR became a category leader in brand safety, working with billions of impressions across YouTube, TikTok, and Meta.We go deep on faith, therapy, family, purpose, and the mindset it takes to turn pain into clarity — and companies into movements.Follow Rich – X (Twitter): https://x.com/richraddonFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersenTimestamps:0:00 – The fire that changed everything3:00 – Evacuation, loss, and finding only ashes6:30 – Journals, photos, heirlooms: what was lost10:00 – Strangers, neighbors, and unexpected grace13:00 – The role of therapy and grief processing17:00 – Leading a startup while homeless21:00 – How pain forged a new leadership style26:00 – Rebuilding life in San Clemente30:00 – ZEFR’s rise in the brand safety space34:00 – YouTube, Meta, TikTok: managing billions of impressions38:00 – The emotional weight of impact42:00 – Rich’s personal framework for optimism and faith45:00 – What he hopes his kids will rememberEpisode Partners:NotionStartups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startupGoogle CloudAccelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/Follow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#RichRaddon #StartupResilience #BrandSafety #Zephyr #Movieclips #WildfireRecovery #MentalHealthForFounders #FaithInBusiness #DivotPodcast

5 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 37min
#7: Investor Behind 45 Exits & 40,000 Jobs — AI, Karma, and How to Sell a Startup
Navin Chaddha, Managing Partner of Mayfield Fund, shares insights from his impressive career backing tech startups like Lyft and Poshmark, driving over 40,000 jobs. He discusses the significance of investing in people over ideas, emphasizing compassion in leadership. Chaddha reflects on his journey from IIT Delhi to Silicon Valley, intertwining spirituality and capitalism. He also explores how AI reshapes entrepreneurship, enhances productivity, and creates new opportunities while advocating for resilience and learning from failures in the startup ecosystem.

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 15min
#6: How Stephen Curry & Analytics Broke the NBA — and What Comes Next
What if the biggest problem in the NBA today was also the key to unlocking its future?In this episode, we sit down with Kirk Goldsberry — bestselling author of SprawlBall and Hoop Atlas, current University professor, former NBA strategist and ESPN analyst — to talk about how spatial analytics, Steph Curry, and the three-point revolution changed the game forever. And why it might be time to change it again.From his early days mapping court data to working with the Spurs, MIT, and Harvard, Kirk shares the inside story of how shot charts became mainstream, why he believes we need to rethink the corner three, and how the culture of basketball is shaped by math, emotion, and identity.We explore how rules evolve, why bigs might dominate the next era, and what the NBA must do to stay competitive, creative, and culturally relevant. If you're into basketball, analytics, or game-changing innovation, this is a must-watch.Follow Kirk – X (Twitter): https://x.com/kirkgoldsberryFollow Derek – X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersenEpisode Partners:NotionStartups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startupGoogle CloudAccelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/Follow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DivotpodX (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorgTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/#KirkGoldsberry #NBAAnalytics #StephCurry #BasketballInnovation #ThreePointRevolution #ShotCharts #SprawlBall #HoopAtlas #DivotPodcast #SportsAnalytics

Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 11min
#5: StockX, ghostwrite, and Economics Behind The Hype Economy
Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX and collectible toy brand Ghosts, dives into his fascinating journey from sneakers to creating a $4B platform. He discusses how storytelling, scarcity, and market data influence the hype economy. Josh explains the Dutch auction model that allows consumers to set prices, revolutionizing traditional pricing strategies. He shares insights on nostalgia in sneaker culture and how innovative collectible toys are transforming personal expression and community engagement in the collectibles market.