Chip Hazard, Co-founder and General Partner of Flybridge, shares his fascinating journey into venture capitalism. He reveals how he persuaded Greylock to hire him after a decade-long hiring freeze. Listeners gain insights into identifying unicorn startups, the delicate balance of skepticism and optimism in investments, and the unique challenges of investing in AI. Chip also emphasizes the importance of experience for second-time entrepreneurs and invites everyone to consider careers in the evolving venture capital landscape.

Jack Kelly and Rick Chen dive into the growing popularity of ayahuasca, ketamine and other mind-altering substances in the tech industry. We look into why tech CEOs are becoming more outspoken about their drug use and how some telehealth-style startups are cashing in on the craze for psychedelics. Jack takes an inventory of all the reasons Silicon Valley might find ayahuasca so appealing, including California's general openness and risk-taking culture. Rick wonders if it's all just an escape, as young people increasingly find themselves lost without community, meaning or purpose. ⁠https://bit.ly/blind-podcast https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/09/26/why-tech-ceos-are-drawn-to-ayahuasca-and-other-psychedelic-drugs/ https://fortune.com/well/article/psychedelic-leadership-retreat-magic-mushrooms-mdma-ayahuasca/ https://www.wsj.com/business/elon-musk-illegal-drugs-e826a9e1 https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/young-american-men-lost-c1d799f7

Jack Kelly and Rick Chen investigate whether recent news reports of tech jobs disappearing are accurate. Rick explains that the tech industry isn't one of the hardest-hit industries by job cuts and casts some doubt into the methodology of how reporters and their sources count jobs and job losses. He also shares how some companies have slowed hiring without enacting hiring freezes. Jack shares his reporting about the AI industry and why every company wants to say they are hiring AI jobs. He also covers the growing trend of companies outsourcing some jobs to other countries where compensation can be lower than in the U.S. and whether it should be a cause for concern for Americans. Finally, we examine why job interviews have gotten longer, especially in the tech industry, and how tech roles have changed to become more specialized. Jack and Rick then share advice about how professionals might avoid layoffs by returning to the office or find greater success in the job market by adjusting their expectations. ⁠https://bit.ly/blind-podcast https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/09/23/why-the-once-mighty-tech-career-is-no-longer-safe/ https://www.wsj.com/tech/tech-jobs-artificial-intelligence-cce22393 https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2024/09/24/american-consumer-confidence-plunges-as-the-job-market-weakens/

Naveen Rao, a former neuroscientist and now Vice President of AI at Databricks, shares his fascinating journey from academia to entrepreneurship in the AI landscape. He discusses how his PhD work shaped his innovative approach to AI startups, attracting investors during a challenging time for hardware ventures. The conversation dives into AI's evolution, the potential for a tech boom and bust, and how traditional neuroscience influences today’s advancements. Naveen also emphasizes the significance of culture and collaboration in successful startups.

Dive into the drama as a Waymo driverless car gets tagged in San Francisco, igniting discussions about anti-tech sentiment. Explore the evolving landscape of technology adoption versus traditional views on safety. Hear personal stories linking nostalgic delivery services to today's innovations. Debate the future of jobs in the tech sector—will driverless technology lead to layoffs or create new opportunities? Overall, an entertaining look at the complex relationship between society and rapid technological change.

Gordon Wintrob, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Newfront Gordon co-founded Newfront, an insurance-technology startup and brokerage firm last publicly valued at $2.2 billion, but he did not start his career in insurance. We dig into his career from his days in college and how he pivoted from his electrical engineering and computer science studies to investment banking and then to the world of startups. Gordon credits shadowing for a lot of his success. We explore how he and his co-founder got the idea for Newfront, how they found an insurance broker to let them observe his work and the aha moments along the way. He even shares some of the startup ideas they left behind, how shadowing is still part of Newfront's culture today and a unique part of the startup's job interviews. https://bit.ly/blind-podcast

Christopher Garzon, the founder and CEO of Data Engineer Academy, shares his insider's perspective on the booming field of data engineering. He reveals why companies like Amazon and Lyft are eager to hire data engineers and how aspiring professionals can navigate this landscape. Christopher discusses the transformative journey of non-tech individuals breaking into data roles, detailing the personalized curriculum and supportive services at his academy. With salaries reaching up to $258,000, he emphasizes the lucrative and stable future awaiting data engineers.

Jack and Rick dive into the seismic shift in Amazon's work culture due to a new memo mandating a return to the office. They discuss the implications of reducing bureaucracy, the creation of a whistleblower 'bureaucracy mailbox,' and the potential effects on management structures. The duo examines the likely stock market winners and losers, alongside the job prospects for recently laid-off managers. They also unpack the strategic PR tactics behind memo releases, highlighting the battle between transparency and corporate narrative.

Jack Kelly, a recruitment expert and career strategist, shares his insights on why candidates often miss out on job offers despite nailing their interviews. He dives into the complexities of the hiring process, revealing how biases and indecision play a role in hiring decisions. Jack also outlines the behind-the-scenes approval process for job offers while providing practical scripts that candidates can use during interviews to boost their chances of success. Tune in for valuable tips to elevate your professional journey!

Christine Tao, Founder and CEO of Sounding Board Christine's career has been marked by some challenging economic climates. We look into how she persevered and ultimately landed an executive role at a startup. Christine generously shares the step-by-step process of how she identified and seized opportunities, how she developed into a leader along the way, and how her experience might be a good roadmap if you're looking to become a manager or executive. We also dig into how she got access to a one-on-one executive coach and how it changed her career. Christine explains how executive coaches and why it's a shame that everyone doesn't get one, given how much potential they can unlock. Finally, we learn how her experience led her to start Sounding Board with her actual coach and how the company has built a personalized coaching and leadership program at scale with technology. Get access to Sounding Board's world-class coaching and mentoring software at www.soundingboardinc.com. Use the promo code BLIND10 to get 10% off one-on-one coaching individual plans. Sounding Board may be reimbursable or covered by your company's leadership and development or training benefit. https://bit.ly/blind-podcast