The Social Radars

Tyler Shultz, a Theranos whistleblower and grandson of former Secretary of State George Shultz, shares an incredible inside look at the fraudulent practices he uncovered. He recounts his disillusionment working there, the toxic culture of denial, and the ethical dilemmas faced by employees. Tyler reveals the chaotic environment during the product launch and the emotional struggles around whistleblowing. He also touches on how family dynamics intertwined with his whistleblowing journey, highlighting the challenges of standing up against powerful figures.

Amjad Masad and Haya Odeh, co-founders of Replit and a power couple in tech, share their journey from Jordanian roots to creating a platform that democratizes coding. They discuss the early challenges of building Replit and their transition from traditional roles into the tech space. With humor, they recount their startup experiences, including the pressures of applying to Y Combinator. The couple emphasizes the balance of personal and professional life, and how they strive to make programming accessible for everyone, fueling innovation and creativity.

Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport, shares his journey from importing motorcycles to leading a billion-dollar logistics company. He dives into the chaotic supply chain disruptions during the pandemic, revealing how Flexport leveraged technology to tackle age-old industry issues. Petersen also discusses creating a children's book inspired by global trade, and explores the complexities of labor unions in U.S. ports. His insights on innovative strategies during COVID-19 highlight the importance of adaptability and relationships in the fast-evolving logistics landscape.

Dan Siroker, co-founder of Limitless and Optimizely, shares insights on creating a personal AI and his journey from the Obama campaign to entrepreneurship. Topics include A/B testing in political campaigns, funny encounters with Ashton Kutcher, navigating company growth, and the development of Limitless technology.

Eddy Lu, Co-founder & CEO of GOAT, shares his journey from organizing group dinners to creating a successful sneaker marketplace. He discusses the challenges faced, the importance of authenticity in the sneaker industry, the world of sneaker enthusiasts, and the contrasts between startup environments in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The episode also touches on New Balance fashion, acquiring the domain goat.com, and unique stories about sneaker purchases on the platform.

David Rusenko, Founder of Weebly, shares his journey from college dropout to startup success, including challenges of running out of money, being acquired by Square for $365 million, and now focusing on climate change with Leap Forward Ventures.

Yin Wu, founder of Pulley, shares startup insights and experiences, discussing persistence, determination, and the advantages of having startup founders as users. Topics include challenges in event planning, equity management, being a parent founder, and the importance of understanding equity for founders.

Renowned angel investor Ron Conway shares his journey from National Semiconductor to angel investing in Silicon Valley. Topics include early tech disruptions, childhood in a big family, college years, building work ethic, and insights on going public and angel investing.

Kyle Vogt, founder of Cruise Automation and co-founder of Twitch, shares his journey from building Battlebots to developing self-driving cars. He discusses overcoming challenges in the tech industry, navigating corporate acquisitions, and the unique pitch that led to Cruise's success. The podcast also delves into his unexpected partnership that birthed Dropbox and his record-setting marathon challenge on every continent with a plant-based diet.

Yuri Sagalov, Co-Founder of AeroFS, discusses the origins and struggles of his company, the transition to angel investing, and the challenges of founder-led sales in early-stage B2B startups. He reflects on investor relationships, technical interview challenges, and changing landscapes from Palo Alto to San Francisco.