Fostering AI Adoption: A Deep Dive with Melodi's Sara Remsen In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs talks with Sara Remsen, CEO and co-founder of Melodi, a startup helping AI companies improve their models with human feedback. They discuss Melodi's journey, AI's current transformative state, and its potential opportunities and hype. The conversation covers the rise of AI agents, the tools available for building them, the pros and cons of those tools, and the challenges companies face in developing in-house agents. Sara explains Melodi's role in measuring digital resolution rates for AI-powered chatbots, detailing their approach to improving customer interaction insights. The discussion also touches on Melodi's origin story and developmental journey, the impact of generative AI on traditional product feedback methods, and the future of AI integration in businesses. Towards the end, Sara shares practical advice for founders and established companies on incorporating AI thoughtfully and strategically. 00:00 Introduction to Sara Remsen and Melodi 00:20 Overview of the Episode's Topics 01:24 Introduction to The Next Next Show 02:03 Sara Remsen Joins the Conversation 02:09 Challenges in Podcast Recording 02:29 Sara's Background and Connection with Jason 03:31 Founding Melodi and Its Mission 03:40 Understanding Melodi's Functionality 04:38 The Origin Story of Melodi 08:05 Exploring RAG Systems 14:52 Challenges and Opportunities with AI Agents 24:53 The Future of AI and Digital Workforces 27:07 Prioritizing Tool Sets and Tasks 27:23 Melodi's Integration and Functionality 28:22 Task Agnosticism and Monitoring 28:46 Criteria for Melodi's Market Fit 29:12 AI Maturity and Company Size 29:31 Melodi's Ideal Customer Profile 36:31 Challenges in the AI Market 37:52 Future of Software and AI 43:56 Melodi's Sales and Customer Acquisition 45:42 Incorporating AI in Operations 49:16 Advice for Founders and Companies 52:56 Melodi's Future Plans 54:23 Creative Uses of AI in Daily Life 55:09 Conclusion and Farewell

Shawn Harris, co-founder and CEO of Coworked, discusses the groundbreaking AI project management tool, Harmony, designed to mimic human oversight for improved efficiency. He shares insights on Coworked's evolution, challenges in developing an agentic framework, and the importance of human-AI collaboration in project management. Harris highlights how AI can alleviate mundane tasks for project managers, fostering job satisfaction. He invites PMO leaders to engage with Coworked's innovative solutions as they navigate the future of project management.

Paul Heayn, a product manager at Peapod Digital Labs, shares his journey of integrating AI into workflows and discusses the challenges and learnings from this process. He highlights the transformative role of AI tools in automating tasks and reflects on the future impact of AI on job roles, especially within startups. The conversation dives into the importance of selecting the right tools, navigating the complexities of implementation, and fostering collaboration in tech development. He also touches on personal coding experiences and the evolving landscape of AI.

Brian Balfour, Founder and CEO of Reforge, shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting his experiences at Viximo and HubSpot. He discusses the delicate balance between ambition and family life, providing insights on managing responsibilities as a venture-backed founder. The conversation dives into the transformative role of AI in startups, emphasizing its impact on product development and team dynamics. Brian also explores the evolving landscape of venture capital and innovative strategies for integrating AI into educational resources, showcasing the future of technology in entrepreneurship.

Mady Mantha, co-founder and CTO of Happypillar, shares her journey from AI development in retail to creating a digital tool for parenting support. She discusses how Happypillar leverages AI to offer tailored behavioral interventions for families, especially important during parenting challenges. Mady emphasizes the blend of human expertise with AI, the iterative design process, and the significance of community involvement in expanding mental health resources. The conversation also touches on the evolving startup landscape and strategies in AI-driven marketing.

Mike Salguero, Founder and CEO of ButcherBox, shares his inspiring journey from the failure of CustomMade to successfully scaling a $500 million meat delivery business. He emphasizes the critical importance of work-life balance and how mindful choices in both personal and professional spheres can lead to fulfillment. The conversation also delves into leveraging AI for customer experience and navigating industry challenges such as sustainable meat production and worker welfare. Salguero's insights highlight how values can shape a thriving company culture.

This episode of 'The Next Next' features Chris Savage, co-founder and CEO of Wistia, a video marketing and analytics platform. Host Jason Jacobs explores Chris's journey in establishing Wistia in 2006 with Brendan Schwartz, navigating its growth into a multi-million dollar business, and making the critical decision to maintain company independence by taking on debt to buy back equity. Chris shares insights on running a profitable business, handling external growth advice, and staying focused. Post-pandemic transitions to remote work, the reintroduction of equity, and the integration of AI into Wistia are also discussed. Additionally, Jason shares his idea for a potential series called 'Fogey Founders,' and Chris offers valuable advice on leveraging video content for podcasts. 00:00 Introduction to Chris Savage and Wistia 00:44 The Journey of Wistia: Early Challenges and Decisions 01:27 Personal Insights and AI Integration 01:56 Host's Personal Journey and Goals 02:32 Chris Savage Joins the Conversation 03:14 Balancing Family and Ambitious Goals 05:05 Wistia's Growth and Key Insights 07:15 Navigating Financial Decisions and Market Challenges 24:05 Reflecting on Stress and Family Dynamics 29:41 Balancing Remote Work and Team Dynamics 30:08 Navigating Remote Hiring Challenges 30:47 Adapting to Remote Work Systems 31:14 In-Person Collaboration and Planning 34:05 The Impact of AI on Business Operations 35:13 AI-Driven Product Enhancements 39:58 AI in Internal Operations 43:41 Future of Work and AI Integration 50:13 Exploring New Content Creation Strategies 55:35 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Sahil Lavingia, founder and CEO of Gumroad and Antiwork, shares his journey from employee at Pinterest to leading two innovative companies. He discusses the transformative impact of AI on work dynamics and how it's reshaping traditional employment models into project-based structures. Lavingia emphasizes finding balance between ambition and personal life amidst rapid changes in the tech landscape. The conversation also touches on AI's role in enhancing productivity and shifting venture capital focus toward unconventional fields.

In this episode of The Next Next, host Jason Jacobs interviews Kayla Comalli, co-founder and CEO of Lovelace Studio. The studio is pioneering the creation of 3D worlds using their generative AI platform, Nyric, which allows users to build and explore interactive realms. The conversation delves into Kayla's diverse background in biology, marketing, and systems engineering, leading to her current venture. They discuss the challenges Lovelace Studio faces in the market, their strategies for scaling, and the transformative role of AI in game development and beyond. Kayla also shares insights on her personal journey, and how the confluence of gaming and AI is shaping the future of digital experiences. Jason reflects on how AI tools are enabling more efficient development processes, and explores how this could impact the gaming industry and beyond. 00:00 Introduction to The Next Next 00:07 Meet Kayla Comalli and Lovelace Studio 00:55 Jason Jacobs' Learning Journey 01:40 Kayla's Background and Career Shift 02:19 The Vision and Gameplay of Lovelace Studio 04:42 Kayla's Coding Journey and Robotics Experience 08:59 Combining Gaming and Coding 11:15 Building Lovelace Studio 24:32 The Future of AI in Gaming 30:16 Going to Market and Business Strategy 32:49 Leveraging AI in Development 39:15 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Navigating Transitions with Steve SchlafmanHosted by Jason Jacobs, this episode of The Next Next features Steve Schlafman, founder of Downshift, a professional transition coach. The discussion delves into Steve's shift from venture capital to coaching, the philosophy behind Downshift which aids executives and founders transitioning out of demanding careers, and recovering from burnout. Steve discusses the common struggles of highly ambitious professionals, the process of reconnecting with personal values, and the importance of intentional transitions. The conversation also covers the evolving nature of work, the potential of AI, and achieving a balanced life while maintaining professional excellence. 00:00 Introduction to Steve Schlafman 00:26 Steve's Journey from VC to Coach 00:43 The Concept of Downshift 01:15 Discussion on Life Transitions 01:46 Jason's Introduction and Show Purpose 03:43 Steve's Work and Personal Evolution 05:03 The Birth of Downshift 07:13 Navigating Transitions and Coaching 14:27 The Importance of Slowing Down 15:00 Client Experiences and Success Stories 18:17 Changing Work Dynamics and AI 27:46 Balancing Ambition and Happiness 31:21 Balancing Ambition and Family Life 33:20 Navigating Resentment and Creative Juices 34:25 Exploring Ambition in Personal and Professional Life 36:48 Advice for Those in Transition 40:33 Downshift Program Overview 45:36 Future Plans and Personal Values 48:49 Innovative Ideas and Closing Thoughts