

AI for Founders with Ryan Estes
aiforfounders.co
AI for Founders is where 27,000+ founders learn to build and scale with AI. Hosted by Ryan Estes, the show breaks down real strategies from top operators and AI founders.
AI-ready data, zero-dependency workflows, founder-led distribution, and the tools driving revenue for today’s fastest-growing companies.
If you’re a technical or non-technical founder who wants to work smarter, scale faster, and stay competitive, this podcast is your weekly unfair advantage.
AI-ready data, zero-dependency workflows, founder-led distribution, and the tools driving revenue for today’s fastest-growing companies.
If you’re a technical or non-technical founder who wants to work smarter, scale faster, and stay competitive, this podcast is your weekly unfair advantage.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 6, 2025 • 47min
Vibe policy is real and it’s running the tariffs
AI for Founders: Vibe Policy, Data Sovereignty & Causal AI with Jake SandersAbout the Episode:In this episode, Ryan and Jake dig into how AI is influencing real-world decisions — from Trump’s new tariffs to future healthcare tech. They explore how AI is shaping policy, the importance of data ownership, and what comes next with causal AI.Key Takeaways:Trump’s Tariffs and AI: Some economists believe AI-generated prompts may have influenced U.S. tariff policy. Source: The VergeAI as Truth Detector: GPT can generate believable nonsense — but it can also help detect it.Vibe Policy: We're seeing decisions based more on perception and emotion than facts.The Fairness Instinct: Our sense of fairness may be hardwired — AI doesn’t share that instinct. Frans de Waal's researchData Sovereignty: Your data powers today’s tech economy. It should belong to you, not tech giants.Causal AI: The next wave of AI won’t just guess what’s happening — it’ll help explain why. Learn more at epistemology.comHealthcare and AI Bias: AI health tools could use biased or incomplete data that misses key groups. Source: Apple Health AIMentioned Experts:Jake SandersPeter Cranstone – Inventor of Do Not Track & SSLJames Ward (Dan AU)kitcaster.com__ryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Apr 4, 2025 • 32min
We built an AI wellness app in 10 minutes
💡 App Concept:A simple, beautiful app to remind you to take breaks, stretch, go outside, and reset your brain.🚀 What We Covered: Creating a time and break organizer app using AI Using Replit to prototype with zero setup Features like “Break Roulette,” custom vibe packs, and mood tracking Why AI can supercharge idea generation and prototyping Hilarious takes on focus, forgetting lunch, and box breathing 😅Whether you're a founder, a developer, or someone who forgets to blink during work… this one's for you.__ryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Apr 3, 2025 • 31min
AI, neuralink, and the soul of Twos - a notes app
Building the Future of Note-Taking with Joe from Twos AppIn this episode, I’m joined by Joe from TwosApp.com, a super sleek, simple, and powerful note-taking app that’s redefining personal productivity. Joe shares how Twos is replacing clunky tools like Apple Notes with a smarter, faster, all-in-one solution for notes, reminders, calendar events, and even AI-powered suggestions. We also dive deep into the world of AI—what tools Joe is loving right now, how GPT has replaced Google Search in his daily life, and why the future of artificial intelligence might not be as distant (or as safe) as we think. Joe raised a $400K pre-seed round from Tampa Bay Ventures, has 20,000 users, and is already generating $3–4K in MRR. He breaks down how Twos is monetizing with both subscriptions and affiliate revenue in a surprisingly smart way.This conversation goes everywhere: from LLMs to consciousness, soul particles, Neuralink, and the DMT dimension. Buckle up. What You’ll LearnWhy Twos is a better Apple NotesHow they’re using GPT to add value (for less than $10/month)Joe’s take on Grok vs GPTHow Twos generates affiliate revenue through everyday notesA wild philosophical dive into the consciousness of AIWhy adopting tools like Twos today prepares you for the AI agents of tomorrowSponsorThis episode is brought to you by Kitcaster.com — Kitcaster books funded startup founders, C-suite execs, and entrepreneurs with exits on the world’s top podcasts. Low-friction content creation at its finest. Resources & LinksTry the appTampa Bay Ventures@TwosApp on TwitterSponsor: Kitcaster.comTake Action Challenge for FoundersIf you’re a founder who knows you need to step up your content game—start by capturing your ideas. Twos is the perfect home base for your thoughts, slogans, bug fixes, or even that story about the time you got fired from your paper route. Start building your idea timeline today. __ryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Mar 31, 2025 • 50min
Turn your podcast from obscure to viral: here's the blueprint
Today we're speaking with David Ledgerwood, known as Ledge, founder of Listen Network, an innovative platform designed to help podcasts achieve predictable audience growth.If you're a podcaster looking to increase your downloads, expand your audience, and attract sponsorships, this episode provides practical insights.Key Highlights: How Listen Network delivers targeted, high-quality downloads through precise advertising. The realities of podcast analytics, downloads, and how to effectively utilize accurate metrics. Ledge’s recommended AI tools for enhancing podcast creation and promotion. The essential role of paid promotion in your podcast growth strategy alongside earned, shared, and owned media. The necessity of episode promotion to attract sponsors and sustain audience growth.Special Offer:Mention this podcast when booking a demo with Ledge at Listen Network and receive 10% off your first campaign.About Our Guest:David "Ledge" Ledgerwood is an experienced entrepreneur and podcast industry expert committed to empowering podcast creators through ethical and intelligent audience growth strategies.Brought to you by Kitcaster.com:If you're a startup founder, entrepreneur, or executive seeking to enhance your brand through podcast appearances, Kitcaster can connect you with top-tier podcasts. Apply today to elevate your leadership presence.Resources Mentioned: Listen Network Descript OpenAI's GPT-4 Image Model PESO marketing model (Paid, Earned, Shared, Owned)Follow Ledge: LinkedIn: David LedgerwoodSubscribe and Comment:We welcome your thoughts and questions about this episode. Please leave a comment, subscribe, and share this episode with other podcasters.__ryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Mar 28, 2025 • 39min
Founders, STOP giving bad feedback; use this AI tool instead
In this episode of AI for Founders, Ryan Estes sits down with Erbil Yaman, founder of Teamble.com - a cutting-edge AI platform transforming the way managers deliver and employees receive feedback. Erbil reveals his personal experiences that inspired Teamble, outlines how AI enhances workplace feedback, and shares actionable advice for building a strong feedback culture within organizations.Highlights include:How Teamble leverages AI to make feedback constructive, specific, and actionable.Insights into the highly successful Product Hunt launch strategy that earned nearly 1,000 upvotes.Best practices for effective feedback, including the SBI method (Situation, Behavior, Impact).Why deep integrations with Slack and Teams significantly boost the platform’s user experience.Erbil's entrepreneurial journey includes raising capital, managing a lean startup team, and navigating challenges.Erbil also discusses practical strategies to introduce and scale effective feedback practices in your organization.Special Offer: Schedule a demo at Teamble.com and mention "AI for Founders" or use promo code PHLAUNCH to receive a one-month free trial on Teamble’s top-tier plan.Sponsored by Kitcaster, connecting startup founders and C-suite leaders with podcast opportunities to grow their brands and businesses.Like, subscribe, and share if you found this episode valuable!__teamble.comryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Mar 26, 2025 • 43min
This DM trick just killed 'link in bio' forever
In this episode of AI for Founders, host Ryan interviews Jeff Dwoskin, founder of Stampede Social, an innovative AI-powered platform that revolutionizes influencer marketing through advanced attribution and automated direct messaging. Jeff shares insights on how Stampede Social enhances ROI by accurately tracking influencer-driven engagement and conversions, enabling brands and creators to measure true attribution and build deeper audience relationships.Key takeaways from this episode include:Stampede Social streamlines influencer campaigns by automating sales through Instagram and Facebook DMs, avoiding the friction of "link in bio" interactions.Accurate attribution is crucial for influencer marketing success, allowing creators and brands to track and optimize their strategies.AI tools can significantly boost content creation efficiency, but the best outcomes occur when AI collaborates closely with human creativity and direction.Jeff emphasizes the power of consistency and passion, sharing his journey from stand-up comedy to podcasting, highlighting the value of persistence and genuine interest in content creation.The evolution of influencer marketing is rapidly changing social media algorithms, emphasizing content relevance over social connections, underscoring the necessity of innovative tools like Stampede Social.Listeners interested in experiencing Stampede Social's powerful AI and automation features can use the promo code AI30 for an extended 37-day free trial.Special thanks to our sponsor, Kitcaster.com, a podcast booking agency specifically designed for funded startup founders, successful entrepreneurs, and C-suite executives. Kitcaster helps elevate your personal brand authentically through podcast interviews on top-rated podcasts aligned with your goals. To explore more or to apply, visit kitcaster.com today.__StampedeSocialryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Mar 21, 2025 • 12min
The launch strategy that put this podcast in the Top 5% overnight
Ryan discusses the launch of his podcast "AI for Founders," inspired by his successful newsletter (17,000 subscribers). He stresses the importance of building an audience first before product development, ensuring market demand. His strategic personal outreach during the launch positioned the podcast in the top 5% globally.Additionally, Ryan shares his experience with "vibe coding" using AI tools Lovable and Bolt, quickly developing practical apps. Preferring Lovable for its ease of use, he commits to regular experimentation and highlights "Code Rabbit" for refining AI-generated code.Key Takeaways:Validate market demand through audience-building before product creation.Effective launches leverage personal networks for immediate growth.AI tools like Lovable enable rapid prototyping and innovation.Regular experimentation with new technologies fuels continuous improvement.Tools Mentioned:Lovable (preferred)BoltRabbit (code refinement tool)__ryanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifyThe pod on AppleSubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Mar 19, 2025 • 27min
Why 18,000 creators are obsessed with HipClip.ai
In today’s episode, Ryan Estes chats with Artem Kubatkin, founder of HipClip.ai, an innovative AI tool revolutionizing short-form video content for podcasters and creators. Artem shares insights into leveraging short clips to dramatically boost podcast growth and explains how strategic clip distribution across platforms can significantly increase subscriber counts.Key takeaways include:Short video clips act as trailers to drive listeners from social media to full podcast episodes.Humorous and spontaneous content often outperforms meticulously crafted clips.Effective short clips extend the lifetime value of your content, turning one-time episodes into evergreen marketing assets.Artem emphasizes the importance of simplicity in AI-driven tools—less complexity means more creativity for creators.The power of micro-content strategy: optimizing your content for multiple platforms, each with its own algorithmic quirks.Artem’s entrepreneurial journey, including raising $400K and navigating market challenges, underscores the agility required in the AI space.Listeners learn actionable tips for improving content strategy, growing podcast audiences, and harnessing AI for maximum creative impact. Learn more and sign up on hipclip.ai, here.__hipclip.airyanestes.infoThe pod on TikTokThe pod on YouTubeThe pod on SpotifySubscribe to the newsletter here, for AI news, tools, and exclusive promos for founders.

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 5min
Why neuralink telepathy might not be the scariest ai threat
In this fascinating discussion, we dive into the existential anxieties surrounding AI, Neuralink, and the uncertain future of technology. Our panel explores why Elon Musk’s Neuralink telepathy might just be a distraction from even more pressing threats—like how your personal IRS data could soon be sold to the highest bidder. We touch on the ethical implications of using disabled people to "normalize" invasive tech and the surprising emergence of AI-powered mech suits.Key Takeaways:Privacy Crisis: Your sensitive data (financial, psychological, personal) could be monetized by corporations, radically reshaping consumer pricing and personal autonomy.Job Security: AI is already reshaping roles traditionally thought immune to automation, particularly in product management and design—"vibe coding" and AI agents are rapidly altering employment landscapes.Disinformation Alert: Major AI chatbots have reportedly been infiltrated by Russian propaganda, raising critical concerns about trust in technology.Market Shifts: Microsoft’s retreat from data center commitments might hint at unexpected technological shifts towards quantum computing and nuclear-powered infrastructures.Societal Impact: With rapid tech advancement potentially leading to mass unemployment, Universal Basic Income (UBI) is gaining serious traction as a possible solution to prevent societal collapse.Stay informed and aware

Mar 17, 2025 • 7min
This new AI inbox hack reignited my dead leads, and it’s freakishly easy
In this video, we explore the power of AI tools to streamline your inbox and data analysis. Ryan highlights his experience with WarmStart.ai, an AI agent that integrates with Gmail to reconnect you with old leads or contacts you haven’t messaged in years. We also discuss different AI “voices” and how they could transform the way you interact with your inbox. Then we delve into a quick comparison of Claude versus GPT—especially how Claude excels at digesting large PDFs, spreadsheets, and images.Key TakeawaysWarmStart.aiAutomates re-engagement emails for people you haven’t spoken to in a long time.Drafts personalized messages for old prospects, leads, or friends—ready for a quick edit before sending.Uses sentiment analysis to identify and prioritize contacts with a positive history.AI ‘Voices’Brainstorming different accents or styles for an AI “assistant voice.”Highlights the potential future of more natural, voice-based interactions with email inboxes and CRMs.Claude vs. GPTClaude is better at handling bulk data from spreadsheets, PDFs, and images.GPT is still very strong in many areas but sometimes struggles with larger, more complex data sets.Practical ApplicationsTalking directly to your P&L or other crucial business documents via AI.Automating routine tasks, saving time, and potentially boosting revenue by reviving old leads.If you found this overview useful, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insights on the latest AI tools and strategies!


