Something Ventured -- Silicon Valley Podcast

Welcome back -- to fan favorite Mike Stutz part 2.  Mike Stutz is a Television Producer, movie director (Don't Change the Subject) just to name a few talents  Here is part 2 of his insightful take on the interaction of television, fake news, and TV's changing role in politics.  Also mentioned are US presidents named Jackson. -- In the Something Ventured podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the world online...and beyond.

Mike Stutz  is a reality TV show producer.  Credits include "Shinesty" on MTV; "Loaded" on CNBC, and "Santa Sent me to the ER" on TLC.  He is also producer, writer and director of the feature film "Don't Change the Subject".  In this episode, Mike returns to talk about reality TV, politics....and Andrew Jackson/Johnson.   -- In the Something Ventured podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the world online...and beyond.

Sarah Marie is an entrepreneur, executive and co-founder of Spec.fm podcast network and its CEO.  After a break last week for the US election (spoiler alert, it did not go as expected) we return to more positive territory.  Sarah continues her conversation about the path to Silicon Valley (which in her case did not involve Harvard or Stanford), the struggle to build a path in Silicon Valley, and the early success of her Spec podcast network.

Something Ventured Election Special with Joe Garofoli, Senior Political writer for the SF chronicle.  We cover the national election -- why everyone missed the rise of Trump, and what people are feeling in Pittsburgh.  Also covered are California ballot measures (marijuana legalization in particular).  We finish with a discussion of Bay Area measures, and San Francisco housing in particular.

Sarah Marie is co-founder and CEO of the fast-growing podcast network Spec Network (Spec.fm).  Sarah's entrepreneurial journey brought her to Silicon Valley from Minnesota, and involved an early stint at a bakery.  This is not your "Stanford/Facebook/XYZ VC" -- it's far more interesting.   Spec Network has become a leading design and developer podcast network, with podcasts such as "Design Details", "Immutable" and "Runtime", among others. Also discussed are the sometime challenges of navigating the streets of San Francisco -- and PC Games.     -- In the Something Ventured podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom Explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the world online...and beyond.

Chaos Monkeys' author Antonio Garcia-Martinez -- part 2 of 2.  In which he discusses Y-combinator, the inner workings of Facebook and much more.  Particularly interesting -- what happened when some (but not all) people at Facebook realized they were rich?     The book Chaos Monkeys (on iTunes here https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/chaos-monkeys/id1071356667?mt=11)  was recently described by Andrew Ross Sorkin of the New York Times as:   "Incisive.... The most fun business book I have read this year.... Clearly there will be people who hate this book — which is probably one of the things that makes it such a great read.”

Antonio Garcia-Martinez' "Chaos Monkeys" (Harper) was an instant New York Times bestseller.  Andrew Ross Sorkin in the New York Times said  "Incisive -- the most fun business book I've read this year.  Clearly there will be people who hate this book -- which is probably one of the things that make it such a great read". In this episode, Antonio covers a range of Silicon Valley topics - including some heroics from Y-combinator's Sam Altman.  Sam has since been in the news for supporting Donald Trump supporter and Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel.   -- In the Something Ventured podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the word online...and beyond.  

We pre-empt podcasts planned with Antonio Garcia Martinez and Sarah Marie of Spec Network, because Donald Trump made us.  (don't worry -- we'll get to Antonio and Sarah Marie shortly)  Without repeating the things Mr. Trump said about sexual assault and sexual harassment -- we're reminded that sexism, in all of its forms, is wrong.  In this previously aired, but always timely podcast, Rachel Fairbanks covers a theme that has come up many times on Something Ventured:  harassment and assault in Silicon Valley are more prevalent than many think.  Hey, this ain't Harry Stebbings 20 Minute VC! -- In the Something Ventured podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the world online....and beyond.

Donald Trump would hate this podcast.  The story of an immigrant from China.  Ben Cheung built an AI company (pay attention, Westworld fans).  He discussed it in a previous podcast, when we talked about the struggle of the entrepreneur.  Just a few months after that, Microsoft came calling and bought his company.  Ben discusses the process of being approached and negotiating with Microsoft after Microsoft exec Qui Lu took an interest in Genee.  He also talks about what it's like working at Microsoft and -- for a Silicon Valley podcast -- has positive things to say about Microsoft! (Take that, TWIT).   -- In the Something Ventured podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the world online and beyond!

In this replay, we revisit our interview with Benjamin Cheung, the entrepreneur behind Genee.  This provides a glimpse of the entrepreneur at work -- a fascinating exploration now that we know the outcome:  He eventually sells his company to Microsoft!   -- In the Something Ventured Podcast, Silicon Valley insider Kent Lindstrom explores the reality behind the Silicon Valley headlines as he sits down with the people who are shaping the way we view the world online and beyond.