Biography

The Spotify Biography is a podcast about the 20 year history, of the unlikely story of how two Swedish founders (Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon) created the most valuable music company in the world, against all odds. Turning Spotify into a $100 Billion Company, and saving the music industry against all odds.    This is, the history of Spotify, told in a narrative form in under 90 minutes   ----   I spent 4 months.  Reading.  Researching. Writing and Scripting this podcast. This is the most comprehensive, narrative recounting of the company's history.    For more context. Two things changed my life this year. Eric Glyman being kind enough to say yes to do a podcast with me in March (it's the first episode on the channel).   And the podcasting greats Patrick O' Shaughnessy, and David Senra , giving me advice for this podcast.   ( "Difference for the sake of it in everything” – James Dyson)   That’s why I’m going in this new direction. I’m doubling down on my natural drift. Namely; Distilling Company Histories Into Narrative Form. Daniel Ek has said that the biggest difference between audio books and podcasts is the business model. Not the content.   I hope this new type of podcast blurs that line even more. I’m pouring so much into these episodes, the “sawdust” of my research is literally a 150+ page book on the company's history.   I hope you enjoy this episode, please message me if you have any questions or concerns about the accuray please email me thebiographypodcast@gmail.com. If you want to see the source for the voice-overs including Steve Jobs, you can find that here: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zlFpyTzZMjWMQopy4tSA4nRynz7mMfX7HMpP7Yb64WE/edit?usp=sharing⁠   -- Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/WouterTeunissen ⁠ Newsletter; ⁠https://biography.beehiiv.com/ ⁠

Nicolas Sharp, the Founder and CEO of Attio, is reshaping the CRM landscape. He discusses his motivation to create a user-friendly, flexible CRM that doesn’t feel like a chore. Rejecting the outdated status quo, he emphasizes real-time collaboration and the integration of innovative features over traditional tools. Sharp shares insights on building foundational products, the importance of hiring passionate talent, and how their new approach has drawn significant investment. His vision? To turn CRM into a dynamic hub for relationship building as companies scale.

Tyler Denk, founder of beehiiv and former tech innovator for Morning Brew, shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the leap from heavy student debt to launching a $250M business in just 3.5 years. He discusses the importance of betting on oneself and pursuing meaningful risks over stability. Tyler reveals how he navigated career choices, tackling the complexities of startup culture and ambitious hiring. His insights on product development speed versus quality and the challenges of fundraising provide a fresh perspective for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Jason Yanowitz, the founder of Blockworks, a leading media company in the digital asset space, shares his entrepreneurial journey. He started by flipping baseball cards on eBay, instilling his knack for online leverage. He reflects on Blockworks' rapid growth, from hosting its first event in just 60 days to navigating an 80% revenue drop and securing $12M in investments. Yanowitz provides valuable insights on hiring practices, the significance of building community trust, and how specialized content can drive the company towards a $100M revenue goal.

Ben Wilson, Founder of PodRamp and host of How to Take Over the World, discusses his transformative journey from a draining job to podcasting success. He shares how a biography of Napoleon sparked his ambition and the struggle with job satisfaction that led him to embrace authenticity in his work. Ben highlights the dual feelings of motivation and pain when witnessing greatness, and the importance of commitment and self-reflection in achieving personal goals. His story is a compelling blend of vulnerability, perseverance, and the pursuit of passion.

Eric Glyman, CEO and Co-Founder of Ramp, shares his journey from growing up in Las Vegas to creating a $13 billion fintech giant. He discusses pivotal lessons from his first retail job, the challenges of launching Paribus, and the path to Ramp's explosive growth. Glyman emphasizes the importance of curiosity, resilience, and customer-centric strategies. He also delves into navigating significant business setbacks and how AI tools like their assistant Toby are revolutionizing customer engagement. His insights are a treasure trove for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Andrew Wilkinson, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tiny, runs a $180M company while only working 4 hours a day. He opens up about his journey from overwhelm to clarity, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful relationships over endlessly chasing opportunities. Andrew shares his innovative networking strategies, explains how he balances lifestyle with business, and reveals the productivity tools that keep him on track. His insights on redefining success and navigating the complexities of modern entrepreneurship make for a compelling listen.

Season 1 of Biography goes deep with six founders on the real story behind what they built - not the press release version. From being strategically broke to burning out, reinventing, and finding traction, this trailer previews what’s ahead. Featuring: Andrew Wilkinson, Shaan Puri, Tyler Denk, Ben Wilson, Jason Yanowitz, and Eric Glymann. New episodes weekly. Video on Spotify.