A podcast for people working on startup ideas. We have 15-minute tactical episodes and occasional interviews with people who did the early things exceptionally ...
Today, we'll talk about the four steps I'd take if I needed to start a startup in 2025. We'll also talk about idiots.We begin by embracing the reality that both founders and customers are irrational. Then, we build out steps and a process to address this. We start with a life audit, increase our Luck Surface Area, tackle the unit economics of working with one customer, and build out a system for accountability. This is a fun episode - one of my favorites in a while. Tacklebox - code "MuchAdoAboutStuffing" for 20% off month oneHow to Engineer LuckA Weekly Prioritization and Audit Framework for EntrepreneursTimestamps00:30 Intro - A Listener Email02:59 A Note on Idiots06:33 Part 1: Actually Make Time For A Startup08:23 The Life Audit Exercise11:33 The Budget Audit Exercise12:23 Smooth Jazz12:54 Part 2: Plan for Luck16:38 Part 3: Focus on One Person20:16 Part 4: A System24:30 The End: Enthusiasm
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27:03
Testing an Idea Live on the Pod, Part Two: AI for Parenting
Today is episode two of testing an idea (AI for Parenting) live on the pod. We use a second round of interviews to go deep on the actual problem we're solving for parents, pull inspiration from an AI tool in the dementia care space, and end up with a Wedge product that'll use voice notes to reduce the pain of handoffs. We also hit on one of my favorite tactics - The Pain Text. Hot Frosty is in there, too, because why not. Tacklebox Customer Interview WorkshopYou And Your Research - Richard Hamming How to Find Your Wedge00:30 Intro01:20 Part 1 Recap06:00 Picking the Problem07:44 Interviews Round Two10:54 The Text Prompt Tactic14:51 What are the Stakes?15:52 Customer Interview Workshops16:20 The Wedge21:01 Problems and Pain22:20 The Stakes, Part Two23:30 What’s Next
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25:15
A Live Idea Test: AI for Parenting
Today is day one of testing an idea live on the pod. We talk through how to turn a big, broad idea (AI for Parenting) into something actionable, the three questions every startup must answer, and how to balance curiosity with focus. Also, we talk about both my son and trees swaying to Bruno Mars. Tacklebox Granola 00:30 Intro - Testing a Startup Idea Live03:01 The Three Questions for Any Startup04:40 Where Magic Comes From07:44 Smooth Jazz08:16 Who’s it For + What’ll it Help Them Do?12:32 The Four Potential Problems13:52 Problem Selection
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17:50
Thanksgiving Mailbag: Are all the good ideas taken? What should I do about AI? What single skill should I focus on?
A special Thanksgiving mailbag episode answering your biggest questions (plus a holiday deal for the dedicated listeners who aren't too busy with pumpkin pie). We tackle the one thing you should actually be doing with AI right now, why competition is often the best thing that could happen to your startup, and the single most important habit every founder needs to build. Plus, Derek Jeter makes a surprise appearance to ask about imposter syndrome, and we break down why choosing the right TV show might make you a better entrepreneur. Come for the smooth jazz transitions, stay for the actionable startup advice. #MuchAdoAboutStuffing Tacklebox - "muchadoaboutstuffing"ClaudeHow to Engineer LuckSlow HorsesTimestamps:00:30 Intro - The Mailbag02:08 Question One: How to Actually Use AI Right Now06:00 Electric Vehicle Problem Language08:52 Question Two: Which Tactic?14:09 Question Four: Are All The Good Ideas Taken?19:24 The End - how to help
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21:25
Three Ways to Approach Your Startup Like a Pro (Encore)
Today, we'll dig in on three approaches that separate how pros and amateurs build businesses. We'll talk through how pros leverage existing infrastructure, how they use anti-marketing to build trust with strangers, and how they don't leave luck and serendipity to chance - they orchestrate it. We'll do this with help from stories about Frank Sinatra, a comedian in an Uber, and a founder starting a GMAT course for people looking to score 800 (and for those people only). And, Hey Jealousy by the Gin Blossoms, for some reason. XLR8 DevTackleboxHey JealousyPut Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants To BeTimestamps00:30 - Listener Child Therapist Idea Email05:42 - XLR8 Dev06:50 - Live in Reality, and Choose Where You Compete10:45 - Categories12:57 - Anti-Marketing17:11 - Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Is19:45 - Bonus - Value First21:00 - The End
A podcast for people working on startup ideas. We have 15-minute tactical episodes and occasional interviews with people who did the early things exceptionally well. We've helped launch hundreds of startups worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and these are the building blocks.
"This is, without a doubt, the best podcast for people trying to build startups out there."
"If you aren't listening to this podcast and you're considering building a business (or you're already building one), what are you doing?"
"Must listen for first-time entrepreneurs - excellent storyteller."
Brasil