Podcasts about Saas

In this episode the hosts evaluate a $2.1M virtual reality forklift training business generating $600K+ in annual profit and debate whether it's a durable industrial SaaS opportunity—or a niche hardware rental play facing automation headwinds.Business Listing – https://flippa.com/12243476-8-y-o-virtual-reality-training-and-workplace-development-platformWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr

Is the "SaaS-pocalypse" finally here? Andy recently attended an AI networking event in Barcelona with a group of tech expats and locals to see how real entrepreneurs are using these tools in 2026. From building custom agents to the "Wild West" feel of the current market, Andy breaks down why the most powerful AI strategy isn't found in a search engine—it's found in a 10-minute side conversation with a friend.I hope you enjoy it! As always you can learn more and connect with me on my website (andystorch.com) or LinkedIn. And you can find my books - Own Your Career Own Your Life and Own Your Brand, Own Your Career - on Amazon.

Is AI just another tech bubble or the defining platform shift of this era? Duncan Davidson, Co-Founder and General Partner at Bullpen Capital, argues that the answer lies in one critical distinction: Is the technology being used for its core purpose? In this episode of Technoventure, Duncan draws on his experience across the PC boom, dot-com era, mobile, and now AI to explain why real adoption signals durability. He also explores why CIOs can't afford to sit out a boom, how AI agents may disrupt the SaaS model, and why history suggests productivity revolutions create more opportunity than they destroy. For technology leaders navigating board-level AI pressure, this conversation reframes the question from timing the bubble to strategically participating in the inflection. Key insights include: Why core-use adoption determines whether AI is hype or a true platform shift Why leaders must participate in tech booms rather than try to time the peak How to distinguish defensible AI innovation from fragile “wrapper” plays What historical signals indicate when a technology boom is nearing exhaustion

Trump's latest State of the Union was packed with headlines. Most people heard the headlines and moved on. But operators paid attention.Buried inside Trump's latest State of the Union were policy shifts that could directly impact your costs, pricing, margins, and platform fees.If you import products, rely on Amazon, Shopify, or SaaS tools, or operate on tight margins, this matters.In this episode of the High Voltage Business Builders Podcast, Neil breaks down what the latest tariff changes, inflation signals, and AI infrastructure policies actually mean for ecommerce operators and how to translate headlines into decisions instead of reacting to them.

Guest: Deric Keller - Certified Business Coach with Exit Momentum, former $10M business ownerEpisode Overview: Financial advisor David Chudyk interviews business coach Deric Keller about strategies that make businesses more profitable, sellable, and sustainable while improving owner wellbeing.Key Topics Discussed:1. Common Hiring MistakesFounders often hire to "fill a seat" rather than designing the role firstThis creates "Frankenstein roles" that are hard to replace and measureBest practice: Use the "elevate and delegate" model - categorize tasks by what you love/hate and are good/bad at, then delegate the bottom tier2. The Hustle TrapBusiness owners often wear burnout as a "badge of honor"Example: Owner doing parts runs while $60K in bids pile up (70-80% close rate)Key insight: Are you busy with the right things that generate revenue?Delegate tasks you hate/aren't good at to focus on high-value activities3. Tracking the Wrong MetricsMost founders track profit incorrectly by hiding expenses to avoid taxesThis hurts: credit applications, equipment financing, home purchases, and business valuationClean books = higher business value4. What Drives Business Valuation Factors that LOWER value:Over-reliance on one customer (lack of diversification)Weak human capital (high turnover, inexperienced staff)Missing systems/processes/intellectual propertyPoor financial predictabilitySingle vendor dependencyFactors that INCREASE value:Customer diversificationStrong, experienced teamDocumented systems and processesRecurring revenue (3-6 point multiple increase)Clean financial records5. Understanding Business MultiplesMost businesses sell for a multiple of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization) or net profitTypical multiples: 1-3x (weak business) to 6-15x (strong business with recurring revenue, great systems)SaaS companies often valued on revenue multiples (though AI is currently driving these down)Who buys you affects the multiple (strategic buyer vs. PE firm)6. When Hustle Stops WorkingHard work creates bottlenecks when you're the decision-maker for everythingLeads to: burnout, key person dependency, slowed growthSolution: Decentralized command (like military model) - give teams the mission, let them executeBalance: You can't give equal TIME to business/family/health, but you can give equal INTENTION7. The 3D Diagnostic ModelDirection: Where is the company going? What are the goals?Design: What's the structure, systems, processes, financial model?Dynamic: What's the human element? Who might be holding you back?8. Leadership DevelopmentLeadership is a learned skill, not innate talentRequires repetition and practice ("reps")Best professionals in every field have coaches9. Work-Life Integration StrategiesBe strategic with focus and intentionWhen with family: phone down, fully presentGym time: have a plan, execute, leave energizedDaily practices: journaling, meditation, prayer, gratitudeLearn-teach-implement cycle: consume content, teach it to someone, apply it10. Definition of Wealth Deric's answer: Legacy - Making an impact that outlasts you, influencing people you'll never meet through the business owners and teams you coachCall to Action: Visit ExitMomentum.com to:Take a free business assessmentBook a 3D diagnostic call (no cost)Access free tools and insightsSchedule an in-person leadership labKey Takeaway: A sellable business is a good business, even if you never sell it. Building systems, diversifying revenue, and developing your team creates value regardless of your exit timeline.Links referenced in this episode:www.weeklywealthpodcast.com/endgameexitmomentum.com

Nano Banana 2 is here already. Nvidia tries to assure everybody there IS no bubble. Marc Benioff tries to assure everybody there IS not SaaS-pocalypse. Did Google just do exactly what Apple has been unable to do? And how do you put an old AI model out to pasture? You give it a Substack. Google's Nano Banana 2 brings advanced AI image tools to free users (The Verge) Nvidia Shares Slide After Sales Forecast Underwhelms Investors (Bloomberg) Salesforce chief dismisses ‘SaaS-pocalypse' fears of AI overtaking business software (FT) New York sues video game developer Valve, says its 'loot boxes' are gambling (Reuters) Google and Samsung just launched the AI features Apple couldn't with Siri (The Verge) Cloudflare experiment ports most of Next.js API 'in one week' with AI (The Register) Anthropic gives its retired Claude AI a Substack (The Verge) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Week In Startups is made possible by:Lemon IO - https://Lemon.io/twistEvery.io - https://every.io Sentry.io- https://sentry.io/twistToday's show:We're going behind the curtain today — it's a packed show!We found Tyler Yust, OpenClaw's third EVER contributor to share his insights from within foundation! We've got Deedy Das, of Menlo Ventures, on the show to discuss whether SaaS is cooked! Next we met the creator of an OpenClaw instance that fits in your pocket! We've also got the founder of OpenBrowse showing us how he automatically detects and generates OpenClaw skills!Timestamps:00:00 Intro - Deedy Das Joins the Show!04:54 Anthropic's revenue growth and valuation06:07 OpenClaw Contributor Tyler Yuts joins the show09:24 iMessage integration and Apple's proprietary systems00:10:07 Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist14:31 Anthropic vs. the Pentagon00:20:02 Every.io - For all of your incorporation, banking, payroll, benefits, accounting, taxes or other back-office administration needs, visit https://every.io.00:30:08 Sentry - New users can get $240 in free credits when they go to https://sentry.io/twist and use the code TWIST00:35:46 The Infamous Citrini article00:32:47 Come to LAUNCH fest! https://fest.launch.co00:36:28 Why Deedy thinks the Cetrini article is a work of science fiction00:44:51 The illusion of privacy in corporate America00:41:18 Deedy thinks Enterprise SaaS apps aren't going to be vibe coded00:49:20 Jason's Reddit Bot00:52:01 Jason's obsession with Singapore's food00:55:22 How Unbrowse pulls any backend API!01:02:07 Sebastian shows off the smallest OpenClaw form factor!01:12:04 The Prolo ring — for people who doomscroll01:20:21 Deedy's Podcast Player App!Thank you to our partners:(10:07) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist(20:02) Every.io - For all of your incorporation, banking, payroll, benefits, accounting, taxes or other back-office administration needs, visit every.io.(30:08) Sentry - New users can get $240 in free credits when they go to sentry.io/twist and use the code TWISTSubscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.comCheck out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.comSubscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcpFollow Lon:X: https://x.com/lonsFollow Alex:X: https://x.com/alexLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelmFollow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisCheck out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarlandCheck out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Carl Quintanilla, Jim Cramer and David Faber delved into Nvidia's blowout quarter and upbeat guidance fueled by the AI boom — plus why the stock swung into negative territory at the opening bell. It was a different story for Salesforce, which posted better-than-expected Q4 results and erased its pre-market losses at the open. The CEOs of both companies spoke to CNBC: Nvidia's Jensen Huang on what the market got "wrong" — and Salesforce's Marc Benioff on the "SaaS-pocalypse" that has sent shares of the company and its software rivals tumbling. Also in focus: Snowflake heats up, the earnings chapter in the battle for Warner Bros. Discovery, the automaker that posted its first-ever annual loss, robots in China. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is AI killing software stocks — or creating the buying opportunity of the decade? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz review: Since peaking in September 2025, the software ETF (IGV) has crashed 30% while semiconductors (SMH) surged 30% and broad tech stayed flat. The market is pricing in a "SaaSpocalypse" — the idea that generative AI will make traditional SaaS companies obsolete. But is that narrative right? Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer Rate us on Google: https://bit.ly/4b9JtEo 0:00 - INTRO 0:49 - National Chili Day & Demise of Whataburger 3:04 - Nvidia & SalesForce Report 7:25 - Markets Are "Stable" 12:17 - Blizzards & Chili 13:21 - The Incredible Nvidia Numbers 15:37 - The Lack of Market Reaction to Nvidia Report 17:02 - Where Will the Capital Come From? 23:22 - Why the Market Isn't Enthusiastic (about Nvidia) 24:30 - SalesForce & The Software Apocalypse 30:15 - Who Will Survive? 33:13 - Will AI Create a New Spreadsheet 36:19 - Tariffs: Old vs New: Markets Are Calm 40:49 - Betting on Tariff Refunds? ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/6DavZVDY7OQ ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "Software Stocks: Navigating The SaaSpocalypse" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/software-stocks-navigating-the-saaspocalypse/ ------- Watch our previous show, "Q & A Wednesday: Straight Talk About Your Money" here: https://youtube.com/live/oW7OkyOvYC4 -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "100-DMA Support at Risk," is here: https://youtu.be/tiE6S1qaBn0 ------- Download Lance's Latest e-book, "Laws of Money & Wealth:"https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #SP500 #MarketOutlook #TechnicalAnalysis #RiskManagement #PersonalFinance #RetirementPlanning #InvestingBasics #FinancialPlanning #AskUsAnything

Send a textStablecoin yield doesn't have to mean complexity, counterparty mystery, or a leap of faith. We sit down with Jeff Handler, co‑founder and CCO of OpenTrade, to unpack how enterprise‑grade infrastructure turns on‑chain dollars into real returns, why tokenization only matters when it solves a user's problem, and how crypto‑native strategies like delta neutral Solana staking can deliver yield without riding the market's mood swings.Jeff walks us through his journey from early Bitcoin wallets to USDC's formative years, then into building a platform that looks more like SaaS than a protocol. We dig into the operations hiding behind clean APIs: bank‑grade asset management, reporting, and legal structures that meet treasury standards. If you've wondered how fintechs, exchanges, and neobanks can keep funds on chain while accessing money market exposure or hedged staking strategies, this is the blueprint.We also get practical about adoption. Trust is earned through credible investors and counterparties, but it's cemented with enforceable contracts, account controls, and bankruptcy‑aware structures. For product teams, the takeaway is clear: avoid vanity metrics, pursue product‑market fit, and accept that real usage trails real utility. On regulation, Jeff advocates a proven path—operate responsibly under existing laws, engage policymakers, and keep shipping rather than waiting for a perfect rulebook.To close, we explore how embedded yield becomes a retention and growth engine. With configurable terms, rates, and minimums, teams can shape offerings to reduce churn or boost balances while keeping a “stablecoins in, stablecoins out” experience. If you're building in fintech or web3 and need a clear, compliant, and scalable way to deliver yield, this conversation will sharpen your roadmap. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a quick review so others can find it too.This episode was recorded through a Descript call on January 30, 2026. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/stablecoin-yield-without-the-headache..........................................................................

In this bonus episode of Count Me In, recorded live at Oracle NetSuite's SuiteConnect NYC, Adam Larson sits down with Sue Vestri, CFO at CRIO and a finance leader with a wealth of experience in startups, public companies, and private equity-backed businesses. Listen in as Sue shares real stories from her career, everything from wrangling accounting platforms for rapidly scaling teams to building a finance culture that embraces AI and continuous learning. Whether you're curious about growing a finance team from scratch, navigating the complexities of SaaS billing, or keeping your organization future-ready, Sue's practical perspectives and candid advice are sure to inspire. Perfect for finance professionals and anyone interested in how a modern CFO drives growth and innovation while building trust across the business. ___________________________________________________________BILL is a leading financial operations platform for startups to established brands. Headquartered in San Jose, California, we're a trusted partner of leading US financial institutions, accounting firms, and accounting software providers. We empower business owners, CFOs, controllers, and accountants to save time and take control of their payables, receivables, spend, and expense management. For more information, visit bill.com.

Listen to Full Audio at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-business-and-development-daily-news-rundown/id1684415169?i=1000751672204

Listen to Full Audio at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-business-and-development-daily-news-rundown/id1684415169?i=1000751672204

What if the biggest barrier to your AI-powered future isn't the algorithm, but the state of your data from five years ago? Agility requires more than just fast decision-making; it demands a foundational trust in the data that fuels those decisions. It's about having the right information, accessible and reliable, to pivot not just your campaigns, but your entire strategy. Today, we're going to talk about the often-overlooked foundation of marketing agility and AI innovation: the data infrastructure itself. We'll explore how the role of the CMO is shifting from a master of messaging to a master of data strategy, and what it takes to lead a marketing organization when the quality of your data directly determines the success of your most ambitious technology investments. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Jim Kruger, CMO at Informatica. About Jim Kruger Jim currently serves as the Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer at Informatica. He has 20+ years of B2B and B2C marketing experience in the areas of cloud, SaaS, services, and hardware solutions. Jim is a results-oriented, high-integrity leader with strong business acumen and an inclusive team-building vision. His top focus as a leader is to drive accountability and make every team member feel valued for their contribution.At Informatica, he leads the global marketing organization with the charter to accelerate cloud growth, expand into new markets and industry verticals, and lead the company's brand momentum. Jim Kruger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkruger1/ Resources Informatica: https://www.informatica.com Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code AGILE at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://aglbrnd.co/r/c43e68ce5cfb321e The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://aglbrnd.co/r/2868abd8085a9703 Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://aglbrnd.co/r/d15ec37a537c0d74 Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://aglbrnd.co/r/faaed112fc9887f3 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://aglbrnd.co/r/35ded3ccfb6716ba Check out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Just last week, we asked about Phil Spencer and why he's been so quiet lately. Now we know why! Also, OneDrive for the Mac is finally going to look like it belongs on the Mac. And Google Chrome finally picks up a split view like the rest of the planet, plus a few other new features. PHIL SPENCER OUT AT XBOX Phil Spencer has retired from Microsoft and his heir-apparent, Sarah Bond, left Microsoft as well Report details the Xbox reorg Ex-Xbox executive issues an old guy shouting at sky assessment New Microsoft Gaming CEO discusses "return to Xbox" Hot-take: This person seems unqualified to run Xbox/MS Gaming, but let's give her a chance Alternative hot-take: She is literally here to wind down this business, which makes no sense... unless there's a spin-off Windows WSJ report sheds some light, and adds a lot of confusion, to Nvidia's Windows PC plans Week D arrived on time this month Preview of March Patch Tuesday updates Network speed test, pan and tilt in Camera settings, sysmon, RSAT improvements, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, WEBP background image support, Emoji 16.0 And you thought the Canary channel was weird already -New builds for Canary, Dev, and Beta. Canary gets features we already saw elsewhere, Dev and Beta get context menu, settings, and Taskbar improvements Paul has published (an incomplete version of) De-Enshittify Windows 11 De-enshittifying Copilot and AI is doable but not yet automated What about the alternatives? Next step: Security and Apps chapters HP revenues up 6.9 percent to $14.4 billion but RAM warning is more dire than expected Apple to add multitouch to MacBook Pro lineup in late 2026. Oh the irony AI Xbox February update brings 1440p streaming to Xbox consoles, updates for Xbox ROG Ally, more Xbox app is delivering post-game recaps on Windows 11 for Insiders EA had the most game downloads on PC and console in 2025, thanks to having the three most popular AAA games of the year (BF6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26). Microsoft was number two, followed by Take-Two, Ubisoft, and Sony. Fortnite is somehow still the biggest game overall on console, and Counter-Strike 2 (!!!!) is the biggest on PC. 20 million Fortnite players on PS, 15 million on Xbox Tips and picks Tip of the week: OneDrive for the Mac App pick of the week: Google Chrome RunAs Radio this week: SaaS on Multiple Clouds with Steve Buchanan Brown liquor pick of the week: Sons of Vancouver Wheated Rye Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit zscaler.com/security

William and Eyvonne tackle the biggest AI stories of early 2026. They dissect Matt Schumer’s viral “Something Big is Happening” essay – agreeing professionals need to skill up now while pushing back on the doomsday framing with real-world examples from engineering disciplines. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Eyvonne draws a parallel between AI-assisted... Read more »

Just last week, we asked about Phil Spencer and why he's been so quiet lately. Now we know why! Also, OneDrive for the Mac is finally going to look like it belongs on the Mac. And Google Chrome finally picks up a split view like the rest of the planet, plus a few other new features. PHIL SPENCER OUT AT XBOX Phil Spencer has retired from Microsoft and his heir-apparent, Sarah Bond, left Microsoft as well Report details the Xbox reorg Ex-Xbox executive issues an old guy shouting at sky assessment New Microsoft Gaming CEO discusses "return to Xbox" Hot-take: This person seems unqualified to run Xbox/MS Gaming, but let's give her a chance Alternative hot-take: She is literally here to wind down this business, which makes no sense... unless there's a spin-off Windows WSJ report sheds some light, and adds a lot of confusion, to Nvidia's Windows PC plans Week D arrived on time this month Preview of March Patch Tuesday updates Network speed test, pan and tilt in Camera settings, sysmon, RSAT improvements, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, WEBP background image support, Emoji 16.0 And you thought the Canary channel was weird already -New builds for Canary, Dev, and Beta. Canary gets features we already saw elsewhere, Dev and Beta get context menu, settings, and Taskbar improvements Paul has published (an incomplete version of) De-Enshittify Windows 11 De-enshittifying Copilot and AI is doable but not yet automated What about the alternatives? Next step: Security and Apps chapters HP revenues up 6.9 percent to $14.4 billion but RAM warning is more dire than expected Apple to add multitouch to MacBook Pro lineup in late 2026. Oh the irony AI Xbox February update brings 1440p streaming to Xbox consoles, updates for Xbox ROG Ally, more Xbox app is delivering post-game recaps on Windows 11 for Insiders EA had the most game downloads on PC and console in 2025, thanks to having the three most popular AAA games of the year (BF6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26). Microsoft was number two, followed by Take-Two, Ubisoft, and Sony. Fortnite is somehow still the biggest game overall on console, and Counter-Strike 2 (!!!!) is the biggest on PC. 20 million Fortnite players on PS, 15 million on Xbox Tips and picks Tip of the week: OneDrive for the Mac App pick of the week: Google Chrome RunAs Radio this week: SaaS on Multiple Clouds with Steve Buchanan Brown liquor pick of the week: Sons of Vancouver Wheated Rye Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit zscaler.com/security

Just last week, we asked about Phil Spencer and why he's been so quiet lately. Now we know why! Also, OneDrive for the Mac is finally going to look like it belongs on the Mac. And Google Chrome finally picks up a split view like the rest of the planet, plus a few other new features. PHIL SPENCER OUT AT XBOX Phil Spencer has retired from Microsoft and his heir-apparent, Sarah Bond, left Microsoft as well Report details the Xbox reorg Ex-Xbox executive issues an old guy shouting at sky assessment New Microsoft Gaming CEO discusses "return to Xbox" Hot-take: This person seems unqualified to run Xbox/MS Gaming, but let's give her a chance Alternative hot-take: She is literally here to wind down this business, which makes no sense... unless there's a spin-off Windows WSJ report sheds some light, and adds a lot of confusion, to Nvidia's Windows PC plans Week D arrived on time this month Preview of March Patch Tuesday updates Network speed test, pan and tilt in Camera settings, sysmon, RSAT improvements, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, WEBP background image support, Emoji 16.0 And you thought the Canary channel was weird already -New builds for Canary, Dev, and Beta. Canary gets features we already saw elsewhere, Dev and Beta get context menu, settings, and Taskbar improvements Paul has published (an incomplete version of) De-Enshittify Windows 11 De-enshittifying Copilot and AI is doable but not yet automated What about the alternatives? Next step: Security and Apps chapters HP revenues up 6.9 percent to $14.4 billion but RAM warning is more dire than expected Apple to add multitouch to MacBook Pro lineup in late 2026. Oh the irony AI Xbox February update brings 1440p streaming to Xbox consoles, updates for Xbox ROG Ally, more Xbox app is delivering post-game recaps on Windows 11 for Insiders EA had the most game downloads on PC and console in 2025, thanks to having the three most popular AAA games of the year (BF6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26). Microsoft was number two, followed by Take-Two, Ubisoft, and Sony. Fortnite is somehow still the biggest game overall on console, and Counter-Strike 2 (!!!!) is the biggest on PC. 20 million Fortnite players on PS, 15 million on Xbox Tips and picks Tip of the week: OneDrive for the Mac App pick of the week: Google Chrome RunAs Radio this week: SaaS on Multiple Clouds with Steve Buchanan Brown liquor pick of the week: Sons of Vancouver Wheated Rye Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit zscaler.com/security

SAASTR 843: Software Stocks Have Massively Crashed. Here's What Founders Need to Know.  SaaStr founder and CEO Jason Lemkin joins the TBPN show for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of SaaS, AI, and venture capital. Jason shares how he shrunk his team from 15 to 3 people by going all-in on AI agents, why he's lost patience with companies that haven't re-accelerated growth, and the real economics behind running large-scale events. He breaks down why PE has "said goodbye to B2B," how vibe coding is flooding the market with competitors, and what's making the IPO window both exciting and treacherous. Plus: why the agent that closed a $100K deal on a Saturday night matters more than any demo day pitch, and how AI discoverability is quietly reshaping how businesses choose their software stack. --------------------- This episode is Sponsored in part by HappyFox: Imagine having AI agents for every support task — one that triages tickets, another that catches duplicates, one that spots churn risks. That'd be pretty amazing, right? HappyFox just made it real with Autopilot. These pre-built AI agents deploy in about 60 seconds and run for as low as 2 cents per successful action. All of it sits inside the HappyFox omnichannel, AI-first support stack — Chatbot, Copilot, and Autopilot working as one. Check them out at happyfox.com/saastr   ---------------------   Hey everybody, the biggest B2B + AI event of the year will be back - SaaStr AI in the SF Bay Area, aka the SaaStr Annual, will be back in May 2026.    With 68% VP-level and above, 36% CEOs and founders and a growing 25% AI-first professional, this is the very best of the best S-tier attendees and decision makers that come to SaaStr each year.     But here's the reality, folks: the longer you wait, the higher ticket prices can get. Early bird tickets are available now, but once they're gone, you'll pay hundreds more so don't wait.    Lock in your spot today by going to podcast.saastrannual.com to get my exclusive discount SaaStr AI SF 2026. We'll see you there.

We open the February 2026 mailbag to answer your questions on how to handle the psychological toll of the "SaaS apocalypse" and when it actually makes sense to buy the dip. We also discuss how to assess relative risk in a portfolio, dive deep into the differences between SentinelOne and CrowdStrike (including thoughts on stock-based compensation), and reveal the "falling knife" software stocks we are most tempted to buy right now, including ServiceNow and Salesforce.00:51 First Friday Update02:03 Mailbag Fear in Downturns03:56 DCA and SaaS Selloff06:15 Deploying Cash Rules08:43 Add to Winners Not Losers15:49 Risk in Portfolios20:31 Position Sizing Examples23:28 SentinelOne Profitability Debate28:35 SentinelOne vs CrowdStrike30:44 Cybersecurity Basket Strategy31:42 M&A and Buyout Odds33:12 CareTrust REIT Update35:00 Discord Falling Knife Picks35:35 ServiceNow Case37:44 PayPal Options and CEO Risk38:33 Salesforce AI and Valuation42:50 How We Add Positions47:28 Enphase and Gut Conviction50:19 Secular Trends and EV Lesson52:05 QuantumScape Battery Bet52:37 Wrap Up and Where to AskCompanies mentioned: ASML, CRM, CRWD, CTRE, ENPH, NOW, PYPL, QS, S, TSLA, TSMFind where to listen & subscribe,  portfolio contests, and contact information at https://investingunscripted.com*****************************************To get 15% off any paid plan at fiscal.ai, visit https://fiscal.ai/unscriptedListen to the Chit Chat Stocks Podcast for discussions on stocks, financial markets, super investors, and more. Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube*****************************************Join our PatreonSubscribe to our portfolio on Savvy Trader

Just last week, we asked about Phil Spencer and why he's been so quiet lately. Now we know why! Also, OneDrive for the Mac is finally going to look like it belongs on the Mac. And Google Chrome finally picks up a split view like the rest of the planet, plus a few other new features. PHIL SPENCER OUT AT XBOX Phil Spencer has retired from Microsoft and his heir-apparent, Sarah Bond, left Microsoft as well Report details the Xbox reorg Ex-Xbox executive issues an old guy shouting at sky assessment New Microsoft Gaming CEO discusses "return to Xbox" Hot-take: This person seems unqualified to run Xbox/MS Gaming, but let's give her a chance Alternative hot-take: She is literally here to wind down this business, which makes no sense... unless there's a spin-off Windows WSJ report sheds some light, and adds a lot of confusion, to Nvidia's Windows PC plans Week D arrived on time this month Preview of March Patch Tuesday updates Network speed test, pan and tilt in Camera settings, sysmon, RSAT improvements, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, WEBP background image support, Emoji 16.0 And you thought the Canary channel was weird already -New builds for Canary, Dev, and Beta. Canary gets features we already saw elsewhere, Dev and Beta get context menu, settings, and Taskbar improvements Paul has published (an incomplete version of) De-Enshittify Windows 11 De-enshittifying Copilot and AI is doable but not yet automated What about the alternatives? Next step: Security and Apps chapters HP revenues up 6.9 percent to $14.4 billion but RAM warning is more dire than expected Apple to add multitouch to MacBook Pro lineup in late 2026. Oh the irony AI Xbox February update brings 1440p streaming to Xbox consoles, updates for Xbox ROG Ally, more Xbox app is delivering post-game recaps on Windows 11 for Insiders EA had the most game downloads on PC and console in 2025, thanks to having the three most popular AAA games of the year (BF6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26). Microsoft was number two, followed by Take-Two, Ubisoft, and Sony. Fortnite is somehow still the biggest game overall on console, and Counter-Strike 2 (!!!!) is the biggest on PC. 20 million Fortnite players on PS, 15 million on Xbox Tips and picks Tip of the week: OneDrive for the Mac App pick of the week: Google Chrome RunAs Radio this week: SaaS on Multiple Clouds with Steve Buchanan Brown liquor pick of the week: Sons of Vancouver Wheated Rye Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit zscaler.com/security

What does it take to get your SaaS offering on multiple cloud providers? Richard chats with Steve Buchanan about his new role at JAMF, which focuses on a mobile device management product for Apple devices. Originally built as a SaaS product on AWS, Steve is helping to build out the JAMF stack on Azure to support a broader range of customers. Steve talks about Kubernetes as the common ground among the major cloud players, but you need to dig into the rest of the tooling to minimize differences across implementations. That means cloud-agnostic tools for deployment, identity, instrumentation, and more! The good news is that there are plenty of tools out there to help you, but it does take time to work out your suite of tools to get consistent results, no matter where the backend resides.LinksJAMFOpenTofuElastic Kubernetes ServiceAzure Kubernetes ServiceGoogle Kubernetes EngineMicrosoft IntuneiOS and IntuneOktaPrometheusGrafanaSteve's Pluralsight ClassesKAgentSOC 2 Type 2Recorded January 8, 2026

In episode #356, Ben shares the results from the FP&A category of his 7th Annual SaaS Tech Stack Survey, highlighting the top financial planning and analysis solutions used in software companies today. With 37 FP&A solutions named in the survey, this remains one of the most competitive and fast-moving segments in the back-office tech stack. While spreadsheets still dominate usage—by a wide margin—dedicated FP&A platforms are gaining traction, especially as companies scale past $10M+ ARR and investor reporting requirements increase. Ben also compares this year's results to prior years and explains how FP&A tool adoption shifts by ARR size. Resources Mentioned 7th Annual SaaS Tech Stack Survey: https://www.thesaascfo.com/surveys/finance-accounting-tech-stack-survey/ What You'll Learn The most widely used FP&A solutions in SaaS and AI companies Why spreadsheets still dominate financial modeling workflows Which platforms are gaining momentum (Drivetrain, Mosaic, Aleph, Pigment, Planful, and others) How FP&A adoption changes as companies scale beyond $10M ARR Why enterprise-grade tools like Workday appear in larger organizations How funding and competition are reshaping the FP&A software landscape Why It Matters FP&A systems power your forecasting, budgeting, and board reporting Spreadsheet-based processes eventually break as complexity increases As ARR grows, investors expect more sophisticated financial modeling and analytics Selecting the right FP&A tool impacts forecasting accuracy, KPI visibility, and strategic planning Understanding market adoption trends helps founders and CFOs benchmark their financial systems

David J. Witz is a nationally recognized fiduciary governance expert with more than 44 years of experience in retirement plan consulting, ERISA compliance, and fintech solutions. He is the CEO and founder of Fiduciary Risk Assessment LLC, CEO of PlanTools, LLC, and co-founder and COO of Catapult HQ, Inc., where he leads executive management, product design, SaaS development, and fiduciary consulting. Over his career, he has served as an expert witness in major ERISA litigation, advised national financial institutions, authored and presented extensively on fiduciary risk and governance, and helped shape industry best practices through technology, education, and thought leadership.In this episode, Eric and David discuss:Using scorecards to filter, not decidePreferring consistency over hero-to-zero performanceMaking fiduciary decisions visible and defensibleRisk must be understood, not assumedKey Takeaways:IPS scorecards narrow the universe, but they don't tell you which “10 out of 10” is actually better. “Consistently Good Occasionally Great” (CGOG) steps in as an alternate but compatible filter to evaluate pattern, persistence, and risk consistency. Selection becomes intentional, not defaulting to the lowest cost or the best recent return.CGOG favors “singles and doubles” over volatile home runs and strikeouts. Rolling-period analysis reveals whether excess returns are repeatable or masked by boom-and-bust cycles. The goal is to minimize large losses and avoid unpleasant fiduciary surprises.Clear visuals and documented processes allow committees to understand risk and return without deep technical expertise. IPS, monitoring reports, and CGOG together create a repeatable decision framework. If challenged, the process—not hindsight—becomes the defense.Rolling data and deeper analysis reveal behavior that point-in-time returns can hide. Looking beyond recent performance leads to more intentional portfolio construction.“Your scorecard is great at whittling down, filtering the universe into a smaller group where you can go deeper, but utilizing the scorecard as a baseline for selecting your funds is not a good idea. It does not give you the ability to look under the hood and determine why one 10 is a better 10 than another 10.” - David WitzConnect with David Witz:Website: www.plantools.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-witz/ Connect with Eric Dyson: Website: https://90northllc.com/Phone: 940-248-4800Email: contact@90northllc.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/401kguy/ The information and content of this podcast are general in nature and are provided solely for educational and informational purposes. It is believed to be accurate and reliable as of the posting date, but may be subject to change.It is not intended to provide a specific recommendation for any type of product or service discussed in this presentation or to provide any warranties, investment advice, financial advice, tax, plan design, or legal advice (unless otherwise specifically indicated). Please consult your own independent advisor as to any investment, tax, or legal statements made.The specific facts and circumstances of all qualified plans can vary, and the information contained in this podcast may or may not apply to your individual circumstances or to your plan or client plan-specific circumstances.The opinions expressed by guests are not necessarily agreed by, or the same opinions of 90 North Consulting or of Eric Dyson.

Is software a “lost industry” with the AI revolution? Steven Wieting explains the SaaS-pocalypse and examines the dispersion of AI's impact; he likes cybersecurity still. He thinks energy and utilities will be the strongest sectors of the year, mostly from powering AI. Steven also continues to see strength in semiconductors, though he notes “a lot of idiosyncratic risk” in Nvidia (NVDA). He highlights the Alerian MLP ETF (AMLP) as a potential opportunity. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Since the start of 2026, Workday (WDAY) shares have fallen 40%. Earnings and a slew of downgrades didn't help the outlook picture, as Marley Kayden runs through the metrics in the report analysts took issue with. Prosper Trading Academy's Scott Bauer rounds out the bearish perspective with a put spread example options trade for Workday. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Landon Swan talks about his firm's recent data on Salesforce (CRM) following the stunning sell-off in shares. He points to the general SaaS stock selling as overblown and expects Salesforce to bounce on its earnings. However, Landon still sees AI threats and margins as concerns for the company's long-term outlook. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

A story about what happens when you build a Forever Business—instead of chasing the next exitThis episode is for sales-led SaaS founders who feel the business is getting slower the bigger it gets—and starting to accept that as normal.Most software companies slow down as they scale. Access got faster.Jon Jorgensen, Co-CEO of The Access Group, joined as a telesales trainee straight from school. In 2011, the company was doing £24 million. Fifteen years later, it's a £1.2 billion business with 160,000 customers.His belief: if you build what he calls a "Forever Business," growth compounds instead of stalling—even after six private equity transactions.And this inspired me to invite Jon to my podcast. We explore why companies that never stop learning outgrow everyone else. Jon shares lessons about what shifted when Access moved from profit-driven to value-creation thinking, why he pushed equity to over 50% of employees, and what a "Forever Business" actually demands. You'll discover how a company survives six private equity transactions and 9,000 employees—without becoming the corporate machine everyone expects.We also zoom in on two of the 10 traits that define remarkable software companies: – Master the art of curiosity – Master creating momentumJon's journey proves that remarkable companies treat curiosity as a daily practice, not a poster on the wall—and that's what creates momentum competitors cannot replicate.Here's one of Jon's quotes that captures his leadership philosophy:"I can't change you. You've got to want to change. I can't make you do something. You've got to want to do it."By listening to this episode, you'll learn:Why shifting from profit-driven to value-creation thinking changes everything about growthWhat happens when you push equity deep into the organization instead of hoarding itWhy the psychology of belonging matters more than strategy at scaleHow building a "Forever Business" protects against short-term pressure from investorsFor more information about the guest from this week: Guest: Jon Jorgensen, Co-CEO, The Access Group Website: theaccessgroup.com

This episode is brought to you by B2B Better. Richard cut CAC by 27% by ditching billboards and investing in owned content — podcasts, videos, and customer interviews that actually moved the needle. That's exactly the kind of content engine we help B2B service businesses build. If you want a podcast that drives pipeline, not just downloads, visit b2bbetter.com. If you think B2B buying is purely rational, this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode of Pipe Dream, host Jason Bradwell sits down with Richard Dedor, Senior Client Strategist at Vericast, to unpack what a decade of B2C financial services marketing can teach B2B marketers about differentiation, storytelling, and cutting through a commoditised market. Richard's core point is clear: stop overthinking your product and start understanding the emotion behind the buying decision. Every purchase — whether it's a checking account or a six-figure SaaS contract — starts with a pain point. The businesses that win are the ones that lean into that pain and make the buyer the hero. The cheeseburger analogy says it all. McDonald's, In-N-Out, Wendy's — they're all selling the same thing but winning different customers by knowing exactly who they're for. B2B is no different. You don't need a revolutionary product. You need a sharper story built around the right ingredients for the right target market. The conversation gets tactical on CAC reduction. Richard's team cut acquisition costs by 27% by reallocating budget away from vanity spend — billboards chief among them — and investing in owned content instead. Podcasts, videos, webinar series, and customer interviews that spoke directly to real pain points. A billboard reaches everyone and no one. A customer interview that mirrors exactly what a prospect is feeling reaches the right person at the right moment. For B2B marketers dealing with long sales cycles and buying committees, hold the macro message steady and pivot the micro-messaging for each stakeholder in the room. And when compliance is standing between you and a good idea, make them your second-best friend — walk them through the concept one friction point at a time and help them get themselves to yes. People buy with emotion. Even in B2B. Especially in B2B. That's what you should be tapping into. Chapter Markers 00:00 - Introduction: Richard Dedor and a decade in B2C financial services 02:00 - The cheeseburger analogy: differentiation in commoditised markets 04:00 - Growing brand awareness by 50% and bridging it to conversion 06:00 - In-market moments and rare switching windows in financial services 08:00 - What B2B marketers should steal from the consumer playbook 09:00 - Micro-messaging pivots within a stable macro message 10:00 - Cutting CAC by 27%: stop spending on billboards 11:00 - Investing in owned content: podcasts, videos, and customer interviews 13:00 - Testing, killing, and doubling down on what works 14:00 - Working in regulated environments: making compliance your ally 16:00 - How to present ideas to legal and compliance teams 18:00 - Walking compliance through friction points one step at a time 20:00 - The one thing B2B companies get wrong about differentiation 22:00 - People buy with emotion — even in B2B Useful Links Connect with Jason Bradwell on LinkedIn Connect with Richard Dedor on LinkedIn Visit Richard Dedor's website Read Richard's writing on HubSpot and Medium Explore B2B Better and the Pipe Dream Podcast

In this episode of Marketplace by Faster Forward, host Grant Johnsey sits down with Mike Kelly, Co‑Founder of Developer Town, to cut through the hype and explore the real‑world applications of AI—from personal productivity to enterprise‑scale transformation. Mike shares how advances in large language models are reshaping everyday workflows, why tools like Gemini and ChatGPT are evolving into true AI companions, and how “vibe coding” is lowering the barrier to building custom software. The conversation goes deeper into the enterprise, covering AI agents, fraud detection, unstructured data, and why many organizations struggle to move from experimentation to execution. Mike also weighs in on the implications for SaaS businesses, venture investing, energy costs, and the future of enterprise infrastructure. Key topics include: How AI is changing personal productivity and decision‑making Using AI as a healthcare “navigator” and shared source of truth Vibe coding and the rise of build‑your‑own software Why enterprises get stuck on data and process readiness AI agents, automation, and security trade‑offs What AI means for SaaS, venture capital, and long‑term costs Whether you're experimenting with AI at home or evaluating it for your organization, this episode offers a clear, practical look at what's working and what's coming next.

In this episode of Marketplace by Faster Forward, host Grant Johnsey sits down with Mike Kelly, Co‑Founder of Developer Town, to cut through the hype and explore the real‑world applications of AI—from personal productivity to enterprise‑scale transformation. Mike shares how advances in large language models are reshaping everyday workflows, why tools like Gemini and ChatGPT are evolving into true AI companions, and how “vibe coding” is lowering the barrier to building custom software. The conversation goes deeper into the enterprise, covering AI agents, fraud detection, unstructured data, and why many organizations struggle to move from experimentation to execution. Mike also weighs in on the implications for SaaS businesses, venture investing, energy costs, and the future of enterprise infrastructure. Key topics include: How AI is changing personal productivity and decision‑making Using AI as a healthcare “navigator” and shared source of truth Vibe coding and the rise of build‑your‑own software Why enterprises get stuck on data and process readiness AI agents, automation, and security trade‑offs What AI means for SaaS, venture capital, and long‑term costs Whether you're experimenting with AI at home or evaluating it for your organization, this episode offers a clear, practical look at what's working and what's coming next.

Climate isn't “over.” But building in climate has entered a new chapter, defined by shifting regulation, politicized narratives, buyer confusion, and a market that funded dozens of overlapping platforms.In this episode, Andreas and co-host Carmel Rafaeli, Founding Partner at The Table, sit down with Lubomila Jordanova, Co-founder & CEO of Plan A, just weeks after Plan Ajoined forces with Diginex, the NASDAQ-listed sustainability technology company, at the end of 2025.The conversation is part of Leaders Shaping a Resilient Planet, a series spotlighting exceptional founders in climate tech who happen to be women. The focus is not identity as a theme, but execution as a discipline. These are operators building in some of the most complex and capital-intensive parts of the real economy.This is not an acquisition recap. It is a clear-eyed discussion about what it takes to build and responsibly exit a climate tech company in a market that is maturing quickly.What's covered:00:52 The Table: co-investing community + the Foundation's recoverable grants model02:05 Introducing Lubomila Jordanova and Plan A02:45 The acquisition: why Plan A chose to lead consolidation04:35 Fundraising logic → acquisition logic: what changed06:40 Founder outcome vs VC outcome: how alignment works in an exit11:30 “The truth is where the real economy sits”: what carbon software actually sells13:30 The uncomfortable line: “glorified consulting with a digital angle”15:05 What VC portfolios get wrong in climate: return distribution, capital stack, secondaries16:55 Why “climate” can't be one bucket: hardware vs SaaS vs reporting20:00 Managing investor perception: visibility, bias, and boardroom baggage23:15 The broader financial pyramid: VC vs public markets vs real-economy signals27:35 Post-exit reality: why a public-company KPI lens changes the conversation31:10 Three founder learnings (humility, ecosystem, real-world problems)33:55 A rare founder truth: pregnancy during the exit + building with “more hats than one”

Automóviles con engomado amarillo tienen hasta el 28 de febrero para verificarToluca alerta sobre riesgos de quemar basura en temporada de calorMéxico lidera en empresas SaaS y financiamiento en América LatinaMás información en nuestro Podcast

Kenji Kuramoto is the Founder and former CEO of Acuity, a pioneering outsourced accounting and fractional CFO firm that built and maintained financial functions for thousands of innovative entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Acuity became one of Accounting Today's Top Firms for Technology and a Top Firm to Work For, before merging into Sorren in 2025. In this episode, Kenji joins Jason M. Blumer, CPA, to unpack what really happens when you step away from something that's still working. He shares the full story behind Acuity's 20-year journey, the decision to run a proactive merger process, and why he ultimately chose not to continue into the next chapter with Sorren—despite being Acuity's founder and leading the proactive merger process. The conversation explores the emotional reality of leadership transitions: identity loss, grief, relief, clarity, and the discipline required to not hold on too long. Kenji reflects on the surprisingly anticlimactic nature of closing day, the importance of timing your exit well, and how staying deeply connected to the profession helped him navigate life after stepping away. Today, Kenji is an investor, founder, and advisor focused on reimagining the future of the accounting profession. He is the founder of 404 Invests, an early-stage investment firm backing Accounting Technology, SaaS, FinTech, and Crypto companies. Earlier in his career, Kenji served as CFO of an Inc. 5000 tech company and began in the assurance practice at Arthur Andersen. If you're a firm owner considering succession, a merger, retirement, or your own next chapter as a leader, this episode offers rare honesty and perspective you won't often hear.

Anthropic's Hidden Claude 1, Market-Shaking AI Tools, and MIT's One-Step 3D-Printed Electric Motor Host Jim Love covers three major stories: Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's comments on AI governance and safety, including that "Claude 1" was built before ChatGPT but not released because it didn't meet Anthropic's alignment and safety bar; how Anthropic's recent launches—Claude for knowledge-work "cowork" workflows, deeper office/document integrations, Claude Code Security for vulnerability scanning, and tooling to automate parts of COBOL modernization—coincided with sharp market reactions including declines in CrowdStrike and Zscaler (around 10–11%) and a major IBM drop (more than 13%) amid fears AI could disrupt SaaS, cybersecurity, and legacy modernization revenue; and MIT researchers' report of a 3D printing process that produces a fully functional linear electric motor in a single step (aside from magnetization), with reported material cost around 50 cents in a lab setting, raising the prospect of on-demand manufacturing and compressed supply chains. The episode also includes sponsorship messages about Meter's integrated wired, wireless, and cellular networking stack. Hashtag Trending would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/htt 00:00 Headlines and Sponsor 00:45 Amodei vs Altman 01:29 Claude 1 Not Shipped 03:19 Anthropic Shakes Markets 04:57 AI Hits Cybersecurity 05:28 COBOL Modernization Shock 08:10 MIT Prints Electric Motor 09:39 Manufacturing Disruption 10:26 Wrap Up and Thanks

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"Saying yes to anything and everything just to produce that revenue leads to burnout. You're trying to serve everyone and do everything. The fact of the matter is, we don't have the capacity for that, nor were we ever meant to have the capacity for that." - Jessica Sanchez   What if revenue growth didn't have to come at the expense of your peace? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Nadia Y. Brown sits down with business coach Jessica Sanchez to explore the lessons learned from her 15 years in B2B tech marketing, SaaS startups, and revenue leadership. Jessica shares her experience in sales, burnout, and achieving sustainable growth.  After generating tens of millions in revenue and leading teams that served companies like Dell, Microsoft, and Intel, Jessica made a bold shift to launch her coaching business. Her goal is to support burned-out female founders craving clarity and alignment.  During their discussion, Nadia and Jessica delve into the following topics: Why not all revenue growth is beneficial How to transition from transactional selling to relationship-driven sales The hidden traps women founders fall into The importance of documenting your sales process, ideal client profile, and messaging if you want to scale beyond being a solo salesperson    Connect with Jessica: LinkedIn: @jessicasanchez2 Instagram: @jessicasanchezcoaching Website: www.jessicasanchezcoaching.com   Connect with Dr. Nadia: LinkedIn: @‌drnadia Instagram: @‌iamdrnadia Website: www.thedoyenneagency.com Email: hello@thedoyenneagency.com   Are you ready to get a clear, prioritized roadmap to move from sole salesperson to sales leader without burning out or compromising your values? Book Your Culture-First Sales Audit   Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Email us at askdrnadia@thedoyenneagency.com

My guest today is Dan Sundheim. Dan is the founder and CIO of D1 Capital Partners. He thinks about markets and businesses constantly, and has built a career entirely around that obsession. He manages over $30B across both public and private markets, with investments in SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic, and a public portfolio of names you may never have heard of. Dan shares the story of the short case he wrote on Orthodontic Centers of America and posted on Value Investors Club, which crashed the stock, and helped him land his first job. He shares why he backed Anthropic at a moment when many people told him it was the Lyft to OpenAI's Uber, what reading Dario Amodei's essays reminded him of Jeff Bezos, and how he thinks about LLM business models through the lens of Netflix and Spotify. We spend time on the extraordinarily stressful moment in early 2021 when GameStop hit the firm, and what Dan believes is the single biggest tail risk facing the global economy right now. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  ----- Become a Colossus member to get our quarterly print magazine and private audio experience, including exclusive profiles and early access to select episodes. Subscribe at ⁠colossus.com/subscribe⁠. ----- ⁠Ramp's⁠ mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ramp.com/invest⁠⁠ to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. ----- Trusted by thousands of businesses, ⁠Vanta⁠ continuously monitors your security posture and streamlines audits so you can win enterprise deals and build customer trust without the traditional overhead. Visit ⁠vanta.com/invest⁠.  ----- ⁠WorkOS⁠ is a developer platform that enables SaaS companies to quickly add enterprise features to their applications. Visit⁠⁠ ⁠WorkOS.com⁠⁠⁠ to transform your application into an enterprise-ready solution in minutes, not months. ----- ⁠Rogo⁠ is the AI platform for finance. They're building agents for Wall Street that are trained to understand how bankers and investors actually do work: from diligence and modeling, to turning analysis into deliverables. To learn more, visit rogo.ai/invest. ----- ⁠Ridgeline⁠ has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Visit⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ridgelineapps.com⁠. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). Timestamps: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:02:43) Intro: Dan Sundheim (00:03:58) The State of Public & Private Investing (00:07:32) Investing in OpenAI and Anthropic (00:10:22) LLMs Business Model (00:14:13) How LLMs are like Netflix and Spotify (00:17:08) Focus v. Scope (00:22:43) The Bear Case for Hyperscalers (00:26:36) The Software Sell-Off (00:31:08) If Scaling Laws Stopped (00:32:18) Advice to a 12-Year-Old Investor (00:33:54) GameStop: D1's Darkest Hour (00:37:14) The Pivotal Dinner with LPs (00:40:56) Staying Calm and Confident (00:42:08) Economic Optimism vs. Societal Uncertainty (00:44:26) Investing on SpaceX and Rivian (00:48:09) Why Dan Loves Shorting (00:48:51) Sources of Inefficiency in Today's Markets (00:51:45) The Importance of Loyalty (00:53:11) Dan's Group Chat for Founders (00:55:39) What Motivates Dan (00:57:28) Posting on Value Investors Club (01:01:46) What Dan Learned at Viking (01:04:22) The Beauty of Art (01:06:49) Under-appreciated Parts of the Global Economy (01:08:00) The US-China-Taiwan Collision Course (01:12:10) Good Leaders vs. Good Businesses (01:13:15) The Kindest Thing

This Week In Startups is made possible by:Caldera Lab - [calderalab.com/twist](https://calderalab.com/twist)Iru - [iru.com](http://Iru.com)LinkedIn Jobs - http://linkedin.com/twist*OpenClaw is incredible at automating tasks. But what if it could also fix your startup's internal communication problems? Give agents shared memory, and you may be able to break down information silos while ensuring that teammates have the same context.@oliverhenry and @jeffweisbein demo what they've actually built with OpenClaw, including marketing automations, agentic loops, and bug fixing tools. Then we dig into what agentic infrastructure means for how startups operate, and why traditional SaaS products need to quickly adapt for the agentic era.Oliver Henry: The creator of the ‘[Larry](https://clawhub.ai/OllieWazza/larry)' OpenClaw skill, and founder of [Larrybrain](https://www.larrybrain.com/)Jeff Weisbein: The Claw-pilled founder of [WizardRFP](https://www.wizardrfp.com/) and [WhoCoversIt](https://www.whocoversit.com/), who shared his OpenClaw framework [publicly](https://weisbe.in/openclaw) and built a [getting-started guide for the tool](https://github.com/jeffweisbein/openclaw-starter-kit)**Timestamps:** 00:00 Intro(00:01:43) Here's why you never ski alone in a blizzard!(00:04:22) Why everyone at LAUNCH is going to get their own Mac Mini and AI agent(00:08:06) “OpenClaw has changed my entire solo-preneur lifestyle.” — Jeff Weinstein of Hype Lab(00:09:06) Jason's urgent API message to Steve Huffman of Reddit(00:10:20) LinkedIn Jobs - Hire right, the first time. Post your first job and get $100 off towards your job post at https://LinkedIn.com/twist(00:15:12) Oliver shows us his Larry Skill to make viral TikTok content with zero human intervention(00:20:10) Iru - Iru unifies identity, endpoint security, and compliance into one platform. Book a demo at https://iru.com.(00:21:22) Why are platforms like TikTok still so hostile toward bots?(00:24:45) The shift from asking a chatbot how to do things, to just telling an agent to do things(00:26:05) How Oliver is training Larry to get better at its job(00:30:09) Caldera Lab - Whether you're starting fresh or upgrading your routine, Caldera Lab makes skincare simple and effective. Head to https://CalderaLab.com/TWIST and use TWIST at checkout for 20% off your first order.(00:32:47) Why making your agent more PROACTIVE is more important than automating everything(00:37:14) Why pull requests… just aren't really a thing any more.(00:39:40) How Jason is using his new AI assistant, “Roy,” to keep track of everything going on at his company(00:53:00) Is the SaaS crash actually rational after all?(00:51:48) Using AI to create “pools of excellence”(00:54:03) The more you integrate software into AI, the less valuable the software becomes(00:56:56) Why “Agentify Your SaaS” may become the rallying cry(00:58:31) How has the age verification scandal impacted Discord's IPO plans?(01:03:10) When you want to build your own skill vs. downloading someone else's(01:03:53) How Larrybrain finds helpful skills and helps creators monetize(01:08:32) When we will get true experts making verifiably top skills?(01:11:40) Jason's SCARY but also AWESOME new OpenClaw CEO tools(01:18:10) What does this mean for the future of venture capital?(01:18:35) Why a lot of MBAs should probably have PhD'sThank you to our partners:(30:09) Caldera Lab - Whether you're starting fresh or upgrading your routine, Caldera Lab makes skincare simple and effective. Head to [CalderaLab.com/TWIST](http://calderalab.com/TWIST) and use TWIST at checkout for 20% off your first order.(20:10) Iru - Iru unifies identity, endpoint security, and compliance into one platform. Book a demo at [iru.com](http://iru.com/).(10:20) LinkedIn Jobs - *Hire right, the first time. Post your first job and get $100 off towards your job post at* [LinkedIn.com/twist](http://linkedin.com/HiringProOffer)

Rob Walling is a godfather of the bootstrapped SaaS movement — he's started 6 companies (5 bootstrapped), built and sold Drip for 8 figures, and created the infrastructure behind MicroConf, TinySeed (which has raised nearly $60 million and invested in over 210 SaaS companies), and Startups for the Rest of Us (820+ episodes over 15 years). But here's what surprised me: Rob told me he's more of a creator these days than a software founder. The guy who built and sold an email marketing platform now gets his dopamine from podcasting, writing books, and making YouTube videos. And his experience on both sides gives him a perspective on the vibe coding trend that I think every creator needs to hear. In this episode, we get into the actual mechanics of how Rob runs his business — the team of 11 people, the $100,000-$120,000 monthly payroll, the four brands he wishes were two. We talk about how he eliminated stress from his life through therapy, hiring owner-level thinkers, and handing the project management to someone else entirely. And we have a real conversation about why vibe coding a SaaS product is probably not the opportunity you think it is — even if you have a big audience. This is part 1 of a 2-part episode; part 2 lives on Rob's podcast, Startups for the Rest of Us. → Rob Walling on Twitter/X → Rob Walling's YouTube Channel → Startups for the Rest of Us (Podcast) → MicroConf → TinySeed → Drip (Rob's 8-figure exit) → SavvyCal (co-founded by Derek Reimer) Full transcript and show notes *** TIMESTAMPS (00:24) Introduction — why Rob Walling is a unicorn in the bootstrapped SaaS world (02:40) Mapping the full Rob Walling business ecosystem: podcast, MicroConf, TinySeed, books, YouTube (05:15) How Producer Ron keeps the trains running on time across four brands (06:44) Inside the team of 11: roles, full-time commitment, and why Rob stopped hiring part-time (07:53) The psychology of making your first full-time hire (and Rob's 8-year wait for MicroConf) (09:33) Moving from task-level to project-level to owner-level thinkers (10:27) Four brands, two LLCs — the insurance story behind the split and why Rob wants to consolidate (12:18) Why Rob doesn't want his name on everything (and the legacy question) (14:41) Identity shifts: from SaaS founder to serial entrepreneur to content creator (16:31) The vibe coding reality check: why building SaaS is 10x harder than creating content (19:09) Why SaaS churn makes recurring revenue harder than it looks for creators (21:04) The construction analogy: tool sheds vs. skyscrapers and where vibe coding breaks down (24:53) Data from 234 investments: only 10-15% of successful SaaS companies lack a technical founder (27:00) The bigger opportunity for creators: equity partnerships instead of vibe coding (29:00) 'Build your network, not your audience' — why audiences plateau for SaaS growth (31:53) A week in Rob's life: deep work Mondays, advising Wednesdays, and the 329 TinySeed founders (34:00) How Rob eliminated stress: therapy, delegation, and giving up project management (38:46) Hiring for high-functioning: screening for 'Producer Ron'-level operators (41:21) The positive tension of deadline stress and why containers make you ship (43:09) Post-exit motivation: 6 months of comic books, guitar, and getting bored into purpose *** RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → ⁠#291: 48 Hours With Clawdbot: How I'm Using It and Initial Reactions *** ASK CREATOR SCIENCE → Submit your question here *** WHEN YOU'RE READY

Elad Gil was an early investor in 40 unicorns, including major AI companies like Perplexity. I asked him what's next for software companies now that AI can code better than humans, and what he'd invest in after AI. Elad Gil is the Founder & Investor at Gil Capital, his private investment firm. He has backed some of the most iconic technology companies of the past two decades, including Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase, Instacart, OpenAI, and SpaceX. A former executive at Twitter and Google, Elad is known for identifying major technology waves early — from social to SaaS to AI — and helping founders build category-defining companies. Sponsored byZapier More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

Bart Fanelli is the CEO and Co-founder of Skillibrium, an AI-driven revenue operating platform that aligns learning, execution, and coaching to help organizations scale high-performance revenue teams. With more than 25 years of revenue leadership experience, he has played key roles in scaling enterprise software companies, including Splunk, during a period of significant hypergrowth. He has worked with organizations from pre-IPO through post-IPO stages and is the co-author of The Success Cadence. Bart is recognized for building structured coaching frameworks that combine operational discipline with human-centered leadership. In this episode… Scaling high-performance revenue teams while keeping sales, customer success, and leadership aligned is challenging. Fragmented training, slow onboarding, and the Forgetting Curve weaken momentum. How can AI and structured coaching build a unified, continuously improving revenue engine? Bart Fanelli, a revenue operations leader and enterprise sales strategist, faced these challenges while scaling high-growth technology companies. With more than two decades of field and leadership experience, he has built repeatable systems that align sales, customer success, and executives around a shared cadence. Bart champions role-based playbooks and daily reinforcement within real workflows. He focuses on aligning "skill and will." He explains that consistent coaching rhythms and candid conversations drive accountability, adoption, and measurable growth. In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Bart Fanelli, CEO and Co-founder at Skillibrium, to discuss scaling revenue teams through AI and operational discipline. Bart shares the Magnificent Nine discovery framework and practical ways to beat the forgetting curve. He also explains how to build a coaching culture that sustains long-term growth.

Revolutionizing Compliance: Modernizing Inspection Workflows with Tim HarrisIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Tim Harris, the Chief Executive Officer of VirtuSpect, to explore how digital transformation is finally reaching the heavily regulated world of physical inspections. Tim shared how VirtuSpect is dismantling the traditional, slow-moving inspection model—particularly in the banking sector—by replacing manual third-party visits with a secure, automated SaaS platform. Their conversation dives into the critical intersection of speed and compliance, revealing how financial institutions and regulated enterprises can close loans faster and reduce operational overhead without compromising on security or regulatory rigor.Accelerating Efficiency: The Shift to Automated, Self-Guided InspectionsThe primary bottleneck in regulated industries has long been the reliance on manual, third-party inspections that can delay business cycles by several days or even weeks. Tim explains that the traditional "wait-and-see" approach, where an external inspector must be scheduled and dispatched, is being replaced by a guided, mobile-first experience that empowers internal staff or even business owners to complete the task themselves. By utilizing a secure mobile app that walks a non-expert through every required photo, video, and data point, VirtuSpect has seen turnaround times plummet from an average of five days to as little as 28 minutes. This radical shift in efficiency allows banks to move from inspection to loan closing in record time, significantly increasing interest income and enhancing the overall customer experience.Cost savings and scalability go hand-in-hand when an organization moves away from per-inspection travel fees and administrative bloat. Because the platform is built to handle thousands of requests per day, it allows enterprises to scale their operations without a linear increase in headcount or external vendor costs. Automated notifications and escalation triggers ensure that remediation steps are handled instantly, preventing human error from stalling a high-stakes audit or loan approval. For organizations conducting hundreds or thousands of inspections annually, this move toward productized, scalable workflows transforms a necessary administrative burden into a streamlined competitive advantage that can be deployed across various verticals.Beyond the immediate gains in speed, the platform is engineered to meet the stringent security and privacy demands of the financial and securities sectors. Every inspection performed through the system creates a comprehensive, encrypted audit trail that is far more robust than the fragmented email chains and physical files of the past. By collaborating with compliance experts to ensure that inspection criteria align with current regulations, VirtuSpect provides an enterprise-grade foundation that protects sensitive data both in transit and at rest. As the platform expands into branch audits, home office inspections, and asset management, it provides a unified source of truth that satisfies regulators while giving leadership real-time visibility into the health of their distributed assets.About Tim HarrisTim Harris is the Chief Executive Officer of VirtuSpect and a veteran leader in the technology space. A disciplined entrepreneur known for his rigorous personal routines—including a decade-long commitment to early-morning swimming—Tim applies a focus on technique and efficiency to help regulated industries modernize their most entrenched manual processes.About VirtuSpectVirtuSpect is a SaaS platform that provides automated inspection and remediation workflows for regulated industries, including banking, securities, and asset management. The company empowers...

AI test automation is evolving fast — but most tools still generate brittle code that breaks with every UI change. See it for yourself now: https://links.testguild.com/Thunders In this episode of the TestGuild Podcast, Joe Colantonio sits down with Karim Jouini, founder of Thunders, to explore a radically different approach to AI testing: executing test automation in plain English without generating Selenium or Playwright code. Instead of "auto-healing selectors," Thunders interprets natural language directly — allowing teams to: Ship twice as fast Achieve 10x test coverage with the same resources Reduce regression cycles from weeks to days Eliminate massive automation maintenance overhead Karim shares real-world case studies, including: A European bank that reduced a 3-year core banking upgrade testing effort to 4 months A SaaS company that transitioned from a traditional QA team to AI-assisted product-led testing We also discuss: Whether AI test agents replace QA roles How QA managers must shift from individual contributors to AI managers The risks of adopting AI without a defined success metric The future of shift-left testing in the AI era If you're a software tester, automation engineer, QA lead, or DevOps leader trying to understand what's hype versus real ROI in AI testing — this episode breaks it down. Try it for yourself and see how AI testing fits into your pipeline. Get personal demo: https://links.testguild.com/Thunders  

Databox is an easy-to-use Analytics Platform for growing businesses. We make it easy to centralize and view your entire company's marketing, sales, revenue, and product data in one place, so you always know how you're performing. Learn More About DataboxSubscribe to our newsletter for episode summaries, benchmark data, and moreScaling a company doesn't break because of a lack of ideas, but because instinct doesn't scale.In this episode of Move the Needle, Chris Savage (CEO & Co-Founder of Wistia) walks through the evolution from founder-driven decision-making to building a real operating system for scale.From choosing a single ICP when growth was already strong…- To installing a tri-annual planning cadence- To distributing ownership across teams- To using AI to compress execution cyclesThis is a masterclass in turning momentum into predictable growth. If you're a SaaS founder or GTM leader trying to scale without chaos, this episode is for you.

How do you know when you're no longer the right leader for your own company?After 15 years building Help Scout — shaping its culture, defining its values, and growing it into a successful SaaS business — Nick Francis faced that question himself.From the outside, it looked like the job of his dreams. But as the company scaled and took on venture capital, the expectations around growth began to shift. And Nick had to ask himself a question most founders don't say out loud: Was he still the right leader for Help Scout's next chapter?In this episode, Chris Savage talks with Nick about navigating that tension — between growth and craft, scale and vision — and how he ultimately chose to step aside when he realized the company needed something different.Links to Learn More: Follow Nick Francis on LinkedInFollow Savage on LinkedInSubscribe to Talking Too Loud on WistiaWatch on YouTubeFollow Talking Too Loud on InstagramFollow Talking Too Loud on TikTokLove what you heard? Leave us a review!On AppleOn Spotify

Send a textWhat if the loudest voice isn't the one people remember? We sit down with Chris Do—Emmy Award-winning designer, CEO of Blind, and founder of The Futur—to rethink how personal brands stand out when AI can churn out endless “average” content. Instead of chasing volume, Chris shows how clarity, restraint, and lived experience create the kind of mental real estate that algorithms can't manufacture.We unpack the risk of going omnichannel before you know your “why,” and why the path to quality runs through consistent reps, not perfectionism. Chris reframes social media as public journaling that documents your thinking, then explains how to copy in private to learn while avoiding public plagiarism that erodes credibility. From shelf design to SaaS landing pages, he breaks down taste as a business asset—how packaging, typography, and visual cues shape perceived value and price tolerance long before buyers read a word.Trust becomes the differentiator in a world of AI-generated media. Chris outlines the trust triangle—authenticity, empathy, and logic—and how to signal each through honest positioning, buyer-first recommendations, and clear reasoning. When a prospect says “AI can do it cheaper,” he pivots to outcomes and value-based pricing: define the delta you create and align incentives with shared risk. We also zoom out to disruption dynamics, tracing how Netflix jumped curves while incumbents clung to old models. AI is that next curve—learn to surf it or get pulled under.If you're a founder, marketer, or creator wrestling with voice, channels, pricing, or credibility, this conversation offers a practical playbook: speak softly but clearly, practice daily, train your taste, teach generously, and price the change you deliver. Subscribe, share this with a friend who's scaling their brand, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What single word do you want your brand to own?This episode was recorded through a Descript call on January 29, 2026. Read the blog article and show notes here: https://webdrie.net/chris-do-on-quiet-power-building-a-brand-without-noise..........................................................................Metricool is a new official podcast partner of Web3 CMO Stories in 2026. Metricool helps marketers and creators bring structure, clarity, and consistency to their social media workflows through analytics, planning, and reporting. Listeners can try Metricool Premium for free for 30 days using the coupon code JOERITry Metricool for FREE >>>Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you...........................................................................

Sam Altman has a lot of stuff to say about AI and let's just say comms needs to have a quiet word with him. SaaS may or may not be dead, but is the replacement vertical AI? And a big thought experiment. If the AI bulls are right and AI transforms the economy, what might that look like? Sam Altman Says Companies Are ‘AI Washing' Layoffs (Gizmodo) People Loved the Dot-Com Boom. The A.I. Boom, Not So Much. (NYTimes) Sam Altman would like to remind you that humans use a lot of energy, too (TechCrunch) Half the AI Agent Market Is One Category. The Rest Is Wide Open. (Garry's List) Google Restricts AI Ultra Subscribers Over OpenClaw OAuth, Days After Anthropic Ban (Implicator.ai) THE 2028 GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE CRISIS (Citrini Research) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices