It’s SF Tech Week, and there’s lots of AI news - surprise! We talk about why OpenAI’s less polished DevDay meets the moment, reflect on the Sora 2 launch, and give Anthropic props for a well executed coffee shop pop-up. Inspired by Anthropic, we go deep on challenger brands and why the #2 spot is more enviable than you might think. Startups, it’s time to embrace your David era.
Mercury is back as the headline sponsor for season three! Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.
This podcast is edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.
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45:04
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45:04
Too late to AI proof your career?
This week on Great Chat, we explore how to AI proof your career. We reflect on what our younger selves would do differently today, and share advice for college students navigating a rapidly changing job market shaped by AI. We also react to OpenAI’s new Sora app, Meta’s Vibes launch, and the claim that “triple, triple, double, double" startup growth is a thing of the past.
Mercury is back as the headline sponsor for season three! Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.
This podcast is edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.
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44:09
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44:09
The state of tech media (fact check not included)
This week, we asked a longtime friend and favorite tech journalist to join the chat: Casey Newton of Platformer and Hard Fork fame! We dig into the tech media landscape: The rise of podcasts and newsletters as formats of choice, “going direct” as a viable strategy for getting reporters’ attention, and why some startup PR agencies might be kinda screwed. We also break down Anthropic’s $1.5B class action settlement and its implications for AI training and fair use, as well as Anthropic’s do-gooder image.
Mercury is back as the headline sponsor for season two! Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.
This podcast is edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.
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39:46
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39:46
The art of quitting
This week on Great Chat, we talk about knowing when to walk away. We share our own stories of leaving at the peak of our careers to enter new industries, and unpack recent departures from Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Suhail Doshi, as well as the great returns of Ryan Peterson at Flexport and Ty Haney at Outdoor Voices. We also add perspective on the "996" culture and explore how Anguilla is making $$$ from the AI boom.
Mercury is back as the headline sponsor for season two! Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.
This podcast is edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.
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37:51
Are startups a young person’s game?
This week, we tackle a taboo topic: age. Is it harder than ever for young people to break into tech, or does it just feel that way? What does career longevity look like, especially for people who don’t hit escape velocity in their 20s? Also: we grapple with Serena Williams' Ro partnership, fantasize about the Meta and Midjourney licensing discussions, and plot a Great Chat Camp for Burning Man 2026.
Mercury is back as the headline sponsor for season two! Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided through Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.
This podcast is edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm.
Colombia