Crazy Wisdom

Josh and I have a conversation about the latest in AI research and he gives me the breakdown on what is Unsupervised learning and what is Supervised learning. This would be a good one to listen to if you fear the AI apocalypse (doesn't seem likely). Follow Josh here: https://twitter.com/josh_tobin_

Jani and I talk about how his company helps people in India who don't speak English leverage the internet to reach their goals. This is one of the episodes of the series I'm doing on the rise of innovation outside of Silicon Valley. This company is particularly interesting for me because there are linguistic borders to the internet and Lokal is breaking them down for people who don't speak English in India. There are a lot of languages in India. I'm trying to do the same with my podcast with the languages of Spanish, Portuguese, and French and will soon be publishing those episodes on other channels. Follow Jani here: https://twitter.com/Janipasha_138

Mark works with innovation and technology at Innovation Lab. We talk about a lot of science related stuff including: Flying Cars How you can't have both innovation and risk aversion Bioinformatics Modularity interoperability Biohacking spaces Lacoperon Check out Mark's Website: Marsbound.com

We talk all things culture and how culture spreads from place to place. We talk about how burning man culture is changing the culture of Singapore. We also talk about the differences and similarities between the culture of Silicon Valley (where I grew up) and Singapore. There are also some tidbits in here for anyone who wants to thrive in the stressful era we might be entering. Follow Visa here: https://twitter.com/visakanv

She is the author of “Restoring Prana - A therapeutic guide to pranayama and healing through the breath. We talk about the connection between breath, posture, and voice. We also talk about the relationship between the breath and the nervous system You can find more info on Robin's website here: https://essentialyogatherapy.com/about

We talk about information asymmetry and what it means and how it shows up in our lives. Check out Huan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HuanWin

I talked with Mike about: narratives and why one wins and another one loses narratives in China the demonization of technology through sci fi since the invention of the nuclear bomb 24 hour online ideological warfare how religion never really went away, it just changed. Find Mike on twitter @micsolana

Marco is like the Batman of entrepreneurship. No one knows of him in Silicon Valley but the guy has created like 6 companies that are all growing like crazy. Biggest takeaway: Business is the process of creating structure out of chaos. Money serves as the truth validator of the entire process. No business without money. Solve someone's problem and you have created structure out of chaos. Turn it into a system & get paid = Business Find Marco on Quora where he writes a lot about entrepreneurship https://www.quora.com/profile/Marco-Fuxa-1

Mimi Young is a shamanic practitioner and founder of Ceremonie, a shamanic and ritual-based brand focusing on in-person and online shamanic education, Remote Shamanic Readings, and an aura + skincare line that is made in ceremony. Mimi works with a blend of modalities including core shamanism and botanical healing, hedge magick, and Chinese shamanic modalities, with a focus on integrating the subconscious with the conscious, past lives work, divination, dream work, ancestral healing, and divine feminine reawakening. Mimi lives in the west coast of Canada with her partner and their two boys and is also a neurofeedback practitioner and owner of Open Minds Performance, a personal optimization business using neurofeedback to enhance peak performance, release blocks, expand consciousness, and build resilience within the brain. Ceremonie: https://shopceremonie.com/ @shopceremonie Open Minds Performance: https://www.openmindsperformance.com/ @openmindsperformance

We talked about how philosophy can help us do better business. We covered the following questions: What are the most important questions to ask yourself while starting a company? What is the most important thing to know about hypergrowth? Follow Kulveer here: https://twitter.com/kul Find out more about Zeus Living: https://zeusliving.com/

We recorded this episode right after Jeff started working at Lambda school doing growth. Jeff has a lot of insight into how remote works and how it doesn't. He also has a lot to add about how to think about investing in remote companies as well as companies in general. It was also very interesting to hear how Jeff broke into tech as well by making a move to Kansas City in response to a tweet! Find Jeff on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jmj And Chapter One Ventures: http://www.chapterone.vc/

My friend Ruben talks about how he helps people connect with the people around them. I have learned a lot from Ruben about how to start a conversation with someone I don't know and it really has had profound effects on my life and I don't have that much social anxiety anymore (also because I've been doing this podcast) If you want to find out more about how to break down your barriers towards expressing yourself authentically check out this episode. Find out more about Ruben's work here: https://www.socialanimal.us/hello

You will like this episode if you are interested in Advaita Vedanta Non Dual philosophy or if you have a meditation practice. If you aren't interested in those things then this one might not have to much value for you but if you have even a hint of interest in these things then you will want to watch this. If anything doesn't makes sense please feel free to ask and I can explain or show more. I take pride in my ability to spot talented and articulate people before the mainstream and I can promise you that Priya is one of the most articulate people I have found when it comes to this.

Here are a few questions which we discussed: What is the difference between writing for your business and writing for yourself? What is the relationship between imagination and writing? How do they intersect? What is the difference between desire and craving? Is writing thinking? How does the idea of human exceptionalism limit our understanding of intelligence? How can confusion be an answer? Find Rachel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DidYouWriteThat Find Holloway: https://www.holloway.com/

If you remember the interview I did with Ian Livingstone last thursday about starting companies outside of Silicon Valley, this is actually the episode that got me on to the trail of Ian and his company Dropout Labs. Boris basically helps me map out the entire global ecosystem for startups and where its headed particularly from the investment angle. Find Boris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bwertz Find Version One: https://versionone.vc/

We talked about the following questions: What is unique about Africa when it comes to merging of technology, culture and capital? How can individual Africans find role models to model after colonization destroyed the local culture and imposed a different language? How does Nigeria show that the brand of being scammers is only representative of a small part of the population? Also we mapped the startup ecosystem in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and a few other places. Africa has a lot of things going on in a lot of countries so might take a few more episodes to get all of it on here. Follow Wiza here: https://twitter.com/wizaj

You will like this episode if you are into machine learning, remote work, the rise of entrepreneurship around the world, secure computation, video games and their role in startup creation. Another good question we came up with was: Can the journey from 0 to 1 be done remotely?

We talk about the rise of startups outside of silicon valley. Also about the interactions between large companies and startups and how their relationships have evolved over the past 10 years. You will like this one if you want a snapshot into high technology, the replication crisis in science and some of the reasons behind it, or if you are really interested in global business. Find Torsten here on Twitter: https://twitter.com/tkolind If you are a startup looking for opportunities check out YouNoodle: https://younoodle.com/

We talk about the limitations of video for learning and what works best. We talk about the difference between implicit, explicit, and experiential forms of learning. We talk about neuroscience and how the brain works and learns. Find Hossein on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hnivi Find Pendaran: https://www.pendaran.com/

We talk about the following questions: Was Sales the first tech job to go remote? When do you know when to meet someone in person or whether the conversation can be done remotely? How does bias show up when tech companies recruit salespeople? How did Shaan go from mathematics to becoming an expert in sales? Find Shaan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaanh Checkout Flockjay: https://flockjay.com/

We try to get at this question: How can we incentivize the truth? Is this possible? We also talk about the rise of the personal computing industry and Robin's role in that. Check out Robin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/robinr Check out more about Living in Digital Times and their event at CES: https://livingindigitaltimes.com/

More question that we talk about: What happens when you build a product with an expectation of what will happen and then something entirely different happens? Is San Francisco losing its soul? Is its soul becoming distributed? Dhru on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dhrupadkarwa HaikuJAM: http://haikujam.com Dhru shares HaikuJAM on TEDx: https://youtu.be/XzB0KwWsT5g

We cover these questions: What is the difference between a pitch and telling a story? How do you confidently broadcast your values while remaining curious and open-minded? What is the current state of technology production in the greater midwest? How important is it for founders to build real relationships with investors? Should founders assume that building a business will be a bumpy road? Can you build a startup ecosystem using virtual/online resources? Follow John here: https://twitter.com/johnfein If you are a founder and want more info on Firebrand: https://www.firebrandvc.com/

We talk about Stephen's long history in computation and the really big questions that we need to answer as a civilization to come into a more harmonious balance with the machines we are creating. Get Stephen's Book here: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Computational-Explorer-Stephen-Wolfram/dp/1579550266 We discuss the following questions: Where is the age of computation leading us to? Why did we stop innovating in terms of atoms and go into the innovation of bits? To what extent has technology changed the nature of the human condition? What is the key attribute for a strong or powerful human in the age of computation? What is the temporality of ethics?

We talk about the future of work, the joy of dancing and how to think about living a healthy life while also building a company. Follow @StaceyFerreira and Check out: https://www.joinforge.com/

I sit down with @dthorson and we talk about where civilization is headed and how we can help support it. You will like this episode if you are into civilization design, intentional living, how to be a human, and much more.

I sit down with Preethi Kasireddy from Trustory and we talk about the importance of debate for a shared understanding of the truth. Find more about Preethi here: https://twitter.com/iam_preethi Find more about Trustory here: https://www.trustory.io/

Here are the questions we discuss in this episode: How do you tell your investors that you have "terminal" cancer? How do continue to run a company? How do you find your north star either as an individual or for your company? What is the difference between creativity in the business sense and in the artistic sense? Find more on Michael here: https://twitter.com/M_A_FitzGerald Find more on Submittable here: https://www.submittable.com/

This is a special episode where I sit down with Henri Meijer, my business counselor, and we talk about how team-leads and managers can build better processes so that the company can flow more harmoniously and be more effective.

I sit down with Emily Webb the founder of Mission Fusion to talk about dance, martial arts (krav maga), emotions, pain, trauma, innovation in dance, how dance makes us healthier and a lot more. https://www.missionfusion.com/private-lessons

You will like this episode if you are interested in the philosophy behind Bitcoin, centralization, and decentralization, as well as some information about stress and identity politics. Check out more about Dan here: https://twitter.com/DHannum8

Mike drops some magical life wisdom about how to find what's real: On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSlavin

I sit down with Mike Dudas to talk about the current state of Crypto. You will like this episode if you have an interest in crypto, the state of crypto in Asia, and how to build companies. Find more info on Mike here: https://www.theblockcrypto.com/ and here: https://twitter.com/mdudas

I sit down with Mark and we talk about his powerful meditation experience which happened only a few weeks before we started recording and he hasn't talked to anyone about since it happened. We also talk about rationality, awareness, business, identity politics, the future state of the US and a lot more. Find Mark on Twitter @WilliamsonMark

We talk about the mathematics of pain and pleasure. Lots here if you want to understand the science of bliss without the dogma that comes from the traditional understanding of pleasure and pain. Wireheading Done Right: https://qualiacomputing.com/2016/08/20/wireheading_done_right/ The Neuroscience of Meditation: https://opentheory.net/2018/12/the-neuroscience-of-meditation/ Glossary: https://qualiacomputing.com/2019/08/21/glossary-of-qualia-research-institute-terms/

I go back to my family roots and talk to Nathaniel about the current state of geopolitics and how technology interacts with it. Nathaniel is an expert in this subject and lectures at the Yale Jackson Institute of Global Affairs.

I sit down with JT and talk about bodyweight strength and how to get stronger in all realms of life using stress.

I interview my uncle Joe about his over 30 years taking a company from idea to IPO. There is a lot of valuable wisdom here if you are seriously starting a company or have already done so.

Third episode I've done with Kapil. This one is hard to publish and I've kept all silences. Subscribe if you like it.

I talk to Shuang about many things including her experience with Beatsaber, conciousness, VR and much more!

He's a neurobiologist from Stanford that I found at Family Fish camp! He studies fish brains and has a lot of insight into the human condition.

I interview Shar about her business Bohoing and much more including dance, consciousness, and how to live a good life.

I go deep into David's theory of Modia and Mundia and how they relate to each other and explain social behavior.

Steve Schlafman (@schlaf), based in NYC, is a seed-stage investor and leadership Coach at Primary Ventures. Here, he shares his experience of chronic pain, how it prevented him from starting his own podcast, and the ways in which he explores creativity in his life. Check out Steve's blog at https://www.schlaf.me/ In today's episode, we mention: Chronic pain + the science behind it Industries, and their ecosystems Meditation, Yoga, and Chakra NYC, and the fly-wheel effect 10-Day Vipassana Retreat Mind-body techniques Surgery, and stress Inner Resources Hypnotherapy Psychedelics Breathwork Coaching Creativity Anxiety Focus Timeline of our conversation: (04:24) Steve's experience with chronic pain (08:05) Different types of pain reception (09:23) What did Steve learn with a 10-Day Vipassana retreat? (14:30) Dealing with stress: Steve's (serious) cycling accident (23:12) The untapped potential of ancient mind-body techniques (32:38) Struggles and Lessons that Steve's gone through with stress (39:56) Steve, on Creativity: what is he most excited about creating? (45:54) NYC: Startup Ecosystem, and Culture (51:29) Steve's timeless one piece of advice Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with your friends and family!

Maia Bittner (@maiab), co-founder @Pinch and @Rocksbox, is a startup advisor and investor, as well as an alumna at Olin College of Engineering. Currently based in San Francisco, she likes "drinking dirty chais, making web sites, and climbing rocks". In this episode, you'll hear us talk about: How to Negotiate Your Rent (yes, you heard that right!) Entrepreneurship: from kid to adult Social Media, and Vulnerability Self-worth and Independence Business, and Hustle Culture Uncertainty and Risk-taking Death and Decision-making Asymmetric Opportunities Traveling, and Adaptation Ambition, and hard-work Remote, office, or both? NYC, and its culture Imposter Syndrome Start-up loneliness Community in SF Planning Timeline: (02:31) How is the community of SF changing? Ambition and incentives. (05:18) Seizing opportunities: how did Maia learn business? (08:32) Traveling, Negotiation, and Sales (13:46) What challenge is Maia currently struggling with? (15:59) Death or Future Self: two methods for better decision-making (19:03) Scheduling: to plan or not to plan (22:06) Work virtually, Live personally (27:35) Maia's social life: how do you live anonymously? (38:22) What sets the Olin College of Engineering apart from others? (41:25) What was the greatest challenge about starting two companies? (45:36) The biggest lesson that Maia has recently learned (48:12) Social skills, and social media; Closing thoughts Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with friends and family!

I sit down with Georg Baunach of Hatch Ventures to talk more about how to invest in ocean technologies.

In today's episode I invite two of my best friends, Eric Levin (@ericrius1) and Eric Fisher, for a laid-back and entertaining conversation. Having previously worked at Facebook, Fisher is currently a character coach and social designer at MiNDFUL iMPROV. Levin is a VR developer who experiments with art, meditation, and yoga in his work. In this episode, we discuss: VR, AR, and Technology Meditation, and Yoga Creativity and Business Job automation, and AI Skepticism, and Beliefs Freedom in Tech, Science and Truth Globalization The Age of Acceleration Limitations of language Psychedelics, Spirituality and Therapy Consciousness, Awareness and Attention Being vs. Becoming, and Flow Socialization and Improv Society and Culture Timeline: (02:43) Who is Eric Levin? (04:17) Keeping Creative integrity in business (06:58) Job automation, and creativity: will AI replace humanity? (10:03) Designing digital spaces within a capitalist society (13:17) Spirituality: Skepticism to Belief (17:54) Creating Tech that serves Freedom, not Capitalism (21:29) Are we entering the Age of Acceleration? (29:05) Can work be a place of therapy? (33:02) Ayahuasca, and other flow-inducing plants (38:28) Flow: Being, or Becoming (42:30) What is Improv: closing thoughts Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with friends and family!

Having previously developed Postmark as well as Beanstalk, entrepreneur Natalie Nagele (@natalienagele) joins me for a light-hearted, honest and open conversation about the process of building Wildbit, a fully self-funded, hybrid software company. In this episode, we mention: Deep work Leadership in business Loneliness in remote work Hard work vs. Smart work Fundraising and profitability Meditation and mental clarity Building a meaningful business Remote work, in the early days Values, and their constant evolution Productivity software that can do more harm than good Timeline: (04:57) What is Wildbit? How did it start off? (09:32) Pioneering remote work: Pros and Cons (17:24) Slack, and anxiety: the effects of micro-managing expectations (22:58) Remote work: how big of an issue is loneliness? (26:17) Which should you do: work hard or smart? (32:13) Fundraising, VC control, and Profits (37:01) Meditation: Natalie's practice, and company culture (43:50) How is writing therapeutic? (46:47) How procrastination obstructs your mental space (50:11) 'Trillion Dolar Coach', and the lost secret of leadership (55:50) Technological innovation: what is next? Please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with friends and family!

After the last two episodes of setting up the exact problems we are facing with our oceans, I interview Bren Smith of Green Wave about his insightful company and what they are doing in order to provide protein to the world with low environmental impact.

Andreas Klinger (@andreasklinger), currently Head of Remote at AngelList, is a product-centric startup founder. Previous to AngelList, Andreas was founding team member and CTO at ProductHunt, as well as VP of Engineering at CoinList. In this episode, we discuss: Remote-work! Benefits of traveling while working The phenomenon of globalization Product ideas for remote teams Uploading our consciousness Andreas' meaning for life Innovation and sci-fi The spirituality trap Job automation Timeline: (04:35) What is Andreas' notion of spirituality? (10:30) Andreas' meaning for life (14:40) Globalization, and decentralized cultures (19:40) The inevitability of remote work (23:15) Consciousness, computers and the 'Bobiverse' (29:15) Technological evolution: are we living in a sci-fi scenario? (30:10) Remote work: from hype to banal (38:15) Market solutions for the upcoming demands of remote work (43:50) Slow travel: how you can make the most of remote work (50:45) Striking a balance between in-person and remote work (54:00) The trap that Silicon Valley has fallen for (01:00:03) Jet-lag: how do you deal with it? If you've made it all the way down here, please support us by subscribing and leaving a rating + review on Apple Podcasts. You can also help spread the word by sharing this episode with friends, family or just about anyone who'd find it interesting. Thank you.