Forward Thinking Founders

In this episode, I talk to Jack Forbes, CEO of PadPiper. Yes, you read that right. The name is a spin off of Silicon Valley “unicorn”, Pied Piper. PadPiper is a platform that helps you find a place to live in a new city, hooks you up with roommates, and helps you find places to hang out around town. Jack and I cover many topics on this episode, including but not limited to these topics:What is PadPiper?What differentiates you from Airbnb?What are some of the use cases for PadPiper?What generational forces at at play that allow PadPiper to exist? What is work integrated learning and why does it matter?What about mental health is important to founders and what does happiness mean in startup life?Startups Jack is betting on in the future to help create the futureTips Jack has for people wanting to build the futureAnd more!Learn more about Jack on LinkedIn here. Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

On this episode of Forward Thinking Founders, Mat Vogels, the CEO and Founder of Zestful comes onto the podcast. Zestful is a company that rethinks how startups offer company perks. In this episode, we go deep into:What is Zestful?What was the first version of Zestful?How did Mat get through the darkest times before Zestful found product market fitThoughts on how founders should handle adversity Rethinking the incentives of employees and how founders can be aware about what incentivizes their teamTips for listeners wanting to build something impacting the future Find Mat on Twitter @matvogels. Thanks for tuning in and we will catch you next week 👌 Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Today, I had the pleasure of talking to Cofounder and President of Postscript, Alex Beller. Postscript is like Mailchimp for SMS. In this episode, we go deep into several different areas. This includes, but isn’t limited to:What is Postscript?What does this team see in the SMS market that other don’t? What was their experience like in the recent batch of YC?We go into other sectors of the SMS market and the biggest gaps in itWe talk about what it’s like to build a remote teamWe get Alex’s top bets in startups that other’s haven’t heard of beforeWe get his advice on how to build the futureLearn more about Postscript here. Find Alex on Twitter here. Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this fantastic episode of Forward Thinking Founders, I interviewed Paul from Keeper Tax. Keeper Tax helps freelancers save as much as possible by maximizing the tax writeoffs they get. In this future of work certified episode, we talk about:-All about Keeper Tax - Why Keeper Tax needs to exist?-Why is the system rigged against freelancers?-What is the OS of the future of work?-What makes finance such a hard industry to build for- Tips on how to build the future Learn more about Keeper Tax here. Find Paul on twitter here. Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

It's such a fun time when i get to jam about a whole bunch of different tech topics with other smart people. Kashish is 100% one of these people. He's the founder of Carry, which is a travel planner software that lives in your Slack. Need to book a flight and get a hotel? Just ping Carry and it's done. Amazing! This conversation took us well past Carry, though. Some of the topics we covered are:- How to build trust within your product- Why trust is so important to compete in 2019- What does Kashish think about Libra, and how it will affect the travel industry - A deep dive into self driving cars and the brands that will lead the charge- A look into robots that can make food, and what that means in the future- Top companies he knows about that most people are sleeping on- AND SO MUCH MORE!!!!!You can find Kashish here: https://twitter.com/kashgupta_You can learn more about Carry here: https://carry.travel/ Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Wow, it was such an honor to talked to Nick Soman about his vision for Decent, the startup he founded and is leading. Decent helps self-employed people get health insurance. Nick is a former exec of growth at Gusto and is one of the nicest guys I've talked to! On the podcast, we cover: - What is Decent?- What shifts in regulation happened which opened up an opportunity for Decent?- Why is getting health insurance so dang hard for the self employed?- What does he think of Libra and it's implications on Decent and the whole industry. - How does he plan on using blockchain technology within Decent- Why does Nick do what he does- Why Nick things you should SAVE the world, not change it 🔥- What advice would you have for people aiming to change the world, just like you are?And many other questions!!!Nick can be found on Twitter here - https://twitter.com/nicksomanYou can learn more about Decent here - https://decent.com Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

My oh my, what a fantastic episode this was. I'm SUPER EXCITED to bring this episode with Isaac Morehouse, CEO of Crash.co, to you all. Isaac has to be one of the most knowledgeable people I know on the topic of work and education. Of the WIDE RANGE of topics we cover, some of the include:- What is Crash and is it comparable to Product Hunt?- What broke down in the system to have a need for Crash in the first place- Why Isaac wants to turn the job hunt into an "event"- How the degree has cheapened and how the thing taking its place is accessible to anyone- For kids skipping college, how do they get that social experience that college provides?- What freedom means to Isaac and why its important for him to help others to live free as well- He gives some killer advice on how to start building the future. - And much more!You can learn about Crash at https://www.crash.co and you can find Isaac on Twitter @isaacmorehouse. Until next time! Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

I had an awesome conversation with Cadran Cowansage, who is the cofounder and CEO of Elpha, an online community for women In tech. Elpha is going through the current YC batch. In today's enlightening episode, we dive into:- What is Elpha?- What problems does it address?- Is Elpha a movement more than a product? - How can founders can think about making sure there is equal representation among applicants?- What are the benefits and downsides of not having a diverse company?- Is the goal to have a 50/50 workforce or is it something else entirely? - How can male CEOs like myself be part of the solution?- What advice would you have for people aiming to change the world, just like you are?And many other questions!!! Cadran can be found on Twitter here - https://twitter.com/cadran_c You can learn more about Elpha here - https://elpha.com/ Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Today, I got the pleasure of talking to Daniel Gross. Daniel is one of the smartest people I know of and you'll likely agree by the end of the podcast. Daniel is the founder of Pioneer.app, former Y Combinator Partner, former director of AI at Apple, and it all started with his first startup, Cue. In today's episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:- What is Pioneer?- What has he learned about people since starting pioneer (and how does it affect product decisions)- What does he want Pioneer to be?- Is Pioneer a game? Why?- Is Pioneer starting a new way to develop games?- How big could Pioneer get?- Why did he start working on Pioneer?- Why Yellow?- Does he plan on implementing VR and AR into Pioneer - The best advice for changing the world that i've ever head at the very end. Daniel can be found on Twitter @danielgross and you can learn more about Pioneer at www.pioneer.app. Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Today, we had a very insightful conversation with Kristen, who is the COO and Cofounder of Catch. Catch is the company that provides benefits to people who don't get benefits from their employer. Today we dive into all types of topics and answer questions, including but not limited to:What is Catch?What types of people need Catch?Is Catch like Gusto for contractors? What is the "employment stack" and how is it changing?What role does lifelong learning play in the future?Why do millennials change jobs so often?What benefits does Catch have in the Pipeline?Who else is building the future other than CatchDoes being a contrarian help you build the future?And more!Catch can be found at www.catch.co and Kristen can be found on Twitter @Kristentyrell. I hope you enjoy this episode. If you do, share it with a friend or two 🙌 Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

This is was an awesome conversation with Shaan Hathiramani about the future of education. Shaan is the CEO of Flockjay, the school that teaches you sales and helps get you job. Did I mention that you only pay once you get a job? Amazing. In this episode, we dive into:What is Flockjay?How do they fund the education ?The role of ISAs(income share agreements) in the futureThe stats of college success stories (or lack thereof)Making the case for traditional collegeAn analysis into student debtA look into longevity and elder-techWhat the future of K-8 looks likeAnd much more!Learn more about Flockjay here ---> https://flockjay.com/ Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

This week, I jammed with Alex Bouazi, the CEO of Deel. Deel is a product that helps companies pay their freelancers in one click. They also handle compliance, which most remote companies aren't thinking about right now. In this episode, Alex and I talk about:- All about Deel- The process of payments and compliance in the future of work?- Dive into the mission of Deel- How crypto ties into the future of work - What does the future of work 20 years from now look like?- How people like Alexis Ohanian and Austen Allred are becoming role models- And many more topics!!!I hope you enjoy this episode of Forward Thinking Founders Learn more about Deel at www.letsdeel.comGet on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Today, I talked to the founder and CEO of Curious Fictions. Curious fictions is a way to discover new authors and readers who enjoying writing or consuming fiction. What is Curious Fictions?The role of AI in the creative processUniversal basic income and single payer healthcareWhy every company will turn into a tech companyAutomation vs. augmentationThe value of "eyeballs" on the internetAnd many more topics!!!I hope you enjoy this episode of Forward Thinking Founders Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Today, we have Leah Culver, who is the cofounder and CTO of Breaker AND one of the authors of Oauth. Breaker is the best social podcasting app on the internet. Today on the podcast, we talk abut:What is Breaker?The future of audio and podcastingThinking about car ownershipCity living and transportations options Health and fitness options Is Peloton the future?Airpod APIsHow to get started building the future+ Much more!!!! I hope you enjoy this podcast episode of Forward Thinking Founders! Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, I am VERY excited to have on Austen Allred, CEO of Lambda School. In this action packed 25 minute conversation, we cover a lot of ground. Some of the questions Austen answers are:- What is Lambda School?- What is an ISA and how it affects education in the future?- What do you tell anxious parents when they heart about Lambda School and their kid not wanting to go down the traditional path?- Do you see yourself as an investor?- What advice would you have to people building the Lambda School for for X.- Why did you partner with Pioneer? - What synergies do you and Daniel Gross have?- How can anyone start to build the future, just like you are doing?- And plenty more!!!!You can find Austen on Twitter @Austen and learn more about Lambda School at LambdaSchoo.com. Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode with the insightful and thoughtful Laura Behrens Wu, CEO of Shippo, we talk about a varsity of far ranging topics. A few of them include:- The future of Logistics and Shipping- The evolution of a startup CEO- The API Economy- Machine/brain interfaces - The impact of Sci Fi Novels- Black Mirrors Bandersnatch and that type CYOA entertainment avenues- AND SO MUCH MOREI hope you enjoy the episode! Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this insightful episode with the Jonathon Barkl, CEO and co-founder of AirGarage, a parking operating company built for the 21st century. In this episode, we talk about:- The difference between Phoenix and SF- Parking operating software- The future of real estate- Scooters and other forms of transportation- How education will evolve into a an Uber model- The future of hospitals - And more!! 🚀🚀🚀I hope you enjoy the episode! Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

Today, we talk with Cooper Harris (CEO of Klickly) about the future of online shopping, AI, education, the sharing economy, and more! Listen into this insightful conversation from one of the smartest (and nicest) people i've ever talked to. I hope you enjoy :) Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In this awesome episode with Andrew, we talk about his company, Papa, which he explains as Grandkids on demand. He wants to reimagine how elder care and general care is delivered...and he's starting with college students. Other than Papa, we dive into:- The future of healthcare and how Papa plays a role in that- How Apple is a leader in healthcare- How companies like BOOM Supersonic are reimagining transportation- How any person can get started on building the future Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★

In the episode, we talk about everything from the future of work to different models of healthcare for freelance workers. I'm excited to bring you this awesome episode of Forward Thinking w/ Mat Sherman. Get on the email list at forwardthinking.substack.com ★ Support this podcast ★