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2.5 years ago, I started a podcast from my bedroom in Phoenix, Arizona. 700 episodes later, I am now a different person, with a different circle, on a steeper slope. Here are 10 lessons I've learned from 10 of my former guests from Forward Thinking Founders.
1. @StaceyFerreira
Stacey was my first ever guest. She is beyond successful and I never thought she would say yes to the interview. But she did, I enjoyed the conversation, and I kept going.
Lesson: Make the ask, it could lead to something bigger, and the worst they say is no.
Stacey was my first ever guest. She is beyond successful and I never thought she would say yes to the interview. But she did, I enjoyed the conversation, and I kept going.
Lesson: Make the ask, it could lead to something bigger, and the worst they say is no.
2. @Austen
I recorded the interview with Austen at Lambda School HQ and he was so welcoming and calmed me down a bit when I was nervous. He wanted me to make the most out of the time I got with him.
Lesson: Successful people want you to win
I recorded the interview with Austen at Lambda School HQ and he was so welcoming and calmed me down a bit when I was nervous. He wanted me to make the most out of the time I got with him.
Lesson: Successful people want you to win
3. @CatchKristen
I interviewed Kristen after I was already a paying user and evangelist of Catch. I thought this company was untouchable. But as I was chatting with her, I was floored by how personable she was.
Lesson: Meet your hero's, they're likely cooler than you think.
I interviewed Kristen after I was already a paying user and evangelist of Catch. I thought this company was untouchable. But as I was chatting with her, I was floored by how personable she was.
Lesson: Meet your hero's, they're likely cooler than you think.
4. @m_rlons
Marlon came onto the interview with so much energy and enthusiasm. Even though @askimpulse was just a seedling, it was clear that the leader behind it was a missionary and will will it into existence.
Lesson: When you meet a missionary, you know.
Marlon came onto the interview with so much energy and enthusiasm. Even though @askimpulse was just a seedling, it was clear that the leader behind it was a missionary and will will it into existence.
Lesson: When you meet a missionary, you know.
5. @rajivayyangar
We interviewed Rajiv right after Tandem's massive a16z funding round right after YC. I was nervous. When we chatted, we forgot about the press and really everything and just jammed as founders.
Lesson: There is nothing like a founder to founder connection.
We interviewed Rajiv right after Tandem's massive a16z funding round right after YC. I was nervous. When we chatted, we forgot about the press and really everything and just jammed as founders.
Lesson: There is nothing like a founder to founder connection.
6. @JuliaEnthoven
Julia is a founder who simply knows her shit. She has swagger, is extremely nice, but willing to take strong and unpopular stances when needed. And she's built a killer product that will create lots of value
Lesson: When you meet a leader, you know.
Julia is a founder who simply knows her shit. She has swagger, is extremely nice, but willing to take strong and unpopular stances when needed. And she's built a killer product that will create lots of value
Lesson: When you meet a leader, you know.
7. @jbrowder1
When I was in SF a year or two ago, I tweeted out that I wanted to kill a few hours. Josh responded and we met at his office and chatted. Josh motherfucking Browder! It was surreal for me.
Lesson: You are an outsider until you are reminded that aren't.
When I was in SF a year or two ago, I tweeted out that I wanted to kill a few hours. Josh responded and we met at his office and chatted. Josh motherfucking Browder! It was surreal for me.
Lesson: You are an outsider until you are reminded that aren't.
8. @leanthebean
Elena loves crypto. And it shows. We chatted before + after the podcast about all things startups and crypto, but she explained things to me in layman's terms. Talking to her about the industry was so simple.
Lesson: When you meet a expert, you know.
Elena loves crypto. And it shows. We chatted before + after the podcast about all things startups and crypto, but she explained things to me in layman's terms. Talking to her about the industry was so simple.
Lesson: When you meet a expert, you know.
9. @davegoldblatt
I interviewed him one day, the next day we were drinking beers after a FTF meetup, the next day you were my investor. And it felt like it very happened organically.
Lesson: When you meet someone online, make it IRL.
I interviewed him one day, the next day we were drinking beers after a FTF meetup, the next day you were my investor. And it felt like it very happened organically.
Lesson: When you meet someone online, make it IRL.
10. @themehakvohra
When I was first getting into startups, Mehak was internet famous in my view. She had a massive FB group and just seemed so legendary. After chatting with her on the pod, I realized this is just what founders do.
Lesson: When you meet a founder, you know.
When I was first getting into startups, Mehak was internet famous in my view. She had a massive FB group and just seemed so legendary. After chatting with her on the pod, I realized this is just what founders do.
Lesson: When you meet a founder, you know.
I launched a product today to help more people build the relationships and get similar insights that I have gotten from my podcast. It's called @seedscout. The more people that get these types of insights, the better off the world will be.
If you feel stuck as an outsider, I am hoping that Seedscout can be your ticket, just like my podcast was for me. We launched on Product Hunt today. I encourage you to check us out and visit the website to sign up if you are compelled. Thanks for reading! https://www.producthunt.com/posts/seedscout
