EPISODE 24

A special “best of” highlight reel from our first 20 episodes: we reframe luck as reps and compounding, warn founders about burnout’s hidden interest, and show how AI can supercharge solo building without replacing your voice. We dig into making clear asks and saying “no” to protect focus, why empathy is the real product moat, and how durable edges come from hardware + proprietary data and real-world feedback. You’ll hear scrappy GTM plays (like sub-50 sq ft kiosks and Kickstarter’s customer collision), safety-first execution from nuclear to drones, pre-LLM agents, the 80/20 (AI/human) rule for content, and why creators should monetize ownership—not just virality.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Manufactured luck & the burnout tax05:04 – Empathy is the moat (AI changes jobs)09:49 – Safety & simplicity: nuclear-ready drones13:52 – Fail-forward roadmaps (hypotheses over hype)16:18 – AI 80/20 and the creator long tail

LINKS

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EPISODE 23

In this episode of Founder Mode, John Hancock joins us to break down the gap between startup hype and reality. From building Stonks—the largest angel syndication platform on AngelList—to walking away when the mission no longer fit, John shares what he’s learned about fundraising, pivots, and rebuilding with first principles. He introduces Validate, a tool designed to help founders and “idea people” kill bad ideas fast before wasting time or money, and explains why most AI features are “better shoes, not wings.” The conversation dives into validating ideas, writing as a way to sharpen thinking, and the most common founder mistake—stopping customer conversations. John closes with the raw truth: most people shouldn’t be founders, and that’s okay.

CHAPTERS

00:36 – The hype fades: AI as leverage + anyone-can-build moment

07:42 – From Stonks to walking away: the pivot and why it didn’t fit

10:31 – Validate: kill bad ideas fast (landing pages, plans, comps)

13:46 – Don’t bolt on AI no one wants (“better shoes, not wings”)

27:07 – The uncomfortable truth about being a founder

LINKS

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vldt.ai • X/Twitter

Special Offer

Email john.hancock@hey.com to get Validate free forever. John is offering this exclusive deal to Founder Mode listeners—validate your ideas quickly, save time, and avoid building what no one wants.

Cool Thing

Jason’s vibe-coded app

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EPISODE 22

In this episode of Founder Mode, Anurag Agarwalla shares his journey from leading fast-moving engineering teams at Uber to building hpy, an AI-powered platform designed to support therapists and patients in achieving better outcomes. He explains why emotional systems matter as much as technical ones, how to design for happiness without burning out, and why privacy and empathy must be foundational in mental health tech. The conversation dives into emotional intelligence, daily habits, and how AI can serve as a companion tool without replacing the human connection at the core of therapy.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – From Uber to building for happiness

05:12 – Healing the healer: AI for therapists

09:27 – Privacy and ethics in mental health tech

14:06 – Designing systems for happiness and balance

23:37 – Building tools for healthier habits

LINKS

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thinkhpy.com • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

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Special Offer

Do you go to therapy? Your next therapy session is on us. With hpy, we help clinicians help YOU reach your goals faster with better outcomes, tracking and progress. Introduce us to your therapist and if they sign up for hpy, your next session is on us. Email sales@thinkhpy.com to get started and mention Founder Mode. Are you a mental health professional and want to automate all of your admin? With hpy Pro, the first AI assistant designed specially for therapy, save up to 20 hours a week. We’re offering Founder Mode listeners an exclusive—refer a colleague and get an entire YEAR of hpy Pro free. To get registered, email sales@thinkhpy.com and mention Founder Mode.

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