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Founder Mode

Founder Mode

By: Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton
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About this listen

 Founder Mode is a podcast for builders—whether it’s startups, systems, or personal growth. It’s about finding your flow, balancing health, wealth, and productivity, and tackling challenges with focus and curiosity. Each week, you’ll gain actionable insights and fresh perspectives to help you think like a founder and build what matters most.Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
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Episodes
  • AI-First Product Design with Ritwik Pavan

    AI-First Product Design with Ritwik Pavan
    May 13 2025

    EPISODE 8

    In this episode, serial entrepreneur Ritwik Pavan joins Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton to explore the rise of AI-first product design and its profound implications on consumer hardware, smart cities, and modular construction. They discuss the essential strategies founders need to adopt, including the importance of hyper-personalization, overcoming challenges in training data, untapped opportunities in lifestyle and public safety sectors, and why AI is turning hardware into recurring revenue businesses.


    CHAPTERS

    00:34 – What It Means to Build AI-First

    03:53 – Ritwik’s Journey and AI Consumer Innovations

    08:41 – Smart Cities, AI, and the Future of Urban Life

    17:08 – Modular Construction and AI’s Role in Housing

    22:20 – Underrated Opportunities: Lifestyle and Public Safety


    LINKS

    Connect with Ritwik Pavan

    Hardware Harold • LinkedIn • X/Twitter


    Stay Connected with Founder Mode

    Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com


    Connect with Kevin

    LinkedIn • X/Twitter


    Connect with Jason

    LinkedIn • X/Twitter
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Zero-to-One Marketing with Peter Farago

    Zero-to-One Marketing with Peter Farago
    May 6 2025

    EPISODE 7

    In this episode, seasoned marketing leader Peter Farago shares zero-to-one marketing insights for early-stage startups, emphasizing empathy, iterative messaging, and organic inbound strategies. Drawing on experiences from Flurry, Acompli, and RunLLM, Peter highlights the importance of a clear value proposition, building brand credibility, and leveraging customer feedback loops. He also addresses AI’s evolving role in marketing, reassuring listeners that AI won’t replace jobs but will reshape how marketers operate. Packed with tangible advice, this conversation offers a roadmap for founders seeking to refine their product, storytelling, and growth approach in crowded markets.


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 – Introducing Peter Farago and the Power of Empathy

    01:34 – Zero-to-One Marketing Fundamentals

    08:03 – Lessons from Acompli’s Early Growth

    16:42 – Leveraging Customer Feedback and Iteration

    29:04 – AI’s Evolving Role in Marketing


    LINKS

    Connect with Peter Farago

    runllm.com • LinkedIn • X/Twitter • Podcast


    Stay Connected with Founder Mode

    Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com


    Connect with Kevin

    LinkedIn • X/Twitter


    Connect with Jason

    LinkedIn • X/Twitter
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • Remote Boundaries – Saying No Without Burning Bridges with Viktor Petersson

    Remote Boundaries – Saying No Without Burning Bridges with Viktor Petersson
    Apr 29 2025

    EPISODE 6

    In this episode, Viktor Petersson shares how saying “no” can be a superpower for founders managing remote teams. He discusses practical strategies for email triage, boundary-setting to avoid burnout, and why in-person retreats are key to trust and alignment. Learn how Viktor’s approach to documentation, intrinsic motivation, and selective communication helps him preserve energy for what matters most—while still leaving the door open for valuable opportunities.


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 – Why Saying No Matters for Remote Teams

    02:23 – Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Burnout

    09:12 – Remote Work Fundamentals & Hiring

    15:18 – Onboarding & Team Summits

    22:21 – Building Trust Through Retreats & Face-to-Face Time


    LINKS

    Connect with Viktor Petersson

    Screenly:

    https://www.screenly.io/

    sbomify:

    https://sbomify.com/

    Podcast:

    https://vpetersson.com/podcast

    LIinkedIn:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpetersson/

    X/Twitter:

    https://mobile.x.com/vpetersson


    Stay Connected with Founder Mode

    Subscribe to our newsletter:

    foundermode.kit.com


    Connect with Kevin

    LinkedIn • X/Twitter


    Connect with Jason

    LinkedIn • X/Twitter
    Show More Show Less
    28 mins

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