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

Connect with John Hancock

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

Connect with Anurag Agarwalla

thinkhpy.com • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

Connect with hpy

LinkedIn • X/Twitter • Instagram

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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EPISODE 21

EPISODE 20

In this episode of Founder Mode, Kevin and Jason sit down with Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi, to unpack what it really means to be a “creator CEO” in 2025. From shifting creators’ mindsets beyond virality toward sustainable, owner-operated businesses, to finding content market fit before building products, Ahad shares actionable strategies for monetization, pricing, and using AI without losing the human touch. He also opens up about leading a global team as a post-founder CEO, honoring Kajabi’s customer-obsessed roots while implementing his own leadership cadence, and why the future belongs to entrepreneurial creators who build brands their audiences truly value.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Why “Creator CEO” is the Future of the Creator Economy

06:51 – Building for Everyday People and Customer Obsession at Kajabi

12:55 – Content Market Fit and Monetizing Beyond Virality

17:36 – Using AI to Scale Without Losing the Human Touch

25:07 – Leadership Cadence and Work-Life Integration as a Post-Founder CEO

LINKS

Connect with Ahad Khan

Kajabi • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

SPECIAL OFFER

Email ahad [at] kajabi.com for a special offer when you sign up for Kajabi.

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EPISODE 19

Visibility isn't a vibe—it's a system. In this episode, Jason and Kevin sit down with Chris Winfield, creator, connector, and coach, to break down how founders can build an unfair advantage in an AI-saturated world. Chris shares his 80/20 rule for AI usage, why content strategy is non-negotiable in 2025, and how personal connection still beats automation. Learn how to become the go-to expert in your niche, simplify your message like Steve Jobs, and avoid falling into the “Slopbot” trap of over-AI'd content.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – The 80/20 Rule for Using AI

06:26 – Visibility Through Content and Connection

12:11 – Build Real Relationships in a Noisy Digital World

15:28 – Marketing Trends That Actually Matter in 2025

19:37 – The Real Unfair Advantage for Founders

LINKS

Connect with Chris

Instagram • LinkedIn

Special Offer

DM Chris on Instagram @chriswinfield and mention Kevin & Jason to get a special offer.

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EPISODE 18

In this candid, fast-paced solo episode, Jason and Kevin unpack the systems behind their ideal weeks, why founders should prioritize health like a product launch, and how to build a ride-or-die team that spans multiple startups. From hiding jets from repo men to wearing smart glasses on the beach, they share war stories, personal rituals, and the mindset that separates cautious operators from calculated risk-takers.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – The Casino Story That Saved FedEx

01:04 – Building Your Perfect Week

05:14 – Big Company Constraints Are (Mostly) Self-Imposed

10:00 – Health Is Your Only Asset

16:08 – Boomerangs vs. Boomer Rides

LINKS

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RESOURCES

Meta Ray Ban Wayfarer

Tune Up Fitness

Myo

EPISODE 17

Water‑tech pioneer Ravi Kurani explains how a floating pool‑chemistry robot became the ultimate hardware moat, why proprietary water data unlocks service marketplaces, and where trillion‑dollar opportunities lie at the water‑energy nexus. He recounts two years on Shenzhen factory floors perfecting Sutro, selling the startup before mass production, and now plotting to buy it back to tackle agriculture, cooling towers, and AI data centers. Hosts Jason Shafton and Kevin Henrikson unpack story‑driven design, founder persistence, and the future of “smart” water.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – From Pools to Robotics: Ravi’s origin story

03:44 – Hardware Moats & Proprietary Water Data

07:11 – Sutro as the “Nest Cam” for Your Pool

09:01 – Water as Tech’s Next Trillion‑Dollar Frontier

16:36 – Founder Mode in China: Two Years on the Factory Floor

LINKS

Connect with Ravi

Sutro • Liquid Assets Podcast • LinkedIn • X/Twitter

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