Best Lean Startup Co Podcasts (2025)

1
Inside Lean Startup: What Actually Works in Big Companies - Ben Hefele @Lean Startup Co. 44:23

25d ago44:23

44:23

In this conversation, Ben Haefle, CEO of Lean Startup Co., discusses the realities of corporate innovation, emphasizing the importance of core innovation over disruptive innovation. He explains the Lean Startup methodology, focusing on strategic alignment, milestones, team roles, governance, and culture. The discussion also touches on the concept o…

1
How to Lead in the Wild West of AI with Philip Chew 40:30

1d ago40:30

40:30

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Philip Chew, a veteran technologist with experience building platforms at financial companies since the 1990s. Together, they explore Philip's unique approach to leading AI transformation in large corporations, including his portfolio management methodology, the importance of brea…

1
The pitch that changed air travel forever: $3B in preorders, Richard Branson’s backing, and the return of supersonic flight | Blake Scholl (Boom Supersonic) 1:26:59

8d ago1:26:59

1:26:59

What does it take to challenge a century-old status quo in aviation? In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Blake Scholl, Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, a company on a mission to bring back supersonic air travel—sustainably and affordably. Blake doesn’t come from aerospace. He’s a computer scientist and former Amazon engineer w…

1
Best practices for Corporate AI transformation with Adam Newton 46:30

15d ago46:30

46:30

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Adam Newton, AI transformation leader with experience at EON, Danone, and Amazon. Together, they explore the critical difference between problem-focused and technology-focused AI initiatives, the importance of strategic speed over operational speed, and practical frameworks for se…

1
The Hidden Costs of Pay Inequality, And How Leading Companies are Solving It | Maria Colacurcio (Syndio) 1:13:57

29d ago1:13:57

1:13:57

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Maria Colacurcio, Co-Founder and CEO of Syndio, a workplace equity analytics platform. Syndio helps companies close pay gaps and build high-trust organizations. Maria has had a long career in leadership, previously co-founding Smartsheet and serving as a senior leader at Starbucks, where she focu…

1
Avoid "Burning Star Syndrome" using Smart AI Investment Strategies with Kunal Sawarkar 39:04

1M ago39:04

39:04

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Kunal Sawarkar, Chief Data Scientist and Distinguished Engineer at IBM. Together, they discuss practical strategies for embedding AI into products successfully, including Kunal's "burning star syndrome" approach to AI investment, the importance of customer-focused problem solving,…

1
Lessons on co-founding Twitter, Medium and Blogger with Ev Williams 1:22:17

1M ago1:22:17

1:22:17

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Ev Williams—someone whose work has profoundly shaped the modern internet. Ev co-founded Twitter, created Medium, and before all that, built Blogger, the original blogging platform (and the one where my own blog, Startup Lessons Learned, still lives today). We cover a wide range of topics, but a…

1
The playbook for building a business to $1M/month with 3 employees, hiring great leaders, and rejecting Silicon Valley’s rules | Jess Mah (Rahway) 1:24:29

2M ago1:24:29

1:24:29

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I'm joined by Jess Mah, an extraordinary entrepreneur who launched her first six-figure business in middle school and went on to co-found more than 10 companies collectively valued at over $1 billion. Jess rose to public acclaim and earned a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 while privately facing the reality that h…

1
How to Get Senior Leadership Buy-In and Alignment with Supreet Kaur 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Supreet Kaur, AI professional at Microsoft. Together, they discuss strategic approaches for securing leadership buy-in for AI initiatives, the importance of aligning AI with business problems, and how to effectively communicate AI progress to maintain momentum and support from exe…

1
How GRAMMY Winners Are Really Chosen - Panos A. Panay @The Recording Academy 41:01

2M ago41:01

41:01

The truth behind the Grammy Awards 🏆 What does it really take to win? How are nominees selected, and what role does AI play in music today? Panos A. Panay, President of the Recording Academy, reveals everything - from the intense behind-the-scenes orchestration of music’s biggest night to how technology and creativity intersect. Get insider access …

1
The Hired CEO with Founder Mode | Marten Mickos (MySQL, HackerOne) 1:32:37

2M ago1:32:37

1:32:37

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Marten Mickos, a serial tech CEO who has been at the forefront of some of the most transformative moments in open-source technology. From leading MySQL through its groundbreaking journey to guiding HackerOne as a pioneering bug bounty platform, Marten's career is a masterclass in building innov…

1
Cultivating AI Use Cases to Move Beyond 'Magical Thinking' with Chris Reitz 34:09

2M ago34:09

34:09

In the first episode in Season 2 of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Chris Reitz, a seasoned product management professional and AI educator. Together, they discuss the importance of cultivating AI use cases through problem-focused approaches, avoiding "magical thinking" in AI initiatives, and making strategic small bets rather tha…

1
How To Raise $125M Pre-Revenue and Why Harder Can Be Easier | Celine Halioua (Loyal) 1:40:25

2M ago1:40:25

1:40:25

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I'm joined by Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, a groundbreaking biotech startup developing drugs to extend dogs' healthspan and lifespan. Celine's journey combines her passion for animals with a bold scientific mission that looks beyond pets to potentially transform human longevity as well. Our conver…

1
Inside UiPath’s $1.5B ARR Journey – Bootstrapping the company, hiring challenges, and the billion-dollar pivot (Daniel Dines) 1:35:37

3M ago1:35:37

1:35:37

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Daniel Dines, the Founder and CEO of UiPath, a company that started in robotic process automation (RPA) and is now making a bold shift into agentic AI. Dubbed “the boss of bots” by Forbes, Daniel has led UiPath from its humble beginnings to a $6.65 billion company that’s reshaping the future of…

1
From Bootstrapping to $400 Million – The Hustle Behind Hipcamp with Alyssa Ravasio 1:28:47

3M ago1:28:47

1:28:47

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Alyssa Ravasio, CEO and Founder of Hipcamp. Hipcamp is the platform that has revolutionized camping, with a mission to “get more people outside.” By making it easier for people to find camping on public lands—and then expanding to include private lands—Hipcamp significantly increased the supply o…

1
MBA thinking killed my startup, lessons on losing 98% of users, and being fired as a co-founder | Gagan Biyani (Udemy and Maven) 1:32:56

3M ago1:32:56

1:32:56

In today’s episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Gagan Biyani, Co-Founder and CEO of Maven, a platform that’s redefining online education with cohort-based courses. Before Maven, Gagan co-founded Udemy, now one of the largest online education marketplaces, and Sprig, a meal delivery startup. Gagan started his entrepreneurial journey at just …

1
Lessons on creating a $17 billion learning company, going viral with an owl, and ditching short-term thinking with Luis von Ahn (Duolingo) 1:29:04

4M ago1:29:04

1:29:04

In today’s episode ofThe Eric Ries Show, I am joined by Luis von Ahn, CEO and co-founder of Duolingo. With Duolingo, his mission was simple: make language learning accessible to everyone—not to build a for-profit company. Fast forward to today, and Duolingo has grown into a $17 billion business with a reported 90% of the online daily active users i…

1
He turned down $11 billion, here’s why | Craig Newmark (Craigslist Founder) 1:10:34

4M ago1:10:34

1:10:34

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist—one of the internet’s most influential platforms. Despite its massive impact, Craigslist has remained intentionally minimalist, resisting the hyper-monetization strategies common in tech. Craig attributes his success to being in the right place at the ri…

1
Redefining Education in the Age of AI with Amir Nathoo (Outschool) 1:24:10

4M ago1:24:10

1:24:10

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Amir Nathoo, Co-Founder and CEO of Outschool, an education platform offering live online classes for K-12 learners. Amir’s own childhood inspired Outschool—while he went to traditional schools, his parents always encouraged his self-driven coding projects at home. Outschool is about empowering ki…

1
Lessons on building a unicorn used by 84% of the Fortune 100 | Emil Eifrem (Neo4j) 1:24:44

4M ago1:24:44

1:24:44

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Emil Eifrem, Co-Founder and CEO of Neo4j, an open-source graph database. Neo4j enables organizations to unlock the business value of connections, influences, and relationships in data. In our conversation today, we talk about the following topics: • The origin story of Neo4j and why they chose op…

1
Innovation at the Crossroads: Strategic Choices in Disruption - Scott Brinker @Hubspot 38:13

5M ago38:13

38:13

"Why are we trying to fight all of this?" The pace of technological advancement outstrips our ability to adapt, a phenomenon captured by MarTec's Law. In this episode, Dr. Chris Mühlroth and Scott Brinker, VP of Platform Ecosystem at HubSpot delve into the complexities of technological advancement and its implications for organizations. They discus…

1
How She Built a Marketplace for a Million Nurses | Iman Abuzeid (Incredible Health) 1:27:22

5M ago1:27:22

1:27:22

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Iman Abuzeid, the co-founder and CEO of Incredible Health, a platform transforming how healthcare systems hire nurses. After earning an MD, Iman pivoted to business and technology. She spent some time working in New York before enrolling at The Wharton School, where she earned her MBA. After grad…

1
Hard-Won Secrets for Scaling Innovations in Finance, Gaming, and AI with Siqi Chen (Runway, Zynga) 1:35:31

5M ago1:35:31

1:35:31

In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I’m joined by Siqi Chen, a four-time founder and the CEO and CFO of his latest venture, Runway. Runway offers a modern, user-friendly platform for financial modeling, headcount planning, and departmental budgeting—proudly branding itself as “the finance platform your team doesn’t hate.” With its distinctive ma…

1
The Future of Innovation: AI & Lean Startup with Eric Ries 53:17

5M ago53:17

53:17

In the dynamic season #1 finale of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Eric Ries—bestselling author of The Lean Startup and The Startup Way, and creator of the transformative Lean Startup methodology. Known for redefining how companies innovate, Eric shares actionable strategies to develop AI-powered solutions that drive real impact. …

1
Biotech, Blockchain, and Building Companies with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners 34:28

6M ago34:28

34:28

This week I had a great conversation with Russ Peloquin, Managing Partner of LifeSci Catalyst Partners. We dive into Russ's unique journey from aspiring exterminator (yes, you read that right!) to leading life science entrepreneur, discussing his extensive experience in commercialization, mergers, and acquisitions. Russ shares invaluable insights o…

1
The Future of Aging: Are We Ready for This? - Dr. Aubrey de Grey @LEV Foundation 54:45

6M ago54:45

54:45

Join renowned aging researcher Dr. Aubrey de Grey in an enlightening conversation about the science and societal impact of anti-aging technologies. Explore the concept of aging as a medical problem, the interplay of genetics and lifestyle, and groundbreaking research at the LEV Foundation aimed at reversing the effects of aging. Discover how biolog…

1
Inside iRobot: How the Roomba Sparked a Revolution in AI Robotics with Rodney Brooks 1:25:20

6M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

Rodney Brooks has spent his entire life at the intersection of robotics, computers, and AI. When the Roomba vacuum cleaner launched in 2002, his company, iRobot, brought all three into millions of people’s homes. iRobot had already succeeded with robots for space exploration, mine detection, search missions, and military applications. However, afte…

1
Data Is The New Oil with Mike Hollinger 39:21

6M ago39:21

39:21

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Mike Hollinger, Distinguished Engineer at IBM and President of the Austin AI Alliance. Together, they explore the critical importance of understanding user intent, leveraging organizational data effectively, and avoiding common pitfalls in AI implementation. Website: ibm.com/desig…

1
Top Episode of 2024: Leveraging AI for Transformative Results with Chris Withers 34:47

6M ago34:47

34:47

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Chris Withers, a seasoned leader known for his transformative roles in data and AI at BT Group, EY, and IBM. Together, they discuss deploying AI tools to enhance productivity and spearhead initiatives, the challenges of collecting "ground truth" data, and the value of testing assu…

1
Longevity Over Hypergrowth: A New Vision for Startups with Sahil Lavingia (Gumroad) 1:39:24

6M ago1:39:24

1:39:24

The story of the digital content-sharing platform Gumroad challenges every aspect of the received wisdom about building successful companies. After it almost went under, founder and CEO Sahil Lavingia decided to pare down to the essentials rather than walk away. Then he took his characteristic counter-intuitiveness further and left Silicon Valley f…

1
Funding, Partnerships, and Growth: Strategies for Startup Biotech Success with Fractional Chief Business Officer Renee Williams 34:39

6M ago34:39

34:39

This week I chatted with Renee Williams, Founder and Managing Partner at Williams Biotech Consulting. Renee is a seasoned fractional Chief Business Officer (CBO) for small and growing biotechnology companies. Renee shares her career path, insights into helping biotech startups secure funding and navigate partnerships, and the importance of adaptabl…

1
Implementing Lean AI Practices for Successful Innovation with Christina Mongan 29:48

7M ago29:48

29:48

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Christina Mongan, Global Director of AI Practice at Unisys. Together, they discuss driving successful AI transformation in large organizations. Christina shares insights on prioritizing business outcomes, creating a human-centered approach to AI, and avoiding common pitfalls in AI…

1
Trust, Teamwork, and Innovation, with Natalie Nairn, Co-founder and CEO of Cyclera Therapeutics 37:42

7M ago37:42

37:42

This week, I spoke with Natalie Nairn, co-founder and CEO of Cyclera Therapeutics. Natalie is also a Termeer Fellow, and listeners of this podcast know how much I love the Termeer Foundation. We discuss her transition from chemical engineering to biomedical applications. She describes her unexpected path into the fun and volatile startup space, whi…

1
Risks, Rewards, and Building the Unicorn Chip Company Taking on Nvidia | Inside Groq with Jonathan Ross 1:15:13

7M ago1:15:13

1:15:13

The story of Groq, a semiconductor startup that makes chips for AI inference and was recently valued at $2.8 billion, is a classic “overnight success that was years in the making” tale. On this episode, I talk with founder and CEO Jonathan Ross. He began the work that eventually led to Groq as an engineer at Google, where he was a member of the rap…

1
Navigating AI Governance Frameworks with Dr. Meeta Vouk 31:42

7M ago31:42

31:42

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Dr. Meeta Vouk, AI Product and Strategy Leader. Together they discuss essential strategies for executives navigating AI, including the importance of starting with clearly defined problems, establishing robust governance frameworks, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.…

1
441. From CEO of ASX-listed company to Bus Driver with Nic Jones 1:00:20

7M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Nic Jones, a former executive who made the bold decision to step away from a high-powered career in media to drive buses. Jones, whose past roles spanned influential positions at Moshcam, Pureprofile, Nine, Yahoo, News Corp, Publisis, and Vevo, shares the experiences and reflections that led him t…

1
The Science of Success: Transforming Scientific Concepts into Marketable Products with Stacy Frye, co-founder and CCO of Stimulus Bio 39:36

7M ago39:36

39:36

In this episode, I had an engaging conversation with Stacie Frye, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of StimulusBio, a life sciences commercialization and venture studio for biotech startups. We discussed how StimulusBio aids startups in operational and commercialization aspects, leveraging Stacie's unique journey across marketing, chemical en…

1
AI’s Human Backbone: The Hidden Hands That Shape The Technology | Wendy Gonzalez (Sama) 1:27:41

7M ago1:27:41

1:27:41

Wendy Gonzalez is the CEO of Sama, an ethical AI company that provides training and jobs with equitable pay and benefits to those who face the greatest barriers to stable employment. Among the companies it provides AI development data to are Microsoft, Ford, Walmart, Google, and many others. But before its current incarnation, Sama was a very diffe…

1
440. How to Apply Lean Startup at Large Organizations with Lean Startup Co CEO, Ben Hafele 54:25

7M ago54:25

54:25

Introduction: In this episode, we dive into the world of Lean Startup, 13 years on from its inception, and explore the challenges and nuances of applying it within large corporations. While Lean Startup principles are widely taught, executing them in established corporate environments often leads to failure. Our guest, Ben Hafele from Lean Startup …

1
A 4-Step Approach for Developing AI Use Cases with Mike Schubert 36:22

8M ago36:22

36:22

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Mike Schubert, Vice President of Technology at Unum. Together, they discuss Mike’s four-step framework for successful AI initiatives, the importance of grounding AI efforts in real business needs, and the value of learning from both successes and failures.…

1
Will Machines Tell Better Stories than Humans? - Mike Todasco @SDSU 42:21

8M ago42:21

42:21

"AI is an amazing tool for brainstorming, giving ideas, and being a thought partner, but even when machines can do better than humans, we still like the story behind it. The human behind the machine is what really matters." In this episode, we exchange withMike Todasco, formerSenior Director of Innovation at PayPal and current AI Fellow at San Dieg…

1
Small Offerings, Big Impact: Demystifying Micro-IPOs in Biotech with David Sans, Head of Healthcare Investment Banking at EF Hutton 37:13

8M ago37:13

37:13

This week, I had an insightful conversation with David Sans, PhD, FAARM, MBA, who heads healthcare investment banking at EF Hutton. We discussed the intricacies of different Public Offering strategies, including micro IPOs, which offer a unique avenue for biotech companies. David provides a deep perspective on the strategic implications of IPOs for…

1
Mission Over Money: How Sal Khan changed EdTech forever 1:00:59

8M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Sal Khan arrived at the idea for Khan Academy truly organically. While working at a hedge fund, he took time in the evenings to tutor a younger cousin in math over the phone. Soon, a family tutoring network was in place, and from there, it was only a few years before Sal realized that the kind of help he was giving his family could – and should – b…

1
Not All Who Wander Are Lost: with Iva Toudjarska, founder and CEO of Zeal Therapeutics 33:12

8M ago33:12

33:12

This week I had a great conversation with Iva Toudjarska, founder and CEO of Zeal Therapeutics. From earning a PhD in molecular biology to a solid scientific career at Alnylam, to working in venture capital, to selling a successful SaaS company, Iva’s career that’s set her up well to enjoy this new challenge – founding a baby biotech. Her expertise…

1
Navigating Change Management Challenges in AI Implementation with Vivek Mahapatra 31:11

8M ago31:11

31:11

In this episode of The Lean AI Podcast, host Ben Hafele is joined by Vivek Mahapatra, Vice President of Go To Market at Salesforce AI. Together they discuss the strategic implementation of AI in business, successful AI use cases in customer service, and common pitfalls organizations face.By Lean Startup Co

1
From Seed to Success: How MassBio is Boosting Biotech 43:58

8M ago43:58

43:58

This week I had a fun conversation with Jason Cordeiro, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at MassBio. We dissect MassBio's newly announced five-year strategic plan that includes a multi-pronged set of initiatives aimed at advancing the biotech industry. From supporting early-stage startups to advocating for policy changes and fostering talent …

1
Has Corporate Foresight Become Obsolete? - Prof. Dr. René Rohrbeck @EDHEC 1:23:41

8M ago1:23:41

1:23:41

"Strategic foresight, as I define it, is really about the capability of organizations to, in a systematic way, create superior positions in markets of the future." In this episode, Dr. Christian Mühlroth engages in a discussion with Professor Dr. René Rohrbeck, a leading expert in strategy foresight and innovation, Professor of Strategy and EDHEC &…

1
Contrarian by Design: Wade Foster’s Vision Behind Zapier’s $5B Business 1:23:26

8M ago1:23:26

1:23:26

Founded in 2011 in the distinctly non-Silicon Valley location of Columbia, Missouri, software integration company Zapier hit profitability in 2014. Today, the company is valued in the billions, and is poised to keep thriving as AI becomes a normal part of everything we do online. My guest on this episode of The Eric Ries Show is co-founder and CEO …

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Lean Startup Co Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen