Best Sequoia Simone Podcasts (2025)

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Austenland 57:01

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8h ago57:01

57:01

Today, we're continuing our summer book club with a discussion of Austenland - both the book by Shannon Hale and the 2013 masterpiece starring Kerri Russell directed by Jerusha Hess. Topics discussed include why the modern woman loves Jane Austen, whether we would go to Austenland, which plot we'd be assigned, the ethics of Austenland (or lack ther…

1
Startup Tech Stacks: Make Your Product Stand Out & Get Used w/ Joseph Ruscio 1:04:17

16h ago1:04:17

1:04:17

What makes a great tech infrastructure startup? And how do the best ones successfully navigate, and stand out from, the overcrowded market? In this episode, Yaniv is joined by Joseph Ruscio, General Partner at Heavybit and former CTO of Vibrato, to unpack the dos and don'ts of tech infrastructure startups, how open source fuels growth, and why AI i…

1
Insiders React: Meta to Shrink AI Division – Is This the Beginning of the End? 27:47

5d ago27:47

27:47

Is the AI hype cycle about to burst? For months, investors and founders have chased sky-high valuations, billion-dollar hires, and promises of superintelligence, but Meta's drastic plans to cut back its AI division seem to indicate a bleak future for LLMs and AI at large. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv unpack the latest shakeup at Meta, using the…

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YC Founder’s 13 Timeless Startup Principles: 'Ramen Profitable’ and More 44:14

8d ago44:14

44:14

This new era of AI-driven startups has many founders still believing success is about having the perfect product roadmap. The truth, however, is far more counterintuitive. In this episode, Yaniv and Chris dive into timeless lessons from Paul Graham’s legendary essay “Startups in 13 Sentences”. Drawing from Graham’s wisdom and their own experiences,…

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Insiders React: GPT-5 Is ‘Fast Fashion’ For Software + Apple’s $600B Commitment, Altman vs Musk (...Again) 41:37

12d ago41:37

41:37

Is AI threatening traditional subscription software models and accelerating competitive turnover? Sam Altman thinks so. In this episode, Chris and Ray discuss OpenAI’s GPT-5 release, and Altman's prediction that AI will enable a “fast fashion” era of SaaS, where applications can be created, deployed, and discarded in rapid cycles. You'll also hear …

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Miss Austen with Sarah Rose Kearns and Prerna Ramachandra 1:41:05

14d ago1:41:05

1:41:05

We're joined today by Sarah Rose Kearns and Prerna Ramachandra, the creators of the short film Manydown to discuss the PBS miniseries Miss Austen, based on the novel by Gill Hornby. Plus, an exciting announcement! Topics discussed include the similarities between the choices artists had to make in Austen's time and now, the themes of mental illness…

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Capital for Founders: Insights From Yaniv’s New Startup Raise 50:59

15d ago50:59

50:59

Raising money for your startup isn’t just about pitching but navigating egos, timing, and a flood of contradictory feedback. Why do some founders win over early believers who open every door, while others get stuck in endless “soft nos”? And how do you avoid twisting yourself into a pretzel trying to please every investor you meet? In this episode,…

1
Insiders React: Cloudflare Catches Perplexity Red-Handed + Wikipedia Adopts Anti-AI Slop Policy, AWS Losing Ground 44:26

19d ago44:26

44:26

In violation of long-standing internet norms like robots.txt, Cloudflare caught Perplexity AI scraping content from websites that had explicitly opted out. The situation begs the question: what happens when AI startups prioritize growth over digital consent? Listen as Chris and Yaniv discuss the repercussions of Cloudflare's "honeypot" traps. They …

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Grow Your Startup Fast and Effectively w/ Roblox's Former Tech Chief, Keith V. Lucas 56:37

22d ago56:37

56:37

In the startup world, speed is everything. But too many founders confuse busyness with velocity, mistaking frantic activity for real momentum. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Keith Lucas, former product and engineering leader at Roblox, to unpack what speed actually means—and how to build it into your startup from day one. They explo…

1
Insiders React: Microsoft Launches GitHub Spark + US Govt Bans "Woke AI", YouTube to Restrict Kids' Accounts 54:45

26d ago54:45

54:45

Is GitHub Spark the future of AI software building? Startups looking to use “vibe coding” often face janky tools and broken promises. Microsoft's latest IDE, however, has serious potential to be the industry breakthrough that addresses the agonizing issues developers face. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack Microsoft’s latest at…

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In Defense of Persuasion (2022) with Laughing with Lizzie 1:14:59

28d ago1:14:59

1:14:59

We're joined today by Laughing with Lizzie aka Sophie Andrews to discuss, one last time, Persuasion (2022), but this time with a positive spin. Topics discussed include breaking the fourth wall, Anne as the center of the story's focus, Sir Walter and Elizabeth's fairly tale, the cinematography, unseriousness, our favorite supporting characters, tak…

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Listener Q&A – Should You Use AI to Build Your MVP? Plus: Building Your Perfect Team, Breaking Startup Rules & More (Edu) 39:09

29d ago39:09

39:09

AI is changing how we build startups, but how can founders leverage it without their product becoming slop? Too many early-stage entrepreneurs believe that faster prototyping automatically leads to better products. In reality, rushing to “ship something” can destroy product-market fit before it’s even tested. In this Q&A episode, Yaniv Bernstein (e…

1
Insiders React: Uber's New Response to Waymo + ChatGPT’s New Super Agent & OpenAI’s Chaotic Company Culture 48:31

1M ago48:31

48:31

Is Uber’s gamble on RoboTaxis a brilliant move, or the end of its asset-light magic? And what’s really going on inside OpenAI as it races to dominate AI? Many founders assume hypergrowth companies are perfectly coordinated machines, but the reality is far messier. From billion-dollar GPU costs to chaotic product launches, there’s a lot for entrepre…

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Two Simple Principles to Get Your Startup Noticed, and How to Apply Them (w/ Product Hunt CEO Rajiv Ayyangar) 57:17

1M ago57:17

57:17

Getting noticed is harder than ever, but Rajiv Ayyangar (CEO, Product Hunt) says most startups fail for a surprisingly simple reason: lack of clarity and velocity. In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Rajiv explains what separates breakout startups from the thousands that never gain traction. Drawing on insights from hundreds of Product Hunt lau…

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Insiders React: AI Chaos - Meta & Google Poach Talent from Apple & OpenAI + Elon's Grok-4 Havoc, Intel Admits Defeat 44:26

1M ago44:26

44:26

Is Apple losing its edge in the AI race? And what does it mean for startups when big tech strip-mines entire companies for talent? Many early entrepreneurs believe giant tech firms are unbeatable, but this episode reveals how even industry leaders can stumble—and what founders can learn from their missteps. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Ber…

1
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld 1:26:05

1M ago1:26:05

1:26:05

Today we're covering Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld! Aside from reading Austen, this is our first ever straight-up book review! Spoiler alert for Eligible. This adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is set in 2013 Cincinnati. The eldest Bennet sisters are approaching 40 and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are country club parents who don’t care that they’re deep in…

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Unlock Hypergrowth: How Vibe Coding Can Fast-Track Your Startup Success w/ Bolt CEO Eric Simons 58:44

1M ago58:44

58:44

Can you really build and launch a startup without writing code, or even knowing how to? As AI tools promise lightning-fast product development, many founders still fall into old traps: over-validating, under-executing, or waiting too long for a technical cofounder. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by Eric Simons, founder o…

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Insiders React: Musk Launches “America Party” + YouTube Declares War on AI Slop, Sequoia's Mamdani Scandal 51:36

2M ago51:36

51:36

Is Silicon Valley building the future or just trying to rule it? From Elon Musk’s new political party to retail investors buying fake OpenAI stock, the startup world is getting weirder, faster. In this episode, Chris Saad and Shira Lazar break down a massive week in tech, politics, and startup culture. They unpack Elon Musk’s launch of the “America…

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Top 7 Mistakes Founders Make in Raising Early Stage VC w/ Amir Shevat (Edu) 53:40

2M ago53:40

53:40

Are you sure your startup should be raising venture capital? Most founders assume VC is the goal—but for many, it's the wrong fuel entirely. In this episode, we bust that myth wide open. Join Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad as they sit down with Amir Shevat, General Partner at Darkmode Ventures (ex-Google, Slack, Twitter), to unpack the seven most d…

1
Insiders React: Cloudflare Makes AI Pay + Figma Files For IPO, Grammarly Buys Superhuman 46:29

2M ago46:29

46:29

What happens when the internet starts charging AI to crawl its content? And can legacy tools like Figma or Grammarly survive the AI age, or will they be replaced by smarter, faster upstarts? In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down some of the most important shifts in tech and business right now. From Cloudflare’s launch of AI pay…

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Persuasion (2022) Part 3 with Sequoia Simone 53:29

2M ago53:29

53:29

Finishing strong today with Sequoia Simone (@sequoiasimone) as we dive into the final part of the 2022 adaptation of Persuasion. Topics discussed include: ruching, whether Elliot is a villain, octopus dreams, the Mandela Effect, gelatinous tears, the bunny, Mary in therapy, Mrs. Clay's happy ending, and the NON-FLASHBACK! Cast and Crew of Persuasio…

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Master Your AI Prompts and Unlock ChatGPT's Full Potential w/ Jonathan Mast (Edu) 59:58

2M ago59:58

59:58

Struggling to get good results from ChatGPT or other AI tools? You’re probably prompting it wrong, and you’re not alone. Many founders assume AI just knows what you mean. Without the right prompt structure, though, even the most powerful LLMs will fail to deliver. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Jonathan Mast—seasoned entrepreneur, AI…

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Insiders React: Anthropic's Huge AI Copyright Win + Speech to Text Better Than Ever, Peter Thiel's Tech Dystopia 34:37

2M ago34:37

34:37

Is training AI on copyrighted content stealing, or just learning? A major U.S. court just weighed in, and the verdict could rewrite the rules for startups using generative AI. Too many founders assume "training data" is fair game but that blind spot could cost them billions. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad, experienced startup opera…

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Insiders React: Sam Altman’s 'Gentle Singularity' + Workplace AI at an All-Time High, Meta's $30B Scale AI Acquihire 46:39

2M ago46:39

46:39

Is AI about to transform the world… gently? Sam Altman says yes, but are we being lulled into complacency while the real risks go unchallenged? Startups everywhere are rushing to embed AI into their workflows, but few understand just how flawed that human-AI interaction can be. From broken prompting to billion-dollar power plays, the future of AI i…

1
Persuasion 2022 (Part 2) with Sequoia Simone 57:03

2M ago57:03

57:03

We're joined again today by Sequoia Simone (@sequoiasimone) to discuss this...movie? Topics discussed include: what is ART?, which Austen hero Pedro Pascal is playing, peegate, what if the other guy is an okay option, friendzoning, Regency-era bathing suits, rich Americans, Gaydy Russell and her lesbian European tours, and indoor plumbing. Today's …

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Apps Are Obsolete: How Startups Can Leverage the New Era of AI Agents (Spotlight) 46:43

2M ago46:43

46:43

What if your next startup competitor doesn’t have a single employee? AI agents aren’t just another software trend — they’re redefining the interface between humans, data, and execution, yet many founders still confuse basic chatbots with the true potential of these agents. In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Jeremiah Owyang, General Part…

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Apple WWDC Breakdown + Musk & Trump's Messy Divorce, a16z's Fresh Take on AI Startups 54:12

3M ago54:12

54:12

Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote revealed a lot – just not what you’d expect. Siri’s long-awaited AI upgrade was quietly delayed, and instead Apple rolled out a grab bag of long-overdue features, flashy design updates, and deep ChatGPT integrations. Is this a bold product reset, or proof that Apple is falling behind? Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Donald Trump …

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Insiders React: Meta's Luckey Military Deal + Google's Plan to Split Itself, Europe Revives AI & Startups 27:20

3M ago27:20

27:20

Can consumer tech like Facebook and Oculus really help win wars? As governments get serious about AI and startups, Silicon Valley is being dragged—sometimes unwillingly—into the global military and geopolitical game. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack how Meta is teaming up with Anduril—the military tech startup founded by Oculu…

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Persuasion (2022) Part 1 with Sequoia Simone 1:28:30

3M ago1:28:30

1:28:30

It's the moment you've all been dreading--I mean, waiting for...Persuasion (2022)! We're joined by Sequoia Simone (@sequoiasimone) to discuss this most beloved film and at which point it lost each of us. Today's episode covers the movie through Anne and Mary's Italian chat. Topics discussed include: modernizing Austen's language, flashbacks, thick …

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How the PRFAQ Made Amazon Great (And Can Do The Same for You) w/ Marcelo Calbucci (Edu) 1:00:14

3M ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Are you building a startup strategy—or just making it look like you have one? Too many founders mistake polished slide decks for actual strategic thinking, leading to misalignment, wasted resources, and failed products. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Marcelo Calbucci, former Amazon director and author of The PRFAQ Fra…

1
Insiders React: Sam Altman's New $6B Partnership + Klarna's AI Backtrack, Bitcoin Over $111K 44:17

3M ago44:17

44:17

What does it mean when OpenAI gives away $6 billion worth of equity just to bring one man on board? In a world where design, brand, and user experience could determine AI dominance, are startups undervaluing human-centered thinking? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv unpack OpenAI’s jaw-dropping acquisition of Jony Ive's mysterious startup “io,” and …

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Insiders React: Google Goes AI 'Beast Mode' + Airbnb's Bold Pivot, Microsoft’s Agent Strategy 55:49

3M ago55:49

55:49

Is Google staging the biggest comeback in tech history? Or are we just getting swept up in the hype? Founders often underestimate just how fast platform shifts change the rules of the game, and Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are rewriting the rulebook in real time. In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down Google’s massive AI showca…

1
Persuasion 2007 (Part 2) with What the Austen? 1:25:40

3M ago1:25:40

1:25:40

We're joined again by Izzy from What The Austen? (@whattheausten) to discuss the second half of the 2007 adaptation of Persuasion starring Sally Hawkins and directed by Adrian Shergold. Today's episode covers the film from Lyme through the end of the movie. Topics discussed include the film's opinion on moving on from lost love, the stormy Cobb, bl…

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From Floorplans to Full Renovations: How Maket's AI Owns the Architectural Stack (Spotlight) 54:35

3M ago54:35

54:35

Can AI really design your home? 800,000+ users have already ditched their architects thanks to Maket, a startup using AI to simplify renovations from floorplans to permits. In this Spotlight episode, Maket founder Patrick Murphy delivers a mock version of the real pitch that secured $2M in funding from top investors including Reid Hoffman’s Blitzsc…

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Insiders React: Death of Google Search? + YC's Startup Wishlist, Trump’s Saudi AI Deals 1:04:57

3M ago1:04:57

1:04:57

What happens when Apple hints that Google’s search dominance may be cracking, triggering a $155 billion wipeout in Alphabet’s value? Many still think Google search is untouchable, but a shift in user behavior and a few lines in DOJ testimony may signal otherwise. In this episode, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Amir Shevat explore how Apple’s reve…

4M ago51:19

51:19

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Insiders React: China Retaliates Against NVIDIA Embargo + US Startups in Crisis, Google Faces Legal Heat 39:04

4M ago39:04

39:04

Huawei has just announced a new AI chip—does this mean tariffs accelerating Chinese innovation? This week, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and guest Amir Shevat dig into how the AI trade war and tech monopolies are reshaping the global startup landscape. Plus, on a lighter note: why Sam Altman says politeness in AI prompts is surprisingly expensive. I…

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Persuasion (1995) Part 3 with Fetch the Smelling Salts 1:21:23

4M ago1:21:23

1:21:23

We're joined again today by Alice and Kim from Fetch the Smelling Salts (@fetchsmellingsalts) to discuss the final part of the 1995 adaptation of Persuasion starring Amanda Root and Ciarán Hinds. Today's episode covers the introduction of Mrs. Smith and Nurse Rooke through the end of the film. Topics discussed include marzipan, on-set murders, Anne…

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Next-Gen Founders: Startups in the Age of AI (Edu) 53:02

4M ago53:02

53:02

Is AI making startups easier—or just changing the rules of the game? In a world where execution is cheap and accessible, building a successful startup is more competitive than ever. In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack the reality of every business having access to the same AI-driven tools, what makes a startup successful in this …

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Insiders React: Meta's Whistleblower Bombshell + NVIDIA's $500B AI Investment, OpenAI’s New GPT-4.1 44:12

4M ago44:12

44:12

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ jaw-dropping testimony in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee. She alleges Facebook put profits above all else—including the mental health of young users and even national security. Plus, we discuss the political theater…

5M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Is Google about to kill SEO forever? Why did OpenAI just raise $40 billion? And is the AI bubble about to burst? The AI arms race is heating up, and the biggest players are making moves that could change everything. But what does this mean for creators, businesses, and the future of search? In this episode, Chris and Yaniv are joined by Hooman Radf…