Shows
GritThe Travel Giant Built on Billions of Reviews | Steve Kaufer on TripAdvisorHow did Tripadvisor become every traveler’s starting point?Steve Kaufer joins Joubin Mirzadegan on Grit to break down how Tripadvisor became the internet’s trusted travel companion, built on over a billion reviews and decades of trust. He also shares why early personalization fell short and how AI is finally doing what travel agents once did by understanding the traveler, but faster, smarter, and at scale.Guest: Steve Kaufer, co-founder of TripAdvisorChapters:(00:00) Trailer(00:45) Introduction(01:32) Early days of Tripadvisor(08:14) Catching the startup bug(18:42) Luck...2025-07-281h 12
GritThe Expert Network Behind Handshake AI’s Model Training w/ Garrett Lord & Mamoon HamidGuests: Garrett Lord, co-founder and CEO of Handshake; and Mamoon Hamid, partner at Kleiner Perkins.Handshake set out to democratize career opportunity. In the process, it unlocked something more: a high-trust expert network built on verified talent and earned trust.This week on Grit, Garrett Lord shares how what began as a platform for student job seekers is now partnering with leading labs, enabling experts to train real-world AI systems. He explains how owning verified domain talent has become their core strategic edge, bypassing middlemen and turning a decade of trust into lasting advantage.2025-07-211h 02
GritHow Plaid Turned a Failed $5.3B Deal with Visa into Momentum | Zach Perret (Plaid)Zach Perret saw a fintech explosion coming—and built the rails before it arrived.On this week’s Grit, the Plaid co-founder and CEO retraces his path from building tools for developers to linking the world’s largest banks, and how a failed $5.3B acquisition by Visa became a launchpad.He unpacks the pressure of operating in a tightly regulated industry, why rebuilding trust after the deal collapse was harder than expected, and how Plaid is navigating the shift from startup to staple—while staying obsessed with the end user.Links:Connect...2025-07-141h 04
GritEpisode 250: AI Special Featuring Sierra, Harvey, Windsurf & MoreSix leaders from across tech — from SaaS and semis to law and logistics — come together for our 250th episode milestone in this very special AI recap, where we unpack how new advances are transforming the way industries function, and how work gets done.Featuring:• Bret Taylor (Sierra Co-founder)• Winston Weinberg (Harvey Co-founder and CEO)• Matt Murphy (Marvell Technology Chairman and CEO)• Yamini Rangan (HubSpot CEO)• Chris Urmson (Aurora CEO)• Varun Mohan (Windsurf Co-founder and CEO)Connect with Joubin:- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joubin-mirzadegan-66186854/ - X: https...2025-07-0754 min
GritHow Imprint Is Reinventing Credit Cards for Modern Brands | Daragh MurphyDaragh Murphy is giving brands their own credit-card platform—no legacy bank required.On this week’s Grit, the Imprint co-founder and CEO traces the leap from being a junior lawyer to closing nine-figure card deals.He breaks down the hidden economics of credit-card loyalty, the discipline of treating capital “like the last dollar,” and how AI will slash risk-and-support costs.Guest: Daragh Murphy, CEO & Co-Founder of ImprintChapters:00:00 Trailer00:48 Introduction01:30 Actualizing the dream08:37 Imprint11:37 Partnerships are massive16:48 Understand the market18:42 “Get more, spend more...2025-06-3055 min
GritGitLab’s CEO on Why the Next Great Developer Might Not Write Code | Bill StaplesBill Staples has spent 30 years redefining how the world writes, ships, and secures code.On this week’s Grit, the GitLab CEO shares what it takes to lead a public, all-remote DevSecOps company trusted by more than half of the Fortune 100. He breaks down the discipline of managing energy instead of hours, why weekly operating cadences beat quarterly plans, and how AI will 10× software engineers by auto-debugging code and closing security gaps.Guest: Bill Staples, CEO of GitLabChapters:00:00 Trailer00:42 Introduction02:34 True joy in life2025-06-231h 05
GritStord’s Plan to Take on Amazon’s Logistics Advantage | Sean HenryWhat does it take to build the logistics backbone for the next generation of commerce?Sean Henry, founder and CEO of Stord, joins Kleiner Perkins partner Ilya Fushman and Grit host Joubin Mirzadegan to talk about scaling a national fulfillment network that now moves 50 million packages a year and reaches 15% of U.S. households.They explore how Stored is using AI to connect warehouses, middle-mile routes, and delivery promises into one smart system. The goal: to give every brand an Amazon Prime-like advantage.Guest: Sean Henry, Co-Founder & CEO of Stord2025-06-1658 min
GritFamily, Focus, and 350M Users: Inside Zoom with Eric YuanEric Yuan turned a simple belief into Zoom, the platform that kept the world moving through a once-in-a-century shutdown and redefined modern work. On this episode of Grit, the Zoom CEO shares why velocity beats size, how a family-first ethos powered his leadership during COVID, and why the coming wave of AI dwarfs the original internet boom. He details how he’s refreshing Zoom’s culture for 7,500 people, opting for virtual deal calls over in person meetings, settling into life as an empty-nester, and keeping Zoom nimble enough to outpace Big Tech and the next wave o...2025-06-091h 14
GritBret Taylor’s Journey Leading Salesforce, Sierra & OpenAIOver the past two decades, Bret Taylor has quietly helped shape the arc of Silicon Valley.From co-creating Google Maps to steering Facebook, Salesforce, and OpenAI, he’s been behind some of the most consequential products in tech. Now, with his new company Sierra, he’s starting from zero—again.In this conversation, Bret opens up about how founders navigate identity, why the best ideas often come from everyday friction, and how staying relentlessly focused can unlock real momentum in AI.Guest: Bret Taylor, Co-Founder of SierraChapte...2025-06-021h 29
GritInside Aurora’s Push to Make Autonomous Trucking Real | Chris UrmsonChris Urmson has spent the last 20 years pushing the limits of autonomous driving—first at Carnegie Mellon’s DARPA Grand Challenge team, then as co-founder of Google’s self-driving car project, now Waymo.On this week’s episode, the Aurora CEO retraces that journey—from building robot cars in the desert to leading a public company pioneering driverless trucking.He shares why autonomy was always a matter of when, not if, how he handled a high-profile departure from Waymo, and what it takes to build at the intersection of deep tech, safety, and infrastructure.Now eigh...2025-05-261h 30
GritFrom Scaling Cisco to Seeding AI: John T. Chambers on Speed, Strategy, and ReinventionJohn Chambers led Cisco through the rise of the internet—transforming it into the world’s most valuable company at its peak.On this week’s Grit, the former Cisco CEO unpacks how he scaled the business from $70M to $50B+, pioneered M&A as a growth strategy with 180 acquisitions, and built what many called the best sales force in tech.Now leading his own venture firm, Chambers shares how he’s backing the next generation of AI-native startups.Guest: John T. Chambers, Former Cisco Executive Chairman & CEO, JC2 Vent...2025-05-191h 27
GritHow Matt Murphy Made Marvell Essential to AI and CloudMatt Murphy transformed Marvell from a broad-based chip supplier into a $100B data infrastructure leader—powering the rise of AI, cloud, 5G, and custom silicon.On this week’s Grit, the Marvell CEO shares how he refocused the company’s strategy, led major acquisitions like Inphi ($10B) and Cavium ($6B), and positioned Marvell at the center of the next era of compute.He also reflects on lessons from his father, a longtime CEO, the discipline of running 90 miles a week, and how staying steady through industry cycles has set him apart.Chapters:00:00 Traile...2025-05-121h 25
GritHubSpot CEO on the Future of SaaS, AI, & Leading Through ChangeFrom a 350-square-foot home in South India to leading HubSpot, a $30B CRM powerhouse, Yamini Rangan’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Yamini shares how she’s guiding HubSpot through a post-pandemic shift toward product-led growth, the hard-won lessons behind building go-to-market alignment, and why human-centric leadership is her edge in an AI-first world. Plus, her take on why data is the new battleground in tech.Chapters: 00:00 Trailer00:52 Introduction02:22 Fire in my belly10:06 Constraints12:19 Peak performance16:38 Helping while in sheer panic21:43 The general ethos3...2025-05-051h 17
GritFrom White House to Wall Street: David RubensteinDavid Rubenstein helped pioneer modern private equity—building The Carlyle Group into a $400B global investment firm from a modest D.C. office and a relentless fundraising streak. But beyond PE, his legacy spans presidential libraries, historic American artifacts, and a lifelong obsession with civic contribution.In this episode, David shares how he raised billions without a background in finance, why owning a baseball team was more than just a trophy purchase—and what building true generational success really means beyond wealth alone.Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:53 Introduction01:40 Family, wealth, class14:40 Happiness disparity and...2025-04-281h 11
GritNo Reset Button: Reinventing Amplitude in a Post-AI World (Spenser Skates)Amplitude helped define the modern analytics stack, powering digital products with deep behavioral insights. But in a world shifting toward agentic interfaces and vertically integrated AI, even a category leader has to evolve.In this episode, CEO Spenser Skates shares how he’s rethinking AI within the constraints of a 13-year-old codebase, why analytics remains Amplitude’s competitive edge—and why taking the company public early was a risk worth taking. Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:43 Introduction01:26 AI is still very early05:48 The urgency of building from the ground up08:49 Bringing in new blood2025-04-211h 17
GritFlexport’s Third Act: Winning in a Broken Global Trade SystemFlexport was a breakout success—reimagining global trade with tech at its core. But when the freight market cooled and efficiency overtook service, things started to unravel. Founder Ryan Petersen stepped aside, handing the CEO role to former Amazon exec Dave Clark. Months later, he was back at the helm.In this episode, Ryan explains what went wrong, how he’s rebuilding Flexport—cutting $300M in costs, restoring customer focus—and why promoting from within beats chasing outside stars. He also weighs in on Trump’s proposed tariffs and what they could mean for the future of global tra...2025-04-141h 43
GritBrex 3.0: Inside the Radical Turnaround with Pedro FranceschiGuest: Pedro FranceschiPedro Franceschi is the co-founder and CEO of Brex, a fintech company reshaping how businesses manage their finances.Originally from Brazil, Pedro went from teenage hacker to leading one of the most well-known names in modern financial technology—building a platform trusted by startups and enterprises alike.In this episode, Pedro shares what it took to launch “Brex 3.0,” why he moved to a single-CEO model, and how tough structural changes set the stage for leaner, faster growth.Chapters:00:00 Trailer00:46 Introduction01:45 Startup roller coaster05...2025-04-071h 35
OnBase: Smashing Sales and Marketing MisalignmentsEp. 512 | Rewiring the GTM Strategy With a Systems-Based ApproachEpisode SummaryIn this episode of OnBase, host Chris Moody sits down with Kelly Flowers to discuss the power of systems-based strategy in driving predictable outcomes in sales development. Kelly shares her unique journey into sales, the lessons she learned from transitioning industries, and how she developed a structured approach to pipeline generation, OKRs, and sales efficiency. She also highlights the biggest challenges in sales today, the role of AI in streamlining sales processes, and the myths that hold sales teams back. With practical insights and actionable strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for revenue leaders looking to...2025-01-3037 min
Boardroom Governance with Evan EpsteinYvonne Wassenaar: On Boardroom Dynamics and Trends from Silicon Valley(0:00) Intro.(1:03) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(1:50) Start of interview. *Reference to E137 with Coco Brown (CEO of Athena Alliance).(2:47) Yvonne's origin story.(5:49) Her executive career starting with Accenture, and later with VMware, New Relic, and CEO of Airware and Puppet.(9:03) On her board journey. Distinctions between private and public company service. Plus non-profits.(17:43) Explaining board composition and dynamics in VC-backed companies.(23:23) Explaining board composition and dynamics in PE-backed companies. "It's much more straightforward, structured, and contained."(27:39) On the...2024-09-0259 min
Shot of Digital Health TherapyShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy - The RevivalAfter a 217 day hiatus, Jim Joyce and I have returned to the "airwaves" with the #TheShot of #DigitalHealth Therapy" podcast. First and foremost we hope you stick around for our #AI Generated jingle for the pod (there are 2 takes), hear our key themes for Season 15 and us rewinding back the last 6 months. No guest today as we didn't want to share the virtual stage as we each had a lot to say after being quiet for 6 months:💪 The need for grit & hustle in this market💡 Pivotal role of #AI in healthcare🤖 Bl...2024-04-1032 min
GROW B2B FASTEREp 72 - Rodolfo Yiu - How Recharge's Head of Demand Generation Successfully Drives Pipeline for the CompanyDriving demand for your company at every stage of your marketing funnel? Rodolfo shares how they do it at Recharge.In today's episode, Rodolfo Yiu, Head of Demand Generation at Recharge shares with Sammy, how he and his team keep their pipeline healthy and full.You’ll learn:1. How Rodolfo drives demand on top, middle and bottom of funnel for Recharge2. How Recharge is distributing its demand gen investments in paid search as a market leader3. Why Rodolfo still regularly listens in on his team's sales calls 2023-02-0249 min
Reveal: The Revenue AI Podcast by GongHow to go from $0 to $60 million ARRHave you ever been at a company that went from $0 to $60M ARR? Joubin Mirzadegan, Go To Market Partner at Kleiner Perkins shares how to design a winning culture by recognizing, empowering, and promoting from the bottom up. You'll learn why hiring great people and being prepared for change management is essential while climbing the ARR ladder.Key Takeaways:05:28 - Identify with the Voice of the Customer13:33 - Innovate and Deliver to Drive Value18:30 - This Week's Data Breakout21:06 - Culture Ebbing Up32:33...2021-05-1735 min
GritGrit TrailerAbout the Joubin MirzadeganJoubin has been with Kleiner Perkins since 2019 where he advises the KP portfolio companies on how to build and scale a robust go-to-market strategy. Additionally, he enables the firm’s portfolio through high impact relationships with F500 executives and key ecosystem partners. Joubin was previously at Palo Alto Networks as a global district sales manager for the Central US based in Chicago where he scaled the Central Cloud business from 1 enterprise rep and $2M ARR to 12 reps and $50M+ ARR in 4 quarters. He has also worked for Evident.io as an enterprise account ex...2020-04-2000 min