Shows
The Founder`s CodeReevaluating the AI Narrative: Moving From Hype to Utility | Luke Hinds | Always Further, Inc.Everyone is waiting for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to arrive, but what if the entire narrative is a massive delusion?In this episode of Founder’s Code, we sit down with Luke Hinds, creator of Sigstore (the cybersecurity tech used by Google and GitHub) and CEO of Always Further. Luke drops some hard truths that shatter the mainstream AI hype, explaining why AGI is fundamentally misunderstood and why fully autonomous AI agents will never actually work without a "human in the loop."But there is a very real danger happening right now: cognitive atrophy. We di...
2026-02-211h 05
The Founder`s CodeAgent Orchestration: The New "Full Stack" in 2026 | Mike Piccolo founder of Motia DevIn this episode of Founder's Code, Mike Piccolo — founder of Motia Dev, talks about the uncomfortable shift most founders are ignoring.He went from sweeping construction sites to orchestrating AI for enterprise. He lived through the framework wars. He knows that "learning to code" isn't the safety net it used to be.This conversation isn’t about AI hype or the latest tools.It’s about what happens when the cost of building software drops to zero, and the only leverage left is your ability to endure pain.We talk about:🔹...
2026-02-1356 min
The Founder`s CodeThe Co-Founder Test: Don’t Sign Until You Ask This One Question | Clara Bernardes | BiorceIn this episode, we sit down with Clara Bernardes, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Biorce. Clara and her team are on a mission to implode the pharmaceutical industry from the inside out by cutting the time it takes to bring life-saving drugs to market in half.We dive deep into the Founder’s Code: from the heartbreaking personal tragedy that served as the company’s "Patient Zero" to the controversial ethics of co-founding with a spouse and why you must be willing to fire the people you love to save the mission. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Biorce and the Phar...
2026-01-261h 07
The Founder`s CodeWhat It Really Takes To Succeed In 2026 | Patrick Smith - Founder of ZallyIn this episode of The Founder’s Code, Shamil Malachiyev sits down with Patrick Smith, a serial entrepreneur who faced 11 failed ventures before the age of 25. Today, Patrick is the founder of Zally, an applied AI research lab that is revolutionizing digital security by turning human behavior into "digital body language" for continuous authentication.Patrick shares his incredible journey from scaling a DJ business to 1,000 jobs a year and exiting at age 18, to the brutal lessons learned from losing everything. We also dive deep into his "founder-athlete" lifestyle, including his 3:45 AM wake-up routine, carnivore diet, and the st...
2026-01-161h 07
The Founder`s CodeThe Business AI Was Supposed to Kill | Janus Klok Matthesen | PixelzIn this episode of Founder's Code, Janus Klack-Matysen, Co-Founder & CDO of Pixelz, breaks down what actually happens when AI enters the core of your business — not as a tool, but as a direct competitor. Pixelz operates in a category many believed AI would wipe out first.Instead of fighting it, they rebuilt their model so AI became a multiplier, not a replacement.In this conversation, we cover:– Why some AI campaigns cost more than traditional production — and why brands still choose them– What AI really breaks inside a business (and what it doesn’t)– How Pixelz shifted from manual work to a hu...
2026-01-091h 09
The Founder`s CodeFrom IBM to Founder: The Skills That Actually Matter | Laura Loughran | Factor FormIn this episode of Founder’s Code, Laura Loughran — CEO & Founder of Factor Form and former product manager at IBM — talks about the real transition from corporate to CEO.We discuss leadership, solo founding, pressure that comes with ownership, people decisions, and why corporate experience doesn’t fully prepare you for building and running a company.This episode is for founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, product managers, and professionals thinking about leaving corporate to start a business.
2025-12-291h 05
The Founder`s CodeHow AI Exposes Bad Founders (and Makes Good Ones Unstoppable) | David Youssefnia | UplevelIn this episode, David Youssefnia shares insights on the challenges founders face, emphasizing the importance of understanding team dynamics, emotional resilience, and the evolving role of AI in startups. He discusses the significance of founder market fit, the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and the value of building effective advisory boards to navigate the complexities of startup life.
2025-12-091h 02
The Founder`s CodeThe Dark Side of Ambition: What a Racing Mind Feels Like | JT White | Augie StudioIn this episode of The Founder’s Code, JT White — entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of Augie Studio — gives a rare, deeply honest look into what it means to build, create, and push your mind to the edge.We explore why his brain “never turns off,” how ADHD-like tendencies shaped his work style, and why so many founders operate with similar patterns of intensity, restlessness, and hyper-focus.JT shares the discipline behind writing a book, the evolution of product management in the age of AI, the challenges of building a healthy company culture, and the emotional cost of relentless...
2025-12-011h 01
The Founder`s CodeThey’re lying about what it takes to build a $150M ARR business | Aytekin Tank | JotformIn this episode of the Founder's Code Podcast, Aytekin Tank, CEO and founder of Jotfrom, shares his entrepreneurial journey, from the inception of Jotfrom to its growth into a billion-dollar company. He discusses the challenges of partnerships, the importance of user feedback, and strategies for competing with larger companies like Google. Aytekin emphasizes the significance of delegation, continuous learning, and adapting to market changes while maintaining a strong focus on product development and innovation.CONNECT WITH AYTEKINAytekin Tank ► https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytekintankJotform ► https://www.jotform.com👇 CONNECT WITH SH...
2025-11-231h 01
The Founder`s CodeWhat 99% of Startups Get Wrong About Trust | Akhil Nigam | FinmoIn this episode, Shamil Malachiyev interviews Akhil Nigam, co-founder and chief product officer of Finmo, a FinTech platform focused on global treasury management. They discuss the dynamics of co-founding teams, the importance of product management, and the lessons learned from building a startup. Akhil shares insights on navigating co-founder relationships, the significance of customer feedback, and the role of AI in business. He emphasizes the need for trust in financial technology and offers advice for founders in a rapidly changing landscape.Chapters00:00 Introduction to FinMotech and Akhil Nigam02:55 The Journey of Co-Founding FinMotech06:21 The Dynamics of Co-Founding Teams08:45 Navigating...
2025-11-121h 01
The Founder`s CodeAI Won’t Kill Jobs - Here Is What You Need To Know | Ben Zweig | Revelio LabsIn this conversation, Ben Zweig, CEO of Revelio Labs, discusses the intricacies of workforce dynamics, the challenges of data sourcing and analysis, and the evolution of labor markets in the context of AI and technology. He shares insights from his academic background, corporate experiences, and entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of motivation, leadership, and the need for innovation in large organizations. The discussion also touches on the future of work and the potential for labor markets to become more efficient and scientific.
2025-10-261h 02
The Founder`s CodeThey Are Building Refueling Stations… In Space?! Ashi Dissanayake | SpaceiumIn this conversation, Ashi Dissanayake, co-founder and CEO of Spaceium, shares his journey from a lifelong passion for space to building a startup focused on creating refueling stations in space. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of resilience, and the role of co-founders in navigating the startup landscape. Ashi emphasizes the significance of understanding market needs, the value of passion in driving success, and the lessons learned from failures. He also reflects on his experiences with Y Combinator and the importance of building a strong team culture.
2025-10-1757 min
The Founder`s CodeNathan Castro: What Loss Taught Me About Building StartupsIn this episode, Nathan Castro, co-founder of Nanochon, shares his journey from PhD student to entrepreneur, focusing on the challenges and innovations in cartilage repair technology. He discusses the personal experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit, the importance of mentorship, and the realities of running a health tech startup. Nathan emphasizes the significance of mental health, the qualities needed to be a successful founder, and offers advice for those considering a path in entrepreneurship.
2025-10-081h 03
The Founder`s CodeFixing US Loneliness Crisis - Is It Too Late Now? Aaron Hurst & Charlotte Massey | US Chamber of ConnectionIn this conversation, Shamil Malachiyev, Aaron Hurst, and Charlotte Massey discuss the importance of building connections in a post-COVID world, the role of education in fostering relationships, and the impact of technology on personal connections. They explore neighborhood dynamics, the intentionality required in building friendships, and the challenges faced in nonprofit leadership. The discussion also touches on the influence of AI on modern relationships and the costs associated with the entrepreneurial journey. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for community engagement and the importance of creating a supportive organizational culture to combat loneliness and foster connections.
2025-09-241h 08
The Founder`s CodeSeeking Validation Is a Your Greatest Superpower | Lucas Dickey | FernishIn this engaging conversation, Lucas Dickey shares his unique journey from a military upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur. He discusses the impact of his childhood experiences on his adaptability and empathy, the challenges of parenting in the digital age, and the importance of curiosity and validation in his career. Lucas reflects on his time at Amazon, his transition to startups, and his innovative projects like Deepcast and Prompt Yield, which aim to revolutionize podcast discovery and contextual advertising in the age of AI.
2025-09-171h 20
The Founder`s CodeFrom Classrooms to AI Tutors: The Next Revolution | Edan Shahar | Wild ZebraIn this conversation, Edan Shahar, CEO of Wild Zebra, discusses the transformative potential of AI in education, emphasizing personalized learning experiences. He shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, including lessons learned from previous startups, the challenges of long sales cycles, and the importance of building relationships in business. The discussion also touches on the impact of parenthood on work-life balance and the evolving landscape of work in the context of personal aspirations and societal changes.
2025-09-111h 28
The Founder`s CodeShe Turned “Art Isn’t Serious” Into a $6M Startup | Kendall Warson - CohartIn this conversation, Kendall opens up about her journey in the art industry - from curating massive shows to raising $6M for her startup. She reveals the challenges artists face in selling their work and the mission behind her platform, Cohart.She emphasizes the power of community, storytelling, and the impact of digital trends like NFTs on art collecting. Kendall also shares candid insights on building a strong co-founder relationship, developing resilience through hundreds of investor pitches, and balancing creativity with structure as a founder.Reflecting on her childhood, the pressure to perform, and the role of luck, she...
2025-09-031h 12The Founder`s CodeYes, He Made That Tokyo Drift Track - Then Built a $100M Healthcare Startup | John FonteinFrom being signed by Interscope Records and working with 50 Cent, Nicki Minaj, and Kylie Minogue… to hitting rock bottom and rebuilding from scratch - John Fontein’s story is wild.In this episode, we unpack how he walked away from a life that looked like success… and built one that felt like success.He went from:Writing multi-platinum hits in JapanSecretly running a record label while working at Goldman SachsFalling into deep depression when it all collapsed...to becoming co-founder of Sesame, a startup that’s raised...
2025-08-281h 34The Founder`s CodeWhy Founders Burn Out (and How to Reignite Drive) | Mada Seghete - Upside, BranchIn this conversation, Mada Seghete shares her journey from a failed startup to building Upside, a platform focused on revenue intelligence for B2B brands. She discusses the importance of understanding what drives revenue, the challenges of belonging and imposter syndrome, and the significance of building community. Mada reflects on her experiences in education, the entrepreneurial spirit, and the dynamics of co-founding a startup. She emphasizes the role of emotional intelligence in leadership, the impact of burnout, and the evolution of motivation from proving oneself to pursuing passion. The conversation also touches on transformative experiences, the importance of meditation...
2025-08-1956 minThe Founder`s CodeWhy He’s Betting Everything on a $70M Startup With No Exit Plan | Kevin Coleman - Ravenna.aiKevin Coleman has no plan to sell. Instead, he’s all in on making Ravenna the most consequential company in Seattle - starting with a $15M seed round. In this engaging birthday episode, Kevin Coleman, co-founder of Ravenna, shares insights into the startup landscape, the importance of effective communication, and the balance between family life and entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of early B2B sales, the significance of content creation, and the lessons learned from his journey as a founder. Kevin emphasizes the need for clear positioning and differentiation in business strategy, while also reflecting on the value of...
2025-08-121h 02The Founder`s CodeIs the American Dream Still Alive in the Age of AI? | Raghu Gollamudi – Included.aiIs the American Dream still alive in the age of AI?In this episode of The Founder's Code, Raghu Gollamudi shares his journey from Chennai to Microsoft to building Included.ai - a platform using AI to give companies real insight into their workforce.We talk about the early spark behind his pre-Tinder app Mingles, the pivot that followed George Floyd’s murder, and why he nearly gave up in year one. What kept him going? His team’s belief.You’ll learn:Why customer pain matters more than their requestsHow...
2025-08-051h 02The Founder`s CodeBuilding Y Combinator`s Hottest Quantum Computing Startup | ConductorQuantum, Brandon SeverinIn this episode of the Founder`s Code podcast, host Shamil Malachiyev interviews Brendan Severin, founder of Conductor Quantum. They discuss the future of quantum computing, the importance of AI in enhancing quantum capabilities, and the entrepreneurial journey that shaped Brendan's vision. The conversation delves into the significance of resilience, communication, and attention to detail in building a successful startup culture. Brendan shares insights from his experience at Y Combinator and reflects on the aggressive mindset required to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. In this conversation, Brandon Severin discusses the impact of high standards on personal growth, the importance...
2025-07-301h 20The Founder`s CodeMatt Oxley (Opal Co-Founder) — Selling Everything, Scaling to the US, and the Real Founder MindsetThis morning I sat down with Matt Oxley - co-founder of Opal, Managing Director at US Expansion Partners, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Smedvig Ventures.No filters. No masks. Just two founders trading real stories:• Building confidence while failing in public • Why work ethic only matters if you know your WHY • Betting his life savings on Opal and moving to Portland • Scaling with Madrona & Accel — the highs and lows • What separates good founders from the ones who stall out • How he now helps EU s...
2025-07-2255 min
The Founder`s CodePhilip Johnston - Founder of StarCloud (YC S24) | The Space Computing Era Has BegunWhat if Earth can no longer support the future of AI?In this episode of The Founder's Code, I speak with Philip Johnston, founder and CEO of StarCloud - a startup building data centers in space.Philip isn’t just another founder. He’s building infrastructure for a post-terrestrial future, where compute is moved into orbit to escape Earth’s growing energy bottlenecks. We talk about space infrastructure, superintelligence, the future of civilization, and how YC helped him bet on a 100-year vision.In this e...
2025-07-1132 minThe Founder`s CodeThe real cost of taking a company to a $200m+ mark with Dave HershDave Hersh built Jive Software from scratch to a $200M IPO.Backed by Sequoia. Listed on NASDAQ. On paper, he won the startup game.But what came after? Identity collapse. Burnout. Depression.And eventually - a complete reinvention of what it means to lead.In this conversation, Dave opens up about:The hidden trauma behind startup successGrieving the “old self” after an exitThe real reason most founders feel empty, even when they winAnd how to build from your soul and not your...
2025-04-3059 minThe Founder`s CodeThe Real Story Behind DocuSign’s Early Struggles – Court LorenziniWhat really happened in DocuSign’s early years—and how close did it come to failing?In this episode, I sit down with Court Lorenzini, the founding CEO of DocuSign, for a raw and revealing conversation about the early days of one of the world’s most iconic SaaS companies.We talk about:Growing up around the original builders of Silicon ValleyStarting out as a janitor in his father's companyThe emotional toll of early-stage entrepreneurshipWhy he turned down AdobeFiring customers to stay a...
2025-03-241h 21