Shows
WORK IN PROGRESSDot-Com Crash, the $63M Exit and Conquering Enterprise IoT (Eric Simone, ClearBlade CEO) - Episode 24Silicon Valley runs on stories. Reality runs on systems.Eric Simone has lived through multiple tech eras, from mainframes to the dot-com crash to modern IoT hype, and built ClearBlade while others chased narratives that collapsed under real-world scale.This episode is about what actually breaks companies: bad timing, fragile platforms, and founders who confuse momentum with durability. Strip away the mythology and what’s left is execution, patience, and uncomfortable tradeoffs.Chapters(0:00) Eric Simone’s background and perspective(4:30) Early Silicon Valley before startups were cool(1...
2026-01-211h 45WORK IN PROGRESSFrom Sugar to Systems: Productized Focus for Founders - Episode 23Founders don’t burn out from work alone. They burn out from running on stress, guesswork, and broken systems.Ian and Wes start with the Ray Peat diet, then pivot into the operating systems that keep startups sane: Brand Sprint, ICP-first messaging, and the tradeoffs between Framer and Webflow when you need to ship fast and stay scalable.Highlights:Ray Peat playbook: sugar, sleep, and founder energy managementWhy adrenaline-driven grind kills judgmentBrand Sprint as the shortcut to clarityFramer vs...
2025-11-0550 minWORK IN PROGRESSBuilding a Media-First SaaS Agency, Why We Love Texas and WTF is Waifu? ep. 22After a deal-closing trip to Dallas and Austin, Ian and Wes dive into cultural differences between the US and Europe, the boldness of American founders, and why Austin might be the ultimate tech base for their next wave of growth.They also reveal Noco’s new Webflow Enterprise Partner status, unpack the playbook to build a $10M ARR AI agent business, and debate whether media should become the business itself.Chapters:(0:00) - Intro & why we vanished(2:00) - Texas trip recap: Dallas, Austin, Shake Shack & ClearBlade(5:00...
2025-07-241h 31
WORK IN PROGRESSFrom Amsterdam to Austin: SaaS Growth, CRO and Sales Funnels - Episode 21From Amsterdam to Austin. From Bitterbal to Brisket. From Seed-stage to Unicorn.In this episode, Ian and Wes dive into what it really takes to scale a modern SaaS agency. They explore why “boring” businesses are winning, how Noco is evolving with CRO subscriptions and funnel services, and why in-person still matters—even in a remote-first world. Plus, an inside look at Eli5’s new AI tools and their upcoming Texas trip.Timestamps(0:00) Why “boring” businesses might be smarter than SaaS(5:27) What’s actually boring: screen work vs. building stuff(9:35) How Noco’s subscriptions ar...
2025-05-1941 min
WORK IN PROGRESSHow GDPR Crushed European Startups, Pre-Elon Twitter Stories and The Future of xAI and X ads - ep 20What happens when everything is going well, but you still feel off? In this episode, Ian and Wes open with an unfiltered conversation about burnout, energy swings, and the strange self-sabotage that kicks in when business finally gets calm. That spirals into a full teardown of GDPR, where they walk through the real-world consequences of the EU's regulatory overreach and why it did irreversible damage to Europe’s tech scene.They break down exactly how GDPR slowed down product launches, blocked marketing experiments, and forced startups to spend thousands on compliance infrastructure. It's not a theoretical rant. It...
2025-04-171h 00
WORK IN PROGRESSFrom Pyramids to Burning Teslas: Conspiracies, Business Breakthroughs and Land Cruisers - Episode 19Ian and Wes take you on a wild ride through Episode 19, unpacking pyramid power plant theories with nods to Graham Hancock, debating Bob Lazar’s alien whistleblowing saga, and wrestling with Europe’s Tesla vandalism wave. The stakes get real as Wes wraps Eli5’s intense hiring sprint, seven new hires streamlined with lessons for the future, while Ian revels in Noco’s overflowing pipeline, plotting faster marketing experiments with X’s Grok-powered ads. From Edge Impulse’s Qualcomm coup to the rise of Chinese car tech, hello BYD suspension, they explore growth, innovation, and legacy. Then it’s personal. Wes...
2025-03-301h 23
WORK IN PROGRESSWhat 806 Applicants Taught Us About Hiring & Why We’re Scaling Differently - Episode 18In this episode, we dive into everything from scaling a business without killing the fun to automating workflows and filtering out 806 applicants. Ian breaks down Noco’s rapidly growing sales pipeline and how their flexible subscription model is finally clicking with customers. Wes shares his philosophy on keeping Eli5 lean, solving client problems that spawn new business ideas, and the painful process of hiring top-tier talent.We also discuss the AI-powered creative workflow tool Flora, how to properly validate a business idea, and why Stripe subscriptions don’t work for high-ticket B2B SaaS. Oh, and we kick things off...
2025-03-0638 min
WORK IN PROGRESSThe rise of AI-powered developers, automation wars, and the JD Vance speech - Episode 17In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, we go deep on:The software developer job collapse – AI is eating junior developer roles. Is the middle-class engineer disappearing?AI-powered coding in Webflow and beyond – How Webflow Apps, GSAP, and AI-driven coding tools are changing the game.Make vs. Zapier and the automation gap – Why most businesses aren't even ready for AI workflows.Escaping Amsterdam – Why Ian is ditching city life, exploring Starlink internet, and avoiding overpriced restaurants.Europe’s economic mess and JD Vance’s speech – Is EU leadership...
2025-02-1950 min
WORK IN PROGRESSThe Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman Feud, USAID insanity and hiring for tech roles in 2025 - Episode 16In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes break down:Hiring in 2025 – Why the job market has changed, how AI is reshaping hiring, and why some candidates still show up unprepared.Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman – The OpenAI lawsuit, the drama behind its transition from nonprofit to for-profit, and the bigger picture in the AI war.Why UX wins the AI race – ChatGPT, Grok, Claude… which one is actually winning? Ian explains why UX plays a bigger role than most people think.USAID’s unhinged capital allocation – From funding LGBTQ festivals abroad to bizarre health initiatives, how government s...
2025-02-1247 min
WORK IN PROGRESSRecruiting BANGER designers, Audience Building, Noco's CRO focus and the EU Worm Diet - Episode 15In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes tackle the hiring struggle in design, new AI-powered updates in Webflow, and a regulation allowing insect protein in food. A mix of practical insights, rants, and some well-earned laughs:The Designer Hiring Crisis – Why is it so hard to find designers with good taste? Ian and Wes discuss the massive gap between applications and actual talent.AI in Design and Development – Webflow’s new Figma-to-Webflow update and how it changes handovers for design teams.The Power of Personal Branding in Hiring– Why building an audience is the best long-term hiring s...
2025-02-1041 min
WORK IN PROGRESSBecoming a Dad, AI Disruptions, and Wes’ Latest Life Optimization Epiphany - Episode 14In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes cover a mix of personal milestones, business insights, and AI-driven industry shifts:
Fatherhood and Life Changes – Ian shares the news of becoming a dad, and Wes reflects on his own journey as a parent, including the unexpected realities of raising a child.
DeepSeek AI and OpenAI’s Competition – A discussion on DeepSeek’s rise, its cost advantages, and whether it truly threatens AI incumbents like OpenAI
The Future of Compliance & AI Automation – Wes breaks down how AI is set to transform compliance-heavy industries, reducing i...
2025-02-0159 min
WORK IN PROGRESSVertical AI Kills SaaS, Crypto Clown Show and Trump's Techno Accelerationism Era Begins - Episode 13In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes navigate a mix of timely and timeless topics:
- The Trump Inauguration: Reflections on policy shifts, executive orders, and their broader implications for society.
- The rise of vertical AI: How hyper-specialized tools are reshaping B2B SaaS, streamlining industries with AI-driven innovation.
- Crypto’s clown show: From Bitcoin’s original ethos to today’s meme coin culture, they explore the tech’s decline into financial nihilism and its potential future.
- Accelerationism vs. Decelerationism: A spirited, humorous debate on what drives progress and what holds us back.
- Person...
2025-01-221h 23
WORK IN PROGRESSThe Pendulum Swings: Zuckerberg Based(?), AI Agents, Content Strategy and Agency Future - Episode 12In episode 12 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive deep into the nuances of modern agencies, AI-driven workflows, and what it takes to create scalable, authentic content strategies. Reflecting on the constant balancing act between short-term wins and long-term growth, they explore how the pendulum of freedom, innovation, and authenticity is shaping the business landscape.
Key topics include:
- The rise of AI agents in agencies and the shift to scalable service models.
- The pros and cons of delegating tasks vs. maintaining direct control.
- How personal and company-wide content strategies drive growth.
- A candid discussion...
2025-01-151h 09
WORK IN PROGRESSAI Predictions for 2025, Human Excellence and Platform Agnosticism vs Brand Recognition - Episode 11In episode 11 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes ring in 2025 with an upgraded studio setup and reflections on where technology, creativity, and business are headed. From the shifting role of AI to the evolving importance of taste, intuition, and resilience, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the intersection of tech and human ingenuity.
Key topics include:
(0:00) Intro and new podcast setup
(3:00) Reflections on the WORK IN PROGRESS journey so far
(10:00) AI’s influence on personal brands and authenticity
(19:30) Webflow vs. Framer: balancing agnosticism and branding
(31:00) Greg Eisenberg’s 2025 AI predictions
(39:30) How aesthetics and architecture impact our...
2025-01-0554 min
WORK IN PROGRESSReflecting on 2024, building momentum for 2025 and addressing Europe's challenges - Episode 10In this milestone 10th episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman reflect on a transformative 2024 and lay the groundwork for an ambitious 2025. From navigating personal losses to reshaping business strategies, this conversation explores the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that defined the past year and what lies ahead.
Highlights include:
- The importance of resilience in business and life.
- Reflections on the European tech ecosystem versus the U.S. landscape.
- The shift towards human authenticity in the age of AI.
- Why diversifying operations in the U.S. is a strategic move for 2025.
This episode...
2024-12-281h 09
WORK IN PROGRESSRELENTLESS value delivery, CRINGE LinkedIn takes and why HUMAN AUTHENTICITY always wins - Episode 9In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes navigate the highs and lows of running productized agencies and building systems that never skip a beat. From dissecting LinkedIn's "gray mass of mediocrity" to unveiling Noco's refined 2025 service offerings, the conversation touches on authenticity, content strategy, and the delicate balance between grind culture and scaling sustainably.
This episode also covers:
- The fatigue of fragmented work and the power of weekly routines.
- Exploring parallels between B2B SaaS startups and productized agencies.
- How Noco is doubling down on value with three core service pillars: Build, Optimize...
2024-12-211h 10
WORK IN PROGRESSEuropean Accelerationism (eu/acc), OpenAI's $200/m o1 version and Wes' DTC hellscape - episode #8In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into a rollercoaster of topics ranging from the challenges of running a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand to the systemic issues within Europe's tech landscape. Wes opens up about the ups and downs of his DTC furniture brand, Selé, revealing valuable lessons on delegation, operations, and branding. The conversation then shifts to a candid critique of Europe's innovation stagnation, comparing it to the accelerating tech dynamism in the U.S.
This episode also touches on:
The intricacies of balancing physical and digital products.
OpenAI's GPT o1 vs. C...
2024-12-141h 34
WORK IN PROGRESSAI Agents will take over EVERYTHING: Here's what you need to know to stay ahead - Episode #7In Episode #7 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into the emerging world of AI agents, their potential to revolutionize industries, and how they’re tinkering with tools like Lindy AI. They discuss practical applications, challenges, and exciting prospects for the future of automation and efficiency in business.
Chapters:
(0:00) Intro and Setting the Stage(2:15) What Are AI Agents?(6:40) Vertical AI vs. Lindy AI(11:20) AI’s Impact on Workflow Automation(16:35) Exploring B2B SaaS Opportunities with AI(20:50) Recruitment and Marketing Automation(26:15) The Role of AI in Compliance and Content Creation(31:30) Real-World Use Case...
2024-12-0753 min
WORK IN PROGRESSThe future of DESIGN & NO-CODE websites for B2B SaaS & tech with Jelle Bot (Noco) - Episode 6In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Jelle Bot explore the transformative future of no-code tools, the challenges of minimalist design in B2B SaaS, and how agencies can stay ahead in a fast-evolving creative landscape. They discuss Webflow vs. Framer, the role of AI in shaping websites, and why emotional, maximalist design may be the key to standing out in a saturated market. If you're passionate about design, creativity, and staying ahead in SaaS, this episode is for you.
Timestamps:
(0:00) - Introduction: Welcoming Jelle and reflecting on WORK IN PROGRESS so far
(2:10) - The no-code...
2024-12-041h 04
WORK IN PROGRESSShifting the Overton Window, Andreessen x Joe Rogan and EU founders breaking free - Episode 5In Episode 5 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into:
Shifting Overton Windows and its impact on entrepreneurial discourse.
Marc Andreessen’s explosive Joe Rogan appearance and its implications.
Challenges faced by European founders and how to break free from bureaucratic constraints.
The duo also shares insights into sleep trackers, including Wes’s personal journey with Whoop, and why sleep data can both help and harm. They explore how to optimize sleep for better health and productivity.
Chapters:(0:00) - Positive affirmations and momentum in entrepreneurship(7:00) - Slee...
2024-11-3057 min
WORK IN PROGRESSThe Jaguar train-wreck, AI video dubbing use-cases and frontloading energy & pain - Episode #4In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, we explore the grind of building businesses with some practical insights and unfiltered takes. From why front-loading energy and pain is essential for success, to the controversial (if not disastrous) Jaguar rebrand, we cover the highs, lows, and lessons learned. We also dive into the game-changing potential of AI-powered video localization and how it could reshape content distribution. Plus, we share thoughts on the startup grind, ads vs. organic growth, and more.
Intro & Branding Blunders
00:00 Ian’s boxing mishap and the Jaguar rebranding controversy
05:30 Classic cars vs. Jaguar’s modern miss...
2024-11-231h 02
WORK IN PROGRESSPaul vs Tyson, Y Combinator wisdom and how to fix the EU tech sector - Episode #3In this episode of the WORK IN PROGRESS podcast, we dive into the grit and grind of building businesses, with topics ranging from startup lessons and iterative growth to the inefficiencies of corporate bureaucracy. We also tackle the stark contrasts between the US and EU entrepreneurial climates, highlight Pieter Levels’ critiques of European policies, and debate Elon Musk’s push for governmental efficiency. Plus, some lighthearted takes on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson and nostalgic TV shows to keep things fresh.
Timestamps:Intro & Catch-Up00:00 - Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: Ian’s take on the fight...
2024-11-171h 02
WORK IN PROGRESSDifficult customers, bursts of intensity, free speech and the EU tech-sector is COOKED - Episode #2Welcome to the second episode of WIP The Podcast – straight out of Amsterdam, where we dive deep into the realities of scaling, struggling, and sometimes stumbling as founders. We’re not here to sell you the polished “guru” story; we’re in the trenches ourselves, sharing the raw, unvarnished truth of building something real.
In this episode, we tackle:
Difficult Customers – why every “difficult” customer is a reflection of the clarity and structure we bring (or fail to bring) to the table.
Bursts of Intensity vs. Consistency – the power of pushing to the edge, sprinting hard, and why it’s essen...
2024-11-0956 min
WORK IN PROGRESSDecel mindset, relentless iteration and esoteric health tips - Episode #1Welcome to the first episode of WIP The Podcast – straight out of Amsterdam, where we get real about the grit and grind of building a business. We’re not your average gurus with a success story wrapped in a bow. We’re founders in the trenches, sharing what it actually takes to scale, learn, fail, and iterate.
In this episode, we dig into:
The Decel Mindset – why there’s zero room for it if you’re serious about growing
Throughput and Volume – why bootstrapping an agency without high project flow is a one-way ticket to irrelevance
Constant Iteration – the obsession to tes...
2024-11-0251 min