Behind the Craft

By Peter YangTechnology

Behind the Craft episodes

July 21, 2024 How Top Experts Use AI to Write, Code, and Run Their Business | Dan Shipper (Every)
My guest today is Dan Shipper, co-founder of Every.
Dan co-founded Every and hosts a podcast called AI & I, where he has interviewed 25+ AI experts. He also recently launched Spiral, a new AI tool to help writers and creators save time and get more done.
We had a great chat about how Dan uses AI to write, the traits that top AI experts have in common, and why “managers of AI models” could be a new career path.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Using AI to turn rambling thoughts into writing
(00:57) Introducing Dan
(01:56) Writing before AI existed
(05:12) How AI helps in each step of the writing process
(07:19) Using AI to summarize content
(11:27) AI's role in podcast production
(15:23) The common traits across AI power users
(16:36) Tips to run your business with AI
(18:37) Creating your personal AI coach
(19:52) Why people struggle with using AI
(22:04) Using AI to build apps without code
(25:35) How the AI landscape is evolving
(29:10) Managers of AI models as a new career
(31:20) 3 steps for beginners to get started with AI
Get the interview takeaways: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/how-to-use-ai-to-write-dan-shipper
Where to find Dan:
X: https://x.com/danshipper
Newsletter and podcast: https://msha.ke/danshipper
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34 min
July 14, 2024 AI Hacks to Scale Your Business and Life From a 3x Founder | Siqi Chen (Runway)
My guest today is Siqi Chen, co-founder and CEO of Runway.
Siqi is a 3x founder who’s an expert at using AI to scale his business and life. We discussed his favorite AI prompts and workflows, building a company where people "give a shit," and how to raise your kids and cheat death in an AI-first world.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Can AI solve death?
(00:55) Introducing Siqi
(01:08) The #1 startup lesson after 2 successful exits
(04:09) What Runway's "give a shit" value means
(06:25) Why "raising the bar" leads to business results
(11:32) Why the best time to be a founder is now
(15:32) How non-technical people can get started with AI
(22:20) Using AI to categorize and filter emails without code
(25:09) AI will either solve death or kill all of us
(26:57) Encourage your kids to explore AI and take more risks
(32:00) Motivating your team in difficult times
(35:44) Believe in your vision, but be flexible about how you get there
(37:08) How Runway will reimagine financial planning
Where to find Siqi:
X: https://x.com/blader
Website: https://runway.com/
Get the takeaways: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/siqi-chen-ai-hacks-from-a-3x-founder
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41 min
July 05, 2024 Why You Should Push Yourself to Do Hard Things | Nat Eliason (Author)
My guest today is Nat Eliason, one of my favorite writers online.
Nat is the author of Crypto Confidential, a real-life thriller about how he made and lost millions in crypto. We also talked about how Nat uses AI to edit his writing, why he pushes himself to do hard things like writing a sci-fi novel, and his advice for aspiring creators on avoiding the dark side of the creator economy.
Nat is a personal inspiration to me. If you enjoy our conversation, please like and subscribe to support the podcast and check out Nat's new book: https://www.nateliason.com/crypto-confidential
Timestamps:
(00:00) Prove to yourself that you can do hard things
(00:56) Introducing Nat
(02:06) Using AI to edit his non-fiction writing
(08:03) Why Nat is writing a sci-fi book
(11:42) 3 ways Nat is using AI to write his sci-fi book
(17:33) Using AI to fill in details about a sci-fi setting
(19:22) Novel Crafter as an advanced AI writing tool
(22:57) Why Nat got into crypto with a new baby coming
(26:50) Nat's lowest moment in crypto losing $35,000 in one night
(30:27) Why you must push yourself to do hard things
(34:36) How Nat keeps motivated through small wins
(38:26) The dark side of the creator economy
(41:43) How to avoid making content that you hate
(45:47) Advice for aspiring creators
Where to find Nat:
X: https://x.com/nateliason
Get the takeaways: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/do-hard-things-ai-nat-eliason
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51 min
June 21, 2024 Proven Rituals of Great Product Teams | Lane Shackleton (CPO Coda)
My guest today is Lane Shackleton, Chief Product Officer of Coda.
Lane has interviewed hundreds of product teams from Figma, Uber, Spotify, and more as the chief product officer of Coda. He shared with me his favorite rituals from these interviews for crafting a vision, running product reviews, and making decisions.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Cathedrals, not bricks to craft a great vision
(03:41) Moving beyond the 1-line vision with powerful artifacts
(06:46) Translating vision to roadmap with quarterly plus OKRs
(13:26) Why most product reviews fall short
(16:08) How the Catalyst meeting makes reviews better
(22:50) Two way write-ups to avoid the highest-paid person's opinion
(26:31) How to learn by making, not talking
(30:46) The trait that leaders and builders respect the most
Get the templates for each ritual: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/rituals-and-templates-of-great-product-teams
Where to find Lane: https://x.com/lshackleton
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34 min
June 14, 2024 Unlock Your Storytelling Superpower | Robbie Crabtree (Coach)
My guest today is Robbie Crabtree, founder of Competitive Storytelling.
Robbie is a top storytelling coach who has helped hundreds of founders raise $600M+ through this skill. Before that, he perfected his storytelling craft as a trial lawyer who oversaw 100+ criminal cases.
We talked about:
- How to craft a great story
- The two stories that every leader must have
- How to deliver your story in a compelling way
I’ve struggled with storytelling myself, and Robbie’s tips were incredibly helpful. If you enjoy our conversation, please like and subscribe to support the podcast.
Timestamps:
(00:00) The U-shaped approach to tell a great story
(01:29) The essence of a great story in one line
(02:46) Connecting personally with your audience
(03:56) Why impromptu storytelling is a myth
(05:26) The five-part storytelling framework
(05:52) Defending a murder case example
(10:44) Crafting a story in 10 words
(22:17) The two essential stories every leader needs
(28:09) Deliver a story people will never forget
(32:12) Proven tactics to tell better stories
Where to find Robbie:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiecrab/Website: https://www.competitivestorytelling.co/
Get the takeaways:
https://creatoreconomy.so/p/unlock-your-storytelling-superpower
📌 Subscribe to this channel – more interviews coming soon!
37 min
June 07, 2024 Inside the $550M AI Browser That's Taking on Google Chrome | Josh Miller (CEO Browser Company)
My guest today is Josh Miller, CEO of the Browser Company.

Josh and his team built Arc, an AI-first browser that users can’t stop raving about. To take on Google Chrome, they’ve raised $550M from top investors such as LinkedIn’s Jeff Weiner and Figma’s Dylan Field. In our chat, Josh gives us an inside look at how the Browser Company crafts great products and hires top talent.

Timestamps:

(00:00) The #1 thing we look for to hire great talent
(01:29) Why Josh wants to re-invent the browser
(04:41) How to find and hire great people
(08:11) Build with the community on day 1
(12:01) Inside crafting browser that uses AI to browse for you
(15:18) Turn it up to 100 on just one thing
(19:47) We only have 12-24 months to win
(24:30) Balancing craft with time to market
(30:18) How Arc thinks about monetization
(35:45) Addressing publisher concerns with AI search
(41:04) The secret to feeling fulfilled in your career

Where to find Josh:

X: https://x.com/joshm
Website: https://thebrowser.company/

Get the interview takeaways:
https://creatoreconomy.so/p/josh-miller-inside-ai-browser-product
📌 Subscribe to this channel – more interviews coming soon!

44 min
May 31, 2024 Proven Tactics to 10x Your Impact as a Leader | David Kline (Bridgewater)
My guest today is Dave Kline.

David led teams at Bridgwater for 20+ years, working directly with billionaire Ray Dalio. Since then, he’s coached 1000s of leaders through his course and newsletter.

We spoke about:
- His journey from leader to solopreneur
- How to manage up well
- How to delegate and help others grow

If you enjoy our conversation, please like and subscribe to support the podcast.

Get the takeaways: https://creatoreconomy.so/p/dave-kline-how-to-manage

Timestamps:
(00:00) The #1 mistake that new managers make
(01:40) Top lesson from working with Ray Dalio
(04:25) Dave's journey from leader to solopreneur
(09:36) How to manage up without screwing up
(14:42) Asking for constructive feedback the right way
(19:01) Taking a strategic approach to getting promoted
(25:39) Why you should create a personal brand at your company
(26:18) The importance of delegating until it hurts
(30:29) Managing high and low performers
(35:16) A personal story of when harsh feedback forced Dave to grow

Where to find Dave:
Newsletter: https://mgmt.beehiiv.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkline/

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43 min
May 24, 2024 Build Your Career by Collapsing the Talent Stack | Scott Belsky (CPO Adobe)
My guest today is Scott Belsky, Adobe’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design and Emerging Products.
Scott has also advised 100s of startups and writes a popular newsletter called Implications.

I spoke to Scott about:
Why the talent stack is collapsing and what you can do about it
How to improve the first-mile experience of your product
The 4P framework for building generative AI products

Scott is a leader who obsesses about customer empathy and keeping high performing teams as small as possible. If you enjoy our conversation, please like and subscribe to support the podcast.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Why empathy must come before vision
(02:02) How the talent stack is collapsing
(04:50) How employees can prep for smaller teams and AI
(07:00) The ideal design to PM relationship is they’re the same person
(13:50) Improve the first-mile experience of a product
(19:00) Principles for building AI products at Adobe
(22:47) How to talk to people who are anti-AI
(25:25) The 4P framework for navigating AI products

Where to find me:
Newsletter: https://creatoreconomy.so/

📌 Subscribe to this channel – more interviews coming soon!

29 min
May 17, 2024 Get Unstuck in Your Career in 5 Steps | Ethan Evans (former VP Amazon)
My guest today is Ethan Evans, former VP at Amazon.

Ethan rose to VP at Amazon over 15 years and then retired to make $700,000 teaching product leaders while only working 20 hours a week.

Ethan and I talked about:
The magic loop to level up at any company and how to get unstuck
How to systematically build trust with leadership
How to build a $700K+ business while working part time

Ethan is an incredible career coach and product leader. If you enjoy our conversation, please like and subscribe to support the podcast.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Why trust is built more in negative events
(02:11) The Magic Loop framework to grow your career
(04:46) Where people get stuck in the Magic Loop
(07:09) How to ask your manager for constructive feedback
(11:02) The #1 thing that leaders need to do well
(16:38) How to build a strong relationship with your manager
(22:51) How Ethan built trust by taking a risk to disagree with his SVP
(29:41) How NVIDIA succeeded by simply surviving
(31:28) How Ethan recovered from failing Jeff Bezos
(37:39) Making $700K a year in retirement as a creator
(44:31) Every tech person should be doing this

Where to find me:
Newsletter: https://creatoreconomy.so/

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49 min
May 10, 2024 How to Become an AI First PM and Designer | Paul Adams (CPO Intercom)
My guest today is Paul Adams, Chief Product Officer of Intercom.
When ChatGPT launched, Paul and the Intercom team blew up their roadmap to go all in on AI. Since then, they’ve built an AI-first customer service suite that can provide accurate answers to customers 24/7.
Paul and I spoke about:
1. How PMs and designers can skill up on AI and get hired to work on AI products
2. Why you may not want to start with the problem when building AI products
3. How Intercom blew up its roadmap to build an AI chatbot that can resolve 50% of support queries without a human

Paul is a thoughtful product leader – be sure to subscribe if you enjoy our conversation.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Will AI make us dumber and lazier?
(01:32) How PMs and designers can skill up on AI
(05:05) AI will further separate great vs. mediocre PMs
(09:00) The rise of “AI PMs” and how to learn without the BS
(13:44) What Paul looks for when hiring people to work on AI
(16:32) How building AI products is different
(21:05) Why is customer support so terrible
(26:48) How AI will transform customer support
(31:03) Will AI hurt customer support jobs?
(33:00) Why AI products challenge “start with the customer problem”
(38:26) Think big, start small, ship to learn
(46:08) Closing words for advice for building in the age of AI
Where to find me:
Newsletter: https://creatoreconomy.so/

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51 min