In this episode, we welcome George Schlossnagle, a mathematician turned tech entrepreneur, who shares his fascinating journey from academia to co-founding one of the world's leading email infrastructure platforms. 

George discusses the challenges of shifting from theoretical mathematics to building a scalable business in the internet age, the trials of managing email infrastructure, and the pivotal decisions that led to the creation of SparkPost. 

He also delves into the impacts of transitioning from on-premises software to a cloud-based service and the intricacies involved in that massive operational shift. 

Tune in for an insightful discussion on entrepreneurship, technological evolution, and the balance between personal life and professional ambitions in the tech industry.

In this episode, we talk with email deliverability expert, Udeme. Udeme, who has worked with major players like Yahoo and LinkedIn, shares his experience in the email industry, offering valuable advice for anyone looking to improve their email sending practices. We discuss the evolution of email, tackling challenges like spam and AI-generated content, and best practices for ensuring your messages reach the inbox.

💻 Read the blog post: https://blog.mailchannels.com/from-yahoo-to-linkedin-the-evolution-of-email-deliverability/

(00:00:00) - Park the Domain Until June
(00:01:00) - From Yahoo to Today: A Deliverability Odyssey
(00:04:00) - Inside the Inbox: Abuse at Scale
(00:05:20) - Email Then vs. Now
(00:07:30) - Making Deliverability Make Sense
(00:10:00) - The Honeymoon Blocklist
(00:12:20) - Treat Email Like a Car
(00:17:30) - BIMI & the Carrot of Deliverability
(00:24:00) - Postmaster vs. Consultant: Friends or Foes?
(00:27:00) - Life on Spam Patrol
(00:30:00) - The Bought List Debate
(00:34:00) - AI, Outreach & the Legal Grey Zone
(00:42:00) - The Planet of Deliverability

Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of Konrad Keck, founder of Modules Garden, and his entrepreneurial path in the web hosting industry. In this episode, we explore the challenges and triumphs of building a SaaS company, the evolving web hosting landscape, and the rise of new technologies like AI and WordPress control panels. Conrad shares insights on the importance of understanding user experience, managing a growing team, and adapting to industry changes. Discover the potential of new ventures such as MetricsCube and Panel Alpha, and learn how to navigate the complexities of business in a rapidly changing world.

00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:11 - Early Career and Freelancing Journey

03:23 - Founding Modules Garden

06:49 - Building a Team and Management Philosophy

11:48 - Adapting to Industry Changes

14:34 - Challenges and Strategies in Business Growth

16:43 - Impact of Hyperscaler Clouds

18:49 - Expanding Beyond WHMCS

22:06 - Introducing Panel Alpha

32:15 - Challenges in Hosting Infrastructure

32:43 - WP Engine's Industry Impact

33:19 - Pan Alpha's Strategic Expansion

34:47 - Generative AI in Web Hosting

38:52 - Introducing Web Hosting Today

44:51 - Entrepreneurial Insights and Challenges

48:52 - Future Plans and Market Expansion

53:36 - Impact of Ukraine Conflict on Business

57:40 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Recorded in September 2024.

This episode features an engaging discussion with Nicolas Toper, a seasoned entrepreneur known for founding Crit Send and later Inbox Booster. Nicolas delves into his unique educational journey at the CNA school in France, highlighting how its unconventional night-class system catered to working individuals and shaped his entrepreneurial path. He shares the challenging transition from academia to launching his startups, emphasizing the real-world applications and difficulties of innovating within the email delivery and marketing space. His insights shed light on the evolving landscape of email technology and startup culture, providing a valuable perspective for aspiring entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

(00:00:00) - Introduction to Nicolas Toper and the Podcast Theme
(00:00:19) - The Enduring Value of Email
(00:00:34) - Nicolas' Educational Path and Early Influences
(00:03:08) - Starting Crit Send During a Master's Thesis
(00:06:06) - The Evolution of Email Technology
(00:09:39) - The Founding and Challenges of Crit Send
(00:15:16) - Transition to Silicon Valley and Y Combinator
(00:19:01) - The Concept Behind Inbox Booster
(00:22:13) - Overcoming the Challenges of Spam Filters
(00:25:05) - The Role of AI in Enhancing Email Delivery
(00:30:06) - How Big Tech Influences Email Practices
(00:35:04) - The Potential of AI to Transform Email Usage
(00:40:00) - Discussing the Impacts of Silicon Valley Investment Trends
(00:44:14) - Future Directions for Email Technology
(00:49:35) - The Technical Side of Inbox Booster
(00:52:09) - Decentralizing Email to Enhance Security and Accessibility

In this episode, Lukas Hertig, a seasoned expert in the web hosting industry, shares his journey and insights. Discover the evolution of cloud hosting, the incredible rise of Amazon Web Services, and the secrets behind the industry's high margins. Lukas also discusses the impact of private equity on hosting companies, future trends, and innovative strategies for success.

00:00:00) - Introduction and Evolution of the Cloud

(00:01:01) - Lukas Hertig's Background

(00:03:19) - Career Transitions and Strategic Moves

(00:06:17) - Focus on Growth and Market Changes

(00:07:39) - Personal Insights and Lifestyle

(00:08:04) - Major Shifts in the Hosting Industry

(00:15:43) - Web Pros and Mergers and Acquisitions

(00:25:10) - The Role of Private Equity in Business Development

(00:32:04) - Experiences with Top Tier Private Equity Firms

(00:36:11) - Market Dynamics and Price Strategy Impacts

(00:44:58) - Evolution of Marketing Strategies in Plesk

(00:54:18) - Servant Leadership and Team Dynamics

(01:00:03) - Future Trends in the Hosting Industry

In this episode of the podcast, Ben Gabler, CEO and founder of Rocket.net, shares his journey from delivering pizzas to pioneering in the web hosting industry. With over two decades of experience, Ben offers a candid look into the entrepreneurial spirit that drove him from the ground up, highlighting key decisions and partnerships that shaped his path. The discussion delves into the strategic shifts and technological innovations that have enabled Rocket.net to thrive in a competitive market, emphasizing customer-centric approaches and agile responses to industry demands.

(00:00:00) - Introduction to Ben Gabler and Rocket.net

(00:01:20) - Ben Gabler's Entry into Web Hosting

(00:03:25) - From Host Nine to Host Gator

(00:06:20) - What Draws Ben to Web Hosting

(00:08:52) - Innovation at Rocket.net

(00:11:28) - The Business Philosophy at Rocket.net

(00:14:21) - Target Audience and Customer Base of Rocket.net

(00:18:04) - Company Culture and Employee Engagement

(00:23:01) - Challenges in the Hosting Industry

(00:25:05) - Transition to Software Startups

(00:30:00) - Launching and Scaling StackPath

(00:37:22) - Mail Channels Integration and Email Solutions

(00:43:31) - Future of Web Hosting and Rocket.net

(00:51:19) - Generative AI and Its Impact on Hosting

In this episode, we sit down with Al Iverson, an expert in email deliverability, to explore the intricate world of email communication and marketing. Al shares his rich journey through the evolution of email, from early spam-fighting days to today's challenges posed by major service providers and the advent of generative AI. We delve into the significance of email security, the impact of changing regulations, and the future of email marketing.

(00:00:00) Introduction and Al Iverson's Background

(00:04:32) Al's Career Evolution in Email Deliverability

(00:10:13) Changes in Email Deliverability with Major Providers

(00:18:12) Impact of Google's New Requirements for Email Senders

(00:23:35) The Challenges of New Standards for Small Businesses

(00:28:10) Generative AI's Role in Email Marketing

(00:34:05) Enhancing Email Security with Better Standards

(00:42:19) The Future of Phishing and AI in Security

(00:50:52) Email's Role in Multi-Channel Marketing

In this episode, we chat with hosting industry veteran Wido den Hollander about the vital role of IPv6, an addressing scheme for the internet that, despite being in existence since the 1990s, is still being rolled out. Den Hollander discusses the challenges of fully integrating IPv6 and also the opportunity it presents to the internet community for improving security and enabling faster and easier deployment of new services. The conversation also covers the technical hurdles and the need for increased awareness and education about IPv6. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the future of internet connectivity and its global implications.

(00:00:00) Introduction to IPv6 and Its Importance
(00:02:23) Wido den Hollander's Background and Interest in IPv6
(00:05:01) Challenges and Solutions in IPv6 Adoption
(00:06:29) Technical Insights into IPv6
(00:10:10) IPv6 and Network Address Translation (NAT)
(00:19:46) IPv6 for Enhanced Security and Privacy
(00:24:16) IPv6 and Global Internet Accessibility
(00:32:11) Carrier-Grade NAT (CGNAT) and Its Drawbacks
(00:38:06) The Future of IPv6 and Implementation Challenges
(00:45:40) IPv6 in Practice: Case Studies and Real-World Applications

In this episode of the Collateral Dialogue, host Ken Simpson delves into the intricate world of email deliverability with Laura Atkins, a renowned expert with over two decades of experience in the field. Laura, an anti-spam and email deliverability specialist, shares her journey from molecular biologist to a leading figure in the email industry, highlighting her contributions and experiences that have shaped today's email landscape.

Starting with her early encounters with spam in grad school, Laura narrates her transition into the world of email, discussing her role at MAPS (Mail Abuse Prevention Service), her insights into the development of email technologies, and her eventual foray into consulting. She offers a unique perspective on the evolution of email deliverability, discussing the early days of fighting spam, advising major companies, and the significant changes in technologies and strategies over the years.

Laura also sheds light on her current consulting work, helping large organizations and government entities navigate the complexities of email strategy and compliance. She emphasizes the importance of sending communications that recipients actually want, a simple yet profound principle in her approach to deliverability.

(00:00:00) - Introduction and Overview of Email Deliverability

(00:01:57) - Laura's Background and Move to Ireland

(00:03:03) - Transition from Silicon Valley to Ireland

(00:05:40) - Early Days of Anti-Spam Efforts

(00:09:12) - Working at MAPS and Fighting Spam

(00:10:54) - Start of Deliverability Consulting

(00:12:10) - Evolution of Email Deliverability

(00:16:02) - Modern Challenges in Email Marketing

(00:19:10) - Current Trends and Clientele in Deliverability

(00:22:44) - The Impact of IP and Domain Reputation

(00:27:14) - Advanced Machine Learning in Email Filtering

(00:30:34) - Confirmation of Interest and List Management

(00:36:02) - Evolution of IP Reputation and its Relevance

(00:39:11) - Importance of Domain Reputation

(00:44:02) - The Future of Email Service Providers

(00:47:35) - Security Risks and Email Deliverability

(00:52:03) - Challenges Facing Modern ESPs

(00:56:28) - The Role of AI in Email Security

Description: In this comprehensive discussion, Ken Simpson, CEO of MailChannels, converses with John Graham-Cumming, CTO of Cloudflare, to explore the company's past, present, and future. From discussing the company's journey from its humble beginnings to its IPO, key challenges and milestones, the conversation evolves to reflect on significant events and strategic decisions such as competing directly with Amazon via the R2 Blob Storage engine. Graham-Cumming provides insights into the current state of the "Supercloud" and the integration of AI in their Workers platform. The discourse also ventures into Cloudflare's approach to fostering innovation through their $2.0 billion venture capital fund, the Workers Launchpad, and their unique positioning against major competitors. Future-oriented, the conversation explores Cloudflare's plans to tackle cybersecurity threats, the role of AI and Machine Learning, potential future features, and the company's vision for shaping the future of the internet and digital security.

(00:00:00) - Preview
(00:01:30) - Introduction to John Graham
(00:03:20) - Concept of Supercloud
(00:05:00) - Cloudflare's Beginnings
(00:08:00) - Evolution to Performance
(00:10:30) - DNS and Initial Skepticism
(00:13:00) - Growth and Re-architecting
(00:16:00) - Importance of Rewriting
(00:19:00) - Cloudflare's Evolution
(00:22:00) - Developer Environment
(00:30:00) - Supercloud and Edge Computing
(00:37:15) - Privacy and Regional Restrictions
(00:42:30) - AI and Machine Learning in Cloudflare
(00:47:45) - Email Security and Cloudflare's Role
(00:53:30) - Generative AI and its Applications
(00:58:00) - Closing Remarks