Divot

In this inspiring conversation, we explore how AI will transform the future of business and work, and what it means for us as humans. You’ll hear why AI will soon perform 80% of human jobs, why full AI-first tools will surpass today’s co-pilots, and why most of AI’s impact will happen outside of tech.

But this is also a powerful life masterclass. From building billion-dollar startups to raising a family and staying energized at 70, we dive deep into resilience, happiness, and living an internally driven life.

You’ll learn how to power through failure, lead through change, balance ambition with presence, and why the most significant measure of life is doing what you love.

Follow Vinod Khosla – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vkhosla

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersena

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to AI and Entrepreneurial Vision

05:01 - The Future of AI Development and Adoption

10:01 - AI's Impact on Business and Job Transformation

15:02 - AI as a Tool for Small Businesses and Innovation

20:00 - The Role of Startups and Disruption in AI

25:00 - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future

30:02 - Lessons from Building Tech Companies

35:01 - Staying Relevant and Evolving as an Investor

40:00 - Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Growth

45:01 - Long-Term Relationships and Life Priorities

50:00 - Measuring Success and Living Purposefully

Episode Partners:

Salesforce

Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#DivotPodcast #AI #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Innovation #AGI #Mindset #Success

In this episode, Kobie Fuller invites us into his home gym — and into the mindset that’s driven him through elite athletics, startup investing, fatherhood, and personal growth. From sprint workouts to 24-hour fasts, Kobie shares how he uses physical discipline to sharpen mental clarity and lead with purpose.

He breaks down two core ideas that changed his life: “It takes what it takes” and neutral thinking — frameworks he learned from late mentor Trevor Moawad to overcome self-doubt, pressure, and negativity.

We explore how Kobie handles failure, centers his faith, coaches his kids, balances ambition with presence, and defines what it truly means to win. This is a masterclass in mindset, emotional leadership, and how to build a life that actually matters.

Follow Kobie – X (Twitter): https://x.com/kobiefuller

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction

1:40 – Inside Kobie’s gym: how fitness drives clarity

2:00 – Track workouts, aging, and athletic self-awareness

5:16 – Why the 800 is the most brutal race

6:13 – Coaching his kids, and what youth sports reveal

8:20 – “It takes what it takes” – the mindset behind greatness

11:25 – Neutral thinking vs. toxic positivity

14:18 – Road rage, emotional discipline, and living by the Golden Rule

20:47 – Teaching neutral mindset to his kids

22:11 – Preemptive emotional mapping with Trevor Moawad

25:18 – Balancing work, presence, and guilt as a founder & father

28:00 – Monday fasts, spiritual resets, and weekly discipline

31:10 – Building long-term investor-founder relationships

32:30 – Having a spouse who helps you stay grounded

33:17 – Trusting God’s plan when life doesn’t go your way

35:37 – Accomplishing hard things: track, leadership, and family

40:45 – Privilege, pressure, and staying grateful

42:49 – The person he admires most: Jim Lowry

43:44 – What he’s most proud of (it’s not Harvard)

44:30 – Meeting God and leaving the world better

45:05 – How he will measure his life

Episode Partners:

SalesforceStart faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.

https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#DivotPodcast #MindsetMatters #ItTakesWhatItTakes #NeutralThinking #EmotionalDiscipline #Fatherhood #Faith #Leadership #KobieFuller

Most people fail at leadership because they complicate what should be simple. Greg Osborn’s approach is different. After leading in Vietnam, raising a family with old-school work ethic, and building businesses in Silicon Valley as the tech boom took off, he learned that success comes from two things: giving people the right training and keeping them motivated.

In this conversation, Greg breaks down why teams succeed or fail based on this simple principle — and how you can apply it in business, family, and life. You’ll hear how his leadership lessons from the Vietnam battlefield translated into managing people, teaching his kids, and running companies.

This is timeless advice that still works today — practical, proven, and refreshingly clear.

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Greg Osborne and His Garage

05:01 - Camping Adventures with Greg Osborne's Family

10:01 - The Joy of Making and Solving Problems

15:00 - Early Life, Education, and Military Background

20:01 - College Basketball Career at Stanford

25:01 - Physical Challenges and Surgeries Over the Years

30:01 - Reflections on Basketball and Life Experiences

35:01 - Military Training and Assignment to Vietnam

40:02 - Experiences in Vietnam and Impact of War

45:01 - Teaching GED to Soldiers and Life Lessons

50:01 - 54 Years of Marriage and Family Life

55:00 - Raising Children and Teaching Responsibility

01:00:00 - Reflections on Joy and Family

01:05:00 - Personal Anecdotes and Life Lessons

01:10:00 - Challenges and Sacrifices in Life

01:15:02 - Real Estate Experiences and Business Ventures

01:20:01 - Encounters with Tech Industry Leaders

01:25:00 - Growth of Silicon Valley and Early Tech Companies

01:30:01 - Closing Thoughts and Final Conversations

Episode Partners:

Salesforce

Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.

https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen

#DivotPodcast #Leadership #TeamSuccess #Entrepreneurship #SimpleAdvice #Motivation #HighPerformance #Mindset #PaloAlto

America used to lead the world in innovation. Now, it's falling behind — and no one in power wants to face the truth.

In Part 2 of this eye-opening conversation, we dive into how the U.S. lost its edge in science, technology, and defense. From bloated bureaucracies to outdated mindsets, the systems that once fueled American greatness are now holding it back.

You'll hear war stories from the frontlines of government innovation, uncover the forgotten WWII playbook that built modern America, and learn how China quietly leapfrogged U.S. capabilities. We explore why bold ideas get killed, how real change gets buried, and what kind of leadership we desperately need today.

This isn't just about startups — it's about the future of the country.

Follow Steve – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sgblank

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

3:37: Hacking for Defense -- how a new form of national service is changing how national security problems are solved

6:27: Why DoD struggles to innovate

11:31: How China beat the U.S. at innovation

21:00: How the U.S. became a science superpower

27:00: Faith vs. facts: how decisions should be made

35:15: Why the Office of Strategic Capital is one of the most creative things to happen to DoD

40:47: How to get to the outcome you want: Fact-based conversations vs. Faith-based conversations

43:51: Putting startup risk in context

50:34: Redefining service

52:30: Retirement, legacy & how to measure your life

Episode Partners:

Salesforce

Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.

https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOM/

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#DivotPodcast #InnovationCrisis #AmericanDecline #Startups #GovernmentInnovation #Leadership #SiliconValley #ChinaVsUS #SteveBlank

Most founders follow advice that sets them up to fail.In this episode of Divot, we sit down with one of the most influential minds in startup history — Steve Blank.

Before reshaping modern entrepreneurship, Steve co-founded E.piphany, a CRM company that went public in 1999 and soared to an $8 billion valuation. After multiple startups and hard-won lessons, he created the startup playbook that changed how companies are built — from customer discovery to the Lean Startup.

Steve’s teachings are used at Stanford, Columbia, and Berkeley, adopted by Y Combinator, and taught in U.S. national security programs through his Hacking for Defense initiative. He’s helped thousands of founders avoid failure and build with truth instead of hype.

This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and clarity for any builder, founder, or operator.

Follow Steve – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sgblank

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

6:30: After 21 years of doing startups, deciding what was next

10:39: What makes startup founders different

14:11: “Adventure Capital” and how the entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved

18:43: Origin of the Lean Startup method and why it changed everything

22:33: Why customer discovery is key to startup success

29:34: How to choose what kind of startup to build

32:45: Failure is the greatest teacher a founder can have

35:29: Hubris and other company killers

37:42: Why showing up more than most people counts for a lot

39:17: Entrepreneurship is not a job. It’s a calling

44:38: How AI is changing everything about how startups are built

46:56: Making a dent in the universe with Lean LaunchPad, I-Corps, Hacking for Defense

50:21: The three pillars of Lean and how they work together to drive entrepreneurial success

52:58: Why smart founders don’t outsource customer discovery

Episode Partner:

Salesforce
No matter your team size or industry, Salesforce Starter Suite is your scalable CRM solution for growth. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO

Follow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#SteveBlank #LeanStartup #E.piphany #StartupAdvice #CustomerDiscovery #Entrepreneurship #DivotPodcast #StartupFailure

Liz Wiseman is one of the world’s leading voices on leadership and talent development. A Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Multipliers and Impact Players, Liz’s work has helped shape leaders at Apple, Google, Meta, and beyond.

In this episode, she shares how growing up in Silicon Valley, facing early life challenges, and leading major teams taught her the power of multiplying — not diminishing — the people around you.

Learn why most managers accidentally hold teams back, how to create real ownership, and what separates contributors from true impact players.

Follow Liz – X (Twitter): https://x.com/LizWiseman
Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

0:00 – Growing up in Silicon Valley & donut shop lessons

2:30 – Getting held at gunpoint as a teenager

5:00 – Lessons about ownership, mistakes, and leadership

8:00 – Why micromanagement kills creativity

10:00 – Diminishers vs. Multipliers explained

13:00 – Accidental diminishers: how good intentions backfire

17:00 – Understanding the power you have as a leader

20:00 – Why space, not pressure, fuels great teams

24:00 – Being underutilized is exhausting: why it drains people

27:00 – The difference between contributors and impact players

30:00 – Impact players dive into uncertainty instead of waiting

35:00 – How childhood lessons shape leadership styles

40:00 – Why willingness beats talent early in your career

45:00 – How to create a stretch-and-safety environment

48:00 – Coaching yourself and others to become impact players

53:00 – Parenting lessons and raising confident adults

Episode Partners:

Notion

Startups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startup

Google Cloud

Accelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#Leadership #Multipliers #ImpactPlayers #StartupLeadership #TeamDevelopment #DivotPodcast

His family lost their home, memories, and peace — in minutes. What came next would define his legacy. Rich Raddon, co-founder and co-CEO of ZEFR, opens up about losing everything in a wildfire — and what it taught him about rebuilding, resilience, and leading with heart.

From sleeping in his office to supporting a 200-person team while navigating grief, Rich shares how tragedy transformed his leadership — and how ZEFR became a category leader in brand safety, working with billions of impressions across YouTube, TikTok, and Meta.

We go deep on faith, therapy, family, purpose, and the mindset it takes to turn pain into clarity — and companies into movements.

Follow Rich – X (Twitter): https://x.com/richraddon

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

0:00 – The fire that changed everything

3:00 – Evacuation, loss, and finding only ashes

6:30 – Journals, photos, heirlooms: what was lost

10:00 – Strangers, neighbors, and unexpected grace

13:00 – The role of therapy and grief processing

17:00 – Leading a startup while homeless

21:00 – How pain forged a new leadership style

26:00 – Rebuilding life in San Clemente

30:00 – ZEFR’s rise in the brand safety space

34:00 – YouTube, Meta, TikTok: managing billions of impressions

38:00 – The emotional weight of impact

42:00 – Rich’s personal framework for optimism and faith

45:00 – What he hopes his kids will remember

Episode Partners:

Notion

Startups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startup

Google Cloud

Accelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#RichRaddon #StartupResilience #BrandSafety #Zephyr #Movieclips #WildfireRecovery #MentalHealthForFounders #FaithInBusiness #DivotPodcast

What does it take to create $100B+ in value while staying grounded, humble, and deeply human?

In this episode of Divot, Derek sits down with one of Silicon Valley’s most respected VCs — a former founder turned long-term investor who’s helped build companies like Lyft, HashiCorp, and Poshmark, with more than 45 IPOs and acquisitions and over 40,000 jobs created across his portfolio.

As Managing Partner of Mayfield Fund, Navin Chaddha shares his journey from IIT Delhi to Stanford, from founding three companies to backing over 60, and how his core philosophy — bet on people, not markets — has guided him for over two decades in venture.

We talk about spotting great founders early, what it means to lead with compassion, and why long-term relationships and karma are the foundation of real success.

If you're a startup founder, investor, or just someone who wants to learn what truly great leadership looks like — this is one of the most insightful episodes we’ve ever done.

Follow Navin – X (Twitter): https://x.com/NavinChaddha

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersen

Timestamps:

0:02 - Introduction to the Episode and Guest.

2:12 - Navin Chaddha’s Early Life and Education.

10:01 - Why Startups Fail and What Drives Success.

13:42 - Passion vs. Practicality in Business.

19:20 - Venture Capital as a Service and Learning.

25:42 - Embracing Failure to Learn and Improve.

36:08 - The Differences of Opportunities in India and the U.S.

39:49 - The Early Days of Tech Startups.

48:18 - The Benefits of Helping Others.

55:01 - How Navin Decides to Invest in a Company.

1:02:00 - Navigating Difficult Decisions as a Leader.

1:08:52 - Where to Start with Acquisitions and IPOs.

1:14:12 - Should a Founder Sell?

1:21:31 - Looking Towards the Future of AI.

1:36:01 - Final Piece of Advice.

Episode Partners:

Notion

Startups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startup

Google Cloud

Accelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#VentureCapital #AirbnbMiss #StartupInvesting #NavinChaddha #MayfieldFund #MidasList #SiliconValleyVC #FounderAdvice #StartupEmpire #DivotPodcast

What if the biggest problem in the NBA today was also the key to unlocking its future?

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk Goldsberry — bestselling author of SprawlBall and Hoop Atlas, current University professor, former NBA strategist and ESPN analyst — to talk about how spatial analytics, Steph Curry, and the three-point revolution changed the game forever. And why it might be time to change it again.

From his early days mapping court data to working with the Spurs, MIT, and Harvard, Kirk shares the inside story of how shot charts became mainstream, why he believes we need to rethink the corner three, and how the culture of basketball is shaped by math, emotion, and identity.

We explore how rules evolve, why bigs might dominate the next era, and what the NBA must do to stay competitive, creative, and culturally relevant. If you're into basketball, analytics, or game-changing innovation, this is a must-watch.

Follow Kirk – X (Twitter): https://x.com/kirkgoldsberry

Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersen

Episode Partners:

NotionStartups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startup

Google CloudAccelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#KirkGoldsberry #NBAAnalytics #StephCurry #BasketballInnovation #ThreePointRevolution #ShotCharts #SprawlBall #HoopAtlas #DivotPodcast #SportsAnalytics

How do you go from sneakers to $4B in sales, revolutionize collectibles, and invent a new market for toys? In this episode, Josh Luber, co-founder of StockX and the creator of Ghosts, breaks down his game-changing journey in the hype economy.

From building StockX — the $4B sneaker resale platform — to launching Ghosts, his innovative collectible toy brand, Josh reveals his secrets to turning scarcity, storytelling, and data into something people are obsessed with.

We dive deep into the science behind hype, how Josh uses Dutch auctions to drive fair pricing, and why collectibles have become emotional investments. Ghosts isn’t just another toy — it’s a culture-shifting experience that makes every piece a masterpiece. Plus, hear about his NBA partnerships, collaborations with Astroboy, and Rocky’s Matcha.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a sneakerhead, a toy collector, or just love hearing about next-gen business models, this episode is a must-watch.

Hit subscribe for more interviews with founders disrupting industries and building empires.

Follow Josh - X (Twitter): https://x.com/joshluber

Follow Derek - X (Twitter): https://x.com/derekjandersen

Episode Partners:

Notion

Startups get up to 6 months free of Notion with unlimited AI. Use code SGXNotion: https://ntn.so/startup

Google Cloud

Accelerate your AI startup with Google for Startups Cloud Program: https://partners.startupgrind.com/partner/google-cloud/

Follow Divot:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod

X (Twitter): https://x.com/divotdotorg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/

#JoshLuber #StockX #Ghosts #Collectibles #SneakerCulture #HypeEconomy #DutchAuction #Toys #StartupJourney #DivotPodcast