On this episode of Founder@50, Jeremy Toeman sits down with Arielle Nissenblatt, where they explore her journey from studying geography and Judaic studies to becoming a key figure in the podcasting world. Her work with companies like Squadcast and Descript have been at the forefront of innovative tools in shaping the future of podcasting. Arielle’s insights into the industry, combined with her creative approach, have made her a sought-after voice in the field.

Throughout the episode, Arielle discusses her transition from academia to podcasting, emphasizing the value of networking and continuous learning. Her newsletter, Earbuds, has been instrumental in her career, showcasing her ability to connect and educate audiences. Arielle’s story is a testament to the diverse paths one can take to achieve success in the podcasting industry. In this episode:

* Discover how Arielle’s background in geography and Judaic studies influenced her podcasting career.

* Learn about her pivotal roles at Squadcast and Descript, and how they shaped her professional journey.

* Explore the impact of Arielle’s newsletter, Earbuds, on her career growth and industry influence.

* Understand the importance of remote recording and editing tools in modern podcasting.

* Hear Arielle’s thoughts on the power of podcasts to connect and educate audiences.

Arielle Nissenblatt’s story is a fascinating exploration of how diverse experiences can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths. Her insights into the podcasting industry offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to make their mark in this dynamic field.

In this episode, Jeremy Toeman engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Eric West, a seasoned professional with a rich background in engineering and business. From his early days at Carnegie Mellon University to his transformative roles at Sikorsky Aircraft and Ford Motor Company, Eric shares his journey through the evolving landscape of technology and innovation. He discusses the pivotal moments that led him to embrace artificial intelligence and the importance of networking in his career.

* Eric’s journey from Carnegie Mellon to Sikorsky Aircraft, where he worked on the Black Hawk helicopter.

* The transition from engineering to business, leading to an MBA and a focus on automotive innovation.

* Insights into the culture of Silicon Valley and its impact on innovation and entrepreneurship.

* The role of networking in career development and the shift from aerospace to automotive and AI.

* Eric’s current focus on consulting in AI, IoT, and cloud technologies, helping businesses leverage new technologies.

Tune in to hear Eric’s insights on the future of technology and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing world. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with a true innovator in the field.

In this episode, Jeremy Toeman engages with Danny Nathan, a dynamic figure in the tech and innovation space, to explore his journey from amateur theater to founding his own tech agency, Apollo 21. Danny shares his experiences transitioning from theater to advertising, and eventually to building his own innovation consultancy. His story is a testament to the power of adaptability and the pursuit of passion.

During the episode, we discuss:

* Danny's educational path from Wash U to the University of Texas, where he earned a master's degree in advertising.

* His early career challenges and triumphs at Poke, an innovation consultancy, which ignited his passion for technology and entrepreneurship.

* The pivotal moments that led to the creation of his first company and the lessons learned from its challenges.

* The founding of Apollo 21, a firm dedicated to helping companies leverage technology and innovation for growth.

* Danny's unique perspective on failure, innovation, and the importance of learning from every experience.

Tune in to hear Danny's inspiring journey and his insights on the future of innovation. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a true innovator in the tech industry.

If you're interested in more of Danny's thoughts on innovation, check out his podcast and newsletter, "Innovate Disrupt or Die."

In this episode, Jeremy Toeman sits down with Marc DeBevoise, a visionary leader in the media industry, to discuss his journey from Tufts University to becoming a key player at major media companies. Marc shares insights from his early days in finance at H&Q to his transformative role in launching CBS All Access (now known as Paramount Plus). During the episode we discuss

* the strategic decisions and inside stories behind the launch and success of CBS All Access.

* how Marc’s experiences at NBC and Liberty Media influenced his approach to digital transformation.

* the importance of networking from Marc’s time at JP Morgan and his connections in the media world.

Tune in to hear Marc’s inspiring journey and his thoughts on the future of media. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with a true industry innovator.

In this episode, Jeremy Toeman engages in a lively conversation with Robert Plank, a tech enthusiast who transitioned from a computer science graduate to a successful entrepreneur. Robert shares his journey from his early days as a tinkerer to founding DFY Podcast, a company that helps creators manage their podcast content. He reflects on his experiences working at CSU Stanislaus and the pivotal decision to pursue entrepreneurship full-time.

In our episode we have a fun conversation about…

* The thrill of creating innovative software solutions and the journey from coding to entrepreneurship.

* Robert’s bold leap from academia to the startup world, and how he built a successful podcast agency.

* The secrets behind building a team and leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and creativity.

* Jeremy and Robert waxing nostalgic about shareware and other 90’s era tech

As the conversation unfolds, Robert and Jeremy reflect on the importance of balancing technical skills with social skills, and the role of AI in modern content creation. Robert shares his philosophy on success, emphasizing the value of schedule freedom and the ability to pursue one's passions.

Tune in to hear some great stories from an inspiring tech entrepreneur.

In this episode, Jeremy chats with Ben Elowitz, who transitioned from early coding days at Microsoft to leading successful ventures such as Blue Nile and Fatbrain.com. Ben shares insights from their time at Bain & Company, where he learned to navigate the complexities of tech and telecom industries, including work with giants like Kaiser Permanente. We discuss pivotal moments, such as joining a startup at the dawn of the e-commerce wave, which later led to acquisitions by companies like Barnes & Noble.

Listeners will gain valuable lessons on:

* Discover the thrill of launching Blue Nile, the first online jeweler, and its journey to redefine e-commerce amidst giants like Amazon.

* Hear about Ben’s bold leap from Microsoft to the startup world

* Uncover some of the secrets behind Fatbrain.com's rapid rise and its acquisition by Barnes & Noble, marking a pivotal moment in e-commerce history.

* Experience the highs and lows of navigating capital markets during the dot-com boom and bust, and the lessons learned along the way.

* How we met via both selling startups (Dijit and Wetpaint) to Viggle, and our shared love for Nudgemail

* Find inspiration in the power of mentorship and the ripple effect of leadership, fostering a new generation of compassionate and skillful entrepreneurs.

As the conversation unfolds, Ben and I reflect on the ripple effect of leadership and the importance of fostering a compassionate and skillful generation of entrepreneurs. I call Ben the “VC Whisperer”, as he is an absolute master of helping founders make their visions not only business-ready, but investable-ready. Tune in to hear some great stories from an absolute mensch.

In this episode, we sit down with Robin Raskin, a trailblazer in the tech industry whose career spans from the early days of PC Magazine to shaping the future of CES. Robin shares her journey from an accidental entrepreneur to receiving a call from Bill Gates, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of technology and media. Her insights into the digital revolution and the future of AI are not to be missed.

Key Highlights:

* Robin's unexpected entry into the tech world and her first story for InfoWorld.

* The pivotal moment when Bill Gates called to discuss the future of personal computing.

* How Robin transformed CES events with innovative concepts like "Last Gadget Standing."

* The founding of the Virtual Events Group and its impact on the event industry.

* Robin's role as a connector in the tech world, bridging gaps between innovation and practical application.

* Her optimistic view on AI and its ethical implications for the future.

Tune in to discover how Robin's experiences and insights can inspire and inform your understanding of the tech landscape. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a professional in the industry, this episode offers valuable lessons from a true industry leader.

In this episode of Founder at 50, Jeremy Toeman dives into the remarkable career of Sarah Rose, a visionary product leader who has navigated the ever-evolving landscape of technology and innovation. From her early days at Anderson Consulting to her pivotal role in the dot-com era with Mob Shop, Sarah's journey is a testament to the power of adaptability and foresight in product management.

Join us as Sarah shares her experiences in transforming ideas into impactful products, including her groundbreaking work at ModCloth, where she pioneered social commerce by integrating user-generated content into the shopping experience. Her story is one of serendipity, innovation, and leadership in the tech industry.

Topics Covered:

* The serendipitous start at Anderson Consulting

* Building Mob Shop (f/k/a Accompany), where they invented group e-commerce

* Pioneering social commerce at ModCloth

* Navigating product management without a playbook

* Insights on leadership and mentorship in tech

Discover how Sarah Rose has shaped the world of product management and continues to inspire the next generation of tech leaders. Tune in for an episode filled with insights, innovation, and inspiration.

In this episode of Founder at 50, Jeremy talks with Bob Gillbreath about his path from economics major to banker, marketer, founder, and now reflective entrepreneur. Bob shares candid stories of building companies, learning from failures, and finding purpose beyond profit.

Key themes from the conversation:

Early career lessons in banking and the moment he realized he needed work with real differentiation

Discovering digital marketing in its infancy and pioneering early campaigns at Procter and Gamble

Launching an agency, scaling it to hundreds of people, and selling to WPP during the dot com boomBuilding Ahalogy, a Pinterest marketing startup, surviving near collapse, and pivoting into influencer marketing before it went mainstreamRedefining success after exits by creating a holding company for service businesses and focusing on personal growth, mindfulness, and ego development

Bob also shares how he now uses AI as a thought partner in journaling and self-reflection, and why he believes his most important job today is learning to be a better human being.

Jeremy Toeman sits down with Dave Feldman to trace a career that spans the dawn of the commercial internet to today’s AI-fueled creative experiments. From pioneering exploring the Web using Mosaic to leading UX design projects at Yahoo/AOL, Google, and others, Dave shares insights on the evolution of product design, the challenges of founding startups, and the importance of team dynamics. Along the way, they dig into:

* Lessons from building in Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 eras

* The power of side projects in sparking career-defining moments

* How a move to Berlin shaped his career and personal growth.

* The evolving balance between tinkering and instant AI tools

* How product curiosity fuels resilience through industry shifts

Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with wisdom and humor, offering valuable advice for aspiring designers and entrepreneurs.