In our 39th episode, we welcome Andre Nader, a semi-retired professional in tech turned author of the FAANG FIRE Substack.

Andre shares his journey from working at Meta for nearly a decade to his transition into semi-retirement in May 2023. He discusses how he's living off savings accumulated from a tech career within the context of the FIRE (Financial Independent, Retire Early) movement.

Andre explains his approach to managing finances, the FIRE philosophy, and the importance of understanding 'enough' in terms of financial security. The conversation also touches upon the impact of tech layoffs, the role of personal finance management tools, and how to plan for uncertainties like healthcare costs, social security, and inflation.

Andre emphasizes the true personal nature of FIRE and the balance between frugality and quality of life.

If you want to get in touch with Andre, you can find hid through his Substack at FAANGFIRE.com or on LinkedIn (Andre Nader).

Join us for an insightful conversation with Parsa and Alejandro, co-founders of Evress Analytics, as they discuss their journey from tutoring marketplace founders to education analytics innovators. Learn how they're revolutionizing K-12 education by helping school districts make data-driven decisions using AI to maximize the impact of their educational programs.

If you'd like to get in touch with them, you can email them at [email protected] and [email protected] -- or visit their site at evress.com.

[00:00] Introduction and founding story

[15:00] Core product explanation and district leader decision-making

[30:00] Data integration and technical challenges

[45:00] Growth strategy and fundraising

[55:00] AI implementation and future vision

Modern Financial Planning in Tech with Mike Troxell

The episode wraps up with a lively debate: is Buffalo a part of the Midwest?

You can find Mike Troxell at https://www.modernfp.com

CrowdStruck: CrowdStrike Outage Analysis & Lessons in Reliability

In this episode, Arun and Jake analyze the recent CrowdStrike outage that affected millions of devices and critical industries worldwide. They discuss the technical reasons behind the incident, including configuration update issues with the Falcon sensor's content interpreter, the potential lapses in testing procedures, and the broader economic impacts. The conversation also touches on the importance of robust software testing and deployment practices, particularly for companies that serve as foundational platforms in the tech ecosystem. Finally, they consider the repercussions for CrowdStrike's market position and future remediation steps.

00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup

00:12 Discussing Past Episodes and Future Plans

00:48 CrowdStrike Outage Overview

02:10 Technical Breakdown of the Outage

04:20 Testing and Deployment Practices

15:04 Impact and Consequences of the Outage

27:03 Recovery and Future Prevention

36:07 Closing Thoughts and Hot Take Segment

Additional references:

Stripe Reliability at 5 9s

In this episode, Whitman Kwok, founder and CEO of KAV, joins Arun and I to discuss the revolutionary work his company is doing in the helmet industry. Whitman takes us through his diverse career path leading to the founding of KAV, emphasizing the importance of grit and persistence. He highlights the technical aspects and mission of producing highly customizable, stylish, and safe bike helmets. The discussion covers KAV's innovative use of 3D printing technology, custom materials, and advanced design to create helmets tailored to individual needs. Whitman also touches on the broader applications of their technology and the potential for localized manufacturing. Additional topics include the challenge of automating their manufacturing process and the role of craftsmanship in their products.

00:00 Introduction to Whitman Kwok and KAV

00:08 Whitman's Journey to Founding KAV

01:50 The Mission and Vision of KAV Helmets

04:03 Product Overview: Custom Bike Helmets

05:37 The Customization Process

08:41 Manufacturing Technology and Process

14:14 Advantages of 3D Printing in Helmet Design

20:31 Future Applications and Product Expansion

23:18 Exploring the Global Market for Scooters and Motorcycles

23:32 Innovations in Safety Gear Manufacturing

24:07 Building a Custom Manufacturing Platform

24:42 Balancing Specificity and Abstraction in Software

26:35 Challenges in Vertical Integration

29:57 The Role of Robotics in Manufacturing

33:06 The Future of Customization and Craftsmanship

40:31 Hot Takes and Final Thoughts

Our 5th and last episode of Techonomics Season 3 features Ben Gibbs, CEO and co-founder of READY Robotics⁠.

In this episode we dive into the future of robotics, why there's a need for a common language across robotics manufacturers, and how READY Robotics is making that a reality.

Our 4th episode of Techonomics Season 3 features Jack Greco, co-founder and general partner of Far Out Ventures. In this episode we dive into Jack's incredible story of how he became one of the premier pre-seed and seed investors in Buffalo, NY, and why he's investing so much in companies outside the typical startup ecosystem in San Francisco.

Episode 3 of Techonomics Season 3 deep dives into investing in next generation software tools with Abstraction.vc founder, Taylor Clauson.

The episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in tech, venture capital, or developer tools. Taylor shares his advice for aspiring founders, his thoughts on the future of developer tools, and his perspective on the Kansas City tech scene.

Techonomics Season 3 continues this week with a special episode deep-diving into Arun's personal experience with Silicon Valley Bank's collapse and it's impact on his startup Model-Prime, and our usual banter on the topic. Find out what it's like to be in the middle of a prisoner's dilemma banking collapse as a founder.

Do you keep your funds in SVB or get your funds to make payroll?

Steven Kotler is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning journalist, a flow researcher, and the Executive Director of the Flow Research Collective who joined us for our 30th episode (and start of Techonomics Season 3) to discuss his new book, Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad. Steven has numerous other books like The Rise of Superman, The Art of the Impossible, and Stealing Fire that encompass Steven's work in flow and high performance.

This is a special episode for Arun and I, not just because we love skiing and trying to find our own peak flow states, but because when we first met Arun recommended the book The Rise of Superman -- that catalyzed our friendship and Techonomics would not be where it is today as a result.

Big thanks to Steven for coming on the podcast. We know you'll enjoy.

Music: Hipjazz and Dreams from Bensound.com