The Abstractable Podcast

By Ryan Griffin & Lachlan Smith

This is a podcast for entrepreneurial spirited, the curious and those hungry to learn about the world around them. We distill the ideas from the world's best thinkers in startups, business, creativity... more

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FAQs about The Abstractable Podcast:

How many episodes does The Abstractable Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 95 episodes available.

The Abstractable Podcast episodes:

September 27, 202027 : Stanford University – Startups and how they work
Today’s episode is inspired by lecture series How to start a startup by Stanford University.
We talk about the theories that are discussed in the lecture series as well as some of the famous presenters from Y-Combinator that ran this course.
[00:00] Introduction: Overview of the Topic |

[02:25] Catching Up: Quick Chats |

[07:40] Lecture Series by Stanford   University: How to Start a Startup |

[08:40] Some People or Lecturers behind   Startup |

[15:52] What is a Startup? |

[22:06] Are startup founders just lucky? |

[25:55] What does it mean to you to start a   startup? |

[34:04] Creating Startup: Two Distinct Phases   |

[39:27] Controversial Nature of an Idea by   Paul Graham |

[49:24] How innovation works By Matt Ridley |

[51:50] Artistry of an Entrepreneur |

[54:00] Startup Tips and Ideas |

[1:05:00] How to have a delightful product market   fit? |

[1:18:32] Closing Quote
As with each episode, we pluck out what most resonated from the lecture series and how we would like to bring it into our lives.
---
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to receive new episodes each week.
Follow us, access show notes (including books mentioned) and our listen to audio on the go: http://abstractable.co/
Subscribe to the YT channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=abstractable
---
Stay connected:
Follow Abstractable on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstractable/

You can find The Abstractable Podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-abstractable-podcast/id1502025982
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/115u4wd7QGR7EXCLXeiJ27
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3Mud2hvb3Noa2FhLmNvbS9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC9pZC8xMTM2Mg
...more
1h 20min
September 23, 202026 Clips: Ryan Holiday – Turning life’s challenges into the way forward
Selected clips from ep26:
[0:00] See your problems as a painter sees a landscape |

[6:42] Domesticating your emotions |

[13:50] Huricane Carter’s fight for justice & freedom.
These are Clips taken from our chat about The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday.
This book offers a pragmatic look at turning our daily trials into opportunities and then triumphs. It draws on stoic wisdom which has tested across millenia and reframes it for our current world. We both share examples of where we have applied the concepts in this book to turn around our own challenges.
---
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to receive new episodes each week.
Follow us, access show notes (including books mentioned) and our listen to audio on the go: http://abstractable.co/
Subscribe to the YT channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=abstractable
---
Stay connected:
Follow Abstractable on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstractable/
You can find The Abstractable Podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-abstractable-podcast/id1502025982
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/115u4wd7QGR7EXCLXeiJ27
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3Mud2hvb3Noa2FhLmNvbS9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC9pZC8xMTM2Mg
...more
17min
September 20, 202026 : Ryan Holiday – Turning life’s challenges into the way forward
This book offers a pragmatic look at turning our daily trials into opportunities and then triumphs. It draws on stoic wisdom which has tested across millenia and reframes it for our current world. We both share examples of where we have applied the concepts in this book to turn around our own challenges.
Today’s episode is inspired by book The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday.
[00:00] Introduction |

[01:36] Catching Up: Overview of Ryan Holiday |

[04:50] Early life of the Author: Ryan Holiday |

[11:24] Opinions about Ryan Holiday by Ryan & Lach |

[13:20] The Book: The Obstacle is the Way |

[23:05] Domesticating your emotions |

[30:20] How to take action when dealing obstacles |

[35:35] Opinions on How to Approach Problems |

[42:55] Perspective: See your problems as a painter sees a landscape |

[50:10] The Story of Huricane Carter’s fight for justice & freedom |

[52:31] Make the World a Better Place |

[58:05] Closing Quote
As with each episode, we pluck out what most resonated from the book and how we would like to bring it into our lives.
---
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to receive new episodes each week.
Follow us, access show notes (including books mentioned) and our listen to audio on the go: http://abstractable.co/
Subscribe to the YT channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=abstractable
---
Stay connected:
Follow Abstractable on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstractable/

You can find The Abstractable Podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-abstractable-podcast/id1502025982
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/115u4wd7QGR7EXCLXeiJ27
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3Mud2hvb3Noa2FhLmNvbS9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC9pZC8xMTM2Mg
...more
59min
September 17, 202025 Clips : Abstract Chat II – Reflecting on Episodes 11-20
Selected clips from ep25:
[0:00] What is an Abstract Chat? |

[3:18] What turns the weird normal? |

[11:38] Is follow your passion good career advice?
These are Clips taken from our episode Abstract Chat II.
In this episode, we look back on episode 11-20 and talk about our favourite concepts. We also give a bit of an update on the podcast and our plans moving forward.
---
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to receive new episodes each week.
Follow us, access show notes (including books mentioned) and our listen to audio on the go: http://abstractable.co/
Subscribe to the YT channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=abstractable
---
Stay connected:
Follow Abstractable on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstractable/
You can find The Abstractable Podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-abstractable-podcast/id1502025982
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/115u4wd7QGR7EXCLXeiJ27
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3Mud2hvb3Noa2FhLmNvbS9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC9pZC8xMTM2Mg
...more
20min
September 13, 202025 : Abstract Chat II – Reflecting on Episodes 11-20
In this episode, we look back on episode 11-20 and talk about our favourite concepts. We also give a bit of an update on the podcast and our plans moving forward.
- What is an Abstract Chat? - We explain what this type of episode is all about
- What turns the weird normal? - We talk about how esoteric ideas and hobbies turn into big businesses
- Is follow your passion good career advice? - We talk about the often talked about advice of “follow your passion” and whether it is useful
Outline:
[00:00] Introduction: What is an Abstract Chat |

[01:46] Catching Up: Quick Updates |

[05:36] Ryan’s favourite book/concept (Ep.   11-20) |

[07:56] Following your Passion |

[10:35] How esoteric ideas and hobbies turns to business |

[19:00] Flashback to Jiro’s life as a sushi master |

[20:40] Lach’s favourite book/concept (Ep.   11-20) |

[23:12] Takeaways on the last episodes   (Ep.11-20) |

[28:33] Is follow your passion good career   advice? |

[36:31] Looking back on the making of Abstractable Podcast |

[39:34] Plans for the coming episodes of Abstractable |

[43:38] Wrap Up: Giving your Feedbacks
---
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to receive new episodes each week.
Follow us, access show notes (including books mentioned) and our listen to audio on the go: http://abstractable.co/
Subscribe to the YT channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=abstractable
---
Stay connected:
Follow Abstractable on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theabstractable
Follow Abstractable on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abstractable/

You can find The Abstractable Podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-abstractable-podcast/id1502025982
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/115u4wd7QGR7EXCLXeiJ27
Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9yc3Mud2hvb3Noa2FhLmNvbS9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC9pZC8xMTM2Mg
...more
46min
September 02, 2020 24 Clips : Nick Bilton – the Silk Road’s Criminal Mastermind
Selected clips from ep24:
[0:00] Kickstarting the Silk Road Marketplace |
[3:29] Finding an invisible and anonymous master criminal |
[7:46] The slow decay of ethics as power increases.

These are Clips taken from our chat about American Kingpin by Nick Bilton.

We tell the story of the ultimate free market, launched by a 26-year-old programmer. It is both an incredible manhunt and a look at the inner workings of a global criminal business.
Show notes, books mentioned and all episodes can be found at http://abstractable.co/

We hope you enjoy.
---
Subscribe to receive new episodes weekly. Watch video of episodes on our YouTube channel - Abstractable.
...more
3min
August 30, 2020 24 : Nick Bilton – the Silk Road’s Criminal Mastermind
See more
We tell the story of the ultimate free market, launched by a 26 year old programmer. It is both an incredible manhunt and a look at the inner workings of a global criminal business.

Today’s episode is inspired by book American Kingpin by Nick Bilton.
[34:52] Kickstarting the Silk Road Marketplace - Below a threshold of participants, networks and markets don’t work. So how did the digital silk road kick owner build its traffic to kick start the engine, whilst still remaining anonymous?
[1:02:55] Finding an invisible and anonymous master criminal Finding criminal master minds takes some serious problem solving. What better way to solve a problem than to think laterally and look for similar cases. The answer, in this case, comes from a curious IRS agent - and it’s not for tax fraud!
[1:22:14] The slow decay of ethics as power increases - This story fits the historical mould for someone becoming what they set out to stop. History continually repeats itself and this is no exception - what happens in the relentless pursuit of idealism.
See more

As with each episode, we pluck out what most resonated from the book and how we would like to bring it into our lives.
Show notes, books mentioned and all episodes can be found at: http://abstractable.co/
We hope you enjoy.
---
Subscribe to receive new episodes weekly. Watch video of episodes on our YouTube channel - Abstractable.
...more
1h 30min
August 26, 2020 23 Clips : Nassim Nicholas Taleb – Randomness and the world around you
Selected clips from ep23:
[0:00] What Taleb recommends you avoid |
[4:35] Dentists vs Stockbrokers |
[10:00] The birthday paradox.

These are Clips taken from our chat about Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
Yes, we are returning to the author we mention in almost all episodes to discuss his first ever book. A quick note to apologise about the gaps between us speaking, our internet connection was pretty unstable when we were recording this.

Show notes, books mentioned and all episodes can be found at: http://abstractable.co/
We hope you enjoy.
---
Subscribe to receive new episodes weekly. Watch video of episodes on our YouTube channel - Abstractable.
...more
13min
August 23, 2020 23 : Nassim Nicholas Taleb – Randomness and the world around you
Yes, we are returning to the author we mention in almost all episodes to discuss his first-ever book. A quick note to apologise about the gaps between us speaking, our internet connection was pretty unstable when we were recording this.
Today’s episode is inspired by book Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb.
[[1S]] What Taleb recommends you avoid - We talk about some advice from Nassim Nicholas Taleb about what you should avoid...
[[2S]] Dentists vs Stockbrokers We talk about different types of random environments and how it relates to careers.
[[3S]] The birthday paradox - We talk about why things that seem completely random are not quite as they seem.

As with each episode, we pluck out what most resonated from the book and how we would like to bring it into our lives.
Show notes, books mentioned and all episodes can be found at: http://abstractable.co/
We hope you enjoy.
---
Subscribe to receive new episodes weekly. Watch video of episodes on our YouTube channel - Abstractable
...more
1h 14min
August 19, 2020 22 Clips: Will & Ariel Durant – Lessons from 5000 years of history
Selected clips from ep22:
Can utopia exist or are we doomed before getting started? |
Are revolts effective ways to make change? |
Are we actually making progress as a society? |

These are Clips taken from our chat about The Lessons of History by Will & Ariel Durant.
So what have we learnt from 5000 years of history? This ep we dive into looking at how we, as humans, have and have not changed across millennia. Plenty of prickly and controversial topics in this one - politics, progress, revolution, utopia, and war to start! The Durant’s bring their shared lifetime of work looking across civilisation into the condense, yet super accessible book. We have both read this multiple times, across a number of years and took away so much more with each sitting.

Show notes, books mentioned and all episodes can be found at: http://abstractable.co/
We hope you enjoy.
---
Subscribe to receive new episodes weekly. Watch video of episodes on our YouTube channel - Abstractable.
...more
13min

FAQs about The Abstractable Podcast:

How many episodes does The Abstractable Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 95 episodes available.

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