Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote revealed a lot – just not what you’d expect.

Siri’s long-awaited AI upgrade was quietly delayed, and instead Apple rolled out a grab bag of long-overdue features, flashy design updates, and deep ChatGPT integrations. Is this a bold product reset, or proof that Apple is falling behind?

Meanwhile, Elon Musk and Donald Trump butt heads, Ukraine rewrites warfare with AI-powered drones, and a16z explains how consumer AI startups can finally scale, if they get a few key things right.

In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein sift through this huge week of tech news, breaking down the topics that really matter for founders and early-stage operators.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand the real implications of Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s public fallout
• Explore how the Musk/Trump feud could fracture the MAGA-tech alliance and reshape Silicon Valley politics
• Learn why Apple is releasing papers criticizing AI reasoning—and what that means for AGI hype
• Assess whether Apple’s WWDC 2025 was a quiet revolution or just a catch-up act
• Discover how Ukraine’s AI-powered drone strike changes the future of war and global defense tech
• Unpack why AI consumer startups now have better monetization paths than ever before

🔗 Full a16z post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/justine-moore_a16z-ai-consumer-apps

From Silicon Valley’s shifting loyalties to the limits of Apple’s AI ambitions, this episode is a masterclass in how tech power is evolving and how to position yourself for it.

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• Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
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Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

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Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Can consumer tech like Facebook and Oculus really help win wars?

As governments get serious about AI and startups, Silicon Valley is being dragged—sometimes unwillingly—into the global military and geopolitical game.

In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack how Meta is teaming up with Anduril—the military tech startup founded by Oculus’ Palmer Luckey—to bring XR (Extended Reality) to the battlefield. They also break down how Google might preemptively split itself, how UK civil servants gained 5% productivity with AI tools, and why Europe’s startup scene may finally be waking up.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how Meta’s AR & VR technology is being integrated into U.S. military operations

• Understand the strategic irony behind Palmer Luckey and Meta partnering again

• Explore the concept of “reverse technology transfer” from consumer tech to defense

• Discover why Google may break itself up before regulators force it

• See how the UK’s use of Microsoft Copilot gave government workers a 5% productivity boost

• Unpack the EU’s new law that lets startups register and begin trading in under 48 hours

• Assess how New York is quietly becoming Silicon Valley’s biggest challenger

Whether you're a founder, operator, or just a curious mind in the startup world, this episode gives you sharp insights into how tech, defense, and regulation are reshaping the startup landscape.

The Pact

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Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Are you building a startup strategy—or just making it look like you have one?

Too many founders mistake polished slide decks for actual strategic thinking, leading to misalignment, wasted resources, and failed products.

In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Marcelo Calbucci, former Amazon director and author of The PRFAQ Framework. They dive into how Amazon’s famously effective six-page PRFAQ process forces deep thinking, aligns teams, and drives billion-dollar bets—without a single slide.

They explore why most startups get strategy wrong, how to apply PRFAQs to your own company, and the real difference between outputs and outcomes.

In this episode, you will:

• Discover why PowerPoint-based strategies often lead to shallow thinking and misalignment
• Learn how Amazon's six-page PRFAQ framework drives innovation and clarity
• Understand the structure of a PRFAQ—and why it starts with a future-facing press release
• Explore the critical cultural shifts needed to make frameworks like PRFAQs work
• Compare PRFAQs with OKRs and PRDs—and learn when to use each
• Unpack the process Amazon uses to critique and improve strategy docs in real time
• Hear practical advice on adapting the PRFAQ process to your startup, even as a solo founder

Whether you're pre-launch or scaling fast, this episode gives you a blueprint for thinking deeper and aligning your team.

The Pact

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If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

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Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

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Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

What does it mean when OpenAI gives away $6 billion worth of equity just to bring one man on board?

In a world where design, brand, and user experience could determine AI dominance, are startups undervaluing human-centered thinking?

In this episode, Chris and Yaniv unpack OpenAI’s jaw-dropping acquisition of Jony Ive's mysterious startup “io,” and what it means for the future of AI hardware. They also break down Claude 4’s strategic shift toward coding, Klarna’s AI misfire in customer service, and Bitcoin’s stunning return to all-time highs.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand why OpenAI paid $6B for Jony Ive with no product in sight
• Explore how Claude 4 is positioning itself to dominate AI coding workflows
• Learn what Klarna’s AI rollback says about the real limits of LLMs in customer service
• Discover why prompting isn’t just for AIs—and how it applies to human leadership
• Compare deterministic vs probabilistic software—and what that means for your startup stack
• Examine how students using AI tools are reshaping education (and why it’s not all good news)
• Evaluate Bitcoin’s recent surge and whether it’s becoming a lasting store of value

Whether you're building in AI, riding the crypto waves, or figuring out where human judgment still beats automation—this episode is packed with insight from real founders navigating the edge.

The Pact

Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

• Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
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Key links

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The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Is Google staging the biggest comeback in tech history? Or are we just getting swept up in the hype?

Founders often underestimate just how fast platform shifts change the rules of the game, and Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI are rewriting the rulebook in real time.

In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad break down Google’s massive AI showcase at I/O 2025, spotlighting the rollout of Gemini Live, Gmail Smart Replies, and even AI-powered glasses. They also dive into Airbnb’s bold strategy to become the “Amazon for services”—and why it could either revolutionize local work or crash hard. Plus, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI are all shaping the future of how software will be built in the AI era.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand how Google is integrating AI into its entire product ecosystem—from Search to Android to Gmail
• Learn why Gemini Live and Google’s “AI Mode” could change how consumers interact with the internet
• Explore how Google is personalizing AI by tapping into your email, calendar, and Drive
• Evaluate Airbnb’s ambition to become a services marketplace—and the operational challenges ahead
• See how OpenAI’s Codex, Microsoft’s coding agents, and Windsurf’s SWE1 model are reshaping software engineering
• Discover Nvidia’s clever strategy to absorb chip competition with NVLink Fusion
• Debate whether vibe coding tools or engineer-facing AI agents will define the future of software development

Google’s making a comeback. Airbnb’s making a bold move. And AI tools are now building AI tools.It’s a lot. But we break it down so you know what matters—and what doesn’t.

The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

• Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
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Key links

The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp .

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Can AI really design your home? 800,000+ users have already ditched their architects thanks to Maket, a startup using AI to simplify renovations from floorplans to permits.

In this Spotlight episode, Maket founder Patrick Murphy delivers a mock version of the real pitch that secured $2M in funding from top investors including Reid Hoffman’s Blitzscaling Ventures. Maket’s platform uses generative AI to help homeowners and builders create zoning-compliant floorplans, visualize renovations, and streamline the entire design process—all without needing an architect.

We break down what made Maket's pitch so compelling, challenge some of Patrick’s assumptions, and unpack the real-world lessons for other founders pitching complex AI products. Along the way, we discuss the difference between simplifying a process and truly disrupting an industry—and why most tools built 'for professionals' fail to scale.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn how Maket is automating architecture using generative AI
• Hear how Patrick convinced VCs with a story-first pitch
• Understand the strategic value of building a proprietary model
• Explore the pitfalls of targeting industry incumbents too early
• Discover how agent-based UIs are replacing SaaS 2.0
• See why traction and team matter more than early monetization
• Get tactical advice on presenting complex ideas to investors

If you’re building in AI, pitching a vertical SaaS product, or just want a front-row seat to a startup reinventing home design—this one’s for you.

The Pact Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

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Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following

Key links

The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp .

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

What happens when Apple hints that Google’s search dominance may be cracking, triggering a $155 billion wipeout in Alphabet’s value?

Many still think Google search is untouchable, but a shift in user behavior and a few lines in DOJ testimony may signal otherwise.

In this episode, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and Amir Shevat explore how Apple’s revelation about declining Safari search traffic could mark a turning point for Google, what’s really behind Trump’s Middle East ‘AI investment tour,’ and how YC’s latest startup wishlist shows where the next wave of disruption will come from.

In this episode, you will:

• Understand why Apple’s testimony may be a warning shot for Google Search
• Learn how AI is reshaping the definition—and monetization—of ‘search’
• Analyze Trump’s Saudi tech tour and its real impact on US innovation
• Evaluate the shift from ad-driven to subscription-based AI business models
• Explore why Y Combinator wants startups to go ‘full stack’ instead of selling to incumbents
• Unpack the risks of shiny-object AI ideas vs. defensible startup models
• Discover which overlooked AI sectors still have white space for new founders

From Google’s search slowdown to Trump’s headline-grabbing AI deals and YC’s startup roadmap, this episode gives you the strategic insight founders need to navigate tech’s shifting landscape.

The Pact

Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

• Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
• Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
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Key links

The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks.

With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on.

For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to www.vanta.com/tsp .

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurIntro

Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

A strong co-founder relationship is crucial for any startup. Learn how to determine the ideal number of founders and understand the distinctions between roles and titles.

Also, Chris and Yaniv explain what you must know about:

• The pros and cons of going solo vs. multiple founders.

• CEOs and Founders and the distinction between roles and responsibilities.

• Considerations on equity splits and vesting schedules.

• Co-CEO conflicts and what to do about them.

• How to manage breakups between founders gracefully when the relationship doesn’t work anymore.

If you’re looking to have an effective founding team, this episode is packed with strong advice from personal experiences from Chris and Yaniv. 

The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

• Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app
• Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Secure your official TSP merchandise at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.tsp.show/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow us on YouTube at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following.

Key links

• The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

• The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Rippling. Rippling is a single all-in-one platform for your global workforce, covering HR, IT, payroll, expenses, and more. For a TSP listener offer of 3 months free, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rippling.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠.

• Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• The Startup Podcast website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tsp.show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

• Work 1:1 with Chris: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://chrissaad.com/advisory/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow Chris on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Credits

Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

OpenAI just dropped $3B on vibe coding—should software engineers be worried?

And what happens now that Apple’s 30% App Store tax just took a major legal hit?

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein are joined by seasoned founder and investor Hooman Radfar (CEO at Collective, ex-VC at Expa) to unpack three seismic shifts shaping the future of tech startups today.

They dive deep into OpenAI’s $3B move into vibe coding, the ripple effects of Apple’s court-ordered App Store concession, and a sobering update on Silicon Valley's AI talent trends.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/chA3rYD75uI

In this episode, you will:

•⁠ ⁠Learn why OpenAI is acquiring AI coding startups—and what that means for developers everywhere

•⁠ ⁠Understand how tools like Windsurf and Cursor are changing expectations for startup speed and headcount

•⁠ ⁠Discover why SaaS margins and investor sentiment are shifting under the weight of AI-native startups

•⁠ ⁠Explore how Apple’s legal defeat is reshaping the app ecosystem for founders and product builders

•⁠ ⁠Hear first-hand stories about the limits of current LLM coding assistants—and why user trust may be short-lived

•⁠ ⁠Unpack the growing platform risk as hyperscalers begin to own entire labor categories, not just infrastructure

•⁠ ⁠Debate whether the “two-speed” startup economy (AI-native vs everyone else) is sustainable—or a bubble waiting to pop

Whether you’re an early-stage founder, startup operator, or just trying to make sense of the shifting AI landscape, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and startup war stories from the frontlines.

The Pact

Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early-access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

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Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg

Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following

Key links

The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on.

For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A

The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

Think staying profitable means you’re on the right track? Think again.

Too many founders obsess over budgets and burn—but the real risk isn’t running out of cash. It’s growing too slowly to matter.

In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by Michiel Boere, CFO of Remote and former CFO of Uber Eats, to demystify startup finance for non-financial founders. Drawing from his experience scaling Uber and managing 50+ audits at Remote, Michiel shares the strategic financial mindset every founder must adopt to succeed.

In this episode, you will:

• Learn why “failing profitably” is often worse than burning cash fast
• Understand unit economics the way a CFO at Uber would
• Discover the difference between forecasting, planning, and budgeting—and when each matters
• Avoid the trap of letting budgets drive bad spending decisions
• Get a practical framework for building simple, high-impact financial models
• See why many founders misuse runway and how to forecast it properly
• Hear why CFOs should embrace risk at the right stage of growth

If you’re a founder who wants to build a high-growth, venture-backable business—and avoid the financial blind spots that kill startups—this episode is essential listening.

The Pact

Honor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:

Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app

Subscribe to the TSP Mailing List to gain access to exclusive newsletter-only content and early access to information on upcoming episodes: https://thestartuppodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Secure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/

Follow us here on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg

Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following

Key links

The Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in-demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited-time offer of US$1,000 off, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.vanta.com/tsp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/

Learn more about Chris and Yaniv

Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/

Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/

Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthur

Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/

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