TKS: The Karnjanaprakorn Show

TKS: The Karnjanaprakorn Show

By Michael KarnjanaprakornSociety & Culture
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TKS: The Karnjanaprakorn Show episodes

  • Stack Your Obsessions
    I have an addictive personality. When I get into something, I go all in. Health, sports cards, running, Magic, UFC, and right now Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, and AI coding. Then a few months later I move on to the next thing.
    For a long time I thought that meant I was scattered. That I could not commit. I do not think that anymore.
    Here is what I think is actually going on. The intense phase ends, but what you picked up stays. The skills, the habits, the taste, the people. It all stacks up into a kind of life portfolio.
    I also get into the other side of it. Not every obsession is worth keeping. Some are just procrastination. And quitting one, like I did with golf, is not the same as failing.
    You are not flaky. You are building a life, one obsession at a time.
    4 min
  • #42 - How to Get a Job at a Tech Startup or Becoming a Content Creator with my MTG Coach Stanley2099

    In this episode, I chat with my Magic: The Gathering coach Stanley Hartman (Stanley2009) about different career paths. I flip the script and share my own advice with Stanley as we explore how to land a job at a tech startup, build a career as a content creator, and brainstorm software ideas through vibe coding. For anyone interested in career guidance, content creation, or startup ideas, this episode provides practical advice and actionable tips.


    FOLLOW STANLEY

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/stanley2099

    X: https://x.com/stanley_2099

    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stanley_2099

    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7I6IFHdvYOLeIMHtlhbNsC?si=d86a108fb335494c


    FOLLOW ME

    Website: https://mikekarnj.com


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Intro

    01:21 Getting a Job at a Tech Startup

    25:25 Content Creation

    57:01 Vibe Coding

    1 hr 23 min
  • #41: Danya Shults - Career Pivots, Sabbaticals, and Navigating Life’s Transitions

    How do you know when it’s time to make a change—whether in your career, personal life, or mindset?


    In this episode, I sit down with Danya Shults, who shares her experiences from working at Skillshare and Patreon to becoming an executive coach. We also talk about her recent psychedelic therapy, sabbatical in Spain, and navigating changes as you get closer to 40.


    We discuss:

    • The emotional and practical side of career pivots
    • Why Danya and her husband quit their jobs for a four-month sabbatical
    • How founders (and anyone in transition) can avoid anticipatory grief
    • The role of intuition, spirituality, and psychedelics in navigating life shifts


    This conversation is perfect for anyone experiencing major life transitions.


    Follow Danya: https://www.danyashults.com


    CHAPTERS

    0:00 Intro

    07:30 Sabbatical

    16:59 Life After

    32:08 Entering 40s

    36:52 Marriage and Milestones

    42:28  Spirituality

    50:44 Psychedelic Therapy

    59:51 Advice

    1 hr 3 min
  • #40 - Safwaan Kay: AI Agents, Open Source Software, and Ambition

    Safwaan Kay is working on a new (stealth) startup. He was previously at Founders, Inc.


    LINKS

    Safwaan's X: https://x.com/safwaankay

    I’m rich and have no idea what to do with my life: https://vinay.sh/i-am-rich-and-have-no-idea-what-to-do-with-my-life/


    HOST

    Michael Karnjanaprakorn: https://mikekarnj.com/


    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Introduction

    03:31 Post Exit Founder Essay

    20:18 Open Source

    29:47 AI Agents

    46:56 Ambition


    49 min
  • My 2024 Review

    Reflecting on the year has always been part of my annual process — celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and planning ahead. In this essay and podcast episode, I’ll share my highlights, lessons, and goals for 2025, along with some unexpected takeaways from a year dedicated to having fun.



    Lessons

    Dropping the Mask: Letting go of the personas we build to meet others’ expectations is difficult but transformative. Living authentically allows for deeper connections and a more fulfilling life.

    Redefining Success: Inspired by my conversation with Kevin Dahlstrom, I’ve embraced a new version of the American Dream: sabbaticals, financial independence, passion-driven identities, and quality family time are what success looks like to me now.

    Health is Wealth: Navigating my heart health issues and running injuries reinforced a simple truth: everything else in life rests on a foundation of good health. Without it, nothing else is sustainable.

    Simplify to Focus: Decluttering my physical and mental space has been transformative. By owning less and streamlining commitments, I’ve freed up time and energy to focus on what I truly care about, whether it’s hobbies, relationships, or personal growth.

    Transitions take Time:  Big life changes rarely happen overnight. Shifting priorities, evolving identities, and exploring new paths require patience. Dead ends are part of the process; what matters is continuing to take steps forward without rushing the process.


    Read: https://mikekarnj.com/posts/2024-review


    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    02:45 Highlights

    26:32 Lessons Learned in 2024

    29:54 Random

    33:26 2025

    38 min
  • #38: Andrew Conner - Mastering Curiosity and Independent Thinking in the Age of Algorithms
    In this episode of TKS, we explore how adult curiosity, independent thinking, and cognitive growth shape not only our careers but also our entire approach to life. Our guest, Andrew Conner, co-founder of Levels, shares insights from his 18-month sabbatical, where he stepped away from the day-to-day of building a startup to dive deep into unstructured learning and personal exploration. We discuss the mental frameworks and practical tactics that sustain lifelong curiosity, why wisdom is "the best predictor of life satisfaction," and how to cultivate cognitive ability in an algorithm-driven world.
    Guest
    https://andrewconner.com/ is the co-founder of Levels. He is a software engineer, amateur potter, and tinkerer.
    Chapters
    00:00 Intro
    01:19 Sabbatical
    06:01 Guardrails
    14:05 Adult Curiosity
    20:10 Placebo Effect
    24:55 Unstructured Learning
    28:43 Framework
    29:33 Navigating Algorithms
    31:06 Intentional Content Consumption
    40:37 Synthesizing and Connecting Ideas
    49:31 Career Advice for Young High Performers
    The Karnjanaprakorn Show
    TKS features honest conversations with people who think differently. We explore unconventional ideas across life, work, and culture — expanding how you see the world. Each episode tackles a central question through personal stories and expert interviews.
    Host
    I am the founder of Skillshare and Otis. Learn more about me: https://mikekarnj.com
    56 min
  • #37: Rick Foerster - Finding Meaning for Overachievers
    I chat with Rick Foerster, who shares his journey from a fast-paced tech career to one focused on family, creativity, and fulfillment. After twelve years at Privia Health, Rick took a sabbatical when the company went public. He used that time to reassess his priorities and shift from a work-centric identity to a multi-dimensional one.
    We discuss diversifying your identity and finding fulfillment beyond career success. We also explore the concept of ‘total addressable meaning,’ how finding meaning is the ultimate form of wealth, navigating midlife crises and avoiding burnout.
    This episode is perfect for anyone going through a transition, curious about taking a sabbatical, or seeking a more meaningful life beyond work.
    Guest
    Rick Foerster is a former healthcare executive who now writes at https://www.thewayofwork.com/. https://x.com/MattEspoz
    Topics
    00:00 Intro
    01:43 Rick's Journey
    03:38 Life After Privia Health
    08:25 Identity Shift
    12:40 Sabbaticals
    25:10 Ambition
    36:00 Scaling Down After Scaling Up
    40:02 Meaning
    48:24 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck
    54:36 Rebalancing Life's Portfolio
    The Karnjanaprakorn Show
    I am the ex-founder of Skillshare, and I am now exploring what's next. The Karnjanaprakorn Show (TKS) follows my journey as I chat with others, taking unique approaches to business and life. Learn more about me: https://mikekarnj.com
    59 min
  • #36: Heart Disease Risk - My Journey with Lipoprotein(a)
    At 41, I learned I was at high risk for heart disease despite what I thought was a healthy lifestyle. When I was diagnosed with high levels of lipoprotein(a)—a genetic risk factor—I decided to document my year-long journey of understanding and managing the condition. In the episode, I share my biomarker test results, explore heart disease risks, and discuss my lifestyle and medication plans. This experience has underscored the importance of early detection and taking control of my health.
    Read the full essay https://mikekarnj.com/posts/tackling-high-lipoproteina-my-heart-health-journey.
    Chapters
    00:00 Intro
    00:30 My Genetic Risk
    02:01 Background
    03:15 Test Results
    04:47 Breakdown
    07:31 DEXA Scan
    09:17 Taking Action
    13:49 Treatment
    17:09 Mindset Shifts
    18:28 My Plan
    20:00 Follow-Up Results
    23:21 Reflecting
    Podcast
    I am the ex-founder of Skillshare, and now exploring what's next. The Karnjanaprakorn Show (TKS) follows my journey as I chat with others who are taking unique approaches to business and life. Learn more about me: https://mikekarnj.com
    25 min
  • #35: Matt Espinoza — Building a Startup Studio at 22

    I chat with Matt about his unconventional path to building a holding company. At just 22 years old, he has already had two successful exits. We discuss his approach to building his studio model holding company, Halation, where he focuses on creating one-of-a-kind software. Matt shares how he selects the ‘game’ he wants to play, why he chooses to work with friends, and the importance of having a 'cash cow' to fund other ventures. We delve into validating new ideas, finding the right operating partners, and his whale-and-barnacle approach. Lastly, we exchange advice on balancing work and life.


    Guest

    Matt Espinoza is a partner at Halation, building an empire of internet companies. Follow him on X.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction

    01:43 Building a HoldCo
    05:14 Bootstrapping
    06:57 Partnering with Creators
    12:22 Acquiring vs. Building
    15:14 Validating Ideas
    27:53 Importance of Operators
    31:51 Lessons Learned
    37:20 Balancing Work and Life
    45:40 Calm Company
    51:10 Fun


    Host

    I am the ex-founder of Skillshare, and I am now exploring what's next. The Karnjanaprakorn Show (TKS) follows my journey as I chat with others, taking unique approaches to business and life. Learn more about me: ⁠⁠https://mikekarnj.com

    54 min
  • #34: Kevin Dahlstrom - Designing a Life You Don't Need to Escape

    Kevin Dahlstrom might be the most balanced person I’ve ever met. He’s a 4x Founder, 3x CMO, and investor in over 55 companies. He also pursues rock climbing at an elite level — all while prioritizing his family.

    He says it’s only possible because of his “ideal end state” exercise. It aligns his actions with his true desires, allowing him to design a life he never needs to escape. As a result, he’s reduced work to just 10% of his identity.

    As I navigate my 40s, I wanted to get his advice on making the most out of this decade. I chatted with Kevin to get his perspective on work, identity, health, lifestyle design, and more.


    Guest

    Kevin Dahlstrom is a 4X founder, 4X CMO, 50X PE investor, and avid rock climber.


    Chapters

    00:00 Intro

    02:27 The Text
    05:39 Lifestyle Design
    11:38 Ideal End State Exercise
    18:19 Manifesting Goals
    21:28 Compounding
    22:25 Reflections at 50
    26:59 Work-Life Integration
    32:08 Retirement
    33:16 Minimalism
    35:40 Climbing
    37:09 Identity Beyond Work
    39:50 Curating Your Tribe
    41:39 Hobbies
    47:27 Giving Back
    52:40 Mental and Physical Health
    01:04:12 End Quote


    Host

    I am the ex-founder of Skillshare, and now exploring what's next. The Karnjanaprakorn Show (TKS) follows my journey as I chat with others taking unique approaches to business and life. Learn more about me: ⁠https://mikekarnj.com

    1 hr 6 min

About TKS: The Karnjanaprakorn Show

From the publisher's feed

I run Choop, my personal holding company for weird ideas. Learn more: mikekarnj.com

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