WORK IN PROGRESS

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes cover a mix of personal milestones, business insights, and AI-driven industry shifts:

Fatherhood and Life Changes – Ian shares the news of becoming a dad, and Wes reflects on his own journey as a parent, including the unexpected realities of raising a child.

DeepSeek AI and OpenAI’s Competition – A discussion on DeepSeek’s rise, its cost advantages, and whether it truly threatens AI incumbents like OpenAI

The Future of Compliance & AI Automation – Wes breaks down how AI is set to transform compliance-heavy industries, reducing inefficiencies and eliminating outdated workflows.

The YC 2025 Startup List – Ian and Wes review Y Combinator’s latest funding priorities, including AI-driven automation and vertical SaaS, debating whether these trends are actually groundbreaking.

AI Agents in Recruiting – The duo discusses Bordy, an AI-driven recruiter, and the inevitable automation of human-first industries.

Wes’ Obsessive Optimization Phase – Another episode, another diet and lifestyle overhaul. Wes explains his latest extreme self-improvement regimen, Ian roasts him for it, and they both agree that placebo might be 90% of the battle.

With humor, sharp analysis, and deep reflections, this episode covers some of the most relevant shifts in tech, business, and life—while reminding us all that Wes will never stop finding the ultimate way to live.

Timestamps:
(0:00) Intro and banter
(2:14) Ian announces he's becoming a dad
(8:37) Parenting reflections and dad jokes
(14:52) Wes’ latest life and diet optimization obsession
(22:25) DeepSeek AI and the competition with OpenAI
(32:18) AI's impact on compliance and regulatory automation
(42:47) The rise of AI recruiters and automated hiring
(50:33) Breaking down YC’s 2025 startup trends
(55:46) Closing reflections

The WORK IN PROGRESS podcast hosted by Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman, two founders who are scaling and refining their businesses every day.

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes navigate a mix of timely and timeless topics:

In episode 12 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive deep into the nuances of modern agencies, AI-driven workflows, and what it takes to create scalable, authentic content strategies. Reflecting on the constant balancing act between short-term wins and long-term growth, they explore how the pendulum of freedom, innovation, and authenticity is shaping the business landscape.

Tune in to hear unfiltered thoughts, practical insights, and the occasional synthwave soundtrack recommendation.

In episode 11 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes ring in 2025 with an upgraded studio setup and reflections on where technology, creativity, and business are headed. From the shifting role of AI to the evolving importance of taste, intuition, and resilience, this episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the intersection of tech and human ingenuity.

In this milestone 10th episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman reflect on a transformative 2024 and lay the groundwork for an ambitious 2025. From navigating personal losses to reshaping business strategies, this conversation explores the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that defined the past year and what lies ahead.

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes navigate the highs and lows of running productized agencies and building systems that never skip a beat. From dissecting LinkedIn's "gray mass of mediocrity" to unveiling Noco's refined 2025 service offerings, the conversation touches on authenticity, content strategy, and the delicate balance between grind culture and scaling sustainably.

(2:30) Reflections on 2023: Challenges & Lessons Learned

(6:00) Content Systems: Building Consistency & Avoiding Writer’s Block

(9:30) The Power of Never Skipping a Beat

(12:00) Burnout & The Importance of Systems for Focus

(14:40) The Role of Creativity & Scheduling Time to Think

(17:00) ELI5’s Focus on Productivity Tools & AI Solutions

(20:30) Problem-Solving as the Key to New Opportunities

(23:50) Personal Branding: Finding Your Voice in a Crowded Space

(26:40) The Rise of Authentic Content in the AI Era

(30:10) Physical Events & The Future of Authentic Media

(35:00) Noco’s Value Delivery Framework & Service Offerings for 2025

(41:30) Building, Optimizing, Amplifying: Noco’s New Approach

(46:00) Scaling Productized Services for Creativity & Efficiency

(52:00) LinkedIn’s Flaws & The Need for Recruitment Disruption

(1:08:00) Closing Thoughts: LinkedIn Cringe & Holiday Wishes

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into a rollercoaster of topics ranging from the challenges of running a direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand to the systemic issues within Europe's tech landscape. Wes opens up about the ups and downs of his DTC furniture brand, Selé, revealing valuable lessons on delegation, operations, and branding. The conversation then shifts to a candid critique of Europe's innovation stagnation, comparing it to the accelerating tech dynamism in the U.S.

This episode also touches on:

A must-listen for entrepreneurs, technophiles, and anyone curious about the intersection of business, technology, and culture.

(0:00) Intro & Wes’s Morning Routine
(2:30) The Story Behind Selé: A DTC Furniture Brand
(8:00) Lessons Learned: Delegating Too Early
(12:30) Operational Challenges in DTC
(18:00) Finding the Right Production Partner
(22:00) Marketing Strategies for DTC Brands
(27:00) Tech & Branding: OpenAI vs. Claude
(35:00) Why Europe’s Tech Sector Is Falling Behind
(43:00) The Future of Europe’s Innovation Landscape
(50:00) Balancing Remote Work and Productivity
(1:02:00) Reflecting on Leadership in Productized Agencies
(1:04:00) Closing Thoughts: Lessons for Entrepreneurs

The WORK IN PROGRESS podcast hosted by Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman, two founders who are scaling and refining their businesses every day.

In Episode #7 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into the emerging world of AI agents, their potential to revolutionize industries, and how they’re tinkering with tools like Lindy AI. They discuss practical applications, challenges, and exciting prospects for the future of automation and efficiency in business.

In this episode of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian Piepenbrock and Jelle Bot explore the transformative future of no-code tools, the challenges of minimalist design in B2B SaaS, and how agencies can stay ahead in a fast-evolving creative landscape. They discuss Webflow vs. Framer, the role of AI in shaping websites, and why emotional, maximalist design may be the key to standing out in a saturated market. If you're passionate about design, creativity, and staying ahead in SaaS, this episode is for you.

In Episode 5 of WORK IN PROGRESS, Ian and Wes dive into:

The duo also shares insights into sleep trackers, including Wes’s personal journey with Whoop, and why sleep data can both help and harm. They explore how to optimize sleep for better health and productivity.

Chapters:
(0:00) - Positive affirmations and momentum in entrepreneurship
(7:00) - Sleep trackers: Anxiety booster or productivity tool?
(18:00) - European tech landscape: Challenges and opportunities
(22:00) - Hampton Founders community and its European potential
(27:00) - Marc Andreessen on Joe Rogan: Overton Window shifts
(33:00) - The reality of censorship and debanking in tech
(41:00) - Late civilization vibes: Lessons from history
(48:00) - Lean governments and private-sector efficiency
(55:00) - Competition and authenticity: Lessons from Peter Thiel and Naval Ravikant

The WORK IN PROGRESS podcast hosted by Ian Piepenbrock and Wes Botman, two founders who are scaling and refining their businesses every day.