ZigZag

By TED and Stable Genius ProductionsBusiness Careers

ZigZag episodes

June 27, 2019 S4 EP08: The Weird Kids At The Big Tech Party
Before Silicon Valley was dominated by the Big Five tech companies, there was Mozilla, an organization founded by a motley crew of coders and activists who believe the internet should be open to everyone. Those punk rock roots live on in Mozilla's Firefox browser and its decision to stop running ads on Facebook. On this episode, hear Mark Surman, President and Executive Director of the Mozilla Foundation, on why "privacy" is a new business opportunity for entrepreneurs, whether he thinks kids should learn to code (or not), and how he doesn't burn out fighting the monopoly mindset of Silicon Valley.

Also, Manoush and Jen explain why they're ok with a certain kind of "branded" podcast like Firefox's IRL, which Manoush hosts.
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
**Who You’ll Hear: **@manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @jpoyant (Jen Poyant, cohost of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions) @msurman (Executive Director of @mozilla)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
45 min
June 20, 2019 S4 EP07: 46, Female, and Ambitious. Is that so wrong?
You've probably heard her hundreds of times. Mallory Kasdan is the voice of dozens of ads, from Crest White Strips to Nickelodeon. For years, she made an excellent living sounding like the quintessential "hip mom" or sassy big sister, who happened to have a product to shill. But recently, as social media and celebs upended the advertising industry, Mallory stopped booking jobs. She's had to find new ways to pay the bills and get health insurance for her family. And she's doing it by sounding like...herself.
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
**Who You’ll Hear: **@manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @jpoyant (Jen Poyant, cohost of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions) @MalloryKasdan (Mallory Kasdan, host & producer of MILK Podcast: Moms I'd Like to Know. Voiceover person. Author of ELLA. Mom of people.)
Sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
43 min
June 06, 2019 S4 EP06: Why Craiglist's Founder Just Wrote Consumer Reports a $6m Check

Consumer Reports, theOG‘s of product reviews, just got an upgrade: $6 million from Craigslist founder turned philanthropist,Craig Newmark. On this special episode, he and the CEO of Consumer Reports,Marta Tellado, announce their big plans to test all our apps and connected devices with a new set of criteria: one that takes people’s personal privacy and the collective good into account.

Plus, Craig shares his thinking behind funding journalism start-ups likeThe Markup.
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
Who You’ll Hear: @manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @jpoyant (Jen Poyant, cohost of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions) @craignewmark (Craig Newmark, Founder of Craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies), @MLTellado (Marta Tellado, CEO of Consumer Reports)

Learn more about our awesome bi-weekly newsletter and get the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
May 30, 2019 S4 EP05: The Venture Capitalist Asking Existential Questions
We went looking for a venture capitalist who is investing in products or platforms that make money AND make our lives a bit saner: Caterina Fake co-founded Flickr, coined the acronym FOMO, and is now a partner at Yes VC. She’s putting her money behind companies that she thinks will grow big and fast…but in ethical ways. Caterina explains why she said ‘no’ to joining the fancy VC firms on Sand Hill Road, what she’s looking for in entrepreneurs, and how to focus on what matters to you online.
Plus, Jen and Manoush discuss some astounding statistics about where money goes in Silicon Valley and Dr. Ernie, a longtime listener who leaves them the. best. voice memos. ever.
WHO YOU’LL HEAR:
@manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @jpoyant (Jen Poyant, cohost of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @**Caterina**‏ (Caterina Fake, Host, Should this Exist? Investor, Yes VC. Cofounder: Flickr, Hunch, Sesat School. Etsy).
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
Sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker.
CREDITS:
Matt Boynton, Audio Engineer and Sound Designer
David Herman, Composer
Maria Wurttele, Production Coordinator

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
May 16, 2019 S4 EP04: When Your Gut Tells You It's Time to END Your Company
We hear a lot about how people start up companies but what about winding them down? After 15 years, media entrepreneur and "influencer" Grace Bonney has decided to close her lifestyle blog Design*Sponge. In this episode, Grace explains why she decided not to sell her business and has no plans beyond the farewell party...other than rethinking her relationship to the web.

Plus, Manoush and Jen debate whether being a woman online means having to "perform" vulnerability and wonder if men also use entrepreneurship as a way to carve out their identity.
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
Sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker.
CREDITS:
Matt Boynton, Audio Engineer and Sound Designer
David Herman, Composer
Maria Wurttele, Production Coordinator

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
48 min
May 02, 2019 S4 EP03: Adam Grant Says Your Next Boss Might Want You to "Self Manage"
The workplace has become a place of sociological experimentation. But what are the pros and cons to “flattening” hierarchy or employees giving each other "radically transparent" feedback? Organizational psychologist Adam Grant (and host of TED's WorkLife podcast) explains some of the most cutting-edge workplace behavioral changes, how they reflect other societal changes like the #MeToo movement, and what each of us can do to evolve while GETTING OUR WORK DONE.
Plus, Jen and Manoush consider how working remotely has affected their creative process and caused some hiccups with team coordination.
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
Sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker.
WHO YOU’LL HEAR:
@manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @jpoyant (Jen Poyant, cohost of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions)
@AdamMGrant (Adam Grant, Organizational Psychologist @wharton and host of the Work Life Podcast)
EDITS:
Matt Boynton, Audio Engineer and Sound Designer
David Herman, Composer
Maria Wurttele, Production Coordinator

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
42 min
April 25, 2019 Bonus: Our Old Podcast is Back! Here's a Taste.
The tech show about being human returns with an all new season exclusively on the new Luminary app. Manoush kicks things off with the latest on the battle between kids and parents over their screens: do we know how kids are impacted by tech? Does it make them less empathetic? Are they being constantly bullied online? Even if we can help kids figure out their digital habits, are we adults totally screwed? Researcher Elizabeth Englander joins Manoush to share new findings and give the most pragmatic advice about how kids and adults can build better relationships with their tech and each other.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 min
April 25, 2019 S4 EP02: An Alternative To Silicon Valley's "Unicorn" Bullsh*t
Founded by Jenn Brandel and Mara Zapeda, the growing Zebras Unite network is a backlash against Silicon Valley's so-called "unicorn" companies.
Many of these entrepreneurs are saying no to venture capital investors and attempting to build sustainable companies that fit their lives and values. But Jenn and Mara's inspiring real talk about making money AND doing good isn't just for "founders." It's about rethinking the role that all companies--and YOU--have in society. Zebras epitomize what we're doing this season: examining the current culture of business, figuring out what needs to change, and experimenting with new ways to do it.
Sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker.
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.
CREDITS:
Matt Boynton, Audio Engineer
David Herman, Composer
Maria Wurttele, Production Coordinator

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
45 min
April 11, 2019 S4 EP01: Manoush and Jen Became Entrepreneurs One Year Ago
On the launch episode of Season Four, Jen and Manoush celebrate the first anniversary of their company, Stable Genius Productions, and share the most important and difficult entrepreneurial lessons they've learned over the past year.

They also explain how, after a year of experimentation with format and blockchain technology, ZigZag is evolving into a podcast that takes an honest look at the culture of business--and what needs to change.
*Sign up for our newsletter and subscribe to the podcast for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Stitcher, Overcast, Spotify, or Breaker. *
WHO YOU’LL HEAR:
@manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @jpoyant (Jen Poyant, cohost of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions)
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44 min
March 28, 2019 S3 EP06: The Plateau of Productivity
What IS that anti-climactic feeling we get after completing a big project? Shouldn’t we be patting ourselves on the back and mixing celebratory martinis? Perhaps you’ve simply entered the final phase of the Hype Cycle: the rather dull Plateau of Productivity. This is when an idea just WORKS, maybe even becomes a cultural norm.

All season long we’ve been tracking how ideas spark, evolve, and grow. Our final episode includes some harsh listener feedback, a conversation between women new to their local legislature, and late-breaking news from the Rust Belt town of Massena, NY.
*Season 4 debuts April 11 with a special series on redefining goals, ambition, and success in turbulent times. *
WHO YOU’LL HEAR:
@manoushz (Manoush Zomorodi, host of ZigZag and cofounder of Stable Genius Productions), @tkbeaty (Thalia Beaty, producer of ZigZag), @JackieFenn (Jackie Fenn, Gartner Analyst), @NArquiettd11 (Nance Arquiett St. Lawrence County legislator for District 11), @**ElectCurran2018 (**Rita Curran St. Lawrence County legislator for District 15)
ZigZag is the business show about being human.
Join a community of listeners riding the twists and turns of late-capitalism, searching for a kinder, more sustainable way. Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant investigate how work and business impact our wellbeing and the planet we live on. On Seasons 4 and 5, hear from rebels and visionaries with radical ideas on how we can build stable lives, careers, and companies.
If you’re also interested in Jen and Manoush’s personal story and their adventures in starting their own business with a little help from blockchain technology, listen to the first three seasons, starting with Season 1, Chapter 1.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
26 min