The Startup Podcast

"The Startup Podcast" Presented by hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein.

Basic Member

Latest Episodes

Finance For Founders - Why 'Playing It Safe' Is Risky w/ Michiel Boere, CFO at Remote (Edu)

Finance For Founders - Why 'Playing It Safe' Is Risky w/ Michiel Boere, CFO at Remote (Edu)

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/


#StartupFinance #FounderAdvice #RemoteWork #TheStartupPodcast #AIStartup #StartupGrowth #VentureCapital #StartupTips

Insiders React: Did Zuckerberg Sabotage Instagram? + Apple’s New Devices, James Cameron on AI

Insiders React: Did Zuckerberg Sabotage Instagram? + Apple’s New Devices, James Cameron on AI

Instagram’s co-founder, Kevin Systrom, helped define the modern social web—now he’s calling out Zuckerberg in court.

And are Apple’s smart glasses finally catching up to Meta’s AI-powered wearables?


In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to some of the biggest headlines in tech and startup land.

From explosive testimony by Instagram’s co-founder to Apple’s delayed (but intriguing) entry into foldables and wearables, the hosts unpack what these developments really mean for startup founders and operators.

They also dissect Avatar director James Cameron’s surprising stance on AI and copyright, challenging how creators should think about inspiration vs. infringement in the age of LLMs.


In this episode, you will:

  • Unpack the Instagram founder’s claims that Zuckerberg sabotaged his company post-acquisition
  • Explore what Apple’s rumored smart glasses mean for the future of ambient computing
  • Evaluate the practicality of a foldable iPhone and why the form factor still feels niche
  • Hear why founders often regret selling too early—and what you should learn from it
  • Learn how Meta may have outmaneuvered Apple in AI wearables
  • Understand James Cameron’s bold perspective on how AI “scraping” compares to human creativity
  • Rethink how copyright law might evolve in an era of generative models


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

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/

Replay: Mastering Attention - Your Startup's Secret Weapon w/ Ben Parr (Edu)

Replay: Mastering Attention - Your Startup's Secret Weapon w/ Ben Parr (Edu)

In today's fast-paced digital world, capturing and retaining attention is the most valuable currency for startups. But how can you thrive in a hypercompetitive landscape where rejection is the default response?


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad are joined by Ben Parr, acclaimed author of Captivology: The Science of Capturing People’s Attention, to dive deep into the attention economy.


In this episode, they explore:

  • Understanding why attention is crucial for turning intention into action.
  • Embracing attention-seeking as a positive pursuit, not something to be avoided.
  • Leveraging the seven triggers of attention at different stages to stand out.
  • Recognizing the growing value of attention and making every second count.
  • Navigating the psychology of attention to overcome barriers and capture interest.
  • Avoiding common mistakes founders make in seeking attention.


More on Ben Parr’s Info- Book and Newsletter

Captivology: The Science of Capturing People’s Attention

https://a.co/d/cNUCm3A 

The AI Analyst: https://www.benparr.com/ 


The Pact

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


Key links


Learn more about Chris and Yaniv


Credits

Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Insiders React: China Retaliates Against NVIDIA Embargo + US Startups in Crisis, Google Faces Legal Heat

Insiders React: China Retaliates Against NVIDIA Embargo + US Startups in Crisis, Google Faces Legal Heat

Huawei has just announced a new AI chip—does this mean tariffs accelerating Chinese innovation?


This week, Chris Saad, Yaniv Bernstein, and guest Amir Shevat dig into how the AI trade war and tech monopolies are reshaping the global startup landscape. Plus, on a lighter note: why Sam Altman says politeness in AI prompts is surprisingly expensive.


In this episode, you will:

  • Break down how China’s Huawei is pushing out a homegrown AI chip — and why US tariffs might be backfiring
  • Hear why US arrogance may be accelerating China’s rise in AI innovation, not slowing it
  • Learn how tariffs are hurting startups — from hardware costs to startups skipping Delaware altogether
  • Debate Google’s antitrust showdown: are they abusing market power or just defending their turf?
  • Explore why Perplexity AI is fighting for “choice” — and why it's really about distribution
  • Consider whether saying “please” to ChatGPT actually improves responses — and keeps you off the robot hit list
  • Laugh (or cry) as the team wrestles with whether our political system is just “dumb,” or already boiling over


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

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://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/


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

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

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

Next-Gen Founders: Startups in the Age of AI (Edu)

Next-Gen Founders: Startups in the Age of AI (Edu)

Is AI making startups easier—or just changing the rules of the game?

In a world where execution is cheap and accessible, building a successful startup is more competitive than ever.

In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein unpack the reality of every business having access to the same AI-driven tools, what makes a startup successful in this landscape, and how to quickly adapt in the breakneck pace of business evolution.


In this episode, you will:

  • Understand why execution is no longer your moat—and what replaces it
  • Learn how to sharpen your strategic vision and apply “wisdom at speed”
  • Discover why leadership, sales, and hiring matter more than ever
  • Explore what it takes to master the human-AI interface—and gain an edge
  • Design processes that eliminate bottlenecks and boost iteration speed
  • Build a defensible moat using data, niche AI models, and brand
  • Realize how team quality becomes your true multiplier in the AI age


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

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://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/


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

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

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

Insiders React: Meta's Whistleblower Bombshell + NVIDIA's $500B AI Investment, OpenAI’s New GPT-4.1

Insiders React: Meta's Whistleblower Bombshell + NVIDIA's $500B AI Investment, OpenAI’s New GPT-4.1

In this episode of The Startup Podcast, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein react to former Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams’ jaw-dropping testimony in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee. She alleges Facebook put profits above all else—including the mental health of young users and even national security.


Plus, we discuss the political theater of NVIDIA's $500B commitment to US AI infrastructure, the All-In Podcast's unexpected showdown between billionaires and policy heavyweights, and briefly touching on OpenAI’s latest drop: the GPT-4.1 model.


In this episode, you will;

•⁠ ⁠Discover what the whistleblower claims Meta did to manipulate teen users

•⁠ ⁠Understand the China connection and how censorship tools allegedly fit in

•⁠ ⁠Hear why the hosts compare Meta’s behavior to the tobacco industry

•⁠ ⁠Learn how this trial could reshape public and legal perception of Big Tech

•⁠ ⁠Analyze whether NVIDIA’s $500B “AI in America” move is genuine or political theater

•⁠ ⁠Break down Ezra Klein and Larry Summers’ takedown of the All-In bros

•⁠ ⁠Explore OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 model and what it means for the future of software engineering

•⁠ ⁠Reflect on whether personal AI agents like ChatGPT are becoming too indispensable to switch away from

•⁠ ⁠Learn if AI just a buzzword — or the key to survival in a volatile startup landscape


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

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://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/


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

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

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

Replay: Raising Capital at Seed - 5 Ways to De-Risk Your Round (Edu)

Replay: Raising Capital at Seed - 5 Ways to De-Risk Your Round (Edu)

Ready to raise your seed round but unsure how to de-risk for investors? Discover strategies to avoid pitfalls and secure early-stage funding confidently.


In this week's episode, our experts hosts Yaniv Bernstein and Chris Saad explore:

  • What a seed round truly entails
  • 5 areas you need to de-risk your seed round
  • Common misconceptions and mistakes founders make
  • Why traction is not the same as revenue
  • How to ensure your valuation reflects your startup’s potential
  • Investor pitch tips to share the effective use of your funds
  • The importance of selecting investors who share your vision

Whether you're a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode will share the insights needed to de-risk your seed round and optimize your valuation for future success.


TSP Podcasts Episodes on Fundraising to Explore:


The Pact

Key links


Learn more about Chris and Yaniv


Credits

Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Insiders React: Trump's Tariff Meltdown + Startup Valuations Crash, Shopify Goes Full AI

Insiders React: Trump's Tariff Meltdown + Startup Valuations Crash, Shopify Goes Full AI

Is AI just a buzzword — or the key to survival in a volatile startup landscape?

In this episode, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein break down Donald Trump’s shocking “Liberation Day” tariffs and the ripple effect it could have on the global economy — and on your startup.

As fears of a recession mount and market uncertainty grows, we explore what founders need to do to weather the storm, protect their valuations, and rethink growth strategies in turbulent times.

Plus, we dive deep into Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke’s viral internal memo that sets bold new expectations for AI adoption across the company. What can you learn from Shopify’s AI playbook, and how should you apply it inside your own early-stage startup?

In this episode, you will:

  • Understand how Trump’s tariffs could trigger a global trust crisis and slow startup growth.
  • Learn why “multiple compression” will likely shrink your valuation — even if you're early-stage.
  • Discover how to reposition your startup’s narrative in a world hungry for efficiency.
  • Get the inside scoop on Shopify’s viral AI memo — and what it means for founders.
  • Adopt a founder mindset that treats AI use as mandatory, not optional.
  • Explore practical ways to prototype, launch, and scale with minimal team size.
  • Avoid common mistakes in relying too heavily — or too little — on AI tools.


The Pact

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


Key links


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

Editor:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: ⁠Carolina Franco⁠ 

Intro Voice:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Strategic Communications – Why PR Alone Won’t Drive Business Growth w/ Jessy Wu (Edu)

Strategic Communications – Why PR Alone Won’t Drive Business Growth w/ Jessy Wu (Edu)

Is your startup’s PR strategy just a vanity exercise? Most founders make the mistake of announcing fundraising rounds like it’s a badge of honor, hoping for instant traction and credibility. But here's the truth: if you're chasing headlines without a strategy, you're wasting money.


In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein and Jessy Wu, founder of Encour, dive deep into the art of strategic communications and why most startups approach PR all wrong. Jessie shares her journey from VC to PR mastermind, revealing why effective PR starts with a business objective not just getting featured in big-name publications.


In this episode, you will:

  • Learn why most fundraising announcements fall flat and fail to deliver ROI.
  • Understand the difference between vanity PR and strategic communications.
  • Discover Jessy's proven framework for building authority and influence.
  • Find out why PR campaigns should never be confined to a single channel.
  • Learn how to turn a fundraising announcement into a strategic, multi-channel campaign.
  • Understand why attribution is so difficult in PR and how to work around it.
  • Explore the importance of aligning your PR efforts with clear business objectives.


The Pact

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


Key links


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

Editor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Justin McArthur⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Content Strategist: Carolina Franco https://www.linkedin.com/in/francocarolina/

Intro Voice: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jeremiah Owyang⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Bio of The Startup Podcast

"The Startup Podcast" is a compelling exploration of the distinctive mindset and strategies that underlie the widespread disruption characteristic of Silicon Valley. 

Presented by hosts Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein, this podcast provides listeners with valuable insights into the world of startups and the innovative thinking that fuels their success.

Through engaging discussions and interviews, Saad and Bernstein offer a behind-the-scenes look at the entrepreneurial journey, shedding light on the principles and approaches that drive Silicon Valley's transformative impact on industries.

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