Product, Explained

S2E4 - Nate Reynolds, Explained

Mon, 08 May 2023 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode, Jeff and Mike interview Nate Reynolds, Doctor of Physical Therapy and owner of NRG health. We talk about Nate’s power use of Therabody products, striving for better health care, and looking for ways to scale quality care.

[1:30] Nate’s a ProdEx super fan - we talk about the serendipity of his favorite episode (MyQ) coinciding with him moving into his new house.
[3:30] We talk about incorporating products we’ve reviewed on the show to help him run his business more productively and transforming care for his patients.
[5:00] How Nate went from playing college baseball to starting his own business, NRG Health.
[7:00] Nate took the literal last test for his PT specialization before the world shut down on March 13th, 2020. Jeff & Mike also share their pain of taking the GMAT
[9:00] Inspiration of starting a business - being furloughed for 2 months right after graduating. “What can I do to work for myself?” and create better healthcare for patients. All while helping PT scale better.
[13:00] We talk about Nate’s expertise as a PT and also on his use of Therabody products.
[14:00] We walk through the science behind percussive massage guns like the Theragun, along with other products like Therabody’s leg sleeves to help reduce recovery time for fatigued legs.
[20:00] Therabody’s history of innovation and continuous improvement to new products like their Theraface. It’s not only great for end customers, but also for Physical Therapists to help them extend the life of their own careers by reducing strain in caring for patients.
[27:00] Nate takes over the Therabody review (including guessing Mike and Jeff scores!)
[30:00] Rapid Fire Questions: Worst Product (Ultrasound for PT) Best Product (Chiro Lux Table). Nate’s Billboard: Don’t be an Asshole.
[39:00] You can check out Nate’s company on social media: @nrg.health.

S2E3 - Elijah Woolery, Explained

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode, Jeff and Mike interview Elijah Woolery, Senior Director of Design Education at InVision. InVision is “the online whiteboard and productivity platform powering the future of work.” We talk about Eli’s work on the Design Better Podcast, his mission to elevate design, and how you should always Assume Good Intent.

[1:30] We discuss what led to Eli’s post-college adventures as a scientific research diver in Bermuda and surveying everything from corals to fish.
[5:00] Iterating designs quickly in the machine shop and knowing what you’re strengths are.
[8:00] We talk about Eli’s work as a lecturer at Stanford teaching 216B and 216C (Product Design) and the transition from focusing on hardware to software. (it’s still eating the world…)
[10:30] The beauty of being fresh out college & designing with optimism. We hear about some of the recent projects from his class, like Tangible. https://www.tangible.team/ based on the idea of how can we connect people over distance?
[12:30] Sequel - https://www.trysequel.com; started by two female athletes that realized there was a need for more protective and more absorbent tampon for athletes.
[13:00] Some key design principles that everyone should know are summarized in a book that Eli wrote: https://www.designbetter.co/design-thinking. Some other key traits include curiosity, writing, and empathy.
[18:00] What InVision is, Eli’s journey and work at InVision to elevate design. We also hear about the last 5 to 6 years of screen design tools and how this shaped out.
[23:00] How it’s more and more important for design-adjacent roles (i.e. Product Managers) to understand and be exposed to Design.
[27:00] Eli’s work on The Design Better Podcast https://www.designbetter.co/podcast
[33:00] We discuss the fallout from recent tech layoffs and how we need to make sure we continue to be empathetic and kind to our coworkers.
[37:00] Rapid Fire Questions: Worst Product (Dog barking!) Best Product (Leica Camera!). Eli’s Billboard: Assume Good Intent.
[39:00] You can check out the Design Better podcast at design better dot co and find Eli on social media: @ewoolery

S2E2 - Maximillian Piras, Explained

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode, Jeff and Mike interview Maximillian Piras, a Product Designer with Headliner Video. Headliner is a video creation tool designed for audio creators, making audio easily shareable across the web by automatically transforming audio clips, like this, into engaging videos. At Headliner, Max leads cross-platform UI & UX. We talk about the importance of side projects, truly listening to your customers, and some of the latest podcasting/social trends

[1:20] Max talks about escaping the day job & starting a side project, Lost Cat, that ended up being sold in the New Museum in NYC. We also covered the hard decision to wrap up a project and keep maximizing career learnings (and fun!)
[6:30] Mental model for this group indexes high on side projects. “Productive Chilling” - it’s addictive to get things going & explore the things you’re not able to do during the work week. But, it begs the question - when are there too many irons in the fire?
[9:00] Wanting to be a director as a kid that planted the seed for Max to work on Movie Posters. We talk about Max’s love of films, drawing inspiration from Saul Bass, and the formulaic nature of movie posters.
[12:30] Mike & Jeff are stoked to finally chat with someone from Headliner Video - it’s a tool that we use on the Product Explained show every Monday when we launch our videos. We hear more details from the inside and today’s current gap in the internet for optimizing for audio.
[15:30] Being scrappy, building from the ground up, and how Headliner differentiates Product & Design.
[18:00] How Headliner got started - and the classic pivot which lead to exploring social video. Eventually leaning in to customers that love your tool (podcasters in this case!)
[24:00] Max’s mental model for picking out trends & doing the right research for the right customers. For example, podcasters using short-form video content that is the hook for audio-only content. Mike & Jeff found Headliner to help automate their social content
[28:00] Rapid fire questions & rounding out the interview! We talk about Apple Podcasts, Figma, and the book recommendation of “Thinking in Bets” (Optimize for process, not outcomes).
[34:00] You can find more about Headliner at: headliner.app and find Max on social media: @maximillian.nyc

S2E1 - Victoria Young Idol, Explained

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode, Jeff and Mike interview Victoria Young Idol, the COO and co-founder of Outpace. Outpace is a platform designed “to provide success as a service by enabling coaches and creators to share what they know and help others level up.” We talk about experimenting, how Outpace got started, and how Victoria leverages lessons from previous go-to-market tech experiences to grow from zero to one.

[1:20] Victoria’s 2016 TEDx talk and mini-life experiments. From 100% chocolate diets to moving from Hawaii to North Carolina to New York during the pandemic.
[3:30] A recap of soaking in that aloha spirit when living in Hawaii & Victoria recommending the Big Island life.
[5:00] What Victoria’s founder journey look like; from her high school days selling things on eBay to joining a venture studio before co-founding Outpace. We also cover the importance of finding not just product market-fit, but founder-cofounder fit.
[8:00] What is a venture studio? Raising a bunch of money to experiment on a bunch of ideas to find product market fit through rapid iteration. Victoria stresses the importance of focus.
[10:00] Customers, Clarity, & Team. The importance of staying close to customers as a leader. Even if it’s tedious at times, it’s important to not get distracted from the main goals of your venture. In that same vein, there’s no room to be inefficient and you need to have clarity to run your company.
[12:30] Building Outpace to help people achieve their goals faster through personalized, high-impact coaching programs.
[16:30] Outpace’s origin story: looking for parallels across verticals that came together for the idea of Outpace.
[20:00] Going beyond mentorship to find sponsors. Who are the folks that can actively lift you up?
[22:00] Bringing lessons learned from leading GTM at Uber with UberPool to growing her own business (from zero to one).
[23:00] The lightbulb moments that happen when you talk directly to your customers to uncover product-market fit. Quantifying coachability & commitment to growth as an indicator for success.
[25:00] The biggest challenges facing Outpace - from adapting to hybrid work models to helping customers overcome burnout. It’s no small task.
[29:30] Rapid fire questions & rounding out the interview! Don’t wait for someone to help you invest in yourself and take control of your own success.
[34:00] You can find more about Outpace at: Outpace.co and find Victoria on social media: @victoriayoungidol

S1E111 - Season 1, Explained (Recap)

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 11:00:09 -0000

In this mega-recap episode, Jeff and Mike summarize all 110 of the Product, Explained episodes & set the groundwork for Season 2 - Product, Explained - Expert Edition.

Episode 111: Product, Explained - The S1 Recap
[0:40] Avatar or Airbender or James Cameron?
[3:30] Rapid Fire Metrics! Jeff guesses the top three listened-to episodes. (Air Table, Figma, & Theranos).
[5:00] Apparently putting Elizabeth Holmes’ Face on social posts is podcast marketing that works.
[6:45] Rapid Fire Metrics Pt. II! Jeff guesses the average Mike & Jeff scores. Jeff’s favorite product is a total surprise. Mike’s favorites aren’t a surprised: sustainability-related products.
[10:30] Metrics Pt. III! Jeff and Mike talk about our intentions behind episode length.
[13:00] The tables turn and Jeff asks and answers questions about our equipment, from hardware, software, to our processes. We record individually via Audacity and then edit the files in Descript (our no-no word is “TYPO”). We post via pinecast’s platform and then use Headliner to create social media posts. Google Docs is our guiding platform that we color code for who says what. Mike & Jeff are both using Shure studio monitors.
[19:30] Jeff & Mike talk about our favorite Season 1 product themes: two-sided marketplaces, productivity tools, and new pricing models. We also touch on our favorite podcasts (h/t to Cover1 Buffalo Bills podcast) that we listen to and draw attention to (The Tim Ferriss Show; Pivot with Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway)
[27:15] Things we were most wrong about! And Mike becoming a BeReal addict.
[39:00] General Disappointments, like AirBnB and Snapchat. Sometimes timing is everything as well.
[41:20] Favorite Episodes, Least Favorite, Most Memorable Episodes.
[end] Season 2 is coming soon ! Let us know who you’d like to hear us interview on the podcast!

S1E110 - Wren, Explained

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Wren, Jeff and Mike talk about the size of a ton of carbon dioxide, climate anxiety, and how you can start making a difference today.
Episode 110: Wren, Explained
[00:40] Mike’s passion and sustainability filibuster
[1:30] MIT Technology Review - What is a ton of carbon dioxide? Hint - it’s a cube full of telephone poles that weighs as much as a great white shark.
[4:00] The IPCC, avoiding 1.5 degrees celsius warming, and how carbon dioxide/greenhouse gas emissions overfilling the earth’s atmosphere are analogous to a bathtub overflowing with water.
[5:00] Carbon Mitigation vs. Carbon Removal vs. Carbon Capture. Also - what do we do with all of this carbon that we capture?
[6:45] What is Wren? Hint: your “All in One Climate Subscription”
[7:30] What’s the average carbon footprint in the US? Wren’s carbon footprint calculator.
[8:15] How do you choose how much carbon to offset? What about changing your behaviors like eating less meat or driving less?
[10:30] Not all carbon credits are made equal; for example forest preservation to carbon removal efforts like Climeworks. John Oliver’s expose on the pitfalls behind Carbon Capture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p8zAbFKpW0
[13:00] Scientific American published a study that in general, the more you earn - the higher your individual carbon footprint
[14:00] What’s the benefit for customers for paying for a service like this? For customers like Mike, they’re deeply passionate about this space, much of the benefit is realized in feeling like you’re ‘doing your part’ vs. the Tragedy of the commons problem.
[16:30] What will it take for real changes to occur?
[19:30] What is Wren’s business model? Wren indexes highly on transparency and brings a portfolio approach to your subscription dollars.
[22:00] Some of Wren’s portfolio projects include Biochar in California, Mineral weathering in Scotland, and tech enabled rainforest protection.
[24:00] The History of Wren - and how the team was initially focused on HR software before heading to Y Combinator
[27:15] Wren’s target customers are likely climate conscious people that want to spend money to see climate action implemented. Also Climate Anxiety is real.
[30:00] Other competitors in the space are great - like Zopeful, but no climate solution is a bad solution - we need all hands on deck.
[31:20] ProdEx scores: Mike 4.9 stars and Jeff 4.3 out of 5; if you’re interested in Wren - check out www.wren.co/join/mikealcazaren to get your first month free.
[32:30] Season 2 is coming next year! Let us know who you’d like to hear us interview on the podcast!

S1E109 - Dscout, Explained

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Dscout, Jeff and Mike talk about male body shaving, market research in pop culture like Mad Men, and getting paid to be a research participant.
Episode 109: Dscout, Explained
[00:20] Researching baby strollers and Instagram ads
[01:40] Mike’s first Boston job typing up market research results for male bodying shaving
[03:20] What is Dscout? (hint: two-sided marketplace for market research)
[05:10] Dscout’s recruit tool and fine-tuning your target audience. Is your mom really a good candidate?
[06:52] Jeff’s experience using Dscout & being a ‘baseball card’ researchers can choose from
[09:30] Dscout’s business model - taking a small percentage from transactions, and different tiers for different customer needs
[11:30] History of Dscout & the debate of the century: Is Chicago a burgeoning tech hub? Or is it just a market research hub?
[14:30] h/t to Dscout’s Product Marketing team - ProdEx loves seeing easy to read/share/understand case studies from real customers.
[15:30] Who is Dscout for? Mad Men and the genesis of Market Research
[17:15] Dscout competitors, Mike & Jeff’s experience in their day jobs looking for customer insights via market research
[22:20] ProdEx scores: Mike 4 stars and Jeff 4.6 out of 5 - a new Jeff high!!!
[23:30] Season 2 is coming next year! Let us know who you’d like to hear us interview on the podcast!

S1E108 - BeReal, Explained

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about BeReal, Jeff and Mike talk about bringing back MySpace features, Casey Neistat’s Beme experiment, and Gen Z’s future social media platforms.

Episode 108: BeReal, Explained

[01:20] BeReal is french - so how do actually pronounce the name?
[02:15] What is BeReal (hint: daily un-curated photos!)
[03:41] Mike’s first share is of us podcasting!
[04:32] BeReal’s business model (hint: it’s eyeballs!) and how US advertising is close to a zero-sum game
[06:59] YouTuber Casey Neistat’s Beme social media experiment and Mike’s fanboying of Casey
[10:00] The History of BeReal and staying power compared to ClubHouse
[14:30] Trends in gen z, is there an anti-aesthetic for Social Media? H/T to @buffalobills social media
[15:30] Who is BeReal for - rejecting perfection, and chasing the high for perfect lighting, 100s of photos, and ‘influencer’ culture. Plus the mental health toll.
[16:40] The Q4 2022 fall of social media market caps and how @homedepot is now more valuable (or similarly valued) as Meta/Facebook
[18:20] What will be Gen Z’s social media platform of choice?
[21:30] Mike pressuring his parents to buy nerf guns
[23:20] ProdEx scores: Mike 3.8 stars and Jeff 3.95 out of 5
[25:30] Season 2 is coming next year! Let us know who you’d like to hear us interview on the podcast!

S1E107 - Tile, Explained

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Tile, Jeff and Mike talk about losing credit cards, Bluetooth’s connection to a Nordic King, and Amazon’s just walk out technology.

Episode 107: Tile, Explained

[00:45] The weird things Jeff & Mike lost, and why it sucks to lose a credit card
[1:05] What is tile? And how do you not lose things ever again, even that pesky remote in your couch
[3:30] QR codes with the COVID come back and Alaska Railroad checking luggage
[5:00] Quick tangent on Bluetooth and how Bluetooth got it’s name from a long lost Nordic king
[6:30] What is Tile’s business model (hint: it’s widgets!)? Who do they partner with (hint: Big companies like HP!)
[10:40] The history of Tile, IPA or IPX?, and the Life 360 acquisition
[13:40] Casey Neistat and the stolen car - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l30V426-_S4
[15:00] Who is Tile for? And the book “Trillions”
[17:00] What is Maytag trying to charge me a subscription?
[21:00] Amazon Go - Just Walk out technology (it feels like you’re stealing!?)
[24:00] Tile’s competition and Mike & Jeff scores: 3.7 out of 5 for both

Gumroad, Explained

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Gumroad, Jeff and Mike talk about learning ukulele, the growing creator economy, and reflections from a start-up founder.

[00:45] What is Gumroad and how does it work? Gumroad "makes it easy to earn your first dollar online by selling digital products, memberships and more"
[2:16] Ukulele courses and Fix This Build That
[5:33] Is Gumroad a potential acquisition target or feature copy for the Chief Twit, Elon Musk, at Twitter?
[6:50] How Gumroad makes money with simple fees to creators
[10:30] History of Gumroad
[14:02] Who is Gumroad for?
[15:34] Jess Encamp, Parks & Rec, and Jonny Karate
[17:00] Gumroad’s competitors
[18:00] Mike and Jeff Scores, 4.05 and 4.1 out of 5, respectively and @shl’s “Reflecting on my failure to build a billion dollar company

Nuro, Explained

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Nuro, Jeff and Mike talk about robots, last mile delivery, and pedestrian airbags at 45mph.

[0:20] Terminator and American robots [0:42] What is Nuro? Toaster-on-wheels? [2:19] Dominoes Pizza Delivery; Coke vs. Pepsi; blind taste tests; and Jeff’s Atlanta cred on the line [3:57] Trolley Car Problem, Nuro’s external pedestrian airbag, and 45 MPH robot [6:40] Nuro’s specifications, powering with renewable energy, and 100 miles of range [9:06] A geography test for Jeff, last mile delivery, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) [12:30] What is Nuro’s Business Model? [13:15] Nuro’s fleet includes Toyota Priuses and Nuro’s partnerships with Dominoes and Kroger’s [15:30] Nuro’s History, valuation, and venture financing [17:01] Who is Nuro for? How are they positioning themselves? [19:30] Mike grumpily puts on his pants instead of ordering Uber Eats [21:03] Nuro: “on-demand autonomous vehicle delivery is potentially 3 million new jobs” and their California training partnership [23:32] Who are Nuro’s competitors? [24:30] Our thoughts: Jeff and Mike Score: 4.4/5 [28:33] Bonus Mike thought on Blizzard’s StarCraft [2:37 PM] Nuro description

Plex, Explained

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Plex, Jeff and Mike talk about archiving family photos, today's streaming hell, and at-home 'cloud' computing.

[1:01] - 600lb life and trashy TV [1:22] - What is Plex? [2:41] - What is a NAS (Network Attached Server)? [3:52] - Looking at your (wedding) photos virtually. [4:45] - ScmhOffice, Season 1, Episode 2? Plex + Artwork [5:33] - What is Plex’s Business Model? [6:28] - History of Plex [10:46] - Who is Plex for? [11:31] - Today’s streaming Hell and state-by-state legality of ripping your DVDs + PublicDomainmovies.net [12:55] - Who are the competitors? [14:30] - Our thoughts and ratings. Mike: 4.8/5; Jeff 4.3/5

Telegram, Explained

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 11:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Telegram, Jeff and Mike talk about Russian social media, a group of nomad engineers, and secure messaging apps.

Husqvarna, Explained

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Husqvarna, Jeff and Mike talk about haircuts, GPS, and lawnmower soundtracks.

Udemy, Explained

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Udemy, Jeff and Mike talk about passive income, edutainment, and the academy of you.

Classpass, Explained

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Classpass, Jeff and Mike talk about pilates, Costco's handshake deal with 24 hour fitness, and building a fitness plan for you.

Microsoft Surface, Explained

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Microsoft Surfaces, Jeff and Mike talk about rugged laptops, accidental marketing, and why the NFL was a more appealing marketing channel than the classroom.

Faire, Explained

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Faire, Jeff and Mike talk about cat mugs, fake NFL jerseys, and the wholesale business.

Kayak, Explained

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Kayak, Jeff and Mike talk about price prediction, travel conglomerates, and finding deals.

NFL Redzone, Explained

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about NFL Redzone, Jeff and Mike talk about Scott Hanson, fantasy football, and non-stop commercial-free action.

Allbirds, Explained

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Allbirds, Jeff and Mike talk about wide feet, sustainability, and the New Zealand fauna.

Uber Eats, Explained

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Uber Eats, Jeff and Mike talk about ghost 'chickens', Arbys, and food delivery to space.

Notion, Explained

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Notion, Jeff and Mike talk about one-tool-to-rule-them-all, caricatures, and bus ads.

Instagram, Explained

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Instagram, Jeff and Mike talk about failed check-in apps, dog IG profiles, and a billion-dollar acquisition that saved Facebook.

MyQ, Explained

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Chamberlain MyQ, Jeff and Mike talk IoTs, letting people into your garage, and Amazon's continued dominance.

CamelCamelCamel, Explained

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode about CamelCamelCamel, Jeff and Mike talk about 3C's, price tracking, and how a 1-man operation in 2008 built a money-savings machine.

DraftKings, Explained

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 10:00:15 -0000

In this episode about DraftKings, Jeff and Mike talk about state scholarships, 16-game parlays, and the online betting company that has taken sports by storm

Grammarly, Explained

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 01:57:07 -0000

In this episode about Grammarly, Jeff and Mike talk about Abe Lincoln quotes, improving your communication, and quantifying great writing.

Loom, Explained

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 10:00:18 -0000

In this episode about Loom, Jeff and Mike talk about instructional videos, generalists vs specialists, and a quick video recording company.

Best Buy Totaltech, Explained

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 10:00:05 -0000

In this episode about Totaltech, Jeff and Mike talk about installation services, test driving electronics in physical stores, and even folding underwear.

Drizly, Explained

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:29:10 -0000

In this episode about Drizly, Jeff and Mike talk about drinking games, overpriced wedding services, and alcohol delivery.

Boomerang, Explained

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 10:00:06 -0000

In this episode about Boomerang, Jeff and Mike talk about inbox zero, pay what's fair, and the cost of productivity.

SnagIt, Explainesd

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 10:00:06 -0000

In this episode about SnagIt, Jeff and Mike talk about screenshots before their time, a family business, and a tech product in 2022 that still offers perpetual licenses.

Oura Ring, Explained

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 12:00:57 -0000

In this episode about Oura Ring, Jeff and Mike talk about fitness wearables, Gucci partnerships, and getting accurate sleep data for under $300.

Carvana, Explained

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 12:00:34 -0000

In this episode about Carvana, Jeff and Mike talk about the used car market, vending machines, and how an online car retail company took off during COVID.

Truebill, Explained

Tue, 31 May 2022 12:00:31 -0000

In this episode about Truebill, Jeff and Mike talk about the art of the deal, pesky subscriptions, and a 14-month airplane wifi charge.

Twitter, Explained

Mon, 23 May 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Twitter, Jeff and Mike talk about micro-blogging, character limits, and a hostile takeover by Elon Musk.

Arcadia, Explained

Mon, 16 May 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Arcadia, Jeff and Mike talk about how terrible Comcast is, paying a premium for choice, and ways to get your energy from clean sources

BetterHelp, Explained

Tue, 10 May 2022 12:00:19 -0000

In this episode about BetterHelp, Jeff and Mike talk about destigmatizing mental health, productivity in the workplace, and how telehealth is changing the game

LastPass, Explained

Tue, 03 May 2022 12:00:00 -0000

Episode In this episode about LastPass, Jeff and Mike talk about security scores, premium subscriptions, and one password to rule them all

Snapchat, Explained

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 12:00:09 -0000

In this episode about Snapchat, Jeff and Mike 24-hour stories, buying out co-founders, and how less is more when it comes to social media

Slickdeals, Explained

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 12:00:17 -0000

In this episode about Slickdeals, Jeff and Mike talk about coupon clipping, impulsive buys, and ... MUJI pens?

Turbotax, Explained

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Turbotax, Jeff and Mike talk about dark patterns in design, confusing tax codes, and how a tax preparation software is dominating the market

Steam, Explained

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Steam, Jeff and Mike talk about NFTs, Half-life 3, and how a game publisher revolutionized online video game distribution

Asana, Explained

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Asana, Jeff and Mike talk about task management, the Eisenhower matrix, and meeting product leader Jackie Bavaro during an interview

Google Doodle, Explained

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 12:00:38 -0000

In this episode about Google Doodle, Jeff and Mike talk about the Apollo 11 moon landing, Betty White's 100th birthday, and how a simple logo change has delighted Google users for 20 years

Figma, Explained

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Figma, Jeff and Mike talk about product design, google partnerships, and how an company who almost built a meme generator brought prototyping to the masses

Spanx, Explained

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Spanx, Jeff and Mike talk about great leadership, focusing on problems-first, and how Sara Blakely turned a $5k investment into a billion dollar shapewear company

Bright Cellars, Explained

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 13:00:51 -0000

In this episode about Bright Cellars, Jeff and Mike talk about the magic of algorithms, becoming a wine connoisseur, and how a Milwaulkee based started is using data to suggest you wine.

Subpod, Explained

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:00:37 -0000

In this episode about Subpod, Jeff and Mike talk about the life of a worm, smelly scraps, and tossing biodegradable material in a hole.

Wordle, Explained

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 13:00:55 -0000

In this episode about Wordle, Jeff and Mike talk about Sudoku, a COVID hobby turned viral, and the commonality between STEAL, ROUND, and PAPER

Superbowl Ads, Explained

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 13:00:16 -0000

In this episode about Superbowl Ads, Jeff and Mike talk about their favorite Superbowl ads over the years, how integral the Superbowl is to American marketing campaigns, and why the Superbowl should be a holiday.

Cameo, Explained

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 13:00:03 -0000

In this episode about Cameo, Jeff and Mike talk about B-list celebrities, Thomas the train, and paying someone $500 to wish you happy birthday.

Sleeper, Explained

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 13:00:31 -0000

In this episode about Sleeper, Jeff and Mike talk about the NFL's best product, being a sports GM with very little experience, and getting cartoon animations to fight each other over sports.

Sealed, Explained

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:00:33 -0000

In this episode about Sealed, Jeff and Mike talk about saving on your energy bill, what 30 dollars of hardware can do, and a company profiting off your home energy savings.

Craigslist, Explained

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Craigslist, Jeff and Mike talk about missed connections, selling computer parts, and finding cheat Herman Miller chairs

Nespresso, Explained

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Nespresso, Jeff and Mike talk about coffee for the chic, mixing science and caffeine, and a machine that makes a consistent cup of espresso

Stitch Fix, Explained

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Stitch Fix, Jeff and Mike talk about Costco wear, the flyest outfits, and an online service making personalized stylists accessible to all.

ChargePoint, Explained

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 13:00:05 -0000

In this episode about ChargePoint, Jeff and Mike talk about the new age of gas stations, annoying proprietary charger plugs, and getting stranded in North Dakota.

Disney+, Explained

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 13:00:57 -0000

In this episode about Disney+, Jeff and Mike talk about Disney Channel Original Movies, buying the MLB's streaming technology, and how Disney went from a legacy IP company to launching a leading content streaming platform.

Sonos, Explained

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Sonos, Jeff and Mike talk about houses from the early 2000s, building tin foil antennas, and the smart wireless speaker industry.

ThredUp, Explained

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about ThredUp, Jeff and Mike talk Macklemore, how old is new, and how this company is scaling the art of thrifting.

Tinder, Explained

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 13:00:12 -0000

In this episode about Tinder, Jeff and Mike talk about swiping decks of cards, the Luxottica of dating apps, and how there may be too much choice in today's day and age.

Afterpay, Explained

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 13:00:02 -0000

In this episode about Afterpay, Jeff and Mike talk about redwings shoes, periodizing your finances, and how much you can get 'for less than a cup of coffee'.

Clubhouse, Explained

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Clubhouse, Jeff and Mike talk about the power of exclusivity, getting famous people on platforms, and how Josh Allen will be answering your questions live.

MasterClass, Explained

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about MasterClass, Jeff and Mike talk about launching homemade rockets, Gordon Ramsay, and learning to be a DJ.

Seat Geek, Explained

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Seat Geek, Jeff and Mike talk about scalping tickets, Childish Gambino, and sitting in the nosebleed sections.

Twitch, Explained

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Twitch, Jeff and Mike talk about e-sports, ASMR, and trading away your privacy for a little bit of side money.

Bleacher Report, Explained

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:54:59 -0000

In this episode about Bleacher Report, Jeff and Mike talk about fantasy football, game of zones, and how some couch experts started a culturally-relevant sports news outlet.

Quora, Explained

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Quora, Jeff and Mike talk about Game of Thrones theory-crafting, the Marvel MCU, and how know-it-alls can make money asking questions online.

Airtable, Explained

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Airtable, Jeff and Mike talk about relational tables, low code solutions, and how everyone is misusing their excel sheets.

Duolingo, Explained

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Duolingo, Jeff and Mike talk about learning new languages, a creepy green owl, and how a phone app may just replace a full-blown language course.

Trello, Explained

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 12:00:54 -0000

In this episode about Trello, Jeff and Mike talk about to-do lists, the booming project management industry, and another (micro) marketplace.

Theranos, Explained

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Theranos, Jeff and Mike talk about Thomas Edison, Fake-it-till-you-make-it, and how a Silicon Valley startup tried to cheat science.

Warby Parker, Explained

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 12:00:58 -0000

In this episode about Warby Parker, Jeff and Mike talk about Sears, the secret eyeglass monopoly, and how a school project turned into a multi-billion dollar company.

LinkedIn, Explained

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about LinkedIn, Jeff and Mike talk about Gary V, 500+ connections, and the weird trend about failing interviews.

Strava, Explained

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Strava, Jeff and Mike talk about cycling, gamifying exercise, and lighting up secret US bases on maps.

YouTube, Explained

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 12:00:44 -0000

In this episode about YouTube, Jeff and Mike talk about our day at the zoo, The Loney Island, and an online video watching platform.

Honey, Explained

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 12:00:11 -0000

In this episode about Honey, Jeff and Mike talk about saving money on pizza, woot.com, and an online coupon aggregator.

Slack, Explained

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:34 -0000

In this episode about Slack, Jeff and Mike talk about MMORPGs, the board game Scythe, and asynchronous business communications.

Nextdoor, Explained

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:00:17 -0000

In this episode about Nextdoor, Jeff and Mike talk about cookouts, missing dogs, and design for bias.

Zillow, Explained

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Zillow, Jeff and Mike talk about renting for life, realtor side gigs, and little kids scouring the housing market.

Rover, Explained

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:00:16 -0000

In this episode about Rover, Jeff and Mike talk about Portland, strangers in the home, and pet luxury.

iRobot, Explained

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 12:00:40 -0000

In this episode about iRobot, Jeff and Mike talk about maid service, Terminator, and a pizza-shaped vacuum.

Turo, Explained

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 12:00:14 -0000

In this episode about Turo, Jeff and Mike talk about cars per capita, nightmare Fiats, and a rental car marketplace.

Airbnb, Explained

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Airbnb, Jeff and Mike talk about sleeping on air mattresses, throwing crazy new year's eve parties, and robbing your tenants

Square, Explained

Mon, 31 May 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Square, Jeff and Mike talk about their culinary careers, mental math, and the software company for small and medium businesses

Oculus, Explained

Mon, 24 May 2021 12:00:58 -0000

In this episode about Oculus, Jeff and Mike talk how SciFi and Gaming pushes technology, 4D amusement park rides, and Ready Player One

Fiverr, Explained

Mon, 17 May 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Fiverr, Jeff and Mike talk about birthday songs, SEO, and finding your niche in the gig economy.

Pinterest, Explained

Mon, 10 May 2021 15:25:08 -0000

In this episode about Pinterest, Jeff and Mike talk about scrapbooking, monetizing your platform early, and how a social media company focused around gathering images became so popular.

Uber, Explained

Mon, 03 May 2021 12:00:51 -0000

In this episode about Uber, Jeff and Mike talk about the gig economy, hiring a neuroscientist to your startup, and how a cab company became a transportation and logistics company.

Patreon, Explained

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 12:00:44 -0000

In this episode about Patreon, Jeff and Mike talk about finding the freemium model, supporting local artists, and how a Stanford music grad created a way for creators to get constant recurring revenue to do the things they love.

Yelp, Explained

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:00:29 -0000

In this episode about Yelp, Jeff and Mike talk about finding local gems, mafia protection money, and how an email recommendation product turned into one of the largest business review companies.

Reddit, Explained

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 12:00:19 -0000

In this episode about Reddit, Jeff and Mike talk about the NFL, a community of 'tree' lovers, and the social media platform of micro communities.

Shopify, Explained

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Shopify, Jeff and Mike talk about the 'free shipping' trick, eBay stores, and how a snowboard gear company turned into an e-commerce giant.

Palm Pilot, Explained

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Palm Pilot, Jeff and Mike talk about the Gameboy color, styluses, and how carrying a pocket-sized block of wood led to the cell phone revolution.

Tesla, Explained

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 12:09:00 -0000

In this episode about Tesla, Jeff and Mike talk about Papa Elon, California Wildfires, and how an EV automaker turned into a clean energy company.

AIM, Explained

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:00:14 -0000

In this episode about the AOL Instant Messenger, Jeff and Mike talk about Zanga, cringy away messages, and how a side project became a company's biggest product.

Pandora, Explained

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode about the Pandora Music Service, Jeff and Mike talk about Jay Z, the music genome project, and archaic ISPs.

Beyond Meat, Explained

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Beyond Meat, Jeff and Mike talk about carbon taxes, making vegetables bleed, and taco night.

iPod, Explained

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode about the original iPod, Jeff and Mike talk about Napster, Metallica's wrath, and '2001: A Space Odyssey'

Noom, Explained

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:12:00 -0000

In this episode about Noom, Jeff and Mike talk about building disappointing your grandparents, jenny Craig, and eating/looking like pudding.

WeWork, Explained

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:40:00 -0000

In this episode about WeWork, Jeff and Mike talk about 'community', neat ideas, and how a tequila-loving real estate company flubbed an IPO.

Instacart, Explained

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 15:28:00 -0000

In this episode about Instacart, Jeff and Mike talk about WebVan, Weee!, and buying groceries in your underwear

T9 Texting, Explained

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode about T9 Texting, Jeff and Mike talk about ancient phone technology, the early iPhone, and how T9 texting laid the foundation for predictive text

Venmo, Explained

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 04:04:53 -0000

Episode Notes

In this episode about Venmo, Jeff and Mike talk about getting your account hacked, paying friends via checks in 2021, and how half a cent on the dollar can lead to big revenues.

Groupon, Explained

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 18:07:23 -0000

In this episode about Groupon, Jeff and Mike talk about free appetizers, jumping out of a plane, and the deals company built for local businesses.

Quibi, Explained

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Quibi, Jeff and Mike talk about the stupid 'Stories' feature, copying your friend's homework, and why Hollywood VCs probably make for bad Product Managers.

Pokemon Go, Explained

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Pokemon Go, Jeff and Mike talk about augmented reality, Nintendo's bad multiplayer experience, and how Niantic labs made a mobile game about West Side Story.

Fitbit, Explained

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 16:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Fitbit, Jeff and Mike talk about walking challenges, Tamagotchis, and how Google ruins everything.

Calm, Explained

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:13:00 -0000

In this episode about Calm, Jeff and Mike talk about forgotten subscriptions, Lebron James, and the new age of mental health fitness

Peloton, Explained

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 20:19:00 -0000

In this episode about Peloton, Jeff and Mike talk about bad Christmas gifts, a failed marketing campaign, and a celebrity-owned gin company

Netflix, Explained

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Netflix, Jeff and Mike talk about bumming streaming services, an ancient relic called 'Blockbuster', and the 'Netflix and Chill' meme.

Dropbox, Explained

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Dropbox, Jeff and Mike talk about cloud storage, making fake gmail accounts, and strategic usage of network effects.

Juicero, Explained

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:00:00 -0000

In this episode about Juicero, Jeff and Mike talk about vegetable pulp, the worst PR article ever, and wheatgrass shots.