The Aboard Podcast

A lively corporate roleplay pits an overconfident vibe-coder against a cautious manager debating readiness to ship. They dig into a messy Fortune 100 expense-tracking problem, a six-hour prototype reveal, and heated arguments about testing, AI-generated tests, and real user validation. Power dynamics, migration pain, and practical next steps round out the conversation.

In a world where AI is reshaping software development, the emergence of Claude Code sparks intriguing discussions. Can everyday people truly create software with just a prompt? The podcast dives into the barriers that non-tech individuals face in adopting these tools. They explore contrasting programming approaches for lay users and seasoned developers, and whether non-engineers can build complex apps. With historical parallels to the early web, the conversation uncovers potential benefits and challenges in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

How is one of the internet’s biggest spaces for human creativity adapting in the AI era? On this week’s podcast, Paul and Rich are joined in the studio by Rafe Colburn, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Etsy. After discussing Rafe’s long history at the company, they tackle the AI topic two ways: First, how the Etsy engineering org is using AI tools, and second, Etsy’s recent deal with OpenAI to display their products directly in ChatGPT searches. Plus: Rafe and Paul teach Rich the proper term for those little charms you stick in the holes of your Crocs. 

What will the AI story be in 2026: Society-wide transformation or incremental change? On the first podcast of the new year, Paul and Rich (gently) argue over what they expect to see in the AI space over the coming months. These tools might allow people to build software far faster than before, but how much will that disrupt the industry itself? Plus—perfect for a podcast full of tech predictions—they discuss why humans are terrible at predicting the future of tech. 

Dan Frommer, founder of The New Consumer and an expert in consumer trends, joins the discussion about how AI shapes our buying habits. He traces the evolution of direct-to-consumer brands and the influence of platforms like TikTok Shop. Frommer reveals generational differences in AI perceptions, noting that while millennials express optimism, Gen Z exhibits skepticism. He also touches on the rise of health optimization as a status symbol and offers insights on integrating AI into consumer engagement strategies for product teams.

In this episode, the hosts dive into the intriguing world of AI, discussing the emergence of Gloo, a Christian LLM that aims to incorporate faith into technology. They explore OpenAI's controversial shift toward allowing erotic content, raising concerns among religious communities. The conversation also touches on the impact of LLMs reflecting internet subcultures and the urgent topic of free speech versus responsibility in AI. Finally, they ponder the future of a diverse ecosystem of LLMs versus the dominance of a few major players.

AI is reshaping the media, the internet, and the culture at large—and Max Read is writing about it. On this week’s podcast, the longtime journalist and author of the popular “Read Max” newsletter comes into the studio to talk about the intersections of tech and culture in our current AI moment. Topics discussed include Max’s journey from a general-interest journalist to covering tech platforms and internet culture, the ways he uses AI tools in his own work, and whether he thinks the slop flooding our feeds is actually popular with users.

The AI industry teeters on the edge of the bubble, but AI tools are better than ever. What does this mean for the future of the technology? On this week’s podcast, Paul and Rich talk through Paul’s recent experiments with—you guessed it!—synths to illustrate just how good AI-assisted coding tools have gotten, especially for those with programming expertise. But we’re a long way from the average consumer being able to get what they want with the push of a button. What do these two divergent paths suggest about the trajectory of the AI industry? 

Arushi Saxena, a trust and safety expert with experience in big tech and the public sector, joins the conversation to unpack AI safety. She warns against entering personal information into LLMs due to risks of leaks and misuse. The discussion includes why LLMs can provide incorrect information and the implications of uploading sensitive documents. Arushi also talks about the necessity of trust in AI, the importance of age restrictions for users, and best practices companies should adopt to ensure user safety and data control.

Big tech doesn’t care about medium-sized businesses—but is AI really the solution? On this week’s podcast, Paul is fresh off the plane from Phoenix, Arizona, where he was speaking to business owners at the Inc. 5000 Conference. As he gives Rich a full report, they discuss the specific needs of the “SMB”—small-to-medium-sized business—and how little interest the software industry has in the very large middle of the business spectrum. Can AI help these orgs get the software they actually need?