The Aboard Podcast

Men will literally record a podcast about their anxiety rather than go to therapy. How do you run a business when the world is on fire in so many ways? Paul and Rich talk about the state of things—including whether their perceptions of said things are even accurate—and how they should work, what to consider as they grow their company, and when to turn off. Gotta keep going.

Our friends find themselves in a new, corporate co-working space, determining that this, finally, is the thing that will push their digital product over the edge. Then, in a typically wide-reaching (cough) conversation, Rich and Paul discuss the current status of free speech discourse, in the context of the drama around Substack, and—well, as Rich puts it—“Who the hell asked technologists to be the arbiters of free speech?” Paul confesses that he dislikes mess, which would deeply shock anyone who saw his office desk.

Rich and Paul ring in 2024 assessing the biggest technological development of last year, this year, and possibly many future years to come: Generative AI. Why did AI truly find a mainstream foothold in 2023—and how is the space going to evolve in the coming months? Plus: They engage in some (corporate) roleplay, and get really into character.

Rich and Paul talk about their willingness to be humiliated in a corporate context. It sounds just a little like they crave it. Especially Paul. Which is weird but whatever. Then they talk about how you can't automate relationships—how you can't remove interaction from the loop. They discuss what they learned this year, and what they hope to learn next year.

Our friend Jim Nielsen cataloged all the podcasts we didn't record, so Paul and Rich doubled down and recorded five new podcasts in a hurry. The end result is exactly what you would expect. YouTube edition features extra-ridiculous stock imagery.

Rich and Paul discuss the marketing funnel, emphasizing the importance of onboarding. They explore strategic product placement in supermarkets and navigating consumer attention in the digital era. The podcast also covers building relationships online and the significance of data management for efficient organization.

Exploring the class structure of Android and iOS, Google's data management, and old nudes. Delving into the pivotal role of links in online content consumption and Google's influence. Reflecting on the evolution of the web and the intersection of tools and individual interest. Redefining tech culture from historical outcasts to ultra-wealthy influencers. Navigating through a cultural sauna experience and exploring link sharing on the web.

With Sam Altman fired from OpenAI, there was so much drama in tech that it was impossible not to discuss it. With no secret insight but remarkable aplomb, Paul and Rich dive deep on the passionate subject of corporate governance, and try to understand just what the hell is going on.

Has Angular gone the way of the automat? Paul and Rich discuss how hard it is to give up on a programming language that's fallen out of fashion—especially when it's as much a part of your identity as your day-to-day work. Plus: An ode to bananas, nature's perfect creation.

Paul gives Rich an overview of where AI is these days, from Biden's regulations to Chinese lovelorn bot mistresses. It's an interesting, messy moment as global legislation starts to take shape, new features drop daily, and the world is left to figure it all out. Meanwhile, the podcast's slow journey towards AV quality continues.