

Notion Podcast
Notion
Candid conversations with the people shaping the world of technology — from pioneers of computer history to founders at the world’s leading startups. For more information, visit: https://www.notion.so/blog/topic/first-block
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 22, 2024 • 45min
First Block: Interview with Adeyemi Ajao, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Base10 Partners
This podcast episode delves into Adeyemi Ajao's journey as an entrepreneur, immigrant in Silicon Valley, and investor. Topics include co-founder relationships, building an authentic community, learning to be a CEO, the positivity of Silicon Valley, and the ultimate diversity. Ade shares insights on company growth, embracing diversity, and his daily routine and career philosophy.

Jan 10, 2024 • 47min
First Block: Interview with Vlad Magdalin, Co-Founder and CEO of Webflow
Vlad Magdalin, Co-Founder and CEO of Webflow, discusses the early days of Webflow, sustainable growth, hiring principles, user feedback, the 'no-code' revolution, and more in this entertaining and informative podcast.

21 snips
Dec 19, 2023 • 40min
First Block: Interview with Daniela Amodei, Co-founder of Anthropic
Daniela Amodei, Co-Founder & President at Anthropic, discusses building a strong team of founders, navigating role changes, and the importance of feedback in scaling a company. They also explore advancements in AI, the challenges of building a product in the AI space, responsible scaling, and the balance between work and personal life.

11 snips
Dec 6, 2023 • 47min
First Block: Interview with Mathilde Collin, Co-Founder & CEO of Front
Mathilde Collin, Co-Founder & CEO of Front, discusses hiring first employees and the importance of radical transparency. They explore designing a better work email experience, self-confidence and gender disparity, gathering feedback for product iteration, building customer connections, and the significance of flexibility and transparency for startups.

Nov 16, 2023 • 42min
First Block: Interview with Christina Cacioppo, Co-Founder & CEO of Vanta
Christina Cacioppo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vanta, a pioneer in trust management platforms. In this discussion, she shares her journey of transitioning from venture capital to entrepreneurship. Topics include the evolving landscape of data security, the innovative strategies behind simplifying SOC 2 certification, and the significance of customer feedback in product development. Christina also emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in nurturing company culture and the rationale behind delaying venture capital until key revenue milestones are hit.

Nov 14, 2023 • 42min
First Block: Interview with Julianna Lamb, Co-Founder & CTO of Stytch
Julianna Lamb, Co-Founder & CTO of Stytch, discusses her journey in the tech world, focusing on solving authentication challenges. She shares insights on transitioning from contributor to founder during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of values in hiring. Julianna explains how they optimized their engineering team's processes and highlights the evolution of leadership dynamics as the company grew. Additionally, she explores adapting market strategies based on customer feedback and the critical role of open-source software in fostering community collaboration.

7 snips
Oct 17, 2023 • 39min
First Block: Interview with Parker Conrad, Co-Founder & CEO of Rippling
Parker Conrad, Co-Founder and CEO of Rippling, shares insights and challenges of starting companies. They discuss the motivation behind starting Rippling, the need for naivete in the startup world, building a compound product, a day in the life of the CEO, and reflecting on a career journey with highs and lows.

35 snips
Nov 1, 2022 • 1h 35min
Pioneers: Michael Nielsen
Michael Nielsen is a quantum physicist, science writer, computer programming researcher, and modern polymath working on tools to expand human capacity to think and create. He’s previously authored pioneering quantum computing books, propelled forward the open science movement, and published research on artificial intelligence. He now researches meta-science at the Astera Institute, while writing about his many interests online.
See www.notion.so/blog/michael-nielsen for episode transcript.
Hosted by Devon Zuegel
Edited by Anson Yu
Audio by The Land Films

54 snips
May 12, 2022 • 1h 2min
Pioneers: Andy Matuschak on physically-informed digital interface design
Andy is a software engineer, designer, and researcher working on technologies that expand what people can think and do. In past lives he helped build iOS at Apple and led R&D at Khan Academy. Now as an independent researcher, his methods bridge the gap between academia and Silicon Valley.

7 snips
Mar 31, 2022 • 1h 17min
Pioneers: Char Stiles explores tools for expression and experience
Char Stiles is an artist, educator and programmer whose work uses emerging technologies to bring to light how computers work. Char works and collaborates across mediums such as interactive installation, video, performance and web. She is a part of the Livecode.nyc collective, where she organizes shows, and livecodes music and visuals and has given talks and led workshops at Carnegie Mellon University, Duke University, University of Limerick, MIT and NYU. She is currently at an NEA-funded artist residency at the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry at Carnegie Mellon University to develop an open-source toolkit for artists.


