Latest Interviews
Showing 3871–3885 of 6,396 interview transcripts.
Clear all filters- Goldman Sachs23 min
Amid rising inflation and slowing growth, how is the U.S. consumer faring?
David Mericle, Kate McShane, Eric Sheridan, Allison Nathan
Goldman Sachs economists project U.S. consumption growth will stabilize near 1% in late 2022 and 2023 as falling household wealth and the expiration of pandemic stimulus offset modest gains in real disposable income. While retail growth remains price-driven with consumers prioritizing essential goods over big-ticket items, the technology sector faces a shift toward lower single-digit growth rates focused on free cash flow visibility. Looking ahead, industry participants anticipate normalized supply chains and a balanced mix of unit and price growth in 2023, though retailers must manage elevated inventory levels through targeted promotions to offset slowing demand.
- Jane Street26 min
A Jane Street Trading Mock Interview with Graham and Andrea
In a simulated quantitative trading interview, veteran trader Graham guides new hire Andrea through three variations of a die-rolling game designed to test her mathematical modeling and game theory skills. Andrea derives optimal stopping thresholds for static and consumable die scenarios while iterating toward a Nash equilibrium in an adversarial version where the casino actively minimizes her earnings. This exercise highlights Jane Street's evaluation criteria, which prioritize the candidate's ability to clarify rules, articulate a logical thought process, and collaboratively solve complex problems under changing constraints.
- Dwarkesh Patel1h 33m
Kenneth T. Jackson - Robert Moses, Hero of New York?
Kenneth T. Jackson, Robert Moses, Professor Kenneth T. Jackson
Professor Kenneth T. Jackson argues that Robert Moses's massive public works program from 1924 to 1970 prevented New York City from experiencing the demographic collapse seen in other Rust Belt cities, despite Moses's controversial methods and concentration of power. While Jackson acknowledges the factual errors in Robert Caro's *The Power Broker* regarding specific neighborhood demolitions and transit decline, he maintains that Moses's infrastructure, including over 600 miles of highways, created the logistical framework necessary for the city's continued global dominance. The discussion concludes that while a figure with Moses's authority could not replicate such megaprojects in today's litigious and preservation-focused climate, his legacy is increasingly being reevaluated as a necessary force that enabled urban density in an era of automotive expansion.
Brian Armstrong: Coinbase’s Failed NFT Launch, Thoughts on SBF & FTX, Crypto Winter | 20VC #946
Brian Armstrong, SBF, Harry Stebbings
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reflects on his evolution from insecurity-driven entrepreneurship to a scaling-focused philosophy, emphasizing his "work-life harmony" approach and the adoption of the RAPID framework to streamline decision-making as the organization grows beyond 500 employees. He details the company's strategic navigation of high-profile crises, including the politicized leadership statements and NFT launch missteps, while outlining how he leverages the post-IPO environment to secure legitimacy and shift cultural norms away from short-term stock volatility. Looking forward, Armstrong envisions transforming Coinbase Global into a decentralized holding company with semi-autonomous business units, aiming to foster multi-year utility building and long-term institutional growth amidst the current macroeconomic downturn.
- Lex Fridman2h 31m
Ben Shapiro: Politics, Kanye, Trump, Biden, Hitler, Extremism, and War | Lex Fridman Podcast #336
Ben Shapiro, Kanye, Trump, Biden, Hitler, Lex Fridman
In a comprehensive discussion, Jordan Shapiro examines the ubiquity of evil within human psychology, analyzing historical precedents like the rise of Hitler and contemporary controversies involving Kanye West and anti-Semitism through a lens of individual responsibility. He extends this critique to modern political structures, arguing against social media censorship, offering a pragmatic off-ramp for the Ukraine conflict, and advocating for "Role Ethics" over abstract universalism as the foundation for societal stability. The conversation concludes with practical guidance for youth, emphasizing local community engagement, delayed social media exposure, and the necessity of self-examination to navigate a polarized world.
- The Diary Of A CEO2h 0m
Gabor Mate: The Childhood Lie That’s Ruining All Of Our Lives. | E193
Dr. Gabor Mate challenges the medical status quo by arguing that trauma is an internal wound caused by unmet needs rather than external events, driving physiological stress responses and intergenerational disease. He critiques the "myth of normal" by identifying modern societal norms as toxic environments that produce behaviors like workaholism and ADHD diagnoses as survival mechanisms rather than inherent pathologies. Ultimately, Mate proposes a healing framework centered on the Four A's and epigenetic awareness to dismantle these trauma responses and advocate for systemic educational and medical reforms that prioritize emotional attunement over symptom suppression.
- All-In Podcast1h 29m
E103: Tech layoffs surge, big tech freezes hiring, optimizing for profits, election preview & more
Jason, Chamath, Calacanis, Friedberg, Yoyoel, David Sacks
Jason Calacanis and David Sacks clarify their advisory roles to Elon Musk at Twitter while dismissing claims of new racist content policies as coordinated bot attacks that the company's safety team effectively neutralized. Simultaneously, the discussion highlights a broader shift in Silicon Valley from growth-at-all-costs to immediate profitability, driven by rising interest rates, aggressive layoffs across major tech firms, and a predicted deepening recession. Finally, the conversation examines political trends suggesting a Republican midterm wave and highlights Meta's recent breakthrough in predicting 617 million protein structures using AI to accelerate scientific discovery.
Michael Mauboussin: The Single Biggest Mistake Investors Make In Decision-Making | 20VC #945
Michael Mauboussin, Bill Gurley, Harry Stebbings
Michael Mauboussin, Head of Consilient Research at Counterpoint Global, outlines how distinguishing between luck and randomness, combined with preferential attachment dynamics, drives persistent success in venture capital. He advocates for specific decision-making protocols, such as three-person committees, premortems, and junior-first dissent, to mitigate bias and ensure investment processes align with an entity's competitive edge. Mauboussin concludes that while market volatility and interest rates fluctuate, long-term success relies on focusing on free cash flow fundamentals and maintaining psychological equilibrium through a disciplined adherence to process over macro forecasting.
- Lex Fridman3h 19m
Fiona Hill: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump | Lex Fridman Podcast #335
Fiona Hill, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Lex Fridman
Fiona Hill, a former National Security Council official and expert on Russian affairs, analyzes the causal link between the 2016 U.S. impeachment proceedings and Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine, arguing that Washington's internal polarization signaled a lack of commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty. Hill characterizes Putin as a rational actor driven by historical grievances who has shifted from pragmatism to imperial restoration, utilizing nuclear threats and the shelling of civilian infrastructure to coerce Western adversaries. She concludes by calling for a depoliticized government operating system to restore professional expertise and urges young people to build local coalitions to counter the long-term geopolitical fractures that threaten global stability.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 36m
Dame Dash: The Man That DISCOVERED & Built Jay-z & Kanye West! | E192
Dame Dash, a former music industry visionary and entrepreneur, reflects on his formative traumas and his decision to reject traditional label models in favor of granting artists full ownership of their work. He details his evolution from a street hustler to a father who prioritizes healing over material accumulation, while outlining a future vision that includes transforming Dame Dash Studios into a creative hub similar to Disney. Ultimately, Dash advocates for economic self-reliance and artistic freedom as the most effective tools for overcoming systemic oppression and achieving personal autonomy.
How I Convinced Steve Ballmer and Microsoft to Give Us $800M for Tellme Networks - Emil Michael
Founded in 1999 and surviving the dot-com crash through a strategic pivot to enterprise voice recognition, Tell Me Technologies secured an $800 million acquisition by Microsoft under CEO Steve Ballmer. This deal, negotiated in just three days by co-founder Hadi due to the leadership's demonstrated commitment to integration, far exceeded the company's initial $300 million target and established the foundation for Microsoft's speech capabilities. Beyond the immediate financial victory, Tell Me functioned as a critical incubator that cultivated a network of future Silicon Valley leaders, including figures associated with PayPal and Uber, while showcasing the power of founder-level determination in high-stakes negotiations.
GoPuff CEO Rafael Ilishayev: The Plan to Make GoPuff Profitable by 2024 | 20VC #944
Rafael Ilishayev, Raf Illishayev, Harry Stebbings, Kyle Harrison
GoPuff co-founders Raffi and Akira transformed their bootstrapped Philadelphia convenience startup into a global operator in over 1,000 cities by prioritizing unit economics and infrastructure over rapid expansion. Facing current capital market contractions, the company is executing a disciplined strategy to achieve EBITDA profitability in 2024 by optimizing delivery batching, limiting new facility openings, and shifting focus from 10-minute speed to consistent order density. This approach allows GoPuff to withstand economic downturns by consolidating market share in key regions like the UK and preparing to outlast competitors who lack sustainable business models.
- Lex Fridman3h 6m
Abbas Amanat: Iran Protests, Mahsa Amini, History, CIA & Nuclear Weapons | Lex Fridman Podcast #334
Abbas Amanat, Mahsa Amini, Ruhollah Khomeini, Ali Khamenei, Putin, Lex Fridman
Following the death of Mahsa Amini in September, the "80s Generation" of Iranian youth launched widespread protests under the "Women, Life, Freedom" banner, directly challenging the absolute authority of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The regime responded with lethal force and total internet blackouts that have already killed over 230 individuals and arrested 12,000, while simultaneously deepening its geopolitical alignment with Russia through drone exports to Ukraine. Despite these repressive measures and a generational cultural fracture, experts like Abbas Aminat suggest the movement may evolve into a constitutional democracy given the regime's shrinking popular support and the youth's refusal to compromise on secular freedoms.
Brian Singerman: How I Became a Partner at Founders Fund, Why We Put $400M into Anduril | 20VC #943
Brian Singerman, Harry Stebbings, Sean Parker
Brian Schott of Founders Fund outlines a disciplined "upside maximization" strategy that prioritizes identifying top-tier founders over predicting macroeconomic cycles, as demonstrated by the firm's single major 2022 check of $200 million in Anduril. Operating within a market characterized by a valuation mismatch between private and public sectors, Schott advises accepting lower valuations rather than raising capital at unsustainable prices while emphasizing the necessity of massive check sizes to achieve meaningful returns. The firm maintains its long-term focus on deep sector moats and founder quality by avoiding rigid corporate governance in favor of high-level strategic alignment and hiring partners with unique, differentiated expertise.
- The Diary Of A CEO1h 23m
Gabby Logan Opens Up About Her Heartbreaking Past | E191
Broadcaster Gabby Logan reflects on a life shaped by the traumatic loss of her brother Daniel, her father's unaddressed mental health struggles, and the misogynistic culture of 1990s sports media. She discusses her professional evolution from a phone box pitch to Sky Sports, her experience navigating perimenopause, and the shared health crisis involving her husband's prostate cancer diagnosis. Ultimately, Logan advocates for open conversations about mental and physical well-being, emphasizing how parental validation and communication are essential for resilience across generations.