The Aboard Podcast

Planning Through the Vibe Shift

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can we all agree that the vibes are off? On this week’s podcast, Paul and Rich dig into our broader societal malaise (the effects of the pandemic; o...

What the TikTok Ban Means to Tech at Large

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Algorithmically innovative? An important tool for connection? A grave national security threat? Paul and Rich discuss the recent bipartisan vote in th...

Exciting Product, Boring Business

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you build a company that has an exciting product—but has nice, boring, stable qualities, too? Paul and Rich tackle this question from a varie...

Hard AI Choices

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Will generative AI give us the answer or lead us to the answer—or is that the wrong question entirely? Paul and Rich assess the promise of AI throug...

Demolishing the Global Town Square

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the last decade’s big social media platforms crumble, Paul and Rich reflect on the (false) promise of the “global town square,” and the sugge...

Learning From People We Hate

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Paul suggests recording a podcast about public figures they admire, Rich has a counter-offer—why not talk about people they hate instead? But t...

Paul Breaks His Foot and Observes Enterprise Healthcare Software

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Paul injures himself and is advised by his wife, Rich, and ChatGPT (seriously) to seek emergency medical attention, he goes to the urgent care an...

Selling Software Like Tote Bags

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a person pay $120 for a tote bag—or fall in love with your software? Paul and Rich use a recent article about a TikTok influencer’s pri...

Craft as an Antidote to Crisis

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul tries to talk about his current obsession—synthesizers—on a hardware and software level, but Rich turns the tables to talk about Paul’s obs...

Controlled Chaos

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Bless This Mess

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our friends find themselves in a new, corporate co-working space, determining that this, finally, is the thing that will push their digital product ov...

Intelligence, Artificial and Otherwise

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul ring in 2024 assessing the biggest technological development of last year, this year, and possibly many future years to come: Generative...

Startup Year in Review

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

“But That's Another Podcast”

12 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 r...

The View From the Top of the Funnel

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Now longer than three minutes! (Sorry, tech glitch.) Rich and Paul talk about that most evergreen and thrilling of subjects—the marketing funnel! Ho...

The Web Is a Sticky Pickle

28 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Rich explore the web as a platform for everyone's data, leading to a shocking number of digressions into the class structure inherent in Andr...

An OpenAI and Shut Case

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 apl...

Old Skills Never Die

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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—espe...

AI vs. the Feds

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How Not to Get Sued

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Rich take on an evergreen: How not to get sued! NOT LEGAL ADVICE. But what are the obvious steps that you can take when you start a business ...

ChatGPT and We

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul struggle with video technology as they seek to jam the podcast into YouTube, but limp across the line with a whole podcast. Briefly digr...

2023-10-04. Bon Voyage

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join our journey as our sponsor swallows us whole! This podcast has now morphed into the Aboard Podcast. Rich and Paul will uphold the same spirit and...

2023-10-03. AI Checkin

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul checkin on AI! They discuss the sweet spot where AI excels in streamlining tasks but falls short in capturing the intention and meaning ...

2023-09-28. Amazon Antitrust

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul unravel the legal battles around Amazon's market dominance. Discover how its built in tactics affect small sellers, resh...

2023-09-26. Turnarounds

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join our latest episode where Rich and Paul uncover the secrets of remarkable company turnarounds! Discover how visionary leadership and unwavering br...

2023-09-21. Onboarding

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul delve into the importance of onboarding to learn the skills of the app, and turn the users to regular users. This podcas...

2023-09-19. Websites

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul solve it - they solved websites! They discuss whether or not your business needs a website, and offer advice on what pla...

2023-09-14. Office 365

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul discuss the importance of having a physical space for startups. As it enhances your representation in front of big compa...

2023-09-12. Antitrust

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul explore how dominant platforms maintain their edge. Uncovering the ecosystem strategies and the ongoing battles to stay ...

2023-09-07. Triple Play

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul delve into the different aspects of a software company- and yes it is more than a code! They discuss how a lot of sales ...

2023-09-05. Personal Brands Are Dead

05 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss how everyone wants to build their own thing, but then the time comes where they have to let their personal brand die. Building a...

2023-08-31. Postlaunch

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once you launch you lose control. So, you spent your days trying to get everything right, and then when you launch you figure out that no one cares - ...

2023-08-29. A Very Soft Launch

29 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul have launched their product! - quietly though... In this episode Rich and Paul discuss, the meaning of launch and the fact that it's jus...

2023-08-24. Against Solutions

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss how softwares usually promise to be a solution, some sort of pain relief. However, that isn't realistic the promise of being a s...

2023-08-22. Culture as a Feature

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss how new tech like Threads offers humans a fresh start. However, human beings fundamentally don't want to change, and we run into...

2023-08-17. Vaudeville Gang Gang

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss whether the internet is actually elevating people's lives. They discuss the good and the bad, but all in all the internet is mak...

2023-08-15. Little firings everywhere

15 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rich and Paul delve into the topic of firing people from the perspective of the employer. And offer advice on how to ensure that rela...

2023-08-10. Cardsorters

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The simplest form of communication is sending links. Rich and Paul delve into the two kinds of people: Link Droppers and Card-Sorters, and the dynamic...

2023-08-07. Shameless

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul delve into the topic of success, and how the path to success includes a lot of failures along the way. To the extent that an important c...

2023-08-03. Superconducting

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss superconductors! This groundbreaking technology is finally becoming a reality, with the potential to benefit both the common goo...

2023-08-01. World News Tonight

01 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rich and Paul discuss global warming and the chaos that it would cause. As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, bui...

2023-07-27. Hard Product Decisions

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul discuss the empowering feature of softwares that help you get things done. They argue that complexity in software is unn...

2023-06-25. Resilience

25 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss the classic startup dream of world-changing impact. But in today's unpredictable landscape, the real key is resilience. To devel...

2026-07-18. Everyone's An Expert

18 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Vaccines, submarines ... everyone seems to be an expert. In this episode Rich and Paul discuss how everyone seems to become an expert on various subje...

2023-07-07. Ready for a Rainy Day

11 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Humans are bad at future investments. Our mentality of not fixing things unless they're broken has led us too far off when it comes to the impending d...

2023-07-06. YouTube Goes Dogme 95

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rich and Paul discuss how working in the media shapes our perspective on human nature. They delve into artists' take on media and com...

2023-06-29. Getting Ready for AI in 2036

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this captivating episode Rich and Paul venture into the year 2036, a world where advanced AI has seemingly replaced humans, leading to a thought-pr...

2023-06-26. Zuckermuskagon

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss the Musks and the Zucherburgs of the world. People have shifted their focus from the thing to themselves. This podcast is sponso...

2023-06-22. Vaccines vs. Boredom

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Free speech is very important. The drawback? Those who are best at manipulation end up winning in the battle of ideas. This is what happened during th...

2023-06-20. The Beast of Our Problems

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul dive into Mr. Beast's YouTube philosophy, that focuses more on growth rather than content. And the importance of one translating their f...

2023-06-15. Mod Drama

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul discuss the unhealthy communities that form on big scale platforms. This necessitates the presence of moderators, leadin...

2023-06-13. Goggles Pro!

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul discuss Apple's new release of Vision Pro. They share their in-depth take on this new technology when it comes to produc...

2023-06-06. AI Mailbag

06 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul assess AI risk. They discuss them in the 2 chapters - that where the anxiety should be versus where it is overblown. Thi...

2023-06-01. Why We're Building Aboard

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Rich and Paul delve into the issues of the web, as it has become toxic. Their advice? Search for those healthy, cleansed spaces on th...

2023-05-30. Succession Finale

30 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul discuss how Succession has shows up in real life, in people that they've met and how it portrays our world in the media....

2023-05-25. Best of Brooklyn

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul take you on a wonderful tour across Brooklyn's diversity, through the multiple "little" diverse communities there. For t...

2023-05-24. What Business Are You In?

23 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss the risks with having a generic product. How it affects both the users and the founders. However, they highlight the importance ...

2023-05-18. Aboard.com

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aboard, our sponsor, just launched! Rich and Paul, the co-founders, walk you through Aboard in this episode. It is a software that was created to prov...

2023-05-16. Yahoo

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Paul discusses the tedious process of cleaning up his late father's yahoo mail. Rich and Paul talk about the creepy and private side o...

2023-05-11. Self-driving

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

AI has been doing a huge chunk of our work for us, however it can't seem to get that last 10% right. Rich and Paul discuss how technology lacks the hu...

2023-05-09. Launching

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul are about to launch Aboard - the sponsor of this podcast. In this episode they discuss the expectations of entrepreneurs for launch, and...

2023-05-04. Milton Snavely

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Ziade and Ford sponsored by Aboard - Paul delves deep into his childhood in Milton Snavely's boarding school. His unstable childhoo...

2023-05-02. What Succession Gets Wrong

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul give their two cents on what Succession got wrong in their series. They discuss the romanticized version of capitalism that's portrayed ...

2023-04-27. Discipline Island

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul, the co-founders of Aboard (a software product), discuss shipping software. They give advice to better ship products within time estima...

2023-04-25. Productivity Tips and Tricks

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul discuss productivity tips and tricks. Their best bet is deadlines. They go into productivity softwares as tools of empow...

2023-04-20. Shut it All Down

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Leadership sometimes means killing the project. Rich and Paul discuss the importance of cutting your losses short on a failing project. To make amends...

2023-04-18. Caring a Little Less

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After COVID-19 and the internet people seem to be less connected. In this episode Rich and Paul discuss how the internet is designed to perpetually sp...

2023-04-13. Mailbag Interview

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul who have done hundreds of interviews give advice for both interviewees and interviewers. They help them navigate intervi...

2023-04-10: AI Mailbag

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mailbag questions are pouring in for Rich and Paul. For this episode - why isn't Paul more excited about AI? Rich and Paul discuss the evolution and h...

2023-04-06. Innovation Group

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss the importance of innovation groups within big companies in order to stay relevant, compete and thrive against upstarts. They hi...

2023-04-04. Let's Help Jim

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul are on a quest to help Jim offer advice to his managers. They help Jim navigate giving unsolicited advice up the hierarchy. Highlighting...

2023-03-30. What You Learn as You Get Older

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode Rich and Paul share the lessons they learned about success and failure when it comes to your visions. They highlight the need to think...

2023-03-28. Meta-advice on Advice

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

People want validation or shortcuts when it comes to advice. However, there is no magic source for advice. Our advice? You should be wary of advice. G...

2023-03-23. Big AI Predictions

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the rapid rise of AI a lot of people are worried about them taking over. In this episode Rich and Paul, who are experts in the tech world, examin...

2023-03-21. Frank and Assad

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode pays tribute to Paul's late father. Rich and Paul discuss the influence that their fathers had on their lives, and how they now see their...

2023-03-16. SVB

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul discuss the reality of your money in the bank-- it's just in a database. They delve into the formal and informal systems of financing, h...

2023-03-14. Buy Nothing

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The internet is a huge customer support platform. When people online subscribe to an idea they tend to over-identify with it, and build a strong emoti...

2023-03-09. Keep Going Until You See the Simplicity

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul, founders of a new software startup called Aboard, discuss the importance of creating something that is simple and resonates with people...

2023-03-07. Jane Says (She's Done with Microsoft)

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul follow Jane as she takes initiative on a project at Microsoft. Jane is met with disinterest from her team and is... done with microsoft....

2023-03-02. Majors and Minors

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The decline of humanities majors is resulting in a lack of diverse perspectives, since they play a crucial role in cultivating more well-rounded indiv...

2023-02-28. Headphone Conference

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An episode about two spoiled men with two spoiled hobbies-- that turns deep. Shedding light on the importance of communities, and having that space th...

2023-02-16. Humility Is Fun

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul has started to learn the piano, as a part of his applied practice for his love for music. Rich and Paul discuss the importance of having the humi...

2023-02-14. Paul is Changing

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the most part Paul had to live with the stereotypes and negative perceptions of society towards obesity. This episode focuses on being more mindfu...

2023-02-09. Rich Needs it by Tuesday

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul is no longer the CEO of Aboard. Rich and Paul have switched positions, as the criteria with being the CEO of Aboard includes a lot of accountabil...

2023-02-02. Paul needs it by Thursday

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul found himself in a CEO position again, and he's finding trouble keeping people accountable and setting deadlines for others. Rich provides useful...

2023-01-31. Kids Today!

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich thinks kids these days have it too easy. He complains about his bursitis for thirty minutes (just kidding). But he and Paul talk about constraint...

2023-01-26. Proverbs

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ziade and Ford ADVISORS right? Well you know the oldest kind of advice? Proverbs. Paul picks out some interesting ones to see what happens. Thoughts e...

2023-01-24. Layoffs

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul talk through the tech layoffs, explaining why they happen, why they suck, and what you can do about them (very little) and what you can...

2023-01-18. AI Adaptation

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation about the robots taking our job—and how various forces have been taking our jobs for a while, and personal experiences with jobs and ...

2023-01-16. Stopping By

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich has an idea about how to completely revolutionize the remote workplace. Typical hijinks ensue.

2023-01-12. Retail Futures: The Circus Comes to Town

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Rich talk about modern shopping experiences—and how big box retail is increasingly like a warehouse for online orders, while more and more ...

2023-01-10. Should I Get a New Job?

10 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich advises Paul (who is pretending to be a guy who works in video editing) on whether to quit his job or not. Together, they look into THE VOID. The...

2023-01-05. Predictions

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich and Paul come back to the office after the holidays just full of predictions for tech, politics, and the economy.

2022-12-20. Soccer as a Platform

20 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The last episode of 2022! Paul and Rich talk about the World Cup, in a general way, but then they start to talk about how soccer functions as a platfo...

2022-12-15. AI Anxiety

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rich has been a Customer Success Manager Level IV for Salesforce for 13 years—and he's panicking. He heard a cable bill got renegotiated by a robot ...

2022-12-13. Recipe for Conspiracy

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul and Rich talk conspiracies: Where they come from and why people keep going in for them. Paul pretends to be a guy named Jeff who is falling into ...

2022-12-08. Recession-proofing Your Promotion

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul role-plays as Jim, a hapless and cranky young product/project manager at some company or other. Jim hankered for a promotion, oh how he hankered,...

2022-12-06. Heading for the Exits

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Twitter seems to be cooked (or is it). Where do we go now? We talk to Jason Goldman, former VP of Product at Twitter, and to each other, of course, an...

2022-11-30. QE2CEO

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paul has a big idea: There's a strong case to be made that Queen Elizabeth II was the best CEO of the last century. So he makes it to Rich, outlining ...

2022-11-29. Line Goes Everywhere: Matt Levine and Aaron Lammer Explain FTX, Exchanges, and Everything Else Crypto

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Crypto exchange FTX has melted down, whatever that means—and it turns out nothing means what it seems to mean, especially the word "exchange." Paul ...