Liftoff with Keith: Conversations with Super Founders and Growth Experts sharing useful insights

Journalist, Startup and GTM whiz Keith N hosts the #1 Podcast for Super founders
  • 4.6 (40)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

Former journalist turned Silicon Valley dealmaker and entrepreneur Keith Newman talks with Founders, Innovators and Influencers who share their stories of success, pain and impact with a bit of humor and nostalgia mixed in. Hear from great leaders of the past along with some of the latest founders and growth strategists like Maverick Mark Cuban, SuperAngel Ron Conway, Ann Winblad, Mitch Kapor, Steve Blank and Founders of GameStop, Ancestry, JotForm, Fry's, Intuit, and more. Find 150+ Episodes https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD

  1. Sep 8

    The Overlooked Opportunity in Timberland: Playing the Long Game

    Most investors are chasing the next hot market—from AI and data centers to the latest high-growth opportunities. But sometimes, the better opportunity is hiding somewhere few people are looking. In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with John Brennard, Managing Director & Founder of Southview Timberland Investments, to explore the world of timberland investing and what makes it an intriguing alternative asset class. John shares how his family's timberland investment in 2008 introduced him to the asset class, eventually leading him to build Southview around timberland and rural land investments across the U.S. Southeast. The conversation goes beyond timberland, covering: How to find opportunity in overlooked markets Why disciplined underwriting matters The value of patient ownership and hands-on execution How timber harvesting and land development can create value Why understanding an investment is critical before entering private markets The importance of staying close to sales and making progress every day As John puts it, there are no shortcuts in this game—and sometimes the best opportunities aren't the ones everyone is talking about. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrenard/ Website: https://www.southviewtimber.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/ Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

  2. Sep 1

    Your Business Can Only Grow as Far as You Do | Damon Flowers

    Most founders think they have a growth problem, team problem, or technology problem. But what if the real constraint is the founder? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Damon Flowers, a business growth expert who has spent more than two decades building, scaling, and exiting companies across SaaS, eCommerce, coaching, and real estate—including taking one company from $3.5 million to $30 million in just two years. Damon explains why businesses often struggle to scale because their founders become the glue holding disconnected systems, people, and processes together. The conversation explores: Why a business can only grow as far as its founder doesHow founders become the bottleneck without realizing it The three stages of building a scalable business Why growth should come after the right operational foundation How disconnected tools can create more chaos Why simply adding AI tools isn't enough How an integrated operating system can help businesses move faster What founders need to change to make faster decisions and respond to the market Damon's core message is simple: Don't just try to grow faster. Build a business that is actually ready to grow. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Damon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonflowers Website: https://modernoperators.com/Media Kit: https://on.modernoperators.com/media/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

  3. Aug 25

    Are You Building a Great Company or a Great Life? | Charles T. Lee

    What if you're building a successful company—but accidentally building a life you don't actually want? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Charles T. Lee, founder of Ideation, to explore what it really means to build a successful business while protecting your health, relationships, purpose, and personal well-being. Charles shares why founders should: Slow down to create space for better ideas Invest in people, not just technology Understand their personal rhythms and energy Let go of ego and focus on building the right team Make time for reflection and personal development Stop comparing themselves to other founders Think about what "enough" and success really mean They also discuss how AI can give founders something increasingly valuable: more time to focus on the human side of leadership. The goal isn't simply to build a great company. It's to build a great company without losing the life you're building it for. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Charles: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlestlee/ Website: https://theideation.com/ Book: http://www.designyourgoodlife.com/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next. #LiftoffPodcast #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Founders #BusinessGrowth #AI #WorkLifeBalance

  4. Aug 18

    The Hidden Problem Behind Every IPO (And How It's Being Fixed) | Rob Schoder

    Most founders never think about transfer agents... until they become a problem. In this episode of Liftoff with Keith Newman, Keith sits down with Rob Schoder, Co-Founder & CEO of Vinyl Equity, to discuss why one of the most important pieces of capital markets infrastructure has remained stuck in the past—and how modern technology is changing it. Drawing from his experience leading portfolio operations at AngelList, Rob explains why outdated shareholder systems create unnecessary friction for founders, investors, and public companies, and how Vinyl is building the next generation of ownership infrastructure. In this episode you'll learn: Why transfer agents are critical to every public companyThe biggest challenges companies face during IPOsHow legacy infrastructure slows innovationWhy API-first platforms are changing capital marketsThe growing role of AI in shareholder managementLessons from building a regulated fintech startupWhy founders should market their wins earlierWhat the future of capital markets could look likeWhether you're a founder, CFO, investor, legal professional, or fintech enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into the technology powering modern equity ownership. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Rob: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rwsjr/ Website: https://www.vinylequity.com/Vinyl Equity LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinyl-equity/home/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

  5. Aug 11

    Growth Doesn't Kill Startups. Management Does | Hunter Hastings

    What if the biggest threat to your startup isn't competition, funding, or even product-market fit—but your own management team? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, and author Hunter Hastings to explore one of the most important—and controversial—ideas in modern entrepreneurship. Hunter is the co-author of Venture Mode: Escape the Administration Trap by Finding and Unleashing Entrepreneurial Leaders, where he argues that companies rarely fail because they grow too quickly. Instead, they lose the entrepreneurial behaviors that made them successful in the first place. As organizations scale, speed gives way to bureaucracy, customer obsession is replaced by internal process, and entrepreneurial leaders become administrators. We dive into what Hunter calls "The Administration Trap"—and how founders can avoid it. In this episode we discuss: Why management—not growth—is often what kills startupsThe earliest warning signs that bureaucracy is taking overHow founders can add structure without losing entrepreneurial cultureWhy customer value—not internal metrics—should drive every decisionHow to identify and empower entrepreneurial leaders inside your companyWhy traditional MBA thinking often fails foundersCash flow, value creation, and building resilient businessesHow AI is changing the economics of startups and leadershipThe biggest misconceptions founders and investors have about scaling companiesHunter's personal lessons from decades as a CEO, investor, executive, and educatorIf you're a founder, executive, investor, or anyone leading a growing company, this conversation offers a fresh framework for scaling without sacrificing innovation. Connect with Keith If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another founder or operator. Follow Liftoff with Keith for conversations with the entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators building the future. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Hunter: Book: Venture Mode: Escape the Administration Trap by Finding and Unleashing Entrepreneurial Leaders https://www.amazon.in/Venture-Mode-Administration-Unleashing-Entrepreneurial-ebook/dp/B0FQWF2FP5LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunterhastings/Website: https://venturemode.biz/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/ Want to build a high-growth company without falling into the administration trap? Subscribe to Liftoff with Keith and follow for weekly conversations with the founders building what's next.

  6. Aug 4

    The AI Assistant That Actually Gets Work Done | Jean-Denis Greze, Town

    What if your AI assistant didn't just answer questions—but actually understood how you work and helped get things done? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, Keith sits down with Jean-Denis Greze, Co-Founder & CEO of Town, to explore the future of personalized AI assistants and what it takes to build AI that can work across the tools people already use. The conversation dives into how AI can move beyond the traditional chatbot experience to help manage tasks, workflows, email, calendars, and more—while learning from the context of how each person actually works. Jean-Denis also shares insights into building an AI product, the challenges of creating a truly useful assistant, and the broader opportunity to make AI more accessible to everyday users and businesses. If you're interested in AI, AI assistants, startups, productivity, entrepreneurship, and the future of work, this episode is for you. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Jean-Denis: Website: https://www.town.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeandenisgreze/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithNewman285- Website: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

  7. Jul 28

    From Combat Logistics to Autonomous Freight: Building the Future of Road-to-Rail | Kevin Damoa

    What do Iraq, SpaceX, the EV boom, and autonomous freight have in common? In this episode of Liftoff, Keith sits down with Kevin Damoa , Army combat veteran and founder & CEO of Glīd, to explore the future of logistics and the technology transforming how freight moves between road and rail. Kevin shares how nearly 25 years of logistics experience, including military logistics, SpaceX, and leadership roles across the EV industry, inspired him to tackle one of the biggest challenges in global supply chains: making rail transportation more accessible. We discuss how Glīd is building autonomous vehicles designed to streamline the road-to-rail transition, why the company has focused on building more cost-efficiently, and how Kevin's experiences at SpaceX shaped his approach to culture, innovation, and solving seemingly impossible problems. Kevin also shares lessons on: Building hard tech with limited capital Why culture can make or break a startup The importance of solving customer pain before commercialization How to evaluate risk before launching an MVP The future of autonomous freight and physical AI Why logistics is facing a growing labor and infrastructure challenge What SpaceX taught him about belief, ingenuity, and making the impossible possible From combat logistics to rocket logistics to autonomous freight, this is a conversation about building technology that could fundamentally change how the world moves. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/Connect with Kevin Damoa: Website: https://www.glidtech.us/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-a-damoa-9b514770 Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithWebsite: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

  8. Jul 21

    How Physical AI Will Transform Manufacturing | Paul Powers, CEO of Physna | The Liftoff

    What if AI could understand the physical world as well as it understands text? In this episode of The Liftoff, Keith sits down with Paul Powers, CEO & Co-Founder of Physna, to explore why the next wave of AI won't just generate content—it will understand objects, manufacturing, engineering, and supply chains. Paul explains how Physna's "Physical DNA" technology enables AI to understand 3D objects, helping companies dramatically improve product design, procurement, robotics, digital twins, and manufacturing intelligence. The conversation also covers reshoring manufacturing, AI infrastructure, startup timing, and why physical AI could become one of the biggest technology shifts of the decade. In this episode: What Physical AI actually meansHow Physna teaches computers to understand 3D objectsWhy AI struggles with the physical world todaySaving manufacturers hundreds of millions of dollarsDigital twins, robotics & engineering AIThe future of manufacturing and reshoringAI, 3D printing & security challengesStartup lessons from building deep-tech companiesWhy timing matters more than most founders realizeIf you enjoy conversations about AI, startups, innovation, deep technology, and entrepreneurship, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share. Sponsor Info: We are strategic business advisors with decades of leadership experience and a proven track record of driving businesses’ growth. We specialize in creating custom-tailored strategies to introduce your company, drive growth, build leadership teams, and ensure companies implement appropriate compensation programs. Our mission is to utilize our expansive network to benefit your company https://www.compass-strategic-advisors.com/ Connect with Trip Hawkins: Website: https://www.ea.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triphawkins/ Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD?si=f5a14e779777487d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeithWebsite: https://liftoffwithkeith.com/If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #PhysicalAI #Physna #PaulPowers #Manufacturing #Engineering #Robotics #DigitalTwins #SupplyChain #Innovation #DeepTech #Startup #Entrepreneurship #TheLiftoff

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Former journalist turned Silicon Valley dealmaker and entrepreneur Keith Newman talks with Founders, Innovators and Influencers who share their stories of success, pain and impact with a bit of humor and nostalgia mixed in. Hear from great leaders of the past along with some of the latest founders and growth strategists like Maverick Mark Cuban, SuperAngel Ron Conway, Ann Winblad, Mitch Kapor, Steve Blank and Founders of GameStop, Ancestry, JotForm, Fry's, Intuit, and more. Find 150+ Episodes https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD

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