Gen ZEO Playbook

Rayyan Ali
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Hello and welcome to Gen ZEO Playbook! I’m your host, Rayyan Ali. GenZEO Playbook exists to document and decode how a new generation of CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs actually build and scale businesses. We go beyond tools and trends to uncover: the strategic frameworks behind real decisions how Gen Z leaders think about growth, leverage, and execution the systems, mental models, and tradeoffs they use in fast-moving markets This is not theory or hype. Each episode breaks down real playbooks from builders in the field — what worked, what didn’t, and why. If you’re building a company, scaling a product, or rethinking how leadership looks in the next decade, this podcast is your operating manual.

  1. 3 FEB

    Alex Wang; MIT Dropout's $7B AI Playbook (Steal This Before Your Competitors Do)

    Alexander Wang had a Google Doc full of startup ideas and crippling uncertainty. Everyone around him at MIT was brilliant. He felt lost. Fast forward: Scale AI is worth billions. He's now leading Meta's superintelligence push. And China is building AI systems with 50,000 GPUs despite US export controls. But between "lost student" and "AI kingmaker" was a phase Alex calls the "squiggle" - and it almost broke him. This episode isn't about celebrating another dropout success story. It's about the SYSTEMS that got him through: How he turned anxiety into a tracking metric How he survived the minus one phase (before product-market fit) How he chose the most boring problem in the hottest market How he positions Scale in an AI arms race between superpowers If you're a founder stuck in the wandering phase, comparing yourself to others, unsure if you're early or just wrong - this episode is for you. 3 Frameworks covered: The Minus One Phase Structure Confidence OS: Public vs Private Mode The Strategic Map: US vs China vs Big Tech Bottom line: Steal the systems that work. Question the arms race narrative. Build responsibly. Subscribe to GenZEO Playbook for founder breakdowns with zero fluff

    9 min

  2. 26 JAN

    4 Episodes of a Podcast Got Me My Dream Job (Not My 10-Year Career)

    Only 2% of venture capital goes to female founders globally. Isabella Smith is changing that. At 26, she runs the Aurora Tech Award, the only global award backing female founders in emerging markets. But her path here was anything but traditional. She studied law at LSE, realized it wasn't for her, and completely pivoted. She got rejected for a raise at her first startup job (earning just £27K in London), so she switched internally to sales, learned the game, and six months later landed a head of marketing role that DOUBLED her salary to £60K. Then she did it again. And again. Each time refusing to settle for what others said she "should be grateful for." In this episode, Isabella breaks down: - How she scaled Aurora from 1,000 to 3,000 applications using one brilliant "growth hack" - The exact moment she backed herself (and why it almost didn't happen) - What separates the top 3% of founders from everyone else - How to negotiate salary when you feel "too young" or underqualified - Why her 4-episode podcast got her the job, not her 10-year career - The networking strategy that got her access to C-suite executives - What to do when your boss tells you you're "dreaming too big" This isn't your typical "follow your passion" advice. Isabella is brutally honest about imposter syndrome, the exhaustion of proving yourself every six months, and why she doesn't talk about her age at work. If you've ever felt too young for the room you're in, or wondered how to actually get what you're worth—this one's for you. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 02:15 - How Aurora grew from 1,000 to 3,000 applications 04:50 - Isabella's non-linear career path 09:00 - The day she backed herself (and almost didn't) 12:18 - Asked for a raise, told to "be grateful" 14:40 - How she doubled her salary in 6 months 18:21 - Dealing with feeling too young in VC 22:46 - The 4 podcast episodes that changed everything 27:04 - What makes the top 3% of founders different 33:13 - "If the table isn't built for you, build your own" 36:22 - Advice for teenagers: Find your area of genius Find Rayyan:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_YveALQKZud6U6wycjqi_w   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04rVPTbIla73sVxPL?si=96d802812f384582   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-parenting-institute-podcast/id1843665900  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayyan-s-ali/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyanali_api/ Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginstitute Find Isabella: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-ghassemi-smith-006326164/  Aurora Tech Award: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurora-tech-award/  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ymkNG6cAwRcDsoVyBfK8w #genz #careeradvice #salarynegotiation #venturecapital #femalefounder #startups #leadership

    40 min

  3. 19 JAN

    80% of Medical Bills Are Wrong, She Proved It at 18

    How an 18-Year-Old Built a Healthcare Startup That Caught $10,000+ in Medical Billing Errors | Miki Safraonov Did you know 80% of medical bills contain errors? Miki discovered this at 18 and built VeraHealth - a startup that saved families thousands by catching medical billing mistakes. In this episode, we learned about: 1. How she built a healthcare AI startup as a freshman at USC 2. The real strategy behind getting a Microsoft internship in high school 3. Why 80% of medical bills have errors (and how to dispute them) 4. How to go viral on social media (150K+ views in 2 weeks) 5. The truth about starting Founder House - the only all-female hacker house featured in an Apple ad narrated by Jane Goodall 6. Cold email tactics that landed her meetings with top VCs and investors 7. Why playing it safe is the worst advice for teen entrepreneurs Perfect for: Teen entrepreneurs, young founders, parents raising ambitious kids, students interested in startups, healthcare innovation, AI in healthcare, college students building businesses TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro: 80% of medical bills have errors 02:15 - How Mickey discovered the medical billing problem 05:42 - Starting Founder House & getting featured by Apple 12:34 - Building Vero Health: The human-centered design approach 18:40 - Handling criticism as a young entrepreneur 24:15 - Getting a Microsoft internship in high school 28:30 - The cold email strategy that actually works 32:45 - Advice for 15-year-olds who want to start a business SUBSCRIBE for more insights on AI, parenting, and preparing the next generation for the future!   Find Rayyan: YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_YveALQKZud6U6wycjqi_w    Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04rVPTbIla73sVxPL?si=96d802812f384582    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-parenting-institute-podcast/id1843665900   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayyan-s-ali/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyanali_api/  Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginstitute  Find Miki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikisafronov/   FoundHer: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundher-house/   #TeenEntrepreneur #YoungFounder #StartupAdvice #HealthcareInnovation #AIParenting #StudentEntrepreneur #BuildInPublic #FounderJourney

    36 min

  4. 12 JAN

    69 Million Jobs Will Vanish by 2030 (But 83 Million New Ones Are Coming). How To Be Ready For That?

    69 million jobs will disappear by 2030 because of AI, but 83 million NEW jobs will be created. The question is: will YOU be ready? In this episode, I sit down with Professor Ahmed, LinkedIn's #1 AI voice and award-winning author of 10 books on AI, IoT, blockchain, and cybersecurity. He's been featured on TIME, Forbes, ABC, NBC, and BBC and he's here to reveal what 2030 will actually look like. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - Why AI will become completely INVISIBLE by 2030 - The 3-second test to predict which AI companies will survive (Tech, Talent, Traction) - Why AI isn't a bubble OR a black hole; it's something more complex - Skills every teenager needs to develop RIGHT NOW for the AI job market - Why quantum computing will be the next massive breakthrough - The biggest AI myth almost everyone believes - What makes a great teacher in the age of AI CRITICAL TAKEAWAYS: → AI literacy is now as essential as using a calculator or the internet → The real danger isn't AI taking jobs, it's the gap between people who can use AI and those who can't → Schools aren't adapting fast enough, parents need to be proactive NOW HOMEWORK: Follow Professor Ahmad on LinkedIn and read one of his articles. Then ask yourself: Am I preparing for an AI-driven future, or am I still thinking like it's 2015? TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 2:51 - AI in 2030: Why it will be invisible 3:49 - The 3 metrics that predict AI company survival 7:17 - 69M jobs lost, 83M jobs created: What it means 8:11 - Essential skills for teenagers entering the workforce 12:06 - What makes a great teacher in the AI age 13:16 - Is AI a bubble or black hole? The truth revealed 15:01 - The next tech breakthrough: Quantum computing 16:40 - The biggest AI myth debunked 22:11 - Books that simplify AI for teenagers 23:49 - One piece of advice for your 15-year-old self SUBSCRIBE for more insights on AI, parenting, and preparing the next generation for the future! Find Rayyan:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_YveALQKZud6U6wycjqi_w   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04rVPTbIla73sVxPL?si=96d802812f384582   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-parenting-institute-podcast/id1843665900  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayyan-s-ali/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyanali_api/ Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginstitute Prof. Ahmed: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmedbanafa/  Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B096RWS83Q  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AhmedBanafa

    26 min

  5. 29/12/2025

    Your Teen's Secret AI Friend: What Parents MUST Know [2026]

    Your teen is forming their first AI relationship, and you might not even know it. In this eye-opening episode, I reveal what happens when teens turn to ChatGPT instead of their parents for emotional support. Using real AI conversations, I show you exactly how these relationships develop and what you can do about it. What You'll Learn: Why teens confide in AI chatbots instead of talking to you The psychological needs AI is filling in your teen's life 2 live ChatGPT demos showing healthy vs unhealthy AI relationships Practical experiments you can try with your teen during the holidays How to make AI strengthen your family bond instead of replacing it This isn't science fiction. This is happening in your home right now. The question isn't IF your teen will build a relationship with AI, it's whether that relationship will push them away from you or bring you closer together.   Find Rayyan: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AIParentingInstitute  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04rVPTbIla73sVxPL?si=96d802812f384582   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-parenting-institute-podcast/id1843665900  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayyan-s-ali/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyanali_api/ Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginstitute

    19 min

  6. 22/12/2025

    Privacy is Dead: How a $YC Startup Found Karpathy's Anonymous Reddit Account

    What happens when a 20-year-old builds an AI that can "know anything about anyone"?? Michael Fanous didn't just create another AI startup, he built something that found Andrej Karpathy's secret Reddit account, shocking the entire AI community, the former Tesla AI director had been posting anonymously for years... until Nine AI found him. In this episode, Michael walks us through: How Nine AI's agents crawl millions of websites to build context on anyone The exact process that uncovered Karpathy's anonymous Reddit persona Why AI agents need deep personal context to work effectively The "cold start problem" and how Nine solves it for productivity tools What your teenager's digital footprint really looks like (spoiler: it's permanent) How brands will target you in 2030 based on life events they predict One simple thing parents should do THIS WEEK to protect their kids online The uncomfortable truth: Privacy as we knew it is over. Every Reddit comment, every Instagram post, every "anonymous" account can be traced back. Michael's building something incredibly powerful, but are we ready for it? Find Rayyan:  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@AIParentingInstitute  Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04rVPTbIla73sVxPL?si=96d802812f384582    Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-parenting-institute-podcast/id1843665900   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayyan-s-ali/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyanali_api/  Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginstitute  Michael’s: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfanous1/   Nyne.ai: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyne-ai/

    19 min

  7. 15/12/2025

    Breathing Easier: How One Teen’s Invention is Tackling Air Quality

    When air pollution kills over 7 million people annually, most people complain. Akshaj Khetarpal decided to patent a solution at 18. In this episode of the AI Parenting Institute, we sit down with Akshaj Khetarpal, founder of MOSS X, a revolutionary air purification device that uses actual moss to clean air equivalent to 275 trees in just one square meter. Discover how this teen entrepreneur turned a trip to Himachal Pradesh into a patented solution for Delhi's severe air quality crisis.   What You'll Learn: - How Akshaj discovered moss as nature's answer to air pollution - The journey from garage experiments to patented technology at 16 - Why he chose natural solutions over high-tech filters - Building both a for-profit company AND non-profit NGO simultaneously - Balancing multiple startups while still being a teenager - Practical advice for teens wanting to solve big problems KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 02:33- The Personal Story Behind MOSS X 04:40 - Why Moss? Understanding the Science 07:21 - First Prototype & Early Experiments 10:15 - Getting the Patent at 16 12:27 - Managing Time Zones & Growth 13:54 - Other Projects: Adamsville & Book Writing 16:05 - Competing with Billion-Dollar Corporations 17:44 - Advice for Teen Entrepreneurs 19:20 - Final Thoughts & Call to Action The Problem: Delhi's AQI regularly exceeds 200, with air quality so poor it's measured in "cigarettes smoked per day." India dominates the list of world's most polluted cities, creating a public health emergency affecting millions. The Solution: MOSS X's patented device keeps moss alive in polluted environments while leveraging its natural air-cleaning properties. One square meter = 275 trees worth of air purification. Why This Matters: Akshaj represents a new generation of entrepreneurs who refuse to choose between profit and purpose. His dual-structure approach (for-profit + NGO) proves you can build sustainable businesses while creating genuine environmental impact. Find Rayyan: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_YveALQKZud6U6wycjqi_w   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04rVPTbIla73sVxPL?si=96d802812f384582   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-parenting-institute-podcast/id1843665900  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rayyan-s-ali/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rayyanali_api/ Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginstitute Find Akshaj: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshaj-khetarpal-0758aa291/    RELATED TOPICS: #AirPollution #CleanTech #TeenEntrepreneur #GreenTechnology #Innovation #Sustainability #DelhiPollution #EnvironmentalSolution #YoungFounder #SocialImpact #ClimateAction

    20 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    Dropped Out of PhD to Build a 7 Figure SAAS. Here's What He Learned

    What happens when you leave home at 15, become the first in your family to graduate college, drop out of a physics PhD, and build a company that scales to 7 figures? Maruthi did exactly that. From a tier-2 city in India to University of Southampton, from physics research to building Almabase (the #1 alumni management software in the US), his journey is anything but conventional.   In this episode, we dive deep into: → Why he almost quit the moment he landed in London → The realization that made him drop out of his PhD → How he scaled companies like Rippling and Remote from $4M to $100M+ → Building Navada AI: an AI tool actually designed with taste → Why hard work and discipline beat intelligence in hypercompetitive environments → The two skills that make teenagers unstoppable Maruthy doesn't sugarcoat it. He shares the loneliness of arriving in a foreign country, the moment he knew academia wasn't his path, and the philosophy that keeps him going: "The universe has infinite opportunities, don't crumble over one setback." Whether you're a founder, a parent supporting a kid with big dreams, or someone thinking about taking an unconventional path, this conversation will challenge how you think about risk, learning, and building products people actually love. KEY TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction 02:41 - Leaving home at 15: The hidden strengths discovered 03:28 - The moment he wanted to quit in London 04:53 - Why he chose entrepreneurship over physics PhD 08:15 - First startup journey and lessons learned 12:30 - Scaling Rippling and Remote to $100M+ 15:45 - Building Navada AI with design-first thinking 18:20 - Why most AI tools lack taste 21:46 - AI myths for parents and teens 23:52 - The best advice he ever received 25:07 - The one skill every teenager needs to master 26:53 - Learning to learn + selling = unstoppable   Subscribe to the AI Parenting Institute for more conversations with founders who are building the future while navigating unconventional paths. Hit that notification bell so you never miss an episode where we explore responsible innovation, entrepreneurship, and how to support the next generation of builders. Find Rayyan: YouTube:  @aiparentinginstitute   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19Ens04... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... LinkedIn:   / rayyan-s-ali   Instagram:   / rayyanali_api  Newsletter: https://substack.com/@aiparentinginst... Find Maruthi: LinkedIn  / maruthimedisetty   Nevara:   / getnevara   #SaaS #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #AITools #FounderStory #PhDDropout #IndianFounders #TechStartups #AlumniManagement #ProductManagement

    28 min
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About

Hello and welcome to Gen ZEO Playbook! I’m your host, Rayyan Ali. GenZEO Playbook exists to document and decode how a new generation of CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs actually build and scale businesses. We go beyond tools and trends to uncover: the strategic frameworks behind real decisions how Gen Z leaders think about growth, leverage, and execution the systems, mental models, and tradeoffs they use in fast-moving markets This is not theory or hype. Each episode breaks down real playbooks from builders in the field — what worked, what didn’t, and why. If you’re building a company, scaling a product, or rethinking how leadership looks in the next decade, this podcast is your operating manual.

Information

  • Creator
    Rayyan Ali
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Gen ZEO Playbook