Divot

Derek Andersen
  • 5.0 (17)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Divot brings you weekly conversations with the people building the future—founders, creators, athletes, and visionaries pushing the limits of business, technology, sports, and entertainment. We go beyond success stories to explore the real moments that define a journey—the risks, the failures, the breakthroughs, and the lessons that can help you on your path. Stories of people making their mark, and how you can too. New episodes every Wednesday. #DivotPodcast #Business #Tech #Sports #Entertainment #Innovation

  1. #16: AI Will Turn Every Business Into an AI Business (No Exceptions)

    JUN 25

    #16: AI Will Turn Every Business Into an AI Business (No Exceptions)

    The world is changing fast — and there’s no going back. In this episode, legendary Silicon Valley investor Navin Chaddha (Managing Partner at Mayfield) lays out a powerful prediction: “Every business will become an AI business — no exceptions.” We dive into what that really means for founders, industries, and the future of work. Navin introduces the concept of “vibe coding”, where 8 billion people can become builders — simply by describing what they want. He shares why SaaS is dying, how vertical AI models will dominate entire industries, and why physical AGI will transform the real world — from robots to logistics to healthcare. He also explains how billion-dollar companies will soon be built by teams of two or three people, thanks to the power of AI-native architecture. This episode is a wake-up call for every founder, builder, and leader who wants to stay ahead in the new AI era. Follow Navin Chaddha – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/NavinChaddha Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:38 - The Excitement of AI Technology 02:10 - The Future of Coding and Development 04:20 - Collaborative Intelligence in Action 05:00 - The Era of 8 Billion Builders 06:01 - Democratizing Entrepreneurship with AI 07:42 - The Impact on Venture Capital 08:54 - The Renaissance of Hardware 11:44 - AI's Role in Physical Applications 13:50 - Disruption in Home Appliances 19:20 - Barriers to Physical AGI 20:52 - Reimagining Industries with AI 26:15 - The Great Equalizer of AI Episode Partners: Salesforce Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #DivotPodcast #AI #VerticalAI #AGI #FutureOfWork #NavinChaddha #MayfieldFund #VibeCoding #StartupStrategy #Innovation #TechInvesting #SaaSIsDead

    28 min
  2. #15: Escaping Dictatorship, Hacking the Internet, and Building a World-Class AI Platform

    JUN 18

    #15: Escaping Dictatorship, Hacking the Internet, and Building a World-Class AI Platform

    How do you build an AI company trusted by the world's top enterprises, while surviving political oppression, hacking a country's internet, and rewriting the future of work? In this episode, Waseem Alshikh, co-founder and CTO of Writer, shares his extraordinary story. At 17, he launched his first startup in Syria — only to be imprisoned when the government tried to steal it for one dollar. In retaliation, he shut down the country's internet and fled to Lebanon. From there, he taught himself English, built groundbreaking NLP tools, and eventually launched one of the world's most trusted AI platforms. We explore how Writer built its own LLMs to serve enterprises like Uber, Deloitte, and Spotify; how AI agents are replacing outdated internal tools; and how a new generation of founders is reshaping pricing, trust, and innovation in the AI era. This episode is a masterclass in surviving chaos, scaling with focus, and building AI-first from Day One. Follow Waseem Alshikh - X (Twitter): https://x.com/waseem_s Follow Derek Andersen - X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Syrian Regime Collapse 00:49 - Early Success with Digital Mapping 01:42 - Government Takeover and Jail Experience 04:00 - Hacking the Internet for Revenge 05:36 - Escape to Lebanon and New Beginnings 06:44 - Learning English and Computer Science 08:08 - Transitioning to AI and Open Source 09:22 - Building Generative AI Models 10:15 - The Challenge of Language Localization 12:44 - Why We Built Our Own AI Models 13:30 - Enterprise Solutions and Customer Trust 18:04 - The Role of AI in Productivity 24:11 - Evolving Business Models in AI 28:35 - Future of AI in Regulated Industries 32:29 - Open Source vs. Proprietary AI 34:08 - Starting an AI Company Today 38:11 - The Journey from Startup to Growth Episode Partners: Salesforce Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #DivotPodcast #AI #Innovation #StartupJourney #EnterpriseAI #MissionDriven #Resilience #WriterAI #FutureOfWork #Leadership #CTO #SaaS #DerekAndersen

    40 min
  3. #14: Choosing Good Quests: Innovation, AI, and Winning in a World of Regulation

    JUN 11

    #14: Choosing Good Quests: Innovation, AI, and Winning in a World of Regulation

    How do you choose the right quest — the kind of mission that truly matters, and can survive in today’s world of regulation, politics, and entrenched incumbents? In this episode, Founders Fund General Partner and Anduril co-founder Trae Stephens shares his philosophy of “Good Quests” — and what entrepreneurs must get right when tackling hard, meaningful problems. We dive deep into how AI will transform defense and national security, why the future of warfare is distributed and AI-driven, and how entrepreneurs can navigate government sales and political opposition. From raising capital to surviving regulated markets, this is a tactical and inspiring conversation for anyone building in ambitious, frontier spaces. This episode is a masterclass in mission-driven entrepreneurship, AI strategy, and playing to win in a changing world. Follow Trae Stephens – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/traestephens Follow Derek Andersen – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: The Naivety of Building Products 0:20 - Welcome to Divot and Episode Overview 1:10 - Guest Introduction: Trae Stephens 1:32 - The Concept of Good Quests for Founders 3:50 - Identifying a Good Quest and Its Importance 6:40 - Market Size and Its Relevance to Good Quests 8:42 - Governance and Board Seats in Venture Capital 10:02 - Coaching Founders on Ethical Considerations 11:21 - Founding Anduril: Early Data Points and Insights 14:58 - Raising Capital: Strategies for Founders 17:55 - Selling to the U.S. Government and International Markets 21:18 - The Role of AI in Defense and Future Implications Episode Partners: Salesforce Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #DivotPodcast #AI #Innovation #DefenseTech #Entrepreneurship #GoodQuest #MissionDriven #StartupLessons #Regulation #Leadership #TraeStephens

    24 min
  4. #13: AI, Work, and the Future of Life: Lessons on Success, Resilience, and Reinvention

    JUN 4

    #13: AI, Work, and the Future of Life: Lessons on Success, Resilience, and Reinvention

    In this inspiring conversation, we explore how AI will transform the future of business and work, and what it means for us as humans. You’ll hear why AI will soon perform 80% of human jobs, why full AI-first tools will surpass today’s co-pilots, and why most of AI’s impact will happen outside of tech. But this is also a powerful life masterclass. From building billion-dollar startups to raising a family and staying energized at 70, we dive deep into resilience, happiness, and living an internally driven life. You’ll learn how to power through failure, lead through change, balance ambition with presence, and why the most significant measure of life is doing what you love. Follow Vinod Khosla – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/vkhosla Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersena Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to AI and Entrepreneurial Vision 05:01 - The Future of AI Development and Adoption 10:01 - AI's Impact on Business and Job Transformation 15:02 - AI as a Tool for Small Businesses and Innovation 20:00 - The Role of Startups and Disruption in AI 25:00 - Preparing for an AI-Driven Future 30:02 - Lessons from Building Tech Companies 35:01 - Staying Relevant and Evolving as an Investor 40:00 - Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Growth 45:01 - Long-Term Relationships and Life Priorities 50:00 - Measuring Success and Living Purposefully Episode Partners: Salesforce Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite.https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #DivotPodcast #AI #FutureOfWork #Entrepreneurship #Resilience #Leadership #SmallBusiness #Innovation #AGI #Mindset #Success

    52 min
  5. #12: It Takes What It Takes – Mastering Mindset, Pressure, and Purpose

    MAY 28

    #12: It Takes What It Takes – Mastering Mindset, Pressure, and Purpose

    In this episode, Kobie Fuller invites us into his home gym — and into the mindset that’s driven him through elite athletics, startup investing, fatherhood, and personal growth. From sprint workouts to 24-hour fasts, Kobie shares how he uses physical discipline to sharpen mental clarity and lead with purpose. He breaks down two core ideas that changed his life: “It takes what it takes” and neutral thinking — frameworks he learned from late mentor Trevor Moawad to overcome self-doubt, pressure, and negativity. We explore how Kobie handles failure, centers his faith, coaches his kids, balances ambition with presence, and defines what it truly means to win. This is a masterclass in mindset, emotional leadership, and how to build a life that actually matters. Follow Kobie – X (Twitter): https://x.com/kobiefuller Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction 1:40 – Inside Kobie’s gym: how fitness drives clarity 2:00 – Track workouts, aging, and athletic self-awareness 5:16 – Why the 800 is the most brutal race 6:13 – Coaching his kids, and what youth sports reveal 8:20 – “It takes what it takes” – the mindset behind greatness 11:25 – Neutral thinking vs. toxic positivity 14:18 – Road rage, emotional discipline, and living by the Golden Rule 20:47 – Teaching neutral mindset to his kids 22:11 – Preemptive emotional mapping with Trevor Moawad 25:18 – Balancing work, presence, and guilt as a founder & father 28:00 – Monday fasts, spiritual resets, and weekly discipline 31:10 – Building long-term investor-founder relationships 32:30 – Having a spouse who helps you stay grounded 33:17 – Trusting God’s plan when life doesn’t go your way 35:37 – Accomplishing hard things: track, leadership, and family 40:45 – Privilege, pressure, and staying grateful 42:49 – The person he admires most: Jim Lowry 43:44 – What he’s most proud of (it’s not Harvard) 44:30 – Meeting God and leaving the world better 45:05 – How he will measure his life Episode Partners: SalesforceStart faster with Salesforce Starter Suite. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #DivotPodcast #MindsetMatters #ItTakesWhatItTakes #NeutralThinking #EmotionalDiscipline #Fatherhood #Faith #Leadership #KobieFuller

    46 min
  6. #11: 50 Years in Silicon Valley; Surviving Vietnam, and How to Stay Married

    MAY 21

    #11: 50 Years in Silicon Valley; Surviving Vietnam, and How to Stay Married

    Most people fail at leadership because they complicate what should be simple. Greg Osborn’s approach is different. After leading in Vietnam, raising a family with old-school work ethic, and building businesses in Silicon Valley as the tech boom took off, he learned that success comes from two things: giving people the right training and keeping them motivated. In this conversation, Greg breaks down why teams succeed or fail based on this simple principle — and how you can apply it in business, family, and life. You’ll hear how his leadership lessons from the Vietnam battlefield translated into managing people, teaching his kids, and running companies. This is timeless advice that still works today — practical, proven, and refreshingly clear. Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Greg Osborne and His Garage 05:01 - Camping Adventures with Greg Osborne's Family 10:01 - The Joy of Making and Solving Problems 15:00 - Early Life, Education, and Military Background 20:01 - College Basketball Career at Stanford 25:01 - Physical Challenges and Surgeries Over the Years 30:01 - Reflections on Basketball and Life Experiences 35:01 - Military Training and Assignment to Vietnam 40:02 - Experiences in Vietnam and Impact of War 45:01 - Teaching GED to Soldiers and Life Lessons 50:01 - 54 Years of Marriage and Family Life 55:00 - Raising Children and Teaching Responsibility 01:00:00 - Reflections on Joy and Family 01:05:00 - Personal Anecdotes and Life Lessons 01:10:00 - Challenges and Sacrifices in Life 01:15:02 - Real Estate Experiences and Business Ventures 01:20:01 - Encounters with Tech Industry Leaders 01:25:00 - Growth of Silicon Valley and Early Tech Companies 01:30:01 - Closing Thoughts and Final Conversations Episode Partners: Salesforce Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen #DivotPodcast #Leadership #TeamSuccess #Entrepreneurship #SimpleAdvice #Motivation #HighPerformance #Mindset #PaloAlto

    1h 31m
  7. #10 Part 2: How the U.S. Can Win the Innovation Race with Startup Thinking

    MAY 14

    #10 Part 2: How the U.S. Can Win the Innovation Race with Startup Thinking

    America used to lead the world in innovation. Now, it's falling behind — and no one in power wants to face the truth. In Part 2 of this eye-opening conversation, we dive into how the U.S. lost its edge in science, technology, and defense. From bloated bureaucracies to outdated mindsets, the systems that once fueled American greatness are now holding it back. You'll hear war stories from the frontlines of government innovation, uncover the forgotten WWII playbook that built modern America, and learn how China quietly leapfrogged U.S. capabilities. We explore why bold ideas get killed, how real change gets buried, and what kind of leadership we desperately need today. This isn't just about startups — it's about the future of the country. Follow Steve – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sgblank Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 3:37: Hacking for Defense -- how a new form of national service is changing how national security problems are solved 6:27: Why DoD struggles to innovate 11:31: How China beat the U.S. at innovation 21:00: How the U.S. became a science superpower 27:00: Faith vs. facts: how decisions should be made 35:15: Why the Office of Strategic Capital is one of the most creative things to happen to DoD 40:47: How to get to the outcome you want: Fact-based conversations vs. Faith-based conversations 43:51: Putting startup risk in context 50:34: Redefining service 52:30: Retirement, legacy & how to measure your life Episode Partners: Salesforce Start faster with Salesforce Starter Suite. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAOM/ Follow Divot: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #DivotPodcast #InnovationCrisis #AmericanDecline #Startups #GovernmentInnovation #Leadership #SiliconValley #ChinaVsUS #SteveBlank

    1h 5m
  8. #10 Part 1: Startup Playbook Silicon Valley Doesn’t Want You to Know

    MAY 7

    #10 Part 1: Startup Playbook Silicon Valley Doesn’t Want You to Know

    Most founders follow advice that sets them up to fail.In this episode of Divot, we sit down with one of the most influential minds in startup history — Steve Blank. Before reshaping modern entrepreneurship, Steve co-founded E.piphany, a CRM company that went public in 1999 and soared to an $8 billion valuation. After multiple startups and hard-won lessons, he created the startup playbook that changed how companies are built — from customer discovery to the Lean Startup. Steve’s teachings are used at Stanford, Columbia, and Berkeley, adopted by Y Combinator, and taught in U.S. national security programs through his Hacking for Defense initiative. He’s helped thousands of founders avoid failure and build with truth instead of hype. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and clarity for any builder, founder, or operator. Follow Steve – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/sgblank Follow Derek – X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/derekjandersen Timestamps: 6:30: After 21 years of doing startups, deciding what was next 10:39: What makes startup founders different 14:11: “Adventure Capital” and how the entrepreneurial ecosystem has evolved 18:43: Origin of the Lean Startup method and why it changed everything 22:33: Why customer discovery is key to startup success 29:34: How to choose what kind of startup to build 32:45: Failure is the greatest teacher a founder can have 35:29: Hubris and other company killers 37:42: Why showing up more than most people counts for a lot 39:17: Entrepreneurship is not a job. It’s a calling 44:38: How AI is changing everything about how startups are built 46:56: Making a dent in the universe with Lean LaunchPad, I-Corps, Hacking for Defense 50:21: The three pillars of Lean and how they work together to drive entrepreneurial success 52:58: Why smart founders don’t outsource customer discovery Episode Partner: SalesforceNo matter your team size or industry, Salesforce Starter Suite is your scalable CRM solution for growth. https://www.salesforce.com/form/signup/freetrial-salesforce-starter/?d=701ed000007ZTPhAAO Follow Divot:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Divotpod X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/divotdotorg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divotdotorg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divot.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/divotdotorg/ #SteveBlank #LeanStartup #E.piphany #StartupAdvice #CustomerDiscovery #Entrepreneurship #DivotPodcast #StartupFailure

    1h 8m
See All (17)

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Divot brings you weekly conversations with the people building the future—founders, creators, athletes, and visionaries pushing the limits of business, technology, sports, and entertainment. We go beyond success stories to explore the real moments that define a journey—the risks, the failures, the breakthroughs, and the lessons that can help you on your path. Stories of people making their mark, and how you can too. New episodes every Wednesday. #DivotPodcast #Business #Tech #Sports #Entertainment #Innovation

Information

  • Creator
    Derek Andersen
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Derek Andersen
  • Show Website
    Divot

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