Founder Mode

Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton
  • 5.0 (2)
  • 创业
  • 一周一更

Founder Mode is a podcast for builders—whether it’s startups, systems, or personal growth. It’s about finding your flow, balancing health, wealth, and productivity, and tackling challenges with focus and curiosity. Each week, you’ll gain actionable insights and fresh perspectives to help you think like a founder and build what matters most.

  1. Best of Founder Mode I

    2天前

    Best of Founder Mode I

    EPISODE 24 A special “best of” highlight reel from our first 20 episodes: we reframe luck as reps and compounding, warn founders about burnout’s hidden interest, and show how AI can supercharge solo building without replacing your voice. We dig into making clear asks and saying “no” to protect focus, why empathy is the real product moat, and how durable edges come from hardware + proprietary data and real-world feedback. You’ll hear scrappy GTM plays (like sub-50 sq ft kiosks and Kickstarter’s customer collision), safety-first execution from nuclear to drones, pre-LLM agents, the 80/20 (AI/human) rule for content, and why creators should monetize ownership—not just virality. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Luck is manufactured, not given 04:30 – Anxiety as fuel, not a flaw 08:15 – Empathy as the ultimate moat 13:20 – Hacking permits to scale retail 17:45 – The 80/20 rule for AI & creators LINKS Stay Connected with Founder Mode Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    19 分钟
  2. From Stonks to AI for Everyone with John Hancock

    9月4日

    From Stonks to AI for Everyone with John Hancock

    EPISODE 23 In this episode of Founder Mode, John Hancock joins us to break down the gap between startup hype and reality. From building Stonks—the largest angel syndication platform on AngelList—to walking away when the mission no longer fit, John shares what he’s learned about fundraising, pivots, and rebuilding with first principles. He introduces Validate, a tool designed to help founders and “idea people” kill bad ideas fast before wasting time or money, and explains why most AI features are “better shoes, not wings.” The conversation dives into validating ideas, writing as a way to sharpen thinking, and the most common founder mistake—stopping customer conversations. John closes with the raw truth: most people shouldn’t be founders, and that’s okay. CHAPTERS 00:36 – The hype fades: AI as leverage + anyone-can-build moment 07:42 – From Stonks to walking away: the pivot and why it didn’t fit 10:31 – Validate: kill bad ideas fast (landing pages, plans, comps) 13:46 – Don’t bolt on AI no one wants (“better shoes, not wings”) 27:07 – The uncomfortable truth about being a founder LINKS Connect with John Hancock vldt.ai • X/Twitter Special Offer Email john.hancock@hey.com to get Validate free forever. John is offering this exclusive deal to Founder Mode listeners—validate your ideas quickly, save time, and avoid building what no one wants. Cool Thing Jason’s vibe-coded app Stay Connected with Founder Mode Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    31 分钟
  3. Building Happiness with Anurag Agarwalla

    8月28日

    Building Happiness with Anurag Agarwalla

    EPISODE 22 In this episode of Founder Mode, Anurag Agarwalla shares his journey from leading fast-moving engineering teams at Uber to building hpy, an AI-powered platform designed to support therapists and patients in achieving better outcomes. He explains why emotional systems matter as much as technical ones, how to design for happiness without burning out, and why privacy and empathy must be foundational in mental health tech. The conversation dives into emotional intelligence, daily habits, and how AI can serve as a companion tool without replacing the human connection at the core of therapy. CHAPTERS 00:00 – From Uber to building for happiness 05:12 – Healing the healer: AI for therapists 09:27 – Privacy and ethics in mental health tech 14:06 – Designing systems for happiness and balance 23:37 – Building tools for healthier habits LINKS Connect with Anurag Agarwalla thinkhpy.com • LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with hpy LinkedIn • X/Twitter • Instagram Special Offer Do you go to therapy? Your next therapy session is on us. With hpy, we help clinicians help YOU reach your goals faster with better outcomes, tracking and progress. Introduce us to your therapist and if they sign up for hpy, your next session is on us. Email sales@thinkhpy.com to get started and mention Founder Mode. Are you a mental health professional and want to automate all of your admin? With hpy Pro, the first AI assistant designed specially for therapy, save up to 20 hours a week. We’re offering Founder Mode listeners an exclusive—refer a colleague and get an entire YEAR of hpy Pro free. To get registered, email sales@thinkhpy.com and mention Founder Mode. Stay Connected with Founder Mode Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    36 分钟
  4. The Healthcare Innovation Bottleneck with Rebecca Shufeldt

    8月21日

    The Healthcare Innovation Bottleneck with Rebecca Shufeldt

    EPISODE 21 Hosts Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton go beyond the headlines to unpack the real bottlenecks that stall healthcare—and how to fix them—with consultant and operator Rebecca Shufeldt, founder of Ignite Healthcare Solutions. Drawing on her path from urgent care ops to EHR/revenue cycle leadership, Rebecca explains why go‑live is “day zero,” how her evolving “Silver Bullet” project plan keeps Athenahealth implementations aligned to payer/CMS changes, and where AI—voice intake, scheduling, eligibility, authorizations and referrals—removes administrative drag, reduces denials, and lifts patient and clinician satisfaction. The group digs into tailoring EHRs beyond “turnkey,” building clinician buy‑in, upskilling staff instead of replacing them (“Betty”), and how a flexible, female‑led team model helps practices scale without burnout while improving revenue. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Setting the stakes: healthcare’s hidden blockers + Jason’s Heal story 02:00 – AI as a wedge: voice, eligibility & EHR‑integrated routing 05:03 – Meet Rebecca Shufeldt & Athenahealth optimization 10:19 – The “Silver Bullet” plan: go‑live is day zero 12:55 – Revenue cycle pitfalls, authorizations & upskilling the team CONNECT WITH REBECCA Website • LinkedIn SPECIAL OFFER Ignite Healthcare Solutions is offering a complimentary 30-minute athenahealth optimization review with our CEO for Founder Mode listeners. We’ll assess your current use of the platform, highlight quick-win opportunities to improve efficiency and revenue, and share proven strategies tailored to your organization’s goals—whether you’re a start-up, an established practice, or an MSO. RESOURCE Voice AI Technology for athenaOne Practices: STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to the Founder Mode newsletter: foundermode.kit.com CONNECT WITH KEVIN LinkedIn • X/Twitter CONNECT WITH JASON LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    27 分钟
  5. The Creator CEO with Ahad Khan

    8月14日

    The Creator CEO with Ahad Khan

    EPISODE 20 In this episode of Founder Mode, Kevin and Jason sit down with Ahad Khan, CEO of Kajabi, to unpack what it really means to be a “creator CEO” in 2025. From shifting creators’ mindsets beyond virality toward sustainable, owner-operated businesses, to finding content market fit before building products, Ahad shares actionable strategies for monetization, pricing, and using AI without losing the human touch. He also opens up about leading a global team as a post-founder CEO, honoring Kajabi’s customer-obsessed roots while implementing his own leadership cadence, and why the future belongs to entrepreneurial creators who build brands their audiences truly value. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why “Creator CEO” is the Future of the Creator Economy 06:51 – Building for Everyday People and Customer Obsession at Kajabi 12:55 – Content Market Fit and Monetizing Beyond Virality 17:36 – Using AI to Scale Without Losing the Human Touch 25:07 – Leadership Cadence and Work-Life Integration as a Post-Founder CEO LINKS Connect with Ahad Khan Kajabi • LinkedIn • X/Twitter SPECIAL OFFER Email ahad [at] kajabi.com for a special offer when you sign up for Kajabi. Stay Connected with Founder Mode Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    34 分钟
  6. The Founder’s Unfair Advantage with Chris Winfield

    8月7日

    The Founder’s Unfair Advantage with Chris Winfield

    EPISODE 19 Visibility isn't a vibe—it's a system. In this episode, Jason and Kevin sit down with Chris Winfield, creator, connector, and coach, to break down how founders can build an unfair advantage in an AI-saturated world. Chris shares his 80/20 rule for AI usage, why content strategy is non-negotiable in 2025, and how personal connection still beats automation. Learn how to become the go-to expert in your niche, simplify your message like Steve Jobs, and avoid falling into the “Slopbot” trap of over-AI'd content. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The 80/20 Rule for Using AI 06:26 – Visibility Through Content and Connection 12:11 – Build Real Relationships in a Noisy Digital World 15:28 – Marketing Trends That Actually Matter in 2025 19:37 – The Real Unfair Advantage for Founders LINKS Connect with Chris Instagram • LinkedIn Special Offer DM Chris on Instagram @chriswinfield and mention Kevin & Jason to get a special offer. Stay Connected with Founder Mode Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    25 分钟
  7. Perfect Days With Your Ride-Or-Dies

    7月31日

    Perfect Days With Your Ride-Or-Dies

    EPISODE 18 In this candid, fast-paced solo episode, Jason and Kevin unpack the systems behind their ideal weeks, why founders should prioritize health like a product launch, and how to build a ride-or-die team that spans multiple startups. From hiding jets from repo men to wearing smart glasses on the beach, they share war stories, personal rituals, and the mindset that separates cautious operators from calculated risk-takers. CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Casino Story That Saved FedEx 01:04 – Building Your Perfect Week 05:14 – Big Company Constraints Are (Mostly) Self-Imposed 10:00 – Health Is Your Only Asset 16:08 – Boomerangs vs. Boomer Rides LINKS Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter RESOURCES Meta Ray Ban Wayfarer Tune Up Fitness Myo

    23 分钟
  8. Water, The Next Frontier with Ravi Kurani

    7月24日

    Water, The Next Frontier with Ravi Kurani

    EPISODE 17 Water‑tech pioneer Ravi Kurani explains how a floating pool‑chemistry robot became the ultimate hardware moat, why proprietary water data unlocks service marketplaces, and where trillion‑dollar opportunities lie at the water‑energy nexus. He recounts two years on Shenzhen factory floors perfecting Sutro, selling the startup before mass production, and now plotting to buy it back to tackle agriculture, cooling towers, and AI data centers. Hosts Jason Shafton and Kevin Henrikson unpack story‑driven design, founder persistence, and the future of “smart” water. CHAPTERS 00:00 – From Pools to Robotics: Ravi’s origin story 03:44 – Hardware Moats & Proprietary Water Data 07:11 – Sutro as the “Nest Cam” for Your Pool 09:01 – Water as Tech’s Next Trillion‑Dollar Frontier 16:36 – Founder Mode in China: Two Years on the Factory Floor LINKS Connect with Ravi Sutro • Liquid Assets Podcast • LinkedIn • X/Twitter Stay Connected with Founder Mode Subscribe to our newsletter: foundermode.kit.com Connect with Kevin LinkedIn • X/Twitter Connect with Jason LinkedIn • X/Twitter

    25 分钟
查看全部 24 集

评分及评论

5
共 5 分
2 个评分

关于

Founder Mode is a podcast for builders—whether it’s startups, systems, or personal growth. It’s about finding your flow, balancing health, wealth, and productivity, and tackling challenges with focus and curiosity. Each week, you’ll gain actionable insights and fresh perspectives to help you think like a founder and build what matters most.

信息

  • 创作者
    Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton
  • 活跃年份
    2025年
  • 单集
    24
  • 分级
    儿童不宜
  • 版权
    © Kevin Henrikson and Jason Shafton
  • 节目网站
    Founder Mode

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