The Luba Show

Luba Yudasina
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

Honest, human conversations with interesting minds in tech and beyond.

  1. 2d ago

    $6.8B GovTech Founder On Why Most Startups Fail Selling to Government - Ben Rudolph

    Today I'm talking to Ben Rudolph, co-founder and CTO of Peregrine Technologies, to trace his path from Stanford gymnastics to building one of the fastest-growing companies in government technology. They discuss his time at the UN working with refugees, the 18 months he and co-founder Nick Noone spent embedded inside a police department, surviving the early "wilderness" of company building, and how Peregrine grew into a multi-billion dollar business. The conversation also covers leadership lessons, company values, and balancing fatherhood with running a fast-scaling company. Timestamps:00:00:00 Trailer00:01:18 Intro00:01:21 Stanford gymnastics and meeting Nick00:09:06 Working with refugees at the UN00:16:20 Deciding to start the company00:19:10 Moving into a police department for 18 months00:26:44 Where the Peregrine name comes from00:31:23 Winning the California RFP00:41:47 Growth from wilderness to product-market fit00:44:58 Biggest mistake and hardest lessons as a leader00:48:39 Becoming a father while scaling the company00:48:52 How Peregrine uses AI internally and externally00:56:01 Life philosophy and closing thoughts Links: Ben RudolphWebsite: https://www.benrudolph.info/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__benrudolph/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brudolph Luba YudasinaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflubaaX: https://x.com/LubaYudasinaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yudasinal/

    $6.8B GovTech Founder On Why Most Startups Fail Selling to Government - Ben Rudolph

  2. Jul 9

    $47 Billion Crypto Founder Shares His Story - Anatoly Yakovenko (Solana)

    Today I’m speaking with Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder and CEO of Solana, to trace his journey from a childhood in the Soviet Union to building one of the largest blockchain networks in the world. They discuss his years at Qualcomm, the eureka moment that led to Solana, surviving the FTX collapse, and how he uses AI to run multiple side projects. The conversation closes with reflections on stress, risk, parenting, and his definition of success. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Trailer 00:01:06 Intro 00:01:17 Growing up in the Soviet Union 00:04:02 Immigrating to the United States 00:07:34 Career dreams and studying computer science 00:09:47 First startup and early lessons 00:11:19 13 years at Qualcomm 00:22:32 Meeting Raj and founding Solana 00:26:44 Fundraising and early investors 00:28:41 Surviving the FTX collapse 00:40:19 Solana's mission and impact 00:43:54 Using AI to run side projects 00:49:39 Hardest decisions as a leader 00:52:51 Outlook on crypto and Solana's future 00:59:22 Twitter, being public, and politics 01:05:52 Beliefs on human nature and life philosophy 01:09:34 Outro Links: Anatoly Yakovenko Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solanafounder/?hl=en X: https://x.com/toly?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anatoly-yakovenko Luba Yudasina Instagram: Luba Yudasina (@lifeoflubaa) • Instagram photos and videos X: luba yudasina (@LubaYudasina) / X LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    $47 Billion Crypto Founder Shares His Story - Anatoly Yakovenko (Solana)

  3. Jul 2

    From Being Rejected by Every VC to Starting Her Own Fund - Leah Solivan (Founder of TaskRabbit)

    I got to walk with Leah Solivan, founder of TaskRabbit and now Managing Director of Precedent VC, through her journey from IBM engineer to startup founder to venture capitalist. We got into the early days of building TaskRabbit, the decision to sell the company to IKEA, and her transition into investing. Leah also shared her philosophy on evaluating founders, the AI-powered deal scoring tool she built, and the story behind her upcoming book, Breaking Precedent Timestamps: 00:00:00 Trailer00:01:12 Intro00:01:21 Ballet background and SF Ballet board00:06:12 TaskRabbit's origin story00:10:52 Move to the Bay Area00:23:00 Selling TaskRabbit to IKEA00:33:03 Letting go of founder identity00:35:37 Launching Precedent VC00:38:26 AI-powered deal scoring system00:41:26 Investing philosophy and founder fit00:54:30 Founder green and red flags00:58:26 Why she wrote Breaking Precedent01:07:12 Parenting and work-life balance01:10:46 Defining success01:12:20 Outro Links: Leah Solivan Website: Leah Solivan Instagram: Leah Solivan (@leah_solivan) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn: Leah Solivan | LinkedIn Luba Yudasina Instagram: Luba Yudasina (@lifeoflubaa) • Instagram photos and videos X: luba yudasina (@LubaYudasina) / X LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    From Being Rejected by Every VC to Starting Her Own Fund - Leah Solivan (Founder of TaskRabbit)

  4. Jun 11

    Joe Cohen: 2 Electric Vehicles in 2 Years With Just $14M and 20 People

    Today I’m talking to Joe Cohen, founder and CEO of Infinite Machine, a company building electric vehicles. But this conversation is really about something bigger: what it means to live freely and build things that matter. Joe has built companies across education, fashion, software, and now vehicles — and what ties them together is his obsession with freedom, accessibility, and enabling people to do life on their own terms. He calls it the “infinite game” — a framework that shapes how he thinks about business, creativity, and life itself. It’s a conversation about ambition, creativity, and what it actually takes to build something meaningful — without losing sight of why you’re building it in the first place. Topics covered The “infinite game” framework and why finite thinking limits your potentialFrom Universe (empowerment through creation) to Infinite Machine (freedom through mobility)Why “autonomous humans” is the core mission behind everything he buildsBuilding a company with your brother and the importance of going separate ways firstHiring for low ego and autonomy — how to spot these qualities SO much more! Timestamps0:00 Intro0:40 The motivation to make things1:55 The infinite game 2:40 Deciding to be an entrepreneur5:55 Artist vs capitalist7:34 Why freedom matters9:29 What is an autonomous human10:26 Vehicles as tools for freedom13:14 What's next for Infinite Machine14:27 How Infinite Machine started15:08 Going your own way as brothers16:35 Different paths, same vision17:36 Design in the DNA18:42 How brothers handle design disagreements22:35 The C2 app and Friday feedback23:33 Building trust 25:38 Team culture and hiring27:21 Friday show and tell ritual30:26 Nurturing creativity32:22 Fundraising36:47 Manufacturing stories37:46 Managing stress 39:09 Meditating daily for 13 years42:56 Life philosophy44:58 Top books Links Joseph CohenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmc/?hl=en X: https://x.com/josephcohen LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephmcohen  Luba YudasinaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflubaaX: https://x.com/LubaYudasinaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    Joe Cohen: 2 Electric Vehicles in 2 Years With Just $14M and 20 People

  5. Jun 4

    Robbie Bent: From Near Death to Building a Multi-Million Dollar Wellness Cult

    Today I’m talking to Robbie Bent, CEO and co-founder of Othership. Othership has scaled from a DIY backyard ice bath to a cult-like wellness brand with multiple sold-out locations across North America and plans to open a first-of-its-kind “social spa” on the Upper East Side. Robbie is a former drug addict-turned founder who’s built something genuinely novel: a space where emotional processing and human connection are the product, and sauna and cold plunge are the delivery mechanisms. What’s rare about his story is that he’s done it with four co-founders — two couples working full-time together after seven years — and he’s obsessive about building the best version of the product, not the fastest path to profit. We talk about the long-term vision, the willingness to go all-in on something nobody thought would work, and what it means to build a company around healing and community in a culture obsessed with optimization. Robbie gets vulnerable about the financial terror of physical retail, the near-death moments when he thought it was over, and why he turned down aggressive investor terms to maintain control and equity. Topics covered- From backyard experiment to $2M+ first location — and how he knew it was real- Why he thinks fear doesn’t disappear when you succeed — it just evolves- The almost-zero odds of building a successful company with two couples as co-founders- How a sauna and cold plunge became a Trojan horse for emotional healing and friendship- Why he’s terrified of competition (and how that terror drives everything he does)- From ADHD, boredom with early fatherhood to being present — the shift that changed his prioritiesSO much more! Timestamps  00:00 Intro  01:52 The 20-year vision  05:50 Horse trough to $2M  10:00 Building with 4 co-founders  15:39 The New York crisis  22:10 Why didn't he quit  24:25 What still scares him  27:19 The social spa experiment  31:16 Does fear ever disappear?  34:00 His anxiety toolkit  39:25 Health and clarity  40:21 Competition and abundance  43:08 Product creates community  49:48 From addiction to healing  53:58 How his wife changed him  58:35 Fatherhood evolution  01:02:18 The balance act (work, family, health, friends) 01:07:53 Other cultures and values  01:12:46 Learning from founder stories  01:16:31 Bathhouse inspiration worldwide  01:21:05 Creative retreats and psilocybin  01:23:14 Acceptance LinksRobbie BentInstagram: https://instagra.com/robbiebentX: https://x.com/robbiebentLinkedIn: Robbie Bent Luba YudasinaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflubaaX: https://x.com/LubaYudasinaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    Robbie Bent: From Near Death to Building a Multi-Million Dollar Wellness Cult

  6. May 29

    Sam Parr: How to Build a $20M Empire Without Destroying Your Marriage

    Today I'm talking to Sam Parr, Co-Founder of Hampton and Founder of The Hustle, and co-host of My First Million. Sam built The Hustle to over 1.5 million subscribers, sold it for more than $20 million, and now runs one of the most exclusive founder communities in the world. Sam is a Midwestern kid turned serial entrepreneur: from running a hot dog stand to building a media empire to co-hosting My First Million, one of the biggest business podcasts out there. He's also one of the most refreshingly honest people I've ever talked to about money, marriage, and what it actually takes to build a life you're proud of. We go deep on relationships, ambition, and what it means to commit — to a partner, to a company, to a version of yourself you haven't become yet.  Topics we cover Why he and his wife had a "co-founder conversation" six months into dating and how it changed everythingWhat billionaires all agree on about luck that most people starting out don't want to hearHis controversial take: overnight successes are real — and sometimes you should quit fasterHow he uses negative visualization to stay grateful SO much more!Timestamps00:00 Intro 01:55 When Money Doesn't Feel Real 05:55 Why My Wife Bet on Me 08:35 Run Your Marriage Like a Startup 13:43 Luck Is Real 16:57 Commit Then Figure It Out 21:43 Imagine the Worst, Feel Grateful 24:51 40 Hours Can Make You Rich 27:06 Am I a One-Hit Wonder? 30:43 How to Make Anyone Open Up Links Sam ParrInstagram: https://instagram.com/thesamparrX: https://x.com/thesamparr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MyFirstMillionPod Luba Yudasina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeoflubaa X: https://x.com/LubaYudasina LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    Sam Parr: How to Build a $20M Empire Without Destroying Your Marriage

  7. May 21

    Kevin Zhang: Inside the Mind of an Investor Writing $35M Checks

    Today I'm talking to Kevin Zhang, Partner at Bain Capital Ventures. BCV sits inside Bain Capital, a $200 billion investment manager spanning private equity, credit, life sciences, and real estate, and Kevin has been there nearly a decade, leading early-stage bets from seed through Series B across AI, crypto, longevity, and industrials. We talk about confidence, self-doubt, and what it actually takes to back people before it's obvious. Kevin opens up about feeling like there was a pane of glass between him and the people who got to make big decisions — and the slow, honest process of earning his own seat at the table. We cover "Hyperstition": why enough people believing in something can make it trueWhy he thinks imposter syndrome is often just an accurate self-assessmentThe BCV Fellowship: a secret program to find star talent years before they start companiesFull stack capitalism: why the most ambitious founders need more than just venture dollarsHis dream second career: political talent scoutSO much more!Timestamps00:00 Intro 01:01 The Invisible Glass Ceiling 08:40 Surviving the Almost-Dead Startup 13:40 Full Stack Capitalism 19:24 Bet on People, Not Sectors 23:32 Spotting Greatness Early 27:05 Build Conviction 30:36 Beyond the SaaS Playbook 36:34 Understanding Society 39:21 Why He Stayed at Bain Capital 43:52 Investing in Founders 47:24 Rapid Fire Links Kevin ZhangX: https://x.com/kevinzhang  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinzhang711/ Luba Yudasina Instagram: https://instagram.com/lifeoflubaa X: https://x.com/LubaYudasina LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    Kevin Zhang: Inside the Mind of an Investor Writing $35M Checks

  8. May 14

    Hiten Shah: The Batman & Robin Rule: Why Your Business Partnership is Failing

    Today I'm talking to Hiten Shah, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Crazy Egg, KISSmetrics, and Nira — which he sold to Dropbox. Hiten has been building SaaS companies for over 20 years and has quietly become one of the sharpest operators and thinkers in tech. We go deep on metacognition, self-improvement, and what it actually takes to understand yourself well enough to build great companies and great relationships. Hiten opens up about his process for "poking at the world" to test his own thinking, how he uses Enneagram and Human Design with AI to unlock blind spots, and the mental models that have shaped how he works with co-founders, teams, and his own family. We cover- His "purple bruise" approach to giving advice — and how he trained himself to go from six-month-delayed feedback to next-day impact- The Batman and Robin framework for co-founder relationships, partnerships, and even marriage- Why building faster with AI doesn't mean learning faster — and the companies that have figured out the difference- "Trust takes ten years" — the advice from a relative in India that keeps proving itself rightHis life philosophy: "It was all a dream" — and what that has to do with presence- SO much more! Timestamps00:00 Intro01:45 Start Your Year in October06:15 The Purple Bruise Method12:23 AI as a Thinking Partner20:13 Thinking About Your Thinking25:06 Find Your Triggers First29:32 Decide Fast With Less34:50 Entrepreneur Since Age Four42:17 Shed Judgment, Stay Curious46:09 When Strengths Become Sabotage49:56 Batman and Robin Partnerships52:43 Finding the Right Co-Founder59:53 Trust Takes Ten Years1:05:04 Fast Success Hides Lessons1:11:57 Build Faster ≠ Learn Faster1:21:31 The Lost Craft of Startups1:29:38 Follow Energy, Not Goals1:36:05 The Crisis Nobody Sees1:44:03 Selling at Peak Value1:52:00 Know Yourself Through AI2:07:15 One Idea, Many Posts2:19:20 "It Was All a Dream" Links Hiten Shah X: https://x.com/hnshahLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hnshah/ Luba YudasinaInstagram:  https://instagram.com/lifeoflubaaX: https://x.com/LubaYudasinaLinkedIn:  https://linkedin.com/in/yudasinal

    Hiten Shah: The Batman & Robin Rule: Why Your Business Partnership is Failing
See All (18)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Honest, human conversations with interesting minds in tech and beyond.

Information

  • Creator
    Luba Yudasina
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Luba Yudasina

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