Liftoff with Keith Newman: For Founders looking for a new growth playbook and further inspiration.

Former Journalist, Startup + GTM exec Keith Newman
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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 Maverick Mark Cuban, SuperAngel Ron Conway, Ann Winblad, Mitch Kapor, Steve Blank and Founders of GameStop, Ancestry, JotForm, Fry's, Intuit, and many more. Find 80+ Episodes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-look-back-a-free-flowing-interview/id1560219589

  1. OCT 7

    Fighting Fake Reviews: How Shane Barker and TraceFuse Are Protecting Amazon Sellers

    Did you know nearly half of online reviews are suspicious, with fake reviews projected to influence $787 billion in consumer spending by 2025? In this episode, Shane Barker — CEO and founder of TraceFuse, the first Amazon TOS-compliant negative review removal system — explains the scale of the problem and how his solution is helping sellers fight back. Shane shares:- Why fake reviews damage brands and consumer trust- How TraceFuse uses AI and compliance-based filings to remove unfair reviews- The real financial impact of even a half-star rating drop- Why both startups and big brands should take reviews seriously If you sell on Amazon, you can’t afford to miss this conversation. Connect with Shane:- Website: https://tracefuse.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebarker/ 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=f5a14e779777487dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #AmazonSeller #AmazonFBA #EcommerceGrowth #AmazonBusiness #SellerTips #EcommerceMarketing #OnlineSelling #FBACommunity #FakeReviews #ProductReviews #ReviewManagement #ReputationManagement #AmazonReviews #AmazonTools #TraceFuse #CustomerTrust #EntrepreneurLife #StartupTips #SmallBusinessGrowth #DigitalMarketing #BusinessTools #OnlineBusiness

    30 min

  2. OCT 1

    From Tech Sales Leader to Authentic Leadership Coach — Kelli Rivers’ Bold Pivot 🎙️

    🎙️ New Episode Alert! I had an incredible conversation with Kelli Rivers, a former high-tech sales leader who made a powerful pivot into the world of leadership development. Kelli works with high-level leaders to help them reset their identity, expand their capacity, and lead with absolute clarity. In our discussion, she shared how leaders can build trust in their skills, create safe spaces to grow, and unlock their authentic leadership potential. This is a must-listen if you’re curious about: ✅ Making bold career pivots ✅ Leading with authenticity and clarity ✅ Building confidence in your abilities ✅ Reaching your full potential as a leader In this episode we cover: Kelli’s journey from high-tech sales to leadership development coachThe identity reset: how to leave old roles and reframe who you arePractices that expand capacity and clarity in leadership• Creating environments of trust for growth 👉 Tune in now and get inspired by Kelli’s journey and insights! Connect with Kelli: 🌐 kellirivers.com/welcome📧 kelly@kellirivers.com🎁 Free clarity call: reset.kellirivers.com/book-your-free-callSubscribe 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=f5a14e779777487dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #Authenticity #Vulnerability #SelfAwareness #TrueSelf #LeadWithHeart #LeadershipJourney #GrowthMindset #BeYourself #CourageToChange #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #Confidence #MindsetShift #LeadershipDevelopment #InnerWork

    22 min

  3. SEP 16

    From Lyft to Climate Tech: Raj’s Journey of Innovation & Impact

    Raj shares his remarkable path from building companies like Snapfish, Fitmob, and Lyft to co-founding Climactic, a venture fund tackling the climate crisis. In this conversation, he reveals lessons on entrepreneurship, pivots, investing in AI & robotics for climate solutions, and coaching founders to lead with resilience. A must-watch for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone passionate about technology and climate innovation. 👋 Connect with Raj:- ClimacticLinkedIn 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.- SpotifyApple PodcastsSubstackNewman Media StudiosLinkedIn For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #ClimateTech #CleanTech #Decarbonization #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Innovation #VentureCapital #StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #GreenTech #InvestingInClimate #ClimateLeadership #NetZero #ImpactInvesting #Technology

    43 min

  4. SEP 10

    Opening the Private Markets: Carine Schneider on Democratization, Regulation & Future of Investing

    In this episode, host Keith Newman welcomes Carine Schneider, founding partner at Compass Strategic Advisors and longtime advocate for broader access to private markets. Carine shares her journey from PwC to leading cap table companies and advising global firms, and why she believes the time is right to rethink private market access. She discusses the updates to her book The Democratization of Private Markets, highlighting:- Why she felt compelled to rewrite it just a few years after the first edition.How the UK’s new PISCES framework could inspire U.S. market reform.Recent U.S. policy changes, including executive orders allowing 401Ks to invest in private assets.The ongoing debate: Should private markets remain restricted to professionals, or should everyday investors have access? Along the way, Carine also opens up about her personal milestones, including an upcoming family trip to Hawaii, reminding us that behind market shifts are human stories. Whether you’re an investor, policymaker, or simply curious about the future of private capital, this conversation offers a timely look at where the industry is heading. 👋 Connect with Carine:- Compass Strategic AdvisorsLinkedIn 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.- SpotifyApple PodcastsSubstackNewman Media StudiosLinkedIn For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #BusinessNetworking #NetworkingSuccess #Entrepreneurship #SuccessStories #StartupLife

    30 min

  5. AUG 22

    VC Secrets: 25-Year Partner Reveals Startup Truth | The Liftoff with Keith Newman

    What 25 years in venture capital teaches you about building billion-dollar startups that founders wish they knew earlier... David Hornik, founding partner at Lobby Capital and former August Capital partner, breaks down the real dynamics between VCs and founders that most entrepreneurs completely misunderstand. From his $50M+ exits including Splunk, GitLab, and Bill.com, David shares why venture capital success isn't about the money - it's about finding the right partnership. In this conversation, you'll discover why the best investors act as collaborators, not gatekeepers, and how startup culture matters as much as your product-market fit. David reveals the misconceptions founders have about what VCs actually look for, the importance of long-term vision alignment, and why building supportive communities around entrepreneurs drives real innovation. Key takeaways for founders: Trust and alignment matter more than just growth metrics Your company culture determines long-term success The best VCs become mentors, not just money providers Staying true to your mission while adapting is crucial for survivalDavid's unique background spans Stanford Computer Music to Harvard Law, plus he created the first VC blog and podcast. He's been honored on Forbes' Midas List and teaches at both Stanford Business School and Harvard Law School. Subscribe for more founder insights and hit the bell for notifications! What's the biggest misconception you had about VCs? Drop it in the comments below. Follow us on our channels for exclusive startup content and behind-the-scenes insights from interviews like this one. SpotifyApple PodcastsYoutubeNewman Media Studios LinkedIn

    36 min

  6. AUG 13

    AI is Overheating Data Centers | The Liftoff with Keith

    AI is overheating data centers, and air cooling just can’t keep up. In this eye-opening conversation, Cosimo Pecchioli and Darren Burgess from BP’s Castrol Immersion Division pull back the curtain on the future of thermal management—and why liquid cooling is no longer optional. From AI workloads to hyperscalers, learn how industry giants are quietly deploying immersion cooling at scale, what it really takes to design a liquid-cooled system, and why ignoring this shift could lead to catastrophic failures. 🔧 Key insights include: - Why air cooling is dead for AI and how hyperscalers are adopting liquid cooling - The real cost savings and efficiency gains of immersion technology - Challenges of scaling liquid cooling: fluid chemistry, maintenance, and hidden risks - How BP Castrol is innovating with additives to handle the next generation of AI chips - Why the industry must collaborate—and what happens when it doesn’t 💡 If your data center isn’t liquid-cooled, you’re already behind. Watch now to stay ahead of the AI curve! Subscribe for more game-changing insights! Follow more of the Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: /liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #LiquidCooling #DataCenters #AIInfrastructure #ThermalManagement #ImmersionCooling #AIHardware #Sustainability #EnergyEfficiency #NextGenTech

    13 min

  7. AUG 11

    Don't Lose It! The Super Founders' Tax Advisor on Building Generational Wealth

    What’s the point of making millions, if you don’t get to keep it? In this episode of Liftoff with Keith, we’re joined by Neil Jesani, a trusted CPA and entrepreneur who has leveraged 25 years of experience in tax and finance to become one of the top advisors that Founders go to when they need to scale their businesses from $20M to $100M+ without losing millions to preventable tax mistakes. From IPOs to M&As to the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBB), Neil helps high-achieving business owners protect their wealth through advanced tax planning and exit strategies that preserve maximum value during liquidity events. 💡 In This Deep-Dive Interview, You'll Learn: - Advanced tax strategies for founders scaling from $20M to $100M+ - How to prepare for liquidity events and minimize your tax exposure - Real-world lessons from guiding founders through exits and IPOs - Why “building wealth” isn’t the same as “keeping wealth”, and what to do about it - The power of generational wealth planning, early and often If you’re building, scaling, or prepping to exit, this episode is your financial playbook. 📌 Don’t miss Neil’s expert advice on protecting what you’ve built, before it’s too late. 👋 Connect with Neil: - Neil Jesani Tax Advisors: https://neiljesani.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiljesani Follow more of Liftoff with Keith: - Youtube: https://youtube.com/@liftoffwithkeith?si=mTYVqyi1OcfhDbd0 - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more founder stories and exit insights!

    32 min

  8. AUG 6

    The AI Security Crisis No One Is Talking About | The Liftoff with Keith

    Is your company’s AI strategy opening you up to massive security risks? In this powerful conversation, Claudionor Coelho, Chief AI Officer at Zscaler, reveals the hidden dangers of agentic AI—and how Fortune 500 companies are unintentionally exposing sensitive data through generative AI tools. Claudionor shares real-world examples of AI vulnerabilities, how attackers can exploit agent systems to extract private data, and why AI security must be treated with the same urgency as data security. From salary leaks to corporate data breaches, this discussion is a wake-up call for executives, CISOs, and AI teams alike. 🔒 Key topics covered: - The explosive rise of agentic AI systems in 2024 - How AI models can expose confidential data—without you knowing - The AI firewall Zscaler uses to stop data leaks - Why security and AI teams must work together - The global AI security landscape, from the U.S. to Brazil 👉 Don’t miss Claudionor’s urgent call to action: Protect your AI systems like your data—before it’s too late. Subscribe for more game-changing insights! Follow more of the Liftoff with Keith: - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3cFpLXfYvcUsxvsT9MwyAD - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/liftoff-with-keith-newman/id1560219589 - Substack: https://keithnewman.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: /liftoffwithkeith - Newman Media Studios: https://newmanmediastudios.com/ For sponsorship inquiries, please contact: sponsorships@wherewithstudio.com #AI #AIAgents #Cybersecurity #GenerativeAI #DataSecurity #EnterpriseAI

    7 min
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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 Maverick Mark Cuban, SuperAngel Ron Conway, Ann Winblad, Mitch Kapor, Steve Blank and Founders of GameStop, Ancestry, JotForm, Fry's, Intuit, and many more. Find 80+ Episodes https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-look-back-a-free-flowing-interview/id1560219589

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