10 episodes

Voted a "top ten Silicon Valley podcast" by both Startup Basecamp and The Six Fifty, and a "top 25 Silicon Valley podcast" by Urban Marketplace.



Ray Zinn, Silicon Valley's longest serving CEO, discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, executive management, humanistic business and more.



Zinn, a Silicon Valley legend, started Micrel Semiconductor without venture capital, and ran it for 37 years, 36 of those profitably. Zinn's insights in disciplined management, the value in all people, corporate culture and true leadership are guiding lights for anyone working for a better future.

Tough Things First Ray Zinn

    • Business
    • 4.5 • 8 Ratings

Voted a "top ten Silicon Valley podcast" by both Startup Basecamp and The Six Fifty, and a "top 25 Silicon Valley podcast" by Urban Marketplace.



Ray Zinn, Silicon Valley's longest serving CEO, discusses entrepreneurship, leadership, executive management, humanistic business and more.



Zinn, a Silicon Valley legend, started Micrel Semiconductor without venture capital, and ran it for 37 years, 36 of those profitably. Zinn's insights in disciplined management, the value in all people, corporate culture and true leadership are guiding lights for anyone working for a better future.

    Focus and Outcomes

    Focus and Outcomes

    Entrepreneurs rarely get what they “deserve”, but most everyone gets what they focus on, good or bad. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn takes a deep dive into our focus and how it drives the results. Rob Artigo: You wrote recently, we generally get what we expect, and you say the reason is our focus is on what […]

    • 9 min
    Creator Burnout

    Creator Burnout

    YouTube and TikTok users know this all too well. Fact: We live in a more isolated work environment, often at home, in our own little space, with what seems like a lot more to accomplish. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses “creator burnout”, why it happens, and how to deal with it. (Watch the video podcast here…) […]

    • 16 min
    Merit Based Hiring

    Merit Based Hiring

    Diversity, equity, and inclusion has supplanted merit as an important decision tool in hiring for many companies, but has it helped or hurt businesses and employees? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores fundamental truths about fairness, that DEI has set aside.   Rob Artigo: Well, because of all this talk about DEI, that’s the diversity, equity and […]

    • 14 min
    Are Protests Evil?

    Are Protests Evil?

    Clashes in the streets are never pretty, and Ray Zinn says they never really do much other than cause more division and anger. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray lays out why protests are negative by nature, but are they evil? Rob Artigo: It seems like we’ve spent the better part of the last seven years in some state […]

    • 8 min
    Difficult Projects

    Difficult Projects

    In life and business decisions must be made, but they do not always have to be hard decisions if you are prepared. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores a list of lessons learned that can help you be ahead of the game. Rob Artigo: Well, I was reading a Forbes piece. It had some experts, and these […]

    • 11 min
    Who is Responsible for Your Prosperity?

    Who is Responsible for Your Prosperity?

    The ups and downs you feel about how quickly or slowly you are getting ahead are not imaginary, but if you are waiting for some magic, government, pixie dust, for a boost out of a downturn well… In this podcast, Ray Zinn ponders the question, should you be relying on the government or yourself for your prosperity? Rob Artigo: Well, […]

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

Lexington Frolfing Club ,

Practical Advice and Right to the Point

I enjoy this podcast because I always get practical advice. Ray Zinn’s direct style allows each episode to pick a punch in just a couple of minutes.

Coolcat boss ,

Love it!

It’s great to hear wisdom from such a successful CEO and hear the best practices of corporate culture!

Rico Z4 ,

Love this point of view

There is an alternative to the VC route in Silicon Valley. Love it!!

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