Podcast Roundup #2

Some more podcasts... cause, why not?

Instant 5 points if you already know what "a16z" stands for. PC: Apple Podcast

a16z Podcast

A renowned venture capital firm starts their own podcast channel... of course its gonna be pretty cool. Andreessen Horowitz (aka: a16z) has invested in the likes of major tech companies including Facebook, Pinterest, and Slack. a16z also has a knack for identifying promising startups, some of which have been acquired by companies like Amazon, Intel, Google, and Unilever.

My favorite a16z podcast is this one featuring Connie Chan; she talks about the concept of super-apps and explains WeChat's dominance in China. This topic spoke to me (of course) and there are just some awesome insights into say, the likelihood of there ever being a super-app in the US. You're probably thinking- how the hell does Andreessen Horowitz go by a16z? Scott Cooper, managing partner at the firm, can explain. I could never have predicted that!

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Convos on China's economy and tech scene... what more could I ask for? PC: Listen Notes

ChinaTalk

How did I not discover this podcast sooner? I love host Jordan Schneider's palpable energy in literally every podcast; it definitely makes me feel engaged in his conversations. He's hosted guests with expertise in all types of backgrounds, including gaming, politics, sports, technology, health... the list goes on.

One of his past guests was actually my boss at AmCham China, Mark Dreyer!! We both got a kick out of that haha. As noted in the title, all these conversations are China-specific. But honestly, it doesn't matter if you are a China nerd (like me) or someone who has never heard of Xi Jinping (you better know who this is...), you'll still be left with great insights into China and its culture.

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Digiday went ahead and created this gem of a podcast for us. PC: Apple Podcast

ModernRetail Podcast

This podcast is a goldmine for discovering cool new direct to consumer (DTC) startups. But I mean, that's not the only reason why I tune in... or is it? Now, there are WAY more DTC startups out there than I realized. This is for good reason- we live in a digital age where almost everything is accessible at the touch of a finger. The coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated the urge to continue purchasing online.

I love ModernRetail because it provides insight into the humble beginnings of these DTC brands and how they continue to grow in a scalable manner. The common growth engine for these brands is social media- namely Facebook and Instagram ads. I clearly remember the time I first started seeing sponsored Instagram ads for previously unheard of brands that now have cult followings, like Rothy's, Quip, and Buffy. Familiar with these brands? Let me know in the comments!

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I can't get over how cute the artwork is lol. PC: This is Your Life in Silicon Valley

This Is Your Life in Silicon Valley

If there's anything I admire about this podcast, it's the candid and honest conversations that are had about life in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley culture. As a result of all the technological innovation that has long been bursting in SF and the Valley, the city has been increasingly romanticized and put up on a pedestal. It came to the point where techies believed they needed to be in SF to be successful. Fast forward a couple years, and leave it to COVID and remote work to potentially reshape life in SF as we know it.

Now, I'll admit, some conversations on this podcast make me roll my eyes and think, "ugh, SF professionals and their first world problems" (i.e. a discussion on how to order at Philz Coffee). But, it really does open my eyes to SF's insane wealth gap and the underlying issues plaguing the city. If you're looking for a glamorized look at SF, this isn't it. You've got social media for that.