Breakeven Brothers

As 2024 comes to a close, the Breakeven Brothers are looking back at a year filled with bizarre headlines, technological leaps, and the ever-present hum of UFO speculation. Was that a drone swarm over New Jersey, or something...else? They dive deep into the latest sightings, exploring a wild theory involving a missing radioactive device and some top-secret government scanning. But it's not all tinfoil hats and conspiracy theories; they're also taking stock of their own year, sharing lessons learned in the trenches of app development, side hustles, and the quest for a more balanced life. From Black Friday scores to New Year's resolutions, this episode is a jam-packed reflection on the year that was, with a healthy dose of future-gazing. Get ready for some surprising insights, a few laughs, and a whole lot of brotherly debate as they wrap up 2024 and set their sights on a brand new year!(00:00) - Intros (07:42) - UFOs and Skepticism in the Digital Age (17:15) - Learning New Systems: A Personal Journey (28:34) - Navigating Competition and Innovation in Business (35:18) - Building a Mobile App: Vision and Challenges (43:08) - Narrowing Focus: Niching Down vs. General Audience (50:50) - Setting Goals for 2025: Career and Side Projects (01:05:18) - Navigating Code and Documentation Challenges (01:10:26) - AI Innovations and Competitive Landscape (01:16:10) - Setting Goals for 2025 and Beyond LinksNative image output with Gemini 2.0 FlashWhy I chose React Native to build my new mobile app in 2024Blue Ocean StrategyElgato Key Light AirJudge injunction on BOI reportingQuantum computer WillowCreators & Guests Bennett Bernard - Host Bradley Bernard - Host

Join the Breakeven Brothers as they discuss everything from a turbulent flight experience and the ethics of face-scanning apps to the joys of ping pong and the dark side of app monetization. They debate the merits of niching down in business, explore the world of indie game development, and share their struggles with LinkedIn spam and the quest for viral marketing success. Plus, a surprising connection between balance sheet reconciliations and LinkedIn virality! Tune in for a lively conversation about accounting, tech, and the challenges of building a business in the digital age.(00:00) - Intro & Navigating Travel Experiences (05:57) - The Rise of Monetization in Apps (11:42) - Ethics of App Monetization (17:34) - The Impact of Microtransactions on Gaming (23:30) - Unique Experiences in Gaming Lounges (28:55) - Gaming Evolution and Experiences (34:53) - The Importance of Niching in Business (42:33) - Navigating Social Media Changes (53:37) - The Future of Online Communities (59:20) - LinkedIn Analytics: Insights and Strategies (01:11:49) - Bookmarks: Tools and Tips for Improvement BookmarksBrad: Huberman blue light glasses - legit or not?Ben: Matt Wilkinson post about websites for accounting firm & Linkedin junkCreators & Guests Bennett Bernard - Host Bradley Bernard - Host

In this episode, Bennett and Brad dive into the fascinating world of early social media tools and growth hacking. Brad shares his journey of building viral social media products as a teenager, including a $3 Twitter tool that ran on autopilot for years and an Instagram growth platform that made $2,000 per day before being shut down. The brothers discuss how social media platforms have evolved since 2010, from the early days of Twitter follower ratios to modern LinkedIn content strategy. They explore the risks and rewards of building on social platforms, the importance of timing in tech, and how authentic content creation has changed over the years. Whether you're interested in social media history, building products, or growing an online presence, this episode offers unique insights from someone who's been in the trenches since high school.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Milestones05:50 The Evolution of Social Media11:34 The First Sale and Learning Experience18:36 The Evolution of Social Media Platforms24:12 Building and Selling iUnfollow29:42 The Rise and Fall of Instapromote41:22 The Impact of User Experience on Business Success50:53 The Challenge of Authenticity in Online Presence57:29 The Future of AI in Content CreationBookmarksBradley’s bookmark: Turn off your iPad automatically every night from @JaviBen’s Reads for the week:The Franchise MBA by Nick NeonakisBuilding a Story Brand by Donald MillerNumeric raises $28M to build the next-gen financial data platform | NumericCreators & Guests Bennett Bernard - Host Bradley Bernard - Host

In this episode of the Breakeven Brothers podcast, hosts Bennett and Brad discuss significant life updates, including Brad's recent marriage, the challenges of wedding planning, and the joy of celebrating with friends and family. They reflect on memorable moments from the wedding, the importance of having a good support team, and the excitement of moving back to the Bay Area for a new job at Snapchat. In this conversation, Bennett and Bradley discuss various themes ranging from practical skills like knot tying to childhood memories of outdoor adventures. They delve into tech innovations, user engagement strategies, and the challenges of managing finances and bookkeeping for their projects. The conversation also touches on reverse engineering mobile apps and the complexities of modern web development, particularly in relation to web scraping and the evolving landscape of JavaScript frameworks. In this conversation, Bennett and Bradley discuss the complexities of modern web development, emphasizing the need for simplicity in design and coding practices. They explore the challenges posed by various web development tools and frameworks, particularly Tailwind, and reflect on the importance of choosing the right cloud services for hosting applications. The discussion also touches on personal interests, such as gardening and outdoor activities, highlighting the value of engaging in hands-on projects outside of their tech-centric lives.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Life Updates01:29 Wedding Reflections and Highlights06:02 Memorable Moments from the Wedding08:56 Post-Wedding Celebrations and Friendships11:49 Transitioning to New Life Events14:44 Moving Back to the Bay Area17:28 Job Search and New Opportunities20:30 Future Plans and Reflections23:13 Exploring New Interests and Hobbies27:05 The Art of Knot Tying29:07 Childhood Memories and Outdoor Adventures32:27 Tech Innovations and User Engagement38:28 Referral Programs and User Retention40:07 Managing Finances and Bookkeeping43:38 Reverse Engineering and Learning52:58 Web Development Challenges01:00:14 The Complexity of Modern Web Development01:04:54 Simplicity in Design and Development01:08:03 Choosing Between Cloud Services01:15:55 Exploring Gardening and Outdoor ActivitiesCreators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host

In this episode of the Breakeven Brothers podcast, hosts Bennett and Bradley discuss their recent life updates, including Bradley's job offer at ____ and their experiences at various conferences. They delve into the challenges of job searching, the importance of networking, and the evolving landscape of marketing and AI in the tech industry. The conversation highlights the significance of community in professional growth and the need for continuous learning in a rapidly changing job market. They also share personal recommendations for books and resources that have inspired them.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Life Updates02:55 Conference Experiences and Networking06:02 Job Search Journey and Insights09:02 Job Offer Announcement and Reflections11:36 Marketing Challenges and Strategies14:38 AI and Its Impact on Job Roles17:36 Camtasia and Content Creation20:28 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsBookmarksBrad: X: Optimizing your mobile app paywallBennett: Getting your fire backPeopleCreators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host

In this episode, Bennett and Bradley discuss Bradley's recent experiences with job interviews and the importance of mentorship and coaching in their careers. They also talk about the upcoming Laracon conference and the value of networking and learning from others in the industry. In this part of the conversation, Bradley and Bennett discuss the importance of constructive criticism, questioning the status quo, and being open to feedback. They also share their experiences with mentorship and the value of optimism in the workplace. They then shift the conversation to discuss their experiences with the AI tools Cursor and Claude, as well as the FastAPI framework. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Updates01:55 Navigating Job Interviews07:53 The Importance of Mentorship10:34 Networking and Learning from Others17:21 The Value of Conferences33:20 Constructive Criticism and Questioning the Status Quo42:16 The Power of Optimism and Integrity47:31 AI Tools for Rapid Prototyping and Development51:57 The Future of AI and its Potential01:01:53 Fine-Tuning AI Models and the Importance of Context01:04:18 The Blurring Line Between Human and Programming Language01:07:24 The Potential of Voice-Based and Brainwave Communication01:14:51 Opportunities in Creating New Chrome Extensions01:17:21 Using LLMs with SQL for Efficient QueryingArticles/LinksBrad's Interesting Bookmark:84k Chrome extensions will be disabled next month Bennett's Interesting Bookmark:LLMs and SQLCreators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host

In this episode, the Brothers discuss the idea of blending real-life transactions with video games, using the example of a mod in the game Oblivion that allows players to order pizza. They explore the immersive experience of certain games and the potential for integrating real-world transactions within them. Furthermore, they also touch on the concept of being authentic online and the challenges of catering to algorithms while staying true to oneself. They share their experiences with Twitter and the use of AI tools for content creation, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and quality over quantity. Ben and Brad explore the use of AI in writing and the potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on algorithms, and the power and benefit of building a supportive community that shares knowledge to help others.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Catching Up07:53 The Immersive Experience of Certain Games17:28 The Importance of Authenticity Online21:59 Navigating Algorithms and Quality Content27:57 The Temptation of AI Tools for Content Creation31:03 Curating Communities and Finding Value Online34:49 The Drawbacks of Relying on AI and Algorithms37:12 Building a Supportive Community and Sharing Knowledge41:20 The Future of Content Creation: Video and Interviews01:02:27 Bookmarks Brad: X: iOS 18.1: App intents, developer integration for Apple Intelligence Ben: Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith HeumannCreators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host

What have you wanted to know about building bots? Why is there often a negative stigma around bots in current times? Bradley shares his experience building various bots, including one that tracked the population of a gym, one that automated chatting with Peloton customer support to get a faster delivery, and most importantly, one that helped earn free Chipotle meals. The Brothers expand further on Bots, discussing the value of automating mundane tasks and the potential applications of bots in different industries. Recent developments in AI models also means that integrating AI models into bots unlock even further opportunity and value-add it can have for many industries, including accounting and finance. The conversation also touches on recent AI developments, namely the release of Meta's Llama open-source AI model. The Brothers dig deeper into the pro's and cons of utilizing open-source AI models, and even further on how there are numerous options to leverage the Llama model, such as via cloud providers or running locally. Lastly, Bradley gives an update on his job search, sharing some insights into interviewing for the first time in over a year.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap02:11 Building Bots: Automating Mundane Tasks12:34 Optimizing Processes with Bots16:20 From Gym Populations to Peloton Delivery: Bot Success Stories18:16 Building Bots29:53 Integrating AI Models into Bots36:40 Automating Tasks with AppleScript40:57 Running the Lama AI Model47:48 The Impact of OpenAI's Llama 3.1 Release49:32 Challenges Faced by Closed-Source Models52:06 The Changing Dynamics of Remote Work58:22 Navigating the Job Market as a Software EngineerArticles/LinksBrad's Interesting Bookmark:Tool for optimizing AI promptsBennett's Interesting Bookmark:Why Meta’s Llama 3.1 is a boon for enterprises and a bane for other LLM vendorsThe first GPT-4-class AI model anyone can download has arrived: Llama 405BCreators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host

In this episode, Bennett and Bradley discuss their thoughts on attending conferences, including strategies for how to get the most of your experiences and how to make genuine connections. They also discuss small but often overlooked strategies that turn one's career from successful to exceptional with just a little extra effort.Chapters00:00 Introduction and San Diego Trip 03:01 The Importance of Attending Industry Conferences 11:22 Preparing for Conferences and Setting Goals 18:47 The Benefits of Technical and Social Conferences 25:13 Speaking at Conferences and Career Opportunities 30:47 Balancing Preparation and Authenticity in Presentations 34:13 Mastering the Art of Public Speaking 37:37 Taking Notes and Following Up at Conferences 43:45 The Difference Between Success and Exceptional Success 50:19 The Importance of Effort and Going the Extra Mile 58:38 Finding Joy and Fulfillment in Challenging Work Articles/LinksBrad's Interesting Bookmark:Magic UI is becoming the go-to UI library for startup landing pagesBennett's Interesting Bookmark:Reusable Components in Django with Stimulus and Tailwind CSS - Part 1 | TestDriven.ioCreators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host (00:00) - Introduction and San Diego Trip (03:01) - The Importance of Attending Industry Conferences (11:22) - Preparing for Conferences and Setting Goals (18:47) - The Benefits of Technical and Social Conferences (25:13) - Speaking at Conferences and Career Opportunities (30:47) - Balancing Preparation and Authenticity in Presentations (34:13) - Mastering the Art of Public Speaking (37:37) - Taking Notes and Following Up at Conferences (43:45) - The Difference Between Success and Exceptional Success (50:19) - The Importance of Effort and Going the Extra Mile (58:38) - Finding Joy and Fulfillment in Challenging Work

Exploring the differences between engineering and accounting, specifically in terms of learning resources, continuous improvement, and data visualization. Chapters01:45 What Engineering Can Learn from Accounting and Vice Versa02:41 Engineering: Availability of Resources and Continuous Improvement09:31 Engineering: Overwhelm and Hype15:23 The Unique Syntax of the R Language34:19 The Importance of Documentation38:46 Balancing Automation and Costs40:30 The Value of Root Cause Analysis47:40 Credentialing in Engineering53:08 The Role of Ease of Use in Software AdoptionArticles/LinksBrad's Interesting Bookmark:Extracted the Claude AI system promptBennett's Interesting Bookmark:"The Key to Effective Software is Prioritizing the Ease of Use #accounting #accountant #accountingmajor #business #businesspodcast #podcast https://t.co/vonMjkgAbf" / XCreators & Guests Bennett Bernard - Host Bradley Bernard - Host

Touching on the different AI providers and the factors to consider when choosing an AI model. This conversation in this part focuses on two main themes: the speed of AI models and data privacy concerns across accounting and engineering.Chapters05:15 The Evolution of AI and Chatty Butler09:41 The State of AI and Choosing the Right Model25:14 Data Privacy Concerns in Accounting31:09 Challenges of Reproducibility and Prompt Engineering40:19 The Risks and Implications of AI47:21 The Dominance of Nvidia in the GPU Market49:01 AI in Accounting: Automations and Documentation53:35 AI Voice Interfaces: Faster and More Natural Interactions01:12:26 Creating Unique Experiences in Various IndustriesArticles/LinksBrad's Interesting Bookmark:World's fastest voice AI botBennett's Interesting Bookmark:Creating an experience in Short Term Rental with Richard FertigRE #202: Richard Fertig - A World Class Lesson in Short Term RentalCreators & Guests Bennett Bernard - Host Bradley Bernard - Host

Ben and Brad discuss what it's like to leave Big Tech and be a solopreneur, as well as discuss how programming should be a must learn for accounting professionals.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Backgrounds11:58 Considering Leaving Big Tech24:00 Leaving on Good Terms and Professionalism27:19 If It Doesn't Work Out, You Can Always Go Back29:50 The Journey of Entrepreneurship36:17 Accounting and Data Engineering39:03 Python as a Tool for Accountants48:03 Automation and End Goals52:30 Challenges and Opportunities in Accounting Technology55:26 Embracing New Tools and Technologies57:50 Documentation and Collaboration in Accounting Automation01:01:01 Trying Different Options and Taking Ownership01:04:02 The Fight for Intelligence, Scale, Speed, and Pricing01:07:15 Sharing Knowledge and Building BridgesArticles/LinksBennett's Blog Post:Programming as an Accountant — Bennett Bernard, CPABrad's Interesting Bookmark:Context caching for the Gemini APIBennett's Interesting Bookmark:221 How To Build The First 1 Person $10M Accounting Firm (youtube.com)Creators & Guests Bradley Bernard - Host Bennett Bernard - Host