Metacast: Behind the scenes

Metacast is a podcast app for podcast aficionados. We are building a powerful tool that helps you get the most out of podcasts. Auto-generated transcripts allow you to quickly skim episodes, search for content, and bookmark segments. Automated playlists, listening history & stats, and much more is coming. On this podcast, co-founders of Metacast talk about building the company and the product.

64. VC-backed vs. bootstrapped startups

We've chatted with a VC-backed founder who is on the brink of closing shop. Listen to our reflections on this. Plus, a breakdown of latest Metacast features!Get Metacast podcast app for Android and iOS at https://⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[01:26] New features in Metacast[01:42] Sleep timer[06:21] Speed control[12:32] Grid view in playlists[15:37] Goals for the next month[17:07] Our chat with a VC-backed startup founder[28:56] Podcast and books recommendationsShow notesPodcastsGet Sleepy: Sleep meditation and storiesBroken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond7. Jason Fried on building products, calm companies and the Jeff Bezos investment - Builders Gonna BuildMy Dad Wrote A PornoThe Big Porn Debate (3 Experts Debate): The Unseen Dangers Of Nofap, The Adult Industry Is Exploiting Our Brains, How Porn Will Change Your Brain! - The Diary Of A CEO with Steven BartlettBooksObviously Awesome by April DunfordOtherLinkedIn post about speed control in audio by IlyaGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

11-13
41:18

63. Dropping the price

We've launched with a price of $49.99/year, but we realized it's too high. We're lowering it to $19.99/year or $1.99/month.Get Metacast podcast app for Android and iOS at https://⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[01:14] How we decided to lower the price for Metacast[03:03] Initially we had three plans[04:48] Pulling the andon cord[06:40] One password app's reference point[08:21] Why we're not adding ads[11:35] Enshittification of consumer apps[14:21] Our costs for running the app[17:52] Rolling out the pricing change[20:05] Podcast and book recommendationsShow notesPodcastsPrevious episodes with Jennie: 42. Equity compensation at a pre-revenue bootstrapped startup, 17. From Teacher to Software Engineer at AmazonHandsomeThe Mark Zuckerberg Interview - AcquiredMeta’s Race for Your Face + Google’s Hit A.I. Notebook + HatGPT - Hard Fork#446 – Ed Barnhart: Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Lost Civilizations of South America - Lex Fridman Podcast#369 – Paul Rosolie: Amazon Jungle, Uncontacted Tribes, Anacondas, and Ayahuasca - Lex Fridman Podcast#429 – Paul Rosolie: Jungle, Apex Predators, Aliens, Uncontacted Tribes, and God - Lex Fridman PodcastBooksFast Second: How Smart Companies Bypass Radical Innovation to Enter and Dominate New Markets by Constantinos C. Markides, Paul A. GeroskiGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

10-17
30:51

62. Rejected by Apple

We've launched Metacast in Apple App Store. In this episode, we talk about the process and Apple's feedback.Get Metacast podcast app for Android and iOS at https://⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[00:51] Big milestone![02:38] Apple requires screenshots for older phones[05:23] iPad screenshots[07:17] Apple's responses[12:11] The rejection we couldn't figure out[16:14] Apple vs. Google review feedback[20:26] Marketing the app[25:13] Podcast and book recommendationsShow notesPodcasts#2190 - Peter Thiel - The Joe Rogan Experience#442 – Donald Trump Interview - Lex Fridman PodcastBooksNot Till We Are Lost: Bobiverse, Book 5 by Dennis E. TaylorGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

10-02
35:05

61. Confessions of a lonely founder, Flutter & iOS woes, app positioning

In this episode we discuss a couple of weeks when our Slack went silent, a slow grind to launch on iOS, and talk about the word we want Metacast to be known for.Get Metacast podcast app for Android and iOS at https://⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[02:12] Confessions of a lonely founder[07:12] iOS and Flutter woes[18:33] The Wizard of Oz feature for OPML import[23:30] What is the word you want to be known for?[29:38] Podcast and book recommendationsShow notesPodcasts596: A New Foundation for Progress - Accidental Tech Podcast300: The Aftermath - Under the RadarI like to Read My Podcasts - Comfort ZoneBooksThe Storyteller by Dave GrohlThe 22 Immutable Laws of Branding by Al Ries & Laura RiesNight Watch: Book One by Sergei LukyanenkoGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

09-18
38:01

60. First haters, first violations, the launch process and smelling like teen spirit

We've launched Metacast on Android. In this episode, we talk about the feedback we received, first haters, Google Play store violations, and our launch process. We cover topics of feature toggling, versionGet Metacast podcast app for Android and iOS at https://⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[02:16] Quick update on Android launch[07:57] Marketing and retention[11:17] Our first one-star review on Play Store[15:39] Feedback from the Overcast subreddit[19:37] Our launch process[23:15] Our first violation in the Play Store[25:13] Feature toggling[27:48] Versionarte[29:05] Transitioning of existing users[32:20] What we're listening to and readingShow notesPodcastsNetworks & Audiences on Bootstrapped Web#1881 - Rick Rubin on The Joe Rogan ExperienceBooksThe Storyteller by Dave GrohlDavid and Goliath by Malcolm GladwellGamesNeed For Speed: No LimitsGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

09-04
41:31

59. Metacast for Android launched!

Big announcement - we've launched Metacast on Android in Google Play Store! In this episode, we talk about deciding the scope for v1, punting on features, and pricing.Get Metacast at ⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠. New users get 51% off Metacast Premium until end of August 2024.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[00:22] We've launched in Google Play Store![02:58] Preparation for launch[04:01] What makes Metacast app different from other podcast apps?[13:49] Features we punted at launch[20:45] Pricing Metacast Premium[27:48] Podcast and book recommendationsShow notesPodcastsПодкасты Михаила ГребенюкаThings You Thought You Knew – Planet X on the StarTalk Radio podcastBooksAnansi Boys by Neil GaimanNeverwhere by Neil GaimanGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

08-14
34:00

58. The 1 Year Anniversary

It’s been a year since we started working on Metacast. In this episode Arnab and Ilya reflect on the journey and compare working on a startup with the old corporate days.Get Metacast at ⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[05:35] No going back to corporate[06:21] Annual reviews[13:43] Best year of Ilya's career[15:49] Frustrations with corporate[20:32] Anxiety and collaboration[26:41] Playing a long game[27:33] Letting go of old habits[34:13] Getting back into coding[37:22] What's new in the app[40:55] Book & podcast recommendationsShow notesLinksIlya’s LinkedIn post with reflectionsPodcastsMetacast Ep. 24, part 1: Leaving jobs at Google and Amazon to start a podcast tech companyMetacast Ep. 24, part 2: Non-linear career paths, culture at Google vs. AmazonWhat Are Sperm Whales Saying? Researchers Find A Complex 'Alphabet' on the Short Wave podcastWas the 401(k) a Mistake? on The Daily podcastGoogle Eats Rocks + A Win for A.I. Interpretability + Safety Vibe Check on the Hard Fork podcastAdam Mosseri on the Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin podcastBooksThe 4-Hour Workweek by Tim FerrissThree-Body Problem by Cixin LiuMusashi by Eiji YoshikawaThe Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto MusashiRevolutionary Road by Richard YatesThe Celestine Prophecy by James RedfieldBurn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara SwisherMovies & TVShogun TV seriesRevolutionary RoadFord v FerrariGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

07-17
55:54

57. Positioning, power struggle, DUNS bureaucracy

We're discussing the dilemma of positioning Metacast as both powerful and simple, break down the recent power struggle about 5% transparency of a UI element, and share our experience with the DUNS number that developers have to get to be in Apple App Store and Google Play Store.Get Metacast at ⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[02:00] The positioning dilemma[10:15] Remaining features to launch the app and recent updates[13:30] Power struggle between Arnab and Ilya[17:40] DUNS (doh...)[23:08] Book and podcast recommendationsShow notesLinksD-U-N-S NumberPodcastsMicrosoft episode on AcquiredThe Point of ConvergenceThe Emerald: For the IntuitivesBooksThree-Body Problem by Cixin LiuGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

05-17
30:07

56. We're back!

We're back and this is a massive update on what we've been up to since our last episode!Get Metacast at ⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.Segments[00:24] We're back[03:23] Tangent about our names[05:00] First full-team offsite in Florida[08:27] We made Android cool again![12:44] Paid app subscriptions with RevenueCat[16:04] Reflection on working in person vs. WFH[21:01] Seeing alligators in the Everglades[24:08] How we got an intern/contractor to build a website[27:33] We've applied to YC for the third time[28:13] Filing corporate taxes for 2023[31:41] What we're listening, reading and watchingShow notesSoftwareNext.jsVercelOutstaticFondoGustoPodcastsMicrosoft episode on AcquiredTetragrammaton with Rick Rubin: Edward Norton, Jon Kabat-ZinnBooksThree-Body Problem by Cixin LiuDune by Frank HerbertRevolutionary Road by Richard YatesWherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-ZinnMoviesThree-Body Problem series on NetflixDune, Dune 2Star WarsRevolutionary RoadGet in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

05-01
38:51

55. Leaving Google and Amazon to bootstrap Metacast (rerun of ep. 24)

We took a leap of faith and left our jobs at Google and Amazon to jump into the unknown. It wasn't easy and required quite a bit of planning. This is a rerun of June 2023 episode where we talk about how we did it.Get Metacast at ⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠.Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit.LinksShow notes for part 1 and part 2 can be found on our website.Get in touch🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

03-20
01:32:49

54. How we chose the market to go after

We got asked how we were thinking about product-market-fit, potential revenue, and entering a market that already has strong players. We’re giving a full breakdown of our thought process. Get Metacast at ⁠⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠⁠. Join the ⁠⁠r/metacastapp⁠⁠ subreddit. Segments [01:35] Ilya's “fun” interview with Google (tangent) [05:52] How we chose the market to go after [21:42] Our financial model approach [27:06] Thinking about the company size early on [31:09] How much money do we personally want to make [35:33] Non-financial motivation [38:51] The value of an MBA [41:03] Books, podcasts and movies recommendations Links Metacast ⁠Get Metacast for iOS and Android⁠ ⁠r/metacastapp subreddit⁠ ⁠The Pragmatic Podcaster⁠ book by Ilya Podcasts Earned Secrets on the a16z podcast (August 4, 2018) 21 Brutally Honest Lessons About Life - Alex Hormozi on Chris Williamson’s podcast Controversial Truths You Need To Hear - Pt.1 (on the Modern Wisdom Podcast) | Ep 673 on the The Game w/ Alex Hormozi podcast Books The Science of Interstellar by Kip Thorne Dune by Frank Herbert Children of Dune by Frank Herbert Bone by Jeff Smith Movies Interstellar Harry Potter Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠ 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

03-06
49:25

53. How we launched Metacast in beta

We broke Metacast just before launching it in open beta. Ouch. On this episode, we talk about the launch, how it went, and what we’ve learned. Get Metacast at ⁠⁠metacast.app⁠⁠. Join the ⁠r/metacastapp⁠ subreddit. Segments [02:13] Get The Pragmatic Podcaster book for free [03:33] We broke Metacast just before launch [08:39] How we fixed the problem [14:04] The other way we broke the app [16:27] Publishing to Apple and Google [20:04] Marketing for open beta [24:10] Business metrics [30:38] This is just the beginning [34:20] Podcast and book recommendations Links Metacast Get Metacast for iOS and Android r/metacastapp subreddit The Pragmatic Podcaster book by Ilya Open beta launch content and mentions Reddit post LinkedIn post Pod News mention Tools Tramline - CI/CD for mobile apps Podcasts Metacast Ep. 40 - Automating mobile app releases with Tramline founders Builders Gonna Build Podcast Marketing Trends Explained We Tried the Apple Vision Pro + Can Congress Protect Kids Online? + Cruise’s Crash on the Hard Fork podcast The Vision Pro Reviews Are Here on the Techmeme Ride Home podcast Zuckerberg on the Vision Pro vs. Quest (video) How the Acquired podcast grew, and why they switched to Transistor on the Build Your SaaS podcast NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang on the Acquired podcast Charlie Munger on the Acquired podcast Books Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Children of Dune by Frank Herbert Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 Join our subreddit: ⁠https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👋 Send feedback or say hi: ⁠hello@metacastpodcast.com⁠ 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

02-21
40:59

52. Our first existential startup crisis

We had our first existential crisis when Apple announced that they're adding transcripts to Apple Podcasts. We panicked for a few minutes, regrouped, and decided to ship Metacast in open beta ASAP. On the episode, Arnab, Ilya and Jennie discuss the whole ordeal as it was happening. Get Metacast at ⁠metacast.app⁠. Join the r/metacastapp subreddit. Segments [01:09] Launch stages at Google and Amazon [07:21] Our secret sauce [13:00] Why we decided to start talking about the app openly [17:22] Our first existential crisis [31:07] Re-evaluation of priorities [34:35] Building a community on Reddit [38:03] Books and podcasts recommendations Links Metacast Get Metacast for iOS and Android r/metacastapp subreddit Podcasts Interview with Christian Selig on Builders Gonna Build Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness The Game w/ Alex Hormozi Books Broken Code: Inside Facebook and the Fight to Expose Its Harmful Secrets by Jeff Horwitz The Wanderer by Sharon Creech The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. & E. B. White Learn Spanish with Paul Noble for Beginners by Paul Noble Next Steps in Spanish with Paul Noble for Intermediate Learners by Paul Noble Bone by Jeff Smith Sandman by Neil Gaiman Dog Man by Dav Pilkey We Are Legion (We Are Bob): Bobiverse, Book 1 by Dennis E. Taylor Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Shows Queer Eye on Netflix Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👥 Join our subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/metacastapp/ ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

02-08
47:39

51. Post vacation guilt, writing docs, new podcast

We took a break from the startup for the holiday season and were welcomed back to work by a warm embrace of guilt. Should we feel guilt when building a startup? Today we also discuss the launch of our new podcast Builders Gonna Build and how we made the decision to start it. We talk about writing a doc, just like in the good ol’ days at Amazon. Listen to Builders Gonna Build - Apple Podcasts - Spotify - YouTube - Substack Segments [02:57] Snowmaggedon in Vancouver [09:04] Post-vacation guilt [21:32] Not building a unicorn [24:30] Introducing Builders Gonna Build [32:15] When in doubt, write a doc [38:07] Readers gonna read Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ 👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠⁠ 👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

01-24
50:39

Emergency episode

Wee-oo wee-oo wee-oo... we've got an important announcement to make!Bulders Gonna Build podcast:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeNewsletter on Substack: www.buildersgonnabuild.comGive it a rating, a follow and repost to help us out!

01-18
04:05

50. Year 2023 in review, plans for 2024

What was 2023 like to Metacast, what's ahead for us in 2024, and our favorite podcast recordings of 2023. Segments [02:39] Year 2023 in review [18:59] Could we have shipped Metacast faster? [23:45] Our plan for 2024 [31:36] Our favorite behind the scenes episodes of 2023 [39:04] Books and podcasts recommendations Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠⁠https://metacast.app⁠⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠⁠ 👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠⁠ 👚 Metacast merch: ⁠⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

01-10
50:07

49. Our favorite books, podcasts, products and experiences of 2023

To close off 2023, Arnab and Ilya sat down for a lighthearted review of our favorite books, podcasts, products and experiences of 2023. Segments [01:51] A lesson in geology [03:16] Our top books of 2023 [23:46] Our favorite podcasts of 2023 [41:04] Our favorite products [49:34] Experiences of the year 2023 Show notes Books Arnab’s The Ministry for the Future: A Novel by Kim Stanley Robinson Project Hail Mary: A Novel by Andy Weir Open: An Autobiography by Andre Agassi The Mom Test: How to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by Rob Fitzpatrick Bobiverse by Dennis E. Taylor By His Bootstraps by Robert Heinlein Seveneves by Neal Stephenson Ilya’s The Three-body Problem trilogy by Cixin Liu Books about Apple and simplicity Jony Ive: The Genius Behind Apple's Greatest Products by Leander Kahney Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making by Tony Fadell Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success by Ken Segall Creative Selection: Inside Apple's Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs by Ken Kocienda Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon by Dr Joe Dispenza Music, addiction, etc. It's So Easy: and other lies by Duff McKagan How To Be A Man (and other illusions) by Duff McKagan Slash by Slash and Anthony Bozza Podcasts Get the Metacast podcast app to open links or reach out to us at team@metacast.app to get early access if the app is not yet public by the time you’re reading this. Ilya’s Metacast: Behind the Scenes Mark Cuban: “And for that reason I’m out” on "The Really Good Podcast" Bobbi Althof interviews Drake (bootleg video) E235: The Man That Makes Millionaires: How To Turn $1,000 Into $100 Million!: Alex Hormozi on the "The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett" podcast Arnab’s The Bing Who Loved Me + Elon Rewrites the Algorithm on the "Hard Fork" podcast Las cartas de papá on "Duolingo Spanish Podcast" Show 69 - Twilight of the Aesir & Show 70 - Twilight of the Aesir II on "Dan Carlin's Hardcore History" Products Metacast podcast app - the best podcast app. Ever. Period. Duolingo Learn Spanish with Paul Noble for Beginners – Complete Course: Spanish Made Easy with Your Personal Language Coach by Paul Noble What ayahuasca feels like: It opens the heart of darkness | Paul Rosolie and Lex Fridman Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: ⁠https://metacast.app⁠ ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: ⁠https://www.metacastpodcast.com⁠ 👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW⁠ 👚 Metacast merch: ⁠https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

01-03
59:57

48. Pros and cons of working at Google and other Big Tech companies with Alex Rechevskiy

Alex Rechevskiy, PM career coach, tells us about his time as a PM at Google, his solopreneur coaching practice, and Comment Armor, his YouTube spam comments management startup. Segments [01:46] Why product management is hard? [07:27] Alex' solopreneur coaching business [19:30] Experience working at Google as a PM [41:18] Building social media following [44:11] Preventing spam in YouTube comments with Comment Armor [58:01] Book recommendation Show notes Alex on LinkedIn Alex’s website Alex on YouTube Alex on X/Twitter Cracking the PM Interview Krazam video on Microservices Krazam video I Have Delivered Value... But At What Cost? Not Boring newsletter Hooked by Nir Eyal Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: https://metacast.app ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: https://www.metacastpodcast.com 👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW 👚 Metacast merch: https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

12-20
01:00:27

[RERUN] Brian McCullough, the host of Techmeme Ride Home and Internet History Podcast

This is a re-run of our "very second episode" originally published on Jan 11, 2023.--For our second episode (and the very first one with a guest!), we sat down with Brian McCullough, creator of the ⁠Internet History Podcast⁠, one of Ilya’s all-time favorite podcasts. Brian’s current podcast is ⁠Techmeme Ride Home⁠, a popular daily summary of tech news that has over a million downloads every month. Brian is also an investor running the ⁠Ride Home Fund⁠ and a resident at TED (check out Brian’s ⁠talk⁠).Brian is on Twitter as @brianmcc (⁠https://twitter.com/brianmcc⁠).Full show notes with links: ⁠https://newsletter.metacastpodcast.com/p/002-brian-mccullough-internet-history⁠🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: https://metacast.app✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: https://www.metacastpodcast.com👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW👚 Metacast merch: https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

12-13
01:45:09

47. Is fair equity compensation possible in a startup? with Outseta's co-founder Geoff Roberts

Geoff Roberts, co-founder of Outseta, on a compensation model that allows employees earn founder-level equity. Segments [01:06] Intro of Geoff and Outseta [03:42] How Outseta got started [10:50] Current state of Outsetta business [18:35] Customer acquisition through content marketing, affiliates and partnerships [33:27] Compensation philosophy [40:57] Cash vs. equity [48:18] Voting rights, scaling, and risks of Outseta's model [01:01:52] Hiring [01:03:35] Mechanics of the ledger and corporate structure [01:07:15] Book recommendation Show notes Outseta All-in-one membership software Geoff’s Twitter/X: @geofftroberts Geoff's LinkedIn Outseta blog Outseta operating agreement Metacast Ep. 36 - Building a startup with contractors with Melissa Kwan, co-founder & CEO of eWebinar No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram Reinventing Organizations Get in touch 🚀 Get the Metacast podcast app: https://metacast.app ✉️ Subscribe to Metacast newsletter: https://www.metacastpodcast.com 👋 Send feedback or say hi: hello@metacastpodcast.com 📕 Get our book! The Pragmatic Podcaster: a step-by-step guide to starting an amazing podcast: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CFPMT8WW 👚 Metacast merch: https://merch.metacastpodcast.com

12-06
01:10:38

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