Tacos and Tech Podcast

In this week’s episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, Neal sits down with Faisal Mushtaq - tech exec, startup scaler, author, and community builder - to explore the lessons learned from operating at every level of the tech stack: from startups in stealth to global public companies.Faisal shares how his engineering roots led him into roles scaling teams of three to three thousand, the value of building across verticals, and why he sees writing, mentorship, and convening not as extracurricular, but essential to long-term impact.He also unpacks the origin story of TechCon Global, and what’s next as the cross-regional tech summit expands from San Diego to Austin and beyond.Key Topics:* The difference between being an operator and being a scaler and why you need both* What startups can learn from big companies (and vice versa)* How blogging became Faisal’s medium for frameworks, reflection, and teaching* The importance of building bridges between startup ecosystems and the design of TechCon as that connective tissue* Why giving first is the only real long-term strategy for community leadership* How AI tools are changing how we write, work, and relate but not how we connectLinks & Resources:* TechCon Global* TechCon Southwest – Feb 12–13, AustinTechCon Global* TechCon SoCal 2026 – May 22–23, San Diego* Find all books here → Faisal Mushtaq on AmazonConnect with Faisal* Follow Faisal on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!10/10SD Startup Week debriefState of Biotech EcosystemFunding News* Turnout $21M Seed* Crystalys Therapeutics $205M Series A* Once Upon a Farm IPOSnapdragon Summit - Qualcomm announcements & Eyepop AI announcementsCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteSD Founders Hike - Oct 10Stocktoberfest Oct 20-22Carlsbad Industry Exchange - Biotech - Oct 22SD Defense Tech Coffee / Build Day Oct 23 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, we sit down with Matt Ober, Managing Partner at Social Leverage, to unpack the future of fintech, the evolving landscape of wealth tech, and what it means to build and invest with long-term conviction.Matt shares his journey from hedge funds and quant trading to early-stage venture capital, with stops at Bloomberg, WorldQuant, and Third Point before joining Social Leverage. We talk about the firm’s investing thesis, from Robinhood and Alpaca to the social side of investing with Stocktwits and the upcoming Stocktoberfest event in San Diego.From deep dives on compliance tooling and wealth advisor rollups to the convergence of trading, crypto, and sports betting - this episode maps the edges of where fintech is headed next.Key Topics covered:* Matt’s path from hedge fund data scientist to early-stage investor* The origin story of Social Leverage and how its partners found each other* Fintech then vs. now: what’s changed and what hasn’t* Why wealth management is ripe for disruption* Regulation, crypto, and the blending of gambling, investing, and community* How Stocktwits matters even more in a Robinhood world* The magic of Stocktoberfest and how in-person density builds stronger networks* What it’s like building and investing from San DiegoLinks & Resources* Social Leverage* Stocktwits* Stocktoberfest - October 20-22, 2025Connect with Matt* LinkedIn* X This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!10/3Defense Tech Gathering debriefFred’s story on Harpoon’s Black FlagAvenzo Therapeutics series BCrinetics wins FDA approvalBiolinq receives de novo designationEli Lily new ribbon cuttingAlvys Series BAirport opened T1New Alaska Airlines lounge comingCal San Marcos Receives $10 million for STEM buildingSempra selling a $10B stake in Sempra InfrastructureCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteStartup Week Oct 6-10Connect New Leadership EventSD Defense Tech Gathering - Oct 23 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Aleksey Matyushev, co-founder and CEO of Natilus, the San Diego-based aerospace company reinventing air freight and passenger travel with next-gen aircraft. With over $39 billion in orders and a growing footprint in South County, Natilus is bringing cutting-edge manufacturing back to San Diego.Aleksey shares his journey from growing up near a Soviet airfield to becoming an aerodynamicist at Piper and Kratos. He walks us through the founding story of Natilus, early pivots from seaplanes to blended wing bodies, and how customer feedback (and cold emails) helped shape the company’s strategy. Plus, we dive into capital efficiency, certification pathways, and how Natilus is carving out space in a market long dominated by Boeing and Airbus.Key Topics Covered:* The legacy of aerospace in San Diego and why Natilus is doubling down here* Aleksey’s path from Piper Aircraft to Kratos to Natilus* Lessons learned from military-grade drones and commercial aviation* The first MVP: a 30-foot autonomous seaplane built in 14 months* Why cargo came first - and how airlines asked for passenger planes next* The Kona and Horizon: aircraft designed for freight and people, optimized for fuel, volume, and cost* Navigating testing, tooling, and certification with just $15M in capital raised* Why wind tunnels, FAA approvals, and Brown Field are key San Diego assets* How India became a fast-moving market for commercial orders* The future of aviation as seen from South County, San DiegoLinks & Resources* Natilus* Learn more about Rising Tide PartnersConnect with Aleksey & Neal* Connect with Aleksey on LinkedIn* Connect with Neal Bloom on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!9/19Broader Defense Tech:Harpoon x Firestorm Mixer DebriefEl Segundo Defense Tech Mixer DebriefFirestorms Labs opens 60,000 SFT Facility in Mira MesaBiotech:Treeline Biosciences emerges from stealth with $200M backed by ARCH Venture.Arnatar Therapeutics focused on precision RNA therapies emerges from stealth.Debut Bio raises and expands to AsiaYatiri - acquired another startupLuna Diabetes raises a Series ACurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteSept 26 - Defense Tech GatheringOct 3-5 - Startup WeekendOct 6-10 - SD Startup Week This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Tacos & Tech, Neal sits down with Rose Bowlus - lawyer, founder, and angel investor - whose journey from trading floors to startup boardrooms brings a rare blend of Wall Street experience and founder empathy.Rose shares how her legal career evolved from the capital markets and energy sectors to launching her own firm, Rose Bowlus Law, where she now advises early-stage startups and funds. They talk legal tech, Web3, fintech moats, and what founders often overlook when raising capital. Plus, Rose unpacks her growing role as an investor, how she’s empowering other lawyers through her Angels in the Law network, and what she looks for in the next generation of legal innovation.Key Topics* Rose’s career path from Berkeley to in-house counsel to founding her own law firm* Legal insights for fintech, Web3, and capital markets* How regulation shapes - and lags - innovation in financial services* Trends in legal tech adoption and where traditional firms are falling behind* Her philosophy of “give first” investing and building a founder-friendly syndicate* The origin story of Angels in the Law and the rise of lawyer-investors* Why clarity is everything when supporting (or funding) founders* Rose’s controversial taco take: Islands, North County editionLinks & resources* Rose Bowlus Law* Rising Tide Partners* Women’s Venture SummitConnect on LinkedIn* Connect with Rose on LinkedIn* Connect with Neal on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Eric Birkemeier, founder of ShredLights and now part of Meepo Electric Skateboards. Eric’s story is a wild ride - from 3D-printing in the SDSU ZIP Launchpad and selling Jordans out of thrift stores, to building a niche hardware company and ultimately exiting to a global electric skateboard brand.They unpack how Eric turned an early failed Kickstarter into a business with over $1M+ in revenue (with zero ad spend!), the importance of discovering product-market fit through real customer feedback, and the emotional rollercoaster of running and eventually selling a hardware startup during a downturn. From bootstrapping to navigating COVID, tariffs, and copycats - Eric shares what it really takes to get to the finish line (and how the finish line is just another beginning).Key Topics Covered:* From basement builds to business: Eric’s early love for inventing and entrepreneurship* The SDSU ZIP Launchpad, finding community, and the startup that wasn't a fit* Why the wrong customers helped him discover the right market* Pivoting from skate culture to the growing micro-mobility movement* Scaling from 3D printers to overseas supply chains - and the lessons from doing it the hard way* How Kyle and Eric’s founder relationship helped them navigate burnout, illness, and transition* Building trust with manufacturers and how one trip to China changed everything* Financial forecasting, staying lean, and prepping for an acquisition* The gritty, real story behind selling a business - and what Eric’s learned about what comes nextLinks & Resources:* ShredLights* Meepo Electric Skateboards* Physics Girl on YouTubeConnect with Eric & Neal* Connect with Eric Birkemeier* Connect with Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Tacos & Tech, Neal sits down with Drew Wilson, longtime North County founder, designer, engineer, and community builder. From launching products solo to landing a GoDaddy acquisition, Drew’s track record speaks for itself. Now he’s back with a new company, Opacity, and relaunching his beloved creative conference, ValioCon, right in the heart of Oceanside.In this episode, Drew shares his journey from early design days and Flash websites to building Plasso, navigating acquisition, and diving headfirst into GenAI-powered product development. He also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what’s coming with Opacity, why he’s bullish on version control for designers, and how tools like Midjourney and Claude are shaping his build stack.Key Points* Building Plasso as a solo founder and selling to GoDaddy* Going through YC while still working at GoDaddy* Launching (and shutting down) a modern digital bank* The origins of ValioCon and why it’s back after 9 years* The inspiration behind Opacity and the future of visual coding* Building products in the GenAI era — what’s actually different* His go-to North County burrito and tales from Cave WeekLinks & ResourcesLearn more about OpacityGrab your ticket to ValioConConnect with Drew & NealFollow Drew on Linkedin & XFollow Neal: LinkedIn & X This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners, building and investing in community.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!Aug 22Defense Tech Founders Event Recap of autonomous tech and military end-usersNew org leaders: Connect - James Z. Naturally San Diego - Renee Solares Techstars - Misti CainBuyBack Ventures launchesFundingSrt Therapeutics - $47MCeresti $11MIlundent - $4M Seed RoundM&AGroGuru acquired by Goanna AgGatsby acquired KlayvioCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteDefense Tech Build Day - Aug 28Gaming Gathering Build Day - Sept 2SD Defense at SoCal Deep Tech - Sept 16 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, Neal Bloom sits down with Larsen Jensen, former Olympian, Navy SEAL, and now Managing Partner of Harpoon Ventures, an early-stage venture firm backing founders building in the national interest.Larsen shares the journey from serving Team USA to launching a venture fund focused on what he calls the Freedom Stack - critical technologies like AI, autonomy, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing that shape not just industry, but national security and global stability.They explore how Harpoon was early to the intersection of tech and geopolitics, why San Diego is uniquely positioned to lead in hardtech and defense innovation, and how founders can better navigate the path to working with the U.S. government through Harpoon’s new initiative: Black Flag Incubator.Key Topics Covered:* Larsen’s Olympic and Navy SEAL background, and how it shaped his service-driven mission in venture* The original thesis behind Harpoon Ventures - and how the market caught up* Defining the "Freedom Stack": AI, cyber, energy, compute, defense, and more* The rise of government demand for critical technologies* Black Flag Incubator: helping founders navigate government engagement* Why San Diego is poised for hardtech and national security innovation* Advice for early-stage founders working in dual-use or deep tech* The importance of founder communities, ecosystem building, and paying it forward* Larsen’s go-to taco spot (hint: it’s inside Petco Park)Links & Resources:* Harpoon Ventures* Black FlagConnect with Larsen & Neal:* Larsen Jensen on LinkedIn* Neal Bloom on LinkedIn* Follow @NealBloom on Twitter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!Aug 15SDEE event debriefBiotech layoffs: Thermo, Poseida TherapeuticsEquillium raiseScale Bio acquired by 10X GenomicsPlantible opens a 100-acre manufacturing module in TexasBAE Shipyard Gains Defense Build ContractsPrebys Foundation Donates $1M to support grant medical researchCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteDefense Tech Build Day - Aug 28Gaming Gathering Build Day - Sept 2SD Defense at SoCal Deep Tech Week - Sept 16 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, Neal Bloom sits down with Madeline Fraser, the dynamic founder and CEO of Gemist, a B2B SaaS and AI company revolutionizing the jewelry industry.Madeline shares how a frustrating search for a custom engagement ring sparked the idea for Gemist, which now powers customization, stone sourcing, and hyper-realistic rendering for jewelry brands and retailers. With deep product insight and two previous startups under her belt - including an appearance on Shark Tank and an exit into the gaming space - Madeline unpacks how her creative background and startup experience led her to build scalable tech that’s reshaping a centuries-old industry.They talk about her time on The Pitch (where she met Neal and landed Gemist’s first investment round), her vision for modernizing the jewelry shopping experience, and why customization is no longer optional for today’s customers.Key Topics Covered:* How Madeline turned a personal pain point into Gemist’s founding story* Her Shark Tank experience - and why the deal didn’t go through* What it’s really like to bootstrap vs. fundraise* Why user testing came before writing a single line of code* The tech stack behind Gemist’s jewelry customization engine* Scaling B2B SaaS in a traditional industry* The future of Gemist: watches, new verticals, and profitability* Startup lessons from interior design to jewelry tech* Why every founder needs grit, agility, and a chip on their shoulderLinks & Resources:* GemistConnect with Madeline & Neal* Madeline on LinkedIn* Neal Bloom on LinkedIn* @NealBloom on Twitter This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!August 8Debrief Startup SD 1st Mondays event at KILN Rancho BernardoNew Connect CEOAI products:* Seismic AI* Metro MOICFundings:* Equip Health $47M* Trovata $9M Extension Series BSaronic moves into SDAgX Food Hub moves forwardCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteSD Defense Build Day - Aug 28Gaming Build Day - Sept 2SD Defense at SoCal Deep Tech - Sept 16 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this special episode of the podcast, host Neal Bloom takes us inside the Burbank Startup Pitch Fest - an exciting evening of innovation, capital, and community hosted in partnership with the City of Burbank and Rising Tide Partners.We kick things off with a welcome from Burbank’s Economic Development team, highlighting why the city is fast becoming a tech and media hub. Neal then moderates a candid conversation with early-stage investors Amy Harmon (Innovent Capital) and Ben Kahan (Pegasus Angel Accelerator) about today’s venture landscape - from what they look for in a pre-seed deal to how AI and founder-market fit are shaping startup success.Then, five founders take the stage to pitch their startups:* KATSHID: A frictionless, passwordless biometric identity platform* Geri Gadgets: Sensory tools supporting cognitive wellness in dementia and neurodivergent populations* Blip Industries: Drone-powered logistics, imaging, and defense systems* Health-e-Habits: Digital wellness programming helping families build mindful relationships with tech* Aspivix (Winner): A modern, non-traumatic alternative to the gynecological tenaculum, improving IUD and reproductive careFrom pitch insights to early-stage investing frameworks, this episode is packed with startup wisdom and a strong dose of real talk from the entrepreneurial front lines.Recorded live at Burbank Startup Pitch Fest 2025. Join us at the next Burbank Tech Talks on October 14 during #LATechWeek. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this special recorded event episode, Neal Bloom sits down with Trust & Will co-founder and CEO Cody Barbo in front of a live audience at SDSU’s Angel Academy. It’s an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation on what it really takes to back founders at the earliest of stages especially when they are bouncing back from tragedy.Cody and Neal reflect on startup missteps, co-founder breakups, raising from friends and angels, and how real trust (and real checks) get built over breakfast, not pitch decks. From being fired from his last venture to scaling Trust & Will to tens of millions in ARR, Cody shares a decade's worth of hard-won lessons with humor, humility, and insight.Whether you're a first-time founder, active angel, or just startup-curious, this candid session is packed with real talk about how relationships, not just revenue, power great companies.Key Topics Covered* Cody’s path from SDSU student to three-time founder* The co-founder breakup that led to Trust & Will* Lessons from getting fired as a CEO* Why Neal invested in Cody before a product even existed* Raising from 26 angels with $10K–$40K checks* What great investors do before they wire money* The power of monthly updates and founder–investor trust* Behind the scenes of Techstars, Series A/B, and scaling to tens of millions in ARR* Advice for founders on protecting themselves and choosing aligned investors* How angels can create value before, during, and after the check clearsLinks & Resources* Trust & Will* Rising Tide Partners* San Diego Angel ConferenceConnect with Cody* Cody Barbo on LinkedInConnect with Neal* Neal Bloom on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Alex Adler, co-founder of Puesto, to talk about how a family with no restaurant background built one of the most beloved modern taco brands in the country. From its La Jolla beginnings to an expanding restaurant group that includes Marisi and Romana Norte, Puesto has grown through a mix of culinary authenticity, operational innovation, and cultural conviction.Alex shares the origin story of Puesto, early pivots that reshaped their entire concept, how Toast and DoorDash changed the game for their operations, and how they’ve kept taco trends and consumer tastes at the heart of their menu. Plus, we talk about non-alcoholic innovation, building culture at scale, and yes—his all-time favorite taco.Key Topics Covered* The family roots of Puesto and why hospitality was a leap of faith* How Puesto went from food stand concept to a multi-state operation* The early pivot from fast-casual to full-service that changed everything* Why crispy cheese and house-made tortillas are non-negotiables* How Puesto adapted during COVID—and doubled down on delivery* Tech tools that transformed operations (Toast, DoorDash integrations)* Balancing menu staples with taco trend experimentation* Why they built their own non-alcoholic tequila alternative* Expansion news: new Puesto location, new concepts, and out-of-state growth* Filet mignon taco, pistachio-serrano salsa, and why they still ring the bellLinks & Resources* Puesto Restaurants* Marisi La JollaConnect with Alex Adler* LinkedIn: Alex AdlerConnect with Neal Bloom* LinkedIn* Twitter: @NealBloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!July 11* Funding:* Firestorm $47m Series A* Field Medical raises again* Tang Capital acquires* SoftEye acquired* AI Launches:* Trust & Will launches new AI platform* Wealth tech Copia AI new partnership* Comma AI valued at $1B* Clickup’s AI Agent gets top ranking by G2* Atrium Energy powering commercial properties* Alexandria Signs 466k Lease with Big Pharma* Oku launches into Sprouts* Modal AI in the new U.S. Defense Department videoCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social Coyote This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Tacos & Tech Podcast, host Neal Bloom sits down with Arman and Andrew, of Podhaus, a full-service podcast production studio based in Burbank, CA. From launching just before COVID to building one of LA’s most sought-after recording spaces, the duo shares how they went from music engineering and tech backgrounds to building a creative business in the heart of the media capital, Burbank, CA.We dive into what makes a podcast studio succeed, how to think about production versus authenticity, and why audio always matters more than video. Plus, we get real about gear recommendations for on-location podcasting, changes in podtech like Substack and Spotify, and what it takes to attract the right clients - from beginners to corporate teams.Key Topics Covered* The unexpected origins of Podhaus - and how it pivoted from a music studio to podcast-only* The difference between polished production and authentic podcasting - and why authenticity wins* Why good audio trumps everything else (yes, even video)* Three studio setups Podhaus offers and how creators pick their aesthetic* Who the ideal client is (hint: it’s not always beginners)* Studio tips for on-location recording (gear, lighting, and sound)* Tech trends: Substack’s clip editor, Spotify’s new comment features, and the race to own podcaster workflows* Favorite LA taco spots from classic lengua to artisanal lambLinks & Resources* PodhausConnect with Arman & Andrew* Arman Zeytounyan* Andrew ZeytounyanConnect with Neal Bloom* LinkedIn: Neal Bloom* Twitter: @NealBloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe

Listen & subscribe on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms.Welcome everyone to the weekly San Diego Tech News!I’m Neal Bloom from Rising Tide Partners and the Tacos and Tech Podcast.My co-host in this episode is Fred Grier, journalist and author of The Business of San Diego substack. He covers the ins-and-outs of the startup world including breaking news, IPOs, fundraising rounds, and M&A through his newsletter.Before we dive in, we wanted to thank and ask our listeners to help us grow the show, leave a review and share with one other person who should be more plugged in with the SD Tech Scene. Thank you for the support and for helping us build the San Diego Startup Community!July 7Events debrief - Andy Ballester/SD Tech Founders eventMacro market is feeling positiveCarlsmed files for IPOCapstan Thera acquiredAquacycl - International expansion through MetroConnectBlossomhill Therapuetics moves in new HQFundings:Gallant Therapeutics - $18MArialys Therapeutics - $14MKelly Slater moved his brand to SDCurated Events List – For full list – check The Social CoyoteJuly 8 - Afternoon Founders HikeJuly 29 - Dev & Data x CTO Talks: Healthtech Night - link coming soon This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit freshbrewedtech.substack.com/subscribe